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ABRAHAMSON, Laurene Ruth, 97, of Holdrege died Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at Holdrege Memorial Homes
Memorial service: Tuesday at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk
Burial: Prairie Home Cemetery near Holdrege before the service at the church
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born: Nov. 15, 1919, in Wagner, S.D.
Parents: Frank and Maude (Peters) Conroy
Was the third of four children; began her primary education in Kimball, S.D., then attended Shelton Public School, graduated from Shelton High School in 1937; received her teaching credentials from Kearney State Teachers College; was baptized and confirmed at the Shelton United Methodist Church
Taught school for four years, then worked at Platte Valley Bank in Kearney as a bookkeeper
Married: Jan. 20, 1950, to Paul W. Abrahamson; he died on May 18, 2001
After marriage, lived on a farm southwest of Axtell on Paul’s grandparents’ homestead, which has been in the Johnson family since 1879; farmed and ran a cow/calf operation for the next 35 years; retired and moved into Holdrege, 1985; In 2007, moved to Holdrege Memorial Homes
Activities: in retirement, enjoyed traveling together throughout the United States and overseas; since 1950, had been a devoted member of Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, was active with WELCA; member of the North Lake Women’s Club, enjoyed bowling on a league team when she was younger, and was always ready to play cards, work a crossword puzzle or play bingo
Was preceded in death by her husband; three brothers, Harold Conroy and his wife, Helen, Lee Conroy and his wife, Stella, and Glendale Conroy and his wife, Maxine; brother-in-law, Roger Abrahamson and his wife, Margery; sister-in-law, Violet Grove and her husband, Dale; three nieces, Joyce Abrahamson, Sandra Conroy and Mary Conroy; one nephew, Ronald Grove; as well as other extended family
Survivors include: a host of nieces and nephews, including Ruth Johnson and her husband, Bill, of Holdrege, Phyllis Dewald and her husband, Ray, of Delmont, S.D., Lee Grove and his wife, Grace, and Janice Abrahamson, all of Axtell, Harriet Reese and her husband, Tim, and Wendy Skallberg and her husband, John, all of Holdrege, Gary Conroy and his wife, Carolyn, of Spencer, Gene Conroy and his wife, Elizabeth, of Payson, Ariz., Gail Jones and her husband, Bob, of Bennett, Colo., Nona Dubbs and her husband, Darrell, of Grand Island, Jackie Weavers of Emmett, Idaho, Max Conroy of Bella Vista, Ark., Jerry Conroy and his wife, Sharon, of Winchester, Tenn., and Jeanne Sheets and her husband, Norman, of Hastings; and other relatives and friends
Memorials: Fridhem Lutheran Church or Holdrege Memorial Homes
Kearney Hub, 14 April, 2017
AMEND, Edna S., 94, of Kearney died Thursday, March 30, 2017, at Mother Hull Home
No services are scheduled at this time
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born May 21, 1922, in Lincoln
Parents: Henry and Mollie (Knaup) Schleiner
Married: June 13, 1950, to Herman H. Amend in Rushville
Survivors include her son, Doug of Kearney; daughter, Billie Beattie of Lincoln; brother, Ron Schleiner of Star, Idaho; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 1 April, 2017
ANDERSON, Genevieve Virginia, 98, of Holdrege died Friday, April 7, 2017, at Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege
Service: Wednesday at Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege
Burial: Moses Hill Cemetery in rural Phelps County
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born: Aug. 21, 1918, in Elm Creek
Parents: John and Floy (Lamson) Daul
Received her primary education in Elm Creek, graduated from Elm Creek High School, 1935; attended college for one year at Kearney State College and one year at Hastings State College, received her teaching certificate
Taught school at a rural school district north of Sumner for one year, at a Phelps County rural school district for two years and at Huntley Public Schools for one year; after marriage, substitute taught in Phelps County when called upon
Married: March 26, 1944,to Clinton C. Anderson; had four children together
After marriage, lived on the Anderson family farm in rural Phelps County northwest of Holdrege; Clinton died Nov. 2, 1990
Activities: enjoyed being a homemaker and farm wife; loved music and playing the piano; taught piano lessons to students for many years; longtime member of Bethel Lutheran Church, was involved in the Women’s Circles, the church council and numerous other activities
Was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Clinton; sister, Dorothy Jackson and husband Bob; her brother, Louis Daul and wife Rilda; and a daughter-in-law, Joyce Anderson in 1991
Survivors include: her four children, their spouses and their families: daughter, Ruthie and Tom Brown of Boulder, Colo.; grandson, Kevin and Alison Brown of Scottsdale, Ariz.; great-grandchildren, Brittany and Kyle; grandson, Greg and Connie Brown of Elkhorn; great-grandchildren, Emma Kate, Benjamin and Nathan; granddaughter, Kristen and Alan Lovin of Columbia, Mo.; great-grandchildren, Alexander, Teagan and Conner; son, Eddie and Marlys Anderson of rural Loomis; grandson, Kelly and Carolyn Anderson of Loomis; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Camry, Kari and Kaydee; grandson, Cory and Theresa Anderson of Gretna; granddaughter, Mindy and Nathan Anderson-Knott of Seward; great-grandchildren, Kalen, Edison and Jace; son, Fritz and Kathy Anderson of Grand Island; granddaughter, Heather and Andy Lange of Waverly; great-grandchildren, Grace and Ella; grandson, Chad and Deborah Anderson of Kearney; great-grandchildren, Barnabas and Stephen; and son, Dan Anderson of Gothenburg; granddaughter, Kim Anderson of Loomis; granddaughter, Debbie Ashmore and Taylor of Omaha; grandson, Jeff and Jessie Anderson of Fairborn, Ohio; great-granddaughter, Avery; a dear cousin, Lois Bergman of Holdrege; and a host of other relatives and friends
Memorials: Loomis Public School to be designated specifically toward music
Kearney Hub, 10 April, 2017
AVEY, Christen Michael, 51, of Ravenna died Saturday, March 25, 2017, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, from injuries sustained in a car accident in Pleasanton
Mortuary: Rasmussen Mortuary in Ravenna
Born: in Loup City on March 6, 1966
Parents: Cliff Avey and Charlotte Chramosta
Graduated from Ravenna High School
