Page 111
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
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BACK, James E., 52, of Kearney died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann
Born April 24, 1959, in La Porte, Ind.
Parents: Lloyd and Lulu Back
Married: Nov. 29, 1997, to Maria in Euclid, Ohio. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his significant other, Jennifer Johnson of Harrisburg, Pa.; son, James Hylton of Victorville, Calif.; daughter, Victoria Back of Tonawanda, N.Y.; and granddaughter, Hailey Hylton of Victorville
Grew up in Indiana, received his high school diploma and later an associate's degree in computer science
After marriage, lived in Euclid, was self-employed by J&M Entertainment
Moved to Kearney with his girlfriend, Jennifer
Was employed by the Cabela's call center
Activities: member of the Veterans Club; was a hard-working and caring man; enjoyed his job and the people he worked with
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; son, Mathew Hylton; and sister, Theresa
Kearney Hub, 24 August, 2011
BAIRD, LaRayne Ardyce, 92, of Kearney died Sunday, July 31, 2011, at Mother Hull Home
No services
Burial of cremains: Oregon
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Born Aug. 29, 1918, in Minden
Parents: Archie and Elsie (Holmes) Wells
Married: Sept. 28, 1935, to Dean Davis Baird in Kearney. He died in 1979
Survivors include her son, Daniel of Kingman, Ariz.; sister, Genevieve Traut of Minden; daughter-in-law, Catherine Baird of California; three grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Attended school mostly in North Platte and Minden and in Santa Ana, Calif.
Lived most of her married life in Whittier, Calif., and Roseburg, Ore.; was blessed with four sons, Carl, Terry, Monty and Daniel
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents; sons, Carl, Terry and Monty; brother, Donald; and grandson, Jeff
Kearney Hub, 9 August, 2011
BALDWIN, Ellen W., 85, of Lincoln died Friday, July 1, 2011, at her home
Memorial services: Saturday, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Lincoln
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Butherus Maser & Love in Lincoln
Born Aug. 3, 1925, in Giessen, Germany
Parents: Albert and Emmy (Koch) Wendel
Married: June 22, 1953, to Theodore G. Baldwin in Denver. He died Dec. 8, 1972
Survivors include her son, Mike Baldwin, his wife Jo of Kearney and their children, Jacob Baldwin of Boulder, Colo., Anna Baldwin of Denver and Ellen Baldwin of Colorado Springs, Colo.; daughter, Julie Baldwin Brown of Dallas and her children, Emmy Brown of New York, N.Y., Theodore "Ted" Brown of Denver and Walton Brown of Boulder; sister, Marianne Schleichkorn of Apopka, Fla., and her sons, Raymond Schleichkorn and wife, Debi, of Apopka and their son, Jonathan, Peter and wife, Ilene, of Melville, N.Y., and their children Adam, Allison and Evan, and Henry and wife, Susan, of Chicago and their children, Aaron, Jordan and Avery; nephews and niece, Rick Ender with wife, Lou, of Scottsdale and children, Matthew with wife, Jennifer, and children Cynthia and Nathanial, Beth and husband Daniel McDonnell and children Aiden and Nolan; Dave Ender and wife Bonnie of Tempe, Ariz., and sons Robert and Ted; and Julie Jackson and husband Earl and sons Eric (deceased), Colin and David
Lived in England, came to the US in 1947, became a naturalized citizen of the United States on Aug. 5, 1952
Worked for Burroughs Corp. in Denver
Moved to Kearney in 1955, when husband was discharged from the service and joined his family's business as the sales manager for J.A. Baldwin Manufacturing Co.
Was confirmed at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kearney, Nov. 24, 1957
After husband's death in an airplane crash, moved to Lincoln
Activities: hobbies included skiing (until 2007), tennis, bridge, knitting, crossword puzzles, reading and extensive travel; loved spending time with her six grandchildren
Returned to classes at age 65 at then-Kearney State College and graduated in 1991 cum laude with a bachelor of arts in German, a minor in French and a German translator certificate
When the family sold the Baldwin company, used proceeds of the sale to fund the now spent Ellen W. Baldwin Foundation and the ongoing Theodore G. Baldwin Foundation; was very involved in theatre, opera and the arts in Kearney, Lincoln, as well as church activities
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother-in-law, Jay Schleichkorn; brother-in-law, Arnie Ender; and sister-in-law, Colleen Ender
Memorials: Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, Lincoln Children's Zoo, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church or the donor's choice
Kearney Hub, 5 August, 2011
DYKE, Deborah Jo, 37, of Kearney died Friday, July 22, 2011 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Overton Cemetery
Born Oct. 8, 1973, in Kearney
Parents: Ed and Linda (O'Brien) Gant
Married: June 11, 2011, to Todd Dyke in Kearney
Survivors include her husband; her parents of Kearney; daughter, Breanna Dyke-Gant of Kearney; son, Logan Frahm-Gant of Kearney; brothers, Jerry and Eddie Gant and Brett O'Brien, all of Kearney; sister, Twyla O'Brien of Minnesota; grandmothers, Twyla O'Brien and Valeria Gant, both of Kearney; and many aunts and uncles
Grew up in Kearney, received her education at Kearney schools
Before her illness, was employed by the Buckle
Activities: was a caregiver to many and enjoyed helping others; was baptized in the Faith United Methodist Church in 1978, had accepted God as her savior; enjoyed being outside doing yard work and planting flowers
Was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Gerald O'Brien and William Gant; uncle, William Gant Jr.; and cousins, Jared Rowedder and Billy O'Brien Jr.
