"
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Extracted from newspapers
BLOSTEIN, Hal, 80, of Cochiti Lake, New Mexico, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008, at St. Vincent Hospital in Cochiti Lake
Mortuary: Rodeo Memorial Gardens in Santa Fe
Kearney Hub, 29 December, 2008
NOLLER, Patrick "Pat", 54, of Kearney died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday, Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Burial: Prairie Center Cemetery at Haven's Chapel
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Holy Cross Music Department or to the family to be designated later
Born Feb. 22, 1954, in Berwyn, Ill.
Parents: James and Barbara (Williams) Noller
Graduated from Lockport West High School in Romeoville, Ill.; attended Lewis University in Romeoville
Married: June 18, 1983, to Norma Brandt at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney
Was self-employed as a contractor, enjoyed working with his hands
Was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith, had been an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church for 25 years; was an accomplished musician, member of the band Rough Around the Edges; was involved in the church Praise Band, was past choir director and was in the Amherst Community Chorus for many years; enjoyed spending time with family, playing golf and bowling
Survivors include his wife; son, Michael Noller of Omaha; daughters, Michelle Boyd and her husband, Craig, of Omaha and Tiffany Dickey and her husband, Steven, and Sara Noller, all of Kearney; mother and stepfather, Barbara and Gerald McMannis of Shorewood, Ill.; sister, Sharon Himes of Algonquin, Ill.; aunt, Judith Williams of LaGrange, Ill.; grandson, Colton Boyd of Omaha; brothers-in-law, Dennis Brandt and his wife, Lyla, Rodger Brandt and his wife, Sandy, and Dwayne Brandt and his wife, Debbie, all of Avon, S.D.; parents-in-law, Raymond and Eleanor Brandt of Avon; cousins, Kirk Noller, Tom Noller, Wayne Noller and Bill Noller and their families; many nieces and nephews; Rough Around the Edges members, Don, Keith, Dave, Cliff and their families; and his church family, and friends
Was preceded in death by his father, grandparents, aunts and uncles
Kearney Hub, 2 January, 2000
BUNGER, Melinda Lea, 24, of Kearney died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, as a result of a traffic accident near Minden
Services: Monday, Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth
Burial: Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery south of Hildreth
Mortuary: Craig in Minden
Born July 29, 1984, in Kearney
Parents: Steve and Sheri (Jameson) Rasmussen
Was baptized and became a child of God on Sept. 30, 1984 Grew up in Franklin, attended Franklin Public School; graduated from Franklin High School in 2003; attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, first majoring in education and then business; graduated May 2007
Married: July 21, 2007, to Ben Bunger at the United Methodist Church in Minden
Settled in Kearney
Enjoyed reading, playing with her dog and spending time with family and friends
Survivors include her husband, Ben; her parents, Steve and Sheri Rasmussen of Franklin; twin sister, Melissa Rasmussen and fiancee, Steve Zikmund; mother in-law Diana Bunger of Hildreth; grandparents, Glen and Marilyn Rasmussen and Rhodell and Joyce Jameson, all of Minden, and Hilda Bunger of Hildreth; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, niece and nephews
Was preceded in death by her father in-law, Lee Bunger
Kearney Hub, 3 January, 2009
CHECOLA, Antoinette, 85, of Kearney died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, at Mount Carmel Keens Memorial Home
Services: later
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Born Feb. 25, 1923, in Syracuse, N.Y.
Parents: Frederick and Carmella (Felasco) Ferraro
Married: Sept. 16, 1944, to James Checola in Syracuse. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her daughter, Elaine Krebs of Kearney; and two grandsons
Kearney Hub, 3 January, 2009
JANSSEN, Mary Jo, 72, of Kearney died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday, Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe
Burial: Arapahoe Cemetery
Mortuary: Wenburg in Arapahoe
Born Nov. 14, 1936, in Holdrege
Parents: Earl S. and Lucile M. (Buckley) Frost
Married: June 17, 1957, to Wally Janssen in Los Angeles
Survivors include: her husband; son, Gary of Alma; brother, Doug of Fort Collins, Colo.; and three grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 2 January, 2009
JOHNSON, Gregg S., 51, of Kearney died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: Monday, First Presbyterian Church
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Memorials: to the family to be designated later
Born: April 12, 1957 in Lexington, Ky.
Parents: Don and Wilma (Maruska) Johnson
Graduated from Hastings High School, attended Central Community College in Hastings
Married: Sept. 6, 1980, to Jocelyn Toon in Hastings
Farmed in the Geneva, Fairmont and Kenesaw areas, owned a wallpapering and painting business in Hastings and Kenesaw; moved to Kearney in 1994; developed business and residential proporties for Johnson Imperial Homes
Activities: member of First Presbyterian Church, Elks, Kiwanis, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and the Snake River Falls Sportsman Club; volunteered in youth soccer and baseball programs; loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and boating with family and friends
Survivors include his wife; sons, Curtis of Fremont and Alex of Kearney; daughter, Casey of Rapid City, S.D.; brother, Tom and his wife, Vicki, of Lincoln; and sister, Terri Wickham and her husband, Tom, of Ayr
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 3 January, 2009
STROUP, Wayne Calvin, 83, of Gibbon died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Monday, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Shelton
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Memorials: the church, the Gibbon American Legion or the Gibbon Emergency Unit fund
Born May 16, 1925, in Burke, S.D.