Worked as a machine operator at Hooker Bros. in Grand Island; had previously worked for Mid-America Cheese in Ravenna
Activities: enjoyed bowling, tractor pulling, truck pulling, playing pool and spending time with friends
Survivors include his parents, Cliff Avey of Kearney and Charlotte (Chramosta) Ursic of Upland, Calif.; and siblings, Kevin Avey of Colorado Springs, Colo., Angela Woodruff of Corona, Calif., and Kellie Wolinski of Little Elm, Texas
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles H. and Gladys Chramosta, Ralph Avey and Martha Avey; and his brother, Adam Avey
Kearney Hub, 27 March 2017
BERNET, Gordon Oliver, 93, of Ravenna died Monday, March 27, 2017, at Seneca Sunrise in Ravenna
Celebration of life service: Friday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: Sept. 26, 1923, in Ravenna
Parents: Oliver and Hazel (Zulauf) Bernet; after Hazel's death Oliver married Ella Muhlbach
Grew up on the family farm near Sodtown; attended country school and graduated from Ravenna High School in 1941
Married: Marguerite Wedemeyer on Nov. 5, 1944
After marriage, lived and raised their three daughters on the McKinney homestead of his maternal great-grandparents; remained there until October 2013; farmed, baled hays for others and raised cattle; worked part time for the Coast to Coast store in Ravenna; eventually owned and operated his own small engine repair shop, Bernet Repair, until his health failed
Activities: active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, served as chairman of building committee, church elder, Walther League sponsor, Sunday school teacher and choir member; read his Bible daily, carried a Portals of Prayer in his shirt pocket; volunteered at the Ravenna Invitational track meets and drove a high school activity bus; also served on the rural school board, high school board and more than 20 years as a 4-H leader
Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Marguerite of Ravenna; daughters and son-in-law, Beverly Larson of Ravenna and Patricia and Nick Lammers of Wood River; his grandchildren and their spouses, Andrea and Arnulfo Casarez of Katy, Texas, Brett and Alexis Larson and Erin and Travis Nye, all of Ravenna, Brook and Dave Bult of Kearney, Deena and Drew Schaeffer of Grand Island, Kylee and Blake Greisen of Hastings and Chelsie and Tyler Doane of Wood River, and 19 great-grandchildren were the light of his life; other survivors include his brother, Darrel and wife Linda Bernet of Overland Park, Kan.; sister, Donna and husband Jon Barstad of California; and sister-in-law, Jackie Wedemeyer of Scottsbluff
Was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Jackson; son-in-law, Larry Larson; grandson, Shannon Larson; brother, Ray Muhlbach; and sister, Delores Mingus
Memorials: Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 29 March, 2017
BILLINGS, Jerry L., 76, of Kearney died Sunday, April 9, 2017, at CHI Health Good Samaritan, after a short illness
Service: Thursday at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Aug. 24, 1940, with his womb mate, identical twin Gary D. Billings
Parents: Lester and D. Lorraine (Preston) Billings in Kearney
Attended kindergarten through 12th-grade public school in Kearney, graduated in 1958; attended Kearney State College, graduated in 1963 with a degree in music education and a master’s in music education in 1968
After graduation, taught music in Bushnell, Dalton and Loomis public schools; then worked for Allmand Bros. in Holdrege, 1975 until retiring in 2000
Married: 1961, to Margaret Issler; had four children together: Kandis May, Kevin Wayne, Kori Lee and Kurtis James; divorced in 1979
Married: June 21, 1980, to Judith Lynn Sims; had one daughter, Jerilyn Marie
After marriage with Judy, lived in Kearney
Activities: loved life and joking around; enjoyed working on his two older Buicks; enjoyed driving the old cars at Cruise Nites; loved spending his mornings at a local doughnut shop; volunteered at the hospital and greeted the visitors at the medical office building; was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, was involved in the Seekers Sunday School Class
Was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Gary Billings; and his sister-in-law, Judy
Survivors include his wife, Judith; daughter, Kandis Coomes and her husband, Rick, of Phillipsburg, Kan.; sons, Kevin of Omaha, Kori of Phillipsburg and Kurt and his wife, Jessica, of Phillipsburg; daughter, Jerilyn Wright and her husband, Travis, of Kearney; sister, Rochelle Kelly and her husband, Dave, of Papillion; two nephews, Pat and his wife, Jenny, and Brian and his wife, Andrea, and their families, all of Omaha; grandchildren, Deveony, DaKota, Dillon, Derick, Jocelyn, Brynn, Kannon and Rylan; and great-grandchildren, Deegan and Delilah
Memorials: Judith Sims Billings Scholarship or Kearney First United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 11 April, 2017
CATLIN, Karen Kay, 55, of Kearney, formerly of Gibbon, died Thursday, March 30, 2017, at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Village
Graveside service: Monday at Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Sept. 18, 1961, in Kearney
Parents: Harry “Jim” and Darlene L. (Puttergill) Catlin
Grew up in Gibbon and worked at Good Samaritan Village in Gibbon
Activities: enjoyed working with crafts, coloring and listening to country music; most of all, loved spending time with her family
Survivors include: her beloved mother, Darlene Catlin of Kearney; a brother, Michael Catlin and wife Denise of Shelton; a sister-in-law, Lyn Catlin of Wisconsin; nieces and nephews, Courtney, McKenzie, Nolan, Mikala, Tegun and Emily Catlin; aunts and uncles, Larry and Marilyn Puttergill of Gibbon, Kay and Merle Horst of California, Ron and Rojane Catlin and Lois Benson, all of Kearney, Kenny Catlin of Lincoln and Linda and Kurt Johnson of Omaha; and several cousins
Was preceded in death by her father; a brother, Rick J. Catlin; and her grandparents
Kearney Hub, 31 March, 2017
CONTRERAS, Evelynn Star, infant daughter of Randy and Cynthia Contreras of Kearney, died at birth Saturday, April 1, 2017, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: private
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Survivors include her parents; twin brother, Dallas; brothers and sisters, Dominique, Alonzo, Lillianna, Veronica, Randy Jr., Ethan, Damien and Yvonne Contreras; grandparents, Nicole and Joey Romero of Denver; and great-grandparents, Delaine and Roger Raleigh of Selden, Kan.
