© MJH 1998-2003 for Buffalo County NEGenWeb Project
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OBITUARIES
Page 11
Including residents and former residents of Buffalo County, Nebraska

Extracted from newspapers
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HANSEN, Helen M., 87, of Kearney died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Monday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery. Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: Kearney Public Library or First Presbyterian Church in Kearney
Born Oct. 30, 1915, in Kearney
Parents: Louis and Margaret (Stack) BRANSON
Graduated from Eddyville High School, 1933
Obtained her teaching certificate from Kearney Normal School; taught country school in Dawson and Custer counties for four years
Moved to California to be near family; worked as a cashier at Safeway and at a supermarket for 42 years; retired in 1980 as head cashier; moved to Kearney, 1985
Activities: member of the church and United Food Employees in California Union 770; was a Husker fan; enjoyed reading, traveling and needlework
Survivors include: her nephew, Jack Branson of Denver; and special friend Nikki Mousel of Kearney;
Preceded in death by five brothers
Kearney Hub, 27 Sept., 2003

RICHTER, Edward F., 91, of rural Kearney died Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Monday, St. James Catholic Church
Burial: St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at Prairie Center north of Kearney
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner
Born Nov. 23, 1911, northeast of Kearney
Parents: Phillip and Eva (Schmitz) Richter
Attended Hopewell School, St. James Catholic School and Kearney High School
Married: Oct. 8, 1935, to Edna Suntken in Pleasanton
Farmed northeast of Kearney
Activities: member of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Prairie Center; served on the District 88 School Board; enjoyed farming and helping neighbors
Survivors include: wife; sons, Kenneth and Thomas, both of Kearney; daughters, Joan King of Amherst and Kathy Hoins of Grand Island; brothers, Lawrence of Kearney and Art of Seattle; 13 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren;
Preceded in death by an infant son and a brother
Kearney Hub, 27 Sept., 2003

STAUFFER, Eugene M., 86, of Kearney, formerly of Elm Creek, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village in Kearney
Services: Wednesday, First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel
Memorials: Shrine Hospitals for Children or the church
Born Oct. 23, 1916, in Venus
Parents: Daniel and Achsah (Ames) Stauffer
Graduated from high school in Page, 1934
Moved to Elm Creek in 1936, worked for the highway department
Married: 1939, to Hazel Halsten in Mankato, Kan.
Began farming in 1939; retired in 1978
Activities: member of the church, Thistle Masonic Lodge 61 of Lexington, Buffalo County Sheriff's Posse and Tehama Shrine; former member of Kearney Elks Lodge 984; was a 4-H leader; served on the church board, school board and co-op board; enjoyed raising quarter horses and artistic painting
Survivors include: wife; son, Ron of Elm Creek; daughter, Lana Sullwold of Elm Creek; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren
Preceded in death by a son, three brothers, a sister and a great-grandson
Kearney Hub, 30 Sept., 2003

SHELL, Connie Rae, 51, of Emporia, Kansas, formerly of the Kearney, Neb., area, died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at her home
Services: Tuesday at Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church in Emporia
Burial: Great Bend Cemetery in Great Bend, Kansas
Mortuary: Roberts-Blue-Barnett in Emporia
Memorials: American Cancer Society or Hand in Hand Hospice in Emporia
Born Aug. 18, 1952, in Hays
Parents: Don and Lucille (Willcox) Richmond
Graduated from high school in Elwood, Neb., 1970; attended Kearney (Nebr.) State College and Fort Hays (Kansas) State
Married: Jan. 25, 1988, to Larry Shell in Miami, Okla.
Was assistant manager of the Emporia County Club; had owned and managed Ralph Wallace Buffet and Restaurant in Great Bend
Activities: was the first chairperson of Great Bend Crimestoppers; helped institute the Great Bend Police Department Play Day
Survivors include: husband; sons, Robert Williams of Great Bend and Casey Williams and Michael Williams, both of Emporia; daughter, Christy Williams of St. John; her parents of Kearney; brother, Don Richmond, Jr. of Kearney; sisters, Pam Dickinson of Kearney and Sheri Rice of Grand Island, Neb.; four grandchildren; and stepdaughters, Angie Friedrich of Rancho Muriata, Calif., and Amy of Oakland, Calif.
Kearney Hub, 29 Sept., 2003

CAFFERTY, Claude E., 77, of Kearney died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at Mount Carmel Home
Services: Tuesday
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Cambridge Cemetery
Memorials: First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Born Aug. 8, 1926, in Indianola
Parents: Chester and Laura (Hampson) Cafferty
Attended school in Kearney
Lived in Oxford for several years, moved to Kearney, 1990; worked at Amigo's Restaurant until he retired
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; enjoyed collecting and woodworking
Survivors include: brothers, Chester of Kearney and Clarence of Long Pine; and sisters, Loretta Roether and Lorraine Mason both of Kearney
Preceded in death by a brother
Kearney Hub, 29 Sept., 2003