Parents: John and Elizabeth (Roether) Stroup
Grew up and received his education in Burk; was confirmed in the Lutheran faith
Military: U.S. Navy during World War II
Married: Dec. 20, 1946, to Marion Kurz in Mankato, Kan. She died in November 2008
Activities: member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Shelton, Gibbon American Legion and the Kearney Veterans of Foreign Wars
Survivors include his sons, Bob and his wife, Norma, of Grand Island, Terry of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Dick of Kearney; daughter, Sue Bombeck and her husband, Craig, of Kenesaw; brothers, Larry Mays of Kearney, Jerry Mays and his wife, Connie, of Harpers Ferry, Iowa, and Rodney Mays and his wife, Cathy, of Reno, Nev.; sister, Connie Mays of Kearney; grandchildren, Michelle Schuster, Shannon Bartels, Adam Stroup, Jason Stroup, Jaime Stroup, Lisa Stewart, Aaron Bombeck, Amy Bombeck and Stacy Stroup; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; stepfather, Clifford Mays; son, David; brother, Norman Stroup; and sisters, Erma Jean Stroup and Phyllis Jean Stroup
Kearney Hub, 2 January, 2009
BLIESE, John Ross Edward, 65, of Kearney, formerly of Estes Park, Colo., died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Thursday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Born Nov. 25, 1943, in Lincoln
Parents: John and Margaret (Parrett) Bliese
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1961; received bachelor's degree in history and speech from Kearney State College, earned master's degree and Ph.D. in speech and history from Kansas University
Taught at Washington State University at Pullman, Wash., Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh and Iowa State University at Ames; also taught at Texas Tech in Lubbock, was a tenured full professor; retired in 2002
Wrote numerous articles and was published in professional journals; presented many academic papers on topics including medieval history and environmental conservation at conferences; authored a book, which he considered his crowning academic achievement, titled "The Greening of Conservative America"; enjoyed classical music and operas, was a collector of fine art; His passions in life were hiking and photography in Rocky Mountain National Park and environmental conservation in all its forms; dedicated much of his life toward environmental issues and responsible use of natural resources
Survivors include his sister, Carolyn Lind and her husband, Robert, of Kearney; and nephews and their families, Mikel and Melicia Cary and their children, Zoe and Josiah, and Mark and Heather Cary, all of Phoenix
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 7 January, 2009
EVANS, Bernard "Dean", 71, of Kearney died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow
Burial: Broken Bow Cemetery
Born Jan. 11, 1937, at Broken Bow
Parents: Wayne and Maude (Lloyd) Evans
Grew up on the farm, attended Round Grove country school, graduated from Mason City High School in 1954; worked in the Sandhills
Military: U.S. Army, 1956-1958
Moved to Columbus, worked as an electrician; after his health failed, moved to St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Activities: enjoyed hunting, thoroughbred horse racing and playing cards; enjoyed spending time with his family and friends
Survivors include his brothers, Calvin of Ansley and Roger of Omaha; sisters, Georgia Fread of Pleasanton and Karen Hostetler of Cairo; sisters-in-law, Barb and Karen Evans, both of Kearney, and Elline Evans of Litchfield; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 5 January, 2009
STOVER, Michael "Mike" J., 60, of Kearney, formerly of Franklin, was found dead Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at his home
Services: Wednesday, Franklin United Methodist Church
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery in Franklin
Mortuary: Hutchins in Franklin
Born March 10, 1948, in Holdrege
Parents: Lamoine and Maxine (Schnuerle) Stover
Married: 1971, to Gloria Mitchell in Orleans. They divorced
Survivors include his sons, Mitchell and Mathew, both of Omaha; daughter, Amber of Omaha; his mother of Oxford; brother, Gail of Kearney; sister, Theresa of Oxford; and two grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 6 January, 2009
LANGE, Vera, 96, of Ord died Dec. 14, 2008, at the Valley County Health System Hospital in Ord
Born Sept. 27, 1912, at Kilgore
Parents: William and Minnie (Lade) Holtz
At an early age, moved with her parents to the family farm north of Shelton; was educated at the parochial school of Zion Lutheran Church nearby, was confirmed in the faith on May 16, 1926; graduated from Shelton High School in 1930, taught local rural schools and attended Kearney State College
Married: Feb. 18, 1934, at Zion Lutheran Church north of Shelton, to Henry Lange of Ord
Lived and farmed in Mira Valley, south of Ord until 1972; moved into Ord, 1983; after husband's death in 1991, moved into an independent living apartment at Grandview in 2001; suffered a stroke, 2004 and moved to assisted living there and except for a few months remained there until her death
Activities: active member of St. John's Lutheran Church through the years, taught Sunday School, VBS, and weekday classes for more than 40 years; member of the Ladies' Aid and of Lutheran Women's Missionary League, served the Zone and District levels of the LYML; devoted much time to making quilts for Lutheran World Relief, along with others of the Dorcas Circle; member of the Mutual Benefit Extension Club for more than 50 years; hobbies included sewing, gardening, flowers, reading and traveling
Survivors include two sons, George (Lois) Lange of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Steven (Bernie) Lange of Delran, N.J.; four daughters, Jeanine (John) Gerety of Elkhorn, LaVera Blanco of Seminole, Fla., Carolyn Curry of Houston and Rosella (Paul) Homan of Washington, D.C.; and four sisters, Viola Ohlman of Central City, Lydia Stohs of Fremont, Dorothy Bredthauer of Arcadia and Bernadine Lange of Ord; 20 grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Ella (Lange) Meyer of Tilden
Was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Lange; her parents, a granddaughter, two sons-in-law, and two sisters, Imogene Holtz and Ella Bremer, and an infant son
