Page 69
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Extracted from newspapers
Back to Index for Obituaries
JOHNSON, Stanley L., 81, of Sargent, formerly of Kearney, died Saturday, June 21, 2008, at Beverly Healthcare in Sargent
Graveside services: Wednesday in the veterans section at Kearney Cemetery; military honors
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Born Sept. 12, 1926, in Kearney
Parents: Clifford and Myrtle (Shields) Johnson
Survivors include his daughter, Betty Brown of Lincoln; brother, Bobby of Kincaid, Ill.; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 24 June, 2008
MARGRITZ, Leo William, 70, of Kearney died Sunday, June 22, 2008, at his home
Services: Thursday, St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington
Burial: St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery in Lexing-ton
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Memorial has been established
Born April 9, 1938, in Ravenna
Parents: Arthur and Leota (Killip) Margritz
Moved to Lexington when young; received his primary education there; later graduated from St. Patrick's Catholic School in Sidney; attended Southeast Community College at Milford, earned an associate's degree in auto and diesel mechanics
Returned home to Lexington, was employed at Dunlap's
Married: June 8, 1959, to Donna Schmitt at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington
Was employed as a mechanic for various area businesses; then opened his own mechanic shop in Overton, founded Leo's Service Center; later worked at Eaton Corp. of Kearney until his retirement
Activities: loved to golf, enjoyed hunting and fishing; enjoyed Husker football; was always willing to help a friend or family member with an engine problem; treasured the time spent with his family; member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, a member of the Knights of Columbus and member of the Elks Lodge in Kearney; enjoyed the friendship bonds formed through the years as a member of Buffalo Ridge Golf Course and Overton Golf Course and his customers and colleagues throughout his career
Survivors include his wife; sons, Brad and his partner, John Kite, of Denver and Greg and his wife, Mercedes, of San Diego; daughters, Terri of Kearney and Gaye Lannan and her husband, Joe, of Omaha; brother, Charles and his wife, Julene, of Lexington; sister, Catherine Mavetz and her husband, Frank, of Canton, Ill.; grandchildren, Lindsay and Candace Lannan, Johnathan Burgi and Monserrat Margritz; sister-in-law, Virginia Margritz of Lexington; brother-in-law, Donald Schmitt and his wife, Lucille, of Red Feather, Colo.; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Gerald Margritz
Kearney Hub, 24 June, 2008
PAULSEN, Marjorie R., 85, of Gibbon died Sunday, June 22, 2008, at Good Samaritan Center in Gibbon
Graveside memorial services: Thursday, Kearney Cemetery Columbarium
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann of Kearney
Memorials: Cambridge Court in Kearney and Good Samaritan Center in Gibbon
Born Oct. 2, 1922, in Omaha
Parents: Elza and Grace (Day) Thomas
Graduated from Benson High School, attended Iowa State University and Vogue Art School in Chicago; worked as an interior decorator for Sears and J.C. Penney in Omaha; moved to Seattle, worked in the drafting department of Union Pacific
Married: May 15, 1945, to David Paulsen in Omaha. He preceded her in death
Moved to Washington, D.C., worked at Sears; lived in Tucson, Ariz., and New Orleans, was an interior decorator; also lived in Grand Forks, N.D., and Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colo.; moved back to Omaha, worked as an interior designer for J.C. Penney, 1974-1986; retired in 1986
Activities: member of the Methodist and Episcopal churches; hobbies included flower gardening, reading, watercolor painting, knitting, bird watching, cranes and traveling
Survivors include her son, Gordon and wife, Laura, of Gibbon; and daughter, Lynn Gramling and her husband, Dean, of Woodbridge, Va.
Was preceded in death by her husband and one sister
Kearney Hub, 24 June, 2008
IVY, Sydney E., 55, of Kearney died Saturday, June 21, 2008, at her home
Memorial services: Friday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Born March 24, 1953, in Bellflower, Calif.
Parents: Floyd and Millie Slife
Married: Nathan Negrette. They divorced
Married: May 20, 1998, to William "Bill" Ivy in Kearney
Survivors include her husband; son, Jesse Negrette of California; daughter, Natilie Negrette of California; brother, David Slife of California; and five grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 25 June, 2008
MILLER, George Timothy, 66, of Blythe Island, Georgia, formerly of the Elm Creek, Neb., area, died Sunday, June 22, 2008, at his home
Graveside services: Friday, Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Elm Creek; military honors
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann of Kearney and Elm Creek
Memorials: to the family
Born Oct. 6, 1941, in Lexington, Neb.
