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ALTMAIER, Janet L., 82, of Kearney died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, at Mount Carmel Home and Rehabilitation Center
Service: Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born July 15, 1934 in Minden
Parents: Alfred and Verna (Schmidt) Just
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High school in 1952; graduated from Saint Elizabeth school of Nursing in 1955
Worked as a registered nurse in California and Arizona, then moved back to Nebraska; worked in several departments as a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital; retired after 40 years of nursing; also gave her time working in the Red Cross Bloodmobile, the immunization program for children, and a parish nurse for St. James
Married: Thomas Altmaier on April 19, 1975 in Kearney
Activities: enjoyed playing the piano, reading, camping, listening to music, traveling, and spending winters in Arizona
Survivors include: brother Bob Just and his wife Judy of Funk; sister, Mary Altmaier of Kearney; sisters in law, Colleen Just of Funk, Mary Jo Henderson and her husband Gary of Kearney, brothers in law, Lynn Altmaier and his wife Betty of Litchfield Park, Arizona, and Mark Altmaier and his wife Maria of Peoria, Arizona; numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her husband Thomas, brother Jim Just, and brother in law Richard Altmaier
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church or Kearney Catholic High School Foundation.
Kearney Hub, 13 February, 2017
AMSTUTZ, David Leroy, 79, of Kearney died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha
Service: Wednesday at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Parents: Fred and Helen (Hamit) Amstutz
Grew up in Ransom, later attended Cozad High School
Military: seven years in the U.S. Air Force
After dischange, moved to Kearney, earned his bachelor’s degree from Kearney State College
Married: 1965, to Polly Banks in Grand Island
Earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; was a professor of physics at the University of Nebraska at Kearney for 40 years
Activities: enjoyed working on his classic cars (many thanks to the mechanics at Kearney Tire and Auto) and biking around town; member of Kearney First United Methodist Church and VFW Post 759
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Polly Amstutz of Kearney; son, David Lee Amstutz of Lincoln; siblings, Mike Amstutz and wife Elaine of Beatrice, Fritz Rauch of Scott City, Kan., Paul Younger of Dighton, Kan., and Deborah Younger of Lincoln; several nieces and nephews and their children; as well as many in-laws and their extended families
Was preceded in death by his parents
Memorials: D.A.V. or Kearney First United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 14 February, 2017
ANDERSON, Ruth, 96, of Kearney died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at her home
Cremation was chosen
Celebration of life: Feb. 18 at her home
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born July 6, 1920, in Auburn
Parents: Ernest and Addie (Wier) Wilcox
Grew up in Table Rock; was a 1938 graduate of Table Rock High School
Worked hard to provide for her family
Activities: enjoyed her friends, church, church circle, flowers, gardening and ceramics; loved writing poetry and prayers
Was proud of her nine children; raised five sons and four daughters
Survivors include: sons, Dick Craig and wife Sherry, David Craig, Bill Anderson and wife Nancy, Jim Anderson and wife Patti and Tim Anderson and wife Gretchen; daughters, Susie Wood, Jann Stauffer and husband Tony, and Jane Daily and husband Jeff; 21 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents; 11 siblings; her beloved daughter, Judy Murrish; granddaughter, Tammy Blythe; and a grandson, Russell Craig
Memorials: Kearney First United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 4 February, 2017
BAKER, Paul C., 92, of Stromsburg died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, in Stromsburg
Service: Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Fremont
Burial: Memorial Cemetery in Fremont with military honors
Mortuary: Dugan Funeral Chapel in Fremont
Born Dec. 4, 1924, near Miller
Parents: George and Lillie (Hess) Baker
Graduated from Sumner High School in 1942
Married: Nov. 13, 1956, to Mary Faulhaber in O’Neill; she died in 1988
Married: 1993, to Audrey Myers; she died in 2002
Military: Army Air Corps, 1942-1946 during World War II; spent 19 months overseas in the South Pacific; was at Okinawa when the war ended
Returned home to Kearney in 1946; graduating in three years in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree from Kearney State College; later received his Master’s in Education from the University of Wyoming at Laramie
Taught and coached in Culbertson for two years; then taught and coached in O’Neill, was later the high school principal; was employed as a territory manager for Continental Oil in O’Neill and Omaha; returned to education, was principal of Schuyler High School for seven years; finished his career as principal of Fremont Junior High School in 1987;
Moved to York in 2012; spent his last 10 months at Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg
Activities: charter member and elected first vice president and then the second president, of the Nebraska Association of Secondary School Principals; in 1984, he was selected as the first Nebraska Secondary School Principal of the Year; also a charter member of the Nebraska Association of Retired School Administrators; 50-plus year member of the Masonic Lodge, American Legion, Rotary Club and Methodist Church; enjoyed coaching, refereeing, watching sports, traveling, golfing and spending time in The Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming throughout his retirement years; loved public speaking and singing; thoroughly enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities
