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ANDERSON, James "Jim" W., 87, of Kearney died Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Memorial service: Monday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military rites
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Oct. 5, 1931, in Burwell
Parents: Guy and Mabel (Johnson) Anderson
Graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1949, attended Kearney State College
Married: April 5, 1952, to Y’londa Kenney
Military: U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954
After discharge, lived in California, Pierre, S.D., then moved to Kearney in 1959; worked at Kearney Savings and Loan; in 1966 started Anderson Divan Cottrell Insurance Agency and worked there until retiring
Served on the Buffalo County Board of Supervisors, 1983 - 2001 after serving four years as chairman; also served on the Region III Mental Health Board as vice chairman for 16 years, chairman of the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association Board of Directors for 11 years and chairman of the Nebraska Association of County Officials Insurance Committee; member of the State Board of Road Standards and Classifications, vice chairman of the Economic Development Council, Executive Committee of the American Legion, 40-year member and delivery chair of the Buffalo County Goodfellows, member of the American Legion, AMVETS, 40 et 8, Kearney Eagles Lodge, Elks, Rob Morris Masonic Lodge and the Temaha Temple Shrine, and the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce; member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney; was involved in Boy Scouts, Little League coach and many other community organizations
Survivors include: his wife, Y’londa of Kearney; sons, Scott Anderson and wife Gloria, and Bob Anderson, all of Kearney, and Joe Anderson and wife Jill of Lincoln; daughter, Susan Ritchie and husband Terry of Riverdale; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Pat Hoefs and husband Paul of Wood Lake; and brother-in-law, Bill Murphy of Kansas
Was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Murphy
Memorials: Buffalo County Goodfellows
Kearney Hub, 11 June 2019
ANDERSON, Leiton E. "Swede", 71, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at CHI Health Good Samaritan, after a long illness
Service: Saturday at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: Nov. 23, 1947, in Scottsbluff
Parents: Richard and Elsie (Johnson) Anderson
Military: U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972
Married: Aug. 17, 1973, to Debra Jaeger
Worked at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as a carpenter for 25 years; retired due to illness
Survivors include his wife, Debbie of Kearney; a sister, Jan and husband Don Banks of Imperial; nephews, Doug Banks of Lincoln and Jason and wife Michelle Banks of Imperial; and grandniece, Peyton Banks and a grandnephew, Logan Banks, both of Imperial
Was preceded in death by his parents and his only daughter, Deena Strieder
Kearney Hub, 14 June 2019
ASCHWEGE, Daniel Lee, 60, of Kearney died Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at his home
Service: Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Oct. 27, 1958, in Lincoln
Parents: Jack and Darlene (Nelson) vonAschwege
Grew up in Lincoln, graduated from Lincoln East High School, 1977; earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Dec. 18, 1982; then graduated from UNL-College of Law on May 10, 1986; became a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association on Sept. 17, 1986
Moved to Kearney in 1986; in 1987 joined the Kearney firm of Knapp, Mues, Beavers and Luther; practiced law in Kearney for 32 years and at the time of his death was a shareholder at Fangmeyer, Aschwege & Besse
Activities: volunteered his time and talents for various committees and supported Volunteer Lawyers Programs with his golfing skills and overall sense of fun; served on the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 6th Judicial District; was a loving father to three daughters; was an avid sports fan and enjoyed golfing and bowling; also liked reading, traveling and becoming a wine connoisseur; belonged to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney; was a long-time member of the Rob Morris Lodge 46 AF&AM, Tehama Shrine, Fort Kearney Shrine Club, Fort Kearney Beach Clowns and Royal Order of Jesters
Survivors include: his daughters, Marissa vonAschwege of Kearney, Nicole vonAschwege of Lincoln, and Jacquelyn vonAschwege of Kearney; brothers, Douglas Aschwege of Omaha and David Aschwege of Lincoln; sister, Diane Carlson of Lincoln; ex-wife, DeeDee Rose-Carpenter of Kearney; as well as several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Dolly vonAschwege
Kearney Hub, 5 July 2019
BECKER, Arthur “Steele”, 80, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at his home
Private family service: later
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: May 15, 1939, in Lawrence, Kan.
Parents: Ann Margaret Becker
Grew up in Clinton and Lawrence, Kan.; graduated from Lawrence High School in 1957 earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas in 1962 and his master’s degree from Indiana State University in 1964
Married: June Carol Flesner, at their home in Kearney Dec. 16, 2006
Was a professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney for 43 years in the Geography Department; began his career teaching Russian geography and ended teaching atmosphere, meteorology and natural disasters; received many awards during his professional career, published books and wrote many research articles; but what he loved most was teaching and mentoring students, always proud of the students whose lives he had touched on their career paths; his loyalty and length of service to UNK entitled him to become the mace carrier at graduation ceremonies, which made him so very proud; directed the NASA moon rock exhibit at Kearney State College
Activities: from 1979-1988, was president of Kearney Little League, changed the program by eliminating tryouts, so every child had a chance to play, including girls; an All-Star Game bears his name; also enjoyed woodworking, gardening, bird watching and antiquing; was an avid supporter of the Kearney Area Animal Shelter; was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman; loved the Platte River and wrote many essays about it; with a research time, charted detailed maps cover the 112-mile stretch for the river from Gothenburg to Grand Island, running through Dawson, Buffalo and Hall counties
Survivors include: his wife, June; son, Bill Becker; daughter-in-law and son-in-law, Brandy and Mike Smith; daughter-in-law and son-in-law, Karina and Peter Boatright; daughter-in-law, Belinda Becker; 10 grandchildren, William Jr. (Buzz), Benjamin, Baylor, Bryce, Brook and Jonathan Becker, Faith Sumpter, Mathew and Emily Smith and Tabbitha Friesen; and two great-grandchildren, Charlei and Brilei Sumpter
Was preceded in death by his son, Michael Becker; and his mother, Ann Margaret Becker
Memorials: Kearney Area Animal Shelter
Kearney Hub, 22 June 2019
BEST, Russell Lowell, 68, of Lawrence, Kansas, died Saturday, June 22, 2019, in Lawrence
Memorial service: Saturday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence
Born: June 11, 1951, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Fred Henry Sr. and Marjorie Helen (Welch) Best
Was a high school teacher and coached volleyball
Activities: was a passionate Nebraska Cornhusker fan
Survivors include his wife, Lisa Miller of Wichita; his daughters, Angela Johnson of Lawrence and Deann Heidel of Washington; brother, Fred Best (Barb) of Nebraska; sister, Opal May Ostrom of Missouri; and two grandchildren, Madeline and Erik Johnson
Kearney Hub, 28 June 2019
BETZOLD, Thomas David, 76, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at his home
Service: Monday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Feb. 3, 1943, in Fort Morgan, Colo.