Kearney Hub, 12 April, 2017
COUGHLIN, Denise C. “Dee” Smith, 62, of Kearney died of cancer Saturday, March 25, 2017, at her home
Service: Thursday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: Feb. 12, 1955, in Kearney
Parents: John “Jack” F. and Darlene F. (Ripp) Smith
Lived for a short time in Alma then lived in Kearney the rest of her life; was a graduate of Kearney Catholic High School; earned her bachelor’s degree in health and physical education in 1995 from Kearney State College
Worked at Brass Buckle from an early age, eventually opened the first Brass Buckle for Gals, then became a buyer for that organization; then taught at Grand Island Northwest High School from 1995 until she became ill; also coached several teams and loved this part of her job very much
Survivors include: her husband, Jack of Kearney; sisters, Anita Huddleston and her husband, Lee, and Darla Langenburg and her husband, Bart; brothers, Blase Smith and his wife, Theresa, of Kearney and John Smith of Roanoke, Texas; nephews, Lee Langenburg and Hunter Smith of Kearney; and niece, Sara Giboney and her husband, Mike, and their daughter, Brynn, of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Darlene Smith; and niece, Sidney Smith
Memorials: Kearney Catholic High School Foundation, St. James Catholic Church or the Grand Island Northwest Education Fund
Kearney Hub, 28 March 2017
DeROLF, Carol, 83, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died Friday, April 7, 2017, in Norfolk, Virginia
Celebration of life service: Wednesday at Smith & Williams Funeral Home Kempsville Chapel
Burial: Colonial Grove Memorial Park
Born: Nov. 27, 1933, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Vern and Rosie Binderup
Was a graduate of Kearney High School and the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Was an enthusiastic instructor at Old Dominion University and elsewhere
Was preceded in death by her husband, John and son, Jack
Survivors include her sons, Dirk and wife Michele Bloodworth and Daniel DeRolf; and three grandchildren, Ryan, Riley and Carys
Kearney Hub, 11 April, 2017
GIFFORD, Allen Lee, 81, of Kearney died Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at Mount Carmel Home and Rehabilitation Center
Service: Monday at First United Methodist Church in Kearnney
Entombment: Riverdale Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born: Sept. 14, 1935, in Minden
Parents: Harold W. and Lucille M. (Pickering) Gifford
Attended school at Endicott, graduated from Endicott High School in 1953; attended Fairbury Community College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Worked for Dawson Public Power District, then began his career with General Telephone Co., retired after 30 years of dedicated service
Married: March 24, 1973, to Verna Maass at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church, Central Nebraska Auto Club, the Elks Club and the Eagles Club; in retirement, enjoyed traveling; later lived at Johnson Lake, returned to Kearney in 2015; restored several classic cars, participated in countless car shows, including nationals; was founder of Cruise Nite; also enjoyed hunting deer and bear
Survivors include: his loving wife, Verna of Kearney; three sons, Merle Gifford and Bradley Gifford, both of Kearney, and Bruce Gifford of Beaver Lake; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Barbara Gladson
Memorials: First United Methodist Church or donor’s choice
Kearney Hub, 6 April, 2017
HELLMAN, Jim, 77, of Kearney died Thursday, March 30, 2017, at his home
Service: April 11 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Sept. 1, 1939, in Grand Island
[Parents: Jacob and Frances (Otoupalik) Hellman]
Received his education from Kearney High School, graduated in 195; studied at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, graduated from Barnes Business College
Married: Feb. 27, 1960, to Marlene Brown in Kearney; just celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary
Was an entrepreneur and an owner of several businesses
Activities: was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, served as a pack leader and a Scoutmaster for many years; served on the board of Overland Trails District and was awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver Award; member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and was an ordained deacon; was involved in several civic organizations, was president of Optimist International, chairman of the United Fund Campaign, a Nebraska Diplomat and an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy; he coached all of his sons in youth football and basketball; enjoyed traveling, boating and spending time at the Johnson Lake cabin with his family; family was the joy of his life
Survivors include: wife, Marlene Hellman of Kearney; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Tammie Hellman of Kearney, Ryan and Carrie Hellman of Denver and J.J. and Jill Hellman of Denver; Rhonda Hellman of Kearney; grandchildren, Chelsea Ritchie, Lacey, Austin and Dalton Hellman, Colton, Carson and Reagan Hellman and Grace and Harrison Hellman; great-grandchildren, Tristan, Stella, Weston and Blaklee; brothers, sisters and their spouses, Jackie and Kenneth Main of Sutherland, Jan and Greg Daake of Kearney, Joel and Mary Lou Hellman of Lake Ozark, Mo., Joan and Tom Ross of Prior Lake, Minn., Jerry and Tami Hellman of Kearney, Jane and Pat Stinson of Billings, Mont., and Julie and Ray Smith of Pacific City, Ore.; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jon Hellman; sister, Jill Nickel; and great-grandchildren, Addelyn and Paisley Ritchie
