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AHRENS, Arline Anna, 92, of Ravenna died Friday, April 17, 2015, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Tuesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Sept. 25, 1922, on the family farm in the Luce community of Buffalo County
Parents: Henry and Anna (Scheil) Ostermeyer
Was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church at North Shelton; received her education at a rural school district and Zion Lutheran School; graduated from Shelton High School, received her normal teaching certificate in 1941, then taught at a rural school near Amherst
Married: to Martin O. Ahrens on a Sunday afternoon, May 31, 1942, in a park in San Antonio where Martin was stationed in the U.S. Army; lived in Texas, Oklahoma and Maryland while Martin served in the armed forces; did clerical work with the civil service on the base where Martin was stationed
Following the war, returned to the Luce community to again farm; moved to Ravenna in 1948
Activities: was active in the community and her children’s lives; served as a Brownie, Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader; began working for the Ravenna News in 1954 and worked there for 25 years; member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Dorcas Society, the Ravenna Women’s Club and American Legion Auxiliary; loved being outside doing yard work and maintaining her home during her 61 years there, as well as sewing, canning, entertaining and preparing for holidays; enjoyed dining out and socializing and going to Texas to spend the winter months
Survivors include a son, Ray Ahrens of Neligh; a daughter, Fay Lade of Ravenna; four granddaughters and their families, Patty Lade of Breckenridge, Colo., Brenda Finley of Arnett, Okla., Julie and Daryl Wills of Ashland and Sonya and Tom McLeod of Kearney; and five great-granddaughters, Calli and Reba Finley, Marisa and Mackenzie McLeod and Cleo Wills
Was preceded in death by her husband in 2007; son-in-law, Calvin Lade in 1993; grandson-in-law, Ben Finley in 2011; and brothers, Clarence in 1911 and Dale in 2011
Kearney Hub, 18 April, 2015
ANDERSON, Irene, 91, of Kearney died Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at Mother Hull Home
Graveside services: Prairie Home Cemetery near Holdrege
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born May 17, 1923, in Kearney County near Heartwell, the second of five daughters
Parents: Arthur and Mabel (Schneider) Pitts
Attended District 4 grade school, graduated from Minden High School; took nurses training and worked her way through school during the Depression years
Worked for Drs. Frank, Wayne and Don Brewster at Brewster Hospital and Clinic in Holdrege; continued her education in the medical field; worked in surgery and was night supervisor for many years
Married: July 27, 1944, to Evert A. “Bud” Anderson in Mankato, Kan.
Raised their three sons, enjoyed working with them on their 4-H projects; worked with her husband in the farming and ranching business
Activities: member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, was active in church circle, taught Sunday school and worked with Luther League; served as secretary of the Phelps County Republicans for several years; in later years, spent the winters in Florida and Texas and worked part time at hospitals in Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County Hospital, Lee Memorials at Fort Myers, Fla., and Cape Coral and Panama City Hospital; attended night school and earned her degree in nutrition at Thomas Edison College in Fort Myers and Baylor University in Waco, Texas; volunteered at Good Shepherd Mission in Fort Myers Beach, Fla.; moved to Kearney, 1987. joined First Lutheran Church; with husband, continued to manage their farm operations
Survivors include her sons, Evert E. “Andy” Anderson of Bellevue, Robert “Bob” Anderson and his wife, Ann, of Keller, Texas, and William ”Bill” Anderson and his wife, Mary, of Cheyenne, Wyo.; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, and her husband who died Feb. 10, 1999, after a long illness
Memorials: First Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 23 April, 2015
BENJAMIN, Mark W., 56, of Kearney died Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at his home, following a lenghty illness
Services: Friday at First Lutheran Church
Inurnment: the church columbarium
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Jan. 31, 1959, in Moscow, Idah
Parents: Lloyd W. and Geraldine (Lauer) Benjamin
Grew up in McCook, graduated from McCook High School in 1977; graduated from McCook Community College in 1978 and received a bachelor of science degree in business from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1983
Was co-founder of BD Construction and was the president and CEO until his death
Married: Nov. 9, 1990, to married Brenda L. Carpenter in Kearney
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church; was president of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce at the time of his death; member of the Southeast Community College Building Construction Technology Advisory Council and was a trustee for the National Association of General Contractors Legislative Affairs Committee
Survivors include his wife, Brenda of Kearney; son, Will at home; daughter, Kimberly White and her husband, Mahlon, of Altoona, Iowa; sisters, Debra Wells and her husband, Bobby, of Mesa, Ariz., Linda Hiatt and her husband, Don, of Saginaw, Texas, Laura Eldred and her husband, Scott, of Lincoln and Teresa Bertrand and her husband, Mark, of Funk; parents, Lloyd and Elizabeth Benjamin of McCook and Geraldine Benjamin of Funk; parents-in-law, Dan and Lois Carpenter of Kearney; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bridget and Brian Mosbarger of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his grandparents
Memorials: AseraCare Hospice or the Kearney Public Schools Special Education Fund
Kearney Hub, 16 April, 2015
BITTEL, Kevin J., 53, of Henderson, Nev., died Thursday, April 2, 2015, as a result of a heart attack while on a cruise ship returning from Aruba with his family
Services: Saturday, October 24, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelton, Nebraska
Burial of ashes: Kearney Cemetery
Born: Oct. 20, 1961, in Kearney, Neb., to Vernon and Nadine (Glennemeier) Bittel
Married: Feb. 16, 2013, to Tracey Gutschetl in Nevada
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1980
Military: U.S. Army, 1980-1986, served in Airborne Special Forces
After discharge, relocated to California and eventually to Henderson; worked for Global Surveillance Associates as a CCTV installer; traveled to many states and countries installing security systems in casinos, businesses and homes
Activities: enjoyed motorcycling; married at age 51, and enjoyed traveling and touring together on their cycles
Survivors include: wife, Tracey of Henderson; stepsons, Nicholas and Zachary of Henderson; mother, Nadine Bittel of Shelton, Neb.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Cindy and Phil Kempt of Shelton and Tammy and Jim Hogg of Fremont, Neb.; brother, Kelly of Lincoln, Neb.; nephews, Eric Gordier of Thornton, Colo., and Adam and wife Kristel Gordier of Bennington, Neb.; and many many relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, George and Bertha Glennemeier and Pete and Marie Bittel; and sister-in-law, Lisa Bittel
Kearney Hub, 21 October, 2015
CHRISTENSEN, Carl “Chris”, 90, of Kearney died Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at Mother Hull Home
Graveside services: Saturday at Kearney Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Nov. 5, 1924, in Wakonda, S.D.
