Page 148
Back to Index for Obituaries
ALTMAIER, Freddie J., 77, of Kearney died Thursday, May 29, 2014, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center
Services: Tuesday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Prairie Center Cemetery at Haven’s Chapel, north of Kearney
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 4, 1936, at home north of Kearney
Parents: Fred and Eva (Schulte) Altmaier
Married: April 25, 1957, to Norma Cudaback in Kearney
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Karen Rogers and her husband, Roy, of Columbia, Mo., and Sally Ponte and her husband, Mike, of Grand Island; son, Jay Altmaier and his wife, Pam, of Merriman; grandchildren, Brett, Emily and Seth Webster, Adam and Andy Altmaier and Annie Rogers-Herriman; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Miles and Jack Webster and Max Herriman; and sister, Laura Deist and her husband, Jim, of Rawlins, Wyo.
Military: Nebraska National Guard for 16½ years
Attended Hopewell District 35 School, then Kearney Public Schools
Farmed with his family; continued to farm and ranch and was a livestock buyer
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Abby Altmaier; and brothers, Eugene and Harvey
Memorials: ALS Foundation, St. James Catholic Church or Good Samaritan Society-St. John’s
Kearney Hub, 31 May, 2014
AUSTIN, William Daniel “Dan”, 86, of Grand Island died Friday, June 6, 2014, at Golden Living Center Lakeview in Grand Island
Services: Thursday at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island
Burial: Sumner Cemetery
Born April 18, 1928, on the family farm near Sumner
Parents: Horace and Alice (Clouse) Austin
Married: Sept. 29, 1956, to Beverly “Jean” Van Horn in Hastings
Survivors include his former wife and longtime friend, Beverly “Jean” Wood of Grand Island; son, Daniel Austin of Omaha; daughters, Debra Austin and Cindy Bennett and her husband, Bob, all of Grand Island; grandchildren and their spouses, Brad and Angela Bennett, Jon Bennett and Kathleen and Nalin Majerus, all of Grand Island, and Shannon Wabashaw of Omaha; and great-grandchildren, Emily, Shelby, Cyler, Rodney, Allison and Madelyn
Parents divorced when he was very young, was raised by three of his paternal aunts in Kearney; attended Kearney schools
Military: U.S. Army Air Force, 1946-1971, earned several medals and commendations; served in Korea, Vietnam, Australia and Japan; fell in love with the Japanese culture and many times called it his “second home;” spent most of his married life traveling with various military assignments
Returned to Kearney, 1971; held various jobs, managed the Pester/Coastal gas station on the corner of 25th and Central Ave., 1981-1988
Activities: had a passion for music and played various musical instruments; started the Sons of the Oregon Trail band in the 1950s with some of his friends; enjoyed private flying and flying his PT-19 airplane while working at his brother-in-law’s airport in California in the 1940s; later enjoyed attending air shows, treasure hunting, model airplanes, amateur radio operating, cookouts and vegetable gardening; greatest enjoyment in life, was being with his family; thoroughly enjoyed traveling to various museums around Nebraska, learning the history of his home state; a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AARP and the Amateur Radio Operators
Was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Frank Niles; infant brothers, Clarence and Duane; brother, Lee Roy Austin; and sisters, Helen Austin, Doris Scollan and Eileen Waite
Memorials: a veterans organization
Kearney Hub, 10 June, 2014
BEDKE, Bryan R., 51, of Lincoln, formerly of Ravenna, died Tuesday, June 17, 2014, in Lincoln
Services: Friday at Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home in Lincoln
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Born Dec. 24, 1962, in Grand Island
Parents: Leonard H. and Lurlie Bedke
Survivors include his mother, Lurlie Bedke of Ravenna; brothers, Leonard J. of Houston, Jeffrey and his wife, Barb, and Eric and his significant other, Mary Squires, all of Lincoln, and Craig and his wife, Monica, of Shawnee, Kan.; and niece, Chelsea Watson
Was a senior application developer with National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Was preceded in death by his father, Leonard H., and a sister, Marcia
Memorials: American Cancer Society
Kearney Hub, 19 June, 2014
BOWERS, Dan D., 65, of Kearney died Sunday, June 1, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Services: Wednesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Born Aug. 8, 1948, in Cambridge
Parents: Ben and Marjorie Bowers. Married: Feb. 27, 1980, to Barbara Dale in Las Vegas
Survivors include his wife; son, Brent Bowers and his wife, Angie, of Yardley, Pa.; daughter, Becky Pedersen and her husband, Kris, of Kearney; daughter, Stacy Miles and her husband, Jason, of Leawood, Kan.; son, Brett Bowers of Kearney; grandchildren, Alaynna, Connor, Paige and Bryce; brother, David Bowers of Holdrege; and sister, Kathleen Burton of Portland, Ore.
Attended school in Oxford
Was a dedicated employee of West Pharmaceuticals for 46 years, most recently served as the maintenance coordinator
Activities: loved spending time with his family, going fishing, boating, hunting and camping at Harlan Lake; was a loyal Husker football fan; owned several horses, loved horse racing
Was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Julie Fossi
Kearney Hub, 2 June, 2014
BROWN, Christine H., 100, of Kearney died Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at Cambridge Court
Services: Monday at Zion Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Oct. 12, 1913, in Nashua, Minn.