Kearney Hub, 26 July, 2011
EPPERSON, Donald J., 70, of Plattsmouth, formerly of Kearney, died of cardiovascular disease Saturday, July 23, 2011, at his home
Services: Thursday, Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park Funeral Home in Omaha
Burial: Westlawn-Hillcrest
Military honors
Born Oct. 15, 1940, in Moline, Ill.
Parents: Jerry and Kay (Reynolds) Epperson
Survivors include his wife, Diana; sons, Thomas, Jerry, Donald II and David, all of Omaha; daughter, Taryn Harris of Las Vegas; sister, Gerry Leibee of Kearney; and 12 grandchildren
Was a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in 1958, attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Owned and operated Credit Car Center, a used car dealership established in 1971 in Omaha
Activities: active in the South Omaha Empty Tomb Mission Church helping the homeless and needy
Memorials: Empty Tomb Ministries, Bellevue, Nebraska
Kearney Hub, 26 July, 2011
GROTFELD, Ruth Mabel, 84, of Alma died Sunday, July 31, 2011, at Good Samaritan Society Colonial Villa in Alma
Services: Thursday, Alma United Methodist Church
Burial: Alma Cemetery
Mortuary: Banta-Torrey in Alma
Born March 31, 1927, at Shelton
Parents: Glenn and Mary Theresa (Ahrens) Ellis
Married: June 2, 1948, to Lester Grotfeld at the Methodist Church in Shelton. He died March 18, 1997
Survivors include her daughters, Sandra "Sandie" Howell and her husband, David, of Kansas City, Kan., Sue Jacobs and her husband, Vern, of Norton, Kan., Diane Grotfeld of Alma and Robyn Grotfeld of Lincoln; special friend of the family, Barb Fitzgerald of Lincoln; grandsons, Jason Howell and his wife, Trisha, of Reno, Nev., Brady Howell and his wife, Laura, of Emporia, Kan., and John Jacobs and his fiancée, Monica, of Gardner, Kan.; granddaughters, Kelli Quigley and her husband, Brad, of Leawood, Kan., Wendy Cudnik and her husband, Justin, of Lawrence, Kan., and Jocelyn Fitzgerald and Ashley Riseuno and her husband, Carlos, all of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Anna, Abby, Ava, Ella, Bryson, Landon, Carlos and Makayla, at home with their parents; and other relatives and a host of friends
Was baptized as an infant in the Methodist faith at Shelton; attended school and graduated from high school at Shelton; attended Kearney State Teachers College and taught at rural schools in the Shelton area
After marriage, lived in Kearney, North Platte and Norton; moved to Alma in 1969; with husband, purchased the Alma Lanes Bowling Alley, and managed it for 13 years; was also employed in the dietary department as a cook at Harlan County Hospital for 12 years; had been a resident of Good Samaritan Society Colonial Villa in Alma since March 15, 2010
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church at Alma
Was preceded in death by her husband; her father on Feb. 8, 1964; her mother on Feb. 24, 1992; and older brother, Robert in infancy
Memorials: Good Samaritan Society Colonial Villa at Alma
Kearney Hub, 2 August, 2011
HOWSDEN, Loyd D., 82, of Kearney died Monday, Aug. 15, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, First Christian Church in Kearney
Burial: Bainbridge Cemetery near Huntley
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann, Kearney
Born: Nov. 23, 1928, near Huntley
Parents: Roy and Pearl (Blickenstaff) Howsden
Married: Jan. 11, 1958, to Peggy Scott in Benkelman
Survivors include his wife; sons, Bill Howsden and his wife, Susan, of Lincoln, Barry Howsden of Santa Barbara, Calif., Blake Howsden and his wife, Shelly, of Oshkosh and Bret Howsden of Harrison; daughters, Shelley Burney and her husband, Duane, of McPherson, Kan., and Samantha Hubbard and her husband, Calvin, of Grand Island; sister, Lola May McNickle of North Platte; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Grew up in Huntley and received his education at Huntley Public School; received a specialist degree in school administration from Kearney State College
Military: U.S. Army in January 1951 - June 1953; served during the Korean War, was honorably discharged
Lived in Huntley, was employed by Huntley Public School; was employed as a school administrator for several school systems in south-central Nebraska and worked as a farmer his whole life
Activities: member of the Lions Club, Cosmos and First Christian Church of Kearney; loved raising and riding quarter horses
Was preceded in death by his parents; a wife, Jo (Brehm); brother, Lee Howsden; sister, Lois Olive; and daughter, Stephanie Ann Howsden
Kearney Hub, 16 August, 2011
KAMERY, Rhonda S. Hild, 56, of Marion, Iowa, died of cancer Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Services: later, Kearney, Neb.
Mortuary: Murdoch in Marion
Born Jan. 23, 1955, in Kearney
Parents: Jake and Delores (Wiemers) Hild
Married: to William Kamery. They divorced
Survivors include her sons, Bill, Jason and Sean, all of Marion; her mother, of Kearney; four brothers; four sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was a 1973 graduate of Elm Creek (Neb.) High School; graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with her bachelor of arts degree; years later, earned her master's of philosophy from the University of Iowa
For the last several years, had been employed at H&R Block in Anamosa as a tax professional; was a very active volunteer, including 4-H, Linn-Mar Music Program and Linn-Mar School District
Was preceded in death by her father
Memorials: Cancer Research Institute, New York
Kearney Hub, 9 August, 2011
KRAMER, Regina Marie "Gina", 47, of Kearney died of cancer Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at her home
Services: Saturday, Zion Lutheran Church in Gothenburg
Burial: Gothenburg Cemetery
Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg
Born Aug. 1, 1963, in Homestead, Fla.