Parents: Carl P. and Edith S. (Nelson) Christensen
As a child, moved with his family to the Los Angeles area; attended Pasadena Junior College; perfected his craft of playing the trumpet
Military: U.S. Army Air Corps, 1943-1946, was stationed in Alliance and Kearney
Married: to Mable Stephenson on June 24, 1946, in Phillipsburg, Kan.
After marriage, lived in Owatonna, Minn., joined several touring bands in the Midwest; lived briefly in Nortton, Kan., then moved to Kearney; owned and operated Independent Appliance and Christensen Home Improvement
Activities: continued his passion for music with the Tommy Morgan Band and as a founding member of the Four Keys; was an active father and helped with several Boy Scout and Cub Scout campouts and activities
Survivors include his sons and their spouses, Dirk and Tresa Christensen of Axtell and Mark and Sheri Christensen of Milford; four grandchildren, Callan Christensen of College Station, Texas, Stephen Christensen of Sheridan, Wyo., Caitlynn Christensen of Lakeland, Fla., and Madeline Christensen of Lincoln; several nieces and nephews; and former daughter-in-law, Denise Christensen of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his parents; wife; first grandson, Matthew Cole Christensen; brother, Raymond; and two sisters, Mildred and Margaret
Memorials: Mother Hull Home
Kearney Hub, 17 April, 2015
CORDES, Mary "Georgean" (Kamrath), 99, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, just days before her 100th birthday
Services: Monday at First Baptist Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born May 4, 1915, in Hooper
Parents: George and Josie (Bradbury) Parkert
Was raised on a farm northwest of Hooper, graduated from Hooper High School in 1932; graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., in 1934; then went to Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, graduated in 1936
Taught music, English and Latin at six high schools in Nebraska over the years, Rock County High School in Bassett, Friend, Hampton, Creighton, St. Edward and Valley
Married: July 27, 1944 to Dale Kamrath, an American Baptist minister; together they served churches in Genoa, Williamsburg, Kan., Valley, York, Portland, Ore., and Cawker City, Kan.; worked during this time as circulation librarian at Kearney State College
Activities: member of the National Federation of Music Club and Order of Eastern Star in Cawker City; served as president of the American Baptist Women of Nebraska and on the National Home Missions Board
After Dale’s death in 1995, married LeRoy Cordes on Sept. 19, 1998
Was active in church activities in Kearney for many years, enjoyed traveling the country visiting friends and relatives. LeRoy passed away in 2004
Survivors include: son and daughter-in-law, Al and Mary Kamrath of Lincoln; sister, Virginia Colhouer of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; a grandson, Scott and wife Jolene Kamrath of Omaha; two granddaughters and spouses, Krisa and Ryan Smith of Kearney and Kelli and Tyler Doyle of Broken Arrow, Okla.; seven great-grandchildren; stepdaughter, Jane and husband Gary Spear of Auburn; stepson, Bob Cordes of Hope, Idaho; three stepgrandsons, Tim and wife Sue Spear of Olathe, Kan., Chris and Michelle Spear of McLean, Va., and Joel Cordes of Bend, Ore.; two stepgranddaughters, Jenny and husband Keith Long of Matthews, N.C., and Ellen and Zach Welcker of Spokane, Wash.; and 12 stepgreat-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents, George and Josie Parkert; husband, Dale; and husband, LeRoy
Kearney Hub, 25 April, 2015
DITTMAR, Inez H., 100, of Kearney, formerly of Sumner, died Monday, April 20, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Services: Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in Sumner
Burial: Sumner Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 31, 1914, on the family farm in Buffalo County
Parents: George and Mary (Vest) Kutsch
Moved at age 5 with the family to a farm north of Sumner; grew up there, attended Lower Park Valley School
Married: Feb. 19, 1956, to Arnold H. Dittmar in Sumner
After marriage, lived on her home place; retired and moved to Kearney in 1977; moved to St. John’s Good Samaritan Center to be with Arnold in 1998; moved to Homestead Assisted Living in 2004
Was the last living charter member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sumner where she was still a faithful member
Surviving relatives include her nieces, Jenell Harmoney and her husband, Steve, of Amherst and Jani Barger and her husband, Jerry, of Culbertson; and nephews, Milton Sattler of Lexington, the Rev. Dan Brandt, Dave Brandt and his wife, Sandra, and Douglas Brandt and his wife, Sharon, all of Avon, S.D.