Parents: Fred and Sophia (Schmidt) Hasse
Married: July 16, 1938, to Herbert H. Brown in Nashua. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sons, Eugene Brown of Arvada, Colo., Gordon Brown and his wife, Jean, of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Stanley Brown and his wife, Rhoda, of Kearney; sister, Lucille Scramstad of Fergus Falls, Minn.; nine grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren
Grew up and received her education in Wilkin County, Minn.
After marriage, resided on a farm near Nashua; moved to Oregon, worked in the shipyards during World War II, then returned to Minnesota; moved to Kearney, 1951, Christine worked at Baldwin, retired in 1978
Activities: member of Zion Lutheran Church
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents, five brothers, three sisters and an infant grandson
Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 14 June, 2014
DAAKE, Mary K., 64, of Kearney died Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Aug. 18, 1949, in Kearney
Parents: Robert and Kathleen (Seyler) Gifford
Married: Dec. 29, 1970, to John Daake in Kearney. Survivors include her husband; son, Adam Daake and his wife, Jennifer, of Kearney; granddaughter, Paige Kathryne Daake of Kearney; and sister, Patricia Zwink and her husband, Randy, of Lexington
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1967 then from Kearney State College in 1971; later obtained her master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
After marriage, lived in Lincoln, worked for the state of Nebraska, 1971-1977; returned to Kearney, worked for the Kearney Area Council of Governments for 2 years, then at Good Samaritan Hospital as the director of educational services; then worked as the director of the World Affairs Conference and was a political science teacher at the University of Nebraska at Kearney; at the time of her death, worked as the director of Academic Advising and Career Services at UNK
Activities: member of numerous business and professional organizations and was dedicated to her professional career and was passionate about caring for her students and their advancement through college; enjoyed traveling with her husband and had visited China, Alaska and had taken several cruises; enjoyed spending time with her family and, especially, her granddaughter
Was preceded in death by her parents
Memorials: Kearney Area Children’s Museum, Kearney Public Library or to a scholarship fund at UNK
Kearney Hub, 28 May, 2014
FISHER, Dewaine D., 89, of Kearney died Thursday, June 12, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital
A celebration of life service: Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church
Burial of cremains: Oxford Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Dec. 9, 1924, in Oxford
Parents: Russell and Velma (Cook) Fisher
Married: Aug. 18, 2001, to Betty (Sullivan) Lewis in Oxford
Survivors include his loving wife and her children, Jennifer Lewis and JoHanna Lewis; niece, Diane Hays and her husband, Randy, of Kearney; nephews, Rick Fisher and his wife, Connie, of Houston and Steve Fisher and his wife, Dana, of Seattle and their families
Grew up helping on the family farm; attended school in Oxford, graduated 1943
Was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1943; before he could report for duty, his father died; was honorably discharged to assist his mother and younger brother operate the family farm; continued to manage the farm until he retired in 2000
After marriage with Betty, moved to Kearney; was like a father to Betty’s youngest daughter, JoHanna
Activities: was confirmed and baptized in the Presbyterian Church as a young man; later became an active member of First Baptist Church of Oxford, served as a trustee; joined First Presbyterian Church in Kearney, remained as active as his health allowed; 50-year member of Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M.; was an honest, hard-working, generous person who loved God, his family, friends and neighbors
Was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Harold Fisher and his wife, Marvel
Memorials: First Presbyterian Church of Kearney, First Baptist Church of Oxford or the American Red Cross
Kearney Hub, 14 June, 2014
GIGER, Arleen Clara, 88, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Friday, May 30, 2014, in Lincoln
Services: Tuesday at Faith Lutheran Church in Lincoln
Burial: Fairview Cemetery in Lincoln
Mortuary: Roper and Sons in Lincoln
Born June 3, 1925, in Davenport
Parents: Arthur and Clara (Bonin) Holtzen
Married: July 3, 1949, to Gordon Giger. He died Feb. 5, 1991
Survivors include her daughters, Linda Weyand and her husband, Larry, of Yakima, Wash., and Sharon Bliemeister and her husband, Tom, of Lincoln; five grandsons; five great-grandchildren; sister, Liela Jean Krupicka of Davenport; brothers, Lee Roy Holtzen and his wife, Jan, of Seward and Merlin Holtzen and his wife, Shirley, of Lincoln; and sister-in-law, Judy Holtzen of Aurora
Was baptized as an infant and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1939
Lived in Kearney, 1963 to 1988
Activities: member of Faith Lutheran Church, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Thursday morning Bible Study Group, Faith Lutheran Quilting Group and Kearney and Lincoln Ostomy Associations
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents and her brothers, Melvin and Harvey Holtzen
Memorials: Faith Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 2 June, 2014
GUSTAFSON, Lenore Ellen, 95, of Holdrege died Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege
Celebration of life services: Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege
Inurnment: Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born April 21, 1919, on a farm near Sumner
Parents: Carl E. and Junetta (Anderson) Hendricks
Married: Sept. 3, 1941, at Holcomb Evangelical Free Church in Phelps County, to Wesley L. Gustafson of Phillips. He died Oct. 13, 1986