STUMBO, Roscoe D. "Bud", 79, of Kearney, Neb. died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph
Services: Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery, military rites by American Legion Post 52 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759, both of Kearney
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: Bone Transplant Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center or to the Museum of Nebraska Art
Born Dec. 31, 1923, in Brown County, Kan.
Parents: Roscoe Sr. and Florence (Mesler) Stumbo
Grew up in the Falls City, Neb., area, graduated from Falls City High School
Military: U.S. Navy during World War II
Married: Aug. 16, 1946, to Irene Frick in Oakland, Calif.
Lived in California for a year; moved to Omaha, attended Universal Trade School; lived in Hastings, then Shelton; Along with Elliott Liebers, established Liebers and Stumbo Heating and Air Conditioning in Kearney, 1954; partner retired, it became the Bud Stumbo Co. in 1976; sold the business and retired in 1986
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, Kearney Elks Lodge 984, Kearney American Legion Post 52, the Museum of Nebraska Art and the Touchdown Club at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; had a private pilot's license, enjoyed fishing, Cornhusker football, traveling and gardening
Survivors include: wife; son, John of Kearney; daughter, Carol Porter of Gibbon, Neb.; brother, Richard, of Lawrence, Kan.; and sisters, Betty Resch of Joplin and Mary Ann Salo of Stockton; also daughter-in-law, Christina of Kearney; son-in-law, Wayne Porter of Gibbon; grandchildren, Nicole Runge and husband, Jeff, and Nathaniel Porter, all of Kearney, and Nolan Porter of Gibbon; and great-grandson, Hunter Runge of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 1 December, 2003

DENNIS, Clyde W., 86, of Kearney died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Wednesday, First Baptist Church
Burial: Kearney cemetery, military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 759, American Legion Post 52 and the National Guard Unit, all of Kearney
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home
Memorials suggested to the church or the Good Samaritan Cancer Center in Kearney
Born June 18, 1917, in Benkelman
Parents: Alfred and Bessie (Clutter) Dennis
Grew up in Dundy County; was educated at Stratford Rural School
Military: U.S. Army during World War II, March-November 1942; honorably discharged
Married: July 11, 1943, to Mary Lou Walters in North Platte; moved to Kearney in 1945
Was employed by the city of Kearney in the maintenance department; sheared sheep for local farmers
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney, the Elks Club, VFW and Eagles; enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening and spending time with family
Survivors include: sons, Clyde of Tallahassee, Fla., and Steve of Kearney; daughter, Carol Bullock of Gainesville, Ga.; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Gypsy of Tallahassee and Bette of Kearney; and son-in-law Larry Bullock of Gainesville
Was preceded in death by his wife on March 26, 2002; a son, Jerry on May 10, 1992, five brothers, a sister, a grandson, four half brothers and two half sisters
Kearney Hub, 2 December, 2003

ECKART, Mildred Kathleen, 87, of Kearney died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Center
Services: Tuesday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery in Atchison, Kan.
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary of Kearney
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church or to Mount Academy in Atchison
Born Dec. 9, 1915, in Cummings, Kan.
Parents: Edward and Dora (Barnes) Lee
Attended elementary school in Potter, Kan.; graduated from Mount Academy High School in Atchison, 1934
Taught school in the Atchison area for three years before her marriage at St. Patrick's Catholic Church south of Atchison
Married: Nov. 24, 1938, she married Raphael Eckart in Atchison. He died in 1976.
Lived in Atchison; worked at St. Benedict's College as the assistant registrar; moved to Meza, Ariz.; moved to Kearney in 1976, worked as a housekeeper at St. James Catholic Church Rectory until retiring
Activities: member of the church, active with the R.C.I.A. at the church and was co-founder of the Beginning Experience Support Group there; member and past president of the Catholic Daughters of America
Enjoyed music, painting, sewing, gardening and spending time with her family
Survivors include: daughters, Judy Elias of Columbia, Mo., Jeanne Pettijohn of Overland Park, Kan., and Kathleen McKenzie of Kearney; sister, Ramona Cummings of Atchison; 12 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren; also sons-in-law, Jim Pettijohn of Overland Park, and Jim McKenzie of Kearney; and cousin Frankie Lake of Lincoln
Was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and a sister
Kearney Hub, 1 December, 2003

HILL, Riley M., 84, of Kearney died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, military rites by the North Platte Veterans Honor Guard
Mortuary: Godberson Mortuary in Gibbon
Born Oct. 2, 1919, in Cozad
Parents: Bert and Addie (Goff) Hill
Survivors include his son, Richard of Lincoln; daughters, Barbara Segur of League City, Texas, Kay Oliver and Teresa Miller, both of Kearney, Alice Rogers of Bella Vista, Ark., Katherine Root and Linda Ross, both of Bentonville, Ark., and Carol Petrie of Sebring, Fla.; brother, Donald of Thornton, Colo.; sister, Ila Gibbs of Lakewood, Colo.; 22 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild
Kearney Hub, 2 December, 2003

HOHLFELD, Helen, 86, of Ravenna died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at Ravenna Good Samaritan Center Services: Tuesday, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna.
Mortuary: Rasmussen Mortuary in Ravenna Born Jan. 17, 1917, in Buffalo County
Parents: Edward and Gertrude (Kramer) Hohlfeld
Had been a resident at the care center since 1970
Activities: member of the church in Ravenna
Survivors include her brother, Hank of Gering; and sisters, Viola Hall of Gering and Arlone Novotne of Gibbon; was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 1 December, 2003

