Page 105
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Back to Index for Obituaries
ADAMSON-ROSENOW, LaVonne W., 91, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Wednesday, Kearney Evangelical Free Church
Additional services: Dinuba, Calif.
Burial: Smith Mountain Cemetery in Dinuba. Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl in Kearney
Born Jan. 8, 1920, in Sioux City, Iowa
Parents: Eugene and Nettie (Keck) Wertz
Married: May 27, 1950, to John Adamson in Glendale, Calif. He died in 1984
Married: 1989, to Edward Rosenow of Philadelphia. He died in June 2002
Survivors include her son, Brent Adamson and his wife, Mary, of Kearney and grandchildren, Micah, Peter, Anna and Josiah Adamson; and daughters, Brooke Adamson of Long Beach, Calif., and Anne Adamson of Fresno, Calif., and grandchildren, Shawn and Adam Hernandez and Kyle and Jordan Howard
Grew up in Sioux City, graduated from East High School, then attended Morningside College for one year; moved to San Diego, graduated from San Diego State University in 1942; was a credentialed school teacher and taught briefly in Wilmington, Calif., also worked as a secretary for Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego during World War II
With husband John, lived in Bakersfield, Calif., and then Dinuba where he established his medical practice
With husband Edward, lived in Philadelphia, moved to Kearney in 2001
Activities: valued her Christian faith, attended Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Evangelical Free Church in Kearney; member of the D.A.R.; enjoyed politics, was a member of the Kearney Republicans
Was preceded in death by her huabands and sister, Joyce Mills
Memorials: to Collage, the local crisis pregnancy center
Kearney Hub, 22 February, 2011
AHRENS, Allen, 82 of Cozad died Saturday, March 5, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Memorial services: Wednesday, First United Methodist Church in Cozad
No burial
Mortuary: Berryman, in Cozad
Born Feb. 28, 1929, in Ravenna
Parents: Otto and Myrtle (Hughes) Ahrens
Married: June 24, 1949, to Nathaleen Hoghfeld in Ravenna
Survivors include his wife of more than 61 years; sons, Ritch Ahrens of Greeley, Colo., and Rob Ahrens of Scottsdale, Ariz.; daughter Jill Carpenter and her husband, Ward, of Arapahoe; brother, Arno Ahrens of Grand Island; grandchildren, Chad Carpenter and his wife, Kayla, and Colby Carpenter and his wife, Natasha, all of Arapahoe; great-grandchildren, Eli, Corbin, Camden and Cadence Carpenter, all of Arapahoe; and many other relatives and friends
Graduated from Ravenna High School in 1948 then attended two years of trade school in engineering and construction
After marriage, lived in Omaha, worked for Parker Construction.; moved to Holdrege, was employed with Chris Lien and later worked for Paulsen Inc. in Holdrege and Cozad for 34 years
Activities: member of the First United Methodist Church in Cozad as well as Cozad Elks Lodge 2250; loved being outdoors, was an avid hunter and fisherman
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Keith; sister, Daisy; brother-in-law, Ray; and a sister-in-law, Shirley
Memorials: First United Methodist Church in Cozad
Kearney Hub, 7 March, 2011
BADER, Connie Mae, 53, of Kearney died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Grand Island Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Born July 22, 1957, in Grand Island
Parents: Lloyd and Leona (Turek) Lorenzen
Married: April 16, 1977, to Tim Bader in Farwell
Survivors include her husband; daughters, Tara Abdallah and her husband, Elias, Melody Bader and Deanna Ribeiro and her husband, Franco, all of Kearney; her parents of Loup City; brother, Briant Lorenzen and his wife, Kelli, of Kearney; and grandsons, Alex and Lucas
Attended grade school in Farwell, was a 1975 graduate of St. Paul High School; was employed as an administrative assistant for 19 years with Good Samaritan Society
Activities: loved to have family over to the house; was a great cook, enjoyed playing cards
Kearney Hub, 22 February, 2011
BEANS, Lavon V., 82, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at Mount Carmel Home
Services: Tuesday, New Life Assembly
Burial: Stanley Cemetery at Amherst
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann
Born Feb. 10, 1929, on a farm north of Amherst
Parents: George and Emma (Linder) Taubenheim
Married: March 21, 1947, to Joe M. Beans in Norton, Kan. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include her son, Chester Beans and his wife, Sue, of Houston; daughters, Janette Nielsen of Gibbon, Loretta Lewison, Patricia Deets and her husband, Allen, and Veronica Murphy and her husband, Patrick, all of Kearney, and Kathryn May and her husband, Rich, of Minden; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sister, Arlene Clark and her husband, Raymond, of Kearney; brother-in-law, Yarrell Beans and his wife, Alice, of Minneapolis, Kan.; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Smith and her husband, Earley, of Omaha.
