Page 51
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Extracted from newspapers
Back to Index for Obituaries
ALLEN, Verna Margery, 100, of Longmont, Colorado, died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, in Longmont
Services: Saturday, South Broadway Christian Church in Denver
Burial: Memory Gardens in Fort Morgan
Mortuary: Heer and Jolliffe Mortuary in Fort Morgan
Memorials: South Broadway Christian Church
Born Jan. 13, 1907, in Lincoln
Parents: Charles and Nellie (Morton) Higgins
Married: June 6, 1934, to Durward Allen. He preceded her in death
With husband served the First Christian churches of Conrad, Mont., Rupert, Idaho, Wacomis, Okla., Kalispell, Mont., Casper, Wyo., Liberal, Kan., and Kearney, Neb.; served another 20 churches as interim in their retirement years
Survivors include her sons, Ray of Liberal, Kan., and Roy of Loveland; daughters, Judee Filip of Denver and Jan Redding; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson; also daughters-in-law, Nancy Allen of Liberal and Sally Allen of Loveland; and son-in-law, Joe Redding
Kearney Hub, 15 February, 2007
SCHLEIGER, Leona M. (Reeder), 78, of Gibbon, formerly of Wood River, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday, Apfel-O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Wood River
Burial: Wood River Cemetery
Memorials: to the family
Born April 14, 1928, in Wood River
Parents: John and Mary (Huebner) Creamer
She grew up in Wood River and attended Wood River schools. Married: Sept. 9, 1945, to Leland Reeder in Norton, Kan. He died Dec. 13, 1988
Married: May 8, 1993, to Ray Schleiger. They divorced on July 28, 1997
With first husband lived in Wood River, Shelton and Gibbon at various times; worked for a short time at Coleman Powermate in Kearney; retirement in 1990
Activities: member of Wood River Presbyterian Church; enjoyed crocheting, shopping, collecting dolls, camping and fishing
Survivors include her sons, Richard Reeder of Wood River, Marvin Reeder of Holdrege, Michael Reeder of Kearney and Robert Reeder of Fullerton; daughters, Mary Dover of Brunswick and Ellen Steele of Shelton; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Connie Reeder of Wood River, Roxanne Reeder of Holdrege, Teresa Reeder of Kearney and Mary Reeder of Fullerton; and sons-in-law, Ted Dover of Brunswick and Michael Steele of Shelton
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Alvin and Floyd; son, Glen; and grandson, Bradley Reeder
Kearney Hub, 16 February, 2007
PECK, Velma I., 91, of Kearney died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday, New Life Assembly Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien- Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: Kearney Evangelical Free Church Building Fund or to the Women's Ministries at New Life Assembly
Born Jan. 31, 1916, in Mills
Parents: James and Martha (Clay) Wilkins
At age 14, accepted Christ as her savior
Married: Aug. 30, 1937, to James Peck. He died Dec. 22, 2001
Entered the ministry, traveled on the evangelistic field with her brother, L.E. Wilkins, in South Dakota, Minnesota and Michigan; with husband, pastored churches in Valentine, Maxwell, Bayard and Ainsworth; was an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and shared pastoral duties
Adopted Karen Ann into the family, Sept. 1948; retired from the ministry; operated Weston's Cafe in Ainsworth, from 1968;.moved to Kearney, 1991; resided here until her death
Survivors include her daughter, Karen Lind of Kearney; and sister, Irene Correll of Kearney; also son-in-law, Morris Lind of Kearney; grandson, Brandon Batt and wife, Erin, of Kearney; brother-in-law, Bernie Correll of Kearney; sister-in-law, Teresa Wilkins of Ainsworth; stepgrandson, Brad Lind and wife, Lynn, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; stepgranddaughter, Branda Wohlgemuth and husband, Dave, of Holdrege; stepgreat-grandchildren, Morgan and Colby Wohlgemuth and Trace, Christine and Catherine Lind; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Lucy Thiede; and brothers, Duane, Lawrence and Orrin, who died in infancy
Kearney Hub, 16 February, 2007
BORGAARD, Wanda, 92, of Minden died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at Bethany Home in Minden
Services: Tuesday, Fredericksburg Lutheran Church south of Minden
Burial: church cemetery
Mortuary: Layton-Craig in Minden
Memorials: Nebraska Organ Retrieval System or Huntsman Cancer Institute
Born July 27, 1914, in Elm Creek
Parents: Clarence and Mae (Purdy) Fisher
Grew up in Grand Island; graduated from Grand Island High School
Married Robert Meyer
Married Earl Cyphers
Married: July 27, 1958, to Robert Borgaard in Kearney
With first husband lived in Grand Island; With second husband lived in Kearney; with third husband lived south of Minden; worked as a nurses aide at Bethany Home in Minden for 17 years
Activities: member of Fredericksburg Lutheran Church south of Minden; was involved with the ladies circle of the church; member of Good Sam's Campers Club for many years
Survivors include her husband; son, Robert Meyer of Omaha; daughter, Cindy Hartzell of Hampton; 10 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by a daughter, Beverly Hayman; an infant son; one brother; and one sister
Kearney Hub, 16 February, 2007
PICKETT, Sirena Marie, 36, of Shelton died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at her home
Services: Monday, Godberson Mortuary in Gibbon
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Born July 13, 1970, in Grand Island
Parents: Erman and Neva (Price) Eastman
Married: Feb. 28, 1994, to Albert Pickett in Beaumont, Texas
Survivors include; her husband; sons, James Perot of LSA Anaconda, Iraq, Billy of Shelton and Joseph and Brandon, both of Tennessee; daughters, Shannon Pickett and Danielle and Randi Price, all of Shelton, and Amber and Katrina, both of Tennessee; her mother of Shelton; brothers, Mikel Jones of Lincoln, Dennis Eastman of Yankton, S.D., and Alex and Andrew Eastman, both of Lincoln; sisters, Beverly Perot of Shelton and Barbara Ackley of Waverly; grandparents, Otto and Irene Price of Shelton; and four grandchildren.
