Page 7
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Extracted from newspapers or submitted by readers
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SMITH, Florence E., 87, Kearney, died Thursday, July 31, 2003, at Prairie View Gardens in Kearney
Services: Monday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials suggested to the church in Kearney, Good Samaritan Hospital or Rowe Sanctuary
Born Dec. 3, 1915, in Atkinson
Parents: Charles and Celia (Ridgley) NELLIS
Moved to the Hartington-Norfolk area, graduated from Randolph High School in 1933
Attended Wayne State College, received general elementary state certificate, 1934; taught for three years before graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor of science degree in education, 1938; taught in Belden and Indianola, moved to Kearney and taught at Kearney Junior High School
Married: July 29, 1942, to Harold Smith in Hartington; lived in Kearney; her husband died in 1980
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, served many years as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, was a member of the Church Circle; was a Cub Scout and Campfire leader, volunteered with the American Red Cross; member of PEO, school PTA and Friends of the Library; enjoyed reading, gardening, birdwatching, sports, the outdoors and spending time with her family
Survivors include: son, Charles of Boise, Idaho; daughters, Roxanna Parker of Smartsville, Calif., Rosalind Laux of Lexington and Rochelle Ramey of Kearney; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and one sister
Kearney Hub, 2 August, 2003
DARLING, Rachel M., 85, Kearney, died Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at St. John's Center
Services: Saturday, Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials:to the church
Born June 26, 1918, in Shelton
Parents: John and Mattie (Rayback) HILTY
Family moved to the Elm Creek area; she graduated from Elm Creek High School, 1937
Earned a bachelor of science degree from Kearney State College; taught in Lowell and Dannebrog; moved to Axtell and taught for 20 years until she retired in 1980
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, the Nebraska State Education Association and the Senior Citizens Band and Singers; member of the Women's Bible Fellowship, prayer chain chairman; taught Sunday school for many years at the church
Survivors include: sons, Thomas and James, both of Kearney; brothers, Everett Hilty and Philip Hilty, both of Kearney, and Merlin Hilty of Lexington; sisters, Donna Webster of Loveland, Colo., Phyllis Bennett of Kearney and Patricia VanSlyke of Bedford, Texas; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by two sons, a daughter, two brothers, a sister and a grandchild
Kearney Hub, 1 August, 2003
ORCUTT, Hazel M. Orcutt, 88, Kearney, died Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at her home
Services: Monday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Minden Cemetery
Memorials: Bethany Home in Minden
Born March 22, 1915, in Holyoke, Colo.
Parents: to Charles and Jesse (Taylor) BENNETT
Family lived in Brush, Colo., until her mother's death in 1923. Then, she and a sister moved to Phillipsburg, Kan., to live with an aunt and uncle. Her father joined them later. In summer 1924, the family moved to Alma to live with another aunt and uncle until 1926. The family lived in Alma, where she graduated from high school in 1934. She attended Kearney State Teacher's College for two years, and later taught school in Harlan and Franklin counties
Married: Jan. 21, 1940, George W. Orcutt in Smith Center, Kan.
Couple lived in Alma, Franklin, Kearney and Axtell and in Wichita, Kan.
Employment: during World War II, worked for Naval Civil Services and Supply in Seattle; managed fabric stores in Wichita and Kearney before retiring in 1976
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney; enjoyed sewing, crafts, flowers, antiques, camping, traveling and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren
Survivors include: sons, Stephen of Kearney and John of Evans, Colo.; sister, Gladys Hayes of Wichita, Kan.; and seven grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband
Kearney Hub, 1 August, 2003
ROGERS, Richard T. "RT", Sr., 98, of Kearney, formerly of Gibbon, died Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at Mount Carmel Home in Kearney
Services: Tuesday at Bethel United Methodist Church north of Highway 30 on Lakota Road
Mortuary: Godberson Mortuary of Gibbon/Shelton
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery. Memorials: the church or the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney
Born March 4, 1905, in Millerton
Parents: James and Amelia (Muntz) ROGERS
Family moved to Crescent Grove Farm northwest of Gibbon, 1907. Graduated from Gibbon High School, 1922
Studied agriculture, graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1926; was a member of the Farm House Fraternity
Married: March 7, 1927, Naomi DeVilbiss in Lincoln
Returned to the rural Gibbon area, and he farmed; his wife died in 1939
Married: Aug. 24, 1940, to Jessie Sutter in Lincoln
Lived on the farm west of Gibbon; his wife died in 1987
Moved to an assisted living facility, 1997; became a resident at Mount Carmel Home, 2001
Was a farmer and livestock producer in the Gibbon area; was district supervisor for the Farm Security Administration, 1939-1942; president of Buffalo County District 25 School Board for 12 years; served on the Gibbon Health Center Board of Directors for many years; was instrumental in rebuilding the West Sale Barn in Kearney; was an original stockholder in Kearney State Bank of Kearney; retired from farming to serve as the bank's agricultural adviser and public relations person
