Page 72
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Extracted from newspapers
Back to Index for Obituaries
SMUTNY, Jan, 89, of Pleasanton died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, at Rose Lane Home in Loup City
Services: Tuesday, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna with Bishop William Dendinger officiating along with the Revs. James Janovec, Rodney Pruss and other priests in the Grand Island Diocese
Burial will be at Pohrebni Ustav Cemetery in Strelice, Czech Republic
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner in Kearney
Born: Sept. 10, 1918, at Strelice 240, Czech Republic
Parents: Tomas and Frantiska (Svestkova) Smutny
Attended grade school in Strelice and junior high, high school and college in Brno, Czechoslovakia; seminary studies were made in the diocesan seminary in Brno; was ordained to the priesthood July 5, 1942, by Bishop Stanislaus Zela, auxiliary bishop of Olomouc
Was assigned assistant pastor of Oslavany, 1947, while Bishop Zela was under house arrest; worked there until Feb. 17, 1949; left the country to avoid arrest by communist authorities, served as chaplain in refugee camps in Austria, Italy and Germany; immigrated to the United States, May 2, 1951; served as chaplain at St. Joseph’s Villa in David City, 1951-53; was administrator of parishes in the Lincoln Diocese at Curtis, Benkelman, Roseland and Farnam, 1953-1958
Was assigned to Pleasanton with Hazard as a mission, February 1958; supervised the building of the new St. Mary’s Church, rectory and parish hall in Pleasanton and the remodeling of the church in Hazard; an addition was built at St. Gabriel’s in Hazard in 1965, and a new church was built in Prairie Center and was dedicated in September 1976
Retired from active ministry July 1, 1993, after 35 years of service to the Diocese of Grand Island; celebrated his golden jubilee in Czechoslovakia in 1990; was honored on his 65th jubilee of ordination to the priesthood July 15, 2007, at a service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Activities: member of the Priests’ Senate; was treasurer of the Priests’ Pension Board; was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus
Survivors include his friend, June Zimmer of Pleasanton; niece, Hana Driml of Strelice; and several other nieces and nephews
Kearney Hub, 1 September, 2008
GLENN, Howard E., 81, of Kearney died Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Thursday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Hildreth Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Memorials: the church or to the American Diabetes Association
Born Oct. 30, 1926, east of Hildreth
Parents: Cecil and Freda (Petersen) Glenn
Attended Hildreth schools, graduated in 1944; attended the then-Kearney State College, received both a bachelor of arts degree and a master's degree in education
Military: U.S. Navy; served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph
Married: 1947, to Ethel Anderson at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Hildreth; married for more than 61 years
Began teaching career in his hometown of Hildreth, taught the seventh- and eighth-grade industrial arts; then became the principal at Hildreth; spent three years in Filley as superintendent of schools; became the superintendent of schools at Bruning, the little town that always held a special place in his heart
Moved to Kearney, , 1976, to be near family; became a counselor for Vocational Rehabilitation, a division of the Nebraska Department of Education, served for 11 years; retired, 1987
Activities: enjoyed gardening and enjoyed going daily to the doughnut shop; member of First United Methodist Church; church, faith and family were first and foremost in his life
Survivors include his wife; son-in-law, Gil Kindsfater and his wife, Marianne (whom Howard referred to as his third daughter), of Kearney; grandchildren, Monica Kindsfater of Lincoln, Michael Kindsfater of Kearney, Melanie Kindt and her husband, Dale, of Kearney and Molly Johnson and her husband, Mark, of Lincoln; and great-grandchildren, Madison, Matthew, Kaleb, Conner and Trevor
Was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Mary and Marty; and sister, Phyllis Charlesworth
Kearney Hub, 3 September, 2008
MILLS, Dale E., 85, of Kearney died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Services: Friday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, military honors
Memorials: Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund or to the Kearney Area Parkinson's Support Group
Born Nov. 10, 1922, in Kenesaw
Parents: Willard and Florence (Ramsey) Mills
Grew up in Kenesaw, graduated from Kenesaw High School in 1940
Military: U.S. Navy, Feb. 11, 1943-Nov. 28, 1945; served during World War II.; was honorably discharged
Married: April 30, 1945, to Erna Finnell in Salina, Kan.
Lived in North Platte, owned Mills Auto Supply; also lived in Omaha, Holdrege and Kearney; was employed by Sidles Co. for 30 years
Activities: member of First Baptist Church in North Platte, the American Legion for 63 years, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Platte Valley Masonic Lodge 32 for more than 53 years, Nebraska York Rite for 53 years and Tehama Shrine; was a past director of Nebraska Automotive Wholesalers
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Sherry Schonlau of Ralston and Carol Mills and her husband, Richard Pearson, of Wasilla, Alaska; brothers, Cletus "Jerry" of Portland, Ore., and Duane of Hastings; brothers-in-law, Ken Roy of Omaha and Mervin Finnell and his wife, Terefina, of Laredo, Texas; sisters, Iola Sadder of Hastings, Phyllis Janes of East Moline, Ill., Carol Akins and her husband, Al, of Sidney, Iowa, Evelyn Yurk and her husband, Carl, of Hastings and Loine Bohlen and her husband, Larry, of Hastings; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; aunt, Hazel Malleck of Indianola; and uncle, Henry Sempken of Green Valley, Ariz.
