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ADAMS, Steven Michael, 68, of Kearney died Thursday, March 22, 2018, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
He chose cremation
Memorial gathering: later
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love in Lexington
Born: May 22, 1949, in Lexington
Parents: Marion M. and Lois H. (Koehn) Adams
Married: summer 1974, to Linda Yost; they divorced
Survivors include his children, Gus Adams of Kearney, Michelle Stahl of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Sara Gil of Lexington; brother, Bob Adams of Kearney; and many grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 26 March 2018
ANDREWS, Marlene, 82, of Kearney died Friday, March 2, 2018, at Ravenna Good Samaritan Home
Service: Thursday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Born: Sept. 28, 1935, in Shelton
Parents: C. Marvin and C. Laurene (Mayfield) Helser
Attended elementary school south of Shelton; moved with family into Shelton in 1949
Was a 1953 graduate of Shelton High School, served as pep club president and played snare drum in the band; attended Kearney State College for one year and then taught in a rural school district a year later
Married: Loyd Andrews, Feb. 3, 1957
After marriage, moved to Sterling, Colo., was a social worker for the Logan County Welfare Department for 10 years; also served as treasurer and president of the Sterling Colorado Jayceettes; moved Kearney in 1970 to complete their degrees; was employed by Baldwin Filters and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1975; taught for two years at Alfalfa Center as head teacher, then worked at Kearney Public School as a substitute teacher for more than 25 years
Activities: past president of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary
Survivors include: husband, Loyd Andrews of Kearney; sister, Marcella Helser of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and cousins, Donald Mayfield, Jodi (Kent) Fletcher, Dick (Wilma Jean) Mayfield and Riley Mayfield, all of Shelton, Randy Mayfield of Grand Island, Sara Rolfmeyer of Shelton, Bobbi Garvey of Dalton, Earl (Rose) Burkey of Omaha, Kevin Mayfield of Wood River and Alan Mayfield of Gibbon
Was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Irvin and Marjorie Craig; grandparents, Cleo and Nellie Mayfield; and uncle and aunt, Stewart and Charlotte Mayfield
Memorials: Kearney Volunteer Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 6 March 2018
BEAN, Joel A., 51, of Kearney died Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: Saturday at First Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: March 12, 1966, in Cozad
Parents: Jim and Pat (Coons) Bean
Graduated from Aurora High School in 1984; attended Kearney State College and Central Community College-Grand Island, earned a nursing degree
Military: entered Nebraska National Guard in 1987, served in Iraq; at the time of his death, was a first sergeant with the 1075th Transportation Company out of North Platte
Married: Stacy Gorr on May 16, 1998, in Kearney
Worked as a registered nurse for the last 11 years and was working at Kearney Clinic at the time of his death
Activities: member of First Lutheran Church, Kearney American Legion Post 52 and Kearney Elks Lodge 984; enjoyed golfing, reading and history; loved spending time with his family and attending his sons’ sporting events and activities
Survivors include: his wife, Stacy Bean of Kearney; sons, Caleb and Joshua Bean of Kearney; mother, Pat Gage of Aurora; sister, Christa Cervantes and her husband, Kennelly, of Independence, Ky.; in-laws, Dennis and Barb Gorr of Scottsbluff; and brother-in-law, Mathew Gorr and his wife, Jessica, of Longmont, Colo.
Was preceded in death by his father, Jim Bean
Kearney Hub, 7 March 2018
BELLER, Effie Mae, 92, of Fremont, formerly of Benkelman, died Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Fremont
Service: Monday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney
Burial: Litchfield Cemetery
Born: Dec. 8, 1925, in Mason City
Parents: Chester A. and Bertha (Kipp) Chamberlin
Attended Mason City High School, graduated in 1943
Taught in several rural schools and at Emerson Elementary in Kearney
Graduated from Kearney State College in 1951; earned a master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado, 1957
Married: Murl R. Beller on June 14, 1953; had two daughters together
Murl and Effie Mae taught in several Nebraska school districts, retired in Benkelman; lived the past five years with her grandson, Aaron Dalton and his wife, Danielle, and their children, who lovingly cared for her until her death
Survivors include: daughters, Robyn Dalton and her husband, George Jones, of Tryon and Joy Beller of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; grandchildren, Aaron Dalton and his wife, Danielle, of Fremont, Jordyn Martin and her husband, Derek, of Kearney, Joslyn Ammar and her husband, Aaron, of West Hartford, Conn., and Alyssa Cumro and Natasha Cumro, both of Kearney; and seven great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Murl in 1999; siblings, Arthur, Norma and Clyde Chamberlin; and son-in-law, Michael L. Dalton
Kearney Hub, 10 March 2018
BLINDE, Dennis, 68, of Kearney died Friday, March 2, 2018, at his home
Service: Wednesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: April 3, 1949, in Johnson
Parents: Edwin and Emma (Hablitzel) Blinde
Was a 1967 graduate of Johnson High School and later attended Central Community College-Hastings
Married: Cheryl Faber, Oct. 5, 1968, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Hastings
Worked at Dick’s Sheet Metal and Zeke’s Heating and Air in Hastings; later moved to Kearney, worked at Fiddelke Heating and Air Conditioning as a sheet metal specialist for over 27 years
Activities: enjoyed fishing, camping and being outdoors; loved attending classic car shows, and his 1959 Chevy Apache pickup was his pride and joy; member of the Old Ten Cruisers Car Club; will be remembered as being a “jack-of-all-trades, and a master of all.”
Survivors include: his wife, Cheryl of Kearney; daughters, Lorie Quintana and husband Eli (Cheo), and Shelly Hove and husband Chris, all of Kearney; grandchildren, Cody, Sadie and Halie Quintana and Taylor and Jayden Hove; great-grandchildren, Kaden, Koda, Kyia and Blaze Quintana; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Larry (Butch) Faber of Kearney, Sandra Day and husband Dennis of Gibbon and Patty Eckhardt and husband Leonard, and Donna Ayriss and husband Graham, all of Lincoln; nieces, Chris Diaz and Danielle Ohrt; nephews, Patrick Weber and Christopher Ayriss; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family
Was preceded in death by his parents
Memorials: St. Jude’s Research Hospital
Kearney Hub, 5 March 2018
BOSSHAMER, Lucille M., 83, of Amherst died Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Service: Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst
Burial: Stanley Cemetery near Amherst
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: April 10, 1934, in Amherst
Parents: Emmitt and Anne (Daake) Siebke
Grew up and attended school in Amherst
Married: Alvin Bosshamer in Amherst on June 10, 1951
Was a cook at the school in Amherst for 47 years, retired in 2007; was also the curator of the Amherst Hall for many years Activities: actively followed her kids’ and grandchildren’s events; enjoyed cooking, baking and trying new recipes; cinnamon rolls were her specialty; member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a past member of the Altar Guild
Survivors include: husband, Alvin of Amherst; sons, Ken Bosshamer and his wife, Joyce, of Kearney and Steve Bosshamer and his wife, Sheryl, of Riverdale; daughter, Barbara Bosshamer of Kearney; grandsons, Bronson Bosshamer and his wife, Jolie, of Kearney, Reggie Bosshamer and his wife, Crystal, of Kearney, Shane Bosshamer and his special friend, Lynsey Murray, of Lexington; great-grandchildren, Jenna, Jake, Jered, Blake, Ali and Cora Bosshamer; and sister, Suzanne Siebke of Kearney
Was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Shasta Bosshamer; and one brother, Ben Siebke
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church or Amherst Bronco Boosters
Kearney Hub, 5 April 2018
BRENNAN, Joyce, 91, of Kearney died Sunday, April 1, 2018, at her daughter’s home in South Bend
Service: Friday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: July 30, 1926, in Grand Island
Parents: Ralph and Minnie (Harvey) Drown
Attended grade school in Poole until third grade; family moved to Gibbon; graduated from Gibbon High School in 1943
Married: Jan. 18, 1950, to Leo Brennan in Kearney
Worked at the Kearney Air Force Base and Sears, then retired to raise her family; later worked for Valley Vending, implementing its vending program at Rockwell International in Kearney; later, enjoyed a career with Gregerson and Sheppard Jewelry in Kearney; prior to marriage and until 2016, sold Sallye Harmer Cosmetics, traveling Nebraska and becoming director for the state
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church of Kearney, Kearney Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion auxiliaries, Evening Belles Extension Club, B.P.O. Does and the Red Hat Society; enjoyed organizing reunions for Sears and helping her husband organize reunions with Midwest Building Movers Association; cherished time spent with her family
Survivors include: her sons, Tom Brennan and wife Roxan of Marion, Iowa, and Bill Brennan and wife Cheryl of Kearney; and daughter, Mary Jo Hill and husband Bruce of South Bend. Joyce is also survived by her grandchildren, Todd Brennan and wife Megan of Omaha, Andrea Young and husband Matt of Leawood, Kan., Stephanie Brennan and fiancé Mike Mattingly of Olathe, Kan., Kyle Brennan and wife Sarah, and Kory Brennan and wife Crissy, all of Kearney, and Brennan Hill of Lincoln; and 10 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents and later by her husband in 1999
Memorials: First United Methodist Church or to the Kearney Goodfellows
Kearney Hub, 4 April 2018
BUCHANAN, Hazel, 83, of Kearney died Saturday, March 24, 2018, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: Thursday at Elm Creek United Methodist Church
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: April 17, 1934, in Beloit, Kan.
