Page 86
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Extracted from newspapers or submitted by readers
ROGERS, Jack B., 81, of Kearney died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Thursday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Memorials: the church or The Salvation Army
Born July 12, 1928, in Kearney
Parents: Lee Roy and Frances (Churchill) Rogers
Lived and attended school in various places, including Missouri, Ogallala, Big Springs, Denver and Arvada, Colo.; moved back to Kearney in 1946
Military: National Guard
Married Louise Meadows. They divorced
In Colorado, worked for Colorado Cooper Flowers and for a printing company; in Kearney, worked as a taxi driver, for Grantham Service Station, for Keenan's Beverage and for Blue Bell Creamery and for many years was a mail carrier in Kearney; retired and then worked for car rental companies, including Enterprise Car Rental in Kearney
Activities: enjoyed riding a motorcycle; loved the mountains; member of the church
Survivors include his sister, Evelyn Rogers of Kearney; and special friends, Thomas and Kayla Hudiburg of Ogallala and Rolland Peterson of York
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 14 October, 2009
SPECK, Florence Arlene Hendrickson, 87, of Gulfport, Mississippi, died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, in Biloxi
Memorial services: Friday, First Christian Church in Kearney, Neb.
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Riemann Family in Gulfport
Memorials: St. Jude, Memphis, TN; or the Randall Speck Pediatric Special Needs Fund, Memorial Hospital Foundation, Gulfport, MS
Born July 27, 1922
Parents: Russell and Lelia (Patterson) Hendrickson of Buffalo County, Neb.
Married: Feb. 4, 1942 to Harrison C. Speck
Lived in Kearney; moved to Gulfport in 1994 to be closer to their children
Activities: lifelong member of the First Christian Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 759, both of Kearney; enjoyed traveling, sewing and golf, and was active in several bridge clubs, Newcomers of the Gulf Coast and the Scarlett Magnolia Red Hats Club, all of Gulfport
Survivors include: her husband of 67 years, Harrison; her children, Diana Weaver and her husband, Ray, and Richard Speck and his wife, Carol, all of Gulfport, and Cathy Johnson and her husband, Doug, of Gainesville, Va. She is also survived by her brothers, Oren Hendrickson and Duane "Buck" Hendrickson, both of Kearney; grandchildren, Brian Weaver and his wife, Stephanie, of San Diego, Wendy Teague and her husband, Robert, of Augusta, Ga., Allison Walker and her husband, Jason, of Gulfport, Erin Johnson of Arlington, Va., and Brianna Johnson of Gainesville; and great-grandchildren, Sean Teague of Daytona Beach, Fla., Nicholas Teague of Augusta and Azlyn Walker of Gulfport
Was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Lois Kain, and a grandson, Randall Speck
Kearney Hub, 14 October, 2009
POTTER, Joy F., 88, of Kearney died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, First Christian Church
Burial: Arnold Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann of Kearney
Memorials: the church
Born Dec. 25, 1920, in Round Valley
Parents: William and Emma (Janesofsky) Weinman
Was the fifth of nine children; grew up in the Arnold and Round Valley area, graduated from Arnold High School in 1939; graduated from Kearney State College
Married: May 28, 1943, to Marshall Potter in Arnold. He died April 14, 1984
Taught 17 years in the rural schools of Custer, Blaine, Lincoln, Phelps and Buffalo counties, then taught third grade for 23 years in Elm Creek
Activities: member of the Rebekah Lodge for 64 years, Past Noble Grand Club, Degree Staff and Drill Team, NEA, NSEA, local and state retired teachers associations, and the Buffalo County Historical Society; was devoted to her family
Survivors include her daughters, Judy Johnson and her husband, Raoul, of Arnold and Janice Rayburn and her husband, Cy, of Gibbon; sister, Ploma Geiser and her husband, Morris, of Kearney; sister-in-law, Marjorie Weinman of Arnold; brother-in-law, Don Oberg of Sun City, Ariz.; and grandchildren and their families, Marshall Johnson, wife Cindy and Sean of Norfolk, Raoul Johnson Jr., wife Karen and Adam and Kyle Horn and Ryan of Lincoln, Dawn (Ricci) Westland, Jayden, Tyce and Emme of Pleasanton, Jason Rayburn of Gibbon and Jami Rayburn of Omaha
Was preceded in death by her husband, four brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 15 October, 2009
HENDERSON, Art, 83, of Kearney died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Tuesday, Spirit of Life Open Bible Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Memorials: Eugene Bible College
Born Dec. 16, 1925, in Portland, Ore.
Parents: Ray and Onie (Ramsdell) Henderson
Graduated from Stanwood (Wash.) High School; graduated from Eugene Bible College and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Mo.
Married: Aug. 11, 1948, to Elizabeth Hardcastle in Eugene, Ore.