Enjoyed supporting the Buffalo County Pork Producers Porkettes annual pie auction and the Buffalo County Fair 4H livestock auction
Survivors include: his son, Richard Jr. of Gibbon; daughter, Susan Reiber of Gibbon; brother, John of Kearney; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by two wives and a brother
Kearney Hub, 1 August, 2003
TAPPAN, Lorraine, 84, of Scottsbluff died Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at her home
Memorial service: Monday, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel in Scottsbluff; body was cremated
Born March 24, 1919, on a farm near Riverdale
Parents: William and Nellie (Matthews) MOORE
Graduated from Kearney State Teachers College; was state champion in shorthand and typing
Married: Milton Tappan Oct. 13, 1940, in Holdrege
Employment: worked as a stenographer with insurance companies in Omaha; later was a partner in the family paint and hardware business in Colorado and then in Scottsbluff
Activities: enjoyed playing the piano
Survivors include: husband; son, Michael of Mitchell; daughter, Peggy Liles of Napa, Calif.; five grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren
Preceded in death by a twin sister and a brother
Kearney Hub, 1 August, 2003
VOGT, Rosie, 85, of Kearney died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Memorials suggested to the church
Born Nov. 4, 1917, in Gibbon
Parents: James and Katherine (Yendra) POLKA
Attended Buffalo County District 110 School
Married: March 2, 1937, to Charles W. Vogt in Gibbon
Farmed north of Ravenna until they moved to Kearney in 1940
Activities: member of the church and of the Eagles Auxiliary
Survivors include: sons, Milfred and Donald, both of Kearney; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband and a son
Kearney Hub, 2 August, 2003
HERRING, Margie E., 71, Kearney, died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha following a lengthy illness Services: Wednesday, First United Methodist Church
PEO ritual: Chapter HB PEO
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Nebraska Children's Home in Omaha or to the church\
Born Feb. 9, 1932, in Loup City
Parents: Bert and Lena (Larsen) SNYDER
Moved with family to Kearney when child; graduated Kearney High School, 1950
Married: Dec. 7, 1952, to W. Merle Herring in Kearney; he died 13 June 1993
Activities: member of the church and Church Circle 6; served on the Frank House Board of Directors, Kearney Junior Women's Club, Chapter HB PEO Sisterhood, the Museum of Nebraska Art Guild and was a volunteer for Kearney Community Theater; enjoyed sewing, reading, playing bridge, traveling, wallpapering, needlework and working crossword puzzles
Survivors include: son, Michael of Waverly; sisters, Bonnie Jarnagin of Lexington and Shirley Wolfe of Overland Park, Kan.; and two grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband three sisters
Kearney Hub, 5 August, 2003
SILKETT, Marjorie H., 85, Kearney, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at St. John's Care Center
Services: Wednesday
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home, Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: to the care center
Born Dec. 18, 1917, in Cedar Rapids
Parents: Edward and Myrtle (Halpin) THOMAS
Graduated from high school in Cedar Rapids
Married: Feb. 1, 1937, to Clarence Silkett in Buffalo County
They lived in several towns in Nebraska and South Dakota
Employment: worked at Baldwin Manufacturing and Kmart
Activities: former member of TOPS, American Legion Auxiliary Post 52 and Eagles Auxiliary AERIE 2722
Survivors include: daughters, Donna Owings of North Platte and Sandra Monthey of Minden; sisters, Maxine Miller and Jean Clabaugh, both of Kearney; six grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 5 August, 2003
BOWMAN, Chet L., 76, of 3207 20th Ave., Kearney,died Tuesday Aug. 5, 2003, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney Services: Friday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: the church or the Chet Bowman Memorial Fund
Born Aug. 7, 1926, in Arnold
Parents: Harry and Harriet (Eastburn) Bowman
Graduated from Stapleton High School, 1944
Married: May 18, 1947, to Dottie Beltz in Arnold
Began working in the grain business in Arnold, 1948; managed elevators in Callaway and Fremont; moved to Kearney, 1965, manager of Peavey Grain
Retired, 1991, from Con-Agra as vice president and general manager of the Western Region, including a large export elevator in Kalamah, Wash; was involved in merchandising grain from Kearney to Asia's Pacific Rim;
Had farming interests after his retirement; purchased Cargill Grain Elevator in Kearney, 2002, and the business became B4 Grain
Served on the Nebraska Executive Committee of the Nebraska Grain Associations, was a member of the Omaha, Denver and Kansas City Grain Exchanges and of the National Grain Trade Council
Activities: member of the church, Kearney Elks Club, Kearney Country Club, UNK Foundation, past chairman of the Gateway Farm Expo and a member of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce
Survivors include: wife; son, Brad of Kearney; daughter, Tami Hellman of Kearney; sister, Lois Vosicky of Fairhope, Ala.; and four grandchildren
Preceded in death by a brother and a sister
Kearney Hub, 6 August, 2003
McPEEK, Charles N., 86, of Kearney, formerly of Scottsbluff, died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003, at Mount Carmel Nursing Home
Memorial services: Thursday
Mortuary: Jolliffe in Scottsbluff
Memorials suggested to the Scottsbluff Public Library
Born Feb. 8, 1917, in Barnard, Mo.,
Parents: Raymond and Dora (Pope) McPeek
Educated in Missouri
Married: April 29, 1939, to Nellie McCormick in Raton, N.M.