Kearney Hub, 16 February, 2007
SCHROEDER, Andrew "Andy", 57, of Elm Creek died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Thursday, Elm Creek High School
Burial: Overton Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel in Elm Creek
Memorials: to the family
Born Nov. 16, 1949, in Kearney
Parents: Edward and Iva (Parks) Schroeder
Was employed at Else Farms at age 14; worked there until his illness
Married: Dec. 11, 1966, to Vickie Muirhead in Elm Creek
Activities: member of the Elm Creek Volunteer Fire Department for 39 years; enjoyed farming, golfing, reading, playing cards and spending time with his grandson
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Angela of Pierce, Chandra Jaixen of Riverdale and Erica Funk of Hays, Kan.; his mother, of Elm Creek; brothers, Robert of Holdrege, Ben and Mark, both of Elm Creek, and Randy of Cozad; and sister, Jean Moore of Elm Creek; also sons-in-law, Robert Jaixen of Riverdale and Warren Funk of Hays; sisters-in-law, Betty Schroeder of Holdrege, Brenda Schroeder and Cindy Schroeder, both of Elm Creek, and Cathy Schroeder of Cozad; brother-in-law, Calvin Moore of Elm Creek; grandson, Collen Jaixen of Riverdale; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father and a sister, Darlene.
Kearney Hub, 20 February, 2007
THOMPSON, Jode G., 71, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings
Memorial services: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Born Sept. 20, 1935, in Arcadia
Parents: William and Susie (Crist) Thompson
Married: Dec. 31, 1965, to Vera Thornton in Omaha
Survivors include his wife
Kearney Hub, 14 March, 2007
BLINDE, Edwin Louis John, 88, of Kearney, formerly of Johnson, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, in Kearney
Services: Friday, St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Johnson
Burial: church cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Johnson
Born April 11, 1918, southwest of Johnson
Parents: August and Mary (Knippelmeier) Blinde
Attended rural school, graduated from Johnson High School; helped his father in the family locker plant business
Military: U.S. Army Air Corps in April 1942- October 1945; served in the European and North African Theaters in World War II; honorably discharged
Married: Dec. 14, 1947, to Emma Hablitzel in Johnson. She died May 8, 2001
Lived in Johnson; took over the operation of the locker from his father; 1956, formed a partnership with his younger brother, August; operated the business until 1983; sold the business and retired
Moved to Kearney, 2000, to be closer to family
Activities: active member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Johnson; belonged to Bender-Reese American Legion Post 330, and held many offices; was active in the community and served on the village board
Survivors include his son, Dennis of Kearney; brother, August of Johnson; and sister, Wilma Fairbanks of Phoenix; also daughter-in-law, Cheryl Blinde of Kearney; granddaughters, Lorie Quintana and husband, Eli, of Kearney and Shelly Hove and husband, Chris, of Riverdale; great-grandchildren, Cody, Sadie and Halie Quintana and Taylor and Jayden Hove; sisters-in-law, Lois Blinde of Johnson and Ruth Blinde of St. Joseph, Mo.; brother-in-law, Arthur Fairbanks of Phoenix; and other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Carl, Herman and Ralph; and sisters, Huldah Kruse and Amelia Dedieu
Kearney Hub, 22 February, 2007
CARLSON, Irene E., 92, of Kearney died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, at Mount Carmel Home
Services: Thursday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Memorials: First United Methodist Church or the Angel Care Unit at Mount Carmel Home
Born Oct. 5, 1914, in Orleans
Parents: Harvey and Bessie (Null) Thomas
Grew up and attended school in Oxford; finished high school at Bartley
Married: Aug. 17, 1944, to Carl Carlson. He died March 21, 1986
Farmed near Axtell; attended Kearney State Teachers College then transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, received her master's degree in education in 1950; moved to Modesto, Calif., taught home economics and was head of the department at Modesto Junior College; retired and returned to Kearney in 1982
Member of the Nebraska Education Association
Survivors include her nephews, Ryan Thomas of Longmont and Gary Thomas and Craig Thomas, both of Kearney; also nieces-in-law, Linda Thomas and Pam Thomas, both of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband, and a brother, Earl Thomas, in 1973
Kearney Hub, 21 February, 2007
LANGE, William "Bill", 85, of Portland, Oregon, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Monday, Feb. 12, 2007, in a Portland hospital
Memorial services: Saturday, Living Hope Baptist Church in Portland
Mortuary: Bateman Carroll in Gresham
Born Oct. 19, 1921, in Limestone, Mont.
