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ABRAHAM, Edith Marie, 98, of Ravenna died Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Memorial services: Saturday, Nov. 14m at the Congregational Church in Ravenna
Inurnment: Highland Park Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: September 12, 1917, in southern Sherman County
Parents: Charles and Mary (Kuticka) Fiala
Attended District 42 and Ravenna High School, graduated in 1933 at age 15
Taught school for several years at Districts 42 and 91 in Sherman County
Married: Joe Abraham on July 7, 1940, in Riverton, Wyo.
After marriage lived in Ravenna while Joe worked on electrical construction in various locations; worked at Omaha Cold Storage, the Ocoma Plant and at Adamson’s Market; later when their sons went away to college, traveled with her husband to construction jobs in locations in Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, California, North Dakota and Arkansas; returned to Ravenna, 1967
Activities: member of the Ravenna Historical Society and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary; was a Cub Scout den mother and was on the Ravenna Election Board; had been secretary for the Ravenna Cemetery Board for 27 years; enjoyed time and visits with her family and did extensive research on Ravenna and family history
Survivors include her sons, Gary and wife Connie Abraham of Waseca, Minn., and Robert and special friend Helen of Omaha; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers and a sister
Memorials: Ravenna Historical Society
Kearney Hub, 10 November, 2015
ARENT, Jerry Lee, 70, of Kearney died of lung cancer Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan, after a courageous nine-month battle with lung cancer
Services: Friday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Burial: Westlawn Memorial Park in Grand Island
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born on June 2, 1945, in Grand Island
Parents: Donald W. and Mildred M. (Stolle) Arent
Grew up in Grand Island, graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1963
Married: Gaylene Palu on Jan. 16, 1965, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island
Military: U.S. Army on March 30, 1966, to March 29, 1968; served in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive; was honorably discharged
Returned to Grand Island, owned and operated Five Points Conoco in Grand Island' later owned and operated a Phillips 66 station in Kearney, also operated a U-Haul dealership at the same location, have continued with U-Haul for over 45 years; later owned and operated Exhaust Pros in Kearney, then sold it to longtime employee Scott Classen; later developed the 56th Street Sinclair Plaza; Activities: was an animal lover and was very close to his three therapy animals; especially enjoyed time with his family, riding ATVs; looked forward to attending Cooper’s sporting and musical events; loved cars
Survivors include: his loving wife of 50 years, Gaylene of Kearney; his daughter, Christine and husband Cory Johnson of Amherst; his grandson, Cooper Johnson of Amherst; two brothers, Ronald and wife Kathy Arent of Grand Island and David and wife Victoria Kraft of Grand Junction, Colo.; and a sister, Susan and husband Randy Barlow of Grand Island
Was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Ralph and Virginia Palu; and a brother-in-law, Ricky Palu
Memorials: Kearney Tackles Cancer
Kearney Hub, 3 November, 2015
ARNOLD, Sharon “Kay”, 72, of Kearney died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at her home
Memorial services: Monday at First Baptist Church
Burial: Armada Cemetery in Miller
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born March 17, 1943, in Broken Bow
Parents: Lloyd A. and June B. (Coover) Krantz
Grew up in Westerville where she attended grade school; graduated from Ansley High School in 1961; received a degree in cosmetology from the Grand Island School of Beauty
Married: June 19, 1964, to Garey G. Arnold in Westerville; recently celebrated 51 years of marriage
After marriage, lived in several central Nebraska communities, including Ansley, Mason City, Sumner and, most recently, Kearney; owned, operated and managed her hair salon; enjoyed teaching cosmetology in Kearney; retired in 2005
Activities: enjoyed friends, supporting various church activities, supporting her family in every activity, including camping, and traveling to the Colorado mountains; was an excellent seamstress and baker; also enjoyed watching and caring for birds
Survivors include: husband, Garey Arnold of Kearney; sons, Monte and wife Julie Arnold of Miller and Tony Arnold of Kearney; grandchildren, Paige and Casey of Lexington and Emily of Miller; sister, Kathy and husband Jim Varney of Broken Bow; brothers, Mike and wife Dee Krantz of Ansley and Pat and wife Kathrine Krantz of Rapid City, S.D.; sisters-in-law, Twila and husband Rodger Nichols of Sumner and Vicki and husband Ed Oxford of Broken Bow; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Al and Sudie Cole
Was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Davy Krantz
Memorials: First Baptist Church or the Nebraska Kidney Foundation
Kearney Hub, 7 November, 2015
BARTH, Kenneth C. “Ken”, 73, of Kearney died Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Services: Thursday at First Baptist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Dec. 28, 1941, in Amherst
Parents: Albert and Almeda (Stubbs) Barth
Graduated from Amherst High School in 1960; attended Kearney State College for two years
Married: Sharon Crowley on Feb. 4, 1962, in Kearney
Was a supervisor at West Co. from 1965 to 1987, and then was a supervisor at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center; retired in 2007
Activities: member of First Baptist Church; enjoyed volunteering for Crane River Theater and at the Kearney Classic Car Collection; loved going to his grandkids’ activities and attending family events; enjoyed weekly gatherings with friends playing pool and cards, and watching sports, especially Husker football and volleyball
Survivors include: daughter, Tammy Luther and husband Brian of Lincoln; sons, Jim Barth of Carson City, Nev., Gary Barth and wife Jenny, and Steve Barth, all of Kearney, and Scott Barth and wife Natalia of San Diego; brother, Jim Barth and wife Yvonne of Kearney; twin sister, Connie Pierce and husband Elroy of Eustis; and eight grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his wife
Memorials: Crane River Theater or First Baptist Church Building Fund
Kearney Hub, 10 November, 2015
CHANDLER, Elnida Ann, 67, of Pleasanton died Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, after a brief illness with lupus