Biological parents: Raymond Schumacher and Mary Eidet; was raised by her parents, Lester and Elizabeth (Hite) Puls
Married: Sept. 18, 2010, to Michael Kramer in Kearney
Survivors include her husband; son, Jason D. Ostendorf of Virginia Beach, Va.; daughter, Nicole L. Ostendorf of Kearney; stepson, Alex Kramer of Des Moines, Iowa; her biological mother of Beverly, Kan.; two grandchildren; and former husband, Jerry G. Ostendorf of Amherst
Kearney Hub, 2 August, 2011
LANCASTER, Virginia Lee, 93, of Wichita, Kansas, died Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, in Wichita
Family service: in her home at Chaucer Estates in Wichita
Mortuary: Baker in Wichita
Born: April 10, 1918, in Ravenna, Neb.
Parents: George and Urilla Buol
Married: to Roger T. Lancaster of Kearney, Neb. He died in 1974
Survivors include her son-in-law, Todd Halbert of Hutchinson, Kan.; son, R. Stephen Lancaster and his wife, Pam, of Grand Island, Neb.; daughters, Sue Ann Lancaster of Arizona and Mari Jo (Lancaster) Reiners and her husband, Dan, of Wichita; grandchildren, Jeff, Jill, Lori, Scott, Robin and Morgan; eight great-grandchildren; and seven nieces and nephews
As a child, moved to Loup City, Neb.; moved to Kearney, graduated from high school and college; attended Cook County Nursing School in Chicago
Returned to Kearney, married her high school sweetheart, Roger; had been married for 35 years when Roger died in 1974 while living in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Returned to Kearney and worked as an interior decorator for Homestead House; retired, and moved to Temple, Texas; then moved to Wichita, 1990, to be closer to her family
Activities: member of First United Presbyterian Church and the PEO sisterhood; loved playing golf, cards and dominoes and was an avid reader; loved her family and friends
Was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Jennie Lee (Lancaster) Halbert; and sisters, Betty Ann Buol and Geraldine (Stimfig) Godfrey
Memorials: Good Shepherd Hospice, Wichita, Kansas
Kearney Hub, 12 August, 2011
LOEFFELHOLZ, Anthony H. "Tony", 79, of Kearney died Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Haven Home in Kenesaw
Services: Monday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Nov. 23, 1931, near Poole
Parents: Anthony and Emma (Schmitz) Loeffelholz
Married: Jan. 20, 1962, to Audrey Rookstool in Kearney
Survivors include his wife; son, Allen Loeffelholz and his wife, Gail, of Minden; daughters, Beth Houser and her husband, Monty, of Kearney and Carla Wagoner and her husband, Jeritt, of Franklin; sister, Ruby Rasmussen of Bellevue; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren
Graduated from Riverdale High School in 1951
Military: U.S. Army, 1952-1954
Delivered furniture for Swan's in Kearney; worked at Sears Automotive for 26 years; after early retirement from Sears, worked at Kearney State College as a groundskeeper
Activities: member of Kearney American Legion Post 52; loved spending time with his grandchildren; hobbies included fishing and camping; enjoyed attending family reunions in Kearney and Norman, Okla.; enjoyed listening to Sunday morning polka music and country-western music
Was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers
Kearney Hub, 30 July, 2011
LOWELL, Lona May, 76, of Kearney died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, from injuries in a car-train accident in Grand Island
Services: Wednesday, First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Prairie Center Cemetery at Havens Chapel
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Born Jan. 31, 1935, on a farm northeast of Kearney
Parents: Walter and Ida (Krebs) Howe
Married: June 15, 1957, to Clifford Lowell in Kearney
Survivors include her husband; daughter, Leanne Josoff, her husband, Roy, and children, Alyssa and Kylee, of Seward; and brother, Loren Howe of Amarillo, Texas
Attended schools in Buffalo County, near Evanston, Wyo., and in Kearney; graduated from Longfellow High School in Kearney in 1953; attended the University of Kansas City to become a dental hygienist, worked for dentists in Minden and Kearney; remained an active member of the Nebraska Dental Hygiene Association the rest of her life
Activities: active member of the United Methodist Church in Minden and Kearney; was among the first group of campers attending Camp Comeca near Cozad in 1950, remained loyal to the camp all her life; member of the East Lawn Kensington; enjoyed needlework, traveling, biking, swimming, playing cards, square dancing and spending time with her family, especially her granddaughters, and many friends
Was preceded in death by two sons, her parents, two brothers and two sisters
Memorials: Camp Comeca and the United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 16 August, 2011
MARKUS, Robert L. "Bob", 89, of Kearney died Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Thursday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born March 2, 1922, in Kearney
Parents: John A. and Martha (Habecker) Markus
Married: June 14, 1943, to Milda Hartman in Kearney. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his sons, Wayne Markus and his wife, Karen, and John Markus and his wife, Suzanne, all of Omaha; daughters, Janet Rowling and her husband, Jim, of Kearney, Marcella Slabosky and her husband, Alex, of Indianapolis and Christine Markus and her husband, James Rieth, of Oakdale, Minn.; grandchildren, Chantel and Joseph Dempsey, Gregg and Rebecca Markus, Kirk and Amy Markus, Ryan and Melanie Markus, Jessica and Raymond Sandoval, Zachary Markus, Jason and Susan Rowling, Matthew Rowling and wife, Laura Moeller, Charles Rowling and wife, Jennifer Conner, Ann Slabosky and husband, Geoffrey Jara-Almonte, and Katherine "Kate" Slabosky, John, Thomas, and David Rieth, Elizabeth, John Markus Jr., Joseph Markus and Mary Katherine "Kate" Markus; 15 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Verna Nuttelman of Kearney; nephews, Robert Daake and his wife, Connie, and Craig Nuttelman and his wife, Linda, all of Kearney, Randy Nuttelman and his wife, Kathy, of Lincoln and Keith Nuttelman and his wife, Beverly, of Riverdale; and niece, Betty Peister and her husband, Craig, of Kearney
Attended Glenwood School until the eighth grade, graduated from Longfellow High School in Kearney in 1939
After marriage, lived on his farm northeast of Kearney, raised crops and livestock; retired from farming in 2004
Activities: member of AA, the Knights of Columbus and a lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church; enjoyed his family and his many friends
