Page 108
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
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BETKE, Alice J., 76, of Lincoln died Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at Tabitha in Lincoln
Memorial services: Monday, Rasmussen Funeral Home in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Born May 30, 1934, near Ravenna
Parents: George and Goldie (McKinney) Arnold
Married: June 14, 1951, to Robert Betke
Survivors include her sister, Shirley Keelan of Lincoln, and nephews and nieces
Graduated from Ravenna High School in 1951
Worked for many truck lines in Omaha, Denver and Lincoln; had lived in Lincoln since 1995
Activities: member of the Lutheran faith
Was preceded in death by a brother, George "Bud" Arnold; sister, Betty Prochaska; and niece, Peg Keelan White
Memorials: Ravenna Senior Center
Kearney Hub, 19 May, 2011
BOOTON, Lawrence Albert, 87, of Gibbon died Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Gibbon
Services: Saturday at the Congregational Church in Red Cloud
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery in Franklin
Mortuary: Simonson-Williams in Red Cloud
Born Dec. 28, 1923, in Smith County, Kan.
Parents: Charles and Zadie (McClure) Booton
Married: Aug. 29, 1946, to Ilene Baetz at Smith Center, Kan.
Survivors include his wife; son, Loren of Gibbon; brother, Alfred of Pomona, Kan.; sister, Viola Lantis of Omaha; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 29 April, 2011
BOSHART, Donald Aaron, 95, of Big Timber, Montana, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, at Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber
Memorial services with military honors: June 18 at O'Neill (Neb.) Cemetery
Born May 12, 1915, at the family homestead north of O'Neill
Parents: Aaron and Nellie (Lansworth) Boshart
Married: Aug. 20, 1938, to Rita Behrens in Grand Island, Neb. She died in 1974
Survivors include two grandsons and three great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 17 May, 2011
BRANDT, Elizabeth Anne "Betty", 94, of Avon, S.D., died Thursday, April 28, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Monday at Zion Lutheran Church in Avon
Burial: the church cemetery in rural Avon
Mortuary: Crosby-Jaeger in Avon
Born June 20, 1916, in Kearney
Parents: George and Mary (Vest) Kutsch
Married: Aug. 20, 1941, to Fred A. Brandt in Sumner. He died Oct. 23, 1988
Survivors include her sons, Daniel, David and Douglas, all of Avon; sisters, Inez Dittmar and Viola Sattler, both of Kearney; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 30 April, 2011
CAGLER, David L., 55, of Kearney died Sunday, May 1, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: Friday at Kearney Evangelical Free Church
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Body will be cremated
Born June 6, 1955, in Kearney
Parents: Louie and Lucy (Morris) Cagler
Married in 1981
Survivors include his parents of Gibbon; sons, Justin and his wife, Michelle, of Elm Creek, Corey of Amherst and Kevin of Kearney; sisters, Kathy Clevenger and her husband, Allan, of Shelton, Debbie of Kearney, Cindy Lower of Sandy, Utah, and Colleen Budman and her husband, George, of Hughesville, Pa.; grandchildren, MaKenzie and Maddex Cagler; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends
Moved a few years after his birth to a farm near Gibbon; attended a country school near his home a couple of years before the school closed and moved the students to Gibbon Public School, graduated in 1973
Helped out on the family farm
Purchased some land west of Kearney, 1991, built a home that would remain his residence until his death
Enjoyed working with his hands and doing odd jobs; worked at Grease Monkey and Gibbon Pack, became a self-employed handyman; will be remembered for his passions of music, cars and camping
Kearney Hub, 4 May, 2011
CAIN, Merlen, 92, of Kearney died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, at Golden Living Center in Broken Bow
Memorial services: Friday May 13, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege
Born July 28, 1918, in Funk
Parents: Homer and Emma (Hammond) Cain
Married: Nov. 29, 1943, to Dorothy Verback in Smith Center, Kan. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his daughter, Bonnie Davis and her husband, Don, of Aurora, Colo.; grandchildren, Penni Huber and her husband, Kevin, Pamela Greenfield and her husband, Rod, Peggi Miller and her husband, Brian, all of Colorado; great-grandchildren, Drew and Kyle Huber and Baylie Greenfield; sister, Alice Nelson of Arizona; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Farmed north of Funk most of his life; with wife, owned and operated the Colony Café in Holdrege for three years; managed a self-storage company in Fort Collins, Colo.; retired in Kearney, worked part time for McDonald's and then Wendy's into his 80s
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; infant son, Robert Ray; brothers, Marvin, Burt and Arlen; and sisters, Ardith and Edith
Memorials: AseraCare or the donor's choice
Kearney Hub, 10 May, 2011
CAPELLEN, Lawrence, 95, of Ravenna died Thursday, April 28, 2011, at Seneca Sunrise in Ravenna
Services: Saturday, Ravenna United Methodist Church
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Aug. 3, 1915, in Hazard
Parents: Fred and Leo (Criffield) Capellen
Married: Oct. 26, 1935, to Evelyn Bauer in Minden
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Janice Chramosta and her husband, Eugene, of Gibbon and Karen Rueter and her husband, Thad, of Murdock; son, Gary Capellen of Ravenna; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and brother, Warren
Was educated in Sherman County
After marriage, lived and farmed near Sweetwater; moved to a farm near Poole, 1946, and retired to Ravenna in 1980
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church
Was preceded in death by four brothers
Memorials: the church and hospice
Kearney Hub, 29 April, 2011
