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ABELS, D. Esther, 90, of Kearney died Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Friday at Zion Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born March 4, 1923, in Amherst
Parents: Carl and Clara (Baeder) Bergt
Married: June 11, 1944, to Norman Abels at Immanuel Lutheran Church northwest of Amherst
Survivors include her husband; daughters, Gloria Travis and her husband, Robert, of Kearney and Dorothy Harmoney and her husband, Gary, of Omaha; son, Arlee Abels and his wife, Ann, of Kearney; 16 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren and many dear friends
Grew up northeast of Amherst on the family farm, attended Immanuel Parochial School; was baptized March 25, 1923, and confirmed May 17, 1936, at Immanuel Lutheran
After marriage, farmed and operated a dairy northwest of Amherst; moved to Kearney in 1968, worked at Baldwin Filters for 22 years; then with husband, was custodian at Zion Lutheran and then at Evangelical Free churches in Kearney for 15 years; later worked as a housekeeper at Mother Hull Home until she retired
Activities: member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst; joined Zion Lutheran Church in 1974, was a member of the Mary Martha Guild and sang in the church choir; loved her family and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Bergt, and sister, Helen Blanton
Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church or Zion Lutheran Radio Broadcast fund
Kearney Hub, 7 March, 2013
APGAR, Jean G., 83, of Lexington died Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Saturday at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery at Lexington
Born Nov. 8, 1929, at Amherst
Parents: Fred and Edna A. (Freeze) Holliday
Married: Sept. 13, 1946, to Robert K. "Bob" Warner. He preceded her in death
Married: Sept. 17, 1951, to Edward "Joe" Apgar. He died Feb. 11, 1983
Survivors include her sons, Charles Warner of Canyon, Texas, and Bob Warner of Lexington; daughter, Sherry Carlyle of Lexington; brothers, Bill Holliday of Lexington, Jess Holliday of San Antonio and David Holliday of Winnebago, Minn.; sisters, Myrl Kneeland of Lexington and Mardel Griffis of Albuquerque, N.M.; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 27 March, 2013
BECHTOLD, Linda Lee, 56, of Kearney died Monday, Feb. 25, 2013, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: later
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Aug. 9, 1956, in Ainsworth
Parents: Richard and JoDeen Blum
Married: June 1987, to Roger Bechtold in South Dakota. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Daniel Bechtold of Kearney; significant other, Chet Hamilton of Kearney; stepdaughter, Brianna Lamothe of Springfield, Mass.; brothers, Jerry Blum and his wife, Cheryl, of Centralia, Wash., Dale Blum of Walla Walla, Wash., Ronnie Blum and his wife, Deb, of Seaside, Ore.; uncle, Dennis Blum of Walla Walla; and aunt, Betty Lofing of Scottsbluff
Grew up in Ainsworth, received her education at Ainsworth High School
After marriage, lived in Ainsworth; later moved to Kearney, was employed by several different nursing homes, Amaco and most recently, Cabela's
Activities: enjoyed bowling, crafts, computer work and reading
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents and an infant daughter, DeAnna Bechtold
Kearney Hub, 2 March, 2013
BERTRAND, James "Jim", 67, of Kearney died Sunday, March 3, 2013, in Kearney
Burial: Upland
Celebration of life: Friday at the Eagles Club in Kearney after the burial
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Aug. 15, 1945, in Upland, Neb.
Parents: Bernard and Melrae (Christensen) Bertrand
Married: 1966, to Joan Williams
Survivors include his brothers, Glen Bertrand and his wife, Jae, Leon Bertrand and his wife, Luyre, and Gale "Diddly" Bertrand and his wife, Cinda; sisters, Dolly (Bertrand) Grahms and her husband, Orlan, and Cindy (Bertrand) Schneider and her husband, Ron; son, Blain Bertrand; daughters, Stacy (Bertrand) Shaide and her husband, Monte, and Gretchen Bertrand and Christi Mitchell; grandchildren, Brock Shaide, Madisyn Shaide and Nathan Bertrand; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces
Grew up in Upland, graduated from Upland High School in 1963; moved to Colby, Kan., worked in sales and helped on the family farm
After marriage, lived in Colby
Activities: was fun-loving father; had a passion for restored cars; enjoyed visiting with friends at the local Eagles Club; especially enjoyed watching his children, his grandchildren and all their activities
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Wayne Bertrand; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends
Memorials: Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 6 March, 2013
BJORKLUN, John Willis, 86, of Shawnee, Kansas, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Monday, Feb. 25, 2013, at Garden Terrace of Overland Park
Services: March 9, First Presbyterian Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born May 12, 1926, on the family farm near Haxtun, Colo.
