Page 2
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Extracted from newspapers
AXMANN, Carl, 83, Pleasanton, died Wednesday, March 5, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Kearney
Services: Saturday, Rasmussen Mortuary in Ravenna
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Born Nov. 6, 1919, in Buffalo County
Parents: Joseph and Marie Axmann
Survivors include: four sons, Larry of Ravenna, Art of Pleasanton, Rex of Ravenna and Don of Pleasanton; a brother, Walt of Kearney; and two sisters, Ann Supanchick of Kearney and Helen Kinnaman of Amherst.
Grand Island The Independent 6 March, 2003
BEAVERS, Clyde, 77, Kearney, formerly of Elm Creek, died Saturday, March 8, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, First Christian Church in Elm Creek
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery, military rites provided by VFW Post 759
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel, Kearney
Memorials: Veterans Memorial in Elm Creek
Born April 7, 1925, at Elm Creek
Parents: Samuel and Mary (Glass) Beavers
Grew up in Elm Creek, graduated from Elm Creek High School; was baptized in the Christian Church
Military: U.S. Navy, Jan. 12, 1943 - April 1, 1946
Married: Nov. 18, 1950, to Marilyn Hansen in Elba
Was a tile contractor; owned and operated a motel and gas station in St. Paul; retired in 1984
Activities: lifetime member of the American Legion Post 52 and VFW Post 759 in Kearney
Survivors include: his wife, Marilyn Beavers; a brother, Virgil Beavers of North Platte; and two sisters, Mary Lucille Hobbs of Nampa, Idaho, and Vina M. Shaw of North Platte
Preceded in death by his parents, a sister and four brothers
Grand Island The Independent 11 March, 2003
BEEZLEY, Nettie F., 83, Kearney, died Sunday, March 2, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: the church
Kearney Hub 3 March, 2003
BORREGO, Tirso, 72, Kearney died Sunday, March 2, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Mortuary: Mendez Funeral Home, Las Nieves, Mexico
Born June 6, 1930, at Durango, Mexico
Parents: Leon and Elena (Barragan) Borrego
Survivors include: his wife, Louisa of Wood River; six sons, Primitivo Borrego of Kearney, Trinidad Borrego of Blue Hill, Javier Borrego, Nicolas Borrego and Pedro Borrego, all of Grand Island, and Luis Carlos Borrego of Durango, Mexico; four daughters, Amadita Borrego and Lus-del-Carmen Borrego, both of Durango, Mexico, and Maria Elena Borrego and Alejandra Borrego, both of Juarez, Mexico; and 13 stepchildren.
Grand Island The Independent 5 March, 2003
BRUCKER, Charles R. "Grizz", 62, of rural Kearney died Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at his home
Graveside services: Saturday, March 15, 2003, Greenwood Cemetery, Lexington
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Born Feb. 4, 1941, in Wymore
Parents: Charles and Opal (Novotny) Brucker
Graduated from Lexington High School in 1959
Military: Army National Guard
Was a police officer in Denver, Colo; also worked construction in the Denver area; moved to Kearney in 1985
Activities: enjoyed hunting, fishing, leatherwork, mountain man rendezvous, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and going to Sturgis
Survivors include: mother, Opal Brucker, Lexington; a son, Charles Brucker III, Corning, Calif.; a daughter, Laura Leah Evans, Denver, Colo.; a sister, Beverley Rickerson, Kearney; and nieces, nephews, and grandchildren
Preceded in death by his father and infant daughter
Lexington Clipper-Herald 19 Mar 2003
CAHA, Donald E., 70, Kearney, died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Yanney Heritage Park Foundation
Born July 28, 1932, in Alliance
Parents: Charles and Lucile (Reinkober) Caha
With family moved to Scottsbluff; graduated from Scottsbluff High School, 1950; graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1957, with degree in business administration
Military: served in the U. S. Marine Corps, 1951-1953 and was stationed in Japan
Married: May 2, 1959, to DeVona Wolverton in Scottsbluff. They lived in Scottsbluff until 1972 then moved to Kearney.
Was manager of the Kearney office of the Nebraska Department of Labor until retirement, 1997.
Activities: member of the church, Kearney Elks Lodge 984 and American Legion Post 52
Survivors include: his wife; sons, Michael of Kearney and currently stationed in Bosnia, Todd of Temecula, Calif., Scott of El Cajon, Calif., and Robert of San Diego; and six grandchildren
Preceded in death by his parents and a brother
Kearney Hub 3 March, 2003
CEDERQUIST, Elsie Elizabeth, 87, of Avondale, Arizona, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Monday, March 3, 2003, at Sunbridge Estrella Care Home in Avondale
Services: Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Atchison, Kan.
Burial: Ravenna Cemetery
Mortuary: Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home in Atchison
Memorials: the church
Born March 31, 1915, in Merna, Neb.