Survivors include her sons, Dennis Gustafson of Kearney and Doug Gustafson and his wife, Denise, of Holdrege; daughters, Nancy Maitzen and her husband, Curtis, of Garden Grove, Calif., Julie Jeffery and her husband, Rick, of Holdrege; grandchildren and their spouses, Rebecca Willhoit, Grant and Beth Gustafson, Ben Gustafson, Isaac and Melissa Gustafson, Kristin and Trent Benjamin, A.J. and Melissa Jeffery and Tiffany and Jacob Mohs; great-grandchildren: Leroy and Ivan Gustafson, Nolan and Skylar Benjamin, Gray and Jake Gustafson, Abbie, Jordan and Sam Gustafson, Elias, Solomon and Dylan Gustafson, Landon and Mason Mohs and Elizabeth Jeffery; great-great-grandchildren, Lila and Rhythm Gustafson; sisters-in-law, Eldora Nelson, Leone Gustafson and June Gustafson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Moved with family to Phelps County, 1921; Attended rural schools, then graduated from Holdrege High School, 1936
Taught in rural schools for three years and one year in Funk; during summers, she took classes at Kearney State Teachers College and at Wheaton (Ill.) College; later graduated from Free Church Bible Institute in Chicago
After marriage, lived in Chicago, where husband finished his pastoral training; moved to Fremont, were in home missionary work, then to a pastorate in Berkeley, Calif.; spent two years in China as missionaries with the Evangelical Free Church; later worked with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and in Free Church pastorates in St. Paul, Minn., and Fullerton, Calif.; moved to Richfield, Minn.; retired in Kearney, 1979 Activities: enjoyed being a pastor’s wife, a deaconess, Cub Scout den mother, Sunday school teacher, Junior Church leader, Sunday school registrar, choir member, White Cross member, tending to her flower garden, word games, entertaining and being with her family
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Don Hendricks and Dean Hendricks; infant great-grandson, Sven Gustafson; and her first grandson, Abraham Gustafson Kearney Hub, 5 June, 2014
HALKYARD, Donald K., 89, of Gibbon died Saturday, June 7, 2014, at his home
Services: Wednesday at Faith United Church in Gibbon
Burial: Riverside Cemetery near Gibbon with military honors
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger of Gibbon
Born: May 30, 1925, in Firstview, Colo.
Parents: David and Orta (Betebenner) Halkyard. Married: Dec. 15, 1952, to Myrtle McMahan in Litchfield
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Mary Lynn Weber of Las Vegas; sons, David “Rusty” Halkyard and his wife, Mary, and Johnny Halkyard and his wife, Karen, all of Gibbon; daughters, Debbie Chaney and her husband, Scott, of Dannebrog, Dee Krolikowski and her husband, Duane, of Gibbon; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters; sister, Evelyn Vohland and her husband, Bob, of Gibbon; one niece; and one nephew
Received his education at Gibbon Public Schools, graduated in 1944
Military: enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, was honorably discharged in October 1954
Farmed his entire life; after retiring, helped other farmers in need
Activities: enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, country music concerts and trap shooting with his grandsons; member of Faith United Church and American Legion Post 310 where he had recently been awarded his 60-year membership pin; longtime member of the Elks and Eagles clubs
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 9 June, 2014
HEATER, Michael D. “Mike”, 69, of Kearney, Neb., died Wednesday, June 4, 2014, in Crewe, United Kingdom
Services: Monday June 16 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Neb., with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Dec. 4, 1944, in Superior, Neb.
Parents: John and Ruby (Strine) Guise
Married: June 29, 1974, to Mary Fritton in Lincoln
Survivors include his wife; sons, Todd Heater of Kearney, Scott Heater of Sidney, Neb., and Jeff Heater of Bennington, Neb.; daughter, Dawn Sweley of Hastings; four grandchildren; brother, Bob Heater and his wife, Etna, of Lincoln, Neb.; sister, Sue Ludwig of Farmington, N.M.; and several nieces and nephews
After parents divorced, moved to Lincoln with his mother and stepfather, Oliver Heater; graduated from Lincoln High School in 1963, later earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Military: joined U.S. Navy in 1963, served as a med-tech during Vietnam; then continued his military career in the Nebraska Army National Guard with the 24th Division Air-Med in Lincoln; became a recruiter for the National Guard in Kearney, 1978; retired from the National Guard in 1996 with 30 years of service as a master sergeant
Worked for seven years with City Plumbing, then eight years with Menards; retired in 2010
Activities: member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus; loved spending time with his family, golfing, hunting and fishing, and doing cross stitch
Was preceded in death by his parents
Memorials: Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 13 June, 2014
HONEYWELL, Vinis “Mike”, 91, of Doral, Florida, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Saturday, May 31, 2014, in Fort Lauderdale
Celebration of life: at his home
Born May 24, 1923, at Brewster, Neb., on the family farm
Parents: Leroy and Edith Honeywell
Married: Elizabeth Anderson of Halsey, Neb. She died in 1985
Survivors include his son, Dennis Honeywell and family of Doral; and many nieces and nephews in Kearney and the surrounding area
Was born two months premature; was the last surviving sibling of nine children
Lived in Kearney multiple times in his younger life, moved to Denver and later northern and southern California; moved back to Kearney in the early 1990s to be with his sister, Vera Pedersen, and other family members; later remarried and divorced in 2010, and subsequently relocated to Doral to be with his son and family
Entered an assisted living facility in the Fort Lauderdale area 2013; was in great shape for his age and still walking and of good mind, but passed in his sleep the morning of May 31
Kearney Hub, 19 June, 2014
IHLE, Roger Langdon, 95, of Omaha, formerly of Kearney, died Friday, May 30, 2014, in Omaha
Services: Tuesday at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Omaha with military honors.