Memorials: Make-A-Wish Foundation
Kearney Hub, 4 April, 2017
JATCZAK, Darlene, 78, of Spring, Texas, formerly of Kearney and David City, Neb., died Sunday, March 26, 2017, at The Pines in Spring
Service: Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in David City
Burial: the church cemetery
Mortuary: Chermok Funeral Home in David City
Born: March 29, 1938, in David City
Parents: Frank and Julia (Weverka) Kucera in David City
Activitives: enjoyed going on walks, cooking and playing cards; especially loved spending time with her friends, children and grandchildren
Survivors include: her children and their spouses, Barb and Pete Sagmiller of Spring, Mark and Kim Jatczak of Papillion, Neb., John and Heather Jatczak of Marstons Mills, Mass., Matt Jatczak of League City and Julie and Jimmy Hart of Wheat Ridge, Colo.; sisters, Sally Kozisek, Gladys Hoeft and Shirley and husband Mike Vasina; 14 grandchildren, Ashley J., Amber, Luke, Nathan, Ashley T., Jason, Kari, Ryan, Noelle, Liam, Olivia, Jake, Braden and Addy; seven great-grandchildren, Kaden, Bennet, Cole, Eliana, Chase, Channing and Diesel; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Raymond Kucera, Evelyn Birkel, Rosie Husak and Adeline Cemper
Kearney Hub, 28 March 2017
JENSEN, Aksel Valdemar, 92, of Kearney, formerly of Cozad and Gothenburg, died Sunday, April 2, 2017, in Kearney
Service: Friday at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg
Burial: Gothenburg Cemetery
Born: Oct. 22, 1924, on the family farm northeast of Cozad
Parents: T.C. and Anna Jensen
Married: Nov. 28, 1956, to Gwendolyn H. “Gwen” Maline; she died in 1989
Married: April 17, 1990, to Betty Grunden Slack; she preceded him in death
Survivors include his daughters, Carol Phillips of Running Springs, Calif., and Jane Marshall of Dallas; two grandchildren; and Betty’s family
Kearney Hub, 4 April, 2017
JURGENS, Janice, 72, of Kearney died Saturday, April 8, 2017, at her home
Service: April 18 at Christ Lutheran Church in Norfolk
Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery in Norfolk
Mortuaries: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl in Kearney and Brockhaus-Hauser-Fillmer in Norfolk
Born: Jan. 24, 1945, in Pierce
Parents: Elmer and Dorothy (Hilkemann) Thompson
Graduated from Pierce High School in 1962
Married: Lyle Colsden on Aug. 15, 1963, in Norfolk
Married: Ken Jurgens on Sept. 2, 2000, in Wilcox
Had lived in Kearney for the last 46 years; worked at Kearney Public Schools in payroll since 1989
Activities: enjoyed music, playing the piano, cooking and planting flowers, especially roses
Survivors include: her sons, David Colsden and his wife, Theresa, of Pierce and John Colsden of Kearney; daughter, Julie Zobel and her fiancé, Daniel Wheeler, of Kearney; grandchildren, Joshua Colsden and his wife, Lisa, and Megan Colsden, all of Pierce, and Hannah Zobel of Kearney; great-grandchildren, Savannah, Chyanne and Christian Colsden of Pierce; sister, Annie Rumsey and her husband, Doug, of Madison; and special friend, Steve Beadle of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 12 April, 2017
KLINKACEK, Jo Anna, 62, of Fort Worth, Texas, died Monday, April 3, 2017, at Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha
Service: Saturday at the Congregational Church in Ravenna
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: Aug. 28, 1954, in Grand Island
Parents: Alvin Klinkacek and Marjorie Schuller Butcher
Graduated from Ravenna High School in 1972 and from Grand Island School of Business in 1974
Retired in 2017 after 40 years with Burlington Northern Railroad, had worked in Alliance, Lincoln, Denver and Fort Worth
Survivors include her siblings, Mark and wife Marilyn Klinkacek of Omaha, Pam Rogers of Chadron and Tom and wife Nadine Klinkacek of Omaha; stepmother, Patty Klinkacek of Ravenna; aunts, Liz Schuller, Grace Marcus and Alice O’Lear; and 11 nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin Klinkacek and Marjorie Schuller Butcher
Kearney Hub, 5 April, 2017
LAMBERT, Cecil LeRoy, 73, of Miller died Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at Brookdale Kearney Northridge
Memorial service: Saturday at Miller United Methodist Church
Inurnment: Mount Hope Cemetery near Beaver City
Mortuary: Wenburg in Beaver City
Born: Sept. 3, 1943, in Oxford
Parents: Harley K. and LuElla (Weir) Lambert
Was the youngest of three sons; after LuElla’s death shortly after his birth, Hazel (Thomas) Clason became his mother
Graduated from Beaver City High School
Married: Marjorie (Nyland) Lambert and raised daughter Tracey and son Kenneth on the family farm
Was a hardworking man; farmed, sold seed, had a trucking business, tinkered in car sales and carpentry, and had a successful oil business until shortly before his death; spent his later years in Miller