Parents: Jim and Fern (McCarter) Miller
Grew up in Elm Creek, attended District 94 and Elm Creek High School
Married: 1962, to Margaret "Mickey" Meehan; lived along the East Coast and in Oklahoma, Hawaii and Alaska
Married: 1981, to Marlea "Lea" Lindsay. She preceded him in death. Had lived on St. Simons Island for the past 30 years; member of St. Williams Catholic Church, Fleet Reserve Branch of St. Simons Island, American Legion Post 166 and B.P.O. Elks Lodge 691; was retired from the U.S. Coast Guard
Survivors include his son, Tim of Landing, N.J.; daughters, Yvonne Radovanic of Edison, N.J., and Colleen Miller Muccia of Mount Olive, N.J.; brother, Larry of Kearney; sisters, Nancy Critz of Prairie Home, Mo., Jo Ann Brickner of Wilber, Betty Rayl of St Paul, Minn., Lori Miller of Minneapolis and Jennie Miller of Elm Creek; six grandchildren; stepson, Roger Lindsay of Brunswick; stepdaughter, Rona Simpson of Brunswick; and numerous nephews and nieces
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brother, Howard; and nephew, Jamie
Kearney Hub, 26 June, 2008
GIFFORD, Kathleen, 82, of Kearney died Friday, June 27, 2008, at Mount Carmel Keens Memorial Home
Services: Tuesday, First Presbyterian Church in Kearney
Burial: Alma Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: First Presbyterian Church and Kearney Public Library
Born Aug. 17, 1925, in Alma
Parents: Clemens and Kathryne (Breithaupt) Seyler
Graduated from Alma High School in 1943 and from Kearney State Teachers College in 1958; taught elementary school in Kearney at Emerson, Northeast and Park schools; retired from teaching in 1989
Activities: member of First Presbyterian Church, volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital and Kearney Literacy Council; member of the Retired Teachers Association, National Education Association and Nebraska State Education Association; was president of Kearney Church Women United; was very active in church activities; enjoyed helping friends, gardening, crocheting afghans for family and reading; enjoyed attending family members' activities
Survivors include her daughters, Mary Daake and her husband, John, of Kearney and Patricia Zwink and her husband, Randy, of Lexington; grandchildren, Adam Daake of Kearney, Erin Haines and her husband, Derek, of Lexington and Collin Stubbs and his wife, Shelley, of Luana, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Chase, Ethan, Liah, Rya and Corinn; and stepgrandchildren, Brad Zwink and his wife, Jennifer, of Castle Rock, Colo., and Bobbie Jo Zwink of Wilcox. Was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers
Kearney Hub, 30 June, 2008
WARRICK, Max Albert, 95, of Kearney died Thursday, June 26, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Highland Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Memorials: to hospice or First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Born Jan. 21, 1913, in Loup City
Parents: Myrl and Hattie (Cox) Warrick
Began first grade in Loup City at age 4, moved to Kearney at age 9, and lived in Ravenna to graduate from high school in 1929; began employment in retail clothing
Married: Nov. 25, 1934, to Mildred Roberg in Albion. She preceded him in death
Moved to Sheridan, Wyo., in 1941, managed the Croff store; moved to Ravenna, owned and operated Warrick Co. Clothing Store, retired from the business in 1978; had also owned clothing stores in Loup City and Broken Bow; moved to Kearney in 1985
Activities: served on the Ravenna School Board, in several civic organizations, and was an active member of United Church of Christ; volunteered with SCORE helping business entrepreneurs in Nebraska, was a member of First Lutheran Church; played golf through his 87th year; enjoyed traveling to visit his children; after death of his wife, moved to Regency Independent Living in Kearney; enjoyed the companionship of his dear friend, Nell Koepke
Survivors include his sons, James and his wife, Kajs, of Williamsburg, Va., and John and his wife, Mary, of Austin, Texas; daughter, Susan Stover and her husband, Kim, of Wayne; grandchildren, Jennifer McCarthy, Jeff Warrick, Mark Warrick, Danny Warrick, Jeremy Stover, Josh Stover and Andrea Stover; and 12 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents, three sisters and one brother
Kearney Hub, 30 June, 2008
CERNY, James F., 74, of Kearney died Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney; military honors
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Memorials: to the family
Born Dec. 19, 1933, at Pleasant Hill
Parents: Henry and Frances (Andelt) Cerny
Grew up on a farm near Dorchester
Military: U.S. Army Sept. 25, 1953 - 1955; served during Korean War
Lived in Lincoln; was employed by Lancaster County while attending Milford College; affter graduation, taught at the University of Nebraska in Curtis, later became the department head in diesel mechanics; also farmed part timel after 33 years at the school, retired and moved to Kearney
Activities: member of the Methodist Church, American Legion and the Eagles Club in North Platte; was active in many public school events in Kearney; enjoyed farming and spending time with his grandchildren
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Debra Maddox and her husband, Terrance, of Kearney; brother, Warren and his wife, JoAnn, of Pleasant Hill; sisters, Irene Eurich of Friend and Louise Anderson of Lincoln; grandchildren, Morgan Fisher, Danielle Fisher and Fae Maddox; and sisters-in-law, Mary Louise Dean and Wilma Cerny
Was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and four sisters
Kearney Hub, 30 June, 2008
GUSTAFSON, Abraham Michael "Abe", 38, of Point Arena, California, died of a brain aneurysm Friday, June 20, 2008, at Ukiah Medical Center
Memorial services: Thursday near Overton, Neb., at the home of Todd and Michele Brown
Born April 13, 1970, in Park Ridge, Ill.