The Fence Post, Plains Edition, 25 December 2008
STOHS, Lydia E., 94, of Fremont died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, at A.J. Merrick Manor in Fremont
Services: Friday, Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont Mortuary: Ludvigsen in Fremont
Burial: Memorial Cemetery in Fremont
Memorials: Lutheran Women's Missionary League of Trinity Lutheran Church
Born March 9, 1914, in Shelton
Parents: William and Minnie (Lade) Holtz
Was baptized March 28, 1914, and confirmed Feb. 27, 1927, in Zion Lutheran Church near Shelton; attended Zion Lutheran School, graduated from Shelton High School in 1931; attended Kearney State Teacher's College and was a cum laude graduate of Midland Lutheran College in Fremont; taught for many years, both in Christian Day Schools and in public schools
Married: Aug. 4, 1935 to John H. Stohs at Zion Lutheran Church near Shelton; he died November 2006
Lived in several different communities including Scribner, where husband had served as mayor; husband taught in Lutheran parochial schools and held various positions in the banking business; moved to Fremont in 1960
Activities: lifelong member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, taught Sunday school and was an active member in their ladies organizations and the choirs; was active with the LWML (Lutheran Women's Missionary League) since its organization in 1942; participated in quilt making for World Relief; was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont; member of the Fremont Area Retired Teacher's Association, the Nebraska State Education Association and the National Education Association
Survivors include: a daughter, Donna (and husband, Dr. S.P. ) Makker of Davis, Calif.; two sons, Dr. Sidney (and wife, Dr. Edie Kitchens) Stohs of Frisco, Texas, and Marvin L. Stohs of Bremerton, Wash.; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Stohs of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three sisters, Viola Ohlman of Central City, Dorothy Bredthauer of Arcadia and Bernadine Lange of Ord; 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons
Was preceded in death by her husband; son Wesley James Stohs; her parents; and three sisters, Imogene Holtz, Vera Lange and Ella Brewer
Fremont Tribune, 30 December, 2008
GORDON, Lila, 95, of Kearney died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: later
Memorials: the family
Born March 6, 1913, in Ashland
Parents: Allen and Clara Pershing
Grew up in Ashland
Married: June 26, 1938, to William Gordon in Ashland
Lived in Ashland, was a teacher at Cass County School District 58; also lived in McCook, Waverly and Kearney; was employed by Fort Omaha, the telephone company and the state of Nebraska
Survivors include her husband; son, Gary Gordon; daughter-in-law, Dee Gordon of Kearney; sisters, Rosemary Robinson of Greeley, Colo., and Evelyn Minnerly of Huddleston, Va.; and grandchildren, Heather Gordon of Kearney and Jeff Gordon of Tempe, Ariz.
Kearney Hub, 10 January, 2009
PARKER, Fay Monroe "Jack", 88, of Kearney died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, First Presbyterian Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: First Presbyterian Church
Born Sept. 22, 1920, in Gordon
Parents: Archie and Elva (Coon) Parker
Graduated from Gordon High School, attended the University of Nebraska
Married: Dec. 9, 1943, to Marilyn Gregg
Military: was a lieutenant during World War II, served in Europe; was awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star
Moved to Kearney, 1947; practiced law until recent years
Activities: past commander of VFW Post 759; member of American Legion Post 52, First Presbyterian Church and the Elks; enjoyed golfing with his many good friends
Survivors include his wife; son, Dusty Parker and his wife, Janelle, of Kearney; daughters, Linda Cumming and her husband, Dick, and Georgenne Parker, all of Lincoln, and Janet Jerger and her husband, Greg, of Seward; grandchildren, Lisa Melton, Brent Clabaugh, Wendy O'Neill, Amy Parker, Meg Beucke, Jason Jerger, Gregg Parker, Sarah Jerger and Kevin Jerger; and great-grandchildren, Katelynn O'Neill, Jack Melton and Dylan Clabaugh
Kearney Hub, 9 January, 2009
ADDISON-HULME, Barbara G., 71, of Kearney died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Memorial services: Monday, Grand Island Family Church
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner of Kearney
Born Nov. 4, 1937, in Osceola
Parents: Gaberial and Almeda (Johnson) Addison
Married: Oct. 18, 1954, to Ronald Hulme in California. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Ron Hulme of Chicago; daughters, Ronda Gilmore of Miller and Tori Lincoln of Fenton, Mo.; brother, William Cartwright of Simi Valley, Calif.; sisters, Donna Golemon of Wenatchee, Wash., and Joyce Curley of Mesa, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 10 January, 2009
JACOBSON, Evelyn D., 95, of Riverdale died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Services: Saturday, Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church, AseraCare Hospice or Mother Hull Home
Born Jan. 10, 1913, in Riverdale
Parents: Herman and Clara (Bartels) Fiddelke
Was baptized Jan. 21, 1913, at St. Paul Lutheran Church north of Riverdale; was confirmed March 24, 1929, at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
Grew up and attended school in Riverdale
Married: March 29, 1942, to Albert Jacobson in Kansas. He died in 1980
Lived her entire live in the Riverdale area, with husband farmed north of Riverdale
Activities: life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
Survivors include her daughter, Pauline Jacobson of Riverdale; sisters, Hazel Stickney of Kearney and Verbena Szymakowski and her husband, Frank, of Chicago Ridge, Ill.; sister-in-law, Lucille Fiddelke of Kearney; and nieces, nephews and friends
Was preceded in death by her husband; sisters, Bernice Fiddelke and Irene Jacobson; and brother, Harold "Louie" Fiddelke
Kearney Hub, 9 January, 2009
LAMBERT, Melba L., 96, of Kearney died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday, Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Faith United Methodist Church, Mount Carmel Home or the Kearney Public Schools Foundation
Born April 14, 1912, in Mound City, Mo.
