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OBITUARIES
Page 68
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska

Extracted from newspapers
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LANDSTROM, Ronald LaVerne, 76, of Kearney died Monday, May 12, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Thursday, First Presbyterian Church in Axtell
Burial: Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell
Mortuary: Freeland-Craig in Axtell
Memorials: First Presbyterian Church in Axtell or the Landstrom Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation
Born May 7, 1932, in Axtell
Parents: Eber and Irene (Carleson) Landstrom
Grew up in the Axtell area, graduated from Axtell High School; received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Kearney State Teachers College
Military: U.S. Army, August 1953 - June 1955
After discharge, taught business at Axtell High School for five years; remainder of his career was spent as a professor and administrator at Kearney State College/University of Nebraska at Kearney; taught in the College of Business and Technology, retired in 1997; was awarded the Pratt-Heins Award for Service and in recognition for his contributions to the institution and student organizations, 1985
Activities: member of the NSTC/KSC/UNK Alumni Association for more than 50 years, serving as board president; was the first adviser of the KSC Student Alumni Board; the Alumni Association recognized his contributions in 1989 with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award; was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church in Axtell; served on numerous committees and taught Sunday school classes; member of UNK Mortar Board, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Delta Pi Epsilon Graduate Society in Business Education and Phi Tau Gamma chapter of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity
Survivors include his cousins, Helen Harwager of Lincoln, Violet Printz of Grand Island and Carroll Landstrom and Ellery Peterson, both of Axtell; special friends, Galen and Marilyn Hadley of Kearney; and many other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 13 May, 2008

KLAPPENBACH, Ardith "Artie" (Knox), 88, of Tracy, California, formerly of Riverdale, Neb., died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at Sutter General Hospital in Roseville, California
Mortuary: Chapel of the Chimes in Glendale, Ariz.
Services: Friday, May 16, in Glendale, Ariz.
Memorial will be establish
Born: Riverdale, Neb.: Moved to Tracy in 1988 after the death of her husband, Art
Activities: took pride in her flower beds
Survivors include brother, Everett Knox, and his wife, Mary, of Spokane, Wash.; four children, Norma Burns of Lincoln, Clyde Howe of Placerville, Jerry Howe, and his wife, Gayle, of Carmel, Ind., and Kathryn Freyaldenhoven of Millington, Tenn.; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and one on the way; and five great-great-grandchildren; also dear friends Thelma Jackson, Cruz and Alice
Was preceded in death by her first husband, Allen Howe Jr.; second husband, Arthur Klappenbach; daughter, Aldena “Dee” McCormick; two infant daughters, Owanna, her firstborn, and Kathleen, Kathryn’s twin; parents, Earl and Elsie Knox; brother, Harry Knox; and best friend and companion, Salvador Sandoval
Tracy Press; Tracy, California; 17 May, 2008

DAHLKE, Camryn Ruth, 7, of Kearney died of brain cancer Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at her home
Services: Friday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann Memorials: Camryn Dahlke Memorial
Born Feb. 5, 2001, in Kearney Parents: Mark and Karyn Dahlke
Attended first grade at Northeast Elementary School in Kearney; loved spending time with friends and teachers; enjoyed dancing
Survivors include her parents of Kearney; sisters, Katelyn, Jordyn and Erynn of Kearney; and grandparents, Florine Winchell of Gering and Dean and Marcia Dahlke of Bertrand
Was preceded in death by her grandfather, Donald Winchell
Kearney Hub, 15 May, 2008

SPELLMAN, Patricia M., 65, of Kearney died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, First Church of the Nazarene
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Body will be cremated
Kearney Hub, 8 May, 2008

HOFFMAN, Coby L., 28, of Omaha, formerly of Odessa, died Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in Omaha
Services: Monday, Kearney Evangelical Free Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: to the family
Born July 31, 1979, in Kearney
Parents: Rick and Dotty (Brisbin) Hoffman
Graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1998
Activities: enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii; loved his dogs and his family;enjoyed watching and attending concerts and championship sporting events; looked forward to cookouts with family and friends
Survivors include his parents, of Kearney; sister and brother-in-law, Misty and Shane Shoemaker of Elm Creek; nieces, McKayla Nelson, Marissa Nelson and Madison Nelson, all of Elm Creek; nephew, Jeremiah Shoemaker of Elm Creek; friend, Shane Wohlert of Omaha; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, Richard and Dorothy Hoffman and Bernard and Gloria Brisbin; and infant niece, Elizabeth Shoemaker
Kearney Hub, 17 May, 2008

STILL, Fredrick "Terry", 70, of Elm Creek died Thursday, May 15, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Monday, First Baptist Church in Kearney
Burial: Fullerton Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Memorials: the family
Born Feb. 17, 1938, in Curtis
Parents: Clarence and Freda (Mues) Still
Lived in several communities, including Ogallala, Sutherland, Denver and Saratoga, Wyo., before moving to Elm Creek in 1947; graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1958, attended Kearney State College
Married: June 19, 1970, to Cheryl Milby in Kearney
Lived in Kearney, moved to Elm Creek in 1990; was a 20-year employee of Baldwin Filters; had been a beekeeper and worked at Cornhusker Ammunition Plant in Grand Island, New Holland in Lexington and Agtronic in Kearney
Activities: hobbies included World War II history, especially WWII aircraft, and shooting sports; member of the National Rifle Association
Survivors include his wife; sisters-in-law, Alice Still of Salt Lake City, Connie Loseke and her husband, Gary, of Fullerton and Marla Bush and her husband, Steve, of Lincoln; niece, Jan Zoetmulder and her husband, Henry, of Salt Lake City; brother-in-law, Marty Milby and his wife, Priscilla, of Fullerton; parents-in-law, Mary and Dale Milby of Fullerton; 13 great nieces and great nephews; and 11 great-great nieces and great-great nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gordon
Kearney Hub, 17 May, 2008