Parents: Doug and Denise (Brower) Gustafson
Grew up in Kearney and Lake Elsinore; graduated from Lake Elsinore Senior High School, studied at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Married: July 5, 2001, to Rebecca Willhoit in San Rafael
Was an artist and master craftsman, earned his living as a carpenter and as a fine furniture and cabinet builder; loved creating beautiful things and spaces; appreciated language and poetry, enjoyed reading and writing; greatly enjoyed music and loved building and playing instruments of all kinds; traveled to many parts of Europe and Mexico; was devoted to his family and friends
Survivors include his wife; sons, Leroy and Ivan of Point Arena; his parents, of Holdrege, Neb.; brother, Grant and his wife, Beth, of Hendersonville, Tenn.; nephews, Gray and Jake Gustafson, both of Hendersonville; parents-in-law, Gary and Cindy Willhoit of Kearney, Neb.; sisters-in-law, Jenny Willhoit and her husband, Luke Canon, of Runnemede, N.J., and Jessy Ernisse and her husband, Jeremiah, of Las Vegas; grandmothers, Lenore Gustafson and Wini Fuller, both of Holdrege; many dear uncles, aunts and cousins; and a multitude of wonderful friends
Was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Wesley Gustafson and Harry Brower; and cousin Isaac Gustafson's son, Sven Gustafson
Kearney Hub, 30 June, 2008
COOL, Bert W., 80, of Oberlin, Kansas, died Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin
Services: Wednesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, with military honors
Memorials: to the family
Born Jan. 15, 1928, in Kearney
Parents: Eugene and Ethel (Fellows) Cool
Attended Sand Puppy Elementary School, graduated from Amherst High School in 1945
Military: U.S. Army, discharged in 1948
Married: Oct. 8, 1949, to Bernadine Covert
Married: Oct. 13, 1962, to Shirley Dreher in Kansas City, Mo.
Worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a station manager/telegrapher for several years; moved to Kansas City, joined the police department; retired as a detective in May 1976 after 20 years of service
Moved back to the family farm north of Amherst in 1976; moved to Oberlin, 1985, worked as an undersheriff for several years; later worked on the Civil Defense system, was a dispatcher and served the Oberlin Sheriff's Department in several capacities
Activities: enjoyed playing cards with friends
Survivors include his wife; sons, Stephen and his wife, Linda, of Grand Island, Neb., and Michael and his wife, Diane, of Amherst, Neb.; daughter, Marsha Enyart and her husband, J. Michael, of Moberly, Mo.; brother, Harold and his wife, Bonnie, of Broken Bow, Neb.; sisters-in-law, Beverly Gilmore and her husband, Frank, of Shell Knob, Mo., and Jeanette Lindberg of Roanoke, Ill.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents, one granddaughter, one niece and one brother-in-law
Kearney Hub, 1 July, 2008
CROWELL, Phylis LaRue, 61, of Ravenna, formerly of Wood River, died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at her home
Services: Wednesday, Grace Lutheran Church in Wood River
Burial: Highland Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Apfel in Wood River
Memorials: the family
Born Jan. 8, 1947, in Grand Island
Parents: Sam and Erma (Marshall) Mars
Grew up in the Grand Island area; attended Trinity Lutheran School and Walnut Middle School, graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1965
Married: June 19, 1966, to Dennis Crowell at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Island; recently celebrated 42 years of marriage
Was a long-time employee at Coleman Powermate of Hastings and Kearney
Activities: Girl Scout leader; was active in Boy Scouts in Ravenna; taught Sunday school and was active in her church; loved to sew, do crafts, can foods, work with her flowers and work in her garden; especially loved to spend time with her family and friends
Survivors include her husband; sons, Russell and his wife, Tammy, of Ravenna and Jeffery and his wife, Brenda, of Wood River; daughter, Kimberly of Ravenna; grandchildren, Austin, Matt, Justin, Taelor and Annessa, all of Ravenna, Krista of Grand Island, Dylan, Thomas and Marc, all of Hastings, and Nathan, Brayden, Ceara, Xander and Landen, all of Wood River; great-grandchildren, Aydren of Grand Island and Riley Jo of Ravenna; brothers, Ernie Mars and his wife, Alice, of Oklahoma City, Lee Mars and his wife, Carol, of Sparks, Nev., and Robert Mars of Grand Island; in-laws, Robert and Sherlene Stolley of Lincoln and Bill and Roslind Bush of Edgar; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins
Was preceded in death by her parents, Erma Mars in 1978 and Sam Mars in 1988
Kearney Hub, 1 July, 2008
MARKLEY, Robert "Bob" W., 64, of Kearney died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at his home
No services
Burial: later
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Born June 19, 1944, in St. Joseph, Mo.
Parents: Jacob and Ona (Ferguson) Markley
Survivors include his brother, Alfred Merrit of St. Joseph; and sisters, Carol Winslow of Corinth, N.Y., and Mary Gregory of Stewartsville, Mo.
