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BERGT, Eugene C., 86, of Amherst died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Dec. 4, 1925, in Amherst
Parents: Carl and Clara (Baeder) Bergt
Married: Jan. 1, 1948, to Evonne Fisher in Amherst
Survivors include his wife; daughters and their husbands, Corliss and Mike Merrick of Janesville, Wis., and Debra and Robert Long and Linnea and Raymond King, all of Amherst; son, Clarence Bergt and his wife, Lisa, of Amherst; son-in-law, Claude Robertson of Gainesville, Texas; sister, Esther Abels and her husband, Norman, of Kearney; 17 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren
Was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church northwest of Amherst; graduated from Amherst High School in 1942
After marriage, lived northwest of Amherst , farmed, ranched and raised livestock
Activities: member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, sang in the church choir, taught Sunday school and was a past District 45 school board member; enjoyed golfing and traveling, visited all 50 states
Was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Blanton, and a daughter, Barbara Robertson
Memorials: Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 22 September, 2012
BROWN, Gladys D., 93, of Kearney died Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, at Mother Hull Home
Memorial services: Wednesday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Oct. 7, 1918, in Alexandria
Parents: Herman and Emma (Dittmer) Molthan
Married: Nov. 10, 1942, to Albert F. Brown in Lexington. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sons, Junior Brown and his wife, Judy, Larry Brown and his wife, Karen, Dennis Brown and his wife, Sharon, and Donnie Brown and his wife, Linda, all of Kearney; daughters, Sandra Edson and her husband, Ronnie, and Kathy Vasquez and Rick Tatum, all of Kearney; 20 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren
Attended school in Ohiowa
After married, moved to various states with Albert while he served his country; settled in Kearney in 1959 and started raising their family; worked as a nurses aide at several nursing homes in Kearney and worked at the Hammer Motel and Bico's
Activities: loved spending time with and baby-sitting her grandchildren; also enjoyed camping and fishing, flower gardening and playing solitaire
Was preceded in death by her husband, six sisters, one brother and two grandsons
Kearney Hub, 25 September, 2012
BURKEY, Sherman R., 74, of Scottsbluff died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, at his home
Services: Friday at Salem Congregational Church in Scottsbluff
Burial: Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff
Mortuary: Jolliffe in Scottsbluff
Born July 3, 1938, on the family farm near Elm Creek
Parents: Edward and Lucy (Fellows) Burkey
Married: July 28, 1963, to Sandra Alderman. They were married until October 1979
Married: April 23, 1988, to Renee Langhofer
Survivors include his wife; children, Tammie Hinrichs and her husband, Steve, of Kearney, Charlie Burkey and his wife, Kelli, of Lexington and Robyn Lange and her special friend, Dale Trosper, of Lexington; grandchildren, Brandie and Hunter Hinrichs, Jennifer, Jessica and Kris Burkey, Curtis Refior and Nikki Lange; great-grandchildren, Dylan Burkey and Elexa Burkey Padilla; sister, Lois Reichert and her husband, Marvion, of Kearney; sister-in-law, Charlotte Burkey of Elm Creek; mother-in-law, Pauly Langhofer of Scottsbluff; brother-in-law, Denis Langhofer and his wife, Helen, of Thornton, Colo.; many nieces and nephews; and ex-wife, Sandra (Burkey) McFarland of Lexington
Youngest of 13 children; attended a small country school just up the road from the farm until the eighth grade
After marriage, lived in Exeter, Lexington and Overton, then bought a farm north of Elm Creek; worked on the pipeline and was a farmhand for Leo Schroeder, Ray Nelson, and Burns and Skinner Feedlot; worked at Western Alfalfa in Elm Creek, also owned his own haystack moving business; moved to Scottsbluff in 1987, worked for a local farmer until April 1988
After marrying Renee, lived in Alliance; worked for Fisher Farms and McDonald's; returned to Scottsbluff and bought their home in 1997; worked at Regional West Medical Center; retired in 2004
Activities: enjoyed his retirement, working in his yard, woodworking, tinkering in his shop and going to auctions; enjoyed helping neighbors
Was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Tarah Refior; 10 brothers; two sisters; and his father-in-law
Memorials: to the family or to Festival of Hope
Kearney Hub, 6 September, 2012
CLAUSEN, Doris J. "Cookie", 82, of Kearney died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, at her home
Services: Friday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Hazard Cemetery
Born June 10, 1930, in Mason City
Parents: Al and Elvena (Sundstrom) Gray
Married: June 22, 1946, to Thurman Clausen in Smith Center, Kan.