Parents: Gus and Elizabeth (Bauer) LAUER
Graduated from Merna High School
Married: March 7, 1933, to Orville Cederquist in Kearney. He died Jan. 29, 1962
Moved to Kearney, worked as a beautician; was an instructor at the Queen Anne Beauty School in Kearney for several years; moved to Atchison in 1982
Activities: member of the church in Atchison, a former member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and Wednesday Bible Class; enjoyed reading and spending time with family
Survivors include: son, Brent of Buckeye, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, a brother and three sisters
Kearney Hub 8 March, 2003
CELMER, Helen I., 87, Grand Island, died Sunday, March 9, 2003, at Wedgewood Care Center in Grand Island
Services: Thursday, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City
Mortuary: Peters Funeral Home in St. Paul
Memorials: care center in Grand Island
Born April 1, 1915, in Loup City
Parents: Anthony and Polly (Kowalski) Spotanski
Grew up on the family farm near Loup City; attended school through the seventh grade and helped on the farm
Married: Oct. 3, 1933, to Clarence Sekutera in Loup City
With husband, farmed in the Loup City area for 19 years; then worked at the Burlington Cafe in Ravenna for several years.
Married Ted Celmer in 1954; managed the Ravenna Country Club for many years.
Lived in Kearney; moved to the Grand View Apartments in Grand Island in 1994, then to the care center in Grand Island, 1999
Activities: member of the church; enjoyed going to the Grand Generation Center, playing cards, bingo and walking
Survivors include: daughter, Renee; and sisters, Jean Gregory of Loup City and Nora Ueckert
Preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub 11 March, 2003
CHRISTENSEN, Maurice L. "Mo", 86, Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at his home in Lincoln
Memorial services: Saturday at Roper and Sons Chapel in Lincoln
Memorials: Midland College Foundation in Fremont
Born Jan. 27, 1917, in Tekamah
Parents: Christian and Tekla (Nelson) Christensen
Graduated from Fremont High School in 1933, from Midland College in 1937; Was a member of the Midland College Athletic Hall of Fame; Received his master's degree in 1941 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Military: U.S. Navy Air Corps during World War II
Was high school superintendent and coach at Belden from 1937 to 1941, Laurel High School coach from 1946 to 1947, of Geneva High School principal from 1947 to 1955, Wahoo High School principal from 1955 to 1958, Kearney High School principal from 1958 to 1963 and State Merit System director from 1963 to 1967; Was director of state aid to schools with the Nebraska State Education Department until he retired in 1982
Activities: member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Lincoln and of American Legion Post 3, former district president of Nebraska State Education Association and former president of Nebraska Association of School Administrators
Survivors include: his wife, Tad; daughters, Marian of St. Louis, Patricia Thurow of Acworth, Ga., and Nancy of Aurora, Colo.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub 28 March, 2003
EBMEIER, Richard W., 57, of Elm Creek, formerly of Kearney, died Monday, March 24, 2003, at his home
Services: Thursday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home, Kearney
Burial Highland Cemetery, Bertrand
Born Dec. 20, 1945, in Holdrege
Parents: Walter and Anna (Langenberg) Ebmeier
Attended school in Bertrand
Married: March 12, 1967, to Glenna Drake in Kearney
Worked at Ramada Inn as a custodian and in the kitchen; worked at a haymill in Elm Creek
Activities: member of the Kearney Baptist Temple; enjoyed roller-skating, playing cards and spending time with family
Survivors include: wife; daughter, Carrie Sipp of Elm Creek; and brothers, Kenneth and Jerry both of Kearney
Kearney Hub 26 March, 2003
FENTON, Lillian Ann, 94, Hastings, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at Good Samaritan Village Perkins Pavilion in Hastings
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner, Kearney
Born: March 9, 1909, in Santa Fe, Kan.
Parents: Thomas A. and Flora (Norris) ATWATER
Graduated from Sublette, Kan., High School
Married: Oct. 15, 1927, to Ernest F. Fenton in Sublette, Kan.
Taught school in Sublette for a couple of years; lived in Hascal, Colo., then Lusk, Wyo., Arkansas, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Lexington; moved to Kearney in 1982; had lived in Hastings for the past four years.
Activities: enjoyed playing the piano and taught piano lessons while living in Lexington
Survivors include: son, Fred Fenton, Kearney; three daughters, Bertha Trosper, Ogallala, Betty Hankins, Hastings, and Pat Spegel, Omaha; a sister, Mary Shugart, Pueblo, Colo.; 19 grandchildren; many great- and great-great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, Ernest in 2002, four brothers, two sisters, and two great-granddaughters
Lexington Clipper-Herald 19 March, 2003
GEIGER, Marjorie J., 78, Kearney, died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003 at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Prairie Center Cemetery at Haven Chapel
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Born June 1, 1924, in Cozad
Parents: Amil and Leta (Camp) ANDERSON
Attended District 8 School in Eddyville and graduated from Mason City High School
Married: Chester VANCE. They moved to Elm Creek and operated the Western Alfalfa Center and later operated the Elm Creek dehydrating facility.
Married: July 3, 1977, to Edward Geiger; lived in Odessa
Worked for the Grand Island Ordnance Plant; assembler for Baldwin Manufacturing
Husband died in 1997; she moved to Lexington, then back to Kearney
Activities: member of the church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and Eagles Ladies Auxiliary; enjoyed playing cards, fishing and spending time with family
Survivors include: son, Steven Vance of Colorado Springs, Colo.; daughter, Cheryl Helleberg of Kearney; sisters, Ruth Hemphill of Lexington and Helen Dewey of Kimberly, Idaho; 25 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; stepsons, Carl of Odessa, Dan of Milford and Douglas of Lincoln; and stepdaughters, Bonnie West of Washington, Deb Marlatt of Odessa and Linda Grassmeyer of Riverdale
Preceded in death by her husband, a brother and a stepgranddaughter
Kearney Hub, 1 March, 2003
GRANERE, Frances B., 87, North Platte, died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at her daughter's home in North Platte
Services: Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte; also at Mcleod Mortuary in Escondido, Calif
Burial: San Marcos Cemetery in San Marcos, Calif.