HARRISON, Patricia Ann, 75, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, died of cancer Thursday, May 15, 2008, in Fort Walton Beach
Memorial services for her and her husband Frank: Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach
Burial of cremains: Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola
Mortuary: McLaughlin, Fort Walton Beach
Memorials: donor’s choice
Born Sept. 9, 1932, in Lincoln, Neb.
Parents: Edgar and Eva (Conniff) McBride
Attended a small country school from kindergarten through 10th grade in Blue Hill and Mount St. Scholastic Academy; finished high school in Atchison, Kan.; graduated in 1950; attended St. Katherine’s Nursing School in Omaha, Neb., and graduated in 1954. She lived in Kearney, Neb., from 1972 to 1977
Married: July 9, 1955, to Frank Harrison in Blue Hill, Neb.
Her nursing career spanned 54 years; specialized in geriatrics; was employed for many years by the Council of Aging in Fort Walton Beach
Activities: was an Air Force wife, traveled with her husband; eventually settled in Fort Walton Beach; enojyed being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother; enjoyed good company and fine wine; hobbies included making personalized cards, painting, sewing and gardening
Survivors include her husband; children, Patricia Harrison Rightley, Lisa Harrison and Rick Cole, Mary Klimek and her husband, Larry, Thomas Harrison, Aimee’ Harrison and her fiancé, Brian Callaghan, Denise Fraser and her husband, Michael, Harrison Ann Coles, and Gerard Harrison and his wife, Teri; sisters, Margaret Kucera and Francis Heydman; grandchildren, Anthony Dukich and his wife, Rachel, Brian Rightley and his wife, Christina, Valerie Dukich, Jereme’ Rightly, Erin Rightly and her fiancé, Neil Marshall, Matthew Klimek, Andrew Fraser, Teresa Klimek, Gabriel Harrison, Emily Fraser, Madinah Swenson, Cecelia Cole and Sailor Harrison; great-grandchildren, Logan Dukich and Avery Ann Rightley; and sisters-in-law, Dorthy McBride and Ilene McBride
Was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Jim McBride and Edgar McBride
Kearney Hub, 17 May, 2008

HARRISON, Frank Bernard, 82, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, died of cancer Saturday, May 17, 2008, at his home
Memorial services for him and his wife, Patricia: Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach
Burial of cremains: Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola
Mortuary: McLaughlin, Fort Walton Beach
Memorials: donor's choice
Born Dec. 12, 1925, in Chicago
Parents: Frank and Mary Temperance (Cole) Harrison
Attended St. George Catholic High School in Chicago, graduated 1944
Military: Army Air Corps from 1944; attended the University of Notre Dame, earned a bachelor of science degree in 1950; entered the Air Force as an officer and pilot; military career spanned 26 years; served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam was stationed at Hurlburt Field in 1954 with the Air Commandos; received numerous accommodations throughout his career; was a retired lieutenant colonel
Married: July 9, 1955, he married Patricia McBride at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Blue Hill, Neb. She died May 15, 2008
Lived in Kearney, Neb., 1972-1977; eventually settled in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Activities: loved his large family and his friends; hobbies included restoring antique cars, reading, enjoyed his dog and the outdoors
Survivors include his children, Patricia Harrison Rightley, Lisa Harrison and Rick Coll, Mary Klimek and her husband, Larry, Thomas Harrison, Aimee' Harrison and her fiancé, Brian Callaghan, Denise Fraser and her husband, Michael, Harrison Ann Coles and Gerard Harrison and his wife, Teri; brothers, Benjamin and his wife, Maria, and Peter; grandchildren, Anthony Dukich and his wife, Rachel, Valerie Dukich, Brian Rightley and his wife, Christina, Jereme' Rightly, Erin Rightly and her fiancé, Neil Marshall, Matthew Klimek, Teresa Klimek, Andrew Fraser, Emily Fraser, Gabriel Harrison, Sailor Harrison, Madinah Swenson and Cecelia Coll; and great-grandchildren, Logan Dukich and Avery Ann Rightley
Was preceded in death by his wife and parents
Kearney Hub, 20 May, 2008

JACKSON, Dennis D. "Denny", 68, of Omaha, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, in Omaha
Burial of cremains: Saturday, Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Arbor Society in Omaha Born May 22, 1939, in Laramie, Wyo., to Thais Brewer
Married Judy Roberts
Survivors include his daughters, Merry Johnson and Amy Jackson-Gatzmeyer, both of Omaha; sister, Kim Stoddard Gerringer of Carbondale, Colo.; and five grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 23 May, 2008

