© MJH 1998-2003 for Buffalo County NEGenWeb Project
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OBITUARIES
Page 10
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska

Extracted from newspapers

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POYNER, Jane L., 81, of Lexington, formerly of Odessa, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Services: Monday at O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials suggested to the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department
Born May 31, 1922, in Kearney
Parents: Guy and Gladys (Eickmeier) NEAL
Grew up at Odessa, graduated from Odessa High School
Married: Aug. 4, 1947, to William D. Poyner. Worked at Baldwin Manufacturing for 10 years; worked for Eaton Corp. for 15 years
Activities: member of the Eagles Auxiliary in Kearney
Survivors include: daughters, Cathy Stone and Kim Hoing, both of Lexington; sister, Dode Sahling of Kearney; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by two sisters
Kearney Hub, 1 November, 2003

SWEARINGEN, Mary L., 58, of Ravenna died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, at St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln
Services: Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wood River
Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery
Born Nov. 15, 1944, in Bladen
Parents: Karl and Viola (Heinrich) HALLER
Graduated from Minden High School, 1963. After graduation, married Spencer Lonn
Married: 1984, to Bernard Swearingen; couple lived in Gibbon
She moved to Ravenna, 2001
Enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren
Survivors include: daughter, Tena Ackley of Ravenna; brothers, Odell Haller of Lincoln and Don Haller, both of Wood River, and Dennis Haller of Kearney; and four grandchildren
Preceded in death by her parents and one brother
Kearney Hub, 1 November, 2003

BRAGG, Harold C., 74, of Kearney died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday at First Christian Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery. Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Memorials suggested to the Good Samaritan Hospital Cancer Fund or the American Cancer Association
Born July 18, 1929, in Fairbury
Parents: Clifford O. and Ruth (Lundin) Bragg. Family moved to Kearney; he graduated,Kearney High School, 1948
Military: U.S. Navy during the Korean War from Aug. 28, 1950- June 28, 1954
Returned to Kearney, was employed as a mechanic at Kearney Buick/Cadillac and at Central Auto Electric; later was in the maintenance department at Coleman Powermate; retired in 1994
Married: Aug. 4, 1976, to Joan Hardekopf in Kearney
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, American Legion Post 52, Kearney Elks and Kearney Eagles
Survivors include his wife; brothers, Clifford LeRoy and Robert, both of Kearney; and sister, Betty Mills of Kearney; nephews and nieces;
Preceded in death by his parents
Kearney Hub, 4 November, 2003

JAKOB, Pearl Katharyn, 92, of Ravenna died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Tuesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen Mortuary in Ravenna
Born Oct. 28, 1911, on the Wagner homestead in Sherman County
Parents: William and Delia (Margritz) Wagner
Married: Oct. 19, 1933, to Freddie Jakob in Ravenna. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Gerald of Tucson, Ariz.; sister, Fern Sigler of Ravenna; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 3 November, 2003

OLDS, Dorris L., 92, of Kearney died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at St. John's Center in Kearney
Memorial services: Thursday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Kearney
Burial of cremains: at the church columbarium
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Born Jan. 26, 1911, in the Philippine Islands
Parents: Lewis and Lois (Barton) LaVanture
Family lived at military posts in California, Wyoming and Kentucky
Graduated from high school in Fort Thomas, Ky.; attended the University of Texas in Austin
Married: Nov. 4, 1930, to Thayer Olds, who died in 1983
Thirty years of military service took the family to Michigan, Panama, Louisiana, California, Washington, D.C., Guam, Florida, Georgia, and New York; during World War II, she and the children lived in California and in Colorado
Moved to Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., 1960
After retirement, earned bachelor's and master's degrees in anthropology at Florida State University; was elected to Phi Beta Kappa
Moved to Austin, Texas; worked at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory; classified artifacts taken from a 16th century Spanish galleon discovered in the Gulf of Mexico. Research resulted in the publication of her study, "Texas Legacy From the Gulf."
Moved to Kearney, 1996;
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; was always active in church work and in volunteer work in hospitals; was a 40-year member of the Texas Archeological Society; enjoyed tennis, bridge, gardening and long walks along the beach; enjoyed participating in Elderhostels; had traveled in many countries
Survivors include: son, John of Des Moines, Iowa; daughters, Marian Precht of Bethesda, Md., and Kathryn Falconer of Kearney; eight grandchildren; and ten grandchildren;
Preceded in death by her husband and her sister, Kathryn Horr
Kearney Hub, 3 November, 2003

