Page 49
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Extracted from newspapers
Back to Index for Obituaries
KROTZER, Anna M., 85, of Kearney died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: later
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: the family
Born April 11, 1921, in Detroit
Parents: James and Martha (Lezotte) Hoffman
Graduated from St. Gabriel's High School in Detroit
Married: April 5, 1945, to Earl Krotzer in Rochester, Pa. He died in 1990
Moved to Kearney in 1980; was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Survivors include her son, Philip of Wimberley, Texas; daughters, Judith Bennett of Kearney and Barbara Timko of Wimberley; six grandsons; and nine great-grandchildren; also daughter-in-law, Terri Krotzer of Wimberley; and son-in-law, Gordon Bennett of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, one sister, one stepdaughter and one son-in-law
Kearney Hub, 22 December, 2006
BOUDREAU, Leon A., 100, of Kearney died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at Mount Carmel Home
Services: Tuesday, Mount Carmel Home Chapel
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Born Jan. 23, 1906, in Woonsocket, R.I.
Parents: Joseph and Eliza (Sareault) Boudreau
Moved to Campbell in 1909; attended rural schools near Campbell
Married Oct. 30, 1951, to JoAnn Kriz, St. Ann's Catholic Church in Campbell
Farmed west of Campbell; retired in 1976, moved into Campbell; moved to Kearney in 1980
Activities: member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Keenagers and Third Order of Lay Carmelites
Survivors include his wife; son, Vincent of Wood River; and sister, Rita Soucie of Wheatridge, Colo.; also daughter-in-law Marilyn Boudreau of Wood River; grandson, Darin Boudreau and wife, Tessie, of Bellevue; granddaughter, Christina Miller and husband, Nathan of Grand Island; great-granddaughter, Makenna Miller of Grand Island; and great-grandsons, Zand and Jace Boudreau of Bellevue
Was preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters
Kearney Hub, 23 December 2006
ASHER, Evalyn, 99, of Ravenna died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at Tiffany Square in Grand Island
Services: Wednesday, Ravenna Congregational Church
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery, Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born March 15, 1907, in Rockville
Parents: Hans and Amanda (Pohlman) Hehnke
Attended school at Rockville, graduated from the 11th grade in 1923, then graduated from the 12th grade at Kearney Normal School in 1924, earned a teaching certificate
Taught country schools in the Rockville area and grade school and high school at Monument Butte School in Gillette, Wyo.; continued her education, graduated from Kearney State Teachers College in 1930 with a bachelor of science degree in math and English
Married: Dec. 19, 1930, to Grant "Ted" Asher. He preceded her in death
Lived near Ravenna; with husband, farmed and had a milk and egg route for 20 years; later had a route for Fairacres Dairy; moved to Ravenna in 1966; moved to Tiffany Square in Grand Island in 2002
Activities: member of the Congregational Church, Women's Fellowship, Women's Club, Rebekahs and Eastern Star; enjoyed crocheting, playing cards and gardening
Survivors include her sons, Richard of Kearney and Ron of North Platte; daughters, Donna Williams of Bremerton, Wash., and Carol McGahan of Grand Island; sister, Laura Dethlefs of Rockville; nineteen grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Sandi Asher of Kearney and Shary Asher of North Platte; and sons-in-law, Barney McGahan of Grand Island and Mark Herbers of Titusville, Fla.
Was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Janice Herbers; brothers, John, Carl and Otto; sisters, Rose Dethlefs and Mary Moog; two infant sisters; one granddaughter; and two great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 23 December, 2006
PAULSEN, David F., 83, of Kearney died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Graveside services: Wednesday, Kearney Cemetery Columbarium
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: the head trauma unit at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Born June 30, 1923, in Seattle
Parents: David Sr. and Nora (Corbett) Paulsen
Grew up in Spokane, Wash.; received his master's degree from the University of Washington
Military: U.S. Navy during World War II; was honorably discharged in 1945
Married: May 15, 1945, to Marjorie Thomas in Omaha
Lived in various places, including Tucson, Ariz.; New Orleans; Grand Forks, N.D.; Washington, D.C.; and Omaha; was employed by the Atomic Energy Commission, University of Arizona, Department of Interior, University of North Dakota and the University of Nebraska at Omaha; moved recently to Kearney, directed the Nebraska Clerks School program in Kearney for the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Activities: member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kearney; enjoyed reading, hiking, traveling and research on his computer
Survivors include his wife; son, Gordon of Gibbon; and daughter Lynn Gramling of Woodbridge, Va.; also his daughter-in-law, Laura Paulsen of Gibbon; and son-in-law, Dean Gramling of Woodbridge
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 26 December, 2006
SHIELDS, Floyd "Dusty" L., 80, of Kearney died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at Mount Carmel Home
Services: Wednesday, Mount Carmel Home Chapel
