Page 14
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Extracted from newspapers
BATIE, Julia M., 86, of Kearney, formerly of Lexington, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Monday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Mount Hope Cemetery in Lexington, with the Order of Eastern Star service conducted by Dawson Chapter 33.
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home
Memorials : United Methodist churches in Kearney and Lexington or to the Dawson County Historical Society in Lexington
Born June 28, 1917, in Lexington
Parents: Earl and Ada (Reynolds) MAGNUSON
Grew up on the family farm in the Lexington area; graduated from Lexington High School, 1933; attended Kearney State College for one year.
Married: Feb. 19, 1939, to Clyde Batie in Lexington; lived in Lexington, moved to Wood River in 1945; returned to Lexington in 1963
Helped her husband farm; later worked at Plectron for 13 years; retired 1978
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, attended Scripture Searchers Bible Study; member of garden and extension organizations, leader of the Senior Citizen Aqua Aerobics Class; was a past 4-H leader, past guardian of Jobs Daughters in Lexington and Wood River, and past worthy matron of Cement Chapter 115 Order of the Eastern Star in Wood River.
Survivors include: sons, Bruce of Holdrege and Dean of Kearney; daughters, Ellen Svoboda of Sugarland, Texas, and Cheryl Alms of Eden Prairie, N.M.; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Karen of Holdrege and Jill of Kearney; and sons-in-law, Ben Svoboda of Sugarland and Jerry Alms of Eden Prairie
Was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her brother, Neal Magnuson
Kearney Hub, 10 January, 2004
BROEKEMEIER, Randy J., 45, of North Platte, formerly of Gibbon, died Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, at his home in North Platte
Burial of cremains: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson Mortuary in Gibbon
Kearney Hub, 10 January, 2004
CHRISTENSEN, F. Pauline, 84, of Kearney died Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at Skyridge Hospital in Lonetree, Colorado
Services: Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church in Kearney
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney, Neb.
Burial: Minden Cemetery
Memorials : the church or the Kay Christensen Scholarship Fund established at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Born May 13, 1919, in Norton, Kan.
Parents: J.C. and Maude (Waggoner) BALES
Grew up in Franklin, Neb., graduated from Franklin High School
Married: May 2, 1942, to Dale Christensen in Hastings, Neb. He died in 1997.
Lived in Minden, moved to Kearney in 1951; the couple moved to Fountain, Ariz., 1984, and wintered there
During summers, they lived at Johnson Lake; after husband's death, she lived in Kearney. Activities: member of the church, the Sarah Church Circle and the Time Extension Club; enjoyed reading, playing bridge and spending time at Johnson Lake with family and friends
Survivors include: daughters, Penny Dorn of Firth and Sue Heller of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren; also sons-in-laws, Merle Dorn of Firth and Tom Heller of Highlands Ranch
Was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter, Kay Christensen
Kearney Hub, 13 January, 2004
CLINE, Meta, 102, of Bowie, Maryland, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2004, at a nursing home in Bowie
Memorial services: Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial of cremains: Kearney Cemetery. Memorials: the church in Kearney or the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department
Born May 6, 1901, in Beatrice, Neb.
Parents: Frank and Meta (Mempem) HUSEMOLLER
Family moved to Kearney, 1903. She lived there until she moved to Bowie in July 2000 to be near her son
Married: 1925 to Glenn Cline. He died in 1972.
Was employed by the Kearney Hub Bindery as a bookbinder in 1918; retired in 1963
Activities: enjoyed sewing and gardening, made hundreds of hot pads, crocheted coat hanger covers, embroidered dish towels and similar items, most of which she gave away to family and friends; was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church, the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
Survivors include: son, Clifford of Lanham, and two great-grandsons; also grandson, Alan of Bowie
Was preceded in death by her husband, four brothers, four sisters and her daughter-in-law
Kearney Hub, 26 January, 2004
CORDES, LeRoy H., 89, of Kearney, formerly of Scribner, died Friday, Jan. 16, 2004, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Services: Jan. 19, St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Scribner
Burial: Scribner Cemetery
Mortuary: Spear-Johnson Funeral Home in Scribner
Born July 18, 1914, in Scribner
Parents: Henry and Elsie Cordes
Married: April 12, 1936, to Beulah Carlson. She died May 24, 1994
Married: September 1998, to Georgean Kamrath in Kearney
Survivors include: wife; son, Robert of Hope, Idaho; daughter, Jane Spear of Auburn; brother, Ray of Scribner; sister, Marcella Lamberty of Scribner; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; stepson, Alan Kamrath of Lincoln; and three stepgrandchildren
Kearney Hub, 19 January, 2004
DAVIS, Steven P., 54, of Kearney died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at his home
Memorial services: Thursday at Family of Christ Lutheran Church
Burial: later. Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: the church or to the Steven P. Davis Memorial Fund
Born April 17, 1949, in Des Moines, Iowa
Parents: Wiley and Lucille (Nelson) Davis
Grew up in Des Moines and went to school there
Married: Jan. 17, 1979, he married Lana Cunningham in Columbus
Lived in Kearney; was a parish ministry associate; had been with the ministry at Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Kearney for more than four years; was a member of the church
Enjoyed reading theology, Bible studies and computer publishing
Survivors include his wife; sons, Phillip of Charleston, Ark., and Seth of St. Louis; his mother of Des Moines; brothers, Gregory and Phillip, both of Johnston, Iowa; and sister, Barbara Davis-Bush of Minnesota; also daughters-in-law, Jennifer of Charleston and Kathleen of St. Louis
Was preceded in death by his father and a brother
Kearney Hub, 28 January, 2004
ECKLOFF, Lois A., 78, of Axtell died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Services: Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Axtell
Burial: Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell
Mortuary: Freeland-Layton Funeral Home in Axtell
Memorials: Mother Hull Home or the church in Axtell
Born Sept. 2, 1925, in Kearney County near Fredericksburg
Parents: Robert and Tilda (Petersen) BIBER
Family moved north of Axtell; she graduated from Kearney High School,attended college in Kearney for one year.