Grew up in Amherst, received her education at District 90 School
After marriage, lived in Kearney, was employed by Baldwins from 1973-1991 and by Amherst Public Schools for eight years
Activities: former member of the United Methodist Church of Amherst, and a member of the Kearney VFW Auxiliary Post 759; enjoyed knitting, crocheting and bowling
Was preceded in death by her husband; a grandchild, Tracy Shumate; son-in-law, Virgil Nielsen; and four sisters
Kearney Hub, 28 February, 2011
CLINGER, Mary Ann, 89, of Ansley died of cancer Saturday, March 5, 2011, at her son's home in North Platte
Services: Friday, First Baptist Church in Ansley
Burial: Ansley Cemetery
Mortuary: Govier Bros. in Broken Bow
Born April 23, 1921, near Elm Creek
Parents: Arthur and Myrtle (Carlson) Mattson
Married: Jan. 25, 1945, to Melvin Clinger. He died in 1998
Survivors include her sons, LeRoy and Orin, both of Kearney, and Calvin Clinger of North Platte; daughters, Mary Focken Chalupa of Scottsbluff and Sandra Goodwater and Melvina Bundy, both of Ansley; 21 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 7 March, 2011
COVERT, Richard L., 83 of Kearney died Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday, O'Brien Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery before services
Born Feb. 2, 1928, in Buckeye Valley northeast of Kearney
Parents: Harold and Marjorie (Long) Covert
Married: Oct. 25, 1957, to Irene Anson in Vallejo, Calif. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his daughters, Kerri Lammers and her husband, Michael, of Chandler, Ariz., and Laurie Celestino of Eaton, Colo.; brothers, Bob and Darrell of Kearney and Gary of Lincoln; sisters, Carol Archer and Bernadine Scott, both of Kearney, and Jean Criss of Gibbon; and grandchildren, Amanda Deodutt and Melanie Lammers of Chandler and Richard Babb Jr. of Eaton
Received his education in Kearney
Military: U.S. Navy, July 10, 1948 - July 7, 1952, during the Korean War
After marriage, lived in Kearney; worked for Rockwell International at the Kearney plant
Activities: member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; pastimes included bowling and fishing
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brother, Dale; and sister, Lucille Scott
Memorials: Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 3 March, 2011
DROWN, Gary L., 70, of Kearney died Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, at his home
Memorial services: Monday, Feb. 28, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: later
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Born March 4, 1940, in Ravenna
Parents: Gerald and Florence (Wieczorek) Drown
Married: June 26, 1965, to Judith K. Graham in Fort Collins, Colo.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years; son, Darin and his wife, Jenny, of Aurora, Colo.; daughter, Dana Dee Johnson and her husband, Mitch, of Aurora, Colo.; and grandchildren, Colin and Mary Drown and Jadyn, Jennica and Jeron Johnson, all of Aurora
Graduated from Ravenna High School in 1958, then attended the University of Nebraska, Kearney State College and Colorado State University
Worked in Plattsmouth as a game biologist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; moved to Scottsbluff, worked as a sports broadcaster and in radio and building sales for 19 years; moved to Kearney, 1990, worked in cable TV sales and most recently as the head of his own independent advertising business, AdCo.
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church, served as a song leader; was a member of the 1733 Barbershop Chorus, The Sugar Valley Singers and many barbershop quartets through the years, particularly the Chordial Celebration and Patent Pending; past member of Rotary and the chamber of commerce; member of Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever; enjoyed racquetball, hunting, fishing, golfing and bird watching
Was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Shirley
Memorials: Harmony Foundation International
Kearney Hub, 25 February, 2011
DUNN, Marcella G. "Nicky", 87, of Kearney died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, at her home
Services: Friday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery.
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born June 1, 1923, near Pleasanton
Parents: Joseph and Rose (Kirschner) Nickman
Married: April 15, 1944, to Robert Dunn Jr. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pleasanton
Survivors include her husband; son, Gregory Dunn and his wife, Susan, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; daughters, Roberta Slaughter of Kearney, Anne Schmit of North Platte and Lisa Stewart and her husband, Dave, of Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren, Michael Dunn, Christopher Dunn and Alison Beieler and her husband, Ryan, all of Seattle, Daniel Slaughter and his wife, Renae, of Dallas, Bradley Slaughter of Lincoln and Timaree Schmit of Philadelphia; great-grandson, Matthew Beieler of Seattle; and sister-in-law, LaVaghn Nickman of Kearney
Grew up on the family farm, graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1940
Worked at Consumer Public Power in Kearney
After marriage, traveled the globe following Robert's U.S. Air Force career; after 1960, settled in Kearney to be closer to family; worked at Gregersons Jewelry store for more than two decades
Activities: loved to dance; volunteered at Red Cross blood drives, the Museum of Nebraska Art and St. James Catholic Church; member of St. James Catholic Church, St. James Altar Society, Officers Wives Association and the Red Cross; was an avid bridge player and Husker football fan; was involved as a parent volunteer at her children's elementary and high schools
Was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Cecil Nickman; sisters, Pauline Riessland and Elizabeth Plante; and son-in-law, Mark Slaughter
Memorials: Kearney Catholic High School Foundation or St. James Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 23 February, 2011
FEESE, Gerald, 90, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Memorial services: Saturday, St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Burial: columbarium at the church
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Dec. 3, 1920, in Hutchinson, Kan.
Parents: Glenn and Charlotte (Martin) Feese
Married: Aug. 16, 1951, to Elizabeth "Beth" Struble in St. Paul, Minn.
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Connie Moon and her husband, Richard, of Kearney; son, David Feese and special friend Kathy Parker of Kearney; grandsons, Richard Moon Jr. and his wife, Kristen, of Coon Rapids, Minn., David Moon and fiancée Alaina Burkard of Madison, Wis., and Noah Feese of Kearney; and granddaughter, Jessica Feese of Blair, Wis.
