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BERUMEN, Nick B., 74, of Kearney died Thursday, June 3, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family
Memorial service: Wednesday at Hope Evangelical Free Church in Kearney
Inurnment: Kearney Cemetery
Born: Sept. 4, 1946, in Wood River
Parents: Ben and Minnie (Garcia) Berumen
Was raised in Kearney, attended Kearney High School; earned his degree in Auto Boyd Repair from and trade school in Omaha
Married: August 4, 1967 to Rosa Sifuentez in Kearney
Worked at Auto Body Hospital and Kizzier’s Auto for several years; in 1977, began working at Bob Strong’s; later worked at Killion Motors, retired as body shop manager in 2009
Activities: had a passion for racing, rebuilding and restoring cars; enjoyed the time he spent in his garage and with his family; loved to travel; was an avid Nebraska Football and Raiders football fan
Survivors include: his wife, Rosa Berumen of Kearney; children, Nicole (Winfield) Gambrell of Lyman, SC, Eric Berumen of Kearney and Brandon Berumen of Kearney and Consuelo (Julio Flores) Chavez of Omaha; children that they raised as their own, Victor (Peyton) Ventura of Cozad and Brooke Berumen of Lincoln; grandchildren, Emily Zimbelman, Hayley Thong, Trey Gambrell, Tina Smets, Nickolas Berumen, Aubrey, Alexander, Taylor and Jaxson Berumen, and Brody Casper Berumen and Noah Casper Berumen; great grandchildren, Madisyn Zimbelman, Blayson Thong, Kaibryn Thong, Kalisiauna Thong, Ziah Thong, Justin Smets, Jordan Smets, Melissa Smets and Oliver George; siblings, Virginia (Darrel) Babcock of Floresville, TX, Michael (Paula) Berumen of Kearney, Ben (Renee) Berumen of Las Vegas, NV and Dan (Nancy) Berumen of Shelton; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Brynlee Zimbelman; and brother and sister-in-law, Tony and MaryLou Berumen
Memorials: Hope Evangelical Free Church
Kearney Hub, 7 June 2021 and www.osrfh.com
BLISS, Scott R., 62, of Macy, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, June 6, 2021, at his home from cancer.
Service: Thursday at the Macy Community Center in Macy
Burial: the VA Cemetery with military rights
Mortuary: Munderlough Funeral Home in Pender
Born: Jan. 14, 1959, in Winnebago
Was adopted by Rod and Genny Bliss on March 17, 1960
Married: June 1980, to Coleen Decora; later divorced
Survivors include his daughters, Danielle and Rochelle; sister, Shelley Lammers, and three grandchildren.
Kearney Hub, 9 June 2021
BOSTON, Beverly Ann, 89, of Alma died Saturday, May 15, 2021, at Harlan County Health Systems in Alma
Funeral service: Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Alma
Interment: Alma Cemetery
Mortuary: Bauer-Torrey and Mach in Alma
Born: May 14, 1932, on a farm in Buffalo County, near Kearney
Parents: Roy Elmer and Flossie Rosella (Lash) Johnson
Married: Nov. 28, 1954, to William E. "Bill" Boston in Orleans; he preceded her in death, July 7, 2013
Survivors include her sons, Lief Boston of Morganton, North Carolina, John Boston of Kearney and Mike Boston of Hastings; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 18 May 2021
BRALICK, Julie M., 54, of Kearney died Saturday, May 22, 2021, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Funeral service: Wednesday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Aug. 14, 1966, in Kearney
Parents: Vaughn and Judy (Marriner) Plock
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1984; attended Kearney State College and Central Community College, earned her LPN
Practiced nursing in several nursing homes in Kearney for many years until her health began to decline, was very proud of herself to be a nurse, received a lot of praise from the nursing home residents and their families for the loving care she provided during the years
Activities: was fun to work with and a joy to be around; loved her dogs, crafting, Christmastime and eating breakfast for any meal; was a loving wife, daughter and friend
Survivors include her husband Art Bralick of Kearney; stepdaughter Emily Erpelding of Lincoln; mother Judy Plock of Kearney; sister Kelly Plock of Kearney; stepgrandchildren, James and Brooklyn Erpelding; mother-in-law Dorothy Grafton; sisters-in-law, Carmen Young, Rebecca Taylor, Joyce and Jimmy Presley, Liz and Dave James, Jean and Tad Stryker and Tammy Plock; and brothers-in-law, Carl and Cheryl Bralick and Drew and Susan Bralick
Was preceded in death by her father Vaughn; brothers, Bobby and Michael Plock; stepgranddaughter Isabela Erpelding; and father-in-law Carl Bralick
Kearney Hub, 25 May 2021
BUDLER, Diane E., 67, of Kearney died Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Memorial service: Monday at the New Life Church
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Feb. 9, 1954, to Warren and Beverly (Reed) Dunham
Attended York Public Schools, graduated in 1972
Married: Patrick Budler in York on April 5, 1974; renewed their vows in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Feb. 5, 2014
Moved to Kearney in August 1981; was on the team to set up and open the first Walmart store in Kearney in 1984 and continued with the company, retired on Feb. 10, 2012
Enjoyed spending time with family and friends; didn't let the world change her smile but her smile certainly changed the world
Survivors include her husband Patrick Budler of Kearney; daughters, Dawn (John) Becker, of Kearney and Whitney (Wes) Brisbin of Omaha; grandchildren, Zachary Warnken, Elizabeth Brisbinand Noah Brisbin; stepgrandchildren, Meagan Becker and Jaiden (Cameron) Becker; stepgreat-granddaughter, Skylar Tompkins; siblings, Dudley Dunham, Holly Kelly, Steve Dunham, Janet (Freddie) Collins, Jeff Dunham and Mark Dunham; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mary (Dave) Morgan, Jane (Bob) Patterson, Tom (Barb) Budler, Bill (Barb) Budler, Diana Budler, Jeff (Ann) Budler, Laurie (Phil) Anderson; her canoe family, the Tureks, Fellows and Johnsons; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; father and mother-in-law Bernard and Patricia Budler; brother-in-law Tony Budler; sister-in-law Pearl Dunham; and nephew Jacob Budler
Kearney Hub, 4 June 2021
CADY, Calvin "Cal" Douglas, 71, of Firestone, Colorado, died on April 4, 2021, at Longs Peak Hospital; had been recently diagnosed with head and neck cancer and died from complications of his cancer treatments
Celebration of life: in June
Born: Sept. 26, 1949, in Gordon, Nebraska
Parents: Joe and Avis (Swearingen) Cady
Was the 4th of five children; lived in Merriman, later moved to Kearney; graduated from Kearney High School in 1967
Married: June 3, 1967, to Cheryl Lee Hueftle
After marriage, lived in Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming; in 2007, moved to Idaho, retired from AMWTP in 2015; moved back to Colorado; Cheryl passed in Nov. of 2015
Activities: loved spending time with his family and traveling to Nebraska to attend reunions; enjoyed reminiscing about his childhood and life in the oilfield; also enjoyed camping, fishing, target practice and a really good campfire; enjoyed playing Bingo Blitz online; loved music and loved listening to it loud
Survivors include his children Scott (Melissa) Cady of Gillette, Wyoming, Stacey (Scott) Taylor of Firestone, Colorado, and Jeff (Rabyn) Cady of Minooka, Illinois; his brothers, Larry (Charlotte) of Odessa, Norman (Joan) of Odessa, and Bob (Sam) of Grand Junction, Colorado; brother in-law Russ Foster of Bradshaw; his 11 grandchildren and their spouses/significant others; 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous family members and friends.