Parents: Frank and Rosa (Nau) Lange
Married: May 1949, to Wilma Hoy in Portland
Survivors include his wife; sons, Randall of Forest Grove and Wayne of Portland; daughter, Brenda Boettcher of Walla Walla, Wash.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Kearney Hub, 21 February, 2007
LEWIS, Dennis Ray, 51, of the Kearney area died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, from injuries suffered in a car-pedestrian accident south of Gibbon
Memorial services: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Confidence, Iowa
Memorials: Kearney Ministerial Association or to the National Association of Mental Illness
Born July 29, 1955, in Centerville, Iowa
Parents: Forrest Lewis and Delores Foster
Was placed into orphanage while a young child; was later reunited with his family at age 13; at age 14 decided to set out on his own
Had lived in the Kearney area since the 1990's
Survivors include his brothers, Kenneth of Tipton, Iowa, Randy Owens of Malden, Mo., and Steven Owens of Henrietta, Okla.; and sister, Nancy Lewis Svestka of Galveston, Texas; also brother-in-law, Gary Svestka of Galveston; sisters-in-law, Lisa Hahn, Cheri Owens and Brenda Owens; uncle, Gary Foster of Denton, Texas; nieces, Kelly Svestka and Rainie Hahn; nephew, Sonnie Lewis; great-nephew, Gage Anderson; and many cousins
Was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents
Kearney Hub, 27 February, 2007
STOVER, Rodney R., 64, of Kearney died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday, First Lutheran Church
Burial: Majors Cemetery near Poole
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: Prairie Plains Resource Institute in Aurora, Good Samaritan Foundation for Animal-Assisted Therapy Program or to the church
Born June 8, 1942, in Ravenna
Parents: Glenn and Dorothea (Gruber) Stover
Grew up in Poole; graduated from Ravenna High School in 1959, received his bachelor of science degree in education from Hastings College in 1963
Married: June 23, 1963, to Judy Hubbel in Fairfield
Married: May 12, 2001, to Connie Schmidt in Hildreth
With first wife, lived in Grand Junction, Colo., Sunspot, N.M., and Colorado Springs; was employed by El Paso County as a systems information analyst; was retired
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church in Kearney, 1733 Barbershop Chorus, Animal Assisted Therapy for Good Samaritan Hospital and Therapy Dogs Inc.; was a great photographer; loved to fish, garden and golf
Survivors include his wife; son, Andrew of Colorado Springs, Colo.; daughter, Stephanie of Colorado Springs; brothers, Todd of Kearney, Kim of Wayne and Kerwin of Loveland, Colo.; and stepson, Darin Schmidt of Wellington, Colo.; also daughter-in-law, Carmel Stover of Colorado Springs; sister-in-law, Althea Stover of Kearney, Sue Stover of Wayne and Katherine Stover of Loveland; stepdaughter-in-law, Stacey Schmidt of Wellington; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents and one infant son
Kearney Hub, 22 February, 2007
DeJESUS, Susan Diane, 61, of Naples, Florida, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, in Naples
Memorial services: Saturday, First Christian Church in Kearney
Born April 6, 1945, in Kearney
Parents: Virgil and Mildred (Johnson) Kincaid
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1963, attended Kearney State College, was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority
Worked with Mountain Bell Telephone in Boulder, Colo., after college; later worked in the freight industry as an account manager for Brown Transfer, Arrow Freight and finally Consolidated Freightways
Married: Sept. 5, 1981, to Ben DeJesus in Lincoln, Neb. Lived in San Juan for seven years, and spent 11 years in Marietta, Ga.; relocated to Naples
Worked in the school system in both Marietta and Naples; later worked for Hospice of Naples
Battled pancreatic cancer for more than three years; resigned her position at Hospice when her illness made it impossible to continue
Survivors include her husband; sons, Justin, Jeffrey and Jordan, all of Naples; daughter, Denise Sensing of Atlanta; her mother of Kearney; brothers, Robert Kincaid and Dick Kincaid, both of Kearney; sister, Mary Lou Kruml of Ord, Neb.; stepson, Dennis of San Juan, Puerto Rico; and adopted daughter, Keri Riddle of Atlanta; also son-in-law, Chad Sensing of Atlanta; Keri's husband, Jason Riddle of Atlanta; sister-in-law, Sue Kincaid of Kearney; brothers-in-law, Ed Kruml of Ord and Samuel DeJesus and wife, Debbie, of New York City; grandchildren, Kayla, Nicole and Regan; and nieces and nephews, Michael, Thomas, Megan, Molly, Lissette, Devon and Anthony
Was preceded in death by her father
Kearney Hub, 22 February, 2007
MATTSON, Gaylerd Julius, 95, of Kearney, formerly of Holdrege, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, at Mount Carmel Home
Services: Saturday, Moses Hill Evangelical Covenant Church in Phelps County
Burial: Moses Hill Cemetery
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege
Memorials: Moses Hill Church or to donor's choice
Born Dec. 12, 1911, north of Holdrege
Parents: Solomon and Sarah (Anderson) Mattson
Was educated at Snowball District 66 School north of Holdrege in Phelps County
Married: Dec. 19, 1934, to Alma Schleeter. She died May 17, 1997
Lived on the Mattson farm in the Westmark Township of Phelps County; farmed and produced livestock; also did custom shelling and threshing for the area community
Couple served as the Swedish Days King and Queen in 1980-81; celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 1994
After wife's death, moved into Holdrege; moved to Mount Carmel Home in Kearney in October 2002
Activities: lifelong member of Moses Hill Evangelical Covenant Church, where he was baptized and confirmed and was active in many capacities; also loved woodworking as a hobby and enjoyed traveling with his wife
Survivors include nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Arthur, Sanders, Jobert, Justice, Otto and Oscar; and sisters, Lille (Freburg) Larson, Anna Freburg and Ada Ek
Kearney Hub, 22 February, 2007
RAINS, Eldon R. "Abe", 65, of Portland, Oregon, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, in Portland
