Page 22
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Extracted from newspapers
STEFANSKI, Lucile, 91, of Kearney died Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Thursday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home, Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: Mother Hull Home or the Salvation Army
Born Dec. 3, 1912, on a farm north of Kearney
Parents: Richard and Mary (Fowler) Triplett
Attended school in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School, 1930; attended Kearney Normal School; graduated from cosmetology school
Moved to Holdrege, with a partner opened the Fernette Beauty Shop
Married: June 6, 1937 to Roland Stefanski in Kearney. He died in 1996
Lived in Kearney; helped her husband operate Stefanski Dairy in the early 1940's; later, managed a beauty shop in Kearney for 20 years while husband was a full-time farmer
With partner operated K&S Beauty Nook in Kearney; retired, 1972
Activities: was a lifetime member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney; enjoyed traveling, gardening and playing cards
Survivors include: brother, Leland Triplett of Kearney; also sisters-in-law, Loretta Triplett of Kearney and Pauline Triplett of Scottsbluff; many nieces and nephews; and many friends
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents; a brother, Lewis; and a sister, Louise
Kearney Hub, 11 August, 2004
WOLF, Stephen "Steve" Drake, 50, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident near Kearney
Services: Thursday, Trinity United Methodist Church, Lincoln
Body will be cremated
Mortuary: Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, Lincoln
Memorials: the UNL Marching Band Scholarship Fund or Trinity United Methodist Church in Lincoln
Born Nov. 25, 1953, in Kearney
Parents: DeWayne and Beverly (Goldenstein) Wolf
Married Pam Bruce
Was employed as investment broker, trainer, mentor and in hiring for Edward Jones for almost 15 years
Activities: member of Trinity United Methodist Church, involved in church committees, sang in the church choir; former member of the Rotary Club; enjoyed golfing, the family cabin, music, traveling and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Marching Band; was a member of "Husker Chat"; played basketball at the University of Nebraska at Kearney; he enjoyed spending time with family and friends
Survivors include: wife; son, Andrew of Lincoln; daughter, Becca of Lincoln; parents of Kearney; brothers, Chuck of Houston and John of Seattle; also sisters-in-law, Melanie of Houston and Nancy of Seattle
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, Siebelt and Doris Goldenstein and John and Evelyn Wolf
Kearney Hub, 10 August, 2004
BEBB, Albert E., 45, of Kearney died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel, Masonic rites by Rob Morris Lodge 46 of Kearney
Burial: later
Memorials: the Gavyn Bebb education fund
Born Oct. 30, 1958, in Topeka, Kan.
Parents: Howard and Claryce (Foster) Bebb
Graduated from Republican City High School, 1976; attended Northeast Community College
Married: June 30, 1995 to Nancy Corey in Kearney
Worked as a salesman at Midway Chevrolet in Kearney; enjoyed hunting, fishing and drawing
Survivors include: wife; sons, Gavyn of Kearney and Jeremy of Lincoln; his parents, of Kearney; brother, Bill of Kearney; grandmother, Leona Foster of Kearney; and two grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his brother, Chuck, and grandparents.
Kearney Hub, 14 August, 2004
BUSH, Sue M., 44, of Kearney died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, First Baptist Church, Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: the Yanney Park Foundation
Born Sept. 4, 1959, in O'Neill
Parents: Dean and Beverly (Seeman) Pofahl
Graduated from Amherst High School, 1977; from Kearney State College, 1982
Married: May 12, 1984 to Steve Bush in Kearney
Was a real estate agent, had worked for Coldwell Banker and for Sobotka Roper Schumacher Real Estate offices in Kearney; had worked for the Yanney Park Foundation; was currently devoting her time to her family
Activities: member of First Baptist Church, active with Christian Education and church activities; member of Chapter FN of PEO, a Master Gardener, a former member of the Buffalo County Realtors and a Kearney Tennis Association board member; enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading and having an active lifestyle
Survivors include: husband; daughters, Katie and Cami, both of Kearney; her parents, of Kearney; brother, Theodore Pofahl of Kearney; and sisters, Julia Klingelhoefer of Amherst and Elizabeth Seaman of Lincoln; also father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard and Barbara of Kearney; brothers-in-law, Kevin Klingelhoefer of Amherst and Alan Seaman of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Dynae Pofahl of Kearney; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mark and Kimberly of Kearney and Myron and Beth Ann Placek of Omaha; and many nieces and nephews
Kearney Hub, 14 August, 2004
FETTERS, Marjorie G., 91, of Kearney died Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, First Church of the Nazarene
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: First Church of the Nazarene or Mother Hull Home
Born June 21, 1913, in Holbrook
Parents: William and Lulu (Sipe) Wade
Family moved to a farm north of Arapahoe, attended a country school there; graduated from Arapahoe High School
Married: May 21, 1938 to Ivan Fetters in Holbrook. He died April 16, 1996
Lived in Hastings; moved to Holdrege, 1945, and built a home; were deeply involved in helping start the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Holdrege
Moved to Kearney, 1956; were very active in the First Church of the Nazarene for more than 40 years; member of the local Women's Christian Temperance Union
Survivors include: son, Gerald of Lake Forest, Calif.; three grandsons; and a great-grandson
Was preceded in death by her husband and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 17 August, 2004
ECKHOFF, Glenda Jean (Haynes) Eckhoff, 39, of North Carolina, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Monday, Aug. 2, 2004, in Owen Sound, Ontario
Services: Sunday, Bryan Lee Funeral Home in Garner, N.C
Born March 5, 1965, in Omaha
Parents: A.J. and Vee Haynes
Married: Nov. 18, 1983 to Jeff Eckhoff in Kearney. They divorced in 1998
Survivors include: sons, Robert and Matthew of Raleigh, N.C.; her mother of Garner; and sisters, June Stover of Ravenna, Neb., and Melody Rose of Greensboro, N.C.