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Mount Carmel Home
Born Aug. 26, 1924, in Kearney
Parents: Albert and Henrietta (McQuira) Shields
Graduated from Longfellow High School in 1940
Worked at Tollefsen Lumber Co. then at Kearney Buick and Cadillac; retired in 1986
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney; past member of Kearney Elks Lodge 984; enjoyed dancing and bowling
Survivors include his nephew, Fletcher of Grand Island
Was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 26 December, 2006
SCHOMBURG, Mary Ann, 74, of Kearney died Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at Mount Carmel Home
Mortuary: Rasmussen, in Ravenna
Services: Monday, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelton
Burial: Westlawn Cemetery, Grand Island
Born May 7, 1932, in Buffalo County
Parents: Charles and (Selma) Moss Chizek
Was educated at St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island, graduated in 1949
Married: Warren Schomburg June 25, 1953, at Grand Island
Lived in Lincoln, worked for Mel Steen at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 1958 - 1961; moved to Waverly in 1965; bought and moved to the family farm north of Shelton, 1968
Activities: member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelton and the Altar Society; loved sewing, cooking, polka music and gardening
Survivors include a son, Bob Schomburg of Kearney, and two daughters, Dawn Brooks of St. Paul and Gail Sinner of Holstein; also grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Elizabeth Grim
Grand Island The Independent, 15 December, 2006
PHELPS, Kim Leann, 40, of Kearney, formerly of Holdrege, died of cancer Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at her home
Services: Friday, Evangelical Free Church, Kearney
Burial: Prairie Home Cemetery, Holdrege
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer, in Holdrege
Memorial: established
Born Sept. 26, 1966, in Holdrege
Parents: Charles and Melodie (McDonald) Sturgis
Received her primary education in Holdrege, graduated from Holdrege High School in 1985; attended business college in Grand Island
Married: Sept. 30, 1989, to Todd Phelps
Lived in Holdrege, was employed by Holdrege Family Vision Clinic; moved to Kearney, was employed by Kearney Eye Institute; relocated to Hays, Kan.; returned to Kearney, 2004
Cared for her family; loved crafts, started an in-home business called Stampin' Up!; employed part time at The Buckle this past year; attended Evangelical Free Church in Kearney
Survivors include her husband; daughter, Logan of Kearney; her father and his wife, Linda, of Holdrege; brothers, Rick Sturgis of Broken Bow and Rob Sturgis of Omaha; grandmother, Betty Wilson of Holdrege; and stepsister, Karissa Crawford of Omaha; also sister-in-law, Amy Sturgis of Omaha; stepbrother-in-law, Chase Crawford of Omaha; grandmother-in-law, Mabel Strong of Holdrege; father-in-law, Milan Phelps and his wife Brenda of Holdrege; mother-in-law, Pat Phelps of Omaha; sister-in-law, Heather Madsen and husband, Dale, of Kearney; and many other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her mother; grandparents, L.B. and Florence Sturgis; and grandfather-in-law, M.C. Strong
Kearney Hub, 27 December, 2006
BROWN, Archie S., 63, of Minden died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at Kearney County Health Services in Minden
Services: Wednesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Burial: Alma Cemetery with military honors
Memorials: to the family
Born Nov. 30, 1943, in Kearney
Parents: Clarence and Irene (Wustruck) Brown
Graduated from Gibbon High School in 1963
Military: U.S. Army during Vietnam War
Worked for the city of Kearney in the Sanitation Department; retired in 1990; moved to Minden
Survivors include his ex-wife, Verna of Minden; brother, Steve of Kearney; and sisters, Lillie of Ravenna and Irene Worman and Mary Lawless, both of Holdrege; also mother-in-law, Vera Ellmers of Kearney; sister-in-law, Ruth Brown of Kearney; brothers-in-law, David Worman and Tim Lawless, both of Holdrege, and Leroy Eckel of Ravenna; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents and a cousin, Merlin Harvey
Kearney Hub, 26 December, 2006
BREW, Opal A., 85, of Kearney died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, at her home
Graveside services: Agra (Kan.) Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney Memorials: the family
Born April 9, 1921, in rural Phillips County, Kan.
Parents: Ralph and Helen (Newell) Gaines
Was baptized into the Baptist faith at a young age; attended school at a country school northwest of Kirwin, Kan.; graduated from eighth grade, then began working outside the home to help with the family income; worked as a housekeeper and did various other chores for many families
Married: Nov. 22, 1943, to Roy Brew. They divorced
Moved to Loveland, Colo., worked in a local factory, along with various other jobs; continued to work and live in Loveland until 2004; moved to Kearney to be closer to her family
Survivors include her brother, Francis Gaines of Kensington; and sister, Betty Jensen of Kearney; also sister-in-law, Ada Gaines of Kensington; six nieces; two nephews; 17 great-nieces and great-nephews; special friend J.B. Floyd's children, Barry Floyd and Jaime Bryan, whom she thought of as family; and a host of other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Harold, at age 5; brothers-in-law, Ernie Jensen and Leonard Goracke; sister, Ada Goracke; and her special friend, J.B. Floyd
Kearney Hub, 27 December, 2006