Graduated from Wichita High School in 1938; received his bachelor's in music from the University of Wichita, his master's from the University of Minnesota and his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa
Military: Armored Forces of the U.S. Army, 1942-1945, during World War II
Joined the faculty of Kearney State College, now the University of Nebraska at Kearney, in 1962; directed the orchestra for 24 years and taught strings, music history and other music courses; presented many faculty music recitals, primarily with Mildred MacDonald, pianist; retired from the college faculty in 1986, then played in Kearney Symphony Orchestra and other Nebraska orchestras and repaired stringed instruments; taught private lessons until 2009
Activities: served as president of the Nebraska chapter of the American String Teachers Association and in 1999 was named the Outstanding Private Teacher of the organization; editing of seven violin duets by 18th century composer Georg Wagenseil, had the original manuscript of the pieces
Was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Maurine Scott and Enid Pierpont; and son, Glenn
Memorials: St. Luke's Episcopal Church and the Kearney Area Symphony Orchestra Scholarship Fund
Kearney Hub, 3 March, 2011
GEMBALA, Raymond C., 88, of Kearney died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at his home
Services: Thursday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Dec. 17, 1922, in Sherman County
Parents: Joseph and Veronica (Silver) Gembala
Married: April 12, 1947, to Rita Lewandowski in Lincoln
Survivors include his wife; son, Ray Gembala Jr. and his wife, Marilyn, of Derby, Kan.; daughters, Mary Ellen Burchess and her husband, Craig, of Grand Island, Kathy Mizner and her husband, Bill, of Norfolk, Cindy Hugg and her husband, Bobby, of Kearney; sister, Irene Klausen, of Rockville; brother, Jim Gembala, of Loup City; grandchildren, Geoff and Kristin Gembala, Shelia Burchess, Adam and Danna Burchess, Jessica and Dan Falk, Alec Mizner, Brendon Mizner and Kaitlin Mizner; and great-grandchildren, Josh, Alyssa, Braeden, Connor, Jack and Jordan
Graduated from Ravenna High School
Military: enlisted in the U.S. Navy, served with honor as a naval carrier pilot
Attended business school, located in Kearney as an accountant for Nebraska Public Power District
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and Kearney VFW Post 759; was a skilled woodworker and mechanic, helped neighbors and the church; enjoyed attending auctions; found and restored antique clocks; also enjoyed farming, the outdoors, and tending to his lawn and rose gardens
Was preceded in death by his brothers, Joe, Henry, Ed and Ernie; sisters, Rose, Eleanor and Clara; children, Danny and Johnny; and granddaughter, Jamie
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church Media Department or to the UNMC Nursing Program at UNK
Kearney Hub, 2 March, 2011
GIGER, Amelia Irene "Millie", 86, of Stillwater, Okla., formerly of Gibbon, Neb., died Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at Grace Living Center in Stillwater
Services: Monday, Gibbon Baptist Church
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Born Sept. 3, 1924, in Littleton, Colo.
Parents: John and Josephine (Prochaska) Kulek
Married: 1942 to Wayne Callahan. He died in 1951
Married: 1952 to Wayne Giger. He died in 2009
Survivors include her sons, Eugene of Gibbon and Charles of Huntsville, Ark.; daughters, Betty Gehre of Johnson City, Tenn., Irene Hagan of Gibbon, Mary Ann Mattson of Stillwater and Josephine Giger of Fayetteville, Ark.; 21 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 4 March, 2011
HEUER, Frances P., 82, of Ravenna died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Born May 3, 1928 in Palmer, Nebraska
Parents: Mike and Mabel (Beeman) Lopresti Married: J. Burch Heuer; owned and operated the Coast to Coast hardware store on 70th and A Street in Lincoln from the early 1970′s until it closed in the late 1970′s; later retired to Ravenna, Nebraska
Survivors include Daughters and Son-in-law: Elizabeth and Ron Restau of Lincoln; Cynthia Woodmancy of Omaha. Grandson and Spouse: Jim and Steph Restau of Lincoln; Granddaughter: Tonya Woodmancy of Omaha. 3 Great Grandchildren. Brother and Sister-in-law: Ted and Priscilla Lopresti of Leavenworth, Kansas
Preceded in death by her Husband: J. Burch Heuer, Daughter: Teresa Gould, Grandson: Benjamin Restau, Brother: Tom Lopresti and her parents
Memorial services: Wyuka Funeral Home, March 11, 2011
at 1:30 P.M. Inurnment of ashes: Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Nebraska
http://wyuka.com/frances-p-heuer/
HOFFMAN, Robert D. "Bob", 73, of Kearney died Monday, Feb. 28, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: July 18, Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Burial of cremains: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born June 19, 1937, in Clay Center, Kan.