Parents: Herman and Irene (Nelson) Bjorklun
Married: Jan. 26, 1951, to Phyllis Guider. She died in 2000
Survivors include his sons, Douglas and his wife, Lynda, of Overland Park and Stephen and his wife, Lori, of Lenexa; daughter, Kathryn Bjorklun Inman and her husband, Steven, of Stilwell; granddaughters, Madeline and Natalie Bjorklun of Lenexa; brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Mary Margaret Bjorklun of St. Cloud, Minn.; sister-in-law, Margaret Guider of Laguna Niguel, Calif.; and three nieces, a nephew and many step-grandchildren
Oldest child in his family; grew up in the Upland, Neb., area; attended the Zyba grade school in southern Kearney County, graduated from Minden High School in 1945
Military: was drafted into the U.S. Army in the middle of his senior year, but graduated with his class by taking classes at Hasting College; attended the Minden High graduation ceremony while on leave after basic training and graduated wearing his Army uniform; served in the U.S. Army, Jan. 17, 1945 - Nov. 26, 1946; served as a staff sergeant in the Philippines during World War II and later during the occupation of Japan
Graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1951 with a bachelor of science degree in speech and theater, later earned a master of arts degree in speech and theater from UNL; taught for 39 years at Kearney Senior High School beginning in 1951, taught English, drama and speech and debate, and sponsored the Drama Club and National Forensics Leaguep; was a nationally recognized speech and debate coach and received numerous honors and awards, including the John Thurber Distinguished Teacher Award and the NFL Outstanding Distinction and Double Diamond awards; also farmed for a number of years in Kearney County and sold insurance; later sold real estate in the Kearney area
Activities: directed the community theater for many years; was active in Jaycees, the Elks Lodge, the Masons; member of First United Presbyterian Church, and served as a deacon; loved his family; enjoyed traveling, carpentry work, gardening and building and fixing just about anything; loved literature and was an avid follower of politics and current affairs
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents and his children's spouses, Sandra Cavanaugh Bjorklun and Stephen Robinett
Memorials:Kearney Public Schools Foundation to establish a memorial scholarship for deserving speech and debate students
Kearney Hub, 6 March, 2013
BRIGGS, Donald K. "Don", 86, of Kearney died Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at in Kearney
Graveside services: Monday at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 25, 1926, in Broken Bow
Parents: George and Anna (Livingston) Briggs
Survivors include his brothers, Russell Briggs and his wife, Delores, of Lexington, Ky., Gary Briggs and his wife, Martha, of Wayzata, Minn., and George Briggs and his wife, Jan, of Arlington, Texas; sisters, Margaret Briggs and Joyce Munnell, both of Kearney, Leah Burnett and her husband, Clair, of Anselmo, Carol Herbin of Bellevue and Retha Harris and Cheryl Briggs, both of Springfield, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews
Lived on the Midway Ranch, 12 miles south of Broken Bow and 11 miles north of Oconto; graduated from Broken Bow District 25 in 1944, then worked in the area
Military: U.S. Army on June 12, 1945-Oct. 29, 1946
Following his discharge, earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Kearney State Teachers College; taught at Lyman High School, 1951-1956, was the principal in 1955-1956; taught English and journalism and advised the yearbook and newspaper until the mid-1960s; was the college publicity director, sports information individual and the alumni director, 1959-1975, then was the full-time sports information director, 1975-1991 when he retired; While at KSC, was very involved with the NAIA, served as adviser to the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, 1957-2003
Received many awards, felt especially honored by receiving the University of Nebraska at Kearney Distinguished Alumni Award and being inducted into the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame; received the Kearney Hub Freedom Award for volunteer service in 2004
Was preceded in death by his brothers, Dean and Robert Briggs, and sister, Janis Penny
Memorials: Don Briggs Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation
Kearney Hub, 8 March, 2013
BROWN, Harold William, 74, of Kearney, formerly of Oxford, died Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village
Graveside services: Tuesday at Oxford Cemetery
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born April 10, 1938, in Cambridge
Parents: Lloyd and Emma (Whitesell) Brown
Survivors: sister, LaVonne Parks of Cozad
Kearney Hub, 9 March, 2013
CARMANN, Dorothy A., 96, of Grand Island, formerly of Riverdale, died Sunday, March 10, 2013, at Tiffany Square in Grand Island. Services: Thursday, Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst
Burial: Riverdale Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born June 12, 1916, in Kearney
Parents: Alexander and Evalena (Henderson) Juhl
Married: May 24, 1936, to Rudolf Carmann at Peake St. Paul's Lutheran Church north of Riverdale. He died May 24, 1977
Survivors include her sons, Glen M. Carmann of Riverdale, Kenneth W. Carmann and his wife, Kathy, of Centennial, Colo., and Larry M. Carmann and his fiancée, Elaine Hibbeler, of Grand Island; daughters, Dorene R. Carmann of Hastings and Mary Ann Levi and her husband, John, of Green Valley, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Wilma Carmann of Kearney; grandchildren, Lloyd Modlin Jr., Tiffany Modlin, Troy Carmann, Kami Carmann Snyder, Julie Carmann Herickhoff and Tim Carmann; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Tyler Bradshaw, Jacob Macey, Damon Modlin, Natasha Crites, Grant and Westin Carmann, twins Sam and Lucy Snyder and Paige Herickhoff; great-great-grandchildren, Chase and Tavia Crites, Zane Modlin, Ashlynn Henley and Brody Bradshaw; plus several nieces and nephews
Graduated from Amherst High School in 1933, attended Normal School at Kearney State Teachers College; taught at rural schools in the Sandhills south of Mullen and Districts 90 and 80 near Amherst
After marriage, lived her entire married life north of Riverdale
Activities: member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst since 1954, was active in several church organizations, including Sunday school, vacation Bible school, Ladies Aid, Lutheran Women's Missionary League and quilting groups; greatly enjoyed extending hospitality through meals with family and friends in her home and by sharing her baked pies, cakes, brownies and cookies; had a passion for writing letters and articles, playing piano, singing songs and hymns, visiting the elderly and giving her quilts for baby and wedding gifts
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Howard Juhl and Harold Juhl; sisters, Ramona Hadwiger, Virginia Nelson and Dolores Scott; and daughter-in-law, Marcia Carmann
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst
Kearney Hub, 13 March, 2013
CLARK, Lupe, 82, of Kearney, formerly of Holdrege, died Friday, March 29, 2013, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Thursday at All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, followed by cremation
Burial: Cozad Cemetery
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born Feb. 11, 1931, at Powell, Wyo.