Was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold H. Dittmar on Dec. 10, 2001; and two sisters, Viola Sattler and Elizabeth Brandt
Memorials: Grace Lutheran Church in Sumner
Kearney Hub, 23 April, 2015
DOLAN, Bob L., 76, of Gibbon, formerly of Overton, died Saturday, April 25, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Memorial services: Thursday at LexChristian Church in Lexington, with military honors
Inurnment: Overton Cemetery
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love in Lexington
Born March 6, 1939, in Lexington
Parents: Earl and Genevieve (Willets) Dolan
Graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1958
Military: U.S. Army, 1961-1964; was stationed in Germany for two years
Married: Jan. 21, 1966, to Colleen Denson in Overton; had three children
Was the produce manager at Safeway in Lexington, then was transferred to Kearney; also worked at Sperry New Holland; became head custodian at Overton Public Schools, 1989; retired in 2001
Activities: main interests were his grandkids, his son’s racing and his tractors; member of the Overton American Legion and Overton Christian Church, which he served as deacon
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Colleen Dolan of Gibbon; son, Chad and wife Jamie Dolan of Gibbon; daughter, Christi Snider and fiancé David Stines of Terra Alta, W.Va.; daughter-in-law, Amy Dolan of Overton; three grandchildren, Kati Snider of Kearney and Matt and Mitch Dolan, both of Overton; sister, Georgia Peden of Humansville, Mo.; and extended family and many friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark Dolan; brother, Donald Dolan; sisters, Janet and Earline
Kearney Hub, 27 April, 2015
DUNLAP, Leona Marie “Toby”, 95, of San Jose, California, formerly of Cozad and Kearney, Neb., died Thursday, March 26, 2015, in San Jose
Burial: March 31 at Los Gatos Memorial Park
Born Sept. 26, 1919, in Cozad to Charley and Reta Shuler
Married: to Harold “Dale” Dunlap. He died in 1981
Survivors include her children, Sharon Gakin of Washington and Gene “Jason” Dunlap, Marilyn Bailey and Alan Dunlap, all of San Jose; nine grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 10 April, 2015
GRANT, Arthur Kyle, infant son of Phillip and Trisha Grant of Kearney, died Sunday, April 26, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Services: Friday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Oct. 27, 2014
Survivors include his parents; brothers, Preston, Dominic and Raiden, all of Kearney; grandparents, Art and Wanda Riley and Nancy Hicks, all of Colorado; and great-grandparents, Arthur Davison and Mary Schutt of New York and Esther Smith of Colorado
Kearney Hub, 28 April, 2015
KINKAID, Scottie Dean, 54, of Kearney died Saturday, March 28, 2015, at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha
Graveside services: Tuesday at Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born Jan. 25, 1961, in Kearney
Parents: William and Helen (Bickford) Kinkaid
Grew up in Kearney, attended public schools and graduated from Kearney High in 1979
Went into the family plumbing business; enjoyed being a plumber, later worked for Cudaback Plumbing; retired due to health; had recently moved to Omaha and was staying with his brother, William
Activities: enjoyed working on cars, woodworking, gardening, fishing and hunting
Survivors include: brother, William Kinkaid Jr. of Omaha; sister-in-law, Patty Stull of Pima, Ariz.; nephews, Justin Couton of Omaha, Rodney Kinkaid of Pima, Josh Barr of Kearney and Rusty Libbe of Plainview; nieces, Tiffany Wegman of Oklahoma and Viola Kinkaid of Pima; eight grandnieces and grandnephews; a very special person, Nicky Balbach of Nashville; and many aunts, uncles and cousins
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dolores (Bickford) and Galen Tatum, Frank and Anna (Wagner) Kinkaid and Wilbur Bickford; his parents, William and Helen (Bickford) Kinkaid; brother, Michael Kinkaid; and sister, Angela Kinkaid
Kearney Hub, 23 April, 2015
LAMMERS, Arlene Louise, 75, of Kearney died Thursday, April 16, 2015, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center
Services: Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton
Burial: Peake Cemetery southwest of Pleasanton
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born April 30, 1939, in Kearney
Parents: Ralph and Clara (Mueller) Lammers
Youngest of seven children; was baptized as an infant at Peake Lutheran Church and confirmed at this same church in 1953, was among the last classes to be confirmed at Peake before the church closed; then became a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton where she remained a member until her passing
Attended kindergarten at King Country School north of Riverdale, then Riverdale Public School through the eighth grade; graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1957; attended Kearney State Teachers College for two years
Began her teaching career at Riverdale Public Schools, then returned to Kearney State College to complete her four-year teaching degree; moved to Plattsmouth, taught first grade for a total of 37 years of teaching; taught special reading classes for several years to students who needed extra help; retired from teaching and worked 14 years at the Target store in Papillion
Activities: was an avid fast-pitch softball pitcher and pitched for three softball teams in Pleasanton; later in life, enjoyed bowling; enjoyed working on craft projects
Survivors include nieces and nephews, Phyllis Andrijeski and husband Ron, Bonnie Taubenheim and husband Glen, Loretta Knajdl and husband Jerry, Keith Hadwiger and wife Marlene, Kenneth Erickson and wife Terresa, Norman Erickson and wife Cindy, Jean Smith and husband Calvin, Peggy Hawbaker and husband Craig, Don Erickson and wife Jolene, Pat Catterson and husband Jim, and Dan Kutsch and wife Joy
Was preceded in death by her sisters, Rumilda, Martha, Luella and Nora; brothers, Robert and Walter; two nephews; and one niece. One of her greatest losses was her good friend, Jean Pestal, who passed away on Christmas of 2013. Life became difficult after she lost four siblings and her best friend in a span of just over a year. After Jean’s death, Arlene moved to Kearney
Kearney Hub, 20 April, 2015
LEATHERS, Charles “Frank”, 83, of Topeka, Kansas, died Sunday, April 26, 2015, in Topeka
Services: Thursday at Sacred Heart Church in Topeka, fire department honors by IAFF Local 83 Honor Guard
Burial: Prairie Home Cemetery in Topeka
Mortuary: Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home in Topeka
Born March 6, 1932, in Amherst, Neb.