Parents: Clifford and Irene (Hauserman) Hoffman
Married: May 31, 1969, to Jo Ann Barenberg in Hastings
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Becky Covalt and her husband, Mike, of Sidney and grandchildren Anna, Drew and Abby; mother-in-law, Nelda Barenberg of Hastings; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gib and Jeanette Moorhead of Hastings
Graduated from Longford (Kan.) Rural High School then attended Wichita State University; lived in Wichita and worked at Beechcraft Aircraft; moved to Hastings in 1965, began working for McLean Trucking
After marriage, lived in Hastings, continued working for McLean Trucking; moved to Kearney in 1983, later worked for Roadway Express, retired in 2001
Activities: member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, which he joined in 2009; enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball, bowling, watching sports and spending time with his family
Was preceded in death by his parents
Memorials: Prince of Peace Liturgical Sacred Art Fund for the new Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 3 March, 2011
HOUGH, Vera N., 86, of Grand Island died Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at Primrose Retirement Community in Grand Island
Services: Feb 24, Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home in Grand Island
Burial: Grand Island City Cemetery
Born Oct. 12, 1924, at Amherst
Parents: Ernest F. and Gertrude A. (Bauer) Cool
Married: Jan. 30, 1943, to Arthur Hough in Phillipsburg, Kan. He died June 30, 2004
Survivors include her daughter, Deanna Thompson and her husband, Mike, of Poulsbo, Wash.; sons, Jimmy Hough and his wife, Linda, of Aurora and Marlyn "Mort" Hough and his wife, Jane, of York; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Hough of Kearney; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sisters, LaRea Schnacker and her husband, Wayne, and Bobbie Pfeiffer, all of Kearney, and Arda Renfrow and her husband, Dick, of Grand Island; brother, Ron Cool of Elm Creek; and several nieces and nephews
Grew up in Miller and graduated from Miller High School
Lived in central Nebraska; moved to Grand Island, 1967, worked in retail for various businesses
Activities: enjoyed cross-stitching and traveling with her husband in their RV.; visited all 50 states and Canada; member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Ladies Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Liederkranz, the Eagles Auxiliary, the Elks Does and the Rolling Eagles RV Club; served in many offices in the Eagles Auxiliary and was also the organization's Grandmother of the Year
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, Donald; and brothers-in-law, Bud Olson and Duane Pfeiffer
Memorials: Epworth Village in York, Asera Care Hospice, Diabetic Association or the ALS Association
Kearney Hub, 24 March, 2011
JOHNSON, Edna E., 78, of Kearney died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Memorial services: Saturday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: later
Born Oct. 11, 1932, in San Antonio
Parents: Earl and Otha (Jones) Harless
Worked as a food server for various restaurants
Activities: member of Countryside Christian Church in Kearney
Was preceded in death by her parents
Memorials: Countryside Christian Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 25 February, 2011
KNAPP, Sharon Lynne, 78, of Lincoln died of pancreatic cancer Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, in Lincoln
Celebration of life: Saturday, Sheridan Lutheran Church in Lincoln
Body was cremated
Mortuary: Roper and Sons in Lincoln
Born Oct. 13, 1932, in Kearney
Paernts: Henry and Grace (Cannon) Peterson
Married: 1953, to James Knapp. He died in 1989
Survivors include her daughter, Becky Anderson, son-in-law, Mike Anderson, of Grand Island and their daughters, Trish and Christi; son, Peter Knapp, daughter-in-law Cindy Jesson of St. Paul, Minn., and their sons, Brad Cousins and his wife Adrienne, Christopher Knapp, Nathan Jesson and John Knapp; and sister, Carolyn Niekum of Sidney
Attended Kearney High School; attended Kearney State College, majored in elementary education
Taught in the Brady and Lincoln public schools while Jim attended law school; moved to Kearney in 1957
Served on the Kearney Board of Education, 1972-1976, and was the first woman elected president of that board; chaired the Nebraska Commission on the Status of Women, was an early advocate of Title IX; was the director of the Head Start Program in Kearney in early 1980's; was a member and then president of the Board of Trustees for Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney; returned to school and obtained her master of arts in educational administration
Moved to Lincoln; authored curriculum for grief workshops and was active with Widowed Persons Services; obtained her Ph.D. from the university in community and human resources, 1995; worked as a training facilitator for Wilson Learning; became a business consultant
Activities: was a docent at the Sheldon Art Gallery, a member of the Nebraska Committee for High Education and several other legislative task forces; enjoyed traveling, the arts and spending time with her friends and grandchildren
Memorials: Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery in Lincoln, Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Kearney Hub, 22 February, 2011
KRULL-JOHNSON, Vienna "Vi", 90, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2011 at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, First Baptist Church
Burial: Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Jan. 20, 1921, in Holdrege
Parents: Clayton and Anna (Olson) Imel
Married: July 21, 1940, to Kenneth Krull in Omaha. He died Jan. 31, 1973
Married: Nov. 9, 1991, to Sydney Johnson
Survivors include her husband; sons, Ron Krull and his wife, Judy, of Huxley, Iowa, and Gary Krull and his wife, Margaret, of Williamsburg, Va.; stepson, Herb Johnson and his wife, Linda, of Kearney; stepdaughters, Judy Hall of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Nancy VanHorn of Lincoln; brother, Lyle Imel and his wife, Marilyn, of Kearney; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; and 10 stepgreat-grandchildren
Was raised in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1938; was active in the honor society and in vocal and instrumental music
With Kenneth, lived in San Diego, Omaha, and Missouri Valley, Iowa, raised their two sons