Parents: Joseph and Jesse (Garcia) Rodriguez
Married: April 5, 1959, to Kenneth L. Clark at Powell
Survivors include her husband; sons, Ken of Benedict, David of Lincoln and Richard of Kearney; daughter, Christine Clark Phipps of Lincoln; brothers, Raymond Rodriguez of Powell and Joe Rodriguez Jr. of South Gate, Calif.; and five grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 2 April, 2013
DOW, Norma C. (Sprecher), 90, of Kearney, formerly of Lincoln, died Friday, March 29, 2013, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Thursday at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home
Burial: Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery
Born July 21, 1922, near Scarville, Iowa
Parents: Edward E. and Fannie Belle Sprecher
Married: May 9, 1942, to Charles H. Dow in Princeton, Mo. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sons, David of Omaha and Thomas of Westminster, Colo.; daughter, Mary Wright and son-in-law, Frank Wright of Kearney; grandson, Bryan Tatum of Omaha; granddaughter, Kristina Larson of Nebraska City; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Kayla and Emily Tatum and Jordyn and Mira Larson; and numerous nephews and nieces
Grew up on a farm in northern Iowa, graduated from AIB in Des Moines, Iowa, and worked many years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Registrar's Office; was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church
Activities: loved sewing, baking, dogs and horses, bowling, and was an avid Cornhusker football fan
Was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, also her brother, Willard; sister, Lucille; her parents; and great-granddaughter, Patricia
Memorials: Trinity United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Prairie View Gardens or Mount Carmel Home in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 1 April, 2013
DWINE, Martin Wayne, 66, of Denison, Iowa, formerly of Kearney, died Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Saturday, Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison
Mortuary: Huebner in Denison
Born April 23, 1946, in Sioux City, Iowa
Parents: Orville and Katherine Steinkuehler
Married: July 1967, to Judy DeMey
Married: Dec. 5, 2011, to Catherine Wilcke in Las Vegas
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Megan Miller of Ackley, Iowa; brothers, Steve Steinkuehler of Prophetstown, Ill., Jim Steinkuehler of Dow City, Iowa, and Joe Steinkuehler of Denison; sisters, Joan Favro of Chehalis, Wash., Linda Wood and Sheri Hast, both of Dow City, and Pat Culver of Dunlap, Iowa; two grandchildren; and stepdaughters, Lydia Wilcke of Blue Springs, Mo., and Bethany Wilcke of West Des Moines, Iowa
Kearney Hub, 15 March, 2013
GARDINE, Noah James, infant son of Austin and Amanda (Reiners) Gardine of Kearney, was born at rest Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Private family services: Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege
Burial: Baby Land at Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege
Survivors include his parents; sisters, Sadie and Sophia Gardine, both of Kearney; grandparents, Rick and Kim Reiners of Holdrege and Deana Gardine of Kearney; great-grandparents, Reita Anderson of Holdrege and Harlan and Bernita Reiners of McCook; aunts and uncles, Andrew Reiners and his wife, Carolyn, of Omaha, Molly Kluver and her husband, Jace, of Plainview and Emily Reiners of Hastings; and a host of cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles
Was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Earl and Viola Gardine and Bill Anderson
Kearney Hub, 12 March, 2013
GENTRY, James T. "Jim", 75, of Kearney died Friday, March 15, 2013, at the Grand Island Veterans Home
Services: Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Sept. 18, 1937, in Sand Springs, Okla.
Parents: James Cullen and Sophia (Robinson) Gentry
Married: Dec. 30, 1964, to Verleen Saathoff in Kearney
Survivors include his wife; son, James and his wife, Diane, of Canton, S.D.; daughter, Alisa Reynolds and her husband, Roy, of Kearney; sisters, Jody Blissitte of Mineral Wells, Texas, and Julie Carnahan and her husband, Merwyn, of Tyler, Texas; and granddaughter, Kate Reynolds of Kearney
Military: U.S. Air Force
Worked for the Dallas Department of Health as the chief of Vector Control from 1960, retired in 1982; moved to Kearney in 1985
Activities: member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney, the Vector Control Organization, the D.A.V. and the administrative board for Mid-Nebraska; member of the Governing Board and a past president of the ARC of Buffalo County
Was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Patsy Gentry
Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church or the Buffalo County ARC
Kearney Hub, 18 March, 2013
GRAHAM, Mildred Ena Ellingson Fuller, 99, of Kearney, formerly of Mankato, Kan., died Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Mother Hull Home
Celebration of life service: Wednesday at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato
Burial: Balch Cemetery at Formoso, Kansas
Mortuary: Melby in Mankato
Born Oct. 23, 1913, in Powhatten, Kan.