Kearney Hub, 13 August, 2004
HELLEBERG, Cheryl, 45, of Kearney died Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday, Elm Creek United Methodist Church
Burial: Prairie Center Cemetery, Haven's Chapel
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel, Kearney
Memorials: to the family
Born Sept. 13, 1958, in Kearney
Parents: Chester and Marjorie (Anderson) Vance
Grew up in Elm Creek, graduated from Elm Creek High School
Married: July 4, 1978 to Paul Helleberg in Colorado Springs, Colo.; lived in Colorado, was a private caregiver
Later moved to Nebraska, worked for Mid-Nebraska Individual Services in Kearney
Activities: member of the church in Elm Creek, was a devoted wife and mother; enjoyed arts and crafts
Survivors include: husband; sons, Matt Smith and Josh, Zack and Joseph Helleberg, all of Kearney; daughters, Dawn, Amy, Halley and Michaela Helleberg, all of Kearney; and a brother, Steve Vance of Colorado Springs
Was preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 16 August, 2004
MATTESEN, Mabel, 90, of Austin, Texas, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Aug. 5, 2004, in Austin
Services: Aug. 21,t Vista Oaks Assisted Living Center in Austin
Born Aug. 17, 1913, in Chariton, Iowa
Parents: W.A. and Jessie Wright
Married: March 10, 1934 to Ralph Harden in Kearney. He died April 3, 1981
Married: August, 1983 to Richard Matteson in Bella Vista, Ark. He died Jan. 24, 1998
Survivors include her sister, Wilma Franks of Denver; and three grandsons
Kearney Hub, 14 August, 2004
MUELLER, Harold W., 86, of Sierra Vista, Arizona, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, at Tucson Medical Center
Services: Friday, Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Vista
Burial: Southern Arizona Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Sierra Vista
Mortuary: Hatfield Funeral Home in Sierra Vista
Born Aug. 20, 1917, on the family farm northwest of Kearney
Parents: Samuel and Emma (Hanke) Mueller
Was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Started school in a one-room schoolhouse; graduated from Kearney High School, 1934
Earned teaching certificate from Kearney State College; taught high school science and Latin in Colorado, Wyoming and western Nebraska during the school year, completed his degree work in the summers, graduated in 1941; continued to teach until drafted into the U.S. Army, 1942
Military: medical laboratory technician in Iceland, England and the American Hospital of Paris during WWII; continued in the Army Reserve and then the National Guard while attending the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha on the GI Bill; rejoined active military service upon graduation, completed medical internship at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco; assigned to Fort Huachuca, Alaska, and Fort Sam Houston; then returned to Letterman Hospital to complete surgical residency; completd assignments in Korea, Germany and at many locations in the United States; was 2nd Armored Division surgeon; commander, 30th Medical Group; and commander of hospitals at Bremerhaven, Germany, and Fort Polk, La.; was medically retired from Walter Reed Army Medical Center., 1977
Married: 1951 to M. Maxine Wylie in San Francisco. She died in 1995
Couple returned to Sierra Vista to raise their youngest two children
Activities: was active in many political, church, social, charitable and civic activities
Suffered a stroke in 1996; worked to continue participating in his previous activities
Survivors include: sons, Frederick of Sierra Vista, James of The Woodlands, Texas, and Erick of San Diego; and daughters, Sonja Beatty and Mary, both of Sierra Vista; also daughters-in-law, Sandra of The Woodlands and Kristi of San Diego; son-in-law, Ken Beatty of Sierra Vista; and grandchildren, Austin, Amy, William and Leah
Was preceded in death by his wife, parents; eldest son, William; brother, Howard; and sister, Lucile Saylor
Kearney Hub, 14 August, 2004
VRBSKY, Esther, 96, of Kearney, formerly of Seward, died Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Services: Tuesday, Wood-Zabka Funeral Home in Seward
Burial: Seward Cemetery
Born March 19, 1908, in Denver
Parents: William and Kate (Jacoby) Wolf
Married: June 15, 1941 to Ernest Vrbsky. He died in 1984
Survivors include: son, Robert of Kearney; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 16 August, 2004
REYNOLDS, Herman L., 84, of Odessa died Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Services: Wednesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials to be designated later
Born July 21, 1920, in Lynchburg, Va.