Survivors include her husband; daughters, Marcella Luhn of Grand Island, Elvena Forke and her husband, Daniel, of Beatrice and Patsy Clausen and friend Dan Rogers of Ravenna; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; sister, Sadie Galloway of Loup City; and many nieces and nephews
Attended school in Hazard and graduated from eighth grade
Was baptized in 1989 at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kearney
After marriage, lived in Ravenna; moved to Kearney, 1974; spent most of her life cooking in restaurants and was famous for her pie baking; owned Cookie's restaurant in Ravenna, worked at Foote's Café, was head cook at Ramada Inn and managed The Lodge Café, all in Kearney; retired because of health
Activities: loved to cook, be with friends and family, play cards and sew; was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kearney
Was preceded in death by her parents; son, Quinten Sr.; sisters, Lola Gray, Selma Galloway and Mildred Gits; and brothers, Alvin and Melvin Gray
Memorials: Kearney Seventh-day Adventist Church
Kearney Hub, 29 August, 2012
COPE, Carol I., 103, of Kearney died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at her home
Services: Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Sept. 13, 1909, in Tate
Parents: Frank and Marilena Schrepel
Married: June 21, 1939, to Ron Cope at St. Anthony Church in Steinauer. He died Jan. 12, 1992
Survivors include her brother-in-law, Rollie Ayres of Lincoln; nieces, Deb Burkey of Hickman and Gerri Cope-Welden of North Platte; nephews, Bob Dingwell of Belleville, Ill., Jim Dingwell and Tom Dingwell, both of Lincoln; godchild, Mary Lee Swendsen of Edina, Minn.; and a community of friends
Graduated from Burchard High School in 1926; received a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Taught music in North Platte and Lincoln; moved to California, was a professional piano accompanist, earned a master's degree in music from USC
After marriage, moved to Kearney in 1940; with husband, owned and operated Claussens and Famous Shoe Stores in Kearney for 30 years;also had stores in Lexington, North Platte and Holdrege; were known for their involvement in the community and their philanthropic endeavors
Activities: longtime member of St. James Catholic Church; loved her church, music, the arts, education, football, politics and travel; was an active volunteer in multiple organizations; received many local and state awards because of her dedication to the Kearney community and state of Nebraska
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, Arthur, and sister-in-law, Margaret Schrepel; sister-in-law, Betty (Cope) Ayres; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jim and Evelyn Cope, Paul and Eileen Cope and Melvin and Virginia (Cope) Thiemann
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church, The Fort Kearney Chapter of the American Red Cross or the donor's choice
Kearney Hub, 17 September, 2012
DAVIS, Tommy L., 56, of Axtell died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, at Crest View Care Center in Omaha
Memorial services: Friday at First Church of God in Kearney
Burial of cremains: Mosaic at Bethphage Village
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 26, 1956, in Omaha
Parents: David and Evelyn (Willoughby) Davis
Survivors include his mother of Kearney; brother, Jerry Davis and his wife, Robin, of Kearney; and nephew, Dustin Davis of Denver
Moved to Kearney in the late 1950s, then moved to Bethphage Village in 1980
Activities: enjoyed music and playing his guitar
Was preceded in death by his father in 1988
Memorials: Mosaic at Bethphage Village or to the University of Nebraska Medical Center
Kearney Hub, 30 August, 2012
DRAKE, James D., 80, of Kearney died Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Graveside memorial services: Saturday at Litchfield Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger
Born Sept. 19, 1931, in Broken Bow
Parents: Roland and Dorothy (Archer) Drake
Married: Jan. 18, 1953, to Fay Ward in Berwyn
Survivors include his wife; son, James and his wife, Mindy, of Kearney; daughter, Jolene Drake of Kearney; brothers, Larry of North Dakota, Rollie and his wife, Illene, of Axtell and Sherril and his wife, Kathy, of Kearney; grandchildren, Gypsy, Heather, Jacoby and Dylan; great-grandchildren, Myka, Jaxson, Jaela and Caidynn; several nieces and nephews; and special aunt, Shirley of Broken Bow
Graduated from Thedford High School in 1949
After marriage, lived in Berwyn, Broken Bow and Kearney
Worked on a farm, at a creamery and at Rockwell for 13 years; was the first employee hired at Eaton Corp.; retired in 1992, suffered a stroke in 1999
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney; past member of the Berwyn Fire Department
Was preceded in death by his parents and two infant brothers
Kearney Hub, 7 September, 2012
EGGERT, Elizabeth J., 89, of Kearney died Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: later in Oxnard, Calif., and Francestown, N.H.
Burial: at the Eggert family plot in Aurora
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: July 26, 1923, in Arkansas City, Kan.
Mother: Etta Pruner
Attended many different schools in many different places; left school in 10th grade, but was self-educated and was interested in everything from classical music, fine art, world affairs, world travel and politics
Worked at a bomber plant in the early 1940's; met and married pilot, Charles Eggert, in Phoenix in 1943
After marriage, lived in Phoenix, Portland, Seattle, New York, and Connecticut and New Hampshire
Activites: volunteered in a variety of organizations; was director of a food pantry, chairman of a thrift store, Cub Scout leader; enjoyed her relationships with a variety of people in all the places she lived
Survivors include: her children, Cheryl, Linda, Charles Jr., and Larry; grandchildren, Susan and Kimberly Lord and Kristen and David Thomson; and great-grandchildren, T.J. and Parker Wodskow and Abigail and Margaret Thomson
Memorials: Ventura County (Calif.) Assistance League or the George Holmes Bixby Memorial Library in Francestown
Kearney Hub, 8 September, 2012
FOSTER, Donna, 87, of Kearney died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Friday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger
Born Jan. 22, 1925, in Petersburg
Parents: John and Rose (Raemaker) Krause
Married: April 21, 1949, to Harold Foster. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Stephen Foster and his wife, Barbara, of Omaha; daughters, Linda Potter and her husband, Lee, and Lisa Irwin and her husband, Mike, of Kearney; grandchildren, Kirk Potter, Jason Potter, Jake Irwin and Cassie Irwin; great-grandchildren, Reed Potter, Regan Potter and Ryder Potter; and sisters and brothers, John Krause, Veronica Levos, Carroll Krause, Dolores Johnson, Larry Krause and Gerald Krause
Was the second of 11 children in her family; graduated from Elgin High School; also graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in Grand Island; held her nursing license for 60 years, was a licensed registered nurse until her death
Served as a cadet nurse in World War II; was director of nursing at Stuart, Fullerton Memorial Hospital, Aurora Memorial Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, St. John's Center, and was manager of Cambridge Court in Kearney
Activities: member or volunteer at St. James Catholic Church, St. James Parish Council, St. James Parish Nursing, Red Cross Board of Directors, Red Cross Disaster Services, Red Cross Blood Donation Services, Interfaith Caregivers Board, Buffalo County Immunization Program (director), Golden K Kiwanis and ARC; loved creating craft projects, cooking, baking, reading and studying nursing journals, volunteering and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband; sisters, Arlene Brazie and Margie Umhauer; and brothers, Robert Krause and Myron Krause
Memorials: Tackle Cancer or the American Red Cross
Kearney Hub, 29 August, 2012
FRANK, Andra G., 68, of Kearney died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Friday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Jan. 8, 1944, in Phillipsburg, Kan.