Married: Oct. 6, 1946, to Semelina Salazar in Mishawaka, Ind.
Employment: was a chef; retired from the Short Hills Country Club in East Moline, Ill., in 1983
Couple operated Charlie's Caf‚ in Gering; he was with the Chef Caf‚ in Minatare; was the chef at Scotts Bluff Country Club
Activities: attended various churches; enjoyed going to church and walking
Survivors include: sons, Charles and David, both of Raton, Samuel of Lafayette, La., and Jamie of Loves Park, Ill.; daughters, Dorothy Kay of Raton and Ramona Vaughn of Scottsbluff; sister, Frances Sutton of California; 17 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and a great-grandchild
Preceded in death by four brothers
Kearney Hub, 5 August, 2003
SWANSON, Roland R. "Rolly", 61, of Kearney died of cancer Sunday, Aug. 3, 2002, in Lincoln
Services: Friday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: American Diabetes Association
Born July 25, 1942, in Kearney
Parents: Carl and Evelyn (Dittman) Swanson
Graduated from Kearney High School, 1960; graduated from the University of Wyoming, 1964
Married: Aug. 6, 1962, Wendy Leadholm in Redwood Falls, Minn.
Lived in Kearney; earned a master's degree in education, 1968, from Kearney State College
Moved to York, was a guidance counselor for York Public Schools
Received a specialization in education administration and supervision degree, 1975, and a doctorate in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1981; assistant principal of York High School
He retired in 1986 and moved to Kearney
Was appointed by the governor to the Selective Service System, served from 1981-1996; received the I.D.E.A Distinguished Educator Award
Activities: attended the church in Kearney; member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at UW; member of the York Jaycees; enjoyed all sports, especially baseball, and played minor league ball for the St. Louis Cardinals; enjoyed reading, hunting and fishing
Survivors include: his wife; sons, Randy of Kansas City, Mo., and Barry of Lincoln; brother, Roger of Albuquerque, N.M.; and sister, Kristi of Cheyenne, Wyo.
Preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 8 August, 2003
LOCKWOOD, Violet, 89, of Kearney died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday, Grace Fellowship in Kearney
Burial: Moses Hill Cemetery, Phelps County
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: the church
Born born June 9, 1914, in Savannah, Mo.
Parents: Jasper and Nina (Crane) CASE
Grew up in Atlanta, graduated from Atlanta High School, 1932
Worked at Holdrege Library
Married: May 22, 1938, to Lewis Lockwood in Atlanta
Lived in McCook, Broken Bow, Cozad, Lexington and Kearney
Was an Avon representative; worked at the Solid Rock Book Store until she retired
Activities: member of the church, was the women's missionary council president, treasurer, taught children and adult Sunday school classes at the Assembly of God Church; member of the Valley Bards Poetry Club in Kearney
The couple were organizers of the "Keenagers" group at both churches
Survivors include: husband; son, Larry of Framingham, Mass.; daughters, Linda Standage and Karen Johnson, both of Gibbon, and Merrilee Thomas of Beaver City; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by a sister and a granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 6 August, 2003
SHAFER, Joseph Eldon "Spud", 70, of Beaver Lake died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003, at his home in Beaver Lake
Services: Friday, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island
Burial: Cottonwood Cemetery in Burwell
Memorials: education scholarship
Mortuary: Roby Funeral Home of Plattsmouth
Born Aug. 18, 1932, in Bridgeport
Parents: William and Bertha (Mattheyer) Shafer
Family moved to Shelton in 1939; he graduated from Shelton High School, 1950
Military: U.S. Navy in the Korean War, 1950-1954
Returned to Nebraska, lived in several cities; was in the grocery and banking business, was a retired bank president; settled in Ericson in 1988
Married: Sept. 7, 1988, to Arlyn (Davlin) Shafer in Ericson
They moved to Gibbon, 1997
He moved to Beaver Lake, 2003
Activities: member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759, American Legion Post 52, Eagles Aerie Post 2722, all in Kearney, and was past commander of the VFW post in Ord
Survivors include: sons, James of Ruston, La., and Mike of Beaver Lake; daughters, Terri Urbanski of Grand Island and Cynthia Schultz of Cottonwood, Ariz.; brother, Bob of Gibbon; sisters, Ruth Conklin of Bayard and Betty Gibbons of Gibbon; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and former wife, Joan of Grand Island
Preceded in death by his wife, a son, his parents, five brothers and four sisters
Kearney Hub, 6 August, 2003
LUCE, Glenn E., 81, of 2011 E. 34th St. in Kearney died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday at Faith United Methodist Church Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials suggested to the Glenn and Terry Luce Music Scholarship Fund at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney Hub, 8 August, 2003