Parents: Theodore and Hilda (Weinmaster) Betzold
Grew up in Colorado and graduated from Fort Morgan High School
Married: Gertrude Pauls on Jan. 27, 1962, in Fort Morgan
Moved to Hastings in 1964; lived in Kearney since 1969
Worked for Nebraska Public Power District as a distribution serviceman for over 30 years and retired in 2000
Activities: enjoyed bowling on many leagues and served as a scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts; member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, was a frequent volunteer; hobbies included golfing, fishing, gardening, woodworking, photography and watching classic westerns
Survivors include: his wife, Gertrude; children, Tom Betzold Jr. and his wife, Cindi, of Palmer, Teddy Betzold and his wife, Susan, of Kearney, Tamara Lawter and her fiancé, Joe Andersen, of Kearney, Robert Betzold and his wife, Rhonda, of Omaha and Richard Betzold and his wife, Laura, of Laramie, Wyo.; grandchildren, Sarah (Rick) Johnson of Ashland, Rachel Ziebarth of Palmer, Amanda Betzold of Eugene, Ore., Zach Betzold of Kearney, Derrick Lawter of Omaha, Dillon Lawter of Lincoln, Scott Hickel of Kearney, Noah Betzold, Kaleb (Sydney) Betzold and Madison Betzold, all of Omaha, and Zavier Peterson of Laramie; great-grandchildren, Elsie, Isaac, Everett and Cary Johnson of Ashland and Jackson Ziebarth of Palmer; brother, Richard (Goldie) Betzold of Fort Morgan; sister, Elaine Meyer of Fort Morgan; and brother-in-law, Wayne Seeley of Hastings
Was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Joanne Seeley
Memorials: Kearney Special Olympics
Kearney Hub, 29 June 2019
CANDY, Thomas R., 90, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at his home
Service: Saturday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services
Inurnment: later
Born: Feb. 21, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois
Parents: Albert T. and Susan Peterhans (Bancroft) Candy
Received his education from Oak Park High School, graduated in 1947; earned his bachelor's degree at Kearney State College; then earned his Mast of Science in industrial engineering at IIT
Worked for IBM for over 25 years and then Kearney State College; retired in 1992
Military: U.S. Navy, 1951, served during the Korean War; was a Naval pilot; transferred in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952, served until 1955
Activities: member of Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney, the Eagles Club, Central Nebraska Wood Carvers, Interfaith Caregivers, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Road Assist, Habitat for Humanity, Rowe Sanctuary and Trails & Rails; enjoyed painting, stained glass, cabinet making and carpentry, but his true passion was woodcarving; was a beloved father, grandfather, teacher and friend
Survivors include: his children, Laura Candy Pcolar of Highland, N.Y., Matthew Candy, Michael Candy and his wife, Jennifer, of Brule and Lisa Candy of Richmondville, N.Y.; eight grandchildren, Tim, Christy, Michelle, Leona, Kaylee, Ethan, Austin and Justin; 11 great-grandchildren, Camille, Teagan, Tayleigh, Blake, Tyler, Jayden, O’Ryan, Brody, Bentley, Carter and Lexi; daughter-in-law, Lori Candy of Holdrege; brother, Albert Candy and his wife, Lucile, of Lawton, Okla.; stepbrother, Dr. John H. Bancroft of Kearney; stepsister-in-law, Evelyn Bancroft of St. Cloud, Minn.; his former wife and friend, Pat Candy of Kearney; along with several cousins and many friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Thomas J. Candy; a son-in-law, Walter Pcolar; stepbrother, Burton Bancroft of St. Cloud, Minn.; and stepsister-in-law, Barb Bancroft of Kearney
Memorials: Rural Med – Hospice, Central Nebraska Wood Carvers Club or the Audubon Society
Kearney Hub, 21 June 2019
CASSEL, Roy N., 79, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: later
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Jan. 28, 1940, in Scottsbluff
Parents: Ford and Ida (Grommet) Cassel
Married: Madonna Musil
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Maria Mulherin of Omaha; sons, Mark Cassel of Germantown, Md., Royce Cassel of Seattle and Shawn Cassel of Naples, Fla.; and six grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 15 June 2019
CEPEL, Richard Lee "Dick", 82, of Grand Rapids, Mich., formerly of Kearney, died on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, at his home
Memorial service: Saturday, June 8, at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Inurnment: Kearney Cemetery
Born: Oct. 12, 1936, in Kearney
Parents: Julius and Pauline (Hilty) Cepel
Received his education from Kearney High School, graduated 1955
Married: Wilma Wood; three children together: Bruce, Curtis and LeAnn; later divorced
Married: Sonia Deterding, mother of two daughters; had one child together: Eric; Sonia preceded Dick in death
Married: Rose Otto, mother of two children: Craig and Denice
Spent most of his life working in the Kaufmann-Wernert building in Kearney; started in maintenance in his youth and worked his way up to store manager; left Kaufmann-Wernert in 1985, just a few years before it closed, and returned in 1991; opened Kaufmann’s Antiques, worked there for 20 more years
Activities: member of the Masonic Temple, Pheasants Forever, Downtown Kearney, Kearney Archery Club, Fort Kearney Bowman and the Shriners; enjoyed the outdoors, such as hunting and fishing; was known for his heart for helping others
Survivors include his children, Bruce Cepel of Kearney, Curtis Cepel of Loveland, Colo., LeAnn Bennett and her husband Boyce of Casper, Wyo., and Eric Cepel and his wife Kristina of Holdrege; stepchildren, Elizabeth Bauer and her husband Marc, and Christine Tighe and her husband David, all of Kearney, Craig Otto and his wife Denise of Belmont, Mich., and Denice McRae and her husband Michael of Lowell, Mich; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Carol Daily and her husband Ted of Sacramento, Calif., and Joyce Smith and her husband Jim of Brookings, Ore.; along with other relatives and many friends
Was preceded in death by his parents and his second wife, Sonia
Kearney Hub, 4 June 2019
CLARK, Arlene D., 91, of Kearney died Thursday, June 27, 2019, at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Village
Service: Wednesday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Chapel
Burial: later
Born: July 9, 1927, north of Amherst on the Taubenheim family farm
Grew up on the farm and attended country school
Lived in Gothenburg, worked at Monroe Manufacturing in Cozad for 10 years; moved to Amherst, 1970; worked at Baldwin Filters, retired in 1992
Married: Raymond Clark on Aug. 20, 1999, in Amherst
Activities: enjoyed relaxing at home doing embroidery, mowing her lawn and taking care of her flowers; lifetime member of the D.A.V., American Legion Auxiliary and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary
Survivors incluide: her daughter, Barbara Lind-Hollenbeck of Kearney; sons, Daniel H. Mowrey of Indianapolis and Ronald Mowrey of Las Vegas; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband; son, John Mowrey; one grandchild; and five sisters
Memorials: D.A.V. or Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst
Kearney Hub, 1 July 2019
CLOYED, Richard Dale, 89, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at home
Service: Aug. 2 at First United Methodist Church
Burial: later
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: Dec. 31, 1929
Parents: Lawrence N. and Dorothy L. (Snow) Cloyed of Blakesburg, Iowa
Grew up a farm boy in a close-knit family of boys; attended school in Blakesburg, graduated from Burlington (Iowa) High School, in 1948; then attended Burlington Junior College; earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Iowa in 1952, and Master of Arts, in 1957, in English literature
Taught for 33 years at KSC, (1961-1994) with 20 years on the Rank and Tenure Committee, as well as time on most other departmental committees; retired in 1994; was known to be the longest active sponsor of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honorary Society, in the United States, as well as serving on its Board of Directors and as treasurer for many years; was faculty adviser for Carillon, the student writing publication; was also instrumental in the inception of the Studies Abroad Program at KSC and served as its director for many years; was a member of the National Educational Association, National Council of Teachers of English and American Legion Post 52
Married: Juanita Bessie Van Osdol, also of Burlington, Iowa, on April 7, 1951
Military: U.S. Army, 1952-1954, served in Korea
Returned and completed is master's degree; had three children
Activities: was an active contractor/carpenter adding garages, repairing roofs and siding, pouring driveways, sometimes even plumbing; enjoyed acting in the college theater department, as well as helping create and build the Kearney Community Theatre, and supported them as a player as well as constructing many of their sets over many years; was a fisherman, active in a bowling league for years, and stood up at election time from 1996 to 2013 as precinct staff and, several of those years, precinct captain; served on many committees as a member of the First United Methodist Church; loved to travel abroad and in the U.S. Survivors include: his wife Juanita, children Connie Cloyed (Robert Heywood) of Oregon, Richard Cloyed (Julie) of Montana, Catherine Snow (William Gutierrez) of Nebraska, grandchildren, Emily (Ryan) Alderaen, Hannah Aronowitz, David (Cari) Cloyed, Jonathan (Jessie) Cloyed, Sarah (Nic) Marshall, Juanita Snow, Tosh Gutierrez, and 11 great-grandchildren; also sister-in-law, Leota Cloyed of Florida; brother, John (Ellen) Cloyed of Iowa; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Keith and Larry (Joann) Cloyed; and a grandson, Jade Gutierrez
Memorials: Sigma Tau Delta scholarship fund at UNK in Richard’s name
Kearney Hub, 11 June 2019
COMBS, Harry R., 76, of Kearney, formerly of Fairfax, Mo., died Monday, June 10, 2019, at Brookdale Kearney Northridge
An open house visitation: Saturday at the Fairfax United Methodist Church
Inurnment: later
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Survivors include his son, Jason Combs of Kearney; daughter, Holly Barnes of Fairfax; sister, Patricia O’Dell; and five grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 12 June 2019
DIMMITT, Bradly Loren, 59, of Kearney died Saturday, June 15, 2019, at UNMC Nebraska Medicine in Omaha
Service: Thursday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: July 25, 1959, in Littleton, Colo.