Services: Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born July 9, 1948
Parents: Edwin and Martha (Luebbe) Schinkel; was the first of five children
Attended elementary school in Rockville, graduated high school from Ravenna in 1966; attended Kearney State College and graduated with honors in 1970 with a degree in home economics; taught for one year in Elm Creek and substitute taught until 1980
Was baptized on Aug. 1, 1948, and confirmed on June 3, 1962, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Married Dale Chandler on June 22, 1968
Left the workforce to raise her four children; volunteered with whatever they were involved in, including teaching Sunday school and many years of Cub Scouts; with husband, owned and operated Chandler Well Service for many years; later worked at WIC in Kearney for many years and then as the health service director at Central District Health Department in Grand Island; was instrumental in getting Crossroads Center homeless shelter opened and running in Kearney; enjoyed working as a paraeducator in Pleasanton Schools, was on the Board of Directors with Buffalo County Community Health Partners and volunteered her time in setting up the Help Care Clinic in Kearney most recently
Activities: ; member of Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton at the time of her death, served as treasurer of the Kingdom Workers; was kind, optimistic and adventurous; enjoyed her garden and yard; loved spending time with her grandchildren
Survivors include: husband, Dale; sons, Chris of Kearney, Neal and his wife, Lauri, of Pleasanton and Todd and his wife, Martyna, of Florida; daughter, Julie and her husband, Caleb Strate, of Lincoln; sisters, Karen and husband Gil “Shorty” Krajnik of Malcolm and Janis Keller of Martinsburg; brother, Paul Schinkel of Kearney; grandchildren, Grady, Carly and Lily Chandler of Pleasanton and Wyatt, Nolan, Ellie and Laura Strate of Lincoln; along with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews
Was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Clarence Kuster; brother, Eldon; and brother-in-law, Scott Keller
Memorials: Help Care Clinic in Kearney, Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department, Mission Central or Kingdom Workers “Little Talks With God” Project
Kearney Hub, 17 November, 2015
CORNELIUS, Leo E., 92, of Guymon, Oklahoma, died Monday, Nov. 23, 2015 in Guymon
Service: Monday at Guymon Church of the Nazarene
Burial: Elmhurst Cemetery
Mortuary: Bunch-Roberts Funeral Home of Guymon
Born June 3, 1923, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Carl and Anna (Crow) Cornelius
Grew up in Kearney
Married: June 5, 1946, to Helen Sweeney in El Paso, Texas
Military: U.S. Army during WW II, was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska and El Paso, Texas After marriage, lived in El Paso, Twas the bookkeeper for A.B. Poe Motor Company; moved to Pasadena, California, worked in the business department of Pasadena Nazarene College; worked in accounting at Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri for several years; eventually worked at Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas; retired to Guymon in 1991
Activities: enjoyed gardening and bee keeping, reading and studying the Bible; was a faithful visitor of his friends at Dunaway Manor for many years and a Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent for most of his adult life
Was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Helen on December 28, 2009, two brothers, Paul and George Cornelius and one sister, Mary Ellen Roberts
Survivors include one daughter, Alice Almand of Dewey, Ariz.; sons, Preston of Guymon and Milton of Anchorage, Alaska; brother, Carl Jr. of Sidney, Neb.; sister, Lela Claussen of Kearney; six grandsons; and 11 great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 25 November, 2015
DAVIS, Ruth Faye, 96, of Kearney died Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Village
Burial of cremains: National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born on June 10, 1919, in Des Moines, Iowa
Parents: Carl C. and Laura B. (Foster) Doolittle
Attended East High School in Des Moines
Married: Earl A. Davis in 1940; he preceded her in death in 1992
After marriage, lived in Des Moines, Iowa; retired to Prescott, Ariz.; after husband's death, moved to be near her sister in Kearney; resided the past 10 years at Cambridge Court; member of First Presbyterian Church
Survivors include: daughter and son-in-law, Mary L. and Bill Donnell of Wilton, Conn.; a son and daughter-in-law, James E. and Annette Davis of Kansas City, Mo.; four grandchildren, Ethan and Franki Jo Davis and Matthew and Morgan Donnell; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Lawrence Bauer of Kearney; and several nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Floyd Doolittle; and four sisters, Doris Snyder, Laura Belle Hansen, Martha Mardis and Margaret Noland
Memorials: AseraCare Hospice in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 27 November, 2015
DICKSON, Gladys C., 96, of Kearney died Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Tuesday at First Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Oct. 19, 1919, at home near Hildreth in Kearney County
Parents: Johann Fredrick and Clara (Ruhs) Braams
Grew up on the farm and graduated from Hildreth High School in 1935
Moved to Kearney; worked as a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital, and then at various doctors’ offices; received her licensed practical nurse license in 1956; later returned to Good Samaritan Hospital for 20 years; returned to private duty nursing, 1991, retired in 2008
Married: June 18, 1965, to Lloyd Dickson in Kearney
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Surviving relatives include nieces, Sharon Hasty and Jane Vandenberg, both of Kearney, and several cousins
Was preceded in death by her husband in 1978; and sisters, Alice Hasty and Doris Porter
Kearney Hub, 9 November, 2015
DYER, Judith A. "Judi", 71, of Kearney died Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Celebration of life: Nov. 28 at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Born on Aug. 27, 1944, at Nebraska City
Parents: James and Katherine (Tait) Ingram
Grew up in eastern Nebraska and North Platte
Married Robert Dyer on July 29, 1960, in North Platte
After marriage, lived in Portland, Ore. for 2½ years; returned to Nebraska, lived in various locations, then settled in Kearney for the last 45 years
Activities: member of Weight Watchers and a special group of ladies called “Rehab Grannies.”