Activities: loved to drive and would take any opportunity to do so; loved helping people; enjoyed square dancing, gardening, playing games with friends and family as well as traveling; Survivors include: three children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brothers
Kearney Hub, 27 March, 2017
LAMBERT, Stanley L., 83, of Urbana, Illinois, died Tuesday July 21, 2015 at his home
Born: Feb. 12, 1932 near Kearney, Nebraska
Parents: George W. and Celia Ellen (Helriegel) Lambert
Married: Margarita (Alonso) on Sept. 21, 1985 in Rantoul
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Linda Lambert (Derald) Mennenga and Margie Brocato Subervi; three sons, John Lambert, Frank (Lisa) Brocato Jr. and Paul (Angie) Brocato; a brother, George Lundgren; two sisters, Merna Bise and Lois Bise; 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren
Military: U.S. Air Force; retired in November 1971; was a graduate of the Spartan College of Aeronautics, Tulsa, Oklahoma, numerous Air Force Technical Schools and was a master instructor; taught in the Automatic Flight Control Systems Course and Compass Systems at Chanute Air Force Base at Rantoul, as well as teaching at several mobile training detachments nationwide; was assigned to the 377th Combat Support Group in Vietnam and a special assignment to Southeast Asia as a member of the 20th Helicopter Squadron also known as the Pony Express
After retiring from the military, was an automobile dealer, sales manager at Frazier Pontiac-Buick in Rantoul, Stan's Auto Sales in Rantoul and was the dealer principal at Shields Pontiac-Olds-Cadillac-GMC Truck in Paxton
Activities: hobbies included restoring automobiles, boating and the culinary arts
Published in the Champaign, Illinois News-Gazette. July 23, 2015
LINDAU, Zelma M., 93, of Kearney died Saturday, March 18, 2017, at Mount Carmel Home and Rehabilitation Center
Memorial service: Saturday, April 8 at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: in Litchfield on April 11, 1923
Parents: Charles and Opal (Bennett) Shaffer
Grew up in Litchfield, graduated from Litchfield High School in 1940
Taught in a one-room schoolhouse for two years and the first four grades of a school called Wiggle Creek; attended Kearney State College Married: 22 July, 1943, in San Francisco, to Ora “Lindy” Lindau, while he was in the Navy; had three sons together
Lived in California, Nebraska, and Goodland, Kansas
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney; volunteered at the Museum of Nebraska Art, Frank House, Red Cross Bloodmobile, as Sunday school teacher, with Meals on Wheels and was a Cub Scout leader; received a lifetime PTA Award; especially enjoyed volunteering at the gift shop at Good Samaritan Hospital; loved to play bridge and enjoyed her garden club; knitted and crocheted many newborn caps for Good Samaritan Hospital. Her yard and flowers were her pride and joy; was an avid jogger
Survivors include her sons, James and wife Marcia of Axtell, Charles and wife Karen of Baton Rouge, La., and Thomas of Kearney; grandchildren and their spouses, Brock and Lisa of Blair, Carrie and Marc Regier of Hampton, Brandon and Lisa of Garland, Brett and Marissa of McCook and Amberly and Charles Nunez and John Lindau, all of Baton Rouge; 12 great-grandchildren, Zachary and Lucy Lindau of Blair, Cooper, Hudson and Jagger Regier of Hampton, Kohltyn, Deklan and Evelyn Lindau of Garland, Malachi, Lainey and Jackson Lindau of McCook and Ellie Nunez of Baton Rouge; and brother, Jerry Curry and wife Pat of Fort Collins, Colo.
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother-in-law, Earl Lindau and his wife, Freda, of Hildreth; sisters-in-law, Violet Schurmann and her husband, Harold, and Fern Warnken and her husband, Fred, all of Hildreth; and sister, Evelyn Metz and her husband, Robert, of Pleasanton
Memorials: Ora and Zelma Lindau Foundation at the University of Nebraska at Kearney or First United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 5 April, 2017
MARSHALL, Warren Eugene, 87, of Kearney, formerly of Elm Creek, died Sunday, April 9, 2017, at his home
Service: Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Williamsburg Cemetery south of Elm Creek
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: near Loomis on June 27, 1929
Parents: Warren and Harriet (Cole) Marshall
Grew up on a farm in the Platte River Valley where Eugene spent the rest of his life; attended rural Phelps County grade school, graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1947 and attended Kearney State Teachers college for two years
Married: Donna Wickard, in 1950 in Lexington
Military: Joined in 1952, was stationed in Fort Jackson, S.C., and Gelnhausen, Germany
Graduated from Reisch American School of Auctioneering in 1949 and got his real estate broker license in 1950; worked at Kearney Livestock Commission Co. (owned by his father) through high school and college and eventually bought the business with his brother, Robin; together they ran a successful livestock auction business for 15 years; also built a successful land, farm equipment and household auction business and were proud to have their sons, Miles and Jeff, join them in the business; later formed a new company with Jeff, Marshall Auctioneers; received several awards in the Nebraska Auctioneers Association; also built a successful farming and ranching operation, Marshall Ranch Inc.