SEYFER, Mary Elizabeth, 87, of Kearney died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, First Presbyterian Church in Kearney
Burial: Cowles Hill "Old Wyoming" Cemetery near Nebraska City
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: Alzheimer's Association
Born Oct. 25, 1919, in Nebraska City
Parents: Charles and Lizzie (Rathbun) Mort
Grew up in Nebraska City, received her education from Nebraska City High School and graduated in 1937; attended Lincoln General School of Nursing, graduated in 1938
Married: Aug. 25, 1941, to Randall "Pete" Seyfer
Lived in Nebraska City, was employed at Brown Hospital; also worked as a bookkeeper for Pete's Feed and Seed; also lived in Rio Hando, Texas, and had a summer home in Bishop Point Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada
Activities: member of Eastern Star; enjoyed needlework; loved people
Survivors include her husband; son, Harlan of Plattsmouth; and daughter, Alice Heckman of Kearney; also daughters-in-law, Bonnie Seyfer of Plattsmouth and Deb Seyfer of St. Paul, Minn.; son-in-law, Randall Heckman of Kearney; and grandchildren, Jennifer Green, Justin Heckman, Dashia Seyfer and Tracy Seyfer
Was preceded in death by a son, James Seyfer; two brothers; and one sister
Kearney Hub, 26 December, 2006
ERPELDING, Melvin L., 67, of Aurora died Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at Memorial Hospital in Aurora
Services: Friday, Messiah Lutheran Church in Aurora
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Higby-McQuiston in Aurora
Born July 6, 1939, in Kearney
Parents: Lawrence and Mary (Musil) Erpelding
Attended school in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School; farmed for several years following school
Married: April 7, 1961, to Lue Roemmich in Clay Center
Worked for Glass Wholesale, 1961 - 1965; moved to Aurora, worked for Wortman's until 1970; was employed at Bonnavilla Homes until 1975; moved to Lexington, worked for New Holland until 1985; returned to Aurora, worked for Bonnavilla Homes; retired in 2005
Activities: loved to fish, hunt and spend time with his family; was an avid football fan
Survivors include his wife; son, Ken of Aurora; and sisters, Doris Mays of Lincoln and Arlene Slack of Kearney; also grandchildren, Jeff, Chris and Brian Erpelding, all of Aurora, and Mitch Erpelding of Kearney; brother-in-law, Earl Slack of Kearney; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jeff; brothers, Bernard and Donald Erpelding; and sister, Margie Detter
Kearney Hub, 27 December, 2006
ERPELDING, Michael E., 51, of Chandler, Arizona, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006, in Chandler
Memorial services: Monday. Jan 8, 20007, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: to the family
Born Dec. 14, 1955, in Kearney
Parents: Donald and Donna (Clark) Erpelding
Grew up and attended school in Kearney
Married: July 1983, to Karen Haverkamp
Worked for Kearney Concrete; moved to Arizona in 1986
Enjoyed hunting, camping and woodworking and collected many things; loved being with his family and friends
Survivors include his brother, Greg of Kearney; and sister, Christine Keeler of Erwin, N.C.; also sister-in-law, Cindy Erpelding of Kearney; brother-in-law, Gregory Keeler of Erwin; nephews, Joshua Dewey of Mississippi and Shawn Keeler of North Carolina; nieces, Misti Christian of Missouri and Chelsey Erpelding of Omaha; great-nephews, Gage, Storm and Slater Christian, all of Missouri; and great-niece, MaKaila Dewey of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Stacey, and his parents
Kearney Hub, 6 January, 2007
BURKEY, Joseph A., 83, of Elm Creek died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Friday, First Christian Church in Elm Creek
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straat-mann-Apfel in Elm Creek
Memorials: Elm Creek Volunteer Fire and Rescue or the American Legion Auxiliary
Born Aug. 29, 1923, in rural Elm Creek
Parents: Edward and Lucy (Fellows) Burkey
Lived his entire life in the Elm Creek area; attended school in Elm Creek
Married: Sept. 8, 1944, to Norma Wood in Phillipsburg, Kan. She preceded him in death
Farmed for 16 years, worked for the co-op for 16 years and owned a tavern for six years
Activities: member of the Christian Church, Bellvue School Board, Community Board, Eagles and Elks clubs and the Elm Creek Volunteer Fire Department and was an emergency medical technician; enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening
Survivors include his daughter, Rhonda Walker of Detroit; brothers, Harold of Elm Creek and Sherman of Scottsbluff; sister, Lois Reichert of Kearney; two great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; also his son-in-law, Tom Walker of Detroit; grandchildren, Ian and Alexander Walker of Detroit and Lisa Soonek and husband, Gary, of Walbach; sisters-in-law, Charlotte Burkey of Elm Creek and Renae Burkey of Scottsbluff; and brother-in-law, Marvin Reichert of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; son, Calvin; brothers, Rueben, Roy, Edward Jr. and John; and sister, Elaine Cochran
Kearney Hub, 28 December, 2006
JORGENSEN, Mona Icel, 97, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney and Cozad, died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006, at her home
Services: Thursday, Butherus-Maser-Love Funeral Home in Lincoln; Jan. 3 at O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: St. John's Cemetery in Cozad
Memorials: to the family
Born April 24, 1909, in Lovonia, Mo.