Survivors include: his daughters, Susan Sundeen of Omaha and Barbara (Robert) Woodruff;, Wags, all of York, and Nan (Dwight) Miller of Sheridan, Wyo.; three grandchildren; nephew, Roger (Kristy) Volentine of North Platte; and longtime friend, Billie Ernst of Columbus
Was preceded in death by his parents; his two wives; his sister, Thelma; brother-in-law, Wilbur; and nephew, Ronald Volentine, all of Kearney
Memorials: Fremont Public School Foundation
Kearney Hub, 21 February, 2017; and www.duganchapel.com
BEDKE, Lurlie Lou, 88, of Ravenna died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln
Service: Friday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: Feb. 29, 1928, in Buffalo County
Parents: Frederick and Arrabelle (Weeks) Roth
Graduated from Ravenna High School
Taught in rural schools in the Ravenna area for three years
Married: Leonard H. Bedke on June 13, 1948
After marriage, lived on Leonard’s parents’ home place southwest of Ravenna, farmed there until 1976; continued to live in rural Ravenna; moved to Seneca Sunrise in Ravenna in 2016
Activities: member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna and the Dorcas Society; was very involved in church activities; enjoyed sewing, quilting, playing the piano, playing cards and gardening
Survivors include her sons, Leonard Bedke of Houston, Jeffrey and Barb Bedke of Lincoln, Craig and Monica Bedke of Shawnee, Kan., and Eric Bedke and Mary Squires of Lincoln; granddaughter, Chelsea Watson of Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; brother, Frederick and Leonora Roth of Ravenna; sisters, Erma Kaiser of Seattle and Audrey and John Ball of Harvard, Mass.; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leonard; daughter, Marcia Bedke; son, Bryan Bedke; and brothers, Wayne Roth and Harry Roth
Memorials: the church or the Lutheran Hour
Kearney Hub, 14 February, 2017
BLANK, Roger Allen, 73, of Minden, formerly of Wilcox, died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at Bethany Home in Minden
Service: Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth
Burial: Hildreth Cemetery
Born: March 10, 1943
Parents: Walter Harry and Marie Johanna (Casper) Blank
Was baptized as a Child of God on April 18, 1943, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Hildreth, confirmed his faith on June 29, 1958; grew up happily on the family farm eight miles south of Wilcox with his sibling; enjoyed time with his Grandpa Harry Blank; attended Wilcox Public School, graduated with the all-boy class of 1962
Worked as a custodian at Kearney State College, retired in 1989 as it was becoming the University of Nebraska at Kearney; sold his home in Kearney and purchased a home in Wilcox not far from his parents
Activities: member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church of Hildreth; liked to help his mother with her gardening and mowing their yards
Survivors include: sister, Diane Epley of North Platte; his brother, Steven and wife Debbi Jo of Wilcox; sister-in-law Janet Blank of Wilcox; nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his extended family at Bethany Home
Was preceded in death by his father, Walter, who passed in 2005; mother, Marie in 2006; brother-in-law, Carl Epley in 2007; and brother, Delton in 2012
“But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”— Isaiah, 40:31
Kearney Hub, 9 February, 2017
BOWMAN, Bradley, 67, of Kearney died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, in Mesquite, Nevada
Memorial service: Saturday at First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Jan. 25, 1950, in Arnold, Neb.
Parents: Chet and Dottie (Beltz) Bowman
Grew up in Fremont, Neb., and Kearney, was a 1968 graduate of Kearney High School; graduated from Kearney State College in 1972
Married: March 10, 1979, to Kay Larsen in Hazard, Neb.
Became a member of the Kansas City Board of Trade in 1973, spent the next 45 years merchandising grain throughout the United States; also owned and operated B4 Cattle as well as various farming interests
Activities: loved to golf, hunt and fish, was an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing poker and going on crop tours; especially cherished playing with his grandchildren; member of Kearney First Lutheran Church; lived his life with courage and conviction; his incredible wit and competitive spirit will be missed;. He was fiercely loyal to those he loved, and his kind and gentle heart will be cherished and missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Kay Bowman of Kearney; sons, Brett Bowman and wife Shawna, and Christopher Bowman and wife Amy, all of Kearney; grandchildren, Gavin, Parker, Sawyer and Carson; mother, Dottie Bowman of Kearney; sister and brother-in-law, Tami Hellman and husband Jerry of Kearney; nieces and nephews, Jacy Dunham and husband Darrell Dunham, and Jolie Bosshamer and husband Bronson; grandnieces and grandnephews, Jenna Bosshamer, Campbell Dunham, Jackson Dunham and Jacob and Jered Bosshamer; mother-in-law, Henny Larsen; brothers-in-law, Kirk Larsen and family and Kent Larsen and family; and sisters-in-law, Kari Larsen, Kate Larsen and Kris Larsen and family
Was preceded in death by his father, Chet Bowman
Memorials: Kearney Little League or to the Brad Bowman Memorial Fund
Kearney Hub, 16 February, 2017
DANBURG, Robert “Bob”, 79, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, died of cancer Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, at his home
Service: Thursday at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home in Mountain Grove
Burial: Lone Star Cemetery in Mountain Grove
Born Nov. 16, 1937, in Kearney, Neb.