Was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Eunice Roy
Kearney Hub, 4 September, 2008
CURD, John D., 85, of Livonia, Michigan, died Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008, in Livonia
Services: Thursday, Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in Farmington
Burial: Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia; military honors
Born Jan. 18, 1923, in Amherst, Neb.
Parents: Richard and Olive (Calhoun) Curd
Married Arlene "Barney." She preceded him in death
Survivors include his sons, Michael, John and Steven; daughter, Patricia Baligian; brother, Rollin; sister, Lorraine Francis; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 3 September, 2008
PHILLIPS, Dakota Allen died Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Saturday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: the family
Born Aug. 27, 2008, in Omaha
Survivors include his mother, Mindy Richard of Kearney; grandparents, Scott and Tammy Neill of Kearney and Ed and Ethel Phillips of Wilcox; great-grandparents, Charles and Phyllis Svoboda of Kearney; and aunt and uncles, Raymond Phillips and his fiancee, Kira Hulgan, and Shaun and Bobby Phillips, all of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 4 September, 2008
SLATER, Shirley I., 68, of rural Shelton died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at Good Samaritan Center in Gibbon
Memorial graveside services: Monday, Gibbon Riverside Cemetery; a celebration of life, Gibbon American Legion after services
Body will be cremated
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Memorials: Gibbon Emergency Unit or the Gibbon American Legion
Born Aug. 9, 1940, southeast of Gibbon on the Donaldson family farm
Parents: Miles and Edna (Thomas) Donaldson
Grew up on the farm; graduated from Gibbon High School in 1958
Married: Feb. 16, 1958, to James Slater in Holdrege
Lived in Atlanta; moved to rural Gibbon in the late 1950s; had been employed at Max & Gloria's and the Gibbon Recreation Parlor, 1965-1979
Activities: Gibbon American Legion Auxiliary for 41 years; 50-year member of Atlanta Methodist Church
Survivors include her husband; son, Mike and his wife, Tina, of Gibbon; daughter, Denise Fenster and her husband, Larry, of Shelton; grandchildren, Jason Glenn, Nicole Ruyle and her husband, Jon, and Brittany Slater, all of Lincoln, Sarah Glenn of Kearney and Kristina Slater of Houston; and great-grandchildren, Carson Glenn and Nikolas Clement, both of Kearney, and Raegan Ruyle of Lincoln
Was preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 5 September, 2008
WINSLOW, Arthur L., 55, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at his home
Graveside services: Sept. 19, Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Walker in Shawnee
Born in Kearney July 18, 1953
Parents: Maurice and Marjorie (Turner) Winslow
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1972; worked for Baldwin Filters for 14 years; retired due to health
Married: 1987, to Judy Harvey
Survivors include his wife; sons, Charles Turnell and his wife, Sharon, of Pleasanton, Neb., Ralph Turnell of Edison, Neb., David Warta and his wife, Beverley, of Shawnee and Frank Warta of Midwest City, Okla.; mother, Marjorie Stutzman and her husband, George, of Kearney; brothers, Richard and his fiancé, Diane, of Hastings, Neb., and Harvey and his wife, Susan, of Kearney; sister, Jackie Krueger and her husband, Kris, of Kearney; sisters-in-law, Kathy Edie and her husband, Tom, of Bethel Acres, Okla., and Grace Mathis and her husband, John, of Alva; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his father, one brother and one grandson
Kearney Hub, 5 September, 2008
CAMPBELL, David A., 70, of Kearney died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Prairie Center Cemetery at Haven's Chapel
Memorials: to the family
Born Aug. 29, 1938, in Kearney
Parents: Harry and Ivy (Wimberley) Campbell
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1955
Married: Nov. 24, 1957, to Sandra Peterson in Kearney
Farmed and raised cattle northeast of Kearney
Activities: was a 4-H leader for the Riverdale livestock club; board member for rural Buffalo County fire department and the Oddfellows of Riverdale; passions were his children, grandchildren, cattle and farming
Survivors include his wife; sons, Jim and his wife, Teola, of Holdrege and Dean of Blair; daughters, Terri Cobb and her husband, Dell, of Hays, Kan., and Rena Fisher and her husband, Dana, of Pleasanton; grandchildren, April Medina, Jamie Hazlett, Ashley Popple, Dylan Campbell, Dustin Anderson, Tiffany Anderson, Duncan Campbell and Melani Fisher; great-grandchildren, Gavin Klein, Jirsie Klein, Bradie Medina, Baron Medina, Miles Hazlett and Grayson Popple; and special little friends, Dalton, Hannah, Sarah and Weston Loeffelholz
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 8 September, 2008
STEPHENS, Russell D., 82, of Cairo died Dec. 27, 2003, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island, Neb.