Parents: George and Margie (Shields) Attebery
Married: March 20, 1965, to Ken Frank in Clay Center, Kan.
Survivors include her husband; daughters, Melanie Moss and her husband, Henry, of Lincoln, Amy Stump and her husband, Troy, and Erin Wilson, all of Kearney, and Heather Myers and her husband, Corey, of Grand Island; sons, Mike Frank and his wife, Angel, of Granger, Ind., and Eric Frank and his partner, David McCalmont, of Kearney; brothers, Jim Attebery of Durango, Colo., and Bill Attebery and his wife, Denise, of Kelseyville, Calif.; sister, Pat Garcia of Topeka, Kan.; and grandchildren, Preston, Abbie, Anthony, Phillip, Michael, Alexis, Meredith, Jillian, Levi, Sophia, Ava, Seth and William
Graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1962
After marriage, lived in Omaha, was a stay-at-home mother; moved to Kearney, 1974
Was the coordinator for Buffalo County Citizen Advocacy; was a champion of protecting the rights of those most vulnerable; created the Holiday Home Tour; member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, served on various committees in the church; was also active in the Kearney Area United Way, PEO Chapter AS and Kearney Catholic High School Board; loved spending time with her family, shopping, dancing, exercising, traveling and reading. Was preceded in death by her parents
Memorials: Buffalo County Citizen Advocacy or Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 30 August, 2012
FRUHLING, Leland A. "Lee", 74, of Kearney died Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday at First Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
orn March 25, 1938, on the family farm in Furnas County
Parents: Albert D. and Clara (Wilken) Fruhling
Married: June 25, 1967, to Carla A. Buettner in Kearney
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Jan Sue Vieyra of Elm Creek; son, Jeff Fruhling and his wife, Mary, of Kearney; granddaughters, Jaiden Parra and Julissa Vieyra of Elm Creek; grandsons, Dylan and Collin Fruhling of Kearney; and sisters, Lorena Ryan of Lincoln and Leona Snider and her husband, Charles, of York
Graduate of high school in Long Island, Kan.
Military: U.S. Army, Sept. 21, 1961 - Sept. 20, 1963
After marriage, lived in Kearney; was co-owner of L&S Industries and One Hour Martinizing; retired in 1998
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church; loved to fish, garden, camp and travel, family gatherings, and his grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Lloyd and Lawrence
Memorials: Kearney High School Band fund, Kearney High School athletic fund or ARC
Kearney Hub, 10 September, 2012
GREENO, Craig Wood, 68, of Cocoa Beach, Florida, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012, in a hospice in Rockledge
Body was cremated
Born: March 31, 1944, in Gregory, S.D.
Parents: Joe and Florence Greeno.
