Laurel Ann Berg Muff Obituary (1950 - 2020)

Laurel Ann Berg Muff was born on December 30, 1950 in Chicago to Walter Henry Martin Berg and M. Garnette Palmer Berg. She lived in Brookfield and Western Springs, Illinois where she graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1969. She then attended Nebraska Wesleyan College in Lincoln where she graduated with a degree in Education, doing further graduate work at UNL in middle school studies. She taught 6th grade for Lincoln Public Schools at Huntington, Saratoga, and Prescott Elementary, as well as Loefler Middle School. For over 30 years she dedicated herself to her students. She received her Gold star in excellence in education from LPS upon her retirement. Her love of Nebraska history in her classroom led her to become a docent, giving tours of her beloved Nebraska State Capitol. A member of First Plymouth Church, she sang and joyfully toured with the First Plymouth Choir and Abendmusik Chorus nationally and abroad for over 40 years. She was a member of the National Education Association, the Nebraska State Education Association, the Lincoln Education Association, Phi Kappa Delta International, Friends of Lied, and Friends of Abendmusik. In 1978 she married Paul J. muff of Crete and together they raised his 3 sons, Paul, William and Scott as well as their son Charles, first in their Hallam farmhouse and later their acreage outside of Denton. Paul and Laurel labored in their beloved gardens for over 35 years; growing roses, native flowers and shrubs, fruits and vegetables of all variety. Many an early morning sunrise was had with coffee on the front porch watching the birds and wildlife. Laurel was a friend to many always helpful with a listening ear and a quip. She enjoyed playing bridge, fishing, cooking, fine dining, and often going out with her "bag ladies." Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and leukemia in 2014/5, she battled with spirit and continued to live vivaciously travelling the world and enjoying life. She peacefully left this earth on January 6 after a week in hospice. Laurel is preceded in death by her husband Paul and her parents Wally and Garie. She is survived by sons Paul (Melissa McCoy), Will (Stacey), Scott (Kristin) and Charles (Shandi), grandsons Jacob, Tate, Jackson, Scott and Paul; sister Cynthia Berg and nephew William of Atlanta and her Palmer cousins Nancy, Charles, Susan, Roger, Jennifer, and Joan. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 6-8PM, Friday, January 17, 2020 at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 5200 R Street.A celebration of Laurel's life will be held at 1PM, Saturday, January 18, 2020 at First Plymouth Church, 2000 D Street.Memorials may be directed to the Abendmusik Concert Series at First Plymouth Church or Robert M. Schultz Family American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Minneapolis, MN. 5200 R ST Lincoln, NE 68504 2000 D Street Lincoln, NE 68502