Parents: Robert and Dora (Martin) Boggs; was the fourth child of 12; lived in rural Dawson County
Married: Aug. 31, 1927, to Lloyd Jorgensen. He died in 1989
Lived in Kearney for more than 20 years, returned to rural Cozad and "revived" the family farm; moved to Lincoln, 1988
Had various jobs, but was mainly a homemaker, avid reader, gardener of flowers, lover of birds and all nature and an accomplished artist
Survivors include her sons, Keith of Mission Viejo, Calif., and Lanny of Tucson; daughter, Lana Miller-Wood of Lincoln; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Darlene Jorgensen of Mission Viejo and Panda Jean Jorgensen of Tucson; son-in-law Ron Wood of Lincoln; and many nieces, nephews and friends
Was preceded in death by her husband; son, Harold Dwaine Jorgensen in 1992; grandson, Steven Keith Jorgensen in 2005; parents, Robert Frank and Dora Maude Boggs; seven sisters and four brothers
Kearney Hub, 1 January, 2007
BROWN, Leona M., 85, of Kearney died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation
Born March 18, 1921, in Sod Home in Custer County
Parents: Leo and Louise (Davis) Horn
Graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1938 and from nursing school in Denver in 1954; lived in Cozad and worked at the hospital in Lexington; moved to Kearney in 1958, worked as a nurse in the intensive care unit at Good Samaritan Hospital; retired in 1984
Survivors include her sons, Charles of Stratton, Colo., Gifford of South Padre Island, Texas, and Leon of Kearney; brothers, Gilbert Horn of Elwood and Elwood Horn of Lexington; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Charlotte Brown of Stratton and Glenda Brown of South Padre Island
Was preceded in death by her parents and one sister
Kearney Hub, 29 December, 2006
TOOHEY, E. Jane, 90, of Kearney, formerly of Grand Island, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: 29 Dec., First Christian Church in Grand Island
Burial: Grand Island Cemetery
Memorial services: Saturday, Northridge Retirement Community in Kearney
Mortuary: Apfel in Grand Island
Memorials: First Christian Church of Grand Island, Faith United Methodist Church of Kearney or the American Red Cross
Born: April 26, 1916, in Omaha
Parents: Alfred and Emma (Wood) Gwynne
Grew up in Omaha, graduated from Omaha North High School
Married: March 30, 1936, to Paul Toohey in Omaha. He died Oct. 12, 1995
Moved to Grand Island in 1937; moved to Kearney in 2001, lived at Northridge Retirement Community; had lived in Grand Island for more than 60 years
Activities: member of First Christian Church in Grand Island, UCT and AARP; volunteered at the Red Cross for 22 years and was an elder, deaconess and a member of the choir at the church; served as a volunteer for the Strong Americans and volunteered at the VA Hospital and St. Francis Hospital; was a lifelong member of the Grand Island PTA, served on the Hall County Election Board for more than 30 years and was a former secretary of the Hall County Republicans; in Kearney, did volunteer work at Northridge Retirement Community
Survivors include her son, Paul of Windsor, Colo.; and daughter, Mary Jane Garrison of Kearney; also daughter-in-law, Connie Toohey of Windsor; son-in-law, Le Garrison of Kearney; granddaughters, Teresa Kronkow of Loveland, Colo., and Tamara Toohey and her fianc‚, James Larsen, and Michele Hall and her husband, Steven, all of Fort Collins; great-grandsons, Barry and Dalton Hall of Fort Collins; stepgrandchildren, David Garrison of Ainsworth and Terry Larsen of Omaha; and two stepgreat-grandchildren, Lane and Whitney Garrison, both of Ainsworth
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents, three brothers, one sister, one infant sister and her grandson-in-law Ralph Kronkow
Kearney Hub, 29 December, 2006
WILLIS, C. Johnson "C.J.", 66, of Kearney died Monday, Jan. 1, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday, Faith United Methodist Church
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Christ Is Lord Ministries Inc.
Born Oct. 11, 1940, in Rawlins, Wyo.
Parents: Gail and Lillian (Johnson) Willis
At age 6 months, was taken to the Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake City, spent much of the next 14 years for correction of club feet; attended school at the hospital and in Rawlins; graduated from Rawlins High School in 1959; then attended Westminster College in Salt Lake City
Married: Feb. 4, 1961, to Neica Binkley in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She died Dec. 26, 2005
Worked in management at W.T. Grant Department Stores in Salt Lake City and Albuquerque; also worked as an insurance sales agent; Was appointed to serve Bethel United Methodist Church near Hydro, Okla., and Bridgeport United Methodist Church, 1968; later served churches in Eakly and Lookeba, Okla., Sayre, Okla., and Davenport; served Olive Crest United Methodist Church in Omaha, from 1984; moved to Kearney, 1991, served as minister of Faith United Methodist Church; retired from full-time ministry, 1999
Activities: chaplain on the Pastoral Care Team at Good Samaritan Hospital; active in service organizations including Lions International, Kiwanis International and Rotarians; served on many boards both in the church and communities, including, in Kearney, Family Resource Council, Kearney Housing Authority, Meadowlark Citizens Advisory Board and representative of the Pastoral Care Team to the Kearney Ministerial Alliance; attended Faith United Methodist Church; enjoyed singing in church choirs, praise bands, and Barbershop Chorus;enjoyed playing golf, watching sporting events, playing cards and spending time with his family
Survivors include his son, Larry of Council Bluffs, Iowa; daughters, Sandra Nejezchleb of Glenvil, Barbara Harrington of Phoenix and Patricia Tuma of Overland Park, Kan.; brother, Chris of Windsor, Colo.; and sisters, Jacquie Carrico and Helen Sheppard, both of Casper, Wyo.; also daughter-in-law, Lisa Willis of Council Bluffs; sons-in-law, Lyle Nejezchleb of Glenvil, Walter Harrington III of Phoenix and Mike Tuma of Overland Park; sister-in-law, Darlene Willis of Windsor; brothers-in-law, John Carrico and Bob Sheppard, both of Casper; grandchildren, Jessica Stokes, Rebecca Dumler, Eric and Maria Nejezchleb, Jessica, Jamie, Samantha and Walter Harrington IV, Houston and Chase Purcell, Jordan and Shae Tuma, and Brittney, Tristan and Anya Willis; and great-grandson, Judd Alberts