Services: 15 Feb., 2004, Cairo United Methodist Church
Burial: Riverside Cemetery at Gibbon
Memorials: Cairo United Methodist Church or to the Cairo Senior Citizens Center
Mortuary: Apfel-O'Brien-Straatmann of Cairo
Born on Nov. 12, 1921, at Omaha, Neb. Was raised in Kearney, Neb., and attended school
Military: U.S. Army, November 1939 - October 1945; served in the European Theatre during World War II as a paratrooper and ranger; was involved in the battle at Omaha Beach along with other battles; was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant
Married: Oct. 28, 1945, to Janice Dillon, in Kearney; lived in the Kearney area; Janice died Oct. 23, 1966
Married Leona Belle Scott March 19, 1977
Lived in Cairo; worked as a shoe cobbler and a carpenter; also worked at Spelts Schultz Lumber in Grand Island; retired in 1982
Activities: member of the Cairo Methodist Church and the Eagles in Grand Island
Survivors include: wife, Leona, of Cairo; three sons and daughters-in-law, Clarence R. and Laura Stephens of Grand Island, Larry W. and Kathy Stephens of New Florence, Pa., and Douglas C. and Lydia Stephens of Waverly Hall, Ga.; five daughters and sons-in-law, Carol E. and Mick Walker of Loveland, Colo., Lucinda E. (Cindy) and Jim Metcalf of parkersburg; Deborah A. and Abed Mishtawy of Lutz, Fla., Nancy S. and Rick Tarulis of Naperville, Ill., and Patricia D. and Roy Fields of Cairo; 18 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his first wife, Janice; several stepbrothers and sister; and one great-grandson, Clayton Russell Stephens
Parkersburg, (WV) News , 15 Feb 2004
DOWD, Darlene "Sid", 83, of Kearney, formerly of Garden City, Kan., died, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Memorial services: later in Garden City
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann of Kearney
Survivors include her daughter, Dede Elsen and husband, Roger, of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 23 August, 2008
COLFACK, LoJean, 75, of Kearney died of cancer Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Friday, United Church of Christ in Albion
Burial: Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion
Mortuary: Levander in Albion
Born Nov. 16, 1932, in Newman Grove
Parents: Leonard and Leona (Kleveland) Storek
Married: Sept. 14, 1952, to Robert Thompson. He preceded her in death
Married: Nov. 5, 1979, to Fred Colfack Jr. in Deming, N.M. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sons, Robert Thompson of Primrose and Jim Thompson of Kearney; daughters, Janet Furr of Roseville, Calif., and Terri Johnson of York; brother, Larry Storek of Norfolk; sister, Jaydene Begley of Omaha; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 9 September, 2008
LIKENS, Dean A., 92, of Poulsbo, Washington, died following a stroke Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at the hospital in Bremerton
Graveside services were Saturday, Cherry Grove Memorial Park in Poulsbo
Mortuary: Stone Chapel in Poulsbo
Born Dec. 19, 1915, in Sacramento, Neb.
Parents: Charles and Harriett (Skewes) Likens
Spent his early years working on the family farm
Married: 1940, to Berneta Anderson. She died in 2003, after 63 years of marriage
Was a working farm owner in Atlanta, Neb., and in Kearney, Neb.; was a co-op manager in Grant, Neb.; was a farm equipment sales representative covering Kansas and Nebraska
Moved to Poulso in 2002 to be near family
Activities: several years of membership in the Kearney Rustler's Club, helped to organize rodeos and riding events in Buffalo County; member of First United Methodist Church of Kearney; attended Light and Life Christian Fellowship Church in Poulso
Survivors include his son, Dallas and his wife, Donna, of Poulsbo; daughter, Joan Hammer of Carrollton, Texas; sister, Frary Rippen and her husband, Gordon, of Culbertson, Neb.; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his wife, parents and grandson, Michael Hammer
Kearney Hub, 9 September, 2008
TURNER, Gerald L. "Jerry", 84, of Kearney died Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military honors
Memorials: WWII Hero Flight Fund or the American Cancer Society
Born June 1, 1924, in Beaver City
Parents: Edgar and Margaret (Davenport) Turner
Lived in North Platte and Elm Creek; moved to Kearney and attended school ther
Military: US Army, 1941-1945; served during World War II
Married: Jan. 14, 1944, to Viola Sagely. They divorced
Married: Anna Howard. They divorced
Married: April 17, 1981, to Ione Rohde in Kearney
Lived in Oklahoma, New Mexico and McCook, managed service stations; moved to Overton; moved Kearney in the mid-1970s, managed Bingo Service Stations; also worked at Eaton Corp. for 15 years; retired in 1981
Activities: life member of American Legion Post 52, past member of the VFW and the Eagles Lodge; enjoyed fishing, cars, coffee with his Legion friends, fresh vegetables from the garden and growing roses, and loved traveling with his wife; was selected for and was looking forward to going with the second World War II Hero Flight to Washington, D.C., later this month
Survivors include his wife; sister, Marjorie Stutzman and her husband, George, of Kearney; stepsons, Mike Hutchinson of Lansing, Mich., and Ron Hutchinson and his wife, Lisa, of Pleasanton; nephews, Richard Winslow and his fiancée, Diane, of Hastings and Harvey Winslow and his wife, Susan, of Kearney; nieces, Jackie Kruger and her husband, Kris, of Kearney and Sherry Hockenbrock and her husband, Richard, of Walnut Creek, Calif.; two stepgrandchildren; and four stepgreat-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his daughter, Donna; sister, Velma Wallize; nephews, Greg and Arthur Winslow; and brother-in-law, Maurice Winslow