Burial: Prospect Hills Cemetery in Norfolk
Mortuary: Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler
Born Oct. 10, 1918, in Cleghorn, Iowa
Parents: Charles W. Sr. and Lenora I. (Oyler) Ihle
Married: June 8, 1945, to Marilyn Henderson in Bethesda, Md. She died Jan. 10, 1995
Survivors include his sons, Roger Charles Ihle and Christopher Langdon Ihle and his wife, Barbara; grandchildren, Aunnie Terryberry and her husband, Michael, Eric Charles Ihle and his wife, Danielle, Colby Alan Woods and his wife, Jessica, Andrew Langdon Ihle and his wife, Emmie, Christopher Charles Ihle and Morgan Christina Ihle; great-grandson, Estes Langdon Terryberry; nieces, Doris Steeg, Lora A. Beaupre, L. Joan Wadlow, Susan Sweet, Gail Ihle, Ann H. King, Carol Dianne Howard and Mary Lenora Hilfiker; and nephew, Charles Joseph Steeg
Was the youngest of five children; grew up in Cleghorn, graduated from Cleghorn High School; obtained a degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University
Lived in St. Louis, worked as a distribution engineer with Union Electric Co.
Military: entered the U.S. Army, Feb. 28, 1941; attended communication school Scott Air Force Base in St. Louis, received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps; was selected to attend the Electronics Training Centers at Harvard and MIT for “Top Secret” radar school; was one of four selected to go to Boca Raton Air Force Base, Fla., for training in what is now known as Electronic Warfare. He flew in the first B-17 equipped for electronic reconnaissance at night only 500 feet above the ground at times to avoid detection under the direction of 15th Air Force Headquarters or later during the day flying with the 97th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and the 16th Reconnaissance Squadron; was transferred to 15th Headquarters as part of a radar countermeasures task force; was a decorated officer and received the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with five Bronze Stars, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the American Defense Service Ribbon; was involved in the invasion of Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Po Valley and North Apennines campaigns during World War II
Worked with the Rural Electric Association, then joined his brother-in-law in Norfolk at Krueger-Ihle Electric; was called back into military service in 1951 as an electronic project officer with the 77th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron; continued at Krueger-Ihle Electric for 23 years, then worked as a hospital engineer for Immanuel Hospital in Omaha, Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, and at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney; received many awards for his forward-thinking innovations in energy management at the hospitals
Activities: fellow in The American Society for Hospital Engineering;member of the Nebraska Society of Hospital Engineers, served as president, 1987-1988; received the Hospital Engineer of the Year Award in 1991 and also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska Engineers of Health Care Institutions in 1993
Retired and remained in Kearney until his wife's death; moved to Omaha, 1997, to live with his son Christopher and his family; enjoyed gardening, traveling with family, working in his greenhouse and volunteering at the Strategic Air and Space Museum
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents, Charles William Ihle Sr. and Lenora Isabelle (Oyler) Ihle; siblings, Muriel Anna (Ihle) Steeg, Charles William Ihle Jr., Norma Isabelle (Ihle) Krueger, Bernadine Ulaine (Ihle) Hilfiker and infant daughter, Elizabeth; niece, Barbara Ihle; and nephew, Roger John Krueger
Memorials: Strategic Air and Space Museum Restoration Department in Ashland or Covenant Presbyterian Church
Kearney Hub, 2 June, 2014
IMMING, Robert E. “Bob”, 88, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Friday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born April 2, 1926, in Hastings
Parents: Ed L. and Wilma G. (Moore) Imming
Married: Oct. 26, 1950, to Patricia A. “Pat” Patton at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. She died Jan. 19, 1981
Surviving relatives include his son, David P. Imming of Austin, Texas; daughters, Candi Imming of Whitinsville, Mass., Bridget Kohtz and her husband, Al, of Frankfort, Ind., Mary Kate Castrop of Lone Tree, Colo., and Stacy J. Sykes and her husband, Bob, of Clatonia; 10 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and five stepgreat-grandchildren
Attended school in Kearney, was a graduate of Kearney High School in 1944
Military: U.S. Navy, March 11, 1944-June 7, 1946; served in the Pacific as a signalman on his ship
Attended Nebraska State Teachers College in Kearney, played center on the football team, also played in the outfield for the Kearney Irishmen semi-pro baseball team; received his teaching certificate and then taught school in Ravenna for three years
Worked as a route salesman for Nabisco Foods, 1953 until he retired in 1988
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church, Kearney Elks Lodge 984 and American Legion Post 52; enjoyed fishing and bird hunting, and in the mid-1960s he was a weekend news reporter for NTV Channel 13; enjoyed helping at the Elks Lodge on beer and burger night, was known as the bun man
Was preceded in death by his wife, and one sister in infancy
Kearney Hub, 11 June, 2014
KEMPT, Georgenia V., 92, of Shelton died Monday, May 26, 2014, at her home
Burial: Naponee Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel in Wood River
Born April 27, 1922, in Fairbury
Parents: George G. and Lydia A. (Schriner) Janssen
Married: Jan. 19, 1945, to George W. Kempt at the Christian Church in Phillipsburg, Kan. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Ricky and Irma of Fort Collins, Colo., Gary and Janelle of Phillipsburg, Kan., Larry and Peggy of Agra, Kan., and Phil and Cindy of Shelton; sisters, Janetta Graf of Edgewater, Fla., Virginia Britt of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Vera Wohleb of Hastings; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many relatives and friends