Ministered in California, Oregon, Washington and Kearney; also taught at the Open Bible College in Des Moines, Iowa, and worked as a missionary in Jamaica for 15 years; was awarded his honorary doctorate from Florida Beacon Bible College for all his years of missionary work; retired in 1991; moved to Wood River in 1996 and then to Kearney in 2006
Activities: member of the Spirit of Life Open Bible Church in Kearney; loved fishing, RV camping, building model airplanes, swimming and golfing and was an avid mechanic
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Geri Henderson of Klaipeda, Lithuania, Marylyn Christenson and her husband, Murry, of Grand Island and Kathleen Mast and her husband, Greg, of Kearney; grandchildren, Dan and Julie Hansen, Ben and Emily Hansen, Josh and Alicia Hansen, Joy and Brant Van Boening, Shannon and Shervin Alavi, Kelley and Hannah Mast and Anthony and Samantha Mast; brother, Jim Henderson and his wife, Jody, of Sutter Creek, Calif.; and nine great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 19 October, 2009
CROCKETT, Gwendolyn M., 88, of Kearney, formerly of Dallas, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Services: later in Dallas
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Born Sept. 19, 1921, in Marion, Ill.
Parents: Glenn and Dorothy (Morton) Weatherford
Married Curtis Crockett. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sons, Bill of Cañon City, Colo., formerly of Kearney, and Bob of Fairmont, Minn.; brother, George Weatherford of Dallas; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild
Kearney Hub, 19 October, 2009
WHITESEL, Larry Pha, 80, of Callaway died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at Callaway Good Samaritan Center
Services: Monday, Broken Bow Municipal Building
Burial: Broken Bow Cemetery
Mortuary: Govier Bros.
Memorials: Custer Care Center of Broken Bow or the Breast Cancer Association of Broken Bow
Born May 6, 1929, near Amherst
Parents: Pha and Mary (Shubert) Whitesel
Moved to Elm Creek, attended a country school; graduated from Elm Creek High School, 1947; went to Kearney State College for one semester, then stayed home to help with the farming and cattle feeding because his dad was in ill health; moved to Miller in 1947
Military: U.S. Army, 1951-1953, served in Korea
Married: June 1953, to Venia Taubenheim in Miller at the EUB church
With Wayne "Pete" Kaps, went into partnership with Charlie Sargent and Sargent Irrigation Co., 1953, the he and Kaps bought the business from Sargent; opened Sargent Irrigation offices in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, California and Nevada, and his biggest project, a well drilling contract in Algeria
Activities: had his private pilots license, owned several airplanes; loved to fly his planes, enjoyed boating and fishing; belonged to the Elks Lodge in Broken Bow for 47 years and to the American Legion for 20 years, served on the board of directors of Jennie Melham Memorial Hospital for 10 years, served on the board of directors of Security Mutual Life Insurance for many years; was also named an admiral in the Navy of the Great State of Nebraska; especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Survivors include his wife of 56 years; sons, Michael and his wife, Dianna, of Broken Bow, Merrick and his wife, Suzie, of Sacramento, Calif., and Mark of Broken Bow; daughter, Rhonda Nolda and her husband, Jim, of North Platte; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Marlyn Hazzard and her husband, Harley, of Bloomfield, Colo., and Lorna Bauer and her husband, Marlyn, of Pleasanton; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and parents-in-law
Kearney Hub, 19 October, 2009
WELTY, Everett, 86, of Loup City died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at Rose Lane Home in Loup City
Services: Tuesday, Loup City United Methodist Church
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City with military honors
Mortuary: Higgins in Loup City
Memorials: United Methodist Church, or the donor's choice
Born April 20, 1923, in Amarillo, Texas
Parents: Herman and Julia (Gilreath) Welty
Grew up and attended school through the 10th grade in Lehman and Morton, Texas
Military: U.S. Air Force; was stationed at Topeka, Kan., Harvard, Kearney and Okinawa from November 1942 through March 1946
Married: April 8, 1944, to Roberta Jessup at the Kearney Air Base in Kearney
Lived in Kearney and Lexington; moved to Loup City, 1947, managed the Jack and Jill grocery store; later was a TV and appliance repairman and managed Welty's Furniture and Appliance Store in Loup City; moved to North Platte, 1973, ran an appliance store; returned to Loup City to retire, 1987
Activities: member of the Loup City United Methodist Church and American Legion Post 48; was an avid gardener, enjoyed selling his produce in the farmers market; also enjoyed restoring classic cars
Survivors include his wife; son, Dennis Welty of Loup City; daughters, Linda Hornick and her husband, Gary, of Sequim, Wash., and Marianne Von Behren and her husband, Bob, of Wildwood, Mo.; son-in-law, Ted Larson of Omaha; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Gerald; daughter, Margaret Larson; brothers, Pierce, J.D., Donald Lee and Jack Welty; and sister, Lucy Derryberry
Kearney Hub, 19 October, 2009
KILLION, Russell L., 42, of Elm Creek died Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at his home
Services: Friday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Chapel in Elm Creek
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Memorials: Elm Creek Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad
Born March 23, 1967, in Grand Island
Parents: Lawrence and Lois (Hudnall) Killion
Grew up in Elm Creek; graduated from Elm Creek High School, attended Kearney State College
Married: July 7, 1995, to Jean Eichstedt in York. She died June 2, 2002
Lived in York and Elm Creek; was a cook at the Riverbend restaurant near Elm Creek
Activities: member of First Christian Church in Elm Creek; enjoyed the computer and science fiction movies, liked to drive; enjoyed time spent with his family, especially his nieces and nephews and their families; was a caring and loving husband, father and brother
Survivors include his mother, of Elm Creek; son, Jacob of Elm Creek; daughter, Rachel of Elm Creek; brother, Royce and his wife, Julie, of Gibbon; sisters, Valli Torpin and her husband, Paul, of O'Neill, Dawn Blodgett and her husband, Steve, of Central City and Glee Larsen and her husband, Max, of Stromsburg; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews
Was preceded in death by his wife, father and his infant daughter, Sara
Kearney Hub, 22 October, 2009
NOTZ, Elmer, 96, of Kearney died Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Graveside services: Friday, Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Memorials: Salvation Army
Born Jan. 8, 1913, in Kearney
Parents: George and Anna (Rumsteg) Notz
Attended Stone School District 36
Farmed with his family on the family farm east of Kearney
Military: U.S. Army, 1942-1945, veteran of World War II, was awarded the Purple Heart for combat wounds received in North Africa and Europe
Returned and farmed at the family farm until he retired
Survivors include nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by five sisters and three brothers
Kearney Hub, 22 October, 2009
PETERSON, Ronald L. "Pete", 69, of Evanston, Wyoming, formerly of Elm Creek and Cozad, Neb., died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, at his home
No services
Mortuary: Crandall in Evanston
Born March 7, 1940, in Bemidji, Minn.