SHANAHAN, Helen G., 86, of Kearney died Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at her home
Services: Wednesday, St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: to the family
Born Feb. 26, 1922, in Muskogee, Okla.
Parents: Oney and Macy (Coursey) Fulk
Grew up in Missouri; attended the Catholic Hospital nurses training program in Springfield, Mo.; graduated as a registered nurse specializing in surgical medicine; did an internship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.; returned to Springfield to work at St. John's Catholic Hospital as an operating room nurse
Married: March 2, 1946, to Tom Shanahan at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney; he died in 1998
Lived in Axtell for seven years on the Shanahan homestead; cared for many family members and worked at Good Samaritan Hospital; moved to California, 1952, worked in various hospitals; moved to Pleasant Hope, Mich., 1971 to care for her mother, Macy; moved back to California, worked as head nurse at a convalescent hospital
Was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982; moved back to Axtell after her chemotherapy treatments and helped with the care of Tom's mother, Grace; moved to Kearney in 1985, lived there until death of her husband; eventually lived in Florida, near her daughter, Lynda, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; returned to Kearney, 2004
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney; enjoyed caring for people
Survivors include her daughters, Lynda deRuosi of Jupiter, Fla., and Mary Ann Thomas and her husband, Lynn, of Kearney; sisters, Thelma Graves of Flemington, Mo., and Sylvia Wilson of Halfway, Mo.; granddaughters, Therese Andrews of Escalon, Calif., Jill Haddad of Jupiter, Fla., Melissa Hernandez and her husband, Victor, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Ryan deNeveu of Kearney and newest addition, Aloma Jean Moncrief of Kearney; and great-grandchildren, Tedi Andrews, Thomas Andrews, Isabelle Haddad, Carolina Haddad, Maximo Haddad Jr., Tristan Torrey-Hernandez, Cullen Torrey-Hernandez, Liliana Hernandez, Justice deNeveu, Rowan Norman and Nick Shelton
Was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Cecil Fulk; and grandson, Derran Willis
Kearney Hub, 24 May, 2008

SNOWDEN, Harry E., 86, of Kearney, formerly of Lexington, died Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at Mount Carmel Keens Memorial Home in Kearney
No services; body was cremated
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell
Mortuary: Godberson Gibbon/Shelton
Memorials: Heartland Museum in Lexington, Home Health of Kearney or Good Samaritan Hospice of Kearney
Born Sept. 13, 1921, in Lexington
Parents: Earl and Barbara (Huffman) Snowden
Attended school and graduated in Lexington
Married: Sept. 13, 1942, to Alma Jurgensen in Lexington
Military: US Army, September 1942 - October 1945, served with the 255th MM ORD Company during World War II; was a permanent member with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; June 6, 2004, with other WWII veterans of Nebraska, was invited to the Capitol in Lincoln to be honored for the 1944-1945 liberation of France, received a diploma from Gov. Mike Johanns and a French ambassador
With wife, drove truck for 28 years; also worked at Sperry New Holland for five years; was with the Lexington Sheriff's Department for 13 years, retired 1995; couple moved to Kearney, 1996
Survivors include his wife of 65 years; brother, Robert of Mount Airy, N.C.; sister-in-law, Alice Ruppert of McCook; and nieces, nephews and cousins
Was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty DeLap; and brother, Elmer Snowden
Kearney Hub, 23 May, 2008

VIRES, Ila Mae, 81, of Lincoln died of leukemia Wednesday, May 21, 2008, in Lincoln
Services: Saturday, Temple Baptist Church in Lincoln
Burial: Fairfield Cemetery
Mortuary: Aspen Cremation and Burial Service in Lincoln
Memorials: St. Elizabeth Hospice
Born April 27, 1927, in Fairfield
Parents: George and Mary (Walthers) Van Kirk
Married Floyd Vires Member of Eastern Star; lived in Kearney for 35 years
Survivors include her husband of 61 years; son, Bruce and his wife, Lorain, of Imperial; daughters, Rhonda Kazebeer and her husband, Cal, and Kaylene, all of Lincoln; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Doris
Kearney Hub, 23 May, 2008

MOORE, Darrel E. "Dick", 76, of Eddyville died Sunday, May 18, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, Eddyville United Methodist Church
Burial: Sumner Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Memorials: Sumner Rescue Unit
Born Jan. 21, 1932, in Gothenburg
Parents: Charles and Opal (Roe) Moore
Grew up in Elm Creek and attended school there
Married: April 28, 1949, to Katherine "Eileen" Norbeck in Norton, Kan.
Resided in Callaway; was self-employed as a carpenter
Activities: member of Eddyville United Methodist Church, then transferred to Seventh-day Adventist Church in Broken Bow; hobbies included woodworking, painting and gardening; loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Survivors include his wife, of Lexington; son, Charles of Cozad; daughters, Linda Kroon and her husband, Bob, of Longmont, Colo., Diana Evan of Lexington, Pam Stryker and her husband, Ron, of Eddyville and Teresa Kitzing of Snyder; brothers, George and his wife, Lucy, of Overton and Calvin and his wife, Jean, of Elm Creek; sisters, Dorothy Stevens and her husband, Keith, of Elm Creek, Janet Benson of Loomis, Mary Klein of Lexington and Beverly Crow and her husband, Albert, of Mason City; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild
Was preceded in death by his parents and sons, Albert and Richard Moore
Kearney Hub, 20 May, 2008