Married: March 7, 1947, to Morris Eckloff; lived on a farm south of Kearney; built a new home on the farmstead, 1960
Husband was killed in a truck-train accident in Axtell, 1982; she remained on the farm for about a year, moved into Axtell
Activities: enjoyed traveling with her husband; enjoyed her children, grandchildren and her great-granddaughter; most of all, she loved the Lord
Member of the church in Axtell, the Bible study group and the extension club.
Survivors include: son, Ronald of Kearney; daughter, Carol Coler of Hastings; and sister, Helen Poole of Axtell; also her son-in-law, Gary Coler of Hastings; daughter-in-law, Kathy of Kearney; grandchildren, Emily, Jill, Bethany and Joel Eckloff, Brett and Troy Coler and Shannon Cuciti and her husband, Chris; and great-granddaughter, Allison.
Was preceded in death by her husband, a son, Larry and an infant sister
Kearney Hub, 9 January, 2004
FAIRBANKS, Loren E., 91, of Kearney, formerly of Shelton, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, at Wel-Life Assisted Living in Kearney
Services: Monday at Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial: Shelton Cemetery. Mortuary: Apfel-O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Wood River
Memorials: church or the Shelton Fire Department
Born Sept. 28, 1912, in Adams County
Parents: Loren and Edith (Lomax) Fairbanks
Graduated from Prosser High School, 1932; attended Hastings Business College
Married: Sept. 15, 1940, to Helen Goltl in Herndon, Kan.
Lived in Hastings, worked for Nash-Finch before purchasing Fairbanks International and running the business for 25 years;retired from Fairbanks International in December 1974.
Activities: after retirement, the couple wintered in McAllen, Texas, for almost 25 years; was a member of the church in Shelton, the Lions Club, Knights of Pythias in Hastings, Kearney Elks Lodge, and was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout master for eight years
Enjoyed gardening, caring for trees, playing cards, reading and his family
Survivors include: wife; sons, Loren Jr. of Kearney, David of Lexington and James of Shelton; sisters, Elsie Bonsack of Wood River and Elinore Sear of Gibbon; five grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and two great-grandsons; also daughters-in-law, Vicki of Kearney, Carolyn of Lexington and Marsha of Shelton
Was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Lyle and Murice
Kearney Hub, 10 January, 2004
FOTHERGILL, Evelyn Kay, 62, of Kenesaw, formerly of the Gibbon-Shelton area, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004, at Haven Home of Kenesaw
Services: Saturday at Godberson Mortuary in Gibbon
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Born May 20, 1941, in Roseville, Calif.
Parents: Everett and Charlotte (Harris) Stearley
Survivors include: father and stepmother, Everett and Lizzie of Shelton; stepbrother, Michael Smith of Waterloo; and stepsisters, Elaine Wiseman of Kearney and Ellen Luehr of Wood River
Kearney Hub, 23 January, 2004
HANSON, E. Marie, 83, of 1313 Eighth Ave. died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at her home
Private services and burial: Holdrege Cemetery
Memorials: Museum of the Fur Trade, Chadron, Nebraska
Born May 8, 1920, in Cambridge
Parents: Floyd and Berniece (Perry) PHILLIPS
Grew up in Cambridge, Lincoln and Holdrege; graduated from Elwood High School, 1936; excelled at sports, especially swimming, was know by the nickname "Pep" in her youth because of her energy and stamina;
Married: April 8, 1936, to Charles E. Hanson Jr. in Phillipsburg, Kan. He died Feb. 4, 1998.
Moved to Chadron, 1953; with husband was instrumental in founding the Museum of the Fur Trade; was active as a Cub Scout den mother and as president of the District 3 Alpha School Board.
Relocated to Washington, D.C., 1959, she served for 10 years as secretary to the principal of Mount Rainier (Md.) Junior High School; performed the same role as a volunteer at the Museum of the Fur Trade following the couple's retirement in 1970; lived in Chadron; she and her husband moved to Kearney, 1997.
Survivors include her sons, William of Anchorage, Alaska, and James of Chadron and Santa Fe, N.M.; also granddaughters, Victoria of Corvallis, Ore., and Anastasia of Anchorage, Alaska; and brother- and sister-in-law, Roger and Yvonne Hanson of Kearney;
Was preceded in death by her husband, a son, Charles III, and a daughter, Sherry Lynn
Kearney Hub, 8 January, 2004
HASTY, Paula R., 55, of Kearney died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Friday at O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born March 24, 1948, in Kearney
Parents: Gilbert and Wilma (Killough) Hasty
Had been with Mid-Nebraska Individual Services in Kearney since 1973; was employed by Task Lighting in Kearney for about 10 years
Activities: attended First United Methodist Church in Kearney, member of the Challenger's class at the church.