Born July 3, 1915, in Kearney
Parents: Harold and Bessie (Lawson) MOORE
Graduated from Kearney High School, attended Kearney State College
Married: 1936 to Ralph Granere
Lived in Stromsburg, Wahoo and in Grand Island, owned and operated a music store; moved to California in 1963; moved back to North Platte to be near family
Activities: was a practitioner of the Church of Divine Science; was a Job's Daughters queen and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution; enjoyed genealogy
Survivors include: son, Ralph; daughters, Judy Whyte of North Platte and Suzanne Trimble of Fallbrook, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband and a son
Kearney Hub 11 March, 2003
GRUBER, Denice K., 39, Kearney, died Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha
Services: Monday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Bertrand Cemetery
Memorials: the Lupus Foundation
Born Sept. 25, 1963, in Superior
Parents: Ernie and Diana (Hensely) IMLER
Graduated from Superior High School, 1982; later attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Married: June 12, 1982, to Ron Gruber in Superior
Lived in Overton and Elwood; moved to Kearney in 1990
Worked in Environmental Services Department at Good Samaritan Hospital
Activities: playing bingo, reading and doing crossword puzzles
Survivors include: her husband; son, James of Kearney; daughter, Jeneffer Imler of Hardy; her father of Hardy; brother, Cecil Imler of Hardy; and sisters, Angie Runyon and Val Imler, both of Hardy, and Amy Vanderpool of Superior
Preceded in death by her mother
Kearney Hub 15 March, 2003
HEIDER, Dorothy M., 75, Kearney, died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Services: Tuesday, Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen, Ravenna
Memorials: the church or to Pleasanton EMTs
Born Oct. 7, 1927, in Pleasanton
Parents: John and Amelia (Kreutzer) LAMMERS
Graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1945; attended Kearney State College, received her teaching certificate
Married: May 1, 1949, to Orville Heider near Poole; he died Aug. 31, 1999
Taught at Pleasant Valley and Sunflower rural schools; worked at Klein Hardware and at Arp Hardware in Pleasanton; worked at Pleasanton School as a cook
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; enjoyed softball and bowling
Survivors include: her son, Bob of Roswell, N.M.; daughter, Betty Anspach of Malcolm; sisters, Delores Rees and Helen Smith, both of Pleasanton; and six grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, a son and a sister
Kearney Hub 24 March, 2003
HEREDIA, Keith, 16, of Canton, Illinois, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Wednesday, March 19, 2003, at Graham Hospital in Canton
Services: Monday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home, Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born March 5, 1987, in Peoria
Spent 15 years in a nursing home in Canton
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Jerry and Janie Koenig of Kearney; brothers, Sammy, Timothy and Phillip Koenig and Isaiah Heredia, all of Kearney; sisters, Stephanie Hoopingarner of West Terre Haute, Ind., and Elizabeth Heredia and Connie Koenin, both of Kearney; grandfather, Tony Ybarra of Kearney; and grandmother, Yolanda Ybarra of Kearney
Preceded in death by his paternal grandparents
Kearney Hub 22 March, 2003
HILGENKAMP, Betty Jane, 79, Kearney died Sunday, March 9, 2003, at Prairie View Gardens
Services: Thursday, Zion Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church Foundation or church building fund
Born Sept. 4, 1923, in Fremont
Parents: George and Christine (McLain) Larsen
Graduated from Fremont High School in 1941
Married: July 9, 1950, to Morris Hilgenkamp in Fremont
Lived in Fremont until 1955, moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa; returned to Fremont; moved to Kearney in 1973
Was bookkeeper for J.C. Penney store in Fremont and Kearney; later worked in the catalog department for the Sears store in Kearney; retired in the mid-1970s
Activities: member of the church in Kearney and the Concordia Society; served as a volunteer at Good Samaritan Hospital
Survivors include: husband; daughters, Cyndi McCoun of Gibbon and Cheryl Malenke of Lisle, Ill.; six grandchildren; a stepgranddaughter, and a stepgreat-granddaughter
Preceded in death by two brothers and an infant sister
Kearney Hub 12 March, 2003
HOPKINS, LaVauna, 71, Kearney, died Monday, March 24, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home, Kearney
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington
Born Feb. 23, 1932, in Smithfield
Parents: Roy and Grace (Flynn) BICE
Attended school in Lexington
Married: July 31, 1955, to John Hopkins in Kearney
Lived in Lexington; moved to Kearney, 1958
Activities: enjoyed crocheting, playing cards and spending time with family
Survivors include: sons, Terry of Shelton and Jeff of Kearney; daughter, Shannon of Kearney; brothers, Ron Bice of Gothenburg and Roger Bice of Lexington; sisters, Thelma Kaps of Elwood, Royla Curtice of Oklahoma City and Beverly Cochrane of Eustis; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, her parents, four brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub 27 March, 2003
INCLAN, Isabel, 93, Kearney died Friday, March 21, 2003, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary, Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: the care home
Born Dec. 13, 1909, in Las Minas, Texas
Parents: Delfino and Ruperta (Esquivel) Inclan
Moved to Kearney, 1959, to help care for her children; worked at the Sexton Nursing Home, 1960 - 1962
Activities: member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney
Survivors include: brother, Manuel Rodriquez of Houston; and sister, Ignacia Rodriquez of Kearney
Preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub 24 March, 2003
JENSEN, Jeane R., 50, Shelton, died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, at her home
Memorial services: Thursday, First United Methodist Church, Kearney
Burial of cremains: in Purdum
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel, Kearney
Born: July 26, 1952, in Kearney
Parents: Raymond and Lois (Glause) Jensen
With family, moved to Upland, then to Mullen; attended elementary school; moved to Hildreth and then to Kearney; graduated from Kearney High School, 1970; received a degree in fine arts from Kearney State College, 1978.