WIESE, Bernard, 73, of Pleasanton died Sunday, May 18, 2008, at his home
Services: Thursday, Pleasanton United Methodist Church
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Memorials: the family
Born Dec. 9, 1934, north of Amherst
Parents: Alfred and Wilma (Shafto) Wiese
Attended school at Valley View in Colorado through the fourth grade; moved back to Nebraska, attended school north of Amherst and Sartoria; attended his freshman year at Pleasanton, graduated from Miller High School
Married: April 12, 1955, to Violet Neth in Phillipsburg, Kan.
Worked at various jobs that included farming for various farmers, drove a semitrailer truck, worked for Carman Irrigation, drove for Riverdale Redi-mix and worked for Superior Foundations; owned Ravenna Sanitation for 13 years
Survivors include his wife; sons, Robert and his wife, Patty, of Lincoln, Randall of Kearney, Curtis of South Sioux City and Cregg and his wife, Tammy, of Pleasanton; brother, Robert and his wife, Marsha, of Axtell; sisters, Ruth Tatman of North Platte, Carol Pauly of Kearney and Beverly Williams and her husband, Richard, of Elm Creek; mother-in-law, Agnes Neth of Boise, Idaho; brothers-in-law, Loyal Neth and his wife, Helen, of Eugene, Ore., Bill Neth and his wife, Penny, of Middleton, Idaho, and Frank Neth and his wife, Sherry, of Lake Almanar, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Charolette Harris and Verba Polanskie and her husband, Bob, all of Boise, Mary Nielsen of Kearney and Effie Neth of Eugene; grandchildren, Erica Niemi and her husband, Jason, and Rachelle Wiese and her fiancé, Brad Mann, all of Omaha, Jeremy Wiese and his wife, Candise, of Nebraska, Randy Wiese of Denver, Brittany Wiese and her fiancé, Dan Ludwig, of Kearney and Douglas Wiese and Caitlyn Wiese of Pleasanton; great-grandchildren, Haley and Isabelle Niemi of Omaha, Sage, Alicia, Alyna and Joey Wiese of Nebraska and Mathew Ludwig of Kearney; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; brother, Jim Wiese; and brothers-in-law, Delbert Nielsen and Leroy Pauly
Kearney Hub, 20 May, 2008

SOHRWEID, Rebecca Joe, 66, of Sargent died Friday, May 23, 2008, at her home
Services Tuesday, Rhoad Funeral Chapel in Sargent
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Jan. 21, 1942, in Dodge City, Kan.
Parents: Troy and Charlotte (Hamilton) Vaught
Graduated from Wayne State College in 1965
Married: September 1966, to Dwayne Sohrweid of Amherst
Taught English in numerous places, including Omaha, Norfolk, Wood River, Kearney and Sargent in more than four decades of teaching; touched many lives of aspiring actors and writers
Survivors include her daughter, Michalle M. "Missy" Sohrweid-Shoemaker; grandchildren, Sara and Jordan Sohrweid of Grand Island and Adam Millsap of Sargent; sister and brother-in-law, Candace (Vaught) and Allen Zumbrunnen of Kearney; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Howard and Ramona Sohrweid of Amherst; and nieces and nephews, Troy and Gwen Zumbrunnen of Roswell, Ga., Tyler and Brandi Zumbrunnen of Kearney, Anne Zumbrunnen of Omaha and Don Sohrweid of Amherst
Was preceded in death by her father, husband, son, Michel R. Sohrweid and niece, Judith E. Sohrweid
Kearney Hub, 26 May, 2008

MUEGERL, Joseph T., 84, of Ravenna died Thursday, May 22, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Tuesday, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna
Burial: St. Joseph's Cemetery south of Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Aug. 27, 1923, in Buffalo County
Parents: Thomas and Anna (Vacek) Muegerl
Was educated at District 65 in Buffalo County
Spent his life farming south of Ravenna
Activities: member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Men's Choir and the Holy Name Society; enjoyed boating, fishing, bowling, cigars and dancing
Survivors include his sister, Margaret of Ravenna; and nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Lockhorn and Rose Coulter; and infant sister, Cecilia.
Kearney Hub, 24 May, 2008

FISH, Velma E., 87, of Kearney died Thursday, May 29, 2008, at Homestead Assisted Living
Services: Monday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: to Asera Care or to Homestead Assisted Living in Kearney
Born July 27, 1920, in Kearney
Parents: Will and Etta (Pearson) Humphrey
Received her education in Kearney, was a 1938 graduate of Kearney High School
Married: Oct. 8, 1938, to Kenneth Fish in Kearney. He died in 1989
Lived in Kearney; worked as a custodian at Kearney State College until retiring; also wallpapered homes in the Kearney area for more than 25 years; pastimes included sewing and crafts
Survivors include her son, Robert and his wife, Myrna, of Kearney; daughter, Loretta "Lori" Erpelding and her husband, James, of Kearney; grandchildren, Steve Erpelding and Cheryl Stabenow, both of Kearney, and Patricia Erpelding and Debra Bindel, both of Lincoln; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband; two infant sons; granddaughter, Donna Dworak; three brothers; and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 31 May, 2008

CLAIBORNE, Phyllis A., 85, of Keokuk, Iowa, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at River Hills Village in Keokuk
Services: Friday, Trinity United Methodist Church in Keokuk
Burial: Sunset Memorial Park in Keokuk
Mortuary: DeJong’s in Keokuk
Born Aug. 31, 1922, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Lewis and Ethel (Fleming) Fowler
Married: Jan. 21, 1945, to Paul Claiborne in Hastings, Neb.
Survivors include her husband; sons, David of Marion, Phillip of Allen, Texas, and Todd of Estill Springs, Tenn.; sister, Mary Lou Moore of Edmund, Okla.; and six grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 30 May, 2008