CARRANZA, Thelma M., 71, of Kearney died Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at her home
Memorial services: Friday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Born: July 11, 1939, in Sabinas, Mexico
Parents: Trigio and Ignacia (Inclan) Rodriguez
Married: April 27, 1963, to John Carranza at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Survivors include her husband; daughter, Marie Schneider and her husband, Mike, of Grand Island; brothers, Trigio Rodriguez and his wife, Alice, of Houston, Jonas Rodriguez, Johnny Rodriguez and his wife, Rosemary, and Jerry Rodriguez and his wife, Rita, all of Kearney, and Javier Rodriguez and his wife, Rose, of Lincoln City, Ore.; sisters, Josie Moreno and Henrietta Vavra and her husband, Jim, all of Kearney; sister-in-law, Hilda Rodriguez of Kearney; and granddaughter, Sandra Malzacher of Lincoln
Moved to Kearney in 1959; worked at Eaton Corp. for 30 years
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church; enjoyed cooking pastries and taking care of her family; also enjoyed time with family and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Mario Rodriguez
Kearney Hub, 5 May, 2011
CERNIK, Frank, 92, of Kearney, formerly of Ord, died Monday, May 2, 2011, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Services: Saturday, Ord Memorial Chapel; grandson, Keith Robinson, will co-officiate the service
Burial: Ord Bohemian Cemetery with military honors
Born Nov. 12, 1918, on the family farm in Geranium Township of Valley County
Parents: Joseph and Phyllis (Lukesh) Cernik
Married: Oct. 2, 1946, to Agnes Bruha
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Betty Robinson of Kearney and Charlene Hruby and her husband, Alan, of Hansen; daughter-in-law, RaNae Cernik (wife of the late Frank Cernik Jr.) of Kearney; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Edith John of Lincoln; and nieces, nephews, cousins and a community of caring friends
Military: U.S. Army, served during World War II in Normandy and Germany; was honorably discharged
After marriage, farmed southwest of North Loup; also studied electronics and enjoyed installing the first black-and-white televisions in many Valley County homes; retired and moved to Ord, continued his carpentry; moved to Kearney to live closer to their daughters; celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary last October
Activities: member of the Ord Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Loup American Legion; was an avid fisherman; enjoyed polka music and dancing
Was preceded in death by his parents; son, Frank Cernik Jr.; an infant daughter; and brother, Eldon Cernik
Kearney Hub, 5 May, 2011
CLARK, Nora Anna Rosa, 90, of North Platte died Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at Sutherland Care Center
Services: Monday, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in North Platte
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Mortuary: Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte
Born June 23, 1920, at Amherst
Parents: Emil and Ida (Reah) Sohrweid
Married: July 20, 1943, to Fay Clark at Austin, Texas. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sons, David of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Roger of LaSalle, Colo.; daughters, Adeline "Susie" Weizorek and Donna Tighe, both of North Platte; sister, Ruth Jones of Kearney; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 20 May, 2011
DAVIS, William Donald II, 68, of Kearney died Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at his home
Memorial services: Monday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors
Born May 5, 1942, in Indianapolis
Parents: William and Naomi (Dezern) Davis
Married to Shirley who preceded him in death
Married: March 29, 2005, to Maria B. Pinho in Kearney
Survivors include his wife; sons, William "Donald" Davis III and his wife, Gina, of Seattle; daughter, Shelley Wise and her husband, John, of Nashville, Tenn.; mother, Naomi Olsen of San Antonio; stepsons, Jon Davis and Bruce Davis, both of Kearney; stepdaughter, Michelle Howe and her husband, Brian, of East Lansing, Mich.; grandson, Ian Wise; stepgrandchildren, Aubrey Howe and Michaela and Sydney Blair; great-granddaughter, Lily-Rae Blair; brother, Wayne Davis and his wife, Marney, of Kansas City, Kan.; sisters, Donna Cain and her husband, Bill, of San Antonio and Danna Stimac and her husband, Mike, of Kansas City, Mo.; and many nieces and nephews
Earned his master's degree from Michigan State University
Military: U.S. Air Force Aug. 15, 1960-June 1, 1986, earned the rank of major
Served as the director of Public Safety for 16 years with the University of Nebraska at Kearney; retired in 2002
Was preceded in death by first wife and his father
Memorials: Kearney Humane Society
Kearney Hub, 30 April, 2011
EPP, Larry D., 68, of Kearney died Friday, May 6, 2011, at his home
Services: Wednesday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 11, 1942, in Kansas City, Mo.
Parents: Ralph and Frances (Grudle) Epp
Married: March 7, 1970, to Ellen Jacobitz in Kearney
Survivors include his wife; son, Dane Epp and his wife, Tammy, of Omaha; daughter, Ann Compton and her husband, Gabe, of Omaha; granddaughter, Tylar Epp of Kearney; grandsons, Reese and Drew Compton of Omaha; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1961
Military: U.S. Air Force, 1964-1968, served during the Vietnam War
Worked at Eaton Corp. for 27 years; retired in 2000
In retirement, drove for Golden Plains Services throughout Nebraska
Activities: loved spending time with his family and friends; also loved Corvettes, Husker football, NASCAR, cars and all car racing
Was preceded in death by his parents and one sister
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 9 May, 2011
EPP, Margaret E., 87, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Sunday, May 1, 2011, in Mesa
Services: Friday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Aug. 30, 1923, in Amherst, Neb.