Married: Tom Brownell
Married: Xavier Chavez
After divorce, worked in North Platte, Kearney, Grand Island and Omaha
Married: Bill Baer; owned the French Caf‚ in Kearney
Had most recently managed Valentino's, Kearney; moved to Shelton to spend time with family
Activities: spending time with her grandchildren
Survivors include: her mother of Broken Bow; son, Jean-Pierre Brownell of North Platte; daughters, Genevieuve Enriquez and Gabrielle Chavez, both of Kearney; brothers, Raymond of Sargent, Gary of Minden and Roger of Halsey; sister, Jennifer Nakazawa of Kilauea, Hawaii; and three grandchildren
Preceded in death by her father and grandparents
Kearney Hub 4 March, 2003
JENSEN, Viola, 87, Ravenna, formerly of Litchfield, died Monday, March 24, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Friday, Litchfield United Methodist Church
Burial: Litchfield Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Memorials: the church or the Litchfield Fire Department
Born: Aug. 19, 1915, in Sherman County
Parents: Ferdinand and Rose (Schwaderer) KUHL
Attended school in Sherman County, graduated from Wiggle Creek School in 1934
Married: July 1, 1940, to Jens Jensen in Kimball
Lived in Litchfield, operated a grocery store; was a clerk for the U.S. Post Office
Activities: member of the church, the United Methodist Women, Rebekah Lodge, Laugh-a-lot Club and the Birthday Club; enjoyed playing bingo
Survivors include: son, Glen of Riverdale; daughter, Velma Dunning of Litchfield; sisters, Lucille Janulewicz of Loup City, Lily Thornton of Midland, Texas, and Fern Guilford of Windsor, Calif.; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild
Preceded in death by her husband
Kearney Hub 26 March, 2003
JOHNSON, Harold W. Johnson, 78, Kearney, formerly of Funk, died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at St John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, First United Methodist Church in Holdrege
Mortuary: Nelson-Harris in Holdrege
Kearney Hub 17 March, 2003
KALOUS, Marjorie E., 97, of Thornton, Colorado formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at Villas at Sunny Acres in Thornton
Services: none
Burial of cremains: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Neb.
Survivors: son, Bill of Westminster, Colo.; two grandsons; and three great-grandsons
Kearney Hub 21 March, 2003
KEMMERLING, John Robert, 81, Denton, Texas, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, at Vintage Health Care Center in Denton
Born: Oct. 21, 1921, in Kearney
Graduated from Kearney High School, 1939; attended Kearney State College for two years
Military: National Guard; was called into active duty during World War II; was a transport pilot for U.S. Army
Married: March 1952, to Elizabeth Sinclair in Dallas
Was a pilot for Panagra Airlines; worked for Braniff Airlines for 35 years until he retired; moved to Denton in the early 1970s; had been a resident at the care center since 2000
Activities: enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling
Survivors include his wife
Kearney Hub 4 March, 2003
KNEHER, Wilma S., 71, Kearney, died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home, Kearney
Kearney Hub 5 March, 2003
KNUDSON, Herman, 93, Hastings, died Sunday, March 9, 2003 at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital
Services: Thursday, Butler-Volland Chapel in Hastings
Burial: Parkview Cemetery in Hastings
Memorials: Hastings Berean Bible Church
Born Dec. 3, 1909, in Clay County
Parents: Mads and Anna (Frandsen) Knudson
Attended school in Verona Township
Married: Aug. 29, 1939, to Dorothy Johnson of Fairfield
Farmed in Clay County near Inland;retired to Hastings, 1978; wife died June 2, 1983
Married: Dec. 22, 1984, to Vera Malcom
Lived in Cozad and Kearney; after wife's death, April 14, 1998, returned to Hastings
Activities: was a member of the church in Hastings
Survivors include: his sons, Stanley and Vance, both of Hastings, and Lyle of Omaha; daughter, Kris Osler of Kenesaw; foster son, Chester Morrow of Omaha; 21 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; stepson, Dallas Malcom of Arnold; and stepdaughters, Marlene McCone of Oklahoma City and Judy Kraus of Cozad
Preceded in death by his wives, a son, a brother and two sisters
Kearney Hub 11 March, 2003
KRUBECK, Floyd E., 85, Kearney, died Friday, March 7, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Gibbon
Services: Wednesday, First Christian Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military rites by American Legion Post 51 of Kearney
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: the church or the Floyd Krubeck Scholarship Fund at University of Nebraska Foundation
Kearney Hub 10 March, 2003
LANTIS, George Charles, 88, Kearney, formerly of North Platte and Hershey, died Wednesday, March 19, 2003, at Gibbon Good Samaritan Center
Services: Saturday at Hershey United Methodist Church
Burial: North Platte Cemetery
Mortuary: Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte
Memorials: the church or the Alzheimer's Association
Born Nov. 20, 1914, in Kingman, Kan.