Activities: was active in 4-H as a boy and then served as an adult leader; received the AKSARBEN Award for Meritorious Service; served on the board of the Livestock Feeder Association and was president of the Gateway Agriculture Show; active member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church for 65 years, served on several committees, the Administrative Board and the Board of Trustees; also served on the Williamsburg Cemetery Association and donated much of his time to the upkeep of the cemetery; loved the outdoors, was an avid hunter; member of Pheasants Forever; planted trees and developed wildlife areas on his land; was a devoted father, grandfather and friend
Survivors include: his wife of 67 years, Donna Marshall; his brother, Robin Marshall and wife Judy; sisters, Lois Rahman and Deanna Francis; sisters-in-law, Irma Marshall and Helen Nickel; his children, Penny Buettner, Candy Marshall and husband Jerry Stehlik, and Jeff Marshall and wife Becky; his grandchildren, David and Jonathan and wife Shawna Buettner, Madeline and Will Stehlik, and Lacy Donald, Hannah Hild and husband Blake, and Leah Kenney and husband Gavin; and great-grandchildren, Marshall and Jaxon Donald and Birkley and soon to be born, Alyia Buettner
Was preceded in death by his brothers, Dick Marshall and wife Norma, Rud Marshall and wife Arbetta, Lawrence Marshall and Tom Marshall; and his grandson, T.J. Buettner
Memorials: Williamsburg United Methodist Church or the Williamsburg Cemetery Association
Kearney Hub, 11 April, 2017
MONTGOMERY, Rex Elton, 80, of Albion, formerly of Kearney, died Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Good Samaritan Society in Albion
Service: April 22, Ravenna Cemetery
Mortuary: Levander in Albion
Born: May 20, 1936, near Kenesaw
Parents: Walter and Barbara (Blue) Montgomery
Married: Sept. 10, 1960, to Amy J. Croston; she preceded him in death
Survivors include his daughters, Dawn Montgomery and Jean Bowman, both of Albion, Robyn Ratliff of Hardy, Ark., and Jane Ivey of Glencoe, Ark.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 11 April, 2017
NEVERVE, Cheryl “Cherry”, 56, of Omaha, formerly of Kearney, died Monday, March 27, 2017, in Omaha
Service: Friday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Elkhorn
Inurnment: McCook Cemetery
Mortuary: Reichmuth in Elkhorn
Survivors include her husband, Russ; daughters, Chandra Coleman of Omaha and Kaylyn Johnson of Portland, Ore.; parents, Fritz and Delpha Olmsted of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; siblings, Kathy Spence of Nixa, Mo., Ed Olmsted of San Diego and Ron Olmsted of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and three grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 29 March, 2017
NEVILLE, John B., 88, of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis
Memorial service: later
Willed his body to the National Body Donor Program
Born: Eddyville, Neb., on Aug. 8, 1928
Graduated from Eddyville High School, received a Bachelor’s of Economics degree from Creighton University
Military: U.S. Army, served as a paratrooper in the Korean War
Married: Aug. 23, 1958 to Elizabeth “Bettie” Neville; she survives
Worked as a cartographer at The Chart Plant in St. Louis, which he eventually retired from
Activities: enjoyed reading, traveling, watching sports, telling jokes and participating in the Knights of Columbus Color Guard Survivors include: his wife of 58 years; children, Mark Neville and Lori Venegoni and her husband, Mark; his granddaughter, Katie; his nieces and nephews; and the rest of his family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Neville; his brother and sisters, Joseph Neville, Angela (Neville) Crawford and Celeste (Neville) Norfleet; as well as his daughter-in-law, Michele
Kearney Hub, 30 March, 2017
NEWBERRY, Doran E. (Day), 59, of Kearney died Saturday, March 25, 2017, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: Thursday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City
Born: March 2, 1958, in Kearney
Parents: Billy B. and LaVonne M. (Brundige) Day
Lived in Miller until age 4, then moved to Loup City; attended school and graduated from Loup City High School in 1976
Moved to Lincoln for work
Married: Charles “Chuck” Newberry on July 7, 1978, at First Baptist Church in Loup City; divorced in 1996
After marriage, moved to Ravenna and worked for a rancher; also worked for a local veterinarian; owned a cleaning business in Gibbon and then in Shelton; moved to Kearney in 1986, worked for Cabela’s for many years; became plagued with several health issues that kept her from working
Activities: enjoyed reading, cooking, knitting, fishing and had raised registered dachshunds; was an avid pet lover
Survivors include her son, Nathan Newberry of Kearney; partner in life, James Martin of Kearney; sister, Dacia and husband James Dzingle of Loup City; brothers and their wives, Dennis and Rhonda Day of Grand Island and Daniel and Susan Day and Douglas and Sharon Day, all of Loup City; paternal aunt, Glenola (Day) Kleckner of Kearney; uncle, Donald Day of Omaha; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents, Billy B. and LaVonne (Brundige) Day; paternal grandparents, Glen and Alice (Boyd) Day; maternal grandparents, Dwight and Violet (Lewis) Brundige; aunts, Connie Sue Brundige, Verla Mae and husband Ron Owings and Patricia Day; and uncle Weldon Kleckner
Kearney Hub, 28 March 2017
NEWMYER, Paula Roberta, 88, of Kearney, formerly of North Platte, died Sunday, April 2, 2017, at CHI Health Good Samaritan as the result of an accident
Memorial service: Friday at First Presbyterian Church in North Platte
Inurnment: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Mortuary: Adams and Swanson in North Platte
Born: February 15, 1929 in Scotia
Parents: John C. and Gertrude (Chase) Poppe
Grew up in Tekamah, graduated from high school in 1946; attended Doane College
Taught school for several years
Married: Dan Newmyer
After marriage, lived in North Platte for 58 years
Survivors include: husband Dan K. Newmyer; children Susan (Wade) Evans of Kearney and David (Janet) Newmyer of Wilber; grandchildren Katie (Jake) McCarthy, Janie Evans, Jade Evans, Randy (Ashley) Newmyer, Mark (Erika) Newmyer, and Sam Newmyer (Mariah Morgan); great grandchildren Cruz and Ryan Evans, Cameron McCarthy, Oaks and Willa Newmyer, Clara Newmyer, with 2 more on the way; brother-in-law Kent Newmyer of CT; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents John and Gertrude Poppe; mother and father-in-law Dan and Doris Newmyer Sr.; 1 sister and 3 brothers
