Page 117
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska
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BEINS, Wayne Leroy, 78, of Spanish Fork, Utah, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, in Spanish Fork
Services: Feb. 1, in Spanish Fork
Burial: Spanish Fork Cemetery
Born March 15, 1933, in Stamford, Neb.
Parents: Harvey and Anna Beins
Married: Aug. 26, 1954, to LaDena Wilsey in Lexington, Neb.
Survivors include his wife; brother, Floyd Beins of Kearney; sons, Randal Beins and his wife, Maria, of Spanish Fork and Isaac of Lake Tahoe, Nev.; daughter, Diana Lynn; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Military: U.S. Navy, veteran of the Korean War
Retired from the U.S. Postal Service
Activities: active member of the Latter-day Saints church, served a mission with his wife in 1993; loved serving the Lord at the Provo Temple
Was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, Kenneth Beins
Kearney Hub, 3 February, 2012
BOND, Mary Kay, 66, of Gibbon died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at her home
Services: Wednesday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Born Sept. 13, 1945, in Lexington
Parents: Clayton and Flora (Hergenrader) Reeds
Married: June 28, 1964, to Dennis Bond in Kearney
Survivors include her husband; sons, Brett Bond and his wife, Lisa, of Gibbon and Darren Bond of Wood River; daughter, Denise Winslow and her husband, Brian, of Castle Rock, Colo.; seven grandchildren; and sister, Shelley Prasek and her husband, Rick, of Denton
Grew up in and received her education in Gibbon
After marriage, first lived in Loomis and later in Grand Island; moved to Gibbon, 1988, worked for Dillard's and Cabela's
Activities: enjoyed her family, friends and loved many activities, including antique cars, sewing, cooking; member of Faith United Church in Gibbon
Was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, one brother and parents-in-law
Memorials: Faith United Church in Gibbon and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 24 January, 2012
BUNN, Edwin "Mike" A., 92, of Kearney, formerly of Amherst, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Tuesday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Stanley Cemetery near Amherst with military honors
Born Dec. 21, 1919, at Amherst
Parents: Edwin A. and Hazel V. (Fellows) Bunn
Married: Feb. 14, 1946, to Lyla Hicks in Phillipsburg, Kan.
Survivors include his wife of Amherst, four nephews and one niece
Graduated from Amherst High School with the class of 1936
Military: U.S. Air Force during World War II; was stationed in a number of areas, including Texas, California, Kansas and Georgia; was sent overseas to Africa, Italy, France and Germany
Returned to Amherst, worked worked as a mechanic and welder
Activities: lifetime member of Kearney Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759; enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, spending time with his nephews and niece
Was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister
Kearney Hub, 30 January, 2012
BUSCH, Eldeen L., 80, of Wood River, formerly of Sumner, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at Good Samaritan Home in Wood River
Services: Wednesday, Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst
Burial: Sumner Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born April 4, 1931, in Kearney
Parents: John and Florence (Armstrong) Schnacker
Married: Nov. 17, 1946, to Leonard Lovitt in Smith Center, Kan. He died in 1976
Married: March 1, 1985, to David Busch in Kearney
Survivors include her husband; son, Lenny Lovitt and his wife, Marcia, of Kearney; daughter, Lonna Rasmussen and her husband, Rod, of Kearney; stepsons, Darin Busch and his wife, Tami, of Giltner and Jerome Busch and his wife, Lisa, of Arlington, Texas; brothers, Denzil "Mac" Schnacker and his wife, Dodi, of North Platte, Wayne Schnacker and his wife, LaRea, of Kearney, Loren Schnacker and his wife, Pearl, of Edmond, Okla., and Stanley "Jack" Schnacker and his wife, Ruth, of Forsyth, Mo.; sister, Cleo Driewer and her husband, Stu, of Rockaway Beach, Mo.; eight grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Grew up in the Amherst and Miller areas and attended school in Miller
After marriage to Leonard, lived on a farm and ranch south of Sumner for a number of years
Activities: member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sumner, served as the church secretary and treasurer for a number of years; with David, enjoyed traveling and working on yards; was very fond of music and dancing and also of attending the Senior Center Days in Amherst to play cards; enjoyed spending time with her family
Was preceded in death by her first husband, four brothers and one sister
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst or Grace Lutheran Church in Sumner
Kearney Hub, 31 January, 2012
CHERRY, Marjorie L., 80, of Holdrege died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at her home
Memorial services: Thursday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Born Feb. 14, 1931, in Scottsbluff
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Lucas
Married: Jan. 31, 1946, to Melford J. Cherry in Litchfield. He died in 2002
Survivors include her daughters, Sandra Cherry of Holdrege, Velma Gonzales of Kearney and Julie Cherry of Inavale; sons, Robert Cherry and his wife, Faye, of Hildreth and Gerald Cherry and Jim Cherry and his wife, Sharon, of Holdrege; brothers, Arthur Lucas of Grand Island and Edmund Lucas and his wife, Fern, of Fremont; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren
After marriage, lived on a farm in the Litchfield area, moved to Kearney in 1959; with husband, owned and operated Cherry Auto Parts; moved to Ravenna and Franklin, then settled in Holdrege