Parents: Albin "Swede" Peterson and Irene Bryan
Survivors include his sons, Clark and Andy, both of Salt Lake City, and sister, Beverly Perez of Bluffton, Texas
Kearney Hub, 20 October, 2009
SCHROCK, Lucille G., 90, of Kearney, formerly of Hastings, died Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Services: Friday, Butler-Volland Funeral Home Chapel in Hastings
Burial: Parkview Cemetery in Hastings
Memorial will be established
Born July 22, 1919, in Tobias
Parents: August and Lena (Pfingston) Mussman
Married: Nov. 16, 1938, to Donald Schrock. He died Aug. 19, 2008
Moved from Ong to Hastings in 1984; was grand marshal of Autumnfest at Good Samaritan Village in 1991; moved to Kearney in March 2008
Survivors include her daughter, Sharon Ebert and her husband, Robert, of Clay Center; son, Duane Schrock and his wife, Mary, of Kearney; son-in-law, Don Griess of Sutton; 11 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; sister, Josie Rigby of Lincoln; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; daughter, Sharol Griess; grandson, Kevin Griess; and six sisters
Kearney Hub, 22 October, 2009
KIMMONS, LeRoy C. "Lee", 65, of Kearney died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Nov. 14, Hillsboro, Texas
Burial: Eureka Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann of Kearney
Memorials are suggested to The J. David Gladstone Institutes, California
Born May 5, 1944, in Altadena, Calif.
Parents: Lee and Alta (McDaniel) Kimmons
Grew up in Winston-Salem, N.C.; received his bachelor of arts degree from Wheaton College in Chicago, his master of arts degree from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, and doctorate from Florida State University
Married: May 20, 1989, to Janice Vance in Rockwall, Texas
Lived in Lincoln, was a professor of marriage and family therapy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; also lived in Hawaii, was employed by the University of Hawaii at Manoa; retired and lived in Massachusetts and Alabama
Activities: attended First Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church in Kearney; hobbies included worldwide travel, photography, movies and films, coffee, and conversation
Survivors include his wife; stepson, John Austin of Kearney; stepdaughter, Traci Austin of Nacogdoches, Texas; his mother of Cincinnati; brother, Max of Sunnyvale, Calif.; sister, Linda Kimmons Wulff of Cincinnati; nephew, Stefan Densmore of Cincinnati; nieces, Whitney Wulff Young and her husband, Matthew, and Eileen Wulff, all of Cincinnati; and grandniece, Addison Young of Cincinnati
Was preceded in death by his father and his brother-in-law, Steven Wulff
Kearney Hub, 24 October, 2009
CANADY, Celeste Monica, 96, of Yuma, Arizona, formerly of Gibbon, Neb., died Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Yuma
Memorial services: Nov. 6 in Arizona
Mortuary: Yuma Mortuary and Crematory
Born April 23, 1913, in Fremont, Neb.