Kearney Hub, 9 September, 2008
McMULLEN, Margaret Myrle (Ice), 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 14, 2004
Mortuary: Cloverdale Funeral Home, Boise, Idaho
Body was cremated
Born in Gibbon Nebraska, February 11, 1910 on the homestead of her grandfather P.E. Foxworthy
Parents: Thomas Floyd and Cora (Foxworthy) Ice
Grew up in the Gibbon community, graduated from Gibbon High School in 1928
Worked at the Glen Gibson Insurance office, as bookkeeper for the Gibbon Cheese factory; worked at the Exchange Bank when it reopened; joined the Presbyterian Church on January 17, 1926
Married October 17, 1931 to LaVerne Tilman McMullen in Lincoln, Nebraska; he died 1982
With husband, was owner and publisher of The Gibbon Reporter, 1937 - 1972; retired in 1972
Lived at the Centennial Manor, 1982-1997; moved to Boise, Idaho
Survivors include sons: Gailen LaVerne (Barbara) of Beatrice, Neb.; Gary Myrle (Judith) of Boise, Idaho, one grandson, Robert McMullen (Bridget) of Eagle River, Alaska; five granddaughters, Gail Mann (Greg) of Beatrice, Neb., Carla McMullen (Dale Berg) of Blair, Neb., Catherine McNeill (Steven) of Kuna, Idaho, Susan McMullen of Boise, Idaho, Tammy Weichel (Jon) of Beatrice, Neb.; nine great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; Sister-in-laws Inis Joiner of Grants Pass, Ore., Iris Thom of Ravanna, Neb., Ruth McMullen of Auburn, Wash., and Maxine McMullen of Gibbon, Neb.
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents Thomas and Cora Ice and brother Kenneth Ice
Idaho Statesman, The - 19 March, 2004
CUMMINGS, Thomas Samuel "Tom", 90, of Chadron died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, in Chadron
Services: Thursday, United Methodist Church in Chadron
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell
Mortuary: Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron
Born July 26, 1918, in Tecumseh
Parents: Samuel and Lillian Cummings
Grew up on the family's dairy farm near Tecumseh; at death of his father, took over the family farm at age 15
Military: sold the farm to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Force; became a pilot; was with the 466th Bomber Group in England; on the last bombing mission flown over Germany they were ordered to return without dropping their bombs; released from active duty in 1946, remained in the Air Force Reserve for 22 years, retired as a major
Married: Jan. 28, 1947, to Ila Laue. She died Jan. 27, 2007, the day before their 60th wedding anniversary
Settled in Elm Creek, managed an Allied Mills alfalfa dehydrating plant and then Spelts Lumber Yard; later worked as office manager at livestock auction in Kearney; later took a job as a bank examiner, then was vice president of Lexington State Bank; served as president of the Cozad First National Bank until 1974; moved to Chadron, was president of First National Bank of Chadron and managed Platte Valley Federal Savings and Loan
Activities: member of many civic organizations; served on the boards of such organizations as the Chadron Hospital, RSVP and Western Nebraska Community College; was long involved with Boy Scouts and 4-H; was a long-time Rotarian, hosted exchange students, initiated the first Ag Appreciation event in Dawes County and received the Ak-Sar-Ben Good Neighbor Award; was active in the Methodist church and with Camp Comeca and Camp Norwesca; received many awards and recognitions from the chambers of commerce; active in the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Tehama Shrine Temple; enjoyed serving pancake feeds, barbecuing for county fairs; made nearly 10,000 gallons of his famous vegetable beef soup and chili
Survivors include his sons, Richard, his wife, Roxanne, and their children, Spencer and Tori, of Boise, Idaho, and Robert, his wife, Colleen, and their daughter, Lauren, of Phoenix; daughter, Barbara Tuttle, her husband, Ron, and their daughter, Kenzie, of Kearney; sister, Gertrude Tucker of Davis, Calif.; sister-in-law, Joann Laue of Harvard; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his wife and three siblings
Kearney Hub, 10 September, 2008
LOCY, Maryllin J., 72, of Kearney died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at her home
Graveside services: Friday, Norcatur (Kan.) Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann of Kearney
Memorials: Lupus Foundation
Born Jan. 17, 1936, in Norcatur
Parents: Joseph and Pearl (Bowser) Alexander
Grew up on a farm outside Norcatur; 1953 graduate from Norcatur High School
Married: Oct. 25, 1953, to Jay Locy in Norcatur
Was a bank teller; worked in Manhattan, Kan., for 10 years; moved around often, moved to Kearney in April 2006
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church in Norcatur and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary; enjoyed reading, doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles, embroidery, cooking and traveling
Survivors include her husband; son, Scott and his wife, Sally Ann, of Jacksonville, Fla.; daughter, Shelley Reich and her husband, Jeff, of Phoenix; sister, Beverly Lintz and her husband, Barry, of Syracuse, Ind.; and five grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Craig Alan Locy
Kearney Hub, 11 September, 2008
DeBOER, Jared J., 39, of Kearney died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, in Kearney
Services: Saturday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Nov. 25, 1968, in Norton, Kan.