Was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl; parents, Joe and Avis; parent in-laws, Paul and Doris (Hoppes) Hueftle; his sister, Glenda (Cady) Foster; sister in-law, Paulette (Hueftle) Lutes; and his grandson, Austin Bowman
Memorials: The Cancer Society
Kearney Hub, 9 June 2021
CARR, Frank Leroy, 94, of Kearney died Friday, June 4, 2021, at Kinship Pointe in Kearney
Funeral service: Saturday at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Interment: Broken Bow Township Cemetery
Born: June 28, 1926, at a farm north of Mason City
Parents: Jay Manley and Elsie Esther (Bramer) Carr
Lived in Custer County, graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1944
Military: U.S. Army, April 1945 until December 1946, served a year in Japan
Married: Dec. 19, 1948, to Shirley Jean (Smith) Carr in the Presbyterian church in Broken Bow, were married for 70 years
Was employed by Broken Bow Packing Company; worked for the U.S. Postal Service, from 1961 until his retirement in 1989; moved to Gibbon in February 1993 to be closer to their son Sherman and his family; moved to Kearney in 2006
Activities: in Broken Bow, was a member of the Presbyterian church, served as trustee and chairman of the ushers; life member of the Custer County VFW Post 3576, and a life member of the Elks Lodge of Kearney; in Gibbon, member of the Faith United Church, served as financial treasurer, and a member of Bradley Buck American Legion Post 130 in Gibbon, as well as a member of Kearney First United Methodist Church
Survivors include his son Sherman (Janet) Carr of Gibbon; granddaughters, Holly Ann Valdes and her husband Henry of Omaha, Abby Marie Evans and her husband Jason of Arnold, Missouri, and Maggie Lynn Carr of Minneapolis, Minnesota; great-grandchildren, Haley Evans, Grayson Valdes and Reese Evans; stepgreat-grandchildren, Elayne and Dawson Evans; brother and sister-in-law, Norland and Dorothy Carr of Broken Bow; sister-in-law, Audrey Roseberry of Salem, Oregon; many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents, wife Shirley Carr and one sister
Memorials: Kearney First United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 8 June 2021
CARSON, Ruth (Naomi), 83, of Kearney died Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Funeral service: Thursday, June 10, at the Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Chapel
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: July 30, 1937, in Gaylord, Kansas
Parents: David and Nancy (Campbell) Wolf
Grew up and attended school in Lexington
Married: Robert Carson on July 12, 1955, in Lexington
After marriage, lived in Lexington; moved to Kearney in 1963, worked as a C.N.A. at St. Luke's Nursing Home; helped raise many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Activities: enjoyed baking, doing jigsaw puzzles, playing bingo, camping, and traveling
Survivors include her daughters, Debbie and Russ Thacker of Longmont, Colorado, Kerri and Jon Harris of Davenport, Florida, Teresa and Ron Journey of Kearney; sons, Bobby Carson of Kearney, David and Maggie Carson of Kearney; brother, Verlyn and JoAnn Wolf of Boise, Idaho; 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, brother, Max Wolf; and granddaughter, Sarah Carson
Memorials: Mother Hull Home
Kearney Hub, 8 June 2021
CURTRIGHT, Marlan "Curt" Ray, 77, of Scottsbluff died Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff after a brief illness
Memorial service: Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Scottsbluff
Inurnment: Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff
Mortuary: Bridgman Funeral Home in Scottsbluff
Born: Feb. 27, 1944, in Tilden
Parents: Dale and Opal (Swanson) Curtright
Moved with family to a farm at Neligh, grew up with two younger brothers; in seventh grade, moved to Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1962; attended Kearney State College; while attending school, began working at Sidles Automotive
Married: Jan Speck, Aug. 31, 1963; were married 57 years
Was promoted to manager at Sidles' Alliance location; worked for UPS in Scottsbluff; with Jan, owned Daylight Donut; worked for Security Mutual Life Insurance, owned Umm's Yogurt, and retired with Coors of Western Nebraska as their public relations representative
Activities: enjoyed many years of retirement and traveling together; enjoyed being with his family and friends, reading and watching old western movies; belonged to the United Methodist Church, Kiwanis and the Elks
Survivors include his wife Jan; son Todd (Julie) Curtright of Elkhorn; daughter Tami (Todd) Janicek of Bridgeport; grandchildren, Amanda (Lou) Lujan, Lindsey (Drew) Weiland, Cody (Emily) Curtright, Taylor Janicek and Trey Janicek; brothers, Robert (Lorraine) Curtright and Norman (Cassy) Curtright; sisters-in-law, Charlotte Speck and Sue Speck; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents Dale and Opal Curtright; in-laws, Carl and Wilma Speck; and brothers-in-law, Lonnie and Carl Edward Speck
Memorials: to the church
Kearney Hub, 2 June 2021
DeLAET, Robert Kenneth, 69, of Ravenna died Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Service: Monday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Riverdale Cemetery
Born: Aug. 2, 1951, in Kearney
Parents: Kenneth and Audrey (Stearley) DeLaet
Went to school at Poole and graduated from Ravenna High School in 1970
Military: U.S. Army from 1971 to 1977; most of his service time was spent in Germany; was a chef for NATO Armed Force, 1977-2000
Returned to the United States in 2016 and resided at the Good Samaritan Home in Ravenna
Activities: member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna; had a love for animals
Survivors include his mother, Audrey DeLaet of Ravenna; brothers, Dewayne and Judy DeLaet of Michigan, and Bill and Frances DeLaet of Ravenna; along with his sister-in-law, Marrietta DeLaet
Was preceded in death by his father Kenneth; and brothers, Dan and Steve
Kearney Hub, 16 June 2021
ECKWERT, Kay, 86, of Kearney died Friday, May 7, 2021, at St. John's Good Samaritan Society in Kearney
A celebration of life: later
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Sept. 13, 1934, in Falls City
Parents: Alan and Ermel (Parrack) Kirk
Graduated from Falls City High School in 1952, and from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1956
Married: Aug. 19, 1956, to Robert Eckwert in Omaha After marriage, moved to Kearney, taught fifth grade in Pleasanton; also worked at Emerson Elementary in Kearney and helped many families while at Family Planning and Head Start; was instrumental in developing some of the first tumbling classes in Kearney
Activities: loved art, dancing, dressing to the max and accessories galore; had talent for decorating and entertaining was a class act; enjoyed traveling; loved her husband, Bob, her family and especially her grandkids; instilled her love for gardening, playing cards, nature, throwing a great party and loving the holiday traditions into her family
Survivors include her daughters, Becky and Paul O'Connell of Kearney and Jennifer and Curt Nelson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandchildren, Kylie and Cory Sleeth of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Kara and Ben Porter of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Kirk O'Connell of Denver, Karlie O'Connell of Kearney, Alexis Nelson of Albuquerque and Andrew Nelson of Albuquerque; great-grandchildren, Beckham and Blakely Sleet, Nora and Mason Porter; brother, Alan and Marti Kirk of Buffalo, New York; and her sister-in-law, Norma Eckwert of Falls City
Was preceded in death by her husband Bob Eckwert; and mother and father
Memorials: Head Start, MONA or the Peterson Senior Center in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 29 May 2021
ELSE, Dan, 72, of Omaha, formerly of Gothenburg, died peacefully Tuesday, May 11, 2021, surrounded by his family at Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha
Memorial service: Wednesday, May 19, at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Omaha
Celebration of life service: in Kearney this summer
Born: Jan. 30, 1949, in Kearney
Parents: Arthur E. and Lois (Marshall) Else; after his father's death in 1952, was raised by his mother and stepfather Clarence G. Rahmann
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1967
Military: served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, 1968 to 1971, as a Green Beret paratrooper; earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Sharpshooter Badge
Married: 1971 to Trudy Martin
Worked in the cattle industry, primarily as a feedlot manager, for 43 years in companies throughout Nebraska and Colorado; member of Colorado Cattlemen's Association and Dawson County Cattlemen; lived 30 years in Gothenburg, retired in 2013 to Omaha
Activities: supported and encourage his children in their activities in baseball, 4-H, Odyssey of the Mind tournaments, horse and sheep shows, community theater volunteering and more; especially enjoyed times at the ballfield or on the lake with his family; later in Omaha, enjoyed times with the grandchildren in their various activities; member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Omaha and a member of VFW Post 1581 in Bennington
Survivors include his wife Trudy (Martin) Else of Omaha; daughter Kori (Eric) Radloff and grandchildren, Rachel and Skyler of Omaha; son Robert (Christina) Else of Omaha and grandchildren, Maggie, Josh, Natalie, Emily and Abby; daughter Sara (Blair) Riffel of Omaha; and daughter Rebecca Else and granddaughters, Alexis and Addison of Omaha; half-sisters, Catherine Rahmann of Omaha and Sherry Curtis of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Shelley Mortimer of Saratoga Springs, Utah, and Bonnie Wheeler of Otis, Colorado
Was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Else; mother, Lois Rahmann; and stepfather, Clarence Rahmann
Memorials: Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo to establish a commemorative bench for all to visit for years to come
Kearney Hub, 15 May 2021
ERICKSON, Stanley, 92, of Kearney died Saturday, May 22, 2021, at St. John's Good Samaritan Home in Kearney
Memorial service: Thursday at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Interment: Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege
Born: April 3, 1929, on the farm nother of Holdrege
Parents: Philip and Fern (Miller) Erickson