Activities: enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking; also enjoyed spending time with her family
Was preceded in death by her husband, one daughter and two sons
Kearney Hub, 8 February, 2012
CLAUSEN, Burdette W., 87, of Kearney died Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
No services
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born April 17, 1924, in rural Boelus
Parents: George and Hilma (Ruthstrom) Clausen
Married: June 3, 1961, to Darlene M. Henning in Kearney. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his son, Alan of Olathe, Kan.; daughter, Julie B. Robertson of Kearney; brother, Malvern R. Clausen of Kearney; and seven grandchildren
Grew up in Boelus and in Troy, Kan.; attended District 25 Country School
Military: National Guard during World War II
After marriage, lived in Boelus, worked for International Harvester and the Boelus School District; moved to Kearney in 1963, worked as a firefighter at Kearney Airport and Peter Kiewit Construction
Was preceded in death by his wife, parents, one brother and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 11 February, 2012
CUSHMAN, Cecil Cyrus, 84, of Shelton died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Friday, Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial with military honors: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Born Feb. 2, 1927, near Ericson
Parents: Henry and Charlotte (Morris) Cushman
Married: June 6, 1952, to Nelle Fauvette West in St. Joseph, Mo.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years; son, Joe Cushman and his wife, Vicki, of Lee's Summit, Mo.; daughters, Barb Loschen and her husband, Jim, of Holdrege and Patsy Jarmin and her husband, Randy, of Gibbon; sister, Willma Gosda of Grand Island; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren
Grew up and received his education in the Ericson area
Military: U.S. Army, 1950-1952 at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and in Korea, attained the rank of sergeant
After marriage, lived north of Shelton, moved to a farm north of Gibbon in 1969; retired to Burwell, then moved to Shelton, 2001, to be closer to family
Loved farming, growing crops and raising cattle for most of his life; also worked as a fireman at the Cornhusker Ammunition Plant for more than 10 years
Activities: "farmed" his garden and yard for his last years; loved fishing, camping and Husker football
Was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and seven sisters
Memorials: the church or Shelton American Legion
Kearney Hub, 1 February, 2012
DOUGLAS, Gary Dean, 73, of Ravenna died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Feb. 11 at Ravenna United Methodist Church
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born May 3, 1938, in Ravenna
Parents: Henry and Pearl (Secora) Douglas
Married: April 23, 1961, to Jane Clark in Grand Island
Survivors include his wife; sons, Rick Douglas and his wife, Carrie, of Ravenna and Randy Douglas and his wife, Tawnya, of Lincoln; daughters, Tyra Beavers and her husband, Don, of Culver City, Calif., Deb Larsen and her husband, Mont, of Stuart, and Jennifer Douglas and Dan Markussen of Ogallala; and grandchildren, Danielle and D.J. Beavers, Doug and Ariel Larsen, Michael, Brett, Tyler and Britta Douglas, and Eva, Grace and Isabel Douglas
Was a 1955 graduate of Ravenna High School, was a standout basketball player
Military: U.S. Navy, 1956-1959 aboard the USS Jupiter
After marriage lived at Ravenna; farmed, sold seed corn for Golden Harvest, was a rural mail carrier
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church; enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, bowling and playing board games
Was preceded in death by his son, Terry; and grandchildren, Andi, Drew and Gracie
Kearney Hub, 3 February, 2012
DUNN, Robert Joseph "RJ" Jr., 92, of Kearney died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at his home
Services: Thursday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born May 4, 1919, in Toddville, Md.
Parents: Robert and Hannah Dunn
Married: April 15, 1944, to Marcella "Nicky" Nickman
Survivors include his sister, Joan Dunn of Seattle; children and spouses, Greg and Susan Dunn of Sioux Falls, S.D., Roberta Slaughter of Kearney, Anne Schmit of North Platte and Lisa and Dave Stewart of Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren and spouses, Micheal Dunn, Christopher Dunn and Alison and Ryan Beieler, all of Seattle, Dan and Renae Slaughter of Dallas; Brad and Katie Slaughter of Lincoln and Timaree Schmit and Carl Boccuti of Philadelphia; and great-grandson, Matthew Beieler of Seattle
Moved to Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Wash., in 1922; attended high school at Bellarmine, a Jesuit boys' school in Tacoma, and excelled at math and science; graduated from there in 1935, earned an Eagle Scout award
Military: U.S. Army in 1937 - 1960; retired as a lieutenant colonel; survived the attack on Pearl Harbor; earned these awards: Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Silver Star; flew reconnaissance missions out of Australia
After marrieage, lived everywhere from a converted garage in Salina, Kan., to military housing in Morocco; retired from the Air Force in 1960, moved to Kearney to be closer to family in Pleasanton; attended Kearney State College via the G.I. bill, graduated summa cum laude in 1964 and got his master's degree in 1968; was at Kearney Catholic High School beginning in 1962, taught science, physics, chemistrty, and industrial arts; was the first honorary KCHS alumnus last year
Activities: member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion for many years; member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association on both the state and national level; helped the Knights of Columbus; enjoyed fixing things at KCHS
