© MJH 1998-2003 for Buffalo County NEGenWeb Project
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OBITUARIES
Page 5
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska

Extracted from newspapers or submitted by readers
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HOWE, Milo S., 85, of Worland, Wyo., died Thursday, May 29, 2003, at the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Services: Tuesday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center in Worland
Burial: Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery, with military honors
Mortuary:Bryant Funeral Home in Worland
Memorials: Alzheimer's Association
Born Feb. 2, 1918, at Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Walter and Ida (Krebs) Howe
Worked his father's farm, where they sharecropped during the Depression
Education: attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for one year on a 4-H scholarship; played tackle on the football team
Moved to Evanston, Wyo., to work on a ranch; was a fireman for the Union Pacific Railroad.
Military: after Pearl Harbor, was drafted into U.S. Army; served in England, France and Germany with the 728th Railway Operating Battalion until January 1946
Married: April 15, 1943, to Delma Hunt at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake Temple in Utah
After World War II, he returned to Union Pacific; transferred to Laramie, Wyo., was a fireman and engineer for 28 years
Activities: cub master for 20 years; scoutmaster for two years with the Boy Scouts of America; attended national jamborees, 1960 and 1964; received the Silver Beaver Award
Moved to Cheyenne, Wyo., 1973; retired from the railroad in 1982; did church work in Indianapolis and Denver; had lived in Worland for the past 10 years
Survivors include: his wife; sons Jon of Salt Lake City, Roger of Worland, Thomas of Rawlins, Wyo., and Donald of Sacramento, Calif.; brother, Loren of Amarillo, Texas; sisters, Beth Werthwein of Oceanside, Calif., and Lona May Lowell of Kearney; 19 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by a daughter, a brother, a sister and three grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 2 June, 2003

KAHLE, Dorothy E., 80, Oxford, died Saturday, May 31, 2003, at her home
Services: Thursday, Evangelical Free Church in Oxford
Burial: Oxford Cemetery
Mortuary: Mitchell-Nelson in Oxford
Memorials: to the church
Born Nov. 3, 1922, north of Oxford in Gosper County
Parents: Edward and Jessie (Finton) STUMP
Attended rural elementary schools and Oxford High School until the 10th grade
Married: 1939, to Chester Herrick; they resided in Edison
Married: Oct. 21, 1988, to Victor Kahle
Employment: worked at Arapahoe Nursing Home, Derby Cafe in Arapahoe and Oxford Cafe before opening her own Bar-Dee Cafe in Oxford; cooked for the Golden Generation Center in Oxford
Activities: enjoyed visiting and playing cards with her cafe customers, playing the piano, bingo and taking drives in her car; member of the Oxford VFW, American Legion and Eagles Club
Survivors include: sons, Ron Herrick and Mike Herrick, both of Oxford, and Paul Herrick of Kearney; daughter, Ortha Noltensmeier of Kearney; brother Duane Stump of Oxford; sisters, Marie Stagemeyer of Holdrege and Marjorie Park of Greeley, Colo.; 20 grandchildren; and great-grandchildren; Preceded in death by her husband Victor, three sons, three brothers, three sisters and an infant granddaughter.
Kearney Hub, 2 June, 2003

NIEBUR, Robert L., 73, Ravenna, died Saturday, May 31, 2003, at Bryan LGH West Hospital in Lincoln
Services: Wednesday, United Methodist Church in Ravenna
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery at York
Born Oct. 5, 1929, in Seward
Parents: Lewis and Etta (Mell) Niebur
Graduated from Bradshaw High School
Married: June 19, 1949, to Ruby Nielsen in Bradshaw
Worked for Burlington Northern Railroad for 42 years, retiring in 1991 as depot agent and operator
Activities: member of the church, Lion's Club and Masonic Lodge; played, coached, and umpired baseball for many years and loved playing golf
Survivors include: wife of Ravenna; daughters, Patricia Klinesmith of Grand Island, and Christie Myers of Spirit Lake, Iowa; son Robert Jr. of Tucson, Ariz.; two sisters, LuEtta James of Lincoln and Annetta Nickels of Columbus; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by one brother and one grandson
Kearney Hub, 2 June, 2003

BOGARD, Jan M. Bogard, 56, Kearney, died Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at his home
Services: Saturday, the Sculpture Garden at the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: Kearney Community Foundation
Born Sept. 26, 1946, in Albuquerque, N.M.
Parents: Robert and Jeanne (Hohmann) Bogard
With family moved to Ralston; graduated from high school in 1964
Attended Iowa State University, 1964-1968, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, 1968-1972; received his doctorate of medicine
Married: May 25, 1968, to Karol Taylor
Moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1972; completed a one-year rotating internship in family practice; returned to Omaha, served his radiology residency, 1973-1976
Had a radiology practice in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha for two years; moved to Kearney, employed as a physician for Great Plains Radiology and Nuclear Medicine in Kearney from 1978-2002; retired because of ill health
Survivors include: his wife; son, Michael of Kearney; daughter, Amy of Lincoln; brother, Robert of San Destin, Fla.; and two grandsons
Preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 4 June, 2003