Parents: Ralph and Olive (McCracken) Phillips
Married: Feb. 12, 1934, to Clarence Canady. He died in 1983
Survivors include her sons, Lee of Batavia, Ill., and Paul of Yuma; sisters, Beverly Smallcomb and Phyllis Hewitt, both of Mesa, and Doris Tuffs of Bakersfield, Calif.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 24 October, 2009
JOHNSON, Dorothy D., 82, of Kearney died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at Northridge Retirement Community
Memorial services: Monday, First Baptist Church
Burial of cremains: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Memorials: First Baptist Church building fund Born May 5, 1927, in Lincoln to Conrad and Elizabeth (Mohr) Rosenthal. Received her education in Lincoln and Lexington
Married: Nov. 21, 1944, to Dale "Gene" Henke. He preceded her in death
Married: 1978, to Jacob Bernhardt, lived in Wiggins, Colo. He died in 1988; she moved to Kearney
Married: 1997, to Alwyn Johnson
Lived in Lexington; Orleans; Wiggins, Colo.; Holdrege; and most recently Kearney; in Lexington, was employed by Stewarts Drug Store; in Holdrege, was employed at Phelps Memorial Hospital and Becton-Dickinson; September 2006, moved to Northridge Retirement Community
Activities: worked in the office of First Baptist Church in Kearney, volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital; was devoted to her children and grandchildren; enjoyed music, crocheting, embroidery and dancing, also fishing and camping, polka and square dancing and especially loved Nebraska football
Survivors include her husband; daughter, Barbara Holbein and her husband, Dean, of San Clemente, Calif.; grandchildren, Tamara Bishop and her husband, Robert, of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Julie Smith of Frisco, Texas, Brandi Smith and her husband, Jason, of Santa Ana, Calif., Scott Holbein of Vacaville, Calif., and Lee Holbein of Mission Viejo, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Spencer Bishop and his wife, Elyse, of Mission Viejo, Brandon Bishop of Palm Desert, Calif., Forrest Smith of Tustin, Calif., and Jade Smith of Frisco; sisters, Esther Wilhelm of Kearney and Betty Rupert of Brighton, Colo.; Alwyn's children, Larry Johnson and his wife, Judy, of Overton, Eleanor Greenwall and her husband, Bob, of Walnut, Iowa, Elaine Mensching and her husband, Stan, of Mexico, Mo., and Glenna Derr and her husband, Dennis, of Ashland and their extended families; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by two husbands, parents and her brothers-in-law, John Rupert and Andrew Wilhelm
Kearney Hub, 24 October, 2009
FUDGE, Douglas, 78, of Ravenna died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Memorial services: Wednesday, United Methodist Church in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Memorials: Ravenna Emergency Medical Technicians
Born July 4, 1931, in Omaha
Parents: Douglas and Valian (Smiley) Fudge
Was educated in Omaha and Kansas City
Military: U.S. Marines, March 6, 1950 - May 31, 1971
Married: May 14, 1954, to LaRhae Scott at First Presbyterian Church in Omaha
Lived in Omaha, then Oceanside, Calif., for 30 years, where he worked as a police officer, and in Sierra Vista, Ariz., for 10 years; moved to Ravenna in 1999
Activities: member of First Presbyterian Church in Kearney, a 32nd Degree Mason and the Scottish Rites
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Linda Jelken and her special friend, Patrick Hickenbotton, of Gibbon and Lisa Youtcheff and her husband, Mark, of Ravenna; son, Douglas "Scott" Fudge and his wife, Carolyn, of San Antonio; two grandsons; and two great-granddaughters
Was preceded in death by a granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 27 October, 2009
THOMPSON, Roger E., 66, of Kearney died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at his home
Memorial services: Thursday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Minden Cemetery
Memorials: Autism Society, Alzheimer's Foundation or the Nebraska Children's Home
Born Sept. 22, 1943, in Minden
Parents: Carl and Agnes (Bartlett) Thompson. Attended school in Minden, graduated from Minden High School in 1961; after graduation, worked for Minden Lumber
Married Patricia Charbonneau
Married Jenny Venzenz. They divorced
Married: 2001, to Jean (Cross) Harden
Worked at West Co. in Kearney, became a supervisor and worked there for 34 years until retirement; was also an insurance agent for Conseco Insurance Co.
Activities: member of the Kearney Elks Club and the Minden Country Club; pastimes included golfing and fishing
Survivors include his wife; sons, Brian and his wife, Jackie, of Kearney and Brad and his wife, Deb, of Madison, Wis.; daughter, Amy Cash and her fiancé, Mike Nolden, of Waunakee, Wis.; stepsons, Brian Harden and his wife, Heather, of Greenfield, Mo., and Mike Harden and his wife, Connie, of Omaha; stepdaughters, Ronda Russell and her husband, Randy, of Hastings, Dee Mlinar and her husband, Joe, of St. Paul and Jenny Skiles and her husband, Rob, of Kearney; sister, Betty Glebe-Smith and her husband, Leo, of North Platte; six grandchildren; and several stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law
Kearney Hub, 28 October, 2009
STUNKEL, Dale W., 71, of Kearney died Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Memorials: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or the donor's choice
Born Feb. 5, 1938, in Ansley
Parents: Walter and Lucy (Bose) Stunkel
Grew up in Ansley, graduated from Ansley High School
Military: U.S. Marine Corps, Jan. 14, 1958-Dec. 23, 1960; was honorably discharged
Married: May 21, 1961, to Melba "Darlene" Haddix in Ansley
Lived in Lincoln, worked for the Lincoln Police Department for 18 years; then operated D's Shoe Hospital; moved to Kearney, owned and operated Kearney Shoe Hospital and Saddle Repair
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Dalene Palmesano and her husband, Steve, of Lincoln; son, Dwight Stunkel and his wife, Laura, of Lincoln; brother, Dennis Stunkel and his wife, Judy, of Ansley; sister, Inez Clipperton and her husband, Vern, of Omaha; granddaughters, Lauren Palmesano and Kristen Zimmerman; grandson, Joshua Palmesano; and one great-grandchild
Was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 29 October, 2009
GIBBENS, Dennette Paige, 49, of Kearney died of cancer Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, in Kearney
Services: Saturday, Zion Lutheran Church in Gothenburg
Burial: Zion Lutheran Cemetery
Mortuary: Blase-Strauser in Gothenburg
Born Feb. 26, 1960, in Gothenburg
Parents: Henry and Donita (Phillips) Vogt
Married: July 12, 1979, to Leonard Gibbens in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Survivors include her son, Justin of Kearney; father and stepmother, Henry and Betty Vogt of Gothenburg; brothers, Robert Vogt of North Platte and Henry Kirk Vogt of Gothenburg; one granddaughter; stepbrothers, Don Malcom of Cozad and Dave Malcom of Eustis; and stepsister, Deb Malcom of Charleston, S.C.