EIGENBERG, Karen K., 59, of Kearney died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: Wednesday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials suggested to the Kearney Humane Society
Born Sept. 20, 1944, in Hastings
Parents: Edward and Carolyn (Engel) RATH
Grew up in Sutton, graduated from high school there, 1962; attended Kearney State College
Married: March 5, 1966, to Tom Eigenberg in Sutton; lived in Kearney
Worked at Nebraska Public Power; later worked at Krause Orthodontist office, retired for health reasons
Enjoyed spending time in Colorado
Survivors include husband; sons, H.D. of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Matt of Kearney; daughter, Nicole Clark of Kearney; brother, Steve Rath of Greeley, Colo.; sister, Kathy Rath of Estes Park, Colo.; and three grandchildren
Preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 4 November, 2003

EVANS, Dorthia L., 80, of Kearney died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at her home
Services: Tuesday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Born May 18, 1923, near Buckeye Valley in Buffalo County
Parents: Charles and Zelma (Covert) SOBOTKA
Graduated from Longfellow High School, 1940
Married: May 20, 1942, to Lawrence Evans, Kearney; farmed north of Kearney
Moved to Taylor, 1966; she worked as a secretary at the school
Returned to Kearney, 1968; worked at the Buffalo County Assessor's Office until failing health caused her retirement
Activities: member of the church in Kearney and of its altar society, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and Catholic Daughters; served as a 4-H leader; enjoyed bowling, collecting glassware, holidays and spending time with family
Survivors include: son, Gregory of Kearney; daughters, Roberta Sanders of Lincoln and Paulette Rich and Pamela Cimfel, both of Kearney; brother, James Sobotka of Portland, Ore.; sisters, Rose Foster and Clara Nelson, both of Lincoln, and Viola Rosenthal of Columbus; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren
Additional survivors include: daughter-in-law, Elaine of Kearney; and sons-in-law, Ken Sanders of Lincoln and Richard Rich and Mike Cimfel, both of Kearney
Preceded in death by her husband in 1999, her parents, a sister, four grandsons and a stepgrandson
Kearney Hub, 3 November, 2003

LIENEMANN, Darlo E., 65, of Gibbon died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Service: Tuesday at Godberson Mortuary in Gibbon
Family burial will be later
Born Jan. 12, 1938, in Leoti, Kan.
Parents: Fred and Charlotte (Ruhs) Lienemann
Married: March 7, 1957, to Florence Smith in Gibbon
Survivors include his wife; sons, Del of Richmond, Va., and Jan of Gibbon; daughter, Tamira Zimmerman of Ewing, Ill.; brothers, LeeRoy of Oxnard, Calif., and Donald of Commerce City, Colo.; sister, Opal Heater of Akron, Colo.; and ten grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 3 November, 2003

OTTE, Elva, 90, of Ravenna died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Born Oct. 9, 1913, north of Poole
Parents: Charlie and Grace (Edson) FRANKLIN
Married: June 4, 1935, to Lawrence Otte in Kearney. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include her son, Lyle of Hazard; daughter, Betty Deuel of Grand Island; brother, Joe Franklin of Tucson, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 3 November, 2003

MUELLER, Howard Stephen, 84, of Elk Creek, Missouri, formerly of the Kearney, Neb., area, died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, at a nursing home in Cabool
Services: Thursday at Evans Funeral Home Chapel in Houston, Mo.
Burial: Tyrone Cemetery in Tyrone
Born Feb. 20, 1919, on the family farm northwest of Kearney
Parents: Samuel Emil and Emma Augusta (Hanke) Mueller
Baptized at the Methodist Church in Riverdale, Neb.; confirmed at the First Lutheran Church of Kearney
Attended P.S. 78 and Hawthorne School, Kearney; After his mother died, lived with his uncle Albert Hanke in Lindsey, Neb.
Completed of Technical School in Omaha, worked in the aircraft industry in California; later worked for the U. S. Navy at North Island Naval Station, San Diego, Calif. for many years;
Retired and settled on his farm near Ilk Creek, Mo.; enjoyed his quiet county life as a gentleman farmer, his many friends and good neighbors until his passing
Survivors include: elder brother, Col. Harold W. Mueller M.D. (USA Ret.), Sierra Vista, Ariz., nephews Frederick W., Sierra Vista, Ariz., James W., The Woodlands, Texas., Erick S., San Diego, Calif.; nieces Mary E., Sierra Vista, Ariz., Sonja L. (Mueller) Beatty, Huachuca City, Ariz., and grand nieces and nephews, Austin J., Amy J., William H. and Leah E.
Preceded in death by his parents, sister Lucile Leonia Saylor, brother-in-law Harold Saylor, sister-in-law M. Maxine (Wylie) Mueller and nephew William F. Mueller
The Sierra Vista Herald, Sierra Vista, AZ., 4 November, 2003