Survivors include: mother of Kearney; brothers Duane of Kearney, Vernon of Holdrege, Larry of Broomfield, Colo., and Mark of Thornton, Colo.
Was preceded in death by her father, 1992
Kearney Hub, 8 January, 2004
HILTY, Everett L., 81, of Kearney died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004, at his home
Services: Monday at First Baptist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: First Baptist Church
Born Feb. 1, 1922, on the family farm near St. Michael
Parents: John and Mattie (Rayback) Hilty; family moved to a farm north of Elm Creek
Graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1940
Married: Jan. 31, 1942, to Dorothy Epp in Smith Center, Kan.
After graduation, worked for a construction company in Grand Island;
Military: U. S. Army Air Corps, October 1942 -Feb. 22, 1946; traveled together with his wife wherever he was stationed
Lived in Kearney, was employed at the Kearney Foundry and Irrigation Co. for 15 years; moved to Longmont, Colo., worked for the Great Western Sugar Co. for 15 years until it closed; returned to Kearney in 1977, worked as a machinist and welder for Baldwin Manufacturing; retired in 1985.
Activities: enjoyed fishing and gardening; member of the church in Kearney.
Survivors include: wife; son, Frank of Canon City, Colo.; daughter, Gloria Norlem of Omaha; brothers, Merlin of Lexington and Phillip of Kearney; sisters, Donna Webster of Loveland, Colo., Phyllis Bennett of Kearney and Patty Van Slyke of Bedford, Texas; and eight great-grandchildren; also six grandchildren, Cheryl, Kelley, Denise, Jennifer, Courtney and Geoff
Was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters and a grandson, Matthew
Kearney Hub, 24 January, 2004
HOWITT, Norma Jean, 74, of Kearney died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at Bethany Home in Minden
Services: Saturday at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Memorials: University of Nebraska Foundation for the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Born April 21, 1929, in Scottsbluff
Parents: Clyde and Leota (Crosby) ROBERTSON
Grew up in the Dalton and Gurley area, graduated from Gurley High School, 1946
Attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, taught public school in Grant and Lodgepole
Married: May 27, 1951, to Doyle Howitt in Lodgepole
After marriage, taught in Fort Smith, Ark.
Moved to Kearney, 1953, taught at Whittier Elementary School for four years
Moved to Polk, then Edgar where she also taught
After raising her family, worked part time as an office manager at Kearney State College
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney, Chapter FN of PEO and Eastern Star; passions were music, literature and the arts.
Survivors include her husband; sons, Scott of Phoenix and Blake of Charlotte, N.C.; and brother, C.L. Robertson of North Platte; also daughter-in-law, Pamm of Phoenix; grandchildren, Taylor, Chynna, Conner and Catie; sisters-in-law, Karen Robertson of North Platte, Gwen and husband, Wayne, Dickenson of North Platte and Judy and husband, Rich, Harrington of El Cajon, Calif.; and brother-in-law, David and wife, Betty, of Menifee, Calif.
Kearney Hub, 8 January, 2004
KEARNEY, Ila M., 85, of Kearney, formerly of Elm Creek, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Saturday at First Christian Church in Elm Creek
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home of Kearney and Elm Creek
Born Jan 5, 1918, in Odessa
Parents: John and Nellie (Richards) HOWARTH
Married: Sept. 28, 1935, to E.G. Kearney in Kearney
Attended school in Odessa, graduated from A.O. Thomas School in Kearney
Lived in Elm Creek with husband "Ted" for more than 59 years
Activities: member of the church in Elm Creek; enjoyed playing bridge
Survivors include: sons, Don and Bob, both of Kearney; daughter, Bonnie Poppert of Holdrege; brothers, Doug of Sacramento, Calif. and Earl of Kearney; nine grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Coe and Kathy, both of Kearney, and son-in-law, Glenn Poppert of Holdrege
Was preceded in death by her husband on Jan. 2, 1990, by her parents, a brother and a grandchild
Kearney Hub, 2 January, 2004
KELLAWAY, Louise M., 96, of 315 W. 21st St. died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at her home
Burial of ashes: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Memorials: donor's choice
Born Aug. 31, 1907, in Aurora, Ill.
Parents: Carlin and Bessie (Ferriss) DeLAMATTER
Family moved to Highland Park, Mich., 1917; graduated from high school there in 1924; attended Parson's School of Design in New York City
Married: Feb. 15, 1928, to Stanley Kellaway in Detroit, Mich. He died in 1968.
Lived in Arlington, Va., during two years of World War II; moved to Kearney, 1949; owned and operated the Coast to Coast Store until 1962
Activities: had served as a board member and active volunteer of the Kearney Community Concert Association, Red Cross, Friends of the Library and the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation;
Member of the Kearney Garden Club, the Monday Book Club, the Good Samaritan Focus Group and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Survivors include her nephews, Barry Grime of England and Roy Kellaway of Australia; was preceded in death by her parents and her husband
Kearney Hub, 17 January, 2004
KNAGGS, William D. "Bill", 87, of Kearney died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Thursday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military rites by Kearney American Legion Post 52, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759 and Kearney National Guard Unit; Masonic rites by Rob Morris Masonic Lodge 46 AF&AM.
