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ALLEN, Mary K., 95, of Kearney, formerly of Benkelman, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at Kearney County Health Services-Hospital in Minden
Inurnment: March 14 at Benkelman Cemetery
Mortuary: Layton-Craig in Minden
Born Feb. 17, 1920, in Idalia, Colo.
Parents: August Albert and Kitty Ann Nothdurft
Graduated from high school in St. Francis, Kan.
Married: 1954, to Walter Allen; he died in 1980
After marriage, lived on farms north of Parks; moved to Denver, 2002, to live with her son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Doti; moved to Kearney, 2009; moved to Bethany Home in Minden in 2014
Survivors include her son, Gary Allen and his wife, Doti, of Kearney; three grandchildren and one great-grandson, Crystal Allen and son Connor, Logan Allen and wife Kara and Amber Allen
Was preceded in death by her husband and five brothers
Kearney Hub, 25 February, 2015
ALLIBONE, Debra Jean, 57, of Kearney died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, at her home, following a long and heroic battle with cancer
Services: Friday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Winner, South Dakota
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Jan. 29, 1958, in Winner
Parents: John and Jean (McCollam) Farner
Was a 1976 graduate of Winner High School and lived in Winner
Married: 1977 to Mike Allibone
After marriage, lived in Peoria, Illinois and Garner, Iowa; settled in Kearney in 1990; worked for various employers including the Outlaw Trading Post and Dairy Queen in Winner, Klaus Radio in Peoria, and Cabela’s, Morris Press and then began working at Kearney Catholic High School in Kearney in August 1996
Activities: was passionate about her family; contributed her time and talent to the Kearney Catholic Activities Association, Kearney Catholic Wrestling Club and Boy Scout Troop 139; spent countless hours at dance recitals and wrestling meets
Survivors include her husband, Mike of Kearney; daughters, Emily Wolzen and husband Mason of Omaha and Sarah Herth and husband Eric of Farmington, N.M.; son, Matthew of Kearney; brothers, Mike Farner and Jeff Farner and wife Kathy, all of Winner; grandchildren, Zachary, Thomas, Ava and Allyson Wolzen of Omaha; grandchildren, Ethan and Audrey Herth of Farmington; mother-in-law, Eileen Allibone of Dakota Dunes, S.D.; brother-in-law, David Allibone and his wife, Marcy, of Sioux City, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jean Farner, and her father-in-law, Barclay Allibone
Memorials: Boy Scouts of American Overland Trails Council Camp Augustine Camping Fund or National LeioMyoSarcoma Foundation
Kearney Hub, 26 February, 2015
ANDERSON, Fern Elizabeth, 89, of Kearney died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at Homestead Assisted Living
Celebration of life service: Mar. 2, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery near Franklin
Mortuary: Hutchins in Franklin
Born Jan. 29, 1926
Parents: Will and Emma (Herman) Schriner of rural Riverton
Attended grade school in rural Riverton, graduated from Franklin High School; attended business school in Grand Island
Married: Oct. 21, 1946, to married Leonard D. Anderson in Phillipsburg, Kan.
Fern and husband, Leonard, were baptized as adults on the same day as their son Virgil at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in the Ash Grove community; lived on a farm in the Ash Grove community; also cared for their nephews and niece, Dennis Schriner, Sharon (Schriner) Johnson and Maynard Schriner, when their father, Fern’s brother Cecil Schriner, died of a heart attack in October 1955
Activities: member of the Ladies Aide of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and Good Neighbors Extension Club in northern Franklin County; was active at the Senior Center in Franklin; moved to Homestead Homes in Kearney, April 2013
Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Marilyn Anderson of Kearney; nephew, Maynard and wife Charlene of Hildreth; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband; son, Virgil Anderson; nephew, Dennis Schriner; niece, Sharon Johnson; and brothers, Cecil Schriner, Virgil Schriner and Wilbur Schriner
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church or Franklin Senior Citizen Center
Kearney Hub, 2 March, 2015
BRANDT, Gary L., 73, of Urbandale, Iowa, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston
Services were Monday Feb 23, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Johnston
Burial: Chapel Hill Cemetery in Des Moines
Mortuary: Iles Funeral Homes Westover Chapel in Des Moines
Born on June 25, 1941, in Gibbon, Neb.