FIDDELKE, Harold D. "Louie", 94, of Riverdale died Monday, June 2, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Friday, Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Riverdale Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner in Kearney
Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church or the Riverdale Cemetery Association
Born March 1, 1914, in Riverdale
Parents: Herman and Clara (Bartels) Fiddelke
Received his education in Riverdale, graduated from Riverdale High School in 1932; worked for Union Pacific Railroad
Married: June 15, 1939, to Lucille Williams in Columbus
Lived in Riverdale, was employed at the Riverdale elevator for 40 years, retired in 1979
Military: U.S.Army, Feb. 24, 1944 - Jan. 14, 1946, served in the European Theater; was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received during the war
Activities: member of Zion Lutheran Church and Lutheran Layman's League, served as an elder and an usher at the church for many years; enjoyed the senior citizens group at church; member of Kearney VFW Post 759; loved sports and followed his children's and grandchildren's sports games
Survivors include his wife; son, Rod Fiddelke and his wife, Jo, of Ravenna; daughter, Connie Lantis and her husband, Vern, of Kearney; sisters, Evelyn Jacobson of Riverdale, Hazel Stickney of Kearney and Verbena Szymakowski and her husband, Frank, of Chicago Ridge, Ill.; grandchildren, Sue Breinig and her husband, Curt, Eric Lantis, Jill Churchill and her husband, Doug, Joell Penney and her husband, Jay, Scott Fiddelke and his wife, Karalee, and Greg Fiddelke and his wife, Misti; and 14 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his sisters, Bernice Fiddelke and Irene Jacobson
Kearney Hub, 5 June, 2008

PETERSEN, Lillian L., 96, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Monday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Kronborg
Memorials: First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Born June 30, 1911, in Newman Grove
Parents: Henry and Mary (Christensen) Henricksen
Grew up in Newman Grove, received her education there
Married: Jan. 14, 1931, to Harlie Petersen in Rosenberg. He preceded her in death
Lived in Kearney, was a homemaker
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church; enjoyed reading, gardening, traveling and dancing
Survivors include her son, Gary Petersen and his wife, Gloria Ebb-Petersen, of Kearney; brother, Leo Henricksen of Kearney; grandchildren, Brian Petersen and Karen Axford; stepgrandchildren, Dan Ebb, David Ebb and Carol Sheldon; one great-grandchild; and three stepgreat-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband, five brothers and one stepgranddaughter
Kearney Hub, 7 June, 2008

BOMBECK, Gordon W., 89, of Shelton died Monday, June 2, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Saturday, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Shelton
Burial: Kenesaw Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon
Born March 30, 1919, in Lincoln County near Haswell, Colo.
Parents: William and Ella (Welch) Bombeck
Survivors include his sister, Audrey Clement of Albuquerque, N.M.
Kearney Hub, 5 June, 2008

STOKES, Donald O. "Don", 70, of Ravenna died Monday, June 2, 2008, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Graveside services: Thursday, Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Cairo
Mortuary: Apfel in Grand Island
Memorials: to the family
Born July 31, 1937, in Omaha
Parents: Darwin and Bessie (Shelton) Stokes
Grew up in Omaha, received his education in Oklahoma City
Military: U.S. Air Force, May 31, 1955 - May 30, 1963
Married: Sept. 26, 1992, to Glenda Stokes in Gibbon
Lived in Ravenna, farmed and was employed by the National Weather Service, retired in May 3, 1993;after retiring, continued to farm
Enjoyed farming and his job with the National Weather Service
Survivors include his wife; three children; one sister; eight grandchildren; five stepchildren; 12 stepgrandchildren; and 10 stepgreat-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 4 June, 2008

ZELLER, Wilma, 91, of Ravenna died Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Thursday, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Dec. 1, 1916, in Sac City, Iowa
Parents: Gustave and Bertha (Weber) Weitzel
Was educated in Iowa, graduated from Litchfield High School; attended Kearney State Normal School and taught in the Ravenna and Litchfield area for seven years
Married: May 31, 1942, to Eldor Zeller in Ravenna
Lived on a farm south of Ravenna for 63 years; moved to Ravenna in 2005
Activities: member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Dorcas Society, taught Sunday school and was in the choir; member of Antelope Extension Club
Survivors include her husband; son, David Zeller and his wife, Gloria, of Ravenna; daughter, Carol Fisher of Rockville; sister, Helen Bedke of Ravenna; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Ellene Euler of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 4 June, 2008

CUSHMAN, Edward Earl "Ed", 81, of Pleasanton died Saturday, June 7, 2008, in Kearney
Services: Tuesday, Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair
Burial: Herman
Born Nov. 8, 1926, in Hooper
Parents: Thomas and Mamie (Stroh) Cushman
Married: Jan. 22, 1955, to Martha Mencke in Louisville. She died Oct. 30, 1996
Survivors include his son, Michael of Blair; daughters, Carol Luce of Pleasanton and Shelley Hubers of Wausa; brother, Rex of Arlington; sister, Cora Maw of Corona, Calif.; and six grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 9 June, 2008