Surviviors include: husband, Bob; son, Gary Dyer of Idaho; daughter, Brenda and son-in-law Jim King of Kearney; and grandsons, Beau Dyer of Idaho and Hunter King of Kearney. She leaves behind her four-legged furry grandchildren, Maxine and Maggie Mae of Idaho and Ringer of Kearney; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Gloria Ingram of Greeley, Colo.; sisters, Linda Nichols of Kearney and Kathy of North Platte; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and their spouses, Daryl and Margaret Dyer of Grinnell, Iowa, Rollie Brown of Gothenburg, Marjorie Swearingen of Hastings, Norma Venema of Lincoln, Donnie and Marean Dyer of Hastings, Marilyn and Art Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colo., Carol Jean and Woody Wood of Eagle Grove, Iowa, Dick and Sandra Dyer of Albany, Ga., and Judy and Mike Young of Omaha; special niece, Barb Allen of Centennial, Colo.; and many more nieces and nephews
Was preceded by her parents; parents-in-law, Margaret and Arthur Dyer; sister and brother-in-law, Dale and Phyllis Hite; sister-in-law, Dorothy Brown; brother-in-law, Norman Venema; nephew, Dennis Allen; brother-in-law, Clarence Swearingen; sister-in-law, Annette Dyer; aunts and uncles, Bill and Maxine Tait and Joe and Dorothy Tait
Memorials: Kearney Cancer Center or Kearney Area Animal Shelter
Kearney Hub, 21 November, 2015
FRANCIS, George Wesley, 94, of Kearney died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Friday at Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery in Atkinson
Memorial service: Saturday at the Nazarene Church in Kearney
Born Aug. 6, 1921
Parents: George Sr. and Olive Francis
Grew up near Butte and attended various country schools in Boyd County; at age 18, Geo enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked on crews in Valentine and Bayard during the Depression; then worked on a farm near Spencer; later left for God’s Bible School in Cincinnati, prepared for a career in the ministry
Married: Aug. 24, 1946, to Wilma Irene Wondercheck
Spent most of his adult life pastoring Wesleyan churches in Nebraska: Page, Plattsmouth, Tryon, Neligh, Venus, Wayne, Scottsbluff and Lynch; also worked intermittently as a carpenter throughout much of his ministry; retired and moved to Kearney in the 1990s
Was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma, in 1999 after more than 50 years of marriage; was also preceded in death by four brothers, Casper, Clayton, Robert (his twin) and Milton, and his sister, Sylvia
Survivors include son, Vern Francis of Great Falls, Mont.; daughters, Charlene Francis of Kearney and LaVonne Sorenson of Isanti, Minn.; five grandchildren, Christy, Jodi, Eric, Molly and Maggie; and two great-grandchildren, Claire and Dylan. He also leaves behind many other beloved family and friends
Kearney Hub, 5 November, 2015
GILSON, Larry D., 75, of Kearney, formerly of North Platte, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Graveside services: Friday at Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Sept. 2, 1940, in Fullerton
Parents: Dale and Lois (Davis) Gilson
Graduated from Fullerton High School in 1958; attended Peru State College and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1962 with endorsements in industrial arts and physical education
Married: May 28, 1973, to Thelma Jean Johnsen in North Platte
Was a head basketball coach for Maxwell High School, Curtis Medicine Valley High School and Eustis-Farnam High School; during his coaching career, achieved one state championship, two state runners-up, 12 state qualifying teams, 17 conference championships and 15 district championships; amassed 576 wins (fifth all-time) and 242 losses over his 39 years of coaching; was also the co-contributor to the Gilson 6th Person Award, a basketball honor for high school athletes throughout the state sponsored by The Huskerland Prep Report; was a longtime member of the Nebraska Coaches Association
Survivors include: his wife, Thelma Gilson of Kearney; sons, Randy Gilson and Montess Munoz of Clay Center and Tory Gilson of Kearney; granddaughter, Giselle Gilson; stepgrandson, Gabriel Munoz; brother, Dan Gilson; sisters-in-law, JoAnn Gilson and Linda Gilson; and niece and nephews, Melissa, Justin, Patrick and Anthony Gilson
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Douglas Gilson
Memorials: Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research
Kearney Hub, 5 November, 2015
GREGERSON. R. Kenneth, 101, of Kearney died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Oct. 6, 1914, in Fertile, Minn.