Was the second child of four in her family; moved to a farm north of Naponee with her parents in 1925; her mother died in 1932, and she went to live with Victor and Clara Wohleb and their son, Verlyn
Attended school and graduated from Naponee High School in 1939; attended Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska at Kearney) for one year and began teaching; continued her education during the summers by taking correspondence courses; received her bachelor of arts degree in education in 1967; received the Service to Education Award from Kearney State College in 1987
After husband's discharge from the Army, lived on farms in Missouri; moved to Hildreth in 1949 and to Holdrege in 1963; taught school for 42 years, including Upland, Hildreth, Wilcox and Loomis; retired from teaching in 1987; then lived near Agra, in Alma and Shelton
Activities: member of Koenig (Kans.) Methodist Church and attended the Free Methodist Church in Alma; later became a member of First Presbyterian Church in Wood River
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; foster parents; brother, Bud; foster brother, Verlyn; and granddaughter, Jordyn
Memorials: First Presbyterian Church or to AseraCare Hospice
Kearney Hub, 28 May, 2014
KING, Anna "Gail", 95, of Kearney died Sunday Feb 17, 2002, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Jan. 29, 1907, on the family homestead northwest of Sumner
Parents: Orville and Anna (Myers) Thomas
Married: Nov. 17, 1934, to William King in Minden. He died April 16, 1996
Survivors included her son, Les of Broomfield, Colo.; daughter, Linda of Kearney; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Attended rural schools in Dawson County, then attended school in Kearney after her family moved there; attended Kearney State College to take art and ceramic classes
After marriage, lived on a farm northeast of Elm Creek, moved to Kearney in 1950; started King Ceramic Shop in Kearney, operated the store from 1958 until she retired in 1983
Was preceded in death by her husband, four brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 22 Feb 2002
LINDSAY, Matthew, 28, of Kearney died Thursday, May 29, 2014, at his home
Services: Tuesday at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Oct. 7, 1985, in Janesville, Wis.
Parents: William and Jill L. (Pickens) Lindsay
Survivors include his father and stepmother, Katherine Keifer, of Kearney; brother, Spencer of Kearney; sister, Elizabeth Lindsay of Axtell; and grandparents, Charlotte Lindsay of Wethersfield, Conn., and Charles and Beverly Pickens of Kearney
At age 4, moved to Geneva, Illinois; after his mother’s death in a car accident in 1991, he moved with his family to Kearney; attended Kearney Catholic High School and graduated in 2004; received his degree in sports management in 2009 from the University of Nebraska at Kearney; did his internship for the Indianapolis Ice
After graduation, worked for the Chicago Fire MLS Soccer team and for Dick’s Sporting Goods; after his cancer diagnosis, returned to Kearney
Activities: played on the soccer team for Kearney Catholic; was a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Fire, White Sox and the Chicago Bears, and of Husker football; was proud of his brother, Spencer, who played with the Huskers
Was preceded in death by his mother, Jill; and grandparents, Robert Lindsay and Jess and Willa Keifer
Memorials: cholangeal cancer research or a memorial at the Baldwin Soccer Field in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 31 May, 2014
MASON, Margaret Olive, 88, of Kearney died Sunday, June 15, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Thursday at First Baptist Church in Kearney
Burial: Glenvil Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born Oct. 20, 1925, in Glenvil
Parents: Ira and Kathryn (Kamm) Hunnicutt
Married: Oct. 3, 1954, to Donald Mason in Glenvil. He died in 2012
Survivors include her son, Dean of Glenvil; daughters, Elaine Mason of Arlington, Texas, and Lois Dauel and her husband, Dan, and Kris Hughbanks and her husband, Tim, all of Kearney; grandchildren, Justin Dauel and his wife, Heather, Adam Dauel, Melissa Dauel, Brandon Verzal, Nathan Verzal, Jessica Abbott and her husband, A.J., and Courtney Hughbanks; great-grandchildren, Zachary, Rebekah and Michael Dauel and Isaac Verzal; and several nieces and nephews
Received her education from Glenvil High School, graduated in 1943
After marriage, lived in North Platte; moved to Glenvil in 1959, farmed there until 1978; moved to Hastings, 1980, and then to Kearney in 1994
Activities: member of First Baptist Church in Kearney, was active in American Baptist Women’s Ministries and Dorcas circle; member of the Friend’s Sunday School Class; was the church pianist at Glenvil First Baptist Church for many years and taught Sunday school; also played piano on Wednesday night church service at First Baptist Church in Kearney; was an encourager to church family by sending cards and keeping them in her prayers; family and faith were her two greatest joys; hobbies included quilting, sewing, knitting and crocheting
Was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Kathryn Hunnicutt; and brother, John Hunnicutt
Memorials: First Baptist Church
Kearney Hub, 18 June, 2014
McCLURKIN, Robert B. “Bob” 93, of Grand Island died Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at Grand Island Veterans’ Home
Memorial services: Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Island
Burial of ashes: Cameron Cemetery in rural Hall County with military honors
Mortuary: All Faiths in Grand Island
Born May 4, 1921, in a farmhouse north of Shelton
Parents: Samuel and Vera (Likes) McClurkin
Married: June 25, 1950, to Ruth McDaniel