Kearney Hub, 29 October, 2009
PETERSON, Regina M., 72, of Kearney died Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at Ravenna Good Samaritan Center
Services: Monday, St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Hazard Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Memorials: the church
Born Feb. 8, 1937, near Hazard
Parents: Peter and Josephine (Carty) Wardyn
Was the youngest of nine children; graduated from Litchfield High School in 1955; went on to college in Kearney to get her teaching certificate; taught at a one-room schoolhouse for two years
Married: Feb. 16, 1957, to Dale Peterson of Loup City in Hazard
Lived in a variety of posts while Dale was in the U.S. Army; upon his discharge from the military, returned to the Peterson family farm near Loup City
Activities: was a talented seamstress, enjoyed designing and sewing clothes for her children and making beautiful quilts, cooking, canning and baking
Sold the famr in 2007 and moved to Kearney
Survivors include her loving husband; sons, David Peterson of St. Louis and Shane Peterson and his wife, Tina, of Axtell; daughters, Inga Yendra and her husband, Darren, of Gibbon, Lori Peterson Finelli and her husband, Stanley, of Milford, Pa., and JoAnn Urbanosky and her husband, Jim, of Elyria; 18 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Caroline Mazankowski of Loup City; and brother, Ralph Wardyn and his wife, Renee, of Loup City
Was preceded in death by her daughters, Valerie Jane, Anne Marie and Jean Marie; brothers, Cash, Robert and Floyd Wardyn; and sisters, Sabina Sokol, Ella McChesney and Dorothy Chelewski. Kearney Hub, 2 November, 2009
VOLENTINE, Thelma L., 89, of Kearney died Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Tuesday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Memorials: the church or Mother Hull Home
Born Nov. 22, 1919, near Miller
Parents: George and Lillie (Hess) Baker
Grew up in the Miller-Sumner area, graduated from Sumner High School in 1937
Married: Nov. 22, 1951, to Wilbur Volentine at her parents' home in Kearney. He died in 2008, after 56 years of marriage
They lived in the home where her husband was born
Activities: member of Newark Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church for more than 65 years; during World War II, served as a hostess in the coffee shop at Fort Kearney Hotel and later worked as a clerk at J.C. Penney for several years; was an excellent cook
Survivors include her brother, Paul Baker of Schuyler; sons, Roger Volentine and his wife, Kristy, of North Platte and Ron Volentine of Kearney; and grandchildren, Jason Volentine of Lincoln and Angela Volentine of Overland Park, Kan.
Was preceded in death by her parents and her husband
Kearney Hub, 2 November, 2009
SORENSEN, Julie A., 47, of Kearney died Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at home
Services: Tuesday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Assumption Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Memorials: to Cheryl Shackelford Foundation for ovarian cancer awareness or the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation
Born Feb. 14, 1962, in Hastings
Parents: Jerome and JoAnn (Parr) Konen
Graduated from Roseland High School in 1980
Married: May 23, 1981, to Rick Sorensen at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Roseland
Worked as the office manager in the Rehabilitation Department at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church; loved spending time with family and friends
Survivors include her husband; sons, Lukas Sorensen of Billings, Mont., and Lance Sorensen of Kearney; daughters, Lindsey Bradbury and her husband, Mitchell, of Aurora, Colo., and Lisa Sorensen of Kearney; her father of Hastings; sisters, Jackie Waits and her husband, Butch, of Hastings, Joni Heuertz and her husband, Dan, of Roseland, Jeanne Pieper and her husband, Kurt, of North Platte and Janice Kaufman and her husband, Randy, of Littleton, Colo.; and brother, Jeff Konen and his wife, Patty, of Omaha
Was preceded in death by her mother, mother-in-law, grandparents and one nephew
Kearney Hub, 2 November, 2009
KUCERA, Mike, 56, of Hazard died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Services: Wednesday, Faith Lutheran Church in Hazard
Burial: Trinity Cemetery in Sherman County
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Nov. 19, 1952, in Kearney
Parents: Buzz and JoAnne (Behrendt) Kucera
Was educated in Ravenna, graduated from Ravenna High School in 1971, operated a road maintainer
Married: March 4, 1972, to Jeanne Vian in Litchfield
Lived east of Hazard; ranched, raised cattle and did custom hay and drilling
Activities: member of Faith Lutheran Church and the NRA; loved the outdoors and nature
Survivors include his wife; his mother of Ravenna; sons, Jake Kucera and his wife, Tila, of Litchfield and Jess Kucera and his wife, Melody, of St. Paul; daughter, Michelle Dixon and her husband, Chad, of Pleasanton; grandchildren, Sydney and Madison Kucera, Westin and Tanner Dixon and Lainey and Adalyn Kucera; brother, Bill Kucera and his wife, JoAnn, of Ravenna; and sisters, Joan Riel and her husband, John, of Geneva and Jeannie Sundermeier and her husband, Ken, of Rockville
Was preceded in death by his father
Kearney Hub, 2 November, 2009
SODERGREN, Raphael "Ray", 88, of Norfolk, formerly of Kearney, died Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at Norfolk Veterans Home
Services: Monday, First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Memorials: Bethphage Mission or First Lutheran Church
Born Oct. 3, 1921, in Bertrand
Parents: E.A. and Mamie (Johnson) Sodergren
Grew up in Central City, graduated from high school
Military: U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS California and various other assignments
Completed his degree in journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Married: Dec. 23, 1962, to C. June Vaughan Lofthouse in Holdrege. She preceded him in death
Lived in Colorado, Virginia, Mississippi and Nebraska; was employed by the National Bureau of Standards for many years in Colorado and Virginia