Was preceded in death by his wife; sisters, Mary, Margaret and Rita; brother, John; and son-in-law, Mark Slaughter
Memorials: Kearney Catholic High School Foundation or St. James Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 25 January, 2012
FARIAS, Tony, 82, of Gibbon died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Monday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Born Dec. 6, 1929, in Saltillo, Mexico
Parents: Antonio and Maria (Pachaco) Farias
Married: Feb. 6, 1944, to Josephine Castaneda in Gibbon. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his son, Anthony Farias and his wife, Kasi, of Omaha; daughters, Dorcus Rivera and her husband, Ramon, Mary Vasquez, Lidia Marquez and her husband, Martin, Sylvia Lawver and Rachel Riekenberg and her husband, Roger, all of Kearney, Linda Hemmerling and her husband, Brian, of Phoenix and Bonita delCampo of Grand Island; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews
Attended high school in San Antonio
Owned and operated Farias Trucking until he turned 62; with Josephine, owned and operated J's Laundromat in Gibbon for several years
Activities: was a loving father of eight children; enjoyed his garden and visiting with his friends and family over coffee and desserts
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; son, Joe Anthony Farias; and brother, Jose Farias
Memorials: St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Kearney Hub, 28 January, 2012
GANT, Gerald L. "Jerry", 42, of Kearney died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: Overton Cemetery
Born April 19, 1969, in Kearney
Parents: Edmon G. "Ed" and Linda L. (O'Brien) Gant
Survivors include his sons, Brandan and Johnathan, both of Kearney; twin daughters, Janae and Jewell, both of Kearney; his parents of Kearney; brothers, Eddie Gant and Brett O'Brien Jr., both of Kearney; sister, Twyla O'Brien of Minnesota; and grandmothers, Twyla O'Brien and Valeria Gant, both of Kearney
Accepted Christ and was baptized on May 20, 1978, at Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney
Worked for Kearney Jiffy Lube until he was diagnosed with cancer
Activities: enjoyed hunting and fishing and four-wheeling with family and friends
Was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Gerald O'Brien and William Gant; sister, Deborah Dyke; uncle, William Gant Jr.; and cousins, Jared Rowedder and Billy O'Brien, Jr.
Kearney Hub, 7 February, 2012
GEIGER, Judith Ann, 61, of Fremont died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at Fremont
Memorial services: later
Mortuary: Pruss-Nabity in Wahoo
Born Oct. 3, 1950, in McCook
Parents: Gene and Edith (Anderson) Jeffries
Married: Aug. 18, 1972, to Robert Geiger in Kearney. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Jordan Geiger and his wife, Allie, of Omaha; daughter, Melissa Geiger-Williamson and her husband, Bruce Williamson, of Fremont; her father of Fremont; grandson, Derek Williamson of Fremont; and aunt, Vena Anderson of Denver
Grew up in Palisade, attended York College and Kearney State College
After marriage, lived in Loup City, was employed as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse; also lived in Kearney and was employed by Cabela's
Activities: member of the Church of Christ; enjoyed attending craft shows and scrapbooking and was an avid reader
Was preceded in death by her husband and her mother
Kearney Hub, 3 February, 2012
HIBBERD, Paul E., 93, of San Antonio died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, in San Antonio
Services: Saturday, Feb. 11, at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in San Antonio
Burial: Mission Burial Park North Cemetery
Mortuary: Mission Park Funeral Chapels North in San Antonio
Born May 3, 1918, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: William and Minnie (Gould) Hibberd
Married Ida Biel. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his sister, Rita Butler; children, Anna Marie Meyer and her husband, Buddy, Alan E. Hibberd and his wife, Tracy, Terri Curtis and Joni Hibberd and Rod Romero; grandchildren, Suzanne Meyer, Mary Harr and her husband, Brian, Jennifer Meyer Bankler and her husband, Scott, Bubba Meyer and his wife, Vanessa, Emily Hibberd Galvan and her husband, Chris, Nathan Hibberd and his wife, Mary Lynn, John and Katie Curtis and Nina Sciaraffa; stepgrandchildren, Misty Lopez and her husband, Luis, and Rachel and Zak Ftaiti; great-grandchildren, Cal, Carly and Amelia Harr, Benjamin and William Bankler, Grayson, Dillon and Chase Meyer, Alexander Hibberd and a new Hibberd due in May; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Sophia and Lily Lopez; and many nieces and nephews in Nebraska
Military: U.S. Army Reserve; called into the military during World War II; held various military positions, including flight control officer and chief supply officer, received pilots training
Afterward taught physics, coached basketball and served as superintendent of schools in Shickley, Neb.; pursued a degree in pharmacy from the University of Houston using the GI Bill; was recalled to active duty in the Air Force during the Berlin Airlift; retired from the Air Force in 1970; received the American Defense Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the National Defense Service Medal; was selected as the first pharmacy consultant to the U.S. Air Force's Surgeon General and the Associate Corps Chief for Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences Corps, served 1965-1969; had a long career in pharmacy, organized and administered hospital pharmacies; was selected as the Outstanding USAF Pharmacist and was the recipient of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States Andrew Craigie Award, 1966; authored several publications on improving the efficiency of hospital pharmacies
