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BABCOCK, Marjorie K., 63, of Kearney died Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, at CHI Good Samaritan
Services: Friday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Dec. 11, 1951, in Central City
Parents: Marvin and Grace (Dodd) Babcock
Attended Kearney High School, graduated in 1970
Was a longtime employee of Baldwin Filters
Enjoyed gardening, flowers, crocheting, reading and bowling
Survivors include her sister, Ethel Mae Phillips of Kearney; brother, Melvin J. Babcock and his wife, Brigitta, of Aurora; and several nieces, nephews and cousins
Was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Sherry Lynn Babcock
Kearney Hub, 24 December, 2014
BEATTY, Gertrude D. “Gitch”, 83, of Kearney, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Society
Memorial services: Dec. 27 at Faith United Methodist Church
Burial: Overton Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Dec. 23, 1930, in Overton
Parents: John and Gertrude (Leek) Carey
Grew up with four older brothers and sisters; graduated from Overton High School; attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with distinction in June 1953 with a degree in speech pathology; was an active member of the Mortar Board and excelled in her studies
Married: Oct. 30, 1954 in Overton to Charles H. “Chuck” Beatty of Holdrege
After marriage, lived in various places while husband was in the U.S. Army, then settled down in Kearney in 1959; Charles practiced law; Gitch worked as a speech and language therapist for Educational Service Unit 10, in Kearney Public Schools as well as rural schools; retired in 1997 after 30 years of service
Activities: member of the Bridge club, the Overton United Methodist Church and Faith United Methodist Church; loved children and animals and was often known to “rescue” animals from the roadside or other unfortunate predicaments
Survivors include: sons, Jack Beatty and his wife, Janelle, of Kearney and Patrick Beatty and his wife, Karen, of Basehor, Kan.; granddaughters, Blossom Hinyub and her husband, Bennett, of Foley, Ala., Amanda Burgos and her husband, Willy, of Puyallup, Wash., Madeline Freeman and her husband, James, of Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue; grandsons, John Beatty of Kansas City, Mo., and Shane Beatty and special friend, Kelsey Pavkov, of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Ava Hinyub, William, Lilly and Chase Burgos and Parker Freeman; and son-in-law, Ernest Brown of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her husband, Charles in 2010; daughter, Mary L. Brown; brothers, Norval and Jack Carey; and sisters, Isabel Cox and Virginia Carey
Memorials: Team Webbygail, to help with lung transplant expenses for Abigail Dunning, and Faith United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2014
BETTERTON, Alfred, 82, of Miller died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, at Cozad Community Hospital
Services: Monday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Armada Cemetery at Miller
Born April 20, 1932, in Avondale, Ariz.
Parents: Alfred D. and Opal (James) Betterton
Worked as a truck driver for several different companies over a career lasting 57 years; most recently, had worked for MRK Trucking
Married: March 17, 2007, to Ruth Bostwick in Elm Creek
Enjoyed woodworking and riding motorcycles
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Betterton of Miller; sons, Ronald Betterton of Miller and Rodney Betterton of Cañon City, Colo.; daughter, Renee Betterton of Medford, Ore.; stepchildren, Kevin Lewman and his wife, Stacy, of Amarillo, Texas, Ricky Hennis of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Shelley Lummel and her husband, Jim, of Bridgeport, Willard Lewman and his wife, Oksana, of Rawlins, Wyo., Adella Lewman of Wyoming and Tina Lewman and Richard Stull of Morrill; 38 grandchildren; and 42 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents; son, Robert Betterton and brother, James Betterton
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2014
BLAIS, Blanche L., 97, of Kearney, formerly of Attleboro, Mass., died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, in Kearney
Services: Dec. 29 at Duffy-Poule Funeral Home in Attleboro
Burial: Newell Burial Ground in South Attleboro. Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney is in charge of local arrangements
Born May 16, 1917, in Attleboro
Parents: William O. and Clara M. (Villeneuve) Balser
Attended schools in Attleboro, Newton, Mass., and Barrington, R.I., and graduated from Attleboro High School with the class of 1935
Married Raymond J. Blais on Nov. 30, 1940
Retired as the assistant city treasurer for the city of Attleboro; moved to Kearney in 2006 to live closer to her daughter
Activities: communicant of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church in South Attleboro; was the past president of the Washington Street School Mother’s Club, active in Girl Scouting and was a member of the Attleboro Retirees; member of Norton Country Club of Pheasants Ridge Country Club in Gilford, N.H.