Graduated from Holdrege High School in 1946, continued farming with his dad
Military: U.S. Air Force, Jan. 5, 1951 to November 1953; attained the rank of staff sergeant and remained in the U.S. Air Force reserves for five years; was stationed at Shaw Field, Sumter, South Carolina, then transferred to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, then to George AFB in Victorville, California, where he stayed until his discharge; received the Good Conduct Medal and the American Defense Service Medal
Married: July 2, 1951, to Janet Hultquist, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege
Farmed and also worked at Northrup King Company (Clark Benson) selling seed corn
Activities: was baptized and a confirmed member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, enjoyed volunteering to move snow and ushering at Bethel in his younger years; 54-year member of the American Legion Post, and life member of the DAV; served on the Farmers Home Administration Board for more than 20 years; was a substitute mail carrier for 20 years for the Holdrege Postal Service, served on the zoning board for the Holdrege Airport for several years; enjoyed hunting and fishing; in retirement, fulfilled an old dream, earning his private pilot's license in 1980; enjoyed flying to visit family, and to visit many states; member of Nebraska Civil Air Patrol for 14 years as Senior Mission Pilots, doing search and rescue missions and aerial photography and narcotics department with the McCook Unit; also member of the Nebraska Flying Farmers for many years; worked at the Holdrege Airport, Brewster Field, for 20 years, mowing, moving snow and doing whatever else was needed
Survivors include his wife, Janet of Kearney; children, Ronald (Jane) Erickson of Rapid City, South Dakota, Lynn (Charles) Brewster of Kearney and Lori Erickson and her friend, Nadine Tillimans, of Holdrege; brother, Harold (Judy) Erickson of Arizona; sisters, LaDell Callahan of Gilbert, Arizona, and Marilyn Carlson of Holdrege; five grandchildren, Lt. Col. Neal (Bryna) Erickson of Burke, Virginia, Lt. Col. Donald (Kristine) Erickson of Lansing, Kansas, John (Mindy) Brewster of Denver, Aaron (Amy) Brewster of Kearney and Meggan (Jerry) Clark of Kearney; six great-grandchildren, Mathias and Conner Erickson, Kyler and Caden Erickson and Emma and Owen Clark; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Neil and Emma Hultquist; brother-in-law, Stan Carlson; sister-in-law, Dorothy Nelson; and his nephew, Gregg Carlson
Memorials: Holdrege Salvation Army
Kearney Hub, 25 May 2021
ESCHLIMAN, Amelia "Molly" H., 100, died peacefully on May 6, 2021, in Grand Junction, Colorado
Funeral: later
Burial: Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Grand Junction
Mortuary: Callahan-Edfast
Born: Jan. 9, 1921, in Valley County
Parents: William J. Adamek and Rose M. (Novasad) Adamek
Was the third of seven children
Married: Harley E. Eschliman on May 1, 1941 in Ord; spent 70 happy years together
After marriage, lived in Ord, then moved to Kearney in 1954; worked at Reddy's Grocery, Baldwin Manufacturing and Les Horne Insurance Agency; retired to Grand Junction, Colorado to be near their son and his family, spent summers in Grand Junction but winters in Apache Junction, Arizona, to be near their daughter and family
Activities: enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking, made delicious Kolaches; loved to attend dances in Ord, play cards, travel and joined a Good Sam's Club; member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
Moved in the Fountains at Hilltop in Feb. 2019; celebrated her 100th birthday, cherished each of the 119 birthday cards from family and friends; loved her view of the mountains
Survivors incude her son, Dennis (Patti) Eschliman of Grand Junction, Colorado, daughter, Judith (Donald) Zwickl of Avondale, Arizona: grandson, Randall (Kellie) Zwickl of Tucson, Arizona, granddaughter, Becky (Brian) Montag of Grand Junction, Colorado; grandson, Dwight (Amy) Eschliman of Mill Valley, California; granddaughter, Stacie McQuarrie of Goodyear, Arizona; 11 great- grandchildren, Cody, Katie, Daniel, Emily, McKenna, Menona, Harley, Riley, Theo, Matthew and Haleigh; and a brother, Donald and Dee Adamek of Grand Junction, Colorado
Was preceded in death by her husband, Harley; her parents, William and Rose Adamek; great-grandson, Micah Montag; and five of her siblings
Kearney Hub, 9 June 2021
ESCOBAR, Keysha D. Mendez, 21, of Lincoln, formerly of Gibbon, died Monday, June 21, 2021, at Bryan LGH East Hospital in Lincoln
Graveside service: Monday at Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon with military honors
Visitation: Sunday, Faith United Church in Gibbon
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born: March 27, 2000, in Los Angeles, California
Parents: Sergio and Kipcia (Lopez) Mendez
Survivors include her husband Heber Escobar of Lincoln; parents, Sergio and Kipcia Mendez; siblings, Abraham and Rodrigo Mendez; grandparents, Catarino Lopez and Otilia Ramirez, Pablo and Maria Becerra, Alejandro Mendez and Ma. Eugenia Galvan; and great-grandparents, Gloria Lopez and Gilma Castro, Estefana Leal, Ma. Guadalupe Gonzalez, Concepcion Gonzalez and Jose Mendez
Kearney Hub, 24 June 2021
FRY, Doris Mae, 83, of Ravenna died Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at Grand Island Regional Hospital in Grand Island
Memorial service: later
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: March 27, 1938 in Sloan, Iowa
Parents: Gerald J. and Dorothy M. (Craig) Stanley
Grew up in Sloan
Married: Fredric S. Fry on December 21, 1956 at Climbing Hill, Iowa
After marriage, lived in Broken Bow, was employed by Balingers Insurance Agency; lived in Fredericksburg, Texas, during her retirement
Activities: member of the Lutheran Church; enjoyed camping and fishing
Survivors include her husband, Fredric, sons; David, Stanley and Greggory; daughters, Teresa Roberts and Lori Czaplewski, six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, brother, Byron Stanley and sisters, Susy, Dixie and Alice
Was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Kenneth
www.rasmussenfh.com
FULMER, Kenny L., 81, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Gibbon, died Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at St. Joseph Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona
Local memorial service: May 25 at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Oct. 29, 1939, in Loveland, Colorado
Parents: Bernard and Flossie (Humrich) Fulmer
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School with the Class of 1957; attended college after high school
Entered the workforce as a salesman, eventually specializing in fire equipment
Married: Kathaleen K. Henderson on Jan. 23, 1962, in Kearney
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney and also the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department for more than 19 years; enjoyed golfing, bowling, cruising, traveling and also spending time with family
Survivors include his wife Kathy of Mesa, Arizona; children and spouses, Ricky and Jennifer Fulmer of Hudsonville, Michigan, Rodney and Bonnie Fulmer of Kearney and Rachelle and Charles Spencer of Canton, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Lindsay Fulmer, Nicholas Fulmer, Brittney Brown, Nathan Fulmer, Cody Spencer and Elizabeth Spencer; four great-grandchildren, Olivia, Wyatt, Kai and Emmy Lou; sisters, Karen Smith of Mesa, Arizona, Wanda McKean of Mesa, Arizona, and Phyllis Ronnberg of Kearney; along with several other extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; infant twin brothers, Larry and Gary Fulmer; brother Lamoine and his wife Nita Fulmer; brothers-in-law, Leonard McKean and Edward Ronnberg; and granddaughter Ashley Fulmer
Kearney Hub, 22 May 2021
GALE, Thelma A., 70, of Kearney died Thursday, May 13, 2021, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Private family service: later
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Jan. 3, 1951, in Myanmar
Parents: Bernard and Agnes (Crosby) Gale
Attended high school in Myanmar, graduated in 1969; continued her education, eventually earned her postgraduate degree from the University of Illinois
Married: Andrew Saw on Aug. 29, 1985, in Spokane, Washington; had one son together
Practiced as an Anesthesiologist, later joined her husband's medical practice as an office manager
Survivors include her devoted husband Dr. Andrew Saw of Kearney; loving son, Chris Saw and his significant other India of Lincoln; sister Jean Gale of California; niece and nephews, Dimple, Desmond and David; numerous other extended family, friends and coworkers
Was preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 15 May 2021
GAPPA, Evelyn D., 97, of Grand Island died Jan. 16, 2021, at the Bethany Home in Minden
Funeral Mass: Thursday, June 17, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City
Mortuary: Livingston-Sondermann in Grand Island
Born: Feb. 17, 1923, at Viking, Alberta, Canada
Parents: Leo D. and Rose (Greenwalt) Lonowski
Was raised and received her education in Viking
Married: Eddie E. Gappa on Feb. 3, 1943, in San Luis Obispo, California
Together, owned and operated a family business in Ravenna; after Eddie's death on Dec. 24, 1978, moved to Grand Island
Activities: enjoyed playing cards, bingo and traveling; member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, the Platt-Duetsche and the VFW Auxiliary in Ravenna
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth and Dorothy Gappa of Glendale, Arizona, Howard and Monica Gappa of Surprise, Arizona, and Dennis and Beth Gappa of Navasota, Texas; son-in-law Stan Banks of Kearney; brother Chester Lonowski of Loup City; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Was preceded in death by her husband; daughter Sherri Banks; granddaughter Susanne Gappa; brothers, Lawrence and Floyd Lonowski; and sister Lorraine Zelewski
Memorials: Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, the American Heart Association or to the donor's choice
Kearney Hub, 15 June 2021
GRIESSE, Robert Dale "Bob", 82, of Festus, Missouri, died Saturday, May 29, 2021, at the Woodlands in Arnold, Missouri
Service: Monday, June 6, at Christian Outreach Church at Hillsboro, Missouri
Mortuary: Vinyard in Festus, Missouri
Burial: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri
Born: Nov. 4, 1938, in Imperial, Nebr.