OTTO, Clarence L., 85, of Shelton died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, at Western Hall County Good Samaritan Center in Wood River
Services: Tuesday at Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel-O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home
Memorials: the Shelton Fire Department or Tabitha Hospice in Grand Island
Born Aug. 3, 1918, in Hastings
Parents: Edward and Anna (Theen) Otto
Grew up in Prosser and Wood River; attended school in Wood River, graduated from District 45 in 1933
Married: Nov. 27, 1942, to Aileen VanMeter in Marysville, Kan.; lived in the Prosser area before moving to rural Wood River and Shelton
Farmed for 55 years before retiring in 1985; then drove a maintainer, hauled seed corn and mowed the Shelton Cemetery; also helped his daughter with her day care
Couple moved into Shelton
Activities: member of the church and the Eagles Club in Grand Island; enjoyed dancing and playing cards
Survivors include his sons, Kenneth of Grand Island and John of Kearney; daughters, Bonnie Lundvall of Papillion, Connie Riggs of Olathe, Kan., Dianne Geiger of Grand Island and Jean Manfull of Shelton; brother, Lester; sisters, Delores Reeder and Darlene Neighbors, both of Grand Island; 15 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren; also numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his wife on Nov. 16, 1995, four brothers, two infant brothers and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 1 December, 2003

SADD, Geraldine L., 90, of Kearney died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, at St. Luke's Nursing Home
Services: Friday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: St. Luke's Home
Born Oct. 21, 1913, on a farm near Gibbon
Parents: Frank and Mayme (Vohland) SMITH
Graduated from Gibbon High School; attended Kearney Normal School
Taught in rural schools near Gibbon; moved to Kenesaw
Married: April 1, 1937, to George Sadd in Minden. He died in January 1957
Worked in the nursing home in Kenesaw for several years; moved to Kearney 13 years ago
Activities: member of the United Brethren Church
Survivors include: son, George Jr. of Lincoln; daughters, Marjorie Schmidt of Kearney, Beverly Kuebler of Shelton, Kathryn Langley of Commerce, Texas, and Carolyn Lybarger of Odessa; sister, Dorothy Miller of Gibbon; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter; also sons-in-law, Gilmore Schmidt of Kearney, Charles Kuebler of Shelton, William Langley of Commerce and Ivan Lybarger Sr. of Odessa
Was preceded in death by her husband and four brothers
Kearney Hub, 2 December, 2003

UNDERHILL, Glenn M., 78, of Riverdale died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, at his home
Services: Wednesday at First Church of God in Kearney
Burial: Armada Cemetery in Miller
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Memorials: Underhill Scholarship Fund in care of Riverdale State Bank
Born Oct. 30, 1925, in Cornell Township near Trenton
Parents: G. Fredrick and A. Mabel (Jackson) Underhill
Graduated from McCook High School, 1942; graduated from McCook Junior College and then farmed until he moved to Gordon, where he taught at the Lakota Mission School, 1951-1953; graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a degree in physics in 1955
Married: Dec. 27, 1958, to Susan Day near Miller
Moved to Lincoln and received his master's degree, 1957, and his doctorate in physics in 1963, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; moved to Riverdale in January 1963
Employment: was a physics professor and director of the Planetarium at UNK from 1963 until he retired in 1991
Activities: member of the church and served on the Board of Elders, several other church boards and was a Sunday school teacher; member of Sigma Xi, American Radio Relay League, QCWA, American Association of Physics Teachers, Nebraska Academy of Science, Lambda Delta Lambda and Sigma Tau Delta
Was a recipient of the Council of Deans Award, an admiral in the Nebraska Navy, a lifetime member of the Buffalo County and State Historical Societies and a member of the Underhill Society of America; served as chairman of the Riverdale Village Board from 1978 to 2003
Survivors include his wife; sons, G. Mark of Lincoln and Sterling of Panama City, Fla.; daughters, Rachel Lueck of Arcadia, Gretchen Hinkle of Shepherdsville, Ky., and Cynthia Hanus of Lincoln; brothers, Earl of Gordon and John of Trenton; sister, Fern Alexander of Guatemala City, Guatemala; and 17 grandchildren
Was preceded in death by a son, Enoch on July 14, 2001, and two brothers
Kearney Hub, 2 December, 2003

WRIGHT, Marilyn A., 74, of Kearney, formerly of Gibbon, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Memorial services: later
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Mortuary: Godberson Mortuary of Gibbon
Born April 15, 1929, in Scottsbluff
Parents: Marland and Zelma (Carpenter) EDGER
Married: March 12, 1947, to Donald Wright in Oberlin, Kan. He died in 1998
Survivors include her sons, Donald Jr. of Alliance and John of Cheyenne, Wyo.; two brothers; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five half brothers; and two half sisters
Kearney Hub, 1 December, 2003