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 9 August, 2011
MAYS, Ruby Gene, 84, of Kearney died Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011, in Kearney
Services: Friday, 56th Street Baptist Church
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Born July 12, 1927, in Lexington
Parents: Arthur and Hannah (Christiansen) Rasmussen
Married: Feb. 1, 1945, to Francis Mays in Kansas. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Gary Mays and his wife, Gaylene, of Kearney; daughters, Marcia Lovitt and her husband, Lenny, of Kearney and Cheryl Vap and her husband, Roy, of Red Cloud; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters, June Hayes of Fremont, Gladys Tool of Minden, Doris Furby and her husband, Don, of Amherst and Mary Hall of Kearney; and brother, Gerald Rasmussen and his wife, Phyllis, of Gibbon
Grew up in Lexington, attended Lexington High School
After marriage, lived in Kearney, worked for Baldwin Filters for 25 years
Activities: member of the 56th Street Baptist Church, life member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 119 in Miller; enjoyed crocheting, quilting and embroidering
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister and brother-in-law, Esther and Owen Schuler; and brothers-in-law, Alfred Hevlin, Melvin Tool and Bill Hall
Kearney Hub, 18 August, 2011
METZ, Evelyn E., 89, of Ravenna, formerly of Pleasanton, died Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at Ravenna Good Samaritan Center
Memorial services: Saturday, Pleasanton Evangelical Free Church
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann in Kearney
Born Dec. 1, 1921, in Scottsbluff
Parents: Charles and Opal (Bennett) Shaffer
Married: Oct. 6, 1945, to Robert Metz in Huntington Park, Calif. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sons, Norman Metz and his wife, Janet, of rural Pleasanton and Robert J. Metz and his wife, Robin, of Kearney; daughters, Katherine Sibley and her husband, Gene, of Parker, Colo., Barbara Garrelts and her husband, Wayne, of Kearney and DeEtta Petska of Ord; half-brother, Jerry Curry; sister, Zelma Mae Lindau; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren
Grew up in Litchfield, graduated from Litchfield High School in 1939; taught in rural school in Sherman and Buffalo counties for five years
After marriage, lived on a farm near Pleasanton; worked at Baldwin Manufacturing in Kearney
Activities: member of the Evangelical Free Church of Pleasanton
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents and infant grandchildren, Moriah and James Petska
Memorials: Evangelical Free Church in Pleasanton
Kearney Hub, 22 July, 2011
MINGUS, Curtis Jay "Curt", 52, of Aurora died Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011, at BryanLGH Medical Center East in Lincoln
Services: Monday, Aurora Evangelical Free Church
Burial: Aurora Cemetery
Mortuary: Higby-McQuiston in Aurora
Born Aug. 5, 1959, in Grand Island
Parents: John S. and Delores (Bernet) Mingus
Married: to Kathy Turek
Married: Aug. 30, 1986, to Cindy Larson
Survivors include his wife; children, Amber Zimmerman and her husband, Chris, of Madison, Wis., Keith Mingus of Grand Island and Amy Mingus of Aurora; grandson, Cameron Zimmerman of Madison; his mother, of Ravenna; brothers, Craig Mingus and his wife, Teresa, and Dan Mingus and his wife, Denise, all of Ravenna; nieces and nephews, Paul and Adam Mingus, Kelsie and Ryan Mingus and Riley Larson; parents-in-law, Dick and Maraldine Larson of Marquette; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mike and Nancy Larson of Hampton
Grew up in Ravenna, graduated from Ravenna High School in 1977
Worked at New Holland in Grand Island for several years, then worked for Orkin for 10 years; had worked at the IAMS Plant north of Aurora for the last 15 years
Activities: loved to hunt and fish; enjoyed listening to his '70s rock 'n' roll and talk radio; was a Nebraska football fan; loved spending time with his family
Was preceded in death by his father and a nephew, Tyler Larson
Kearney Hub, 20 August, 2011
O'CONNER, Albert X. "Bert" Jr., 64, of Yuma, Ariz., formerly of Kearney, died of leukemia Sunday, July 17, 2011, in Phoenix
Services: Friday, St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Nov. 12, 1946, in Columbus
Parents: Albert X. Sr. and Frances (Mimick) O'Connor
Married: June 7, 1975, to Martina "Marty" Golden in Kearney
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Curran O'Connor of Kearney; sons, Sonny O'Connor and his wife, Rachel, and Patrick O'Connor, all of Kearney; grandsons, Jadon and Liam of Kearney; brother, Daniel O'Connor and his wife, Sandra, of Wahoo, Neb.; brother-in-law, Marvin Hollister of St. Paul, Neb.; nine nieces and nephews; and eight grandnieces and grandnephews
Graduated from Columbus High School in 1965, and from St. Mary's College in St. Mary's City, Md., in 1974
Military: U.S. Navy, 1968-1974; served during the Vietnam War
Moved to Kearney in 1975; opened A Affordable Travel in Kearney, 1988; retired in 2006; moved to Yuma
Activities: member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, an active member of the Knights of Columbus, a charter member of Dobytown Kiwanis, Toastmaster's and the Kearney Federal Credit Union Board
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Patrick; and sister, Rosanne Hollister
Kearney Hub, 21 July, 2011
PACE, Roger L., 53, of Kearney died Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, at his home
Services: Saturday, O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Burial: Morning View Cemetery in Wallace
Born July 27, 1958, in Cozad
Parents: Cecil and Annie (Zimmerman) Pace
Survivors include his father of Kearney; brothers, Robert of Cambridge and Dennis of Kansas; and sister, Kathy Rookstool of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 10 August, 2011
PETERS, Patricia Ann "Pat", 72, of Cozad died Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, at Golden Living Care Center in Cozad
Services: Wednesday, Berryman Funeral Home Chapel in Cozad
Burial: Cozad Cemetery
Born Aug. 10, 1938, at Norfolk
Parents: Russell and Helen (Miller) Chambers
Married: April 29, 1961, to Arthur Peters at Ravenna
Survivors include her husband; sons, James Peters and his wife, Kim, and William Peters and his wife, Shauna, all of Lincoln, Robert Peters and his wife, Bridget, of Glendale, Calif.; nine grandchildren; two great-grandsons; sister, Jacqueline Rudnick and her husband, James, of Grand Island; and brother, James Chambers and his wife, Marcia, of Fort Collins, Colo.