Memorials: University of Nebraska at Kearney Foundation or to the American Diabetes Association
Born June 30, 1916, in Kearney
Parents: William and Mabel (Dye) Knaggs
Grew up and attended school in Kearney, lived and worked here
Married Marie Markus
Married: 1952, to Elizabeth DeBates. She died in 2000
Military: the U.S. Army 1941-1945, served during World War II
After discharge, worked for Union Pacific Railroad
Lived with second wife in Kearney until 1964; moved to a farm north of Odessa
Worked for Kearney State College in the buildings and grounds department; was head of the heating plant when he retired; moved to Elm Creek; moved to St. John's Center in Kearney in 1997
Activities: member of Rob Morris Masonic Lodge, Tehema Temple Shrine in Hastings and the Fort Kearny Shrine Club in Kearney, Kearney Elks Lodge 759, Fort Kearney Aerie 2722 Eagles Lodge in Kearney, VFW Post 759 and Legion Post 52. He was an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy; member of First United Methodist Church in Elm Creek
Enjoyed camping with the Good Sam Camping group
Survivors include: Robert Hauver of Johnson Lake; and sister, Darleen Butolph of Kearney; also nieces and nephews. Was preceded in death by his wife, a sister, Evelyn Zehr, and a grandson, Ben DeBates
Kearney Hub, 28 January, 2004
KUEBLER, Harvey Freddie, 80, of Auburn, Washington, formerly of Amherst, Neb., died of cancer Monday, Jan. 12, 2004, at his home in Auburn
Memorial services: Jan. 17, Zion Lutheran Church in Auburn.
Born March 16, 1923, on a farm at Amherst
Parents: William and Emma Kuebler
Was baptized April 15, 1923, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst and confirmed there in June 1936.
Military: served during World War II; Veterans of Foreign Wars in Pacific
Farmed in and around Amherst until 1954, when he moved his family to Washington state
Activities: enjoyed fixing and building things, working on cars and trucks, gardening, and hardware shopping.
Survivors include: wife, Joyce (nee Isom); sons, Rick of Dallas, Larry of Sea-Tac, Roger of Everett and James of Auburn; brothers, Everett of Gibbon, Neb., and Kermit of Seattle; sisters, Helen and Elaine, both of Tacoma; and five grandchildren
Was preceded in death by an infant daughter, two brothers and a sister
Kearney Hub, 21 January, 2004
LIESKE, Tena K., 87, of Hayes Center died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday at St. John Lutheran Church in Culbertson
Burial: Upland Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Mortuary in Kearney
Memorials: Zion Lutheran School in Kearney, Peace Lutheran Radio Broadcast in McCook, the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association
Born Jan. 1, 1917, near Macon
Parents: Reiner and Grace (Tjaden) ACKERMAN
Baptized into the Lutheran faith, Jan. 16, 1917, at Zion American Lutheran Church in Macon; confirmed on June 20, 1931;
Lived near Macon, Ragan and Upland for most of her early years; graduated from Upland High School, 1935
Married: Feb. 20, 1936, to Gustave H.R. Lieske in Upland
She and husband farmed in the Macon area, 1936- 1946; moved to Kearney
Farmed southeast of Kearney until 1972; moved to Hayes Center and farmed until he died, Sept. 27, 1993
She remained on the farm until 2003; moved to St. John's Center in Kearney
Activities: past member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney, a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Culbertson and of the Welcome In Club of Hayes Center; helped make lap robes that were given to Veterans Affairs Hospitals and nursing homes
Enjoyed embroidery, cross-stitch and quilting for friends and family. Before she retired, she enjoyed gardening
Survivors include: sons, Gustave of Lincoln and Dallas of Hayes Center; also grandsons, Donald and his wife, Rhonda, and Charles and wife, Vicki, all of Lincoln; granddaughters, Carmela Menking and her husband, Scott, of Matsue, Japan, and Dana Buchbinder and husband, Marco, of Boston; and three great-grandsons
Was preceded in death by her husband, a son, Larry, and her parents
Kearney Hub, 6 January, 2004
MILLER, Mae, 97, of Kearney died Monday, Jan. 19, 2004, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village in Kearney
Services: Friday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village in Kearney or the donor's choice
Born July 20, 1906, on a farm in upper Buckeye Valley near Gibbon
Parents: Robert and Carrie (Odoms) LONG
Attended country school
Married: 1923, to Gerald Covert; farmed in the lower Buckeye Valley
Moved to Kearney in 1939 and lived at 1613 Third Ave.
Worked for Swift and Co., Fox Produce and Nebraska Tuberculosis Hospital as a janitor
Married: June 1975, to Phillip Miller
Activities: enjoyed playing bingo and cards, camping, fishing, and spending time with family.