Parents: Archie and Josephine (Williams) Reynolds
Attended rural school near Lynchburg; after high school, worked with his father at the Norfolk naval yard until inducted into the service
Military: U.S. Army Air Corps, Sept. 14, 1942 - Jan. 7, 1946
Married: Dec. 2, 1944 to Esther Holoubeck in Kearney
Was a resident of the Kearney/Odessa area for more than 60 years; was a self-employed carpenter. worked for Glen Wisch Construction Co. for 33 years
Activities: member of the Shiloh Methodist Church in Lynchburg, longtime member of the Riverdale Odd Fellows Lodge; enjoyed gardening and sharing the produce with neighbors; when younger, enjoyed hunting coons with his Uncle Joe
Also enjoyed traveling, especially going to Hawaii to spend time with his son; spent many winters there visiting
Survivors include: wife; son, Gary of Volcano, Hawaii; daughter, Carolyn Bailey of Grand Island; brothers, Archie of Lynchburg and Paul of Odessa; sisters, Florence Salmon of Dallas and Nancy Wilson of Lynchburg; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; also his son-in-law, John Bailey of Grand Island; and daughter-in-law, Toi of Volcano
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Herbert
Kearney Hub, 17 August, 2004
STEWART, Charles "Chuck" Eugene, 47, of Kearney died Monday, Aug. 16, 2004, at his parents' home in McCook
Services: Friday, Carpenter Breland Chapel in McCook
Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery
Born Aug. 4, 1957, in Alliance
Parents: William and Bettye (Solace) Stewart. Married: Feb. 14, 1981 to DeeAnna Sauer in McCook
Survivors include: parents; daughter, Sheree of Ogallala; and brothers, Michael of Houston and Dennis of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 18 August, 2004
CRONIN, James "Pat", 87, of Ravenna died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Services: Monday, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Ravenna
Burial: Highland Cemetery, Ravenna Mortuary: Rasmussen, Ravenna
Born June 14, 1917, in Hazard
Parents: James and Bertha (Smith) Cronin
Attended school in Hazard, graduated from Hazard High School; joined the C.C. Camp at Halsey
Military: U.S. Army
Married: Oct. 19, 1944 to Bess Psota in Ravenna
Lived in Ravenna; operated Cronin Tractor and Car Repair for 42 years
Activities: member of the church in Ravenna, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Rifle Association; enjoyed hunting and spending time with his grandchildren
Survivors include: wife of Loup City; sons, Mike of Kearney and Jim of Ravenna; daughter, Donna Obermiller of Loup City; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Kimberly of Kearney and Glenda of Ravenna; and sons-in-law, Slim Obermiller of Loup City and Rex Kroeger of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his daughter, Coleen Kroeger; brother, Don; and sister, Mary
Kearney Hub, 20 August, 2004
MAJORS, Ronald "Ron" G., 58, of Riverdale died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004, at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha following a lengthy illness
Services: Tuesday at St. James Catholic Church, Kearney
Burial: Riverdale Cemetery, military rites by American Legion Post 52 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: the Kearney Catholic High School basketball program, Kearney High School basketball program or the Kearney Basketball Club Scholarship Fund
Born Oct. 31, 1945, in Nebraska City
Parents: Logan and Helen (Hayes) Majors
Graduated from Auburn High School, 1964;attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln until drafted into the service
Married: June 14, 1969 to Sally Leonard in Auburn
Military: U. S. Army, Oct. 28, 1970 - July 27, 1973;served during the Vietnam War
Following discharge, lived in Lincoln; moved to Kearney, 1974
Was employed at Physicians Optical Services, 1974-1990, then purchased the business
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church; enjoyed coaching kids basketball in Riverdale and Kearney and playing business league basketball in Kearney; enjoyed planting trees, spending time in his yard and antiquing
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Kelsey of Denver; brothers, Daryl of Canton, Ga., and Ken of Hickman; and sister, Shirley Milam of Falls City
Was preceded in death by his son, Logan on June 24, 1999, and his parents
Kearney Hub, 23 August, 2004
STUTHEIT, Herb, 82, of Lincoln died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004, at Tabitha Health Care Services in Lincoln
Services: Monday, First Lutheran Church in Lincoln
Burial: Prairie Union Cemetery in Shubert
Mortuary: Butherus, Maser and Love Funeral Home of Lincoln
Memorials: Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
Born April 26, 1922, in Johnson
Parents: Julius and Augusta (Hogrefe) Stutheit
Married: Wilma Kennedy. Worked in building materials sales and also worked for the Lions Club in Kearney and Lincoln and for Spelts Lumber and Century Lumber in Kearney
Activities: member of the church in Lincoln
Survivors include: wife; son, Lanny of Omaha; and sister, Pearl Steffens of Auburn; also daughter-in-law, Cheryl of Omaha, grandchildren, Benjamin and Brandon; four nieces; and a nephew
Kearney Hub, 20 August, 2004
HUNSBERGER, Irene Marjorie, 81, of Fairbury, formerly of Shelton, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004, at Heritage Care Center in Fairbury
Services: Wednesday, Aug. 18, Fairbury United Methodist Church
Burial: Fairbury Cemetery
Mortuary: Gerdes-Meyer, Fairbury
Born Nov. 15, 1922, in Shelton
Parents: Howard and Laura (Keechler) Oliver
Attended school in Shelton
Married: June 26, 1941 to Harland Hunsberger in Grand Island
Moved to Fairbury in 1964; worked at the Lynch Clinic and Montgomery Ward; was the Jefferson County assessor for 25 years; retired, 1995
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church, Eastern Star, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Legion Auxiliary, County Assessors Association of Nebraska and the Southeast County Assessors Association
Survivors include: husband; son, Steve of Kearney; and daughters, Connie Doehring of Leavenworth, Kan., and Trudy Dvorak of Lincoln; also sons-in-law, Lee Doehring of Leavenworth and Jerry Dvorak of Lincoln; Steve's special friend, Emily Eutsler of Kearney; grandsons, Chad, Scott and Michael; great-grandchildren, Morgan and Ian; and brothers-in-law, Raymond of Garden City, Kan., and Glenn of Seattle
Was preceded in death by a son; Lynn, her parents; two brothers; and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 21 August, 2004
DANIELSON, Alyce V., 94, of Kearney, formerly of the Holdrege area, died Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel, Kearney
Burial: Moses Hill Cemetery near Holdrege
Memorials: St. John's Good Samaritan Center, Kearney
Born Nov. 26, 1909, near Wilcox
Parents: Theodore and Sophia (Lewis) Bomar
Rode a horse and buggy each day to attend Harmony Rural School in Wilcox; later attended school in Holdrege
Family moved to a farm near Edison, 1923; she graduated from Edison High School, 1927
Attended Green Gables Nursing School in Lincoln, graduated as a registered nurse in 1930; was a special duty nurse and provided nursing to patients still living in their own homes; was later employed at a veterans hospital in Milwaukee and later at a hospital in Wadsworth, Kan.