Growing up, lived in various areas of Nebraska and Iowa; graduated from Kearney High School in 1956, then attended Seattle University in Washington
After marriage, lived in Cozad her entire married life
Activities: member of Christ The King Catholic Church and Altar Society in Cozad; member of Sunnyside Club of Cozad; enjoyed craft projects and participating in craft fairs for several years; had a lifelong interest in genealogy and was a charter member of the Nebraska State Genealogical Society and the Cozad Genealogy Club; enjoyed researching family history, which included computer searches, genealogy travel trips and installing tombstones for ancestors with no markers
Was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Catherine Journey
Kearney Hub, 8 August, 2011
PETERSEN, Carol Joan, 62, of Kenesaw, formerly of Kearney and Nelson, died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, in Hastings
Services: Tuesday, Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Nelson Cemetery
Mortuary: Megrue-Price in Superior
Born Sept. 1, 1948, in Superior
Parents: Herbert and Dorothy (Sorenson) Ray
Survivors include her daughter, Linda Crosier of Kearney; brother, Harlan Ray of Springfield, Mo.; sisters, Barbara Siverts of Springfield, Bonnie Jean Splitter of Kearney and Deborah Sharp of Texas; three grandchildren; and guardian, Brenda Chopp of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 15 August, 2011
QUARING, Jerry, 67, of Shelton died Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Private services
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Feb. 15, 1944, in Grand Island
Parents: Everett and Erma (Moss) Quaring
Married: April 1, 1971, to Frances VanVleet
Survivors include his wife; son, Philip Quaring and his wife, Julie, of Shelton; two grandchildren; brother, Darrell Quaring of Shelton; and brother-in-law, Garrie Schneller and his wife, Naomi, of Wylie, Texas
Graduated from Shelton High School in 1962 and from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1966 with an ag degree
Military: U.S. Army, 1966 - 1968
Farmed in the Shelton area
Memorials: donor's choice or the Axtell emergency medical technicians
Kearney Hub, 11 August, 2011
RODRIGUEZ, Andres Ruben, 37, of Kearney died Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011, at his home
Services: Aug. 5, at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney
The body was cremated following the service
Born Oct. 2, 1973, in Chihuahua, Mexico
Parents: Ruben and Antonia (Mercado) Rodriguez
Married: Oct. 31, 1994, to Norma L. Miramontes
Survivors include his wife, Norma Miramontes; son, Ruben of Kearney; his mother of Chihuahua; brothers, Abel, Hector, Arnuifo, Mario, Ubaldo and Florencia Rodriguez, all of Chihuahua; and sister, Ramona Rodriguez of Chihuahua
Kearney Hub, 5 August, 2011
ROWE, David W., 45, of Kearney, Neb., died in an accident Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, in Estes Park, Colorado
Services: Thursday, O'Brien-Straatman Funeral Home
Born Oct. 25, 1965, in Lamar
Parents: Donald and Fran Rowe
Married: Nov. 30, 1985, to Leah Hoyt in McCook, Neb.
Survivors include his wife; sons, Levi and wife, Jen, of Kearney and Noah and his wife, Lerrin, of Elm Creek, Neb.; his parents of Pleasanton, Neb.; brothers, Robert Rowe and special friend, Teri Sadler, of Kearney and Mike Rowe and his wife, Sabrina, of Pleasanton; sister, Shelia White and husband, Paul, of Ravenna, Neb.; father-in-law and wife, Larry Hoyt and Patsy of McCook; mother-in-law LeAnna Leibrandt of Fort Collins; sisters-in-law, Lynda Woodard and husband, Justin, of Wellington, Lanae Fritsch and husband, Bob, and Leila Koetter, all of McCook; 18 nieces and nephews, 10 great-nieces and nephews; and many cousins, aunts and uncles
Died while on a jeep adventure with his family and friends
Grew up in Granada until he was 12, then moved to Bandon, Ore.; graduated from Granada High School in 1984; attended Lamar Community College, then graduated from Northwest Kansas Area Vocational-Technical School in Goodland, Kan., with an electrical technology diploma
After marriage, lived in St. Francis, Kan.; David worked for the city of St. Francis as a lineman; moved to Ponca City, Okla., and worked for the city of Ponca City as a lineman; moved to Kearney, 1990, andworked with O&M Crew for Nebraska Public Power District; became a substation technician for NPPD and advanced to his current position of senior substation technician; had worked for NPPD for 21 years
Activities: had numerous hobbies, including RC trucks and airplanes, sky diving, bunge jumping, fishing, four wheeling, archery and hunting, boating and water sports, snow skiing, camping, auto restoration and mechanics, golfing along with golf cart races, and vintage vehicles; earned his private pilot's license in 2010; was a certified scuba diver; was baptized as a Baptist and then joined First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Edna Rowe of Granada and Ralph and Alice Adams of Quantico, Va.; brother, James Rowe of Granada; infant sister, Debra Rowe; grandparents-in-law, LeRoy and Lois Leibrandt and Marvin and Rouene Hoyt; and brother-in-law, Darin Koetter, all of McCook
Kearney Hub, 16 August, 2011
RUNGE, Lena, 96, of Kearney, formerly of Litchfield, died Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Services: Tuesday, Litchfield Christian Church
Burial: Litchfield Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Feb. 14, 1915, at Prairie Center
Parents: Herman and Katherine (Altmaier) Schmitz
Married: July 21, 1948, to Paul Runge in Kearney. He died March 22, 1989
Survivors include her sons, Ron Runge of Litchfield and Bob Runge and his wife, Pak, David Runge and his wife, Bobbi, and Gary Runge and his wife, Sharon, all of Kearney; grandchildren, Jeff Runge, Jody Runge, Shannon Runge, Brody Runge, Justine Runge, Kati Runge and Jessica Runge; and four great-grandchildren
After marriage, lived on a farm near Litchfield, moved into Litchfield in 1969
Was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Henry "Bud" Schmitz, and sisters, Mayme, Clara, Eva, Emma, Opal, Hazel and Matilda
Memorials: the church
Kearney Hub, 22 August, 2011
SAGESSER, Ila Fae, 95, of North Platte died Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte
Memorial services: Friday, Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte
Burial of cremains: Fort McPherson National Cemetery south of Maxwell
Born Dec. 21, 1915, at Brockway, Mont.