Survivors include: son, Raymond and wife Laura of South Attleboro; daughter, Jackie and husband Jack Robinson of Kearney; two grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by both parents; her husband; brother, Bill Balser; and two granddaughters, Debbie Gaudreau and Doreen Charron
Kearney Hub, 20 December, 2014
COUNSELL, Susan T. (Johnston), 64, of Augusta, Ga., formerly of Kearney and Bellevue, Neb., died Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan, Kansas
Memorial service: Saturday, November 29, 2014 at First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Inurnment: church columbarium
Mortuary: O'Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born Oct. 2, 1950, in Kearney
Parents: Carl and Mae Johnston
Was the oldest of six children; attended elementary, junior high and high school in Kearney through 1967, then graduated from Bellevue High School in 1968
Worked for National Indemnity for 10 years and for the Corps of Engineers for five years in Omaha; moved to Augusta, Georgia, 1998; was a graduate of Valdosta (Ga.) State University with a bachelor of business administration in accounting in 1998; worked as an accountant for various companies, retired in 2012
Activities: was an avid VSU Blazers supporter and Nebraska Cornhusker fan; was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; was baptized at Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Neb., in 1950 and was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Kearney in 1964; was a founding member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Valdosta; member of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Augusta at the time of her death; lifelong member of Girl Scouts, also volunteered with both of her sons’ Boy Scout troops; was an active volunteer with the JROTC program and Parent Advisory Board at the Academy of Richmond County in Augusta; a member of the Nebraska Jaycees and was president of the local chapter in Bellevue; had a lifelong love of music and sang in various choirs in school and church; enjoyed crafts and creating pictures with cross stitch; loved to travel; especially loved spending time with her friends and family
Survivors include: mother, Mae Johnston of Kearney; son, Dennis Counsell of Omaha; daughter, Michelle Williams and her husband, Roger, of Manhattan; son, Benjamin Perry and his wife, Kayleigh, of Ware Shoals, S.C.; four granddaughters; two grandsons; four brothers; and one sister
Was preceded in death by her father, Carl B. Johnston Jr. of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 26 November, 2014
DANIELSON, Colleen L., 43, of Kearney died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Village
Celebration of Life reception: Saturday, December 13, 2014 at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born Feb. 15, 1971, in Kearney
Parents: Rex and Carol (Altmaier) Danielson
Grew up in Kearney; received her education in Kearney, was a graduate of Kearney High School
Loved music, loved to dance; taught dance lessons throughout her life; worked at car sales and at Good Samaritan Hospital in Environmental Services
Was diagnosed in her late 20s with multiple sclerosis; fought a long, hard battle, but maintained her sense of humor and good spirit
Survivors include her son, Drew Danielson of Kearney; father, Rex and his wife, Twila; sister, Stacy (Danielson) Danley and her husband, James; and niece, Addison Danley
Was preceded in death by her mother; maternal grandparents, William and Wynona Altmaier; and paternal grandparents, Carl and Alyce Danielson
Kearney Hub, 9 December, 2014
DeBRIE, Mabel I., 98, of Kearney, formerly of Gibbon, died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial
Services: Thursday at Faith United Church in Gibbon
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Gibbon
Born Aug. 16, 1916, in Buda
Parents: John Thomas and Leona Mae (Popejoy) Webster
Attended school at Buda School through the 10th grade and finished high school in Kearney
Married: Feb. 23, 1935, to Merle V. “Stub” DeBrie in Minden; he died Dec. 13, 2003
After marriage, lived in the Buckeye Valley community north of Gibbon; moved into Gibbon in 1975; moved to Mount Carmel Home in June 2012
Survivors include her son, Bill DeBrie and his wife, Glenda, of Gibbon; grandson, Justin DeBrie and his wife, Amber, of Gibbon; great-grandsons, Wyatt and Barrett DeBrie; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merle; seven sisters; and one brother
Memorials: Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial or the Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 9 December, 2014
DONALDSON, Marjorie Ann, 85, of Shelton died Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at Good Samaritan Society in Wood River
Services: Tuesday at Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel
Born on July 1, 1929, in Tonganoxie, Kan.
Parents: Otto and Mae (Pratt) Suefert
Grew up in Tonganoxie and attended school there; moved to and Grand Island, graduated in 1947 from Grand Island High School; attended one semester of college in Kearney
Married: 1950, to Clinton E. Walker; he preceded her in death
Married: 1967 to Wilbur P. Donaldson; moved to Shelton in 1969; wintered in Texas from 1974 to the mid-1990s; Activities: member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary, as well as the 40 & 8 Military Organization; enjoyed playing cards and baking cookies, was known as the “pie maker” for her delicious homemade pies
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Charles and Mary Walker of Shelton and Joel and Rosemary Walker of McDonough, Ga.; stepdaughter, Charlotte Donaldson of Savannah, Ga.; grandchildren, Deanna and Mark Howerter of Columbus, Clinton and Tina Walker of McCook, Albert and Joni Walker of Princeton, Minn., and Benjamin Walker of McDonough, Ga.; stepgrandchildren, Misty, Jake, Bobby, Amber and Michael; several great-grandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; and brother-in-law, Edward Walker of Grand Island
Was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; brother, Charles Suefert; and sister, Rose Johnston
Memorials: St. Francis Hospice or the Good Samaritan Society in Wood River
Kearney Hub, 15 December, 2014
DUNNING, Abigail Mae, 26, of Kearney, formerly of Ravenna, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, in Omaha
Celebration of life service: Saturday at the Ravenna High School Gym; attendees to wear purple to symbolize cystic fibrosis