Parents: George Jr. and Mattie (Hayes) Lantis
Graduated from high school in Pretty Prairie, Kan.
Farmed with his father until 1954; moved to the Hershey area to farm; retired in 1978
Married: July 30, 1935, to Vivian Wilson in Kingman
Married: Dec. 27, 1986, to Rumilda Parrish in North Platte
Lived at Regency Retirement Village in Kearney until 1999; moved to Wel-Life in Kearney
Activities: member of the church in Hershey and the BPO Elks 985; enjoyed dancing and square dancing
Survivors include: wife; sons, Vern of Kearney, James of Sutherland and George of Naylor, Ga.; brother, Virgil of Kingman; sister, Mattie Banks of Kingman; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by his first wife, a son and two sisters
Kearney Hub 21 March, 2003
LARSEN, Leland Malvern "L.M.", 87, of Kearney died Saturday, March 8, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday at First Lutheran Church
Burial of cremains: in the church columbarium
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: the church or the University of Nebraska at Kearney Foundation.
Born Aug 20, 1915, in Blair
Parents: Lars and Agnes (Sorensen) Larsen
Graduated from Blair High School, 1933; Dana College, 1941; received doctorate from the University of Nebraska in 1967
Married: June 2, 1940, to Ellen Houtwed in Ruskin
Taught in several Nebraska communities, moved to Kearney; 1949, became a professor Kearney State College, then was chairman of the math department; was instrumental in fostering the computer science department; developed a new math technique, lectured on it around the country
Activities: member of the church, Kearney Elks Lodge 984, National Rifle Association, North American Fishing Club, Pi Mu Epsilon, Kappa Mu Epsilon, Kearney Area Retired Teachers Association, Nebraska State Retired Teachers Association, was state and local treasurer of the State Retired Teachers and the AARP; Enjoyed fishing in Nebraska and the Pacific Northwest
Survivors include: wife; sons, Marlin of Roseburg, Ore. and Don of Portland, Ore.; daughter, Marcia Mattson of Holdrege; brother, Alton of Blair; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub 12 March, 2003
LARSON, Marcella M., 89, Loup City, died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney Services: Saturday, Loup City United Methodist Church
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City
Mortuary: Peters in Loup City
Born: born Aug. 30, 1913, in Western
Parents: Frank and Myrtle (Hlava) ELFTMAN
With family, moved to Ravenna, 1915; graduated from Ravenna High School, 1931; attended Kearney State College, 1931-1933; also attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during summer 1935
Taught elementary school: two years in Hazard, three years in Halsey
Married: May 26, 1938, to Reuben Larson in Ravenna
Lived in Ravenna, Dilworth, Minn., and Dwight, N.D.; moved to Loup City, 1948; worked for 10 years for Community Action with the elderly; prepared meals for the Head Start program at Loup City Schools
Husband died in May 1975
Had been a resident at the care center in Kearney for six months
Activities: member of the church; enjoyed spending time with her family
Survivors include: sons, Ted of Omaha and Jim of Broken Bow; daughters, Kathleen Kerner of Lexington, Marsha Eurek of Omaha and Mary Dooley of Norfolk; brother, George Elftman of San Marino, Calif.; sister, Marlea Hollmann of Escondido, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub 27 February, 2003
LAWLESS, John "Jack", 62, Tekamah, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, March 19, 2003, at Blair Community Hospital
Services: Monday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home, Kearney
Burial: Stanley Cemetery near Amherst
Born: Nov. 19, 1940, in Macy
Parents: John and Blanch (Tinahill) Lawless
Attended school in Macy
Worked for Andersen Wrecking while living in Kearney; moved to Tekamah and worked for the sanitation department
Survivors include: his sons, John III and Tim, both of Kearney; daughters, Trina Crumm of Overton, Jolene Kuhn of Rushville and Wendy Lawless of Kearney; and 12 grandchildren
Preceded in death by his father, a daughter and two sisters
Kearney Hub 22 March, 2003
LIVINGSTON, Leslie "Les" E., 83, Kearney, died Monday (3/3/03)
Burial: Saturday, Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner, Kearney
Memorials: Leslie Livingston scholarship fund at University of Nebraska or the church
Born: Reynolds, Nebr.
Was retired associate professor, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies Department, Kearney State College, where he also coached
Military: U.S. Army Air Forces veteran, World War II.