Kearney Hub, 1 July, 2008
MAZZAWI, Naif, 80, of Kearney died Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Lakeside Hospital in Omaha
Services: Wednesday, St. Vincent De Paul Church in Omaha
Burial: Nazareth, Israel
Mortuary: Braman in Omaha
Born Aug. 18, 1927, in Nazareth
Parents: Nahiel and Cesar Mazzawi
Married: May 27, 1956, to Alice Abu Nassar
Survivors include his wife; sons, Fouad of Omaha and Victor of Searcy, Ark.; daughters, Sue Younes and Maha Younes, both of Kearney, and Samia Sabbah and Mona Nasser, both of Israel; 21 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 1 July, 2008
SEERLEY, Donald L., 82, of Kearney died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Graveside services: Wednesday, Kearney Cemetery; military honors
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Born April 10, 1926, in Kearney
Parents: Loice and Dorothy (Jensen) Seerley
Married: Jan. 15, 1980, to Mary Aspen in Kearney
Survivors include his wife; son, Dennis of Falls City; sister, Eileen Sylvester of Denver; one grandchild; and a number of stepchildren and stepgrandchildren
Kearney Hub, 1 July, 2008
COOK, Colleen B., 73, of rural Kearney died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at her home
Services: Thursday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon Memorials: American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life
Born April 7, 1935, in Holdrege
Parents: Claude and Nellie (Potter) Kinnaman
Grew up in Holdrege, graduated from Holdrege High School
Married: Sept. 23, 1956, to Robert Cook in Holdrege. He preceded her in death
Lived the majority of her live northeast of Kearney, helped farm and raised the family
Survivors include her sons, Douglas of Gibbon, Scott of Wisconsin and Donald of Lincoln; daughters, Jodi Cook and Michelle Clyne, both of Kearney; granddaughter, Jerilynn Clyne of Kearney; brother, Chaunce Kinnaman of California; sisters-in-law, Helen Kinnaman of Amherst, Wilma Kinnaman of Washington, Eva Ritchie of California, Eleanor Anderson of Colorado and Patricia Michels of California; and brother-in-law, Rex Cook of Lincoln
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Carroll, Craig and Conan; and granddaughter, Jessica Marie Clyne
Kearney Hub, 2 July, 2008
STEVENS, Kim Robert, 49, of Kearney died Monday, June 30, 2008, as a result of an all-terrain vehicle accident in Kearney
Services: Saturday, First United Methodist
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Memorials: the family
Born Oct. 4, 1958, in Cozad
Parents: Robert and Donna (McNeal) Stevens
Grew up in Eustis, received his education at Eustis Public School; attended Kearney State College, graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a double emphasis in marketing and real estate
Married: Aug. 3, 1980, to Donna Krone in Eustis
Lived at College Heights in Kearney while completing his education; wife worked at the Presbyterian Church
Began real estate career as a broker at CBS Realty, Midland Partners; became co-owner of Re/Max in 1994
Activities: active member of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce; worked with the University of Nebraska at Kearney Foundation, First United Methodist Church, youth basketball and other sports programs, and University of Nebraska Alumni Association; was an avid sports fan who supported many Kearney teams; loved watching his kids participating in sports and coaching their basketball teams
Was riding his all-terrain vehicle on the street after completing a neighborhood association project of hauling rock to the lake shoreline near his residence at the time of his death
Survivors include his wife; son, Nathan of Kearney; daughter, McKenzie of Kearney; his father of Eustis; brothers, Fred and his wife, Marlys, of Henderson, Nev., Robin and his wife, Lynnette, of Schuyler and Mac of Eustis; sister, Marlynn of Kimball; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends
Was preceded in death by a stillborn daughter, Elizabeth, and his mother
Kearney Hub, 3 July, 2008
DEINES, Oscar, 90, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Friday, July 4, 2008, Tabitha Nursing Home in Lincoln
Services: Tuesday, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner in Kearney Memorials: to the family
Born May 14, 1918, in WaKeeney, Kan.
Parents: Fred and Katherine (Fabrizius) Deines
Was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in WaKeeney, graduated from Trego Community High School in WaKeeney in May 1937
Military: U.S. Army Feb. 24, 1942, - Nov. 19, 1945; was part of the 13th Engineer Battalion and served in Hawaii, the Philippines and Korea
Married: Dec. 29, 1943, to Clara Dietz in WaKeeney
After discharge, was a butcher in several meat markets; was a nursing home administrator, 1954-1981; served as the nursing home administrator at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village in Kearney for 11 years and then in Beemer; was instrumental in starting the nursing homes in Callaway, Ravenna, Gibbon, Kenesaw and Wauneta; returned to Kearney in 1981, operated Oscar's Meat Market, was custodian at Zion Lutheran Church and was a Wal-Mart greeter; moved to Lincoln 18 years ago
Activities: his love for and faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ were evident in every aspect of his life, especially in his relationship with those in business as well as the communities where they lived; especially loved hiw wife and family
Survivors include his wife; sons, Arlen and his wife, Cheryl, of Ravenna and Steve of Merrifield, Va.; daughters, Catherine Kahle and her husband, Alton, of Kearney and Pam Deines and Denith Koffarnus and her husband, Dallas, all of Lincoln; brothers, Palmer of Independence, Mo., and Henry of WaKeeney; grandchildren, Christine, David, Mark, Andrea, Mike, Andrew, Sarah, Thomas, Jeremiah, Jacob, Joshua, Emily, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Shaina and Shawn; and great-grandchildren, Keyon, Kanoe, Katia, Tapainga, Leyton, Isaac, Anna and Trinity