Memorial services and burial of cremains: March 10 in Portland
Mortuary: Wilhelm Funeral Home of Portland
Memorials: Kearney Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
Born July 7, 1941, in Atlantic, Iowa
Parents: George and Margaret (Nagel) Rains
Military: joined U.S. Marine Corps at age 20, served three tours in Vietnam as a helicopter crew chief stationed outside of Da Nang, Vietnam
After discharge, settled in the San Francisco Bay area, worked in the electronics industry
Married: 1966, to Yvonne Reyes. She died in 1973
Relocated with his son to Klamath Falls, Ore., 1981; worked at Oregon Tech in building services, 1982 until retirement in 2001; moved to Portland, 2005, to be closer to son and family
Survivors include his son, Thomas of Portland; his mother of Kearney; brothers, Dick and Gene, both of Kearney; and stepdaughters, Robin Johnson and Ruth Anne Ingram, both of California; also daughter-in-law, Willow Molinari of Portland; granddaughter, Yakshi Campf of Portland; sisters-in-law, Rowena Rains and Sue Rains, both of Kearney; and nieces and nephews of Kearney, Lincoln, Neb., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Was preceded in death by his father in 1983 and brother, Robert "Bob" in November 2006
Kearney Hub, 22 February, 2007
SCHAAF, Rita J., 91, of Kearney died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Saturday, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Atkinson
Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery in Atkinson
Mortuary: Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Born Nov. 8, 1915, in O'Neill
Parents: Matthew and Bessie (Ratliff) Cleary
Graduated from Atkinson High School in 1933
Married: May 5, 1936, to Norbert Schaaf. He preceded her in death
Moved to Colorado, 1960; worked for 19 years in Boulder for the school system
Activities: enjoyed traveling and made many trips out of the United States during retirement years, including most European countries, Mexico and Canada; also visited most of the states; returned to Nebraska to live in Kearney in 2000
Survivors include a son, Dean of Richardson, Texas; daughters, Delores Weese of Grand Junction, Colo., Elaine Gokie of Kearney and Linda Lusher of Littleton, Colo.; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren; also daughter-in-law, Eileen Schaaf of Richardson; and sons-in-law, Dickson Weese of Grand Junction and Jim Lusher of Littleton
Kearney Hub, 22 February, 2007
COSNER, Loyal Vernon, 75, of Grand Island died Friday, Feb. 23, 2006, at Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island
Services: Tuesday, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelton
Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel-O'Brien-Straatmann of Wood River
Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the Shelton Emergency Unit of the Volunteer Fire Department
Born Oct. 10, 1931, in Shelton
Parents: Arch and Pearl (Barger) Cosner
Graduated from Shelton High School in 1949
Military: U.S. Coast Guard, January 1952 - January 1954 in the Korean War
Married Eileen Lyons
Was employed as a land leveler for Leo Winey Construction Co. for more than 35 years; Activities: 50-year member of Shelton American Legion Post 217
Survivors include his wife; and daughters, Kathy Burklund of Lincoln, Theresa Besmer of Cozad and Angela Elliott of Lincoln; also sons-in-law, Larry Burklund of Lincoln, Russ Besmer of Cozad and Matt Elliott of Lincoln
Was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Donna Cosner Jarvis and Arleen Cosner; and brother, Mervin
Kearney Hub, 27 February, 2007
PETERSON, Wallace Eugene "Pete", 85, of Kearney died Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Wednesday, First Christian Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: First Christian Church or the American Cancer Society
Born Jan. 26, 1922, in Kearney
Parents: Walter and Esther (Reynolds) Peterson
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Longfellow High School in 1939; attended the School of Forestry in Fort Collins, Colo., and Kearney State College
Military: U.S. Army, 1943 - 1946 during World War II; served in the Nebraska National Guard
Married: July 23, 1946, to Barbara Eckard in Porterville, Calif. She died in 1997
Was a co-owner of Peterson Motor Co., founded by his father in 1917; retired in 1987; after retirement, worked at Buffalo Ridge Golf Course, then at Meadowlark Hills Golf Course
Activities: served on the Kearney City Council; was mayor, 1959-1960; was the owner and founder of Pete's Patriot Racing Team; member of First Christian Church, VFW Post 759, American Legion Post 52 and Elks Lodge 984, all in Kearney, and Travelers Protective Association, and was a lifetime member of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce; served on the Mid-States Reclamation Board; was a board member at Kearney Country Club
Survivors include his son, Mike of Kearney, and daughters Carol Zapata of Kearney and Deb Ryan of Lincoln; also sons-in-law, Paul Zapata of Kearney and Tom Ryan of Lincoln; grandchildren, Jason Peterson and his wife, Tammy, of Florence, S.C., Britany Knispel and her husband, Aaron, of Omaha, Laura Ryan of Lincoln, Monica Ryan of Hastings and Anthony Zapata of Kearney; brother-in-law, Jeff Breazeale of Maryville, Tenn.; and sister-in-law, Lucille Peterson of Wayne
Was preceded in death by his wife; a sister, Winona Breazeale, and brother, Walter Peterson
Kearney Hub, 26 February, 2007
OLSEN, Margaret Louise, 95, of Kearney died Monday, Feb. 26, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday, First Congregational Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Burial: Walnut Hill Cemetery in Council Bluffs
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner in Kearney
Memorials: First Congregational Church in Council Bluffs
Born May 10, 1911, in Ottumwa, Iowa
Parents: Earlo and Laura Mae (Richmond) Switzer
Moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, 1926; graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1928, attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studied young childhood education
