Avis F. Jamison

Private family graveside service for Avis F. Jamison, 98, of Bassett, March 12, at the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at a later date. She passed away March 7 in the Brown County Hospital. Survivors include daughters Vivian Joseph of Lexington, Kathy Wellfring and husband Otto of Marshalltown, Iowa, Donna Curtis and husband Gary of Lincoln; and Sherry Kahrhoff and husband Tom of Grand Island; nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; sister Jean Brown of Portland, Ore.; and nieces and nephews.

Bernice O. Jamison

Funeral service for Bernice O. Jamison, 97, of Bassett, Aug. 27, in the Stuart Community Church with burial in the Simpson Cemetery north of Newport. Bernice Jamison passed away Aug. 24 in the Rock County Hospital at Bassett. Survivors include children Delores Connell and husband Bob of Burke, S.D., Marilynn Richards and husband Stacy of Denver, Colo., Diane Hoyt and husband Garry of Wausa, Jeri Kuchera and husband Terry of Newport, Teri Taylor and husband Dennis of Newport, and James Jamison and wife Celia of Richland, Wash.; 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Vernon Jamison and wife Ann of O'Neill; and sisters-in-law Ruth Hallock of Springview, Maxine Jamison of Springview, and Peg Carlson of Bassett.

Sheila M. Jones

Funeral service for Sheila Marie Jones, 61, of Omaha formerly of Bassett, May 13, in the Stonebridge Christian Church of Omaha with interment at the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery May 14. She passed away May 9. Survivors include one daughter; 10 brothers and sisters; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Thomas K. Keller

Funeral service for Thomas Kent Keller, 64, of Bassett, July 16, in the St. Peter Lutheran Church of Bassett with burial in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery and military rites performed by the Bassett American Legion Post 123. Thomas Keller passed away July 13 in his home. Survivors include wife Korla Keller of Bassett; sons Thomas D. Keller and wife Lisa of Malcolm, and Todd Keller and wife Kerry of Bassett; five grandchildren; sister Trudy Stave of Tucson, Ariz.; and nieces and nephews.

Lyle Kops

Lyle Kops, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, rancher, friend and community leader led his life by example with his family at the heart of everything he did. Lyle Cornelius Kops was born January 1, 1927 to Cornelius and Elsie (Maurer) Kops and was joined by his sister Doris a few years later. Lyle attended elementary school at Pleasant Hill in Rock County where he developed many friendships that he maintained his entire life. Lyle continued his education in Rock County, attending Rock County High School and graduating at the young age of 16. He went on to the University of Nebraska and wore the “N” proudly as one of the youngest players ever to letter at UNL. He was a tackle for the Husker football team and remained an avid Husker fan throughout his life.

He then joined the Merchant Marines and completed two years of service. Lyle returned to the ranch in 1947 and was united in marriage to Eleanor Jean Mabie on October 17, 1948. They lived happily on the ranch for 57 years and raised five daughters - Patty, Barb, Cathy, Carol and Cheryl.

He was actively involved as a member of the Eastern Star and the Masons for more than 50 years and was a Tangier Shriner. Lyle was 4-H leader and was also on the boards for Rock County High School, Pleasant Hill School, Rock County Hospital, KBR Extension and PCA. He loved spending time with friends, playing cards and was always up for “one more game.” Lyle loved the ocean and returned many times following his service; often recalling fond memories of that time. One of his favorite trips to the ocean was the Bahamian cruise he took with his beloved wife Jean to celebrate their 75th birthdays. He was a true friend to all who knew him and could always be counted on to pitch in.

He had 12 grandchildren and 9 and 8/9 great-grandchildren that he loved spending time with - playing cards, chatting and giving horse and tractor rides. He had a way of making every person he interacted with feel special, even with just a squeeze of your hand.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents Elsie and Cornelius Kops; sister Doris (Kops) Nutgrass; parents-in-law James and Hazel Mabie; brothers in law Ted Mabie and Jim Mabie.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 63 years Jean of Bassett, NE; daughters Patty (Rick) Collura of Ashland, NE, Barb (Bill) Merritt of Omaha, NE, Cathy (Ron) Rasmussen of Elgin, IL, Carol (Mike) Nygren of Plano, TX, Cheryl (Jay) Wagoner of Cook, NE; grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. He was a hero to many and a friend to all.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at the United Methodist Church in Bassett, NE with Pastor Bonnie Forney officiating the service. Special music was provided by JoAnn Swanson and Stanley Larson with song selections of “These Hands” and “He Touched Me.” The eulogy was given by Carol Nygren. Pallbearers were Lyle’s grandchildren Michael Einspahr, Alissa Johnson, Kimberly Einspahr Fleming, Jason Lauer, Ryan Parr, Shane Einspahr, Annie Barker, Brandon Parr, Laura Goracke, Patrick Townsend, Nicholas Townsend and Molly Wagoner. Ceremonial rites were offered by the Masonic Silver Cord Lodge #224 AF and AM. Burial was held at the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery in Bassett, NE with full military honors presented by the Bassett American Legion Post #123. Memorials were directed to the Rock County Long Term Care, the Rock County High School Foundation, the Rock County Senior Center or to the United Methodist Church. Hoch Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Joe R. Leonard

Memorial service for Joe R. Leonard, 76, of Bassett, April 15, in the United Methodist Church of Bassett with burial in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. He passed away April 9 in the Parkside Manor at Stuart. Survivors include sons Joe R. Leonard III and wife Christi of Bassett, and Dave Leonard and wife Carol of Valentine; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; son-in-law Tom Grigsby of Seward; aunt Winnifred Parker of Bassett; sisters-in-law Ann Tuton and husband Stan of Mills, and Mary Carlson of Arnold; and nieces and nephews.

Kenneth "Doc" Leonard, MD

Graveside service for Kenneth “Doc” Leonard, MD, 84, of Rapid City, S.D., Oct. 31, at the Bassett City Cemetery. He passed away Oct. 22, in a local Rapid City nursing home. Survivors include daughter Sharon Leonard of Rapid City; son Scott Leonard and wife Han of Enola, Pa.; brother Klane Leonard of Bassett; step-daughter Lisa Marshall and husband Roger of Rapid City; step-son Kevin Stuart of Rapid City, S.D.; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Ruth Werner of North Loup, E. Francine Leonard of Garrison, N.D., and Nancy Harlan of Bassett; and his ex-wife JoAnn Leonard of Rapid City.