SCHLATTMANN, Dale Adam, 78, of Lincoln died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in Lincoln
Services: Wednesday at Northeast United Church of Christ in Lincoln
Burial: Lincoln Memorial Park
Mortuary: Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home
Memorials suggested to the church or the Sesostris Shrine Transportation Fund
Born Aug. 7, 1925, in Kearney
Parents: Henry and Bertha (Patterson) Schlattmann
Was conductor for Burlington Northern Railroad; retired after more than 40 years of service
Activities: member of the church in Lincoln, American Legion Post 3, Masonic Lodge 210, Scottish Rite and Sesostris Shrine
Survivors include: wife, Wilma; sons, Ron of Alliance and Alan of Lincoln; daughters, Judi Owen and Eileen Janssen, both of Lincoln, and Janice Krajicek of Gretna; brothers, Eugene of Elm Creek and Henry of Kearney; sisters, Fern Majors of Ravenna, Maxine Roberts of Lincoln and Rose Moritz of Omaha; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren;
Additional survivors include: daughters-in-law, Janet of Alliance and Cindy of Lincoln; sons-in-law, Richard Krajicek of Gretna and Steve Janssen of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Norma of Kearney; special friend of Eugene, Ruth Whitmore of Elm Creek; brothers-in-law, Jack Majors of Ravenna, George Roberts of Lincoln and Paul Moritz of Omaha.
Kearney Hub, 4 November, 2003

ELLIOTT, Joyce C., 68, of 16005 17th Road died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Services: Saturday at First Lutheran Church
Burial will be at Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home
Kearney Hub, 6 November, 2003

CUMMINGS, Dorothy O., 75, of Kearney died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials suggested to the church or the nursing scholarship program at Good Samaritan Hospital
Born March 13, 1928, on a farm near Payton, Iowa
Parents: Roscoe and Mabel (Meyer) ROWE
Graduated from Rockwell City High School, 1945; moved to Scottsbluff where she entered nurse's training school at Methodist General Hospital; graduated, 1949
Was employed as a floor supervisor at the hospital and as a private-duty nurse, 1949-1953
Married: Aug. 18, 1950, to Donald Cummings in Scottsbluff
Moved to Atkinson, 1953; to Kearney in 1955
In Kearney, worked as a nurse and surgical nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital; retired in 1979
Activities: had been a den mother for the Cub Scouts; was a member of the Riverbend Christian Fellowship Church in Grand Island, where she sang in the choir, and of the Kearney Country Club
Enjoyed following her children's school and sports activities
Survivors include her husband; sons, Wray and Kim, both of Lincoln, and Jerry of Mons, Belgium; and five grandchildren
Preceded in death by her parents and two brothers
Kearney Hub, 10 November, 2003

ROBINSON, Jerry Dorlin, 65, of Gothenburg died of cancer Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, at his home.
Services: Monday at Blase Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Born Feb. 12, 1938, near Kearney
Parents: Delmar and Ethel (Rash) Robinson
Married: Sept. 11, 1960, to Violet Junker
Married: July 13, 1975, to Cynthia Stickelman
Survivors include his son, Eric of Gothenburg; daughter, Lisa of Tucson, Ariz.; sisters, Ardythe Herrick of Austin, Texas, and Audrae Shirley of Lebanon, Conn.; half sister Jan Fern of Kearney; and a granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 8 November, 2003

HANSEN, Donna, 75, of Kearney died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday at O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home Chapel
Burial: Riverdale Cemetery
Born Sept. 2, 1928, in Dayton, Iowa
Married: Oct. 7, 1948, to Frank Hansen in Luverne, Minn. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her sons, Greg of Silver Creek, Ron and George, both of Kearney, Don of Panarama, Calif., and Calvin of Lincoln; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 11 November, 2003

HOLT, Velma G., 96, of Kearney died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2003, at her home.
Services: Thursday at First United Methodist Church
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Funeral Home
Memorials to the church and the Good Samaritan Hospital Hospice Program
Born June 6, 1907, in Stephenville, Texas
Parents: William and Mary (Weathers) JONES
Graduated from high school in Loves Valley, Okla., 1928
Married: June 17, 1934, to Maurice Holt in Marietta, Okla. He died Jan. 14, 1997
Attended Southeastern State College in Durant, Okla.; graduated from East Central in Ada, Okla., 1940
Taught school in Greenville, Fairfax and Tipton, all in Oklahoma
Taught one year in the American School in Germany while her husband was in the military
Returned to Nebraska; taught in Arnold for four years, in Nelson for four years;
Moved to Harvard, 1954,; to Oakland in 1957, Arnold in 1960, Nelson in 1964, Kenesaw in 1969, Amherst in 1973, Hastings in 1975 and to Kearney in 1977
Survivors include; grandsons, Tim and Todd, both of Lincoln; great-granddaughter, Cora; daughter-in-law, Mary Holt of Kearney; and granddaughters-in-law, Jodi and Jean, both of Lincoln
Preceded in death by her husband, son Charles, parents, a brother and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 12 November, 2003