Parents: Ainer and Eva (Higbee) Ellingson
Married to Johnson Fuller and Murrell Graham. both preceded her in death
Survivors include her daughters, Gayle Molzahn of Mankato and Joan E. Mickelsen and her husband, Clyde, of Kearney; stepdaughters, Jeannie Blair and Verla Roe and her husband, Bill, all of Mankato; grandchildren, Dan Fulton and his wife, Pam, of Imperial, Dawn May Shoemaker and her husband, Bob, of Alexandria, Michelle Dennis of Kearney, Jim Fulton of Mankato and Angela Schroder of Oldsmar, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Lindsey Teply and her husband, Matt, Emma Fulton, Cody Lammers, Shannon Muiler and Aaron Delaney, Jeri Dawn Dennis, Tyson Schroder and Travis Schroder and his wife, Lauren; great-great-grandchildren, Tate Teply, Edisyn Teply and Asher Delaney; and a host of other relatives and friends
Had been a lifelong resident of Mankato, then moved to Cambridge Court in Kearney in September 2011; spent the last eight months at Mother Hull Home
Memorials: Balch Cemetery at Formoso or Mount Hope Cemetery at Mankato
Kearney Hub, 26 March, 2013
HANSEN, Marilyn R., 69, of Kearney died Monday, Feb. 25, 2013, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Memorial services: March 9 at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Body was donated to the Nebraska Anatomical Board
Born June 8, 1943, in Kearney
Parents: Charles and Gertrude (Smith) Huffman
Married: Oct. 30, 1959, to Bobby Hansen in Minden. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Steve Hansen and his wife, Teri, of Springfield, Mo.; daughter, Michele Norton and her husband, Milan, of Hastings; brothers, Bob Huffman of California and Bill and Dick Huffman, both of Kearney; sisters, (twin) Carolyn Milligan, Doris Corder and Judy Sheldon, all of Kearney; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Grew up in Kearney, was a graduate of Kearney High School
After marriage, lived in Kearney, was a dental assistant for Dr. Jay Sawyer in Kearney
Activities: member of Faith United Methodist Church; enjoyed reading and walking
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Jeanett Gail Huffman; and brother, George Huffman
Kearney Hub, 6 March, 2013
HARMS, Kate Holland, infant daughter of Caleb and Joni (Bosshamer) Harms of Aiken, S.C., died Tuesday, April 2, 2013, in Augusta
Graveside services: Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery north of Amherst, Neb.
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: March 30, 2013
Survivors include her loving parents; sister, Halle of Aiken; grandparents, Emmit and Ann Bosshamer of Amherst, Neb., and Kevin and Linda Harms of Madrid, Neb.; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins
Kearney Hub, 4 April, 2013
JENSEN, John Philip Jr., 65, of Tacoma, Washington, died Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, in Tacoma
Memorial services: Feb. 2 in Tacoma
Burial: Blair, Neb. at the Jensen family ancestral site
Born Aug. 7, 1948, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: John P. and Helen (Kendall) Jensen
Survivors include his sisters, Jo Ann Entwisle of Lockport, Ill., Kay Maser of Ashland, Ore., and Ruth Jensen of Lincoln, Neb.
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1966, attended Kearney State College, 1966-1970 and the University of Washington in Seattle; earned his law degree from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma in 1985
In Tacoma, spent nearly three decades litigating civil and criminal cases; one of his major legal accomplishments was championing the "Knock and Talk" rule that requires that police knock and announce themselves properly before entering a residence without a warrant
Activities: renovated his turn-of-the-century Victorian home in Tacoma; enjoyed sailing and traveling; loved to cook meals for friends; was a fan of Nebraska Cornhuskers, Washington Huskies, Seahawks and Mariners
Kearney Hub, 2 March, 2013
JOHNSON, Gary Lee, 76, of Holdrege, formerly of Kearney, died Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Private family services will be later
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born Aug. 14, 1936, in Mason City
Parents: Claude and Marjorie (Crosley) Johnson
Married: 1960, to Jo Ann K. Sparks
Survivors include his daughters, Heidi Smith and her husband, Vince, of Santa Fe, N.M., and Kara Crowell and her husband, Scott, of Holdrege; grandchildren, Eva and Hans Knipprath; nephew, Steve Russell and his wife, Stacey; brother-in-law, Ron Russell and his wife, Gerry; and other friends and family
Attended school in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School with the class of 1954; graduated from Montana State University with majors in art history, anthropology and Native American Indian studies; obtained a master's degree in human resources at Colorado Technical University
Military: U.S. Marine Corps, was honorably discharged on April 29, 1955
Lived in Montana
Activities: enjoyed his family and friends, spending time at KC Arabians in Holdrege, barn cats, playing pool at the Senior Center, working out at the Health Center at Good Samaritan Hospital, appointments with his cardiologist, Dr. Kirbakuran, his later career with the U.S. Army, genealogy, foreign language, traveling abroad, art, movies, music, theater, homemade ice cream, family reunions, and an occasional rum and Coke
Was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marjorie "Arlene" Russell