Parents: Theodore “R.J.” Ewing and Caroline (Debay) Ewing
Attended school in Cawker City, Kan., and was a 1954 graduate of Cawker City High School
Married: William Buchanan in March 1958
Moved to Elm Creek in 1962
Activities: active in Boy Scouts, church and school; enjoyed music, singing and cooking, and was a very talented artist; longtime member of Elm Creek United Methodist Church
Survivors include: her son, Bill Buchanan and wife Lois of Elm Creek; daughter, Brenda Schneider and husband Dwight of Funk; grandchildren, Kent (Rebecca) Buchanan, Ray Buchanan, Cherie Schneider and Kelly Schneider; and a great-grandson
Was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, William Buchanan
Kearney Hub, 27 March 2018
CARMAN, Grace M., 88, of Oklahoma City, formerly of Pleasanton, Neb., died Friday, March 30, 2018, in Oklahoma City
Cremation was chosen
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Born Sept. 16, 1929, on the farm near Verdigre, Neb.
Parents: James and Mary (Yiengst) Dobry
Graduated from Sumner (Neb.) High School and the Business School of Kansas City
Married: December 1946, to Ronald Carman
After marriage, lived at Pleasanton; had two daughters and a son together
Was a housewife and later a partner with Ronald in Carman Real Estate of Ravenna, Neb.; both retired in 2011
Survivors include: daughters, Ronna Eddings and her husband, Tom, and Michelyn Christiansen, all of Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Darold “Red” Carman; sister-in-law, Carol Lee Johnson and husband Charles; and extended family and many friends. Was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, James, Kenneth and Vladimir; her husband, Ronald; and her son, Joseph
Kearney Hub, 7 April 2018
CARMAN, Janet M., 84, of Pleasanton died Sunday, March 11, 2018, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Service: Friday at Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Jan. 19, 1934,on the family farm
Parents: Earl and Sophia (Kreitzer) Eaton
Attended elementary school at Sunflower School District, southeast of her lifelong home of Pleasanton; graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1951
Worked at the ordnance plant awaiting the return of her fiancé from duty in the U.S. Army in Korea
Married: Jan. 4, 1953, to Darold “Red” Carmanl had two children together
Was a partner with her husband in work as well as in life, working on the family farm, operating Pleasanton Market, along with a partnership in Carman Irrigation Inc., Trotter Fertilizer and numerous woodworking projects
Activities: enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends; was a dear friend to many children, opening the door of her home and her heart as easily as she smiled; member of Grace Lutheran Church in Pleasanton and several community clubs and organizations
Survivors include: her husband of 65 years, Darold “Red” Carman; daughter, Cynthia and husband Tom Huff of McCook; brother, Darold and wife Sandra Eaton of Grand Island; sisters-in-law, Carol Lee and husband Charles Johnson of Pleasanton and Grace Carman of Oklahoma City; grandsons, R. Dustin Hedke and wife Betsy of Omaha, Quentin Darold Hedke of Trenton and Andrew I. Hedke and wife Michelle of McCook; one great-grandchild, Janet Hedke; stepgrandchildren, Jeff and Kim Huff of Lenoir City, Tenn., Lisa Huff of Aurora Colo., and Matt and Kristi Huff of McCook; stepgreat-grandchildren, Christian, Natalie and Sophia Huff, Enzo Africano and Corbin Huff; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents, son and a brother-in-law, Ron Carman
Memorials: Grace Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 13 March 2018
COLEMAN, Jase Mitchell, infant son of Mitchell and Laura (Woollen) Coleman of Kearney, was born at rest Friday, March 30, 2018, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Service: Tuesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Survivors include: his parents, Mitchell and Laura Coleman and his big sister, Lila Elizabeth Coleman, all of Kearney; his grandparents, Carl and Deb Woollen of Axtell and Jim and Debbie Coleman of Broken Bow; great-grandparents, Jim and Alyce Nelson of Kearney and Mary Ann Coleman of Broken Bow; aunts and uncles, Caleb and Dani Woollen of Holdrege, Jeremy Coleman of Broken Bow, Mark and Jackie Chandler of Anselmo and Michael and Jessica Coleman and Marcus Coleman, all of Broken Bow; and cousins, Jalea, Seth and Ethan Chandler of Anselmo and Henry Woollen of Holdrege
Was preceded in death by great-grandparents, William and Dorothy Woollen, Ivan Coleman and Barbara Prentice; and Meghan Mizner, cousin of the mother
Kearney Hub, 2 April 2018
COOL, Ronald Lee, 77, of Elm Creek died Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Memorial service: Saturday, April 7, at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Inurnment: later
Born: November 6, 1940, in Kearney, Nebraska
Parents: Ernest and Gertrude (Bauer) Cool
One of five children; grew up north of Miller; graduated in 1959, with the first high school class of the newly formed Sumner Eddyville Miller school system
Worked for Jim Bailey at Miller; then began his employment with the Sumner Eddyville Miller school system as a custodian and bus driver, 1964; later worked for the Buffalo County Highway Department; lived in the Miller-Sumner area until his retirement with the County in October 2006, then lived at Elm Creek; also enjoyed working part-time in the Miller area for Quail Oil during the 70s and 80s, and Randy and Jerry Bentley up until retirement
Married: Judy Paben on June 1, 1963, in Amherst
After marriage, lived in the Miller area; had two children together; divorced in 1983
In Miller, was active with the Miller Volunteer Fire Department and Village Board
Activities: in retirement, enjoyed daily drives, attending many of his grandson’s activities, going to Mom’s Kitchen in Elm Creek, Sapp Bros in Odessa, frequent visits to Tub’s Pub in Sumner, and keeping up with previous Buffalo County coworkers; most recently kept a daily lunch date with his grandson Joshua; lived at Maple Manor in Elm Creek and enjoyed strong friendships with his fellow residents
Survivors include: his sisters Bobbie Pfeiffer of Kearney, and Arda Renfrow and her husband Dick of Grand Island; daughter Judi Ann Martin and husband Steve, and his grandson Joshua and wife Colleen all of Elm Creek; son Richard Lee and husband Patrick McDonald of Mesa, Arizona; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother in-law Lewis (Bud) Olson; brother in-law Duane Pfeiffer; brother in-law Darrel Hough; sister Vera Hough; sister LaRea Schnacker; and brother in-law Wayne Schnacker
Memorials: Elm Creek Volunteer Fire Department; Miller Volunteer Fire Department; or CHI Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation
Kearney Hub, 6 April 2018 and www.osrfh.com/obituaries/
CUDABACK, Jack L., 88, of Kearney died Sunday, April 1, 2018, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
No service
Cremation was chosen
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: June 9, 1929, in Kearney
Parents: Maurice and Lena (Johnston) Cudaback
Grew up in Riverdale, graduated from Riverdale High School in 1945; graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln with a Bachelor of Arts degree. later received several master’s degrees including electrical engineer; also received his Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Michigan
Military: U.S. Air Force, enrolled in officer candidate school and graduated as a second lieutenant; spent 10 years in the Air Force and worked in the first space program called the X-20 Dyna-Soar project
Married: 1951 to Edith Koepke; had three children together
Later moved to Ann Arbor, Mich., and married Janice Halstead; lived in Michigan, then retired Riverdale
Activities: loved teaching and taught in many areas; had many interests including flying his own airplanes; had a great passion for learning; music was a big part of his life; loved visiting with people
Surviving relatives include: his sister, Jane Rumbeck of Amherst; brothers, Jim Cudaback and Bob Cudaback and wife Karen, all of Riverdale; children, Anita Olson, Janell Pope and Zane Crockett; and special friend, Cindy Boehler of Alma
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ron Cudaback; and sister-in-law, Becky and brother-in-law, Jerry Rumbeck
Memorials: Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon
Kearney Hub, 4 April 2018
DIEKEN, Dorthea G., 88, of Kearney died Monday, March 5, 2018, at Mother Hull Home
Service: Friday, March 9, at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Born: Jan. 26, 1930, in Prosser
Parents: Ekko and Anna (Reiners) Dieken
Attended District 49 school
Was a nanny and caregiver most of her life; also worked as a dietary assistant for several different nursing homes in the area; most recently, worked in the kitchen at Bernardo’s in Hastings
Activities: enjoyed mowing and gardening; was very active in her church and loved her church family
Survivors include: her brother, Leonard Dieken of Prosser; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews
Memorials: Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 12 March 2018
EDWARDS, Leonard R., 92, of Kearney died Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at his home near Kearney
Graveside service with military honors: Saturday at Stanley Cemetery near Amherst
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Aug. 19, 1925, in Mancelona, Mich.
