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BAILEY, Kraig S., 52, of rural Kearney died Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at his home
Services: Wednesday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born Oct. 11, 1960, in Kearney
Parents: Lennis and Gracene (Goodchuck) Bailey
Married: Jan. 6, 1979, to Vicki Trimble in Pleasanton
Survivors include his wife; sons, Chevy and his special friend, David, of Omaha and Dustin and his wife, Jodi, Dallas and his special friend, Cassie, and Kody and his special friend, Tina, all of Kearney; grandchildren, Emma, Michael, Cain, Cole, Chase and Chance; sister-in-law, Lori Bailey; aunt, Maurine Adams of Yuba City, Calif.; uncle, Gary Goodchuck of Hays, Kan.; niece, Shawna Swanson of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; and nephew, Kurt Bailey of Kearney
Grew up in Kearney, attended grade school at Pleasant Hill and Riverdale; graduated from Kearney High School; had farmed since graduating
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church, the Divide Township Board and the Farmers Union Board; enjoyed cars, demolition derby and spending time with his children and grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents and a brother
Kearney Hub, 27 November, 2012
BENNETT, Robert L. "Bob", 77, of Kearney died Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Memorial services: Thursday at Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born April 20, 1935, in Kearney
Parents: Walter E. and Nancy (Purdy) Bennett
Married: Nov. 27, 1955, to Phyllis Hilty in Kearney
Survivors include his wife; son, Craig Bennett of Omaha; daughters, Joy Mitchell and her husband, Rod, of Odessa and Rhonda Hopkins and her husband, Chris, of Heartwell; brother, Roy Bennett of Bellevue; grandchildren, Carey, Rebekah, Fawn, Jeremie and Taylor; and six great-grandchildren
Graduated from Longfellow High School in 1953
Had a career with John Deere for more than 40 years; retired and then worked at Target for 12 years
Military: U.S. Army National Guard for 10 years
Activities: member of Faith United Methodist Church, the Barbershoppers for 27 years, past member of Kearney Elks Lodge 984 and Kearney Eagles Lodge Aerie 2720; enjoyed singing, fishing and bowling and time spent with his family
Was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, Daniel
Kearney Hub, 18 December, 2012
BRUCE, Alba Dwane, 86, of Kearney died Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial in Kearney
Services: Wednesday at Wilcox Community Church
Burial: Wilcox Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Banta-Torrey in Wilcox
Born Nov. 23, 1926, on a farm south of Wilcox
Parents: Frank "Earl" and Ruth (Sansom) Bruce
Married: Sept. 29, 1960, to Esther Neilsen in Kearney. She died May 31, 1978
Survivors include his daughter, Carol Miller and her husband, Greg, of Riverdale; sons, Keith Bruce of Kearney and Kenneth Bruce of Grand Island; brother, Delbert Bruce and his wife, Viola, of Hastings; sister-in-law, Benita Bruce of Scottsbluff; three grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends
Youngest of four children born in his family; attended school at Wilcox, graduated from high school in 1945; then farmed with his father
Military: U.S. Navy on Dec. 30, 1950 - June 11, 1953, during the Korean War; served on the USS LSM 316, at the Navy receiving station at San Diego, on the USS Romulus and at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Naval Base, Bremerton, Wash.; received the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and Navy Occupation Service Medal; after discharge, returned to Wilcox and again farmed with his father
After marriage, lived on the Bruce farm just east of Wilcox; farmed most of his life; continued to reside on the family farm until January 2010 when he went to live with his daughter in Riverdale; then entered Mount Carmel Home in Kearney on Dec. 16, 2011
Activities: member of Wilcox Community Church
Was preceded in death by his wife; mother on Nov. 30, 1958; his father on Oct. 7, 1966; brother, LaVern Bruce on Oct. 21, 2001, and his wife, Yuma "Evelyn"; sister, Althea Corkill and her husband, Don; and grandson, Cooper Miller
Kearney Hub, 17 December, 2012
DANBURG, Janet K., 67, of Lincoln died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at Bryan LGH West Medical Center in Lincoln
Services: Friday at Minden United Methodist Church
Burial: Minden Cemetery
Mortuary: Layton-Craig in Minden
Born Nov. 26, 1945, in Minden
Parents: Donald and Doris (Scheuneman) Orcutt
Survivors include her son, Stewart Danburg and his wife, Cathy, of Lincoln; daughter, Stacey Hawkins and her husband, Jason, of Thorton, Colo.; her children's families; eight grandchildren; brother, Dean Orcutt and his wife, Cass, of Holdrege; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews
Graduated from Minden High School, attended Kearney State College
Lived in Kearney, moved to Longmont, Colorado in 1987, and to Lincoln in 2003
Was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jean Warner and her husband, Wes; nephew, Dean Warner; and sister-in-law, Pilar Orcutt
Kearney Hub, 11 December, 2012
DAVIS, Andrew Scott, 33, of rural Bertrand, formerly of Kearney, died Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, at his home
Celebration of life: Friday, Westmark Evangelical Free Church north of Loomis
Burial: Highland Cemetery at Bertrand
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born April 27, 1979, in Kearney
Parents: Scott and Renee (Smith) Davis
Survivors include his parents of rural Bertrand; brothers: Tony Davis and his wife, Suzanne, and Reggie Davis and his wife, Shannon, and their sons, Will and Ben, all of Kearney; grandmother, Merna Smith of rural Bertrand; aunts and uncles, Robert and Linda Steinbrink of rural Loomis, Duane and Debbie Smith of Beatrice, Rock and Jo Davis of Kearney and Lyons, Colo.; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends
Youngest of three sons; was baptized and confirmed at Westmark Evangelical Free Church
Was educated at Bertrand Community School, graduated 1997; pursued a career in landscaping design, studied at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and Sterling (Colo.) Community College; designed many unique creations for his clients
Activities: was a true outdoorsman who loved wildlife and all animals
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Florence Davis and Darell Smith
Kearney Hub, 29 November, 2012
DUFFY, Mildred A., 89, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012, at Circle of Life Hospice House in Bentonville, Arkansas
Memorial services: Nov. 18 at Faith Lutheran Church in Bentonville, Arkansas
Mortuary: Bella Vista Funeral Home
Born May 23, 1923, in Millboro, S.D.