Parents: Raymond and Emma Danburg
Military: entered U.S. Navy, 1955; served as an aircraft mechanic, spent over two years stationed in Hawaii
Returned home, worked as an auto mechanic at Samway Motors in Kearney
Married: July 1, 1961, to Donette McCarville in Kearney
After marriage, lived in Kearney; moved to Mountain Grove, Missouri, 1978; worked at Honeycutt Chevrolet in Cabool, Missouri
Activities: in retirement, enjoyed the Mountain Grove Senior Center, playing pool and cards with his many friends; loved reading, bird watching, and gardening; had a special interest in cars and motorcycles
Survivors include: his wife of 55 years; one son: Mark Danburg and his wife, Sharon, of Tehachapi, California; one daughter: Sue Knox of Rogersville, Missouri; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; brothers Keith Danburg and his wife, Marie, Tyrone Danburg and his wife, Julie, and Jeff Danburg; and one sister: Pat Burton
Was preceded in death by his parents: Raymond and Emma Danburg, and his son-in-law: Tim Knox
Memorials: Three Rivers Hospice
Kearney Hub, 21 February, 2017; and http://www.craighurttfuneralhome.com
DANKO, Ann, 98, of Kearney died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at Mother Hull Home
Service: Friday at St. James Catholic Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: April 14, 1918, in Barberton, Ohio
Parents: Andy and Mary (Slufoto) Shunko
Attended school in Barberton
Married: Alex Danko on May 3, 1941, in Barberton
Moved to Kearney in 1956 for his job as manager of Rockwell Training Plant; moved back to Barberton in 1964, then to Danville, Ill., in 1967; Alex retired in 1983 and they moved to Henderson, Nev., then returned to Kearney in 1994
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church; enjoyed crocheting, playing cards, cooking, dancing, playing golf and watching golf, especially her favorite golfer, Tiger Woods
Survivors include: daughters, Sandi Lewis and her husband, Larry, of Kearney and Patricia Hagen and her husband, Milo, of South Sioux City; son, Alex Danko and his wife, Sandra, of Centennial, Colo.; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband, one brother and one sister
Memorials: AseraCare Hospice or Mother Hull Home
Kearney Hub, 1 March 2017
DeBAETS, Barbara J., 81, of Kearney died Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, at Mother Hull Home
Service: Saturday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Elm Creek
Burial: Elm Creek Cemetery
Born: Feb. 17, 1935, in Oakland, Calif.
Parents: Jack and Martha (Helms) Elliott
Grew up and received her education in Southern California
Married: Robert N. Christensen in 1951; had three children together
After marriage, lived in California
Married Benjamin DeBaets; lived in Elm Creek, had two children together
With husband, owned and operated the Odessa Bar and the Elm Creek Drug Store; later converted the drug store into a coffee shop; also worked for Alco and Burger King in Kearney; moved to Mother Hull Home in 2012
Activities: enjoyed canning, raising her Pomeranian dogs and working in her garden; was especially proud of her flower garden
Survivors include two daughters, Cathy Headlee and husband Monte of Kearney and Sherry Bott and husband Jim of Hudson, Colo.; her grandchildren, Julie Long and husband Scott, Scott Sheldon and wife Roz, Rob Ryles and wife Felisa, Christina Sheldon, Stacey Salas and husband Martin, Doug McCue Jr., Anastasia York and husband Patrick, Ashley Roalson and husband Kerry, and Cody Headlee; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-grandson
Was preceded in death by her parents; two infant daughters, Christina Christensen and Cleta DeBaets; and a son, Benjamin DeBaets II. Kearney Hub, 7 February 2017
DEPREZ, Harold E. “Bud” Jr., 78, of York died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, in York
Service: Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in York
Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery
Mortuiary: Metz Mortuary in York
Born Nov. 23, 1938, in York
Parents: Harold Sr., and Ruby (Mace) Deprez
Married: Aug. 26, 1961, to Rose Mary Smejkal; had four sons together
Farmed in his early years, but most recently retired from Builder’s Warehouse in Kearney in January 2016
Military: U.S. Army National Guard
Activities: member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney and most recently, St. Joseph Catholic Church in York; enjoyed volunteering his time with 4-H, attending cattle shows, collecting “Red” tractors and driving Ford vehicles exclusively. Bud also enjoyed gardening, the York Fun Club, playing either 10- or 13-point pitch, attending Husker football and basketball games, and supporting his children and grandchildren
Survivors include: his sons and their spouses, Dan and Becky Deprez of York, Jim and Kim Deprez of Lincoln and Greg and Kim Deprez and Brian and Nicole Deprez, all of Omaha; his grandchildren, Bethany, Caitriona, Brittlyn, Lindsey, Megan, Allison, Brady, Carson, Bryson and Bennett; his brothers and their spouses, Ron and Linda Deprez of Cozad and Doug and Cheryl Deprez of Benedict; and his brothers-in-law, Ken and wife Donna Smejkal and Rich Smejkal, all of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Was preceded in death by his wife, parents and a granddaughter, Morgan
Kearney Hub, 7 February 2017
DREW, Max D., 81, of Kearney died Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at Good Samaritan Society in Ravenna
Memorial service: Monday at First Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: June 4, 1935, in Oxford
Parents: Louis and Dora (Hinze) Drew
Attended Riverdale High School, graduated with the class of 1952
Married: Alda Pazdernik on July 31, 1952, in Holdrege
Worked for many years as a tool and die maker, also managed rental property
Activities: member of the First Lutheran Church in Kearney and of the American Legion Club; was a hard worker who also enjoyed hunting and fishing occasionally