Parents: Charles and Louise (Daugherty) Edwards
Military: U.S. Navy and later the U.S. Air Force during World War II, Korea and Vietnam
Married: Vivian Axtell on Nov. 3, 1949, in Yankton, S.D.
Worked as a pile driver in Florida, later returned to Kearney and worked in maintenance at Kearney State College until retiring
Activities: past member of the Kearney American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars; enjoyed fishing, hunting and building airplanes; also enjoyed playing his guitar and singing
Survivors include: his wife, Vivian of Kearney; children, Linda (John) Adams of Kearney, Robert Axtell of Funk and Nancy (Mark) Staggs of Blanchard, Okla.; nine grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and other extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; three brothers; daughter-in-law, Gail Axtell; and grandson, Frankie Axtell
Kearney Hub, 16 March 2018
EMAL, Kent C., 77, of Kearney died Friday, March 16, 2018, at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Village
Celebration of life: Friday at Living Faith Fellowship Church in Kearney
Burial: Minden Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Feb. 27, 1941
Parents: Clayton and Frances (Anderson) Emal of Minden
Graduated from Minden High School in 1959; earned his degree in business from Kearney State College in 1963
Taught for two years at Hebron High School; moved to Denver, earned his master’s degree in speech language pathology from University of Denver; returned to Kearney, accepted a position at Kearney State College as an assistant professor of communication disorders; continued his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, completed the course work for a doctorate, but due to health issues, never completed his dissertation
Married: Karen Junker on Aug. 14, 1982; had two daughters together; also has a biological son born in 1963
Taught for the Communication Disorders Department at KSC/University of Nebraska at Kearney for 41 years, 1967-2008; continued to teach a CDIS class through 2009, before fully retiring from teaching and education; was pivotal in the grant and design of the Speech-Language-Hearing bus and impacted thousands of students; member of the Nebraska Speech-Language-Hearing Association, received honors from the organization; member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, was a strong advocate for stutterers and was part of the National Stuttering Association
Activities: loved to attend as many Loper events as possible with his family; after retirement, drove a RYDE bus, enjoyed getting to pick up and drop off kids for school; faced many health battles, including heart disease, strokes and dementia, but always had a positive outlook on life; loved traveling with his family and made it to all 50 states; his last state to visit was Alaska, which instantly became his favorite; also traveled to many international destinations with his sister, Janice; faith and family were the most important things in his life; lifelong member of First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, first in Minden and later in Kearney; also became a member of Living Faith Fellowship Church in Kearney; enjoyed season tickets to Husker football games, making potato bologna every Christmas, playing Somerset at any get-together, Storm hockey games and movie nights at home with popcorn; loved Kearney, was an active community member prior to his health deteriorating; volunteered for the United Way of the Kearney Area and was a member of the Elks until his death
Survivors include: his loving wife, Karen of Kearney; daughters, Jamie Hiemke, husband Aaron, and Sarah Bartling, husband Andrew, all of Kearney; biological son, Doug Larson and wife Crissa of Haxtun, Colo.; grandchildren, Macie Bartling, Baby Hiemke, Carly Daniel and Josh Larson; and many family members and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents, sister and numerous aunts, uncles and friends
Memorials: Kent Emal Communication Disorders Scholarship at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney Hub, 20 March 2018
FINKE, Doris, 91, of Ravenna died Monday, March 19, 2018, at Seneca Sunrise in Ravenna
Service: Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: Feb. 13, 1927, in Poole
Parents: Louie and Mabel (Jennings) Zeller
Was educated at Cedar Creek Elementary School, graduated from Ravenna High School in 1944; worked at Jack and Jill in Ravenna
Married: Ivan Finke on Dec. 22, 1946, in Ravenna
After marriage, lived in the Ravenna area, helped on the family farm
Activities: member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Poole Women’s Club; enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening and especially spending time with her family
Survivors include her husband, Ivan of Ravenna; daughters, Sandra (Marvin) McAuliff and Barbara Rager, all of Ravenna, and Patricia (David) Gartner of York; nine grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Loren (Ann) Zeller of Arizona and Robert Zeller of Colorado; as well as numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Rhonda Swanson; grandson, Jake Duncan; sister, Beulah Ulman; and brothers, Jack Zeller and Donny Zeller
Memorials: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Evening Circle and Dorcas Society
Kearney Hub, 20 March 2018
GARNER, Hollis Eugene “Gene”, 76, of Kearney died Thursday, March 1, 2018, at the Grand Island Veterans Home
Memorial service: Saturday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Born: July 18, 1941, at Mount Vernon, Mo.
Parents: Dorsey H. and Gertrude (Bailey) Garner
Grew up and received his education in Nebraska, graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1959
Military: U.S. Army, Jan. 20, 1960 - Dec. 31, 1965.; served during peace time in Korea with the 101st Airborne; was very proud of his Screaming Eagle legacy and routinely brought out his scrapbooks to share with family and friends
Married: Yvonne "Vonnie," May 10, 1965
After marriage, lived several years in Grand Island, worked for Northwestern Public Service Gas Co.; moved to Kearney, 1977,continued working for Northwestern Public Service as superintendent of the Midwest Region; retired in 2000 after 37 years with the company
Activities: enjoyed boxing, cars and hunting; was happiest spending time outdoors, hunting, mowing the yard or at the river; was an avid hunter his entire life, enjoyed his annual elk hunting trips to Colorado with friends and family
Survivors include: wife, Vonnie of Kearney; three children, Sandy Joll and Michael Garner, both of Colorado, and Brad Watkins of Florida; and a brother, Larry Garner of Arkansas
Was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James; and a sister, Goldie
Memorials: Nebraska Humane Society
Kearney Hub, 6 March 2018
GROSS, Orylin Duane “Bud”, 85, of Gibbon died Thursday, March 29, 2018, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Service: Tuesday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Riverside Cemetery at Gibbon
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Feb. 10, 1933, at Linn, Kan.
Parents: Harvey and Josephine (Wathor) Gross
Grew up on a farm near Hollenberg, Kan., graduated from Hollenberg High School in 1951
Military: U.S. Army, May 27, 1953 - April 30, 1955, served during the Korean War; attained rank as a sergeant first class
Following discharge, worked for Western Electric in Lincoln
Married: Dorothy “Beth” Brubauer on May 26, 1957, in Beatrice
After marriage, lived in Fairbury, attended Fairbury Junior College; moved to Kearney, 1950, earned his bachelor’s degree from Kearney State Teachers College in 1961
Taught at Shickley High School for two years, then moved to Gibbon, taught at Gibbon High School, retired in 1995; also ran a painting crew in the summer
Activities: had a passion for education and a strong work ethic; member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church; loved being in the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, camping and working in his yard; in retirement, enjoyed traveling; spent 18 winters in Texas
Survivors include: his beloved wife, Beth Gross of Gibbon; three daughters, Renee Gross and husband Jon of Gretna, Rhonda Seybold and husband Mitch of Larkspur, Colo., and Kari Eberle and husband D.J. of Mason City; his grandchildren, Lindsey (Seybold) Barlow and husband Rex, Mica (Seybold) and husband Adam Ruff, Brett Gross, Shelbi Gross, Cortnee Eberle, Logan Eberle and Jonathan Eberle; a sister, Delores Short of Gretna; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Hubert Short
Memorials: Gibbon Education Association or Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 2 April 2018
HOFBAUER, Mildred Marie, 91, of Ravenna died Friday, March 9, 2018, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Service: Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ravenna
Burial: St. Joseph’s Cemetery southeast of Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: July 2, 1926, at her parents’ home in Buffalo County
Parents: Joseph and Barbara (Vacek) Hervert
Was baptized at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church; grew up on a farm southeast of Ravenna; graduated from Ravenna High School in 1943 and attended Kearney Normal School, obtaining her teaching degree
Taught for four years
Married: Joseph Hofbauer on Aug. 19, 1948, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church
After marriage, lived and farmed south of Ravenna on the old Hofbauer family farm; moved to Ravenna after Joe retired from farming