Parents: Dennis and Berneta (Legg) DeBoer
Survivors include his son, Justus and Justus' mother, Jennifer, of Kearney; his parents of Kearney; brother, Jason of Norman; and grandmother, Esther Bruning of Torrance, Calif.
Kearney Hub, 12 September, 2008
GUEST, Marcia, 61, of North Platte, formerly of Kearney, died of brain cancer Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008, in Omaha
Services: Sept. 4, Servants of Mary Convent in Omaha
Burial: at the convent cemetery
Mortuary: Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler in Omaha
Memorials: Servants of Mary Sisters
Born Sept. 19, 1946, in Washington, D.C.
Parents: Frank and Joan (Kuhn) Guest
First date of profession as a Servant of Mary was celebrated Aug. 16, 1969; member of the Servants of Mary (Servites) religious community with Provincial Headquarters in Omaha; ministries included youth ministry at St. James in Kearney and campus minister at the Newman Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she was the director in 1998-1999; served as a pastoral minister at Holy Spirit Parish in North Platte, 1999 until her death
Survivors include her mother of Chevy Chase, Md.; brothers, Frank III and his wife, Linda, of Springfield, Va., Richard and his wife, Christine Butler, of Washington, D.C., James of New Orleans, Robert and his wife, Gloria Caprio, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Stephen and his wife, Karen, of Waynesville, N.C.; and sisters, Ellen Nothwehr and her husband, Alan, of Clarinda, Iowa, and Joni Allen and her husband, Bob, of Alpharetta, Ga.
Kearney Hub, 11 September, 2008
WILKE, Dorothy M., 84, of Salt Lake City, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, in Salt Lake City
Services: Monday, Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Faith United Methodist Church or Christus St. Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City
Born Oct. 7, 1923, in St. Michael, Neb.
Parents: Otto and Esther (Urwiller) Basnett
Grew up in the Sodtown area, graduated from Ravenna High School in 1941
Married: June 9, 1946, to Wendell Wilke in Kearney. He preceded her in death
With husband farmed northeast of Kearney
Activities: was very proud of her Nebraska heritage, especially the farm life; greatest joy was raising two children and doting on her two granddaughters
Survivors include her son, Stuart of Long Beach, Calif.; daughter, Sandra McCarthey and her husband, Philip, of Salt Lake City; brother, Robert Basnett of Fort Pierce, Fla.; sisters, Glendoris Stickney of Ravenna, Neb., Berdean Campbell of Omaha, Neb., and Elva Kohtz of Grand Island, Neb.; Lu Ella Rogers of Carson City, Nev.; and granddaughters, Molly and Mairin McCarthey of Salt Lake City
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one brother, one sister and an infant son
Kearney Hub, 13 September, 2008
DITTMAR, Lisa Marie, 31, of Shelton died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, at home
Services: Monday, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Shelton
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel in Wood River
Memorials: to the church
Born Jan. 22, 1977, in Kearney
Parents: Jim and Margaret (Sower) Dittmar
Grew up in Shelton, graduated from Shelton High School in 1995
Was employed by Novatech in Grand Island
Activities: enjoyed scrapbooking and Texas hold 'em; enjoyed spending time with her niece and nephews
Survivors include her parents, of Shelton; sister, Laura Isaac and her husband, Darin, of Ceresco; brother, Jason and his wife, Vandee, of Severance, Colo.; her fiancé, Casey Mentink and his daughters, Cheyenne and Nevada, of Stromsburg; grandfather, Raymond Sower of Kansas City, Kan.; nephews and niece, James, Makenzi and Ryan; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends
Was preceded in death by her grandparents, Fred and Elsie Dittmar and Elizabeth Sower
Kearney Hub, 13 September, 2008
WATSON, James Robert, 82, Portland, Oregon, died of cancer on August 16, 2008
Memorial service: Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, St. Peter's Catholic Church in Portland
Remembrances: American Cancer Society
Mortuary: Oregon Cremation
Born June 29, 1926, in Miller, Neb.
Military: U.S. Army and then the Army Reserves
Moved to Portland in the early 1950s;was a quality control inspector for Omark Industries for 35 years
Married: 1950, to Dorothy Delancy; she died in 1993
Survivors include his sons, Scott L. and Gary P.; one grandchild; and two great-grandchildren
The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, 11 September, 2008
RODRIGUEZ, Feliciano “Phillip”, 86, of Kearney died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: to the family
Born May 9, 1922, in Gonzales, Texas
Parents: Manual and Mary (Esparsa) Rodriguez. Moved with his family to Lexington in 1930
Married: Aug. 19, 1940, to Margaret Galvin in Elm Creek
Worked for Union Pacific Railroad, retired in 1982; enjoyed gardening and spending time with family and friends
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Sally Vasquez and her husband, Gilbert, and Sara Blevins and her husband, Fred, all of Kearney; sister, Mary Pedrosa and her husband, Louie, of Grand Island; grandchildren, Ruben Vasquez, Rick Vasquez, Renae Mapes, Ron Vasquez, Rusty Vasquez, Kenelly Cervantes, Kristine Anderson, Kimberly Brumbaugh, Kenny Cervantes and Joey Cervantes; 26 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, four brothers and one granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 18 September, 2008
TONTHAT, Phu, 81, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, in Colorado Springs
Memorial services: Oct. 11 at the Vietnamese Lutheran Church at St. Paul's in Garden Grove, Calif.