Was preceded in death by his wife and his parents
Kearney Hub, 4 January, 2007
JOHNSON, Michael W. "Spoiler", 59, of Kearney died Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Jan. 6, Eagles Lodge
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Good Samaritan Hospital Hospice, Kearney Area Children's Museum or the donor's choice
Born Nov. 6, 1947, in Red Oak, Iowa
Parents: Fay and Dorothy (Drew) Johnson
Graduated from Ogallala High School in 1966, from Kearney State College in 1971
Married: Nov. 29, 1986, to Gloria Hatcher in Ogallala
Started his car sales career at Dick Hill Ford, then worked for Kizzier Chevrolet; for 25 years had been working at Crossroads Ford in Kearney
Activities: enjoyed hunting and bonding with "the boys"; fishing trips to Elwood, Harlan Sherman and Lake McConaughy; golfing with his wife and friends; supporting the Storm hockey team and taking the players under his wing; and memory-making trips to the Kentucky Derby, Vegas and Colorado; enjoyed his family and friends
Survivors include his wife; son, Curt Hatcher of Sandwich, Ill.; daughter, Jennifer McCaslin of Bondurant, Iowa; parents of Oga-llala; brother, Marty of Lincoln; and sister, Mindy Schilling of Lincoln; also granddaughters, Claudia, Abigail and Paradais McCaslin, all of Bondurant, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Aaron and Cody Schilling and Amy and Amber Johnson; son-in-law, Louie McCaslin; and brother-in-law, Kraig Schilling
Was preceded in death by his twin brothers in infancy, maternal and paternal grandparents; three uncles and one aunt
Kearney Hub, 3 January 2007
AHRENDTS, Norma E., 88, of Kearney died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Services: Saturday, First United Methodist Church, with Eastern Star honors
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel of Kearney
Memorials: UNK Foundation c/o Harold L. Ahrendts Scholarship or to St. Luke's Good Samaritan Home in Kearney
Born May 13, 1918, in Amherst
Parents: A.T. and Emma (Walther) Reynolds
Married Harold Ahrendts. He died in 1982
Husband was a speech professor for many years at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Longtime resident of Kearney; active member of many church and civic organizations throughout Kearney; was a 50-year member of P.E.O., a 60-year member of Order of the Eastern Star, and a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Lived near UNK until 1997, entered assisted living at Kearney Homestead; moved to St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village in 2002
Survivors include her son, David of Los Angeles; also daughter-in-law, Janice Hynek of Los Angeles; brother-in-law, Don Coover of Littleton, Colo.; great-niece, Sue Balfany and husband, Greg, and children Justin and Kaci, all of Kearney; nieces, Ann Walker and husband, Marvin, and children Sarah Walker and Kyle Simodynes, all of Kearney, and Beverlee Graybill of Nicholasville, Ky.; sister-in-law, Ruth Pettygrove of York; and nephews, Steve Pettygrove and wife, Linda, of York and Steve Pettygrove and wife, Ardie, of Topeka, Kan.
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents and sister, Betty Coover
Kearney Hub, 5 January, 2007
ARNOLD, Robert LeRoy "Bob", 72, of Loup City died Monday, Jan. 1, 2007, at his home
Service: Thursday, Higgins Funeral Home in Loup City
Memorial services: June 2, 2007, Sumner Community Hall
Body will be cremated
Memorials: to the family
Born Jan. 7, 1934, in Amherst
Parents: James and Hazel (Havens) Arnold
Grew up and attended school in Amherst
Married: Dec. 7, 1951, to Dorothy Trumble in Phillipsburg, Kan.
Was involved with farming, the local co-op and construction, was a filling station owner, and owned a storage rental business and rental homes
Survivors include his wife; sons, Patrick of Sumner, Michael of Scottsbluff and Jeffrey of Elm Creek; daughters, Connie Couchman and Cheryl Radtke, both of Fayetteville, N.C., and Lisa of Omaha; brother, Ivan of Loup City; sister, Shirley Tibbetts of Bellevue; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; also son-in-law, Charles Radtke of Fayetteville; and daughter-in-law, Betty Arnold of Sumner
Was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Linda Dockweiler
Kearney Hub, 3 January, 2007 and 30 May 2007
PFEIFFER, Beulah V. "Jean", 72, of Ralston died Monday, Jan. 1, 2007, in Papillion
Services: Friday, West Center Chapel in Omaha
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery in Omaha
Born April 22, 1934, in Kearney
Parents: Harry and Beulah (Landis) Gustafson
Married William Pfeiffer
Survivors include her husband; sons, Bradley, Jeffrey and Andrew; daughter, Shelly Gray; brother, Burdette Gustafson; sister, Barbara Casper; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 3 January, 2007
CHIZEK, Emil, 85, of Ravenna died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Memorial services: Saturday, Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen Funeral Home in Ravenna
Born June 14, 1921, in Hall County
Parents: Fred and Mary (Klinkacek) Chizek
Attended country school near his home; farmed his entire life, first in Hall County; moved north of Ravenna in 1956
Married: April 22, 1947, to Genevieve Habe in Ravenna
Played his accordion for hundreds of polka dances across central Nebraska; was the last living member of the Czech Trio
Survivors include his wife; son, Ed of Ravenna; and daughters, Kathy Groeteke of Ravenna and Margaret of Chicago; also daughter-in-law, Nancy Chizek of Ravenna; son-in-law, Bob Groeteke of Ravenna; and grandchildren, Erin Groeteke and Jeremy, Andrea and Jordan Chizek
Was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Evelyn Schroll-Nesiba
Kearney Hub, 4 January, 2007
DAVIDSON, Lois Mae, 67, of Alvord, Texas, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, in Decatur, Texas
Services: Saturday, Central Baptist in Chico