Parents: Joseph and Clara Belle (Baer) Garrett
Graduated from Mound City High School in 1929, received her AB degree from Lindenwood College for Women in St. Charles, Mo., in 1933
Married: Nov. 21, 1934, to Hobart Lambert in Sidney, Iowa. He died Aug. 23, 1984
Lived on a farm near Stella; moved to Kearney in 1951
Taught at Bryant, Kenwood and Northeast elementary schools in Kearney from 1953, retired in 1974
Activities: member of Faith United Methodist Church, was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star
Survivors include her sons, George "Gary" Lambert and his wife, Marci Jo, of Kearney and Joseph "Joe" Lambert and his wife, Linda, of Lincoln; five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 9 January, 2009
FIDDELKE, Harvey J., 85 of Kearney, died Wednesday Jan 23, 2002 at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: the church
Born Jan 14, 1917 in Riverdale
Parents: Henry and Henrietta (Gerdes) Fiddelke
Moved from Riverdale to Kearney, 1926; graduated from Kearney High School in 1934
Married: Jan 29, 1939, to Irene Carmann north of Riverdale; she died in 1992
Lived in Granville, Iowa; moved to California in 1941, worked for Doak Aircraft; returned to Riverdale in 1944, moved north of Riverdale in 1945; farmed there for 24 years; moved to Kearney in 1969; in Kearney, worked as a carpenter
Activities: member of the church; had been a member of the Soil Conservation Board; was active with Buffalo county 4-H, was a leader for the Riverdale Rustlers
Survivors include sons, Roger of Aberdee, Wash., Norman of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Wes of Kearney and Randy of Manchester, Iowa; daughter Susanne McCabe of Bremerton, Wash., and Barb Eberhard of Columbus; brothers Kenneth of Hayden Lake, Idaho, and Marvin of Upland, Calif.; 17 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 25 January, 2002
GOBLE, Eldon F., 87, of Kearney, formerly of Beatrice, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, in Kearney
Memorial services: Tuesday, First Christian Church in Beatrice
Burial of cremains: Evergreen Home Cemetery
Mortuary: Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice
Born March 20, 1921, in Beatrice
Parents: Herbert and Hattie (West) Goble
Married: Aug. 7, 1943, to Frances Kerr in Lincoln. She died in 2003
Survivors include his son, Richard of Grand Island; daughter, Karen Osentowski of Kearney; brother, Jesse of Silver Spring, Md.; five grandsons; and four great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 10 January, 2009
BLANTON, Helen L., 81, of Kearney died Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, Grace Fellowship Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Grace Fellowship
Born July 18, 1927, in Amherst
Parents: Carl and Clara (Baeder) Bergt
Graduated from Amherst High School in 1944 and from Kearney State Teachers College in 1946; taught in the Amherst area
Married: June 25, 1950, to Richard "Dick" Blanton in Kearney. He preceded her in death
Lived in the Snohomish, Wash., area for a short time, moved back to Nebraska to farm near Amherst; after the death of her husband, moved to Kearney to live with her parents, who helped raise her three sons; was employed by Nebraska Public Power for 38 years; loved to walk to and from work every day, rain or shine
Activities: member of Grace Fellowship Church, volunteered her time and home; enjoyed traveling, cooking for her family, reading, flower and rose gardening, and walking
Survivors include her sons, Dan Blanton and his wife, Susan, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Ron Blanton and his wife, Lori, and Rick Blanton and his wife, Peggy, all of Kearney; stepson, Gary and LaRay Johnson of Redding, Pa.; brother, Gene Bergt and his wife, Evonne, of Amherst; sister, Esther Abels and her husband, Norman, of Kearney; grandchildren, Ian Blanton, Michael Blanton, Matt Blanton and his wife, Megan, Becky Blanton, Micayla Blanton, Jared Blanton and Katey Blanton; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her husband and her parents
Kearney Hub, 13 January, 2009
HOWERTER, Winifred "Carol", 90, of Kearney died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Services: Thursday, First Christian Church in Elm Creek
Burial: Fort Collins, Colo.