Survivors include his wife of 64 years; daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara Lucas of Kearney, Christine Scott and Earl Fosler of Milford, Marilyn and Rick Roenfeldt of Ashburn, Va., and Lisa McClurkin Vargason and Larry Hoins of Crete; son, Steven McClurkin and his wife, Terri, of Grand Island; grandsons and their spouses, Geoffrey and Kayla Roenfeldt of Kearney, Trevor Vargason and Trenton and Whitney Vargason, all of Lincoln, Jorma Lucas of Kansas City, Skye Lucas and Daniel and Amber Scott, all of Kearney, David Scott of Lincoln and Jesse Runge of Grand Island; and great-grandchildren, Jordane of Sutton, Stephen of Kansas City, Veah, Heidi and Holly, all of Kearney, Branden and Mya of Lincoln, Ashton and Macy of Kearney and Tucker of Lincoln
Grew up on the family farm north of Shelton; attended Shelton High School; attended University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduated from college, 1943
Military: U.S. Army, 1943-1946; served in the 3rd Army under Gen. Patton, assigned to the 758th Field Artillery; engaged the enemy at Huertgen Forest in the drive to rescue the brave soldiers at Bastogne and met the Russian army of the Elbe River; promoted to captain on April 1, 1945, was in charge of the train station at Frankfurt under the Marshall Plan in 1946
After marriage, farmed north of Shelton; had six children with Ruth: five daughters and a son; moved to Grand Island, 1979; was employed at the Lutheran Hospital, kept the power on during the June 3, 1980, tornado disaster; later worked at Trinity Lutheran School
Activities: enjoyed reading, westerns especially “Louis L’Amour,” fishing and being outdoors; delighted in his beloved wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Sam Jr.; sisters, Eleanor and Lavon; and an infant daughter, Marlena Louise
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran School
Kearney Hub, 16 June, 2014
McDANIEL, Arika, 36, of Omaha, formerly of Kearney, died Friday, May 30, 2014, in Omaha
Celebration of life services: Wednesday at Finding Life Church in Omaha
Mortuary: Braman in Omaha
Born Nov. 30, 1977, in Kearney
Parents: Greg and Carolyn Smith
Survivors include her parents; sister, Ashley Smith; nephews, Austin Smith and Ashton Leake; and many other loving relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her grandparents; aunt, Christy; and uncle, Bill
Kearney Hub, 2 June, 2014
MILLER, Paul L., 93, of Kearney died Saturday, May 31, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday at Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Jan. 9, 1921, in Kearney
Parents: William C. and Grace M. (Keyser) Miller
Married: 1943, to Joyce Swearingen
Married: May 20, 1961, to Margaret I. Porter in Kearney. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his sons, Ronald Miller and his wife, Connie, of Omaha and Paul Miller Jr. of Kearney; daughters, Joyce Waugh of Kearney and Joye Lynn Carpenter of Casa Grande, Ariz.; stepdaughter, Lori Ryan of Kearney; stepsons, Kent Porter and his wife, Lori, of Bozeman, Mont., and Joe Porter and his wife, Peggy, of Elm Creek; sister, Dorothy Bohling of Lebanon, Mo.; 19 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild
Attended Longfellow High School in Kearney
Military: served his country during World War II
Worked the majority of his life as a general utility worker for Nebraska Public Power District
Activities: enjoyed gardening and was instrumental in the creation of the farmers market in Kearney; enjoyed fishing and dancing; member of Kearney American Legion Post 52, Kearney Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759 and Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney
Was preceded in death by his wife Margaret, parents, one brother, one sister, one son-in-law, three grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild
Memorials: Peterson Senior Activity Center
Kearney Hub, 4 June, 2014
MUEGERL, Margaret Ann, 98, of Ravenna died Thursday, June 12, 2014, at Ravenna Good Samaritan Center. Services: Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna
Burial: St. Joseph’s Cemetery near Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born June 10, 1916, southeast of Ravenna
Parents: Thomas A. and Anna M. (Vacek) Muegerl
Survivors include several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews
Was born on the homestead of her grandfather, Johann Muegerl Attended District 65, graduated from the eighth grade; left home at age 24 years old for her first job as a housekeeper in Grand Island; got a job at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha; attended night classes in Omaha and studied clerical work, also taught herself typing
Had a clerical job with First National Indemnity Co. in Omaha, and later in Lincoln with Union National Life which merged with Knights Life; after 13 years, decided to remain in Lincoln when the company moved to Houston; accepted a position with Security Mutual, remained there 19 years and retired in May 1979; moved to Ravenna
Activities: member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Altar Society and Catholic Daughters in Lincoln; member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna; moved to the Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna, 2010, for health reasons
Was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Mary Teresa (Muegerl) Lockhorn and Rose Barbara (Muegerl) Coulter; brother Joseph Thomas "J.T." Muegerl; infant sister Celia Catherine, July 16, 1918; and three nephews
Memorials: to the church
Kearney Hub, 13 June, 2014
NELSON, Joyce D., 74, of Kearney died Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center
Services: Saturday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Born Jan. 29, 1940, in Carthage, Mo.
Parents: Christian and Idellah (Tappan) Nielsen
Married: April 21, 1959, to Earl Nelson in Yankton, S.D. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Jamie and his wife, Michelle, of Allen, Texas, and their children, Jakob and Angela; and brother, Gail Nielsen of Wheaton, Ill.