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Nov. 9, 1988, in Kearney
Parents: David and Judith Dunning
Attended Park Elementary School, moved to Ravenna in fifth grade; attended Camp Jenney for nine years, then worked summers as a camp counselor at Camp Kitaki; was involved in church youth group, mission trips, bowling and student council; recipient of Omaha’s Finest award in 2005 and was crowned Miss Annevar in June 2006; graduated from Ravenna High in 2007; attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Returned home to work as a special education paraeducator, 2009-2014; worked directly with autistic and special needs children, using her talents to help them reach their optimal potential; was devoted to her work, provided respite care for the families of her special friends and served as a mentor Memorials: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the Team Webbygail Transplant Fund
Kearney Hub, 19 December, 2014
FISHER, Robert "Bob" Jacob, 92, died in his home on Dec. 7th, 2014 in Vancouver, Washington
Graveside service: Mon., Dec. 15, at Memory Memorial Park Cemetery, Vancouver
Born: Dec. 23, 1921 in Kearney, Nebraska
Parents: Percy and Bee Fisher
Graduating from high school in LaGrange, Wyoming, in 1938
Worked in Cheyenne as a mechanic and sheet metal worker
Miliary: U.S. Navy during WWII, was stationed in the Pacific Theater as a Machinist Mate on a sea rescue boat
Married Wanda Poole, raised two children, Leota and Bobby
After marriage, lived in Idaho, enjoyed camping and fishing with his family
Worked in the construction and maintenance of nuclear power plants, lived in to many states throughout the country; was especially proud to have helped train some of the crew for our first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus
Married in 2001 to Pam
Enjoyed traveling and golfing
Survivors include: wife, Pam Fisher of Vancouver, WA; son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Sandra Fisher of Vancouver, WA; daughter and son-in-law, Leota and George Cooper of Aloha, OR; his sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Stanley Wright of Ogden, UT; as well as beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his first wife, Wanda Fisher; son, Douglas; sisters, Carolyn and Hazel; and brothers, Gene and Dale Fisher
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2014
GOOS, Larry D. "Goose", 75, of Kearney died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, at his home. Memorial services: Monday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Burial of cremains: Kearney Cemetery
Born Aug. 2, 1939, in Burwell
Parents:Ted and Lila (Patterson) Goos
Attended school in Taylor and graduated in 1957
Married: Nov. 25, 1959, to Rosalee Predmore in Taylor
Attended Kearney State College and received his teaching certificate then taught school in Custer, Loup, Blaine and Rock counties; during the summers, worked for McFadden Ranch
Moved to Kearney in 1967, worked as a plumber for Deyle Construction; from the early 1970s until he retired, owned and operated L&G Plumbing
Activities: enjoyed gardening and feeding the birds and squirrels; was an avid reader and Nebraska football fan; enjoyed driving through the Sandhills; enjoyed time with family and friends
Survivors include his wife, Rosalee of Kearney; son, Denny Goos and his wife, Cindy, of Taylor; daughter, Cindy Kelly and her husband, Bobby, of Kearney; grandchildren, Justin Kelly of Kearney, Michaela Goos of Broken Bow, Kelsey Kelly of Kearney and Miles Goos and wife Alyssa of Taylor; great-grandchildren, Payton, Grayson, Sadie and Presley; brother, Roger Goos and his wife, Betty, of Taylor; sisters, Betty Daudt and her husband, Bob, of Chambers, Sonja Bykerk and her husband, Ed, of Taylor and Janet Mignery and her husband, Dave, of Bartlett; and sisters-in-law, Jennifer Goos of Wakefield and Jean Goos of Lincoln
Was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Troy Lee Goos and Larry Vaughn Goos in 1989; and brothers, Richard and Teddy
Memorials: Kearney Public Library or to the ARC of Buffalo County
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2014
HALLIWELL, Darold M., 89, of Odessa died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Services: Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born May 8, 1925, in Odessa
Parents: James and Hattie (Conger) Halliwell
Attended school in Odessa and was a graduate of Odessa High School in 1942
Military: U.S. Marine Corp, Sept. 25, 1946 - Sept 2, 1948, veteran of World War II
Married: Norma Van Cleave and they divorced
Married: on Jan. 19, 1973, to Arlene Cooper on Jan. 19, 1973, in Lexington
Moved to Kearney in 1974, returned to Odessa in 1985; worked as a millworker and also farmed for Loren Knapp, ADM Mills and Carl Weber; retired in 2006
Activities: member of VFW Post 759, and past member of the Eagles Lodge; enjoyed horses and dogs and was an avid collector of ball caps and hats with a collection of more than 3,000 hats; loved spending time with family and friends
Survivors include his son, Keith Halliwell and his wife, Cheryl, of Kearney; daughters-in-law, Cathy Labs and her husband, Don, of Odessa and Sue Halliwell of Elm Creek; sisters, Fern Shea and Dot Chavanu, both of Kearney; 14 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene, on June 3, 2013; sons, Gary, Ron and Don; and brother, Harry
Kearney Hub, 19 December, 2014
JACKSON, Thomas Edward “Tom”, 66, of Fort Collins, Colorado, died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at his home
Services: Monday in the Student Center at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins
Born Feb. 24, 1948, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Sally and Guy Jackson
Moved to Fort Collins in 1973, later became the executive director of Hope Counseling Center in 1978; retired from there in 1998 and finished out his professional years as a master teacher and academic adviser at Front Range Community College
Activities: loved helping others and devoted his life to doing so; loved his large family and was always delighted to spend time together
For the past 12 years, fought a brave and fierce battle against cancer, triumphing each time until this last. His strength and determination to live his life fully, despite obstacles, is an inspiration to us all
Survivors include: wife, Charlotte; children, Matt, Miori and Maia, all of Fort Collins, and Ben of Portland, Ore.; his sisters, Martha and Barbara, both of Fort Collins; grandchildren, Ryder, Joshua, Makenna, Lora, Christian and Hadley; and numerous nieces and nephews