NUTT, Maurice Earl, 89, of 5616 Fourth Ave., formerly of Madrid, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003, at his home
Memorial services were Saturday, Madrid United Methodist Church
Burial: Madrid Cemetery
Mortuary: Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant
Memorials to the church
Born July 13, 1914, in Moorefield
Parents: Walter and Mary (Reutzel) Nutt
Grew up in Madrid; graduated from Madrid High School, 1932
Married: March 11, 1939, to Mary Lee in Holyoke, Colo. She died in 1999
Lived near Madrid, was a farmer and rancher
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church, the rural fire board and the school board in Madrid
Survivors include his son, Wendell of Axtell; daughters, Janet Swedburg of Axtell and Monte Thompson of Omaha; brother, Robert of Madrid; sisters, Bessie Harris and Ethel Brott, both of Littleton, Colo., Dorothy Sexson of Ogallala, Grace Godfrey of Hershey and Mae Petersen of North Platte; six grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by his wife and a sister
Kearney Hub, 10 November, 2003

KOERNER, Max E., 102, of Ravenna died Monday, Nov. 10, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna
Services: Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen Mortuary in Ravenna
Born Aug. 17, 1901, in Einsiedel, Germany
Educated in Werdau, Germany
Immigrated to the United States in 1922; lived with an uncle until 1926
Married: 1926, to Marie Keilig
Farmed south of Ravenna until 1947, when they moved to Sweetwater; moved to Ravenna in 1978
Was a member of the church in Ravenna
Survivors include his son, Ted of Parker, Colo.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by his wife, four brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 12 November, 2003

FARM, Paul W., 96, of Kearney died Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2003, at St. John's Center in Kearney.
Services: Friday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials to the American Cancer Society
Born Jan 10, 1907, in Kearney County
Parents: Frank and Hannah (Nelson) Farm
He graduated from Minden High School, 1924; attended Grand Island Business College
Married: 1930, to Ruth Hilton; lived in Grand Island, moved to Kearney in 1947; she died Nov. 25, 1958
Married: Sept. 30, 1960, to Ruth Miller in Kearney
Employment: at the American Crystal Sugar Co.; later was a supervisor for the State Department of Labor; retired in 1972
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church, Rob Morris Masonic Lodge 46 A.F.&A.M., was past president of the Buffalo County Historical Society and of the local AARP chapter. He was a 50-year member of both Kearney Elks Lodge 984 and Lions Club.
Survivors include his wife; sons, B.R. of Portland, Ore., and Paul and Gerald, both of Farmington, N.M.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his first wife and one brother
Kearney Hub, 13 November, 2003

CANTERA, Mary Cecelia, 83, of Kearney died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, at Mount Carmel Home.
Services: Saturday at Mount Carmel Chapel
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home of Kearney
Memorials to Mount Carmel Home
Born Sept. 25, 1920, in Chicago
Entered the Corpus Christi Carmelite religious community July 15, 1939; made first profession as a member of the Corpus Christi Carmelites on Aug. 15, 1944
Earned a degree in behavioral science
Did many types of work during her life, including teaching kindergarten children, religious education, work with the aged, and helping children of Mexican immigrants in the Scottsbluff area. She worked in Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Oregon
Kearney Hub, 14 November, 2003

JUHL, Vivian, 73, of Amherst died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, at Mount Carmel Home.
Memorial services: Saturday at O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home
Memorials to the Amherst Fire Department
Born May 8, 1930, in Amherst
Parents: Walter and Theresia (Kaps) SIMSHAUSER
Graduated from eighth grade at Watertown Grade School
On June 20, 1948, she married Harold Juhl of Riverdale
Survivors include: sons, Harold of Cape Carteret, N.C., and Raymond of Miller; daughter, Darla of Nelson; brothers, Gordon Simshauser of Arizona and Fred Adelung of Amherst; sisters Janette Hunt and Phyllis Nelson, both of Amherst, and Edith Schriner of Kearney; and two grandsons
Was preceded in death by her husband, a son, her parents, a brother and a sister
Kearney Hub, 14 November, 2003

EYNETICH, Debra R., 44, of York, formerly of the Kearney area, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, in York
Services: Saturday at Metz Mortuary Chapel in York
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Born Jan. 12, 1959, in Kearney
Parents: Darold and Barbara (Hadwiger) DAUEL
Married: April 15, 1983, to John Eynetich in Kearney
Survivors include: husband; her parents of Pleasanton; brothers, Dan Dauel of Kearney and Doug Dauel of York; sisters, Denise Mingus of Ravenna and Dayna Dauel of Edwards, Colo.; stepsons, Ray and Chris both of Kearney; and four stepgrandchildren
Kearney Hub, 14 November, 2003