Parents: Merrill Dean and Harriett (Landis) Brandt
Grew up in Gibbon, graduated from high schoo; attended art school in Omaha
Became a commercial artist; moved to Des Moines, served in various positions including art director for WHO TV and National Pork Producers
Activities: had been a soccer coach for Soccer West; was very proud of his German heritage, founded the German American Club of Des Moines; crafted music boxes and cuckoo clocks; was an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Johnston
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn of Urbandale; children and their spouses, Jeff and Gina of Branson, Mo., Greg and Heather of Spokane, Wash., and Eric and Dawn of Winterset, Iowa; grandchildren, Alex and Zach and wife Amber Brandt of Spokane and Michael and wife Breanna and Kaethe Brandt of Branson; great-grandchildren, Lemar Chapman and Lincoln Brandt; sister, Lynne Brandt of Kearney, Neb.; sister-in-law, Lois Brandt of Gibbon; and brother-in law, Johnny Pedersen of Glidden
Was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Jean (Faga) Brandt; and brother, Jimmy Brandt
Memorials: Messiah Lutheran Church or Mercy Hospice, both in Johnston, Iowa
Kearney Hub, 28 February, 2015
BURGESON, Betty L., 89, of Holdrege died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Center in Alma
Services: Tuesday at Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege
Burial: Prairie Home Cemetery near Holdrege
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born July 29, 1925, in Hazard
Parents: William H. and Beulah (Zink) Spangsberg
Grew up in the Methodist Church but was baptized and became a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in 1952; attended school in Hazard, moved to Kearney in her junior year of high school; graduated from Kearney High School with the class of 1942, attended one year of secretarial training at Kearney State College
Worked for Consumer Public Power, which now is Nebraska Public Power District
Married: Nov. 30, 1947, to Clinton P. Burgeson of Holdrege; he died in 1996
After marriage, resided on the farm southwest of Holdrege, the family of four worked the farm together; retired from farming, moved into Holdrege in 1988
Activities: longtime member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, served in many capacities through the years; enjoyed sewing and crocheting and did many other crafts throughout her life while working on the farm; especially enjoyed caring for her family, including her grandson, Joshua; attended many musical and sporting events for all of them
Was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Clinton, brother, Donald in 2014; son-in-law, Ron Riley; brothers-in-law, Keith Larson and Robert Burgeson and his wife, Lucille; her sisters-in-law, Vionne Spangsberg and Audrey Burgeson in infancy; and a niece, Carol Ann Burgeson
Survivors include: daughters, Nancy Riley of Omaha and Janet Palmer of Holdrege; grandson, Joshua Palmer and his wife, Megan, of Cambridge; great-grandchildren, Aislyn and Jamison Palmer of Cambridge; sister, Fay Larson of Lincoln; brother, Glenn “Bud” Spangsberg of Kearney; sister-in-law, Shirley Spangsberg of Grand Junction, Colo.; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Kearney Hub, 27 February, 2015
CRAWFORD, Donna E., 85, of Kearney died Sunday, March 1, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Services: Friday at Kearney Evangelical Free Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born on Nov. 7, 1929, near Arcadia; had a twin brother
Parents: Robert and Myrtle (Jewel) Leininger near Arcadia Received Christ as a young girl at Balsara Baptist Sunday school; graduated from Arcadia High School in 1947
Married: to Roy H. Crawford on Dec. 22, 1947
Moved to Lincoln in 1956; after two years, moved to Kearney, remained until their deaths
Attended Kearney State College, earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees; taught school in Kearney Public Schools for 31 years
Activities: active member of Kearney Evangelical Free Church; was active in other organizations including Kearney Education Association, Delta Kappa Gamma and Kiwanis
Survivors include: her daughters and their spouses, Dee and Nathan McClenahan and Patricia and Keith Heaton, all of Kearney; grandchildren, Balin and Tyson Heaton and Bree and Luke McClenahan, all of Kearney, Jared McClenahan of Lincoln and Calla McClenahan Job of Evans Mills, N.Y.; and great-grandson, Alex Heaton of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her brothers, Gerald and Dale
Memorials: Evangelical Free Church library
Kearney Hub, 4 March, 2015
CURD, Tyson J., 39, of Hastings died Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln
Memorial services: Monday at All Saints Chapel at Good Samaritan Village in Hastings
Burial: later
Mortuary: Livingston Butler Volland in Hastings
Born May 17, 1975, in Kearney
Parents: Danny Lee and Susan K. (Schug) Curd
Baptized in the United Methodist Church and graduated from Amherst High School
Married: Lisa Whitten on April 18, 2012
Worked in the grounds/maintenance department for Good Samaritan Society-Hastings Village
Survivors include his wife, Lisa Curd of Hastings; son, Austin Lane Curd of Hastings; father, Danny Lee Curd of Bogota, Colombia; mother and stepfather, Susan K. and Neal Rhynalds of Oxford; sister, Lutisha Meyers and her husband, Ronnie, of Oxford; stepbrother, Christian Rhynalds and his wife, Dori, of Richland, Wash.; stepsisters, Katherine Spackman and her husband, Jeff, of Port Matilda, Pa., and Sarah Rhynalds and her fiancé, Alex Gentry, of Petersburg, Pa.; mother-in-law, Patty Whitten of Blue Hill; sisters-in-law, Angie Dickinson and her husband, Gerry, of Wamego, Kan., Renae Whitten and Christina Betterton and her husband, Brandon, all of Hastings, and Britany Whitten and her fiancé, Mitch Sell, of Trumbull; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends
Kearney Hub, 6 March, 2015
DADY, Milan B., 91, of La Vista, formerly of Kearney, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at Maple Crest Assisted Living in Omaha
Memorial services: Friday, at Press On Community Youth Center in Kearney
Born Aug. 6, 1923, in Kearney
Parents: Burt and Mable (Bowker) Dady
Married: Dec. 18, 1959, to Norma Scott in Central City. She preceded him in death
Survivors include his daughters, Patti of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Roxann Phillips of Denton, Texas, brothers, LeRoy and Gale, both of Kearney; sister, Ardella Roberts of Kearney; and two granddaughters
Kearney Hub, 25 February, 2015
DAILY, Barbara June, 88, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial, Kearney
Services: Thursday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born June 9, 1926, at the family farm near Denman
Parents: Merle and Anna (Lange) Owens
Attended several country schools and Clay Center High School; was a member of the Lutheran Church and was involved in many church activities while growing up
Married: Nov. 20, 1952, to Dallas A. Daily in Kenesaw
Moved to Kearney in 1954, worked at the Boys Training School (later Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center) for 38 years, retired in 1993
Activities: enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and attending their various activities
Survivors include her daughter, Rochelle Eden and husband Gary of Hildreth and grandson, Jonathan Eden and wife Erin and great-granddaughters, Alexia and Aurora of Sedalia, Mo., and granddaughter, Alisha Eden of Hildreth; daughter, Janelle McConville of Minden and special friend Jon Broadbent, granddaughter, Angela McConville of Lexington and special friend Donnie Ashley, granddaughter, Mary Crumley and husband Dave and great-grandson, Colin of Omaha; and son, Darwin Daily and wife Veronica of Grand Island and grandson, Chace Daily and wife Andrea and great-granddaughter, Pearl of West Jordan, Utah, and grandson, Cobey Daily and wife Amanda and great-grandson, Colton of Smithville, Mo.