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church in Kearney, enjoyed the Bible study groups; was actively involved in American Legion baseball for many years, was involved in other veterans organizations; served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, was a chaplain and life member of the DAV; enjoyed singing and at one time was a member of a barbershop singing group
Survivors include his daughter, Kathy Kriewald and her husband, Charlie, of California; grandchildren, Robyn Victoria and her husband, Tony, of Acapulco, Mexico, Roxanne Thomas and her husband, Jeff, of California and Ryan Kriewald of Washington; great-grandchildren, Dakota, Shyann and Connor Kriewald; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sister, Genevieve Hensley; and two great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 9 November, 2009
BUNGER, Allison J., 52, of Kearney, formerly of Hildreth, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Saturday, Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth
Burial: Hildreth Cemetery
Mortuary: Jelden-Craig in Hildreth
Born Sept. 24, 1957, in Lincoln
Parents: Hugh and Barbara (Brehm) Catron
Grew up in Lincoln, graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School, attended Nebraska Wesleyan and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Married: March 18, 1978, to Russell Bunger at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lincoln
Was the postmaster in Upland and then in Wilcox; had lived in Kearney for a little more than a year
Activities: enjoyed hunting, had been on many hunts over the years; enjoyed cooking, gardening, photography and her family; had served as president of the Nebraska Chapter of the Safari Club
Survivors include her husband; daughter, Quinn of Kearney; her parents of Holdrege; mother-in-law, Mona Bunger of Hildreth; brother, Jeffrey Catron and his wife, Jennifer, of Fredericksburg, Va.; sister, Julie Hamann and her husband, Tom, of San Diego; sister-in-law, Susan Salisbury and her husband, Monte, of North Platte; and nieces and nephews
Kearney Hub, 5 November, 2009
FRITZ, Alice R. "Fritzi", 69, of Gibbon died Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at Gibbon Good Samaritan Center
Services: Friday, Godberson Mortuary in Gibbon
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Memorials: Good Samaritan Center or Lowell Lutheran Church
Born May 2, 1940, in Milwaukee
Parents: Fred and Jennie (Tucker) Bean
Grew up in and graduated from high school in Milwaukee
Married Jim Rozek. They divorced
Was a secretary for many years for Peck Meat Packing Co. in Milwaukee
Married: 1984, to Marlin Fritz. They divorced
Lived in Gibbon for six years, moved to Manchester, Iowa, and later to Kearney; had worked as a cashier for Walmart there and in other states for seven years
Then lived in Phoenix and Chattanooga with her daughter, Deborah; moved back to Gibbon and later, due to ill health, made her home at Gibbon Good Samaritan Center
Activities; enjoyed bowling, crocheting, counted cross stitch and meeting people; was a member of Lowell Lutheran Church
Survivors include her daughter, Deborah Rozek of Chattanooga, Tenn.; son-in-law, Kelly Clark and his wife, Michelle, of Shelton; grandchildren, Shaun and Brett Clark, Dustin Sheppard and Victoria and Shelby Clark; great-granddaughter, Alayna Clark; brothers, Bill and Troy, both of Milwaukee; and sister, Anna Mae Bean of Milwaukee. She was also a godmother to Tracey Geniesse
Was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Lynn Clark
Kearney Hub, 5 November, 2009
FUERSTENAU, Darlene G., 78, of Kearney died Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: Saturday April 9, 2010, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Westlawn Memorial Cemetery in Grand Island.
Memorials: Kearney Senior Hospitality Center Housekeeping Department, American Lung Association or the donor's choice
Born Sept. 7, 1931, in Sherman County east of Loup City
Parents: Lewis and Bessie (Fisher) Adams
Grew up on farms in the Clear Creek area in western Sherman County, attended country grade school; graduated from Loup City High School in 1948, moved to Lincoln to pursue secretarial career at the State Capitol; then moved to Grand Island
Married: 1950 to Irvin Fuerstenau. They divorced
Served in secretarial, office manager and administrative assistant positions with various businesses in Grand Island, Denver and Kearney, retired in 1999
Activities: enjoyed bowling, horse racing, embroidering, computer, her friends and family, and especially being with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Survivors include her son, Tim Fuerstenau and his wife, Sue, of LaVista; daughters, Sharon Rood and her husband, Jack, of Kearney and Lori Richards and her husband, Dennis, of Floyds Knobs, Ind.; brother, Dale Adams of Candon City, Philippines; grandchildren, Tracy Christensen and her husband, Jim, of Omaha, Cami Hughes and her husband, Neal, of Papillion, Jon Rood and his wife, Amanda, of Kearney, Adam Rood of Omaha and Karlie Groan and her husband, Scott, of Jeffersonville, Ind.; and great-grandchildren, Laura and Abby Christensen, Ashton and Lily Hughes, Kinleigh Rood and Ariah Groan
Was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 9 November, 2009 and 7 April, 2010
NOYES, Carlton H., 82, of Kearney died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Bethany Home in Minden
Services: Monday, Riechmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn
Burial: Prospect Hill Cemetery in Elkhorn
Born Dec. 18, 1926, in Waterloo
Parents: Halsey and Wilhelmina "Billie" Noyes
Married: Dec. 20, 1947, to Gene VanEvery. She died May 15, 2009
Survivors include his sons, Kirk and his wife, Jeanne, and Craig and his wife, Tara, all of Kearney; daughter, Cynthia Konopik and her husband, Mike, of Axtell; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 6 November, 2009
ANDERSON, Kay Elaine (Buck), 50, of Hastings, formerly of Kearney, died of inflammatory breast cancer Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, at Minden Long Term Care
Memorial services: Nov. 14 at Mosaic's Zion Chapel in Axtell
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery in Lexington
Mortuary: Freeland-Craig in Axtell
Memorials: to Alisa Lebsock at Farmers Merchants Bank, Axtell, Nebr.
