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ANDERSEN, Verna M., 92, formerly of Shelton, Neb., died Thursday, June 18, 2020, at The Auberge at Missoula Valley in Montana
Funeral service: Thursday at Apfel Funeral Home in Wood River
Burial: Shelton Cemetery
Born: Sept. 11, 1927, in Holdrege
Prents: Leonard and Lenora (McRoberts) Masters
Grew up in California, receiving her education there and graduating from Whittier High School with the Class of 1945; moved back to Nebraska in 1947
Married: Raymond Andersen on Sept. 3, 1947, in Kearney
After marriage, lived in Shelton, helped Ray on the farm; had three children together
Activities: member of the United Methodist Church in Shelton, the Rebekah Lodge, American Legion Auxiliary, Historical Society, and the United Methodist Women of the church; hobbies included bowling, golfing and reading
Survivors include her sons, Roger (Pam) Andersen of Gardner, Kan., and Ted (Barb) Andersen of Lincoln, Neb.; daughter, Nancy (Darrell) Lewis of Missoula; seven grandchildren and five-great grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond Andersen; brothers, Norman, Dennis, Raymond, and Don Masters; and sister, Lois Hawley
Memorials: the Historical Society and the American Legion Auxiliary
Kearney Hub, 23 June 2020
BAER, Billy Joe, 67, of Kearney died Saturday, June 20, 2020, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Memorial service: July 11 at Kearney First United Methodist Church
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Aug. 3, 1952, in Kearney
Parents: Herbert and Belva (Gillming) Baer
Was raised in Kearney, graduated from Kearney High School, 1970
Married: 1972, to Tracy Sisler in Kearney; had two children together
His fierce work ethic was instilled at a young age growing up and working on a family farm just north of Kearney; at age 17 began work for Monarch Construction and quickly rose to the rank of concrete and steel crew foreman; began at Eaton Corp., 1974, as an auto tender, his final six years was a gauge room attendant; during the 35 years Eaton, received several attendance awards, including one 10-year perfect attendance recognition; retired in 2008
Activities: hobbies included prairie dog hunting, bird watching, yard work and doing projects around the house; enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters, family, friends and classmates; was a Kearney Fire Department and Rescue Squad volunteer, 1974-1977; was a lifelong member and neighbor of the Kearney First United Methodist Church, regularly helped with the church yard work and snow removal
Survivors include his son, Brian Baer and fiancé, Jessica Galaska, of Kearney; daughter, Leslie Cook and husband, Court, of Scottsbluff; grandchildren, McKenna Baer, Lily Cook, Riley Cook and Josephine Galaska; brother, Danny Baer and wife, Peggy, of Kearney; sisters, Marilyn VanVleet and husband, Rod, and Nancy Brehm, all of Kearney; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Tim Brehm
Memorials: Kearney First United Methodist Church
Kearney Hub, 24 June 2020
BRAGG, Robert “Bob” Eugene, 92, of Kearney died Saturday, June 20, 2020, at his home
Private family memorial service: Living Faith Fellowship Church in Kearney
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Oct. 14, 1927, in Fairbury
Parents: Clifford and Ruth Bragg
Grew up in Kearney, graduated from Longfellow High School in 1945; enrolled in Kearney State College, but was drafted into the U.S. Army
Military: U.S. Army, served in Tokyo during the Allied occupation after WW II
Married: June 6, 1948, to Dorothy Williams
Worked in sales for Sears Roebuck and Co. for 30 years and subsequently as business manager for Kearney Public Schools, retired in 1990
Activities: member of Living Faith Fellowship church, active in the church and community, serving on many committees, boards and in numerous leadership roles, including seventeen years on the KPS school board
Survivors include his wife Dorothy; children, Laurie (Marc) Sorkin, Highlands Ranch, Colo., Leslie Jensby, Kansas City Mo., Larry (Susan) Bragg, Kearney; grandchildren, Adam Sorkin, Alison Sorkin, Jonathan Sorkin, Matthew (Celi) Jensby, Anne (Mark) Miller, Ross (Emily) Jensby, Ellen (Aaron) Gottlieb, Jared, William, Thomas and Emma Bragg; great-grandchildren Cayden, Cyvannah and Carlee Jensby, Johnna and Quinn Miller, along with nieces and nephews and many friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, LeRoy and Harold; sister, Betty Mills