Burial: Alvord
Mortuary: Coker Funeral Home in Decatur
Born Dec. 31, 1939, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Lawrence and Mamie (Anson) Johnson
Married: Dec. 11, 1981, to Melton Davidson in Decatur, Texas
Survivors include her husband; sons, Eddie Nielsen of Chico and Scott Nielsen of Paradise; daughter, Faith Ward of Decatur; brothers, Larry Johnson of Bridgeport and Dewayne Seachord of Beatrice, Neb.; sisters, Mary Wilson of Kearney, Alice Nielsen of Litchfield, Neb., and JoAnn Hansen of Nebraska; and two grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 4 January, 2007
GARRISON, Le J, 71, of Kearney died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: the church or Good Samaritan Hospice in Kearney
Born June 27, 1935, in Burwell
Parents: L.J. and Dorothy (Beat) Garrison
Grew up in Burwell, graduated from Burwell High School Married: 1957, to Dolores Graf in Burwell
Married: Sept. 25, 1982, to Mary Jane (Toohey) Stratman in Kearney
Farmed with his parents in Burwell until 1967; moved to Ainsworth, worked as a driver's license examiner for the state of Nebraska; moved to Hastings during the late 1970s, worked construction and took college classes at Central Community College
Moved to Kearney, 1980, worked construction; 1985, began employment with Kearney Public Schools; retired 1998
Began playing the tuba in high school, continued to play until November 2006, when he became ill with cancer; played with many bands; member of the 1733 Kearney Area Barbershop Chorus; was selected in 1999 as the Barbershopper of the Year; member of Faith United Methodist Church, sang in the church choir; was also a volunteer at Good Samaritan Hospital and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; loved growing flowers; liked working with wood
Survivors include his wife; son, David of Ainsworth; daughter, Terry Larsen of Omaha; brother, Len of Douds, Iowa; and sister, Ella Dea Wahlen of Tallahassee, Fla.; also daughter-in-law, Julie Garrison of Ainsworth; son-in-law, Fred Larsen of Omaha; grandchildren, Lane Garrison and Whitney Garrison, both of Ainsworth; sister-in-law, Karen Garrison of Douds; and brother-in-law, Sam Wahlen of Tallahassee
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 9 January, 2007
BERKE, Esther L., 81, of Kearney, formerly of Eustis, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday, St. John's Lutheran Church in Eustis
Burial: East Cemetery in Eustis
Mortuary: Berryman in Cozad
Memorials: to the church
Born May 27, 1925, in Eustis
Parents: Gottlieb and Katherine (Elser) Schmeeckle
Graduated from Eustis High School in 1942; was employed with Dr. O.P. Rosenau as receptionist and office assistant
Married: Aug. 15, 1954, to Floyd Berke in Eustis
Lived on a farm east of Eustis; moved to Eustis, 1994; had lived in Kearney since October 2005
Worked with her husband on the family farm; had been employed with Farmland Service Co-op at Eustis and Cozad until her retirement
Activities: was baptized, confirmed and was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Eustis, taught Sunday school, was in the choir and was a member of Mary Martha Circle; member of the American Legion Auxiliary
Survivors include her husband; sons, Mark and Neil, both of Kearney; and daughter, JoAn of Kearney; also daughters-in-law, Chris Berke and Jolene Berke, both of Kearney; grandchildren, Emelie, Katherine and Sarah Berke, Derik and wife Lindsay Geisler and Ryan Geisler; and great-grandson, Bladen Geisler
Was preceded in death by an infant brother; brothers, Herman and Lawrence; and sister, Helen Kinser
Kearney Hub, 8 January, 2007
WINSLOW, Gregory D., 44, of Kearney died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: Wednesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: the National Diabetes Foundation, in care of the family
Born May 19, 1962, in Kearney
Parents: Maurice and Marjorie (Turner) Winslow
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1980, attended Hastings Technical College; worked at Turner Body Shop as an auto body technician
Enjoyed off-road rock climbing, hunting, fishing and camping
Survivors include his mother, Marjorie Stutzman of Kearney; brothers, Arthur of Oklahoma, Richard of Hastings and Harvey of Kearney; sister, Jackie Krueger of Kearney; and stepfather, George Stutzman of Kearney; also sisters-in-law, Judy Winslow of Oklahoma and Sue Winslow of Kearney; brother-in-law, Kris Krueger of Kearney; brother Richard's fianc‚, Diane Brumbaugh of Hastings; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends
Was preceded in death by his father
Kearney Hub, 9 January, 2007
WEHNES, Sandra Lillian, 70, of Inland, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007, at BryanLGH Medical Center West in Lincoln
Services: Thursday, First United Methodist Church in Harvard
Burial: Inland Cemetery
Mortuary: Brand-Wilson in Hastings
Born Aug. 29, 1936, in Geneva
Parents: Carl and Lucille (Barbur) Sole
Married: April 30, 1957, to Darrel Wehnes
Survivors include her husband; sons, David and Ruben, both of Inland; daughter, Sara Jane of Lakewood, Colo.; brother, Burton Sole of Hastings; sister, Caroline Hueske of Grand Island; and three grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 9 January, 2007
PIERCE, Violet L., 93, of Kearney died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Services: Thursday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church Building Fund
Born July 8, 1913, in Oakland, Calif.
Parents: Charles and Lura (Cantrell) Smith
Grew up in California and received her high school education there; attended business college and some medical schooling
Married: Nov. 16, 1931, to William Cloet in Reno, Nev.; divorced at the start of World War II
Married: June 12, 1943, to Arnold Pierce in Carson City, Nev. He died in 1958
Member of American Legion Auxiliary 52 and Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary 2722; member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney and a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas
Survivors include her nephew, Robert Bronson, and his wife, Lisa, of Concord, Calif.