POPE, Ruby, 84, Ravenna, died Monday, June 2, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Thursday, Zion Lutheran Church at North Shelton
Burial: Zion Lutheran Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Memorials: the church or Bethphage Mission
Born Nov. 21, 1918, in rural Buffalo County
Parents: Henry and Alvena (Gosda) HONGSERMEIER
Attended Buffalo County schools and Zion Lutheran Parochial Schools
Married: Feb. 3, 1943, to Floyd Pope in Grand Island
Lived on a farm north of Shelton; retired and moved to Ravenna in 1973
Employment: head cook at St. Francis Hospital
Activities: lifelong member of the church, Zion Lutheran Ladies Aid, Happy Homes Club and Bluff Center Extension Club; enjoyed cake decorating and writing the Chit-Chat column for the Ravenna News; served as a local news reporter
Survivors include: son, Rick of Ravenna; daughter, Joyce Vogt of Ravenna; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband in 1979, three brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 3 June, 2003

SHUMAN, Josie A., 54, Lincoln, died Sunday, June 1, 2003, at BryanLGH East Medical Center in Lincoln
Services: Wednesday, St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner of Kearney
Born March 19, 1949, in Kearney
Parents: Antonio and Edith (Rivera) DeLaTORRE
Graduated from Kearney High School, 1967; attended Kearney State College
Lived in Parsons, Kan., worked at Labette County Hospital; moved to Lincoln, 1998, was the office manager of Transfiguration of Lincoln
Married: Sept. 8, 2000, to Howard Shuman in Molokai, Hawaii
Survivors include: her husband; son, Colby Christensen of Lawrence, Kan.; daughter, Kristina Perez of Lincoln; her father; brothers, Anthony DeLaTorre of Cheyenne, Wyo., Daniel DeLaTorre of Kearney and Carlos DeLaTorre of Jeffersonton, Va.; sisters, Theresa Salazar of Omaha, Esther Maes of Aurora, Colo., and Yolanda Herron of Lincoln; and two grandsons
Preceded in death by her mother
Kearney Hub, 3 June, 2003

VanCLEAVE, Lhynn V., 57, of Commerce City, Colorado, died Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at University Hospital in Denver
Graveside services: Saturday, Sumner (Neb.) Cemetery
Mortuary: Aspen Mortuary and Crematory in Commerce City
Born Oct. 13, 1945, in Lexington, Neb.
Parents: to Peter and Leta (Fred) VanCleave
Moved to Odessa, Neb.
Employment: irrigation superintendent for Nebraska Public Power District, 1968-1983; an independent truck driver in Colorado
Survivors include: his son, Darrell of Aurora; daughter, Christina Jude of Lakewood; brother, Raymond of Commerce City; sisters, Norma Holliwell of Elm Creek, Neb., Helen Berg of Hastings, Neb., Jeannie Fecht of Haxtun and Reitha Fecht of Ansley, Neb.; five grandchildren; and special friend, Helma Goff of Commerce City; Preceded in death by a brother
Kearney Hub, 4 June, 2003

ROMERO, Brittani N., 13, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 3, 2003, in Omaha
Services: Saturday, Edensburg Lutheran Church in Malmo
Burial: Sunrise North Cemetery in Wahoo
Mortuary: Pruss-Nabity in Wahoo
Memorials: Make-A-Wish or Children's World
Born April 19, 1990, in Omaha
Parents: Eduardo and Shari (Swanson) Romero
Moved to Kearney in 2001; completed sixth grade at Horizon Middle School
Activities: played TOPSoccer; enjoyed swimming at the YMCA in Kearney; enjoyed her pets and spending time with family
Survivors include: father of Omaha; mother and stepfather, Shari and David Jorgensen of Kearney; brother, Ryan Jorgensen of Lincoln; sisters, Stephani Romero of Kearney and Lori Phillips of Pleasanton; and grandparents, Dee Swanson of Wahoo, Aurora Romero of Omaha and Evelyn Jorgensen of Fremont
Kearney Hub, 5 June, 2003

BENNETT, H. LeRoy "Roy", 83, Gibbon, formerly of Elwood, died Saturday, June 7, 2003, at Tri- County Hospital in Lexington
Services: Wednesday, Gibbon Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Elwood Cemetery with military rites
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Memorials: donor's choice
Born Oct. 7, 1919, in Holdrege
Parents: Arthur and Mable (Parsons) Bennett
Attended school in Holdrege
Military: Nebraska National Guard; called to active duty with his unit, 1939; participated in the D-Day Landing at Normandy; served in the European Theater; discharged, 1945; returned to central Nebraska
Married: Oct. 25, 1945, to Leona Benton in Elwood
Worked for the Nebraska Department of Roads, lived in several central Nebraska towns; retired, 1984, as supervisor after more than 36 years; moved to Gibbon in 2000
Activities: attended the church in Gibbon; enjoyed the outdoors and woodworking
Survivors include: his wife; son, Roger of McCook; daughters, LeVauna Weismann of York and Margaret Booker of Aurora, Colo.; brother, Claude of Bertrand; sister, Grace Miller of Tampa, Fla.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; Preceded in death by two brothers.
Kearney Hub, 9 June, 2003