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann of Kearney and Elm Creek
Memorials: the family
Born Oct. 19, 1918, in Sidney
Parents: Clarence and Lena (Starrett) Millett
Grew up in Sidney, graduated from Sidney High School
Married: June 7, 1937, to Thomas Howerter in Colorado Springs, Colo. He died in 1989
Lived in Palmer Lake, Colo., briefly, later farmed near Lodgepole until 1946; moved to Sidney until 1960; moved to Fort Collins, attended Poudre Valley Nursing School
Worked as a licensed practical nurse for Poudre Valley Hospital until retiring; moved to Kearney in February 2008
Activities: in Fort Collins, was a member of First Baptist Church; served as president of the Colorado Nurses Association for several years; pastimes included gardening, crocheting, Bible study, involvement in church and writing poems
Survivors include her sons, Ron and his wife, Sandy, of Elm Creek and Tom and his wife, Joan, of Gypsum, Colo.; sister, Dorothy Anderson of Lincoln; 10 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; daughter, Nancy Pfansteil; and sister, Evelyn Johnson
Kearney Hub, 14 January, 2009
KAPPEL, Mae Frances, 94, of Miller died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Services: Friday, Miller United Methodist Church
Burial: Armada Cemetery at Miller. Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner in Kearney
Memorials: Sumner Rescue Unit or to St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Born June 5, 1914, in Chico, Calif.
Parents: Ezra and Mary (Summerville) Daugherty
Lived in Chico and Oakland, Calif., then moved to the family farm northwest of Miller Oct. 21, 1921; began school in Oakland, then attended rural school at Cat Creek, Custer County School; graduated from Miller High School in 1932
Married: Aug. 12, 1941, to Leland Kappel at his parents' home in Miller. He preceded her in death
Entered the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in fall 1932, graduated in 1935; did private duty nursing for several months, worked night duty at Dr. O.D. Johnson's Hospital in Kearney, and was called to do night duty at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital; worked there for one year; then went to Thomas D. Dee Memorial Hospital in Ogden, Utah, in 1937, worked there for four years as a general duty staff nurse and was in charge of Central Services; from 1969 until October 1980 was a registered nurse on third floor north at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney; retired 1980
Lived at Scribner, Gering and Papillion, moved to the Charlie Whitesel farm in November 1948; moved 2004 to St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Activities: attended Sunday school and church at the Church of the Brethren in California; in Nebraska, attended Sunday school at First Eudell north of Cumro, Flat Bottom and the United Brethren Church in Miller; was baptized and became a member of First Presbyterian Church in Hastings while a student nurse; in Miller, joined the United Brethren Church, which became the Evangelical United Brethren Church and then the United Methodist Church
Survivors include her son, Richard and his wife, Deb, of Miller; daughters, Marilyn Eason and her husband, Tom, of Asheville, N.C., and Carolyn of Miller; grandchildren, David Eason and his wife, Wei Deng, of Littleton, Colo., DiAnn Eason of Asheville, Brian and his wife, Jenny, of Clarkson and Jeremy and his wife, Kasia, and Nathan, all of Miller; great-grandchildren, Sawyer Kappel and Ella Kappel of Clarkson; sister-in-law, Eleanor Graves of Littleton, Colo.; a niece; three nephews; and friends
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters, Velma Daugherty and Erma Brown; and grandson, Benjamin Kappel
Kearney Hub, 14 January, 2009
LAWVER, Oma E., 82, of Kearney died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at Mount Carmel Home in Kearney
Services: Friday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: to the family
Born March 23, 1926, in Lebanon
Parents: Ira and Matilda (Fischer) Williams
Married: June 1948, to Stan Lawver in McCook
Lived in McCook; later moved to Manhattan, Kan.; moved to Kearney in 1968; was the head cook at Good Samaritan Hospital for 7 1/2 years; was head cook for Ramada Inn; after retiring, baby-sat in her home
Activities: attended New Life Assembly; pastimes included cooking, gardening and spending time with family; loved her Lord and her family
Survivors include her husband; son, Stan and his wife, Jan, of Kearney; daughter, Joy Lee Curfman and her husband, Jim, of Kearney; brothers, Verl and his wife, Betty Jo, of Tulsa, Okla., and Robert of Chapman, Maine; sisters, Leona Hoetelling of North Platte and Lois Pennel and her husband, Wayne, of Grand Island; 15 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, LeeOra Mockry and Mara Johnson and her husband, Al
Was preceded in death by her parents; son, Tim; great-grandson, Blake Teel; brothers, Russell, Wilson, George, Dale and Avery; and sister, Arlene Emig
Kearney Hub, 15 January, 2009
DUTTON, Josephine Laura, died Nov. 14, 2008, at age 93
Remembrances: Hopewell House
Mortuary: Wilhelm's Portland Memorial
Born Nov. 17, 1914, in Shelton, Neb.
Moved to Portland in the 1930s; was a grocery clerk for Safeway
Survivors include her daughter, Dianne D. Hall; brother, Jack Washburn; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by son, Richard, and daughter, Loretta
The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, January 7, 2008
CUMMINGS, Mildred, 91, of rural Kearney died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, at her home
Graveside services: Monday, Highland Park Cemetery near Ravenna
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann of Kearney
Memorials: to the family
Born July 28, 1917, in rural Buffalo County
Parents: Carl and Minnie (Samuelson) Wagner
Attended a country school
Married: 1941, to Alfred Shrader. He died in 1963
Married: 1970, to Hyland Cummings in Downs, Kan.