Memorials: Nebraska Organ Donor Foundation or The Cancer Center at Good Samaritan Hospital
Kearney Hub, 8 March, 2013
JOHNSTON, Carl B., 82, of Kearney died Monday, April 1, 2013, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Memorial services: Friday at First Lutheran Church in Kearney, Saturday at Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church in Omaha
Inurnment: church columbarium
. An additional memorial service will be at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dean Bard officiating. Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born Oct. 26, 1930, in Kearney
Parents: Carl and Theckla (Peters) Johnston
Married: May 30, 1950, to Mae Johnston in Las Vegas
Survivors include his wife; sons, Bernard and his wife, Sharon, of Apex, N.C., Carl and his wife, Kim, of Oviedo, Fla., Bill and his wife, Patty, of Centennial, Colo., and John of Kearney; daughters, Susan Counsell of Augusta, Ga., and Sharon West and her husband, Jim, of Omaha; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, James B. Johnston Jr. of Omaha; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1948
Worked 17 years in Alaska for Peter Kiewit Co. as camp manager and as a baker for the state of Alaska in various places, including Fire Island in the Arctic Ocean, returned to Nebraska, ran a carpet cleaning business in Bellevue for 33 years; moved to Omaha, managed DeFreese Manor, a retirement home; retired in 2001 and moved back to Kearney
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church in Kearney, Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church in Omaha and the Eagles Club; was a devoted Husker fan and loved traveling to all 50 states; appeared on "I've Got a Secret," in 1965
Was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, William Sander; one brother; five sisters; nine brothers-in-law; seven sisters-in-law; a stepbrother; and a stepsister
Memorials: the church or the University of Nebraska at Kearney Athletic Department
Kearney Hub, 3 April, 2013
KEILIG, Jerald "Jerry", 71, of Ravenna died Saturday, March 30, 2013, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Memorial services: Tuesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Nov. 5, 1941, in Buffalo County
Parents: Merle and Erma (Phillips) Keilig
Married: Feb. 21, 1964, to Wanda Juliana in Layton, Utah
Survivors include his wife; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Robin Keilig and Mark and Kristy Keilig, all of Ravenna, Brian and Jennifer Keilig of Omaha and Troy and Rachael of Tulsa, Okla.; daughter, Becky Keilig of Ravenna; nine grandchildren; his father of Ravenna; brother, Roger Keilig of Raymore, Mo.; and sisters, Rene Radil of Carson City, Nev., and Marilyn Hoppe of Beatrice
Was educated in Pleasanton, graduated from Pleasanton High School
Military: U.S. Air Force, 1961-1964
After marriage lived on a farm near Ravenna
Activities: member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, served as a church elder, trustee and on the finance board; member of the American Legion and the Farmers Co-op Board; loved his family, farming and visiting
Was preceded in death by his mother.
Memorials: Heartland Lutheran High School or the church
Kearney Hub, 1 April, 2013
KNISPEL, James M., 24, of Kearney died Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Tuesday at First Lutheran Church
Cremation will follow the service
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Nov. 24, 1988, on Thanksgiving Day, in Kearney
Parents: Craig and Janice (Culbertson) Knispel
Survivors include his parents of Kearney; brothers Joseph and his wife, Amy, and Jeremy and Jordan all of Kearney; grandparent, BJ Culbertson of Wood River, formerly of Davenport; aunts and uncles, Janet and Steve Bugay of Kearney and their two children, Tyler, his wife, Mikhala, and son, Mason, and Danielle and her husband, Travis Kimple, Peggy and Brad Dobberstein of Edmond, Okla., and their four children, Michelle and her husband Kent Meyerhoff and their children Grant and Jacob, Amy and her husband Scott Salsbury and their child Matthew, Todd and his wife Keri Dobberstein and their child Hannah, Cathleen and Bill Brueggemann of Plattsmouth and their two children, Johanna and Justin; Mike and Marcie Knispel of Minden and their three children, Jennifer and her husband RaShawn Harvey and their daughters Jessamyn, Jolissa and Janessa, Aaron and Britany Knispel and their children Emerson and Jantzen, Daniel and his wife, Hailey Knispel, and Eileen Lewison of Kearney, and her two children Evan and Eric Stuehm; and many friends
Grew up in Kearney, received his education at Kearney High School, enjoyed drama and was a member of the diving team and placed at state; also lived in Lincoln, attended Southeast Community College
Worked at Bill's Liquor in Kearney
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church; loved watching Husker football and Cubs baseball; enjoyed many outdoor activities, especially golf and disc golf; loved being with his many friends
Was preceded in death by his cousin, Tara Jo Dobberstein; and his grandparents, Charlie and Dorothy Duff and Delbert Knispel and Doris Culbertson
Kearney Hub, 30 March, 2013
LEDBETTER, Rick, 58, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Saturday, March 23, 2013, at his home
Services: Monday at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born Nov. 21, 1954, in Livingston, Tenn.