Ashes will be returned to his homeland in Vietnam
Mortuary: Cappadona in Colorado Springs
Born Aug. 11, 1927, in Hanoi, Vietnam
Military: had a distinguished career in the South Vietnamese military; 1956-1963, in the Philippines, served as military attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Vietnam in Manila: returned to Vietnam, 1963, an analyst with the Intelligence Service
Accompanied Gen. Nguyen Khanh, the former chief of state of South Vietnam, as a personal aide to the general during his exile to France, 1965; then immigrated to the United States, worked on his doctorate in international affairs at the University of Denver; taught for two years at the Fort Ord Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif.; taught political science at Kearney State College, 1970-1992; retired 1992, moved to Colorado
During retirement, was active with the Vietnamese Christian Missionary Alliance organization in Colorado; enjoyed keeping in touch and reminiscing with many colleagues from his military/political career in Vietnam, as well as colleagues and students from his academic years in Kearney
Survivors include his wife, Phuong Tran-Bui; former wife, Kimsam Tonthat of California, mother of daughters Kim K. Kimbriel of Tucson, Ariz., and Kim H. Hickman and her husband, Bob, of Portland, Ore.; sons, Cuong and his wife, Etta, of Pasadena, Calif., and Mike and his wife, Vivien, of Valencia, Calif.; and grandchildren, Nicholas Kimbriel, Erik Hickman, Andrew Hickman, Ashley Tonthat and Trent Tonthat
Kearney Hub, 17 September, 2008
PALLETT, Porter G., 72, of Seffner, Florida, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, in Brandon
Services: 19 Sept., Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell
Mortuary: Stowers in Brandon
Memorials: American Heart Association
Born Dec. 2, 1935, in Kearney
Parents: Beryl and Joy (Bird) Pallett
Military: U.S. Marine Corps, retired as a captain
Went to the University of South Florida for a master's degree in business
Married Nadine Wingert
Enjoyed his time with his wife and family
Survivors include his wife; daughters, LaWanna, LaWanda, LaDonna and Sharon, all of Florida; sister, Patricia Misener of Kearney; grandsons, Collin, Travis, Mitchell and Anthony; great-grandson, Hudson Dean Pallett; and son-in-law, Ronald
Kearney Hub, 23 September, 2008
McROBERTS, Donald, 68, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, in Alamagordo
Memorial Services: September 19, 2008, United First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, NE.
Born January 22, 1940 in Omaha, NE
Parents: George Nelson and Jessie Laura (Stouffer) McRoberts
Grew up in Bellevue, NE, graduated from Bellevue High School in 1958; attended Drake University and Omaha University for two years; lived in Beatrice 1969-1976, then moved to Kearney, NE
Military: U.S. Armed Forces. Retired as Deputy Fire Marshal for the State of Nebraska after thirty five years of service
Activities: member of the First Presbyterian Church, Volunteer Fire Fighter on Bellevue and Kearney Fire Departments, the American Legion and the Eagles; enjoyed golfing, traveling and fishing
Survivors include: wife of 42 years, Lou Etta (Wilt) McRoberts of the family home; a son, Michael McRoberts of Lincoln, NE; three daughters, Anna Baumann of Paradise, CA, Teresa Navardauskas of Lincoln, NE and Tia Peterchuck of Omaha, NE; five grandchildren, Amanda Baumann, Shannon Baumann, Riley Jordan, Jay Peterchuck and Sutton Peterchuck
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard McRoberts
Omaha World-Herald, 16 September, 2008
DAY, LaVerne "Pete", 78, of Gibbon died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, at his home north of Gibbon
Services: Thursday, Gibbon Baptist Church
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Memorials: Gibbon American Legion Post
Born Aug. 2, 1930, north of Gibbon
Parents: Charles and Emma (Schwab) Day
Grew up on the family farm north of Gibbon, attended rural District 30 school; farmed with his father
Military: U.S. Navy, January 1951- 1954; had been baptized with many of his shipmates on Jan 28, 1951
Returned to farm north of Gibbon
Married: May 1, 1971, to Vivian Johnson Banks. She preceded him in death
Inherited six children with his marriage
Activities: member of the Gibbon American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars of Kearney and the Eagles Club of Kearney; loved his farm, cattle and buffalo; was an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved dancing and playing cards with his wife
Survivors include his son, Stan Banks and his wife, Sherri, of Kearney; daughters, Betty Schmidt and her husband, Don, of Wyoming, Ellen Wood of Boulder, Colo., Carol McCulley and her husband, Keith, of Gibbon, Diane Roeder and her husband, Dan, of Shelton and Donna McLaughlin and her husband, Ray, of Kearney; sister, Evelyn Zigler of Grand Island; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brother, John; and sister, Ethel
Kearney Hub, 23 September, 2008
MILLER, Leola L., 90, of Kearney died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Services: Wednesday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: St. Peter's Cemetery in Hildreth
Memorials: AseraCare Hospice in Kearney
Born Aug. 4, 1918, in Hildreth
Parents: John and Ellen (Ecklund) Anderson
Attended school in Hildreth
Married: September 1939, to Clarance Nordbrock. He preceded her in death at age 41
Remained in Hildreth
Married Orville Browning. He preceded her in death in Bend, Oregon
Lived in Holdrege, Kearney, Fremont and Bend, Ore. Returned to Kearney
Married Robert Miller. He was killed in a truck accident at age 49
Worked as a cook most of her life, had worked at St. John's, Good Samaritan Hospital and St. Luke's, as well as in Oregon
Activities: member of the Kearney 56th Street Baptist Church and the Kearney Eagles Auxiliary; loved crocheting, quilting and gardening and loved her houseplants; loved cooking and baking, was known by some of her friends as the "Cookie Lady."