Parents: Samuel and Clara (Burns) Stone
Married: Dec. 30, 1942, to Richard Epp in Broken Bow, Neb. He died June 28, 1994
Survivors include her sons, Warren Epp of Honey Creek, Iowa, Gale Epp and his wife, Tongay, of Columbus, Neb., and Gary Lee Epp and his wife, Mary, of Mesa; daughter, Deloris Hoefs and her husband, Paul, of Mesa; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren
Graduated from Amherst High School in 1942
Worked as a cook at the tuberculosis hospital for 16 years, 1955 - 1971, and then for Kearney High School for 17 years, 1971 - 1989, before retiring
Activities: was very involved in the Kearney Senior Center after retirement; served on the Center's Advisory Board for many years; thoroughly enjoyed playing cards and bingo daily
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Opal Ludwig; brothers, Carl, Edgar, Ernest, Raymond, Lee and Roy; son, Harlan; and daughter-in-law, Carolyn
Memorials: Alzheimer's research or Peterson Senior Activity Center
Kearney Hub, 5 May, 2011
FELKINS, Jean Trott, 90, of Poway, California, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Saturday, April 23, 2011, in Menifee, California
Graveside services: Tuesday, Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl in Kearney
Born April 30, 1920, in Kearney
Married to Kenneth A. Purdy. He died in 1958
Married to Donald H. Felkins. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sisters, Gladys Trott Wayman of Crown Point, Ind., and Irma Trott of Crete, Neb.; daughter, Eleanor Purdy Gunther of Leander, Texas; grandchildren, George Vaughan Jr. of Leander, Vicki Vaughan of Sacramento and Tracy Darby of Menifee; great-grandchildren, David Vaughan of Cedar Park, Texas, Dayna Jimenez of Poway, Brittany and Ashleigh Darby of Menifee and Sarah Jean and Kristi Lynn Erwin of Sacramento
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1936; obtained her teaching degree from the University of Nebraska; began teaching in 1946 in a one-room school in Mason City; obtained her master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1951; moved to Omaha in 1952, taught at Monroe Junior High School; moved to California in 1959, continued teaching, retired in 1982
Activitiees: was a dedicated member of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Was preceded in death by her husbands; parents, Louis and Eleanor Trott; brothers, Bernard and Willis Trott; and grandson, Kenneth James Vaughan
Kearney Hub, 30 April, 2011
FELLOWS, Robert "Bob" Lee, 79, of Topeka, Kansas, died Friday, April 29, 2011, at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Topeka
Services: Tuesday, Davidson Funeral Home in Topeka
Burial: Mount Hope Cemetery at Topeka
Born June 23, 1931, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: William and Mabel (Swinyer) Fellows. Married: March 4, 1951, to Jacqueline (Halstead) Fellows at Fort Riley
Survivors include his wife; children, Robert W. Fellows and his wife, Kimberly, of Auburn, Debra L. Miller and her husband, Bob, of Topeka and Tammy S. Johns and her husband, Brock, of Oklahoma City; sister, Delores Smith of Muncie, Ind.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Military: 1951-1952, served in the Korean War
Was a truck driver at Graves Trucking for 30 years
Activities: member of American Legion Capitol Post 1 and American Legion Post 400, Phillip Billard Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1650 and Teamsters Local Union 696, all of Topeka
Memorials: Disabled American Veterans
Kearney Hub, 2 May, 2011
FITZGERALD, Patrick John, 51, of Bend, Oregon, formerly of Gibbon, Neb., died Tuesday, April 26, 2011, in Bend
Born July 10, 1959, in Grand Island, Neb.
Parents: Warren (Pettit) Fitzgerald and Juanita Brayton Hughes
Married: Oct. 31, 1987, to Patricia McCarthy
Survivors include his wife; sons, John and Brayton, both of Bend; daughter, Kelsey of Bend; his father of Gibbon; his mother of Kissee Mills, Mo.; sisters, Patti Mack of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Margaret Martindale of Wampum, Pa., and Katherine D. Fitzgerald and her husband, Don, of Redding, Calif.; brother, Michael and his wife, Mary Jo, of Houston; and stepsisters, Heather and Kiersten McCarthy, both of Portland
Military: U.S. Navy for three years
Became an electronic, chemical and equipment maintenance technician employed in Texas and Silicon Valley in California
Kearney Hub, 4 May, 2011
FRITZ, Lawrence W., 96, of Kearney died Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Saturday, Zion Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Jan. 20, 1915, in Wilcox
Parents: Charles and Dora (Volk) Fritz
Married: Dec. 30, 1942, to Velma Tjaden in Brownwood, Texas. She died Sept. 21, 1998
Survivors include his daughters, Linda Johnson and her husband, Herb, and Lynette Johnson and her husband, Dale, all of Kearney, and Leanna Fritz and her special friend, Scott Gavin, of Omaha; sister, Alvera Lieske of Kearney; and five grandchildren
In childhood, moved to Upland, attended school there, graduated from Upland High School in 1933; attended Midway College in Minneapolis
Military: U.S. Army, April 17, 1942-Oct. 13, 1945; served overseas as a radioman
After discharge, lived in Upland; moved to Kearney in 1954; attended the Kansas City School of Television and Radio, was employed at the Sears Department Store in Kearney as a radio, television and appliance repairman for more than 20 years; retired in September 1978
Activities: member of Zion Lutheran Church, Lutheran Laymen's League and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759; served on various church committees, ran the radio broadcast booth at Zion for several years
Was preceded in death by his wife, one sister and one brother
Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 20 May, 2011
FULTON, Joseph F., 93, of Kearney, formerly of Loup City, died Friday, April 29, 2011, at his home
Services: Thursday, Faith Baptist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Oct. 17, 1917, on a farm near Webber, Kan.