Activities: member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ravenna; was always active in the church, service organizations and helping her family; was a 4-H leader for several years and always had a passion for sewing, quilting and baking kolaches; enjoyed playing cards and bowling
Survivors include: her only daughter, Sandra (Mark) Clymer of Kearney; grandchildren, Stacy (Shane) Rockefeller of Gibbon and Kelsey (Chad) Ruwe of Omaha; great-grandchildren, Quentin, Baylee and Kreyton Rockefeller and Everly, Noah and Vivienne Ruwe; five nieces; and one nephew
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph; three sisters, Blanche (Lester) Klein, Clara (Charles) Prochaska and Sylvia (Fred) Vokoun; one brother, Edward (Claribel) Hervert; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Hofbauer and Rose (Leonard) Kriha; one niece; and one nephew
Memorials: the church
Kearney Hub, 12 March 2018
JACOBSEN, Robert C. “Jake”, 82, of Kearney, formerly of Broken Bow, died Monday, April 2, 2018, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center
Memorial service: April 5, at First Baptist Church in Mason City
Burial: later
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: February 18, 1936 in Omaha
Parents: Wayne A. and Eileen M. (Braden) Jacobsen
Attended Omaha Tech High School, graduated in 1954; attended Dana College and also Omaha University
Married: Kay I. Petersen on April 8, 1956 in Omaha; had four children together
Was self-employed as an electrical engineer
Activities: active member of the Masons, Shriners and also the Broken Bow community; served 2 terms as the mayor of Broken Bow and also participated in many plays at the Community Theater; member of the First Presbyterian Church in Broken Bow and also played the role of Peter at the Methodist Church during Easter for over 27 years; enjoyed fishing, especially during his annual trip to Minnesota; especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren
Survivors include: his children and their spouses, Deb and David Wattonville of Omaha, Diane and Gary Krajewski of Ogallala, Tom and RaLynn Jacobsen of Kearney and Linda and Dale Zoerb of Litchfield; 12 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and numerous other extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kay in 2015
Kearney Hub, 3 April 2018 and www.hlmkfuneral.com/obituaries/
JOHNSON, Gary L., 78, of Kearney died Monday, March 26, 2018, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: Friday at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: Jan. 7, 1940, in Kearney
Parents: Harry “Bus” and Marian (Grimes) Johnson
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1958
Married: Glad Hummer in Kearney in 1961; later divorced
Married: Gayle Skiles in 1969 in Kearney; divorced in 1995, but remained very close
Worked for GTE Telephone in Kearney for 20 years, then owned and operated Kearney Telephone Services; retired in 1986
Activities: enjoyed spending time with family and friends, watching Husker football and collecting knowledge and trivia; also kept up with current events going on in Kearney
Survivors include: his daughters, Jacki Johnson and her significant other, Trent Osborn, of Kearney and Debbie Johnson and Shawn Neff and her husband, Casey, all of Omaha; grandsons, Adam Quintana and his wife, Jordan, Alex Quintana and his wife, Elizabeth, J.P. Neff and Trey Neff; brother, Dick Johnson and his wife, Shirley, of Kearney and Jack Johnson and his wife, Sharon, of South Carolina; and sister, Marilyn Helgeson of Kearney
Was preceded in death by two brothers, Ron and Doug Johnson; and ex-wife Gayle Johnson
Memorials: Autism Society of Nebraska
Kearney Hub, 28 March 2018
KENNEY, Virgil E., 90, of Amherst, died March 18, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society-St. John’s in Kearney
Funeral service: Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst
Burial: Stanley Cemetery with Military rites
Born: August 21, 1927 on a farm north of Amherst
Parents: John and Mildred (Fisher) Busch
Military: joined U.S. Army in 1946, served during WW II; after discharge, returned to Amherst
Married: Ruby Taubenheim on December 31, 1948 in Lexington
After marriage, lived at Sartoria, farmed and ranched until 1959; then owned and operated Amherst Motor Company until 1969; went back to farming and ranching, retired in 2018; also drove a school bus for Amherst Public Schools
Activities: active in the D.A.V.-Midway Chapter #14, served as a state commander; member of Trinity Lutheran Church; enjoyed fishing and camping; was a charter member of the Amherst Volunteer Fire Department, 1963-1992
Survivors include: sons, Virgil Kenney Jr. and his wife LeAnn, Richard Kenney and his wife Pamela, John Kenney all of Amherst, and James Kenney of Grand Island; daughters, Joan Kinney and her husband Marvin of Hastings, Brenda Warta and her husband Gary of Grand Island, Sue Gugel and her husband Randy of Amherst; sisters, Barbara Smith of Elm Creek, Faye Stowe of Idaho; sister-in-law Arlene Clark of Kearney; 22 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his wife, one great granddaughter, and two brothers
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church or the Disabled American Veterans-Midway Chapter #14
Kearney Hub, 21 March 2018
KOWALSKI, Patrick A., 54, of Kearney died Thursday, April 5, 2018, at his home
Service: Tuesday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Oct. 7, 1963, in Loup City
Parents: Richard J. and Lillian M. (Gancos) Kowalski
Attended Kearney Catholic High School, graduated with the class of 1981; was known around Kearney for his love of loud and fast cars; saved his money and purchased his first car, a dune buggy, then a Cutlass 442, later more cars and pickups; attended Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska at Kearney) and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration
Married: Autumn Warner, married Aug. 10, 1996, in Kearney
After marriage, lived in Kearney for 21 years; have two children together
Worked at Bob’s Super Store over 25 years; loved serving others and was respected and known by many in Kearney and the surrounding communities; was diligent and loyal at his work; then worked at Chesterman Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper; was employed as the warehouse manager at Chesterman Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper in Kearney at the time of his death
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney and the Knights of Columbus St. James Council 1728; was an avid exerciser and enjoyed golfing in several leagues throughout the years; enjoyed engaging in his children’s various activities; family was his joy, especially his wife and children; was purposeful and composed; kindness and gentleness defined his temperament Survivors include his wife, Autumn Kowalski of Kearney; children, Faith Kowalski and Patrick Grant Kowalski, both of Kearney; mother, Lillian Kowalski of Kearney; siblings, Terry (Judy) Kowalski of Kearney, Tami (Denis) Reese of Loomis, Randy Kowalski of Kearney, Rick (Lynelle) Kowalski of Bellevue and Dan (Dawn Parris) Kowalski of Lincoln; parents-in-law, Randall and Paula Warner of Ord; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Russ Warner of Ord and Anne Elizabeth (Dave) Terry of St. Louis; numerous nieces, nephews, several aunts, uncles, other extended family and numerous friends
Was preceded in death by his father, Richard in 2008; and sister, Mary Jean in infancy
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church or an educational fund for Patrick’s children
Kearney Hub, 7 April 2018
KRING, Barbara Jean “Barb”, 60, of Kearney, formerly of Lexington, died Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Burial:Eustis Cemetery
Memorial service: Wednesday at Lexington Evangelical Free Church
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love in Lexington
Born: April 2, 1958, in Lexington
Parents: James C. and Bernadine (Hueftle) Kring
Survivors include her sister, Carol Karlberg of Sumner
Kearney Hub, 16 April 2018
KYLE, Lennett Yvonne, 71, of Kearney died Saturday, April 7, 2018, at her home
Service: Friday at Grace Fellowship Church in Kearney
Burial: Hendley Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Jan. 16, 1947, at the Arapahoe nursing home
Parents: Leonard Gipe Sr. and Elsie (Conley) Gipe
Grew up in the Hendley and Arapahoe area, received her education at Arapahoe Public Schools
Married: Feb. 18, 1968, to Albert Kyle; had five children
After marriage, lived in the Arapahoe area, Arizona, Louisiana and eventually the Kearney area
Activities: favorite pastime was being close to family, especially spoiling her nieces and nephews; loved doing puzzles and reading her Bible daily; greatest joys in her life were her grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents; son, Mickey Albert; sister, Louella; brother-in-law, Clarence; sister-in-law, Charlie; nephew, Steve; and grandson, Korban
Survivors include: her husband, Albert; daughter, Lisa (Joe) Johnson of Gibbon; son, Bradley (Rebecca) Kyle of Papillion; daughters, April (Matt) Simms of Lincoln and Mindy (Luke) Moore of Kearney; 7 grandchildren; sister, June Brakhan; brother, Leonard Gipe Jr. (Loretta); and sisters, Susan Barnes (John), and Karen Kurzenberger (Ken)
Kearney Hub, 12 April 2018
LARSON, Sally Irene Murray, 67, of Lawrence, Kansas, died Thursday, March 8, 2018, at her home
Service: Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, Neb.