Born March 11, 1959, in Lexington
She graduated from Gibbon High School in 1977. Survivors include her daughters, Alisa Lebsock and Brenda Buck, both of Axtell; parents, Sharon and Frank Buck of Kearney; brothers, Michael Buck of Gibbon and Dallas Buck of Odessa; and two grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 11 November, 2009
ANDERSON, Doretta, 83, of Ravenna died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Burial: later at Dawson Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born April 25, 1926, in Dawson
Parents: Fredrick and Evelena (Lafler) Kalhbaw
Was educated in Dawson
Married Alvey Turner; lived in Lincoln
Married Bill Anderson; lived in Detroit
Moved to Ravenna in 1995
Survivors include 12 children, three sisters and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 11 November, 2009
WHELAN, Leonard, 58, of Kearney died Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, at his home
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home of Kearney Kearney Hub, 12 October, 2009
CARPENTER, Kathy H., 67, of Kearney died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: Wednesday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Memorials: Loners on Wheels or to the family
Born Nov. 30, 1941, in Omaha
Parents: Earl and Edna (Pilster) Rhode
Her father died shortly before her birth, and when she was 4, her mother married Thomas C. Walters, who adopted her and raised her as his only child
Grew up in Albion, moved to Valentine in 1958, graduated from high school there; attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for one year
Married: Nov. 26, 1960, to Walter W. Carpenter, a marriage that lasted 35 years
Raised her children in Valentine; moved to Kearney, 1973
Attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney; received her bachelor of arts degree in education in 1975 and her master of science degree in counseling in 1977; joined the faculty of UNK as director of the Learning Center and tutor program coordinator, 1975, and served on the Faculty Senate and many other campus organizations and committees; received her Ph.D. in postsecondary education from UNL, 1985, attained the rank of full professor
Lived at Johnson Lake, 1985-1995, commuting to teach, and was treasurer of the local school board before returning to live in Kearney
Activities: lifelong member of the Methodist Church; was very active in her international professional organization, the College Reading and Learning Association, organizing and serving as first president of the Heartland Regional Chapter in 1987, treasurer of the national organization, 1990-1992; chair of the national conference in 1996 and national president in 1997; was inducted as a Fellow of Learning Assistance, 2001; retired from teaching, 2001; traveled extensively in her RV, including a three-month tour of western Canada and Alaska; joined Loner on Wheels, an international group for single RVers, and served as national vice president of the organization, 2005-2008; enjoyed gardening, her plants, reading and Nebraska football
Survivors include her sons, Waco of Kearney and Shad of Johnson Lake; grandsons, Wryan, Elijah and Trey; stepgranddaughter, Misean; great-grandson, Maximillian; great-granddaughter, Savannah; very special friend, Melvina Mattley of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 10 November, 2009
WARREN, Claude W., 78, of Kearney died Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Sunday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Platteville, Colo.
Born Feb. 14, 1931, in Benkelman
Parents: Ernest and Thelma (O'Dell) Warren
Married: March 4, 1950, to Thelma Greening in Fort Morgan, Colo. She died in 1998
Survivors include his son, Ernest of Columbus; daughters, Nancy Weaver of Prairie Village, Kan., and Lorra Richards of Kearney; brother, Ernest Jr. of Eaton, Colo.; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 12 November, 2009
MATTSON, William "Kent", 66, and Jane Louise, 63, of Kearney and Kenai, Alaska, died Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, east of Grand Island
Services: Friday, First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Memorials: University of Nebraska Foundation for the Landmesser-Murphy Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund, the Mattson Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Nebraska at Kearney or to the Kearney Goodfellows
Kent-born Oct. 16, 1943, in Hastings
Parents: Carl "Gunnar" and Phyllis (Henline) Mattson
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1961; graduated from Kearney State College
Jane-born July 22, 1946, in Sidney
Parents: Les and Ruth (Green) Landmesser
Graduated from Sidney High School in 1964, graduated from Kearney State College
Married June 7, 1969, in First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Moved to Kenai, 1970, both taught school for 20 years; Kent also commercial fished for salmon in the Cook Inlet of Alaska; Mattsons also developed Riverwood Subdivision with Les and Ruth Landmesser, Barbara and Rodger Schmidt and John and Kathy Horvath; retired and started Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Reservations specializing in booking Alaskan vacations
Activities: loved spending time with their family and friends, especially their two favorite people, granddaughters Ashley and Brittany Burcham; Jane enjoyed reading, writing poetry and playing Scrabble; Kent was a skilled craftsman, natural musician, successful businessman and renowned jokester; both enjoyed long walks, playing golf, traveling and each other's company throughout their life together. While driving home from a Nebraska Husker football game, they died tragically in an automobile accident on Interstate 80