Memorials: Tom Jackson Memorial Scholarship at Front Range Community College or to Pathways Hospice of Northern Colorado
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2014
JOHNSON, Donald, 84, of Hazard died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, at his home near Hazard
Services: Saturday at the Congregational Church in Ravenna
Burial: Sweetwater Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Dec. 3, 1929, in Sweetwater
Parents: Louis and Adeline (Reinertson) Johnson
Grew up in Sweetwater, graduated from Ravenna High School in 1947
Military: U.S. Army, 1952-1954; served in the Korean War; returned to Sweetwater and farmed with his family
Married: Ella Marie Douglas on June 4, 1961, in Lexington
After marriage, farmed near Sweetwater
Activities: member of the Ravenna Rural Fire Board; enjoyed playing cards and especially enjoyed being with his family and attending his grandchildren’s activities
Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Dale and Laurie Johnson and Ray and Karen Johnson, all of Ravenna; eight grandchildren; one nephew; and two nieces
Was preceded in death by his wife in 1982 and a sister, Alice Elmore
Memorials: Ravenna Community Foundation or the Ravenna Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 3 December, 2014
JOHNSON, Vern J., 80, of Shelton died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at CHI St. Francis in Grand Island
Memorial services: Dec. 1, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelton
Inurnment: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel of Wood River
Born: March 18, 1934, on a farm south of Upland
Parents: J. Henry and Louisa (Jurgens) Johnson
Married: March 19, 1971, to Carol Wiedel in Alma
Spent most of his adult life farming in the Franklin County area, raising and feeding cattle; quit farming and then worked for an asphalt paving company and traveled to many states in the surrounding area; took great pride in his work; moved to Shelton, 1985, lived there until his passing; retired from the paving company in 1994; then enjoyed seasonal work for local farmers
Activities: enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren; enjoyed playing cards with friends
Survivors include: wife, Carol of Shelton; his children, daughter Josa Wilkinson and her husband, Jesse, of rural Gibbon, son Brian Johnson and his wife, Amanda, of Shelton and daughter Jaime Reilly of Shelton; grandchildren, Rory, Grant, Harley, Jett, Niccole, Cale, Olive, Conner, Madden and Mya; four great-grandchildren; brother, Arlon Johnson of Sabetha, Kan.; sister, Maxine Sanger and her husband, Ronald, of Lexington; and many nieces and nephews
Memorials: Shelton or Wood River Volunteer Fire Departments
Kearney Hub, 1 December, 2014
KING, Devin L., 28, of Kearney died Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at his home
Services: Friday at Grace Fellowship Church in Kearney
Burial: Box Elder Cemetery north of Cumro
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 3, 1986, in Kearney
Parents: Randall and Susan (Johnson) King
Grew up on a farm north of Kearney with his parents and three older brothers; enjoyed music, playing video games, helicopters, diesel engines, bowling and, above all, the dishwasher
Attended school in Kearney; more recently was the vice president of the AKtion Club; played several sports in the Special Olympics, was also a Kearney Inclusive Recreation Project athlete; spent most of his time at Donna’s Front Porch repairing computers and washing the dishes; especially enjoyed his two nieces
Survivors include: Randy and Susan King of Kearney; brothers, Lynn King and wife Joanna of Tualatin, Ore., Scott King and wife Angela of Kearney and Todd King and wife Natalie of Mason City; nieces, Moriah and Addison King; girlfriend, Hannah Mercer of Kearney; and many friends
Was preceded in death by his grandparents, two uncles and one cousin, Brett Kramer
Kearney Hub, 18 December, 2014
KOERTNER, Jerrald L. “Slim”, 75, of Pleasanton, Neb., died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at the University of Kansas Hospital
Memorial services: Tuesday at Pleasanton United Methodist Church
Inurnment: Plainview Cemetery south of Bladen, Neb.
Born Sept. 30, 1939, on a farm south of Bladen
Parents: Rueben and Clara (McCallum) Koertner
Graduated from Bladen High School, attended the University of Nebraska
Military: U.S. Army
Married: Feb. 26, 1966 to JoAnn Sack Lincoln, Neb.
Took great pride in his skills as a bricklayer, went on to start his own construction business; then owned and operated an arts and craft store for 15 years with his wife; later worked at Eaton Corp. for six years, retired in 2002
Survivors include: wife, JoAnn Koertner of Pleasanton; brothers, Rolland Koertner of Red Cloud, Neb., and Leonard Koertner of West Point, Neb.; sister, Angela Samson and her husband, Stan, of Snohomish, Wash.; son, Jeff Gerhard and his wife, Angela, of Omaha, Neb.; daughters, Debra Evertson and her husband, Kirk, of Kimball, Neb., and Karen Richmond and her husband, Greg, of Denver; son, Scott Koertner and his wife, Kelly, of Overland Park, Kan.; 10 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter
Memorials: Pleasanton United Methodist Church, the Pleasanton Fire Department or the Alzheimer’s Association of Nebraska
Kearney Hub, 8 December, 2014
LINDAU, Ora F. “Lindy”, 95, of Kearney died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Kearney
Services: Saturday at First United Methodist Church
Burial with military rites: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born in Hildreth on May 26, 1919
Parents: Julius and Rosa (Johnson) Lindau
Grew up on a farm north of Hildreth, graduated from Hildreth High School in 1937; was an outstanding all-around athlete; was chosen to be a pitcher on the U.S. baseball team that sailed for England on Aug. 3, 1938; the team played for six weeks in England and played in front of the queen
Graduated from Nebraska State Teachers College, 1941, with a bachelor of science in education; taught industrial arts and history and coached sports at Culbertson High School Military: U.S. Navy, communications officer, traveled with the Seventh Fleet, was discharged as a lieutenant senior grade in 1946; continued as a U.S. Naval Reserve until 1956
Married: Zelma Shaffer on July 22, 1943, in San Francisco.