Burial: Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born: Oct. 24, 1950, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Parents: Doris and Max “Jack” Murray
Was baptized and received her First Communion at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney; attended St. James Catholic school until second grade, continued her education at Axtell (Neb.) Community School, graduating in 1969; attended Kearney State College, graduated in 1973 with her bachelor’s degree in education and a minor in early childhood education
Married: on July 22, 1972, to Dudley Ray Larson at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Taught fourth grade in Minden; received her master’s degree from Kearney State College in 1978
Lived in Axtell in Dudley’s grandparents’ home, then moved to Lawrence in 1987; taught at Sunset Hill Elementary in Lawrence, was well respected by her students and their parents, taught for 42 years
Activities: enjoyed traveling and dining in search of the perfect barbecue joint; entered barbecue contests, took pride as the presentation designer; attended many Nebraska Cornhusker football games together; enjoyed family reunions, treasured time spent with her grandchildren; member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence
Survivors include: her husband of 45 years, Dudley Larson; son, Brett Larson and his wife, Danielle, and their two daughters, Olivia and Lillian of Hebron, Neb.; mother, Doris Murray of Axtell; brother, Max Murray and wife Teresa of Kearney; sister, Nancy Murray of Axtell; nephew, Chadd Murray and his wife, Dawn, of Kearney; niece, Angela Philbrick and husband Trent of Gering, Neb.; and seven grandnieces and grandnephews
Was preceded in death by her father, Max Murray; and grandparents, Myrtle and Max Murray (paternal) and Blanche and August Bleck (maternal)
Memorials: Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas Summer food program
Kearney Hub, 10 March 2018
LEAF, E. Helen, 96, of Kearney died Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at Mother Hull Home. Service: Tuesday at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: June 9, 1921, near Johnstown
Parents: Fred and Rose (Jelinek) Micheel
Grew up near Johnstown , graduated from Wood Lake in 1938
Married: Robert “Ward” White in 1941; lived in Brownlee; had a daughter together in 1942; Ward was drafted into the U.S. Army, was sent overseas and was killed in heavy enemy fire in September 1944
Helen then moved to Thedford; worked at Citizens State Bank in Thedford for several years; became a teacher, taught south of Thedford by the Dismal River; moved moved to Kearney, 1959
Married: Alfred C. Leaf in 1963; worked at First National Bank until retirement Activities: enjoyed cooking and baking, watching Husker football and spending time with her family; member of the American Legion Auxiliary Steidley-Kayton Unit 230 in Thedford for 71 years; was a devoted and loving mother and very proud of her family; treasured her four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren
Survivors include: her daughter, Shari (Ron) Hoos of Amherst; grandchildren, Monte (Tammy) Trampe of Amherst, Wade Trampe of York, Stacy (Damon) Shada of Grand Island and Stephanie (Craig) Simmons of Miller; great-grandchildren, Tristen Trampe, Tosha Freeland, Alisha Trampe, Keisha Trampe, Dalton Trampe, McKayla Shada, Kaden Shada, Kanyon Shada, Scout Simmons and Adalee Simmons; great-great-grandchildren, Easton and Bryndle; and sister, Winnie Cooley of Mullen
Was preceded in death by an infant brother; her parents, Fred and Rose Micheel; husbands, Ward White and Alfred Leaf; and sisters, Elaine Ballard and Thelma Sanders
Kearney Hub, 24 March 2018
LUEDKE, Beverly “Bev” Luedke, 81, of Rockwall, Texas, formerly of Kearney and Fremont, Neb., died Wednesday, March 21, 2018, in Rockwall
Memorial service: Friday at Reflections at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Location
Born: Jan. 23, 1937, in Wahoo, Neb.
Married: William Barr Luedke on Sept. 13, 1959, in Fremont
Worked for the City of Kearney as a secretary and became the city clerk; member of First Baptist Church in Kearney; was a lifelong member of Beta Sigma Phi International, joining in 1955; enjoyed arts and crafts and bowling and was a member of the Nebraska Women’s Bowling Association; was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother
Survivors include: her daughters, Janet Luedke and Jean Scott and husband James; granddaughter, Amber Apraicio and husband Michael; great-grandchildren, Dezmond Adamson, Caiden Adamson and Elijah Apraicio; many stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; along with a host of loving relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Barr Luedke; mother, Lucille Kent; and aunts, Opal and Ethel Kemerling
Kearney Hub, 31 March 2018
LYNCH, Carol, 69, of Kearney died Sunday, April 8, 2018, at Lexington Regional Health Center
Service: Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: May 3, 1948, in Lincoln
Parents: Eber and Florence (Weaver) Tice
Grew up in Lincoln and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1966; graduated from Kearney State College in 1970; in high school, ran on the girls track team and in college was on the swim team
Married: Aug. 15, 1970, to Gary Wren Lynch
Taught physical education at various elementary schools in Kearney, retired in 2003; also coached middle school track in Kearney; later worked part time as a banquet server at the Holiday Inn in Kearney
Activities: enjoyed playing softball, skiing, bowling, and golf; member of the Kearney Country Club and charter member at Awarii Dunes Golf Club
Survivors include: her husband, Gary of Kearney; daughters, Taryn Schwartz and husband Ryan and children Aubrey and Bennett of Kearney and Jenny Lynch and husband Jamie Rogers and children Oakes and Indigo of Denver; and brother, Terry Tice of Telluride, Colo.
Was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Gene Tice
Memorials: Kearney Area Animal Shelter or the S.A.F.E. Center in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 11 April 2018
MASTIN, Robert Lynn, 88, of Hastings died Friday, March 23, 2018, at his home
Service: Wednesday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral in Hastings
Burial: in the cathedral’s columbarium
Mortuary: Livingston Butler Volland
Born: Feb. 23, 1930, in Chicago
Parents: Dr. Forest Lynn and Kathleen (Quinton) Mastin
Was raised in Kearney
Married: Virginia Nye Mastin, June 8, 1952, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Kearney
Earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1951) and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, in Omaha (1955); completed a residency at Wayne County General Hospital in Detroit (1956) and a residency in obstetrics at Offutt Air Force Base while serving as a captain in the U.S. Air Force (1963); was one of three founding doctors of the Family Medical Center of Hastings (1963), also served on the medical staff of Mary Lanning Healthcare for over 50 years; retired, 2009, after 54 years of practicing medicine; began his career in the days when house calls were still common, delivered more than 6,000 babies, and as a family doctor, often provided care for families over multiple generations
Activities: was an Eagle Scout, general aviation pilot and lover of small planes and fast cars; was an avid tennis player and skier, a passionate Nebraska Cornhusker fan and lifelong, season ticket holder; enjoyed golf, was a founding member of Lochland Country Club; built his family home there in 1962
Was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, John Mastin
Survivors include: his wife, Virginia Mastin; his four children, Anne Dotson (Steve), Beth Mastin-Kiefaber (Bruce), Kathy Johnson (Kevin) and Robert Mastin (Lori); 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren
Memorials: The Trenchard Foundation, which awards scholarships to first-generation, low-income students to help them attend the University of Nebraska
Kearney Hub, 26 March 2018
MATTSON, Barbara J., 81, of Fremont, formerly of Kearney, died Friday, March 30, 2018, at Hooper Care Center
Service: later
Mortuary: Dugan Funeral Chapel in Fremont
Born June 2, 1936
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1954
Married: Clark Mattson, on Dec. 22, 1957; celebrated their 60th anniversary last December
After marriage, lived various places for Clark's work; settled permanently in Fremont 1970; in Fremont, worked various jobs, including 10 years at Western Electric
Activities: was involved in several organizations and loved quilting and crafting; was a loving mother and grandmother; enjoyed phone calls and visits from the family
Survivors include: her husband, Clark Mattson; children, Reed (Sharon) Mattson of Fremont, Andrew (Barbara) Mattson of Loveland, Colo., and Daniel (Stephanie) Mattson of Holdrege; and grandchildren, Evan (Mallory) Mattson of Olathe, Kan., Morgan Mattson of Clarks Summit, Pa., Danika Ward of Boulder, Colo., and Dawson Mattson of Holdrege
Was preceded in death by her parents, Eulene and Earl Singleton; and parents-in-law, Ingve “Ding” and Ruth Mattson
Kearney Hub, 3 April 2018
MEIER, Rosella M. “Zell”, 74, of Kearney died Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at her home
Service: March 24 at First Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Nov. 27, 1943, in Kearney
Parents: Gilbert and Esther (Schake) Zimmerman
Grew up in Kearney, attended Zion Lutheran Grade School; graduated from Kearney High School in 1961; graduated from Kearney State College in 1965 and taught school in Minden for two years
Married: June 4, 1969, to William “Bill” Meier in Kearney
Obtained her master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, then taught physical education at Kearney State College; was hired as the first volleyball coach at Kearney State College, 1969; retired in 1993; after 24 years of coaching, her teams had compiled a 643-228 record; her 643 victories is 10th on the all-time coaching list of the American Volleyball Coaches Association; was one of the first five to be inducted into the NAIA Volleyball Hall of Fame, 1988; after retirement, worked with her husband as owners and operators of Zimmerman Printers in Kearney; sold the business in 2006
Activities: enjoyed country dancing, then taught country dance at the college; opened Meier’s Ballroom in Gibbon, 2007, taught country line dancing and hosted many events; the last function at the ballroom before they sold it in 2017 was to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary; member of First Lutheran Church in Kearney; enjoyed traveling and motorcycle riding
Survivors include: her husband, Bill of Kearney; and daughters, Kelli Meier of Phoenix and Kambi Jecminek, husband Nathan, and grandchildren, Taylor and Maximus, of Denver
Was preceded in death by her parents
Memorials: First Lutheran Church or to support volleyball scholarships at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney Hub, 17 March 2018