Was preceded in death by his parents and eight brothers
Kearney Hub, 7 July, 2008
VENEGAS, Pamela (Erpelding), 52, of Kearney died Thursday, July 3, 2008, at her residence
Services: Tuesday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: to the family
Born Aug. 31, 1955, in Kearney
Parents: Bernard and Josephine (Johnson) Erpelding
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1973
Was a waitress at Taco John's and Arby's; attended Spirit of Life Church in Kearney; hobbies included crocheting and spending time with her family
Survivors include her sons, Jeremy Erpelding and wife, Jessica, of Paxton and Jeremy Barg and his wife, Jessica, of Norfolk; daughter, Dawn Fines of Wood River; mother, Josephine Swanson of Kearney; sisters, Theresa Erpelding and Tracy Perez and her husband, Pablo, all of Kearney; brother, David of Kearney; and 11 grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her father; brother, Ricky; and sister, Marcia
Kearney Hub, 7 July, 2008
KLEIN, Ina F., 82, of the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island, formerly of Kearney, died Thursday, Jan 17, 2002, at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island
Services: Monday, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Homer-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: the church or the Veterans Home
Born June 23, 1919, on the family farm north of Amherst
Parents: Herman and Emelia (Maack) Dahlke
Grew up in the Sartoria area; attended Sunnyside School, Pleasant Valley School and Pleasanton Schools; moved with parents to Grand Island, attended Walnut School, graduated from Grand Island High School in 1939
Worked in the school cafeteria in the summer and in the kitchen at the Veterans Home and St. Francis Hospital; after graduation, went to Evanston, Wyo., to work on the Union Pacific Railroad restaurant rail cars and learned the restaurant trade; moved to Florida
Married: Oct. 11, 1943, to Harvey Klein in Orlando, Fla.; moved to Grand Island while he was in the military
Moved to Ravenna to farm, 1946, later moved to Pleasanton to the Klein family farm; retired from the farm, and then lived on an acreage near Kearney for 29 years; moved to the Ravenna Good Samaritan Center, then to the Veterans Home in 1996
Activities: member of the church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary; enjoyed her family, polka music and bingo
Survivors include her husband; son, Roger of Pleasanton; daughter, Gaylene Mays of Kearney: brother. Earl Dahlke of Imperial Beach, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren
Was preceded in death by three brothers and a granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 19 January, 2002
KLEIN, Harvey, 87, of Grand Island, formerly of Pleasanton and Kearney, died Saturday, Aug. 31,2002, at the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island
Services: Wednesday, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, with military rites [ed.: was actually buried in Pleasanton Cemetery]
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: church or the veteran's home
Born Nov. 26, 1914, in Pleasanton
Parents: John and Julia (Ebel) Klein
Grew up on a farm, attended rural school near Pleasanton, then worked full time on the farm
Military: U.S. Army, 1942-1946, served during World War II in the South Pacific stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines
Married: Oct. 11, 1943, to Ina Dahlke in Orlando, Fla.
Farmed near Ravenna, later moved to Pleasanton to the family farm; retired and moved to an acreage near Kearney, loved there for 29 years; worked for Whitney Sand and Gravel and then Johnson Sand and Gravel; had been a resident of the home in Grand Island since 1996. His wife died Jan. 17, 2002
Activities: member of the church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the DAV; enjoyed hunting and fishing; grew black diamond watermelons and raised wild birds, rabbits and chinchillas
Survivors include his son, Roger of Pleasanton; daughter, Gaylene Mays of Kearney; sister, Tracy Nielsen of New Ulm, Minn.; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his wife; three brothers, six sisters, and a granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 4 September 2002
NELSON, Helen L., 83, of Omaha died Thursday, July 3, 2008, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha
Memorial services: Thursday, Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Minden
Burial: Minden Cemetery
Mortuary: Layton-Craig in Minden
Memorials: Heartland Honor Flight for World War II Veterans of Nebraska
Born April 29, 1925, in Buda
Parents: Donald and Lila (Thompson) Asher
Grew up in the Kearney area, graduated from Kearney High School
Married: Robert Nelson. He died in 1993. Moved to Minden in 1953; worked for many years as a bookkeeper for various businesses in Minden Activities: active volunteer in the community and enjoyed her coffee group; was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Minden American Legion Auxiliary
Survivors include her daughter, Terry Ralph, and her husband, Mike, of Omaha; daughter-in-law, Gail Nelson Bradley of Omaha; and sister, Marge Dreyer of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband; son, Mike, and a brother
Kearney Hub, 7 July, 2008
WEDEMEYER, Ellen, 85, of Ravenna died Saturday, July 5, 2008, at Seneca Sunrise in Ravenna
Services: Tuesday, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Oct. 28, 1922, in Merrick County
Parents: August and Christina (Helzer) Bader
Was educated at Worms, graduated from Zion Lutheran School, Worms; worked at H&H Shoe Store in Grand Island