After retiring from the military, worked as a pharmacist at San Antonio State Mental Hospital and at San Antonio Chest Hospital for a total of 20 years; also worked in many local pharmacies
Activities: was active in Central Catholic's Fathers Club and the St. Mary's University Booster Club and was a member of St. Gregory's Catholic Church; was a founding member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, was in the Men's Club and the VIP Club
Was preceded in death by his beloved and supportive wife; brother, Richard W. Hibberd; and sister, Mary Evelyn Kottas
Memorials: Crohn's and Colitis Foundation
Kearney Hub, 9 February, 2012
HOELTING, Eldon C., 76, of Kearney died Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital after complications following surgery
Services: Friday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Aug. 30, 1935, at his parents' farm near Lawrence
Parents: William and Dora (Ostdiek) Hoelting
Married: Aug. 7, 1957, to Jolene Buescher
Survivors include his wife; sons, Lynn and his wife, Cathy, of Goodland, Kan., and Don and his wife, Lynn, of Baltimore; daughters, Cheryl Hoelting and her husband, Mark Geisberg, of Arcadia, Calif., and Michelle Hansen and her husband, Bill, of Denver; grandchildren, Braelyn, Emily, Zachary and Avery Hoelting, Ben Geisberg and Trevor and Monique Hansen; brothers, Dick and his wife, Doris, of Lawrence, Leonard and his wife, Imelda, of Oxford and Vic and his wife, Kay, of Bellevue; sisters, Eva Krebsbach of Hastings, Eileen Buescher and her husband, Edgar, of Lawrence and Marie Choquette and her husband, Adrian, of Upland; and sister-in-law, Alma of Kearney
Was the 12th of 13 children in his family; attended Lawrence High School, played football and basketball, was an All-State end in 1953; graduated in 1954; attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, initially on a football scholarship, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1958
After marriage, lived in Campbell, was the school principal, taught science and vocational agriculture and coached high school football; moved to Kearney in 1965, was employed by Western Land Roller; from 1970 to the mid-1980s, was vice president and agriculture loan officer at First National Bank and then president of First Investment Savings & Loan; became a financial planner for Equitable Life Assurance Co., which is now AXA; retired in 2010
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus; was a board member for 10 years at Good Samaritan Hospital; longtime member of the Gateway Committee, served as chairman in 1974, helped with the Gateway Farm show for years; active member of Kearney Country Club, was a past president of the club
Was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Dan, Roy, Vernon, Art, Francis and Clarence
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church or Kearney Little League Association
Kearney Hub, 26 January, 2012
HOLOUBECK, Archie M. Sr., 93, of Kearney died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Thursday, Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Nov. 16, 1918, at the family farm north of Odessa
Parents: Adolph and May (More) Holoubeck
Married: Nov. 16, 1939, to Darlene McCampbell in Wahoo. She died in 1983
Married: March 8, 1986, to Rheva Eigenberg. She died in 2001
Survivors include his sons, Archie Holoubeck Jr. and his wife, Judy, and Terry Holoubeck and his wife, Sara, all of Kearney; daughters, Mary Kay Leet of Kearney, Cheryl Strate and her husband, Phil, of Pleasanton and Edith Bauer and her husband, Leland, of Amherst; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Dorothy Bond of Kearney and Esther Reynolds of Grand Island
Attended school in Odessa, graduated from Odessa High School in 1937
Grew up on the farm west of Kearney that has been in the family for 130 years; started farming right after high school with a team of horses and continued to farm, raise cattle and hay until his brief illness and death
Activities: member of Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney for more than 60 years, served on several church committees; served on the Odessa Township Board, was a 4-H leader and a member of the Buffalo County Historical Society; was awarded the Ak-Sar-Ben Pioneer Farm Family Award
Was preceded in death by his wives; a son-in-law, Bill Leet; and sisters, June Harpham and Emily McCan
Memorials: Faith United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 1 February, 2012
HOMAN, Larry Dean, 73, of Gibbon died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, as the result of an automobile accident south of Ravenna
Services: Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ravenna
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born April 8, 1938, on a farm in Buffalo County
Parents: Lester B. and Nellie E. (Hawkins) Homan
Married: June 2, 1958, to Mary Ann Chramosta
Survivors include his wife and best friend of 58 years; daughters, Veronica Daily and her husband, Darwin, of Grand Island and Lisa Sedlak and her husband, Allen, of Hastings; son, Larry L. and his wife, Kristina (Aistrope) Homan, of Glenwood, Iowa; grandchildren, Chase Daily and his wife, Andrea, of Sparks, Nev., Cobey Daily and his wife, Amanda, of Washougal, Wash., Nolan Sedlak and Kellsie Sedlak, both of Hastings, Kris (Sedlak) Flesner and her husband, Tim, of Lincoln, Larry Joshua Homan of Dayton, Ohio, and Erin Homan and Sarah Homan, both of Glenwood, Iowa; sisters, Janice Shafer and her husband, Marvin, of Kearney and Dixie Tripe of Hastings
Attended elementary school at Center School and District 3 in Buffalo County; graduated from Gibbon High School in 1956