Kearney Hub, 23 June 2020
CARUTHERS, Jodene, 65, of Kearney died Friday, July 3, 2020, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Memorial service: Thursday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: April 15, 1955, in Columbus
Parents: Raymond and Pearl (Hilmer) Waldman
Attended District 11 Country School and Columbus Lakeview High School, graduated 1973
Married: June 4, 1977, to David E. Caruthers; had one son together
After marriage, lived in Kearney and later in Gibbon
Later graduated from the University of Nebraska Kearney with a degree in computer science; most recently was employed as a computer programmer for The Buckle in Kearney
Activities: always was willing to help, was a longtime volunteer for the friends of the library, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army; enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family
Survivors include her son, Daniel Caruthers of Kearney; brother, Clarence (Cynthia) Waldman of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Carolyn Caruthers of Des Moines, Iowa; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents and her husband
Kearney Hub, 7 July 2020
CRUISE, Alice Norene, 99, of Kearney, formerly of Pleasanton, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at Mount Carmel Home and Rehabilitation Center in Kearney
Private family service: Pleasanton Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl
Born: March 12, 1921, at the family farm south of Pleasanton
Parents: Vern N. and Helen L. Dorothy
Was the oldest of three children, attended rural school District 87, which was located near her home; graduated from eighth grade in 1935 and from Kearney High School in the spring of 1939
Married: June 15, 1941, to Robert Cruise; eloped to Kansas, kept their marriage a secret until later that summer; were married for 78 years
Started married life in a small house and simple furnishings; had four children together
Was a farmer's wife, busy mother and proud grand and great-grandmother to 17 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren
Activities: collected antique dishes and Christmas houses. set up a complete village for the family to enjoy at Christmas; was an excellent cook, a meticulous bookkeeper and loved growing roses; long-time member of the Majors Neighborhood Extension Club and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kearney; enjoyed being a part of the United Methodist Women and held several positions over the years
Survivors include: children, Karen Crookshank of Loveland, Colo., JoAnne Unick and husband Ken, Ron Cruise and wife Peggy, all of Pleasanton, and Randy Cruise and wife Debra of Kearney; grandchildren, Cammie Spence, Craig Crookshank, Cindy Bender and husband Roger, Christine Jenson and husband James, all of Colorado; Michael Unick and wife Julie, Rory Cruise and wife Anna, Megan Mayo and husband Brett, Justin Cruise and wife Heather, Kyle Cruise and wife Lindsay, all of Pleasanton; Jon Unick and significant other Paige Arnold, Amanda Albers and husband Shane, Nicholas Cruise and wife Aubrey, all of Kearney; Charity Kuehn and husband Joseph, Eric Cruise and wife Jenessa, all of Lincoln; Holli Zuck and husband Chip of Mission Hills, Kan., Jennifer Smith and husband Brad of Waunakee, Wis.; a sister, Irene Newman of Kearney; 42 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her husband, Robert V. Cruise, who died Nov. 27, 2019; parents, Vern and Helen Dorothy; brother, Ray Dorothy; sisters-in-law, Betty Dorothy and Connie Cruise; brothers-in-law, Harold Newman and Warren Cruise; son-in-law, Fenton Crookshank; granddaughter, Cathleen Crookshank; two great-granddaughters, Lucy Cruise and Cecelia Mayo; and great-grandson, Barrett Cruise
Memorials: Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department
Kearney Hub, 30 May 2020
CURTIS, Joann, 88, of Lincoln, formerly of Kearney, died Saturday, June 6, 2020, in Lincoln following a brief illness
Service: later
Mortuary: Roper and Sons in Lincoln
Born: Feb. 8, 1932, in Geneva
Parents: Howard and Margurete Miller