Parents: George and Mayme (Kvilvang) Gregerson
Was baptized Nov. 19, 1914; family moved to a farm near Valley City, N.D., 1916
Attended Norma Township country school; was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on Jan. 1, 1928, at Immanuel Lutheran Church
Married: Feb. 11, 1940, to Amy Brown in Valley City. They were married 69 years
After marriage, remained in Valley City for a few years, moved to Denver to complete watchmaking school; lived im Rock Springs, Wyo., then settled in Kearney in 1951; owned and operated Gregerson’s Jewelry in downtown Kearney, specialized in fine quality diamonds and jewelry; also did watch and jewelry repair; retired in 1978
Activities: charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney, served on the building committee and was a trustee; charter member of Golden K Kiwanis Club and a member of the Kearney Lions Club; was proud to attend both of his grandchildren’s weddings in the last couple of years; liked hunting, fishing, bowling, playing bridge and traveling; had a fondness for coins and pocket watches and had a collection of both; kept a beautiful yard and enjoyed planting trees and flowers; will be remembered for his love of family, warm and contagious smile, engaging sense of humor, kind and gentle spirit and great stories; possessed the grace of a true gentleman
Survivors include his daughters, Judye Gregerson and Jayne Gregerson, both of Kearney, and Deb Kruse and husband Tom of Hildreth; and grandchildren, Nate Kruse and wife Cassie of Martell and Alyssa Schneider and husband Scott of Pasadena, Calif.
Was preceded in death by his wife in 2009; one brother; and two sisters
Memorials: Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 19 November, 2015
GUGE, Robert Dean "Bob," 86, of Kearney died Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Grand Island
Services: Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Sept. 28, 1929, in Nevada, Iowa
Parents: Levi and Grace (Anderson) Guge
Graduated from Alton (Kan.) High School in 1948
Military: U.S. Army 498th Aviation Engineers Battalion, 1951-1953, engineering airfields and aviation facilities at Army bases throughout the South
Married: Norma Smith on June 12, 1955, in Ansley; celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this June
Was elected to five terms as Buffalo County assessor from 1975 to 1995
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church and a longtime member of the church’s Together Class; served on the board of directors for Trails and Rails Museum, volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and was a former Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 136; was a stained glass artist and a carpenter, gave away hundreds of wooden cross necklaces that he crafted; enjoyed friends and family; was a devoted Husker fan
Survivors include: wife, Norma of Kearney; sons, Donn Guge and wife Janet of Franklin and Dennis Guge of Phoenix; grandson, Colin Guge of Kearney; sister, Pauline Simms of Osborne, Kan.; and sister, Bettie Couse of San Jacinto, Calif.
Was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John Rothwell, Charles Rothwell, Raymond Rothwell, Donald Rothwell and Lee Roy Guge; and sisters, Myrtle Rothwell and Thelma Guge
Memorials: First United Methodist Church, Trails and Rails Museum and Boy Scout Troop 136
Kearney Hub, 14 November, 2015
HAGGE, Terrance "Terry" Lunger, 79, of Gibbon died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Memorial services: Thursday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Shelton
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born July 30, 1936, in Kearney
Parents: Arnold and Thelma M. (Lunger) Hagge
Was a 1954 graduate of Gibbon High School
Married: Nov. 11, 1955, to Theresa M. Belt
Worked for Zeal Roper Standard Station in Kearney; later owned and operated the Conoco Station and Laundry Mat; was also the owner/operator of T’s Contract Service and wood pallet repair
Activities: enjoyed golfing, showing cars, especially his 1961 Ford Starliner, smoking cigars, and visiting friends and neighbors on his bike; also enjoyed attending tractor pulls and working on the tractors with his friends; was an avid gun collector; longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lowell
Survivors include: wife, Theresa Hagge of Gibbon; sons and daughters-in-law, Tim and Andrea Hagge of Omaha and Kenneth and Cindy Hagge of Kearney; daughters, Kathi Hagge of Shelton and Kristi Hagge of Ravenna; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Janice Anderson of Lincoln
Was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jerald Hagge; brother-in-law, Larry Anderson; sisters, Linda Lucas and Cheryl Triplett; brother, Alan Hagge; and a sister-in-law, Pauline Campagna
Memorials: St. Paul Lutheran Church in Shelton or St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lowell
Kearney Hub, 3 November, 2015
LOEWENSTEIN, Ralph Rupert, 86, of Kearney died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Mother Hull Home
Memorial service: Monday at Gibbon Baptist Church
Burial of cremains: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born on May 8, 1929, in Henderson, Colo.
Parents: Rupert A. and Zoe (Mayberry) Loewenstein
Grew up in Buffalo County, received his education in Kearney
Spent most of his life working in agriculture; later worked in the janitorial department for Kearney Public Schools
Married: to Norma McCord of Shelton; had two children
Married: Feb. 13, 1994, to Hilda Stimple; had a daughter and stepdaughter
Activities: attended the Baptist Church as a child; loved woodworking, gardening and working with his hands
Survivors include: son, Lyle Harris of Beatrice; two daughters, Linda and husband Rick Gavin of Conway, Ark., and Pam Loewenstein of Omaha; a stepdaughter, Candace Peterson of Kearney; two grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Elbert and wife Betty Loewenstein of Kearney; sister, Nancy Bolin of Gibbon; and brother-in-law, Ron Nutter of North Platte
Was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Hilda; daughter-in-law, Judy Harris; sister, Ruby Nutter; and a nephew, Doug Loewenstein
Memorials: Salvation Army
Kearney Hub, 7 November, 2015
MADRON, Joseph Donald “Don”, 84, of Kearney died Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, at Prairie View Gardens
Services: Monday at Bethel Assembly of God Church in Thedford
Burial with military honors: Hillcrest Cemetery in Thedford
Mortuary: Mullen Funeral Home
Born April 7, 1931, south of Seneca
Parents: Ivan and Luetta (Mowery) Madron
Graduated from Thedford High School in 1948
Military: U.S. Air Force on April 28, 1951 - March 16, 1955
Married: March 29, 1952, to Joyce Marlene Parker in Fort Worth, Texas,
Moved to the ranch south of Thedford; worked as a rancher and managed Pearson Livestock Equipment for nearly 30 years
Activities: member of Bethel Assembly of God Church in Thedford and then a member of Radiant Life Assembly of God Church in Ogallala; enjoyed ranching, hunting, fishing and his family
Survivors include: wife, Marlene Madron of Kearney; son, Mark Madron and wife Rose of Verdon; daughter, Marla Holthusen and husband Dale of Pleasanton; four grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother
Memorials: Hillcrest Cemetery of Thedford or Prairie View Gardens of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 6 November, 2015
MILLANG, John, 86, of Broken Bow, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at Golden Living Center in Broken Bow
Service: Saturday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Born on April 19, 1929, in Perley, Minn.