Military: U.S. Navy
Later graduated from Milford Technical College in diesel mechanics; worked as shop foreman at Beckler Implement in Seward; moved to the Gibbon area, worked as a mechanic in Ravenna at Guzinski International; started his business, Homan Tractor and Power Unit Service in 1972, and later a hay operation
Activities: member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna; enjoyed tractor pulling, was a founding member of the Nebraska Tractor Pullers Association; also enjoyed playing cards, hunting, bowling, and barbecuing meat and making his special sauce; especially enjoyed time with his family and attending his grandchildren's events; member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 1 February, 2012
JOHN, Virgil L., 91, of Miller died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Tuesday, Miller United Methodist Church
Burial: Armada Cemetery at Miller
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born May 31, 1920, at home south of Miller in Buffalo County
Parents: Albin and Christine (Muller) John
Married: July 11, 1944, to Elaine Samp in Phillipsburg, Kan. She died in 2006
Survivors include his son, Randy John and his wife, Penny, of Miller; daughter, Brenda L. John of Hastings; granddaughters, Nikki Ferwerda and her husband, Cody, of Grand Junction, Iowa, and great-granddaughter, Rylee, and Kerry Elsen and her husband, Brock, of Sumner and great-grandchildren, Trenton, Sheyanne and Cooper; and brother, Melvin John and his wife, Beulah, of Miller; and nieces and nephews
Attended school at Cherry Valley south of Miller, then farmed in the Miller area and also worked for the railroad
After marriage, farmed and ranched south of Miller; continued to live on the farm after his wife's death
Was preceded in death by his wife and his parents
Kearney Hub, 4 February, 2012
JOHNSON, Beverly J., 93, of Kearney died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Tuesday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 16, 1918, in Minden
Parents: John S. and Hazel (Brainard) Westesen
Married: March 17, 1949, to Norris C. Johnson in Kearney. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her brother, John R. Westesen and his wife, Marjorie, of Kearney; sister-in-law, Irene Moore of Kearney; brother-in-law, Sid Johnson of Kearney; three nieces; and six nephews
Graduated from Minden High School in 1935, then moved to California and helped build airplanes for World War II; then moved to Denver and worked as a secretary; later returned to Minden and worked in the ASC office
After marriage, lived on a farm south of Kearney until 1980
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church and the Christian Women's Society; enjoyed visiting with family friends; enjoyed traveling with her husband after retiring
Was preceded in death by her husband; sister, Jeannine and her husband, Eugene "Tuny" Nickel; one infant sister; and sisters-in-law, Ardis and her husband, Harlan Stanford, and Vi Johnson
Memorials: First United Methodist Church or Mother Hull Home
Kearney Hub, 6 February, 2012
LEWIS, William Morris "Morrie", 75, of Ravenna died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Saturday, Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born May 20, 1936, in Cozad
Parents: William "Bill" and Deline (Morris) Lewis
Married: Dec. 30, 1959, to Audrey Hervert in Ravenna
Survivors include his wife; sons, Jim Lewis of Needham, Mass., and Jeff Lewis and his wife, Melissa, of Olathe, Kan.; sister, Sally Stear of Cozad; brother, Jim Burford of Kearney; and grandsons, Brad, Josh and Will
Was educated in Cozad and at Kearney State College
Taught school in Emerson, Loup City and in Atlantic, Iowa; owned and operated motels in Atlantic and in Ottawa, Kan.; moved to Ravenna in 1995
Activities: enjoyed his family, golf and motorcycles
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 23 January, 2012
LOWER, Tate Ryan, infant son of Chad Lower and Amy (Coonrod-Hutchison) Lurz of Ravenna, was born at rest Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
No services at this time
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger
Survivors include his parents; brothers, Kyler Lurz, Kolton Lurz and Dalton Lower, all at home; sister, Kelsey Lurz at home; and grandparents, Kristi Dew of Santa Fe, N.M., Gail Homan of Seattle and Ray Coonrod of Salem, Ore. Kearney Hub, 2 February, 2012
NORDINE, Dorothy "LaVern" Hill McRorey, 80, of Kearney, formerly of Cambridge, died Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday, Kearney Evangelical Free Church
Burial: City of Lubbock (Texas) Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 21, 1931, in Kilgore, Texas
Parents: James and Ruthie (Whisenhunt) Hill
Married: Oct. 9, 1947, at age 16, to Vernon Houston McRorey; had nine children together. He died in 1970
Married: Oct. 2, 1972, to Carl Allen Nordine; had one son together. He died in 1978
Married: 1983, to Jack Whitcomb; divorced in 1989; resumed her previous name of Nordine
Survivors include her children and their spouses, Lemuel and Elizebeth McRorey of Morton, Texas, Verna and Victor Jordan of Collinsville, Texas, Joe and Debbie McRorey of Lubbock, Joy and Don Kinsley of Carroll, Iowa, Arneta and Steve Pike of Kearney, Mary and Wayne Ewald of Illinois and Carl and Tanya Nordine of South Dakota; 33 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Darlene Fisher and her husband, Gene, of Texas; aunt, Dorothy Otwell; many cousins and friends; and very special friends, Julian Aebischer, Bob and Rita Waltameth and Diane Rooks and her son, T.J.
Grew up in California and Oklahoma, attended school at Bay Point School in Port Chicago, Calif., and Farmer's Hill School south of Millerton, Okla.; attended high school in Valliant and Wright City, Okla.