Surviving relatives include his wife, Alda Drew of Kearney; son, Doyle Drew and his wife, Jyl, of Kearney; daughter, Brenda Middleswart and her husband, Larry, of Gibbon; sisters, Cheryl Vannier of Lincoln, Calif., and Elaine Pape and her husband, Dean, of Kearney; brother, Glen Drew and his wife, Roberta, of Salt Lake City; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Neil and Kenneth
Memorials: Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 25 February, 2017
ENGLAND, John Fred, 90, of Kearney, formerly of Axtell, died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center
Service: Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Axtell
Burial: Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell with military honors
Mortuary: Layton-Craig in Minden
Born: Feb. 4, 1927, in Axtell
Parents: Carlyle Sanden “C.S.” and Bertha Viola (Carlson) England
Was baptized on May 12, 1929, and confirmed in 1941 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Axtell; attended Axtell High School and graduated in 1944; attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Military: U.S. Navy on Feb. 2, 1945, - July 13, 1946; served on the USS Bolivar during World War II; achieved the rank of seaman first class V6 USNR
Returned home, again attended UNL and Midland Lutheran College in Fremont
Entered the banking business at Farmers & Merchants Bank in Axtell, Aug. 1, 1948, and served as bank president until 1992; presidents of Farmers and Merchants have been as follows: John D. England (founder), 1907 to 1946; Carlyle Sanden England, 1946 to 1965; John Fred England, 1965 to 1992; and John Jeffrey England, 1992 to the present time; the bank celebrated its 100th anniversary on Aug. 2, 2007; John Fred served on the Board of Directors and was a stockholder
Married: Nov. 26, 1952, to Mary Catherine Jurgensmier; had four children together
Activities: member of Trinity Lutheran Church; served 19 years on the Axtell Fire Department, also served on the Axtell School Board and Trinity Lutheran Church Board; member of the Axtell Veterans of Foreign Wars and served as commander for a period of time; was raised a Master Mason on Sept. 13, 1948, and was a member of the Tehama Shriners, Scottish-Rite and the American Legion; enjoyed playing golf and going to Husker games; loved playing baseball, played semi-pro baseball
Survivors include his daughters, Holly England of Axtell, Carmie and husband, Rocky Geiser of Kearney and Diane and husband James Kaasch of Parker, Colo.; son, John Jeffrey England of Axtell; granddaughter, Brittany Geiser; grandsons, Bryan Geiser, Blake Geiser, Austin Kaasch, Anthony Kaasch and Addison Kaasch; brother-in-law, Wayne W. Ziebarth of Wilcox; sister-in-law, Dorothy “Dottie” Basic of Orland Park, Ill.; brother-in-law, Marvin Acklie of Lincoln; and nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his wife; parents, C.S. and Bertha England; sister, Renee (England) Ziebarth; brother-in-law, Frank Basic; sister-in-law, Helen Acklie; and nephews, Wayne William “Billy” Ziebarth Jr. and Frank Louis Basic Jr.
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church of Axtell and Axtell Fire & Rescue Department
Kearney Hub,10 February, 2017
FRIESEN, Amy Grace, 93, of Kearney, formerly of Henderson, died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Kearney
Graveside service: Saturday at Bethesda Mennonite Cemetery north of Henderson
Memorial service: Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson
Mortuary: Metz in Henderson
Born: Dec. 25, 1923, in Henderson
Parents: Gerhard and Katharina (Friesen) Friesen
Was an elementary school teacher for 28 years in the Henderson area; belonged to Bethesda Mennonite Church
Married: May 22, 1945, Roland A. Friesen in Henderson; had three children together
Activities: founding member of the Heritage Park Board and Happy Homemakers Club in Henderson; served on the Hospital Auxiliary League, was an avid volunteer at Henderson Health Care; loved researching family genealogy, writing family stories, quilting, sewing and traveling
Survivors include: two sons and their spouses, Jerry and Carol Friesen of Newton, Kan., and Lynn and Mary Friesen of Windsor, Colo.; a daughter and her husband, Jeanne and Dick McClemens of Kearney; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Martha Friesen of Fargo, N.D., and MayBelle Janzen of Tucson, Ariz.; along with many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by her parents, husband, five brothers and two sisters
Memorials: Heritage Park in Henderson
Kearney Hub, 27 February, 2017
HARNAGEL, Arthur George “Art”, 80, of Denver, formerly of Miller and Kearney, Neb., died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, at his home
Service: March 11 at Calvary Baptist Church in Denver
Born June 8, 1936, in Miller, Neb.
Parents: Lester and Ethel Harnagel
Married: 1958, to Marna Horn
Survivors include his wife; children, Breke Harnagel and Kellona Bain-Burke; four grandchildren; brothers, Duard and Jerry; and one great-granddaughter
Kearney Hub, 23 February, 2017
HAWTHORNE, Adeline J., 95, of Omaha, formerly of Ravenna, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, at Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Special Care Home in Omaha
Service: Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: June 15, 1921, on a farm southwest of Ravenna in Schneider Township
Parents: Frank and Anna (Niemack) Rohde
Was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church south of Ravenna; attended District 117, a rural one-room schoolhouse just a mile from her farm home; graduated from Ravenna High School in 1940
Worked as a nanny in Denver and San Francisco; lived in San Francisco for seven years, attended business school and became a secretary in various insurance companies; also lived a short time in Washington, D.C., and Boston
When her future husband, a sailor, shipped over from the West Coast to the East Coast, he told her to “pack your bags for Reno.”
Married: Sept. 5, 1944, to Walter Hawthorne in Reno, Nev.