LUCE, Louise A., 100, of Kearney died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney.
Services: Monday at O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home
Burial: Majors Cemetery southeast of Pleasanton
Memorials to Prince of Peace Catholic Church or St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village in Kearney
Born Jan. 27, 1903, in Buffalo County
Parents: Herman and Katherine (Altmaier) SCHMITZ
Grew up in Buffalo County, attended Star School
Married: April 26, 1924, to Ray Luce; lived in the Poole area, moved to Kearney in 1957; he died 1959
She moved to St. Luke's, 1997
Activities: member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church and the Majors neighborhood club; enjoyed gardening, baking cookies and crocheting
Survivors include: son, George of Westminster, Colo.; daughters, Edith Bukovsky of Pueblo, Colo., and Erma Lammers of Kearney; sisters, Lena Runge of Litchfield and Matilda Manning of St. Petersburg, Fla.; 21 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren
Additional survivors include: son-in-law, Don Lammers of Kearney; and daughters-in-law, Loretta of Westminister, Darlene of Kearney and Joyce of Gering
Was preceded in death by husband, sons, Victor and Russell; an infant daughter; a brother, Henry; sisters, Mayme, Clara, Eva, Emma, Opal and Hazel; a grandson, John; and great-grandson, Scott Baehr
Kearney Hub, 15 November, 2003

AXMANN, Christopher Lee "Chris", 25, of Kearney died Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Tuesday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials suggested to the Chris Axmann Memorial Fund for Cancer Research
Born July 6, 1978, in Kearney
Parents: Ronald and Mary (Mohanna) Axmann
Diagnosed with a brain tumor, 1980; had surgery at Nebraska Medical Center
Moved to Gladstone, Mo.; attended school there; graduated from Shawnee Mission High School, 1997
Cancer was in remission until 1996, when he was treated for another brain tumor; had surgeries in 2000 and 2002
Returned to Kearney in 1998; continued to have problems with the tumor until was unable to see, eat or speak; was hospitalized at Good Samaritan for several weeks, then transferred to the medical center in Omaha
Met the challenge of his struggle with cancer with courage
Enjoyed sports
Survivors include: father of Shawnee Mission, Kan.; mother and stepfather, Mary and Jerry Jones of Kearney; brothers, Brian of Blue Springs, Mo., and Mark of Shawnee Mission; grandmothers, Martha Held and Vivian Axmann, both of Kearney; stepmother, Maggie Hayden of Olathe, Kan.; and stepsisters, Carly Hayden-Foster of Lawrence, Kan., and Sarah Chastain of Bemidji, Minn.; stepbrothers-in-law, Jeff Hayden-Foster of Lawrence and Rob Chastain of Bemidji
Was preceded in death by his grandfather, Otto Axmann.
Kearney Hub, 17 November, 2003

SHRINER, Erma M., 82, of Kearney died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church
Burial: Westlawn Cemetery in Grand Island
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials suggested to the Zion Lutheran Church Radio Broadcast Fund
Born Sept. 5, 1921, in Amherst
Parents: Arnold and Linda (Wuehler) RAY (REEH)
Graduated from Amherst High School, 1939
Lived in Kearney, 1939-1947
Married: Feb. 8, 1947, to Frank Shriner in Kansas
Lived in Grand Island; worked at Bowen Drug Store and the Bee Line Motor Freight
Moved to Kearney in 1978 after death of husband
Worked for Mid-Nebraska Community Services until she retired
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; did volunteer work at Good Samaritan Hospital
Survivors include her daughter, Shirley Buswell of Kearney; and sisters, Jeri Waage of Fremont and Lois Bliss of Greeley, Colo.; her son-in-law, Ron Buswell of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband and a sister
Kearney Hub, 17 November, 2003

BALS, Loren E., 74, of Odessa, died Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at his home
Services: Friday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Westlawn Cemetery in Grand Island
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Born: Jan. 1, 1929, in Lincoln
Parents: Theodore and Anna (Kempkes) Bals
Attended rural school in Sherman County north of Loup City
Military: U.S. Marine Corps, 1951 - 1953
Married: June 5, 1954, to Elizabeth Beran in Loup City. She died July 3, 1977
Moved with his first wife to Grand Island; was employed by Coleman Industries, then by New Holland
Married: Oct. 17, 1978, to Catherine (Beran) Gancos in Kearney
Moved with second wife moved to Odessa; worked at New Holland in Lexington until it closed, then for Triad Industries in Alda
Was employed at Inter-Motion in Kearney for 15 years, had retired in September
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, American Legion Post 52 in Kearney, the Eagles in Grand Island, and the Knights of Columbus in Kearney and Grand Island
Survivors include wife; son, Mark of Overton; daughter, Laurie Schnacker of Elm Creek; brothers, Harold of Loup City and Earl of Ravenna; sister, Reatha Lewis of Crete; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and stepdaughters, Ann Gould and June Nelson, both of Odessa
Was preceded in death by first wife, an infant son, two brothers and a sister
Kearney Hub, 19 November, 2003