Survivors include: daughters, Arlene Schultz and Violet Laue, both of Kearney, Reita Maret of Omaha and Virginia Busher of Salem, Ore.; brother, Merel Long of Riverton, Wyo.; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren; also her son-in-law, Darrel Maret of Omaha
Was preceded in death by her first husband in March 1974, her second husband in February 1985, by a son, a daughter, two sisters, a grandson, a granddaughter and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 22 January, 2004
MOFFETT, Donald, 89, of Shelton died Friday, Jan. 23, 2004, at Good Samaritan Center in Wood River
Services: Monday at Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson Mortuary of Gibbon/Shelton
Born April 10, 1914, in Gibbon
Parents: James and Mattie (Ginther) Moffett
Married: Nov. 2, 1940, to Macyl Ellis in North Platte
Survivors include his wife; son, Tim of Alliance; brothers, Jack of Kenesaw and Carl of Gibbon; sisters, Dorothy Allen of San Diego, Calif., Becky Howard of Sterling, Colo., and Susan and Leone, both of Kearney; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 26 January, 2004
NELSON, Harlan, 82, of Yakima, Washington, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2004, at Crescent Convalescent Center in Yakima
Memorial services: Feb. 7 at Terrace Heights Chapel of Valley Hills Funeral Home in Yakima
Born May 29, 1921, in Wakonda, S.D.
Parents: Hans and Mabelle (Conrad) Nelson
Graduated from Wakonda High School and the University of South Dakota with a marketing major
Military: U.S. Army, 1942-1945
Married: Aug. 24, 1946, to G. Elizabeth (Betty) Thompson. She died in March 2003
Worked for J.C. Penney for 30 years in Vermillion, S.D.; Sioux City, Iowa; Casper, Wyo., as department manager; and Kearney as store manager
Moved to Yakima in 1973, worked for the county for 10 years, first as deputy auditor, then as personnel director and finally as purchasing agent; also worked at Penny-Press for 13 years as distribution manager.
Activities: Chamber of Commerce president in Kearney; was a 60-year member of the Elks in addition to being a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Rotary.
Survivors include: sons, Tom and Dave, both of Denver, and Mike of Yakima; and brother, Maynard of Lewiston, Idaho; also grandchildren, Louis of Entiat, Christopher of Kearney and Andrea of Denver; and several nieces and nephews
Kearney Hub, 28 January, 2004
OLDFATHER, Richard H., 74, of San Antonio, Texas, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003
Graveside services: Dec. 27 at Mission Burial Park North
Memorial service: University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio
Mortuary:Porter Loring Mortuary of San Antonio
Memorials: Alzheimer's Association of South Central Texas or the church
Born June 4, 1929, in Maxwell, Neb.
Parents: Harold and Maria (Hazlett) Oldfather
Graduated from Kearney High School, 1947
Military: U.S. Air Force, 1953-1955; was stationed at Kelly Air Force Base and Tokyo, Japan
Practiced orthodontics in San Antonio for more than 23 years
Survivors include his wife, Jan; sons, Michael of Boerne, Texas, and Thomas of San Antonio; daughter, Anne Blankenship of Tampico, Mexico; brother, Alan of Kearney, Neb.; and four grandchildren; also nephews, William and David, both of Kearney, and numerous other nephews and nieces
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Charles
Kearney Hub, 2 January, 2004
PESEK, Emil J., 49, of Kearney, formerly of Ord, died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Services: Tuesday at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington
Cremation will follow the services
Born Jan. 26, 1954, in Ord
Parents: Joe and Betty (Manchester) Pesek
Survivors include his mother of Ord; daughter, Merinda of Lexington; sisters, Julie Liles of Stanton and Eileen Bruha of Ord; and three granddaughters
Kearney Hub, 12 January, 2004
POOR, Erma M., 82, of Kearney died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Thursday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Cambridge Court or to the church
Born Oct. 27, 1921, in Kearney
Parents: Emil and Lena (Altmaier) NICKEL
Education: Kearney Public Schools
Married: Roy Poor. He died Jan. 2, 1987. Moved to Lexington and managed the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Club there; moved to Branson, Mo., managed a motel
Returned to Kearney, 1986, was employed as a cafeteria worker at Kenwood Elementary School; retired in 1994. Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Survivors include her son, Larry Tillson of Baytown, Texas; and brother, Dale Nickel of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, Jerry Nickel and Dick Nickel
Kearney Hub, 21 January, 2004
REEH, Gwendolyn L., 71, of Modesto, California. formerly of the Kearney, Neb., area, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto
Memorial services: Grace Lutheran Church in Modesto
Born March 6, 1932, in Sumner, Neb.
Parents: Richard and Rose Reeh
Attended twelve years of school in Sumner, graduated in 1949
Worked in Kearney; moved to Modesto in 1957
Was employed at California Vegetable Concentrate for 371/2 years. Activities: member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Turlock, served on the Altar Guild, served dinners and decorated the church, among other volunteer duties she performed for the church
Survivors include: brothers, Velmer of Cold Springs, Carroll of Alliance, Neb., and Wilbur of Grand Island, Neb.; and sisters, Geneva Gillming of Fort Collins, Colo., and Frances Howard of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 5 January, 2004
ROBINSON, Virginia, 84, of Kearney died Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, at Mount Carmel Home
Graveside services: Thursday at Lomax Cemetery in Custer County
Memorials planned to Mount Carmel Alzheimer's unit.
Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary is in charge of arrangements
Memorials: Mount Carmel Home Alzheimer's Unit
Born June 25, 1919, on the family farm near Eddyville
Parents: George and Stella (Harris) Ogg
Attended school in Eddyville
Married: September 1938, to Jesse Robinson
Moved to Kearney, was employed in the housekeeping department at the University of Nebraska at Kearney until she retired
Activities: member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2922 Auxiliary of Plum Creek
Survivors include: sons, Gary and Barry, both of Kearney, Roger of Tampa, Fla., Larry of McCook and Royal of Lexington; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters
Kearney Hub, 14 January, 2004
ROEDER, Marilyn L. (Reidy), 67, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Sat., Jan. 3, 2004, at Springdale Village Rehab Center in Mesa Services: January 12, Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Mesa
Burial: Mountain View Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Memorials: Heartland Hospice Services
Born: June 30, 1936, in Kearney
Parents: John and Rose (Cepel) REIDY
Attended schools in Kearney and York, Neb.; graduated from Kearney High School, 1954
Married: May 15, 1956, to Lyle Roeder of Kearney; lived in Kearney; owned and operated Roeder Bros. Construction and Roeder Bros. farms for 28 years
Moved to the Mesa-Tempe area, in spring 1984; started LyMar Specialties Construction Co.; worked with the Mayo Clinic, Phoenician Resort interiors and many other projects
In 1997, her illness forced her husband to retire to become her caregiver at their home in Mesa, where she resided until her death.
Activities: enjoyed her affiliation with the local welcome wagon and its social events; she gained lasting friendships
Was devoted to her loving children, husband, home and church; fan of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks
Loved to plan and entertain at their cabin on Johnson Lake and at her home, which she adored immensely; loved to plan traveling events, was a very hard worker and was a perfectionist at whatever she did
Member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mesa
Survivors include: husband; son, Scott of Chandler; daughters, Sandra McClellen of Lincoln, Neb., Lori Luke of Gilbert and Lisa of Mesa; brother, Tom Reidy of Kearney; sisters, Judy Heath of Ringgold, Ga., and Kathy Reidy of Lincoln; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; also sons-in-law, Matt McClellen of Lincoln and Jeff Luke of Gilbert; sister-in-law, Jean Reidy of Kearney; brother-in- law, Nelson Heath of Ringgold; aunts; nieces; and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 15 January, 2004
RUNGE, Lewola, 85, of Ravenna died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at BryanLGH Medical Center in Lincoln
Services: Tuesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rassmussen Mortuary
Born Jan. 28, 1918, in Litchfield
Parents: Roy and Mary Esther (Gill) PRICE
Graduated from Mason City High School in 1935
Married: May 27, 1937, to Walter Runge in Neligh. He died May 10, 2002
Lived and farmed near Westerville for 10 years; moved to a farm east of Mason City, were there for 35 years; retired to Ravenna in 1982
Activities: loved to work with flowers, play cards and dance; was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Dorcas Society
Survivors include: brother, Mel Price of Lincoln
Was preceded in death by her husband, three brothers and one sister
Kearney Hub, 12 January, 2004
SALLINGER, Judith L., 89, of Gibbon, formerly of Shelton, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Gibbon
Services: Saturday at Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson Mortuary of Gibbon/Shelton
Born Oct. 5, 1914, in Gibbon
Parents: Charles and Gail (Weakley) Webster
Married: Oct. 26, 1933, Frank Sallinger in Seward
Survivors include: sons, Charles of Guam and Richard of Lynn Haven, Fla.; daughter, Lois Ruyle of Shelton; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; stepbrother, Bus Doremus of Kimball; and stepsisters, Shirley Volquardsen of Cairo and Charlotte Powell of Ogallala
Kearney Hub, 1 January, 2004
SCHMIDT, Adeline D., 89, of Kearney died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday at O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home
Private burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: the church in Kearney
Born April 14, 1914, in Garland
Parents: Joseph and Sophia (Divis) SUCHY
Graduated from Kearney High School, 1932; attended college for one year
Married: Sept. 7, 1936, to Wayne Leonard. He died June 22, 1952
Married: Aug. 31, 1962, to Edwin Schmidt in Kearney. He died Aug. 1, 1999
Worked as a sales clerk for many years for J.M. McDonald Co. and later for the Lots to Love Shop in Kearney
Activities: member of First Presbyterian Church in Kearney, past member of the BPOE Does and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary in Kearney
Enjoyed collecting glass slippers and state souvenir spoons, walking, gardening, and bowling
Survivors: son, Cary Leonard of Stapleton; daughter, Loy Main of North Platte; sister, Lucille Suchy of Kearney; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; stepson, James of Omaha; stepdaughter, Joyce Langtry of Overland Park, Kan.; five stepgrandchildren; and nine stepgreat-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husbands, three brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 24 January, 2004
SHAFER, William R. "Bob", 90, of Gibbon, formerly of Palmer, died Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, at Gibbon Good Samaritan Care Center in Gibbon
Services: Wednesday at First Church of Christ in Palmer
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Palmer Funeral Home of Fullerton
Born Aug. 16, 1913, in Chandler, Okla.