DAVIS, James W. Sr., 75, Kearney, died Saturday, June 7, 2003, at St. John's Care Center in Kearney
Memorial service: Tuesday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Chapel in Elm Creek, military rites and Masonic rites
Burial: later
Memorials: to the family
Born on June 15, 1927, in Omaha
Parents: Roy and Doris (Johnston) Davis
Was educated in Carlsbad, N.M.
Military: U.S. Army Air Corps 1945-1948
Married: Aug. 8, 1948, to Vera Kenton in Kearney
Worked as an air conditioner engineer for Southwestern Public Power in Roswell, N.M.,; worked for D&F Industries in McAllen, Texas.
Moved to Elm Creek in May
Activities: member of the Legion, was a 32nd degree Mason; enjoyed fishing, hunting, rock grinding and silversmithing
Survivors include: sons, James Jr. of Grand Island and Jeff of Elm Creek; daughter, Pamala Loomis of Riverdale; sister Ann Wonders of Roswell; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; Preceded in death by his parents.
Kearney Hub, 9 June, 2003

PAZDERNIK, James E., 89, Kearney, died Monday, June 9, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Services: Thursday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary Chapel
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna, military rites
Memorials : VFW Post 759 in Kearney
Born Oct. 15, 1913, in Ravenna
Parents: Adolph and Bessie (Sheble) Pazdernik
Attended rural schools near Ravenna, worked on the family farm until World War II
Military: U.S. Army, 1942-1945
Married: April 10, 1954, to Margaret Munster in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Farmed in the Riverdale area; retired in 1993; moved to Kearney
Activities: member of VFW Post 759
Survivors include: wife; sons, Larry, David and Kevin, all of Kearney; daughter, Amy Rickard of Kearney; sisters, Rose Chandler of Riverdale and Helen Zimmerman of Kearney; and two grandchildren
Preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 11 June, 2003

COULTER, Marilyn Edith, 65, Springview, died of cancer Thursday, June 5, 2003, at Rock County Hospital in Bassett
Services: Monday, United Methodist Church in Springview
Burial: Mount Hope Cemetery in Springview
Mortuary: Hoch in Ainsworth
Born Dec. 15, 1937, in Kearney
Parents: Jim and Edith (Waite) FOX
With family lived in Gillette, Wyo., and in Kearney; attended Longfellow High School
Received her licensed practical nursing degree from Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln
Married: May 6, 1971, to Gordon Coulter in Gibbon
Moved to Bassett, 1973; lived in Sierra Vista, Ariz., 1981-1995; moved to Springview, 1995
Employment: nurse for Eaton Corp. in Kearney; administrator of the Bethesda Care Center in Bassett; owned and operated a flower shop in Ainsworth; real estate agent in Arizona, owned a flower and candy shop in Sierra Vista
Activities: member of the Elm Creek United Methodist Church, attended the church in Springview; enjoyed sewing, crafts, her dog and spending time with family
Survivors include: her sons, Ed of Vancouver, Wash., Sam of Bassett, Walt of Kuwait City, Kuwait, and John of Springdale, Ark.; daughters, Peggy Bramble of New Kensington, Pa., Tonya Larson of Bassett, Sue Murphy of Springview and Celeste of Vancouver; brother, Jim Fox of Middlebury, Ind.; sister, Pat Mitchell of Elm Creek; 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; Preceded in death by her husband, a daughter and her parents.
Kearney Hub, 10 June, 2003

LIVINGSTON, George W., 59, Gibbon, died Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: private
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Memorials: Gibbon Emergency Unit
Born Oct. 7, 1943, in Kearney
Parents: George and Viola (Lindenstein) Livingston
Graduated from Gibbon High School, attended Kearney State College
Married: Jan. 25, 1964, to Joy Heusel in Kearney
Lived and farmed north of Gibbon, broke horses and attended many sales
Activities: enjoyed the outdoors, horses and spending time with family
Survivors include: his wife; sons, George of Holdrege and Lath of Minden; daughter, Lorna of Hildreth; his mother of Gibbon; sister, Cherie Wagnitz of Eustis; and six grandchildren; Preceded in death by his father.
Kearney Hub, 10 June, 2003

HEADLEY, Reva, L., 87, of Shelton died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at her home north of Shelton
Services: Monday, Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Memorials: the church or Shelton Public School
Born Dec. 19, 1915, on the family farm north of Gibbon
Parents: William and Zora (Randall) Gamble
Attended rural District 5 school, graduated from Gibbon High School, 1933
Education: earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Kearney State College
Married: May 16, 1942, to Clyde Headley in Marion, S.D.; later moved to a farm north of Shelton
Employment: taught at elementary schools, including District 3 and District 25; retired as elementary principal at Shelton Public Schools
Activities: Member of the church in Shelton and the Nebraska Education Association; enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, her animals and pets, and family genealogy
Survivors include: her son, Ronald of Georgetown, Ky.; daughter, Sandra of Alsea, Ore.; and sisters, Violet Webb of Rosamond, Calif., and Merna Lindermayer of Sedona, Ariz.
Preceded in death by her husband in 1997, and a son
Kearney Hub, 13 June, 2003