Was preceded in death by her husband in 2010; sisters, Luella Holmes and Delores Tjarks; brother, Howard Owens; and son-in-law, Dale McConville
Memorials: Mount Carmel Home or AseraCare Hospice
Kearney Hub, 24 February, 2015
ERICKSON, Bryce E., 96, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Riverdale Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Aug. 18, 1918, on the family farm southwest of Riverdale
Parents: to Albert and Winnie Erickson
Graduated from Riverdale High School in 1936 then helped on the family farm
Military: U.S. Army, 1941-1945; veteran of World War II
Married: June 16, 1946, to Esther Cunningham in Fullerton
After marriage, farmed in rural Kearney for 52 years; retired to Kearney in 1998
Activities: member of Riverdale Methodist Church then transferred to First United Methodist Church; member of the Riverdale I.O.O.F. Lodge in Riverdale then Kearney, served as treasurer on the Riverdale Cemetery Board, Riverdale Township Board and Riverdale Methodist Church; was active with the Buffalo County Civil Defense and served on the A.S.C. Committee
Survivors include: sons, Randy and wife Deborah and Tim and wife Kathy, all of Kearney; daughters, Cheryl Noller and husband Kirk of Kearney, Susan Stinemetz and husband Phillip of Hill City, Kan., and Pam Hinrichs and husband Arlyn of Kearney; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Colleen Erickson of Scottsbluff, Lucille Cunningham of Colorado Springs, Colo., Grace Cunningham of Fullerton, Shirley Cunningham of Kearney and Arlene Louden of Laguna Beach, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his wife in 2009; sister, Mary Ellen Michael; and brothers, Albert “Bud” Erickson Jr. and Carroll Erickson
Memorials: First United Methodist Church or Press On Ministry
Kearney Hub, 3 March, 2015
GARCIA, Jack Louis, 67, of Minneapolis died Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at his home
Graveside services with military honors: March 16 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minnesota
Mortuary: Washburn-McReavy Davies Chapel in Minneapolis
Born: May 12, 1947, in Kearney
Parents: Lucille Red Hawk and Joseph Louis Garcia
Attended Gibbon (Neb.) Public Schools
Military: U.S. Navy in July 1964-1968, earned the rank of BMSN E-3
Worked at Mystic Lake Casino and Hotel in Prior Lake for 16 years; was executive casino host
Activities: proud member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe from Pine Ridge, S.D.; member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Minneapolis; loved his home in Minneapolis, enjoyed traveling; was of the Catholic faith
Was previously married to Gerry Garcia of South Dakota
Survivors include: son, Nicky Garcia of Minneapolis; brothers, Ben of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Frank of North Platte, Neb.; sisters, Rose Schumacher of Kearney, Neb., and Mary Nave of Sikeston, Mo.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and faithful friends, Cindy Medina and Elaine Sullivan
Was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Theresa Garcia
Kearney Hub, 7 March, 2015
GILLILAND, Kenneth Wayne, 54, of Gibbon died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Services: Tuesday at Spirit of Life Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Sept. 12, 1960, in Blair
Parents: Elvin and Opal (Pitts) Gilliland
Attended country school at District 33 in Cummings County; graduated from Lyons High School in 1978; earned a degree in production agriculture at the University of Nebraska Technical School of Agriculture in Curtis
Married: July 7, 1979 to Vicki Miller in Kearney
Drove trucks, farmed and ran a dairy for many years
Activities: family was very important to him; enjoyed helping people
Survivors include: wife, Vicki Gilliland, sons Justin and Jesse Gilliland, and daughters Kendra and Kassy Gilliland, all of Gibbon; grandsons, Kyson Gilliland of Shelton and Gabriel Gilliland of Gibbon; daughter-in-law, Patty Wiehn of Shelton; parents, Elvin and Opal Gilliland of Lyons; brother, Jeff and wife Denise Gilliland of Oakland; sisters-in-law, Vangie Head of Kearney and Jeanne and husband Les Christensen of Houston; and many nieces, nephews and cousins
Was preceded in death by his son, Kyle Gilliland; and his grandparents, Lillie and Lloyd Gilliland and Edna and Oliver Pitts
Kearney Hub, 23 February, 2015
HATCHER, Nolan E. “Lonny”, 69, of Kearney died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at his home
Celebration of life: later
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Aug. 16, 1945, in Grand Island
Parents: Earl and Dorothy (Larkin) Hatcher
Married: 1971, to Lana Davis in Ashton
Was a jack-of-all-trades; his passion was working on hot rods and muscle cars, especially his 1964 GTO convertible
Survivors include son, Lance Hatcher of Fort Mohave, Ariz.; daughter, Angela Hatcher and significant other Michael E. French of Lincoln; grandchildren, Alyssa Hatcher and fiancé Cale Spellman and Arwen French; mother, Dorothy Ingraham of Loup City; and former wife and longtime friend, Lana Hatcher of Lincoln
Was preceded in death by his father; stepfather, Weldon Ingraham; and brother, Eldon Ingraham
Kearney Hub, 21 February, 2015
HEWETT, Mary Ellen, 60, of Tucson, Arizona, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, in Tucson
Born March 22, 1954, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Burton W. and Betty S. Dickson
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1972 and from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1977
Survivors include her mother, Betty Gibreal of Kearney; son, James Speer of Tucson; sister, Kathleen Yost of Aurora, Colo.; brothers, Richard A. Dickson of Colorado Springs, Colo., and David W. Dickson of Kearney; and her father of Cheyenne, Wyo.