Parents: Ben and Hannah Millang
Grew up on a farm in Minnesota, graduated from Hendrum (Minn.) High School on May 28, 1947
Military: U.S. Air Force, Aug. 5, 1950, - Aug. 4, 1954; served during the Korean War; was honorably discharged
Married: Theresa McDaniel in Lake Charles, La.; she died Feb. 17, 2014
Lived in Minneapolis, worked in management for various businesses, including Tandy Leather Co., Radio Shack and Pier One Imports; later owned and operated a printing company out of his home and also was a licensed Realtor
Activities: member of the Lutheran church; enjoyed fishing and traveling and loved animals
Survivors include: sister-in-law, Mary Dow of North Platte; nieces and nephews, Steve Millang of California, Greg Mitchell of San Francisco, Susan Mitchell of Seattle, Theresa “Terri” and Jack Weaver and family of North Platte, Mark and Stephanie Dow and family of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Alice and Roger Olson of North Platte; and several other nieces, nephews and cousins
Was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two sisters, Audrey Mitch and Gladys Mitchell; and a brother, Harvey Millang
Memorials: Kearney Area Animal Shelter
Kearney Hub, 21 November, 2015
O'BRIEN, Thomas Harlan “Tom”, 67, of Lincoln, formerly of Shelton, died Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at his home
Celebration of life: Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelton
Burial of cremains: Shelton Cemetery
Born Sept. 16, 1948, in Grand Island
Parents: Harlan and Leithe (Thiel) O’Brien
Survivors who will cherish his memory include his brother and sister-in-law, John and Patricia O’Brien of Shelton; sister, Linda Fosler of Kansas City, Mo.; nieces and nephews, Robert O’Brien, Barbara and Joe Berglund, Amanda Fosler, John Ottun and Corissa and Geoffrey Gross; grandnieces, Emmilly Berglund and Addisyn Gross; and grandnephews, Camron Berglund and Jaxon Gross
Kearney Hub, 17 November, 2015
PEARSE, Mary Lou, 82, of Kearney, formerly of Elm Creek, died Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Wednesday at Living Faith Fellowship Church in Kearney
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born Jan. 23, 1933, in Kansas City, Mo.
Parents: William C. and Darline (Miles) May
Lived in several central-Nebraska communities, moved to Elm Creek in 1947; was a 1950 graduate of Elm Creek High School; later attended teachers college in Kearney
Married: June 1951, to Carl Pearse in Kearney
Taught school at Amherst District 76 county school, 1951 - 1952; was a longtime employee of West Co. and spent nearly 28 years with the company; later became manager of the West Co. Credit Union until her retirement; moved from Elm Creek to Kearney in 2009
Activities: enjoyed knitting, traveling, attending sporting events and Kearney Community Theatre, as well as spending time with her grandchildren; member of the Elm Creek Garden Club, Red Hats, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and served as a reservation volunteer for Kearney Community Theatre
Survivors include: sons and spouses, Sam and Linda Pearse of Chaseley, N.D., Mark and Rita Pearse of Fremont, David and Donna Pearse of Alliance, Tim and Carmen Pearse of Kearney and Jeff Jorgensen and special friend Mike Pivonka of Omaha; daughters and spouses, Marsha and Mike Ourada of Kearney and Carol and John Snow of Morganton, N.C.; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and brothers and spouses, Dan and Nan May of Kearney and Bill and Loneta May of North Platte
Was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Carl Pearse
Memorials: Kearney Community Theatre and Living Faith Fellowship Church
Kearney Hub, 10 November, 2015
RANDALL, William John “Bill”, 97, of Colby died Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, at his home
Graveside services: Thursday, Riverside Cemetery, Gibbon, Nebraska
Mortuary: Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel in Colby Kansas
Born: Dec. 25, 1917, on the family farm in Buffalo County, Nebraska
Parents: Otis and Esther Randall
Military: U.S. Navy as a Midshipman during WWII
Was a retired business man and resident of Colby, Kansas for over 70 years; began employment with the Kansas Nebraska Gas Company, 1939; was transferred to Colby, Kansas from Oxford, Nebraska in 1943 to serve as District Manager; left the company in 1953 to form a Partnership (Randall and McKee Sheet Metal, Heating and Air Conditioning); maintained this business with other partners for many years, eventually sold his interest to McClure Plumbing and Heating, Inc.; enjoyed the challenge of the planning, construction and installation of the metal duct work necessary for the proper installation of furnaces and air conditioners
Activities: was a 32nd Degree Mason and a former Thomas County Commissioner
Survivors include: daughter Judy Anne Kriss of Denver, Colorado, four grandchildren Jay, Jack (Laura), Jordan (Allison) Jill and 7 great grand children
Was preceded in death by first wife Bettie Jo Osborn, second wife Maxine Mallory Hopper, brothers, Mark and Robert and parents Otis and Esther Randall
Memorials: Shriners Childrens Hospital or Prairie Museum of Art and History
Kearney Hub, 16 November, 2015 and kersenbrockfuneralchapel.com
REESE, Opal, 93, of Pleasanton died Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna, where she had been a resident for a short time
Services: Friday at Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: Feb. 22, 1922,i n a sod house in the Davis Creek community south of Ord
Parents: Frank and Johanna Marie Amelia (Neuman) Kucera
Moved with her family to North Loup and later to the Hazard/Litchfield area; attended Litchfield High School, received her diploma and Normal School certificate in 1939; attended a short term at the University of Nebraska