Memorials: First Presbyterian Church
Kearney Hub, 5 April, 2017 and funeral home website
PIERCE, Connie K., 75, of Eustis died of renal cell cancer Tuesday, April 4, 2017, in Hospice Care at Cozad Community Hospital, after a courageous 10-year battle with renal cell cancer
Service: Saturday at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood
Burial: later
Mortuary: Berryman in Cozad
She and her twin, Kenny Barth, were born Dec. 28, 1941, in Amherst
Parents: Albert and Almeda (Stubbs) Barth in Amherst; attended school in Amherst, graduated in 1960
Married: Aug. 13, 1961, to Elroy W. Pierce, in Amherst; had two daughters together
Lived in Tryon where Elroy taught and coached; moved to Eustis, 1963, where he continued to teach and coach
Baby-sat for several years; enjoyed all the children and being able to touch their lives; worked for Rosalie Joy in Eustis at her insurance agency and also worked for many years at DJ Motors; during her 10-year battle with cancer, had an amazing faith and attitude and would not hesitate to turn to prayer; never complained and stayed positive to the very end; was an amazing wife, mom and grandma,
Activities: greatest joy was her family; had a big heart and was always there to help friends and family; enjoyed going to the boats, especially with her brothers
Survivors include: her spouse of 55 years, Elroy; two daughters and their spouses, Rosalind and Steve Kruse of Ralston and Ronna and Kurt Banzhaf of Elwood; five grandchildren and spouses, Braeden and Kristin Banzhaf of Omaha, Brandt and Brooke Banzhaf of Bridgeport, Michaela and Steve Donley of Springfield, Sheridan Banzhaf of Elwood and Nicole Kruse of Ralston; two great-grandchildren, Braxton and Alexis Donley; sister-in-law, Yvonne Deyle Barth of Kearney; brother-in-law, Monty Pierce of Stapleton; brother/cousin, Gary Green of California; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents; Elroy’s parents, Ernie and Georgie; her twin, Kenny Barth and his wife, Sharon; her brother, Jim Barth; and in-laws, Kieth and Ellen Pierce, Mary Ann McCarter and Randy Pierce
Memorials: Harper Hope Support Services at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Society or Rural Medical Home Care-Home Health/Hospice (Lexington-Holdrege)
Kearney Hub, 5 April, 2017
SHUBERT, Dean Albert, 72, of Elm Creek died Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Visitation: Friday, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek
Celebration of life: Saturday, Elm Creek High School Gymnasium
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born: Jan. 9, 1945, on the family farm north of Elm Creek
Parents: Clarence and Verna (Cox) Shubert
Was the fourth of five children; received his education from country schools, then graduated from Elm Creek Public School with the class of 1963
Married: Nov. 13, 1964, to Phyllis Earl, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek; had four children together
Worked for Western Alfalfa, then worked at Wink Implement; later purchased the Gambles Store on Front Street in Elm Creek; while owning the Gambles Store, began his plumbing, electrical, heating and air-conditioning business, which became Shubert Electric and Plumbing in 1973; changed the name, 1989, to Circle S Plumbing and Well Service; started Buysm Sod in 1994; taught his four children to be hard workers, also employed his grandchildren and many area teenagers with his sod business
Activities: was instrumental in starting the Elm Creek Jaycees Chapter, served as president for three years; was also very active on the Elm Creek Fire Department for 11 years
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Shubert; sister, Sharon (Shubert) Smith; and sister-in-law, Janie (Bryant) Shubert
Survivors include: his wife, Phyllis of 52 years; four children, Kyla Martin and her husband, Tim, of Amherst, Troy Shubert and Amy Hall of Phillips, Scott Shubert and his wife, DeAnn, of Elm Creek and Kimberly Ehnes and her husband, Shawn, of Julesburg, Colo.; two brothers, Kenneth Shubert and his wife, Helen, of Kearney and Jack Shubert of Elm Creek; brother-in-law, Ron Smith of Grand Island; sister-in-law, Kathleen Harms and her husband, Robert, of Kearney; Dean’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were his pride and joy: 16 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Memorials: Elm Creek Fire and Rescue
Kearney Hub, 24 March, 2017
SJOGREN, Betty Jean Hultman, 88, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Lincoln
Memorial service: Monday at Southwood Lutheran Church in Lincoln
Mortuary: Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home
Born: in Omaha on July 7, 1928
Parents: Swedish immigrants John Ivar Hultman and Margaret Ruth Cronstrom
Attended Columbian Grade School, Omaha Central High School and Luther College in Wahoo
Married: 1947 in Omaha to Merle Sjogren
Moved to Portland, Ore., while Merle completed his medical residency; in 1948, were commissioned as missionaries and set off for a six-month stay in London where Merle studied tropical medicine; then served on mission stations in Machame and Kiomboi, Tanzania, East Africa for five years; returned by ship to the USA, lived in Omaha for 30 years except for 3 years in Abilne, Texas, where Merle was a flight surgeon at Dyess Air Force Base; then lived in Kearney seven years, and retired to Lincoln in 1992
Activities: volunteered in the community wherever she lived; enjoyed Tanzania very much; in Omaha, served as an officer and member of Lutheran Medical Center Distaffs and loved working on the First Ladies Dolls committee that dressed dolls in the inaugural gown of each Nebraska governor’s wife on display in the Governor’s Mansion in Lincoln; the Service Guild of LMC; the auxiliaries of Immanuel, Methodist and Clarkson hospitals; and UNMC Faculty Women’s Club; charter member of Mobile Meals that became Meals on Wheels, delivered meals for many years in Omaha and Lincoln; active member and volunteer at Augustana Lutheran Church in Omaha, First Lutheran Church in Kearney and Southwood Lutheran Church in Lincoln; was active in P.T.A., Girl Scouts, Sewing Circles, PEO (FN in Kearney and FF in Lincoln) and the Betty Club of Nebraska; was proud to be a mom, grandmother and homemaker; was open, caring and thoughtful of others; loved to travel; was a woman of faith
Was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Dr. Merle E. Sjogren