Married: May 14, 1933, to Henry Olsen. He died March 1, 1945, of lung cancer
Opened Miss Margaret's Pre-Kindergarten, 1947; taught nurtured children for over 20 years; also worked as a dental assistant in the office of Dr. Phillip Bruce; later later worked at the main branch of the Council Bluffs Savings Bank
In the mid-1980s, was recognized in a Good Neighbors feature in the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil
Moved to Kearney, 1998, to be near daughter Sally Lundell and family
Activities: founding member of the Council Bluffs Service League; active member of First Congregational Church; member of Pi Beta Phi sorority for more than 75 years and of PEO for more than 60 years (Chapter AJ in Council Bluffs, Chapter HB in Kearney)
Survivors include daughter, Margaret Sue Luckscheider and husband, Dave, of San Jose, Calif., and their family: Kathleen Werner and husband, Chris, and children, Cheri Stovestadt and husband, Mark, and four children, Wendi Martinas and husband, Carlos, and two children; Sally Turnbull Hitchcock and husband, Tim, and one child, Cairen; Mary Dutton and children, Michael and wife, Tara, one son, Timothy, Matthew and Tiffany and one daughter; David Luckscheider and children, Jaci Cox and husband, Ryan, Breanna and one son; Ron Luckscheider and wife, Kathy, and children, Joe and wife, Summer, and two children, Amy and Allison; Phillip Luckscheider; Janet Queral and husband, Fred, and two daughters; Debbie Mangelli and husband, Jeff, and two children; and Mary Bryant and husband, Aaron, and two children; also daughter, Sally Lundell and husband, William L. "Oscar," of Kearney, and their family: Michael and wife, Cynthia and children, William and James; Thomas and wife, Vonda, and children, Nathan, Mark, MaKayla and Brooke; and Gregory and wife, Dawn, and children, Joshua, Hannah and Ryan; also son, Henry Olsen and wife, Maureen, of Iowa City, Iowa, and their family: Henry and James and wife, Colleen
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; her brother, Richmond Switzer; and a baby sister
Kearney Hub, 3 March, 2007
McGRAW, Leland G. Jr., 74, of Kearney died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007, at his home
Services: Saturday, First Lutheran Church, with military honors
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner, Kearney
Memorials: to the family to be designated later
Born April 16, 1932, in Verdigre
Parents: Leland and Julia (Somer) McGraw
Attended school in Niobrara, graduated of Niobrara High School in 1949
Military:U.S. Army on Feb. 9, 1951, - July 2, 1957; was stationed in Ludwigsburg, Germany; served during the Korean War; was medically discharged
Married: Sept. 22, 1952, to Margarete Roller in Kuppingen, Germany; returned to Kearney after discharge
Moved to Kearney for six years; lived in Louisiana and Creighton before returning to Kearney 10 years ago; was employed as the manager of East Lawn Mobile Home Estates until 1979; was a mobile home serviceman, retired in 1990
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church; enjoyed his wife and family; also enjoyed cooking, fishing, RVing, gardening and woodworking
Survivors include his wife; sons, Gary Lee of Leesville, La., Leland III of Grand Island, Michael of Kearney and Hans of Kearney; daughter, Nancy Cunningham of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; and sister, Carol Morkert of San Antonio; also son-in-law, Roger Cunningham Sr. of Sierra Vista; daughters-in-law, Vonda McGraw of Leesville, Barb McGraw of Grand Island and Wanda McGraw of Kearney; grandchildren, Derek McGraw, Egan and Dusty Harper of Leesville, Mathew and David McGraw of Grand Island, Ryan, Jakob and Brianna McGraw of Kearney, Stephanie Cunningham of Tucson, Ariz., Roger Cunningham Jr. of Sierra Vista and Kevin Jasa of Lincoln; and niece, Ladonna Moore and her husband, Ricky, and their son, Josh, all of San Antonio
Was preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter, Margarete Ann
Kearney Hub, 2 March February, 2007
WAGNER, Aletha, 92, of North Platte died Monday, Feb. 26, 2007 in North Platte
Services: Thursday, Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte
Burial: Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens near North Platte
A memorial has been established
Born Feb. 26, 1915, north of Amherst
Parents: to Frank and Encie Stubbs
Was the second oldest of twelve children; graduated in 1931 from Miller High School, then worked in Kearney for the Theiler family
Married: Apri1 20, 1940, to Albert Wagner in North Platte. He preceded her in death
Lived south of Paxton; moved to North Plate 1942, husband was employed with the Union Pacific Railroad
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church, Masonic Temple and Eastern Star, UPRR Old Timers, and the Red Dale Campers Association; loved being at her family's gatherings; enjoyed the company of neighbors and friends; enjoyed cooking, gardening, embroidering, reading, dancing, playing cards, bowling and being a mother
Survivors include her sons, Roy of North Platte and Lloyd of Goodyear, Ariz.; daughters, Karen Kellis of Omaha and Sally Mahoney; brothers, Jack Stubbs of Denver, Loy Huffman and Charles Stubbs, both of Kearney; and sisters, Mildred Whitesel of North Platte, Twila Kudera of Canada and Ermine Albrecht of Riverdale; also daughters-in-law, Patricia Wagner of North Platte and Judy Wagner of Goodyear; son-in-law, Michael Kellis of Omaha; grandchildren, Jennifer Anderson and her husband, Tim, of Kirksville, Mo., Mitchell Wagner and his wife, Rebecca, of North Platte, and Gregory Jeffers and his wife, Wendi, of Lincoln; and great-grandchildren, Joshua and Nicole Anderson, Gabriella and Roy Cyrus Wagner, and Eli and Grace Jeffers [Note: Loy Huffman is the sister of the deceased]
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Orval, Ben and Grover Stubbs; and infant twin siblings, Doris and Duane Stubbs
Kearney Hub, 28 February, 2007
FITZGERALD, Shauna, 44, of Kearney died Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: to Kearney Catholic High School Foundation or an education fund for her children
Born May 7, 1962, in Fort Morgan, Colo.