OTTO, David D., 77, of Gibbon died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Gibbon
Services: Monday
Mortuary: Godberson Mortuary in Gibbon
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Memorials: Gibbon Emergency Unit or Gibbon/Shelton Senior Center
Born Nov. 4, 1925, on a farm north of Gibbon
Parents: Harold and Ida Mae (Fuller) Otto
Graduated from Gibbon High School, 1945
Farmed north of Shelton, worked at the Gibbon turkey plant
Graduated from television repair technical school in Chicago
Married: Nov. 25, 1951, to Josephine Steinke near Shelton; she died 1996
Lived on a farm north of Shelton until they moved to Gibbon in 1955
Employment: tractor mechanic for the Oliver Tractor shop in Gibbon and then the John Deere dealership in Shelton, where he retired after 20 years
Activities: was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Shelton
Survivors include: his daughter, Beth Chase of Kearney; sister, Clara Pierce of Arlington, W.Va.; and two grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 8 August, 2003
STANDAGE, Evelyn M., 80, of Ogallala, formerly of Pleasanton, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, at her home
Services: Friday, Draucker Funeral Home in Ogallala
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Memorials suggested to the Ogallala High School Lecture Hall Curtain Fund
Born Oct. 25, 1922, in Pleasanton
Parents: Henry and Ada (Young) MUNSTER
Graduated from Pleasanton High School, 1941
Employment: worked as an operator for Bell Telephone in Ravenna
Survivors include: sons, Jerry of Alliance and Mick of Ashby; daughters, Debra White and Tammy Baker, both of Ogallala; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 7 August, 2003
LAWHEAD, John E., 62, of Kearney died Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Friday, Horner-Lieske-HornerMortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: American Cancer Society
Born Sept. 12, 1946, in Seattle
Parents: Kenneth and Lillian (Luellen) Lawhead
Graduated from high school in Seattle, 1964
Lived in Bremerton, Wash., was a professional baker until he retired and moved to Kearney in 2002
Survivors include cousins
Preceded in death by his parents, two sons and a brother
Kearney Hub, 14 August, 2003
CORDOVA, Aubrey Ann, infant daughter of Tony and JoAnna (Phillips) Cordova of Kearney, was born at rest Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: none
Survivors include: parents; grandparents, Dick and Pat Phillips of Aurora, Valerie Cordova of Grand Island and Orlando Cordova of Chadron; and great-grandfather, Paul Phillips of Aurora
Kearney Hub, 12 August, 2003
FREDERICK, Martha J., 86, of Cloverdale, California, formerly of the Kearney, Neb. area, died Thursday, May 29, 2003, in Cloverdale
Services: June 7
Mortuary: Fred Young and Co. in Cloverdale
Burial: private
Memorials: Cloverdale Senior Center
Born Nov. 4, 1916, near Kearney
Parents: Peter and Emma SORENSEN
Graduated from Kearney High School, 1934
Married Robert Frederick; moved to the West Coast, lived in Oregon until 1953; moved to Cloverdale
Acti;vities: enjoyed gardening, dancing, activities at the senior center and debating politics with friends
Survivors include: son, Dick; daughter, Betty Reed of Cloverdale; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, a son and a grandson
Kearney Hub, 12 August, 2003
MUNROE, William L., Sr., 82, of Oklahoma City, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City Services: Oklahoma City on Aug. 5
Mortuary: Bill Merritt of Bethany, OK; Apfel-Butler-Geddes in Grand Island
Burial: Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Island, Neb.
Born Aug. 14, 1920, in Doniphan, Neb.
Parents: William and Bess Munroe
Graduated from Grand Island High School
Military: U.S. Army in North Africa and Europe during World War II; received a Bronze Star
Married: Nov. 30, 1940, to Ferne Myers in Grand Island
Returned to Grand Island and worked with his father at Grand Island Seed Co. for many years; lived in Kearney, 1956-1964, operated his own seed business; later began Munroe Realty
Moved to Oklahoma City, 1965, was involved in several businesses with his sons
Activities: member of the Midwest City Masonic Lodge 532, Guthrie Scottish Rite and Tehama Shrine in Hastings, Neb., for over 50 years; active with his sons in summer baseball and DeMolay; avid supporter of the University of Nebraska Alumni and was a member of Oklahomans of Nebraska.
Survivors include: his wife; sons, Craig of Rockwall, Texas, and William Jr. and Jeffrey, both of Oklahoma City; sister, Vivian Kersey of St. George, Utah; and a granddaughter
Preceded in death by a brother
Kearney Hub, 12 August, 2003
PETERS, Robert, 72, of 1004 W. 11th St., Kearney, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, east of Kearney on Highway 30
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel in Kearney.