Parents: Tom and Margaret Fulton
Was the youngest of eight children; graduated from Webber High School in 1934, then worked for Blue Cross Serum Co. in Superior plus worked for a veterinarian and farmed; attended Kansas State University, graduated with a doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 1944
Military: during college, entered the U.S. Army Reserve and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Medical Corps in 1942, was active 1943 - 194; practiced veterinary medicine in Atchison, Kan., in 1945 and in Superior, 1946-1951; again went on active duty as a captain, 1952-1954 and served in Japan
Moved to Loup City, practiced veterinary medicine, 1954 - 1972; sold his practice to farm and ranch full time; retired in 2002
Activities: served as a city councilman and as mayor in Loup City; at Kansas State University, was a member of Gamma Sigma Delta and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies
Married: 1943 to Laura Merrill; had two daughters, Nancy Lee of Manhattan, Kan., and Janet Alexander of Porterville, Calif.
Married: 1959 to Pauline Bowers; had two sons, Doug Fulton and his wife, Cheri, of Lincoln and Kevin Fulton and his wife, Amy, of Litchfield
Married: 1997 to Kathleen Murphy; moved to Kearney in 2000
Survivors also include sister, Emma Booker of Superior; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his sisters, Jenny Langer and Agnes Oldham; and brothers, Jim, Thomas "Pete," Robert and Donald Dean
Kearney Hub, 3 May, 2011
GIRARD, Wanda G., 77, of Kearney died Sunday, May 8, 2011, at her home
Services: Thursday, Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst
Burial: Stanley Cemetery at Amherst
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatman in Kearney
Born Dec. 6, 1933, at Miltonvale, Kan.
Parents: Chester B. and Alice M. (Rogge) Durkee
Married: Sept. 10, 1949, to Leland Girard in Greenleaf, Kan.
Survivors include her daughters, Judy Crites and her special friend Kevin Crites of Ravenna, Rhonda Hinrichs and her husband, Jim, of Glenvil, and Patty Van Horn and her husband, Kenny, of Kearney; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brothers, Darrell Heath of Surprise, Ariz., and Duane Heath of Mesa, Ariz.; brothers-in-law, Don Kingsley of Omaha and Ray Girard and his wife, Nancy, of Augusta, Kan.; and sisters-in-law, Lucille Tremblay of Clifton and Lou Girard of Stafford, Kan.
Was employed at Baldwin Filters, U-Save and, most recently, at Walmart Deli in Kearney
Activities: member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst; hobbies included reading and crossword puzzles
Was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; infant son, Robert Lee Girard; son, Kevin Girard; stepfather, Leo Heath; and sister, Rosemarie Kingsley
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church, Amherst
Kearney Hub, 10 May, 2011
HENDRICKSON, Duane F. "Buck", 85, of Kearney died Friday, May 13, 2011, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Wednesday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Aug. 9, 1925, in Kearney
Parents: Russell and Leila (Patterson) Hendrickson
Married: Dec. 24, 1991, to Audrey Pratt Wild
Survivors include his wife; nephews, Richard Speck and his wife, Carol, of Gulfport, Miss., and Ron Hendrickson and his wife, Deb, and Don Hendrickson, all of Kearney; nieces, Pat Knaub and her husband, Bob, of Stillwater, Okla., Jean Wilkinson and her husband, Jim, of Morrill, Lynda Monson and her husband, John, of Wallace, Diana Weaver and her husband, Ray, of Gulfport and Cathy Johnson and her husband, Doug, of Gainesville, Va.; sister-in-law, Wauneta Hendrickson of Kearney; brother-in-law, Harrison Speck of Gulfport; stepdaughters, Lori Wild of Lincoln, Cassie Smith and her husband, David, of Lexington and Colleen Abels of Omaha; stepson, Jeff Wild and his wife, Jean, of Valparaiso; nine stepgrandchildren; 16 stepgreat-grandchildren; and many grandnieces and grandnephews
Grew up in the Pleasanton area, attended country school; farmed in the Riverdale area; retired in 1985
Activities: enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling with his wife to many places, including Hong Kong
Was preceded in death by his sisters, Lois Kain and Arlene Speck; brother, Oren Hendrickson; brother-in-law, Aaron Kain; and stepdaughter, Becky Wild
Memorials: Mount Carmel Home in Kearney or the Buffalo County 4-H program
Kearney Hub, 17 May, 2011
JOHNSON, Harold D., 78, of Kearney died Friday, May 6, 2011, at Gibbon Good Samaritan Center
Services: Thursday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Services
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Crete
Born Dec. 4, 1932, in Elyria at the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Depot
Parents: Vern and Ella (Rabbit) Johnson
Married: July 8, 1961, to Helen Safarik in Grand Island
Survivors include his wife; sons, Dave Johnson and his wife, Trish, of Kearney and Mike Johnson of Salt Lake City; daughter, Suzanne Johnson and James Vesay of Omaha; and granddaughters, Emma, Tessa and Olivia Johnson of Kearney
With family, moved to Exeter, attended elementary school; moved and attended middle school in Hastings, and then graduated from Grand Island High School in 1950
Was a signal maintainer for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. He retired in 1994
Activities: member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen for 58 years, Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl; enjoyed hunting and fishing with his boys and camping with the family; loved steam engine locomotives; had a great passion for the railroad; was an avid reader; enjoyed traveling to the Black Hills in South Dakota; loved his granddaughters