Parents: Edward and Mary (Giske) Ring
Married: Jan. 14, 1945, to Daniel Duffy in Washington, D.C.
Survivors include her husband; sons, Dan, James and Gregory; daughter, Charlene Hartwell; brother, Edwin Ring of Gregory, S.D.; sisters, Dorothy Lewis of Winner, S.D., and Leona Lane of Kearney; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 29 November, 2012
EATHERTON, Terry D., 64, of Gibbon died died of pancreatic cancer Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at his home
Memorial services: Wednesday at Gibbon Baptist Church
Burial: Riverside Cemetery at Gibbon with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Jan. 13, 1948, in Kearney
Parents: Dale and Nadine (Brandt) Eatherton
Married: July 8, 1978, to Gilberta Olson in Gibbon
Survivors include his loving wife; daughters, Shelley Pedersen and her husband, Mike, of Moriarty, N.M., Kristin Melton and her husband, Ted, of Commerce City, Colo., Stephanie Leonard and her husband, Josh, of Gibbon and Stormi Eatherton of Fort Carson, Colo.; sons; Terry Jr. of Santa Rosa, N.M., and Jeremy Eatherton and his wife, Georgia, of Phoenix; father and stepmother, Dale and MaryAnn Eatherton of Gibbon; sisters, Ronda Dix and her husband, Larry, of Lincoln and Ranae Howard and her husband, Bob, and Tami Anderson and her husband, Mick, all of Kearney; sister-in-law, Sheri Eatherton of Kearney; and grandchildren, JaeLynn, Patrick, Jeremy and Joesaph Pedersen, Madison and Taylor Eatherton, Treyten and Parker Melton and Braxten Leonard
Was educated at Cozad, Cairo and Wood River public schools, graduated from Kearney High School in 1966
Military: U.S. Air Force, 1966-1970; decorated veteran of the Vietnam War
After marriage, lived in Gibbon; worked for Eaton Corp., had his own welding shop and then worked at HiTech Inc.
Activities: enjoyed racing at local tracks and at the lake; hobbies included playing poker, tinkering in the shop and watching sports, especially college football and NASCAR; enjoyed restoring antique toys; especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren; member of Gibbon Baptist Church, Phi Beta Kappa fraternity, Gibbon American Legion, Kearney Elks Lodge 984, I.M.C.A. and a past member of the Gibbon and Shelton Boosters
Was preceded in death by his mother in 1975; brother and best friend, Steve Eatherton in 2009; and grandparents, Louis and Emma Brandt and Orren and Anna Eatherton
Kearney Hub, 4 December, 2012
HANSEN, Gladys V. I., 95, of Kearney died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church
Burial: North Logan Cemetery, 10 miles north of St. Paul on Highway 281
Mortuary: Jacobsen Greenway in St. Paul
Born March 19, 1917, in North Logan Township of Howard County
Parents: Henry T. and Gertrude (Pedersen) Sonderup
Married: March 19, 1935, to Ronald E. Hansen at St. Peter's Lutheran Church North Logan Township, Howard County. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her children and spouses, Maynard and Janet Hansen of Grant, Sylvia and Alton Schmitt of Kearney, Elwood and Jeannie Hansen of Atlantic, Iowa, Lorraine and Richard Leach of Kearney, Lloyd Hansen of Lincoln and Elloise Hansen of Sacramento, Calif.; daughter in-law Margaret Hansen of Brayton, Iowa; 21 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 30 great-great-grandchildren; sisters; Agnetha Pennington of Temple City, Calif., and Rhoda Christensen and husband, Ray, of Grand Island; brother in-law, Lavern Hansen of Phoenix; and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends
Was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in North Logan Township in Howard County; graduated from Wolbach High School in 1935
After marriage, lived in Nebraska; moved to the Exira, Brayton and Atlantic, Iowa, area in 1962; returned to Kearney in 2000
Activities: liked flowers, music, hummingbirds, sewing, gardening, baking and canning; especially enjoyed squirrel watching and family get-togethers; member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney, the Mary Martha Guild and the American Legion Auxiliary
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; an infant brother; son, Ronald Jr.; daughter in-law Mary; grandchildren, Chad and Stephanie; great-grandchild, Elizabeth; sister and brother in-law Lois and Carl Hansen; brother in-law, James Pennington; and sister in-law, Carol Hansen
Memorials: North Logan Cemetery Association
Kearney Hub, 12 December, 2012
HERNANDEZ, Janie, 64, of Kearney, formerly of Corpus Christi, Texas, died Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: Friday at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Born May 15, 1948, in McAllen, Texas
Parents: Jose G. and Eulogia (Alaniz) Ronje
Survivors include her daughter, Lisa Hernandez Greckel of Kearney; and three grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 29 November, 2012