Returned from military service and continued teaching and coaching at Culbertson for three more years; earned master's degree from Colorado State College in Greeley in 1951; taught in Goodland, Kan., and Kearney High School; was hired, 1957, to teach woodworking at Kearney State Teachers College; became the head of the woodworking area, supervising curriculum development and course changes; sponsored the Industrial Arts and the Industrial Management Clubs; earned his doctorate degree in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1968; retired from Kearney State College in 1981 after teaching there for 25 years
Activities: belonged to the Nebraska Education Association, Nebraska Industrial Education Association, Graduate Council and Faculty Senate; was named Outstanding Educator of America in 1973, was a member of KSC President’s Club, University of Nebraska Foundation Chancellors Club and Phi Delta Kappa Alpha Mu; member of the Elks, Kiwanis and First United Methodist Church in Kearney; spent his retirement doing woodworking projects for the Alumni House and First United Methodist Church as well as many projects for family and friend; a highlight in his life was to go to the commissioning of the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman in Norfolk, Va., when his oldest grandson, Brock, was a member of the first crew aboard that ship; in later years, was accompanied by his son, Chuck, a Vietnam veteran, to Washington, D.C., on the Hero Flight for WWII veterans to visit the WWII Memorial
Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Zelma; sons, James Lindau and his wife, Marcia, of Axtell, Charles Lindau and his wife, Karen, of Baton Rouge, La., and Thomas Lindau of Kearney; grandchildren, Brock Lindau and wife Lisa of Blair, Carrie and husband Marc Regier of Hampton, Brandon Lindau and wife Lisa of Garland, Brett Lindau and wife Marissa of McCook and Amberly and husband Charles Nunez and Johnny Lindau, all of Baton Rouge; 10 great-grandchildren, Zachary, Lucy, Cooper, Hudson, Jagger, Kohltyn, Deklan, Evelyn, Malachi and Lainey; sister, Fern Warnken of Holdrege; and brothers-in-law, Harold Schurmann of Hildreth and Jerry and Pat Curry of Fort Collins, Colo.
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Freda Lindau; sister, Violet Schurmann; brother-in-law, Fred Warnken; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Evelyn Metz
Memorials: Ora and Zelma Lindau Foundation at the University of Nebraska at Kearney or First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 3 December, 2014
LUCAS, Charles S., 89, of Kearney died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Services: Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
B: Jan. 23, 1925, in Maplewood, Mo.
Parents: Levi S. and Alta M. (Jorgensen) Lucas
Attended school in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School with the class of 1942
Military: U.S. Navy, 1943 - 1946
Married: March 9, 1946, to Patricia J. Rhoades in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Worked as a plumber for the majority of his life; retired in 1995
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church, lifetime member of Kearney Veterans of Foreign Wars, Kearney American Legion, Kearney B.P.O. Elks 984 and the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department
Survivors include: children, Kent Lucas and his significant other, Cindy Powell, of Kearney, Gary Lucas of Boston, C. Paul Lucas of Leavenworth, Kan., Marilyn and husband Donald Arrants and Patricia and husband Les Ottman, all of Grand Island, Laura and husband Roger Lea of McCool Junction and Robyn and husband Rod Goodenberger of Kearney; 16 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patricia; two grandsons; and two brothers
Kearney Hub, 16 December, 2014
MASHEK, Steven E., 70, of Ponca, formerly of Omaha and Kearney, died Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, at Elms Health Care Center in Ponca. Private memorial services: later
Mortuary: Mohr in Ponca
Born on July 1, 1944, in Aberdeen, S.D.