With first husband, lived in Nebraska and Wyoming; moved to Bridgeport, 1943, then lived in Gering and Cairo; worked at Kearney Floral and then for Baldwin Manufacturing for 10 years; retired in 1984
Survivors include her husband and her son, Raymond Shrader of rural Kearney
Was preceded in death by her first husband, and son, Milton Max Shrader
Kearney Hub, 17 January, 2009
BAMRICK, Rodney D. "Rod", 57, of Kearney died of cancer Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Monday, Elm Creek Christian Church
Burial: Overton Cemetery
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love in Lexington
Memorials: to the family for later designation
Born July 19, 1951, in Lexington
Parents: Robert and Clarice (Eby) Bamrick
Grew up at rural Overton, graduated from Overton High School in 1969
Married: April 25, 1970, to Dianna Nelson in Lexington. She preceded him in death
Married: Sept. 2, 1995, to Pat Redlinger in Lexington. They divorced
Worked for quite a few years at Al's Meat Market in Lexington, Simplot Soil Builders and Monroe Auto in Cozad, also farmed for his dad near Overton; bought Beaver Creek Saloon in Elm Creek, owned and operated it for 10 years; delivered the Kearney Hub newspaper
Was diagnosed with cancer shortly before Christmas
Activities: loved to tease and play jokes on his friends; enjoyed bowling, playing cards,golfing, going to the casino, fishing and singing karaoke, and spending time with family
Survivors include his parents, of Overton; daughter, Niki Altwine and her husband, Eric, of Bertrand; brother, Robert Bamrick and his wife, Nancy, of Overton; sister, Karen Shafer and her husband, Lee, of Overton; grandchildren, Dylan, Allie, Jessica and Bayley; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by his wife; grandparents and a son, Patrick
Kearney Hub, 17 January, 2009
CHRISTIE, Tonya D., 49, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, formerly of Gibbon, Neb., died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at Manor Care Assisted Living in Oklahoma City
Memorial services: Monday, Bill Eisenhour Northeast Funeral Home in Oklahoma City
Body was cremated
Born June 24, 1959, in Greenville, Ohio
Parents: Earl and Joan (Hubler) Parks
Attended Gibbon Public School
Married: March 31, 1981, to Justin Christie in Oklahoma City
Activities: enjoyed music, traveled nationally with her karaoke show
Survivors include her husband; sons, Joshua and Travis of Oklahoma City; sisters, Teresa Bernard and her special friend, Wes Albers of Minden, Neb., and Kimberly Cronin and her husband, Michael, of Kearney, Neb.; brother, Allen and his wife, Un Hui Simons, of Syracuse, Ind.; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by an infant son
Kearney Hub, 17 January, 2009
BYARS, Glen H., 94, of Kearney died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, Kearney Church of Christ
Burial: Meeker, Okla.
Body was cremated
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Kearney Hub, 16 January, 2009
HASBROUCK, Arlene K., 84, of Kearney, formerly of Elm Creek, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Monday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Burial: later
Born Dec. 25, 1924, in St. Paul
Parents: Alfred and Christina (Trotman) Zimbleman
Survivors include her sons, Don of Elm Creek, Lawrence "Butch" Blattel of Sargent and Frank Blattel of Sacramento, Calif.; brother, Roy Rodgers of Creighton; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 17 January, 2009
WALBURN, Roger S. "Rocky", 50, of Kearney died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Ogallala Cemetery; military honors
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Diabetes Fund care of the Kearney Eagles Lodge Fort Kearney Aerie 2722
Born Nov. 11, 1958, in Joliet, Ill.