SCHMIDT, Johanna B., 95, of Kearney died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003, at Mother Hull Home
Services: Monday at Zion Lutheran Church
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Memorials suggested to the Radio Broadcast Fund at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
Born Oct. 11, 1908, on the family farm near Poole
Parents: Ferdinand and Louise (Heider) FRITZ; s the last child in a family of eight children
Baptized into the Christian faith at the Poole Lutheran Church; confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Deshler, May 13, 1923
Married: Dec. 22, 1925, to William Schmidt in Deshler; farmed at Poole, later moved to a farm west of Gibbon
Husband died in 1958; she lived with her son, Don from 1968 in Wyoming and California, returned to Kearney, 1990
Activities: member of the church in Kearney
Survivors include: son, Don of Cody, Wyo.; also grandsons, Wayne of Bonita, Calif., Warren of Alliance, William of Omaha, James of Montana and Dennis of Meeteetse, Wyo.; granddaughter, Linda Schmidt of Chinol, Calif.; six great-grandsons; six great-granddaughters; a great-great-grandson; and two great-great-granddaughters
Was preceded in death by her husband, a son, Marlin in 1980, a grandson and seven brothers and sisters
Kearney Hub, 6 December, 2003

SHAFTO, Larry L., 61, of 3210 Ninth Ave., Kearney, died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday at St. James Catholic Church
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Pleasant Valley Cemetery northwest of Pleasanton, military rites by Pleasanton American Legion Post 321 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9481 of Pleasanton
Memorials suggested to the Lung Foundation or the perpetual care fund at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Born Jan. 20, 1942, in Kearney
Parents: Reese and Thelma (Fread) Shafto
Grew up in Pleasanton; graduated from Pleasanton High School, 1960
Worked on the family farm northwest of Pleasanton
Military: veteran of the Vietnam War, U.S. Army 1964-1965
Returned to the Pleasanton area and worked for Lammer's Land Leveling
Married: Aug. 23, 1969, to Maria Oliveros in Pleasanton
Lived in Kearney, worked for Rockwell International and later for Union Pacific Railroad for 21 years; he retired for health reasons
Received a lung transplant in 2000
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, American Legion Post 52, Kearney Eagles Lodge 2722 and the Knights of Columbus, St. James Council;
Enjoyed woodworking, cooking and canning
Survivors include: wife; mother, of Pleasanton; and brothers, Jerry and Delmer, both of Pleasanton; also sisters-in-law, Erma Jean of Pleasanton and Lupe Mohr and her husband, Dave Mohr of Jacksonville, Fla.; brother-in-law, Manuel and his wife, Barb, Oliveros of Canton, Miss.; mother-in-law, Rose Hernendez of Big Springs; and several nephews, nieces, aunts and an uncle
Was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Donna Kaps
Kearney Hub, 4 December, 2003

CARLSEN, Arthur "Lee", 70, of Denver, formerly of Kearney Neb., died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003, in Surprise, Arizona
Services: Wednesday at Evanston United Methodist Church in Denver
Mortuary: Olinger Hampton Funeral Home
Born Oct. 21, 1933, in Kearney
Parents: Edward and Lillian (Petersen) Carlsen
Survivors include: wife, Karen; son, Bradley of Eldorado, Kan.; daughter, Penni Duncan of Colorado Springs; stepson, Garhett Becker of Denver; stepdaughter, Stephenie Miller of Colorado Springs; and five stepgrandchildren
Kearney Hub, 5 December, 2003

DAUGHERTY, Elwin "El" M., 71, of Kearney died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday, Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials: Good Samaritan Hospital Cancer Fund
Born Sept. 15, 1932, in Kearney
Parents: William and Lottie (Sanders) Daugherty
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1951
Married: 1957,to Julia McNelis in Kearney
Married: Sept. 24, 1974, to Jerilyn Hill in Aurora
Was employed as a meatcutter at George's Market for several years; was a forklift driver for the Baldwin Manufacturing Co. for 33 years; retired in 1997
Activities: member of the Kearney National Guard Unit for 24 years and was a member of American Legion Post 52
Survivors include: wife; sons, Donald of Lincoln City, Ore., and John of Kearney; daughters, Patricia Huff of Kennewick, Wash. and Kathy Brison of Gretna; seven grandchildren; stepdaughters, Barb Knuth of Oxford, Susan Cleaver of Kearney and Cindy Mayo of Lincoln; and four step-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 5 December, 2003

OTTMAN, Dorothy, 80, of Kenesaw died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003 at Haven Home in Kenesaw
Graveside services: Friday, Overton Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney
Memorials: First Christian Church of Elm Creek
Born Jan. 4, 1923, in Elm Creek
Parents: Phillip and Dora (Becker) SCHROEDER
Grew up in Elm Creek, attended country school northwest of Elm Creek
Lived in Elm Creek and had been a resident of Haven Home in Kenesaw since 1979
Survivors include: son, Ron of Elm Creek; daughters, Valorie Dodd of Axtell and Phyllis Birth of Minatare; brother, William Schroeder of Kearney; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren;
Was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and three grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 4 December, 2003