HERRICK, Ellen M., 83, of Kearney, formerly of Holdrege, died Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Memorial graveside service: December 5, 2012, Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Born on July 12, 1929 in Nebraska City
Parents: Raymond and Ruth (Stover) Flanagan
Survivors include: sons, Maurice Mondt Jr. of Funk and Douglas Mondt and wife, Dawn of Winnemucca, NV and daughters, Linda Moran and husband, Jeff of Omaha and Mary Mather and husband, Richard of Omaha; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren
Grew up and attended school in Nebraska City
Married: July 15, 1963 to Maurice Mondt in Boone, Iowa
After marriage, lived in Holdrege; worked as an production inspector at Becton Dickinson in Holdrege
Activities: member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Holdrege
Was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice
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Kearney Hub, 27 November, 2012
HILTON, Mabel I., 95, of Kearney died Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Tuesday at Trinity Presbyterian Church
Burial: Litchfield Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Dec. 9, 1916, near St. Edward
Parents: George W. and Ella B. (Rosencrantz) Reitz
Married: July 28, 1940, to Leonard Hilton in Kearney. He died April 20, 2005
Survivors include her sons, Eugene E. Hilton and his wife, Barbara, of Collins, Mo., and Keith L. Hilton and his wife, Angela, of Kearney; grandchildren, Amanda Berry and her husband, Bo, of Lexington, Jesse Hilton and his wife, Ashley, of Kearney, and Danie Hilton of Grand Island; stepgrandson, Blake Prusia of Kearney; and great-grandchildren, Trystan, Taya, Treyvan and Trinity Berry of Lexington and Paisley Hilton of Kearney
Moved as a child with her family from St. Edward to a farm seven miles southwest of Litchfield; first eight years of schooling were in a rural school six miles south of Litchfield; lived with her grandmother in St. Edward to attend high school, graduated 1934; attended Kearney State College, taught eight years in rural schools around Litchfield
After marriage, lived on a farm in the Litchfield area; bought property in Kearney, built a house and retired from farming in 1986; in Kearney, took care of people in their homes and also worked at Walmart and Follett's College Bookstore
Activities: member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband and one brother
Memorials: Mount Carmel Home Angel's Way Special Care Unit, Litchfield Christian Church or Trinity Presbyterian Church
Kearney Hub, 10 December, 2012
HOWARTH, Earl J., 103, of Kearney died Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Tuesday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Nov. 1, 1909, in Portland, Ore.
Parents: John and Nellie (Richards) Howarth
Married: June 28, 1931, to Fern Case of Odessa at the United Brethren Church in Kearney. She died in 2007
Survivors include his brother, Douglas Howarth and his wife, Bernadine, of Sacramento, Calif.; and nieces and nephews
Moved to Odessa with family when young; graduated from Kearney High School in 1927; attended Grand Island Business College, 1928-1929
After marriage, moved to Minneapolis in 1931; worked at the Minneapolis Honeywell for 25 years, retired from there as an industrial engineer in 1972; took courses from trade schools in welding, machine shop and blueprint interpretation; returned to Kearney in 1990
Was preceded in death by his wife; brother, Donald Howarth; and sister, Ila Kearney
Memorials: Salvation Army or donor's choice
Kearney Hub, 17 December, 2012
JACOBSON, Larry, 76, of Kearney, formerly of Riverdale, died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: April 9, 1936, in Kearney
Parents: Harvey and Georgia (Gay) Jacobson
Married: July 20, 1958 to Colleen N. Aspegren in Clay Center, Neb.
Survivors include his wife, Colleen of Kearney; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bryan and Stephanie of Grand Island and Todd and Rhonda of Grand Island; a daughter and son-in-law, Jana and Ed Langhorst of Lincoln; four granddaughters, Jessica, Josephine, Nicole and Lauren Jacobson of Grand Island; and one grandson-Jacob Langhorst of Lincoln; brothers-in-law, Lowell Aspegren of Omaha, Lyle Aspegren and his wife, DeeDee, of Cave Creek, Ariz., and Larry Aspegren and his wife, Nina, of Newport Beach, Calif.; Navy buddy and longtime friend, John Hotchkiss of Hotchkiss, Colo., many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends
Attended kindergarten at A.O. Thomas School (UNK) in Kearney and the remainder of his elementary grades at Fair Oaks School west of Riverdale, graduated from Riverdale High School in 1954
Farmed in the Riverdale area after high school
Military: U.S. Navy, Jan. 13, 1956- Dec. 11, 1959; was stationed at Great Lakes, Norman, Okla., Memphis, Tenn., and Patuxent Naval Air Base in Lexington Park, Md.