As a boy he would gather corncobs into bushel baskets, which were piled out by the garage by a farmer, and bring them to their home to be used for heat along with coal and wood in the furnace. This paid 10 cents a week, which he used to go to the Saturday afternoon movie to see Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry or Roy Rogers
Was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Irwin and Harry Johnson; and sister, Vernice Underwood
Kearney Hub, 10 May, 2011
JOHNSON, Omar William, 94, of Kearney, formerly of Plainview, died Monday, May 9, 2011, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Services: Saturday, Our Savior Lutheran Church in Plainview
Burial: Danish Cemetery southwest of Plainview with military honors
Mortuary: Ashburn in Plainview
Born Nov. 3, 1916, on his family's farm southwest of Plainview in Antelope County
Parents: Ole and Mary (Hansen) Johnson
Married: Dec. 14, 1948, to Arlene Mader. She died in August 1969
Married: January 1971, to Bernice Schilousky. She died in July 2003
Survivors include his daughter, Nancy Badura of Kearney; stepsons, Larry Schilousky of Neligh and Bill Schilousky of Omaha; stepdaughters, Jean Wulf of Pierce and Diane Anderson of Clearwater; 14 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 12 May, 2011
LIZER, Darlyne, 84, of Kearney died Saturday, May 7, 2011, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Tuesday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Dec. 3, 1926, in Kearney; was the 10th in family of 11 children
Parents: Arthur and Pearl (Groom) Garrison
Married: Aug. 22, 1944, to John Lizer in Smith Center, Kan. He died June 5, 2004
Survivors include her daughters, Karen Gant and Pat Cook and her husband, Bob, all of Kearney; son-in-law, Larry Kinkade of Kearney; grandchildren, Larry Joe Kinkade and Vickie Gant, both of Kearney, Mike Kinkade of Axtell, Robert Gant and his wife, Glenda, of Hastings, Teressa Doyle of Omaha and Butch Kersting and his fiancée, Ranee Vavera, of Minden; 15 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Louise Gross of Cypress, Calif.
Before marriage, was a waitress at the Betty Low Café
Stayed home with their girls until they were in school; hung wallpaper until 1984; worked as a cook at the Stockyard Café until 1999
Activities: enjoyed cooking and her inside and outside flowers and plants; attended The Salvation Army Church asa child; member of the Eagles Auxiliary; loved playing bingo
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; daughter, Linda Kinkade; grandson, Billy O'Brien; and nine siblings
Kearney Hub, 9 May, 2011
MILLER, Betty C., 87, of Kearney died Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Oct. 1, 1923, in Kearney
Parents: Francis and Laura (Smith) Johnson
Married: Dec. 28, 1952, to Warren Miller in Kearney. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her nephews, Al Catlin and his wife, Jill, of Kearney, Randy Catlin and his wife, Susan, of Beaver Crossing and Bradley Catlin and his wife, Sondra, of Salem; friends, Faye Madre of Kearney and Wendell and Connie Nutt of Axtell; niece, Amy Catlin-Wozniak of Ohio; many other nieces and nephews; and a host of friends
Graduated from Kearney High School; worked for GTE in Kearney after high school until her retirement at age 65
Activities: loved animals, birds and her flower gardenp; member of Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, Richard Joy; and six brothers and sisters
Memorials: Kearney Animal Shelter
Kearney Hub, 21 May, 2011
MITCHELL, Jean, 63, of Elm Creek, Neb., died Thursday, May 12, 2011, at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Memorial services: Thursday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney, Neb.
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Born March 24, 1948, in Orleans, Neb.
Married: Aug. 10, 1969, to Jim Mitchell in Elm Creek
Survivors include her husband; daughter, Nicole Mitchell of Memphis, Tenn.; son, Trapper Mitchell of Platteville, Wis.; sister-in-law, Barb Saum; brothers-in-law, Bill Mitchell and his wife, Lou, and Bob Mitchell and his wife, Pat; sister-in-law, Connie Olson and her husband, Bob; many nieces and nephews; many special friends, including the card group; golfing partner, Shirley Davenport; and special friends and neighbors, Benny and Brenda Schroeder. Attended grade school at Orleans; moved to Elm Creek in 1960; attended and graduated from Elm Creek Public School in 1966
Worked at KHOL-TV station; after marriage, lived a short time in Frankfurt, Germany, then moved to Elm Creek; began working for the Kearney Hub
Received her bachelor of science degree from Kearney State College, 1990; earned her master of science degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, 1992; served as a licensed mental health counselor for South Central Behavioral Services, then opened her private practice, Mitchell Counseling Services
Activities: enjoyed her flower garden and goldfish pond, playing golf, and her cats; enjoyed talking with her children; was a Husker football fan
Memorials: Overton Golf Course
Kearney Hub, 17 May, 2011
PAPINEAU, Gary H., 61, of Miller, Neb., died Thursday, May 5, 2011, at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Graveside services: Monday, Armada Cemetery at Miller
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl in Kearney, Neb.