After World War II ended and Walter was discharged from the U.S. Navy,moved to the Frank Rohde farm in 1950; after many years on the farm, Adeline retired to Ravenna until her health failed, then moved to Omaha
Activities: member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary Post 5820; was an avid bowler until she was 90 years old, participated in many tournaments and the Nebraska Senior Games
Survivors include her only child, Patricia Taylor and her husband, Jack Taylor, of Omaha; her grandson’s widow, Megan Taylor and great-grandson, Nicholas Taylor, both of Omaha; sister, Ione Kehm of Henderson, Nev.; many nieces and nephews; and many other family and friends
Was preceded in death by her husband, Walter in 1992; grandson, Walter Taylor; sister, Luella Marriott; and infant sister, Betty Ann
Memorials: to the church or the donor’s choice
Kearney Hub, 7 February, 2017
HOLLIDAY, Arthur William “Bill”, 90, of Lexington died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at Lexington Regional Health Center
Service: Monday at First United Methodist Church in Lexington
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery near Lexington
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington
Born May 18, 1926, in Amherst
Parents: Fred and Edna (Freeze) Holliday
Attended Amherst Public Schools
Married: Oct. 19, 1949, to Elaine Johnson in Lexington; she died Jan. 10, 2011
Worked in the farming business until 1979; then worked for Orthman Manufacturing, retired in the mid 1990s; with Elaine, also had a mowing company, mowing many lawns around the Lexington area, and was still mowing some lawns just a year ago; loved being outdoors during the warm months
Activities: enjoyed coffee every morning with his buddies at A&D Cafe and getting the news of the day; had a gentle nature, and a sweet smile that made his eyes just sparkle
Survivors include sons, Rod Holliday of Waxahachie, Texas and Dan Holliday of Lincoln; three grandchildren, Stacey (Nate) Loose of Colorado Springs, Colo., Matt (Shayla) Holliday of Grand Island and Rodney, Jr. (Suzanne) Holliday of Waxahachie, Texas; many great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jess Holliday of San Antonio, Texas and Dave Holliday of Winnebago, Minn.; two sisters; Meryl Kneeland of Lexington and Mardi Griffis of Albuquerque, N. M., also surviving are many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; two sisters, Jean and Judy, and one grandson
Memorials: First United Methodist Church or Donor’s Choice
Kearney Hub, 17 February, 2017
JELDEN, Leland “Lele”, 80, of Hildreth died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, at Kearney Regional Medical Center
Service: Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth
Burial: Hildreth Cemetery
Mortuary: Jelden-Craig Funeral Chapel in Hildreth
Born on Feb. 18, 1936, in Hildreth
Parents: Jelde Remmers and Minnie (Quadhamer) Jelden
Was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Hildreth; graduated from Hildreth High School
Married: Oct. 22, 1961, Marge [Margaret] Siebke at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
After marriage, lived and farmed near Hildreth, were blessed with three children
Military: U.S. Air Guard from 1953-1959
Activities: was active in the Hildreth community; member of Trinity Lutheran Church, served on the church council, sang in the church choir and taught Sunday school; past member of the Hildreth Lions Club, was the Hildreth football announcer for many years and was a Scout leader; loved to fish and hunt; loved spending time with his grandchildren and attending their sporting events; most of all, was proud and supportive of his wife and children
Survivors include: his wife, Marge of Hildreth; two daughters, Julie Burrell and husband Monte of Wauneta and Trish Strobel and husband Shane of Clarks; son, Lance Jelden and wife Connie of Hildreth; and seven grandchildren, Cade Burrell, Carson Burrell and wife Bethany, Tanner Fate, Marshall Jelden, Tyson Fate, Megan Jelden and Sydney Strobel
Was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Gregg Fate; two brothers, Wayne Jelden and Robert Jelden; and sister, Helen Mae Jelden
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth or the American Cancer Society
Kearney Hub, 6 February 2017
JOHNSON, Amy Lyn, 37, of Kearney died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Memorial service: Saturday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Born: Aug. 25, 1979, in Kearney
Parents: Kenneth L. and Barbara L. (Laue) Johnson
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1997
Worked various jobs until her health would no longer allow her to work; moved out of state for a short time, returned to Kearney in January 2016
Activities: loved making jewelry and spent many hours making bracelets and necklaces from beads, also enjoyed fishing and drag racing in the mud in her Blazer; especially loved working on cars, with her dad; possessed a fearless attitude which would not let her illness keep her from living a full life; cared for others even when suffering herself
Survivors include her parents, Ken and Barb Johnson of Kearney; her grandmother, Violet Laue of Kearney; several aunts and uncles; several cousins; and countless friends
Was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Cecil and Doris Johnson, and her maternal grandfather, John Laue Jr.
Kearney Hub, 17 February, 2017
JOHNSTEN, Robert Lee, 81, of Ravenna died Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at his home
Memorial service: Friday at Ravenna United Methodist Church
Inurnment: Highland Park Cemetery in Ravenna
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Aug. 5, 1935, in Los Angeles
Parents: Herbert and Eva Johnsten
Was educated in California
Military: U.S. Army in Korea
Married: Lois Rowe on June 23, 1962, in Wilmington, Calif.
Moved to Ravenna in 1972; worked at various jobs and was a man of many talents
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church, Lions Club and American Legion; also assisted his wife, Lois, at the Ravenna Historical Society; enjoyed woodworking, crafting, building models and quilting
Survivors include: sons, Orin Johnsten of Kearney and Dane Johnsten of San Francisco; granddaughter, Natasha of Loveland, Calif.; many great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Shirley Evans of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Beverly Newton of Prescott, Ariz.