Fianc‚, Jack Meyer drowned in a boating accident in Kansas
Was later employed at the Holdrege hospital
Married: 1941 to Fred Gerhardt. They later divorced
Married: 1949 to Carl Danielson. He died in 1968
With second husband, lived on a farm near Elm Creek; moved to Kearney, 1960; had lived at St. John's in Kearney for some time before her death
Activities: member of the Ladies Club while living on the farm
Survivors include her son, Rex of Hildreth; and sister, Lorraine Danielson of Fremont; also daughter-in-law, Twila of Hildreth; granddaughters, Colleen of Kearney and Stacie of Fort Collins, Colo.; great-grandson, Drew of Kearney; and 10 nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents; a brother, Vincent Bomark; sister, Inez Hall; and daughter-in-law, Carole (Altmeyer) Danielson
Kearney Hub, 24 August, 2004
HAYMAN, Douglass F. Sr., 97, of Kearney, formerly of Shelton, died Monday, Aug. 23, 2004, at Mother Hull Home
Memorial services: Saturday, Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel, Kearney
Memorials: Mother Hull Home in Kearney or United Methodist Church in Shelton
Born Feb. 27, 1907, in Shelton
Parents: Ora and Bertha (Haug) Hayman
Graduated from Shelton High School, received a bachelor's degree from Grand Island College, and a master's degree from the University of Nebraska
Married: Aug. 20, 1932 to Anna Schuster in Rahway, N.J.
Was a chemist in New Jersey for 15 years; returned to Nebraska, 1944; farmed until retirement
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church in Shelton
Survivors include his wife; son, Douglass Jr. of Annapolis, Md.; daughter, Carolyn Brown of Haymarket, Va.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Maxine Schroeder
Kearney Hub, 26 August, 2004
LOPEZ-MORALES, Edwin Osmin, 42, of 2900 Grand Ave. died Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at his home
Services: Wednesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: later
Memorialsto be designated later
Born Sept. 25, 1961, in San Salvador, El Salvador
Parents: Victor and Marta (Morales) Lopez
Attended grade school at Romero Alvergue; attended high school at Liceo Centro Americano and college at La Universidad Politernica de El Salvador
Moved to Montreal, 1991; received a certified public accountant degree
Married: Sept. 25, 2001 to married Brenda Gimeson; moved to Kearney
Worked as a direct special assistant at Bethphage Mission and also for South Central Behavioral Services
Activities: attended and studied at Kingdom Hall in Kearney and Lexington; enjoyed spending time with family and friends and loved traveling and reading
Survivors include his wife; son, Edwin Lopez-Andino of Kearney; his parents; brother, Herbert Lopez of Axtell; sisters, Hilda Banda of Axtell and Marta Cecilia of San Salvador; stepson, Mario Andino of Montreal; and stepdaughter, Tanya Gimeson of Kearney; also brothers-in-law, Clem Banda of Axtell and Jorge Moreno of San Salvador; sister-in-law, Bonnie Kresser of Orleans; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Don and Allene Gimeson of Kearney; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David and Pam Witte of Orleans and Mark and Nancy Kantaras of Kearney; and grandparents-in-law, Oliver and Doris Sell of Orleans
Was preceded in death by a nephew and his grandparents
Kearney Hub, 24 August, 2004
RACHOW, Virginia Louise, 68, of Hazard died Friday, Aug. 20, 2004, at BryanLGH East Care Center in Lincoln
Services: Wednesday, Faith United Methodist Church, Gibbon
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson, Gibbon/Shelton
Born March 23, 1936, in Gibbon
Parents: Gerald and Marjorie (Lockhart) Cudaback
Married: Curt Cross in Wyoming. He died in 1973
Married: 1977 to Buford Rachow in Gibbon
Survivors include: husband; daughters, Susan Hart of Cozad, Sandy Leonard of Gibbon and Shelley Haberlan of Elm Creek; brother, Roger Cudaback of Kearney; sister, Patricia Klinkacek of Ravenna; 16 grandchildren; stepsons, Larry Rachow of Gibbon and Lonnie Rachow of Reynolds; and stepdaughter, Lynette Malone of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 23 August, 2004
SMITH, Elton "Snort", 86, of Gibbon died Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Thursday, Gibbon Baptist Church
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery, military rites by Gibbon American Legion Bradley Buck Post 310
Mortuary: Godberson, Gibbon/Shelton
Born: Jan. 30, 1918, on a farm near Shelton
Parents: Chester and Elsie (Lowell) Smith
Married: Dec. 12, 1951 to Anita Ruby in Kearney
Survivors include: wife; sons, Michael of Rockwall, Texas, Tom of Juniata, Alan of Bennet, Gary of Missouri and Neil of Lincoln; daughters, Susan Cavit of Dixon, Calif. and MaryEllen of Gibbon; sisters, Mary Boyd, Bernice Slack and Doretha Clevenger, all of Gibbon, and Bernidean Wilke of Potter; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 24 August, 2004
GEISTDOERFER, Shirley Lynette, 52, of Omaha, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, Aug. 22, 2004, at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha
Memorial services: Saturday, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Omaha
Mortuary: Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler West Center Chapel
Memorials: the Henry Doorly Zoo Education Department
Born Feb. 2, 1952, in Kearney