Parents: Bill and Dorothy (Smith) Ledbetter
Married: Nov. 25, 1978, to Cindi Cover in Kearney
Survivors include his loving wife of 34 years and sons, Chad of Bismarck, N.D., and Casey and Corey and his wife, Jessie, of Kearney; parents of Pendleton, Ind.; brothers, Ron and his wife, Sherrie, and Rex and his wife, Lynn, all of Indianapolis; sisters, Linda Crisp and her husband, John, of Taneytown, Md., Karen Bilbrey and her husband, Mark, of Nashville and Becky Bartle and her husband, John, of Indianapolis; brother-in-law, Al Cover and his wife, Sharon, and sister-in-law, Patti Cover, all of Kearney; brothers-in-law, Dennis Cover and Darren Cover and his wife, Shelly, all of Aurora, Colo.; brother-in-law, Ron Cover and his wife, Aida, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles
Was a graduate of Madison Heights High School in Anderson, Ind.; moved to Kearney in 1976
Had a lifelong career with Eaton Corp. of 36 years, served in many positions; was transferred, November 2010, to Kalamazoo, was materials manager in the Vehicle Group of North America and worldwide valve tran planning manager
Activities: loved to spend time with family and friends; enjoyed bowling, boating, watching sports and playing cards; lived his life with honor, integrity and compassion; was a Husker football fan
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, Tillman and Julie Ledbetter and Gerstle and Ora Smith; parents-in-law, Rex and Lori (Vacha) Cover; and grandmother-in-law, Alma Vacha Peters
Memorials: the church or to Kearney Catholic High School Foundation
Kearney Hub, 28 March, 2013
LINK, Sheila Lee, 81, of Eugene, Oregon, formerly of the Ravenna, Neb., area, died of bone cancer Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Eugene
A celebration of life: Saturday at the University of Oregon - Many Nations Long House in Eugene
Burial of cremains: Sodtown Cemetery near Ravenna
Born Dec. 23, 1931, on the family farm near Ravenna
Parents: William and Ruby (Miller) Link
Survivors include her brother, Dale Link of Ravenna and several cousins, nieces and nephews
Grew up near Ravenna; graduated from Ravenna High School in 1949, attended Nebraska Wesleyan and then taught high school music; later earned her master's degree in secondary school counseling and worked at Arlington Heights, near Chicago; in the early 1970s, she attended the University of Oregon at Eugene, earned her doctorate as a licensed psychologist; did family counseling during the final part of her career
Activities: was a teacher, gardener, musician, artist, psychologist, farmer, confidant, lover of animals and mentor; always enjoyed learning
Was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Bruce Link
Kearney Hub, 3 April, 2013
MUTH, Eugene L., 91, of Ravenna, formerly of Shelton, died Friday, April 5, 2013, at Good Samaritan Society in Ravenna
Services: Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Shelton
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Mortuary: Apfel of Wood River
Born March 2, 1922, on the family farm near Creston
Parents: William and Lydia Muth
Married: Nov. 26, 1947, to Edna Marty of Leigh. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his sister, Vernetta Wagner of Lincoln; daughter, Kathy Thonen of Kearney; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Marlin Matulka of Seward; son-in-law, Cliff Widup of Shelton; daughter and son-in-law, Jacqueline and Thomas Trampe of Sumner; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren
Attended St. John's Parochial School south of Creston
Military: U.S. Army, Oct. 21, 1942-May 19, 1943, member of the 381st Infantry Division; assistant gunner while stationed in the Philippines, was awarded the Bronze Star during the Leyte Campaign along with other medals
Worked most of his life as a farmer Activities: member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Shelton; enjoyed hunting, fishing, sports and Husker football
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; three brothers; one sister; daughter, Jolaine Widup; and son-in-law, Wayne Thonen
Kearney Hub, 8 April, 2013
OVERHOLSER, Clarrena F., 72, of Pleasanton died Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Memorial services: Saturday at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Mason City Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 26, 1940, in Mason City
Parents: Frank and Ann Molly (Supanchick) Cherry
Married: May 3, 1976, to Paul Overholser in Kearney. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sons, Frank Gallucci and his family of Wakefield, R.I.; Joseph Gallucci and his family of Cranston, R.I.; brother, Vern Cherry and his wife, Norma, of North Platte; sisters, Helen Young of Ansley and Delores Smith and her husband, Royce, of Chadron; sister-in-law, Jo Cherry of Greeley, Colo.; and numerous other extended family members
Graduated from Mason City High School; enjoyed collecting antiques and spending time with her family
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, Everett Cherry; sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Bob McAlevy; and brother-in-law, Walt Young
Kearney Hub, 4 April, 2013
PARKER, Francis Burt, 90, of Bennington, died Sunday, April 7, 2013, in Omaha
Memorial celebration of his life: Friday at Ridgewood Senior Living in Bennington
Remains donated to the Anatomical Board of Nebraska for use in medical studies and research
Born Nov. 20, 1922, near Amherst
Parents: Allen B. and Bessie (Bunn) Parker
Married: July 17, 1943, to Faye Courtier
Survivors include his wife; son, Michael and his wife, Marvel, of Fremont; daughter, Kim Laursen and her husband, Doug, of Omaha; grandchildren, Matthew Parker and his wife, Jennifer, and great-grandson, Gavin, of San Antonio, Kisa Parker of Houston and Mitchell Laursen of Omaha; sister, Betty Rodehorst and her husband, Lee, of Riverdale; and many other family and friends
Was a graduate of Amherst High School
After marriage, farmed near Amherst
Military: entered U.S. Army, 1946; served in the Medical Corps in El Paso, Texas
After discharge, lived in Kearney, was a bulk oil dealer; then worked in the lumber business in Kearney, Chadron and Evergreen, Colo.; returned to Kearney, 1955, entered the gasoline business, owned the Parker Sinclair Service and was a partner in Grantham Parker Mobil; went into partnership with Donald Spangler in the Midway DX station in downtown Kearney and later, Parker and Spangler Service/Antiques on Interstate 80; retired in 1988
Activities: enjoyed gardening, taking road trips scouting for antiques, and visiting with friends and family; moved to Bennington in 2010 to be closer to their son's and daughter's families
Was preceded in death by two older brothers, Allen M. and Glen, and an older sister, Helen
Kearney Hub, 10 April, 2013
REIMERS, Gerald L. "J.R.", 66, of San Clemente, California, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at his home
Memorial services: pending
Born: March 10, 1946, in Grand Island, Neb.
