AKEN, Julia

Julia Aken, 72, of Lincoln, formerly of Grand Island died Sunday, April 30, 2006 at the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lincoln. Funeral services will be on Thursday at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Rev. Richard Piontkowski will officiate. Burial will be at the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. with at 7:00 P.M. rosary at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home. Mrs. Aken was born on April 12, 1934 in Grand Island to Juan & Concepcion (Guerrero) Cantu. Survivors of the immediate family include five sons, Jerry Cantu of Lincoln, Daryl Arfman of Mustang, Oklahoma, Mike Aken of Omaha, Edward Aken Jr. of Lincoln, and Andrew Aken of Grand Island; two daughters, Theresa Slocum of Mustang, Oklahoma, and Pam Bergmark of Marquette; one sister, Elvira Ramirez of Phoenix; and two brothers, Dana Cantu of Santa Fe Springs, California, and John Cantu of Oxnard, California. Additional survivors include 15 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and extended family and friends. Julia received her education in Grand Island, Lexington, and Omaha. She spent her childhood working with family doing farm work in Nebraska, California, and Michigan. She also lived in Mexico as a child, but finally settled in Grand Island. She married Edward Aken on September 28, 1960 in Omaha. Many years of her life were spent traveling with her husband who served in the Navy. She spent her later years raising her family in Grand Island and enjoyed waitressing with her sisters. She moved to Lincoln with her husband in 2000 for medical reasons. Julia was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. Her faithful spirit made her a loving mother and devoted wife. She loved working with flowers in her garden, flower arranging, shopping, and cooking. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edward Aken Sr., a younger sister, Cecilia Nason, and a brother, Richard Cantu.