Parents: Albert and Lydia (Pockrandt) Kahle
Attended public schools in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School, 1970
Graduated as a registered nurse in 1973 from Lincoln General Hospital in Lincoln; received her bachelor of science degree in nursing in 1977 from the College of Nursing at the Medical Center in Omaha
Married: July 29, 1978 to John Geistdoerfer in Omaha
Was an instructor at the College of St. Mary's in Omaha for several years
For the last seven years, has volunteered at the Henry Doorly Zoo in the diet kitchen, genetics department and as a docent
Survivors include: husband; her parents of Kearney; brother, Randy Kahle of Kearney; sisters, Bonnie Kohler and Judy Wellman, both of Kearney; and her grandmother, Francis Logan of Millard; brother-in-law, Phil Wellman of Kearney; sisters-in-law and husbands, Gretchen Geistdoerfer and Ken Munger of Leawood, Kan., and Donna and Steve Andersen of Millard; mother-in-law, Betty Geistdoerfer of Millard; nieces, Kelsey Kahle of Kearney and Melitta and Genavieve Andersen of Millard; and nephews, Greg and Jeff Kohler of Kearney, Brandon Geistdoerfer-Munger of Lawrence, Kan., and Eric Andersen of Millard
Kearney Hub, 27 August, 2004
AXTELL, Frank D. II, 24, of Kearney died Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004, in Wagner, South Dakota
Services: Thursday at O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: later Born June 14, 1980, in Kearney
Parents: Robert and Gail (Tatum) Axtell
Grew up and received his education in Kearney, attended Kearney High School
Worked for Abraham Roofing
Enjoyed playing baseball, going fishing and playing his music; also enjoyed spending time with friends
Survivors include: parents of Kearney; brothers, Michael and Anthony, both of Kearney; sisters, Shelley Nuss of Sutton and Lisa Kennedy of Kearney; and grandmother, Verna Dean Schneider of Kearney; also six nieces, three nephews, and aunts, uncles and cousins
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Mina Axtell; grandfather, Galen Tatum; stepgrandmother, Delores Tatum; two uncles and three cousins
Kearney Hub, 1 September, 2004
FREDERICK, W. Allen, 83, of 3418 Ave. E. died Monday, Aug. 30, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Thursday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: Elks National Foundation
Born June 1, 1921, north of Kearney
Parents: William and Mary (Fish) Frederick
Grew up and attended school north of Kearney
Married: Aug. 16, 1942 to Pauline Sheen in Shelton. She died Dec. 24, 2003
Military: U.S. Navy, 1942-1945, veteran of WWII; taught aviation structure mechanics at Tinker Field in Norman, Okla.
After the war returned to the Kearney area; farmed north of Kearney and in the Riverdale area; moved to Kearney, 1955
Drove a fuel truck for the Farmers Union Coop; then worked at Fairmont Foods
Served as a Kearney Police Department officer for 15 years, then managed the Kearney Branch of Central Nebraska Co-op; later worked in maintenance at Kearney State College until retirement
Activities: member of Kearney Elks Lodge 984, served as exalted ruler in 1982 and 1983, was a longtime lodge secretary and also served as Nebraska Elks Lodge secretary; was involved in many local Elks Lodge offices and committees; at state level, served as sergeant of arms and state chaplain, was elected state secretary in 1992; participated on the national champion Elks Ritual team from Kearney in 1982 and later served as a ritual judge
Was a member of Kearney Eagle's Lodge 2722 and American Legion Post 52 and had been a member of Kearney Area Barbershoppers
Survivors include: sons, Larry of Lincoln and Curtis of Kearney; daughter, Vianne Colgan of Grand Island; brother, Rollie of Kearney; sister, Doris Wink of Kearney; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren; also daughter-in-law, Bets of Lincoln; son-in-law, Bob Colgan of Grand Island; sisters-in-law, Jane and Helen, both of Kearney; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Barbara and Donnell Ramsey of Kenesaw
Was preceded in death by his wife, a son, William Jr. in 1986, and a brother
Kearney Hub, 31 August, 2004
HILL, Billie "Bill" W., 78, of Kearney died Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004, at his home
Services: Wednesday, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military rites by American Legion Post 52 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Good Samaritan Hospital Hospice Program or to St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Born Dec. 30, 1925, in Arapahoe
Parents: Owen and Ferdella (Reed) Hill
Graduated from Arapahoe High School, 1943; attended University of Nebraska-Lincoln, played football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers until entering Marine Corp
Military: U.S. Marine Corps March 30, 1944 - April 18, 1946; served in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division; participated in the invasion of Okinawa, was awarded the Purple Heart
After discharge, attended McCook Junior College and then Denver University, where he also played football
Married: May 29, 1949 to Jean May in McCook
Was employed as a heavy equipment operator, helped construct dams on the Republican River, helped construct Interstate 80
Worked as an insurance agent for Security Mutual Life Insurance Co.; was an alcoholism counselor at the Hastings Regional Center; retired, 1995