After discharge, worked on a ranch near Malta Montana for a year
After marriage, was employed at the Sothman Lumber Company as a cabinet maker and then for Sperry New Holland Manufacturing Company; returned to Riverdale, 1972, to farm; retired in 2000
Activities: enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, and playing cribbage; enjoyed time with friends and family, and especially his grandchildren; member of the First United Methodist Church in Kearney; served on the Riverdale Cemetery Association Board and the Riverdale School Board for many years; July of 1985, received the Aksarben Pioneer Family Award for the farm being in their family for 100 years or more
Was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Jordan Jacobson
Memorials: First United Methodist Church Endowment Fund of Kearney or the Riverdale Cemetery
The Grand Island Independent, December 1, 2012
JUST, Dale F., 84, of Killeen, Texas, died Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, in Killeen
Memorial services: Friday at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Chapel in Killeen
Inurnment with military honors: Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
Born March 14, 1928, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Stephen and Stella (Olson) Just
Married: July 1955, to Janine Mesmin in La Rochelle, France
Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years; daughters, Michelle Just and husband, Ted Linder, and Caroline Just, all of Austin, and Nadine Just and husband, Lloyd Leppo Jr., of Kempner; sons, Philip Just of Austin and Patrick Just and wife, Catherine, of Greenville; grandchildren, Justin Linder, Zach Bakker, Gregory Just and Nicholas Just; brother, Jerry Just and wife, Carolyn, of Elm Creek, Neb.; and nephews, Randy Brame, Steve Just and Mike Just
Graduating from Elm Creek High School
Military: National Guard for 3 years, then U.S. Army; served tours of duty in Korea, 1961, and Vietnam, 1968; was stationed in Louisiana, Kansas, France and Germany and served in various capacities with the CID and the Staff Judge Advocate; was transferred to Fort Hood, 1973, o Headquarters III Corps Staff Judge Advocate Offices; retired in 1983 after 30 years; earned numerous awards and medals, including the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Medals and four Army Commendation Medals; was a retired chief warrant officer 4
Served as the executive director of the Bell County Citizens DWI Task Force, 1983-1990; retired from the state of Texas after spending five years working with the Department of Corrections; also worked at the Kmart in Killeen
Activities: enjoyed vegetable gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, building things and working on cars, and in his earlier years was an expert bowler, an expert roller skater and proud Harley Davidson enjoyed his family; past treasurer of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9192, member the Area Veterans Advisory Committee and the Military Officers Association of America and the DAV Chapter 29; previously served on the board of The Second Chance Animal Shelter
Was preceded in death by his parents; sister, LaDonna Brame; and niece, Dona McGee
Memorials: The Second Chance Animal Shelter in Killeen or donor's choice
Kearney Hub, 6 December, 2012
KELDSEN, Marlowe Gale, 85, of Ravenna died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Memorial services: Saturday at Rasmussen Funeral Home in Ravenna
Born Jan. 4, 1927, in Howard County near Elba
Parents: William "Kelly" and Esther (Pedersen) Keldsen
Married to Betty; she died Dec. 2, 2011
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Deb Keldsen of Ravenna and Roger and Bev Owings of Las Vegas; sister and brother-in-law, Charlene and Russell Lemburg of Boelus; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren
Received his education in Elba
Military: U.S. Army during World War II in the Philippines
After discharge, was in the fertilizer business, farmed and drove a truck; moved to California, spent more than 30 years as an aerospace machinist; retired and lived in Northern California on, built a house and established an orchard; moved to St. George, Utah, and finally to Chino Valley, Ariz.; enjoyed buying property and fixing it up
Married to Betty After wife's death, relocated to Ravenna to be with family; was a kind and gentle man, loved football and Western movies, and especially his family
Was preceded in death by his wife; brother, Harlan; sister, Beulah Roy; and a son, Kelly Keldsen
Kearney Hub, 12 December, 2012
KELLER, Kermit Loren, 71, of Gibbon died Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Friday at Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger-Miller Godberson Gibbon
Born April 7, 1941, in Beaver Crossing
Parents: Carl and Irene (Jensen) Keller
Married Linda Kruse; had four children: Wayne Leroy, Gordon James, Becky Jo and Ginger Lynn
Married: July 6, 1985, to Sue D. Eby in Gibbon
Survivors include his wife; sons, Wayne Keller and his wife, Kris of Gibbon and Gordon Keller of Table Rock; daughters, Becky Zimmerman and her husband, Kenny, of Gibbon, Ginger Marx and husband, Dave, of Seibert, Colo., and Deb Eby Kosmicki of Thornton, Colo.; son, Mike Eby and his wife, Lisa, of Moreno Valley, Calif.; grandchildren, Jason, Angie and Kaleb Keller, Kassy Marsh, Josh and Elizabeth Keller, Logan, Trista, Treyton and Jentri Marx, Jacque Kosmicki and Lindsey and Andrew Eby; great-grandchildren, Justin, Parker, Kennedy and Brook Keller, Zoë Castillo and Aliza and Adalyn Marsh; brother, Lowell Keller and his wife, Carrie, of Meeteetse, Wyo.; sister-in-law, Linda Young and her husband, Gene, of Lexington; mother-in-law, Odessa Jensen of Lexington; nieces and nephews; and a host of friends