PAUL, Carter William, infant son of John and Carmen Paul of Kearney, died Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Friday, St. James Catholic Church, Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Born June 8, 2003, in Kearney
Parents: John and Carmen (Jones) Paul
Survivors include: his parents; grandparents, Dean and Dianne Jones of Riverdale and Rex and Margie Paul of Kearney; and great-grandparents, John and Sue Morrissey, Evelyn Paul and Arlene Jones, all of Kearney, and Evelyn Haag of Indianola
Kearney Hub, 11 June, 2003

ARRANTS, John, 73, of Kearney died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military rites
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: donor's choice
Born March 4, 1930, in Morrill County
Parents: John and Elsie (Fiscus) Arrants
Attended rural schools in Morrill County
Married: July 3, 1951, to Ethel Neumeyer in Bridgeport
Military: U.S. Army, 1951-1953; returned to the ranch at Mitchell
Moved to Mullen, 1958, ran the Jewel Diner; moved to Burwell, 1968, worked for Burwell Community Hospital
Moved to Kearney, 1972; was director of environmental services at Good Samaritan Hospital, retired in 1997
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, the American Legion in Mullen, VFW in Kearney, the Nebraska Association of Institutional Linen Management, American Society of Healthcare Environmental Services, American Hospital Association, National Executive Housekeepers Association Inc., Nebraska Healthcare Housekeepers Association and officiated the Nebraska Hospital Association; Enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting for arrowheads, woodworking, reading, traveling and spending time with family
Survivors include: his wife; son, Jim of Bridgeport; daughters, Ila of Columbus and Violet VanHorn of Kearney; sisters, Maxine Parks of Callaway and Bessie Hubbard of Bayard; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild; Preceded in death by his parents and a brother.
Kearney Hub, 16 June, 2003

GOEDERT, Eleanor, 90 of Kearney, formerly of Wallace, died Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at Northridge Retirement Community in Kearney
Services: Saturday, the Wallace St. Mary's Catholic Church
Burial: Wallace Cemetery
Mortuary: Bullock-Long of Grant
Born Nov. 2, 1912, near Elsie
Parents: August and Theresa (Schnitzer) SULLENTRUP
Graduated from Nebraska City High School, 1931
Taught at schools in Perkins, Keith and Lincoln counties
Married: May 22, 1939, to Sylvester Goedert in Roseland; he died 1997
Later graduated from Kearney State College; taught for 39 years, the last 24 in Wallace; moved to Grant in 1995; moved to Kearney, 1997
Survivors include her son, James of Kearney; brother, Robert Sullentrup of Renton, Wash.; sisters, Gladys Wood of Wallace; three grandsons; and a great-grandchild
Kearney Hub, 12 June, 2003

RAMMAGE, Erna E., 93, of Omaha, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at Brookestone Assisted Living Center in Omaha
Services: Saturday, First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials: the church
Born July 1, 1909, in Riverdale
Parents: Fred and Meta (Beumgarn) Schirneker
Married: June 16, 1934, to Roy Rammage in Kearney; he died 1997
Lived in Kearney; moved to the Omaha area, 1998
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; active at the Kearney Senior Hospitality Center; member of the Kearney Women's Bowling Associating
Survivors include: son, Gordon of Enders; daughter, Jan Wasson of Omaha; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband and a sister
Kearney Hub, 13 June, 2003

ANDERSON, Mary Jean, 71, rural Elm Creek, died Thursday, June 12, 2003, at her home south of Elm Creek
Services: Tuesday, First United Methodist Church in Holdrege
Burial: Williamsburg Cemetery in northern Phelps County
Mortuary: Nelson-Harris in Holdrege
Memorials: Nebraska Prairie Museum of Holdrege or the Bishops Initiative for the Children of Nigeria
Born May 6, 1932, in West Point
Parents: Charles and Ruth (Bross) NIEHAUS
With family moved to Holdrege at age 4
Graduated from Holdrege High School, 1950
Education: studied home economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; active in Chi Omega Sorority; graduated in 1954
Married: May 30, 1954, to Donald Anderson
Lived in Texas until 1956; taught school in Flat, Texas
Returned to Nebraska; in later years, worked on the farm and kept books for the operation
Activities: 50-year member of the Williamsburg Methodist Church in northern Phelps County, served in many capacities; member of PEO Chapter H in Holdrege; active with the Farm Bureau; past member of the Phelps County Extension Board and Holdrege Memorial Homes; served 15 years on the board of directors for KRVN radio in Lexington
Enjoyed interior decorating, cooking, gardening, reading, traveling with her husband and spending time with family; taught sewing while her children were in 4-H.
Survivors include: husband, son, Stephen of Lexington; daughters, Lynn of Aurora, Colo. and Mari Kay Sanders of Lincoln; sister, Betty Stychno of Sebastopol, Calif.; and six grandchildren; Preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 16 June, 2003

