From the Omaha, NE. "World-Herald" Newspaper:
Bernice Labedz fought for many causes
For 20 years, the husky voice of Bernice Labedz was the voice of south Omaha.
That voice — along with her striking dark hair with a white streak — were part of the outer image of a local political icon known for her ability to get things done and the pride she took in her Polish Catholic packinghouse heritage.
The former Nebraska senator and Douglas County Board member died of congestive heart failure Saturday at a Papillion nursing home, said her son, Frank Labedz of Omaha. She was 89.
Bernice Labedz loved south Omaha, said Kathleen Kelley, chief administrative officer for Douglas County and a longtime friend. And south Omaha residents loved her, Kelley said.
Labedz's maternal nature led many to call her "Mamma Labedz" — a nickname she considered an honor.
Labedz grew up near the Stockyards, where several members of her family were employed. She was one of 17 children.
She was a go-getter from a young age, renting garage space from her parents to run a makeshift cafe. The preteen Labedz sold polish sausage sandwiches, hamburgers, malts and coffee to truckers backed up on L Street waiting to dump off loads of cattle.
Her mother also sent the young Labedz to the railroad tracks with her wagon to fetch coal discarded from trains. The family used the scraps of coal for heat, but Labedz often ran the same errand for neighboring families, said Loran Schmit, a former state senator from Bellwood, Neb., who served with Labedz from 1976 to 1992.
"She grew up in the great Depression and knew the value of a dollar from a very young age," Schmit said. "She spoke with pride about those days, and it helped make her very fiscally conservative."
Labedz fought to keep her native south Omaha as prosperous as possible. She was instrumental in preventing the former Falstaff Brewery from moving out of Omaha in the early 1980s, making a personal appeal to Falstaff's owner in San Francisco.
Labedz was appointed to the Legislature in 1976 to fill the unexpired term of Eugene Mahoney, who had resigned to become director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
While in office, Labedz fought for the rights of senior citizens and the working class, and she was recognized as a leader in floor debate. She also was involved in every piece of anti-abortion legislation proposed during her 16 years in the Legislature. She led the effort to pass a parental notification requirement for minors.
She staunchly supported her convictions, but she did so with grace, Schmit said.
"She respected other people's right to disagree with her," Schmit said. "In my 16 years serving with her, we disagreed a few times, but she never had a cross word for me. That's rare in politics."
Labedz left the Legislature in 1992 because her husband's health was failing. She ran for and won a post closer to home, on the County Board. Health concerns forced her to step down in 1997.
"She was just a great example to all of her children and grandchildren," Frank Labedz said of his mother.
The white streak in her hair was hereditary — a trait shared by several family members. By the time she died, her hair had turned all white.
Labedz's whole package — her hair, conviction and grace — set a high standard, Schmit said.
"You probably won't find another one like her," he said. "She was special."
Gov. Dave Heineman has directed that U.S. and Nebraska flags be flown at half-staff Wednesday in Omaha and at the Nebraska State Capitol and the Governor's Mansion as a sign of respect for Labedz.
A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann Dworak-Cutler West Center Chapel at 78th Street and West Center Road. A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 4002 J St.
Survivors include daughters Terry Labedz of Bellevue, Jan McReynolds of Omaha and Toni Lenagh of Bellevue; son Frank Labedz; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and sisters Dorothy Brukner of Omaha and Mary Brzezinski of St. Petersburg, Fla.
----------------------------------------
11-23-2011 From the Omaha World Herald:
A segment of Y Street is now named for a late politician who made South Omaha her cause, and home.
Bernice Labedz Way, which stretches from South 27th to South 30th Streets, was christened Wednesday in honor of the late state senator and Douglas County Board member.
Mayor Jim Suttle, Labedz family members and other officials were on hand for the commemorative renaming, which had been approved by the City Council earlier this month.
Since Bernice Labedz Way is a commemorative name, it will not officially rename the stretch of Y Street.
Labedz was appointed to the Legislature in 1976 to fill the unexpired term of Eugene Mahoney, who had resigned to become director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
She made a name for herself fighting for the rights of senior citizens and the working class, and she was recognized as a leader in floor debate. She also was involved in every piece of anti-abortion legislation proposed during her 16 years in the Legislature. She died in 2008 at the age of 89.