Received his education at Beaver Crossing High School, earned his degree from Southeast Community College in Milford
Worked for Caterpillar for nearly 30 years as a heavy-equipment mechanic; had been employed at the Buffalo County Highway Department for 24 years; retired, and worked two days a week on the Smith Farm in Odessa
Activities: enjoyed restoring old cars, tractors, woodworking and garage sales; was known for being able to fix anything
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ralph Keller
Memorials: Shelton United Methodist Church or the Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 5 December, 2012
KELLY, Shirley Ann, 81, of Holdrege died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege
Burial: Exeter Cemetery
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born Nov. 8, 1931, in Clarks
Parents: Leonard and Marjorie (Key) Church
Married: July 14, 1951, to Rex J. Kelly at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Central City. He died March 11, 2008
Survivors include her sons, Thomas E. Kelly and his wife, Arlene, of Atlanta, James P. Kelly and his wife, Meg, of LaGrange, Ind., John T. Kelly and his wife, Linda, of Westlake, Ohio, and Daniel J. Kelly of Nebraska City; daughter, LouAnn Lowe and her husband, Steve, of Kearney; grandchildren, Katherine (Kelly) Stewart and her husband, Jim, Mary Ann Kelly, Stephen and Kelly Lowe, Samantha Kelly, Elizabeth, Benjamin and William Kelly and Megan Kelly; great-grandchildren: Katelyn and Madyson Kelly and James Stewart; brother, Robert L. Church and his wife, Jane, of Belle Vista, Ark.; sister, Patricia L. (Church) Anderson and her husband, Maynard, of Hermann, Mo.; sisters-in-law, Marion Geiger of Exeter and Kathleen Rupert of Lincoln; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Graduated from Clarks High School at the top of her class in 1948; attended Kearney State Teachers College
After marriage, lived in Lincoln and Omaha, was a bookkeeper for Western Auto; settled in Kearney in 1952; moved to Holdrege, 1967
Activities: member of All Saints Catholic Church; loved to bake, sew, play the piano, sing in the church choir, attend performances at The Tassel and quilt; loved to care for her family
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, Dennis Patrick Kelly in infancy; and grandchildren, Caroline Margaret McMorrow Kelly in 1993 and Patrick Byard Hamilton Church Kelly in 2001
Memorials: The Tassel in Holdrege
Kearney Hub, 26 November, 2012
KNISPEL, Gladys B., 99, of Kearney died Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Wednesday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Feb. 12, 1913, on a farm near Mason City
Parents: W.A. and Abbie (Fielding) Haddix
Married: to Delmar C. Edson. He preceded her in death
Married: to Delbert R. Knispel. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her children, Bonnie Andrikopouloa of Denver, Shirley White of Bullhead City, Ariz., Betty Schall of Kansas City, Mo., Karen Aubrey of Dallas, Ronnie Edson of Kearney and Bobby Edson of Elm Creek; stepchildren, Mike Knispel of Minden, Craig Knispel of Kearney and Peggy Dobberstein of Edmond, Okla.; 24 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren
Lived her entire life in central Nebraska; worked at many jobs during her life, including as a sales clerk at J.C. Penney and as a demonstrator for Walmart; retired at age 90
Activities: had a passion for gardening, was known as a great cook and a meticulous housekeeper; loved animals
Was preceded in death by her husbands, parents and four brothers
Memorials: AseraCare Hospice or the Peterson Senior Activity Center
Kearney Hub, 18 December, 2012
KUTSCH, Luella M., 82, of Kearney died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born June 1, 1930, near Pleasanton
Parents: Ralph and Clara (Mueller) Lammers
Married: June 4, 1950, to Lloyd L. Kutsch at the Peake Church north of Riverdale. He died in 1998
Survivors include her son, Daniel Kutsch and his wife, Joy, of Kearney; daughter, Patricia Catterson and her husband, James, of Kearney; grandchildren, Timothy and Tanya Catterson, Scott and Sharon Catterson, Robert Kutsch and Teddy Kutsch and friend Tammy; five great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Lammers of Los Gatos, Calif.; and sisters, Nora Erickson of Kearney and Arlene Lammers of Glenwood, Iowa
Graduated from Riverdale High School in 1947, then briefly attended college
Lived on farms in the Amherst and Sumner areas until 1966, moved to Kearney in 1976
Worked a number of jobs, including Mother Hull Home, Kaufmann-Wernert's craft department, the Buffalo County Assessor's Office and also at Hardee's
Activities: member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Holy Cross Quilters club and Midway Kensington Club; enjoyed gardening, sewing, crafts and quilting, especially with the Holy Cross ladies; also enjoyed time spent with family, including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband; son, Ronald Kutsch in 1988; brother, Walter Lammers; and sisters, Rumilda Hemenway and Martha Hadwiger
Memorials: Holy Cross Lutheran Church or to the donor's choice
Kearney Hub, 8 December, 2012
MIKKELSEN, Paul W., 53, of Kearney died Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at his home
Memorial services: Thursday at Faith United Methodist Church
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
orn Jan. 12, 1959, in Fargo, N.D.
Parents: Harold and Marlene (Wang) Mikkelsen
Married: Dec. 10, 1983, to Terri Hatcher in Loveland, Colo.
Survivors include his mother of Fargo; son, Grant Mikkelsen of Kansas City, Mo.; and brothers, Wes Mikkelsen and his wife, Linda, and Hal Mikkelsen and his wife, Renee, all of Glyndon, Minn., and Myron Mikkelsen and his wife, Cheryl, of Bismarck, N.D.