Parents: George "Rex" and Irene (Oldfield) Bond
Married: Dec. 3, 1945, to Frederick Sagesser in Oberlin, Kan. He died in 1980
Survivors include her daughters, Sally Wilhelmson and her husband, Stan, of North Platte and Betty Cornish and her husband, Les, of Grand Island; grandchildren, Susan Cornish and Holly Hartman and her husband, Jason, all of Lincoln, Ila Jean Traudt and her husband, Brandon, of Eudora, Kan., and Adam Wilhelmson and his wife, Julie, of McCook; great-grandchildren, Jacie and Josie Hartman, Emma, Grace and Kaden Wilhelmson and Blaine and Laura Traudt; and several nieces, nephews and other family
Attended grade school in Montana; with family moved to Kearney, 1931; graduated from Kearney High School in May 1935 and then attended Kearney State College for one year and one summer; attended Grand Island Cosmetology School and finished her State Board in July 1937
Worked in Grand Island; moved to Gering in 1939, opened her own beauty shop and operated it until spring 1946
Husband served in U.S. Army until October 1945, and they married in December; lived first in Gering, moved to North Platte, December 1947
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church, Eastern Star Signet Chapter 55, Beauceants, Shrine Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 163, 8 & 40, Bakers Dozen Extension Club, U.T.U. and Old Timers
Was preceded in death by husband, her parents and her brothers, Bernard Bond and twins Earle Bond and Merle Bond
Kearney Hub, 4 August, 2011
SHINEFLEW, Mildred, 79, of Bakersfield, California, died Saturday, July 23, 2011, at her home
Memorial services were in Bakersfield
Born July 2, 1932, in Elm Creek, Neb.
Parents: Henry and Alice (Wells) Buettner
Married: September 1950, to James Shineflew at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, Neb.
Survivors include her husband; daughter, Barbara Wheelock and her husband, John, of Bakersfield; son, Donnie Shineflew and his wife, Rebecca, of Bakersfield; son, David Shineflew and his wife, Mary, of Macon, Ga.; one grandson; two great-grandsons; brother, Bob Buettner and his wife, Peggy, of Kearney; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews
Attended school in Elm Creek, graduated in 1950
Had lived in California since 1950
Was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Linda Sue; and son, Billy Shineflew and his wife, Judy
Kearney Hub, 12 August, 2011
STEINKRUGER, Kenneth "Dean", 86, of Kearney, formerly of Franklin, died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011, at the Veterans Home in Grand Island
Memorial services: Friday, First United Methodist Church in Franklin
Burial of cremains with military honors: Greenwood Cemetery at Franklin
Mortuary: Hutchins in Franklin
Born Sept. 5, 1924, in Macon
Parents: Henry and Lydia (Faulker) Steinkruger
Married: Feb. 15, 1948, to Dorothy M. Schmidt in Franklin. She died Sept. 12, 2010
Survivors include his son, Dave Steinkruger of Bellevue; daughter, Lori Nelson and her husband, Marty, of Denver; son, Scot Steinkruger and his wife, Shelly, of Juniata; daughter, Lynn Meyer and her husband, Ron, of Hastings; grandsons, Russ Meyer, Jason Meyer, Jake Meyer, Trevor Steinkruger, Andrew Nelson, Tyler Nelson and Dylan Steinkruger; granddaughters, Sara Steinkruger and Kenna Steinkruger; great-granddaughter, Elle Meyer; great-grandsons, Joseph Meyer, Carson Meyer, Isaac Meyer, Brendon Meyer and Ashton Meyer; sister, Joann Petersen; sister-in-law, Lela Steinkruger; and a host of friends and relatives
Was one of three children; was a graduate of Franklin High School
Military: U.S. Army during World War II, was awarded the Purple Heart
After marriage, farmed and raised cattle near Franklin until they retired
Activities: enjoyed traveling, taking cruises and trips around the United States; was active in the local Democratic Party, member of the Macon Lions Club, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and served on the Co-op Board
Was preceded in death by his wife; sons, Steve and Kenneth "Russell"; daughter, Julia; his parents; and a brother, Bill Steinkruger
Memorials: Nebraska Chapter of the American Parkinson's Disease Association
Kearney Hub, 9 August, 2011
STORY, Gary W., 65, of Kearney died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011, at his home
Services: Monday, First United Methodist Church
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Dec. 25, 1945, in Dubuque, Iowa
Parents: Harold and Fannie (Bubak) Story
Married: Sept. 12, 1969, to Vickie Schmidt
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Marci Asche and her husband, Doug, of Omaha; son, Adam Story and his wife, Melissa, of Hastings; grandchildren, Porter and Kian Asche and Connor and Brendan Story; and brother-in-law, Jack Schmidt and his wife, Julie, and nieces, Jill and Tara
Graduated from Ansley High School in 1963
Military: Nebraska National Guard and the U.S. Army
Worked for the city of Kearney for 38 years; retired in September 2010 as director of transportation; was a licensed superintendent with the Nebraska Department of Roads