Parents: William and Bertha (Mattheyer) Shafer
Grew up in Chandler, received his education there; moved with his family to Bridgeport
Worked as an auto mechanic
Married: Dec. 9, 1935, to Dorothy Gilgren, who died July 11, 1962.
Moved to Shelton, 1941, and to St. Paul, 1955; lived in several towns around that area. he worked as a gravel pumper for several companies.
Married: Oct. 26, 1964, to Clara Senyard in Chandler; she died Jan. 10, 1998
Lived in Elba; retired in 1978 and remained in the Elba area
He and his wife moved to the Coolidge Care Center in Palmer, 1995. In 1999, he moved to the care center in Gibbon.
Activities: past member of the Eagles in Kearney; enjoyed hunting, fishing, stock car racing, his grandchildren and playing cards
Survivors include: son, William of Kearney, daughters, Emma Christensen of Alda, Jannette Haag of Palmer, Donna Fredrick of Ogallala and Diana Nelson of Ord.; sisters, Ruth Conklin of Bayard and Betty Gibbons of Gibbon; 33 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren; also daughter-in-law, Connie of Kearney; and sons-in-law, Dick Haag of Palmer and Kenneth Nelson of Ord;
Was preceded in death by two wives; his parents; brothers, Carl, Tom, Jack, Bill, Walt and Joe; and sisters, Bessie Locke, Lucy Eggars, Ethel Stearns and Dorothy Ellis
Kearney Hub, 6 January, 2004
SMITH, David Royce, 72, of 4011 Ave. E, Kearney, died Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday at First United Methodist Church
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home of Kearney
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military rites by the North Platte Veterans Group
Memorials: the church in Kearney
Born Dec. 16, 1931, in Lemoyne
Parents: Ance and Hanie (Robinson) Smith
Grew up in central and western Nebraska; received his high school education at East High School in Rockford, Ill.
Married: Feb. 17, 1952, to Marcia Munson in Kearney
Military: Aug. 5, 1952, he entered the U.S. Army; served during the Korean War; was honorably discharged July 14, 1954
Lived in Kearney; was employed by Nims Oil Co.; lived in North Platte, July 1967 to November 1973; returned to Kearney
Owned Platte Valley Glass for three years; then was employed as an independent insurance agent; after retiring, served as head custodian at First United Methodist Church, was also a part-time driver for Northridge Retirement Community
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, United Methodist Men, Golden K Kiwanis, American Legion Post 52 of Kearney, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759 of Kearney and was a former member of Kearney Elks Lodge
Survivors include his wife; son, Douglas of Kearney; daughters, Pamela Geffinger of Las Vegas, Lynette Sakurai of Cheyenne, Wyo.; brother, Marion of Grand Island; sisters, Pauline Bates of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Phyllis Woosley of Murphysboro, Ill.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; also daughter-in-law, Abby of Kearney; sons-in-law, Kenneth Geffinger of Las Vegas and Kim Sakurai of Cheyenne; and nephews and nieces
Was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, a grandson and a great-grandson
Kearney Hub, 12 January, 2004
STYSKAL, Helen M., 92, of Kearney died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Mortuary: Monday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Exeter Cemetery
Memorials: Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation
Born July 2, 1911, in Exeter
Parents: Henry and Rebecca (Finke) ZWIEG
Married: Feb. 14, 1934, to Elmer Styskal in Belleville, Kan.
Graduated from Exeter High School in 1929
Started her adult life as a rural schoolteacher in Saline and York counties; enjoyed children; majority of her working years were spent caring for children, first at the Gingerbread House and later in her home
Was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Viola Crowder
Survivors include her husband; daughters, Linoma Gragsn of Honolulu and Ramona of Denver; and sister, Leona Taylor of Exeter; also sons-in-law, Gary Gragson of Honolulu and Nick Weighton of Denver; and numerous nephews, nieces and friends
Kearney Hub, 3 January, 2004
SYKES, Mary Beth, 60, of Hastings, formerly of Kearney, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at her home
Services: Monday at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hastings
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Butler-Volland Funeral Home in Hastings
Born Aug. 3, 1943, in Clay Center
Parents: Ernest and Rosemary (Hakanson) BRENNFOERDER
Survivors include: son, T.J. of Lincoln; daughters, Rebecca Beck of St. Louis and Melissa of Louisville; her mother of Fairfield; brother, Ron Brennfoerder of Edgar; and sisters, Linda Brennfoerder of Kearney and Debra Kearns of Rushville
Kearney Hub, 3 January, 2004
TRUBL, Ernest E., 76, of Pleasanton died Friday, Jan. 23, 2004, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Services: Tuesday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Majors Cemetery near Poole southeast of Pleasanton
Memorials: Majors Cemetery
Born March 28, 1927, in Kearney
Parents: Frank and Mary (Wall) Trubl
Grew up in the Poole area in Buffalo County; graduated from Ravenna High School in 1947; farmed with his parents in the Poole area until entering the U.S. Army
Military: served during the Korean War with the Chemical and Nuclear Testing Program; after discharge, returned to farm in the Poole area
Married: Sept. 30, 1962, to Fern Richardson in Miami, Okla. She died in 1996