Was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; and brother, Ray
Kearney Hub, 22 February, 2017
JUKAM, Dora B., 79, of Kearney died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, at Mount Carmel Home and Rehabilitation Center
Service: Saturday at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services
Born Aug. 10, 1937, in San Salvador, El Salvador
Parents: Gabriel and Juana (Rosales) Duran
Grew up in El Salvador, immigrated to the United States in 1964 and lived in San Francisco; moved to Kearney in 2002
Activities: member of the Catholic Church; enjoyed listening to music, watching movies and spending time with her family
Surviving relatives include her son, Rich Duran and wife Renee of San Mateo, Calif.; and brothers, Francisco Duran and his wife, Carmen, and Jose Rosales and his wife, Berta, all of Kearney
Was preceded in death by her parents
Kearney Hub, 10 February, 2017
JUST, James A. “Jim”, 77, of Funk died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Memorial service: Monday at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Interment of ashes: Just family farm
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born on Sept. 14, 1939, in Kearney
Parents: Alfred F. and Verna E. (Schmidt) Just
Attended Longfellow High School, graduated with the class of 1957
Married: Erma Colleen Rodehorst on Sept. 16, 1962, in Kearney
After marriage, settled on the family farm near Funk, began a lifelong career in agriculture and cattle; enjoyed farming and ranching, was an excellent steward of the land; consistently looked for ways to improve the habitat on his land, ever conscious to leave it better than he found it; recently received the Nebraska Pioneer and Heritage Farm Award for their continued investment in the family farm
Activities: past member of Kearney Elks Lodge 984 and of Kearney Eagles Lodge Aerie 2722; enjoyed time spent with family, especially his granddaughter
Survivors include his wife, Colleen Just of Funk; son, Joshua Just and his wife, Kristy, of Funk; granddaughter, Jemma Just of Funk; brother, Robert Just and his wife, Judie, of Funk; and sister, Mary Altmaier of Kearney
Was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Janet Altmaier; and brothers-in-law, Richard Altmaier and Thomas Altmaier
Memorials: Phelps County Home Care
Kearney Hub, 11 February, 2017
KRUSE, Donald J. “Don”, 79, of Kearney died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Memorial service: Saturday at Living Faith Fellowship Church, with military honors
Burial: later
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: Sept. 24, 1937, in Hildreth
Parents: John and Rose (Casper) Kruse
Attended Hildreth High School, graduated with the class of 1955; later attended college in Hastings and earned a degree in accounting
Military: proud member of the U.S. Navy from 1956-1958
Married: Judy Wheaton on Nov. 17, 1978, in Holdrege
Worked for a number of years in management at BD Co. in Holdrege
Activities: member of Living Faith Fellowship Church in Kearney and Kearney American Legion Post 52; enjoyed fishing, boating and camping with his family and friends; also enjoyed playing softball for many years while he spent winters in Arizona
Survivors include his wife, Judy of Kearney; daughter, Lisa Beck and her fiancé, Dan Menzer, of Holdrege; son, Bob and wife Jennifer Kruse of Lincoln; stepsons, Michael Haskett and his wife, Maryka, and Larry Haskett and his wife, Sheila, all of Bozeman, Mont.; twin brother, Ron and wife Sandra Kruse of Kearney; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary and Ardie Kruse of Grand Island and Tom and Deb Kruse of Hildreth; sister, Jane and husband Steve Vanderbeek of Wahoo; sister-in-law, Sheryl Kruse of Kearney; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bruce Kruse
Memorials: Living Faith Fellowship Church or Disabled American Veterans
Kearney Hub, 17 February, 2017
MALOLEY, Neal Fred, 29, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, north of Amherst as the result of a motor vehicle accident
Service: Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Lexington
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery near Lexington
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love in Lexington
Born April 15, 1987, in Kearney
Parents: Fred M. and Pamela J. (Johnson) Maloley
Married: Aug. 10, 2013, to Nicole Hunke in Kearney
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Aleena and Oaklea of Kearney; his parents, Fred and Pam Maloley of Lexington; sisters, Tasha Hamilton and Stephanie Maloley, both of Kearney; and grandmothers, Frances Kay Maloley and Sharon Cloyd, both of Lexington
Kearney Hub, 7 February 2017
MENKE, Lyle Herman, 71, of Kearney died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Kearney
Service: Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Red Cloud
Burial with military honors: Sacred Heart Cemetery in Red Cloud
Mortuary: Simonson-Williams in Red Cloud
Born July 17, 1945, at home in Lawrence
Parents: Vincent and Marcella (Buschkoetter) Menke
Married: Nancy Lemke in Lawrence
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Sheila Brumbaugh of Red Cloud; son, Scott of Columbus; his mother, Marcella Menke of Lawrence; sister, Marlene Kennedy of Omaha; brothers, Rich and Robert, both of Lawrence; and five grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 11 February, 2017
MILLER, Lawrence F., 69, of Ravenna died Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, at his home
Memorial service: later
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born Aug. 16, 1947, in Detroit
Parents: Stuart P. and Miriam (Mattice) Miller
Survivor: brother, Stuart Miller of Pacific City, Ore.
Kearney Hub, 25 February, 2017
NIELSEN, Virginia Marlene, 66, of Grand Island died Thursday, February 9, 2017, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island
Funeral service: Wednesday, February 15th, at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Grand Island
Burial: Westlawn Cemetery in Grand Island
Memorials: St. Leo’s Catholic Church
Mortuary: Apfel in Grand Island
Born: May 4, 1950, at Kearney
Parents: Roger and Mary (Paitz) Shiers
Grew up in Kearney, attended St. James Elementary and Kearney Catholic High School, graduated in 1968; graduated from Kearney State College in 1972
Worked at Baldwin Filters in Kearney
Married: Ronald Nielsen on May 3, 1975, at Kearney
After marriage, lived in Kearney, later in Elba, and moved to Grand Island in 1978; was a maintenance worker for the Nebraska Department of Roads, 1979-2009 when she retired
Activities: member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church and the Platt Deutsche; in younger years, enjoyed horseback riding with her numerous cousins; enjoyed sports, especially softball and volleyball; also enjoyed gardening, family vacations, and enjoyed attending her children’s sporting events
Survivors include: her husband, Ron Nielsen of Grand Island; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Kurt Nielsen of Omaha, Klint and Sarah Nielsen of Grand Island; daughter, Adrienne Nielsen of Lincoln; her mother, Mary Shiers of Kearney; four brothers and two sisters-in-law, Dan and Theresa Shiers of McCook, NE, Mark Shiers of Lincoln, Mick and Katy Shiers of Kearney, NE, Andrew Shiers of Alliance; and two sisters, Ann and Rod Teply of Loup City, and Sue Shiers (Mark Foell) of Grand Island
Was preceded in death by her father, Roger Shiers; and her brother John Shiers
Kearney Hub, 13 February, 2017
PETERSON, Cindy J., 58, of Ravenna died of cancer Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, at her home