Survivors include her husband, Charles Curtiss; children, Nancy (Joe) Sajevic, Steve (Holly) Curtiss, Patty (Bob) Wilson, and Tom (Laurie) Curtiss; grandchildren Jill (Austin) Domsch, Jenny (Rich) Eyler, Julie(Todd) Himmelberg, Mattie ((Ross) Nachtigal, Sam (Samantha) Curtiss, Charlie Wilson, Burke (Kendra) Wilson, Joy (Elliot) Kruger, Riley (Jordan) Moncrief and Kevin Rainey; great-grandchildren, Payton, Callie and Brooks Eyler, Landry, Darby and Colby Domsch, Cole and Blake Himmelberg, Sophie McNitt and Will Nachtigal, Beau Wilson, Connor Wilson, Rory and Briggs Moncrief and Adalie Kruger; sister in law, Kay Miller; cousins, PR Farmer, Deb Swalley, Jane Giddings along with nieces and nephews and many friends
Memorials: a special project at CountryHouse in Lincoln
Kearney Hub, 12 June 2020
DRIEWER, Cleo L., 86, of Kearney died Monday, May 25, 2020, at Mother Hull Nursing Home in Kearney
Memorial service: Tuesday at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: April 17, 1934, in Amherst
Parents: John and Florence (Armstrong) Schnacker
Attended school in Miller
Married: Ivan Dewey in 1949 in Cozad
After marriage, lived in Miller, worked at the post office; had three children, then they later divorced
Moved to Kearney in 1966 and began working at West Company
Married: Stuart Driewer on Feb. 2, 1968, in Lexington
Retired from West Company in 1981; with Stu, started C & S Grain Dryer Service in Elm Creek; retired in 1988, and moved to Rockaway Beach, Missouri; Stu passed away in 2013, Cleo returned to Kearney in 2017
Activities: was very social and could meet a new friend anywhere; enjoyed shopping, fishing, traveling, playing cards, crafts and singing
Survivors include: her sons, Terry and wife Jackie Dewey of Grand Island and Rick Dewey of West Plains, Mo.; daughter, Sandy and husband Kelly Herren of Kearney; stepdaughters, Patty and husband Dave Kreifels of Lincoln, Pam and husband Jim Norquest of McCool Junction and Shelly Hamling of Utica; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband, Stuart; eight brothers; and two sisters
Memorials: Mother Hull Home
Kearney Hub, 30 May 2020
ECKHOFF, Bobbie D. “Bob”, 86, of Norfolk, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020, of natural causes at Norfolk Veterans Home in Norfolk
Service: Saturday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney, with military honors
Interment: Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell
Born: Aug. 19, 1933, in Franklin
Parents: Ed and Georgia (Trollope) Eckhoff
Grew up on a farm near Hildreth with younger brother, Harold, his aunt, Ella, and uncle, Al Kaiser
Military: U.S. Army in January 1952-Janurary 1955; served in Korea as a tank mechanic
After discharge, completed his education at Southeast Community College in Milford
Was a mechanic at Foree, Speak Motors, Lammers Repair and worked nearly 20 years at Rockwell until the plant closed; moved to Garner, N.C., 1988, continued working for Rockwell until retiring; In August of 2013, suffered a series of strokes; moved back to Hooper, Neb., then in October of 2016, moved to the veterans home in Norfolk
Activities: was an avid Cornhusker football fan; enjoyed racecars, hunting and fishing
Survivors include: his sons, Ken (Sandy) Eckhoff of Hooper, Steve (Kandi) Eckhoff of Kearney, Jeff Eckhoff of Garner, N.C., Dan (Vicki) Eckhoff of Papillion and Tim of Fremont; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Don and Harold; young son, Robbie Eckhoff; grandson, Matthew Eckhoff; and nephew, Jerry Eckhoff
Kearney Hub, 28 May 2020
EIDEM, Jessica, 41, of Kearney died Friday, June 26, 2020, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Memorial service: July 25, at the Harmon Park Amphitheatre
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: July 11, 1978, in Ogallala
Parents: Martin and Bonnie (Knight) Mueller
Was raised in Ogallala and attended St. Luke’s Catholic Elementary School and later Ogallala High School, graduated in 1996; was the class valedictorian, a standout member of the girls’ golf team, a thespian, and a member of the band; enjoyed waitressing, played piano at Ogallala’s famed Front Street Crystal Palace Review, and was a photographer’s assistant; attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, earned her bachelor’s degree in education; delivered flowers for Kearney Floral when not in class