BUETTNER, Shirley J., 73, of Kearney died Monday, June 9, 2008, in Kearney
Services: Thursday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: University of Nebraska at Kearney Foundation, Kearney Public Schools Foundation or Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Born July 27, 1934, in Concordia, Kan.
Parents: Paul and Prudence (McLean) Magette
Moved with her parents to Kearney in 1945, attended St. James Catholic Grade School and Kearney Junior High School; graduated from Kearney Longfellow High School in 1952; earned a bachelor of arts in education degree, cum laude, in 1956 from Kearney State College; taught high school English in Sutherland for two years and Gibbon for one year
Married: June 13, 1959,to Robert Buettner in Kearney
Returned to college, 1979, earned a master of arts degree from Kearney State College; taught in the English department for eight years at Kearney State College; also wrote and published two books of original poetry, "Walking Out the Dark" and "Thorns;" wrote poetry until 1991, when she had a massive stroke; was the first poet to have two poems published in the national American Life in Poetry weekly newspaper column
Lived at Prairie View Gardens the last six years; had monthly "Poetry with Shirley" talks, reading poems of her own and other Nebraska poets; member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney
Survivors include her son, Terry Buettner and his wife, Jacki, of Kearney; daughters, Teresa Ingram and her husband, Todd, of Lincoln and Cara Babcock of Phoenix; and grandchildren, Drew and Lauren Buettner of Kearney and Jake and Paige Babcock of Phoenix
Was preceded in death by her parents and numerous aunts and uncles
Kearney Hub, 11 June, 2008

NIELSEN, Mary, 72, of Kearney died Sunday, June 8, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday, New Life Assembly
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Memorials: the church or to the St. Jude's Hospital
Born Feb. 28, 1936, in Custer County
Parents: Orin and Agnes (Frazier) Neth
Grew up in Sumner, graduated from high school there; later moved to Kearney
Married: 1954, to Marvin Chambers; divorced
Marrried: July 3, 1963, to Delbert Nielsen in Minden. He preceded her in death
Lived in Kearney, was employed by Baldwin Manufacturing Co.; later worked for St. John's Nursing Home in Kearney
Activities: member of New Life Assembly, was active in various church organizations: enjoyed family and friends
Survivors include her sons, Randy Nielsen and his wife, Linda, Rodney Chambers, Bruce Nielsen and his wife, Launette, Danny Chambers and Darrell Chambers, all of Kearney, and Brian Nielsen of Colorado; daughter, Lisa Johnson and her husband, Steve, of Upland; her mother of Idaho; brothers, Loyal, Frank and Bill Neth; sisters, Charlotte Harris, Verba Polanski, Violet Wiese and Effie Neth; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband; son, Larry Chambers; her father; and parents-in-law, Albert and Ruby (McCoy) Nielsen
Kearney Hub, 11 June, 2008

DAVOLT, Thomas D., 56, of Kearney died Monday, June 9, 2008, at his home
Memorial services: Thursday, First United Methodist Church
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Memorials: the church or Asera Care Hospice
Born Sept. 11, 1951, in Junction City, Kan.
Parents: L.G. and Garrel (Hostick) Davolt
With parents, moved to St. Paul, graduated from high school in 1969; received his bachelor of science degree in industrial management from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1973
Married: Sept. 29, 1973, to Jane O'Neal in Kearney
Was a mechanical contractor, worked for Bamford Inc. in Kearney for 35 years, served part of that time as president and general manager Activities: member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney and Kearney Country Club; passion was golfing and playing with his grandchildren; fought a brave battle with multiple myeloma for 10 years
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Lindsey Nickel and her husband, Rob, of Lenexa, Kan., and Katherine Davolt of Kearney; his father and his wife, Alvina, of Henderson; brother, Richard and his wife, Vicky, of Grand Island; sisters, Julie Sack and her husband, Dave, of St. Paul and Teresa Norris and her husband, Don, of Henderson; and grandchildren, Walker and Kiana Nickel
Was preceded in death by his mother
Kearney Hub, 11 June, 2008

CARPENTER, Malissa June Ingram, 84, of Kearney, formerly of Topeka, Kan., died Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at Mount Carmel Keens Memorial Home
Services: Monday, St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church in Holdrege
Burial: Armada Cemetery in Miller
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Memorials: St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church or Mount Carmel Home
Born June 14, 1923, in Kearney
Parents: Oscar and Mary (Kaps) Mowrey
After death of her mother, was raised by her father's cousin, Ada Malissa (Mowrey) Simmons, and her husband, Irven; received her education at Mason City, graduated from Mason City High School; moved to California during World War II
Married: 1941, to William Ingram Jr. He preceded her in death
Married: May 1, 1997, to John Carpenter in Lincoln. He preceded her in death
With first husband moved to Broken Bow, was the secretary for the high school principal; returned to Kearney, was an officer at Platte Valley State Bank; attended the Louisiana Graduate School of Banking in Baton Rouge
When bank was sold, relocated to Topeka, Kan., served as the executive director of the Multiple Sclerosis Society for Eastern Kansas; after retiring, moved to Lincoln; following husband John's death, moved to Holdrege in 1998; moved to Mount Carmel Home in Kearney, Feb. 2003
Activities: enjoyed golfing, loved to shop and was a sports enthusiast; especially loved Husker football and Kansas City Royals baseball; member of St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church in Holdrege
Survivors include her foster brother, Ivan Simmons and his wife, Shirley, of Kearney; brother-in-law, Dale Ingram and his wife, Wilma, of Kearney; sister-in-law, Nancy (Ingram) Barney of Kearney; cousins, DiAnn Harris of Holdrege, Mike Simmons of Kearney and Jackie Janssen and her husband, Bill, of Litchfield; special family friend, Angie Naiman of Holdrege; nieces and nephews, Jackie Wiester and her husband, Robert, Ken Anderson and his wife, Linda, and Cheri Schroeder, all of Kearney, Tim Anderson and his wife, Carla, of Ashland and Cindy Fahrenbruch and her husband, Jim, of Loomis; her second husband's children; and other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her husbands; parents; foster parents; foster sister, Lila (Simmons) Simonson and her husband, Richard; brother-in-law, Jerry Ingram; and sister-in-law, Ardis Anderson and her husband, Joyce
Kearney Hub, 13 June, 2008