BROADBENT, Etta "Deldee", 87, Kearney, formerly of Miller, died Sunday, June 15, 2003, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Wednesday, Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Armada Cemetery in Miller
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: to the church
Born Dec. 7, 1915, in Varina, Iowa
Parents: Charles and Melissa (Selleck) MARTIN
Grew up in the Haven Chapel area, attended country school
Married: June 2, 1941, to William Stevens. He died in 1947
Married: June 18, 1950, to Stanley Broadbent; lived in Miller
Moved to Kearney after death of husband, 1986
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; enjoyed bowling, farm life, sewing, gardening, attending coffee club and spending time with her family
Survivors include: her sons, Leslie Stevens and Wendell Stevens, both of Kearney, Eldon Stevens of Allendale, Mich., and C. Milan Broadbent of Green Bay, Wis.; daughters, Virginia Butler of Elm Creek and Geneva Sickler of Lincoln; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and stepbrother, Millard Martin of California
Preceded in death by husbands, a brother, a sister, a grandson and a great-granddaughter.
Kearney Hub, 17 June, 2003

GILBERT, Elizabeth, 55, of 3607 13th Ave., Kearney, died Sunday, June 15, 2003, at her home
Services: Monday, First Baptist Church
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatman-Apfel of Kearney
Memorials: Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Research
Born Sept. 28, 1947, in Crab Orchard, Ky.
Parents: Cecil and Mae (Dyehouse) MARTIN
Received her bachelor of science degree in early childhood education from the University of Illinois; did master's degree work at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Married: June 26, 1971, to James Gilbert
Lived in Champaign, Ill., Chadron and Radford, Va.; moved to Kearney in 1988. Was employed by UNK; taught English as a second language to international students.
Activities: enjoyed her family, gardening, reading and travel
Survivors include: husband; daughter, Jennifer Hunter of Kearney; her mother; brothers, Randy Martin and Don Martin, both of Crab Orchard; and sister, Pat Godby of Crab Orchard
Preceded in death by her father
Kearney Hub, 19 June, 2003

SHELTON, Alvin Charles "Tistle" Shelton, 82, of Kearney, formerly of rural Republican City, died Friday, June 13, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Monday, Peace Lutheran Church in Alma
Burial: Alma Cemetery, military honors
Mortuary: Banta-Torrey in Alma
Memorials: American Diabetes Association in Omaha
Born Jan. 16, 1921, on the family farm near Republican City
Parents: John and Martha (Asche) Shelton
Attended Cannonville rural school, graduated from Huntley High School in 1939; attended a seven-week C.C. School at Halsey
Farmed with his family
Military: U.S. Army, 1942-1945; served in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe; Was a staff sergeant radio operator with the 40th Mobile Communication Squadron; Received the Good Conduct Medal and the Distinguished Unit Badge
Returned to the family farm; moved to Republican City, 1972; worked at the Farmers Co-op Equity Exchange elevator in Republican City; retired in 1986, but worked part time for awhile
Became a resident at Mount Carmel Home in Kearney earlier this year
Activities: member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church north of Republican City and of American Legion Post 361 at Republican City; former member of the VFW Post 7601 of Republican City
Survivors include: his sisters, Hattie Brodil of Omaha, Norma Henry of Hoisington, Kan., and Evalyn Harms of Wilcox
Kearney Hub, 16 June, 2003

SOUKUP, Helen Margaret, 83, of Tucson, Arizona, formerly of Amherst, Neb., died Monday, June 9, 2003, at a hospital in Tucson
Services: Tuesday, Faith Lutheran Church in Tucson
Mortuary: Heather Mortuary of Tucson
Memorials: Faith Lutheran School in Tucson
Born May 27, 1920, in Amherst
Parents: William and Clara (Woltemath) Jones
Attended Amherst School
Attended St. John's Lutheran College in Winfield, Kan.; moved to Los Angeles to work as a legal secretary; worked briefly for the International Lutheran Hour
Married: to Emil Soukup
Became a real estate broker, 1964, retired in the 1980s
Enjoyed traveling
Survivors include: her brother, Elmer Jones of Amherst; Preceded in death by her husband.
Kearney Hub, 13 June, 2003

MERCER, Elton Willmar, 86, of Santa Maria, California, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Oct. 25, 2002, in Santa Maria
Graveside services: Monday June 23, 2003, Kearney Cemetery
Kearney Hub, 17 June, 2003