Born Feb. 4, 1950, in Kankakee, Ill.
Parents: Oliver and Norma (DuBois) Papineau
Married: May 9, 1966, he married Jeanie Robbins in Lexington, Neb.
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Maria Hollander and her husband, Robert, of Sumner, Neb.; sons, Gary L. Papineau of Miller and Randy Papineau and his wife, Tonya, of Aurora, Neb.; grandchildren, Lynden, Courtney, Melissa and Samuel Hollander of Sumner and Brady and Brekyn Papineau of Aurora; one great-granddaughter; brothers, Rick Papineau and his wife, Vicki, of Grand Island, Neb., and Kevin Papineau and his wife, Connie, of Pleasanton, Neb.; sisters, Olivia Robbins and her husband, Dan, of Kearney and Michelle Adkins and her husband, Jeff, of Parker, Colo.; mother-in-law, Dorothy Robbins of Kearney; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles
Moved to Nebraska in 1960, attended school in Amherst and Sumner; first worked in farming and ranching, then began his truck-driving career with Stan Bowie; continued driving trucks for 40 years until his death
Activities: member of the Miller Volunteer Fire Department for 37 years; had served on the Miller Town Board
Died from a heart attack in Sioux Falls; will be buried on his 45th wedding anniversary
Was preceded in death by his mother in 2002, his father in 2003 and a nephew
Memorials: Miller Volunteer Fire Department or the Sumner Rescue Service
Kearney Hub, 7 May, 2011
PETERSON, Roger R., 84, of Kearney died Friday, May 6, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services : Friday, First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Inurnment: church columbarium
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born June 20, 1926, in Kimball
Parents: Pher Rueben and Fannie (Rumsteg) Peterson
Married: May 24, 1953, to Audrey Richendifer in Bladen
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Cynthia Peterson-Callahan and Lani Ruiz, both of Austin, Texas, and Christine Gould and her husband, Greg, of Omaha; grandchildren, Alexander and Michaela Gould of Omaha; sister-in-law, Marge Peterson of Indio, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews
Graduated from Kimball High School in 1944
Military: served from 1944-1952, veteran of World War II, the U.S. Army Reserve and the Korean War
Graduated from Kearney State College with a bachelor of science degree in education and later obtained his master of science degree in education
Owned and operated Pete's 66 Service Station in Kearney; then taught school at the Boys Training School and later at Upland; then taught shop and computer science at Horizon Middle School, retired in 1989
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church, had served on the church council and the counting board, and was active at Martin & Katie's Book Store; member of Kearney Elks Lodge 984, Kearney American Legion Post 52 and VFW Post 759 Was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters
Memorials: First Lutheran Church, Kearney Area Animal Shelter or the University of Nebraska at Kearney Teacher Education Program
Kearney Hub, 11 May, 2011
PURDY, Jessica, 22, of Kearney died Saturday, May 7, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Thursday, O'Brien Straatman Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born March 10, 1989, in San Diego
Parents: Craig and Laura (Baumgartner) Purdy
Survivors include her parents of Kearney; brother, Kellen of Kearney; grandmothers, Sharon Baumgartner of Overland Park, Kan., and Dorene Purdy of Kearney; great-grandmothers, Marie Kaney of Centralia, Ill., and Beulah Purdy of Wauneta; uncles and aunts, Rick and Noelle Purdy of Collins, Iowa, Randy and Mary Purdy of Elm Creek, Ed and Kristie Laudermilk of Bellevue and Barry and Lisa Conklin of Overland Park; numerous cousins; and special friends, Ken and Julie Klother of Sedona, Ariz., Mark and Carla Frederick of Dallas and Beth Sloan of Kearney
Moved to Kansas City in 1992; had lived in Kearney since 1997; was baptized in 2002; was a 2010 graduate of Kearney High School
Was employed at Goodwill Services in Kearney until her death
Activities: loved her animals; enjoyed feeding the ducks and swans at the local ponds and parks; enjoyed traveling
Was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Gary Purdy and Chuck Baumgartner
Memorials: Goodwill Services of Kearney or Kearney High School Life Skills Program
Kearney Hub, 10 May, 2011
SENYARD, Lisa E., 44, of Kearney died Monday, May 2, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Graveside services: Saturday, Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Born Aug. 30, 1966, in Monroe, Mich.
Parents: John and Jacqueline (Senyard) Johnson
Survivors include her father and stepmother, Alice of La Mesa, Calif.; brother, Johnny Johnson of Boise, Idaho; and sister, Linda Lynch of Potosi, Mo.