BEHNKEN, Donna, 65, of Kenesaw, formerly of Shelton, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003, in Hastings
Services: Saturday at Metz Chapel in York
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery in York
Born Jan. 30, 1938, in rural Buffalo County
Parents: Donald and Lucille Oliver
Married: Aug. 28, 1959, to Dale Behnken in Shelton. He preceded her in death
Survivors include: sons, Curtis of Columbus and Craig of Omaha; sisters, Barbara Shepardson of Mason City and Nancy Shavlik of Bartlett; and five grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 5 December, 2003

CAMP, John "Ben", 90, of Wood River died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, at Western Hall County Good Samaritan Center in Wood River
Services: Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Wood River
Burial: Wood River Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel-O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home of Wood River
Memorials: the church in Wood River, the Wood River Community Club or the Wood River Rescue Squad
Born Oct. 22, 1913, in Hampton
Parents: Lewis and Minni (Hutsell) Camp; family moved to Gibbon, then to Crook, Colo.
Graduated from Crook High School in 1933; family moved back to Gibbon where he worked construction; in winters, he worked in Long Beach, Calif., in the shipyards
Moved to Wood River, began farming, 1950
Married: Sept. 10, 1953, to Gladys McAhren in Wood River; lived their entire married lives in Wood River where he farmed until 1978
Activities: member of the Wood River District 8 School Board for several years until 1957; served on the Hall County Board of Supervisors, 1958-1978, serving as president in 1975
Couple spent winters in Texas, Florida, California and Arizona 1985-1999
Member of the church in Wood River, the Eagles Club in Grand Island, the Wood River Lion's Club, the Platt-Deutsche Society in Grand Island and Royal Neighbors of America
Enjoyed golfing and had two holes-in-one; enjoyed shuffleboard and had won numerous tournaments, Nebraska football and farming
Survivors include: wife; sons, John of Fort Morgan, Colo. and Gary of Grand Island; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Harold, Dean, Leon and an infant, sisters, Mary Ethel, Mildred, Ruth, Marlea, Dorothy and Alice; and a grandson, Donn
Kearney Hub, 5 December, 2003

FOX-PETERSON, Wilma F., 78, of Kearney died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, at St. John's Center
Services: Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Born Nov. 29, 1925, in Kearney
Parents: Ruben and Rieka (Staehr) HARTMAN
Graduated from Kearney High School, 1943
Married: Dec. 12, 1943, to Tommy Fox. He died Sept. 17, 1989
Married: 1992, to W. Wayne Peterson in Kearney
With first husband, owned Mystery Oil Co. for several years; worked for West Co. until retirement
Activities: member of the church in Kearney, Concordia Society at the church and the Kilgore Island Circle
Survivors include: son, Jerald Fox of Kearney; daughter, Judy Tschirren of Norfolk; sister, Phyllis Titterington of Fort Collins, Colo.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; also daughter-in-law, Janet Fox of Kearney; son-in-law, Rick Tschirren of Norfolk; brother-in-law, Jim Titterington of Fort Collins; two brothers-in-law; and a sister-in-law
Was preceded in death by her first husband and a brother
Kearney Hub, 8 December, 2003

MEYERS, Rita J., 45, of Gibbon died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wood River
Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery in Wood River
Mortuary: Apfel-O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Wood River
Memorials : Muscular Dystrophy Association or the American Diabetes Association
Born Feb. 26, 1958, in Grand Island
Parents: Calvin and Virginia (Ridder) HEINRICH
Grew up in Wood River; graduated from Wood River High School, 1976. Married: Jan. 12, 1980, to Daniel Meyers in Wood River
Lived in Ayr for a short time, then Arapahoe, was a nurse's aide; moved to Eagle, worked for Tabitha Nursing Home; moved to Gibbon in 1988, worked at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney until health forced her retirement
Activities: member of the church in Wood River
Enjoyed crocheting for family members; also enjoyed cooking and collecting angels
Survivors include: husband of Gibbon; parents of Wood River; brother, Francis of Grand Island; and sisters, Joyce Willoughby and Nancy Heinrich, both of Wood River; also numerous nephews and nieces
Was preceded in death by daughter, Elizabeth; sister, Theresa Placzek; and her grandparents
Kearney Hub, 9 December, 2003

GOSSWEIN, James M., 20, a resident of Bethphage Mission in Axtell, died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Wednesday at Zion Chapel at Bethphage Mission
Burial: Bethpage Mission Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home in Kearney
Memorials: the mission in Axtell or to the church in Kearney
Born June 26, 1983, in Midwest City, Okla.
Parents: John and Judy (Sawyer) Gosswein
Fought viral encephalitis at 10 days of age and endured profound handicaps throughout his life
Activities: member of Zion Chapel at Bethpage Mission, Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Kearney and Christ Lutheran Church in Harrah, Okla.
Survivors include: parents of Kearney; brother, Joel of Kearney; sister, Julia of Kearney; and grandmothers, Phyllis Sawyer of Chicago and Barbara of Waynesboro, Va.; also his uncle, Stuart of Washington, D. C.; and aunts, Kathy of Philadelphia, Pa., Sue of Irving, Texas, Jean of Darien, Ill. and Jan of Sugarland, Texas
Was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Charles Sawyer and John Gosswein Sr.
Kearney Hub, 9 December, 2003