In her younger years, worked in the fields picking and chopping cotton, hoeing corn and doing other types of farm work, including pitching and tromping cotton behind a cotton stripper; also flagged for an aerial service; went into nursing in 1962; worked as a nurses aide at Methodist Hospital, several nursing homes and the state school in Lubbock; also worked for Texas Instruments; moved to Cambridge in 1983 with husband, Jack, and son Carl Nordine, Jr.; worked for Faw's Automotive, Cambridge Manor and drove a school bus for Cambridge schools, 1985-2010
Was preceded in death by her husbands; parents; sons, Loelan, Dennis and William; stepsons, Beryl and Lonnie McRorey; sisters, Ora Sylvester, Velma Teague and Doris Smith; and brother, David Hill
Kearney Hub, 20 January, 2012
PACE, Cecil C., 90, of Kearney died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at his home
Services: Friday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: Morning View Cemetery near Wallace
Born June 4, 1921, in Romance, Mo.
Parents: Charles and Beulah (Welch) Pace
Married: Jan. 10, 1943, he married Annie Zimmerman in Wallace. She died in 2000
Married: Oct. 31, 2007, he married Myrtle Anderson in Amherst. She died in 2010
Survivors include his sons, Robert Pace and his wife, Joyce, of Cambridge and Dennis of Kansas; daughter, Kathleen Rookstool and her husband, James, of Kearney; 13 grandchildren; brother, Raymond Pace and his wife, Arlene, of North Platte; and sisters, Mable Hasenauer, Mary Smith and Bonnie Broeder and her husband, Paul, all of North Platte
Came to Nebraska with his parents in a covered wagon when he was 2 years old, settled in Wallace; attended school in Wallace
Military: U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, later served in the Army
Farmed and later moved to Kearney, did farm work and worked at West Co.
Activities: attended the Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall; loved the outdoors; enjoyed gardening and playing cards and time with his family
Was preceded in death by his wives; parents; sons, Ronnie and Roger; two brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 25 January, 2012
PSOTA, Barbara, 75, of Ravenna died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Services: Monday, Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born May 27, 1936, in Amherst
Parents: George and Mary (Monroe) Vavra
Married: Nov. 5, 1954, to Milan Psota in Greeley, Colo. He died Nov. 20, 2009
Survivors include her sons, Kirk Psota and his wife, Janet, of Lexington, Kent Psota and his wife, DeeAnn, of Kearney and Kevin Psota and his wife, Brandy, of Ravenna; daughters, Karla Stueben and her husband, Terry, of Boelus and Karen Gascoigne and her husband, Greg, of Callaway; 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, James Vavra and Mick Vavra, both of Kearney; sisters, Bonnie Wiese of Grand Island and Betty Jorgensen of Kearney; and many nieces and nephews
Was educated in Amherst, graduated from Amherst High School
After marriage, lived on a farm northwest of Ravenna
Activities: greatest joy was cooking for her family
Was preceded in death by her husband, and daughter, Kristine K. Schneider on March 5, 2000
Kearney Hub, 31 January, 2012
RUNDSTROM, Lynn A., 64, of Kearney, Neb., died Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, in Peoria, Arizona
Services: Friday, Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 27, 1947, in Sidney
Parents: Willis J. and Joline (Ackerman) Robinson
Married: June 8, 1968, to Jim Rundstrom in Sidney
Survivors include her husband; son, Todd and his wife, Manuela, of Kearney; daughters, Tracy Williams and her husband, Andy, and Tammy Rundstrom and her husband, Carlos Luna, all of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Olivia, Lucia, Tristan and Spencer; sister, Leslie Robinson Patrick and her husband, Joe, of Marquette, Mich.; brother, Rob Robinson and his wife, Pam, of Sidney; and many other relatives and friends
Graduate of Sidney High School, was a Girl's State representative in 1964 and Honored Queen of Job's Daughters; attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kappa Alpha Theta sorority
After marriage, lived in Kearney; graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a degree in business education in 1970; worked at First National Bank in Kearney
Activities: served as president of PEO Chapter AS and UNK Faculty Wives; member of the Newman Center Catholic Church, was the pianist for church services for more than 15 years; volunteered for the Good Samaritan Hospital Service League, was involved in all of her children's activities, including PTA, Girl Scouts and Job's Daughters
Was preceded in death by her parents
Memorials: the UNK Jim and Lynn Rundstrom Family Service Award Fund or the Music Ministry Fund at the Newman Center
Kearney Hub, 25 January, 2012
SIMMON, John C. "Jack", 86, of Kearney died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Stanley Cemetery near Amherst with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 24, 1925, in Geneva
Parents: Harry and Gertrude (O'Brien) Simmon
Married: May 22, 1951, to Dorothy Czenkusch in Amherst Survivors include his wife; son, Jim Simmon and his wife, Jill, of Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.; daughters, Susan Dodge and her husband, Steve, of Jackson, Mich., and Mary Spoth and her husband, Robert, of Woodbridge, Va.; grandchildren, Katie Spoth, Patrick Spoth, Kevin Spoth, Kyle Spoth, James Dodge, Kathryn Dodge, Lindsay Hill and Shelby Rademaker; and three great-grandchildren
Graduated from Miller High School in 1943
Military: joined U.S. Navy in 1943, served on a destroyer escort in the Pacific during World War II
After service, attended Creighton University in Omaha for two years and then earned his bachelor's degree from Detroit University; worked at the Army depot in Sidney
Was a civilian employee of the U.S. Army, moved with wife and children to Italy, then Germany, Michigan and Virginia; retired, 1985, and moved back to Kearney to be close to family
Activities: enjoyed playing golf; volunteered driving cancer patients to treatment and working at the immunization clinic and as a teacher in the adult literacy program; member of St. James Catholic Church, was a Eucharistic minister, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees
Was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 6 February, 2012
SNYDER, Mary J., 96, of Kearney died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Services: Friday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Chapel
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Dec. 8, 1915, in Wisner
Parents: Anton and Frances (Cermak) Kotik
Married: April 11, 1939, to Wendell Snyder in West Point. He died in 1991
Survivors include her son, Douglas Snyder of Colorado Springs, Colo.; daughter, Marlene Ferguson and her husband, John, of Marquette; daughter-in-law, Lois Snyder of Kearney; special friend and caregiver, Sandra Thayer of Kearney; nine grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren
After marriage, lived on a farm southeast of Kearney; moved into town in 1995
Activities: member of Kearney Evangelical Free Church and East Lawn Kensington Extension Group; enjoyed golfing, playing bingo and watching sports on television
Was preceded in death by her husband, one son, five brothers, three sisters and two great-grandchildren
Memorials: Good Samaritan Hospital Hospice or Kearney Evangelical Free Church
Kearney Hub, 1 February, 2012
SODERQUIST, Ray F., 94, of Kearney died Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Tuesday at Zion Chapel at Mosaic Bethphage Mission in Axtell
Burial: Bethphage Mission Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger
Born May 30, 1917, near Vliets, a small town between Axtell, Kan., and Frankfort, Kan.