Attended school and graduated from high school in Cozad
After marriage, lived in Kearney; worked as a beautician
Was a loving mother, loved to spend time with her children
Was preceded in death by her husband, and sons, Alan and Johnny. Kearney Hub, 19 June, 2014
PETERSEN, Donald Eugene, 81, of Kearney, formerly of Holdrege, died Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Services: later; body was cremated
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
. Born Aug. 19, 1932, on a farm northwest of Huntley in Harlan County
Parents: Herman J. and Emma M. (Ibsen) Petersen
Married: Nov. 22, 1956, to Grace M. Englund
Survivors include his wife; and sister, LaDonna Weismann of Holdrege Kearney Hub, 21 June, 2014
RUSSELL, Marjorie I., 99, of Kearney died Thursday, May 29, 2014, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Monday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Sumner Cemetery
Born Oct. 21, 1914, in Waco
Parents: Ercie and Mamie (Trim) Wingert
Married: March 18, 1935, to Clyde Russell in Eddyville. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her daughter, Lynette Kopf of Elmwood; sons, Rodney Russell and his wife, Judy, of Estes Park, Colo., and Morley Russell of Tucson, Ariz.; grandchildren, Carol Ficke and her husband, Jerry, of Milford, Curt Kopf and his wife, Kelly, of Lexington, Brenda Russell of Erie, Colo., Chris Kopf and his wife, Julie, of Murdock and Greg Russell and his wife, Sharon, of Brighton, Colo.; great-grandchildren, Amy, Andrew, Avery and Adam Ficke, Amanda and Brandon Kopf, Casey and Cody Kopf, Austine and Tyler Day and Emilie Russell; great-great-grandchild, Zachary Kopf; sister-in-law, Esther Wingert; one niece; and two nephews
Came to the Sumner area at the age of 6 months with her parents
After marriage, lived on a farm north of Eddyville; moved to the Wood River Valley west of Sumner, 1945; later moved to Miller; retired into Sumner, 1973; was a Tupperware representative for 20 years and worked at Plectron Electronics for eight years
Activities: member of the Extension Club, Park Valley Aid, Mission Society, Senior Citizens Christian Women’s Club and Fairhaven Baptist Church; was the church pianist for 10 years, also played for Sunday school; collected cardinals and lead crystal pieces; was a seamstress who enjoyed sewing many bridesmaids’ dresses, Pep Club and cheerleader outfits, and many of her own garments; enjoyed her family
Was preceded in death by her husband; brother Cecil Wingert; sister Dorothy Ashby; and son-in-law, Walter Kopf
Memorials: Sumner Rescue Unit or the United Church of Sumner
Kearney Hub, 31 May, 2014
SCHMIDT, Joseph Leo, 57, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Saturday, May 17, 2014, in Lincoln
Memorial services: St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln
Mortuary: Aspen Cremation and Burial Services in Lincoln
Born Oct. 9, 1956, in Deadwood, S.D.
Parents: Paul and Francis (Wilcox) Schmidt
Survivors include his son, Daniel and his wife, Chelsy, of Lincoln; daughter, Lindsay Rawlings and her husband, Jared, of Lincoln; and grandson, Hudson Rawlings of Lincoln
Enjoyed selling cars with Bridge Street Auto in Kearney
Memorials: The People’s City Mission
Kearney Hub, 31 May, 2014
SHRADER, Lance, 28, of Ravenna died Thursday, June 19, 2014, at his home near Ravenna
Services: Monday at First Baptist Church in Kearney
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born March 11, 1986, in Kearney
Parents: Steven F. and Patricia (Aitken) Shrader
Survivors include his mother, Pat Shrader of Ravenna; sister, Angie Shrader of Lincoln; brother and sister-in-law, Matt and Amy Shrader of Central City; niece and nephews, Jessica, Andrew and Joshua Gebers of Lincoln and Evan Shrader of Central City; maternal grandparents, Eileen Aitken of Ravenna and Jack and Wauna Aitken of Tecumseh; aunts and uncles, Tim Shrader of Ravenna, Tim and Cindy Aitken of Dannebrog, Tim and Kathy Lammers and David and Jean Luth, all of Ravenna, and Lon Zeller of Cedar Rapids; and numerous cousins
Grew up in Ravenna, graduated from Ravenna High School in 2004; in high school participated in football and track; attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, threw the shot, discus and javelin; worked at Leprino Foods in Ravenna during the summers while attending colleg; graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December 2009, worked at Meadow Gold in Lincoln while attending college; earned masters of education from Wayne State College.