Kearney Hub, 5 May, 2011
SHULTZ, Charlotte M., 76, of Kearney died Thursday, May 5, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Graveside services: Saturday, Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Born July 8, 1934, in Grand Island
Parents: Charles and Nell (Zimmerman) Shultz
Survivors include her brother, Charles Jr. of Thornton, Colo.; sisters, Wanda Brueggeman and Charlotte's twin sister, Charleen Anderson, both of Kearney, and Jeanne Craig and her husband, Bruce, of Bellevue; and many nieces and nephews
Grew up in North Platte, graduated from North Platte High School in 1952
Military: U.S. Navy, 1953-1954, during the Korean War
Lived in Oakland, Calif.; later, moved to Kearney to take care of her mother; worked for Spelt's Lumber Co. until retirement
Was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers
Kearney Hub, 6 May, 2011
STRAATMANN, Deborah L. "Debbie", 56, of Grand Island, formerly of Kearney, died Monday, May 16, 2011, at Golden Living Center in Grand Island
Services: Friday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: West Salem Cemetery south of Hildreth
Born Aug. 9, 1954, in Kearney
Parents: Martin H. and Phyllis J. (Walters) Straatmann
Married: 1979, to Ivan Arnold
Married: 1987, to Richard Mason
Survivors include her mother of Kearney; brother, Gary and his wife, Stephanie, of Kearney; sisters, Marcia Anderson and her husband, Steve, of Minden and Kristy Schneider and Kim Straatmann-Roethemeyer, both of Kearney; half brothers, Darold Henry and his wife, Belva, of Pleasant Grove, Utah, and Larry Henry and Charles Henry and his wife, Marcia, all of Scottsbluff; half sisters, Gail Traver of Ravenna, Betty Douglas of Gering, Anita Smith and her husband, Harold, and Judy Miller and her husband, Steve, all of Kearney, and Sally Martin and her husband, Richard, of Dallas; and numerous nieces and nephews
Twin, Delphine Sue, died shortly after birth; Debbie grew up in Kearney, was a 1973 graduate of Kearney High School; worked at various jobs throughout her life, became disabled because of her health
Activities: enjoyed playing the piano, organ and guitar; hand-made her Christmas greeting cards for family; was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Kearney; pastimes included crocheting, search word puzzles and playing cards
Was preceded in death by her father, twin sister, half brother, grandparents, two nephews and one niece
Memorials: The Arc of Buffalo County, First Lutheran Church in Kearney or to the church of the donor's choice
Kearney Hub, 19 May, 2011
URWILLER, Gordon, 93, of Ravenna died Friday, May 20, 2011, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Wednesday, Congregational Church in Ravenna
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born May 14, 1918, on the family farm in the Sodtown community of Buffalo County
Parents: Henry and May (Lange) Urwiller
Married: Nov. 15, 1942, to Maxine Samp. She died Feb. 10, 2002
Survivors include his son, Daniel Urwiller of Council Bluffs, Iowa; daughter, Dee Goedert and her husband, Jim, of Kearney; grandsons, Kane Zeller of Kearney, Darren Urwiller of Wood River and Christopher Urwiller of Scottsbluff; granddaughter, Krynn Pekny of Omaha; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Mabel Heuerman of Council Bluffs and Blanche Koehler of Clay Center; and brothers, Kenneth Urwiller of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and Richard Urwiller of Denver
Attended the Sodtown country school, graduated from Ravenna High School in 1935
Lived on a farm southwest of Ravenna
Did custom farm work, shelled corn and baled hay and followed the harvest into Kansas with his combine
Coached softball for many years and won state one year
Was preceded in death by his wife, two sisters and one brother
Kearney Hub, 21 May, 2011
WALKER, Dorothy Jeane Brown, 88, of Santa Barbara, California, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Friday, April 29, 2011, in Santa Barbara
Services: May 4 at Samarkand Chapel in Santa Barbara
Burial of cremains: Sunrise Sunset Memorial Garden in Santa Barbara Cemetery
Born Aug. 27, 1922, in Kearney
Parents: Hugh R. and Dora (Stenehjem) Brown
Married: 1944, to William K. Walker. He died in 1981
Survivors include her sons, William of Placentia, Michael of Kennett Square and Patrick of Boston; daughter, Kelly Bartholf of Hollister; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Was the granddaughter of Mentor A. Brown, founder of the Kearney Daily Hub
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1939 with letters in journalism, debate and cheerleading and was a member of the National Honorary Society; at Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., was editor of the Stephens Life, vice president of the Administrative Council and member of Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Phi Delta, honorary scholastic and journalism sororities; received a bachelor of arts degree from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, in 1943
Was employed by Thomas J. Watson, president of the International Business Machines
After marriage, was employed by Carl Byoir Associates, public relations specialists, in New York City; after husband returned from service, the couple settled in Fayetteville, N.Y.; was involved in the development of the soft-drink industry through Pepsi Cola franchises in Syracuse and Auburn, N.Y., and were active in community activities
Enrolled in a doctoral program in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, 1967; received the 60-hour master's degree in city and regional planning in 1970 and the doctor of philosophy in 1972; areas of specialization were community organization, communications, and health and regional planning; was co-director of Community Medical Services, Medical Society of State of New York (1970 to 1973); consultant, United Way of America (1973 to 1974); and consultant and assistant to the executive director, United Way Services, Cleveland (1974 to 1980); retired to Santa Barbara in 1980
Activities: was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church; was active in community affairs
Kearney Hub, 13 May, 2011