Grew up and received his education in Glyndon
Moved to Kearney, 2000, worked at Cash-Wa
Activities: enjoyed camping and especially cooking
Was preceded in death by his father
Kearney Hub, 28 November, 2012
PHILLIPS, Mary E., 73, of Kearney died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: El Reno, Oklahoma
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Feb. 22, 1938, in Pratt, Kan.
Parents: Franklin and Dora Mae (Brandt) Phillips
Married: 1954, to Clinton Gibbons. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her special friend and companion, Jerry Cavanaugh of Kearney; brother, Charlie Phillips of Edgewater, Fla.; sister, Vicki Haverfield and her husband, Wayne, of Liberal, Kan.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a plethora of friends
Helped raise her brother and sister; not having any children of her own, she called their children her grandchildren; graduated from El Reno Community College in 1976
Worked a variety of jobs over the years
Activities: member of the Daughters of the King at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in El Reno; attended St. James Catholic Church in Kearney; volunteered at Community Action and Mount Carmel; enjoyed crocheting, crossword puzzles, gardening and all types of crafts; enjoyed time with family and friends and her many pets
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents and one nephew
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church or Mother Hull Home
Kearney Hub, 27 November, 2012
PLAUTZ, Dorothy A., 82, of Shelton died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Friday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Shelton
Burial: Lowell Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born April 10, 1930, in Kenesaw
Parents: Fred and Wilma (Jacobitz) Kuehn
Married: Sept. 11, 1949, to LaMoine C. Plautz at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lowell. He died on March 11, 2012
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Dean and Trudy Plautz and Kent and Vicki Plautz, all of Gibbon, and Gale and Cindy Plautz of Shelton; sister and brother-in-law, Beatrice and Virgil Roeder of Loveland, Colo.; brother, Don Kuehn of Kenesaw; grandchildren, Tara and Shawn Biltoft of Brainard, Cory and Sarah Plautz of Lincoln, Karmynn and Matt Andrews of Shelton, Alissa and Ryan Bush of Inavale, Stacey Plautz of Kearney, AJ Plautz of Gibbon, Laci and Mark Jurgens of Gibbon and Jennifer and Addie Plautz of Gibbon; and great-grandchildren, Rylie and Austin Biltoft, Alivia and Bennett Plautz, Laurynn and Quynn Andrews, Boden Bush, Elena Plautz and Ila Jurgens
Grew up in the Lowell area, graduated from Shelton High School
After marriage, lived on a farm south of Gibbon; retired in the early 1990s
Activities: enjoyed working in her flowers and gardening, enjoyed being outdoors; was famous for her homemade rolls and coffee cakes; especially enjoyed the time spent spent caring for her grandchildren and great-grandhcildren; was involved in Sunshine Club, Gibbon Garden Gals, Generations of Gibbon Gardeners and Birthday Club; was very involved in her church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Lowell, the same church she was baptized, confirmed and married in; was the organist for years as well as a member of LWML and was a Sunday school teacher; enjoyed attending weekly bible studies, singing in the choir, and taking flowers each and every Sunday
Was preceded in death by her parents and her husband
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2012
PRIEBE, Florine, 94, of Kearney, formerly of Hastings and Kenesaw, died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village in Kearney
Services: Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kenesaw
Burial: Parkview Cemetery in Hastings
Mortuary: Jackson-Wilson Funeral Home in Kenesaw
Born March 24, 1918, in Columbus
Parents: Henry and Josephine (Lammers) Wolfe
Married: Nov. 24, 1938, to Ewald Priebe in Hastings. He died June 25, 2000
Survivors include her sons, Ron and his wife, Carolyn, of Gibbon and Robert and his wife, Jennifer, of Plattsmouth; daughter, Marilyn Lutz of Raymore, Mo.; grandchildren, Deborah McCall, Stacy Priebe, Scott Priebe and David Priebe; great-grandchildren, Nathan, Alaini, Nolan, Tyson, Jonah and Braden; sister, Lucile Parker of Kenesaw; and sister-in-law, Dona Wolfe of Fort Collins, Colo.