Was active in her church throughout her life and took great pleasure and pride in her work with Sunday school, vacation Bible school, youth groups, holding several offices, participating in ladies' circles, and singing in the choir and took special pride in creating a young adult Bible class
After Ken's death, moved back to Kearney to care for her mother and be close to family; completed course work at Central Technical Community College, worked at the Nebraska Beef Board and at the Meadowlark Gift Shop on Central Avenue for 10 years; received the Chamber of Commerce Kearney Employee of the Month Award in June 1984
Was preceded by her first husband; a son in infancy, two brothers and one sister
Memorials: First Baptist Church or the Spouse/Sexual Abuse Family Education Center
Kearney Hub, 1 March, 2011
KUTSCH, Lyle, 88, of Cozad, formerly of Lexington and Holdrege, died Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at Golden Living Care Center in Cozad
Services: Saturday, Christ the King Catholic Church in Cozad
Burial with military honors: St. Anselm's Cemetery east of Anselmo
Mortuary: Berryman in Cozad
Born Aug. 7, 1922, near Miller
Parents: Fred and Ada (Fielder) Kutsch. Married: Aug. 29, 1975, to Gertrude Hickey in Lexington
Survivors include his wife; sister, Doris Cherry of Pueblo, Colo.; stepsons, Bill Hickey of Willow Island, Jim Hickey of North Platte and Kenneth Hickey of Fairfield; stepdaughter, Karen Brooks of Holdrege; and many stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren
Attended grade school at District 54 in Buffalo County, graduated from Miller High School in 1940; enrolled in Central Community College for one year and five months, then farmed with his father
Military: World War II, October 1942 - October 1945
Attended State Barber College in Denver, graduated in November 1958; was a barber in Lexington, retired in June 2005 at age 82
Activities: was baptized into the Catholic faith on April 10, 1993, at Lexington; enjoyed camping and playing bingo at the Golden Living Care Center
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lloyd Kutsch; and stepson, Mike Hickey
Kearney Hub, 3March, 2011
LEONARD, Robert E. "Bob", 80, of Gibbon died Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Saturday, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelton
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Born Oct. 30, 1930, in Cedar Bluffs
Parents: Edward and Naomi (Farris) Peterson
Married: June 1, 1949, to Pat Morgan. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his sons, Robby and his wife, Donna, and Randy and his wife, Misty, all of Gibbon; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren
Was an only child; with his mother moved to Gibbon, 1914; was later adopted by Ben Leonard; grew up in Gibbon and graduated from Gibbon High School in 1949
Married: to his high school sweetheart, Pat Morgan
With Lyle and Ben Morgan, began the Morgan & Leonard Construction business; later bought out the business and began Leonard Sand & Gravel
Activities: former member of the Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department; hobbies included hunting and fishing; loved being with his sons and grandchildren, enjoyed watching his son and grandsons take the checkered flag during the dirt track race season
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; son, Lonny; and a granddaughter
Memorials: Gibbon Emergency Unit
Kearney Hub, 4 March, 2011
LUEHRS, Martha E. "Marty", 89, of Kearney died Monday, Feb. 28, 2011, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Thursday, Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Feb. 11, 1922, in Plainview
Parents: Frank and Adele (Pfanstiel) Stark
Married: Nov. 26, 1954, to Norman Luehrs in Plainview. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Lonnie Luehrs of Kearney; brother, Henry Stark of Plainview; sister, Delores Kumm of McLean; brother-in-law, LaVern Luehrs and his wife, Arlene, of Trinity, Texas; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends
Attended District 23 Rural School outside Plainview and later earned her GED; member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, will be remembered for the many crosses she gave to others
Preceded in death by her husband; son, Richard; daughter, Sonia; one brother; and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 2 March, 2011
MULLINS, Robert "Larry", 74, of Ravenna died Saturday, March 5, 2011, at his home northeast of Ravenna
Services: Saturday, Rasmussen Funeral Home in Ravenna
Burial: Hayestown Cemetery
Born July 12, 1936, in McRoberts, Ky.
Parents: Ambrose and Edna (Craft) Mullins
Married: Oct. 11, 1954, to Mildred Jones in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Survivors include his wife; son, Tim of Cairo; daughter, Andrea Stubbs of Ravenna; brothers, Clarence Mullins of Kentucky and Charles Mullins of Ohio; sister, Mary Quillen of Ohio; and five grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 8 March, 2011
PETERSON, Franklin O., 93, of Kearney died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Monday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Born June 16, 1917, in Kearney
Parents: Frank and Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Wilke) Peterson
Survivors include his sister, Lorena Peterson of Kearney; brother, Jack Peterson and his wife, Beulah, of Kearney; nephew, Arnold "Pete" Peterson and his wife, Linda, of Kearney; and nieces, Jaclyn Peterson of Kearney and Joyce Vollmer of Mason City
Grew up north of Odessa and attended Midway School
Started farming with his brothers north of Kearney
Military: U.S. Army in World War II, 1941-1945
After the war, returned to the area, farmed north of Kearney with his sister and his mother; also raised and fed cattle until he retired
Activities: was a patriotic man; enjoyed playing dominoes and enjoyed traveling
Was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Donald, Douglas and Arnold
Memorials: Family of Christ Lutheran Church, the Heart Fund, or donors' choice
Kearney Hub, 26 February, 2011
POPE, Elizabeth J. "Betty", 90, of Johnson Lake died Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, at Tri-Country Hospital in Lexington
Services: Monday, First Christian Church in Lexington
Burial of cremains: Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Born Oct. 20, 1920, on the farm near Riverdale
Parents: George and Carolyn (Oertle) Knox
Married: 1941, to Eugene Kitterer. They divorced in 1961
Married: 1963, to Charles F. Pope. He died in 2002