Activities: past member of Kearney Elks Lodge 984, Kiwanis and the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department; held offices in the Nebraska Chapter of the American Public Works Association; was a board member appointed by the governor of Nebraska for the highway and county superintendent license for first-class cities, and an advisory board member of the Nebraska LTAP; was instrumental in starting the Nebraska chapter of the Snow Plow Rodeos
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 20 August, 2011
SUPANCHICK, Anna, 100, of Kearney died Saturday, July 23, 2011 at Mother Hull Home, Kearney
Services: Thursday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born June 29, 1911, on the family farm northeast of Amherst
Parents: Joseph and Mary (Geier) Axmann
Married: Oct. 14, 1931, to Joseph Supanchick at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pleasanton. He died in 1985
Survivors include her son, Robert Supanchick and his wife, Carrol, of Hazard; daughter, Betty Petrytus and her husband, Richard, of Phoenix; sister, Helen Kinnaman of Amherst; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews
Attended school at District 80 in the Amherst area; later worked as a housekeeper for various people in the Amherst area
After marriage, lived on a farm in the Hazard area for 40 years; retired in 1970
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church; enjoyed quilting, cooking, cleaning and playing cards
Was preceded in death by her husband and three brothers
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 26 July, 2011
SUTHERLAND, Donald D., 79, of Seward died Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011, in Seward
Services: Tuesday, First United Methodist Church in Elm Creek
Burial with military honors: Overton Cemetery
Mortuary: Zabka in Seward
Born April 18, 1932, in Elm Creek
Parents: James and Emma (Larson) Sutherland
Married: May 21, 1980, to Nola D. (Nicewarner) Carman
Survivors include his wife; children, Sue Anderson and her husband, Dale, of Burns, Wyo., Doug Sutherland of Kingman, Ariz., Stan Sutherland and his wife, Marilyn, of Albin, Wyo., Rondel Carman and his wife, Yvonne, of Henry, Dan Carman and his wife, Heather, of Hydro, Okla., Darla Rodenbaugh and her husband, Troy, of Kiowa, Colo., and Joi Bishop and her husband, Tony, of Dodge Center, Minn.; 19 grandchildren; brother, Delmar Sutherland and his wife, Joyce, of St. Joseph, Mo.; sister, Neva Brindle of Hagerstown, Md.; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families
Was a 1950 graduate of Overton High School
Military: U.S. Army
Was a former employee with Santa Fe Railroad; farmed in the Elm Creek area; was employed as general manager of Darling's Nutrition Co. in Lincoln since 1983, retired Jan. 1, 2011
Was preceded in death by his son, Mike Sutherland; his parents; and seven brothers and sisters
Memorials: First United Methodist Church in Elm Creek
Kearney Hub, 6 August, 2011
SWALLEY, Ruth Ann, 81, of Kearney died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Saturday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
orn Nov. 14, 1929, in Lincoln
Parents: John and Eva (Huston) Curtiss
Married: July 21, 1954, to Wayne Swalley. He died in 1989
Survivors include her daughters, Debbie Swalley of Loveland, Colo., and Jane Stoppkotte of Kearney; granddaughter, Kylee Stoppkotte of Kearney; grandson, Luke Stoppkotte of Kearney; sister-in-law, Eleanor Watkins of Littleton, Colo.; two nieces; and two nephews
Grew up in Lincoln and graduated from Lincoln High School; attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a degree in education; taught in Lexington, 1951-1953, then in Bellflower, Calif., in 1953-1954
After marriage, lived in Tulsa, Okla., then moved to St. Louis; moved to Kearney in 1959; started teaching half-days at Glenwood Elementary School, 1968, and taught there until May 1994; served as president of the Buffalo County Teachers Association
Activities: past member of Trinity Methodist Church in Lincoln, a founding member and past president of P.E.O. Chapter GG of Kearney, member of Eastern Star and Phi Beta Phi, and belonged to the St. Louis and Bellflower symphonies; served as a Bluebird leader and was a Campfire leader and vice president of the Campfire board; member of First Presbyterian Church in Kearney, had served as director of vacation Bible school, was a Sunday school teacher and deacon, and was director of the First Presbyterian Church shepherding program; was active in the Interfaith Caregivers at Good Samaritan Hospital and in the Shrine Auxiliary; received honors for her teaching and many volunteer activies
Memorials: Ruth Swalley Scholarship Fund or the Fort Kearney Shrine Auxiliary
Kearney Hub, 19 August, 2011
TAYLOR, Ray Dean, 70, of Rifle, Colorado, formerly of Elm Creek, Neb., died Thursday, July 21, 2011, at his home
Private family services: later; body was cremated
Mortuary: Rifle Funeral Home
Born Aug. 8, 1940, in Atwood, Kan.