Parents: Eleanor (nee Bell) and Richard Griesse
Attended the University of Nebraska for three years
Military: U.S. Marine Corps for four years
Married: Virginia "Ginny" Rank in 1967
After marriage, worked on the farm with Bob's dad; during this time, earned his degree in industrial management from the University of Nebraska; moved to Hillsboro, Missouri, he attended the Christian Outreach School of Ministries, served for 25 years, along with his wife, as a lay minister to children; also worked as a printer; in retirement, worked as an attendant at the Pevely Mobil "On the Run" station for 15 years, and was known for his friendly, smiling face
Survivors include his wife Virginia (nee Rank) Griesse; daughters, Jennifer (the Rev. Russ) Dineen of Crystal City, Missouri, and Jane (Daniel) Lorenz of Hillsboro, Missouri; sons, the Rev. Jonathan (Valerie) Griesse of Brookland, Arkansas, and Jeremy (Maggi) Griesse of Barnhart, Missouri; grandchildren, Joshua (Christina) Dineen, Zachary Dineen, Stephanie (Jordan) Huffman, Katherine Dineen, Elijah Griesse, Genevieve Griesse, Danielle Lorenz, Carlee Griesse, Zadok Lorenz, Andrew Lorenz, Mabel Griesse, Sylvia Griesse, and Millie Griesse; great-grandchildren, Reagan Dineen, Macie Huffman and Emersyn Huffman; sisters, Carolyn Griesse of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Ellen (John) Weber of Kearney, and Mary (Ken) Elder of Atlanta, Georgia; and a brother, Ron (Judy) Griesse of Annandale, Virginia
Was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Evelyn "Evy" (Dick survives of Glenway, Michigan) Evans
Memorials: Christian Outreach Church or School
Kearney Hub, 2 June 2021
HAGGARD, Richard Dean, 83, of Napa, California, died June 7 at home while telling a story to a friend and listening to music
Memorial service: July 8 at Napa Valley Memorial Park
Born: in Kearney on March 28, 1938
Parents: Henry Wesley Haggard and Eva Elizabeth Mary Haggard (Peeke)
Endured a childhood full of challenges and setbacks and benefitted from the kindness of the Kotsiopulos family as a young adult; graduated from Kearney High School
Moved to San Francisco, California
Married: Burgl (Burgie) Berger, 1961
Military: U.S. Army, served in Germany
Returned, worked at Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard and made a home in Daly City; moved to Napa, 1974, continued as a nuclear inspector at Mare Island Naval Shipyard; retired in 1994
Activities: enjoyed many hobbies and pursuits during his lifetime; loved rock hunting at Patrick's Point State Park and camping all over California in their recreational vehicle; introduced his grandson to rocks through the Napa Rock and Gem Club, took all of his grandchildren on many camping adventures to Fallen Leaf Lake, Doran Beach and various state parks in Northern California; was an ardent supporter of their grandchildren's sports pursuits; loved music, dancing, eating out and playing bocce ball
Survivors include his children, Michael Haggard and Karen Taylor, their spouses, Mechele Small Haggard and Troy Taylor, and four grandchildren, Justin Haggard, Sophia Haggard, Cameron Taylor and Collin Taylor; his nephews, Steven Haggard and Daniel Haggard; is greatly missed by his companion, Donna Cohan, and close friend, Justo Perez
Was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Burgie Haggard, who passed in 2015
Memorials: Boys Town or the Salvation Army
Kearney Hub, 25 June 2021
HARDEKOPF, Thomas "Tom", 74, of Kearney died Sunday, May 30, 2021, at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Memorial service: June 11, 2021, at Kearney First United Methodist Church
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Nov. 16, 1946
Parents: William O. and Mildred Kelly Hardekopf
Grew up playing baseball, graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1965
Was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds baseball team and reported to Tampa, Florida, for spring training; baseball career was short-lived; returned to Grand Island
Married: Cynthia Dokken in 1966
After marriage, lived in Kearney, worked for Meadow Gold Dairy as a wholesale route driver; later owned TLH Construction, building homes and remodeling: tile work was his specialty
Activities: was a Senior League baseball coach for the Firemen, and later co-coached the Eagles in Little League; worked with Habitat for Humanity for many years; formerly played tennis and loved golf; liked to target shoot and slingshot with his grandsons, and watching robotics, soccer and baseball; loved their cabin in the Snowy Range, made many memories there with his children and grandsons
Survivors include his wife Cindy of Kearney; son Tyler and wife Ellishequea of Columbus, Ohio, and their sons, Aidan and Avery; daughter Rebecca and husband Matthew Kauk of Kearney and their sons, Ben and Myles; a sister; and seven nieces and nephews, other extended family and several friends
Was preceded in death by parents and sister Carol Sems
Memorials: Habitat for Humanity
Kearney Hub, 8 June 2021
HENDERSON, D. Elizabeth, 97, of Kearney died Monday, May 24, 2021, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Funeral: Friday at Spirit of Life Open Bible Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: in Yolo, California, on Aug. 18, 1923
Parents: Walter and Ruth (Merkley) Hardcastle
Grew up in Eugene, Orewgon; began studying the violin, continued playing as long as she could; Eugene (Oregon) Bible College, played in the orchestra at Lighthouse Temple where she attended church
Married: Arthur W. Henderson, Aug. 11, 1948
After graduation, traveled together in a musical quartet; then lived in Glendale, and San Francisco, California; in 1954, became missionaries in Jamaica, established churches in May Pen and Kingston, and trained Jamaican ministers in the Jamaica Open Bible Institute; after 15 years, returned to the US, and served churches in Eugene, Oregon, Kearney and Everett, Washington, serving for a few years in between at Open Bible College in Des Moines, Iowa; retired from the pastoral ministry in 1996; moved to Nebraska to be close to their daughters and grandchildren
Survivors include her daughters, Geri Henderson of Hofheim, Germany, Marylyn (Murry Christenson) of Grand Island and Kathleen (Greg Mast) of Kearney; seven grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and her husband in 2009
Memorials: Mother Hull Staff Enrichment
Kearney Hub, 26 May 2021
HOLT, Doris L., 91, of Holdrege died Thursday, June 10, 2021, at Phelps Memorial Health Center
Service: Thursday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: July 13, 1929, in Grangeville, Idaho
Parents: Alvin Evans and Leona (Leo) Evans
Graduated from Kearney High School with the Class of 1947; attended college at Marymount College for Women at Salina, Kansas for one year
Returned home to work in the family bakery; that work was an important part of her life; also worked as an office manager for KUVR Radio and Christiansen Trucking
Married: Sept. 3, 1955, to Lee Holt in Lincoln; Lee raised her three daughters as his own
Lived in the Holdrege/Loomis area, retired from farming in May 1991; moved to Cozad and later to Kearney; after Lee's passing in 2008, remained in Kearney, then moved into Christian Homes Independent Living in Holdrege in 2017
Activities: member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Great Plains Art Guild, Kearney Art Guild and Museum of Nebraska Art; loved being an artist, displayed her work many times at Art in the Park in Kearney; was a strong believer in higher education and continued to take art classes as an adult at Kearney State College; enjoyed knitting, sewing, playing bridge, golfing and traveling
Survivors include her daughters, Susan Booe and her husband, Dan, of Atlanta, Christine Bethscheider and her husband, Tom, of Cedar Rapids and Kyle Holt-Stanard and her husband, Darrel, of Lincoln; grandchildren, Holli Rich and her husband, James, of Holdrege, Ross Booe and his wife, Jodi, of Loomis, Cassandre Lassiter and her husband, Dan, and Adam Bethscheider, all of Atlanta, Georgia, Cara Small and her husband, Pat, of Martell, Jill Stanard, Andrea Graterol, Sydney Gude and her husband, Curtis, and Mark Stanard, all of Lincoln, Scott Stanard and his wife, Roxanne, of Prosper, Texas, and Steve Stanard and his wife, Jennifer, of Manhattan, Kansas; sisters Donna Knapp of Denver, Colorado, and Barbara Reifschneider of Paso Robles, California; half-sister, Joan Hartman and her husband, Steve, of Lincoln; half-brother, Jeff Evans and his wife, Patricia, of Longmont, Colorado; sisters-in-law, Lois Holen and her husband, Don, of Bertrand and Judy Evans of Cozad; 22 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchild; and numerous nephews, nieces and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother Gale Evans; sisters-in law, Louree Larsen and her husband, Harold, Goldie Stapp and her husband, Roy, Jewel Arnold and her husband, Jerry; brothers-in-law, Bud Reifschneider, Loyd Holt and his wife, Virginia, Alan Holt, Paul Holt and his wife, Judy; grandson, Dustan Booe; parents-in-law, Alfred and Pearl (Jensen) Holt
Memorials: Chrisoma West c/o Christian Homes in Holdrege or St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 14 June 2021
KELLEY, Christopher J., 33, of Kearney died Sunday, June 6, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, as the result of a car accident in Iowa
Memorial service: Wednesday at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral Home
Born: Aug. 12, 1987, in Kearney
Mother: Candy (Halliwell) McMullen
Was baptized Feb. 1, 1997, and confirmed on Oct. 17, 2004; went to Northeast and graduated from Kearney Catholic High School in 2005
Was employed at the City of Kearney
Activities: enjoyed sports, gaming, and was especially good at cornhole; will be remembered as a good person who devoted his life to his friends and family
Survivors include his mother Candy McMullen of Kearney; sisters, Jamie (Curtiss) Spangler of Kearney and Jacy (Kevin) Mays of Castle Rock, Colorado; nieces, Kaitlyn Spangler and Bailey Spangler, both of Kearney, and Krista Dillenback of Lincoln; nephews, Andrew and Ryan Mays, both of Castle Rock, Colorado; uncle Dennis (Robin) Mazankowski; grandmother Joyce Wood; stepfather Bill McMullen; cousins and all of his cornhole family
Was preceded in death by his grandfather Harley Wood and aunt Connie Nutt
Kearney Hub, 14 June 2021
KRAMER, Wilfred "Willie" P., 73, of Kearney died Sunday, May 23, 2021, at his home near Kearney
Gathering of remembrance: June 5 at Willie's residence in Kearney
Born: November 23, 1947 in North Platte
Parents: Leonard and Helen Joy (Everett) Kramer
Attended school in Stapleton
Married: Virginia Haddock on December 4, 1965 in North Platte
Owned and operated Old West Guns on Central Avenue in Kearney for over 35 years, retired in 2020
Activities: hobbies included hunting, fishing, motorcycle racing, stockcar racing, scuba diving, classic cars and attending the Sugar Valley Rall; was always willing to share a good story and perhaps embellish it just a bit; enjoyed collecting firearms, and was an encyclopedia regarding them
Surviving relatives include his wife, Virginia of Kearney; sons, Teddy and Jodene Kramer of Ogallala, and Larry and Tereasa Kramer of Kearney; 5 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; siblings and spouses, Shorty and Cathy Kramer of Stapleton, William Kramer of Dallas, Linda Crisman of Gothenburg, Marlene Johnson of Farnam, Lynette and Steve Krab of Paxton, Florence Sims of Mesquite, Texas, Gloria and Steve Shingleton of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Tina and Rich Terry of North Platte; several other extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mike Kramer; siblings, Larry, Wally and Viola
Memorials: Shriners Hospital
Kearney Hub, 2 June 2021
KREUTZER, Alan Roger, 82, of Kearney died Thursday, June 10, 2021, at the Central Nebraska Veterans' Home in Kearney
Graveside service: Wednesday, June 23 at Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Dec. 26, 1938, in Kearney
Parents: Emil and Bertha (Schwab) Kreutzer
Married: Juanita Charlene Harper on Oct. 3, 1959, in Vista, California.