DONALDSON, Olive Mae, 96, of Lincoln, formerly of Gibbon, died Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at her home in Lincoln
Services: Tuesday at Godberson Mortuary in Gibbon
Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Gibbon
Born July 26, 1907, in Gibbon
Parents: Samuel and Mae (Harvey) WEBSTER
Married: June 21, 1934, to Ervin Donaldson in Julesburg, Colo.
Survivors include: daughters, Janice Kriha and LeAnn Reeds, both of Lincoln; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 17 November, 2003

KRIHA, James Frank, 23, of Kearney died early Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, from injuries in an auto accident near Kearney
Services: Wednesday, Assembly of God Church in Chappell
Burial: Chappell Cemetery
Mortuary: Holechek Funeral Home in Chappell
Born July 6, 1980, in Oshkosh
Parents: Frank and Karleen (Bules) Kriha
Married: Aug. 21, 1999, to Jessica Simmons
Survivors include: wife of Chappell; son, Alexander of Chappell; daughter, Callie of Chappell; mother and stepfather, Karleen and Steve Reichman of Chappell; his father of Gering; brother, Adam of Bayard; sisters, Karman Reichman and Lacy, both of Chappell; grandparents; Gene and Esther Reichman and Karl Jr. and Mildred Bules, all of Chappell; and great-grandmother, Ada Taylor of Chappell
Kearney Hub, 18 November, 2003

NORDYKE, Chad, 23, of Kearney died Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, from injuries in an auto accident near Kearney
Services: Wednesday, Chappell Assembly of God Church
Burial: Chappell Cemetery
Mortuary: Holechek Funeral Home in Chappell
Born April 16, 1980, in Julesburg, Colo.
Parents: Ron and Dianne (Bargstadt) Nordyke
Married: Oct. 16, 2002, to Pierrette Lister in Eagle, Colo.
Survivors include: wife of Kearney; daughter, Shayley of Kearney; his parents of Chappell; brother, J.C. of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sister, Amy of Colorado Springs; and grandparents, Clarence and Mabel Bargstadt of Norfolk
Kearney Hub, 18 November, 2003

VANCE, Larry D., 49, of Kearney died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003, at his home.
Services: Monday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Born Jan. 28, 1954, in Ord
Parents: John and Bernice (Boesen) Vance
Married: Oct. 27, 1975, Jan Wiley in Kearney
Survivors include his sons, Toby and Chad, both of Kearney; daughter, Cassandra of Kearney; mother of St. Paul; sisters, Lois Schroeder of Gering, Judi MacDonald of Garden City, Kan., and Bev Patitz of Hastings; four grandchildren; stepson, Eric Ayers, Kearney; stepdaughters, Barb Pelowski and Amy Ayers, both of Kearney; and special friend, Dixie Ayers
Kearney Hub, 21 November, 2003

HOCKMAN, Warren E., 80, of Edmond, Oklahoma, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at Fountains of Canterbury Care Center in Oklahoma City
Services: Friday at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel in Edmond
Burial: Edgar (Neb.) Cemetery
Born Jan. 6, 1923, in Edgar
Parents: Erven and Maud Hockman
Married: Jan. 1, 1944, to Dorothy Weber in Manhattan, Kan.
Survivors include his son, Gary of Oklahoma City; daughter, Patricia Penny of Arlington, Texas; and a grandson
Kearney Hub, 20 November, 2003

WUEHLER, Verlin, 71, of Cozad died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003, at Cozad Community Hospital.
Services: Monday at American Lutheran Church in Cozad; Elks memorial services at the funeral home.
Burial: Cozad Cemetery
Mortuary: Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad
Born Jan. 13, 1932, in Amherst
Parents: Carl and Tillie (Lammers) Wuehler
Married: Sept. 30, 1968, to Connie Wilson
Survivors include his wife; son, Jeff of Temecula, Calif.; daughters, Janel Moore of Las Vegas and Janae of Holdrege; brother, Eddie of Cozad; sisters, Zola VerMaas of Lexington and Mardell Schley of Cairo; five grandchildren; and two stepgrandchildren
Kearney Hub, 21 November, 2003