Survivors include his companion, Harry Whitaker of Cocoa Beach; brothers, Ken of Lawrence, Kan., and Bart of Omaha, Neb.; and sister, Barbara
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1962; played bass for the Tommy Dorsey dance band; attended Kearney State College
Military: U.S. Navy, served a total of 7½ years; was a U.S. Navy corpsman in Viet Nam, was awarded the Silver Star for bravery under fire
Lived and worked many years in California; retired to Florida in 2002
Activities: proud member of AA for 28 years; lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Joe
Kearney Hub, 6 September, 2012
HOFFMANN, Bonner, 93, of Bensenville, Illinois, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, in Chicago
Graveside services: Monday at Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
The family regrets to announce the passing of our dearly beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather - the kindest man we ever knew
Kearney Hub, 22 September, 2012
HOLCOMB, Timothy "Tim", 47, of Kearney died Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Celebration of life open house, Friday Sept. 14, at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger
Born Sept. 14, 1964, in Loup City
Parents: Doug and Donette (Lewandowski) Holcomb
Married: June 29, 1985, to Dianne Quinn in Burwell
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Kirbie Swanson and her husband, David, and Jessie Holcomb, all of Kearney; grandson, Noah Swanson of Kearney; his parents, of Arcadia; brothers, Steve Holcomb and his wife, Denise, of Arcadia, Kevin Holcomb and Cheryl of Arcadia, Terry Holcomb and his wife, Stephanie, of Grand Island, Todd Holcomb and his wife, Tammy, of Cairo and Craig Holcomb and his wife, Amy, of Gibbon; sisters, Michelle Hickman and her husband, Doug, of Arcadia and Chris and Lenny Beall of North Platte; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; mother-in-law, Frances Quinn of Burwell; and brothers-in-law, Gary, David and John Quinn
Was the fifth child of a large, Polish-Catholic family; grew up in Arcadia, attended Arcadia Public School; graduated in 1982; attended Kearney State College; received a bachelor of general studies from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, May 2010
After marriage, lived in Arcadia, Grand Island, Columbus, Hastings, Loup City and back to Kearney in 2005; was a seasoned, authentic country performer who shared the stage with some of the biggest names in country music; began a new career with Professional Bull Riding; was employed by Goodwill Industries through the Buffalo County Probation Office
Was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia on May 12, 2003, was on chemotherapy for nine years; returned to his music career, promoting Western events, song writing and spending time with his first grandson
Activities: memmber of the Sons of the American Legion; enjoyed outdoor hunting sports, camping, gardening, fishing and his Vizslas; member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) with his publishing company
Kearney Hub, 6 July and 11 September, 2012
HUDDLESTON, Anitra Lynn, 36, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at her home
Memorial services: 17 Sept. at Wadlow Rozanek Funeral Home in Lincoln
Born Sept. 19, 1975, in Kearney
Mother: Vanessa (Van Vleet) Rice
Survivors include her children, Rythm, Ariez and Reyanne of Lincoln; mother, Vanessa Rice and her husband, Steven, of Lincoln; sisters, April Hansen and her husband, Steve, of Omaha and Samantha Fankhauser and her husband, Steve, and Shavon Rosenthal and her husband, Randy, all of Lincoln; and grandfather, Greg Lawrence of Littleton, Colo.
Attended Kearney High School; enjoyed working as a nursing assistant
Was preceded in death by her grandmother, Sheryl (Hall) Lawrence, and grandfather, Bobby Van Vleet
Kearney Hub, 17 September, 2012
JOHNSON, Gary L., 71, of Redmond, Oregon, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, in Redmond
Services were in Redmond
Born June 30, 1941, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Vern and Josie (Woodman) Johnson of Elm Creek, Neb.
Married: Aug. 27, 1963, to Sandra Muncie of Oregon in Elm Creek. She died June 21, 2009
Survivors include his son, Ken and his wife, Bennett, of Eagle Creek; daughter, Cindi Stauffer and her husband, Mark, of Loomis, Neb.; and grandchildren, Sara Stauffer of Lincoln, Neb., and Elise Stauffer and Gareth L. Johnson Stauffer, both of Loomis; and friends and cousins in in Oregon and Nebraska
Was an only son; attended country school in Williamsburg Township; attended Elm Creek High School and enjoyed sports, especially football; was part of the 1959 graduating team that had only one loss in four years
Started farming and raising polled shorthorn cattle with his father at a very young age due to his dad's poor health; in Oregon, owned and operated O'Neil Junction Feed, was involved with the care and feeding of animals
Was an avid sportsman, enjoyed hunting and trap shooting; also enjoyed playing cards and bowling in the winter; was a committed Christian; member of the R-3 school board; member of the Elks and Eagles in Kearney; especially enjoyed working with the 4-H kids and their projects; was proud of his grandchildren
Fought valiantly against the lyphoma that eventually took his life
Was preceded in death by his parents and his wife
Memorials: to the Lymphoma/Leukemia Society
Kearney Hub, 20 September, 2012
LAMMERS, Walter E., 80, of Pleasanton died Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton
Burial: Peake Cemetery southwest of Pleasanton
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Sept. 15, 1931, in Buffalo County
Parents: Ralph and Clara (Mueller) Lammers
Survivors include his brother, Robert Lammers of California; sisters, Nora Erickson and Luella Kutsch, both of Kearney, and Arlene Lammers of Plattsmouth; and nieces and nephews
Was educated in Buffalo County
Military: U.S. Army
Farmed southwest of Pleasanton
Activities: member of Grace Lutheran Church
Was preceded in death by his sisters, Rumilda and Martha
Memorials: to the church
Kearney Hub, 10 September, 2012
LESTER, Kathie Jo (Brisbin), 61, of Kearney, Neb., died Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Services: Friday, Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney
Born Aug. 25, 1951
Parents: Bernard and Gloria (Johnson) Brisbin
Married: Dec. 17, 1966, to Robert Lester of Kearney
Survivors include her loving husband, five children, eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild, six siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family
Was employed at Baldwin Filters in Kearney for more than 30 years
Was preceded in death by her parents
Memorials: Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Kearney Hub, 18 September, 2012
LIEB, Robert "Bob" Dean, 61, of Franklin died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at Franklin County Memorial Hospital in Franklin
Services: Wednesday at Banta-Torrey Funeral Chapel in Wilcox
Burial: Wilcox Cemetery
Born April 18, 1951, in Kearney