Parents: Gale and Beulah (Atherton) Taylor
Married: July 2, 1960, to Sharon Conrad
Survivors include his wife; sons, Mark and his wife, Debi, of Greeley and Mike and his wife, Cami, of Rifle; daughters, Lisa Moon and her husband, Kevin, of Steamboat Springs and Lori Antonelli and her husband, Norman, of Rifle; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Military: U.S. Marine Corps
Move to Colorado, 1974
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Howard; and sister, Marcheta
Memorials: Alpine Home Health LLC, Glenwood Springs, CO
Kearney Hub, July 26, 2011
TOWLER, Rodney "Rod" Lee, 55, of Shelton died Saturday, July 23, 2011 as the result of a motorcycle accident south of Grand Island
Services: Thursday, Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island
Burial: Cameron Cemetery north of Wood River
Mortuary: Apfel in Grand Island
Born Nov. 6, 1955, in Grand Island
Parents: Roy and Donna (Clark) Towler
Married: May 28, 1975, to Vicki Birkley in Grand Island
Married: Feb. 14, 1993, to Janell Wooden in Cairo
Survivors include his wife; sons and daughters-in-law, Roy Towler, Jasson and Gail Krantz, Trevor Towler and Jennifer Fye, and Zach Towler; daughters, and son-in-law, Brandy Towler and Shana and Corey Hinrichs; stepchildren, Michelle Medrano and Teresa and James Schall; and 21 grandchildren
Grew up in Grand Island, received his education from Grand Island Public Schools
Military: U.S. Army in 1975
Lived in Grand Island and Shelton; was employed by Gibbon Pack and later by Ditch Witch and Swift Co. in Grand Island
Activities: member of Gibbon American Legion; enjoyed collecting eagles, had a knack for Harleys and was an avid Husker fan and an average golfer
Was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson
Kearney Hub, 26 July, 2011
WIRTH, Larry E., 61, of Grand Island died of colon cancer Monday, July 25, 2011, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Memorial services: Friday, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Burial of cremains: Overton Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: Apfel in Grand Island
Born March 20, 1950, in York
Parents: Eugene and Norma (Menssen) Wirth
Married: Aug. 21, 1976, to Peggy Jensen in Overton
Survivors include his wife; son, Damon Wirth of Bennet; daughter, Kaitlyn Bright and her husband, Erin, of Lincoln; grandchildren, Henry and Julia Bright; brothers, Gary Wirth of Kearney, Bob Wirth of Garden City, Kan., and Jerry Wirth and Leslie Wirth, both of Texas; sister, Jeanette Young of Cushing, Okla.; and father-in-law, Gordon Jensen of Grand Island
Battled colon cancer for four years
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1968
Military: U.S. Marine Corps, Jan. 27, 1969 - Jan. 29, 1979; received honorable discharge
After marriage, lived in Jacksonville, N.C.; after military service, worked as a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Kansas City, in Alliance for 11 years, and then Scottsbluff; came to Grand Island in 1991, closing the Grand Island office in 1993, then worked at the Hastings office until his death
Received many awards over his 42 years of Federal Government Service for his excellence in job performance, media communications and professionalism in his work; member of the Cooperative Observer Team, dedicated to the observers and the valued information they provided; during the 1980 Grand Island tornado outbreak, alerted the Grand Island staff and averted injuries and loss of lives
Activities: member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, served as a lector; member of the Knights of Columbus; enjoyed local politics, computers and fishing, and was an avid collector of barometers
Was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Dorothy Jensen; and sister, Lynette Schutte
Memorials: University of Nebraska Foundation Children's Cancer Research Fund
Kearney Hub, 27 July, 2011
WRIGHT, Viva "Vi" Kenney, 80, of Minden died Monday, Aug. 15, 2011, at Kearney County Health Services-Hospital in Minden
Services: Thursday, St. John's Catholic Church in Minden
Burial: Minden Cemetery
Mortuary: Layton-Craig in Minden
Born June 5, 1931, at Eddyville
Parents: John and Mildred (Spellmeyer) Fees
Married: July 28, 1950, to Thomas Kenney. He died in 1993
Married: to Don Wright. He died in 2002
Survivors include her daughters, Tamara Haynes and her husband, Stan, of Winner, S.D., Brenda Smith and her husband, Tracy, of York and Alicia Porter and her husband, Steve, of Blue Springs; sons, Timothy Kenney of Minden and Robert Kenney of Lincoln; grandchildren, Luke Kenney, Travis Haynes and his wife, Krista, Brett Haynes, Christopher Haynes and his wife, Ashley, Nicholas Haynes and his wife, Lindsey, MaKayla Kenney, Avery Kenney, Reilly Kenney, Hailey Kenney, Zachary Smith, Ashley Newton and her husband, Tyler, and Drew Porter; great-grandchildren, Kya Haynes, Ethan Haynes, Rigs Newton and Caeden Massa; stepdaughters, Dana Faber of Minden, Dixie Fisher of Grand Island and Darla Covert and her husband, Bob, and Dione Steinbrink and her husband, Rocky, all of Kearney; 10 stepgrandchildren; 11 stepgreat-grandchildren; and sister, Betty Lovitt of Oconto
Grew up in the Eddyville area, graduated from Eddyville High School in 1948
Lived in Kearney and Hastings, moved to Minden in the late 1950s
Baby-sat, cleaned for the city of Minden and later worked at Long Term Care
Activities: enjoyed playing cards, crocheting and dancing and was an avid University of Nebraska fan; especially loved being around her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; member of St. John's Catholic Church in Minden and the altar society and had taught CCD
Was preceded in death by her husbands; daughter, Debra Jensen; son, Thomas Kenney; son-in-law, Lynn Jensen; grandchildren, Thomas Lynn Smith and Elijah Jensen; and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 17 August, 2011