Kearney Hub, 24 February, 2015
HINRICHSEN, Margery L., 82, of North Platte died Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at Golden Living Center in Broken Bow
Services: Friday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Born on May 14, 1932, in Pleasanton
Parents: Lawrence and Louise (Janitscheck) Lewis
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1950; attended and graduated from Kearney State Teachers College; taught in Buffalo County schools for several years
Married: May 16, 1954, to Floyd Hinrichsen in Kearney
After marriage, lived in Overton and resided there for 10 years; taught in Dawson County rural District 76 and the second grade in Overton; moved with the railroad to Grand Island and later to North Platte, worked as a paraeducator in North Platte Public Schools for 11 years; retired in April 1991
Activities: enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and attending their events; was an excellent cook and pie baker
Survivors include her daughter, Kim Hinrichsen of Cheyenne, Wyo.; son, Keith Hinrichsen and his wife, Cathy, of North Platte; grandchildren and spouses, Gregory and Priscella Vega and Nicole Vega, all of North Platte, and Alexis and Stephen Friesell and Alex Hinrichsen, all of Kearney; great-grandchildren, Taysen and Emma Vega; brother, Larry Lewis and his wife, Sandy, of Kearney; and a sister-in-law, Phyllis Lewis of North Platte
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Floyd; and two brothers, Eugene and Gary
Memorials: Nebraska Children’s Home
Kearney Hub, 25 February, 2015
HOCHBERGER, Beverly J., 65, of Lexington, formerly of Kearney, died Thursday, March 5, 2015, at Lexington Regional Health Center
Services: Tuesday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Sept. 22, 1949, in Kearney
Parents: Melvin and Mildred (Maruska) Horton Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1967; moved to Denver, earned her degree from Parks School of Business in 1970
In Denver, was a stay-at-home mom; worked for various companies including Samsonite; returned to Kearney in 1983 to be closer to family, worked at Horizon Designs; then worked customer support at Emrg/Sallie Mae/Edtech; was co-owner of Edtech; lived with daughter Krista and her family in Lexington in October 2014 so they could help care for her
Activities: especially enjoyed her grandchildren; also enjoyed cooking, sewing, scrap booking, reading and meeting her friends for coffee, birthday club and playing cards
Survivors include: daughter, Krista Huerta and husband Tim of Lexington; son, Tom Hochberger and wife Jenny of West Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, Hope, Tori, Jalynn and Karly Huerta and Will, Sarah and Grace Hochberger; brothers, Melvin Horton Jr. and wife Pauline of Omaha and Jim Horton and wife Donna of Nashville; sister, Kathy Daly and husband Dan of Kearney; and nieces and nephews, Melvin Horton III, Michelle Horton, John Horton, Joe Horton, Carrie Camp and husband Steve, Heather Cole and husband Alex, and Jim Daly and friend Val Nuzum
Was preceded in death by her parents
Memorials: Lexington Volunteer Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 9 March, 2015
HORN, Leslie U. “Les”, 96, of Omaha, formerly of Kearney, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, at Millard Good Samaritan in Omaha
Services: Tuesday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Born Aug. 27, 1918, on the family farm near Sumner
Parents: C. Leslie and Essie M. (Rodgers) Horn
Attended school in Cozad, was a graduate of Eddyville High School
Military: U.S. Army, Sept. 11, 1941 - Nov. 4, 1945; landed on Omaha Beach the day after D-Day; served under Gen. Patton, received a commendation from Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower; made the Buffalo County Hero Flight to Washington, D.C., in 2009
Married: March 8, 1943 to Geraldine M. “Gerry” Brandt in North Platte
After his discharge, lived in Kearney, worked as an insurance agent for Farmers Insurance Co.; then started and ran the Les Horn Insurance Agency, retired in 1980; moved to Omaha in 1999
Activities: member of Faith United Methodist Church, VFW Post 759, American Legion Post 52, Kearney Elks Lodge 984, the Lions Club, Rob Morris Masonic Lodge and Eagle’s Lodge 2722
Survivors include his daughter, Lana Christensen and her husband, Mike, of Omaha; grandchildren, Brad Brandt and his wife, Sharon, Kylee Brandt and C.J. Brandt and his wife, Tina, all of Kearney, Cortney Christensen of Gladstone, Mo., and Shanna Gillming and her husband, Randy, of Litchfield; stepdaughter, Debbie Wagner of Omaha; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his wife, Gerry on Aug. 4, 2013; daughter, Linda Brandt Owens; brother, Tom Horn; and sister, Jean Richards
Memorials: Gentiva Hospice in Omaha
Kearney Hub, 21 February, 2015
JENSEN, Robert John, 66, of Kearney died Friday, March 6, 2015, at his home
Graveside services: Thursday at Arnold Cemetery
Mortuary: Adams & Swanson in North Platte
Born June 24, 1948, in Gandy
Parents: Niels and Esther (Philpot) Jensen
Contracted polio at a young age and was disabled after that; lived in various group and foster homes for most of his life; enjoyed being around animals and watching TV
Survivors include a sister, Dorene Smith and husband Bob of North Platte; brother, Donald Jensen of North Platte; nephews, Larry Smith of North Platte, Rick Smith of Hershey, Michael Smith of Grand Island and Daniel Jensen and wife Stephanie of Ralston; grandniece, Sarah Jensen of Ralston; grandnephews, Larry Smith Jr. and Harley Smith, both of North Platte; guardian, Frank Sherman of Kearney; and foster parents, Scott and Cora Garrett of Upland