Parents: Marion and Evelyn (Boucher) Walburn
Graduated from Ogallala School in 1977
Military: U.S. Army
Married: July 5, 1994, to Brenda Carlsen in Kearney
Worked at Kinder-Morgan as a heavy-duty meter technician for more than 30 years and also at Wal-Mart for the past 11 years; was also a past police officer in Edgar
Activities: member of the Kearney Eagles Lodge, enjoyed volunteering his time for the betterment of the lodge, especially the diabetes fund; enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, various shooting sports and reading
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Nicole Walburn and her special friend, Josh Croston of Ogallala; stepson, James Hiner and his wife, Trish, of Savannah, Ga.; stepdaughter, Dawn Captain and Marcell Captain, both of Kearney; his father of Ogallala; brother, Wayne Walburn of California; sister, Malisa O'Neill and her husband, Marty, of Paxton; five grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his mother; son, Nicholas Walburn; and uncle, Virgil Walburn
Kearney Hub, 20 January, 2009
ORSBORN, Josephine Anne, 70, of Wood River died Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Memorial services: Saturday, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel in Grand Island
Memorials: Alzheimer's Association
Born April 21, 1938, in Kearney
Parents: Frank and Rose (Miller) Journey. Grew up in Elm Creek, graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1956
Married: Dec. 28, 1957, to Otto Orsborn at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek
Lived in many places within the United States and Australia; settled down in Holdrege to raise their three children; with husband opened Tucker and Grog Steakhouse in Elm Creek
Activities: loved to cook for family and friends, especially enjoyed her family
Was afflicted with Alzheimer's disease
Survivors include her husband; son, Scott and his wife, Christine, of Omaha; daughter, Anisa Branigan and her husband, Greg, of Chesapeake, Va.; daughter, Anne Cline and her husband, Brad, of Estero, Fla.; brothers, Jerry and his wife, JoAnn, Ralph and his wife, Bonnie, and Wayne and his wife, Sue; sisters, Blanche Worthing and her husband, Pat, and Marylin Schukar and her husband, Russ; grandchildren, Britanny and Breanna Orsborn, Ryan and Bradley Halford, Emma, Ben and Will Branigan and Alexa and Daley Cline; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ervin and Ed; infant sister, Alice Marie; and grandson, Brandon Orsborn
Kearney Hub, 20 January, 2009
URWILLER, Donald Jacob "Don", 89, of North Platte, formerly of Hastings, died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte
Memorial services: Friday, Christ United Methodist Church in Lincoln
Burial of cremains: in the church columbarium
Mortuary: Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte
Memorials: Hope United Methodist Church and Christ United Methodist Church
Born Jan. 2, 1920, in the Sodtown Community near Ravenna
Parents: Robert and Sophia (Link) Urwiller
Graduated from Ravenna High School in 1937; attended Hastings Business College, 1940-1941; continued to help his father on the farm
Military: U.S. Navy on Jan. 26, 1942-Oct. 17, 1945; was a yeoman first class; served as a chief yeoman in the Naval Reserve Unit in NAS Lincoln for three years
Married: May 13, 1944, to Doris Estella Berst at her parent's farm near Friend. She died Dec. 25, 1998, after 54 years of marriage
Settled in Hastings, worked for the Naval Ammunition Depot, transferred to the Hastings Post Office; retired with 31 years of service
Activities: in Hastings was active in First United Methodist Church, American Postal Workers Union, Toastmasters, United Commercial Travelers, Hastings Federal Credit Union, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion; was commissioned an admiral in the Nebraska Navy by Gov. Frank Morrison in 1964; was also a member of Gretna United Methodist Church and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees for many years; belonged to Aksarben Chapter 1370 in Omaha
Retired in 1978, moved to Tucson, Ariz.; became active in Hope United Methodist Church in Tucson; lived with his daughter and son-in-law in Omaha, April 2000 to May 2005; moved to North Platte; moved into Linden Estates in July 2007
Survivors include his daughter, Donna Parks and her husband, Kevin, and grandson, Joel Parks, all of North Platte; brother-in-law, Vilas Berst and his wife, Helen, of Lincoln; niece, Connie Baruth of Holland; nephew, Charles Berst of Lincoln; and a host of relatives and friends in Nebraska, Arizona and many other states
Was preceded in death by his wife and his parents
Kearney Hub, 21 January, 2009
GARRELTS, Elnora T., 86, of Kearney died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Monday, First Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Memorials: First Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 52 or the family
Born Oct. 19, 1922, north of Bloomington
Parents: Mid and Hanna (Post) Bienhoff
Was baptized in her parents' home; was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Macon; attended the country school north of Bloomington, later attended Bloomington High School
Married: Jan. 5, 1943, to Henry Garrelts in Smith Center, Kan. He died May 11, 1999 after 56 of marriage
Lived in Kearney; was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother
Activities: enjoyed crocheting doilies, bedspreads, tablecloths and afghans; lifelong member of American Legion Post 52; member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and First Lutheran Church; worked part time at the Holiday Inn Gift Shop
Survivors include her daughter, Shirley Hoffman and her husband, Dennis, of Collierville, Tenn.; daughter-in-law, Kay Garrelts of Lexington; brothers, Lavon Bienhoff and his wife, Eunice, of Hastings and Glen Bienhoff and his wife, Jeri, of Holdrege; grandchildren, Melinda Garrelts of Lexington, Matthew Garrelts and his wife, Rebecca, of Eddyville, Kevin Hoffman of Memphis, Tenn., and Rochelle Benson of Spotsyl-vania, Va.; great-grandchildren, Ryan, Ashleigh, Kelly, Garrett and Emily; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and son, Robert
Kearney Hub, 24 January, 2009
MILLS, Fern E., 95, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, at BryanLGH Medical Center East in Lincoln
Services: Monday, Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: University of Nebraska Foundation
Born March 20, 1913, in Beaver City
Parents: George and Pearl (Rubottom) Zieme
Grew up in Beaver City, graduated from Beaver City High School, earned a teaching degree from Kearney State Teachers College