Survivors include: wife, Juanita; daughter, Vicki Richman, Lexington; sons, Les, John, both Kearney; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren
Lincoln Journal-Star, 8 March, 2003
LOEFFELHOLZ, Anna, 93, Kearney, died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Monday, St. Mary's Church at Prairie Center
Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Jan. 24, 1910, at Prairie Center in Buffalo County
Parents: Valentine and Anna (Paitz) SCHRAM
Attended District 59 Star School in Buffalo County
Married: April 18, 1934, to Joseph Loeffelholz at Prairie Center
Lived on a farm near Riverdale; moved to Kearney in 1982; husband died in 1988
Activities: member of the church, the Altar Society, Kensington Card Club and a 4-H Club leader; enjoyed gardening, baking, quilting, playing cards and spending time with family
Survivors include: son, Bernard of Kearney; daughters, Elizabeth Lockhorn and Lorrine Hervert, both of Ravenna; 17 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband and a brother
Kearney Hub 1 March, 2003
McCUE, Lyle W., 84, Kearney, died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Services: Wednesday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary, military rites by Kearney Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759 and Kearney American Legion Post 52
Burial of cremains: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: Legion Post 52
Born Sept. 23, 1918, in Lowell
Parents: Thaddeus and Effie (Anderson) McCue
Moved to Kearney in 1924 and graduated from Kearney High School in 1936
Military: U.S. Army veteran of World War II; Joined the Nebraska National Guard in 1940. When the unit was activated, he served as a tech 3 specialist for bomb disposal in the Philippines and at Luzon under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur; Discharged in 1945
Married: June 6, 1944, to Esther Mandt in Reno, Nev.
After the war, returned to Kearney, worked with his father at McCue's store; after father's death, he and his brother owned and operated the store until it closed earlier this year
Activities: member of First Presbyterian Church, Legion Post 52 and served as a past commander and on the scholarship committee, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759, Kearney Eagles Lodge 2722 and the 40 and 8, all in Kearney; enjoyed upland game and duck hunting
Survivors include: son, Douglas of Ames, Iowa; daughter, Susan Wooldridge of Manchester, Iowa; brother, Myron of Kearney; and four grandchildren
Preceded in death by his wife in 1984, and a daughter
Kearney Hub 25 March, 2003
NELSON, Dale R., 43, of Reno, Nevada, formerly of rural Elm Creek, Neb., died Sunday, March 23, 2003, at his home
Memorial services: Thursday, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege
Mortuary: Nelson-Harris Funeral Home in Holdrege
Memorials: the church, the American Cancer Society or I Believe in Me Ranch
Burial: Sunday April 27, 2003, at Williamsburg Cemetery in Phelps County, Neb.
Born July 16, 1959, in Kearney
Parents: Robert and Helen (Siebke) Nelson
Graduated from Holdrege High School, 1977; graduated from Kearney State College in 1981 with a degree in business
Worked for ARA Food Service at colleges in Kearney, Neb., in Salina and Topeka Kan., and in Reno; moved to Nevada and was employed at Fitzgerald's Hotel Casino
Activities: enjoyed music, playing the piano, reading, doing volunteer work and spending time with family
Survivors include: parents of Elm Creek; brother, Keith of Elm Creek; and sister, Cindy Habe of Ravenna
Preceded in death by his grandparents
Kearney Hub 25 March, 2003 and April 23, 2003
O'CONNOR, Matthew A., 74, Kearney died Sunday, March 23, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday, St. James Catholic Church, Kearney
Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Fremont
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: the hospital heart program in Kearney
Born July 3, 1928, in Fremont
Parents: Alvin and Anna (Rose) O'Connor
Attended school in North Bend
Married: Dec. 28, 1949, to Norma Welty in North Bend
Employed at Gaughn Plumbing in North Bend until 1955; moved to Kearney, worked for Anderson Brothers Plumbing and Heating and for Kearney Plumbing; started O'Connor Plumbing in 1968, owned that business until retiring in 1978
Activities: member of the church in Kearney and attended Prince of Peace Catholic Church; member of the Knights of Columbus and the Kearney Eagles
Survivors include: sons, Jerold of Alamosa, Colo., and David of Kearney; daughter, Patricia Major of Kearney; brother, Thomas of Fremont; sisters, Rose Hanzel of Fremont, Eileen Nelson of Hooper and Barb Tooher of Fremont; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and special friend, LaVern Lemmer of Kearney
Preceded in death by his wife March 23, 2001, and by a son, two daughters, his parents and two sisters
Kearney Hub 26 March, 2003
PAPINEAU, Oliver H., 73, Amherst, died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Friday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Burial: Stanley Cemetery in Amherst
Memorials: Amherst Fire and Rescue Unit
Born April 19, 1929, Livingston County, Illinois
Parents: Henry and Catherine Waskasky Papineau
Married: Dec. 11, 1948 in Bourbonnais, Illinois, to Norma Jean DuBois. She died March 31, 2002.
Lived in Bourbonnais; moved to Miller, Nebr, to farm in 1960; also lived in Sumner, then again north of Miller before moving to Amherst, Neb., where they farmed, retired in 1995
Activities: enjoyed fishing, playing cards and camping
Survivors include: three sons and two daughters-in-law, Gary and Jeanie of Miller, Ricky and Vicki of Grand Island, Kevin of Pleasanton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Olivia and Dan Robbins of Elm Creek, Michelle and Jeff Adkins of Parker, Colo.; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; five brothers, LeRoy, Bert, Gerald, Robert and Ralph; and three sisters, Alberta, Penny and Myra
Preceded in death by his wife, one grandson; one great-grandson; and one sister
The Daily Journal, Kankakee IL 6 March, 2003
PENROD, Wauneta J. "Sally", 84, of Kearney died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at Christian Homes Health Care Center in Holdrege
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner, Holdrege
Kearney Hub 17 March, 2003
SAATHOFF, Josephine Alma, 90, Riverton, Wyo., formerly of the Kearney, Neb., area, died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003 at the home of her son in Buffalo, Wyo.