Married: Feb. 27, 1943, to Elnora Swanson
Survivors include his wife of 68 years; daughters, Karen McIntosh and her husband, Tom, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Margaret Strecker and her husband, Richard, of Franklin, Tenn.; son, Leland of Axtell; brothers, John of Lenexa, Kan., and Bill of Salina, Kan.; and grandsons, Ben McIntosh and his wife, Lara, of Los Angeles and Nat McIntosh of Colorado Springs
Oldest of four children; attended a rural school, District 51, graduated from Axtell High School in 1934; attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., for one year; worked for farmers in the area for a time, then enrolled in Brown-Mackie Business College in Salina
Received an appointment, 1940, from the Air Force in Washington, D.C.; printing presses became the focus of his work with the government; transferred to Denver, 1944, was appointed field service officer of the Government Printing Office
Because of the health of his youngest son, resigned his job and moved to a farm in southern Minnesota in 1955; took a government job with the Department of Agriculture in Kansas City, Mo.; in 1964 was reinstated to a job with General Services Administration at the Federal Center in Denver; remained there; retired in 1976, then moved to Kearney so his son could have supervised care at Bethphage Mission in Axtell, Nebraska; eventually moved to Regency Retirement Community, and later to Northridge Retirement Community
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church in Kearney, past member of the 1733 Barbershop Chorus; enjoyed the outdoors, fly-fishing, hunting, and church and civic activities
Memorials: Bethphage Mission in Axtell or the music programs at First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 21 January, 2012
TAGGART, Doris "Louise", 59, of Pompano Beach, Florida, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at her home
Services: Feb. 2 at Neptune Society Cremation in Pompano Beach
Born Dec. 31, 1952, in Kearney
Parents: John and Doris (Bowker) Keough
Married: Feb. 14, 1992, to Larry Taggart in Pompano Beach
Survivors include her husband; her mother of Kearney, mother-in-law, Margaret Taggart of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; daughter, Angela Visser-Keough, spouse, Briana, and granddaughter, Chloe, of San Francisco; son, Shawn Smaha, spouse, Shayne, and grandson, William, of Mulberry, Fla.; sisters and spouses, Mary Ann and Lendall Jahn of Imperial, Neb., Cecilia Ingram, Regina and Gilbert Molina and Theresa and Ron Baack, all of Kearney, and Liz and Mike Rawlings of St. Paul, Neb.; brothers and spouses, Tom and Dee Keough of Stedman, N.C., Joe and Linda Keough of Fort Lauderdale, Patrick and Gay Keough of Wood River, Neb., Mike and Carrie Keough of Gibbon, Neb., and Nick and Julie Keough of Kearney; sisters-in-law, Joyce Keough of Aurora, Colo., and Kelley Taggart of Bradyville, Tenn.; brothers-in-law and spouses, Dave and Jackie Lewis of Kearney, Scott and Stephanie Taggart of Fort Lauderdale, Todd and Zella Taggart of Bradyville and Stan and Denise Taggart of Oakland, Calif.; 40 nieces and nephews; 39 grandnieces and grandnephews; one great-grandniece; and one great-grandnephew
Graduated from Kearney Catholic High School in 1971; was talented in competitive diving; spent several years as a lifeguard in Florida; was as an office manager for Rhode Marine surveying; lived in North Dakota, Denver and Alaska, then moved to Florida
Activities; active member of the Florida Jaycees; enjoyed being with her family and friends
Was preceded in death by her father; father-in-law, Stanley Taggart; sister, Cathy Lewis; niece, Brenda Geiger; and sisters-in-law, Judy Keough and Rita Taggart
Kearney Hub, 9 February, 2012
TOOMEY, Nora Althea, 89, of Kearney, formerly of Arapahoe, died Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Friday at First United Methodist Church in Arapahoe
Burial: Arapahoe Cemetery
Mortuary: Wenburg in Arapahoe
Born Jan. 1, 1923, in Edison
Parents: Joseph R. and Belle M. (Baker) Hunt
Married: Aug. 30, 1945, to Jimmy G. Toomey at the McCook U.S. Air Force Base. He died Jan. 25, 1997
Survivors include her daughter, Sharon Frink of Kearney; son, Roger Toomey and his wife, Anetta, of Creighton, Mo.; sister, Irene Stone of Denver; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren
Graduated from Edison High School; earned her teaching certificate from Kearney State Teachers College; taught at Bartley for one year, then at Snowball country school north of Arapahoe in Gosper County