WICHT, John, 82, of Gibbon died Wednesday, June 18, 2003, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Services: Saturday, Faith United Methodist Church, Gibbon
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery with military rites
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Memorials: the church, Gibbon Emergency Unit or the Gibbon American Legion
Born Nov. 25, 1920, on a farm south of Wood River
Parents: Ferd and Minnie (Seier) Wicht
Grew up on the farm; graduated from Wood River High School, 1939
Worked on the farm, moved to Buffalo, N.Y., to work at a munitions plant as a machinist and inspector
Married: Dec. 17, 1941, to Waunda Dubbs in Grand Island; lived in Buffalo
Military: U.S. Army Air Corps in Italy and central Europe, 1943-1945
After discharge, moved to a farm southeast of Gibbon; moved to their present farm in 1954; farmed and was a carpenter until he retired, 1985.
Activities: member of the church and the American Legion in Gibbon
Survivors include: wife; sons, Jay of Scottsbluff and Jim of Gibbon; daughters, Janell Boles of Sidney and Jenith Hiatt of Fairbanks, Alaska; brothers, Edward of Cairo and Ferd of Wood River; sisters, Ileana of Douglas, Wyo., Juanita Kroll of Casper, Wyo., and Anna Marie Dubbs of Kearney; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by a son, two brothers and four sisters
Kearney Hub, 19 June, 2003

ALDAG, Lorna May, 56 of Huntley died Thursday, June 19, 2003, as a result of a car accident three miles north of Huntley
Services: Monday, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial of cremains: later
Mortuary: Banta-Torrey in Alma
Memorials: American Cancer Society in Omaha
Born Oct. 13, 1946, in Battle Creek, Iowa
Parents: Lorenz and Elnore (Knudsen) PETERSEN
Graduated from high school in Schleswig, Iowa, 1964
Education: attended National Business College in Sioux City, Iowa; had completed numerous classes with the American Banking Association
Married: Dec. 5, 1965, to James Aldag in Schleswig
Lived on the family farms near Ida Grove, Iowa; secretary in the shipping department of Gormaco Paving Machinery Co.
Moved to Schleswig, 1990; moved to Kearney in 1994
Employment: worked at Builders Warehouse; as secretary and bookkeeper for the family business, Countryside Construction; 1999, began work at Kearney State Bank, was the head teller.
Moved to the VanDyke farmstead northwest of Huntley in 2001
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; enjoyed gardening, raising puppies and horses, and spending time with family
Survivors include: husband; sons, Travis of Ida Grove and Troy of Vernon, Conn.; her mother of Schleswig; and four grandchildren; Preceded in death by her father
Kearney Hub, 21 June, 2003

DAY, Barbara, 71, Miller, died Sunday, June 22, 2003, at Christian Homes in Holdrege
Services: later at Memorial Gardens in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel in Kearney
Memorials: Alzheimer's Research Foundation
Born Feb. 4, 1932, in Parkersburg, W.Va.
Parents: Delbert and Mildred (Skidmore) HAINES
Married Charles Day of Miller
Survivors include: her husband; son, Mike of Colorado Springs; daughters, Ellen Metcalf of Miller, Kathy Saqib of Colorado Springs, Cheri Leal of Signal Hill, Calif., and Linda Boyd of Colorado Springs; sisters, Elizabeth Reynolds and Loretta Ball, both of Parkersburg; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Kearney Hub, 24 June, 2003

HARMONEY, Victor A., 84, Kearney, died Friday, June 20, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Stanley Cemetery in Amherst, with military honors
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel in Kearney
Memorials: Kearney Senior Hospitality Center or the church
Born Nov. 1, 1918, in Amherst
Parents: Frank and Alice (Long) Harmoney
Graduated from Amherst High School, 1934; farmed with his father
Military: U.S. Army, 1942-1946 as a radar operator in the Pacific Theater during World War II; was a sergeant, received the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal with clasp.
Employment: returned to Amherst, farmed most of his life
Married: March 1, 1952, to Gaylene Swearingen in Lexington
Moved to Kearney, 1991
Married: May 11, 1991, to Inez Oliver in Kearney
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, VFW and Eagles; enjoyed playing cards, fishing, refinishing furniture, dancing, playing horseshoes and spending time with his grandchildren
Survivors include: wife; sons, Duane of Kearney and Wesley of Amherst; daughters, Louise Weides of Lincoln, Marilyn Tavenner of Ennis, Mont., and Denise Peters of Lincoln; stepsons, Roger Oliver of Riverdale and David and Greg Oliver of Kearney; stepdaughter, Becky Hock of Bertrand; seven grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and 14 stepgreat-grandchildren
Preceded in death by three brothers and five sisters
Kearney Hub, 24 June, 2003

KANODE, Eldon, 77, of Shelton died Sunday, June 22, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Center in Wood River
Memorial services: St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Shelton
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen of Ravenna
Memorials: the church or the Shelton Emergency Unit
Born Jan. 10, 1926, in Westmoreland, Kan.
Parents: Frank and Helen (Hasenbank) Kanode
Worked for farmers; broke horses for work and riding
Married: March 12, 1950, to Loreen Reese north of Shelton
Lived in Kansas for two years; they moved north of Shelton, 1952, where they farmed and raised livestock
Activities: member of the church in Shelton; enjoyed going to auctions, collecting old farm machinery and parts to assemble old wagons; made tack for Breyer horses and collected old farm-related pictures for scrapbooks
Survivors include: wife; sons, Lon of Fullerton, Calif., and Joel and Doran, both of Shelton; brothers, Delno of La Habra, Calif., Marvin of Manhattan, Kan., and Verlon of Wamego, Kan.; sister, Lila Walker of Ovid, Mich.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; Preceded in death by two brothers and a sister.
Kearney Hub, 7 July, 2003