Survivors include their daughters, Katie Burcham and her husband, Michael, and their daughters, Ashley and Brittany, of Soldotna, Alaska, and Stacey Mattson of Medford, Ore.; Kent's sister, Carla Castrop and her husband, Sam, of Olathe, Kan.; Jane's mother, Ruth Landmesser of McMinnville, Ore., sisters, Carol Warren and her husband, Bob, of McMinnville and Donna McKay of Dallas, and brother, Tom Landmesser and his wife, Peg, of Henderson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends
Were preceded in death by Kent's parents, Gunnar and Phyllis, and brother, Robbie Mattson; and Jane's father, Les, brother, Rusty Landmesser, and brother-in-law, Dan McKay
Kearney Hub, 12 November, 2009
HOLTHUSEN, Gladys, 86, of Ravenna died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Services: Saturday, Congregational Church in Ravenna
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Memorials: Congregational Church or the Ravenna Senior Center
Born March 23, 1923, in Buffalo County
Parents: Otto and Mabel (Keiss) Lowell
Attended Fairview School District 110 in Buffalo County through the eighth grade; attended Longfellow High School in Kearney
Married: Nov. 6, 1943, to Howard Holthusen in Lexington. He died Dec. 17, 1985
Lived on a farm south of Pleasanton and other places; moved to Ravenna in 1997
Activities: member of the Congregational Church in Ravenna
Survivors include her daughters, Marilyn Feola and her husband, Roger, of Grand Island and Gwen Caldwell of Patton, Mo.; sons, Dale Holthusen and his wife, Marla, of Pleasanton and Jerald Holthusen of Ravenna; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Ella McAuliff of Ravenna and Doris Chorzempa of Las Vegas; and brothers, Clifford Lowell of Kearney and Melvin Lowell of St. George, Utah
Was preceded in death by her husband, one brother and one sister
Kearney Hub, 10 November, 2009
OLIVEIRA, Dorothy M. Berkheimer, 91, of Mill Valley, California, died of cancer Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at her home
Services: Nov. 28 in California
Burial: Fernwood Cemetery
Mortuary: Fernwood in Mill Valley
Born Sept. 7, 1918, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: William and Etta (Whistler) Berkheimer
Married: Jan. 15, 1941, to Clinton Krotz. He died Aug. 8, 1944
Married: May 1, 1948, to Frank Oliveira. He died in 1990
Survivors include her son, Ronald Oliveira and his wife, Merikay, of San Rafael; daughter, Yvonne Irving and her husband, Robert "Bob," of Bullhead City, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Lewis Berkheimer of Willows; nephew, Merrill Berkheimer of Hazard, Neb.; sisters-in-law, Louise Krotz Kisling of Pleasanton, Neb., and Iris Krotz of Litchfield, Neb.; brother-in-law, Willard Krotz of Grand Island, Neb.; and many nieces and nephews living in California
Kearney Hub, 11 November, 2009
LAUGHLIN, Sharon K., 58, of Omaha, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Omaha
Services: Saturday, St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery in Omaha
Memorials: St. Cecilia
Born May 2, 1951, in Kearney
Parents: Earl and Doris (Erpelding) Mays
Married Steve Laughlin
Survivors include her husband; sons, Daniel, Michael and Matthew Laughlin; mother, Doris Mays; brothers, Steve Mays and his wife, Lorrie, and Kent Mays and his wife, Chris; and brothers-in-law, Tom Finn, Denny Laughlin and his wife, Cindy, and Jerry Laughlin
Was preceded in death by her father and her sister, Judy Finn
Kearney Hub, 12 November, 2009
MILES, Daryl R., 44, of Dunedin, Florida, formerly of Miller, Neb., died Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at Mease Countryside Hospital as the result of a pickup-motorcycle accident
Memorial services were Monday in Florida
Burial of cremains: in San Diego
Born June 15, 1965
Married: April 2009 to Lynn Burge Weston in Kearney, Neb.
Survivors include his wife; stepson Eric Weston of San Diego; his mother; and two brothers in California
Was a San Diego resident for 40 years, then in Miller for a year; moved to Dunedin
Kearney Hub, 16 November, 2009
STEPHANS, Loraine, 92, of Kearney died Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Monday, First Christian Church
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Memorials: to the church
Born Dec. 1, 1916, in Elm Creek
Parents: William and Georgia (Power) Glaser
Attended Elm Creek Public Schools, graduated in 1934; attended Kearney State Teachers College and taught schools in Buffalo and Phelps counties
Married: Jan. 29, 1937, to Robert Stephens. He preceded her in death
With husband, farmed northwest of Elm Creek for more than 30 years
Activities: member of First Christian Church in Elm Creek, was active teaching Sunday school, in choir, and playing the piano and organ; moved to Kearney in 1965, worked at Mother Hull Home for 16 years; became an active member of the Kearney Christian Church, was involved with CWF and Efficiency Sunday School Class and Royal Neighbors of America
Survivors include her daughter, Arlys Lange and her husband, Roger, of Overland Park, Kan.; sons, Gary and his wife, Janice, of Kearney and Craig and his wife, Vicky, of Bertrand; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives and a host of friends
Was preceded in death by her husband, a sister, two grandsons and one great-granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 16 November, 2009