Was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Leretta Smith; and numerous other family members
Memorials: Mosaic of Holdrege
Kearney Hub, 10 March, 2015
KENNEDA, Wilda Lee, 70, of Kearney died Sunday, March 8, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Memorial services: Sunday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Born: April 5, 1944 in Battle Creek, Michigan
Parents: Alfred and Alverda (Gay) Chase
Attended school in Level Park, Michigan; was the first one in her family to graduate High School
Worked as a Key Punch operator and later a Apartment Manager in San Bernardino, California for several years; moved to Nebraska in 1996
Activities: was an avid Detroit Tigers Fan and loved John Wayne, Elvis Presley and gambling; enjoyed crocheting and spending time with her family
Survivors include her daughters, Carlene Bond and husband, Chester of Minden, NE, Donna Kenneda of Kearney; grandchildren, Holly (Jeremie) Hasbrouck, Susan Noel, Kristen (David) Logan, Sadi Noel, Matthew Bond, Dylan Bond, Joseph Walters, Quintin Walters and Misty Walters; 19 great grandchildren; brother, Kenneth Chase of Wisconsin and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, five sisters, and grandson, David Noel
Kearney Hub, 11 March, 2015
KEOUGH, Thomas E., 67, of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, at the University of North Carolina Medical Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Memorial services: Friday at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Born Nov. 26, 1947, in Kearney
Parents: John and Doris (Bowker) Keough
Graduated from Kearney Catholic High School in 1966
Military: retired with an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy after 26 years of service
Survivors include: mother, Doris (Bowker) Keough; children, Shane Keough, Shannon Moore and Angela Visser-Keough; stepchildren, Kimberly Parsons Marinelli, Amanda Moran and Jessica Haywood; five sisters; four brothers; seven grandchildren; and 13 stepgrandchildren
Was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores; father, John Keough; and sisters, Catherine Lewis and Louise Taggart
Kearney Hub, 9 March, 2015
KISLING, Louise Alicia, 96, of Pleasanton died Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney. Services: Friday at Rasmussen Funeral Home in Ravenna
Burial: Litchfield Cemetery
Born Feb. 27, 1919, in Pleasanton
Parents: William and Frances (Munster) Krotz
Grew up and attended school in Pleasanton, graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1936; then worked for the telephone company
Married: to George H. Kisling on May 24, 1937, in Minden
After marriage, lived on a farm near Litchfield, then in Arizona for a time before returning to Pleasanton in 1966; worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Pleasanton
Activities: enjoyed her flowers and gardening, fishing, hunting and traveling; also enjoyed her many nieces and nephews
Survivors include many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews
Was preceded in death by her husband, George; her brothers; and parents
Kearney Hub, 3 March, 2015
KRUEGER, Rodney D., 84, of Kearney died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, in Kearneyr
Services: Friday at First Baptist Church
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Nov. 19, 1930, in Elm Creek
Parents: Paul and Edna (Miller) Krueger
Attended school and graduated from high school in Elm Creek
Married: Oct. 30, 1949, to Erma Dobberstein in Kearney
Worked for J.C. Penney, later was a machinist for Rockwell Manufacturing, Spahr Machine Shop and Marlatt Machine Shop
Activities: member of the church, served on various boards; longtime member of the 1733 Kearney Area Barbershop Chorus, was an avid fundraiser for the chorus and will be missed as “the horse” during the chorus’ annual Christmas show; served as a Boy Scout leader; enjoyed camping and fishing and time spent with his family
Survivors include his sons, Monte and his wife, Cheryl, and Kris and his wife, Jackie, all of Kearney, and Robert of Raytown, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Deb Schubert of Oshkosh; brother, Jack of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; grandchildren, Shawn Krueger, Alisha and John Cartmill, Annie Krueger, Patty Krueger, Jeremiah Littlejohn, Katie and Steve Tracy, Melanie and Jeff Snyder, Matt Krueger, Tirzah Streed, Molly Raymer and Jeff Gregory; great-grandchildren, Meaghan and Kendra, Keaton, Landen, Zach, Patience, Timberly, Aiva, Bergan, Stanton, Winter, Echo, Oakley, Sadie, Dustin, Joe and Clay; and great-great-grandchild, Natalie; also lifelong best friend, Mike Moles of Elm Creek, many nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; wife; grandsons, Jesse and Dylan Snyder; and two brothers
Memorials: to church or the 1733 Kearney Area Barbershop Chorus
Kearney Hub, 25 February, 2015
LADE, Mabel D., 105, of Kearney died Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Wednesday, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: February 20, 2015, at Amherst
Parents: Christian and Elsie (Bosshamer) Hartman
Graduated from Longfellow High School in Kearney in 1930
Married: January 1, 1931 to Walter Lade in Kearney
Owned and operated W & M Ceramic Shop, retired in 1973
Activities: member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Kearney; enjoyed painting china, reading, sewing, playing music, and singing
Survivors include: granddaughter Michelle Andrews, great grandchildren; Matthew Andrews and Meegan Davis, and great great grandchildren Marlin, Isabelle, Logan, and Tanner, all residing in Colorado
Was preceded in death by her husband, son Marlin Lade, grandson Michael Lade, 3 brothers and 1 sister.