Taught in rural schools in Buffalo and Sherman counties; also traveled to Arizona where her husband-to-be was stationed; in Arizona, held a number of jobs including clerk typist at Luke Airfield in Phoenix
Married: June 1943, to Duane Reese; returned to Pleasanton, began her postal career; served a number of years as a postal clerk, then became postmaster in the early 1960s; retired in 1989, having completed 40 years of government service
Survivors include her son, Randy and his wife, Nancy, of Pleasanton; grandchildren, Victor Reese of Pleasanton and Cristin Reese of Scottsbluff; brothers, Carl Kucera of Litchfield and Maynard Kucera of Hazard; many nieces and nephews; and the entire Kucera and Reese families
Was preceded in death by her husband, Duane; her parents; sister, Eva Laing; brothers, George Kucera and Dale Kucera; and infant brother, Francis Dean
Memorials: Pleasanton Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 5 November, 2015
ROLLINS, Larry, 65, Omaha, died Saturday Oct. 31, 2015, in Omaha
Memorial service: Saturday, Nov. 21, at Presbyterian Church of The Master in Omaha
Mortuary: Roeder in Omaha
Bborn May 13, 1950, in Kearney
Parents: James Benton and Gloria (Long) Rollins
Grew up in Kearney; received a B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska in electrical engineering
Married: 1973 to Kathryn Crumley
Was a branch administrative manager for Westinghouse Electric Supply Company, went on to own Karmelkorn Shoppes in Boulder and Greeley, Colorado
Activities: was a deacon in his church and very involved in Boy Scouts of America
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Kathryn; sons and spouses, Nathaniel and Amanda, and Kristopher and Ashley; grandchildren, Sean, James and Ava; and sisters and spouses, Sandra and Bill Volmer, Diane and Joe Rindone and Bernadette Dudgeon
Was preceded in death by his parents; and stepmother, Audette Rollins
Memorials: Lewy Body Dementia Association
Kearney Hub, 19 November, 2015
SHAFTO, Delmer D., 72, of Pleasanton died Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, at the family hunting cabin on the Platte River near Lexington
Service: Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Nov. 11, 1943, in Kearney
Parents: Reese and Thelma (Fread) Shafto
Grew up near Sartoria, attended Brown Country School and then school in Pleasanton where he graduated in 1962
Married: Erma Vocke on May 12, 1963, in Ravenna
After marriage, lived near Pleasanton
Worked for Lammers Land Leveling until 1972, then at Trotter Service as a tank wagon driver; retired in 2008
Activities: member of Grace Lutheran Church, Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department, the town board and Pleasanton Gun Club, and was a caretaker of Pleasant Valley Cemetery north of Pleasanton; enjoyed attending sporting events and high school activities, gardening, fishing and hunting; was very generous with his time, helping others and visiting with friends
Survivors include: daughter, Lori Anderson and husband Jeff of Hastings; son, Reese Shafto and wife Cheryl of Pleasanton; grandchildren, Jolyn Merry and husband Dustin of Lincoln, Jacob Anderson of Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and Trey Shafto and special friend Emily Hoehn, and Tate Shafto, all of Ravenna: brother, Jerry Shafto of Pleasanton; sisters-in-law, Maria Shafto of Kearney and Judy Trumble of Aurora; brothers-in-law, Stan Kaps and wife Marcia of Johnson Lake and Bill Vocke and wife Norma of Hazard; and eight nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his wife, Erma; brother, Larry Shafto; and sister, Donna Kaps
Memorials: Grace Lutheran Church, Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department or Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Kearney Hub, 24 November, 2015
SHELDEN, Randy Paul, 61, of York died Monday, Nov. 23, 2015 in Lincoln
Service: Monday at First United Methodist Church in York
Burial: York’s Greenwood Cemetery
Mortuary: Metz Mortuary in York
Born Jan. 14, 1954, in Kearney
Parents: Emery and Kathleen (Velene) Shelden
Was the executive vice president, chief information officer and correspondent banker at Cornerstone Bank in York from 1976 to the present; served on several committees for the Nebraska Bankers Association as well as the American Bankers Association; also had been a longtime member of the York Chamber Ambassadors
Activities: enjoyed playing golf and supporting the Nebraska Cornhuskers football and basketball teams; found joy in his family, especially his grandchildren; member of the York Optimist Club; active member in the First United Methodist Church, was the chairman of the Finance Committee
Married Barbara Moomey on May 17, 1974, in Kearney
Survivors include his wife, Barbara of York; daughters, Megan and husband Ben Fago of Hastings, Miranda and husband Aaron Golliday of Omaha and Maura Shelden and Mike Sciarrotta of Colorado Springs, Colo.; seven grandchildren, Paul, Lucy and William Fago of Hastings, Emery, Effie and Shelden Golliday of Omaha and Henzie Sciarrotta of Colorado Springs; two sisters, Connie and husband Dan Simons of Kearney and Marsha Norvell of Papillion; mother, Kathleen Jestes of Kearney; and cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends
Was preceded in death by his father and stepfather
Memorials: First United Methodist Church or the York Community Foundation
Kearney Hub, 25 November, 2015
TEMOSHEK, Donald L. “Don”, 78, of Papillion, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Papillion Manor
Services: Tuesday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 3, 1937, in Sioux City, Iowa
Parents: Victor and Berniece (Phillips) Temoshek