LARSON, Helen A., 70, of Kearney died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church
Burial: Fredericksburg Cemetery south of Minden
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: designated later
Born Feb. 13, 1933, in Minden
Parents: Theodore and Anna (Albers) JOHNSON
Graduated from Minden High School, 1952
Married: Aug. 16, 1952, to Richard Larson in Smith Center, Kan. He died in 1993. Worked at Good Samaritan Hospital for 10 years as a nurse aide while raising her children; later worked as a nurse aide at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village, St. John's Good Samaritan Village and at Methodist Memorial Homes in Holdrege; was working for Mid Nebraska Individual Services in Kearney
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; Sunday school teacher and a member of the Concordia Society; also served on the Altar Guild
Enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren
Survivors include: sons, Richard and Robert, both of Kearney; daughters, Donna Klinghammer of Denver, Debra Wetzel of Lincoln and Retha Nehls of Nebraska City; brother, LeRoy Johnson of Minden; sister, June Quadhammer of Minden; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandson
Was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two brothers
Kearney Hub, 10 December, 2003

MUIRHEAD, Ellen M., 81, of Kearney, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at Mount Carmel Home.
Services: Friday at O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home
Burial: Overton Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home
Born March 6, 1922, in Pleasanton
Parents: Clyde and Priscilla (Wood) Swearingen
Grew up north of Miller; attended Miller Country School
Married: Jan. 12, 1946, to Lester Muirhead in Phillipsburg, Kan. He died in 1970
Was a school cook in Overton for 18 years; moved from Overton to Kearney in 1991
Activities: had been a member of the United Methodist Church in Overton for over 50 years; was a former Rebekah and a former member of the Eagle's Ladies Auxiliary
Survivors include: brothers, William Swearingen of Ravenna, Clarence Swearingen of Deweese, Bernard Swearingen of Holdrege, Junius Swearingen of Brule and Leonard Swearingen of Litchfield; and sisters, Deloris Folkerts of Omaha, Bonnie Hess of Mankato, Kan. and Carolyn Richards of Riverdale; also nephews and nieces;
Was preceded in death by her husband, her parents; a brother, Francis Swearingen; and sisters, Leota Muirhead, Norma Sutton and Gaylene Harmoney
Kearney Hub, 11 December, 2003

DAVIS, Shirley K., 58, of Kearney died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Nursing Home.
Private family memorial services: later date
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials suggested to the Good Samaritan Hospital Hospice program
Born March 13, 1945, in Topeka, Kan.
Parents: Charles and Betty (Whitherspoon) SHORT
Graduated from Topeka High School, 1962; attended Washburn University in Topeka
Married: May 7, 1965, to William Davis in Topeka
Lived in Turkey; traveled with the military while he served in the U.S. Air Force; moved to Kearney, 1986
Enjoyed gardening, history and cooking
Survivors include: husband; son, Don of Kearney; daughter, Shelley Davis of Nashville, Tenn.; her mother of Topeka; and sister, Cheryl Masek of Youngstown, Ohio.; was preceded in death by her father
Kearney Hub, 11 December, 2003

REIER, Marilyn Alberts, 34, of Kearney died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Services: Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth
Mortuary: Jelden-Layton Funeral Home in Hildreth.
Burial: Hildreth Cemetery
Memorials: scholarship at Central Community College for the nursing program to be established by the family
Born July 17, 1970, in Minden
Parents: Gary and Sherry (Hemje) ALBERTS
Grew up in the Keene area; graduated from Minden High School, 1988
Graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Worked in the Kearney area and later at Mother Hull Home
Married: Oct. 11, 1997, she married James Reier; lived in Kearney area
Was a nursing student at Central Community College in Kearney; would have graduated in May
Activities: member of New Life Assembly of God Church and the Christian Motorcycle Group; enjoyed the outdoors, karate, fishing, animals and spending time with family and friends
Survivors include: husband; her parents of Hildreth; brother, Matt Alberts of Axtell; sisters, Millie Schenk of Lincoln and Mardy Carlson of Minden; stepson, Aaron of Kearney; and stepdaughters, Taya of Thatcher, Ariz., and Jana of Kearney; also brother-in-law, Dale Schenk of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Brenda Alberts of Axtell; parents-in-law, Dick and Farrell of Cozad; sister-in-law and husband Stacy and Mike Hickenbottom of Cozad; brother-in-law, KaDon of Florida; and nephews and nieces;
Was preceded in death by her grandparents
Kearney Hub, 11 December, 2003

WREHE, Irene H., 90, of Ravenna died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna.
Services: Saturday at the Congregational Church in Ravenna
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City
Mortuary: Rasmussen Mortuary in Ravenna
Born Nov. 27, 1913, in Boelus
Pazrents: Ira and Carrie (Sorensen) HEISE
Married: Sept. 22, 1956, to Leo Wrehe. He died March 28, 1959
Survivors include: nephews, nieces and sisters-in-law, Viola Hansen and Theo Tonrich, both of California
Kearney Hub, 11 December, 2003