Parents: Robert and Lenora "Maxine" (Webster) Lieb
Married: September 1972, to Patricia McConnell at Holdrege; divorced in 1979
Married: Nov. 8, 1982, to Reathy McClain in Holdrege; divorced in 2002
Survivors include his daughters, Jennifer Watts and Jamie Lieb, both of Franklin; sisters, Patricia Smith and her husband, Ed, of Ashland and his twin sister, Ruby Bowman and her husband, Ed, of Loomis; twin brothers, Larry Lieb and Leroy Lieb and his wife, Kay, all of Wilcox; grandchildren, Cody, Kaci and Chadd Watts at home with their mother in Franklin; and several nieces and nephews, many cousins, other relatives and many friends
Was the second child of five children and a twin; lived in Trumbull, Pauline and Inland, where he started school; moved to Clay Center in 1959 and to Kearney in 1960 where he attended three different country schools; finished grade school at Wilcox and then his freshman year, his sophomore year and part of his junior year of high school at Kearney; moved to Lawrence, Kan., finished his junior and senior years of high school and graduated with the class of 1970; resided in Hastings, 1970-1974
With Patricia, lived in Hastings, Wilcox and Grand Island, graduated from the Central Nebraska Technical Community College in 1978, continued to reside in Hastings; with Reathy, moved to Loomis and managed apartments, drove a truck for Pony Express and drove a school bus; moved to Campbell in 1989; became disabled with arthritis; moved to Franklin in 1992; had most recently been employed by the Kearney Hub and the Hastings Tribune delivering newspapers
Activities: loved to fish and camp out; enjoyed people
Was preceded in death by his father on March 31, 1979, and his mother on Dec. 25, 2007
Kearney Hub, 18 September, 2012
MALISZEWSKI, Vincent George "Vince", 85, of Kearney, formerly of North Platte, died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, at Mother Hull Nursing Home in Kearney
Services: Friday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in North Platte
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Mortuary: Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte
Born July 10, 1927, in Watertown, S.D.
Parents: Vincent J. and Margaret V. (Gasperich) Maliszewski
Married: Feb. 1, 1952, to Violette "Mike" Stanley at Watertown. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his daughters, Peg Brinson of Lochbuie, Colo., and Judy Crouch and her husband, Marv, of Kearney; son, Tom Maliszewski of North Platte; son-in-law, Bill Newkirk of Round Rock, Texas; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and other family
Grew up in Watertown, S.D., graduated from there; attended St. John's University
Military: U.S. Marines, Feb. 12, 1947 - 1950
After discharge, moved to Omaha and was employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone Co.
After marriage, lived in Omaha; later moved to Sidney, worked for the phone company and was city manager; after 19 years, moved to North Platte, continued working with the phone company; retired in 1988
Activities: as a deeply religious man, member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church; was active in the Telephone Pioneers of America, member of the Eagles 2839; liked hunting, fishing, woodworking and gardening
Was preceded in death by his wife; daughters, Diane Maliszewski and Mary Jane Newkirk; his parents; and brother, Don Maliszewski
Memorials:Telephone Pioneers of America
Kearney Hub, 20 September, 2012
MILLER, Thomas Chad, 44, of Boulder, Colorado, formerly of Elm Creek, Neb., died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012, at Boulder Community Hospital after complications from two brain surgeries
Memorial services: Saturday Sept. 8, at Elm Creek Cemetery
Born Aug. 3, 1968, in Kearney, Neb.
Survivors include his mother, Lois Beavers of Elm Creek; sisters, Kathie Martindale and her husband, Jay, of Brewster, Neb., Anne Moats and her husband, Jim, of Elm Creek, Amy Hernandez and her husband, Dan, of Cozad, Neb., and Sheila Dawn Miller of Golden; brother, Joel Beavers of Kearney; 10 nieces and nephews; 11 grandnieces and grandnephews; and other relatives and friends
Attended Elm Creek Public School and graduated in 1986
After graduation, moved to Lincoln; owned a landscaping business in St. Louis; also worked in the home improvement industry in Georgia and Florida; moved to Colorado, 2008, worked for Aspen Marketing in Boulder
Activities: enjoyed reading, helping friends and family, and being outdoors
Was preceded in death by his dad, Gary Beavers; brother, Jamie Miller; uncle, Don Hergenrader; and his grandparents
Kearney Hub, 5 September, 2012
NUTTER, Van Donovan, 58, of Merkel, Texas, died Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, in a single-vehicle accident near Merkel
Memorial services: Thursday, Sep 13, at Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon, Neb.
Mortuaries: Girdner Funeral Home in Abilene; O'Brien Straatmann Redinger-Miller Godberson Gibbon
Born March 7, 1954, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Donovan and Ramona (Major) Nutter
Survivors include three children with Kathleen Frederick of Kearney: Aaron Nutter of Kearney, Dustin Nutter of Lincoln, Neb., and Courtney Wilhelm of Gibbon; two daughters-in-law, five granddaughters, three grandsons, two brothers and a sister
Was the last of six children in his family
Military: U.S. Navy, 1972-1976; obtained his associate's degree from Central Community College in Grand Island, 1984; re-enlisted in 1986, served eight more years, five of which were at sea on the USS Philippine Sea; was a highly decorated electronics specialist and traveled extensively within the States and abroad
Eventually settled in Texas, worked with AT&T until the time of his death
Was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 8 September, 2012
OMAN, Terry LaVern, 67, of Kearney, formerly of North Platte, died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services with Masonic Rites: Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte
Burial: Gothenburg Cemetery
Born May 20, 1945, in Lincoln
Parents: Franklin and Ruth "LaVerne" (Reinmiller) Oman
Married: May 22, 1965, to Barbara Buresh in Osceola
Married: July 9, 1988, to Virginia Assarsson in Stapleton
Survivors include his wife and their children, Kevin Oman of Austin, Texas, Melissa Stacy and her husband, Larry, of North Platte, Erin Berryman of Omaha, Bill Assarsson and his wife, Debra, of Ainsworth and Clinton Assarsson and his wife, Becky, of Valentine; his parents of North Platte; brother, Dean Oman and his wife, Linda, of North Platte; twin sisters, Debbie Olson and her husband, Steve, of Minden and Darice Sunstrom and her husband, Raymond, of North Platte; 15 grandchildren and a granddaughter-in-law; and many cousins, nephews, nieces and other family and friends
Grew up on a farm six miles south of Brady in 1949, graduated from Brady High School in 1963; attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Military: U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, 1964-1970; completed automotive repair training at Aberdeen, Md.