Services: Monday, Bustard's Funeral Home in Casper, Wyo.
Burial: Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Casper
Memorials: United Presbyterian Church in Riverton
Born Dec. 15, 1912, in Hooper, Neb.
Parents: Frederick and Marie (Luthold) BARTH
With family, moved to Amherst, Neb., 1921; graduated from Amherst High School, 1930; attended Kearney State Teachers' College
Taught in country schools in Kearney area until 1934
Married: Oct. 6, 1934, to Herbert Saathoff
Lived in Miller, Neb., until 1942; lived in the Midwest; retired and moved to Riverton, Wyo. in 1973
Activities: the Community Church, Rebekah Lodge, Friendship Club and a bridge club, also a substitute teacher while in Midwest;
In Riverton: member of the church; chairman of the board of the Riverton Senior Center; member of the Rebekah Lodge where she was Past Noble Grand, the hospital auxiliary, the Extension Club, a bridge club and the Historical Society; enjoyed playing bridge and taught duplicate and beginning bridge lessons; received the Outstanding Senior Citizen Award in 1990 from the Wyoming Commission on Aging. Received the Colonel's Way Award
Survivors include: sons, Douglas of Brighton, Colo., and Gordon of Buffalo; sisters, Ann Fisher of Amherst and Sylvia Byers of Plymouth, Mich.; six grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, three brothers and a sister
Kearney Hub 8 March, 2003
SERR, Ida Rose, 56, Kearney, died Monday, March 17, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Thursday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Purdum Cemetery
Kearney Hub 18 March, 2003
SMEDES, Marion A., 84, of Grand Rapids, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Wednesday, March 19, 2003, in Grand Rapids
Memorial services: Saturday at Battjes Chapel of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids
Burial Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids
Mortuary: Zaagman Memorial Chapel of Grand Rapids
Memorials:Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship
Born April 12, 1918, in Grand Rapids
Parents: Herman and Cora (Alta) DAVERMAN
Married: Wesley Smedes
Lived in Nebraska from 1947 to 1956, served Trinity Presbyterian Church in Kearney
Survivors include: sons, Robert and James, both of Grand Rapids; daughter, Mary Rupke of Saginaw; sister, Esther Struck; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband
Kearney Hub 21 March, 2003
STULTS, Clifford R., 80, of Rockaway Beach, Missouri, died Thursday, March 6, 2003, at Skaggs Community Health Care Center in Branson
Services: Thursday at Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home in Branson
Memorials: Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Forsyth
Born Nov. 28, 1922, in Omaha, Neb.
Parents: Herman and Clara (Curtis) Stults
Went to school in Kearney, Neb.
Married: Aug. 5, 1940, to Doris Armstrong in Kearney
Lived in California, worked for a railroad and later in construction; was foreman, superintendent and vice-president of the S.L. Hane Construction Co. in San Diego; moved to Rockaway Beach about 10 years ago
Survivors include: his wife; son, Donald of Golden, Mo.; nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by two daughters
Kearney Hub 11 March, 2003
THOMPSON, John W., 47, Kearney died Monday, March 17, 2003, at his home
No services
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Born July 20, 1955, in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Parents: Carl and Helen (Lecoe) Thompson
Grew up in Council Bluffs; moved to Anaheim, Calif. ,1973; moved to Kearney in 2002
Activities: enjoyed assembling small-scale models and spending time with family
Survivors include: his brothers, Carl of Romaland, Calif., and Terry of Anaheim; and sisters, Judy Harris and Linda Harris, both of Kearney
Preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub 18 March, 2003
WELLS-JENSEN, Beverly, 71, of Northglenn, Colorado, died Thursday, March 6, 2003, in Northglenn
Memorial services: Friday, American Lutheran Church in Cozad, Neb.
Burial of cremains: Cozad Cemetery
Memorials: American Diabetes Association or the donor's choice
Mortuary: Berryman Funeral Home, Cozad
Born Sept. 15, 1931, in Cozad
Parents: George and Freda (Kostman) Block
Was a graduate of Cozad High School
Married: in 1949, to Robert Wells; lived in Kearney, Neb.; Clovis, N.M.; Burlington, Fort Collins, Boulder and Broomfield; and Amarillo, Texas.