BRADLEY, Harvey, 69, of Ravenna died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Saturday at Ravenna United Methodist Church
Mortuary: Rasmussen Mortuary in Ravenna
Burial: German Town Cemetery in Kensington, Kan.
Born Feb. 8, 1934, in Naponee
Parents: to William and Kate (Cameron) Bradley
Married: Dec. 28, 1953, to Margaret Bradshaw in Bloomington
Survivors include his wife; sons, Richard, Rondel and Ryan, all of Ravenna; daughter, Rebecca Russell of Ravenna; brothers, Delmer of Naponee and Mark Donavan of Stanberry, Mo.; sisters, Blanche Westenhaver of Phillipsburg, Kan., and Dorothy Zillinger of Logan, Kan.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 12 December, 2003

MARZOLF, Marie, 93, of Kearney died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village.
Services: Monday at Faith United Methodist Church
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Memorials suggested to St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village in Kearney
Born Nov. 21, 1910, in Loup City
Parents: Henry and Dora (Clausen) MILLER
Grew up in and attended school in Loup City
Married: Sept. 17, 1938, to William Marzolf in Kearney; farmed south of Kearney. He died in 1973
Moved to Kearney, 1947; raised her family and then went to work at Good Samaritan Hospital; retired in 1975
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary in Kearney; enjoyed collecting recipes, playing bingo and card games, and spending time with family and friends
Survivors include: son, Edward of Gibbon; daughter, Janet McClaran of Kearney; brothers, Edwin Miller of Kennewick, Wash., and Raymond Miller of Camas, Wash.; sister, Elva Dvorak of Camas; and eight great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Rita of Kearney, Linda of Riverdale and Sharon of Gibbon; grandsons, Michael, Daniel, Scott and Lannie; and granddaughters, Crystal Cabrales, Laura Giltz and Kyla McClaran
Was preceded in death husband, sons, Charles in 1991 and Robert in 2003; six brothers; four sisters; and a great-grandson
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2003

BADURA, Helen, 84, of Ravenna died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Services: Monday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen Mortuary in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Born Aug. 27, 1919, in Buffalo County
Parents: William and Ida (Betke) STARK
Educated at Nantasket School; graduated from Ravenna High School, 1937
Married: Aug. 24, 1940, to Fred Kucera; lived in Ravenna. He died Nov. 7, 1965
Married: Jan. 16, 1967, to Gene Badura in Ravenna. He died April 3, 1999
Worked at the Big Onion in Ravenna for 18 years, was the owner for four years; operated the Four Corner Caf‚ for four years; also worked at Safeway for two years; she and her second husband farmed and raised cattle in Hall, Buffalo and Sherman counties
Activities: member of the church in Ravenna
Survivors include sons, Terry and Ron, both of Grand Island; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Roberta and May Lou, both of Grand Island
Was preceded in death her husbands, a brother, Don Stark, and a grandson, Don Supencheck
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2003

WALLACE, Mabel, 87, of Kearney, formerly of Lexington, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, at her home in Kearney
Memorial services: Tuesday at Faith United Methodist Church
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington
Burial of cremains will be at Big Springs Cemetery
Memorials: Arthritis Research Foundation or the American Heart Association
Born Aug. 28, 1916, in Hastings
Parents: Robert and Lena (Neilson) GRANNELL
As a young girl, moved to North Platte with her family; graduated from North Platte High School, 1933
Married: Dec. 24, 1935, to C. Emmet Wallace in Chappell. He died Aug. 12, 1994. With husband, farmed in Custer County; moved to Dawson County, 1950; moved to Lexington, 1957; moved to Kearney, 1992
She was always active in her church and community; member of Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney and the Rebekah Lodge, L.E.A. and L.A.P.M., was past grand matriarch of Grand L.E.A., State of Nebraska, for 1975-1976 and grand scribe for 15 years
Survivors include: son, Darrel of Gilbert, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; also sister-in-law, Vera Grannell of North Platte; and nieces, Eva Quail of Miller and IlaMae Zimmerman of Idaho Springs, Colo.
Was preceded in death by her husband, Aug 12, 1994; her parents, and her brother, Bryce
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2003

DeBRIE, Merle V. "Stub", 91, of Gibbon died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at Good Samaritan Center in Gibbon.
Services: Wednesday at Gibbon Baptist Church
Burial: Gibbon Riverside Cemetery
Mortuary: Godberson Mortuary in Gibbon
Memorials: Gibbon Emergency Unit or Good Samaritan Center of Gibbon
Born Oct. 7, 1912, on a farm northwest of Gibbon
Parents: Harry and Vera (Morris) DeBrie
Grew up on the farm in the Buckeye Valley area; attended Rural School District 97
Farmed with his father
Married: Feb. 23, 1935, to Mabel Webster in Minden
Lived on the family farm; farmed and raised livestock north of Gibbon and Shelton; moved to their present home in Gibbon in 1975
Activities: member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2722 in Kearney
Survivors include: wife; son, Bill of Gibbon; and sisters, Laura Catlin of Kearney and Veda Robinson and Violet Hansen, both of Gibbon; also daughter-in-law, Glenda of Gibbon; and grandson, Justin and wife, Amber, of Gibbon
Was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers; Milton, Manford and Lester; and a sister, Lola Mast
Kearney Hub, 15 December, 2003