Parents: Loren “Jack” and Orlienne “Bucky” (Erven) Dimmitt
Moved with parents to a farm near Ord in the mid-1960s; moved to Wood River in the early 1970s, graduated from Wood River High School in 1977
Married: Shelly in June 1990; became an instant father to Adam and Chrissy, a role he cherished; complete their family by adopting Cassie in 1999
Graduated from Kearney State College in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in education
Taught in Wilcox for two years, then worked various jobs; then workd at Fasse Valves in Kearney, for over 20 years until his passing
Activities: was a great Husker fan, both football and baseball, especially loved the Chicago Cubs; enjoyed traveling, doing home projects, working on and restoring his 1975 Oldsmobile, long drives, casino trips and taking afternoon naps; time with family and friends was always special; was a kind, loving, great husband and father, and a fabulous grandfather; member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and was an organ donor
Had a massive heart attack on May 2, 2019, while at the ER at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney; was flown to Clarkson Tower at UNMC in Omaha; spent six weeks in ICU until his death
Survivors include: his wife, Shelly Dimmitt of Kearney; son, Adam Herrera and his wife, Chelsea, of Kearney; daughters, Chrissy Towery and her husband, Shawn, of Kearney and Cassie Ferguson and her husband, Chris, of Superior; four grandchildren, Bryceton and Hendrix Herrera and Ashley Towery and Zoie Schmidt; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dan and Lynn Treadway, Teresa and Mike Reeder and Mike and Nellie Treadway, all of Kearney, Rick Treadway of Holdrege and Jon Hatch of Wisconsin; 18 nieces and nephews; 13 grandnieces and grandnephews; along with other relatives and many friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; his sister; and a nephew
Memorials: Children’s Hospital in Omaha
Kearney Hub, 18 June 2019
DOBBERSTEIN, Scott A., 64, of Kearney died Monday, June 10, 2019, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: Monday at First Baptist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Sept. 5, 1954, in Kearney
Parents: Albert and Delores (Walker) Dobberstein
Attended Kearney High School and graduated in 1972
Went into the family business, Dobberstein Roofing, after high school and continued until his retirement
Married: Nancy Bonnell on May 22, 1987, in Kearney
Activities: member of First Baptist Church in Kearney; past member of the American Legion Post 52, Kearney B.P.O. Elks Lodge 984, Kearney Eagles Lodge and the Central Nebraska Auto Club; enjoyed classic cars, animals, gardening, fishing, listening to music and generally spending time outdoors; greatly enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews
Survivors include: his wife, Nancy of Kearney; son, Chad Dobberstein of Idaho; sisters, Nancy (John) Dunn of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Linda (Jeff) Marsh of Lincoln; also several nieces, nephews, cousins, other extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Kathleen Bonnell and Darrell Bonnell
. Kearney Hub, 14 June 2019
DODGE, Darlyne Marie, 93, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at Mother Hull Home
Memorial service: Wednesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: North Dakota
Born: Dec. 10, 1925, in Stutsman County, N.D.
Parents: Vern and Hattie (Krubeck) Schrade
Received her education at Kensal, N.D., and graduated from high school in 1944; attended Central Dakota Commercial College in Jamestown, N.D., was awarded a War Emergency Diploma and was employed at James River Bank
Married: Dec. 29, 1945, to Pfc. Neal Dodge; Darlyne joined him at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Worked on the base office where last payments were made to soldiers being discharged
Returned to Jamestown, worked at Walsh’s Market, North Dakota State Hospital and then at Jamestown Hospital as an accounting clerk; had two daughters
With Neal, also served in ministry in The Salvation Army; moved to Kearney in 1993 and enjoyed many years being a part of their grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives
Was a compassionate caregiver for Neal until his death in 2012 after 66 years of marriage; had a steadfast faith in God, was kind and loving to all, and strived to have a sense of humor despite the challenges of life
Survivors include: daughter, Connie Lester and husband Clarence of Kearney; granddaughter, Carina Darlyne Bennison and husband Josh of Helena, Mont.; great-granddaughters, Carina, Alexis and Ava; and brother, Robert Schrade of Jamestown
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Neal Dodge; daughter, Lynda Dodge; sister, Delores McBeain-Spriggle; brother, Alfred Schrade; and grandson, Chad Lester
Memorials: Mother Hull Home or AseraCare Hospice
Kearney Hub, 15 June 2019
EBINGER, Patricia L., 77, of Kearney died Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center
Memorial service: Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Kearney
Inurnment: Freewater Cemetery in rural Ragan
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born: Dec. 30, 1941, in Denver
Received her education from Cripple Creek High School, attended Parks Business School in Denver
Moved to McCook, worked for TRW during her time there
Married: June 12, 1971, in Holdrege to Marvin Ebinger
After marriage, lived in Holdrege, worked for BD until the couple started farming near Ragan; later relocated to Kearney, worked for First National Telemarketing
Activities: member of First Baptist Church in Kearney; volunteered her time supporting The Arc of Buffalo County; was a past area coordinator for Nebraska Special Olympics
Survivors include: her husband, Marvin Ebinger of Kearney; daughters, Paula Ebinger of Kearney and Kelly Goodman of Fresno, Calif.; brother, Bob Cole and his wife, Kathy, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Tom Cole and Gary Cole
Kearney Hub, 22 June 2019
EBINGER, Paula June, 46, of Kearney died Saturday, June 22, 2019, at her home
Memorial service: for Paula and her mother, Patricia Ebinger, Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Kearney
Inurnment: Freewater Cemetery in rural Ragan
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Dec. 8, 1972, in Alma
Parents: Marvin and Patricia (Ellis) Ebinger
Received her education from Holdrege Opportunity Center
Grew up in Holdrege, helped her parents farm near Ragan; moved with family to Kearney, volunteered at the Kearney Area Animal Shelter, was active in 4-H and cleaned at the First Baptist Church; had been employed by Goodwill Industries for several years
Activities: member of First Baptist Church in Kearney; member of the Nebraska Special Olympics; enjoyed participating in all the organized activities; loved her many friends and her church family
Survivors include: her father, Marvin Ebinger of Kearney; sister, Kelly Goodman of Fresno, Calif.; uncle, Bob Cole and his wife, Kathy, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; along with several other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her mother; grandparents; and uncles, Tom Cole and Gary Cole
Kearney Hub, 24 June 2019
ECKHOFF, Monte Ray, 62, of Kearney died Saturday, June 29, 2019, at his home
Memorial service: Monday at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral Chapel
Inurnment: Riverview Cemetery near Sutherland
Born: Sept. 16, 1956, in Sutherland
Parents: Robert and Rosellee (Riegler) Eckhoff
Attended school in Glenvil, Hastings, Broken Bow, Ainsworth and Albion; graduated with the class of 1975 from Albion
Worked at a glass company in Lincoln and at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege; then worked driving a cement truck for Kearney Concrete for 30 year