Parents: Albert and Lula (Woolman) Leathers
Graduated from Amherst High School in 1949
Military: U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954
Married: Oct. 5, 1957, to Margaret “Marge” Baird at Holy Name Church in Topeka; she died Aug. 26, 2013
Worked for Union Pacific Railroad, 1949-1962, then joined the Topeka Fire Department, which he proudly served; retired in 1984; owned the Pizza Parlor in the Oakland neighborhood for 17 years with his partner, John Ingenthron; worked with his Frank daughter and son-in-law at their Herman’s Beef and Sausage House on North Gordon
Survivors include children and their spouses, Cheri and Robin Pierce, Gina and Jimmy Herman and Charlie Leathers, all of Topeka; grandchildren, Casey, Clinton and Rheanna Pierce, Alex and Jeremy Herman and Taylor Jo Leathers; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Leathers and Helyn Leathers
Was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 28 April, 2015
LEE, Esther L., 88, of Apache Junction, Arizona, formerly of Gibbon, Neb., died Friday, March 27, 2015, at Banner Gardens Hospice in Mesa
Services: April 17 in Arizona
Graveside service: Wednesday, April 29, at Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
A celebration of life will follow at Gibbon American Legion
Born Jan. 20, 1927, in Amherst, Neb.
Parents: George and Leona (Hannemann) Hartman
Was confirmed at Zion Lutheran in Kearney; was a 1944 graduate of Longfellow High School in Kearney
Married: Jan. 30, 1949 to Frank Green, Jr. He died in 1970
Married: 1975 to S.P. Lee in 1975. He died in 2002
Worked as an Avon representative, restaurant manager, jewelry store clerk, insurance salesperson and, during the summers, in national parks
; after moving from Gibbon in the 1970s, lived in Florida, North Carolina and for many years in Apache Junction
Activities: enjoyed RVing, gardening, cooking and being around people; was a former member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Shelton and, at the time of her death, was a member of Mountain View Lutheran Church in Apache Junction
Survivors include: her children and their spouses, Bob and Eva Green and Carol and Tom Turek, all of Kearney, Neb., and Jim Green of Prescott; grandchildren, Michael Sands, Vicki Green and Summer and husband Brian Wichael; two great-grandchildren, Ethan and Delaney Wichael; four brothers and their spouses, Loren Hartman and his wife, Lorna, Norman Hartman, Al Hartman and his wife, Karen, and Art Hartman and his wife, Helen; special friend, Ken Ragan; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews
Was preceded in death by her grandson, Nicholas Sands; brother, Harland; her two husbands; sister-in-law, Doris Hartman; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Green; and stepdaughter, Ellen Newton
Memorials: St. Paul Lutheran Church of Shelton or the City of Gibbon (Davis Park)
Kearney Hub, 25 April, 2015
McGRAW, Margarete K., 81, of Kearney died Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: Monday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born on Aug. 15, 1933, in Kuppingen, Germany
Parents: Jakob and Karoline (Kohler) Roller
Attended school in Kuppingen
Married: Leland G. “Mack” McGraw Jr. on Sept. 22, 1952, in Kuppingen; had four sons and two daughters
Came to the US, 1955, aboard the USNS Gen. Alexander M. Patch with their firstborn and arrived on Ellis Island; travel to Niobrara to live with her husband’s family until he could join her back in Nebraska; then lived in many places, including Creighton, Grand Island, Neligh, Pilger, Leesville, La., Phoenix and in Kearney for the last 17 years
Activities: enjoyed being with her friends and family, both in the USA and also in Germany. She loved people and made lifelong friendships everywhere; loved her birthplace and was always eager to share her German heritage and traditions, but was extremely proud of being a nationalized citizen of the U.S.A.