Attended Grand Island Community College and North Platte Community College, took many classes in real estate and life underwriting; was a home builder in Polk County and a motel owner in North Platte and Gretna
Activities: was American Legion Post commander in Stromsburg in 1978, charter member of the Stromsburg Jaycees and a past member of the North Platte Noon Rotary Club; active in Elks, Eagles, American Legion, Tehama Shrine and Masons; member of the Goldwing Touring Association; Harley Owners Group; the National, Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska Cushman Motor Scooters Clubs; National Studebakers Drivers Club; and First Presbyterian Church
Was preceded in death by his grandson, Lee Roy Assarsson; and grandparents, Elmer and Anna Oman and Conrad and Nellie Reinmiller
Memorials: local animal shelters
Kearney Hub, 18 September, 2012
PEISTER, Fred, 102, of Kearney died Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Thursday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Feb. 9, 1910, in Merkel, Russia
Parents: Jacob and Katherine (Pister) Peister
Married: Nov. 18, 1934, to Ila Luckinbill. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his son, Craig and his wife, Betty Jo, of Kearney; daughter, Jacquie Harsin and her husband, Dale, of Alma; grandchildren, Cameron Peister and his wife, Lana, of Kearney, Kaysi Peister of Omaha, Darren Harsin and his wife, Sue, of Blair, Brent Harsin and his wife, Regan, of Syracuse and Stephanie Pilus and her husband, Joe, of Omaha; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, George of Minden; sisters, Elizabeth Peister of Denver and Lydia Hubach of Fremont, Calif.
His father was an army guard on the Russian border. They escaped Russia by his father taking the family across the border and then burning his uniform. When Fred was older, he was afraid every time a stranger came into the yard that they were there to take his dad away. Emigrated from Brenne, Russia on the S.S. Rhen, Oct 3, 1912; arrived in Philadelphia on Oct. 5, 1912; moved with family to Fort Collins, Colo., worked on his uncle's farm; also lived in Belle Fourche, S.D., Gering, Lexington and Lincoln, then moved to Kearney; took a mechanics course, and started working on cars and doing body and fender work; worked at DuTeau Chevrolet in Lincoln; was a foreman at the Ammunition Depot in Hastings; in Kearney, with Bob Degenhardt, opened the Auto Hospital; operated the business and also farmed south of Kearney; retired from the body shop in 1975
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church, Kearney Lions Club and the Eagles Club
Was preceded in death by his wife, two brothers and three sisters
Memorials: to the church
Kearney Hub, 12 September, 2012
ROBINSON, Jane, 68, of Kearney died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege
Burial: Highland Cemetery in Bertrand
Born Nov. 27, 1943, at Kearney
Parents: LaVerne and Virginia (Juhl) Nelson
Married: Aug. 13, 1962, to Allen Robinson. He died in 2005
Survivors include her sons, Mark Robinson and his wife, Gretchen, of Omaha, Wade Robinson and his wife, Vicki, of Wichita, Kan., and Kirk Robinson and his wife, Charline, of Kearney; daughters, Patricia Freeland and her husband, Mark, and Angela Robinson, all of Holdrege, and Robin Schutt and her husband, Ken, of Grand Island; grandchildren, Nathaniel and Brianna Robinson of Elkhorn, Tyler Robinson and his wife, Amber, of Dakota Dunes, S.D., Trevor and Ashley Robinson of Wichita, Rachel Robinson and Brittany Vokovan, both of Holdrege, Ruger Schutt of Grand Island, one on the way in December and Jillian Robinson and Carlos Estrada, both of Kearney; brothers, Jim Nelson and his wife, Dora, of WaKeeney, Kan., and Don Nelson and his wife, Mary, of Hildreth; brother-in-law, John Vahle of Lincoln; sisters-in-law, Nancy Grapes and her husband, Jim, of Kearney and Bonnie Nelson of Axtell; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Was the fourth of six children in her family; attended and graduated valedictorian from Axtell High School with the class of 1962; attended Queen Anne's Beauty School in Kearney
After marriage, lived in Lexington and Aurora, focused on raising their children; later lived on a farm at Bertrand; retired from Becton Dickinson in Holdrege after 14 years
Activities: enjoyed her grandchildren's activities; loved to drive around to check her farm ground; member of First United Methodist Church in Bertrand; also enjoyed painting, listening to music, sewing quilts and mending clothes
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Brian in 1987; brothers, Jerry Nelson and Bob Nelson; and sister, Joyce Vahle
Kearney Hub, 30 August, 2012
SALDIVAR, Albert C. "Al Sal", 74, of Tigard, Oregone, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, at his home
Services: Tuesday at Young's Funeral Home in Tigard
Burial: Willamette National Cemetery in Portland with military honors
Born March 18, 1938, in Kearney
Parents: Salvador Villarreal and Rose (Appleton) Bell
Survivors include his sisters, Lupe Carranza of Kearney and Pauline of Denver; brothers, Eddie Saldivar and J.R. Saldivar, both of California; children, Tavie Saldivar, Aaron Saldivar, Jennifer Saldivar McGuire and Angela Pickron; grandchildren in order of birth, Tommy, Reuben, Tia, Kerrin, Stephen, Amanda, Kacee, Dheaven, Loren, Tyler, Keanu and Brenden; and four great-grandchildren
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School
Military: U.S. Air Force
Moved to Portland in 1961, married, had four children; worked for KB Woods & Associates and Marx & Chase, which then became Chase Jones & Associates, as a surveyor then as a cartographer