After marriage, moved to Enid, Okla., while Jimmy fulfilled his military obligation; moved back to the farm in southern Gosper County; farmed and ranched until 1992, retired in Arapahoe; moved to Mount Carmel Home in Kearney, October 2001
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and Friendly Circle Extension Club of Arapahoe
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Ronald, Wilmer and infant Elbert Hunt; and son-in-law, Paul Frink on Jan 16, 2012
Memorials: First United Methodist Church of Arapahoe and the Arapahoe Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 25 January, 2012
TRUSSELL, Wanda Louise Walsh, 84, of Kearney, formerly of North Platte, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at her home
Services: Thursday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in North Platte
Burial: Seneca Cemetery, beside her first husband
Mortuary: Odean Colonial Chapel, North Platte
Born Feb. 6, 1927, in Cincinnati, Iowa
Parents: Elmer and Ethel (Myers) Dorsett
Married: May 14, 1946, to Howard Walsh in Seneca. They divorced in 1976. He preceded her in death
Married: Feb. 25, 1984, to William "Van" Trussell in Kendall, Kan. He died in February 2008
Survivors include her daughters, Margie Warren of Kearney and Beverly Sorci of Gig Harbor, Wash.; sons, Randy Walsh and his wife, Darleen, of Palmer, Alaska, and David Walsh and his wife, Becky, of North Platte; stepdaughter, Ann Palmer of Syracuse, Kan.; stepdaughter-in-law, Mona Trussell of Kendall, Kan.; sisters, Bonnie Cowan of Searcy, Ark., Carol Dorsett of Centerville, Iowa, and Donna Conger of Cincinnati, Iowa; brother-in-law, Earl Trussell and his wife, Robbie, of Johnson, Kan.; grandchildren and spouses, Angela and Cory Nida, Ryan Walsh, Tony and Jennifer Warren, Christie and Riley Jones, Troy and Lyndsey Douglas, Jessica Huerta and Trina Douglas; 19 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other family
Grew up in Missouri and Iowa and graduated from Cincinnati High School in 1944; moved with her family to a ranch near Brownlee in 1945; received her teaching certificate from Chadron State College, taught for two years at a country school in Cherry County
After marriage, lived in Iowa, joined the Catholic Church; returned to Brownlee, then lived briefly in Cle Elum, Wash.; returned to Brownlee; also lived in Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas; after divorce in 1976, moved to North Platte, sold advertising specialties for Newton Manufacturing Co. for the next 10 years; also purchased a motel in Scott City, Kan.
After marriage to Van Trussell, owned and operated several motels in Kansas and Nebraska; retired and bought a home in North Platte; after Van's death, lived with her daughter, Margie, in Kearney
Activities: family and friends were very important to her; was a shrewd businesswoman; possessed a genuine love and compassion for her fellow man, and often helped people in need; attended St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Was preceded in death by her husband and former husband; her parents; son-in-law, Bill Warren; sister, Leona Peterson and her husband, Don; brothers, Lloyd Dorsett and his wife, Jeannie, and Elmer Dorsett and his wife, Evelyn; sister-in-law, Wynona Trussell; brothers-in-law, J.R. Trussell, Basil Stockton, Nathan Tennis, Robert Conger and Gerold Cowan; and nephew, Gerold Dean Cowan
Memorials: St. Patrick's Catholic Church or the donor's choice
Kearney Hub, 24 January, 2012
WALL, Carol Ann, 77, of Kearney died Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Tuesday, Faith United Church in Gibbon
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Born Sept. 16, 1934, in Wood River
Parents: Ralph and Seatta (Hornbacher) Wenz
Married: April 18, 1954, to Raymond Wall in Davenport
Survivors include her husband; her mother of Kearney; and sons, Wayne and his wife, Sally, of Kearney and Ralph of Lincoln
Grew up in Sutton and Davenport, graduated from Davenport High School in 1951; worked at the telephone company there
After marriage, moved to Florida where husband was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base; after discharge, moved to Holdrege, Nebraska; worked at Paige's Market as a meat wrapper, J.M. McDonalds and J.C. Penney and Methodist Memorial Homes food service; moved to Gibbon in 1959; retired and moved to Kearney in 1998. Activities: was active in Faith United Church in Gibbon; members of the Gibbon camping club; enjoyed dancing and music; played saxophone at many area nursing homes and in a band called The Musical Notes
Was preceded in death by her father; stepfather, Melvin Swanson; and grandparents, Gustav and Christina Hornbacher
Kearney Hub, 23 January, 2012