Activities: member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kearney, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759 and Alcoholics Anonymous in Kearney and a member of the McCook Elks Lodge for 46 years
Survivors include: wife; son, Jerry of Kearney; daughters, Janet Irlmeier and Jill Sage, both of Kearney, Nancy Anderson of Orleans and Peggy Verbeck of Funk; sister, Bettie Gull of McCook; and five grandchildren; also daughter-in-law, Pam of Kearney; and sons-in-law, Jack Irlmeier and Pete Sage, both of Kearney, Bill Anderson of Orleans and Monty Verbeck of Funk
Was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Michael, on May 28, 2004
Kearney Hub, 31 August, 2004
SENIOR, Robert L., 81, of Kearney died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday, Kearney Church of Christ
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military honors by American Legion Post 52 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel, Kearney
Memorials: Kearney Church of Christ
Born Feb. 22, 1923, in Long Beach, Calif.
Parents: Henry and Glea (Fergason) Senior
Grew up in Custer City, Okla.; received his college education at Southwestern University in Weatherford, Okla.
Military: U.S. Navy, November 1942 - December 1945; served in WWII
Married: July 24, 1954to Ardyth Arbuckle in VanNuys, Calif. She died March 5, 1987
Married: Feb. 17, 1990 to Kay Mason in Kearney
With first wife, lived in California, was a pharmaceutical salesman for Eli Lilly & Co., 1950-1980; moved to Kearney in 1980
With second wife, lived in Kearney, was a registered pharmacist at Haeberle's Grand Central Pharmacy
Activities: member of the Kearney Church of Christ and the Nebraska Pharmacists Association
Survivors include: wife; son, Ronald of Crescent, City, Calif.; brother, Bill of Nevada City, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and stepsons, Tyler Mason of Wellford, S.C., and Timothy Mason of Henley, Mo.; also daughter-in-law, Jeane of Crescent City; and stepdaughters-in-law, Kelli Mason of Wellford and Roxanne Mason of Henley
Was preceded in death by his first wife, parents, two brothers and a sister
Kearney Hub, 4 September, 2004
SOBOTKA, Maxine E., 87, of Kearney died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Friday, First Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: First Lutheran Church or the Kearney Senior Hospitality Center
Born March 6, 1917, in Buckeye Valley north of Gibbon
Parents: Everett and Flossie (Shaner) Shiers
Grew up in the Buckeye Valley, graduated from Gibbon High School
Married: Nov. 23, 1937 to George Sobotka. He died in 1981
Couple moved to Kearney; ran a gas station and shop when they were first married; she ran the business herself when he went into the service
Later sold GMC trucks and Pontiac and Oldsmobile cars; worked side by side for 37 years; retired in 1968
Traveled and spent winters in Texas and Arizona
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church and a church circle in Kearney; member of B.P.O. Does, Eagle's Auxiliary, Extension Club, was a former Cub Scout and Brownie leader, and is past president of the PTA; volunteered for the Red Cross for many years; enjoyed shuffleboard, bingo, cards and was an avid baseball fan who watched games into the early hours; enjoyed feeding and watching birds in her back yard; most enjoyed having her family come to her house to be together
Survivors include: son, Joseph of Kearney; daughter, Anna Sobotka-Schroeder of Kearney; brother, Wayne Shiers of Gibbon; and sisters, Charlotte Liesinger and Dorothy O'Neill, both of Kearney, and Janice Carter of Wood River; also granddaughter, Alisha Ann Sobotka of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents, six brothers and a sister
Kearney Hub, 2 September, 2004
MONTHEY, Viola E. M., 95, of Shelton died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, at St. John's Center in Kearney
Graveside services: Friday, Shelton Cemetery Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Born Dec. 9, 1908, in Sodtown
Parents: Fred and Clara (Satterly) Cox
Survivors include: son, Fred Bias of Welcome, Md.; daughters, Betty Borgmann of Wood River and Cherley Parker of Kearney; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 2 September, 2004
BELMUDEZ, Angelita C., 77, of Kearney died Friday, Sept. 3, 2004, at her home
Services: Wednesday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Oct. 1, 1926, in Lexington
Parents: Guadalupe and Jesuscita (Ybarra) Ceballos
Grew up and attended school in Lexington
Married: Aug. 23, 1946 to Joe Belmudez in Phillipsburg, Kan.; moved to Kearney where they farmed; later moved to the Funk area, farmed and raised their family
Owned and operated Joe's Place Cafe in Funk, late 1970s; also worked as a nurse's aide at Christian Home in Holdrege; moved back to Kearney in the late 1980s to farm
Enjoyed gardening, sewing and canning
Survivors include: husband; sons, Jim of Omaha, Ray of Valrico, Fla., David of Thornton, Colo., Steve of Holdrege and Joseph of Kearney; daughters, Evelyn Anderson of Lakeland, Fla., Joyce Pace of Cambridge, Sara Anderson of Holdrege, Kathy Mentzer of Omaha, Vanessa Rusche of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Virginia Penrod of Omaha and Nancy of Denver; brother, Richard Ceballos of Clovis, N.M.; 31 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Linda of Omaha, Sharon of Valrico and Tammie of Thornton; and sons-in-law, Darold Anderson of Lakeland, Robert Pace of Cambridge, Keven Anderson of Holdrege, Ed Mentzer of Omaha and Ralph Rusche of Ponte Vedra Beach