Military: U.S. Marine Corps, May 1957 to 1960
Was employed with GTE as a Cable Splicer, retired in 1994; in retirement, was a Contract Cable Splicer for various companies
Activities: was a devoted husband and father; enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing softball, woodworking, glass etching and carving birds; was a man of many talents
Survivors include his sons, Greg (Julie) Kreutzer, North Platte, Jeff (Candy) Kreutzer, Kearney, Jason (Karen) Kreutzer, Rapid City, South Dakota, Joel (Rae) Kreutzer, Lincoln; and daughter, Gail (Don) Fegter, Moline, Illinois; 15 grandchildren, Kacy (Charles) Munden, KyAnn and Kyndsay Kreutzer, Derek (Molly) Fegter, Eliot Fegter, Siera Hehner, Christopher, Hannah and Wyatt Kreutzer, Brooke Kreutzer, Morgan Aldrich, Sarah (Dallas) Abbott, Michael Hendricks, Caspen and Charlotte Kreutzer; five great-grandchildren, Lauren and Charlie Munden, Bridger Schledewitz, Owen and Dana Fegter; and sisters, Twila (Loren) Bosshamer, Amherst, Marilyn Bailey, Lexington, and Lois Lee, Kearney
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents; three brothers, Roland (Sonny), Larry and Bobby; and one sister, Luella Wuehler
Memorials: Mother Hull Home and Central Nebraska Veterans' Home
Kearney Hub, 16 June 2021
LESTER, Robert James, 72, of Kearney died Thursday, May 20, 2021, at his home
Service: Wednesday at Faith United Methodist Church
Born: Oct. 15, 1948, in Kearney
Parents: Wilma (Metcalf) Lester and Benjamin Franklin Lester Jr.
Grew up in Kearney after spending a short amount of time in Richmond, Virginia, in his early childhood; attended Kearney High prior to receiving his GED
Married: Kathie Jo Brisbin, on Dec. 17, 1966, in Kearney
After marriage, lived briefly in Yuma, Colorado; returned to Kearney to be closer to family and friends
Was an over-the-road (long and short haul) truck driver most of his life; taught his profession to one of his sons and a son-in-law
Activities: enjoyed large gatherings of sisters, brothers, in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc.; for quite a few years Robert was the driver of No. 3 on the local dirt tracks, a hobby he got his son and grandson into
Survivors include his daughter Kaprice (Lester) Zuke (married to James) of Anchorage, Alaska - currently in Wiesbaden, Germany; daughter Kristen (Lester) Erpelding of Kearney; son Robert Lester Jr. (married to Carolyn) of Norman; son James Lester of Kearney (married to Tanya); and son Timothy Lester (married to Mindy) of Lincoln; many grandchildren, five great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters; along with his three brothers and one sister
Was preceded in death by his wife Kathie in September 2012; his mother Wilma in March 2003; his father Ben in September 2019; his stepfather Kenneth in November 1985; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents
Kearney Hub, 25 May 2021
LIEBIG, Paul E., 69, of Kearney died Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at his home, after a courage battle with cancer
Mass of Christian burial: Tuesday, June 15, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Nov. 6, 1951
Parents: Dan and Joanne Liebig
Was the second of four children; grew up on a wheat farm and cattle ranch outside of Wauneta; was a leader on football field and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1970; earned a bachelor's degree from Kearney State College and a master's degree from UNK
Retired from Ceridian in 2017 after a 37-year career in management consulting
Married: Jan on Dec. 22, 1984
Activities: traveling, exercising and hosting Bible studies with Jan; took his faith in God and membership in the Catholic church very seriously; active member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, mentored other men in their faith journeys, advocated for strong marriages, and was instrumental in forming the Watchmen men's group; hobbies included running marathons, working in the yard, hanging Christmas lights on individual clips, making apple crisp to use up the apples from his trees, washing dishes by hand and juicing fresh fruits and vegetables; never missed a harvest in Wauneta and spent many hours helping manage the family farm operation from afar; especially cherished his family
Survivors include his wife Jan Liebig of Kearney; daughters, Kristin (Cory) Barry of Omaha and Laura (Stuart) Hoffman of Kearney; grandchildren, Jase Hoffman, Jillian Barry, Elliana Hoffman, Eleanor Barry and Luke Hoffman; and sisters, Mary Kay (Forrest) Lauher of Schulenburg, Texas, and Roseanne (Bill) Benzel of Waynesville, Missouri
Was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Joanne, and his brother Thomas Liebig
Memorials: Prince of Peace Catholic Church for small groups and Bible studies
Kearney Hub, 12 June 2021
LOSCHEN, Carolyn Lee, 79, of Grand Island died Monday, May 10, 2021, at her Arizona home surrounded by her family
Funeral service: May 19,. Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Interment ceremony: Grand Island Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel in Grand Island
Born: Nov. 23, 1941, in Kearney
Parents: Milton and Lucille (Snyder) Codner
Grew up in Gibbon and graduated from Gibbon High School in 1959; was very active in music during her school years, played the piano and organ at Gibbon Baptist Church; attended Kearney State College
Married: Terry Lynn Loschen on Aug. 14, 1966
After marriage, briefly lived in Boelus, San Francisco, Kearney and Hastings, then settled in Grand Island in 1975 to raise their family; worked several years as a paralegal, attained her real estate license and later joined the Real Estate Group in Grand Island; retired in 2008, spent winters in Surprise, Arizona
Activities: active at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Grand Island and Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, Arizona, enjoyed singing in their choirs; member of the Grand Singers in Sun City Grand, Arizona; active in PEO in both Grand Island (Chapter CK) and Surprise (Chapter ER) and the Grand Island Women's Club; member of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, served a term as president; board member and president of the St. Francis Hospital Foundation and a board member at Chief Industries, Family Violence Coalition, Crisis Center and Friends of College Park; most of all, loved her family; enjoyed spending time with her children, siblings and extended family, and grandchildren; traveled the world together extensively to places in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, the Galápagos Islands and Peru; enjoyed cruises to various places; loved to meet new people and was an unofficial ambassador of central Nebraska wherever she went
Survivors include her husband Terry; daughter, Sarah Clark and husband Fred of Leawood, Kansas, son, Scott Loschen and wife Judy of Erie, Colorado; her five grandchildren, Morgan Clausen, Chase Loschen, Riley Loschen, Stevie McCartin and husband Chris, and Annie Clark; three great-grandsons, Charlie, Gray, and Teddy; her sister, Marcia Ressler and husband Greg of Louisville, Colorado; her brother, Steven Codner and wife Sharon of Gibbon; and her sister, Laurie Schneider and husband Mike of Las Vegas, Nevada; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents Milton and Lucille and her brother, Harry Dean Codner
Memorials: Gibbon Baptist Church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church or Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 15 May 2021
MANFULL, William "Bill", 76, of Gibbon died Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Celebration of life: Friday, June 25, at Faith United Church Fellowship Hall in Gibbon
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Oct. 14, 1944, in Grand Island
Parents: Clifford and Lois Manfull
Attended school in Gibbon and graduated from high school in 1962
Military: 1965-1969, U.S. Navy, was stationed at San Diego, California
Married: Juanita J. "Nita" Jacobs, Sept. 29, 1969, in Shelton
After marriage, lived in the Gibbon area for more than 30 years; was employed by Eaton Corp. for more than 30 years
Activities: enjoyed hunting and fishing, riding motorcycles and spending time with friends and family; member of the Faith United Church and Gibbon American Legion
Survivors include his son Raymond of Valley Center, Kansas; daughters, Susan of Lincoln, Nancy of Omaha and Julie of Pennsylvania; brothers, Jim Manfull of Gibbon and Dave Manfull of Grand Island; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his wife Juanita; his parents; brother Ronald Manfull; sister-in-law Jean Manfull; and granddaughter Vicki Lee
Kearney Hub, 22 June 2021
MILLER, Gayle Lavern, 85, of Kearney died Friday, May 28, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family
A celebration of life: Family of Christ Church at a later date
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Oct. 6, 1935, in Broken Bow
Parents: Merle and Kathrine (Norbeck) Miller
Received his education in Gothenburg, graduated with the Class of 1954
Military: two years in the U.S. Army
Married: May 29, 1958, to Margie Mae Jensen in North Platte
After marriage, lived and farmed near Redfern Table north of Cozad; later moved to Grand Island, operated a radiator repair service; then moved to Lincoln, worked as a heavy equipment mechanic for several years; also lived in Valentine and later in Kearney
Activities: was an avid woodworker and enjoyed making toys that he donated to numerous children's organizations; also loved to fish and spend time with his family; was a longtime Shriner
Survivors include: his daughter Annette Miller and her husband Michael Wescott of Kearney; son Douglas Miller and his wife Rachel of Tucson, Arizona; five grandchildren, Lexi Wescott, Michelle Wescott, Chad Wescott, Ila Miller and Luca Miller; sisters, Helen (Gary) Wilson and Elaine (Larry) Baker, all of Eckert, Colorado; brother Robert Miller of Mason City; along with many other relatives and many friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; wife Margie Miller; and his brother Gerald "Bud" Miller