Grew up in Sioux City, graduated from Heelan High School and Morningside College
Worked at the Sioux City, Omaha and Denver stockyards, then came to Kearney to be a hog buyer; became a commodity broker; started his own business, 1976, and worked there until he retired
Activities: enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, cards, pool and Husker football; also loved his time with his children and grandchildren and their activities; had been the boys golf coach at Kearney Catholic High School and a member of St. James Catholic Church, Kearney Elks Club and the Kearney Veterans of Foreign Wars
Survivors include: children, Sean Temoshek and wife Marcia of Kearney, Andrea Macke and husband Mark, Darren Temoshek and wife Amanda, and Tony Temoshek, all of Omaha, and Tim Brogan of Norfolk; grandchildren, Joshua and Jessica Temoshek of Kearney and Pete, Claire, Grace and Ava Macke and Danika and Reagan Temoshek, all of Omaha; brother, Gary Temoshek and wife Nancy of Kansas City, Kan.; and special friend, JoAnn Emerson of Midwest City, Okla.
Was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Dennis; and one sister, Bonnie
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 7 November, 2015
VAUGHN, Lee E., 90, of Kearney died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Memorial service: Tuesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Born Nov. 9, 1924, in rural Loomis
Parents: Edward and Ethel (Olson) Vaughn
Attended rural country school until his eighth grade
Military: U.S. Navy, Feb. 5, 1944-May 20, 1946; was honorably discharges; then returned to Nebraska
Married: Jan. 16, 1947, to Ruth E. Graper
Was well-known for his farming and ability to raise livestock and horses
Survivors include: Virginia Evans, who has been like a daughter, and her close friend, Ron Wick, both of Kearney; many nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Alberta Vaughn of Omaha
Was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth Vaughn; brothers, Irving Vaughn and his wife, Mildred, and Kenneth Vaughn and his wife, Cornelia; and sister, Aline Lindstrom and her husband, George
Memorials: Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home
Kearney Hub, 7 November, 2015
WHITESEL, Mildred (Stubbs) Whitesel, 96, of North Platte died Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, at her home. Services: Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in North Platte
Cremation was chosen
Inurnment: Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens south of North Platte
Mortuary: Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte
Born on April 14, 1919, on her grandparents’ farm
Parents: Frank and Encie Stubbs
Married: Dec. 5, 1936, to Louis Whitesel. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her children, Cleo Hill, Allan, Terry and Melanie; brothers, Jack and Charles; sisters, Twila, Loy and Ermine; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 25 November, 2015
WILDER, Emma Jane, 95, of Kearney died Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, at Mother Hull Home
Service: Monday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Entombment: in the Wort Family Mausoleum at Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Dec. 7, 1919, in Sacramento, Calif.
Parents: Dr. Joel Osgood Wilder and Weslie (Wort) Wilder
Attended elementary school in California and Kearney; graduated from Kearney High School in 1937; attended Kearney State Teachers College and Mills College in Oakland, Calif., and received her Bachelor of Arts degree, 1941; received a teaching fellowship from Mary-Hardin Baylor College in Belton, Texas
Worked briefly at the Kearney Rationing Board during World War II; returned to San Francisco and worked for the American Red Cross; later trained as a registered physical therapist, became one of only five physical therapists in the state of Nebraska; in 1952, became a member of an orthopedic team that periodically conducted clinics for handicapped children throughout Nebraska, then worked in Lincoln at the Orthopedic Hospital; later worked in the Nebraska Lumber Association’s office, then worked with the Lincoln Public School system in their crippled children’s unit; moved to Kearney, 1966, and joined her family's property management business.; also worked at Good Samaritan Hospital as its first full-time physical therapist; Activities: in Lincoln, member of PEO, served in various offices and ended her tenure as president for two terms; later transferred her membership to Kearney; served on the Kearney Public Library Board; member of the board of the Buffalo County Chapter of the American Red Cross; member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Kearney, served on the Vestry and the Altar Guild; member of the Monday Book Club; was a trustee to the University of Nebraska Foundation, and docent at the Museum of Nebraska Art; received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and Kearney Hub’s Freedom Award in the category of Business and Industry; served on the board of the Kearney Area Community Foundation; was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club in 1999; enjoyed traveling and reading; loved her family deeply and took great pride in the city and state in which she lived
Survivors include her sister, Isabella Artman of Omaha; nieces, Cynthia Hartman and husband Herb of Omaha, Pam Artman of Kearney and Chris Lawrence and husband Patrick of Colorado Springs, Colo.; nephew, John Artman and wife Eleanor of Seattle; grandniece, April Clausen and husband Matt and their daughter, Anna, of Omaha; and grandnephews, H.A. Hartman and wife Beth and their son, Bennett, of Dakota Dunes, S.D., and Shane Hundley of Jacksonville, Fla.