Survivors: children and their spouses, Gary Lee and Vonda McGraw of Leesville, Leeland III and Barb McGraw of Grand Island, Mike McGraw and Hans McGraw, both of Kearney, and Nancy and Roger Cunningham of Hereford, Ariz.; daughter-in-law, Wanda Frink of Kearney; brother and spouse, Peter and Waltraut Roller and family; nieces, nephews and other family in Germany; sister-in-law, Carol Mokert; niece and spouse, LaDonna and Ricky Moore and family of Texas; grandchildren, their spouses and great-grandchildren, Matthew and Lindsay McGraw of Gretna, David and Michelle McGraw and daughter Aubrey of Massachusetts, Derek McGraw, Egan Harper, Dusty and Tonya Harper and children Aribella and Newt, all of Leesville, Ryan McGraw, Brianna McGraw, Jakob McGraw and daughter Amarie, all of Kearney, Scarlett and Greg Herdman of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., and Roger Jr. and Aly Cunningham of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; also Cindy Erpelding and all of her other lifelong and newest friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant daughter, Margarete Ann; and three brothers and sisters in Germany
Kearney Hub, 11 April, 2015
MOOMEY, Doris M., 90, of Kearney died Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Emeritus Northridge Place
Services: Friday at First Baptist Church
Burial: Jewell Cemetery west of Sumner
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born May 2, 1924, on the farm near Sumner
Parents: Arthur and Emma (Kvacek) Johnson
Graduated from Lexington High School in 1941, attended Hastings College
Worked at the Kearney Airbase during World War II
Married: Aug. 28, 1946 to Bill Moomey
Raised their family on the family farm near Sumner
Activities: was an active member of First Baptist Church in Sumner. quickly became involved in First Baptist Church, Kearney, after moving there
Survivors include her sons, Randy Moomey and his wife, Sherrie, of Beaverton, Ore., Rick Moomey and his wife, Kathy, of Sumner, Tim Moomey and his wife, Sue, of Holdrege and Dan Moomey and his wife, Jodee, of Omaha; daughter, Barbara Shelden and her husband, Randy, of York; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband in 2013; daughter, Claudia Moomey in 1950; brother, Wayne Johnson; and sister, Margaret O’Neill
Memorials: First Baptist Church, United Church of Sumner or the Jewell Cemetery Association
Kearney Hub, 15 April, 2015
MURRAY, Thomas B. “Brick”, 92, of Kearney died Thursday, April 23, 2015, at his home, following a lengthy illness
Services: Tuesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Inurnment: church columbarium
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born March 21, 1923, in Grand Island
Parents: Thomas and Corinne (Hanaford) Murray
Graduated from Grand Island Senior High and is now in its Hall of Fame; received his bachelor of arts degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and continued his education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Military: entered the service on March 3, 1943; completed his residency in neurology and psychiatry at the Presidio in San Francisco; served as chief psychiatric consultant for Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War era, then ran a psychiatric hospital in Landstuhl, Germany; retired at the rank of colonel on April 30, 1973; was in the military, but not a warrior
Married: July 4, 1974, to Grete W. Sandberg on July 4, 1974, in Trondheim, Norway
After marriage, moved to Kearney and entered private practice; helped develop a psychiatric wing at Good Samaritan Hospital (“Three South”), and later, Brick and the late Dr. Robert Rosenlof were responsible for helping establish Richard Young Hospital; professional endeavors and honors were many
Survivors include: wife, Grete of Kearney; son, Thomas B. Murray III and his wife, Kyong, of San Antonio; daughter, Annette Cecilie Sandberg and her partner, Janet Minyard, of Pittsburgh; son, Axel Sandberg of Oslo, Norway; daughter-in-law, Janis Davis of Lincoln; granddaughters, Mia B. Sandberg of Oslo, Shinenn D. Sandberg Nair of Albuquerque, N.M., Katherine S. Murray of San Antonio; grandson, Sean R. Murray of San Antonio; sister-in-law, Marianne Murray of Omaha; and nieces and great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by one daughter in infancy; daughter, Karen Murray on July 28, 2012; one grandson, Thomas B. Murray IV; and one brother, Robert
Memorials: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or to Doctors Without Borders
Kearney Hub, 27 April, 2015
NELSON, Lester L. II, 58, of Kearney died Sunday, April 19, 2015, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center. Graveside services: May 2 at Fairview Cemetery in Lincoln
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: September 20, 1956 in Lincoln
Parents: Lester and Gerenia (Novotny) Nelson
Was raised in Lincoln until the family moved to Kearney in 1970; graduated from Kearney High School in 1973 and attended Kearney State College
Worked for Kearney Cab and Pizza Hut
Activities: loved fishing, caught trophy fish and earned many Master Angler awards; enjoyed collecting coins; was a caretaker for his mother until she passed away
Survivors include: sister, Karen Nelson of Kearney; nieces, Lucinda Dietz of Lincoln, Kathy Strickland and husband Alex of Milford and Lorinda Vega and husband Andrew of Gibbon; and grandnieces and grandnephews
Was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sandra Lucille Kaeding; brother, Kenneth L. Nelson; and uncle, Merle Nelson
Kearney Hub, 21 April, 2015
NICKMAN, Gerald, 84, of Pleasanton, died Sunday, April 26, 2015, at Waterford College View in Lincoln
Services: Thursday at St. Mary’s Church in Pleasanton
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Dec. 1, 1930, in Pleasanton
Parents: Frank and Bessie (Eckhout) Nickman
Was the second of five children; farmed his entire life outside of Pleasanton
Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Kirk and Pam Nickman of Aledo, Texas, Craig Nickman and Barb Koetter of Pleasanton and Gene and Beth Nickman of Lincoln; daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Les Hosey of Rosharon, Texas, and Dana and Josh Hong of Houston; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Sue Nickman; sisters, Elaine Brown and Dolores Holling; and sister-in-law, Joan Nickman
Was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Jean; and one brother, Eugene
Kearney Hub, 28 April, 2015
PARKER, Faye E., 92, of Bennington died Monday, April 6, 2015, in Bennington
A celebration of life: 2 p.m. Tuesday at Ridgewood Retirement Community in Bennington
Body was donated to the Nebraska Anatomical Society
Born Dec. 27, 1922, in Kearney
Parents: John Claude and Edna Courtier
Longtime resident of Kearney; taught in Hildreth and Kearney; was a longtime medical secretary in physicians’ offices and a transcription supervisor at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Survivors include her son, Michael and his wife, Marvel, of Fremont; daughter, Kim Laursen and her husband, Douglas, of Omaha; grandchildren, Matthew Parker and wife Jen of San Antonio, Kisa Parker of Houston and Mitchell Laursen of Omaha; great-grandson, Gavin Parker; sister, Bonnie Ekern and her husband, Bob, of Denver; sisters-in-law, Betty Rodehorst and her husband, Lee, of Kearney, Christine Courtier of West Fargo, N.D., and Dorothy Courtier of Highlandville, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her husband of almost 70 years, Francis; sister, Phyllis; and brothers, Julius and Claude Jr.