MORRISSEY, Suzanne M., 87, of Kearney died Saturday, March 31, 2018, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: Thursday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Dec. 8, 1930, in Davenport, Iowa
Parents: John and Rachel (Daugherty) Tobin
Grew up in Davenport, graduated from Davenport High School in 1949; received her hygienist degree from the University of Iowa
In July 1945, walked the streets of Davenport selling War Bonds and sold enough to build the entire upper deck of the aircraft carrier Saratoga; received an award from Henry Morgenthau Jr., the secretary of the treasury
Married: June 16, 1951, to John J. Morrissey
Worked at Kearney Floral as the bookkeeper and sometime floral designer; attended Kearney State College for extra classes; also served her government as a spokesman for the U.S. Army Air Defense and Fort Bliss, Texas, giving talks for them across the United States; was an ambassador of Air Defense Artillery and spoke for them Feb. 11, 1972; received the Governor’s Award from Frank Morrison in 1978 and another in 1983 from Bob Kerrey; received a Community Service Award from Modern Woodman; received six different awards from Travelers Protective Association for child safety programs; received the Travelers Protective Association Merit Award on June 10, 2002; also received awards from The American Cancer Society, Goodwill Industries, The Red Cross and several awards from various governors for the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska; was an Electoral College voter for Nebraska; served on the Status of Women board and was president of the Priors of Nebraska for 15 years; was a speed reader; took time three times a day to pray; loved her grandsons and her great-grandchildren; loved to bake and share the goodies with the neighbors
Survivors include: her husband, John of Kearney; daughter, Margie Paul and her husband, Rex, of Kearney; grandsons, Ryan Paul and his wife, Christina, and their daughter, Trinity, of Bellevue, and John Paul and his wife, Carmen, and their son, Brooks, and daughter, Quinn, of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her great-grandson, Carter William Paul
Memorials: American Red Cross
Kearney Hub, 4 April 2018
NICKEL, Helen Claire, 95, of Kearney died Sunday, March 11, 2018, at Brookdale Kearney Northridge
Memorial service: Wednesday at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: Feb. 23, 1923, on a farm near Sumner
Parents: J.C. and Lucille (Thorton) Wickard
Eldest of five children; graduated from Lexington High School in 1940, attended Kearney State College for one year and completed a business course
Married: Dec. 1, 1945, to Duane Nickel
After marriage, lived in Lexington, then moved to the Nickel family farm south of Kearney; moved to Kearney, 1990
Activities: treasured her relationships with family and friends; enjoyed traveling with Duane and rooting for the Huskers every fall; also enjoyed attending her children’s and grandchildren’s many and varied activities; active member of Kearney First United Methodist Church, the Newark Extension Club and a neighborhood birthday club; making new friends with residents and staff of the Northridge
Served as Duane’s caregiver during his 15-year struggle with Parkinson’s disease; he passed away in 2002
Survivors include: her daughter, Nancy and husband Bert Fuller of Auburn; sons, Doug and wife Sharon Nickel of Meadowlakes, Texas, and Dirk and wife Angela Nickel and David and wife Wendy Nickel, all of Kearney; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and many, many friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Duane Nickel; brothers, Morris and Dean Wickard; and sisters, Fanny Joann Wickard and Donna Marshall
Memorials: First United Methodist Church or the Kearney Area Community Foundation
Kearney Hub, 12 March 2018
NOYES, Tara Kathleen, 62, of Kearney died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, in Kearney
No services planned at this time
Mortuary: Reichmuth in Elkhorn
Born: Sept. 29, 1955
Was preceded in death by her parents, Travor and Jane McKenna; and sister, Jinx and husband Craig
Survivors include: daughters, Mary Elizabeth Salchow of Kearney, Virginia Jane Noyes of Omaha and Cynthia Susan Pierce of Georgia; one granddaughter; and two brothers
Kearney Hub, 2 March 2018
RAY, Erma Alma, 93, of Kennewick, Washington, formerly of Elm Creek, Neb., died Sunday, March 25, 2018, at Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick
Memorial service: April 14 at Elm Creek United Methodist Church
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney and Elm Creek
Born: Aug. 23, 1924, in Farnam, Neb.
Parents: Albert and Martha (Yeutter) Schurr
Grew up on farms in the Eustis and Cozad, Neb., areas; was a 1942 graduate of Lexington (Neb.) High School
Worked for Stuart’s Pharmacy in Lexington; in Lexington, was a part of the local effort to provide food and treats to the troops, whose train would stop en route to their training bases
Married: Oct. 21, 1951, to Wilbur T. Ray in Cozad
After marriage, lived in Elm Creek; worked part time bookkeeping for plumbing and heating contractors in Elm Creek and also developed and managed a trailer court, as well as rental properties in Elm Creek; in later years, moved to Idaho and then to Washington to be closer to her son and family
Activities: enjoyed gardening, and cooking for her family, did hand sewing and embroidery; had a passion for the Cornhusker football team, also enjoyed watching or listening to a good college basketball game or Major League Baseball game; most of all, loved spending time with her family and friends and always loved following her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities; longtime member of Elm Creek United Methodist Church
Survivors include: her son, Howard and wife Cheryl of Kennewick; brother, Orville Schurr of Rockford, Ill.; sister, Ruth Carlson of Gothenburg, Neb.; son-in-law, Dennis Schutz of Brighton, Colo.; as well as many nieces and nephews; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wilbur; brother, Lloyd Schurr; and her daughter, Sharon Schutz
Memorials: Chaplaincy Hospice Care in Kennewick or a hospice of the donor’s choice
Kearney Hub, 7 April 2018
RIGGS, Maude Marie, 92, of Elm Creek died Monday, March 26, 2018, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Service: Friday at First Christian Church of Elm Creek
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Elm Creek
Born: May 13, 1925, at Bancroft, Kan.
Parents: Elmer Ellsworth and Matilda “Tilly” Mabel (Chapman) Jones
Grew up in Bancroft and Circleville, Kan., moved to Winfield, Kan., at age 9; graduated from Winfield High School in 1943
Worked with the Civil Service at Strother Air Field
Married: Clyde Vernon Riggs on May 8, 1947, in Winfield
After marriage, lived in Elm Creek for 17 years and then Loomis for eight years; returned to Elm Creek, 1872
Worked for ADM (Archer Daniels Midland Co.) at Odessa, 1957-1964 and then Phelps County Welfare Office at Holdrege until 1971; worked for Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District for 19 years; retired in May 1990
Activities: was known for her infectious smile; enjoyed ballroom dancing and traveling to all 50 states, Mexico and Canada; was famous for making dozen of cookie plates at Christmas and pies for church potlucks; was very active in the Loomis and Elm Creek churches, was an officer in different groups; enjoyed attending her children's and grandchildren’s activities; played cards and other games, recently learned to play video games with her great-grandson; made and gave away many handmade quilts and crocheted afghans, doilies and tablecloths
Survivors include: her children, Clyde William “Bill” Riggs of Elm Creek and Kathryn Marie Tropp and husband Ernie of Loomis; three grandchildren, Clayton Tropp and wife Kira of Bellevue, Neb., Gayle Tropp of Sterling, Colo., and April Riggs of Bellevue, Wash.; two great-grandsons, Holden and Hunter Tropp of Bellevue, Neb.; two sisters, Lula Reed Cepel and husband Harold of Gibbon and Virginia McCoskey and husband Robert of Wichita, Kan.; a brother, Leslie Jones of Ohio; a sister-in-law, Lucille Doolittle of Norwich, Kan.; numerous nieces and nephews; her special family, the Alavis; her caregivers; and a multitude of friends
Was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother, Romena; her husband, Clyde V. Riggs; an infant granddaughter, Marissa Tropp; a daughter-in-law, Kathleen Riggs; sister and brother-in-law, Peggy Jones and husband Gilmer Nellis; brother, Elmer Ellsworth Jones Jr. and wives Gladys and Ruth; brother-in-law, Virgil Reed; sisters-in-law, Cecelia Jones, Esther and Paul Kincheloe, Doris and Walter Ball, Helen and Lee Johnson and Harriet and Lee Thompson; and brothers-in-law, Robert and Mozel Riggs and Johnny Doolittle
Memorials: First Christian Church of Elm Creek
Kearney Hub, 28 March 2018
ROCKEFELLER, Debra Ann, 57, of Kearney died Monday, March 19, 2018, at her home
Service: Friday at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minden
Burial: Minden Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born: Sept. 22, 1960, in Minden
Parents: John and Marjorie (Anderson) Westesen
Was raised on a farm south of Kearney, was a 1979 graduate of Kearney High School; attended Central Community College-Grand Island, earned her associate degree
Married: Steve Rockefeller at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minden on March 5, 1983
Worked for Good Samaritan Hospital in the lab and as a medical transcriptionist, retired due to her health after 33 years of employment
Activities: enjoyed camping, gardening and being outdoors; cherished the time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren; was an active church member and taught Sunday school for many years
Survivors include her husband, Steve Rockefeller of Kearney; daughter, Emily (John) Bengtson and their children, Brooke and Michael, all of York; son, Scott Rockefeller of Oakdale; parents, John and Marjorie Westesen of Kearney; brothers, David (Beth) Westesen and Jay (Lisa) Westesen, all of Kearney; brother-in-law, Gary Rockefeller of Kearney; sister-in-law, Debra J. Rockefeller of Tomball, Texas; father-in-law, Carl Rockefeller of Kearney; as well as many nieces, nephews and special friend, Joan Trew
Was peceded in death by her mother-in-law, Shirley Rockefeller
Memorials: Kearney Tackles Cancer
Kearney Hub, 21 March 2018
ROPER, Zale Kent, 85, of Kearney, formerly of Amherst, died Sunday, March 4, 2018, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: Thursday at First United Methodist Church, cremation following
Inurnment: later
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: April 8, 1932, in Sumner
Parents: Harry B. and Fern (Brown) Roper
Grew up in Sumner, graduated from Sumner High School in 1949
Married: Ila Bowden on Nov. 25, 1947, in Norton, Kan.