Activities: loved cars, music, going to concerts, fishing, camping and his candy bars
Survivors include his companion for the last 10 years, Cheryl Miller of Kearney; a sister, Dixie and husband Craig Hill of Omaha; three nephews, Blaine and wife Jessica Bader, Ty and wife Jaci Bader, and Derek Hill, all of Omaha; seven grandnieces and grandnephews, Olivia Bader, Sheldon Bader, Sophia Bader, Landon Bader, Maya Bader, Alain Hill and Lennox Hill, all of Omaha; an uncle, Melvin Eckhoff of Sutherland; cousins, Randy and wife Brenda Eckhoff and Dustin and wife Randi Eckhoff, all of Sutherland, and Melissa (Nick) Eckhoff of North Platte
Was preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 4 July 2019
FRERICHS, Susanne Rae Hernandez, 48, of Frijolillo, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Friday, June 14, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas
Memorial service: July 12 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Kearney
Born: May 31, 1971, in Kearney
Parents: James R. and Miriam "Mimi" Frerichs of Kearney Married: Abraham Hernandez on July 16, 2011, in Frijolillo
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1989, from Hastings College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1994 and from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., with a Master of Arts degree in missions
Was a Presbyterian missionary in Mexico for 25 years
Survivors include: her husband, Abram; her parents of Kearney; brother, William (Anne Marie) Frerichs of Lincoln; nephew, Griffin and niece, Vivienne of Lincoln; and many aunts, uncles and cousins
Was preceded in death by her grandparents; niece, Phoebe Frerichs; and nephew, Henry Frerichs
Kearney Hub, 17 June 2019
FYFE, Boyde D. “Bud”, 75, of Kearney died Sunday, June 30, 2019, in Grand Island
Celebration of life: Wednesday at All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island
Born: Sept. 12, 1943, at David City
Parents: Gene and Viola (Hoeft) Fyfe.
Graduated from Bertrand Community Schools in 1961
Was employed by Bertrand-Smithfield Co-op for 45 years, serving as manager for the final 28 years
Activities: member of the Bertrand Fire Department, the Lions Club and Hope Lutheran Church; enjoyed attending sporting events, doing handiwork around the house and yard work; especially enjoyed following his grandchildren in all their activities
Survivors include: his wife of 55 years, Carolyn (Bredenkamp) Fyfe of Kearney; son, Montie (Kim) Fyfe of Grand Island; grandchildren, Ryker Fyfe of Omaha, McKenzie Fyfe of Tulsa and Kytan Fyfe of Grand Island; sister, Gayle Henry of Ralston; sister-in-law, Kay Fyfe of Kearney; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Doyle and Wayne; and sister, Joyce (Ted) Fritz
Kearney Hub, 2 July 2019
GEIST, Betty Lou, 92, of Nashville, Tennessee, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Thursday, June 21, 2018, in Nashville
Graveside memorial service: Wednesday at Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl in Kearney
Memorials: Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 1 July 2019
GENTRY, Janice LaVonne, 83, of North Platte died Thursday, June 20, 2019, at the Lincoln Heart Hospital
Service: Tuesday at Messiah Lutheran Church in North Platte
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Mortuary: Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte
Born: Sept. 25, 1935
Parents: Dewey C. and Laura (Kirk) Day
Was the seventh of eight children, grew up on the family farm east of Kearney; attended a rural one-room school through eighth grade; graduated from Kearney High School in 1953
Was employed as secretary to the manager of NE Continental Telephone Co.
Married: Jan. 21, 1956, to Boyd W. Gentry in Kansas
After marriage, lived in North Platte, worked as a secretary for the manager of Northwestern Public Service Co. until 1960
Spent the next 20 years as a homemaker; by 1980 Janice returned to work at Northwestern as a clerk; resigned in 1993
Activities: active member of Messiah Lutheran Church and the Circle; spent many hours volunteering at Great Plains Regional Medical Center, enjoyed playing bridge and loved spending a lot of time with her grandchildren
Survivors include: her husband, Boyd of North Platte; daughters, Laurie Walrod of Grant and Elaine (Larry) Mardis of Troy, Ill.; sons, Dan (Karen) Gentry of Kearney and Stuart (Casey) Gentry of Colorado Springs, Colo.; grandchildren, Bryan (Kerri) Gentry, Heather (Mike) Douglas, Amanda Gentry, Lauren (Chris) Malaya, Andrea (Craig) Alderton, Nicole Walrod (Chase Krotter), Cameron Gentry and Gavin Gentry; great-grandchildren, Brandyn, Bella, Madisyn, Peyton, Tripp, Audie, Jeyda and Meela; sister, Corrine Olmsted and brother, Denny (Sandy) Day, all of Kearney; close family member, Donna Saunders of North Platte; as well as other family
Was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey and Laura Day; sisters, Zelda Burvanis, Osa Kelsey and Ida Jayne Luther; and brothers, Duane and Forrest Day
Memorials: Messiah Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 22 June 2019
GIFFORD, Doneta Mae, 88, of Kearney died Friday, June 28, 2019, at her home
Service: Wednesday at Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Born: February 13, 1931 in Upland, Nebraska
Parents: Harm and Mary (Beisel) Best
Grew up and went to high school in Upland, graduated in 1949; attended Kearney State College for two years
Married: Robert E. Gifford on November 30, 1952 in Upland
After marriage, lived in Kearney; had seven children together
Worked as a cook for over 26 years at several places, including; Bryant Elementary School, Rhyme and Reason Daycare, Kearney Elk’s Club and YRTC, retired in 1997; always enjoyed her time with all the kids
Activities: member of Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney, and enjoyed bird watching, jigsaw puzzles and crocheting special gifts for everyone
Survivors include: her children, Roberta (Rex) Wiles, Mark Gifford, John (Leila) Gifford, Mary Gifford and Mickey Gifford, all of Kearney; 15 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; sister-in-law, Donna Best of Geneva,; as well as, several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Gifford; sons, Patrick F. and Timothy J. Gifford; her parents; and her brother, Donald Best
Memorials: Kearney Area Animal Shelter or Faith United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 2 July 2019 and www.osrfh.com
HANCOCK, Frances M. "Franny", 79, of Kearney died Saturday, June 8, 2019, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Service: Friday June 14, at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
y. Born: Nov. 26, 1939, in Kearney
Parents: Tony and Ruth (Knox) Miller
Attended school in Riverdale, graduated with the class of 1958 as valedictorian; attended LPN school at St. Anthony Practical Nursing School in Denver
Was a nurse in Superior and Thornton, Colo.; returned to Kearney in 1976, worked at Good Samaritan; retired in 2004
Was a strong woman who survived breast cancer three times
Activities: enjoyed crocheting, needlepoint, gambling and especially playing cards with her friends at Cimarron Court
Survivors include two daughters, Edith Timko of Kearney and Vivian Hancock of Lincoln; a son, Richard and wife Trish of Kearney; a brother, Lawrence and wife Sally Miller of Minot, N.D.; two sisters, Virginia and husband Joe Brayton of Kearney and Patricia and husband Wilbur Baldwin of Mitchell, S.D.; six grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents; a son, David Hancock; and a sister, Marlene Trump
Kearney Hub, 12 June 2019
HANNEMAN, Verna L., 80, of Riverdale, Neb., died Thursday, June 27, 2019, in Story, Wyoming
Service: Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney, Neb.