Memorial services: later
Born Aug. 5, 1931, in Kearney
Parent: Harry and Theodosia (Bickford) Peters
Attended school in Kearney
Married: July 13, 1952, to Maidie Campbell in Kearney
Lived in Lexington and California, Kansas, Florida and Colorado, then returned to Kearney
He owned Great Plains Masonry, retired in 1995
Activities: member of the Bricklayers Union and the Senior Hospitality Center in Kearney; enjoyed photography, hunting, fishing and winemaking
Survivors include: his wife; sons, Russell of Owensboro, Ky. and Michael of Kearney; daughter, Sharon Brown of Kearney; brother, Don of Shelbine, Mo.; sister, Irene Shiers of Kearney; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; foster son, Brett O'Brien of Kearney; foster daughter, Jackie Quintana of Kearney; stepsister, Phyllis Straatmann of Kearney; and four stepgrandchildren;
Preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 14 August, 2003
MOON, Gale A., 97, of South Sioux City died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003, at a South Sioux City care center
Memorial services: Monday, St. Paul United Methodist Church in South Sioux City
Burial of cremains: later
Memorials: the church
Mortuary: Becker-Hunt in South Sioux City
Born Feb. 26, 1906, in Marion County in Iowa
Parents: Berlin and Nancy (Kirton) Moon
Attended Simpson College in Iowa; received his degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln; received master's from Yale School of Divinity in New Haven, Conn., in 1934
Married: Sept. 23, 1931, to Virginia Young in Valentine
Served in the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church at Wood Lake, Valparaiso, Raymond, Havelock in Lincoln, Crete, Gothenburg, Kearney and Chadron
Spent 21 years of retirement in Loveland, Colo., before moving to South Sioux City in 1992; his wife died Aug. 21, 1997
Activities: member of the church in South Sioux City and the Retired Methodist Ministers Association
Survivors include: daughters, Kathryn Major of South Sioux City and Norla Arnold of New Orleans; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by his wife and three brothers
Kearney Hub, 16 August, 2003
JORGENSEN, David B., 74, of Litchfield died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Graveside services: Monday
Burial: Riverdale Cemetery
Memorials: American Cancer Society
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner in Kearney
Born June 2, 1929, in Cheyenne, Wyo.,
Parent: Ray and Lenora (Weliver) Jorgensen
Moved to Kearney and then Riverdale as a child
Graduated from Riverdale High School, 1947
Military: more than seven years in the U.S. Air Force at various stations in the United States and overseas
After discharge, attended college and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1958
Lived in San Francisco and other cities in that area for the next 22 years, worked in the finance, insurance and construction industries
Married: June 15, 1974, to Elsie Loper in Reno, Nev.
Lived in San Jose, Calif.; retired in 1980; moved to Litchfield
Wife died in June 2001
Survivors include: mother, of Mineral Wells, Texas; and sister, Lyndel Butcher of Mineral Wells
Preceded in death by his wife and his father
Kearney Hub, 16 August, 2003
THATCHER, Bruce S., 80, of Santa Maria, California, formerly of Gibbon, Neb., died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003, at his home
Graveside memorial services: 13 October, 2003, Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon, military rites by Gibbon American Legion Post 310
Memorials: Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association in Weott, Calif., or the Central Coast Literacy Council in Santa Maria
Mortuary: Godberson in Gibbon/Shelton in charge of local arrangements
Born April 29, 1923, in Gibbon
Parents: Paul and Edith (Tewksbury) Thatcher
Graduated from Gibbon High School, 1940
Military: three years in the U.S. Navy
After discharge, he farmed for a short time
Married: 1948, to Eloise Donaldson
Worked for several aircraft industry companies before working in civil service;
Moved to Santa Maria in 1975, was employed at Vandenburg Air Force Base as a facilities responsible officer for the space and missile test program; retired in 1988
Activities: member of the American Legion, Mayflower Society, National Wildlife Federation, Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association and volunteered with the Central Coast Literacy Council
Enjoyed bird watching, gardening and traveling in his motor home
Survivors include: his wife; son, Danny of Touchet, Wash.; daughter, Carol Hall of Kent, Wash.; brother, Donald of Fremont, Calif.; sisters, Frances Summers of Pacific Grove, Calif., and Janeth Taylor of Maysville, Kan.;
Preceded in death by two brothers and a granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 16 August, 2003 and 8 October, 2003
ZIMMERMAN, Lula Carina, 95, of Gibbon, died August 15, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Gibbon
Services: Tuesday at Gibbon Baptist Church
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson in Gibbon
Memorials: Gibbon Emergency Unit or the church
Born Feb. 23, 1908, in Shelton
Parents: Richard and Phillepena (Vohland) Zimmerman
Graduated from Gibbon High School, 1924
Completed a business course from Pergandy School of Business in Washington, D.C.
Was payroll supervisor at the Kearney Army Air Base, was also responsible for the sales of government bonds and instructed new employees about government regulations
Had bookkeeping positions with Bicker Brothers Bus and Taxi Lines and King Distributors in Kearney before returning to Gibbon, where she was bookkeeper for Nebraska Central Telephone Co. for 29 years; was a licensed cosmetologist and worked in that profession for two years
Activities: member of Zimmerman United Brethren Church; later became a member of the Gibbon Baptist Church, where she was active as a Sunday school teacher, pianist for Sunday school, soloist and choir director and also assisted in the Youth Activities Group
Survivors include: great-nephews, Kenny of Shelton, Rich of Kearney and Ron of Omaha; and a great-niece, Pennie Holm of Wallace
Kearney Hub, 18 August, 2003
EDWARDS, Marjorie A., 77, of Kearney died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Thursday at Kearney Church of Christ
Burial: Vesta Cemetery in Vesta
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: the church or Christian Services of Oklahoma
Born: Aug. 8, 1926, in Vesta
Parents: Lee and Mary Ann (Ballard) RAY
Graduated from high school in Vesta. Married: June 6, 1948, Russell Edwards in Vesta
Received her teaching certificate, taught elementary school in Hardy, then in York until she retired in 1989 and moved to Kearney
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, Nebraska State Education Association, National Education Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Delta Kappa, and Business and Professional Women.