Bernice Labedz fought for many causes
For 20 years, the husky voice of Bernice Labedz was the voice of south Omaha.
That voice — along with her striking dark hair with a white streak — were part of the outer image of a local political icon known for her ability to get things done and the pride she took in her Polish Catholic packinghouse heritage.
The former Nebraska senator and Douglas County Board member died of congestive heart failure Saturday at a Papillion nursing home, said her son, Frank Labedz of Omaha. She was 89.
Bernice Labedz loved south Omaha, said Kathleen Kelley, chief administrative officer for Douglas County and a longtime friend. And south Omaha residents loved her, Kelley said.
Labedz's maternal nature led many to call her "Mamma Labedz" — a nickname she considered an honor.
Labedz grew up near the Stockyards, where several members of her family were employed. She was one of 17 children.
She was a go-getter from a young age, renting garage space from her parents to run a makeshift cafe. The preteen Labedz sold polish sausage sandwiches, hamburgers, malts and coffee to truckers backed up on L Street waiting to dump off loads of cattle.
Her mother also sent the young Labedz to the railroad tracks with her wagon to fetch coal discarded from trains. The family used the scraps of coal for heat, but Labedz often ran the same errand for neighboring families, said Loran Schmit, a former state senator from Bellwood, Neb., who served with Labedz from 1976 to 1992.
"She grew up in the great Depression and knew the value of a dollar from a very young age," Schmit said. "She spoke with pride about those days, and it helped make her very fiscally conservative."
Labedz fought to keep her native south Omaha as prosperous as possible. She was instrumental in preventing the former Falstaff Brewery from moving out of Omaha in the early 1980s, making a personal appeal to Falstaff's owner in San Francisco.
Labedz was appointed to the Legislature in 1976 to fill the unexpired term of Eugene Mahoney, who had resigned to become director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
While in office, Labedz fought for the rights of senior citizens and the working class, and she was recognized as a leader in floor debate. She also was involved in every piece of anti-abortion legislation proposed during her 16 years in the Legislature. She led the effort to pass a parental notification requirement for minors.
She staunchly supported her convictions, but she did so with grace, Schmit said.
"She respected other people's right to disagree with her," Schmit said. "In my 16 years serving with her, we disagreed a few times, but she never had a cross word for me. That's rare in politics."
Labedz left the Legislature in 1992 because her husband's health was failing. She ran for and won a post closer to home, on the County Board. Health concerns forced her to step down in 1997.
"She was just a great example to all of her children and grandchildren," Frank Labedz said of his mother.
The white streak in her hair was hereditary — a trait shared by several family members. By the time she died, her hair had turned all white.
Labedz's whole package — her hair, conviction and grace — set a high standard, Schmit said.
"You probably won't find another one like her," he said. "She was special."
Gov. Dave Heineman has directed that U.S. and Nebraska flags be flown at half-staff Wednesday in Omaha and at the Nebraska State Capitol and the Governor's Mansion as a sign of respect for Labedz.
A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann Dworak-Cutler West Center Chapel at 78th Street and West Center Road. A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 4002 J St.
Survivors include daughters Terry Labedz of Bellevue, Jan McReynolds of Omaha and Toni Lenagh of Bellevue; son Frank Labedz; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and sisters Dorothy Brukner of Omaha and Mary Brzezinski of St. Petersburg, Fla.
----------------------------------------
11-23-2011 From the Omaha World Herald:
A segment of Y Street is now named for a late politician who made South Omaha her cause, and home.
Bernice Labedz Way, which stretches from South 27th to South 30th Streets, was christened Wednesday in honor of the late state senator and Douglas County Board member.
Mayor Jim Suttle, Labedz family members and other officials were on hand for the commemorative renaming, which had been approved by the City Council earlier this month.
Since Bernice Labedz Way is a commemorative name, it will not officially rename the stretch of Y Street.
Labedz was appointed to the Legislature in 1976 to fill the unexpired term of Eugene Mahoney, who had resigned to become director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
She made a name for herself fighting for the rights of senior citizens and the working class, and she was recognized as a leader in floor debate. She also was involved in every piece of anti-abortion legislation proposed during her 16 years in the Legislature. She died in 2008 at the age of 89.
