Ella Bud Bechtold was born March 11, 1910 to John and Minnie (Weickum) Wentz near Naper, Nebraska. She was the third of eleven children. She died March 29, 2010 at the Butte Healthcare Center in Butte, Nebraska at the age of 100 years.
Ella married Johnnie Bechtold on August 29, 1928 in Burke, South Dakota. They had one son, Albert. She and Johnnie made their home in the Jamison, Nebraska area and farmed until Johnnie died in 1965. Ella worked at the Westside Caf in Winner, South Dakota and the lunchroom in the school at Gregory, South Dakota.
In 1968 she bought her home in Naper, Nebraska. She was not afraid to work and would do anything you needed help with. She cleaned houses, took care of sick people in their homes, including her mother and her son. She helped with chores and picked chickens for little or no pay. All she asked is that you give her some livers and gizzards to take home. For many years she served as the towns babysitter.
Ella lived in her home until May of 2008 when she moved into the Butte Healthcare Center. She said Nursing Homes are a wonderful place for old people, but at 98 she wasnt quite old enough to be there. She was a loving, caring wife, mother and grandmother. She adored her grandchildren and would always brighten up when they were around.
Ella is survived by her three grandchildren: Carl Bechtold of Butte, NE; Karen (Leonard) Engelhaupt of Spencer, NE; and Jolene Warnke of ONeill, NE; seven great-grandchildren: Dallas and Grant Bechtold; Erica and David Engelhaupt; Jamie, Chad (Sandi) and Kyle Warnke; one great-great-granddaughter, Kaylee Warnke; one sister, Leona and husband George Lamb of Spokane, WA; one sister-in-law, Elsie Wentz of Bonesteel, SD; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Ella was preceded in by her parents, John and Minnie Wentz; her husband Johnnie; her son, Albert; daughter-in-law, Dolly; seven brothers: John (Jack), Albert (Walt), Art, Ed and Ted, and infant twin brothers; and two sisters: Ida and DeLores (Pete).

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 10:30 AM at the United Church of Christ in Naper. Burial will in the Knollcrest Cemetery, Naper. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church.