RUNYAN, Arlene L., 79, of Kearney died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at her home
Services: Monday at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials to the Nebraska Children's Home in Omaha or the Inter-Faith Caregivers
Born June 2, 1924, in McCook
Parents: Samuel and Beulah (Koon) LAWVER
Graduated from high school, Oberlin, Kan., 1942
Married: June 4, 1942, to Dareld Runyan. He died Oct. 11, 1990
Lived with husband in the rural McCook area, moved to Arapahoe, 1965; moved to Kearney in 1991
Was a homemaker, wife and mother; worked at various jobs; was an excellent seamstress; enjoyed crocheting and making things for her family
Member of the United Methodist Church
Survivors include her son, Phillip of Ord; daughters, Phyllis Bacon of Kearney, Rita Fuchs of Oxford and Carol Voss of Cambridge; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Linda of Ord; and sons-in-law, David Bacon of Kearney, Roy Fuchs of Oxford and Larry Voss of Cambridge
Was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her stepfather and a stepbrother
Kearney Hub, 22 November, 2003

HOFFMAN, Violet, 89, of Kearney died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Graveside services and burial: Monday at Westlawn-Hillcrest Cemetery in Omaha
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials suggested to the Platte Valley Academy Library
Born Dec. 27, 1913, in Port Wing, Wis.
Parents: Frank and Mary (Newquist) ANDERSON
Graduated from Port Wing High School, attended Andrews University in Barien Springs, Mich.; attended college in Fremont
Married: Aug 3, 1940, to Louis Hoffman in Papillion. He died in 1984.
Was office manager for Meyers Music Co. in Omaha for more than 30 years; retired in 1983
Moved to Boulder, Colo., in 1985; to Kearney in 2003
Activities: member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Survivors include her daughters, Cynthia Hillman of Porcupine, S.D. and Mary Lawson of Shelton; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 22 November, 2003

ROGERS, John C. "Colonel", 91, of Miller died Friday, Nov. 21, 2003, in Lincoln.
Memorial services: Wednesday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Memorials to the Alzheimer's Association or the Salvation Army
Born: Dec. 25, 1911, in Gibbon
Parents: James and Amelia (Muntz) Rogers
Graduated from Gibbon High School, 1929
Married: April 26, 1936, Marjorie Nelson in Smith Center, Kan. She died May 26, 1994
Lived on a farm west of Gibbon until 1940; moved to their farm northeast of Miller; drilled irrigation wells, farmed and fed cattle until he retired
Survivors include his daughters, Mary of Lincoln and DiAnn Frese of Miller; two grandsons; and two great-grandsons; son-in-law, Dave Frese of Miller
Was preceded in death by his wife and two brothers
Kearney Hub, 25 November, 2003

ZumBRUNNEN, Ella C., 93, of Kearney died Monday, Nov. 24, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Friday at First Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials to the church
Born Nov. 23, 1910, northwest of Gibbon
Parents: August and Sarah (Torkelson) SWANSON
Grew up in the Gibbon area, graduated from Hartman Middle School; graduated from Gibbon High School, 1928; graduated from Kearney Normal School, 1932
Taught country schools in the Kearney area
Married: Aug. 19, 1937, to Aubrey ZumBrunnen in Kearney. He died in 1991
Lived with her husband in Hoxie, Kan., and Stapleton before moving to Kearney, early 1940s
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; enjoyed quilting and baking cookies.
Survivors include her sons, Robert of Kearney and David of Wasilla, Alaska; daughter, Carol Waggoner of Norfolk; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband, a brother, Carl Swanson, and a sister, Louise Peterson
Kearney Hub, 26 November, 2003

GRIMM, Wanda Jean, 79, of Gibbon died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003, at her home
Services: Friday at Godberson Mortuary in Gibbon
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Born Sept. 1, 1924, in Butte
Parents: Benjamin and Clara (Critchfield) SCADDEN
Married: Oct. 29, 1943, to Dale Grimm in Missouri. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her daughters, Betty Smith and Sharon Olson, both of Gibbon, and Karen Kelly of South Sioux City; brothers, Everett Scadden of Heartwell and Larry Scadden of Sioux City, Iowa; sisters, Loreen Reed of Kellerton, Iowa and Maxine Jonas of Gregory, S.D.; 18 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 25 November, 2003

KURZ, Leland H. F., 78, of Medford died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003, at his home.
Private memorial services: Ascension Lutheran Church in Medford<
Born: Jan. 17, 1925, in Scribner, Neb.
Parents: Harold and Ella (Brandt) Kurz
Graduated from high school at Plainview, Neb., in 1942
Military: U.S. Army during World War II
Married: 1946, to Dorothy Cox in Cheyenne, Wyo.; lived in Kearney for a short time; returned to Cheyenne
Married: 1960, to Georgia Conklin
He worked in radio in Torrington, Wyo., and Worland, Wyo.; moved to Laramie, Wyo., in 1975; retired in 2002, moved to Medford
Activities: member of the church in Medford, the Loyal Order of the Moose, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Fraternal Order of Eagles
Survivors include his wife; sons, Harold of Orlando, Fla., and Stephen Gray of Grand Rapids, Mich.; daughters, Karen Sharma of Midland, Texas, Lura Zimmerman of Ridgecrest, Calif., and Annella Dodson of Medford; sisters, Marion Stroup of Gibbon, Neb., and Gretchen Trampe of Amherst, Neb.; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren
Was peceded in death by an infant son, his parents, a brother and a nephew
Kearney Hub, 26 November, 2003