Survivors include: sons, Dennis of Kearney and Douglas of Tacoma, Wash.; daughter, Jan Black of Beatrice; brother, Roger Ray of Kearney; 10 grandchildren; and six great-granddaughters
Preceded in death by a brother, two sisters and a grandson
Kearney Hub, 20 August, 2003
DAZZO, Daphne (Turner), 90, Mount View, California, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Friday, Aug. 15, 2003, at Grant Cuesta Convalescent Care Center in Mount View
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel in Kearney
Memorial services: Thursday
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Memorials: American Cancer Society or the Parkinson's Foundation
Born Dec. 17, 1912, in Omaha
Parents: Earl and Sara (Laycock) TURNER
Graduated from Elm Creek High School
Married: 1932, Emmett Thornburg in Buffalo County
Married: May 31, 1953, to Joseph Dazzo in Reno
Lived in California; was employed by Lockheed Space and Missile Corp
Activities: member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary; enjoyed china painting, had been active in painting clubs.
Survivors include: son, Fred Thornburg of Douglasville, Ga.; daughter, Jeanne Karr of Mountain View; brothers, Bob and George Turner, both of Kearney, and Leon Turner of California; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her second husband\
Kearney Hub, 21 August, 2003
SPENCER, Jacqueline "Jacci" Louise, 59, of Kearney died Friday, Aug. 15, 2003, at her home
Services: Wednesday, Kearney Church of Christ
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson in Gibbon
Memorials: Dialysis Center, Diabetes Association or the church in Kearney
Born Sept. 28, 1943, in Omaha
Parents: Francis and Shirley (May) KOZISEK
Graduated from Gibbon High School, 1961
Married: June 28, 1962, Gaylen Spencer in Shelton
Lived on a farm near Gibbon
Attended Kearney State Teachers College
Couple moved to California, worked in the movie animal business and with Prewitt Fiberglass; returned to Gibbon; She worked at the turkey plant, helped on the family farm north of Gibbon, and worked at Parkview Grocery.
Moved to Kearney in 2000; attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney and was a published writer
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, TOPS NE148 of Kearney, Weekly Reader book club and the Kearney Area Arts Council; volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital; was a guest speaker on health problems and writing for several groups and classes; enjoyed traveling, gardening, bowling, cross-stitching and writing poetry
Survivors include: her sons, David and Charles of Gibbon; daughter, Cathy Maul of Kearney; her mother, Shirley Stone of Sun City West, Ariz.; sister, Donna Castenada of Eagle Lake, Calif., and six grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband in 1997, her father and a sister
Kearney Hub, 18 August, 2003
LUMBARD, Lillian E., 91, Kearney, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Services: Friday, Curran Funeral Home in Grand Island
Burial: Grand Island City Cemetery
Memorials: family's choice
Born: Jan. 16, 1912, in Atlantic, Iowa
Parents: John and Caroline (Kay) CARLSON
Graduated from high school in Atlantic
Received her business degree from Grand Island Business College
Married: June 26, 1939, to Gerald Lumbard in Grand Island
Employed with the Hall County Clerk and Recorders Office for six years
Moved to Washington D. C. in 1959,was employed as a clerk for the Department of Agriculture until they returned to Grand Island in 1963; was a secretary until she retired in 1974.
Her husband died Jan. 12, 1984
She moved to Kearney, 1986; became a resident at the care center in Kearney in 1997
Activities: member of the Rebekah Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star 132.
Survivors include: sons, Jay of Kearney and Garland of Fort Collins, Colo.; daughter, Marlene Hagler of Murrieta, Calif.; brother, Ralph Carlson of Atlantic, Iowa; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren;
Preceded in death by her husband and a sister
Kearney Hub, 21 August, 2003
OMAN, Everett W., 86, of Kearney, formerly of Gothenburg, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Mortuary: Blase Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg
Graveside memorial services: Friday at Gothenburg Cemetery
Memorials: First Presbyterian Church of Kearney, First Presbyterian Church of Gothenburg or Mount Carmel Home in Kearney
Born Oct. 19, 1916, south of Gothenburg
Parents: Victor and Mary (Crossgrove) Oman
Graduated from Gothenburg High School,attended Nebraska Wesleyan University; achieved the rank of Eagle Scout
Married: Dec. 5, 1937, Minerva Olesen in Gothenburg
Military: stationed in Belfast, Ireland, with Lockheed Aircraft during WW II. Owned and operated the Nifty Cleaners in Gothenburg and One Hour Martinizing in Kearney; also sold real estate and did insurance adjusting
Activities: member of the church, where he served as elder and deacon
Survivors include: wife; daughters, Cyndy Robinson of Kearney and Nanette Beattie of Sumner; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by two great-granddaughters
Kearney Hub, 21 August, 2003
ROWEDDER, Ronald C., 67, Kearney, died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003, at his home
Services: Monday, First Baptist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: the church
Born June 30, 1936, near Ansley
Parents: Clarence and Irene (Burnett) Rowedder
Graduated from Ansley High School, 1954
Military: U. S. Army, 1955-1957 and again 1960-1963
Employed at Rockwell International in Kearney
Married: Jan. 19, 1964, to Carol Nichols in Kearney