Moved to Trumbull as an infant; graduated from Trumbull High School in 1935; attended Kearney State College, taught elementary school for two years in a one-room schoolhouse in Adams County
After marriage, lived in Hastings, worked at the Grand Island Cornhusker Ammunition Plant and the Hastings J.C. Penney's store; moved to Loveland, Colo., in 1975; returned to Nebraska in 1983 to live in Kenesaw
Activities: hobbies included flower gardening and crocheting afghans for family and friends; lifelong Lutheran, was a member of the Zion and Peace Lutheran churches in Hastings; was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kenesaw at the time of her death; received a Paul Harris award, the highest honor bestowed by the Rotary Club, for "service above self." Her faith and the love and care for her family were most important in her life
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents and her brother, Hubert Wolfe
Kearney Hub, 3 December, 2012
RIPP, Lynn L., 64, of Hollister, Missouri, formerly of Ravenna, Neb., died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at her home
Burial: Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery at Prairie Center, Nebraska
Mortuary: Greenlawn in Branson, Missouri
Born Jan. 23, 1948, in Des Moines, Iowa
Parents: Robert and Kathleen (Richey) Garrett
Married Robert Ripp. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her children, Ryan Ripp and wife, Laci, of Sparta and Tracy Bristow and husband, Chuck, of Branson; brother, Robert Garrett of California; and grandchildren, Andrew Bristow and Garrett and Brady Ripp
Had been a resident of the Hollister area for several years, was a retired cashier
Was preceded in death by her husband and parents
Kearney Hub, 11 December 2012 and 3 January 2013
SCHROLL, JoAnn Laurie, 58, of Ravenna died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at her home north of Ravenna
Services: Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Nov. 3, 1954, in Lynch
Parents: Clarence and Mary (Courtney) Kolund
Married: June 29, 1974, to Ronald L. Schroll at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Scribner
Survivors include her husband; son, Matthew Schroll of Ravenna; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Tom Hoffart of Kearney; grandchildren, Jaren Hoffart, Kori Ann Hoffart and Alyssa Hoffart, all of Kearney; her mother of Fremont; sisters and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Fred Blevins of Omaha and Donna Eckhart of Fremont; and brothers and sister-in-law, Gene Kolund of Trumbull and Bruce and Donna Kolund of Fremont
Moved to Fremont at age 10; graduated from Fremont High School; worked as an aide at Fremont Medical Center
After marriage, lived ona farm at Ravenna; worked on the farm and in their insurance agency; was a Mary Kay representative in the early 1980s
Received her LPN degree from Kearney State College, worked at long-term nursing homes, including, Mount Carmel Keens Memorial in Kearney, Merrick Manor in Fremont and Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna; loved caring for long-term residents
Was preceded in death by her son, Christopher; father, Clarence; and brother-in-law, Chris Eckhart
Kearney Hub, 11 December, 2012
SCHULTZ, Arlene E., 89, of Kearney died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Saturday, O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born July 28, 1923 in Gibbon
Parents: Gerald and Mae (Long) Covert
Attended school at District 97 in Buffalo County
Married: 1946 to Alcie Howell, later divorced
Married: 1948 to Melvin Schultz; he died in 1953
Survivors include daughters, Jean Miller of Colorado Springs, Jan Jamrog (David) of Kearney and Tammie Kirkwood of Kearney, 2 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, sisters, Violet Laue of Kearney, Virginia Busher of Salem, OR and Rita Maret of Omaha and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews
Was a homemaker
Activities: was raised in the Methodist faith; past times include playing dominos, puzzles and playing UNO
Was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother and one sister
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2012
SCOTT, Stanley L., 68, of Amherst died Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Memorial service: Friday, November 30, 2012, O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Born January 27, 1944 in North Platte, Nebraska
Parents: Rex and Louise (Waters) Scott
Attended Kearney High School
Married: October 2, 1965, to Marilyn Metcalf at the Salem United Methodist Church in Grand Island
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn of Amherst; daughters, Tracy Wilson and husband, Bill of Kearney, Carla Scott-Copple and husband, Kenny of Kearney; sons, Mark Scott of Topeka, KS and S. Brock Scott of Grand Island; 6 grandchildren, Chelsea and Emeli Wilson, Michelle and Matthew Scott, Sheyanne Scott, Cody Scott-Copple; great grandchildren, Daryon O'Toole and Bentley Vogler; sister, Janice Nelson and husband, Charlie of Columbus, TX; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends
Spent the majority of his life Trucking for several different companies
Activities: loved country music, western movies, doing leather work, pie and coffee and spending time with his grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Scott and sisters, Laurie and Peggy Scott
Kearney Hub, 28 November, 2012
SHAFTO, Erma Jean, 68, of Pleasanton died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Sept. 27, 1944, in Loup City
Parents: William and Darlene (Jensen) Vocke
Married: May 12, 1963, to Delmer Shafto in Ravenna
Survivors include her husband; daughter, Lori Anderson and her husband, Jeff, of Hastings; son, Reese Shafto and his wife, Cheryl, of Pleasanton; grandchildren, Jolyn Anderson of Omaha, Jacob Anderson of Lincoln and Trey Shafto and Tate Shafto, both of Pleasanton; brother, Bill Vocke and his wife, Norma, of Hazard; sister, Judy Trumble and her husband, Clarence, of Aurora; brothers-in-law, Jerry Shafto of Pleasanton and Stan Kaps and his wife, Marcia, of Johnson Lake; sister-in-law, Maria Shafto of Kearney; and eight nieces and nephews
Attended the District 38 grade school, graduated from Litchfield High School in 1962
After marriage, lived in Pleasanton, was a homemaker and worked as a waitress
Activities: enjoyed gardening, garage sales, attending high school sporting events and fishing with her husband and grandchildren; member of Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton
Was preceded in death by her parents
Memorials: Grace Lutheran Church or the Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 27 November, 2012
SMITH, Wilma, 73, of Kearney died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
services: later
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Burial: Minden Cemetery
Born Nov. 28, 1939, in Larned, Kan.