From the Omaha, NE. "World-Herald" Newspaper:
Bernice Labedz fought for many causes
For 20 years, the husky voice of Bernice Labedz was the voice of south Omaha.
That voice — along with her striking dark hair with a white streak — were part of the outer image of a local political icon known for her ability to get things done and the pride she took in her Polish Catholic packinghouse heritage.
The former Nebraska senator and Douglas County Board member died of congestive heart failure Saturday at a Papillion nursing home, said her son, Frank Labedz of Omaha. She was 89.
Bernice Labedz loved south Omaha, said Kathleen Kelley, chief administrative officer for Douglas County and a longtime friend. And south Omaha residents loved her, Kelley said.
Labedz's maternal nature led many to call her "Mamma Labedz" — a nickname she considered an honor.
Labedz grew up near the Stockyards, where several members of her family were employed. She was one of 17 children.
She was a go-getter from a young age, renting garage space from her parents to run a makeshift cafe. The preteen Labedz sold polish sausage sandwiches, hamburgers, malts and coffee to truckers backed up on L Street waiting to dump off loads of cattle.
Her mother also sent the young Labedz to the railroad tracks with her wagon to fetch coal discarded from trains. The family used the scraps of coal for heat, but Labedz often ran the same errand for neighboring families, said Loran Schmit, a former state senator from Bellwood, Neb., who served with Labedz from 1976 to 1992.
"She grew up in the great Depression and knew the value of a dollar from a very young age," Schmit said. "She spoke with pride about those days, and it helped make her very fiscally conservative."
Labedz fought to keep her native south Omaha as prosperous as possible. She was instrumental in preventing the former Falstaff Brewery from moving out of Omaha in the early 1980s, making a personal appeal to Falstaff's owner in San Francisco.
Labedz was appointed to the Legislature in 1976 to fill the unexpired term of Eugene Mahoney, who had resigned to become director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
While in office, Labedz fought for the rights of senior citizens and the working class, and she was recognized as a leader in floor debate. She also was involved in every piece of anti-abortion legislation proposed during her 16 years in the Legislature. She led the effort to pass a parental notification requirement for minors.
She staunchly supported her convictions, but she did so with grace, Schmit said.
"She respected other people's right to disagree with her," Schmit said. "In my 16 years serving with her, we disagreed a few times, but she never had a cross word for me. That's rare in politics."
Labedz left the Legislature in 1992 because her husband's health was failing. She ran for and won a post closer to home, on the County Board. Health concerns forced her to step down in 1997.
"She was just a great example to all of her children and grandchildren," Frank Labedz said of his mother.
The white streak in her hair was hereditary — a trait shared by several family members. By the time she died, her hair had turned all white.
Labedz's whole package — her hair, conviction and grace — set a high standard, Schmit said.
"You probably won't find another one like her," he said. "She was special."
Gov. Dave Heineman has directed that U.S. and Nebraska flags be flown at half-staff Wednesday in Omaha and at the Nebraska State Capitol and the Governor's Mansion as a sign of respect for Labedz.
A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann Dworak-Cutler West Center Chapel at 78th Street and West Center Road. A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 4002 J St.
Survivors include daughters Terry Labedz of Bellevue, Jan McReynolds of Omaha and Toni Lenagh of Bellevue; son Frank Labedz; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and sisters Dorothy Brukner of Omaha and Mary Brzezinski of St. Petersburg, Fla.
----------------------------------------
11-23-2011 From the Omaha World Herald:
A segment of Y Street is now named for a late politician who made South Omaha her cause, and home.
Bernice Labedz Way, which stretches from South 27th to South 30th Streets, was christened Wednesday in honor of the late state senator and Douglas County Board member.
Mayor Jim Suttle, Labedz family members and other officials were on hand for the commemorative renaming, which had been approved by the City Council earlier this month.
Since Bernice Labedz Way is a commemorative name, it will not officially rename the stretch of Y Street.
Labedz was appointed to the Legislature in 1976 to fill the unexpired term of Eugene Mahoney, who had resigned to become director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
She made a name for herself fighting for the rights of senior citizens and the working class, and she was recognized as a leader in floor debate. She also was involved in every piece of anti-abortion legislation proposed during her 16 years in the Legislature. She died in 2008 at the age of 89.