Survivors include her son, Lonnie Kitterer and his wife, Gloria, of Johnson Lake and Charles Gary Pope and his wife, Karen, of Green River, Wyo.; daughter, Jeannette Palmer and her husband, John, of Green River; grandchildren, Jason Palmer and Levi, Sadie and Mason Pope, all of Green River, Greg Palmer of Grand Junction, Colo., Holly Pope of Salt Lake City, Ryan and Melissa Orton of Kansas City, Di Kitterer and Alexis Jimenez, both of Lincoln, and Li Kitterer of Kearney; and seven great-grandchildren
Attended school in Riverdale
With Charles lived in Johnson Lake in 1965; enjoyed traveling in their travel trailer all over the western United States after retiring in 1983, including their trip to Indonesia to visit their son; enjoyed time with friends and family; a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary of Kearney, a member of the Eagles Club Auxiliary of Kearney and the Moose Lodge Auxiliary of North Platte; lived hard and well right up to the last few days of her life
Memorials: First Christian Church in Lexington and Johnson Lake Emergency Medical Services
Kearney Hub, 5 March, 2011
POULSON, Carol D., 96, of Kearney, formerly of Elm Creek, died Saturday, March 5, 2011, at Wel-Life in Kearney
Services: Thursday, First Christian Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride ∓ Kuhl
Born Jan. 1, 1915, in Eddyville
Parents: Max and Mazie (Gibbons) Brandt
Married: March 31, 1934, to Orval Veal. He died in 1959
Married Frank Boyd. They divorced
Married: Oct. 8, 1965, to O.E. Poulson. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son-in-law, Les Blunk of Kearney; grandsons and wives, Rick and Ginger Blunk of Omaha and Scott and Diane Blunk of Papillion; sister and brother-in-law, Geraldine and Les Horn of Omaha; great-grandchildren, Christopher Blunk and his wife, T.J., of Lawrence, Kan., Lisa Duensing and her husband Brian, Jessica Blunk and Ashley Blunk, all of Omaha; and many nieces and nephews
Graduated from Miller High School in 1932; then attended Kearney Normal School
Worked for several years in the grocery business in Elm Creek and Kearney; also worked in the ASCS office in Kearney for several years; enjoyed working with the Senior Citizens in Elm Creek
Activities: was an avid sports fan, especially of University of Nebraska at Kearney and University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletics; enjoyed golfing, bowling, fishing and taking bus tours
Was preceded in death by her husbands; a daughter, Chadean F. Blunk; brothers, Darrell Brandt, Le-Gene Brandt and Duane Brandt; and sister, Lyndell Pierce
Memorials: First Christian Church in Kearney or Elm Creek
Kearney Hub, 8 March, 2011
RALSTON, Joseph Anthony "Joe", 90, of Grand Island, formerly of Hastings, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, at the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island
Services: Friday, St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Hastings
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Brand-Wilson in Hastings
Born Nov. 7, 1920, in Superior
Parents: Charles and Mary (Gerghity) Ralston
Marrid: Oct. 26, 1946, to Arlene (Ruebsamen) Allison of Harvard. She died Dec. 14, 2010
Survivors include his cousin, Doris Keough of Kearney; and nieces, Charlene and Christine Rogers of Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Moved to Kearney, attended St. James Catholic School, graduated from Kearney High School in 1939
Moved to Grand Island, worked as a Pepsi Cola truck route driver
Military: U.S. Army, December 1940 - September 1945; served under General Patton in Europe in World War II, achieved the rank of sergeant and earned five battle stars
Worked as newspaper distributors for the Omaha World-Herald in Grand Island and the Miami Herald in Miami; owned and operated A&W Root Beer in Columbus, 1963; owned and operated the A&W restaurant in Hastings, 1973; owned rental properties in Grand Island and Hastings
Activities: member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Hastings and the Veterans of Foreign Wars; former member of the Knights of Columbus; had played football in high school, was an avid sports fan; traveled to Texas during the winter in retirement; had a strong interest in their young employees and children in general
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brother, Charles Ralston; and sister, Erma Rogers
Memorials: Shriners Hospitals for Children
Kearney Hub, 22 February, 2011
REITZ, Millie, 95, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Thursday, First Baptist Church in Kearney
Burial: Pleasant Valley Cemetery near Pleasanton
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Jan. 1, 1916, on a farm north of St. Edward
Parents: Nels and Mabel (Penney) Nelson
Married: Aug. 28, 1954, to Kenneth Reitz. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sons, Lloyd Reitz and his wife, Mary, and George Reitz and his wife, Donna, all of Pleasanton, and Peter Reitz and his wife, Belva, of Durango, Colo.; daughters, LaVon Goddard and her husband, Bob, of Paraguay, South America, and Rebecca Lucas and her husband, Joe, of Kearney; 22 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren
Graduated from St. Edward High School; moved to Albion, worked in government and county offices; was a member of First Baptist Church at Albion, and committed to a personal relationship with her Lord, Jesus Christ
With Kenneth, lived on the farm southwest of Litchfield, attended South Loup Community Church
Moved to Kearney, 1989, joined Immanuel Baptist Church
Was preceded in death by her husband; sons, LaVerne, Larry and Danny Reitz; grandson, Ricky Reitz; and sisters, Sadie Skeels, Zelda Crosier and Allee Kinkle
Kearney Hub, 23 February, 2011
RITTER, Carrell C., 77, of Kearney, formerly of Pleasanton, died Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at his home
Services: Thursday, March 10, at Pleasanton United Methodist Church
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Jan. 4, 1934, at Pleasanton
Parents: Charles and Esther (Rodehorst) Ritter
Married: June 10, 1957, to Dorothy Felts in Denver
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Karla Ritter-Lindsay and her husband, Steve Lindsay, of Kearney, Cynthia Ritter and her husband, Thomas Labedz of Lincoln, and Janice Ritter and Tony Dillehay of Kearney; brother, Harold Ritter of Columbus; sister, Sharon Sand and her husband, Royal, of Loveland, Colo.; and grandchildren, Kaitlin Lindsay, Bryce Lindsay, Spencer Labedz and Celeste Labedz
Attended Sunflower School in Buffalo County, graduated from Pleasanton High School
Military: U.S. Air Force, was stationed in Denver
Lived in Pleasanton for 48 years, moved to Kearney in 2008; worked as a draftsman and an NC programmer, first at Rockwell Manufacturing then at Eaton Corp.