Survivors include her daughter, Betty Compton of Kearney; son-in-law, Harry Compton of Kearney; grandchildren, Cammie Cole and her husband, Jeff, of Minden, Crystal Nelson and her husband, Dennis, of Montana and Mike Compton and Holli Coffman and her husband, Randy, all of Kearney; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Lindsey, Ryan, Rylie, Cassie, Jordan, Cody, Dawson and Sarah; friends; neighbors; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son Ronnie who died in a plane crash in 1967; and 15 brothers and sisters
Kearney Hub, 23 September, 2008
PITCHER, Ardys G. (Lane), 88, of Kearney died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, at Mother Hull Nursing Home
Services: Thursday, Trinity Presbyterian Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: to the family
Born Jan. 28, 1920, in Oskaloosa, Iowa
Parents: Leslie and Evelyn (Crotinger) Lane
Was raised on the family farm between Stamford and Orleans; attended school in Alma, graduated from Alma High School in 1938; attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Married: Oct. 19, 1941, to R. Everett Pitcher in Orleans. He died Nov. 14, 1996
After husband's discharge from the Army in 1945, moved to Kearney; with husband, established, owned and operated Pitcher's Jewelry Store for 33 years
Activities: charter member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and Buffalo County Republican Women, served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross
Survivors include her son, Lane and his wife, Barbara, of Kearney; daughter, Lana Sigler and her husband, Al, of St. Simon's Island, Ga.; grandchildren, Molly Bussard, Sarah Pitcher, Shawna Sigler, Mark Sigler, Cassie Sigler and T.J. Sigler; and great-granddaughter, Taylor Bussard
Kearney Hub, 24 September, 2008
SPOTANSKI, Darlene J., 67, of Shelton died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege
Services: Wednesday, United Methodist Church in Shelton
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Born Feb. 10, 1941, in Albany, Ore.
Parents: Ralza and Amanda Armfield
Married Gaylord Sealing. They divorced
Married: June 6, 1986, to Frank Spotanski
Survivors include her husband; brothers, Rolland Armfield of Hawaii, Donald Armfield of Los Angeles and Melvin Armfield of Tilden; sisters, Avis Doering of Willmar, Minn., and Shirley Farrell of Palm Springs, Calif.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and stepdaughters, Annette Meredith of Hastings and Cindy Hawn of Parker, Colo.
Kearney Hub, 22 September, 2008
SVOBODA, Deanne D. "Dee Dee", 69, of Kearney died Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Thursday, First Christian Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: First Christian Church
Born March 8, 1939, in Kearney
Parents: Fred and Mattie (Nau) Russell
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1957
Married: Aug. 11, 1957, to George Svoboda in Kearney. They divorced
Lived in Ord; moved to Shelton, served as a police officer and a dispatcher; moved to Kearney in 1996, worked in the deli at Bob's Superstore; retired 2004
Activities: member of First Christian Church; enjoyed spending time with her family
Survivors include her significant other, Lloyd Mead of Kearney; sons, Rock of Minden, Russ and his wife, Vicki, of Abingdon, Va., and Rod and his wife, Laurie, of Littleton, Colo.; brothers, Ron Russell and his wife, Arlene, of Kearney, Denny Russell and his wife, Trudy, of Kearney and Randy Russell and his wife, Rhonda, of Hastings; and grandchildren, Isaac, Lucas, Brandon, Shanna, Casey, Shelly and Sarah Svoboda
Was preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 24 September, 2008
MILLER, Leslie, 70, of Hazard died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, at his home
Services: Wednesday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: the family
Born Feb. 15, 1938, in Pawnee City
Parents: Dallas and Gladys (Hochstedler) Miller
Married: Oct. 20, 1989, to Betty Holland in Norton, Kan.