ENVICK, Maynard J., 93, of Kearney died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at St. John's Good Samaritan Village
Services: Tuesday at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: American Cancer Society
Born Sept. 3, 1910, in Chickasha, Okla.
Parents: John and Hannah (Strand) Envick
Grew up in Hartington; graduated from Hartington High School, 1928
Married: Oct. 27, 1934, to Wilma Doty in Pilger. She died in 1987
Graduated from Nebraska State Teachers College in Wayne with teaching degree, 1941; master of arts degree from Colorado State College in Greeley, 1950
Taught school in Antelope, Cedar, Colfax and Richardson counties; was superintendent of schools in Craig
Moved to Kearney in 1944; taught at the Boys Training school for three years, then for Kearney Public Schools until 1956; taught industrial education at Nebraska State Teachers' College and later at Kearney State College; retired 1976
Activities: member of the church, the Golden K Kiwanis, the Kearney Elks Lodge Sons of Norway and the Norsemen's Federation; enjoyed church, golf, local sporting events, his grandchildren and social time with friends
Survivors include: sons, Donald of Kearney and Robert of Ellensburg, Wash.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; also daughters-in-law, Doris of Kearney and Barbara of Ellensburg
Was preceded in death by his wife and a sister
Kearney Hub, 15 December, 2003

HERZOG, Lois E., 81, of Kearney died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital
Memorial services: Wednesday at Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Body was donated to the Nebraska State Anatomical Board for medical research
Memorials: a fund established by the family for cancer research or to the donor's choice
Born Jan. 31, 1922, in Monroe
Parents: August and Waunita (Woraden) SIGEA
Graduated from Fullerton High School in 1941
Married: June 25, 1949, to Leonard Herzog in Kearney
Raised her children and worked from her home doing alterations and child care; provided an answering service
Activities: assistant Scout leader; enjoyed sewing, crafts, square dancing and spending time with her grandchildren
Survivors include: husband; sons, Frederick of San Antonio and Ronald of Lincoln; daughters, Cheryl Kroeger of North Platte and Carol Sitters of Wood River; brother, Glenn Sigea of Torrington, Wyo.; sister, Dorothy Morse of Arlington, Texas; and 12 grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents and a sister
Kearney Hub, 16 December, 2003

MAY, Gladys M., 95, of Kearney died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at her home
Services: Tuesday at the Evangelical Free Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home
Born June 16, 1908, in Neligh
Parents: Arthur and Pearl (Newton) EVANS
Attended schools in various communities including, Elgin, Neligh and Riverdale
Married: May 18, 1930, to Walter May in Kearney. He died Sept. 10, 1988
Lived in Kearney; was a housewife
Activities: member of the church in Kearney; enjoyed sewing and playing the organ
Survivors include: son, Jerry of Kearney; daughters, Donna Blue of Evergreen, Colo., and Marilyn Jenkins of Kearney; brother, Donald Evans of Sunnyvale, Calif.; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; Was preceded in death by her husband, a brother and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 15 December, 2003

MORITZ, Della A., 96, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Ravenna, Neb., died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at Springdale West Nursing Home in Mesa.
Burial: Thursday at Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen Mortuary in Ravenna
Born Nov. 7, 1907, in Farwell, Neb.
Parents: John and Mary OBERMILLER
Was educated in Farwell
Married: Oct. 9, 1929, to Francis Moritz in Farwell; lived on a farm north of Ravenna, moved to California in 1955
Activities: member of the Catholic Church
Survivors include: sons, Larry of Elk Grove, Calif., and Wayne of Buena Vista, Calif.; daughters, Marjorie Hulbert and Virginia Brown, both of Mesa; 22 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband, Jan. 27, 1991, and by three brothers and three sisters
Kearney Hub, 15 December, 2003

RASMUSSEN, Iris, 65, of Pleasanton died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Services: Faith Lutheran Church in Hazard
Burial: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary
Memorials: Pleasanton Emergency Unit
Born Feb. 12, 1938, in Fort Morgan, Colo.
Parents: James and Otta (Aleyea) ISAAC
Grew up in Wood River and Kearney
Married: Oct. 13, 1957, she married G.A. Rasmussen, First Methodist Church in Kearney
Lived in Hazard and then moved southwest of Pleasanton in 1964 to farm
Activities: enjoyed cooking, country-western music, the Kite Festival in Callaway and her grandchildren; member of the church in Hazard
Survivors include: husband; son, Victor of Riverdale; daughter, Jamie Klingelhoefer of Wooster, Ohio; and brother, William Isaac of Kearney; also grandchildren, Eric Rasmussen, Kristoffer Rasmussen, Regan Rasmussen, David Klingelhoefer, John Klingelhoefer and Ashley Klingelhoefer
Was preceded in death by her parents and a brother
Kearney Hub, 17 December, 2003
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