Married: Aug. 25, 1946, to Lyman Wedemeyer in Worms. He died Oct. 7, 2007
Lived on the family farm south of Ravenna
Activities: member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Dorcas Society, Majors Extension Club, Neighborhood Club, Kearney Quilters Club and Kearney China Painters; loved quilting, crocheting and china painting
Survivors include her son, Dennis, and his wife, Sharol, of Ravenna; daughter, Janelle Oberg and her husband, Brad, of Houston; grandchildren, Chris Jindra and her husband, Ryan, of Crete, James Wedemeyer and his wife, Amanda, of Ravenna, Tim Oberg of Boulder, Colo., Dana Oberg of Malvern, Pa., and Derek Wedemeyer of Ravenna; and four great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Harold; and grandson, Nicklas
Kearney Hub, 7 July, 2008
ARP, Wesley V. "Wes", 77, of Kearney died Saturday, July 5, 2008, at his home
Services: Thursday, First Christian Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: to First Christian Church or Good Samaritan Hospital Hospice
Born June 1, 1931, in Potter
Parents: Clarence and Margaret (Johnson) Arp
Graduated from Overton High School in 1949
Military: U.S. Air Force, 1951-1955; served during the Korean War
Married: Aug. 22, 1953, to Ruth Barrett in Braintree Essex, England
Worked for Sidles Co. in Kearney, 1955 - 1969; moved to Great Bend, Kan., was branch manager for Sidles; returned to Kearney in 1972 to manage and later purchase the Mr. Automotive store
Activities: member of First Christian Church in Kearney, Kearney American Legion Post 52, Kearney Elks Lodge 984 and Rob Morris Masonic Lodge 46 AF&AM.; after retiring, pursued his love of traveling and following his grandchildren's activities
Survivors include his wife; sons, Duane and his wife, Nancy, of Gretna and Dale and his wife, Kathy, of Kearney; daughters, Terri Wilson and her husband, Steve, of Grand Island and Gina Jesionowicz and her husband, Steve, of Lincoln; brothers, Kenneth of Lexington and Glen and his wife, Regina, of Shelton, Wash.; grandchildren, Kelsey and David Wilson, Brandon, Bryce and Brooke Arp, Ashley, Nicole and Brian Arp and Kayla and Kylie Jesionowicz; and a number of nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents and two uncles
Kearney Hub, 8 July, 2008
MAULER, Robert "Don", 79, of Axtell died Saturday, July 5, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hos-pital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner in Kearney
Memorials: Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Platte Valley Antique Machinery Association, Good Samaritan Hospice or the Axtell Fire Department
Born May 8, 1929, in Omaha
Parents: Julius and Teckla (Mendyk) Mauler
Attended country school in Buffalo County
Married: Jan. 27, 1951, to Phyllis Erpelding in Kearney
Military: U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War, also in the National Guard
Worked as an electrician at Kearney State College for 29 years, retired in 1991; did sound work while at the college for a number of big-name acts, including Barry Manilow and Johnny Cash ctivities: past president and also a life member of the Platte Valley Antique Machinery Association, was in Who's Who in Nebraska 1976-1977, was an admiral in the Nebraska Navy and was a past member of the Buffalo County Civil Defense; was a drummer in a local band, The Drifters; loved old country and western music and also loved to square dance in his younger years; enjoyed his trains, tractors, antique machinery and tools, and horses; especcially enjoyed his children and grandchildren
Survivors include his wife; son, Doug of Kearney; daughters, Brenda Towery and her husband, Terry, of Axtell, Nadine Tillemans of Holdrege and Debra Clinebell and Dawn Doughty and her husband, Dan, all of Kearney; brother, Richard "Dale" and his wife, Judy, of Franklin; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Diana and John Wubbenhorst of Minden; sister-in-law, Louise Erpelding of Kearney; special friend, Lori Erickson of Holdrege; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles
Was preceded in death by his parents, four nephews and one son-in-law
Kearney Hub, 8 July, 2008
O'DAY, Carolyn K., 61, of Kearney died Sunday, July 6, 2008, at Good Samaritan Center in Gibbon
Services: Thursday at the Gibbon Good Samaritan Center
Burial: Riverside Cemetery at Gibbon
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Memorials: AseraCare or Gibbon Good Samaritan Center
Born Jan. 31, 1947, in Columbus, Ohio
Parents: Dean and M. Reita (Moravy) Pennington
Graduated from Westerville (Ohio) High School in 1965; was employed as a secretary in an insurance agency in Columbus; moved to California, 1966, worked in insurance agencies there; moved to Kearney in 1975, was employed by Rich Osentowski State Farm Insurance; retired due to poor health
Activities: was active in 4-H in Ohio, was a Boy Scout leader in Nebraska; active in church and sang in the choir; president of the Republican Women in Kearney; loved to read while she was able
Survivors include her mother, Reita of Kearney; father, Dean and his wife, Mary Lee, of Port Orange Beach, Fla.; sister, Kathy Pierce and her husband, George, of Gibbon; brother, W. Dean Pennington and his wife, Pat, of Kearney; stepson, Brian O'Day and his wife, Wendy, of Mesa, Ariz.; and granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Rebecca O'Day of Mesa
Was preceded in death by her grandparents
Kearney Hub, 9 July, 2008
MORRISON, Lavonne, 80, of Kearney died Monday, July 7, 2008, at Mount Carmel Keens Memorial Home in Kearney
Memorial services: Friday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: to the family
Born Oct. 3, 1927, in Isabel, Kan.
Parents: E.L. and Iva (Beasley) Miller
Graduated from Sawyer (Kan.) High School in 1945
Married: Jan. 31, 1954, to Larry Morrison in Great Bend, Kan.