Memorials: Food Bank for the Heartland, or Open Door Mission, both in Omaha
Kearney Hub, 11 April, 2015
ROSENZWEIG, Ben, 67, of Kearney died Thursday, April 23, 2015, at his home
Services: Friday at Grace Fellowship Church
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Jan. 23, 1948, in LaSalle, Ill.
Parents: Don and Marie Rosenzweig
Grew up in Mar Vista, Calif., attended Venice High School in Los Angeles
Military: U.S. Navy on Jan. 30, 1968, - Jan. 20, 1969; served during the Vietnam War while being stationed at Singapore; continued to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve after his return home
Married: Dec. 3, 1977, to Ruth Boyd; eloped to Las Vegas
Lived many years in Santa Monica, Calif., where all three daughters were born; worked as a journeyman electrician and member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, then became the associate pastor of The Lighthouse Church of Santa Monica; moved to Kearney, 1991; was senior pastor of Victory Foursquare Church, now The Lighthouse Church; served for over 23 years, retired in February 2015
Was well-known for encouraging fellow pastors in their pursuit of God; was active in various roles within the Foursquare denomination, including serving as a divisional superintendent; was known as a man who was fearlessly and tenaciously in pursuit of his Lord and Savior
Survivors include: wife, Pastor Ruth Rosenzweig of Kearney; his daughters, Michelle Boulware of Holdrege, Pastor Deborah Rosenzweig of Kearney and Shannon Decker of Axtell; his sons-in-law, Scott Boulware and Matthieu Decker; and his grandchildren, Quentin, Kianna, Kaleah and Devin Boulware and William, Aleigha and Lynlee Decker
Memorials: Lighthouse Church of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 28 April, 2015
SCHENK, Dean Kenneth, 96, of Kearney died Friday, April 17, 2015, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center
Celebration of life services: Friday at the United Church in Kensington, Kan.
Burial: Stone Cemetery in rural Kensington
Mortuary: Simmons-Rentschler in Smith Center, Kan.
Born Oct. 21, 1917, in Smith County, Kan.
Parents:o Joseph and Zelza (Bates) Schenk
Survivors include his daughters, Janice Kennedy of Kearney, Margene Schenk of Hastings and Sharon Meyer of Hastings; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three stepgranddaughters; and 10 stepgreat-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 21 April, 2015
SCHIPPOREIT, Dona M., 88, of Kearney, formerly of Broken Bow, died Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney; died surrounded by family
Memorial services: Tuesday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Broken Bow
Inurnment: Broken Bow Cemetery
Mortuary: Govier Bros. in Broken Bow
Dona and her twin brother, Dale Pollard, were born Oct. 10, 1926, at their grandmother Pollard’s home in Thedford
Parents: William and Nellie Pollard
Grew up near Brownlee on a ranch, and at Broken Bow; graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1945
Married: June 10, 1945, to Norman Schipporeit of Merna
After marriage, lived on a farm near Merna and later moved to Broken Bow; over the years, worked at Holcomb’s Pharmacy, the Custer County Chief and the Custer County Clerk’s Office; was the winner of the local Mrs. America Contest, 1955, and took third place in the district contest
Activities: member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and was active in the Lutheran Ladies Group and taught Sunday school; volunteered with the Bloodmobile, voter’s registration, the Broken Bow Housing Authority and as president of the Parent Teachers Association; loved entertaining, gardening, cooking; enjoyed traveling in their fifth-wheel, camping with family and friends; made many lasting friendships at the Ainsworth Country Music Festival and during the 14 winters spent in Fredericksburg, Texas; especially enjoyed her family
Was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, three brothers and one son-in-law
Survivors include: loving husband of nearly 70 years, Norman of Kearney; daughter and son-in-law, Marlyn and Bob Marschall of North Palm Beach, Fla., and grandsons and their spouses, Jimmy and Whitney McKenna, Matt and Luisa McKenna and Josh and Samantha McKenna; stepgrandchildren and their spouses, Megan and Todd LaVouge, Kevin and Meghan Marschall, Amy and Eric McCabe and Kerry and Pat Coyle; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Kimra Schipporeit of Kearney and grandchildren, Jenna and fiancé Patricio Tapia, Brett and Amanda; daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and husband Doug Geiser of Broken Bow and granddaughters Sara, Sadie and Michaela; five great-grandchildren; six stepgreat-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Evelyn Pollard; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other family members and friends
Memorials: American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association
Kearney Hub, 25 April, 2015
SCHMIDT, Carolyn Sue, 66, of Washington, Iowa, died Friday, April 24, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City
Celebration of life: Tuesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Washington
Burial: Kearney (Neb.) Cemetery
Mortuary: Jones & Eden in Washington
Born April 30, 1948, in Omaha, Neb.
Parents: Richard and Ora Lee (Peak) Gibreal
Attended Alfalfa Center Elementary County School, Kearney Public Schools and the University of Nebraska at Kearney for two years
Married: Richard Schmidt on Dec. 21, 1968, in Kearney
Lived in Kearney, Grand Island and Phillips,Neb., and moved to Washington, Iowa, in 1976; had owned and operated Korner Kremery in Washington since 2004 and worked as an accountant for WCDC Inc. for 35 years; retired in 2013
Activities: in Phillips, spent three years on the Women’s Volunteer Fire Department; active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church, taught Sunday school, was the wedding coordinator, and was a member of the Ladies Circle, Altar Committee and Prayer Shawl Ministry; served on the Washington County Extension Council and the city of Washington Forestry Commission; was a 4-H leader for nine years and a Campfire leader for six years; a member of the Fortnightly Garden Club; had been a Master Gardener since 1996
Survivors include: husband, Richard Schmidt of Washington; daughter, Bobbi Schmidt of Clive; daughter, Heidi Lange and husband Bill of North Liberty; grandchildren, Nicole, Chaise and Dalton Lange of North Liberty; brothers, Richard Gibreal of Denver, Larry Gibreal and wife Deb of Grand Island, Neb., Mike Gibreal and wife Cindy of Broomfield, Colo., Roger Gibreal and wife Kristina of Oak Harbor, Wash., Randy Gibreal of Lincoln, Neb., Tim Gibreal and wife Pamala of Round Rock, Texas, John Gibreal and wife Linda of Minden, Neb., Jim Gibreal of Kearney and Gary Gibreal and wife Janette of Austin, Texas; and sister, Lori Gibreal Newell and husband Dennis of Carrollton, Va.