Parents: Elmer R. and Aloise (Bacon) Mashek
Graduated from Omaha North High School
Married: to Patricia Shum on Nov. 16, 1962, in Omaha; divorced in 1989
Moved to Kearney, 1975, worked at Platte Valley State Bank Later married Sherry Marvin; resided in Omaha
Activities: was a talented vocalist, was active in the church, Kearney Community Theatre, and The Company vocal group; enjoyed riding his motorcycle, exercise, movies and his pet dogs
Survivors include his daughters, Christine Steinhauser and her husband, Dale, and Kathleen Fuehrer, all of Kearney; son, Jeffrey Mashek and his wife, Janna, of Gibbon; grandchildren, Siera, Daniel, Jake, Chelsea, Rachel, Elizabeth, Carlee and Zane; and great-grandchildren, Cash and Hendrix
Was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Aloise Mashek
Kearney Hub, 28 November, 2014
McNEILL, John R. Jr., 71, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, in Lincoln
Services: Wednesday at First Evangelical Free Church in Lincoln
Burial: Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: Sept. 12, 1943, in Crawfordsville, Iowa
Parents: John R. Sr. and Helen A. (Stewart) McNeill
Grew up with identical twin brother, James; eventually went into ministry as part of the Free Church, a Scandinavian Christian denomination; pursued and was granted multiple advanced degrees including theology and counseling
Served as pastor for the Free Church in Kearney for over 25 years; was a quiet servant, visited the sick, did yard work for the elderly and served on the Kearney Housing Authority; took mission trips for multiple years in Romania, built a partnership with an inner city church in Chicago and spent time in a kibbutz in Israel with his father in the 1980s; moved to Lincoln in 1999, joined MassMutual as a career agent; also continued to serve and teach a large senior group at First Free Church in Lincoln
Activities: enjoyed family and friends, and Nebraska football and volleyball; member of the Match Club and attended many Nebraska volleyball home games
Married: Aug. 15, 1964, to Lois Fosmark in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Survivors include his wife, Lois McNeill; son, Jonathan and daughter-in-law, Heidi McNeill of Boston and their children, Connor and Hannah; daughter, Lorna McNeill-Heid of Atlanta and her daughters, Emma and Katelyn; nephews, Kent McNeill of Omaha and Jim McNeill of Adel, Iowa; and nieces, Julie McNeill of Chicago, Liz Newquist of Los Angeles, Deborah Kuhner of Mill Valley, Calif., and Marcia McLaughlin of Des Moines, Iowa
Memorials: Evangelical Free Church in Constanza, Romania
Kearney Hub, 1 December, 2014
MOFFETT, Susie, 89 of Kearney, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Services: Monday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Gibbon
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Born March 11, 1925, on the family farm north of Gibbon
Parents: James C. and Matie E. (Ginther) Moffett
Grew up there, attended District 18 Rural School
Lived and worked on the family farm, moved to Kearney with her sisters, Leone and Patsy; worked at Baldwin Manufacturing, retired in 1972
Survivors include her brother, Carl of Gibbon; sister, Dotty Allen of San Diego; several nieces and nephews; and special friends and caregivers, Jack and Cleta Brown of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her parents, eight brothers and 10 sisters
Kearney Hub, 20 December, 2014
MUHLBACH, Helen B., 85, of Ravenna died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Memorial services: Tuesday at the Congregational Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: Feb. 10, 1929, at Ravenna
Parents: Lyle and Helen (Killip) Schlund
Grew up at St. Paul and Ravenna, graduated from Ravenna High School
Married: September 1947 to Ray Muhlbach
After marriage, lived on a farm southeast of Ravenna, helped with the farm; had eight children
Worked at numerous area factories and at Safeway in Ravenna for many years
Activities: member of the Congregational Church in Ravenna, women’s groups at the church and card clubs; enjoyed gardening, reading and playing cards, but most of all spending time with her family
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Harry and Lois Muhlbach of Lincoln, Gilbert Muhlbach of Ravenna, Mark and Cindy Muhlbach of Ravenna and Jerry and Cheryl Muhlbach of Kearney; daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Bruce Bellamy of Lincoln, Peggy and Ron Cruise of Pleasanton and Theo and Kenney Ball of Frederick, Colo.; 31 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Kerry Schlund of Seattle; sisters and brothers-in-law, Venla and Dewey Roth of Ravenna and Virginia and Bob Killam of Seattle; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by a daughter, Denise; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters
Kearney Hub, 6 December, 2014
PIERCE, Lillie A., 93, of Central City, formerly of Kearney, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at Litzenberg Memorial County Hospital in Central City
Memorial services: Monday, December 22, at the O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Central City Cemetery
Born April 13, 1921, in Loup City
Parents: Henry and Rosa (Lubes) Steinke
Married: Raymond H. Pierce on June 5, 1942, in Fremont
Was a longtime employee of BD in Holdrege; enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling and playing cards
Survivors include her grandchildren, Brooke McGee of Washington, D.C., and Brock McGee of Lincoln; great-grandson, Trajan McGee of Lincoln; son-in-law, Arlan McGee of Kearney; sisters, Genevieve Harris of Central City and Carrie Banister and her husband, Bob, of North Platte; many nieces and nephews; and several grandnieces and grandnephews
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Shelly McGee; four brothers; and five sisters
Kearney Hub, 20 December, 2014
PRICE, Irene Marie, 78, of Grand Island, formerly of Shelton, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at Golden Living Center-Grand Island Park Place
Services: Monday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Gibbon
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Born Jan. 28, 1936, in Broken Bow
Parents: Solomon and Hazel (Wagner) Jackson
Married: Oct. 2, 1954, to Otto Price. He preceded her in death