Was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters and a grandson
Kearney Hub, 6 September, 2004
DALTON, Michael Lee, 45, of Fremont, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Saturday, Fremont Evangelical Free Church
Mortuary: Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont
Born March 12, 1959, in Wayne
Parents: James and Joyce (Griess) Dalton
Married: July 19, 1980 to Robyn Beller in Wakefield
Survivors include: wife; son, Aaron of Fremont; daughters Jordyn and Joslyn, both of Fremont; brothers, William of LeMars, Iowa, Philip of Pine, Colo., and Don of Omaha; and sister, Patricia Dalton Tedesco of Emmetsburg, Iowa
Kearney Hub, 3 September, 2004
BACON, Howard L., 80, of Elm Creek, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Services: Thursday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: The Salvation Army
Born Oct. 3, 1923, in Kearney
Parents: Louis and Iva (DeVall) Bacon
Grew up in Kearney, attended Kearney Public Schools
Married: Aug. 28, 1943 to Doris Brucker in Kearney
Lived in Kearney, worked for the city of Kearney; after retiring, moved to Elm Creek
Activities: member of The Salvation Army
Survivors include: wife; sons, Harold of Milford and Melvin of Aurora; daughters, Dorothy Robinson, Emily Rogers and Ruby, all of Kearney, and Carole of St. Paul, Minn.; 18 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Mary of Milford and Raydene of Aurora
Was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Edward, William and Raymond
Kearney Hub, 8 September, 2004
KNAPP, Imogene U., 87, of 3010 Eighth Ave. died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: American Cancer Society for breast cancer research
Born Aug. 30, 1917, in Kearney
Parents: Martin and Evelyn (Frakes) Baumgartner
Grew up in and attended school in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School, 1934; attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; graduated from Nebraska State Teachers College in Kearney, 1940
Taught school in Ohiowa and Valley, then worked at Baumgartner's Variety Store in Kearney
Was a member of Phi Mu Sorority while attending school in Lincoln; was a member of the American Association of University Women
Married: Jan. 23, 1949 to Lorin Knapp in Kearney. He died in 2002
Activities: avid bridge player; enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, cooking, sewing, painting, and watching and feeding birds
Survivors include: sons, Gregory and Jeffrey, both of Kearney; and daughter, Barbara Brandt of Unadilla; also son-in-law, Robert Brandt of Unadilla; grandchildren, Kelly and Stephen, both of Kearney, Barry Brandt and wife, Carrie, of Unadilla and Betsy Brandt of Lincoln; great-grandson, Burton Brandt of Unadilla; and sister-in-law, Pearl Baumgartner of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband, brother, Albert Baumgartner and sister, Evelyn Gallagher
Kearney Hub, 7 September, 2004
ROCKEFELLER, Royce D., 26, of Gibbon died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, near Gibbon as a result of an auto accident
Services: Thursday, Faith United Methodist Church in Gibbon
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon
Born June 7, 1978, in Kearney
Parents: Dan and Melody (Slater) Rockefeller
Survivors include: parents of Gibbon; brother, Shane of Gibbon; grandfather, Lee Slater of Gibbon; grandmother, Orpha Rockefeller of Gibbon; and great-grandmother, Virginia Endicott of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 7 September, 2004
STUART, John, 85, of Kearney died Friday, Sept. 3, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery, Lexington, military rites by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion of Lexington and by American Legion Post 41 of Sumner
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church or the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation
Born Sept. 19, 1918, at home near Lexington
Parents: Leonard and Winifred (Seeger) Stuart
Grew up in the Lexington area; graduated from Lexington High School, 1936 and from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1940, degree in journalism
Military: U.S. Army; veteran of World War II served as a captain of ordnance in bomb disposal; was assigned to the Pacific Theater where, among other places, he fought in the Liberation of the Philippines; was awarded the Bronze Star
Owned and operated the Auburn Tribune and then the St. Paul Telegraph
Later farmed in Cheyenne County, then farmed and ranched in the Sumner/Miller area; retired in the 1970s, moved to Kearney
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church, the VFW and Sumner American Legion Post 41
Survivors include: brother, Hugh of Omaha; and sister, Rosalie Stuart Franklin of Seattle; also six nieces and nephews
Kearney Hub, 7 September, 2004
MILLER, Mary Helen, 82, of Henderson, Nev., formerly of Miller, Neb., died Friday, Aug. 27, 2004, at a hospice center in Las Vegas
Services: Sept. 1, Palm Mortuary in Henderson
Born July 8, 1922, in Miller, Neb.