Kearney Hub, 1 June 2021
O'NELE, Howard L., 71, of Kearney died Monday, May 17, 2021, at Lancaster Rehabilitation in Lincoln
Memorial service: Tuesday May 26, at the Salvation Army in Kearney. Burial will take place at Kearney Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 52 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759 in conjunction with the Nebraska National Guard Honors Funeral Team. Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: May 25, 1949, in Grand Island
Parents: Keith and Della (Yarmon) O'Nele
Military: U.S. Army, September of 1968 to December of 1974, served one year in Vietnam
Moved to Kearney in 1984, found work at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as a groundskeeper
Activities: enjoyed camping, fishing and horseback riding; member of the Salvation Army Church and a past member of the Kearney American Legion Post 52
Survivors include his siblings, Peg Ebmeier of Kearney, Barbara (Jim) Fast of Omaha, Jerry (Donna) O'Nele of California, Raymond (Robin) Garner of South Carolina, Patrick Garner of South Carolina, Nancy (Delbert) Peters of Plattsmouth and Ada Dowell of Parsons, Kansas; stepchildren, Dale Ebmeier of Litchfield, Candy (Larry) Patient of Kearney, Roxanne Richard of Kearney and Karole O'Nele of Lexington; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John O'Nele, Keith W. O'Nele, Jr. and Duane O'Nele; sister Cathy O'Nele; and stepson Dandy Ebmeier
Kearney Hub, 22 May 2021
PETTY, Debra "Deb" A., 63, of Kearney died Thursday, June 3, 2021, at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Memorial service: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Kearney
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: August 6, 1957, in Stratton
Parents: Ervin and Sandra (Bush) Maris
Attended school in the McCook area, graduated from McCook High School in 1976; attended Grace University in Omaha
Married: Daniel Petty, March 25, 1977, in Omaha; they were married 37 years before Dan’s passing on May 10, 2014
After marriage, lived in Illinois, Ohio, and Arizona, then returned to McCook; opened Deb’s Daycare and Preschool, spent the next 30+ years loving, serving, and teaching children and their families, and being the hands and feet of Jesus; established lifelong relationships with children and parents alike, continuing to minister the grace and love of Jesus for the rest of her days
Activities: enjoyed bowling, gardening, winemaking, traveling; treasure the time with her children and grandchildren, including time painting fence, pulling weeds, collecting eggs, feeding horses, and picking cherries, riding the UTV and collecting rocks; had an infectious love and acceptance for all people, born out of the love and acceptance she experienced daily with her Father
Surviving relatives include her sons, Doug Petty and his wife Angel of Minden, and Dustin Petty and his wife Melissa of Tampa, Florida; son-in-law, David Salyer of Kearney; step-daughter, Julie Marvin of Omaha; grandchildren: Lucy Marvin, Felicity (Elisha) Bair, Isaiah, Trinity, Lydia, and Eliana Petty, Haven, Evelyn, Jocelyn, and Peregrine Salyer, and Bailey, Annie, and Katie Petty; mother, Sandra Maris of McCook, sisters: Marie Baker of McCook, Karen (Carl) Riemann of McCook, Shirley (Cliff) Riener of Palisade, Jane (Jim) Foster of Bartley, Mary Maris of Emporia, Kansas; brothers: Donald (Diane) Maris of Eureka, Missouri, Roger (Jennifer) Maris of McCook,and Michael (Tanya) Maris of Gering, as well as many other family and friends
Was preceded in death by her father, Ervin Maris; husband Daniel Petty; and daughter, Dawn Salyer
Kearney Hub, 6 June 2021 and www.hlmkfuneral.com
PICKERING, Ronald "Ron" D., 78, of Kearney died Saturday, June 12, 2021, at his residence
Graveside service: Tuesday at Kearney Cemetery, with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Dec. 12, 1942, in Omaha
Parents: Harvey D. and Francis Pickering
Military: United States Army, served during the Vietnam War; was stationed in Germany and volunteered to leave there to be on the ground in Vietnam; was a medic while holding a position on the Rifle Platoon Team; honorably discharged in 1972
Married: Ramona K. Johnson on Nov. 4, 1981, in Golden, Colorado
Activities: was a talented carpenter and worked in the Kearney area for many years; loved the outdoors, was always busy gardening or landscaping his yard; avid Nebraska Cornhusker football fan; loved to camp, fish and travel with family, loved The Colorado Rocky Mountains
Survivors include his daughter, Tasha Pickering of Kearney; his son, Shane Pickering of Wyoming; his sister, Kim Pickering of Colorado; grandchildren, Genevieve Geier-Pickering, Tristen Geier-Pickering of Lincoln and Roselyn Joy-Pickering of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Ramona in 2019
Kearney Hub, 19 June 2021
PORTER, Bernice Stella, 94, of Holdrege, formerly of Kearney, died Saturday, June 5, 2021, at the Holdrege Memorial Homes
Graveside service: Friday at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born: in Antelope County, near Orchard, on Sept. 10, 1926
Parents: Alfred James and Stella Jane (Adams) Cleveland
Married: July 1, 1944, to Lloyd Porter; he preceded her in death
Survivors include her son Jerome Porter of Holdrege; two grandsons; and five great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 7 June 2021
RIESSLAND, Richard L., 76, of Pleasanton died Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Mass of Christian burial: Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pleasanton
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: July 14, 1944, to Lawrence and Pauline (Nickman) Riessland
Grew up on a farm north of Amherst; graduated from Amherst High School in 1962
Took over farming at the age of 16 upon the death of his father in 1961
Married: Oct. 7, 1967, to Connie Talbot
Survivors include his wife Connie; children, Laurie Riessland of Pleasanton, Lana Riessland Juracek (Troy) of Louisville, Amy Riessland Conaway (Ron) of Ralston, Cody Riessland (Heidi) of Pleasanton and Corey Riessland of Pleasanton; 13 grandkids, Connor Juracek, Jordan Juracek, Kerigan Juracek, Aiden Conaway, Reiley Conaway, Grayson Conaway, Kailin Riessland, Chance Riessland, Saige Riessland, Sutton Riessland, Triston Bruns, Tierney Bruns and Riegen Riessland; brother Roger Riessland (Janet) of Amherst; and sister Jeannette Taubenheim (Dale) of Amherst
Was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Debra Atkinson and Pam Ayers; and mother-in-law Pearl Talbot
Memorials: Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 22 June 2021
ROEDER, Lyle A., 87, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Kearney, died Monday, May 3, 2021, in Mesa following a brief illness
Funeral service: Saturday, May 22, at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. Burial: later
Born: Aug. 6, 1933, in Hastings
Parents: Daniel and Sophie Roeder
Moved to Kearney in 1943, attended Zion Lutheran School and Longfellow High School
Married: Marilyn Reidy on May 15, 1956
After marriage, the couple co-owned Roeder Bros. Construction Company, 1958 to the 1970s building prominent Kearney businesses, schools, churches and homes; left the construction business and went into farming; then moved to Mesa in 1984, was a commercial contractor, retired in 2003
Activities: enjoyed watching Arizona sports and spending time with his children and grandchildren
Survivors include his daughters, Sandy (Matt) McClellen of Kearney, Lori (Jeff) Luke and Lisa Roeder of Chandler, Arizona, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; along with nieces, nephews and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marilyn; his son, Scott; four sisters; and five brothers
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 17 May 2021
ROUBICEK, Gary F., 72, of Kearney died Thursday, June 3, 2021, at Good Samaritan Society St. John's in Kearney following a motor vehicle accident on Feb. 15, 2021
Celebration of life: Aug. 10, 2021, on Gary's birthday at the Great Platte River Road Archway
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Aug. 10, 1948
Parents: Charles A. and Mildred (Bengtson) Roubicek
Was raised in Omaha, graduated from Central High School in 1966, attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha and transferred his junior year to the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas
Military: U.S. Navy, May 1969 until February 1970, was diagnosed with a previously unknown medical condition regarding allergies to wool and marine air; was stationed in San Diego, California; returned to Omaha
Married: married Fiona (Cowan) Roubicek in June 1970
After marriage, moved to Denver, worked in quality control for a pneumatics company, sprayed texture on ceilings for a home builder and painted houses; later became a corporate restaurant manager with Burger King; moved to Kearney in 1977 to open a franchise restaurant; opened another Burger King in North Platte and on 56th Street in Kearney; sold the businesses in 1999
Activities: was very involved in the community, served on the boards of directors for the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce and the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, including chairman 2001-2002; member of the Kearney Catholic School Board, helped bring the Great Cottonmill Duck Race to Kearney as a fundraiser for the school from 1997 to 2007; Kearney High School and UNK Athletic Foundation also became beneficiaries of that event; received the 2005 Kearney Area Community Foundation Award for Volunteerism and together with his wife in 1996 received the Kearney Hub Freedom Award in Education; life member of the Kearney Optimist Club, served as a past president and lieutenant governor for the Nebraska Optimist District; loved the outdoors whether hunting, fishing or camping with his family and friends; planted more than a thousand trees and shrubs on the family's small acreage and really enjoyed mowing the lawn; was an avid consumer of history and spent a lot of his time at the Great Platte River Road Archway developing and organizing the construction of the Earth Lodge for education and bringing in authentic Native American powwows for entertainment