Burial: Riverdale Cemetery
Born: Aug. 6, 1938, in Conrad, Montana Parents: Sylvester J. and Lela I. (Loyer) Hillyer
Attended Alliance (Neb.) High School and graduated in 1957
Married: Donald Hanneman on April 23, 1961, in Alliance
Activities: active and dedicated member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney for many years, was involved in numerous Sunday school classes and several other activities in the church throughout the years; enjoyed Bible study, children, reading, artwork and socializing; delivered the Kearney Hub in the Riverdale area for a number of years; will be remembered fondly for the greeting cards she sent to family and friends for special occasions
Survivors include: her husband, Donald Hanneman of Riverdale; son, Kerry Hanneman of Omaha, Neb.; sister, Linda (Earl) Tucker of Alliance; and several nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; and daughter, Carol Ann Hanneman
Kearney Hub, 2 July 2019
HUEFTLE, Faith A., 50, of St. Paul, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at her home
Funeral service: Monday, July 1, 2019 at Kearney Evangelical Free Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: September 27, 1968 in Kearney
Parents: Roger and Lois (Kreutzer) Lee
Grew up in Riverdale, attended grade school there, then graduated from Kearney High School in 1986; attended Bob Jones University in Greensville, South Carolina then Kearney State College
Worked at Eakes Office Supply
Married: June 26, 1993 to Kelly Hueftle in Kearney
Worked for the University of Nebraska at Kearney Foundation until her son was born; lived in various places in Nebraska and was a substitute teacher; moved to St. Paul in 2015 and worked as substitute teacher
Activities: enjoyed teaching, reading, and spending time with her family
Survivors include: her husband Kelly Hueftle of St. Paul; son, Max Hueftle of St. Paul; mother, Lois Lee of Riverdale; sister, Nina Valleau and husband Tim of Kearney; nieces Tiffany Stoiber and husband Josh of Kearney and Lynette Tebbe and husband Anthony of Lincoln
Was preceded in death by her father in 2010
Memorials: St. Paul or Elba Public Schools or to Grace Baptist Church in St. Paul Kearney Hub, 29 June 2019
HULSHIZER, Eva May, 86, of Kearney died Saturday, April 27, 2019, at Mount Carmel Home and Rehabilitation Center
Cremation was chosen
Graveside service: June 28 at Ainsworth Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: October 9, 1932 in Cady, South Dakota
Parents: Lyle and Flossie (Biltoft) Hamilton
Was the oldest daughter; moved with parents to Valentine and then Ainsworth; attended rural schools through the 8th grade and graduated from Ainsworth High School with the class of 1950
Taught school both her senior year of high school and the year following graduation
Married: August 25, 1950, to William ‘Bill’ Hulshizer in Ainsworth; he died in 1976
After marriage, lived in Ainsworth the next 20 years; had five children together; moved to Kearney in 1971; raised their last two children along by working at many things, all while holding down a full-time job with the Buffalo County Assessor’s Office; continued working at the Assessor’s Office until retirement
Activities: loved to teach and to learn; taught her children, and many other children, her love of books, history, and learning in general; enjoyed gardening, crocheting, quilting and crafts
Survivors include: her five children, Dianne and her husband Lonnie, Roy, Susie, Keith, Lori and her husband Ed; her brother, Everett and his wife Linda; 10 grandchildren, Loren, Carrie, Cindy, Steph, Amy, Ashley, Logan, Craig, Katie, and Annie; 12 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Terry, Tammy, Harvey Jr. (Chip), Becky and Melody; and many family and friends
Was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents; a grandson, Cody; and a nephew Corey
Kearney Hub, 1 May 2019 and www.hlmkfuneral.com
JOHNSON, James N. “Jim”, 75, of Kearney died Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at Kearney Regional Medical Center following a short bout with leukemia
Service: Monday at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Chapel in Kearney
Burial: Jewell Cemetery near Sumner
Born: in Boelus on March 3, 1944
Parents: Ralph A. and Erna E. (Christensen) Johnson
Attended school in Cairo, graduated in 1962; earned at accounting degree from Lincoln School of Commerce
Worked at IPL in Holdrege and various other accounting firms in Kearney; finished his career at Les Linder CPA office, retired in 2008
Married: Jo Ann Rohde on Aug. 18, 1971, in Kearney
Activities: member of the Kearney Bowling Association Hall of Fame; enjoyed working at the farm, hunting and fishing, spending time traveling and visiting different wineries, and watching outdoor reality shows; especially enjoyed his time spent at the cabin at Johnson Lake; loved following the many activities of his grandkids including concerts, dance recitals and many sporting events; had an amazing ability to remember numbers and dates; was also a big supporter of Kearney Catholic High School
Survivors include: his wife, Jo of Kearney; daughter, Jackie Eickhoff and husband Brad of Columbus; son, Jerred Johnson and wife Amy of Kearney; grandchildren, Erick, Ryan and Brianna Eickhoff of Columbus and Maleigha, Blayne and Turner Johnson of Kearney; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Wayne Johnson
Memorials: McKenna’s Rae of Hope or Kearney Catholic High School Foundation
Kearney Hub, 22 June 2019
KINKADE, Larry J., 75, of Kearney died Thursday, June 6, 2019, at his home
Funeral service: Wednesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Born: March 25, 1944, in Bremerton, Wash.