Moved to Wichita, Kan., worked as a bank teller; moved to Lodgepole, 1962, and raised her family; moved to Oshkosh, 1968, and worked at Marshalltown Manufacturing and Garden County Hospital; moved to Kearney in 1990
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church and Order of Eastern Star
Survivors include her daughters, Lynn of Custer, S.D., Lori Grady of Axtell and Lisa Smith and her husband, Randy, of Kearney; brother, Gene Miller and his wife, Reba, of Houston; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents and one brother
Kearney Hub, 10 July, 2008
FREAD, Betty Iris, 86, of Ravenna, formerly of the Cozad/Lexington area, died Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at Ravenna Good Samaritan Center
Services: Saturday, Berean Bible Church in Lexington
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington
Mortuary:Reynolds-Love in Lexington
Born Sept. 24, 1921, in Kearney
Parents: Charles and Viola (Burns) Dodson
Married: June 13, 1939, to Tom Fread in Lexington. He died in 1988
Survivors include her daughters, Vivian Kocour of Fremont and Cheryl Blodgett of Litchfield; brother, Clarence Dodson of Louisville, Ky.; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 11 July, 2008
BRITTON, Terry R., 68, of Kearney died Thursday, July 10, 2008, at his home
Memorial services: Monday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Memorials: Veterans Affairs Hospital
Born June 1, 1940, in Crawford
Parents: Ralph and Helen (LeBlanc) Britton
Attended a rural grade school east of Crawford, graduated from high school at the University of Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis; attended Gear Tech School in Chicago to learn the dirt and heavy equipment business
Married: Aug. 29, 1964, he married Corliss Sullwold in Elm Creek
Married: Jan. 23, 1989, he married Virginia Schukar
Worked for Missouri Valley building roads in western Nebraska and on Interstate 80
Military: U.S. Army, Dec. 16, 1965 - October 1968
Returned and worked on the interstate for a short time, then worked for Gene Jameson doing land leveling for seven years; established his own business and operated it, retired because of illness
Activities: was baptized in the Methodist religion; enjoyed his work and spending time with family
Survivors include his wife; his mother, of Torrington, Wyo.; daughter, Christa Britton Fleischacker and her husband, Ben, of Kearney; brother, Robert and his wife, Bonnie, of Douglas, Wyo.; sisters, Marlene Keane of Gering and Margie Nelson and her husband, Glenn, of Mead; stepson, Jon Bunger of Junction City, Kan.; stepgranddaughter, Vanessa Guigley of Milford, Kan.; and nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his father and nephew, Dwayne Keane
Kearney Hub, 12 July, 2008
FRAZER, Lawrence "Larry", 60, of Franklin died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at his home
Memorial celebration: later
Mortuary: Crawford Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Antioch
Memorials may be sent to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203. Born May 20, 1948, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Ellis and Helen (Haase) Frazer
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1966; received a degree in mechanical engineering, 1971, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; enjoyed a 34-year career with DuPont Corp. primarily in Wilmington, Del.; had recently moved to Franklin; had bravely fought lung cancer for two years
Survivors include his mother, Helen Frazer Smith of Kearney; brother, Greg of Fresno, Calif.; and sisters, Candy Wilken of Franklin and Pam Lawrence of Fort Pierce, Fla.; also four nieces and nephews; and six great nieces and great nephews
Kearney Hub, 11 July, 2008
RILEY, Madeline M., 95, of Gibbon died Thursday, July 10, 2008, at Gibbon Good Samaritan Center
Services: Monday at Godberson Mortuary in Gibbon
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Memorials: Gibbon Good Samaritan Center or the Gibbon Emergency Unit
Born June 5, 1913, in Gibbon
Parents: Frank and Nellie (France) Mercer
Grew up in Gibbon, graduated Gibbon High School in 1931
Married: June 5, 1931, to Evan Riley. He died in 1987
Lived on a farm near Gibbon; had managed Hill Top Bowling Alley for several years before she and her husband owned and operated Gibbon Recreation Parlor
Activities: Faithful Rebekah Lodge of Gibbon; charter member of the Kearney Eagles Club
Survivors include her daughter, Daralyn Benge of Gibbon; grandson, David Benge and his wife, Candi, of Gibbon; granddaughters, Vicki Farrell and her husband, Dennis, of Gibbon, Renae Yockey and her husband, Bill, of Shelton and JaNelle Clifton of Beaver Dam, Wis.; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; one brother; one sister; son-in-law, David Benge; and two great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 12 July, 2008
TRIPLETT, Virgil D., 78, of Kearney died Thursday, July 10, 2008, at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha
Services: Monday, Family of Christ Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Memorials: the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department
Born May 15, 1930, in the Buckeye Valley area in Buffalo County
Parents: Earl and Opal (Razey) Triplett
Married: May 15, 1948, to Darlene Adamson in Kearney
Worked as a lineman and a manager for Dawson Public Power for 44 years; member of Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Kearney and the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years; enjoyed playing pinochle at the fire hall, gardening, working on his grandparents' farm and being outdoors, and was an avid Husker fan; loved his children and grandchildren
Survivors include his wife; son, Rick and his wife, Jacque, of Kearney; daughter, Pam Rimpley and her husband, Kevin, of Kearney; brother, DeWayne and his wife, Helen, of Green Valley, Ariz.; sisters, Lela Lammers of Kearney and Darlene Brandt of Erie, Colo.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 12 July, 2008
AVERY, Marvin E., 79, of Kearney died Thursday, July 10, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: to the family
Born Feb. 17, 1929, in Phillips County, Kan.