Memorials: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 24 February, 2015
PESEK, Robert Sr., 71, of Gibbon died Sunday, March 8, 2015, at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha
Services: Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born April 22, 1943, in Kearney
Parents: George and Berniece (Musil) Pesek
Graduated from Gibbon High School in 1961; in his youth, he played accordion in the Pesek’s Playmates band, playing dances all over the area
Married: Aug. 17, 1968, to Jeanine Gregory in Kearney
After marriage, farmed and raised cattle north of Gibbon; also owned and operated Pesek’s Radiator Service north of Gibbon for several years
Activities: hobbies included woodcarving, painting, fishing, traveling in their motor home, flying model airplanes and kites, and playing music; was a licensed small-aircraft pilot for many years
Survivors include: wife, Jeanine of Gibbon; their children, Angeline Brown and her husband Stacy, Mary Anderson and her husband Michael, and Robert Jr. and his wife Cyndi, all of Gibbon; grandchildren, Mikalah and Blake Brown, Christopher and Zoe Anderson, and Madelyne and Alexander Pesek, all of Gibbon; brother, Steve Pesek of Gibbon; sister, Rebecca Cyza of Gibbon; and several nieces and nephews
Memorials: Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department or St. James Catholic Church Capital Campaign Fund
Kearney Hub, 10 March, 2015
PETERSON, Carla A., 55, of Kearney died Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Memorial services: Friday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: later
Born on Aug. 31, 1959, in Chandler, Okla.
Parents: Carl A. and Georgia A. (Forbis) Burger
Attended school in Davenport, Okla., through the eighth grade, later attended school in Taloga, Okla.
Married: to Greg Peterson on April 1, 2013, in Kearney
Worked at Boogaarts Grocery Store in Kearney; enjoyed spending time with her family and pets
Survivors include: husband, Greg Peterson of Kearney; son, Larry A. DeBaun of Kearney; mother, Georgia Ann Burger of Oklahoma; brother, Christopher Burger of Kearney; sisters and their spouses, Cathy and Randy Wheeler of Edison, Connie and Kevin Bradford of Amarillo, Texas, Cheri and Richard Lesperance of El Reno, Okla., and Caren Finney of Fort Smith, Ark.; niece, Jessica Ballew of Kearney; mother-in-law, Doris Peterson of Kearney; stepchildren, Michael and wife Amy Peterson of Amherst and Nathan Peterson and Hayden Peterson, both of Kearney; stepgrandchildren, Jacob and Brayden Peterson; brothers-in-law, Troy Peterson and his soul mate Olive of San Diego and Joe and wife Karen Peterson and Jeff and wife Jeri Peterson, all of Kearney; and many other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends
Was preceded in death by her son, Jayson DeBaun; sister, Carol Burger; and father, Carl Burger
Kearney Hub, 26 February, 2015
POFAHL, Beverly A., 78, of Kearney died Saturday, March 7, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Memorial services: Wednesday at New Life Church with the Revs. Roger Wendt and Dean Pofahl officiating
Burial: Stanley Cemetery near Amherst
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Sept. 2, 1936, in Norfolk to Amber and Leona (Glaser) Seeman
Grew up in Norfolk, graduated from Norfolk High School in 1954; attended college at Norfolk Community College
Married: Dean Pofahl on Sept. 1, 1957, at Grace Lutheran Church in Norfolk
Moved to Amherst, 1975; worked as a church secretary at Amherst and Miller United Methodist Church; also worked as the office manager at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Village in Kearney for 17 years, and then at the Kearney Visitors Bureau
Activities: attended New Life Church in Kearney; volunteered her time at the Kearney Law Enforcement Center; enjoyed sewing, doing needlepoint, embroidery, crocheting and quilting for her children and grandchildren
Survivors include: husband, Dean Pofahl of Kearney; daughters, Julia Klingelhoefer and husband Kevin of Amherst and Elizabeth Seaman and husband Alan of Lincoln; son, Theodore “Tate” Pofahl and wife Dynae of Kearney; son-in-law, Stephen Bush of Kearney; brother, Terry Seeman and wife Jelene of Bull Head City, Ariz.; grandchildren, Arika Russell and husband Todd of Cozad, Emelia Brandt and husband Jon, and Vanessa Miller and husband Rickey, all of Kearney, Kristina Zechmann and husband Michael of Omaha, Faron Klingelhoefer of Kearney, Stella Klingelhoefer of Amherst, Katherine Goodwin and husband Wade, and Camille Bush, all of Kearney, Tucker and Dylan Seaman of Lincoln and Abi, Ashton, Carli, Cassidy, Joshua and Levi Pofahl of Kearney; and 10 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Bush
Memorials: Sue Bush Arbor at Yanney Heritage Park
Kearney Hub, 10 March, 2015
RANSOM, James Richard, 64, of Franklin died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, at Franklin County Memorial Hospital in Franklin
Services: Friday at First United Methodist Church in Franklin
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery near Franklin
Mortuary: Hutchins in Franklin
Born in Kearney on Oct. 11, 1950
Parents: Gene and Bonnie (Montgomery) Ransom
Married: to Ruth Falk on Aug. 31, 1975, in Kearney
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1969; grew up and lived in Kearney
Worked with the phone company, moved to Franklin in 1980
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church, the Franklin Rural Fire Department and Emergency Medical Technician service, the Franklin Country Club, and Boy Scouts and was an Eagle Scout; charter member of the Blaze Blasters and also won the Morris Shelton Lacroix Award while with the phone company for saving a man from a burning house; enjoyed the outdoors, especially deer and goose hunting, and fishing; enjoyed entertaining; loved spending time with his grandchildren