Activities: 64-year member of the Pleasanton United Methodist Church, served as church secretary after his retirement
Activities: loved travel, visited all 50 states and 27 foreign countries; enjoyed cruises and motor coach trips and followed the Husker football team to many bowl games; often included children and grandchildren in their travels; enjoyed bowling and golf; played and coached softball; excelled at billiards and other sports, many of his own invention; enjoyed sharing a love of learning with his children and grandchildren; history and geography were favorites, enjoyed solving puzzles and enjoyed playing card, board and trivia games
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, A. Dale Ritter; and sister, Elda Mae Lange
Memorials: Pleasanton United Methodist Church, Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department and the Leukemia Research Foundation
Kearney Hub, 8 March, 2011
ROYLE, Rosa L., 90, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at her home
Services: Wednesday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Chapel
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Sept. 21, 1920, a sod home in Arcadia
Parents: Thomas and Sarah (Newell) Cook
Married: April 21, 1937, to Arthur Royle in Broken Bow
Survivors include her son, Don Royle and his wife, Sandi, of Minden; daughter, Lorita Ross and her husband, Robert IV, of Bear, Del.; daughter-in-law, Doris Royle of Purdum; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren
Attended country school near Arcadia and then near Ansley
After marriage, lived near Litchfield; moved to Laramie, Wyo., 1941, so Arthur could work for the Union Pacific Railroad; moved 1946 to Ansley area to farm; moved to Kearney in 1960; worked at Baldwin Filters for five years and then as a cook for Kearney Public Schools
Activities: loved to sew and quilt and to make dolls, baby blankets and hats for newborns at Good Samaritan Hospital
Was preceded in death by her husband, two sons, one great grandson, four brothers and five sisters
Memorials: Press On Youth Ministries
Kearney Hub, 1 March, 2011
SHRADER, Steve, 59, of Ravenna died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Services: Thursday, First Baptist Church in Kearney
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Nov. 9, 1951, in Grand Island
Parents: Everett and Jane (Vreeland) Shrader
Married: Nov. 29, 1975, to Patricia Aitken in Ravenna
Survivors include his wife; daughter and son-in-law, Angie and Phil Gebers of Lincoln; sons and daughter-in-law, Matt and Amy Shrader of Omaha and Lance Shrader of Grand Island; grandchildren, Jessica, Andrew and Joshua Gebers and Evan Shrader; brother, Tim Shrader of Ravenna; mother-in-law, Eileen Aitken of Ravenna; and father-in-law, Jack Aitken of Tecumseh
Was educated at District 105 in rural Buffalo County, graduated from Ravenna High School in 1970; graduated with a bachelor's degree in business from Kearney State College in 1974 and a master's degree in economics from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1994; had begun work on his doctorate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lived east of Ravenna; was employed by Chief Industries in Kearney
Was baptized in the Christian faith, member of First Baptist Church in Kearney; enjoyed spending time with his family, horse races, Husker football and traveling
Was preceded in death by his parents and sisters-in-law, Laurie Shrader and Susan Zeller
Kearney Hub, 1 March, 2011
TILLMAN, Doris, 86, of Omaha, formerly of Litchfield, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, in Omaha
Services: Saturday, New Life Assembly Church in Kearney
Burial: Mason City Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Aug. 31, 1924, in Dannebrog
Parents: Niels and Myrtle (Swain) Christensen
Married: June 22, 1944, to Arlow Tschudin at Peace Lutheran Church near Belgrade. They divorced in 1963. He died in January 2009
Married: Art Tillman of Grand Island. He died in 2008
Survivors include her sons, Dell Tschudin and his wife, Janet, of Papillion and Tim Tschudin and his wife, Shelly, of Omaha; daughters, Kathy Stubbs of Kearney, Chris Gill and her husband, Eytan, of Papillion and Ronda Simpson of Texas; foster daughter, Ronda Talsma of Wisconsin; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren
Taught school in Wolbach
With Arlow, traveling around the United States with the Transcontinental pipeline for Arlow's work as a welder, then settled in Ravenna; owned and operated the Burlington Café and Apartments and the Midway Café; then moved to the Litchfield area Attended Kearney State College and was employed there as a house mother
Kearney Hub, 24 February, 2011
VARGAS, Marianna C., 59, of Kearney died Monday, Feb. 28, 2011, at her home
Memorial services: Friday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Oct. 8, 1951, in National City, Calif.