Activities: was an avid sports fan, favorite teams were the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Tigers
Kearney Hub, 17 September, 2012
SCHNEIDER, Jason D., 32, of Kearney died Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, at his home
Services: Friday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: West Salem Cemetery south of Hildreth
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Dec. 22, 1979, in Atkinson
Parents: Richard and Kristy (Straatmann) Schneider
Married: Dec. 31, 2001, to Amy Dean in Kearney. They divorced
Survivors include his children, Gregory of Grand Island, Steven Dean of Lincoln and Jazmine of Kearney; parents, Richard of Blue Springs, Mo., and Kristy of Kearney; brothers, John and Josh of Kearney; grandmother, Phyllis Straatmann of Kearney; and best friends, Greg Johnson and Brent Bieber of Kearney
Attended school in Kansas City, Mo., and at Kearney High School, graduated in 1997; also lived at Grand Island and Batesville, Ark.
Worked for various firms, including child day care at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Kansas City, a bakery in Batesville, Yellow Van Service in Kearney and Midland Molding in Kearney at the time of his death
Activities: member of the church; loved drawing, music, writing poems, feeding geese at Yanney Heritage Park and time spent with his children
Was preceded in death by his sister, Lara, and grandparents, Martin H. Straatmann and Donald and Florence Schneider
Kearney Hub, 12 September, 2012
SWANSON, A. Delores, 81, of Kearney died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: Wednesday at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk
Burial: later
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born April 9, 1931, on the family farm near Funk
Parents: Axel L. and Duzenia (Gustafson) Sjogren
Married: May 29, 1954, to Arden Swanson at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk. He died in 1995
Survivors include her daughters, Diann Zweig and her husband, Bob, of Spring, Texas, Brita Swanson and Gary Iwansky of Omaha and Carol Lindstrom and her husband, Dan, of Kearney; son, Rex Swanson and his wife, Brinda, of Lenexa, Kan.; brother, Derrel Sjogren and his wife, Yvonne, of Funk; sister-in-law, Betty Sjogren of Lincoln; grandchildren, Kristin Messerly, Casey Zweig, Sam Lindstrom, Will Lindstrom, Kate Lindstrom, Josh Swanson and Jordyn Swanson; and great-grandchildren, Jack Messerly and Nicholas Messerly
Graduated from Axtell High School, 1948; attended Luther College in Wahoo and Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill.; earned a bachelor's degree
Worked the majority of her life as a speech pathologist in Holdrege and Educational Service Unit 11, traveled throughout south-central Nebraska to support numerous small school districts; retired in 1981; moved to Kearney after her husband's death in 1995
Activities: active member of Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, and then of First Lutheran Church in Kearney; was active in the church, sang in the choir, belonged to church circles and volunteered her time; traveled extensively throughout the world, pursuing a lifelong interest in other people and cultures; member of the Golden Girls Club and a hospital volunteer; enjoyed playing cards, and collecting ink pens and coins; enjoyed time with family and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a brother, Merle Sjogren
Memorials: Good Samaritan Heart Center, University of Nebraska at Kearney Athletics, Camp Carol Joy Holling and Funk Community Center
Kearney Hub, 4 September, 2012
SWANSON, Margaret Ann "Margie" Dillin, 78, of Kearney died Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Wednesday at First Lutheran Church
Burial: Guide Rock Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger
Born Jan. 24, 1934, in Guide Rock
Parents: Miles and Iva (Payne) Dillin
Married: Jan. 24, 1953, to Richard "Rich" Swanson of Omaha
Survivors include her husband; daughter, Valerie "Val" of Grand Junction, Colo.; son, Tom of Jackson, Miss.; sister, Kathleen McKay Fee of Lincoln; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Youngest of four children, grew up in Millard, received her education at Millard High School; was an accomplished pianist and vocalist through high school
Was employed by Federal Land Bank in Kearney but was most known for her 25 years of service as the register of deeds for Buffalo County; was elected for one year as statewide president of the Nebraska Association of County Clerks, Register of Deeds and Election Commissioners; also served for two years as secretary-treasurer of the Central District Association of County Officials
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church, FLC ladies Bible study and choir, chaired several of the yearly stewardship FLC Fall Extravaganza dinners; enjoyed attending sporting events and sewing dresses for formals for her grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws, Byron Parker and Betty Swanson Parker; brother, Keith Dillin; sister, Virginia Robb; and sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and nephews
Memorials: First Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or to St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 4 September, 2012
TYE, James S. "Jim", 79, of Boulder, Colorado, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, at Wynwood at Ridge Point in Boulder
Celebration of life with a Scottish Rite Rose Croix service: Sept. 16 at the Masonic Lodge of Boulder; military honors
Mortuary: M.P. Murphy & Associates of Boulder
Born Dec. 13, 1932, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Joseph C. and Opal M. (Graham) Tye
Married: Aug. 19, 1956, to Ellen Svoboda in Cozad, Neb.