After marriage, lived at Sumner where Zale farmed; moved to Poole, 1960, continued farming; then moved to Kearney, opened the Roper Holiday Standard Oil Station in 1965, owned and operated the station until 1977, then he opened Roper Radiator Shop; moved to an acreage outside of Amherst in 1990 and recently returned to Kearney to reside at Welcov; retired in December 2016
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church, past member of the Elks Club; enjoyed playing golf, fishing, hunting, camping and watching wildlife; especially loved attending the activities of his grandchildren
Survivors include: his loving wife of 70 years, Ila Roper of Kearney; two sons, Perry L. Roper and wife Karen of Summer Haven Lake and Dennis G. Roper and wife Lori of Amherst; seven grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Lisa Marie Roper; two sons, Larry and Timothy Roper; three brothers, Clyde “Jack” Roper, Dean Roper and Zane Roper; and three sisters, Beryl Thomas, Avis McFarland and Doris Shadley
Memorials: St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Kearney Hub, 7 March 2018
SCHALL, Shirley Joan, 69, of Kearney died Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha
Service: Monday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Mason City Cemetery
Mortuary: Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow
Born: Nov. 27, 1948, in Broken Bow
Parents: John W. Shaw and Betty L. (Stephens) Shaw
Was the oldest of six children, grew up near Mason City
Married: Sept. 2, 1967, in Mason City to Larry Schall, her high school sweetheart; recently celebrated their 50th anniversary
Earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Kearney State College, spent the majority of her career working as the director of the Southwest Nebraska Distance Learning Consortium; served as the Rho State Organization president of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional international honor society of women educators
Activities: member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, and co-chaired the annual Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay contests for middle and high school students; member of Daughters of the American Revolution, United Methodist Women and the Fort Kearny Genealogy Society; had a passion for genealogy, traveled around the country to gather information and official documents of her ancestors
Was preceded in death by her parents, John and Betty (Stephens) Shaw; in-laws, Melvin and Faye (Cox) Whitehead; her brother, John R. Shaw; and brother-in-law, Dennis Schall
Survivors include: her husband, Larry Schall of Kearney; her two children, Anthony (Tracy) Schall of Kearney and Tiffanie (Jeff) Faimon of Omaha; six grandchildren, Ryan and Haley Schall and Logan, Bryce, Charlie and Bo Faimon; sisters, Linda (Bob) Ryan of Litchfield, Marilyn (Cy) Thoene of Ansley, Carol (Al) Sanger of Kearney and Dee Dee Howard (Mark Zimmer) of Mason City; sister-in-law, Sally Shaw of Dalton; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and close friends
Kearney Hub, 7 April 2018
SCHERLING, Bryce Milb, 41, of Kearney died Saturday, March 17, 2018, at home
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Cremation was chosen
Born: Sept. 30, 1976, in Valentine
Was adopted as a young boy by Milb and Rose Scherling
Grew up in Plymouth, graduated from Tri-County High School in 1994; at age 13 years old, began living with his foster parents, Galen and Bev Plihal
Married: Tanya Kummer on Sept. 25, 2004, in Grand Island
After marriage, lived in Kearney, worked in the landscaping business and drove a taxi
Activities: loved sports, was an avid Husker and Green Bay Packers fan; enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially hunting and fishing; loved spending time with his beloved dogs; member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Plymouth
Survivors: his wife, Tanya of Kearney; his daughter, Kourtnee Tennyson; his foster family, Galen and Bev Plihal of DeWitt and Paul and Tammy Olson and their children, Logan and Delaney, of Omaha; his father-in-law, Allan Kummer of Columbus; his mother-in-law, Betty Hirshfeld of Benedict; his sister-in-law, Christi Wilson of Mississippi; special friends, Calob Pearson and Dorrya Williams; and several other friends
Was preceded in death by his parents, Milb and Rose Scherling; a brother-in-law, Cory Kummer; and an uncle, Robert Holle
Kearney Hub, 21 March 2018
SCHMUHL, Loretta E., 84, of Gibbon died Saturday, March 31, 2018, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Private service: later Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: March 10, 1934 in Chattanooga, TN. Parents: Howard and Marilyn Reed
Married: Wilbert C. Schmuhl on January 1, 1959 in Washington State
Wilbert served in the Army and was active during the Korean War; the family moved to several locations during his years of service; Loretta worked for many years as a waitress before retirement
Survivors include: her children, Donna Smith of Gibbon, Deb Boeing of Hartford, Conn., Robert Schmuhl of Kingman, Ariz., William Schmuhl of Las Vegas, Nev., Douglas Ewart of Foley, Ala., and Darren Decker of Enumclaw, Wash; 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Wilbert in 2014
Kearney Hub, 2 April 2018 and www.hlmkfuneral.com/obituaries/
SICKLER, Geneva Marie, 60, of Lincoln died Monday, April 2, 2018, in Lincoln
Memorial service: Saturday at Trump Funeral Services Chapel in Lincoln
Inurnment: Omaha National Cemetery Born: June 19, 1957, in Kearney
Parents: Stanley and Deldee (Martin, Stevens) Broadbent
Grew up on the family farm south of Miller; attended school at Sumner-Eddyville-Miller
Married: Wesley Schnacker in January 1975, had a daughter together; divorced in 1980
Married: June 1982 to Jim Sickler; had two sons, one passed away at 4 months in January 1985
Survivors include her husband, Jim of Lincoln; one daughter, Marie Schnacker of Vallejo, Calif.; one son, Shawn (Jenny) Sickler of Lincoln; six grandchildren, Daniel and Jasmine Schnacker and Sayquan Berrotte of Vallejo and Baylee, Logan and Rowyn Sickler of Lincoln; brothers, Leslie (Margene) Stevens, Wendell (JoAnn) Stevens of Kearney and a sister-in-law, Rosemary Stevens of Greensboro, N.C., and Milan Broadbent of Green Bay, Wis.; one sister, Virginia (Don) Butler of Elm Creek; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Justin; and a brother, Eldon Stevens
Kearney Hub, 4 April 2018
SIDNER, S. Stephen, 80, of Scottsdale, Arizona, died Friday, March 16, 2018, at his home
Memory gathering: later this spring in Scottsdale
Mortuary: Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary in Scottsdale
Born: Sept. 7, 1937, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Seymour Stephen Sidner and Jeannette (Dunbar) Sidner
Grew up in Kearney with his younger brother, and attended school there; graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., 1959; was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity and Naval ROTC
Began his career in Rockford, Ill., with National Gypsum; moved to Indianapolis, 1962; remained there many years building a long and successful career with American Olean, a subsidiary of National Gypsum; son Scott was born in Rockford in 1960
Married: June 24, 1978, to Janie Tam in Indianapolis; moved to Scottsdale in 1984
Activities: loved skiing and world travel; was devoted to his wife, Janie and son, Scott
Was preceded in death by his parents, Seymour and Jeannette Sidner; and his brother, Robert Dunbar Sidner
Survivors include: his wife, Janie; son, Scott of Durango, Colo.; and nieces and nephews, Sam and Ann Sidner of Lincoln, Neb., Dan and Jeanne Sidner of Wauwatosa, Wis., Susan and David Carlebach of Salt Lake City and Jennifer and Dan Lukas of Big Sky, Mont., and their families
Memorials: the DU Building Fund at Northwestern University
Kearney Hub, 27 March 2018
SMITH, Kia M., Kearney infant, died Sunday April 1, 2018, at Children’s Hospital in Omaha
Memorial service: Thursday at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney
Private burial before the service
Born: Dec. 9, 2017, to Chevy B. and Becky A. (Berven) Smith in Omaha
Survivors include: her parents, Chevy and Becky Smith of Kearney; sister, Lyla K. Smith of Kearney; maternal grandparents, Richard and Marilyn Berven of Grand Island; paternal grandparents, Gregg and Denise Smith of Imperial; and numerous other extended family and friends
Memorials: Children’s Hospital in Omaha
Kearney Hub, 4 April 2018
STOVER, Victor R., 88, of Kearney died Monday, March 5, 2018, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Service: Friday at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington; military honors
Cremation was chosen
Born: May 13, 1929, in Yakima, Wash.
Parents: Ernest and Stella (Woolsey) Stover
Married: June 16, 1977, to Jennifer Muirhead in Reno, Nev.