SIMEON, Krin Gail, 55, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Monday, Countryside Christian Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Good Shepherd in Omaha
Memorials: to the family
Born Feb. 13, 1953, in McCook
Parents: Erie and Gail (Phelps) Mattson
Lived on the family farm, moved to McCook with her mother after the death of her father; graduated from McCook High School in 1971
Married: Sept. 17, 1971, to Joe Simeon
Was employed at Sears, then opened Hen and Chicks Day Care, which operated for more than 20 years; closed the day care on Oct. 1, 2007, because of health reasons
Survivors include her husband; son, Eric Simeon of Kearney; daughter, Amanda Simeon of Kearney; grandchildren, Connor and Coraleen Clark; sisters, Karron McBee and her husband, Steve, and Kae McNutt and her husband, Herb, all of Kearney; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews
Was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, LaJonta and Sharron Matson; and nieces, Gloria McNutt and Teresa McBee
Kearney Hub, 13 June, 2008

SLAUGHTER, Dorotha J., 93, of Kearney died Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at Mount Carmel Keens Memorial Home
Services: Saturday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: First United Methodist Church or Mount Carmel Home
Born Dec. 9, 1914, in Salem
Parents: Walter and Lillie (Crook) Carlisle
Graduated from Salem High School; attended Peru State College
Married: July 19, 1939, to LeRoy Slaughter in Hiawatha, Kan. He died Jan. 10, 1980
Lived in Kearney; taught at country schools, including Center and Stone schools
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney, Kearney American Legion Auxiliary and East Lawn Kensington; enjoyed reading, playing cards and crossword puzzles; especially enjoyed spending time watching songbirds
Survivors include her daughter, Linda Giesler and her husband, George, of Kearney; grandchildren, Mike and Bessie Giesler of Cabot, Ark., and Michelle and Erich Lewis, Melissa and Chad Henning, Matt and Stacie Giesler and Mark Giesler and his friend, Jacqui Garrison, all of Kearney; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her husband, and brother, Harry Carlisle
Kearney Hub, 13 June, 2008

SEAR, Elinore C., 80, of Kenesaw, formerly of the Gibbon area, died Thursday, June 12, 2008, at Good Samaritan Village in Hastings
Services: Monday, O’Brien-Straat-mann Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: Gibbon Rural Fire Department
Born July 12, 1927, in Prosser
Parents: Earl and Edith (Lomax) Fairbanks
Gew up in Wood River, graduated from Wood River High School
Married: June 16, 1945, to Harris Dean Sear in Laramie, Wyo.
Lived south of Gibbon; enjoyed being involved with craft club, birthday club and Monday morning coffee; enjoyed traveling and camping at the river
Survivors include her daughters, Carolyn Bendfeldt and husband, Jim, of Kearney and Kim Johansen and husband, Phil, of Kenesaw; sister, Elsie Bonsack of Grand Island; grandchildren, Heather Brummels and husband, Doug, of Kearney, Jamie Powers and husband, Brian, of Tulsa, Okla., Shane Bendfeldt and wife, Jodi, of Gibbon, Whitney Eden and husband, John, of Omaha and Collin Johansen of Lincoln; and great-grandchildren, Ethan Powers of Tulsa and Harrison Brummels of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband, Harris Dean; son, Douglas Dean Sear; parents, Earl and Edith Fairbanks; and brothers, Loren, Lyle and Murice Fairbanks
Kearney Hub, 14 June, 2008

CUDABACK, Sondra J., 66, of Kearney died Saturday, June 14, 2008, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Friday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: to the family
Born Feb. 22, 1942, in Jefferson County
Parents: Kenneth and Doris (Mann) Menke
Attended grade school in Rural District 42 in Jefferson County; attended and graduated from Aurora High School in 1959; was baptized in the Methodist religion
Married: June 28, 1964, to Dale Cudaback in Kearney
Worked as a secretary/bookkeeper for Cudaback and Iosty Plumbing for 25 years
Activities: enjoyed gardening and spending time with her children and grandchildren; loved to play and listen to piano music
Survivors include her husband; sons, Shane and his wife, Pam, of Kearney and Philip and his wife, Dana, of San Diego; her mother of Aurora; brothers, Lanny Menke and his wife, Merna, of Marquette and Brad Menke and his wife, Marilyn, of Grand Island; sister, Ardith Smith and her husband, Tom, of Kearney; grandchildren, Tanner Cudaback, Payton Cudaback and Kinley Cudaback, all of Kearney, and Camille Cudaback of San Diego; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends
Was preceded in death by her father in March 2004
Kearney Hub, 18 June, 2008