Was preceded in death by her parents and her grandparents
Memorials: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or the Buffalo County Historical Society
Kearney Hub, 25 November, 2015
WILLIAMS, Gordon N. “Gordie”, 58, of Grand Island, formerly of Kearney, died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at his home
Memorial services: Friday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney
Born May 30, 1957, in Kearney
Parents: George and Betty (Mann) Williams
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1977
Worked as a laborer in the Kearney and Grand Island area most of his life; was an avid Husker fan all of his life
Surviving relatives include his sister, Barb Richardson and husband Mark of Kearney; and brothers, Gary Williams of Kearney, Galen Williams and Sandy of Casper, Wyo., and George Williams of Hutchinson, Kan.
Was preceded in death by his parents and one brother
Kearney Hub, 4 November, 2015
WILLIAMS, Jerome R. “Jerry”, 88, of Kearney, formerly of Kensington, Minn., died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Village
Services: Saturday at Our Lady of the Runestone Catholic Church in Kensington
Burial with military honors: church cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born Sept. 25, 1927, in Minneapolis
Parents: Frank and Pauline (Hipp) Williams
Graduated from Alexandria (Minn.) High School
Military: U.S. Navy during the Korean War; served as a boiler operator, 1950-1954; served on the USS Roosevelt
Attended Dunwoody Trade Institute
Married: Lois Palmer on Feb. 20, 1960, in Minneapolis
Resided in Minneapolis, Coon Rapids, St. Michael, Kensington and Farwell, Minn., and Kearney; worked as a drywall contractor for 50 years
Survivors include: son, Timothy Williams and wife Lisa of Kearney; daughter, Marie Tucker and husband Tom of Hancock, Minn.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert, Eugene and Richard; and sisters, Helen and Audrie
Was preceded in death by his wife in 1997 and a sister, Marjorie
Kearney Hub, 16 November, 2015
WOODWARD, Robert O. “Bob”, 47, of Kearney died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha
Service: Wednesday at New Life Church in Kearney
Burial: Rose Hill Cemetery near Callaway
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born on Dec. 20, 1967, in Kearney
Parents: Josiah H. and Marcile M. (Hensel) Woodward
Attended school in Kearney through the 10th grade, then attended Hastings High School and graduated with the class of 1986; received his degree in education from Hastings College
After college, worked for Roger’s Inc. in Hastings for a number of years, later returned to live in Kearney
Activities: enjoyed hunting with his dogs and riding his Harley with his buddies
Survivors include his parents, Joe and Marcile Woodward of Kearney; sister, Anita Morse and husband Steve of Omaha; brother, Joel Woodward of Kearney; nieces and nephew, Trevor Woodward, Hannah Woodward, Meghan Morse and Cassidy Morse; and numerous other extended family members and friends
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, Orvel and Agnes Woodward and Robert and Mildred Hensel
Memorials: Hastings College or to the family
Kearney Hub, 24 November, 2015
YOUNG, Irene V., 91, of Kearney died Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, at Mother Hull Home
Service: Monday at Calvary Baptist Church in Cambridge
Burial: Fairview Cemetery in Cambridge
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Oct. 4, 1924, in Genoa
Parents: Gilbert and Theresa (Fertig) Johnson
Grew up on a farm near Albion with seven siblings, attended a rural school through eighth grade, graduated from Albion High School in 1942; was baptized into Christ as a young girl and was a member of the Church of Christ in Albion
Married: to Gerald Packard on June 1, 1942
Lived in California and Arizona while Gerald served in the Army Air Corps; returned to Albion, 1946, worked with him running a flying service and farm; also worked as a nurse’s aid at Boone County Hospital
Moved with her children to Axtell, 1972, was the secretary for Deluxe Manufacturing; she and Gerald divorced in 1972
Married: to John Metzger on March 1, 1974, and moved to Cambridge; lived on the edge of town, raised paint horses and ran a hay business
Activities: an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Cambridge; worked as a nurse’s aid at the Cambridge hospital and as a secretary at Besler Industries; John passed away in 1986
Married: to Warren Young, June 19, 1992; he was killed in a car accident in August 1998
Moved to the Gibbon/Kearney area and lived out her remaining years
Survivors include: sons, Greg Packard and wife Alice of Prescott, Ariz., and George Packard and wife Denise of New Braunfels, Texas; daughters, Shelia Bond and husband Dwight of Gibbon and Teresa Scott and husband Brian of Sand Springs, Okla.; brother, Harold Johnson and wife Marilyn of Peoria, Ariz.; stepdaughters, Patricia Sayer of Cambridge and Joyce Minnick and husband Rich of Indianola; stepsons, Gary Metzger and wife Lori of Arapahoe, Larry Young and wife Mary Jo of Cambridge and Delton Young and wife Vickie of McCook; stepdaughter-in-law, Judy Metzger of Arapahoe; 32 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husbands, one brother, two sisters and three stepchildren
Kearney Hub, 24 November, 2015