Memorial service: Friday at Freedom Baptist Church in Stamford
Inurnment: Stamford Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born Aug. 21, 1958, in Albion
Parents: Howard and Joyce (Bose) Ommert
Attended grade school in Orleans, later attended Holdrege High School, graduated with the class of 1976; accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at age 15
Married: Bruce E. Peterson in 1978; had two daughter together
Was a stay-at-home mom and felt blessed to be able to do so; later worked in the Arapahoe Public School lunch room for six years and at Medicine Creek Lodge for four years
Activities: loved spending time at Harry Strunk Lake with her family, camping, boating and skiing; also enjoyed looking for Indian relics and walks along the beach; enjoyed being out in nature, planting flowers and especially enjoyed the birds, also liked snowmen and making snow angels, but nothing brought her more joy than her granddaughter, Summer
Survivors include her daughters, Michelle Peterson of Kearney and Allison and her husband, Aaron Palik, and their daughter, Summer Rae Palik, all of Lincoln; brother, Randy Ommert and wife Jennifer of Axtell; special friend, Dennis Joslin of Ravenna; Bruce Peterson of Omaha; and many nieces, nephews and close friends
Was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Danny Ommert
Kearney Hub, 8 February, 2017
PETERSON, Clifford R., 93, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: Thursday at First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: Born: August 17, 1923, at Porterfield Farm six miles northwest of Kearney
Parents: Ernest and Mabel (Hanson) Peterson
Attended Glenwood rural school and Fair Oaks rural school west of Riverdale, graduated from Riverdale High School in 1941
Married: July 22, 1956, to Dorothy Reiter in Kearney
Worked at the FBI Justice Department in Washington, D.C., as a fingerprint expert, 1941-1942
Military: U.S. Navy, veteran of World War II, served in Minot, N.D., then at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; participated in the Philippine Liberation, Invasion of Iwo Jima, Invasion of Okinawa, Occupation of Japan and the World War II Victory
Returned from his service, then worked for Sears Roebuck and Co. as a sales clerk, 1946-1955; was a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, 1955-1985; it was estimated that he traversed more than 94,000 miles in his postal career; retired from the post office, then worked part time at Cash-Wa Distributing until 2009
Activities: member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney, VFW Post 759, American Legion Post 52, Kearney Elks Lodge 984 and the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 312; hobbies included golf, playing softball, bowling and hunting
Survivors include: wife, Dorothy of 60 years; and son, Curt Peterson and wife Cathy of Omaha
Was preceded in death by his sister, Dorene Moreau
Memorials: First United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 14 February, 2017
SCHADE, Ronald Leon "Ronn", 54, of Grand Island died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, in Grand Island
Memorial service: Friday, Feb. 17, at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born on Sept. 2, 1962, in Kearney
Parents: Larry and Pearl Jean (Cunningham) Schade
Grew up in Kearney, went to Kearney High School; later earned his GED and attended six months of college at Metro Community College in Omaha
Married: Cindi Wyman on June 7, 1983, in Kearney; lived in Kearney; had three children together; later divorced
Activities: loved his grandsons and was looking forward to the birth of his first granddaughter; was an avid bowhunter, enjoyed deer hunting and fishing; also loved running with his dog
Survivors include: his parents of Kearney; son, Jason Shade of Lincoln; daughter, Ronni Schade of Grand Island; brother, Rick Schade and wife Liz of Kearney; and a sister, Tina Willis and husband Monte of Chapel Hill, N.C.
Was preceded in death by his daughter, Angela “Angie” Schade; and nephew, Brad Reeder
Kearney Hub, 16 January, 2017
SCHINZEL, Bernard "Bernie", 86, of Kearney, formerly of Overton, died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at Mount Carmel Home and Rehabilitation Center
Service: Tuesday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Overton
Burial: St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery in Lexington with military honors
Mortuary: Reynolds-Love in Lexington
Born Jan. 1, 1931, in Gibbon
Parents: Frank and Regina (Reisdorff) Schinzel
Attended Buda Elementary School until third grade and then St. James Catholic School; started high school at Potter High School and then went to Lexington High School until the 10th grade; then quit school to help support his family
Military: was a proud U.S. Army veteran, served as a front-line machine gunner for two years in the Korean War
Married: Mary Ann Wengler on Sept. 3, 1962, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Overton; had two daughters together
Lived in Lexington for a short while, then settled on a farm north of Overton for many years; worked very hard on the farm, raising pigs, cattle, corn and soybeans until age 80; loved admiring his crops on late August evenings
Activities: greatly enjoyed activities at Overton Public School; the pride and joy of his life was following his children’s and later his grandchildren’s various school and extracurricular activities; taught his children that determination, hard work and honesty can lead to a fulfilling life; encouraged his family to believe in themselves and to set and achieve high goals
Retired from farming and moved to Meadowlark Manor in Kearney to be closer to medical services and family; eventually moved to Mount Carmel Home in Kearney; enjoyed the social activities with the childcare children who visited the home; also enjoyed playing bingo and sitting by the front window to watch people and trains pass; was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church for over 50 years, served as an usher and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion; lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars
Survivors include: his wife, Mary Ann of Kearney; two daughters, Cindy Schinzel Hald and husband Ron of Granby, Colo., and Lisa and husband Gary Hibberd of Kearney; six grandchildren, Eric Hald of North St. Paul, Minn., Megan and husband Lucas Everett of Fort Hays, Kan., Seth Hald of Vail, Colo., and Austin, Hannah and special friend Logan Kizer, and Haley Hibberd, all of Kearney; three brothers, Jerome and Lucille Schinzel of Torrington, Wyo., Don and Sue Schinzel of Omaha and Leonard Schinzel of Lexington; three sisters, Mary Ann Wilkinson, wife of the late Dick Wilkinson, of Des Moines, Iowa, Betty and Royce Dilsaver of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Luanne Schinzel and Trudy Portewig of Columbia, Md.; sister-in-law, Sarah Clabaugh, wife of the late Russ Clabaugh, of McCook; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews
Was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Kathryn Hafeman (wife of the late Arthur); and brothers-in-law, Leo (husband of the late Mona), Ed (husband of Betty), Bob and Dean Wengler
Memorials: Mount Carmel Home activities, Holy Rosary Catholic Church or to the family
Kearney Hub, 17 February, 2017
SLAUGHTER, Norma G., 90, of Kearney died Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, at Mount Carmel Home and Rehabilitation Center
Service: Tuesday at First Baptist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home
Born on April 6, 1926, in Mayfield, Ky.