Parents: Herman and Frances (Thury) Kinkade
Was the third oldest of seven children, moved to Kearney at age 11; graduated from Kearney High School in 1962
Married: Linda Lizer, in 1965; had two sons together
Worked as a self-employed welder
Activities: loved to fish, hunt and beat everyone at pool; enjoyed time with his grandkids and great-grandkids; was an amazing dad, papa and honorary papa to so many in his life
Survivors include: his two sons, Larry Joe and Mike; grandchildren, MaKenna (Corey) McCullock, Trystan (Clay) Kinkade and Trevor Kinkade; great-grandchildren Barrett and Dawson McCullock and Slayten Vanover; sisters, Kathy (Tom) Reilly, Terri Blattner, Franci Kinkade and Dottie (Dan) Kinkade; along with many nieces, nephews and a host of friends
Was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; his parents; brother, Kenny; and sister, Elizabeth
Kearney Hub, 8 June 2019
LECHNER, Debrah, 65, of Chandler, Arizona, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Chandler, after a brief illness
Burial: June 15, 2019 at Kearney Cemetery
Born: March 12, 1953, in Kearney
Parents: Bill and Ruby Lechner
Was a 1971 graduate of Kearney High School
As a young woman, was a visual artist and a writer
Married: Marcia Elliott on May 27, 1995, under the care of the Lincoln Friends Meeting
In 2000, they moved to Chandler
Earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arizona State University studying creative nonfiction; wrote book reviews, memoirs, fiction and poetry
Enjoyed teaching English as a second language; loved her students and nurtured their creative spark while they inspired her and honored her
Survivors include: Marcia Elliott of Chandler; sister, Peggy and husband Rick Blanton of Kearney; and a niece and nephew, Katey and Jared Blanton
Kearney Hub, 27 June 2019
LIAKOS, Pota, 97, of Kearney died Friday, June 28, 2019, at Rose Lane Nursing Home in Loup City
Service: Tuesday at St. George Orthodox Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: March 28, 1922 in Meropi, Messinias, Greece
Parents: Constantine and Georgia (Pappas) Antonopoulos
Married: 1955 to Steve Liakos in Greece
Moved to Alliance, Nebraska, in 1956
Was a professional seamstress; moved to Kearney in 1990, worked at Cambridge Court; retired at the age of 80
Activities: member of St. George Orthodox Church in Kearney; enjoyed walking, vegetable and herb gardening, and loved to play bingo
Survivors include: daughters, Georgia Bakas and Theodora (John) Wolf, both of Kearney; grandsons Micheal, Nick, and Norman Liakos, granddaughter Sarah (Drew) Fothergill of Kearney; grandsons Steve (Danielle) Wolf of Austin, TX; James Wolf of Omaha,and Peter Bakas of Kearney; great-granddaughter Alexandra of Austin, TX
Was preceded in death by her husband, three sisters and one brother
Memorials: St. George Orthodox Church
Kearney Hub, 1 July 2019
LONGFELLOW, Stanley N. "Stan", 86, of Kearney, died Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Memorial service: Wednesday at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral Home
Born: Feb. 5, 1933, in Green Forest, Ark.
Parents: Ernest and G.D. (Norris) Longfellow
Was the middle child of three siblings; moved with family to Peru, Neb., in about 1935; graduated from Peru Prep High School in 1951 and from Peru State College with a Bachelor of Arts in 1954
Military: served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, 1954-1956 and was stationed at Seattle
Earned his master’s degree from Peru State College in 1961 and did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin under a National Science Foundation grant in 1961-62; was awarded his Ph.D from Kansas State University in 1980
Taught biology and science for four years at Brock High School and taught biology for three years at Lyons High School and was the principal there
Married: Gay Nelson, Aug. 28, 1965; had three children, twins Jay and Kent (who died in childhood) and Vance
Taught at Peru State College, 1965-1966, then began began a 33-year career of teaching biology at Kearney State College and the University of Nebraska at Kearney; was published in the Platte Valley Review, was a member of the Ornithology Union and was a member of the Beta Beta Beta biology honorary; enjoyed teaching and was always pleased when years later former students told him they enjoyed his classes
Activities: taught gun safety classes for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and morel mushroom hunting; was fascinated with birds and his knowledge about them was endless; also had a passion for golf; was an excellent volleyball player and bowler, and enjoyed watching others play; followed the Huskers, the Kansas City Royals and all Loper sports
Survivors include: his wife, Gay of Kearney; sons, Vance and his wife, Kim, of Kearney and Jay of Minden; and grandson, Jaden of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his son, Kent; his parents; his brothers, Jack and David; and his nephew, Michael Lane
Memorials: University of Nebraska at Kearney Foundation or Peru State College Foundation
Kearney Hub, 10 June 2019
McCHESNEY, Rev. James W. "Jim", 86, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Saturday, June 8, 2019, at the CountryHouse Residence for Memory Care in Lincoln
Memorial service: Thursday Juen 13, at Christ United Methodist Church in Lincoln
Born: May 3, 1933, on a farm near Narka, Kan.
Parents: John W. and Ella (Saip) McChesney
Attended Nebraska Wesleyan University and Boston University School of Theology in Boston
Was ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church in 1963 and served many UM churches throughout Nebraska, residing in Curtis, Martell, Bradshaw, Henry, Wilber, Gothenburg and Fairbury; last appointment was Central District superintendent of the United Methodist Church, Kearney, before retiring in Lincoln
Survivors include: his wife, Joanne; daughter, Lisa (Robert) Edson of Houston; sons, Bill (Stacy) of Loveland, Colo., and David (Jan) of Lincoln; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Jack (Eleanor) McChesney of Clay Center, Kan.; and sister, Neva (McChesney, Joy) Hermes of Concordia, Kan.
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Chester and Nellie McChesney; and brother, Warren McChesney
Kearney Hub, 11 June 2019
MEARS, Geraldine L. "Jerri", 89, of Kearney, formerly of Ogallala, died Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at Brookdale Kearney Northridge
Memorial service: July 19 at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral Chapel in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: July 21, 1929, in Grand Island
Parents: William and Marie (Olson) LaCornu
Grew up in central Nebraska and graduated from Longfellow High School in Kearney in 1947; attended college at Kearney Normal School
Married: May 28, 1950, to Wendell B. Mears in Kearney
Moved to Ogallala in 1952, lived there for their entire marriage; raised two daughters
Worked for First National Bank in Ogallala, 1958-1993; Wendell died in 2013; she moved to Kearney in 2014
Activities: 60-year member of First United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women in Ogallala, held several offices in the Women’s Sub Unit and Women’s Society; longtime member of the Shifty Dozen Extension Club, RSVP, Friends of the Library and Ogallala Country Club (West Winds); loved music and enjoyed attending musical performances, sang with Sweet Adelines in Ogallala for several years; hobbies included gardening, walking, swimming aerobics, golf, bridge, reading, traveling, shopping and baking; enjoyed time with family; was a thoughtful, loving mother and grandmother, generous in spirit, kind and unassuming
Survivors include: daughters, Kathy Elliott and husband Bob of Denver and Julie Saalfeld and husband Paul of Kearney; granddaughter, Kate Elliott of Castle Rock, Colo.; grandsons, Bryan Saalfeld and wife Jamie of Colleyville, Texas, and Aaron Saalfeld of St. Louis; and nieces and nephews, Terry Clarno, Patty Bolling and Jan Clarno of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Candy Hower of Boca Raton, Fla.