Survivors include his wife of 50 years; son Eric and Heather (Lamb) Roubicek; daughter Meredith Roubicek; grandchildren, Samantha Cromer, Caitlyn Cromer, Cole Cromer, Cierra Roubicek and Zach Roubicek; brother Charles and Mary (Peterson) Roubicek; brother-in-law Al Cowan, sister-in-law Marilyn (Farber) Cowan, sister-in-law Johann (Cowan) and Terry Fortino; six nephews; one niece; and multiple great-nieces and great-nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, several aunts and uncles and cousins
Memorials: Kearney Optimist Club, Kearney Catholic Foundation or Kearney Community Foundation
Kearney Hub, 4 June 2021
SCHMIDT, Donna L., 88, of Kearney died Friday, June 11, 2021, at Bethany Home in Minden
Memorial service: Tuesday at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Born: Jan. 11, 1933, in Freedom
Parents: Jay E. and Hazel W. (Barackman) Miller
Received her education from Curtis High School, graduated with the Class of 1950
Married: Nov. 21, 1951, to John J. Schmidt at the First United Methodist Church in Curtis
After marriage, lived on a farm south of Curtis for many years; moved to Kearney, 1969, worked part time at Sears and later at the University of Nebraska-Kearney in the accounts payable department
Activities: was a past 4-H leader and a past member of the Extension club; enjoyed sewing, cooking and baking; loved the time spent with her family
Survivors include her husband John Schmidt of Kearney; daughters, Linda (Mike) Erickson of Cozad, Jo (Kerry) Ludden of Kearney and Jean (Roger) Tuder of Gravois Mills, Missouri; grandchildren, Chad and Lindsay Erickson, Abbey Jordan, Katie Bishop and Gypsy Whitaker; sisters, Maureta Studebaker of Mesa, Arizona, and Joyce (Byron) VanPatten of Lincoln; nine great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; and daughter Alma Schmidt
Memorials: AseraCare Hospice, Bethany Home or donor's choice
Kearney Hub, 12 June 2021
SMITH, Jane Ann, 85, of Kearney died Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at Brookestone Gardens in Kearney
Funeral service: Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Nov. 15, 1935, in Kearney
Parents: George and Alta Munro
Graduated from Kearney High School; attended both the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and Omaha
Married Leroy Richard Smith on Aug. 7, 1956
Was an elementary school teacher while Lee was in medical school; moved to Kearney in the late 1950s
Activities: was very involved in all of her children's activities; was involved in Camp Fire Girls, Cub Scouts, University of Nebraska at Kearney (Kearney State College) Panhellenic advisory board and Founding member of Delta Xi chapter of Alpha Phi, P.E.O., Kearney Community Foundation, First Presbyterian Church, Merriman Performing Arts Center, Kearney Community Theatre, MONA Guild and many other community volunteer activities; has been recognized through the following awards: Kearney State College Distinguished Service Award; Kearney State College Foundation Founders Award; University Nebraska Foundation Chancellor's Club and Kearney Area Community Foundation Celebration of Giving Philanthropist Award; was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandma, great-grandma and friend
Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Dr. LR Smith; her children, daughter Stephanie Pronk (Nico); and son, Dr. Scott Smith (Lori); grandchildren, Dr. Marc Sintek (Tara), Natalie Sintek, Jake (fiancée Mercedes), Josh and Drew Smith; and great-grandchildren, Caleb, Carter and Elise Sintek
Was preceded in death by her brother Bob Munro and sister Nancy Munro Mitchum
Memorials: Alpha Phi Foundation – Forget Me Not Grant Fund
Kearney Hub, 27 May 2021
STAUFFER, Val, 72, of Kearney died on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021, at Kearney Regional Medical Center with Marsha and Ron Bauer at his side
Memorial service: Sunday, June 13, at the Page United Methodist Church in Page
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born: June 13, 1948
Parents: Elizabeth and Marvin Stauffer of Page
Endured a childhood of mental, emotional, and extreme physical abuse at the hand of their father; spent his entire life rising above and putting this abuse behind him; worked as a truck driver and welder, and more
Military: served in the United States Army in Germany during the Vietnam War in 1967 and 1968
Married: Connie Velder; had two sons together
Married: Debra Jordan, who preceded him in death
Cousin Gary Stauffer helped Val with recovery from this loss, and continued to serve as his guardian
Resided at the Central Nebraska Veteran's Homes in Grand Island and Kearney for the last twelve years; was a well known resident, known for his humorous personality, his generous sharing of the garden produce he grew, and the beautiful wood products he created with the help of his mentor, Melvin Holmes; always entered his best gardening and wood projects in the county and state fairs; began a treatment regimen and hard battle with cancer three years ago, which put his other hobbies on hold; as a boy, loved fishing, fished often with his sister Marsh on grandfather Harry Harper's land; loved reading western novels, including James Fenimore Cooper, Louis L’Amour, and Wallace Stegner
Survivors include: his sons Tanner (wife Holly and son Brady) and Jason Stauffer (wife Ashlea and daughters Madison and Jacie), his sister Marsha and her husband Ron Bauer, sisters in laws Judy Stauffer and Mary Lou Stauffer, nephews Seth (Lindy) Stauffer and Dayd (Sara) Stauffer, Nathan (Sarah) Bauer, Matt (Loucinda) Bauer, Andrew (Missy) Bauer and niece Alex (Jordan) Bauer, as well as his great nephews and nieces and cousins
Was preceded in death by his loving mother Elizabeth Harper, brothers Kent and Randy Stauffer, wife Debra Stauffer, and grandparents and cousins. Kearney Hub, 10 June 2021 and www.osrfh.com/obituaries
STONE, Cathy L., 73, of Lexington died Saturday, June 12, 2021, at her home surrounded by her loving family
Celebration of life: Wednesday at the Parkview Baptist Church
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love in Lexington
Born: May 29, 1948, at Kearney
Parents: William and Jane (Neal) Poyner
Grew up in Odessa, received her education from Elm Creek Public Schools, graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1966
Married: Aug. 26, 1967, to James "Jim" Stone in Kearney.
After marriage, lived in Lexington, devoted her time caring for her family and homemaking; after her girls were out of school, with Jim, purchased the site and built Stoney's Gas Station; managed the store, sold it in 1997
Activities: moved to their cabin at Calamus Reservoir in 2010; enjoyed spending the summer at the lake with family and friends; made holidays special with decorating, making her famous chocolate chip cookies and spending time with her family; loved to travel with Jim throughout the United States; in her younger years, bowled with her friends in a league, making livelong friends who traveled together; attended Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington
Survivors include her husband Jim Stone of Lexington; three daughters, Lori Earl of Lexington, Penny (Greg) Post of Grand Island and Stacey (Jason) Sudbeck of North Platte; six grandchildren, Tyler (Brenna) Earl of Cozad, Megan (Tyler) Cook of Grand Island, Trevor Post of Grand Island and Skyler, Sydnee and Connor Sudbeck, all of North Platte; four great-granddaughters, Harper, Reagan, Emree and Paetyn; one sister Kim Hoing of Lexington; stepsister Cindy Chalker of Mayfield, Kentucky; special cousin Karen (Ed) Chandler of Kearney; brother-in-law Sam (Alyce) Stone of Kearney and sister-in-law Barb King of Minden; as well as extended family and many friends
Was preceded in death by her parents and stepmom, Garnell Poyner
Memorials: Pancreatic Cancer Association
Kearney Hub, 15 June 2021
SUPANCHICK, James, 60 of Axtell, passed away Sunday, June 20, 2021 at his home surrounded by family
Funeral service: Saturday, June 26, 2021 at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Interment: Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: November 20, 1960 in Kearney
Parents: Robert and Carrol (Anderson) Supanchick
Received his education from Ravenna High School, graduated with the class of 1979
Married: June 6, 1986, to Diann Biesterfeld in Kearney; took on the role as step father and was later blessed with two sons
Was a farmer for several years before beginning his career as a truck driver; drove truck for 26 years, the last 4 years with Ourada Truck Line
Activities: enjoyed collecting toy tractors, camping and spending time with his family
Survivors include: his wife, Diann Supanchick of Axtell; sons, Andy Hendricksen and wife, Shelley of Holdrege, Joseph Supanchick and wife, Julie of Maple Grove, MN and David Supanchick of Kearney; granddaughter, Claire Supanchick; grandsons, Ben and Caleb Schescke; great grandson, Cedar Schescke; parents, Bob and Carrol Supanchick of Hazard; brothers, Tom Supanchick and wife Linda of Hastings, Mike Supanchick of Hazard; sister, Peg Franzen and husband, Barry of Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Kearney Hub, 23 June 2021
SWANSON, Mary Lou, 84, of Kearney and a longtime resident of Imperial, died Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at Mount Caramel Home in Kearney
Funeral services: Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Imperial
Interment: Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial
Mortuary: Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook
Survivors include her sons, Owen Swanson of Imperial and Mark Swanson of Phillipsburg, Kansas; stepchildren, Mindy Young of Cozad and Andy Bauman of Parker, Colorado; brother, Chuck Adams of Imperial; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.