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents, one brother, one sister, a half brother and a son, David A. Pierce
Kearney Hub, 10 January, 2007
STYSKAL, Elmer E., 95, of Kearney, Neb., died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, in Denver
Services: Thursday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Burial: Exeter (Neb.) Cemetery
Memorials: Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation
Born June 1, 1911, in David City
Parents: Frank and Antonia (Kovar) Styskal
Graduated from Exeter High School in 1929
Married: Feb. 14, 1934, to Helen Zwieg in Belleville, Kan. She preceded him in death
Military: U.S. Navy, served during World War II
Moved to Kearney, 1945; worked as a brick mason
Activities: loved tinkering, delighted in making something useful out of scrap; active member of Kearney Elks Lodge 984, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759 and American Legion Post 52
Survivors include his daughters, Ramona of Denver and Linoma Gragson of Honolulu; and brother, Fred of Exeter; also sons-in-law, Nick Weighton of Denver and Gary Gragson of Honolulu; eight nieces and nephews; and his extended family of neighbors and friends
Was preceded in death by his first wife, parents and a brother, William
Kearney Hub, 10 January, 2007
MENDENHALL, Katheryn Sue "Kathy", 46, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, formerly of Shelton, Neb., died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith
Services: Friday, First Lutheran Church in Fort Smith
Burial: Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith
Mortuary: Ocker-Putman in Fort Smith
Memorials: St. Edward Mercy Foundation or Hembree Cancer Center, Fort Smith
Born Dec. 29, 1960, in Grand Island, Neb.
Parents: Alvin and Shirley (Fester) Wrage
Graduated from Shelton High School, attended Kearney State College and Mary Lanning School of Radiologic Technology, graduated in 1983
Married John Mendenhall
Was a radiologic technologist at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center; member of Bethel Lutheran Church Survivors include her husband; daughter, Kaitlyn of Fort Smith; her parents, of Shelton; and brothers, Dennis and Nathan Wrage, both of Shelton
Kearney Hub, 10 January, 2007
SMALLCOMB, Mark A., 47, of Gibbon died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Monday, Faith United Church in Gibbon
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon
Born: May 15, 1959, in Kearney
Parents: Maurice and Peggy (Sheen) Smallcomb
Married: 1978, to Judy Johnson in Gibbon
Survivors include his daughters, Amanda Martinez of Manhattan, Kan., and Ashley and Amber, both of Gibbon; his mother of Kearney; brothers, Jim and Chuck, both of Gibbon; sisters, Sheryl Mitchell and Sharon Gard, both of Gibbon, Cindy Barthalomew of Kearney and Judy Hayes of Cambridge; and five grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 12 January, 2007
KOZEL, Beth R., 52, of Kearney died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at her home
Services: Tuesday, First United Methodist Church with
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Good Samaritan Hospital Hospice Program or for autistic children's programs
Born Jan. 19, 1954, in Kearney
Parents: LeRoy and Alice (Larson) Dady
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School, 1972
Married: May 24, 1976, to Daryl Kozel in Kearney
Lived in Kearney; worked at Baldwin Filters; enjoyed reading, watching movies and spending time with family
Survivors include her husband; son, Brian of Kearney; daughters, Darla McFarren of Eudora, Kan., and Kimberly Tork of Lincoln; her father of Kearney; brother, Lee Dady of Wells, Minn.; sisters, Dixie Gideon of Sandy, Utah, Trudy Hasbrouck and Alicia Carey, both of Kearney, Beverly Rothgery of Loveland, Colo., Arlyce Havens of Aurora and Lori Wang of Milford; also granddaughter, Andrea Tork of Lincoln; sons-in-law, Derrick McFarren of Eudora and Eric Tork of Lincoln; brothers-in-law, Arthur Hasbrouck and George Carey, both of Kearney, Glen Rothgery of Loveland, Dale Havens of Aurora and Solomon Wang of Milford; and sister-in-law, Cindy Dady of Wells
Was preceded in death by her mother in 2001
Kearney Hub, 15 January, 2007
MATZNER, Ida L., 96, of Astoria, Ore., formerly of Riverdale, Neb., died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, in Longview
Graveside services: Dec. 27 at Roseburg (Ore.) Memorial Gardens
Mortuary: Caldwell's Luce-Layton in Astoria
Born July 1, 1910, in Hayes, Neb.
Parents: Adolph and Minnie (Geiger) Haberlein
Was raised and educated in Nebraska
Married: Nov. 7, 1928, to Adolph Matzner in Riverdale, Neb. He died in 1981
Lived in Kearney, Neb., then moved to a farm at Amherst, Neb.; April 1948, moved to Astoria, then to Roseburg in 1980; returned to Astoria in 1990
Enjoyed working with flowers, playing cards, dancing and fishing
Survivors include her daughters, Dolores Vinson of Willamina, Ore., Lavonne Wait of Jewell, Ore., and Joan Betterton of Astoria; 18 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and 20 great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by a brother and a sister
Kearney Hub, 12 January, 2007
TRUE, Loretta M., 84, of Wakefield, Mass., died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at Winchester Hospital in Wakefield
Burial: Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield
Mortuary: Anderson-Bryant in Stoneham
Born Oct. 30, 1922, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Frank and Otilla (Litty) Richter
Married Harry True in Washington, D.C.
Survivors include her husband; daughters, Roberta Thomson of Billerica and Teresa Purrington of Wakefield; brother, Harold Richter of California; sisters, Edith Grantham and Rosella Toppenburg, both of California, Frances Behn of Kearney and Waunita Kouba of Omaha, Neb.; and six grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her daughter, Karen Young; three sisters; and two brothers
Kearney Hub, 12 January, 2007
VEST, Lucile C., 75, of Erie, Pennsylvania, died Monday, Jan. 8, 2007, at her home
Graveside services: Tuesday, Kearney (Neb.) Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church or Good Samaritan Hospital Cancer Fund
Born Feb. 20, 1931, in Gibbon, Neb.
Parents: Frank and Evelina (Schmitz) Loeffelholz
Moved to the Riverdale, Neb., area; attended school and graduated from Riverdale High School in 1949
Married: Sept. 10, 1951, to Glenn Vest in Amherst, Neb.