HENDERSON, Gerald E., 78, Kearney, died Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Friday at O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney, with Masonic rites
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Memorials: Tehama Shrine Children's Transportation Fund and Hearing Impaired Research
Born Feb. 17, 1925, in Shelton
Parent: Blanche Gray
Grew up in Shelton; received his education at Platte Valley Academy and Shelton Public Schools
Military: U.S. Army as a corporal 1943-1945
Married: July 27, 1947, to Beulah Mae Baker in Miller; resided in Kearney
Employment: employed by Union Pacific Railroad, later as a mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office; retired in 1985
Activities: member of Rob Morris Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rites, Tehama Temple, Elks Lodge, Eagles, VFW Post 759 and Legion Post 52; He was master of the Rob Morris Lodge in 1982 and a charter member of the Tehama Legion of Honor
Survivors include: his wife; sons, Gary of Kearney and Theodore of Tallahassee, Fla.; daughter, Nancy Roessler of Cape Coral, Fla.; brother, Larry Weakley of Kearney; sister, Rosella Richards of Kearney; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; six stepgrandchildren; and 16 stepgreat-grandchildren
Preceded in death by an infant sister
Kearney Hub, 26 June, 2003

HOBAN, John Joseph "Handlebar" Sr., 57, of Woodbridge, Virginia, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died of cancer Saturday, June 21, 2003
Services: Thursday at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church
Burial with military honors at Quantico National Cemetery
Mortuary: Mountcastle in Woodbridge
Parents: William Sr. and Mary (Beckius) Hoban
Married to his wife, Lois, for 28 years
Military: U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years; received the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star and many other medals; served two tours in Vietnam.
Activities: member of American Legion Post 364; enjoyed bowling
Survivors include: his wife; sons, John Jr. of Triangle and Jason of Woodbridge; daughters, Lisa Toombs and Melissa Strickland, both from Woodbridge; brothers, Robert of Oklahoma, William, Michael and Donald, all of Nebraska, and Paul of Colorado; sister, Mary Yant of Nebraska; and eleven grandchildren
Preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 25 June, 2003

SPONGBERG, Joline, 76, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Tuesday, June 24, 2003, in Lincoln
Services: Friday, St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lincoln
Burial: Fairview Cemetery in Lincoln
Mortuary: Butherus, Maser & Love in Lincoln
Memorials: St. Joseph's School
Lived in Kearney, 1959-1979; was a retired real estate broker and member of the church in Lincoln.
Survivors include: her son, Tom of Washington, D.C.; daughter, Carol Peters of El Paso, Texas; brother, Michael Van Horne of Omaha; and two grandchildren; Preceded in death by a daughter.
Kearney Hub, 25 June, 2003

KOTTAS, Mary Evelyn, 86, Lincoln, died Monday, June 16, 2003, at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center
Services: Saturday, Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln
Burial: Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery
Born July 15, 1916, in Kearney
Parents: William and Minnie Gould HIBBERD
Education: attended St. James Elementary School; graduated from Kearney High School, 1934; graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1938 with a bachelor's degree in education and a major in English and minors in mathematics and Latin
Married: Milo Kottas, June 7, 1941, in Kearney
Taught at schools in Creighton, Petersburg and Exeter and in country schools near Milligan; taught math, Latin and English in Milligan Public Schools for 27 years
Activities: with husband owned Kottas Family Pharmacy in Milligan for 41 years; active in the churches she attended, beginning with playing the organ at St. James in Kearney at age 12; played the organ at St. Wenceslaus Church in Milligan for more than 40 years; member of the St. Wenceslaus Altar Society and taught CYO; enjoyed mind-challenging games and crossword puzzles
Survivors include: sons, Michael of San Antonio, Charles of Council Bluffs, Iowa,, Gene and Joseph, both of Lincoln, and Robert of Omaha; daughter, Mary Jo Bougger of Lincoln; brother, Paul Hibberd of San Antonio; sister, Rita Butler of Lincoln; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 26 June, 2003

WILHELM, Andrew "Andy" John, 81, of Kearney died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Monday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel of Kearney
Memorials: the church or the Diabetes Foundation
Born Jan. 3, 1922, in Lindsay
Parents: Fred C. and Anna (Jostes) Wilhelm
Graduated from Lexington High School,1942
Military: U.S. Army, 1942-1945, during World War II; was stationed in the Aleutian Islands and earned the rank of corporal
Married: April 14, 1947, to Esther Rosenthal in Lexington
Moved from Lexington to Orleans, 1959, farmed and worked as a mechanic for Orleans Milling Co.; worked at the John Deere implement business in Alma; retired in 1982; moved to Kearney, 1984
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, a life member of the Orleans American Legion and a honorary member of the Knights of Columbus
Survivors include: wife; daughters, Karen Stewart of Lincoln and Jane Sheldon of Kearney; sister, Annette Taylor of Ogallala; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; Preceded in death by a brother and four sisters.
Kearney Hub, 28 June, 2003