Parents: Dale and Jan (Scott) Myren
Grew up in Hoven and Mound City, S.D.; in sixth grade, moved with family to Mobridge, S.D.; graduated from Mobridge High School; attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., and the University of Wyoming in Laramie; excelled in basketball and track and broke school records in track
Married: Oct. 30, 1988, to Brian Fitzgerald in Kennett Square, Pa.
Lived in Grand Island, was the clubhouse manager for the Indian Head Golf Course; moved to Kearney, 2004
Worked as a nutritionist in the food service department at Good Samaritan Hospital
Activities: loved to cook; enjoyed her family
Survivors include her husband; sons, Teague and Keegan, both of Kearney; her parents of Phoenix; and brother, Scott Myren of Pierre, S.D.
Was preceded in death by her grandparents
Kearney Hub, 2 March, 2007
McELHINNY, E. Dale, 83, of Holstein, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007, at Good Samaritan Home in Holstein
Services: Friday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Memorials: First United Methodist Church
Born Nov. 30, 1923, in Detroit
Parents: Roscoe and Anna (Ducheon) Small
Moved to Morganton, N.C.; graduated from Morganton High School; attended business school in Pennsylvania
Military: U.S. Navy Waves on Feb. 24, 1944 to April 4, 1946
Married: March 21, 1946, to G. Leslie McElhinny in Washington, D.C. He died on July 24, 1997
Moved to Kearney; husband worked for Anderson Brothers Plumbing and Heating and was its co-owner from 1977 - 1987; moved to the nursing home in Holstein in 2001
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church and BPOE Does
Survivors include her son, Dan of Biloxi, Miss.; and daughter, Susan Ellsworth of Cushing; also son-in-law, Earl Ellsworth of Cushing; grandsons, Troy Buis of Ovieda, Fla. and Chad Buis of Gretna, Neb.; and great-grandchildren, Tanner and Jessica Buis of Ovieda and Zane and Nathan Buis of Gretna
Was preceded in death by her husband; son, Chris; and one brother
Kearney Hub, 2 March, 2007
SIMPSON, Cecil R., 92, of Kearney died Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: private
Burial: Rocky Ford, Colo.
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Born Nov. 12, 1914, in LaJunta, Colo.
Parents: Sam and Lizzie Miller
Grew up in and attended school in LaJunta
Married: Jan. 1, 1934, to Alvin Simpson in Pueblo, Colo. He died in 1993. Lived in Lincoln; worked as a secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture; moved to Kearney in 1991
Activities: member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Survivors include six great-grandchildren; also daughter-in-law, Thelma Simpson of Kearney; and grandchildren, Susan Pedersen and husband, Ken, of Kearney, Andy Simpson and wife, Michelle, of Atlanta and Steven Simpson and wife, Tracie of Lincoln
Kearney Hub, 2 March, 2007
DWORAK, Patricia "Pat", 77, of Ravenna died Friday, March 2, 2007, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna. Services: Thursday, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Dec. 2, 1929, in Anselmo
Parents: Charles and Ernestine Anna (Bamesberger) Mohatt
Was educated in Broken Bow, graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1947
Married: April 21, 1948, to William Dworak in Broken Bow. He preceded her in death
Lived in Broken Bow and Grand Island, moved to Ravenna in 1953; with husband, owned and operated the Ford Dealership in Ravenna for 17 years and owned and operated Mr. Automotive for 10 years
Activities: member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church and its Altar Society and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary
Survivors include her sons, Bill and Ed, both of Mesa, Ariz.; brothers, Carl Mohatt of Lincoln and William Mohatt of Broken Bow; sisters, Mary Schmitz of Broken Bow, Charlene Bendig of Fremont, Anastasia Gates of Vancouver, Wash., and Joan Hammond of Houston; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and special friend, Malcolm Fisher of Ravenna; also daughters-in-law, Sue Dworak and Mary Dworak, both of Mesa
Was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 3 March, 2007
NICKMAN, Ron, 50, of Riverdale died Friday, March 2, 2007, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha from injuries suffered in an automobile accident in Iowa
Services: Tuesday, St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery in Pleasanton
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel of Kearney
Memorials: to the family
Born July 8, 1956, in Kearney
Parents: Cecil and LaVaghn (Busch) Nickman
Was baptized at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pleasanton; grew up on a farm southwest of Pleasanton; attended grade school at Pleasanton; moved with his parents to Loveland, Colo., in 1966; returned to Kearney in 1968; was confirmed at St. James
Was a 1974 graduate of Kearney High School; attended Central Community College-Hastings for two years