Survivors include: wife of 39 years, Ruth; his children and their husbands, Jennifer and Jerry Trompke, Patricia and Ed Schurman and Terri Wenninghoff and Chris Wenninghoff, all of Franklin; brother, John Ransom of Kearney; and sister, Jackie Mercer and husband Steve of Kearney; grandchildren, Cheyenne and Sheridan Trompke, Andrea, Katy, Brookelyn and Emily Schurman and Morgan, Lane, Callen, Tinley and Gunner Wenninghoff; and numerous nieces, nephews, family members and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother
Memorials: Franklin Rural Fire Department and EMTs or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Kearney Hub, 26 February, 2015
REESE, Delores J., 83, of Ravenna, formerly of Pleasanton, died Saturday, March 7, 2015, at Good Samaritan Society in Ravenna
Services: Wednesday at Pleasanton United Methodist Church
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Aug. 12, 1931, in Pleasanton
Parents: John and Amelia (Kreutzer) Lammers
Grew up in the Pleasanton area, graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1948; earned her teacher’s certificate from Kearney State College
Married: Melvin Grey on June 20, 1952. He passed away July 8, 1964
Married: Keith Reese on Dec. 23, 1965, in Pleasanton. He died in 1993
Taught in several country schools in Hazard and Poole, 1948-1966; worked with her husband on the farm northwest of Pleasanton until his death; retired from Eaton Corp. in Kearney
Activities: member of Pleasanton United Methodist Church, Pleasanton American Legion Auxiliary and the Sunflower Kensington Extension Club; loved attending her grandchildren’s activities; enjoyed baking and reading
Survivors include: son, Ron and wife Kim Reese of Pleasanton; daughter, Patsy Betke and husband Royal of Ravenna; grandchildren, Bridgette, Garrett, Keatton and Wyatt Reese of Pleasanton and Adam Betke of Ravenna; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by two husbands, Melvin Grey and Keith Reese; and three sisters, Helen Smith, Hazel Ripp and Dorothy Heider
Memorials: Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department or the Ravenna Volunteer Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 10 March, 2015
RODEHORST-HANNA, Kathleen R. "Kitty", 71, of Kearney, formerly of Riverdale, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at Homestead Assisted Living in Kearney
Services: Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst
Burial: Immanuel Cemetery near Amherst
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born on August 17, 1943 in Kearney
Parents: Raymond John and Dorothy Mae (Stover) Rodehorst
Attended school in Pleasanton, graduated in 1961; attended Kearney State College, then started a career in data processing
Married to Allen H. Hanna in 1964 in Ogallala, they later divorced
Activities: active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst, participated in the Altar Guild, Hand Bell Choir and Church Choir; volunteered countless hours to Muscular Dystrophy telethons; past member and charter member of the Sweet Adelines, the Amherst Community Choir and the Mid-Nebraska Photographers; was a supporter of Nebraska Public Radio; enjoyed crocheting, especially for her grandchildren: enjoyed being outdoors and fishing; especially enjoyed time spent with family
Survivors include: daughter, Sandra and James Alvey of Wichita, KS; sisters, Margaret Rodehorst of Riverdale and Nancy and Harold Wick of Riverdale; grandchildren, Brandon M. Laue, Scott J. Laue, John A. Mitchell III, Kadiesha R. Mitchell and Megan N. Alvey; sister in Law, Darlene Pfeiffer of Kearney, and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, and three brothers
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church or Good Samaritan Hospice
Kearney Hub, 24 February, 2015
SCHMIDT, Roy, 66, of Hazard died Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at his home
Memorial services: Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church in Hazard
Inurnment: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Oct. 5, 1948, in Grand Island
Parents: David and Rose (Skupa) Schmidt
Graduated from Ravenna High School in 1966
Married: Janet Houfek on Oct. 16, 1982
Farmed and drove trucks; raised hogs and cattle; milked cows when he was younger
Activities: loved his John Deere tractors and his dog
Survivors include his wife, Janet of Hazard; daughters, Angie Renner and her husband, Justin, of Sioux City, Iowa, and Kelly Dean of Waco; son, Rick Horst of Norfolk; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; mother-in-law, Bernita Meyer of Wisner; aunt, Agnes Skupa of Ravenna; sister, Jeanette Duff of Texas; and numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law
Was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Rose
Kearney Hub, 6 March, 2015
SNYDER, James R., 89, of Shelton died Monday, March 2, 2015, at Good Samaritan Home in Wood River
Memorial graveside services: May 16 at Fairbury Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel in Grand Island
Born in Gage County on Nov. 22, 1925
Parents: J.R. Sr. and Cleta (Quinn) Snyder
Married: May 15, 1949, to Ruth Billhimer
Survivors include: wife, Ruth Snyder of Shelton; sons and daughter-in-law, Russell and Barbara Snyder of Shelton and Roger Snyder of Omaha; daughter and son-in-law, Retha and Terry Fredericksen of Calistoga, Calif.; sisters and brother-in-law, Roma Rasmussen of Spangle, Wash., Donna and Sy Fasnacht of Littleton, Colo., and Naomi Nogler of Minneota, Minn.; brother and sister-in-law, Andy and Judy Snyder of Berrien Springs, Mich.; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 6 March, 2015