PARKER, Ronnie J., 69, of Kearney died Monday, June 16, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: Thursday, Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Born July 12, 1938, in Kearney
Parents: Marvin and Mary (Duncan) Parker. Graduated from Kearney High School, 1956
Military: U.S. Air Force, Oct. 24, 1956 - May 8, 1959; was honorably discharged
Married: July 20, 1975, to Diana Williams in Kearney
Worked as a carpenter for 28 years; helped build the fire station and Ramada Inn; helped remodel the Holiday Inn and buildings at the University of Nebraska at Kearney; was a custodian for Kearney Public Schools for 20 years
Activities: past member of the American Legion and the local carpenter's union
Survivors include his wife; sons, Merlin of Denver and Justin of Omaha; daughter, Debbie of Denver; granddaughter, Tave Johnson of Chicago; and grandson, Finley Parker of Omaha
Was preceded in death by his parents; oldest daughter, Rhonda; and youngest son, Joel
Kearney Hub, 18 June, 2008

TRAMPE, Rhonda L., 48, of Bellevue, formerly of Elm Creek, died Monday, June 16, 2008, at Midlands Hospital in Bellevue
Services: Friday, First Christian Church in Elm Creek
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Elm Creek and Kearney
Memorials: to the family
Born Nov. 21, 1959, in Nebraska City
Parents: Walter and Effie (Elston) Garringer
Attended school in Elm Creek, graduated from high school in 1978
Married: Sept. 29, 1979, to Jamie Trampe in Kearney
Worked at various places including Jack & Jill in Elm Creek, KGFW radio in Kearney and Coleman Powermate; moved to Omaha, 2000, worked at Millard North High School and at Tender Heart Treasures
Activities: pastimes included fishing, camping and gardening
Survivors include her husband; son, Shawn of Bellevue; daughter, Lindsey of Bellevue; brothers, Harlan Garringer and Keith Garringer, both of Lexington, and Jerry Garringer of Holdrege; sisters, Rachel Hild and her husband, Dale, of Columbus, Thelma Sturgeon of Bellevue and Mary Garringer of La Vista; grandson, Corbin; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews
Was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Fay Crow; and nephews, Thomas Garringer and Ricky Hild
Kearney Hub, 19 June, 2008

FIKE, Kelcey, 21, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at her home
Memorial service: Friday, First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Mount Hope Cemetery in Omaha
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Nebraska Children's Home, Kearney Humane Society and Monroe Arts Center in Monroe, Wis.
Born March 26, 1987, in Tucson, Ariz.
Parents: Randy and Mary Jo (Johnson) Fike
Graduated from Monroe High School in Wisconsin in 2005; moved to Kearney in June 2006; was a cashier at Bob's Superstore in Kearney
Activities: loved animals, music, dance and performance arts; was a spirited and beautiful young lady
Survivors include her parents, of Kearney; brothers, Joshua and his wife, Karen, of Redwood City, Calif., and John of Menomonie, Wis.; sister, Nikki Chepovsky and her husband, Richard, of Pueblo, Colo.; grandmother, Bernetta Johnson of Omaha; nephews, Ryan and Kyler Chepovsky of Pueblo; special friend, Alex Young of Kearney; and many aunts, uncles and cousins
Was preceded in death by her grandparents, Claud and Opha Fike and John Johnson; and cousin, Becky Brewer
Kearney Hub, 19 June, 2008

CUDABACK, Janice A., 81, of Riverdale died Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
No services; body was cremated
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Rowe Sanctuary, Gibbon, dedicated to the upkeep of the river trail named in her honor
Born July 19, 1926, in Chesapeake, Va.
Parents: John and Annie (Seebo) Halstead
Graduated high school from Portlock, Va.; received her bachelor's degree in mathematics from Longwood College
Married: Aug. 9, 1964, to Jack Cudaback in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Kearney Hub, 20 June, 2008

EWER, Russell E., 92, of Beatrice died Friday, June 20, 2008, at Beatrice Good Samaritan Center
Services: Tuesday, Pleasanton United Methodist Church
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna and Fox in Beatrice
Born Feb. 6, 1916, in Pleasanton
Parents: Cyril and Ella (Smith) Ewer
Married: May 14, 1939, to Doris Zimmer in Pleasanton
Survivors include his wife; son, Donald of Beatrice; daughter, Marilyn Brendle of Beatrice; brothers, Jack of Loup City and Duane of Aberdeen, S.D.; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 21 June, 2008

KLINGELHOEFER, Opal M., 81, of Amherst died Saturday, June 21, 2008, at her home
Services: Wednesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Burial: Stanley Cemetery at Amherst
Memorials: to the family
Born Aug. 14, 1926, in Sumner
Parents: William and Walburga (Geiger) Fees
Grew up around the Sumner and Miller areas; graduated from Miller High School in 1944; attended Kearney Normal School, received her teaching degree; taught school until she started raising her family
Mrried: Aug. 14, 1947, to Kermit Klingelhoefer in Eddyville. He died in 2007
Activities: member of St. John's Capistran Catholic Church in Amherst; enjoyed dancing, playing solitaire, doing word puzzles and spending time with family
Survivors include her sons, Jerry, Bill, Ron and his wife, Jami, and Tim and his wife, Shanon, all of Amherst, and Mark and Chris and his wife, Kim, all of Kearney; daughters, Kandy Spearman and her husband, Kirk, of Hazard and Penny De La Torre and her husband, Dan, of Kearney; sisters, Beula John and her husband, Melvin, of Miller and Lois Burghardt and her husband, Ed, of Missoula, Mont.; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her husband; sons, Tom and John; three brothers; and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 24 June, 2008
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