Kearney Hub, 10 June 2021
TILLEMANS, Clifford Eugene, 63, of Gibbon died Monday, May 31, 2021, at Douglas County Health VA Center in Omaha
Ggraveside service: Friday at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors
Celebration of life: Platte Valley Brewery
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Born: July 18, 1957, in York
Parents: Lyle Jerome and Jolietta (Bousch) Tillemans
Grew up in Elm Creek and Kearney; graduated from Kearney Catholic High School in 1975 Married: May 8, 1976, he married Susan Thompson
Began his career at West Pharmaceuticals in 1975, worked there for 33 years, many of those years spent on the Union Board, including 10 years as union president; in retirement, worked as a crossing guard for Gibbon Public Schools for several years
Activities: enjoyed making his own homemade brew and was an avid coin and gun collector; member of Bethel United Methodist Church
Survivors include his wife Sue Tillemans of Gibbon; daughters, Mandy (Brandon) Sievers of Gibbon and Brandie (Logan Jording) Lehman of Bellevue; grandchildren, Grace and Emily Sievers and Morgan Lehman and Quintin Freeman; siblings, Joe (LaRette) Tillemans of Hastings, Helen Ostdiek of David City, Polly Hahne of Overland Park, Kansas, Jerry (Sharon) Tillemans of Hastings, Linda (Jerry) Frerichs of Hastings, Bill (Pam) Tillemans of Grand Island, Lola (Cyle) Coffey of Riverdale, Sharon (Chris) Sedano of Red Cloud and John (Kathy) Tillemans of Ravenna; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother-in-law Frank Ostdiek
Memorials: St. Elizabeth's Regional Medical Burn Center
Kearney Hub, 3 June 2021
VOLLMER, Alice M., 74, of Kearney died Friday, May 14, 2021, at the Kearney Regional Medical Center
Book signing time of remembrance: Thursday at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington
Private inurnment: later at Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington
Born: Sept. 29, 1946, in Lexington
Parents: Raymond and Agnes (O'Meara) VanCleave
Married: Larry Vollmer on Dec. 31, 1966, in Lexington
Activities: was a kind person who cared for others and was willing to help anyone in need; enjoyed her retirement and tending to her flowers and her yard
Survivors include: her husband Larry of Kearney; son Douglas of Kearney; two brothers, Thomas VanCleave of Warren, Ohio, and James VanCleave of Blair; sister Mary and husband James Bliven of Lexington; and sisters-in-law, Sandy VanCleave of Lordstown, Ohio, Pamela Vollmer of Lexington and Beverly and husband Mick Weaver of Lexington
Was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dennis VanCleave and Robert VanCleave
Kearney Hub, 18 May 2021
WEBB, Wilma J., 94, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at Brookestone Gardens in Kearney
Memorial service: Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: July 19, 1926, in Eddyville
Parents: Clyde and Mildred (Nalls) Tabor
Graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1944, played first base on the softball team in Broken Bow while attending high school
Moved to Lincoln after graduating, worked for Lincoln Telephone Company
Married: Merle McClemens in June 1946; Merle died in 1980
Married: Wayne Webb, in June 1982; Wayne died in 2012
Worked for many years as a bank teller, beginning at First National Bank and later at Platte Valley State Bank in Kearney
Activities: active member of First United Methodist Church and taught a variety of Sunday School classes over the years; loved working outside and always had beautiful flowers blooming in her yard; enjoyed being a member of a local garden club and loved filling her bird feeders each day; liked to travel to many places and went on bus tours throughout the United States; was an avid Husker football fan
Survivors include her sons, Bob (Judy) McClemens of Jacksonville, Florida, and Dick (Jeanne) McClemens of Kearney; sister-in-law Glenys Tabor of Lincoln; sister Patricia Borchardt of Brighton, Colorado; brother Dean Tabor of Loveland, Colorado; grandchildren, Missy (Jay) Baker and Chad McClemens, all of Jacksonville, Florida, Chris (Katie) McClemens of Kearney and Andy McClemens of Norfolk; five great-grandchildren, Bryce Baker of Jacksonville, Florida, Paul, Toby, Joanna and Molly McClemens of Kearney; and other extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by her first husband Merle McClemens; second husband Wayne Webb; sister Marva Newquist; and brothers, Don Tabor and Harlan Tabor
Memorials: Todd Becker Foundation
Kearney Hub, 12 June 2021
WILDER, John Raymond "Jack", 76, of Holdrege died Friday, June 11, 2021, at his home following a brief battle with cancer
Funeral service: Wednesday at the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege
Interment: Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born: Aug. 2, 1944, in Lexington
Parents: Floyd and Edith (Bamrick) Wilder
Was the youngest of six children; received his education from Overton Public Schools, and later completed his GED in 1987
Married: Nov. 7, 1963, to Joyce Amen at Wichita, Kansas
After marriage, lived in Kearney, worked at Nebraska Public Power District
Activities: enjoyed camping and spending time at the lake with his family; member of the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege; enjoyed coffee with friends at the Senior Center, racing, camping, golfing, hunting and fishing; will be remembered for his large sense of humor and pranks
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Joyce Wilder of Holdrege; three children, Todd Wilder and his wife Mona of Holdrege, Kim Waller and her husband Mark of Lincoln, and Brian Wilder and his wife Sarah of Bertrand; seven grandchildren, Kara (Wilder) Parsons and her husband Clayton of Holdrege, Aaron Wilder of Holdrege, Kaitlyn Waller of Lincoln, Mallory (Waller) Hoffman and her husband Zach of Omaha, Makenzie Waller of Lincoln, Trevor Wilder and his wife Tabitha of Omaha, and Krystin (Wilder) Skeen of Holdrege; four great-grandchildren, Wesley Skeen, Amelia and Callen Wilder, and Kiera Parsons; two brothers, Edwin Wilder of Kearney and Don Wilder and his wife Jo of Kearney; one sister, Darlene Allen and her husband Don of rural Overton; four sisters-in-law, Marilyn Novotny of Holdrege, Cheryl Edwards of Holdrege, Lori Ott and her husband John of Lincoln and Betty Amen of Holdrege; four brothers-in-law, Burdette Amen of Maine, LaRoyce Amen and his wife Donna of Holdrege, Terry Amen and his wife Geri of Oxford, and Don Amen and wife Linda of Roca; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jim (Betty) Wilder; one sister, Bev Streeter; four brothers-in-law, Rolland Amen, Alan Amen, Bob Edwards and John Novotny; three sisters-in-law, Carol Amen, Helen Wilder and Carol Amen; a niece, Amy Amen; and a grandson-in-law, Dylan Skeen
Kearney Hub, 14 June 2021
WISE, Brent, 71, of Gibbon died Sunday, June 6, 2021, at his home with his family by his side
Memorial service: Monday at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Born: April 6, 1950, in Gothenburg
Parents: Warren and Margarette (Ash) Wise
Was raised in Cozad, attended Cozad High School and later Gibbon High School
Married: July 15, 1968, to Mona Chandler in Lexington at the Open Bible Church
Worked at Agtronics in Kearney, Culligan Water of Cozad and Harms Drywall of Kearney; later worked for several years as a general contractor; most recently worked as an interior finisher carpenter for Eagle Crest Homes in Grand Island; took great pride in his craftsmanship and was known for being a perfectionist
Activities: enjoyed fishing when he could and working with and teaching his grandchildren; member of the United Ostomy Association of Grand Island and Kearney
Survivors include his wife Mona Wise of Gibbon; sons, Jeffrey Wise of Gibbon and Rustal Wise and wife Lisa of Holdrege; daughter-in-law Nancy Wise of Kearney; grandchildren, Dalton Mays, Brianna (Andrew) Mangers, Ben Wise, Jake Wise, Brogan Wise and Faith Wise; and great-granddaughter Chloe Mangers
Was preceded in death by his parents; and several cousins, aunts and uncles
Memorials: United Ostomy Association Kearney Chapter
Kearney Hub, 9 June 2021
ZIMMER, Joseph Francis Jr., 89, of Gibbon died Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at Central Nebraska Veterans' Home in Kearney
Funeral Mass: Monday at St. James Catholic Church
Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery north of Kearney
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Jan. 28, 1932, in rural Kearney
Parents: Joseph J. and Mary D. (Stittle) Zimmer
Grew up in rural Kearney, attended country school and worked on the family farm
Military: U.S. Army, from May 1, 1952, until April 30, 1954
Worked at Rockwell Manufacturing, and the Nebraska Turkey Growers plant in Gibbon
Married: Donna Wick on June 3, 1959, at St. Mary's Catholic Church near Kearney
After marriage, lived on their farm north of Kearney for 60-plus years
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church; enjoyed hunting and spending time with his family and neighbors
Survivors include his wife Donna Zimmer of Gibbon; children, Stephen Zimmer of Gibbon, David (Karen) Zimmer of Gibbon, Christine (Bill) Adam of Ravenna, Daniel Zimmer and fiancé Jeana Pineda of Gibbon, Jean (Mark) Seitz of Kearney; grandchildren, Brandon Seitz and fiancé Madison Messersmith of Kearney, Jason Seitz, Dylan Seitz, both of Kearney, Brian Zimmer of Gibbon, Sara Adam and Jamie Adam, both of Ravenna; great-granddaughter Huntley Seitz; sister Regina Zimmer of Kearney; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harold and Nancy Wick of Riverdale; niece Anita (Dominec) Kreutzer of Colorado; as well as many other extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; sister Alice Burmood; and infant twins
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church
Kearney Hub, 10 June 2021