Activities: member of St. Luke's Catholic Church, its Rosary Society and the PTA; enjoyed square dancing with the Presque Isle Square Dancers, the Perry Squares and Penn Shores Dance Club; enjoyed her grandchildren, doing yard work and traveling
Survivors include her husband; sons, Douglas and Joseph, both of Erie; daughter, Evelyn Wedzikowski of Erie; brother, Donald Loeffelholz of Kearney; and sisters, Evelyn Combs of Houston and Mary Gillming of North Platte, Neb.; also daughters-in-law, Doris Vest and Kellie Vest, both of Erie; son-in-law, John Wedzikowski of Erie; grandchildren, John and Jennifer Wedzikowski, Scott Vest and wife, Ashley, Andrew, Jorden, Tayler, Nicole and Joseph Vest Jr.; great-grandchild, Cayden Vest; brothers-in-law, Hollis Combs of Houston and Richard Gillming of North Platte; sisters-in-law, Jean Loeffelholz of Gibbon and Sandra Loeffelholz of Kearney; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Ralph Loeffelholz
Kearney Hub, 13 January, 2007
UHLMANN, Viola V., 95, of Kearney died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, at Mount Carmel Home
No services
Burial: later
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Born July 10, 1911, in rural Gage County
Parents: Albert and Marie (Kubes) Janecek
Married: Jan. 1, 1940, to Henry Uhlmann. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Rod Uhlman and wife, Delaine, of Kearney; and granddaughter, Alicia Uhlman Parker of Nashville
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents, an infant son and 13 brothers and sisters
Kearney Hub, 16 January, 2007
NUTTELMAN, Gerald E., 87, of Amherst died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, Trinity Lutheran Church, Amherst
Burial: Stanley Cemetery at Amherst, with military honors
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner, Kearney
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst or the Amherst Fire Department
Born May 18, 1919, north of Kearney
Parents: Chris and Emma (Flake) Nuttelman
Grew up in the area; graduated from Riverdale High School in 1936
Married: Oct. 12, 1941, to Verna Maul in Sumner
Worked at the Beechcraft Airplane factory in Wichita, Kan.: moved back to Amherst and worked at Maul Oil Co.
Military: U.S. Army Air Corps, 1944-1946; World War II veteran
After discharge, returned to Amherst, farmed two miles south of town
Activities: member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst, the Miller American Legion; charter member of the Amherst Fire Department
Survivors include his wife; and sons, Gary of Bertrand, Lonnie of Quincy, Ill., and Clark of Amherst; also daughters-in-law, Kay Nuttelman of Bertrand, Susie Nuttelman of Quincy and Kathy Nuttelman of Amherst; grandchildren, Monica Snider and husband, Scott, and their children Victoria of Lincoln and Rebecca of Aurora, Nathan Nuttelman and wife, Heather, and their children Nolan and Zachary of Quincy, Jason Nuttelman and wife, Rochelle, of Chicago; and Sarah Buckendahl and husband, Chad, Joshua Nuttelman, Daren Nuttelman and Brandon Nuttelman, all of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Verna Nuttelman of Kearney; and nephews, Craig and Keith Nuttelman of Kearney and Randy Nuttelman of Lincoln
Was preceded in death by brothers, Raymond and Melvin
Kearney Hub, 16 January, 2007
JOHNSTON, Edith M., 88, of Gibbon died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Kearney
Services: Friday, Faith United Church of Gibbon
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Born March 15, 1918, in Kearney
Parents: Anton and Pauline (Paist) Estermann
Married: Oct. 22, 1950, to Luther Johnston north of Gibbon. He died in 1973
Survivors include her daughter, Vicki Cushman of Lee's Summit, Mo.; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 15 January, 2007
RHAMY, Fred Sr., 76, of Gibbon died Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Thursday at Godberson Memorial Chapel in Gibbon
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery with military honors
Born May 29, 1930, in Gamila, Ark.
Parents: Roy and Zella (Ellison) Rhamy
Married: Jan. 17, 1953, to Henrietta Fournier in Napoleon, Ohio
Survivors include his wife; son, Fred Jr. of Wichita, Kan.; daughter, Kathleen Jameson of Naponee; brothers, Ted of Asheboro, N.C., and Ned of Napoleon; sister, Alice Weber of Napoleon; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Kearney Hub, 16 January, 2007
WALLACE-HOUSE, Mary Elaine, 88, of Rockwall, Texas, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, in Dallas
Services: Thursday, Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Chapel
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Jan. 1, 1919, in Lincoln, Neb.
Parents: Wallace and Carrie (Vesy) Thornton
Moved to Kearney in 1928; graduated from Kearney High School and University of Nebraska at Kearney; received master's degree at the University of Illinois; did further graduate study at Florida State University and Eastman School of Music
Married Richard Wallace. He died in 1953
Married: 1979, to Robert House
After death of first husband, began a 25-year career as professor of voice and director of opera at Louisiana Tech University, the State University of New York at Fredonia and Southern Illinois University; moved to Commerce, served as executive secretary of National Opera Association until 1991. Under professional name, Mary Elaine Wallace, co-authored two opera reference books with her son; wrote "Upstage, Downstage," a handbook for university opera directors
Survivors include her husband; granddaughter, Heather Wallace; stepsons, Edmund, Richard and Russell House and their families; stepdaughter, Kathryn House and family; and brothers-in-law, Dean Wallace and Harry Wallace and their families
Was preceded in death by her first husband; parents, brother and son, Robert Wallace
Kearney Hub, 16 January and 24 May, 2007