Moved to Westminster, Colo., where he worked for Sunstrand Corp. Moved back to Kearney, 1974; owned and operated the Lockmobile until he retired in 2000
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; member of Nebraska Locksmith Association, Associated Locksmiths of America and Kearney Eagles Lodge 2722
Survivors include: his wife; sons, Ronald of Beaver Lake and Lee of Kearney; brothers, Glen of Aurora, Ill., Kenneth of Anchorage, Alaska, and Daniel of York; sisters, Shirley Weight of Loup City, Letha Cool of Dannebrog, Emma Sweley of Grand Island and Judy Bourland of Litchfield; and four grandchildren
Preceded in death by his parents and three brothers
Kearney Hub, 23 August, 2003
ZIMMERMAN, Helen I., 81, of Kearney died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: Immanuel Baptist Church in Kearney
Born April 11, 1922, in Stratton
Parents: Elmer and Daisey (Lord) CORDER
Moved to Kearney in 1939, graduated from Longfellow High School, 1940
Married: Sept. 26, 1943, to Quentin Zimmerman at the Kearney Air Base
Lived in Kearney, worked at Montgomery Ward, later as a clerk at the Buffalo County Courthouse, retired in 1984
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; enjoyed baking, sewing, yard work and spending time with family
Survivors include: son, Q. Roger of Windsor, Colo.; daughters, Sharon Nelson and Kathleen Henry, both of Kearney; brother, Samuel Corder of Santa Maria, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband in 1983, a daughter, five brothers and two grandsons
Kearney Hub, 22 August, 2003
SCHROEDER, Terry, 54, of Kearney died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003, at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Tuesday, First Christian Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Born May 2, 1949, in Kearney
Parents: Leo and Orva (Robinson) Schroeder
Graduated from Overton High School; attended Kearney State College
Married: April 5, 1970, to Sharon Burkey in Elm Creek; lived in Kearney.
Employment: owner and operator of Platte Valley Glass since 1976
Activities: member of the church, Eagles, Kearney Chamber of Commerce and was on the board of directors of the Kearney and Nebraska bowling associations; was active in the Kearney High School Parents Association
The couple were foster parents for many years
Survivors include: his wife; sons, Tony Cumpston and Christopher, both of Kearney, Corey Cumpston of Sumner and Tim Coulter of Littleton, Colo.; daughters, Kerstin of Kearney and Diana Fleming of Littleton, Colo.; brothers, Dan of Elm Creek and Mick of Johnson Lake; and 11 grandchildren
Preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 25 August, 2003
KOLESKI, Gwendolyn C., 79, of Gibbon died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003, at her home
Services: Monday, Grace Fellowship Church in Kearney
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson in Gibbon
Memorials: McKayla Walker Trust Fund
Born Aug. 2, 1924, on Kilgore Island south of Gibbon
Parents: Vern and Clara (Widdowson) ROSENTHAL
Graduated from Shelton High school, 1942; attended Kearney Normal School
Worked at the Kearney Air Base during World War II
Married: Jan 2, 1949, to Martin Koleski; lived at various air bases
Moved back to Gibbon several times, retired there in 1970; husband died in 1988
Activities: Gibbon Garden Gals, Joy Fellowship, Women AGLOW and the church in Kearney
Enjoyed her Bible study group, crocheting, playing Scrabble, garage sales, fishing, painting and spending time with family
Survivors include: son, Danny of Louisville, Ky.; daughters, Kay McCaffery and Chris Oliver, both of Grand Island, and Cindy Redding of Gibbon; brother, Don Rosenthal of Grand Island; sister, Jeanette Harder of Gibbon; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and stepsister, Verla Lange of Gibbon
Preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, a stepbrother and a stepsister
Kearney Hub, 23 August, 2003
JONES, Nadine A., 70, of 5410 17th Ave., formerly of Hildreth, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Memorial services: Tuesday, First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Wilcox Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Hildreth Volunteer Fire Department or the Kearney Senior Hospitality Center
Born Aug. 4, 1933, in Orleans
Parents: Elzie and Esther (Ball) HARDIN
Graduated from Kearney High School, 1951
Married: Aug. 1 1953, to Beryl Jones in Kearney
Worked for several years at Fairmont Creamery; later was a farm wife
The couple farmed north of Axtell; moved in 1962 to a farm northwest of Hildreth for the rest of their married lives
Husband died in 1998; she moved to Northridge Retirement Home in Kearney
Activities: enjoyed growing flowers, gardening, knitting, doing craftwork and spending time at the Senior Hospitality Center.
Survivors include: brothers, Oren Hardin of Kearney and Wayne Hardin of Oshkosh; sister, Janice Anderson of Apache Junction, Ariz.; and special friends, Kendall, Kathryn and Emmett Black of Hildreth
Preceded in death by her husband and a brother
Kearney Hub, 25 August, 2003
HENDRICKSON, Lorene H., 93, of Kearney died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, at St. John's Center in Kearney
Services: Wednesday at Faith United Church in Gibbon
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson in Gibbon
Memorials: Gibbon Emergency Unit
Born Dec. 7, 1909, in Gibbon
Parents: Nels and Jennie (Anderson) NELSON
Attended Gibbon Public Schools
Married: March 19, 1926, to Elmer Hendrickson in Smith Center, Kan.; farmed north of the Gibbon-Shelton area
Retired in the early 1970s, moved to Gibbon. Her husband died in 1980.