Taught drafting at Grand Island Public Schools Career Pathways Institute
Activities: attended First Baptist Church in Kearney; a member and sponsor of Skills USA; enjoyed working with classic muscle cars and collecting coins; enjoyed his dogs; enjoyed following history, science, space technology, day trading on the stock market and attending horse races; enjoyed Husker football and watching hockey; loved his family, especially his niece and nephews
Was preceded in death by his father, Steve in 2011; paternal grandparents, Everett and Jane Shrader; and aunts, Laurie Shrader and Sue Zeller
Kearney Hub, 21 June, 2014
SPENCER, Phyllis L., 96, of Litchfield died Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Services: Monday at Litchfield Christian Church
Burial: Litchfield Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Sept. 11, 1917, in Gering
Parents: Lester and Myrtle (Brower) Reiter
Married: June 14, 1937, to Verl Spellmeyer in Minden. He died in June 1968
Married: Sept. 22, 1973, to James “Jim” Spencer. He died Feb. 2, 1995
Survivors include her daughter, Carolyn Kay Johnson of Tucson, Ariz.; stepsons, Edmond Spencer and his wife, Janet, of Mason City and James Spencer and his wife, Le, of Kearney; stepdaughter, Deanna Mohr and her husband, Fred, of Marquette; grandchildren, Mike Simmons of Kearney, Jackie Janssen and her husband, Bill, of Litchfield, Clarisse Bissell and her husband, Keith, of Gering, Valerie Barnhart and her husband, James, of Tucson and Monte Spuhler and his wife, Tessa, of Santa Fe, N.M.; 11 great-grandchildren; 22 great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Helen Jacobsen of Beatrice
Grew up on a farm in rural Hazard; attended school at Bentora District 21 near Hazard, graduated from Hazard High School in 1934
After marriage with Verl, lived in Miller; operated a local café and also worked at the creamery in Miller
After marriage with James, lived in Litchfield; worked at Baldwin Filters in Kearney until her retirement
Activities: member of the Christian Church in Litchfield; enjoyed crocheting, reading, knitting, quilting, sewing and participating in parades
Was preceded in death by her husbands; daughter, Shirley Simmons; brother, Lester Reiter; grandson, William Spuhler; and great-granddaughter, Kandy Spuhler
Kearney Hub, 13 June, 2014
SUNDQUIST, Marjorie L., 93, of Kearney died Monday, June 9, 2014, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Friday at First Lutheran Church
Burial: Prairie Home Cemetery near Holdrege
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born July 12, 1920, in Holdrege
Parents: Elmer and Minnie (Larson) Sundquist
Survivors include many nieces, nephews and friends. Was the third of five children; grew up in rural Holdrege; received her primary education at School District 26 in Phelps County, graduated from Holdrege High School, 1938; earned her teaching certificate from Nebraska State Teachers College in 1940, spent four years teaching at Paxton and Curtis, then became one of the first female teachers for Father Flanagan’s Boys Town; during the summer, also worked for Western Union Telegraph Co. and Boeing Aircraft Co.; moved to Arlington, Va., 1945, worked as a cryptologist with the Department of Defense National Security Agency, worked there 45 years; remained in the Washington, D.C., area, returned to Kearney in 2002
Pursued her love of art and attended the Maryland Institute of Art for many years, received her accumulative Ph.D.; enjoyed traveling to different countries, especially in Greece; combined love of travel and learning by taking many excursions with the Elderhostel association
Activities: Phoenix Society Life Member; was baptized and confirmed at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, later transferred her membership to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Silver Spring, Md., and then to First Lutheran Church in Kearney; appreciated nature and was a strong advocate of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Was preceded in death by her brothers, Milford Sundquist and his wife, Bessie, Tannis Sundquist and his wife, Evelyn, and Clinton Sundquist and his wife, Dorothy; and sister, Loretta at age 5
Kearney Hub, 11 June, 2014
THADEN, Marjorie Pearl, 89 of Hastings, formerly of Pleasanton, died Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings
Memorial services: Saturday at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Livingston Butler Volland in Hastings
Born in 1924 on the farm south of Hoxie, Kan.
Parents: Clarence and Pearl (Godfrey) Weeks
Married: 1947, to LaVern Thaden. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her brothers, Bill Weeks of Hoxie and Murl Weeks of Towanda, Kan.; sister, Alice Pratt of Hoxie; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 4 June, 2014
WICK, Barbara Ann, 78, of Elm Creek died Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek
Burial: Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Elm Creek
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Elm Creek
Born Feb. 2, 1936, in Grand Island
Parents: James A. and Julia E. (Dow) Brown
Married: George Kennedy. He preceded her in death
Married: Dec. 28, 1981, to Roy Wick. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her daughters, Helen Kennedy of Kearney, Kathryn Falkinburg and her husband, Scott, of Pratt, Kan., and Julie Nickel and her fiancé, Martin Kelley, of Elm Creek; son, Steven Kennedy of Kimball; 38 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; stepdaughters, Arlene Clark and her husband, Charles, of Brady, Mary Gray of Phoenix, Lois Smith of Kearney, JoAnn Rouse of Gibbon and Christine Shahan and Kent Mays of Kearney; stepsons, Larry Wick and his wife, Gloria, of Omaha, Don Wick and his wife, Gayleen, of Fleming Island, Fla., Don Wick and his wife, Denise, of Elm Creek, Ron Wick and Virginia Evans of Riverdale, Tom Wick and his wife, Barb, of Holdrege and Ed Wick and his wife, Paula, of Phoenix; sisters, Marie Bernstracca of Grand Island, Mary Bee and Toma Heath, both of Wickenburg, Ariz., Betty Green of Grand Island, Metta Smith of Portland, Ore., Susie Perkins and her husband, Kenney, of Grand Island, Anetta Montgomery of Portland and Sandra Wolfe and her husband, Don, of Overton; and many nieces and nephews
Received her education from Grand Island High School, graduated in 1953; moved to California and Colorado, then to Elm Creek in 1976; most recently, had been working as a greeter at Walmart in Kearney; enjoyed crafts and raising dogs
Was preceded in death by her husbands; parents; son, Keith Kennedy; and stepdaughters, Darlene Wick and Patricia Greuter
Memorials: Elm Creek Fire and Rescue Department
Kearney Hub, 12 June, 2014