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Maria Austen and Michelle Self, both of Kearney; brothers, Delmar Stover of Holly Springs, Miss., and David Stover of Maple Valley, Wash.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 7 March 2018
STREIDER, Bonnie J., 88, of Ravenna died Sunday, April 8, 2018, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Service: Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: Nov. 30, 1929, in Amherst
Parents: Frank and Ruth (Higgins) Davis
Grew up and received her education in Amherst
Married: William Glenn Feldmayer
Married: later to Paul Strieder
Ran a general store in Poole from 1964-65; store burned down, and she chose not to rebuild; worked as a bus driver for Ravenna Public Schools for many years; also drove truck for detasseling crews in the summer months
Activities: member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.; was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan; loved to cook; enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and great-grandchildren
Survivors include her son, Alan Feldmayer of Eugene, Ore.; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one niece; and one nephew
Was preceded in death by her husbands; son, Bill Feldmayer; daughter, Jean Blumenthal; and two brothers, Howard Davis and Roy Davis. Memorials: to the church
Kearney Hub, 9 April 2018
TRAMPE, Roland L., 84, of Elm Creek died Thursday, March 29, 2018, at his home
Service: Monday at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love in Lexington
Born: Jan. 23, 1934, in Pleasanton
Parents: Henry and Esther (Smallcomb) Trampe
Attended rural school in Buffalo County, graduated from Kearney High School with the class of 1951
Married: Dorothy I. Brock on June 23, 1957, in Kearney; had four children together
After marriage, lived near Odessa; moved to Seeley Lake, Mont., owned and operated Holland Lake Lodge, led many hunting trips and fulfilled his dream as a hunting guide; returned to Elm Creek, 1959, and built their home; farmed, retired in 1999
Activities: lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney, served as elder; past member of Elm Creek District 94 School Board; also had an adventurous side and loved to fly, even owned his own plane; passions were hunting, fishing, woodworking and telling stories; enjoyed time with his grandchildren
Survivors include his children, Jamie Trampe of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Rick (Pam) Trampe of Lexington and Deb (Doug) Hild and Ron (Jackie) Trampe, all of Elm Creek; two brothers, Keith Trampe of Mitchell and Larry (Marsha) Trampe of Livermore, Colo.; 13 grandchildren and one on the way; also nieces, nephews, extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; grandson, Riley Cole Trampe; and daughter-in-law, Rhonda Trampe
Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice
Kearney Hub, 31 March 2018
VOPAT, Wilhelmina “Minnie” Ann, 94, of Kearney died Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at Mount Carmel Home and Rehabilitation Center
Service: Monday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: April 15, 1923, in Ord
Parents: Frank and Emma (Maresh) Bruha
Married: Van Vopat on Nov. 10, 1942, in Ord
Survivors include: her daughter, Dorothy of Kearney; two sons, Frank of California and Gary of Texas; 17 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Meuret of Grand Island
Was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Van Vopat; and a daughter, Shirley
Kearney Hub, 5 April 2018
WAGNITZ, Cherie Lewise, 79, of Kearney died Sunday, March 18, 2018, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center
Service: Wednesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: Riverside Cemetery at Gibbon
Born: Nov. 20, 1938
Parents: George G. and Viola (Lindenstein) Livingston
Graduated from Gibbon High School
Married: Lloyd D. Wagnitz on Sept. 30, 1956
Moved to Eustis, 1964; were members of the United Methodist Church; moved to Kearney in 2006
Activities: in Eustis, always had a large garden and canned much of the produce; loved flowers and spent time in the yard; sewed for family and other groups; cleaned the church and worked at Eustis Public School; enjoyed doing crafts, traveling with her husband, being a 4-H leader, an Avon dealer and baking cinnamon rolls and kolaches; enjoyed time with family, friends and visitors; also enjoyed playing board games
Survivors include: sons and daughter-in-law, Lloyd W. and Susan Wagnitz of Eagle and Keith B. Wagnitz of Gibbon; and daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Mike Wolf of Eustis and Janell and Larry Welborn of Omaha; also grandchildren, Sara Rohren and husband Cory, Rachel Burgess and husband Chase, Matthew Wagnitz and wife Leslie, Cassandra Wolf, Michael Welborn and wife Amanda, Melissa Stoddard and husband Martin, Keith R. Wagnitz and wife Ashley, Kevin Wagnitz and wife Stacia, Brittanie Bunger and husband Jim, Brian Wagnitz, Robert Wagnitz, Annabell Wagnitz, Samaantha Balderston, Cherakey Wagnitz and Mavrik Wagnitz; and 21 great-grandchildren; also sister-in-law, Joy Livingston; half-brothers-in-law, Gerald Wagnitz and wife Carolina, and Ronald Wagnitz; nieces, Lorna Livingston, Kathy Chamberlain and husband Jerry, and Cortney Larsen and husband Andrew; and nephews, George Jeffrey Livingston, Lath Livingston and wife Sharon, Rick Rask and wife LaRayne, David Rask, Bruce Rask, Dr. Jeremy Wagnitz and Trevor Wagnitz
Was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd D. Wagnitz; parents, George G. and Viola E. Livingston; father-in-law and mothers-in-law, William, Martha and Lena Wagnitz; brother, George W. Livingston; and brother and sister-in-law, Milton and Rosella Rask
Kearney Hub, 19 March 2018
WICHT, Ferdinand “DeWayne”, 76, of Cameron, Missouri, died Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018
Service: Monday at Poland-Thompson Funeral Home in Cameron
Additional service: Tuesday at Bassett (Neb.) United Methodist Church
Burial: Grandview Cemetery at Long Pine, Neb.
Mortuaries: Poland-Thompson in Cameron and Hoch in Ainsworth, Neb.
Born: May 13, 1941, in Grand Island, Neb.
Parents: Ferdinand and Berniece (Harshfield) Wicht
Graduated from Ravenna (Neb.) High School
Military: U.S. Army, Nov. 14, 1963 - Nov. 13, 1969; served as a military policeman in Germany
Was baptized at First United Methodist Church in Kearney, Neb., and was a Shriner
Married: Becky Hughes, July 18, 1976; she died Jan. 26, 1991
Married: Ellen Walser, on June 24, 1995
Was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Becky (Hughes) Wicht; second wife, Ellen (Walser) Wicht; two daughters, Carrie Anne Bowen and Gail Walser; and brother, Gary Wicht
Survivors include: four daughters, Suzie (Brian) Glendy of Oconto, Neb., Mary (Jim) McNally of Doniphan, Neb., and Margie (Mike) Zieber and Ellie Milbourn, all of Cameron; four sisters, Donna (Ralph) Williams of Dannebrog, Neb., Jolene (Larry) Weakley of Kearney, Betty Jo (Gary) Johnson of Minden, Neb., and Pat (Marty) Stange of Hastings, Neb.; 11 grandchildren, Ryan (Kayla) McNally, Zach McNally, Logan Glendy, Colter Glendy, Harley Bowen, Halyn Gillette, Jeremy Hunt, Dave (Audrey) Johnson, Mandy Leer, Jeff Zieber and Amy Zieber; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews
Memorials: Missouri Veterans Home of Cameron and/or Grandview Cemetery of Long Pine
Kearney Hub, 2 March 2018
WIESE, Randall “Randy”, 60, of Kearney died Saturday, March 24, 2018, at his mother’s home in Pleasanton
Memorial service: Saturday, April 7, at the Pleasanton Community Center
Inurnment: later
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: Oct. 29, 1957, in Cozad
Parents: Bernard and Violet (Neth) Wiese
Grew up and attended school in Cozad, Lexington, Amherst and Pleasanton; graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1976
Was married and divorced twice; with first wife, had 2 children, Erica and Jeremy; with second wife, had 2 children, Rachelle and Randall
Worked at Eaton Corp. and later owned and operated his own drywall business; also helped on the farm
Activities: enjoyed working on old cars to bring them back to life, was proud of his red Mustang; enjoyed spending time with his friends playing horseshoes, foosball, pool, shuffleboard and having cookouts
Survivors include: his mother, Violet of Pleasanton; brother, Cregg (Tammy) Wiese of Pleasanton; children, Erica of Omaha, Jeremy of Kearney, Rachelle of Arizona and Randall of Florida; three grandchildren; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins
Was preceded in death by his father, Bernard; brothers, Robert and Curtis; and his grandparents
Kearney Hub, 4 April 2018
WORTHING, David C., 67, of Ogallala, formerly of Elm Creek, died Thursday, March 8, 2018, at Indian Hills Healthcare Center in Ogallala
Memorial service: Saturday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in Elm Creek
Born: June 17, 1950, in Kearney
Parents: Caleb and Mary (Fitzgerald) Worthing
Was a 1968 graduate of Elm Creek High School
Worked at Good Samaritan Hospital for many years; spent 17 years as the activities director at Cambridge Court
Survivors include: his siblings, Helen (Dale) Cruise of Salem, Ore., Greg (Elaine) Worthing of Venango and Patrick (Blanche) Worthing of Roseburg, Ore.; sisters-in-law, Peg Worthing of Omaha and Sue Worthing of Elm Creek; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews
Was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Daniel Worthing and Mathew Worthing
Memorials: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 14 March 2018