Married: Richard Jensen
Was a retail business owner
Activities: was a member of the church in Cozad where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir; enjoyed bowling, playing bridge, researching family history and ceramics; was a lifetime member of the Elks Club
Survivors include: daughters, Victoria Wells of Westminster and Rhonda Wells, Rochelle Wells and Valerie Baker, all of Fort Collins; brother, Curtis Block of Kearney; sisters, LaVawn Burden of Lincoln, Neb., and Gloria Tye of Green Valley, Ariz.; stepson, James Jensen of Custer City, Okla.; Stepdaughters, Cathy Pogany of Owasso, Okla., and Sharon Leonard of Midwest City, Okla.; and five step-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husbands, a son and a brother
Kearney Hub 10 March, 2003
WETZEL, Bernard, 74, Ravenna, died Friday, March 14, 2003, at his home south of Ravenna
Services: Tuesday, Ravenna United Methodist Church
Burial: Westlawn Cemetery in Grand Island
Mortuary: Rasmussen, Ravenna
Born June 24, 1928, in Greeley County
Parents: David and Betty (Barker) Wetzel. Attended school in Grand Island. Married: Sept. 26, 1950, to Ruth Minor in Grand Island
Lived in Grand Island, worked in construction and farmed; 1968, moved to Central City, worked at the Grand Island Ordnance Plant; 1973, moved to a farm south of Ravenna
Survivors include: his wife; son, Eugene of Ravenna; daughter, Connie Telford of Kearney; sisters, Anna Manka of Eugene, Ore., and Charlene Milroy of Aurora; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by two sons, six brothers, five sisters and a great-grandson
Kearney Hub 17 March, 2003
WHITEHEAD, Delwin H., 87, Kearney, died Sunday, March 2, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military rites
Moartuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: the church or Good Samaritan Hospital Hospice program
Kearney Hub 4 March, 2003
WILKINSON, Douglas E., 46, rural Heartwell, died Sunday, March 9, 2003, at Kearney County Health Services Hospital in Minden
Services: Thursday, Minden United Methodist Church
Burial: Osco Cemetery southeast of Minden
Mortuary: Layton Funeral Home, Minden
Memorials: American Heart Association or the Overland Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America
Born Feb. 10, 1957, in Wahoo
Parents: Gene and Frances (Christensen) Wilkinson
Attended schools in Kearney and Grand Island, graduated from Grand Island High School; graduated from Kearney State College, 1980; received master's of business degree from KSC, 1987
Married: June 2, 1979, to Linda L'Heureux in Campbell
Worked in manufacturing for 22 years, was plant manager for Hornady Manufacturing in Grand Island; had also served as a part-time faculty member for Hastings College, the University of Nebraska at Kearney and Central Community College.
Activities: member of the church in Minden, had served as Finance Committee chairman; member of the United Methodist Men and had served as president; was a member of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants and earned the Certified Management Accountant designation in 1987; past president of the American Production and Inventory Control Society for Central Nebraska and became certified in production and inventory management in 2001; member of the Heartwell Lions Club and was scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 199 in Minden
Survivors include: wife; son, Matthew of Minden; daughters, Anna and Kathryn, both of Minden; and sisters, Cindy of Denver, Christine Deter of Red Oak, Iowa, and Carole Glenn of Lincoln
Preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub 11 March, 2003
YENDRA, Fred, 88, of Gibbon died Saturday, March 8, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Gibbon
Services: Thursday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home, Kearney
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Memorials: the care center in Gibbon
Born May 2, 1914, in Gibbon
Parents: Albert and Mary (Novotny) Yendra
Grew up and lived in the Gibbon and Kearney area all his life; farmed north of Gibbon
Married: May 5, 1934, to Corrine Eatherton, who died May 17, 1945
Married: July 11, 1947, to Edith (Deck) Riggs in Kearney. She died in 1988
Worked at several jobs in the Kearney area including Chicago Lumber Company and Kearney Crete and Block; was a sanitation worker for the City of Kearney; retired in 1976
Activities: enjoyed gardening and being outdoors, music, his animals, and spending time with family
Survivors include: daughter, Judy Montgomery of Gibbon; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; stepsons, Warren Riggs of Fort Bridger, Wyo., and Larry Riggs of Salt Lake City; stepdaughters, Susan Oppermann of Salt Lake City and Evelyn Narramore of Casper, Wyo.; and 14 step-grandchildren
Preceded in death by his wives, a son, five brothers, three sisters, two stepdaughters and a step-grandson
Kearney Hub 12 March, 2003
ZALUD, Irene Edna, 84, North Platte died Friday, March 14, 2003, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte
Services: Tuesday, Bethel Evangelical Free Church, North Platte
Burial: North Platte Cemetery
Mortuary: Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte
Memorials: the church or to Sandhills Symphony
Born March 7, 1919, in Kearney
Parents: James and Antonia (Glatter) HARRIS
Grew up in Amherst; graduated from Amherst High School, 1936
Married: Oct. 30, 1937, to Eldon Zalud of Burwell
Moved to North Platte in 1940; owned Al's Gun and Reel and Our Glass Shop in North Platte.
Activities: a member of the church in North Platte; member of a Bible study group and helped serve food for weddings, anniversaries and funerals; enjoyed reading, collecting antiques, flowers and gardening, baking, canning, walking in the park, and spending time with family
Survivors include: daughters, Joyce of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Barbara Wisman of Jerusalem and Janis Babcock of Fort Collins, Colo.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, six brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub 17 March, 2003
ZELLER, Edward Zeller, 93, Ravenna died Sunday, March 2, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Thursday, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery, Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born on Sept. 3, 1909, in Buffalo County
Parents: William and Anna (Pape) Zeller
Attended school at District 92, graduated from Ravenna High School
Married: Jan. 4, 1942, to Evelyn Keilig at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna; she died 1988
Lived on a farm south of Ravenna; farmed all his life
Activities: member of Majors Lutheran Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church; member of the American Hereford Association, strong supporter and alumni of FFA, leader of the Poole Village Rustlers 4-H group and Poole School Board
Survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Kent and Sue Zeller of Ravenna; three daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Lynn Rogers of Las Vegas, Nev., Gayle Strohacker of Grand Island, and Lanaya and Floyd Turek of Ravenna; one brother, Eldor Zeller of Ravenna; and one sister, Ellene Euler of Kearney
Also 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by his wife, one sister-in-law, one brother-in-law, and one son-in-law
Grand Island The Independent 4 March, 2003
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