Owned and operated Miller Drywall in Kearney since 1968; had farmed north of Hazard since 1990
Activities: loved his family, watching Western movies and listening to country music
Survivors include his wife; sons, Weslie and his fiancee, Judy Johnson, and Stacie Miller, all of Gibbon; daughters, Valerie Ruda and her husband, Chris, of Canton, Ga., and Candie Bubak of Hazard; brothers, Carlton and his wife, Vivian, of Ravenden, Ark., Darrell and his wife, Hatsu, of Grand Island and Leo and his wife, Joan, and Richard and his wife, Fay, all of Litchfield; sister, Doris Morris of Lexington; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and stepsons, Henry Brisbin Jr. and his wife, Kathy, and Alvin Brisbin, all of Kearney, and Arthur Thompson of Ansley
Was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Laurie Starkey; brother, Harlan; and sisters, Helen Wach and Evelyn Murphy
Kearney Hub, 23 September, 2008
WEED, Gordon H., 80, of Kearney died Monday, Sept. 22, 2008, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Thursday, First Baptist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military honors; additional honors by Kearney Volunteer Fire Department
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: Kearney Volunteer Fire Department or First Baptist Church
Born Feb. 2, 1928, in Kearney
Parents: Frank and Martha (Buss) Weed
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1946
Military: U.S. Navy, 1946-1948, veteran of World War II
Married: April 29, 1950, to Doralene Robbins in Julesburg, Colo.; lived in Kearney for the last 58 years
Was employed by Consumers Public Power District and the city of Kearney as a police officer; later served as a deputy state fire marshal; began his own electrical business in 1979, operated it until retirement
Activities: member of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, 1954-1991, past president and past fire chief; was chairman of the Antique Fire Engine Muster in June 2002; enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels; member of First Baptist Church, Rob Morris Masonic Lodge 46 AF&AM of Kearney and VFW Post 759
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Julie Brooker and her husband, Jim, and Andrea Weed, all of Kearney; grandsons, Aaron Brooker and his wife, Laura, of Omaha and Jacob Brooker of Lincoln; and nieces, Jana Green and her husband, Joe, of Minden, Lori Skarka and her husband, Rex, and Joni Weed and Dan Kossmann, all of Kearney, Jill Milligan and her husband, Jerry, of Riverdale, Lisa Kunnemann and her husband, Kevin, of Johnson Lake and Leigh Stepanek and her husband, Chuck, of Lincoln
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Garnsey Weed; and stepsisters, Eva Belle Banas and Goldie Heckman
Kearney Hub, 24 September, 2008
RILEY, Betty L., 70, of Kearney, formerly of Gothenburg, died Monday, Sept. 22, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Thursday, Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell
Memorials: to the family
Born Dec. 12, 1937, in Bellefontaine, Ohio
Parents: Arthur and Helen (Rhodes) Moon
Grew up in Bellefontaine, graduated from high school at age 16; later lived in Lexington, Ky., and Lewisville, Ind.; moved to Gothenburg in 1979, then moved to Kearney in 1996
Married: May 12, 1962, to William "Bill" Riley in Bellefontaine. He died Oct. 6, 1987
Worked as a nurses aide
Activities: active member of the WM Women, served as president for several years at Family Tabernacle; enjoyed making flower arrangements; loved singing and listening to the Gaither Vocal Group
Survivors include her son, Michael and his wife, Chris Eve, of Chula Vista, Calif.; daughters, Leslie Bodey and her husband, Marion, of Kearney and Michelle Mosley and her husband, Paul Brenner, of Minden; grandchildren, Chris Galas and his wife, Heidi, of Gothenburg, Julie Shipley of Kearney, Nicole Galas of Virginia and Kersten and Kelsee Mosley of Minden; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Bud Moon and his wife, Ann, and Fred Moon and his wife, Jean; sisters, Nancy Moon, Donna Moon, Ruth Moon, Kay Moon, Vicky Dodd and her husband, Dean, and Phyllis Moon; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Bob, Harold, Frank and Chuck; grandson, Daniel; and nephew, Bobby
Kearney Hub, 24 September, 2008
KENTON, Rosie M., 96, a longtime Kimball resident, died at Kimball County Manor on Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Services: Friday, July 1, 2005, Trinity United Methodist Church in Kimball
Rose service by Truth Chapter #262 Order of the Eastern Star
Burial: Gibbon Cemetery in Gibbon, Neb.
Memorials: Trinity United Methodist Church or the Kimball County Manor
Mortuary: Cantrell
Western Nebraska Observer, 7 July 2005
COLE, Lois M., 96, of Kearney died Monday, Sept. 22, 2008, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Services: Friday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: First United Methodist Church or the Harvey E. Cole scholarship fund at the University of Nebraska at Kearney Foundation
Born Dec. 10, 1911, in Johnson
Parents: William and Myrtle (Fugate) Metcalf
Graduated from Beatrice High School in 1927; received teaching certificate and A.B. degree from Peru State Teachers College and master's degree from Kearney State Teachers College
Married: June 6, 1938, to Harvey Cole. He preceded her in death
Moved to Kearney, 1941; was librarian at Kearney Junior High School
Activities: active member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney, was involved in AAUW, Kearney Women's Club, Kearney Area Retired Teachers, University Faculty Wives Club and Kearney Concert Association; volunteered at the hospital delivering the mail; enjoyed sewing and gardening, especially roses and peonies, and was an avid bridge player
Survivors include her sons, Roger and his wife, Frances, of Elmhurst, Ill., and Curtis of Denver; sister, Maxine Pankonin of Naples, Fla.; grandchildren, Cynthia Cole of Elmhurst, Kathryn Kass and her husband, Steven, of Downers Grove, Ill., and Glenn Dooley and his wife, Merrie, of Parker, Colo.; two great-grandchildren; and friend, Nan Daniels of Loveland, Colo.
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents and sister, Wanna McGuire
Kearney Hub, 25 September, 2008