Parents: Claude and Lucy (Dixon) Olmsted
Married: Sept. 2, 1942 to Charles G. Miller in Maryville, Mo.
Survivors include: husband; son, Charles C. of Irving, Texas; daughters, Loretta Browning and Janice Keplinger, both of Henderson; sisters, Verna Livingston of Kearney, Neb., and Lenna Haines of Tucson, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 8 September, 2004
MATTOX, Anna May, 90, of Seaview, Washington, died Sept. 2, 2004, surrounded by family. She passed from this Earth into a joyful heavenly reunion with her Savior Jesus Christ, and family members who had gone on before
Services: Wednesday, Sept. 8 at Sandy Funeral Home, in Sandy, Ore.
Burial: Cliffside Cemetery near Sandy
Born July 15, 1914, Kearney, Nebr.
Parents: Charles Oscar and Almeda Elizabeth (McElhinny) Caswell
Oldest of six children, grew up on farms in Nebraska and Wyoming during the Great Depression; graduated from high school in Lingle, Wyo., where she not only lettered in girls basketball, but her team won the 1933 state championship
Married: April 14, 1934 to Leland Leroy Mattox in Gering, Neb.
Moved, 1935, with parents and siblings to the Sandy, Ore., area; lived there for over 30 years, raised their five children; spent the next 27 years in Richland
Moved to Seaview to be near her children
Activities: enjoyed being outdoors, camping and gardening; enjoyed being a homemaker, baking bread and cinnamon rolls, canning, quilting, and providing for her family
Survivors include: sister, Betty Jo Potter of LaCenter; daughters Norma (Charles) Caba of Ilwaco, Leila (Roger) DeHart of Parkdale, Ore.,; sons Robert (Beverly) of Ilwaco, and Brent (Gail) of Ridgefield; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, plus many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her husband, son Michael, her parents, sister Doris, and brothers Ronald, LeRoy and Charles Jr. Caswell
The Chinook Observer, Long Beach, Wash., 8 September, 2004
ROYLE, Agnes, 85, of Kearney, formerly of Amherst, died Thursday, Sept 9, 2004, at St. John's Center in Kearney
Services: Monday, Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials to be designated later
Born Sept. 10, 1918, in Pleasanton
Parents: James and Eleanor (Davis) Ball
Graduated from Pleasanton High School
Married: April 11, 1936 to George Royle in Smith Center, Kan. He died Jan. 15, 1990
Farmed west of Pleasanton until retiring
Activities: member of Grace Lutheran Church and the American Legion Auxiliary in Pleasanton; enjoyed gardening, sewing and cooking
Survivors include: sons, Jim, Bob and Dan, all of Pleasanton, and Ron and Bryce, both of Amherst; daughter, Marva Potts of Juniata; brother, Ersel Ball of Kearney; sister, Bertha Daake of Riverdale; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Jo and Carmen, both of Pleasanton, and Linda of Amherst; and son-in-law, Hank Potts of Juniata
Was preceded in death by her husband, a son, a grandson and two brothers
Kearney Hub, 11 September, 2004
POLAND, Evelyn Louise, 72, of Broken Bow died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Monday, Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow
Burial: Broken Bow Cemetery
Memorials: donor's choice
Born Nov. 25, 1931, in Kearney
Parents: Mervin and Ruth (Anspach) William
Grew up in Miller, graduated from Miller High School, 1950; moved to Broken Bow, worked at the Arrow Hotel Cafe
Married: Oct. 9, 1952 to Bobby Poland in Broken Bow. He died July 17, 1990
Lived in Broken Bow; couple purchase JD Bottle Shop, 1983; after husband's death remained in Broken Bow and operated the store
Activities: member of the Rebekah Lodge and the Broken Bow D.O.E.S.
Survivors include: sons, Melvin and Steve, both of Broken Bow, and Dennis of Hoisington, Kan.; daughter, Virginia Magner of Broken Bow; brother, Dick William of Elm Creek; and sisters, Carolyn Hazzard and Kathy Ross, both of Miller, and Marilyn Traver of Kearney; also daughter-in-law, Danielle of Hoisington; son-in-law, Calvin Magner of Broken Bow; grandchildren, Darcy, Darin, Ricky and Oliver; brothers-in-law, Raymond Hazzard and Lee Ross, both of Miller; and sister-in-law, Beverly William of Elm Creek
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents and a brother, Don
Kearney Hub, 11 September, 2004
JOHNSON, Jeanne, 81, of Gowanda, New York, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, New York.
Graveside services: Monday at Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Shriners Hospitals for Children
Born in Kearney
Parents: Oliver and Amelia (Barnard) Erickson
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School, 1939; attended Kearney State Teachers College; was crowned Miss Nebraska, 1939; represented her state in the Miss American Pageant of 1940
Married: August 1957 to James Johnson in Oak Park, Ill. With husband, ran a family business in Gowanda for 39 years
Activities: an avid traveler for most of her life, a great enthusiast of literature and the arts, and volunteered at Tri-County Memorial Hospital, serving on the hospital auxiliary
Survivors include: husband; son, William of Eden; daughter, Mary McCann of North Collins; sisters, Mary Hogsett of Carlsbad, N.M., and Carol Gilbertson of Northbrook, Ill.; and a granddaughter; also nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her brother, Jack Erickson of Kearney and Evelyn Cullen of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 11 September, 2004