Parents: Maitland and Lucille (Perkins) Reimers
Survivors include his wife, Rochelle; brother, Jim Reimers of North Platte, Neb.; and sister, Cindy Laird Carpenter of Sutherland, Neb., nieces and nephews
Military: U.S. Navy
Attended Kearney State College
Most of his adult life was in the real estate and financial industry
Was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Luella Pauley
Kearney Hub, 28 March, 2013
RICHTER, Jean L., 90, of Kearney died Thursday, March 7, 2013, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Monday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Prairie Center Cemetery at Haven's Chapel north of Kearney
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Jan. 11, 1923, north of Kearney
Parents: Harry and Irene (Moss) Wolf
Married: Oct. 10, 1942, to Bernard Richter in Osborne, Kan.
Survivors include her husband; son, Tim Richter and his wife, Eileen, of Kearney; daughters, Barb Fuller and her husband, Jim, of Lincoln, Teresa Jackson and her husband, John, of Clemmons, N.C., Jen Emanuel of Laguna Niguel, Calif., and Julie Vitosh of Beatrice; grandchildren, Kristen Richter of Kearney, Brent Richter and his wife, Hannah, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Stephanie Richter of Redding, Calif., Melissa Tompkins and her husband, Joel, of Syracuse, Jaime Cartwright and her husband, Luke, and Michelle Jackson, all of Omaha, Alex Emanuel of Santa Monica, Calif., Elizabeth Emanuel of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Delanie and Austin Vitosh of Beatrice; great-grandchildren, Colton, Camryn, Charys and Chessa Tompkins and Josalinn and Dean Richter; sisters, Donna Kegley and her husband, Glenn, of Kearney and Norma Spady and her husband, Dick, of Hastings; brother, Dale Wolf and his wife, Clarice, of Wilmington, Del.; sister-in-law, Neva Richter of Kearney; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews
Attended Hopewell Rural School, graduated from Kearney High School in 1940; attended Kearney State College
After marriage, lived in Kearney, worked for Harold Oldfather at Kearney Loan and Finance; lived a short time in Tilden, then returned to the area and lived a farm north of Kearney; worked at First National Bank then was executive director of the Kearney Housing Authority; retired in 1990; after retirement, she and her husband spent winters in Arizona with friends and relatives, 1990-2006
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney for more than 50 years; past member of the National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials; served on the Advisory Committee at the University of Nebraska College of Home Economics and on the State Committee for Children and Youth, Dean's Advisory Committee at the University of Nebraska, Nebraska Committee for 4-H Development and the Nebraska Council of Home Extension Clubs; also served on the County Extension Board, was a 4-H leader, served on the county 4-H Committee, was rural chairman for the Cancer Crusade and served as County vice president; was the health chairman for the county and local extension clubs, was a member of the county Health Education Committee and received the Rockwell Recognition Award in 1969 for outstanding community service; was appointed by Gov. Bob Kerrey in 1985 to serve a four-year term on the Nebraska Commission on Aging; enjoyed flower gardening, reading, baking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends; was an outstanding cook and enjoyed entertaining friends and family
Was preceded in death by her parents; sister, June Bolejack; and brother-in-law, Robert Richter
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church, Staff Assistance Fund at St. John's Good Samaritan Center or the Staff Assistance Fund at Prairie View Gardens in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 9 March, 2013
ROBART, Gail H., 92, of Lincoln, formerly of Shelton, died Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at Country House Hospice in Lincoln
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Nov. 20, 1920, in Snyder
Parents: Ernest and Anna (Seebeck) Robart
Married: Dec. 17, 1941, to Ruth Peterson of Oakland. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his sons, William Robart and his wife, Karen, of Shelton and Robert Robart and his wife, Cheryl, of Lincoln; sister, Gloria Smith of Fremont; five grandchildren from all over the world; and 13 great-grandchildren
Graduated from Snyder High School; in the CCC until 1940
Military: was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in July 1942, was assigned to the 868th Heavy Bombardment Squadron, 13th Air Corps and served in Okinawa and the Philippines during World War II; discharged in early 1946
Worked for the Social Security Administration in North Platte and Norfolk, retired in 1975; moved to Shelton in 1992
Activities: member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney and the American Legion in Shelton; enjoyed spending winters in Brownsville, Texas
Was preceded in death by his wife; one brother and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 4 April, 2013
SAATHOFF, Elna M., 75, of Kearney died Thursday, March 7, 2013, at Mother Hull Home
Memorial services: Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Nov. 13, 1937, in Hildreth
Parents: Earl and Anna (Fegter) Saathoff
Survivors include her sisters, Verleen Gentry and her husband, Jim, of Kearney and Angela Wick and her husband, John, of Omaha; brothers, Jerold Saathoff of Papillion and Larry Saathoff and his wife, Lynne, of Omaha; and several nieces and nephews
Graduated from Hildreth High School in 1956; attended Vocational School of Practical Nursing and earned her nursing degree in 1959; moved to Denver, worked as a nurse until the early 1980s; moved to Omaha and volunteered for several organizations and her church; moved to Kearney in 1989, volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital and was a member of the ARC of Buffalo County; was active in Buffalo County Citizen Advocacy