TATMAN, Kathryn “Ruth”, 82, of North Platte died Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at Great Plains Health in North Platte
Services: Monday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Born: Feb. 13, 1933
Parents: Alfred and Wilma (Shafto) Wiese
Grew up and attended schools in Nebraska and Colorado; graduated from Pleasanton in 1951
Married: Harold Tatman on Sept. 2, 1951
Activities: loved to sew, made all of her children’s clothing and sewed professionally for others; was a Campfire leader, Sunday school teacher, foster parent and foster grandparent; enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, and spent time reading and playing games on her tablet; enjoyed traveling with their camper; had a regular group of friends that met over coffee every morning
Survivors include daughters RoJean Covington and her husband, Ken, and Brenda Coe; and grandchildren and their spouses, Angela and Mike Nesvara, Travis and Kara Lee, Amber Yaw and Misty and Ted Klug, also 11 great-grandchildren; was expecting her first great-great-grandchild in May 2015; other survivors include brother, Robert Wiese and his wife, Marsha, of Funk; sisters, Carol Pauly of Kearney and Beverly Williams and her husband, Richard, of Elm Creek; and sister-in-law, Violet Wiese of Pleasanton
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Bernard Wiese and James Wiese; and granddaughter, Ashley Covington
Memorials: The Callahan Cancer Center or Gift of Hope
Kearney Hub, 6 March, 2015
TURNER, Robert Lee, 84, of Kearney died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings
Services: Tuesday at First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born July 30, 1930, in Elm Creek
Parents: Earl and Sara (Lacock) Turner
Grew up in Odessa, was a 1948 graduate of Odessa High School
Married: Jan. 15, 1953, to Gloria Peterson in Holdrege
Military: U.S. Army in 1952, was honorably discharged for medical reasons
Helped to start Bear Frame and Alignment and later started Turner Body Shop in 1969
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church, B.P.O.E. 984 and a former member of the Kearney Optimist Club; enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and playing fast-pitch softball; especially enjoyed spending time with his family
Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Chris and Fred Daake of Grand Island and Barbara Turner and Donna and Gary Giesenhagen, all of Kearney; son and daughter-in-law, Robert Jr. and Jennie of Kearney; grandchildren, Kelli Daake and Kim (Daake) and husband Jeremy Jensen, all of Grand Island, Amy Schmidt and husband Ryan Johnson, Tony and Ashley Turner, Alexis Turner, Jazlyn, Karlie and Robert Lee Turner III, Shawna Giesenhagen and Ryan Giesenhagen, all of Kearney; and great-grandchildren, Jada, Jalen and Jolie Jensen of Grand Island and Kaylie and Dylan Johnson and Chassidy and Tony Turner Jr., all of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his parents, wife, six brothers, three sisters and an infant grandson, Fred Daake III
Memorials: National Alzheimer’s Association or First Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 28 February, 2015
WAMSLEY, Pamela (Bontz), 51, of Henderson, Nevada, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, in Henderson
Memorial services: Monday, Mar. 16, at Grace Fellowship Church in Kearney, Neb.
Burial: Hawaii
Born on March 15, 1963, in East Moline, Ill.
Parents: George and Margie (Carden) Bontz
Grew up in Minden, Neb., graduated from Minden High School
Lived in Kearney, Los Angeles and Phoenix, was employed by America West Airlines; moved to Henderson, worked for American Airlines
Survivors: son, Myles Wamsley of Henderson; her two brothers, Brian Bontz and Roger Bontz, both of Kearney; and her uncles and aunt, David Bontz and Betty and Al Grisham, all of Minden
Kearney Hub, 13 March, 2015
WOODSIDE, LeRoy Allen, 78, of Kearney died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Services: Friday at Reynolds-Love Chapel, Lexington
Burial: Grace Cemetery northwest of Lexington
Born July 2, 1936
Parents: Axel Harold and Rosa Karolina Josephine (Schwarz) Woodside
Grew up in Lexington, graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1955
Married: 1955 to Bonnie Flint in 1955; had three children
Married: Sept. 13, 1964, to Myrna Sater in Grand Island; welcomed Myrna’s two daughters, Kim and Billie into the family; had two more children
He and Myrna were foster parents to Marty, James and Jason Branstitter and Hannah (Hochstetler) Metzger
Lived in various places in Nebraska, and Mississippi; worked at various jobs, including bowling alleys, Cornland Dressed Beef, Sperry New Holland in Quality Control in Lexington, school custodian, security guard, and managed a trailer park
Activities: had been a member as a young man of Trinity Lutheran Church; member of the Lexington Muzzleloader’s Club; enjoyed bowling, woodworking, deer hunting, fishing, camping, playing guitar and being with family
Survivors include children, daughter Kelly Bliven and Terry Blum of Bertrand, son, Mark Woodside of Kearney, stepdaughters, Kim (Kirk) Carlson of Ralston, and Billie (Lonnie) Root of Ocean Springs, Miss.; three brothers, Bernard (Judy) Woodside of Holdrege, Wayne (Patricia) Woodside of Odessa, and, Mick (Rita) Woodside of Kearney; one sister, Viola Woodside of Lexington; 18 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren; as well nieces, nephews, extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; wife, two daughters, one son, one grandson, five brothers and two sisters
Lexington Clipper-Herald, February 20, 2015