Parents: Willard and Jennie (Madden) Bullock
Grew up in Mayfield, graduated from Mayfield High School; pursued her interest in nursing while working at a medical clinic in Mayfield
Moved to Austin, Texas in 1994 to stay with her sister; met her future husband, who was in pilot school with the U.S. Army Air Corps
Married: July 25, 1946, to Donald S. Slaughter, in Mayfield
After marriage, moved to Kearney and farmed east of town; worked for Kearney State College’s Student Health Department from 1964 until retiring after more than 25 years of employment; after retiring, worked at Mid-States Irrigation for many years
Activities: enjoyed many years of traveling and camping with family and friends; also enjoyed working in her flower garden and loved shopping; member of First Baptist Church, sang in the choir; member of East Lawn Kensington Extension Club
Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Roberta Slaughter of Kearney; her son, David Slaughter and wife Joy of Kearney; her daughter, Julie Larsen and husband Thomas of Kearney; her grandchildren, Lizabeth Everett and husband Dennis of Sacramento, Calif., Jason Slaughter of Lincoln, Alison Beieler and husband Ryan of Seattle, Dan Slaughter and wife Renae of Bennington, Stacy Kolvek and husband John of Omaha, Brad Slaughter and wife Katie of Lincoln, Scott Slaughter of Blair, Kirsten Larsen of Seattle and Alexander Larsen of Arlington, Va.; nine great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; and her sister, Helen Metro of Buckingham, Va.
Was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, Mark; and a great-grandson, Baron
Memorials: First Baptist Church
Kearney Hub, 16 February, 2017
SOLOMON, Larry L., 72, of Kearney died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at CHI Health Good Samaritan
Service: Friday at First United Methodist Church
Burial with military honors: Prairie Center Cemetery at Haven’s Chapel north of Kearney
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born June 15, 1944, in Kearney
Parents: Lysle and Carol (Clark) Solomon
Was raised on the family farm northeast of Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School in 1962, and attended Kearney State College for four years
Military: U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War
Married: Sept. 2, 1972, to Ruth Schultz in Lexington
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Solomon of Kearney; children, Julie Royle and husband Bryan and their children, Bryana and Britney, of Kearney, Jack Solomon and wife Caitlin of Kearney, Joseph Solomon and wife Amy and their children, Jacob, Zachary, Andrew and Isaiah of Kearney, Lori Benson and husband Cory and their son, Paul, of Holdrege, Tom Solomon and wife Trista and their children, Hadley and Aubrey, of Gibbon, Lee Solomon and his son, Levi, of Kearney, and David Solomon of Kearney; brothers, Randy Solomon and wife Patty, and Warren Solomon and wife Roberta, all of Kearney; sisters, Eileen Gillming, Laurel Benker and husband Don, and Connie Gillming and husband Jerry, all of Kearney, and Lisa Miles and husband Garland of Gibbon; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and an infant son, Karl Solomon
Memorials: the church or to Neighbors in Need
Kearney Hub, 15 February, 2017
TRAPHAGEN, Dianna, 74, of Hastings, formerly of Kearney, died Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, at Premier Estates in Kenesaw
Celebration of life: Saturday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Born Oct. 1, 1942, in Loveland, Colo.
Parents: Kenneth and Ruth (Oehler) Tresler
Grew up in Loveland, received her education at Loveland High School and graduated in 1960; attended CSU, aspired to become an artist or therapist
Married: June 18, 1961, to Roger Traphagan in Loveland
After marriage, lived in Colorado, enjoyed camping, traveling and picnicking in the mountains
Moved to Kearney, 1976; was a homemaker; worked as a bookkeeper for Maul’s Auto Body Shop and at Dairy Queen; moved to Hastings in 1990, worked various services jobs, most recently as a home health/hospice aid
Activities: enjoyed spending time with her children and was a Camp Fire Girl leader; had a passion for the arts, including painting and crafts; enjoyed dancing and music of all kinds, especially blue grass and old time rock ’n’ roll; loved animals, especially her cat and dogs; enjoyed learning about the world and cherished memories of traveling; enjoyed making someone smile or just feel a little better; enjoyed sunshine, swimming, listening to music and driving her Mustang convertible with the top down
Survivors include her daughter, Jodi Sowl of Kearney; son, Jeff Traphagan and wife Shamain of Kearney; husband/companion, Roger Traphagan of Kearney; grandchildren Mattie of Omaha and Tanner Traphagan of Kearney; and many nieces, nephews and cousins
Was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Jenny Lynn Sowl; and her parents
Memorials: Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation or the Kearney Area Animal Shelter
Kearney Hub, 9 February, 2017