Activities: member of Zion Lutheran Church, was active in the Mary/Martha women's group; enjoyed doing ceramics, reading, knitting, cooking and traveling
Was preceded in death by her sister, Leann Harris
Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 11 March, 2013
SIMPSON, Kristin K., 38, of Keller, Texas, formerly of Kearney, died Saturday, March 23, 2013, in Omaha
Memorial services: Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial of cremains: later
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born June 17, 1974, in Kearney
Parents: Kent and Linda (Wotherspoon) Schroeder
Survivors include her parents of Kearney; grandmother, Alma Jean Wotherspoon of Kearney; sisters, Erin Brinegar and her husband, Brandon, of Kearney and Lindsey Miller and her husband, Ray, of Omaha and their families; former husband, Cory Simpson and son Kason Simpson of Keller; and daughter, Corrine Schroeder-Pouge and her father, Curtis Pouge, of Bartonville, Texas
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1992, received a bachelor of arts degree in English from Texas Christian University in 1996 with distinction and a juris doctorate from Southern Methodist University Law School in 2002; was awarded the Order of the Coif
Was a law clerk for a federal bankruptcy judge in Dallas; worked for several other law firms, then returned to Texas, was an associate professor at Baylor Law School, taught bankruptcy and legal writing; left Baylor, and worked as a freelance law consultant specializing in bankruptcy
Was preceded in death by her grandparents, Al and Marge Schroeder and Allen Wotherspoon
Kearney Hub, 26 March, 2013
STEELE, Donald L., 71, of Omaha, formerly of Kearney, died Friday, March 15, 2013, at Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha
Private services at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery Worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for 33 years and retired as the General Building and Bridges Supervisor
Activities: member of Countryside Community Church, Omaha, the Shrine Temple and the Masonic Lodge
Survived by his wife of 50 years, Janice Carol (Milligan) Steele; daughters, Shaun Williams and her husband, Kurt, Sherry Tuetken and her husband, Bob; 9 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; mother, Frances Lillian Steele; brother, Lawrence Eldon Steele; sister, Barbara Ann Koehler
Preceded in death by his father, John Eldon Steele
Omaha World-Herald, March 17, 2013
TACL, Rosaline S. "Rose", 58, of Kearney died Saturday, March 30, 2013, at her home
Services: Wednesday, Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Born July 18, 1954, in Kearney
Parents: Frank and Irene (Vocke) Tacl. Survivors include her mother of Burwell; and brother, Louis and his wife, Mary, of Burwell
Grew up on the family farm at Hazard; attended school in Broken Bow and Ord; moved to Kearney in the mid-1980s; had been living in Kearney with her Mid-Nebraska Individual Services family
Was preceded in death by her father in 1982
Kearney Hub, 2 April, 2013
WEAVER, Leona M., 98, of Kearney died Saturday, March 30, 2013, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Friday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Oct. 1, 1914, in Pleasanton
Parents: Henry and Laura (Holmes) Suntken
Married: June 2, 1939, to Emmett Colgan in Elm Creek. He died in 1944
Married: March 3, 1946, to Francis Weaver in Elm Creek. He died in 1992
Survivors include her sons, Robert "Bob" Colgan and his wife, Vianne, of Grand Island and Rich Weaver and his wife, Arvenia, of Duncan; daughter, Carolyn Smith and her husband, Doug, of Kearney; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren
Attended school in Pleasanton
Worked as a housekeeper at the Western Inn Motel, Centennial Towers at Kearney State College and Good Samaritan Hospital; retired in 1977
Activities: member of the St. James Catholic Church; enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren; enjoyed cooking, playing cards and sewing
Was preceded in death by her sister and two grandchildren
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 3 April, 2013
WISE, Warren B., 90, of Gibbon died Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Monday at New Life Assembly in Kearney
Burial: Rose Hill Cemetery in Callaway, military honors
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born Feb. 28, 1923, in Thedford
Parents: Albert and Josephine (Stinman) Wise
Married: June 12, 1946, to Margarette "Margie" Ash in Oberlin, Kan. She died Oct. 2, 2010
Survivors include his son, Brent and his wife, Mona, of Gibbon; grandsons, Jeff Wise and his wife, Nancy, of Gibbon and Rusty Wise and his wife, Lisa, of Holdrege; four great-grandsons; and two great-granddaughters
Was raised in the Callaway area, attended Callaway Public Schools through the ninth grade
Worked for Union Pacific Railroad
Military: entered U.S. Marine Corps in World War II at Ogden, Utah, at age 19; was stationed in Bremerton, Wash., was a guard on Midway Island, 1942-1945; was honorably discharged, 1946, as a corporal
Was rehired by Union Pacific Railroad in Bridger, Wyo.; worked his way up from section laborer to foreman of Indian Steel Gangs, worked in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and Kansas; also was section foreman at Gibbon; retired 1984; had been a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance and Ways Employees for 43 years; Margie was a cook for the gangs and traveled with him
Activities: member of American Legion Post 500 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759; enjoyed making wooden railroad cars and wooden trucks; also collected railroad cars
Was was preceded in death by his wife; parents, two brothers and four sisters
Memorials: Gibbon Rescue Unit or the church
Kearney Hub, 6 April, 2013