Married: April 8, 1978, to Kathleen Voy in York
Lived in Kearney, moved to Riverdale; was a partner with his brother, Larry, with Nickman Brothers
Activities: member of the church; pastimes included home remodeling projects, power drive races and their concession stands, hunting, and spending time with his five boys
Survivors include his wife; sons, Robyn, Michael, Terrence and Brandon, all of Riverdale, and Aaron of Omaha; his mother of Kearney; brother, Lawrence of rural Kearney; and sister, Patricia Meyer of Loveland, Colo.; also sister-in-law, Sheila Nickman of rural Kearney; brother-in-law, Dean Meyer of Loveland; mother-in-law, Tillie Voy of York; and nieces and nephews, Tamara and Matt Ahrens, Rebecca and Trent Bass, James and Kari Nickman, Brian and Lori Meyer, Monique Meyer and Christopher Meyer
Was preceded in death by his father; niece, Anita Nickman; and father-in-law, Gerald Voy
Kearney Hub, 5 March, 2007
KAUFMAN, Hazel E., 91, of Elm Creek died Sunday, March 4, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Thursday, Immaculate Conception Church in Elm Creek
with the Rev. Burial: Cozad Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home Kearney and Elm Creek
Memorials: Immaculate Conception Church
Born Dec. 7, 1915, north of Cozad
Parents: Vinal and Anna (Buckley) McVicker
Grew up in the Cozad area, attended District 13 country school and graduated from Cozad High School in 1934; attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., for one year
Married: Sept. 15, 1936, to Harold Kaufman in Gothenburg. He died March 13, 2002
Lived in South Gate, Calif., in the 1930s and 1940s; moved to the family farm west of Elm Creek in 1952; took great pride in her flower gardens, preparing holiday meals for her family and preparing candy and treats for her friends
Activities: member of Immaculate Conception Church and Altar Society, a charter member of Catholic Daughters, St. James Council and a past member of the Elm Creek Garden Club; was active in 4-H, Extension and coffee clubs; enjoyed playing cards in her Pollyanna and bridge groups; was employed in the office of Good Samaritan Hospital for 17 years
Survivors include her son, Brian of Elm Creek; and daughter, Brenda Summerside of Omaha; also daughter-in-law, Kathy Kaufman of Elm Creek; sons-in-law, Don Summerside of Omaha and Carroll Novicki of Columbus; grandchildren, Debbie Heimes and husband Brett of Omaha, Scott Summerside of Lincoln, Kim Pratt and husband, Jim, of Concord, N.H., Julie Broe and husband Matthew of Palisade, Colo., Sarah Novicki of San Diego and Christopher Novicki of North Hollywood, Calif., and Sasha Novicki of West Hollywood, Calif.; and great-grandchildren, Tyson Heimes of Omaha, Sophie and Maddie Pratt of Concord and Brendan, Parker and Gracie Kaufman of Palisade
Was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Patsy Novicki; brother, Robert McVicker; and sister, Lucille Dillon
Kearney Hub, 7 March, 2007
BOLLWITT, Ernest V., 84, of North Platte died Monday, March 5, 2007, at Sutherland Care Center
Graveside services: Friday, Broken Bow Cemetery
Mortuary: Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte
Born July 30, 1922, in Ewing
Parents: Ernest and Sadie (Gill) Bollwitt
Moved to North Platte in 1979 from Kearney, was employed by the city street department; lived at Autumn Park in North Platte for 27 years
Survivors include: sister, Dorothy Shirley of Sutherland; also many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers and sisters
Kearney Hub, 7 March, 2007
GUSTAFSON, Avis Eloise, 89, of Lancaster, California, died Monday, March 5, 2007, at her home
Services: Wednesday, Trinity Lutheran Church in Axtell, Neb.
Burial: Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell
Mortuary: Freeland-Craig in Axtell
Born Jan. 20, 1918, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Benjamin and Ruth (Moore) Winslow
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School; attended Kearney State College
Married: July 30, 1938, to Leland Gustafson. He died in 1997
Lived in Kearney, Fremont, Neb., and Omaha, Neb.; 1942, moved to Hollywood; worked in a factory during World War II; liked to read, shop with friends and family, and socialize
Survivors include her daughters, Lisa Matthews of Palmdale and Gayla Giddings of Lancaster; and four grandchildren. Was preceded in death by her husband and three brothers
Kearney Hub, 8 March, 2007
FRINK, Anna M., 72, of Gibbon died Thursday, March 8, 2007, at her home
Services: Saturday, Godberson Mortuary Chapel in Gibbon
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Memorials: Gibbon Emergency Unit or the Good Samaritan Hospice Program
Born Jan. 24, 1935, in Peabody, Mass.
Parents: John and Annie (Brannigan) Conway
Grew up in the Peabody area and attended St. John Parochial School; with family, moved to Kimball in 1950; attended Kimball High School
Married 1952, to Paul Frink in Key West, Fla.