Survivors include her son, Everett Brott of Ord; daughters, Randi of Kearney and Danielle of Shelton; sisters, Karen Gibson of Cozad and Christina Neth of Elkhorn; 20 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and stepdaughter, Neva Holstein of Lincoln
Kearney Hub, 4 December, 2014
SCHALL, Linda K., 56, of Kearney died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at her home
Services: Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born on Aug. 24, 1958, in Loup City
Parents: Clarence J. and Dorothy (Kaslon) Oseka
Was raised on a farm near Litchfield; graduated from Loup City High School with the class of 1976; later attended the Lincoln School of Commerce, graduated in 1978
Married: John Schall on June 16, 1979, in Loup City
After marriage, lived in Kearney; worked at the Buffalo County Farm Service Agency from 1977 until her retirement in 2007 after 30 years of service
Activities: enjoyed time with her husband, children, grandchildren and close friends; reading; camping; and walking; member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, The Loup City Auxiliary and the Nebraska Association of County Office Employees
Survivors include: husband, John Schall of Kearney; son, Rod Schall and girlfriend Wendy Trumbull of Kearney; daughter, Jodi Schall and fiancé Craig Slack of Kearney; brothers, Dave Oseka and his wife, Gisele, of Lincoln, Mark Oseka and his wife, Toni, of Loup City and Randy Oseka and his wife, Marla, of Kearney; sister, Karen Bjerke and her husband, Scott, of Grand Island; and granddaughter, Noelle and grandsons, Zane and Tate, all of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 2 December, 2014
SHEEN, Allen W. “Butch”, 71, of Kearney died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at his home west of Kearney
Services: Tuesday at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: May 30, 1943, in Kearney
Parents: Loyal and Veona (Lindstrom) Sheen
Grew up in Kearney and graduated from Kearney High School in 1962; farmed and ranched with his father west of Kearney. Married Mary Lou Graves in 1963. The couple later divorced
Married: Aug. 14, 1988, to Carolyn Doye-Erickson in Kearney; continued to farm and ranch and also helped his cousin with Sheen’s Trailer Park; with daughter and son-in-law owned Sheen’s Irish Dexter’s cattle
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church and the Dexter Breeders Association; enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, woodworking and spending time with his family
Survivors include his wife of Kearney; daughters, Patty Geist, Cammie Pettit-Richmond and husband John, Cynthia Austin and Vicki Grube and husband Shane, all of Kearney, and Gwendolyn Buck and husband Dallas of Odessa; sons, Brian Erickson and wife Dani and Christopher Erickson and wife Abby, all of Elm Creek; sisters, Janene Feikert and husband Merlin of Alda and Elena Schmidt and husband Larry of Kearney; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by one grandson, Derek Pettit; and two granddaughters, Gina Buck and Keegan Grube
Memorials: First United Methodist Church in Kearney
Kearney Hub, 6 December, 2014
SIMEON, Joseph Mark, 63, of Kearney died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Services: Tuesday at Countryside Christian Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Born Aug. 17, 1951, in McCook
Parents: Robert and Bertha (Thummel) Simeon
Grew up and received his education in McCook
Military: U.S. Army on April 1, 1970 - March 30, 1973; served during the Vietnam War
Married: Sept. 17, 1971 to Krin Matson
Worked for the Buffalo County Highway Department for 35-plus years
Activities: enjoyed decorating cakes and made several wedding cakes for family members; enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and making prayer tie blankets for the church
Survivors include: son, Eric Simeon of Kearney; daughter, Amanda Simeon of Kearney; mother, Bertha of Kearney; brothers, Robert M. Simeon of Kearney and Steven Simeon and his wife, Lynn, of Kearney; sister, Debra Peacock and her husband, Jack, of Lincoln; and grandchildren, Connor Clark and Coraleen Clark of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his wife and his father
Kearney Hub, 13 December, 2014
STAAB, Bernard D., 85, of Kearney died of acute leukemia Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, at his home
Services: Thursday at Living Faith Fellowship Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 7, 1929, in Custer County
Parents: Reuben and Opal (Bennett) Staab
Graduated from Ansley High School in 1948; attended Kearney State College for two years
Married: May 27, 1951, to Patty Thompson in Mason City
Military: U.S. Army, 1951 to 1953, veteran of the Korean War
Graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Agriculture
Lived in Sutherland, taught vocational agriculture at the high school; for many years, was a field agent for an agricultural lending agency and lived in North Platte, Alliance and Ord; moved to Lexington, worked for the Farmers Home Administration, retired in 1992; moved to Kearney in 2007
Activities: member of Living Faith Fellowship in Kearney, member of the Rotary Club in Ord; taught the Bible to adults in churches throughout his adult life; loved to play golf and fish, was a passionate gardener
Survivors include his wife, Patty of Kearney; daughter, Marilyn Freeman and her husband, Patrick, of Jordan, Minn.; sons, David and his wife, Becky, of Clive, Iowa, and James Staab and his wife, Carol, and Paul Staab, all of Kearney; grandsons, David Staab and wife Sara of Knoxville, Tenn., Andrew Staab and wife Katie of Beijing and Jonah Staab and Jeremiah Staab, both of Kearney; granddaughter, Rachel Staab of Burbank, Calif.; brothers, Edwin and wife Darleen of Clarksville, Tenn., Max and wife Lola of Arcadia, Harry and wife JoAnn of Kearney, Rollie and wife Gloria of Ord and Larry and wife Priscilla of Crown Point, Ind.; sisters, Della Gehrt and husband Dick of Elm Creek and Phyllis Samp of Ansley; sisters-in-law, Samantha Staab of Ansley and Nancy Thompson of Ashland; and foster great-grandchildren, Leonard, Deanna and Sara Beth of Knoxville
Was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Staab; and infant son, Paul Dennis Staab
Kearney Hub, 3 December, 2014