Was preceded in death by her parents and a sister-in-law
Memorials: Immanuel Lutheran Church and WCDC Inc.
Kearney Hub, 27 April, 2015
SILVERS, Judy D., 69, of Kearney died Monday, April 13, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Services: Friday at Countryside Christian Church in Kearney
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Jan. 28, 1946, in Gothenburg
Parents: Melvin and Lucille (Lindstedt) Lambertus
Graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1964; attended Kearney State College
Married: to Terry Silvers on Aug. 24, 1966, in Gothenburg
After marriage, lived in Kearney, worked at West Co. for more than 35 years; retired in 2005
Activities: member of Countryside Christian Church; enjoyed spending time with her family, attending her grandchildren’s activities, reading and dining out
Survivors include: husband, Terry Silvers of Kearney; son, Tom Silvers and wife Tina of Funk; daughter, Tammy Shields and husband Justen of Funk; grandchildren, Dillon Halligan of Kearney, Tyler Shields, Brett Shields, Brittany Shields and Orion Silvers of Funk; brothers, Bob Lambertus of Kearney and Kenneth Lambertus and wife Donnie of Littleton, Colo.; and sister, Sandy Pflaster and husband Allen of Littleton
Was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters-in-law, Darleen and Pat Lambertus
Kearney Hub, 16 April, 2015
SNIDER, Harold Paul Jr., 93, of Loveland, Colorado, died Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Longmont
Services: Tuesday, April 7, at Viegut Funeral Home in Loveland
Burial: Foothills Gardens of Memory in Longmont
Born April 18, 1921, in Kearney, Neb., to Harold P. Sr. and Helen Snider
Married: Dec. 20, 1940, to Nellie “Eileen” Drake. She died Aug. 20, 2014
Survivors include his sons, Ron of Kearney and Randy of Mead; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild
Kearney Hub, 11 April, 2015
STRASBURG, Eric Jordan, 28, of Kearney died Friday, April 24, 2015, in Kearney
Graveside services: April 28 at McCain Cemetery near Stapleton
Mortuary: Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte
Born June 16, 1986, in North Platte
Attended elementary and high school at Arnold, graduated 2005; attended Great Plains Community College, earned his associate’s degree in computer science; worked his way through college by working as a farmhand at Conner & Conner Farm
Married: 2010 to Amanda Rosentrater in Arnold
After marriage, resided for a time in Watertown, S.D., then moved to Kearney; worked in Broken Bow for Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center in the IT department for a year; most recently worked at Baldwin Filters’ IT department
Activities: enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, playing racquetball at the local YMCA and was an avid gamer
Survivors include: wife, Amanda, and stepdaughter, Layla, both of Kearney; his parents, Jody and wife Marcia Strasburg of Arnold and Tina Treadway of Gilcrest, Colo.; grandparents, Leonard Geyer of Cozad and Sally Dunn of Arkansas; his brothers, Michael of Wiggins, Colo., and Josh and wife Annah Geyer of Maxwell; his sister, Mariah of Arnold; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, Edward and Ruberta Strasburg, Shirley Nuttall and David Dunn; and his uncle, Gene Geyer
Kearney Hub, 28 April, 2015
STREIT, Roger Henry, 59, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, formerly of Shelton, Neb., died Thursday, March 26, 2015, at his home
Memorial services: Saturday at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Norton, Kan.
Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery in New Almelo, Kan.