Was preceded in death by her loving husband, Wendell; and her sister, Dorothy Clarno
Memorials: First United Methodist Church in Ogallala and Kearney, and AseraCare Hospice of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 24 June 2019
MEYER, Bonnie Lee, 70, of Kearney, died Monday June 10, 2002, at Norton Hospital in Lousiville, Kentucky
Memorial service: Thursday June 20, 2002, at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: later
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel in Kearney
Born: August 11, 1931 in Kearney
Adopted by Oscar and Clara Pearson Swanson of Bertrand, when she was 10 days old
Graduated from Bertrand High School in 1948, attend Kearney State College
Married: 1943 to Kenneth Maaske
Married: 1985 to Ervin Wissman
Worked in Holdredge for Dr. Hathaway and at Brewster Hospital; she worked at Phelps Memorial Health Center, Bertand Nursing Home and Bridal Isle in Loomis; moved to Kearney in 1993, was employed at Kearney Communty Theatre
Married: January 1999 to Norman Meyer
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church, was active in church and community organizations
Survivors include her husband; son, Kent Maaske of Kearney; daughter, Jan Maaske of Kearney and Julie Maaske of Lincoln, 2 grand children; step-children and step grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her first and second husbands, her parents and a stepson
Kearney Hub, 17 June 2002
MORGAN, Robert Dale, 75, of Ravenna died Friday, June 21, 2019, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Service: Saturday at Ravenna United Methodist Church
Inurnment: later
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: June 3, 1944, in Holdrege
Parents: Lloyd and Lorena (Watson) Morgan
Married: Linda Pritchard on Jan. 28, 1967
After marriage, lived in Omaha
Worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, retired in 2003; then volunteered at the Nebraska Humane Society for several years; moved to Ravenna in 2010
Activities: enjoyed square dancing
Survivors include his wife, Linda of Ravenna; daughter, Sue (Mike) Baumfalk of Henderson, Iowa; grandchildren, Chris (Jackie) Baumfalk of Vinton, Iowa, Rachel (Austyn) Telschow of Red Oak, Iowa, and Brittany Baumfalk (Nathan) Hossle of Emerson, Iowa; six great-grandchildren; brother, Gayle (Debbie) Morgan of Oregon; sister, Patti (Roger) Klein of Dickinson, N.D.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins
Was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mike; brother, Kenneth; and niece, Tammi Pirnie
Kearney Hub, 26 June 2019
NEAL, K. “Arvard”, 91, of Kearney died Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Mother Hull Home
Service: Tuesday at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: August 4, 1927, in rural Kearney County
Parents: Ray and Louise (Nickel) Neal; graduated from Kearney High School in 1945
Married: Wilma (Thomsen) Neal in 1950
Military: served two years in the U.S. Army
Returned to near Fort Kearny in 1953, farmed until his retirement in 1992
Activities: was an active member of First United Methodist Church, served on the Building Committee after the church was lost in a fire in 1969; also proudly served on the rural fire district for several years; enjoyed playing softball, horseshoes and bowling
Survivors include his children: Tim (Kathy) Neal of Fort Collins, Colo., Lori Neal of Des Moines, Iowa, and Pam (Doug) Reinert of West Des Moines, Iowa; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Arlette Neal of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma; parents; and a sister, Arlene
Memorials: First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 29 June 2019
SAYLOR, Martha, 48, of Kearney died Sunday, June 23, 2019, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Graveside service: Monday at Fleming (Colo.) Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born: April 4, 1971, in Albany, Ga.
Parents: Clarence and Dola (Sharpe) Saylor
Survivors include her children, David Ripp of Elm Creek, Ilicza Ripp of Axtell and Delilah Ripp and Luke Ripp, both of Kearney; parents, Clarence and Dola Saylor of Fleming; brother, Eddie Saylor of Lake City, Fla.; and one grandson
Kearney Hub, 25 June 2019
SCHMIDT, Joan E., 88, of Kearney died Saturday, June 22, 2019, at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Village
Service: Friday at Zion Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: March 3, 1931, in Norfolk
Parents: Percy and Margaret (Neidig) Upton
Was raised in Madison except for four years the family spent in Page, N.D.
Attended grade school in District 48, 2 miles north of Madison; attended Page High School and finally graduated from Madison High School in 1949
Activities: was very active in 4-H while in school in Nebraska and North Dakota, was a county award winner of 16 projects, took part in the state style show twice and was also the North Dakota State Junior Angus Futurity Show winner; was named the Best All-Around 4-H girl in Cass County, N.D., in 1947
Married: Ernest Schmidt on Oct. 25, 1949, in Madison; were married for 61 years before Ernest’s death in 2010
Worked as a bank teller for many years, starting in 1968, at several banks including in Tilden, Columbus and finally Platte Valley State Bank (now the First National Bank in Kearney), also served as a manager there, retired in 1990
Activities: member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney; enjoyed fishing, camping, baking, puzzles, reading and spending time with her grandchildren
Survivors include: her son, Richard (Beverly) Schmidt of Norfolk; daughters, Vicki Bragg of Springtown, Texas, and Deb (Perry) McDaniels of Kearney; nephew, Steve Upton of Germantown, Md.; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several other extended family members and friends; was to become a great-great-grandmother this October
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ernest; sister, Karen Upton; and son-in-law, Clifford K. Bragg
Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 27 June 2019
SCHNACKER, Pearl Lillian, 93, of Guthrie, Oklahoma, died on Feb. 16, 2019, at Guthrie Golden Age Nursing Home in Guthrie
SCHNACKER, Loren L., 95, of Guthrie, Oklahoma, died on March 24, 2019, at Guthrie Golden Age Nursing Home in Guthrie
Private celebration of life; cremation was chosen
Mortuary: Buchanan Funeral Service of Oklahoma City
Pearl was born May 1, 1925, in Seward, Neb.
Loren was born March 16, 1924, in Amherst, Neb.
Survivors include three of their six children, Jerry of Gothenburg, Neb., Priscilla Ann of Oklahoma City and Colleen Wallace of Cashion, Okla.
Kearney Hub, 6 June 2019
SLAGLE, Lee Edward Douglas, 85, of Kearney died Sunday, June 23, 2019, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center
Inurnment: later
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services
Born: June 22, 1934, at his home in Sargent
Parents: John and Harriet (Koffman) Slagle
Grew up and went to high school in Sargent and graduated in 195
Married: Shirley Ann Webb on Dec. 7, 1954; had nine children together
Worked in maintenance for several years as a repairman at Hay Mill in Glenwood, Odessa and Elm Creek; was known to be a hard worker and enjoyed his job until the day he retired
Survivors include: his wife, Shirley of Kearney; children, Laurie Jameson and partner Ronnie Reid of Kearney, James (Yixang) Slagle of California, Joe (Jacquie) Slagle of Kearney, Kerry (Les) Smith of Miller and Douglas Slagle, Kelly Slagle, Michael Slagle and Jennifer (Andy) Gartner, all of Kearney; sister, Joyce (Hugh) Strong of Colorado; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; along with other relatives and many friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Tammy Jo; brothers, Floyd, Paul, Dick and Elmer; and sister, Marjorie Pierce
Kearney Hub, 26 June 2019
SMITH, Lorraine Elizabeth, 97, of Callaway, died Sunday, June 2, 2019, at Callaway District Hospital
Service: Thursday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Callaway
Burial: Rose Hill Cemetery in Callaway
Mortuary: Timm-Reynolds-Love in Callaway
Born: Aug. 8, 1921, in Kearney
Parents: Gertrude (Erpelding) and Aloysious Wiegand
Married: Feb. 18, 1947, to Fred V. Smith
Survivors include: her husband; children, James, Mary, Karen Leach and Leon; siblings, Delbert Wiegand, Lucille Candy and Leonard Wiegand; and eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 4 June 2019