STAUFFER, Mitchell “Mike”, 93, of Kearney died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center
Memorial services: Wednesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home with military honors
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell
Born Nov. 12, 1921, in Deshler
Parents: Amos and Beulah (Mitchell) Stauffer
After the death of his mother, lived for several years with his paternal grandmother in Milford; after father married Clara Lynn, Mitchell joined the family in Carroll; grew up in Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island High School in 1939; attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Military: Coast Guard, 1942 through Christmas Day in 1944; veteran of World War II
Married Helen Winter on March 30, 1944, in Alameda, Calif., at the Alameda Naval Air Station
After marriage, moved to Grand Island, had a dairy farm;. After a fall, in 1971, retired from farming and moved to Kearney
Activities: member of the American Legion; past Elks member, was a member of Kiwanis and Fort Kearney Lions Club; loved horseback riding and raising horses; traveled extensively packing and trail riding through the Tetons and Arizona
Survivors include: wife of Kearney; son, Robin Stauffer and Carol Hamley of Fremont; daughters, Susan Toth and husband James of Edwardsburg, Mich., Sally Vifquain of Wahoo and Melody Chvatal and husband Rodney of Colon; sister, Patricia McLaughlin of Lincoln; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by both parents and an infant son, Karl Alan
Memorials: M&H Stauffer Scholarship at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney Hub, 2 December, 2014
STEPHENS, Janice A., 72, of Kearney died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, in Kearney
ServicesL Tuesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Born July 18, 1942, in York
Parents: Kenneth and Bernice (Mays) Barnes
Grew up in Elm Creek, graduated from Kearney High School in 1960
Married: Gary L. Stephens on July 8, 1962, in Elm Creek
After marriage, lived in Kearney, was a homemaker while her children were growing up
Opened a crafts store in downtown Kearney, 1988; later worked for Security Specialist Insurance Co.
Activities: enjoyed bowling, crafts and reading
Survivors include: daughters, Janet Stephens, Linda Schwarz and husband Damian, Cindi Bednarz and husband Mark and Susan Ballain and husband Bob, all of Kearney; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband, both parents, a daughter, a granddaughter, one brother and one sister-in-law
Kearney Hub, 1 December, 2014
STUBBLEFIELD, Robert D. “Bob”, 84, of Shelton died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, at Good Samaritan Society in Wood River
Services: Monday at Shelton United Methodist Church
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: Apfel in Wood River
Born Jan. 25, 1930, near Shelton
Parents: Dale D. and E. Adelaide (Haug) Stubblefield
Attended District 1 School and graduated from Shelton High School in 1947
Married: June 12, 1955, to Lenore E. Baker at Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island
Survivors include: wife, Lenore; sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Laura Stubblefield of Shelton and Mark and Roberta Stubblefield of Kenesaw; daughters and sons-in-law, Stephany and Larry Canning of Seward and Susan Stubblefield and Eric Peterson of Minneapolis; grandchildren and their spouses, Anna and Brandon Detlefsen, Elizabeth and Zach Miller, Neil Stubblefield, Cody Stubblefield, Patrick and Kara Stubblefield, Michael and Shaleah Goodsell, Emily Peterson and Madeline Peterson; great-grandchildren, Trent and Claire Detlefsen and Halie and Jasmin Goodsell; sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Dale Whitefoot of Shelton; sisters-in-law, Jane Baker of Omaha and Hazel Gass of Dunedin, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews
Was a lifelong farmer; sold Pioneer Seed corn for over 50 years
Activities: active member of Shelton United Methodist Church, served as co-chairman of its Building Committee when the new church was built; served 35 years as a director for Dawson Public Power District and also on the District 22 and Shelton Public School Boards; was active in the Shelton and Buffalo County Historical Societies, the Gibbon Soldiers Free Homestead Colony and the Lincoln Highway Association; served as Nebraska director to the National Lincoln Highway Association and was president of the Nebraska Chapter at the time of his death. Most recently, he and Lenore had served as co-chairmen for the National Conference of the Lincoln Highway in Kearney in July 2013; was always interested in local history and anything Ford, John Deere or Lincoln Highway
Was preceded in death by his parents
Memorials: Shelton United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 19 December, 2014
TOLLE-MAZANKOWSKI, Amber Annette, 38, of Columbus, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at her home
Services: Monday at First Baptist Church in Kearney
Burial: Ainsworth
Born: May 2, 1976, in Grand Island
Parents: Donald and Esther Tolle
Amber attended school in Phillipsburg, Kan., Globe, Ariz., and Kearney
Was a loving person with a big heart; loved reading and held tight to inspirational quotes; enjoyed jewelry making and other forms of art
Was preceded in death by her mother, Esther N. Nelson; and her grandparents
Survivors include: father and his wife, Donald and Pat Tolle of Chandler, Ariz.; daughters, Ashley and Shelby Altwine of Holdrege; and sister and her husband, Matthew and Mylissa Oestmann and their children, Bradyn Tolle and Kai, Reese, English and Tayte Oestmann of Papillion; aunts, uncles, cousins, stepbrothers, stepsister and their families
Kearney Hub, 29 November, 2014
VAVRA, James L. “Jim”, 76, of Kearney died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at Good Samaritan Society in Ravenna
Services: later
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Sept. 20, 1938, at Amherst
Parents: George and Mary (Monroe) Vavra
Married: Henrietta Rodriguez on June 18, 1981, in Laredo, Texas
Military: veteran of the U.S. Navy
Survivors include: wife, Henrietta Vavra of Kearney; children and grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 29 November, 2014