Survivors include his wife; son, James "Rick" Tye and his wife, Danette, of Longmont; daughter, Brenda Mercado and her husband, David, of Tucson, Ariz.; brother, Thomas Tye and his wife, Gloria, of Kearney; granddaughters, Katie Hultman and her husband, Michael, of Longmont and Jamie Tye of Greeley; grandson, David Mercado of Tucson, Ariz.; and nieces and nephews
Graduated from Shattuck Military Academy in Faribault, Minn.; attended Kearney State Teachers College
Military: two years in the U.S. Army
Worked as a State Farm agent; owned Conradson Plumbing and Heating in Boulder; worked for the city of Boulder as the zoning administrator, retired in 1990
Activities: was active in the Masonic lodge and held leadership positions; was president of the Boulder Shrine, Sandblasters and Classics, and was an avid member of Sports and RV Roamers; enjoyed golf, football (especially the University of Colorado and the Broncos), driving in parades, traveling, hunting, fishing and planning parties
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Joseph "Bud" Tye
Memorials: Shrine Children's Hospital or Transportation Fund in Denver
Kearney Hub, 8 September, 2012
UNICK, Willa Vee, 80, of Pleasanton died Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Friday at Pleasanton United Methodist Church
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Jan. 16, 1932, in Litchfield
Parents: Vernon and Maebelle (Schultz) Eastabrooks
Married: June 4, 1950, to Bob Unick in Litchfield
Survivors include her husband; daughters, Darlene Dale and her husband, Danny, of Pleasanton and Connie Unick of Kearney; sons, Fred V. Unick and his wife, Sandy, and Bob Lee Unick and his wife, Virginia, all of Kearney, and Bill Unick and his wife, Kathy, of Scottsbluff; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Bertha Unick of Pleasanton; and brother-in-law, Ken Unick of Pleasanton
Was educated in Litchfield, graduated from Litchfield High School; taught school in rural Sherman County
After marriage, lived on a farm west of Pleasanton; moved into Pleasanton in 1980
Worked as a CNA at St. John's nursing home and Cambridge Court in Kearney
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church in Pleasanton, taught Sunday school for 20 years; loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, enjoyed crocheting
Was preceded in death by one brother, two sisters, one grandson and one great-grandson
Memorials: the church or the Pleasanton Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 19 September, 2012
VanDEWERKER, John Victor "Van", 98, of Spokane, Washington, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, in Spokane
No services
Mortuary: Hennessey-Smith in Spokane
Born March 29, 1914, in Kearney
Parents: Frank and Helen Van Dewerker
Married: September 1936, to Kathleen Parks
Married Martha Savage; she died in May 2012
Survivors include his daughter, Helen Braden of Salem, Ore.; son, John and his wife, Colleen, of Ventura Calif.; stepsons, Robert Savage of Fairview Heights, Ill., and Tom Savage, now working in New York; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Savage of Coolin, Idaho; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren living in Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon and California; and sister, Jan Eickmeier of Kearney
Grew up in Kearney; lived in Seattle and Spokane
As a child, was active in sports, Boy Scouts and DeMolay; delivered papers, worked in a paint and glass store, and worked with his father; built a successful radio "crystal set" with which he was able to receive the first coast-to-coast radio broadcasts; played tackle with the Kearney Bearcat football team
Worked at Safeway Stores in Washington, then at the Todd Pacific Seattle Tacoma Shipyard, then went into journalism with editorial positions at the Seattle Star and later the Seattle Times; moved to Spokane, 1948, for a job on the Spokane Daily Chronicle; traveled for six-months and wrote articles "Roamin' Holiday"; then continued at the Chronicle; retired 1980
Married Martha Savage, and added her 3 boys to the family
Activities: enjoyed golf and gardening; was active in professional and fraternal circles, twice being elected president of the Spokane Press Club.; member of Sigma Delta Chi, the Elks Lodge and Masonic Blue Lodge; enjoyed his extensive travels in the States and around the world
Kearney Hub, 22 September, 2012
WELLS, Michael James "Mike", 54, of Kearney, formerly of Axtell, died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha
Memorial services: Friday at Bethany Lutheran Church of rural Axtell
Burial of cremains: Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born Aug. 27, 1958, in Holdrege
Parents: Ted and Arlis (Bergman) Wells
Married: Dec. 27, 1986, to Anita M. Lorentzen
Survivors include his sons, Alex and Jesse, both of Kearney; daughter, Michaela of Lakewood, Colo.; his mother of Holdrege; brothers, Jim and Jerry, both of Lincoln; and sister, Wendy Larson of Funk
Kearney Hub, 17 September, 2012