Bernice Labedz fought for many causes
For 20 years, the husky voice of Bernice Labedz was the voice of south Omaha.
That voice — along with her striking dark hair with a white streak — were part of the outer image of a local political icon known for her ability to get things done and the pride she took in her Polish Catholic packinghouse heritage.
The former Nebraska senator and Douglas County Board member died of congestive heart failure Saturday at a Papillion nursing home, said her son, Frank Labedz of Omaha. She was 89.
Bernice Labedz loved south Omaha, said Kathleen Kelley, chief administrative officer for Douglas County and a longtime friend. And south Omaha residents loved her, Kelley said.
Labedz's maternal nature led many to call her "Mamma Labedz" — a nickname she considered an honor.
Labedz grew up near the Stockyards, where several members of her family were employed. She was one of 17 children.
She was a go-getter from a young age, renting garage space from her parents to run a makeshift cafe. The preteen Labedz sold polish sausage sandwiches, hamburgers, malts and coffee to truckers backed up on L Street waiting to dump off loads of cattle.
Her mother also sent the young Labedz to the railroad tracks with her wagon to fetch coal discarded from trains. The family used the scraps of coal for heat, but Labedz often ran the same errand for neighboring families, said Loran Schmit, a former state senator from Bellwood, Neb., who served with Labedz from 1976 to 1992.
"She grew up in the great Depression and knew the value of a dollar from a very young age," Schmit said. "She spoke with pride about those days, and it helped make her very fiscally conservative."
Labedz fought to keep her native south Omaha as prosperous as possible. She was instrumental in preventing the former Falstaff Brewery from moving out of Omaha in the early 1980s, making a personal appeal to Falstaff's owner in San Francisco.
Labedz was appointed to the Legislature in 1976 to fill the unexpired term of Eugene Mahoney, who had resigned to become director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
While in office, Labedz fought for the rights of senior citizens and the working class, and she was recognized as a leader in floor debate. She also was involved in every piece of anti-abortion legislation proposed during her 16 years in the Legislature. She led the effort to pass a parental notification requirement for minors.
She staunchly supported her convictions, but she did so with grace, Schmit said.
"She respected other people's right to disagree with her," Schmit said. "In my 16 years serving with her, we disagreed a few times, but she never had a cross word for me. That's rare in politics."
Labedz left the Legislature in 1992 because her husband's health was failing. She ran for and won a post closer to home, on the County Board. Health concerns forced her to step down in 1997.
"She was just a great example to all of her children and grandchildren," Frank Labedz said of his mother.
The white streak in her hair was hereditary — a trait shared by several family members. By the time she died, her hair had turned all white.
Labedz's whole package — her hair, conviction and grace — set a high standard, Schmit said.
"You probably won't find another one like her," he said. "She was special."
Gov. Dave Heineman has directed that U.S. and Nebraska flags be flown at half-staff Wednesday in Omaha and at the Nebraska State Capitol and the Governor's Mansion as a sign of respect for Labedz.
A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann Dworak-Cutler West Center Chapel at 78th Street and West Center Road. A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 4002 J St.
Survivors include daughters Terry Labedz of Bellevue, Jan McReynolds of Omaha and Toni Lenagh of Bellevue; son Frank Labedz; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and sisters Dorothy Brukner of Omaha and Mary Brzezinski of St. Petersburg, Fla.
----------------------------------------
11-23-2011 From the Omaha World Herald:
A segment of Y Street is now named for a late politician who made South Omaha her cause, and home.
Bernice Labedz Way, which stretches from South 27th to South 30th Streets, was christened Wednesday in honor of the late state senator and Douglas County Board member.
Mayor Jim Suttle, Labedz family members and other officials were on hand for the commemorative renaming, which had been approved by the City Council earlier this month.
Since Bernice Labedz Way is a commemorative name, it will not officially rename the stretch of Y Street.
Labedz was appointed to the Legislature in 1976 to fill the unexpired term of Eugene Mahoney, who had resigned to become director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
She made a name for herself fighting for the rights of senior citizens and the working class, and she was recognized as a leader in floor debate. She also was involved in every piece of anti-abortion legislation proposed during her 16 years in the Legislature. She died in 2008 at the age of 89.
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