Survivors include her sisters, Vernelle Case Borchman of Omaha and Marilyn Roberts of Lake Oswego, Ore.; children, Mark and Chris Sjogren of Omaha, Barbara Sjogren of Brooklyn, N.Y., Sue and Tom Tallman of Lincoln and Linda Sjogren and Barry Hirshorn of Honolulu; 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren
Memorials: Meals on Wheels, Tabitha Hospice or Southwood Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 1 April, 2017
SMITH, Bonnie Louise, 84, of Kearney, formerly of Oregon, died Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at Mount Carmel Home and Rehabilitation Center
Memorial service: Monday at Mount Carmel Home
Burial: Oregon
Mortuary: Layton-Craig in Minden
Born: Prineville, Ore., on Feb. 18, 1933
Parents: John and Catherine (Weien) Warnstaff
Married: at 16, to her first love, Robert Delude; had three girls together; he preceded her in death
Graduated from nursing school, 1963; was trained to become a surgical nurse
Married: 1973, to Carl Smith; after marriage, lived on a ranch at Spray, Ore.; also owned and operated a restaurant, loved preparing home-cooked meals for the customers
Carl died in 2003, she moveed to Nebraska to be with her family; moved to Kearney, 2005, and to Mount Carmel in October 2016
Survivors include: three daughters, Catherine Chase and her husband, Don, and Mary Beinke, all of Kearney, and Jackie Delude of Pendleton, Ore.; three stepchildren, Pennie Abbas and husband Butch of Redmond, Ore., Sharie Matteson and husband Chuck of Fossil, Ore., and Jim Smith and wife Esther of Redmond; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her two husbands; grandson, Shawn Chase; one sister; and one brother
Memorials: Mount Carmel Home in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 8 April, 2017
SMITH, Justin D., 28, of Kearney died Sunday, April 9, 2017
Service: Friday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: Aug. 20, 1988, in Imperial
Parents: Michael and Jane (Grassmeyer) Anderson; was later adopted by Scott Smith
Graduated from Shelton High School in 2006
Lived in the Shelton and Kearney area; had worked as feed manager at Lewis Feedlot for the last three years
Activities: enjoyed spending time with his son; also liked to go camping and fishing and spend time with his friends
survivors include: his wife, Kelli of Kearney; sons, Ayden Smith of Albion and Rylen Schroeder of Omaha; father, Mike Anderson and his wife, Tracy, of Warsaw, Mo.; mother, Jane Grassmeyer of Lincoln; adoptive father, Scott Smith of Shelton; sister, Tara VenJohn and her husband, Kurtis, of Kearney; grandmothers, Caroline Anderson of Grand Island and Helen Smith of Shelton; stepbrother, Josh Krueger and his wife, Ashley, of Iowa; stepsisters, Brittany Honeck and her husband, Colton, and Courtney Nelson and her husband, Jared, all of Iowa, and Amber Luttrell and her husband, Justin, of Massachusetts; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dean and Mardell Grassmeyer and Max Anderson
Kearney Hub, 12 April, 2017
TATUM, Gary Lynn, 60, of Kearney died Sunday, March 26, 2017, at his home with his family by his side.
Service: later; cremation was chosen
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Nov. 22, 1956, in North Platte
Parents: Galen J. and Verna D. (Snyder) Tatum
Survivors include: four sisters, Gail, Linda, Cheryl and Robin, all of Kearney; two brothers, Rickie and Delbert, both of Kearney; and several nieces, nephews and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Terry; and four nephews
Kearney Hub, 28 March 2017
WARNKEN, Daniel S. “Tinker”, 61, of Kearney, formerly of Hildreth, died of cancer Monday, April 3, 2017, at his home
Service: Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth
Burial: St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in Hildreth
Mortuary: Jelden-Craig in Hildreth
Born: Jan. 17, 1956, in Franklin
Parents: Irvin and Lorraine (Hemje) Warnken
Was raised on a farm southeast of Hildreth, was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Hildreth; graduated from Hildreth High School in 1974
Married: to Tammy Price; lived on the family farm; later divorced
Worked at numerous jobs in the area, later worked at Bethphage Mission in Axtell; lived in Kearney with his companion, Susan Hulshizer for several years; did maintenance for several motels in Kearney
Activities: enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting; his farm, “Green Acres,” was very special to him; loved being around his family and friends, tinkering around with various projects
Survivors include: longtime companion, Susie and daughter, Ashley of Kearney; two brothers, Randy Warnken and wife Ann of Minden and Terry Warnken and wife Marilyn of Hildreth; sister, Deb Knaus and husband Ron of Hildreth; four nieces and nephews, Melissa Jakubowski and husband Mike, Ashley Konert and husband Derek, Alan Warnken and wife Heather, and Shayla Warnken; three grandnieces; and sister-in-law, Connie Riess of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Monty Warnken
Memorials: American Cancer Society
Kearney Hub, 4 April, 2017
WILKINSON, Ellis Lorain, 86, of Ravenna died Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island
Service: Saturday at Rasmussen Funeral Home in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Born: Jan. 24, 1931, in Stratton
Parents: Jesse Edward and Esther Mae (Cushing) Wilkinson
Graduated from Max High School in 1948
Farmed with his father following graduation
Military: U.S. Navy, 1951-1955
After discharge, lived in North Platte
Married: Nedra Wickizer on July 13, 1956, in Stratton; had six children together
Was a lifetime brick mason and beekeeper
Activities: member of the Sue Bee Honey Association; enjoyed playing cards and loved his exotic animals; was always building something, and enjoyed attending auctions
Survivors include: his wife, Nedra of Ravenna; daughters, Vicki Wilkinson of Grand Island and Christine and husband Timothy Bruning of Ravenna; sons, Jesse and wife Josa Wilkinson of Gibbon, James and wife Pamela Wilkinson of Kearney and John and wife Jeannie Wilkinson of Aurora; grandchildren, Bryan Sherman, C.J. Sherman, Electa Bruning, Steve Bruning, Rory Wilkinson, Grant Wilkinson, April Todd, Blake Adams, Nathan Adams, Courtney Wilkinson, Austin Wilkinson, Sarah Wilkinson, Branden Wilkinson and Julia Wilkinson; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Doug Wilkinson of Kearney; and sister, Twila and husband Fonce Brynoff of North Platte
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leon Wilkinson; and daughter, Julie Sherman
Memorials: Ravenna Senior Center
Kearney Hub, 31 March, 2017