Parents: Harold and Lois (Balman) Arnold
Married: 1959, to Winston Carol Smith in 1959 in Alva, Okla. He preceded her in death
Survivors include daughters, Julie Keeten and her husband, Arden, of Kearney and Lois Bruning and husband, Jodie, of Minden; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sisters, Norma Blake and her husband, Leonard of Rozel, Kan., and Dorothy Knudsen of Lawrence
Attended Rozel Public School in Kansas
After marriage, lived in Larned; later lived in various communities, including Minden; worked as a telephone operator and for Hallmark
Activities: former member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Minden and Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Kearney; loved to bake for functions at her church; pastimes included playing the organ, crocheting, camping and reading
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; granddaughter, Shawna Lee Keeten; grandson, Joshua Keeten; and brother-in-law, Vernie Knudsen
Memorials: Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 11 December, 2012
SOLKO, Joy Lynn, 54, of Kearney died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at St. Francis Medical Center with her family at her side
Services: Saturday at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
No burial
Mortuary: All Faiths of Grand Island
Born Feb. 25, 1958, in McCook
Parents: Ralph and Joy (DeOss) Burton
Married: Nov. 28, 1986, to Patrick James Solko
Survivors include her children, Kris Solko and her daughter Kasandra of Kearney, Kendra Solko of Omaha and Charles Solko of Herndon, Kan.; the father of her children, Patrick Solko of Herndon; brothers, Mike Burton of Denver, Max Burton of Beaver City and Bill Burton and wife, Sunni, of Lexington; sister, Jacque Shepherd of Minden; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends
Grew up in Bartley, graduated from Bartley High School in 1976
Worked for Herndon and Rawlins County Public Schools, Prairie Developmental Center, in Atwood, Kan.; Bethany Home in Minden; and for the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Fought a courageous battle against metastatic breast cancer
Activities: member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Herndon and St. James Catholic Church in Kearney; was involved in PRIDE, Christian Mothers and Kearney Area Humane Society; enjoyed bowling; loved her family, was involved in her children's lives
Was preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2012
TIMPERLEY, Doris E., 88, of Grand Island, formerly of Kearney, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, at Good Samaritan Center in Grand Island
Services: Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Norfolk
Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Norfolk
Mortuary: Stonacek in Norfolk
Born May 27, 1924, in Norfolk
Parents: Van W. and Zella (Tarpenning) Timperley
Survivors include her nieces and nephews, Ardith Zahnow and her husband, Art, of Grand Island, Gerald Timperley and his wife, Beth, of Blair, Duane Timperley and his wife, Barb, of Norfolk, Dennis Timperley and his wife, Debi, of Stanton, Dale Timperley and his wife, Leanna, of Santa Fe, N.M., and David Timperley and his wife, Cindy, of Lincoln
Graduated from Norfolk High School in 1941, attended Nebraska State Teachers College at Wayne State, received her bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1948, did graduate work at Northwestern University and received her master's degree from the University of Denver in 1957
Was a teacher in the Tilden and West Point Public Schools and in York and Columbus High Schools; taught library science at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and served as a librarian, 1957-1987
She was a member of First United Methodist Church. Was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harold and Irvin; and niece, Arlene Tighe
Kearney Hub, 3 December, 2012
VERPLANK, Allen L., 82, of Kearney died Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday at Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul
Burial: Rose Hill Cemetery in Palmer
Born Aug. 31, 1930, in Palmer
Parents: George W. and Ella M. (Freeland) Verplank
Married: June 25, 1950, to Vida Mae Stone in Vermillion, S.D.
Survivors include his wife; sons, Bill Verplank and his wife, Terresa, of Grand Island and Tom Verplank and his wife, Cathy, of Lincoln; daughter, Carey Childs and her husband, Chuck, of Norman, Okla.; son-in-law, Kevin Conway of Bellevue; 11 grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Delores Stone of Minden; sisters, Helen Kolar of Wolbach, Louise Davison of Palmer and Barbara Meyer of Central City; and sister-in-law, Marge Verplank of Sidney
Grew up and attended school in Palmer; graduated from Palmer High School in 1948; was very active in athletics, excelled in football, basketball and baseball
Began doing local trucking with his dad; then operated the Shady Rest Gas Station south of Palmer on Highway 92; for the majority of his working life, was involved with the feed, grain and fertilizer business; drove a truck for Grand Island Express, 1989- 1996; retired in 1996, but then started delivering seed for Monsanto in Nebraska and surrounding states; retired in 2002 because of his health
Activities: enjoyed traveling, went to Hawaii, Portugal, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Alaska; celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2010; member of First Church of Christ in Palmer and the Elks Lodge of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Theresa Conway; grandson, Brendan Conway; sister, Lida Friedrichsen; brother, Layton Verplank; and father-in-law, Adrian Stone
Memorials: Palmer High School Athletic Department
Kearney Hub, 26 November, 2012
WILHELM, Esther Helen, 87, of Kearney died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, at Northridge Retirement Community
Services: Saturday at First Presbyterian Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Visitation: Friday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger
Born on April 25, 1925, in Lincoln
Parents: Conrad and Elizabeth (Mohr) Rosenthal
Was the oldest sibling of three daughters
Married: April 4, 1947, to Andrew Wilhelm in Lexington. He died in 2003
Survivors include her daughters, Karen Stewart and husband, Scott, of Lincoln and Jane Sheldon and husband, Butch, of Kearney; grandchildren, Jennifer Novacek and husband, Ryan, of Omaha, Julie Sellers and husband, Jason, of Lincoln, Jeremy Sheldon and wife, Deborah, of Riverdale and James Sheldon of Kearney; and eight great-grandchildren
After marriage, lived in Lexington; moved to Orleans, 1959, was a devoted wife and mother to two daughters; worked at B-D in Holdrege for 15 years, retired in 1982; moved to Kearney in 1984
Was a life member of First Presbyterian Church
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents and sisters, Dorothy Johnson and Betty Rupert
Memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church, or Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2012