Born: May 5, 1955, in Norton
Parents: Victor and Patricia (Urban) Streit
Married: Nov. 6, 1976, to Bonnie Dierking in Norton
Survivors include his sons, Mark of Belleview, Fla., and Nicholas of Beaver Crossing, Neb.; brothers, Rob of Bellingham, Wash., Ron of Gretna, Neb., Richard of Las Vegas, Randy of Norton, Victor “Ray” of Salina, Kan., and Ralph of Larned, Kan.; sister, Pamela Bigge of Norton; and four grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 21 April, 2015
TOWNE, Valyrea Leona, 67, of Kearney died Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings
Memorial services: Tuesday in Campbell
Burial: Prairie Home Cemetery near Holdrege
Mortuary: Apfel in Hastings
Born: April 9, 1948, in Tucson, Arizona
Parents: Josephine (Brown) and Louis McClain Sr.,
Grew up primarily in Nebraska; attended Kearney Public Schools
Married: 1975, to Richard Duane Englund in Holdrege and began her lifelong career of homemaker
Activities: was passionate about family, ancestry, Native American traditions, horticulture, spending time in nature, spirituality, camping, fishing, arts and crafts, jewelry making, gardening and studying all religions
Survivors include: children, James Allen Coutts of Lincoln, Angel Leeona Bednarz and husband Dan of Kearney and Sharonna Fay Englund and friend Justin DeGroff of Lincoln; four stepchildren; four grandchildren, Tiffany Lynn Bergstrom, Tynan Ontec Degroff, Braydn Bednarz and Parker Bednarz; four grandchildren by her stepchildren; three sisters and three brothers, Charlotte Christensen and husband James Sr. of Elm Creek, Jo Ina Slaughter and husband Gary of Lyons, Reatha LaVeda Lieb of Franklin, Louis Milton McClain Jr. of Lincoln, Douglas Howell McClain of Wilcox and Steven Wayne McClain and wife Helen of Holdrege
Was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; sister, Sharon Kay Johnson; and twin brothers, Vernal and Virgil, who died in infancy
Kearney Hub, 27 April, 2015
VAGTS, Joyce R., 69, of Kearney died Thursday, April 9, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Memorial services: Tuesday at Spirit of Life Church
Burial: later
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born on Sept. 16, 1945, in Tooele, Utah
Parents: Albert and Eunice Sieck
Grew up in Denton and received her education at University High in Lincoln
Married: Art Vagts on Oct. 26, 1963, in Pleasant Dale
Raised their family on the home place outside of Pleasant Dale; moved to Kearney, 1985
Activities: attended Spirit of Life Church
Survivors include her husband, Art Vagts; sons and daughters-in-law, Dean and Becky Vagts of Celina, Texas, and Andrew and Misty Vagts of Axtell; daughters and son-in-law, Brenda and Doug Kremer of Kearney and Linda Mousel of Central City; 19 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren with more on the way; brother, Fred Sieck of Kearney; sisters, Kathy Schweer of Iowa City, Iowa, Sandy D’Agostino of Chicago, Patty Cooley of Lemoyne, Rhonda Pypes of Iowa City and Mary Glaser of Crete; aunts, Donna Sieck of Lincoln and Betty Rietfors of Denton; and in-laws, Ivan and LaVina Vagts of Denton, Don and MaryAnn Shallenberg of Windsor, Colo., and Leola Duffy of Superior
Was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Albert Sieck; and sisters, Irma Broders and Beverly VanVelson
Kearney Hub, 13 April, 2015
WHITTEN, Beverley Ann, 67, of Rapid City, South Dakota, formerly of Gibbon, Neb., died Monday, April 6, 2015, in Rapid City
Services: Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Kearney, Neb.
Burial: Vega, Texas
Born June 29, 1947, in Denver
Parents: Leroy and Ruth George
Grew up and graduated from San Jon, N.M.; enrolled into Eastern New Mexico University of Portales in the field of nursing
Married: April 8, 1968, to Edwin Neil Whitten
Lived on the family farm and ranch near Portales, was active in the day-to-day duties of the farm as well as raising their three daughters, and continued to take classes; moved to Kearney in 1990, began working as a certified nursing assistant/med aide, worked a number of years with Good Samaritan Hospital; moved to Gibbon, 1997, continued to work for Good Samaritan until 2006 and transitioned to AseraCare Hospice
Activities: had a variety of hobbies; had been avid bowler, enjoyed gardening and canning, and spent many hours sewing and quilting; loved the country life, horseback riding on the ranches, fishing and camping
Was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Neil Whitten of Gibbon; and her brother, Kenneth George of Louisiana
Survivors include: her father, Aubrey Leroy George and his good friend, Frances Lathem, both of Fritch, Texas; three daughters and their spouses, Shawni and Jammie Wright of Elm Creek, Neb., Sharri and Jedd Bohlender of Grand Island, Neb., and Sharla and George Shafer of Rapid City; grandchildren, Jessie Reicks and fiancée Miranda Godfrey, Wyatt Reicks, Carol and Raygan Wright, Shawn Bohlender and girlfriend Reba Stiffler, Seth, Cody and Bryce Bohlender, and Christopher, Kayla, Callie and Christian Andersen; and great-grandchildren, Khyler Reicks and Dexter Bohlender; and other family and friends
Kearney Hub, 14 April, 2015
WOLFORD, Wayne E., 79, of Cozad died Thursday, April 16, 2015, in Lincoln
Memorial services: Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Cozad
Inurnment: Fairview Cemetery south of Cozad
Mortuary: Berryman in Cozad
Born: July 19, 1935, east of Kearney on the family farm
Parents: Cecil M. and Leanda (Munson) Wolford
Graduated from Kearney High School, 1952; graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1958 with bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering
Married: 1955 to Marcelene A. Innes in Kearney; had three children
After marriage, lived in Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Palatine, Ill., and in Cozad since 1969; worked for Martin Marietta in Scottsbluff, Portland Cement Association of Chicago and Paulsen Building and Supply of Cozad; retired from Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District in 1997
Activities: member of the Nebraska Society of Professional Engineers, Mid-States Chapter of Professional Engineers, Cozad Elks Lodge and First Presbyterian Church of Cozad; volunteered for the Red Cross, the Cozad Grand Generation Center, CASA and Meals on Wheels; enjoyed traveling by car, golfing, playing bridge and pinochle, fishing, reading, volunteering and listening to music; most prized possession was his family
Survivors include: his children and their spouses, Steve and Danna Wolford of Hastings, Greg and Pam Wolford of McCook and Jodi and Mike Kocher of Lincoln; grandchildren and their spouses Megan and Karl Launchbaugh, Neil and Whitney Wolford, Adam and Sarah Wolford, Kate and Jake Wawrzynkiewicz, Philip Kocher and fiancée Elizabeth Christensen, Ted Kocher, Erin Kocher and Sarah Kocher; and five great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister, and his wife, Marcelene, in 2010
Kearney Hub, 20 April, 2015