WEINBERGER, Nancy, 72, of Kearney, formerly of Pierce, died Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Celebration of life: Monday at Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Pierce, Nebraska
Mortuary: Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce
A lunch and gathering at Nancy’s house, amidst her artwork, will follow the service. Nancy’s house is at 1324 Sixth Ave. You know it: it has the wonderful paintings on the fence. Everyone is encouraged to wear her favorite color — yellow
Kearney Hub, 29 June 2019
WELLS, Carl Lewis, 80, of Kearney died Friday, June 14, 2019, at his home
Service: Friday at Sargent United Methodist Church
Burial: Mount Hope Cemetery near Sargent
Morturay: Govier Bros. in Broken Bow
Born: July 20, 1938, at his great-aunt Mable’s house in Sargent
Parents:Lee and Marion (Cole) Wells
Grew up in Morrill, Huntley, Wyo., and Whitney; started attending high school in Chadron; was active in FFA
! Married: Kay Lynn Haskell, May 25, 1958; they were soul mates, partners and a team in everything they did, until her passing on April 15, 2015
After marriage, worked at Henkens Implement in Chadron and quickly advanced to the role of parts manager; worked with Sidles Chambers Auto Parts; took jobs in Hot Springs and Custer, S.D.; moved to Broken Bow, eventually bought the Sidles Automotive store, sold it in 1985 to retire, but bought another store in Valentine, owned it until 2000; enjoyed traveling for about 10 years, then moved to Kearney to be closer to children and grandchildren
Activities: enjoyed various projects, building and remodeling, woodworking, restoring cars, etc.; enjoyed hunting, tubing the river and attending the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque
Survivors include: his son, Michael Wells, wife Louise and children Carson (Leesa) of Albuquerque, N.M., and Lauren Wells of Bethesda, Md.; son, Brad, wife Julie Wells and children Heather and Randy Shotkoski, Courtney and Clay Retzlaff of Palmer and Colton of Kearney; daughter, Michelle (Wells) Belitz and children Robert of Aurora and Christina and David Berney of Wolbach; and Carl’s pride, the great-grandchildren, Owen, Archer and Easton Shotkoski, Blair KayLynn Retzlaff and Colin, Serenity and Cooper Berney; a nephew, Dean McWilliams and his wife, Gail, of Batesville, Alaska; sisters-in-law, Cheryl (Larry) Moody of Chandler, Ariz., and Shelia Dickes of Phoenix; as well as numerous other family and friends
Was preceded in death by wife, Kay Lynn; sister, Dorlea and her husband Derry McWilliams; parents, Lee and Marion (Cole) Wells; and a granddaughter, Kelsey Lynn Belitz
Memorials: American Cancer Society
Kearney Hub, 18 June 2019
WHITE, Mary Lou, 86, of Kearney died Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at Mother Hull Home
Service: Monday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: later
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: July 9, 1932, in Petersburg, Iowa
Parents: Clarence and Anna Wessels
Graduated from St. Boniface High School in New Vienna, Iowa
Married: Paul E. Rahe on April 18, 1953, at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna; he died in an accident on Sept. 27, 1956; had two sons together, Patrick and Paul
Married: Vernon A. White at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna on May 11, 1962; had four children together
Was a stay-at-home mother until her sons were in high school, then she worked at Kearney Catholic High School until her retirement
Activities: enjoyed bowling on several leagues at the Ertl Lanes in Dyersville, Iowa, and at the Hilltop and Big Apple Lanes in Kearney; also enjoyed gardening and canning; traveling extensively during retirement, and spent the entire summers at the cabin at Harlan County Lake; loved her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren
Survivors include her sons: Patrick Rahe and his wife, Teri, Paul Rahe and his wife, Kimberly, Daniel White and David White and his wife, Cheryl, all of Kearney, and Steven White and his wife, Sharon, of Elm Creek; grandchildren, Andrew (Mandy) Rahe of Kearney, Michelle (Covey) Friedrich of Aurora, S.D., Alex Rahe of Kearney, Tori (Shawn) Hatcher of Severn, Md., Jacob White of Lincoln, Bailee White of Elm Creek, Colten White of Lincoln, Dane (Kava) Johnson of Elm Creek, Josh (Abby) Johnson of Kearney, Cody (Katie) Sparks of Milford, Ryan Sparks of Kearney, Ross Sparks of Callaway and Trevor (Nikki) Sparks of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; great-grandchildren, Shelby (Brett) Johnson, Cale, Krason, Cannon, Coy, Hayden, Connor, Rhett, Ezra, Logan, Wyatt, Carleigh, Madison and Deklyn; great-great-grandson, Briggs; brother-in-law, Allen (Dee) White of Guttenberg, Iowa; sister-in-law, Gloria Marolf of Farley, Iowa; along with other relatives and many friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Paul Rahe and Vernon White; infant daughter, Mary; brother, Fred Wessels; sisters, Germaine Schuster, Eileen Engelken, Phyllis Clemens and Ruth Osenburg; brothers-in-law, Ralph Marolf, Richard “Dick” Jacque, Wayne Osenburg, Arnold Schuster, Clarence Engelken and D. O. Clemens; sisters-in-law, Ethel Jacque and Norma Wessels; and great-grandson, Blake Rahe
Kearney Hub, 22 June 2019
WRIGHT, Ilia Janice, 94, of Kearney, formerly of Elm Creek, died Thursday, June 6, 2019, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Home in Kearney
Funeral service: Tuesday at Elm Creek Christian Church
Burial: later
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Elm Creek
Born: Sept. 26, 1924, on a farm southwest of Sumner
Parents: Harry and Hazel (Knox) Lahm
Graduated from Sumner High School in 1941; received her teaching certificate, later attended Kearney State College, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education; taught first grade at Elm Creek Public Schools for 35 years
Married: Dale Wright on Aug. 9, 1944, in Norton, Kan.; had three children together
After marriage, lived at Elm Creek; farmed north of Elm Creek for many years; November 2012, Dale and Ilia moved to Northridge in Kearney; he preceded her in death in January 2015.
Activities: took great pride in growing beautiful flowers and making sure the yard always was well landscaped; member of Elm Creek Christian Church, Elm Creek Garden Club and the Women’s Coffee Club
Survivors include: her children, Gary (Sandy) Wright of Broken Bow, Janice Hanner of Lincoln, and Sue (Gary) Keim of Kearney; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Stan (Lucille) Lahm of Ames, Iowa, Glenn (Loyce) Lahm of Becker, Minn., and Roger (Karen) Lahm of Spirit Lake, Iowa; sister, Connie (Robert) Hansen of Chicago; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Naomi Newquist and her husband, Glen, and Phyllis Savant and her husband, Jack; brother, Murl Lahm and his wife, Deloris; and sons-in-law, Russ Bayne and CJ Hanner
Memorials: Elm Creek Christian Church and Mid-Nebraska Community Action
Kearney Hub, 8 June 2019
YOUNG, Marilyn “Jean”, 79, of Kearney died Monday, June 17, 2019, at her home
Memorial service: Thursday at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral Chapel
Burial: Mission Center Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas
Born: Jan. 4, 1940, in North Platte
Parents: Ernest Joseph and Helen Virginia (Isaacson) Voss
Married: Paul D. Young on April 25, 1970, in Boulder, Colo.
Graduated from Brady High School in 1957; received her nursing degree from St. Francis hospital in Grand Island in 1960, her Bachelor of Science in nursing in 1989 and Bachelor of Arts in history in 1992 from Washburn University in Topeka
Activities: member of Phi Kappa Phi scholastic society and Phi Alpha Theta, a history honor society
Survivors include: her brother, Lar (Deb) Voss of Loveland, Colo.
Was preceded in death by her parents and her husband
Memorials: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
Kearney Hub, 19 June 2019
ZUELLNER, JuneEtta Rae, 77, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Kearney
Service: Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Campbell
Burial: Trinity Lutheran Cemetery at Campbell
Mortuary: Campbell Funeral Home
Born: June 6, 1942
Parents: George and Mable (Meyer) Zuellner
Survivors include her stepsister, Rosella Zuellner of Castle Rock, Colo.
Kearney Hub, 27 June 2019