ALEXANDER, Lydia, 95, of Stanford, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, June 22, 2003, in Stanford
Services: Tuesday, Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte, Neb.
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Neb.
Born Oct. 17, 1907, in Blue Hill, Neb.
Parents: Austin and Alice Banks
Family moved to a homestead in Cherry County, Neb.
Returned to Blue Hill to attend school; attended high school in Cairo, Neb.; attended Kearney (Neb.) Normal School and then taught rural schools.
Married: Warren Alexander
Employment: taught in Maywood, Indianola, Sargent, Naponee, Stockville, Haigler, Elsie, Grant, Gibbon, Doniphan, Amherst and rural Buffalo County schools, all in Nebraska; she completed her bachelor's degree at Kearney State College, 1963
Moved to Beaver City, Nebr., 1974; substitute taught and supervised the playground there; moved to Stanford in 1995
Activities: member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Stanford; in Beaver City, member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Rebekahs, the Methodist Women, the Women's Club, a quilting club and the library board; enjoyed children, music, animals, trees, flowers, clouds, hills, creeks and clothes
Survivors include: son, Warren of Adelanto; daughter, Mary Cox of Stanford; 12 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband and a son.
Kearney Hub, 27 June, 2003

HONGSERMEIER, Sarah, 91, of Ravenna died Friday, June 27, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Tuesday, Zion Lutheran Church at North Shelton
Burial: Zion Lutheran Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born May 29, 1912, in Hall County
Parents: John and Minnie (Hargens) REHER
Attended school in Hall County
Married: April 25, 1937, to Edwin Hongsermeier in Grand Island
Lived on a farm northeast of Ravenna; moved to Ravenna, 1982; husband died June 28, 1983
Survivors include: her son, LeRoy of Ravenna; brother, Howard Reher of Hermiston, Ore.; four granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by her husband, a brother and a sister
Kearney Hub, 30 June, 2003

CARLSGAARD, Ward, 91, of Kearney died Friday, June 27, 2003, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Memorial services: Saturday, O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home
Burial: later
Memorials: Alzheimer's Association
Born June 6, 1912, in Forbes, N.D.
Parents: Hans and Ruby (Collins) Carlsgaard
Grew up on the family farm; graduated from high school at the School of Agriculture in Brookings, S. D
During the Depression, he worked on the family farm
Married: June 14, 1941, to Roberta Myers in Aberdeen, S.D.; lived in Aberdeen; he worked for the KOLEE Machine Shop
Earned an electrician's license; later, became a salesman
After retirment, the couple traveled and spent several winters in New Mexico
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church in Kearney and the Lion's Club; enjoyed taking photographs and spending time with family
Survivors include: wife of Loup City; son, Lynn of Aberdeen; daughter, Diane Callaway of Neodesha, Kan.; brother, Glenn of Victorville, Calif.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; Preceded in death by an infant sibling
Kearney Hub, 3 July, 2003

McGUIGAN, Jack R., 77, of Kearney died Sunday, June 29, 2003, at Mount Carmel Home in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors
Mortuary:O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: to the church, Kearney Catholic Foundation or the donor's choice
Born March 2, 1926, in Oconto
Parents: Walter and Florence (Branstiter) McGuigan
Graduated from Oconto High School and the Nebraska School of Barbers
Military: U.S. Navy in World War II, 1944-1946
Married: July 27, 1949, to Annabelle Etzelmiller in Kearney.
Lived in Kearney; worked as a barber for 43 years; after retiring, worked at Wal-Mart
Activities: member of the church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759, the American Legion, and BPO Elks 984; Enjoyed reading, gardening and barbecuing in his back yard
Survivors include: wife; son, John of Ravenna; daughters, Jacqueline Klein of Holdrege and Barbara Samway, Susan Winslow and Mary, all of Kearney; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by a daughter and a brother.
Kearney Hub, 1 July, 2003

WALKER, Ruby I., 93, of Shelton died Sunday, May 25, 2003 at Good Samaritan Center in Wood River
Memorial graveside services: Tuesday July 1, Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson of Gibbon/Shelton
Memorials: Shelton United Methodist Church
Born July 14, 1909, on the family farm northeast of Gibbon
Parents: Irving and Emma (Hall) WESTON
Graduated from Shelton High School, 1924
Attended Kearney State Teachers College, received teachers certificate two years later; taught fourth grade in Shelton, nine years, and in Sugar City, Colo., six years
Married: Oct. 9, 1942, to Donald Walker in Washington, Conn.
Lived in Washington, Conn., Rhode Island and Washington, D. C.; returned to Shelton and lived on the farm.
Returned to Kearney State Teachers College, received her degree in education in 1956; taught in Grand Island schools, retired in 1972
Activities: member of the church in Shelton, taught Sunday school; was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers Sorority, Retired Teachers Association of Nebraska and the Extra Mile Extension Club; Enjoyed gardening, collecting antiques, wintering in south Texas and cooking
Survivors include: husband; son, Don of Shelton; brother, Dorsey Weston of Gibbon; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; Preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 30 June, 2003
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