Parents: Phillip and Bertha (Hecht) Avery
Grew up in Naponee and Kearney; received his education at Inavale, south of Naponee
Married: Dec. 22, 1949, to Alma Schriner in Phillipsburg, Kan.
Lived in Kearney, was employed by Fairbanks International; also lived in Naponee, was employed by Lewis Farms of Kearney; enjoyed watching NASCAR races and watching his grandson race stock cars at the local tracks; enjoyed raising flowers
Survivors include his wife; sons, Gary and his wife, Vicki, of Norfolk and Steven and his wife, Karen, of Minden; daughter, Marlene Kuypers of Kearney; brother, Phillip Avery of Gaylord, Kan.; sisters, Helen Hunt of Franklin and Doris Hunt of Imperial; brother-in-law, Junior Hunt of Imperial; sister-in-law, Joline Avery of Gaylord; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 12 July, 2008
WRIGHT, Tilbert W., 89, of Kearney died Friday, July 11, 2008, at his home
Burial of cremains: Monday, Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell with military honors
Mortuary: Liewer in Imperial
Born March 12, 1919, in Hyannis
Parents: Arlington and Lola (Clark) Wright
Married: June 1, 1940, to Marjorie King. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his son, Bill of Grand Island; daughters, Diane Steinbrink of Kearney and Annette Winberg of Loup City; sister, Delma Haag of Paradise, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 12 July, 2008
SCHNEIDER, Verna Dean, 81, of Kearney died Friday, July 11, 2008, at her home
Services: Tuesday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: to the family
Born Jan. 29, 1927, in Stapleton
Parents: Vernon and Pearl (Kessler) Snyder
Grew up and attended school in Stapleton
Married: 1950, to Galen Tatum in Kearney
Married: 1962, to Ivan Schneider in North Platte. He died in 1985
Lived most of her life in the North Platte and Kearney areas; worked as a waitress and bartender for various businesses in the area; later worked for Werner Construction as a flag person
Pastimes included playing cards, camping and spending time with family and friends
Survivors include her sons, Gary Tatum and Rick Tatum and his special friend, Kathy Vasquez, all of Kearney; daughters, Gail Axtell and her husband, Robert, Linda Brown and her husband, Donnie, Cheryl Long and her special friend, Bobby Lewis, and Robin Kibler and her special friend, Ron Mansfield, all of Kearney; sister; Marlene Rasmussen of Roosevelt, Utah; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents, one son, four grandsons, four brothers and one sister
Kearney Hub, 14 July, 2008
GAER, Viola M. "Vi", 88, of Kearney died Friday, July 11, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday, First Baptist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: First Baptist Church
Born Feb. 5, 1920, in Irwin, Iowa
Parents: Charles and Hattie (Nelson) Julius
Graduated from Harlan (Iowa) High School in 1938; received her registered nurse degree at Methodist Hospital in Omaha in 1945 and her bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1980
Married: Oct. 6, 1944, to Paul Gaer in Omaha. He preceded her in death
Was a nursing instructor for Central Community College; retired in 1982
Activities: member of First Baptist Church, P.E.O. Chapter A.S., and the UNK faculty wives
Survivors include her daughters, Julie Larson of Gering and Mary Sue Bell of Venice, Fla.; grandchildren and their spouses, Cindy and Shawn Woollen of Wilcox, Sheri and Dan Freeman and Daron and Trisha Larson, all of Wahoo, John and Melissa Bell of Gothenburg, Emily and Clint Haynes of Parker, Colo., and Erica and Ryan Roper of Kearney; 15 great-grandchildren; and son-in-law, Wayne Bell of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents, one brother and her stepfather
Kearney Hub, 14 July, 2008
SEIFERT, Frances, 79, of Ravenna died Saturday, July 12, 2008, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Memorial services: Saturday at Ravenna United Methodist Church
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society for research or the Ravenna Emergency Unit. Born July 25, 1928, in Buffalo County
Parents: Otto and Josie (Hladky) Bauer
Graduated from Ravenna High School in 1945
Married: June 5, 1948, to Leonard Seifert in Ravenna
Lived in Ravenna; worked for A. Mike Klein Elevators as a bookkeeper, 1952-1957; worked as the assistant city clerk in Ravenna from 1972 to 1983
Activities: member of Ravenna United Methodist Church; served on several church committees, sang in the church choir and taught Sunday school; member of the Ravenna Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the Ravenna Railroaders Retirement Association for spouses
Survivors include her husband; son, Lon of Minneapolis; brother, Alvin Bauer and his wife, Bernadene, of Hazard; sisters-in-law, Wilma Barton of Ravenna and LaJune Anderson of Lancaster, Calif.; and nieces, nephews and cousins
Was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Jane Marie; and her parents
Kearney Hub, 14 July, 2008