The Omaha Community Playhouse joins the metro area’s entire theatre community in mourning Lois Nemec, 81, who died unexpectedly Tuesday. A stellar actress in both comedic and dramatic roles, she was also a kind and generous friend to so many who knew her as Loie – as well as a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Nemec twice won the Playhouse’s Fonda-McGuire Award, its top honor for acting each season. In 2004 she won as Carrie Watts in “Trip to Bountiful.” She won again in 2010 as Linda Loman in “Death of a Salesman.”
She is also fondly remembered as Ethel Thayer in the Playhouse’s 2011 production of “On Golden Pond” and as Aunt Abbie in the Playhouse’s “Arsenic and Old Lace” (2003), as well as in featured roles in “Over the Tavern” (2007) and “Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding” (1997).
Her other Playhouse honors included a supporting actress award as Rosie Bryce in “Funny Girl” (1994) and cameo awards for “The Grapes of Wrath” (1995) and “The Fully Monty” (2006).
Nemec gave memorable performances for many theatre venues in the metro area, including the Bellevue Little Theatre, Baby D Productions, the Firehouse Dinner Theatre, SNAP Productions, the Brigit St. Brigit Theatre, Stages West and the Chanticleer.
In addition, she appeared in two Alexander Payne films shot in Nebraska, “Citizen Ruth” (1996) and “Nebraska”(2013), along with director Ted Lange’s movie “For Love of Amy” (2009).
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Korisko Larkin Staskiewicz Funeral Home, 5108 F. St. Heartfelt condolences to all of Lois’ family, friends and adopted theatre family.