Lived in the many places where husband's military career took them; retired 1972, and moved to Gibbon
Activities: member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelton; enjoyed playing bridge, crafts and her family
Survivors include her husband; son, David of Kearney; and daughters, Pamela Miska of Ravenna and Paula Keller of Norfolk, Va.; also sons-in-law, Wendell Miska of Ravenna and Keith Keller of Norfolk, Va.; grandchildren, Holly Anway and husband, Robbie, and Heather Smallcomb and husband, Cory, all of Gibbon, Kathleen, Kandyce and Klaire Keller of Norfolk, Lauren and Matthew Frink of Virginia Beach, Va., Heath and Christine Frink and Brian Miska, all of Kearney, and Darci Frink of Grand Island; great-grandchildren, Alec, Hunter and MaKenna Smallcomb of Gibbon, Ashley Anway of Hope Mills, N.C., and Drew and Bailey Miska of Kearney; daughter-in-law, Tammie Frink Wuehler of Kearney; and special friend, Darlene Lewis of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her parents; son, John; three brothers; and one sister
Kearney Hub, 9 March, 2007
JUHL-GARCIA, Gwendolyn "Gwen", 56, of Wood River, formerly of Grand Island, died Wednesday, March 7, 2007, at Mount Carmel Home in Kearney
Services: Saturday, Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial: Grand Island City Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel-O'Brien-Straatmann of Wood River
Born June 30, 1950, in Genoa
Parents: Leslie and Geraldine Mae (Wiser) Juhl
Lived in Genoa, Nebraska City and Ravenna; 1962 family settled in Shelton; was baptized at Shelton Methodist Church; graduated from Shelton Public School in 1968; attended Stewarts School of Cosmetology in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Married: Sept. 4, 1974, to Ted Jonak
Married: Dec. 31, 1997, to Frank Garcia
Owned and operated Foxy Fingers Nail Salon in her home in Grand Island; also worked for Region III, Pleasanton Schools as a special education aide and as a private care giver in Hastings; was a beautiful seamstress, sewed all of her own clothing without using a pattern; earned an award at the Nebraska Wool Contest for a blazer she designed; enjoyed cooking and decorating cakes; arranged and creating beautiful floral arrangements for family, friends and for several weddings
Survivors include her brothers, Darrlyn Juhl of Shelton and Marrlyn Juhl of Holbrook; and sisters, Sherilyn Rodriguez of Kearney and Jerilyn Forney, Jocelyn Reeder and Lorilyn Brooks, all of Shelton; also sisters-in-law, Gina Juhl of Shelton and Bobbie Juhl of Holbrook; brothers-in-law, Pete Rodriguez of Kearney and Leslie Forney and Brian Reeder, both of Shelton; seven nieces; eight nephews; three grandnieces; two grandnephews; and many other family members and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; a baby sister, Jacquelyn; and brothers-in-law, Kirk Smith and Alvin Brooks
Kearney Hub, 9 March, 2007
IBACH, Irene Rose, 93, of Kearney, formerly of Overton, died Wednesday, March 7, 2007, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Memorial services: Monday, Overton United Methodist Church
Burial of cremains: Overton Cemetery
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love in Lexington
Born Dec. 21, 1913, in Sumner
Parents: Roy and Eva (Freeze) Rollings. Married: Dec. 5, 1936, to Norris Ibach in Kearney
Survivors include her sons, Richard of Sumner, Jack of Sacramento, Calif., Max of Chula Vista, Calif., and James of El Cajon, Calif.; daughters, Corrine McCartney of Wood River, Patricia McDonald of Auburn and Dottie of Sacramento; sister, Martha Linebur of Hot Springs, Ark.; 16 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 10 March, 2007
STUMP, Catharine J., 87, of Kearney died Thursday, March 8, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church, Kearney Catholic High School Foundation and Mount Carmel Nursing Home
Born March 26, 1919, in Andale, Kan.
Parents: William and Barbara (Ditgen) Erker
Graduated from high school in Roggen in 1936
Married: April 29, 1940, to Virgil Stump. He preceded her in death
Lived in various towns in Nebraska while husband was a contractor; lived in Miller, Elm Creek and Johnson Lake,moved to Kearney in 1992
Activities: enjoyed praying and reciting the rosary several times daily; also enjoyed gardening, fishing, cooking, redecorating, doing crafts and spending time with her grandchildren
Survivors include her son, Dan of Kearney; daughter, Shirley Vance of Scribner; and sisters, Elsie Bush of Roggen, Colo., and Olivia Barberis of Weisner, Idaho; also daughter-in-law, Jill Stump of Kearney; brother-in-law, George Bush of Roggen; grandchildren, Tammie Blaha, Tina Redwine and Troy and Amy Stump, all of Kearney, Travis and Shawna Stump and Brooke and Dana Iverson, all of Grand Island, Bryan and Amy Stump of Cheyenne, Wyo., Billinda Ptacnik of Fort Ransom, N.D., Tony and Amy Vance of Audubon, Iowa, and Chris and Julie Vance of Columbus; great-grandchildren, Ashley Blaha, Nathan Blaha, Kristen Redwine, Bailey Redwine, Abbie Stump, Michaela Stump, Gabrielle Stump, Drew Iverson, Justin Cooper, LaTeasa Cooper, Kasandra Ptacnik, Daniel Ptacnik, Alysha Vance, Aryn Vance, Christine Vance and Tatem Vance; and several nieces and nephews throughout Nebraska, Kansas, California and Colorado
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents and seven brothers
Kearney Hub, 10 March, 2007
BOISEN, Warren D., 83, of Kearney died Thursday, March 8, 2007, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday, St. John's Catholic Church in Minden
Burial: Minden Cemetery
Mortuary: Layton-Craig in Minden
Born March 26, 1923, in Kearney County near Minden
Parents: Holger and Fern (Mueller) Boisen
Grew up in the Minden area, graduated from Minden High School in 1941; later graduated from Hastings Business College; worked in construction for a short time, returned to farm near Minden
Married: Jan. 28, 1946, to Bernice L'Heureux
Lived and farmed near Minden; was a fur grader for many years; retired in 1988 but continued to help out on the farm for many years; moved to Summer Haven several years ago, wintered in Arizona for the last 35 years
Activities: member of St. John's Catholic Church in Minden, served on the building committee when the church was constructed, lifetime member of the Kearney Elks; member of the Flying Farmers in both Arizona and in Nebraska; loved to travel
Survivors include his wife; son, Douglas of Minden; daughters, Mary Lieske and Carol Shada, both of Minden; sister, Shirley Harkness of Cozad; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; also son-in-law, Tom Lieske of Minden
Kearney Hub, 10 March, 2007