Farmed in the Poole area; worked part time as a greeter at Wal-Mart in Kearney
Survivors include: daughter, Lori Dobish of Pleasanton, and brother, Roy of Kearney; also son-in-law, Mark Dobish of Pleasanton and grandson, Luke
Was preceded in death by his wife and his parents
Kearney Hub, 26 January, 2004
TRUMPOUR, Gladys M., 92, of Kearney, formerly of Shelton, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Mortuary: Godberson Mortuary of Gibbon/Shelton
Kearney Hub, 29 December, 2003
WALKER, James D. "J.D.", 35, of San Clemente, California, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Friday, Jan. 16, 2004, in San Clemente
Services: Feb. 6 at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Memorials: local affiliate of NCADD
Born June 15, 1968, in Kearney
Parents: Robert and Shirley Walker
Grew up in Kearney; was a two-time all-state selection as a football linebacker while at Kearney High School; attended Kearney Sate College before beginning a sales career
Recently worked with Millinnia Mortgage in Laguna Hills as a customer service representative
Quick wit, friendly demeanor, a big heart; devout Husker fan
Survivors include: brothers, Scott of San Clement and Brent of Plano, Texas; sister, Ann Burton of Reeds Spring, Mo.; and grandmother, Ann McPeck of York, Neb.; also include his nephews, Greg Walker of San Clemente and Nicholas and Mitchel Walker of Plano
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 27 January, 2004
WEAVER, Leroy L., 47, of Ravenna, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Thursday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Oberlin (Kan.) Cemetery
Memorials: Press On Ministry
Born Nov. 4, 1956, in St. Paul
Parents: Lawrence and Rose (Holliday) Weaver
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1974
Married: Nov. 15, 1974, to Diana Duncan
Was a self-employed concrete construction worker until his death
Survivors include: son, Travis; daughter, Kelly; his mother; brother, Larry; sisters, Debra and Diane; and special friend, Susie Kempt; also granddaughter, Kyler
Was preceded in death by his father
Kearney Hub, 14 January, 2004
WEBBEN, Celeste R., 23, of Kearney died Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, at a rural home north of Shelton
Services:Saturday at Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Memorials : Nebraska Children's Home
Born Jan. 5, 1980, in Satanta, Kan.; was the Haskell County (Kan.) New Year's baby that year
Parents: Dennis and Diana (Pember) Webben
Attended school through third grade in Sublette, Kan.; moved to Shelton, graduated from high school, 1998; attended Central Community College in Hastings to study accounting
Moved to Kearney, was employed at Schaepler Dentistry
Activities: was an advocate for open adoption, volunteered for the Nebraska Children's Home; traveled the state speaking to audiences about the importance of adoption;
Member of the United Methodist faith; enjoyed music, fishing and had recently taken up cooking as a hobby; enjoyed spending time with family, friends and her cat, Miss Phoebe
Survivors include her son, Noah Scarns of Lexington; her father, Dennis; mother and stepfather, Diana and Keith Williams of Ravenna; grandmother, Dorothy of Grand Island; and great-grandfather, Stanley Pember of Akron, Colo.; also her father's special friend, Pat Lorenzen;
Was preceded in death by her grandparents, Janet Krueger, Leonard Pember and Franklin Webben
Kearney Hub, 2 January, 2004
WOODRING, Kolby Allen, 27, of Kearney, formerly of Stockville, died Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, in Kearney
Mortuary: Blase-Wetzel Funeral Home in Curtis
Services: Wednesday at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Curtis
Burial: Arbor Cemetery in Stockville
Mortuary: Blase-Wetzel Funeral Home in Curtis
A memorial has been established
Born May 8, 1976, in North Platte
Parents: Dale and Sharlene (Claymon) Woodring
Attended Maywood Public Schools, excelling in music, academics and track; graduated 1994 from Maywood High School, 1994; attended McCook Community College.
Loved baseball; began playing age of five with the Stockville Little League and continued with Legion Ball and coaching Stockville Little League; baseball and the Atlanta Braves were always a special passion of his
On Dec. 16, 1995, he welcomed a son
Attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1996
Quit school in 1997, worked full time at Valentino's; became a manager at Perkins Restaurant in Kearney
Married: July 9, 2000, to Kari Blecha in Las Vegas
Son, Braydon was born Sept. 20, 2001
The family had moved into their new home in October, 2003
Began a new job as general manager at the Chicken Coop in Kearney in December
Survivors include his wife and unborn child due in July; sons, Taylor Walker of Hayes Center and Braydon of Kearney; his parents, of Stockville; brothers, Kyle of Beaver City and Kipp of Manhattan, Kan.; and grandparents, Marvin of Stockville and Barbara of Curtis; also nieces, Kylee and Madison of Beaver City; father and mother-in-law, Mike and Kathy Blecha of Haigler; brother-in-law, Lonne Blecha of Chandler, Ariz.; grandparents-in-law, Earl and Ilene Erdman of Haigler and Jeanie Blecha of Benkelman; and great-grandmother-in-law, Lucille Spaulding of Benkelman
Was preceded in death by an infant brother, Phillip; sister, Brenda; grandparents, Alvin and Thelma Claymon; great-grandmother, Grace; and cousin, Keela Holmberg
Kearney Hub, 10 January, 2004