Married: Dec. 24, 1935, to Dale Mills in Norton, Kan. He died in 2001
Taught rural schools in the Beaver City area; taught in Big Springs, Shelton, Pierce and Tecumseh; then taught in Mankato, Minn.; moved to Kearney in the 1960s, taught at Park Elementary School until retirement
Activities: member of Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney; in Lincoln, joined St. Mark's United Methodist Church; member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club, Alpha Delta Kappa, did volunteer work at the Museum of Nebraska Art and at the Frank House
Survivors include her son, Jack Mills and his wife, Norma, of Lincoln; sister, Ethlynn Culberson of Longmont, Colo.; four grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband, and sister, Leta
Kearney Hub, 24 January, 2009
KUCERA, Jon T., 41, of Kearney died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009, at his home
Services: Friday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Brainard
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Memorials: to the family to be designated later
Born Aug. 10, 1967, in Lincoln
Parents: David and Helen (Guenther) Kucera. Graduated in 1985 from Kearney Catholic High School, enjoyed sports and band; attended Creighton University, graduated in 1990 with a degree in business administration
Worked in Minneapolis, was pursuing his master's degree
Military: U.S. Army as a lieutenant, was deployed to Hungary during the Bosnian Conflict
Activities: valued family, enjoyed watching and helping his nieces and nephews learn and grow
Survivors include his mother, of Kearney; his father, of Lincoln; brother, James and his wife, Rita, of Lincoln; sisters, Kimberly Langdon and her husband, Jay, of Scottsbluff and Karen Obrecht and her husband, Jayson, and Kaylene Randall and her husband, Jason, all of Kearney; five nephews; and four nieces
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, Gerald and Martha Kucera and Herman and Rose Guenther
Kearney Hub, 29 January, 2009
BLASE, Floyd C., 49, of Kearney died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Services: Thursday, Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Island
Burial: North Blue Cemetery near Hordville
Mortuary: Livingston-Sondermann in Grand Island
Memorials: The ARC Hamilton-Merrick Counties, Hamilton Community Foundation benefiting Aurora Public Schools Special Education Program and Mid-Nebraska Individual Services Foundation
Born Sept. 5, 1959, in Hordville
Parents: Herbert and Erma (Schmale) Blase
Attended a special needs day school offered at the Methodist Church in Aurora, the Nebraska School for Trainable Children in Cozad, graduated from the Educational Service Unit 9 Special Education Classroom at Aurora Public Schools; worked at Mid-Nebraska Individual Services Inc. initially at its Superior location, then moved to the Kearney program; participated in Special Olympics, joined in group tours; enjoyed community outings and collecting John Deere logo items and scale-model tractors
Survivors include his mother, of Marquette; brother, Fred Blase of Hordville; sister, Lilly Blase of Lincoln; and aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends
Was preceded in death by his father and grandparents
Kearney Hub, 27 January, 2009
SELLS, Betty J., 77, of Kearney, formerly of Lexington, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Services: Friday, Lexington Christian Church
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery in Lexington
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love in Lexington
Memorials: St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Born Feb. 23, 1931, in Oquawka, Ill.
Parents: Glen and Natrona (Morris) Parsons
Married: Dec. 18, 1948, to Clifford Brown in Gladstone, Ill. He preceded her in death
Married: Feb. 27, 1973, to Benjamin Sells in Burlington, Iowa. He preceded her in death
worked at Plum Creek Care Center, Roepke Care Center and St. Luke's Care Center and was a homemaker; lived at Eastlawn Apartments for several years
Activities: enjoyed reading, shopping, walking and cooking; had a collection of porcelain dolls and Betty Boop
Survivors include her sons, Jack Brown and his wife, Cleta, of Kearney, Clifford Brown and his wife, Janet, of Lexington and Benny Sells and his wife, Angel, and David Sells and his wife, Catherine, all of Unionville, Mo.; daughters, Nancy Reed and her husband, Dennis, of Lexington, Esther Miller and her husband, Steve, and Brenda Spaulding and her husband, Tom, of Ravenna and Pam Brown and special friend Dale Vivier of Henderson, Nev.; brother, Howard Parsons of Oquawka, Ill.; 21 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter
Was preceded in death by her husbands, parents, brother, sister and one great-grandson
Kearney Hub, 29 January, 2009
SHEEHAN, Robert F. "Bob", 88, of Ravenna, formerly of Craig, Colo., died Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, at Good Samaritan Care Center in Ravenna
Memorial services: later
Burial of cremains: Colorado
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Sept. 30, 1920, in Litchfield
Parents: Fred and Susan (Craven) Sheehan
Grew up in Litchfield, graduated from Litchfield High School in 1938
Military: U.S. Navy, served as a radioman onboard several battleships in the Pacific during World War II; received a Purple Heart at Iwo Jima; was a competitive boxer in the Navy, continued to be a fan of boxing all his life
Lived and worked in the Litchfield and Grand Island areas for a number of years; moved to Colorado, 1964, and worked for International as a shop foreman; retired in 1982; moved to Nebraska in 2003
Activities: in his younger years, enjoyed dancing and playing pool; enjoyed designing and building many interesting things to use for his hobbies, kept his tools meticulously organized; after retiring, moved to the mountains near Oak Creek and later to Craig; pursued trout fishing and hunting elk, antelope, deer and even bear in the rugged Colorado Rockies; was a Denver Broncos fan
Survivors include his son, Fred and his wife, Rona, of Fresno, Calif.; nieces, Sharon Warta and Connie Larsen and her husband, Dennis, all of Kearney, Jane Kreun and her husband, Randy, of Pleasanton and Renee Sazama and her husband, Allen, of Doniphan; and nephews, Gary Warta and his wife, Brenda, of Grand Island and Patrick Sheehan of Denver
Was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Elva (Sheehan) Warta; brother, Don Sheehan; and niece, Jody (Sheehan) Hunton
Kearney Hub, 29 January, 2009