WALLACE, Phyllis E., 77, of Tucson, Ariz., died Monday, April 25, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Memorial services for her and her husband, Bob: Saturday at the home of Scott Wallace
Burial: St. Patrick Cemetery in Eddyville
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Born Jan. 3, 1934, in Sumner
Parents: Earl and Opal (Johnson) Cramer
Married: May 29, 1951, to Robert "Bob" Wallace in Phillipsburg, Kan. He died April 18, 2011
Survivors include her sons, Michael and his wife, Karen, and Mark and his wife, Cindy, all of Tucson, and Scott of Kearney; daughter, Alice Bauman and her husband, Ron, of Flagstaff, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Dwane Cramer of Sumner; brothers-in-law, James Wallace and his wife, Jane, of Loveland, Colo., and Charles Wallace and his wife, LouAnn, of Alamogordo, N.M.; and sisters-in-law, Ruth Kresser of Kearney, Norma Eby of Overton and Darlene Wallace of Nebraska City
With husband, had a successful small farm near Kearney before moving to Tucson; earned her master's degree in special education from the University of Arizona in the 1970s; taught in many capacities throughout her life
Activities: was a very accomplished quilter, loved sharing her quilts with family and friends; recently completed numerous quilts to donate to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney; enjoying spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; enjoyed years of hiking, bicycling, camping, traveling, reading and music; volunteered at Friends of the Library in Tucson
Was preceded in death by her huabsn; parents, and daughter-in-law, Laurie Wallace
Memorials: Jubilee Center
Kearney Hub, 28 April, 2011
WELLS, Dorothy, 82, of Kearney died Monday, May 9, 2011, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Services: Wednesday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Was born July 1, 1928, in Miller
Parents: Jack and May (Morris) Clark
Married: Sept. 28, 1942, to Clair Wells in Phillipsburg, Kan. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Jim Wells and his wife, Anita, of Coos Bay, Ore.; daughter, Judy Bellairs and Steve Kraus of Kearney; grandchildren, Rick Morales of Orange County, Calif., Gina Esparza and her husband, Carlos, of Las Cruces, N.M., and Shannon Cagler of Colorado Springs, Colo.; great-grandson, Zachery Esparza of Las Cruces; and sister, Glee Harris of Lincoln
Grew up in and attended school in Miller
After marriage, lived in Kearney, worked at Kearney State College in the student union
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney; enjoyed working in her yard and square dancing; loved to play the piano
Kearney Hub, 10 May, 2011
WESTON, Elton Lawrence, 79, of Kearney died Friday, May 6, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: Tuesday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors
Born Jan. 25, 1932, in Gibbon
Parents: Lawrence and Bernice (Burton) Weston
Married: December 1953, to Beverly Cobleigh
Survivors include his wife; sons, Lawrence Weston and his wife, Kate, of Simpsonville, S.C., John Weston and his wife, Anna-Maria, of Sugar Land, Texas, Mark Weston and his wife, Jeanette, of Portland, Ore., and Michael Weston and his wife, Susan, of Omaha; 10 grandchildren; brother, Irving Weston and his wife, Bobbi, of Sisters, Ore.; sisters, LaVonne Pedersen and her husband, John, of Newnan, Ga., and Janice Funkey and her husband, Glen, of Abilene, Texas; and 14 nieces and nephews
Attended District 18, played on the Gibbon baseball team; graduated from Gibbon High School in 1948, went to Nebraska Wesleyan University and majored in chemistry
Military: U.S. Air Force; was first stationed at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod, Mass., then went to Thule Airbase in northern Greenland; was in the Air Defense Command and flew interceptor planes over the frozen arctic North Pole region; in Greenland, lived in a well-insulated ice house and flew the F-89 known as the "Lead Sled;" returned to the U.S., was stationed at Paine Field near Seattle; was sent as a captain to Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Ala., in 1961; finished his courses, then was stationed at Hahn Airbase, Germany, with the 496th Fighter Interceptor Squadron; after three years in Germany, Elton was sent to DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., to serve as a ROTC instructor; volunteered to go to Vietnam, joined the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron, known as the Billy Goat Squadron, at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam; flew the newest USAF fighter bombers, the F-4s, in 176 combat missions for close air support with U.S. Army and Marine units such as troops in contact, friendly forces being overrun, or supply convoys spotted by friendly forces; returned home and was an instructor for nine months teaching about close air support at Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; was selected to be the Air Attaché to Afghanistan and was sent to Washington, D.C., for language school and trained to pilot a twin-engine airplane, the C-131 Embassy airplane, out of Kabul, Afghanistan; worked for the ambassador, flew missions throughout central Asia from June 1972 to July 1974; last station was Cannon Air Force Base at Clovis, N.M., flew C-131 transport airplanes in support of F-111 Tactical Fighter/Bomber station there; retired in 1975 at the rank of lieutenant colonel after 22 years in the Air Force; moved back to Nebraska, close to his family; awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 10 Oak Clusters and the Vietnamese Service medal with a Bronze Star
Bought a fixed-base operation in Kearney named Midway Aviation, became responsible for renting airplanes, hosting a flight training school, instructing and flying charter flights as well as flying for the Nebraska Fish and Wildlife bird counts in the spring; sold and retired from Midway Aviation after 20 years; hobbies included flying, painting and writing of his experiences in the Air Force
Was preceded in death by his parents
Memorials: Gibbon American Legion Post 310
Kearney Hub, 9 May, 2011