Moved to Cambridge Court in Kearney, 1995; moved to St. John's Center, 1999
Activities: member of the Rebekah Lodge, the church in Gibbon and Sharon Extension Club; enjoyed crafts and baking
Survivors include: sons, Lynn of Gibbon and Bill of Peoria Ariz.; daughter, Barbara Rayback of Grand Island; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, four brothers, two sisters and two grandsons
Kearney Hub, 25 August, 2003
NELSON, Delmar C., 78, of Kearney died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Tuesday at Bethany Lutheran Church south of Axtell
Burial: at the church cemetery
Mortuary: Freeland-Layton in Axtell
Memorials: Axtell Public Library, the church or donor's choice
Born Jan. 8, 1925, in Kearney County
Parents: Carl and Lillie (Larson) Nelson
Grew up near Keene; graduated from Axtell High School, 1942
Military: U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II
Custom combined in Nebraska and Kansas, then worked for a brief time in California; began farming in Kearney County, 1950
Married: Aug. 20, 1950, to Bernice Rapp
Farmed near Axtell, retired in 1988; moved to Kearney, 1995
Activities: served on the Axtell School Board, Mirage Township Library Board, Keene Co-op Board and Bethany Home Board, and had been a council member and held other leadership positions at the church in Axtell;member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Axtell Lions Club, Kearney Golden K Kiwanis Club and the American Legion
In 2001, the Nelsons donated a building to house the Axtell Public Library.
Survivors include: wife; daughters Lori of Kearney, Jolene McGerr of Lincoln and Judy English of Little Falls, N.Y.; and two grandchildren
Preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 25 August, 2003
SHOFSTALL, Iris G., 87, of Omaha, formerly of Kearney, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha
Memorial services: Friday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kearney
Memorials: the church or the Kearney Public Schools Performing Arts Center
Born in Presque Isle, Maine
Resident of Kearney for more than 50 years
Married: to Jack Shofstall
Was a graduate of the University of Maine; had done graduate work at Kearney State College; retired after a long career as a teacher and guidance counselor in Kearney Public Schools
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, Alpha Delta Kappa Teaching Honorary and Delta Delta Delta Alumni Association
Survivors include: daughters, Betsy Gabb of Omaha and Sarah of Springfield, Mass.; and two grandsons
Preceded in death by her husband
Kearney Hub, 26 August, 2003
WESTERBUHR, Rosena Carolina, 90, of Kearney, formerly of Wilcox, died Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox
Burial: Wilcox Cemetery
Mortuary: Banta-Torrey in Wilcox
Born March 15, 1913, northwest of Macon in Franklin County
Parents: Henry and Rosina (Stein) DORN
Attended Lynch Rural School District 59 near Macon through eighth grade
Married: April 3, 1932, to Tom Westerbuhr at Emmanual Lutheran Church south of Hildreth
Farmed northwest of Hildreth for two years; farmed northeast of Macon, 1934-1939; then farmed east of Keene before moving to their own farm south of Wilcox in 1946; Retired in 1976, but lived on the farm until moving to Wilcox in 1986
Husband died May 27, 1995; she moved to Northridge Retirement Community in Kearney in February 2002
Activities: member of the church in Wilcox and of LWML; former member of extension clubs in Keene and Wilcox
Survivors include: daughters, Margie Roesler of Kearney and Elvera Skokan of Wichita, Kan.; son, Lloyd of Scottsbluff; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, five brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 25 August, 2003
BEERS, Ella Sadie, 90, of Torrington, Wyoming, formerly of the Kearney, Neb., area, died Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at Torrington Community Hospital
Services: Aug. 26, 2003
Mortuary: Colyer in Torrington
Burial: LaGrange (Wyo.) Cemetery
Memorials: Community Hospital Nursery Fund
Born Sept. 27, 1912, on the family farm in Buffalo County, Neb.
Parents: John and Elizabeth (Tierney) BARTMAN
Attended school in Pleasanton, Neb.; graduated from Kearney High School, 1930
Following graduation, studied and worked for Dr. John Miller
Married: Sept. 21, 1932, to Kelvie Beers in Kearney
Sharecropped in Buffalo County until 1933, when they moved to Jay Em; lived in Banner County, Torrington and Lingle before returning to Torrington
She worked at a bakery and at the Oregon Trail Lodge; worked at Goshen County Memorial Hospital from 1964 to retirement in 1984
Her husband died in 1988
Activities: enjoyed, baking, canning, and creating quilts and aprons
Survivors include: sons, Allen of Edina, Minn., and Gale of Cody; daughters, Crystal Chamberlain of West Des Moines, Iowa, Shirley Heckart of Lander, Sharon Hixon of Chappell, Neb., and Judith Toole of San Angelo, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, three brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 26 August, 2003