Parents: Oscar and Leatrice (Brown) Vargas
Married: March 8, 1985, to Tom McCarty in Cleveland
Survivors include her husband; daughter, Sara McCarty of Kearney; sister, Alicia Withrow; brothers, Billy and Larry Vargas; niece, Jenifer Withrow; and other nieces and nephews
Grew up in Hermosa Beach, Calif., graduated from Mira Costa High School; moved to Kearney to study at Kearney State College, graduated with a degree in psychology; obtained her master's degree in counseling from KSC
Worked at Kearney Police Department in the victims/witness unit for 15 years; retired for health reasons and to concentrate on raising her family
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church; volunteered her time at the Spouse/Sexual Abuse Family Education Center as well as many other organizations; later gave her time to Kearney Catholic High School parents group
Was preceded in death by her mother and a special uncle, Bill Rankan
Kearney Hub, 3 March, 2011
VEST, Glenn E., 83, of Harborcreek Township, Pennsylvania, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at St. Vincent Health Center in Erie
Graveside services: Monday, Kearney (Neb.) Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 15, 1927, at Pleasanton, Neb.
Parents: Richard and Delila (Smith) Vest
Married: Lucile Loeffelholz. She died in 2007
Survivors include his sons, Douglas Vest and his wife, Doris, of Erie and Joseph Vest and his wife, Kellie, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; daughter, Evelyn Wedzikowski and her husband, John, of Erie; grandchildren, John and Jennifer Wedzikowski, Scott Vest and his wife, Ashley, Andrew Vest, Jorden, Tayler and Nicole Vest and Joey Vest Jr.; great-grandchildren, Cayden Vest, Nilyne Vest and Christine Rodriguez; and many nieces and nephews
Earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska and a master's degree in engineering from Penn State University; worked as an engineer with Erie General Electric, 1954-1987; retired in 1987; held three U.S. patents, which are still used on locomotives
Activities: was a professional engineer, belonged to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Quarter Century Club of G.E.; enjoyed hunting, fishing and target shooting and was active in model airplanes; also liked square dancing and was a member of the Squaws and Paws Square dancing club, Presque Isle Dancers, Perry Squares and Penn Shores Dance Club
Was preceded in death by his wife, parents and two brothers, Walter and Richard Vest
Memorials: Regional Cancer Center in Erie
Kearney Hub, 4 March, 2011
WILD, Freda K., 88, of Amherst died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, at her home
Services: Monday, Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst
Burial: Immanuel Cemetery northwest of Amherst
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 9, 1922, in Hildreth
Parents: Fred and Katie (Westerbuhr) Bauer
Married: Jan. 25, 1953, to Emmitt Wild in Hildreth. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Kermit Wild of Amherst; daughters, Karen Bohac and her husband, Frank, of Kearney, Kaye Wild and her husband, Bruce Levy, of Cambridge, Mass., and Karla Wild of Kearney; sister, Violet Eberle of Hildreth; grandson, Chad Taubenheim and his wife, Melissa, of Kearney; granddaughters, Renea Wolf and her husband, Shannon, of Elm Creek, Ashley Bohac of Kearney and April Riggs of Lincoln; four great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Bill Riggs of Elm Creek; sister-in-law, Carolyn Bauer of Hildreth; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, LaVern and Selma Florang of Kearney
Graduated from Hildreth High School, attended Kearney Normal School; worked as a rural school teacher in Franklin County and then as a nurse at Kearney Clinic
With Emmitt, farmed and ranched northeast of Amherst
Activities: member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst, Lutheran Women's Missionary League, Ladies Aid, Amherst Community Chorus, Amherst Women's Bible Study and Amherst Lions Club, was president of District 80 School Board for many years; enjoyed church activities, playing cards and spending time with her family
Was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Kathleen Riggs; great-granddaughter, Rylee Wolf; and brother, Carl Bauer
Memorials: Lutheran Church Missouri Synod World Mission
Kearney Hub, 26 February, 2011
YORK, Avonne M., 73, of Grand Island died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at Golden Living at Lakeview in Grand Island
Services: Tuesday, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Grand Island
Burial: Grand Island City Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel
Born Nov. 24, 1937, in Scotia
Parents: Edward and Mabel (Gaybar) Beck
Married: Nov. 5, 1956, to Ronald York at Ovid, Colo.
Survivors include her husband; daughters and sons-in-law, Terri and Dennis Sautter of Grand Island, Jerri and Richard Binger of Salina, Kan., and Ronda and Paul Wagner of Grand Island; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Patty York of Idaho Falls, Idaho; 14 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren
Grew up in and attended school in Scotia, graduated in 1955; then attended Kearney State College and taught rural school at Chappell for two years
After marriage, lived in Kearney, Scotia and Gothenburg, then settled in Grand Island
Worked as an office dispatcher for NTC, Homes Freight Lines and Arrow Freight Lines
Activities: member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodge, served as a past noble grand; member of Monday Quilters Club, United Commercial Travelers and the Vintage and Classic Wheels Car Club; hobbies included quilting and sewing
Was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Willis, Harold and Chester Beck
Kearney Hub, 28 February, 2011