CLARK, Vincent C., 88 of Norfolk died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2003, at Faith Regional Health Services West Campus in Norfolk
Services: Saturday at First Baptist Church in Norfolk
Burial: Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk
Mortuary: Howser-Fillmer Mortuary in Norfolk
Memorials suggested to the church in Norfolk
Born Jan. 21, 1915, in Aurora
Parents: Clarence and Marie (Scarabrough) Clark
Graduated from Kearney High School, 1934
Moved to Norfolk in 1942; was employed by Montgomery Ward & Co.; later worked for Norfolk Shoe Co.
Married: July 1, 1946, to Arla Howser in Norfolk
Purchased Finley Shoe Co. in Norfolk, 1956, and it became Clark Shoe Co.
Retired in 1975; worked for Larson-Florine part time
Activities: member of the church in Norfolk, was a past deacon, a past trustee and was active in Sunday school; served as chairman of Madison County March of Dimes for five years
Survivors include: wife and his daughter, Ann Marie Johnson of Norfolk; son-in-law, David Johnson of Norfolk; and granddaughter, Elizabeth Johnson of Norfolk
Was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 28 November, 2003

BENGE, Anna Juanita, 89, of Gibbon died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Gibbon.
Services: Monday, Godberson Mortuary of Gibbon/Shelton
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Born Oct. 26, 1914, in Meade, Kan.
Parents: James and Mary (Clumbsky) BENGE
Married: March 24, 1931, to William Benge at Cheyenne Wells, Colo. He died in 1990
Survivors include her daughters, Norma Johnson of Gibbon and Joann Ballanger of Centerville, Iowa; sister, Thelma Ballanger of Moulton, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 1 December, 2003

HAWKE, Jeffrey D. "Jeff", 50, of Grand Island, formerly of the Kearney area, died of cancer Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003, at St. Francis Skilled Care.
Memorial services: Saturday, Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home, Grand Island
Burial of cremains: Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery
Memorials to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude's Children's Hospital
Born April 5, 1953, in Broken Bow
Parents: Vernon and Anna (Sargent) Hawke
Spent his early childhood in Grand Island; moved to Gibbon, attended grade school and high school; enjoyed participating in many sports, broke several school records
Married: Nov. 14, 1969, to Betty Vacha in Kearney; lived in the Kearney area
Military: U.S. Marine Corps, 1971-1973
After discharge, attended college, received his degree in accounting
Family moved to Salina, Kan.; settled in Colorado Springs, Colo., 1981
With his wife, started Hawke Trucking in 1988; returned to Grand Island to run the business and be near family
Enjoyed golf, fishing, Nebraska football and his grandchildren
Survivors include his son, Shon of Grand Island; daughter, Staci Aguilar of Grand Island; brother, Danny of Broken Bow; three grandchildren; and son-in-law, Mario Aguilar of Grand Island
Was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and a brother
Kearney Hub, 26 November, 2003

STEARNS, Rolland A. "Rollie", 75, of Brush, Colorado, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003, at Sunset Manor in Brush
Services: Monday, Salvation Army Church in North Platte, Neb.
Burial: Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens in North Platte
Mortuary: Adams and Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte
Born June 29, 1928, in North Platte
Parents: William and Georgia Stearns
Married: 1949, to Theresa Still in North Platte
Married: 1964, to Norma Pittingon
Married: Aug. 25, 1996, to Connie Gurwell in North Platte. She died Aug. 30, 1998.
Survivors include: son, Douglas of Alpena, Mich.; daughters, Mary Brown of Durango, Jerilyn of Lodi, Calif., and Connie Pittingon of San Diego; sisters, Marilyn Walker of North Platte and Marie Emerson of Tucson, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 29 November, 2003

CHATTERSON, Violet Lucille, 90, of Ravenna died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003, at Ravenna Good Samaritan Nursing Home
Services: Saturday at Butler-Volland Chapel in Hastings
Burial: Inland Cemetery
Born Feb. 15, 1913, in Clay County
Parents: Edward and Clara GENSCHMER
Married: Nov. 12, 1936, to Dan Chatterson. He preceded her in death
Survivors include: sons, Jack of Ravenna and William of Aurora, Colo.; daughters, De Edgar of Lincoln and Cynthia Highfield of Thornton, Colo.; sister, Lenora Plum of Hastings; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 29 November, 2003
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