Married: June 10, 2000, to Nathan Eidem at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ogallala
Taught seventh grade science at Horizon Middle School in Kearney until 2003; during this time, earned her master’s degree from UNK; also lived in Washington, D.C., and Carbondale, Ill.; taught in Mount Angel in Albany, Ore.,and was the girls high school golf coach; returned to Kearney in 2008, worked at Sunrise Middle School, then returned to her previous seventh grade science position at Horizon Middle School
Activities: loved to learn and enjoyed the challenge of sharing that knowledge with her students; was a natural and accomplished teacher but her passion was her family; enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the U.S. on many long road trips; had an unwavering faith and was an active member of Kearney First Lutheran Church; taught confirmation classes, helped with VBS, mission outreach and played the keyboard in the praise band; loved to golf, play piano, go on walks, travel, attend concerts and spend time with her family
Survivors include her husband, Nathan Eidem of Kearney; children, Julia and Isaac Eidem of Kearney; parents, Martin and Bonnie Mueller of Ogallala; brother, Jacob Mueller and wife, Laci of Ogallala; sister, Joanell Staab and husband, Jarred, of Kearney; grandmother, Trudy Knight of Keystone; as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by her grandfather, Fred Knight; and grandparents, Charles and Ardis Mueller
Memorials: Kearney Public Schools Foundation, First Lutheran Church, or the American Red Cross
Kearney Hub, 1 July 2020
FULLMER, D. Lewis "Louie", 77, of Kearney died Sunday, June 28, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society St. John’s in Kearney
Memorial graveside service: July 15 at the Kearney Cemetery, with military honors
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: May 27, 1943 in Ransom, Kansas
Graduated from the Dighton High School in 1961, and from Garden Juco College in Kansas and was at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado for 1 1/2 years
Military: U.S. Marines, served in the Viet Nam War, received a Purple Heart during that time in 1967
Married: Franca Ploog on December 18, 1970
Worked for farmers and Peavey Grain Elevator Company, then worked for Eaton Corporation (manufacturing engine valves and gears) for 22 years and 15 years in the Kearney Public Schools as a bus transportation driver for K-12 Youth; thoroughly enjoyed the high school sports and activity bus trips with the students, retired in 2018
Activities: enjoyed flying airplanes, driving 18-wheeler trucks, taking trips on his Harley Davidson motorcycle, carpentry work with the rental properties, and his love of cats along with his wife’s flower garden
Survivors include: his wife Franca Fullmer, step-son, Walter Kievernazel, one step-grandchild Pablo Kievernazel, brother, Bill Fullmer of Kearney, sister, Marletta Wilkens and Jack of Healy, Kansas, three nephews and two nieces and families
Memorials: Kearney Area Animal Shelter
Kearney Hub, 11 July 2020
GEIKEN, Dolores B., 93, of Kearney, formerly of Grand Island, died Monday, June 8, 2020, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Private family service: Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island
Burial: Grand Island City Cemetery
Born: Nov. 28, 1926, near Gothenburg
Parents: Frank and Stella (Louezenheiser) Brush
Grew up in Gothenburg and received her education there; was the youngest of eight children and the last to leave this life
Married: Nov. 2, 1946, to Kenneth Geiken in Gothenburg
After marriage, lived in Gothenburg; moved to Grand Island in 1956, worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. until her retirement; was “Auntie” to her family of many that loved her; spent her life serving and showing God’s love in all she did
Activities: member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Telephone Pioneers, Eagles, Platt Deutsche, Stuhr Museum, YWCA, the Red Cross and a volunteer at St. Francis Hospital
Survivors include her daughter, Jacqueline Kay (Geiken) Lewis and son-in-law David C. Lewis of Kearney; granddaughter, Gabriel Dee (Klein) Fielder and husband Casey Fielder; and great-grandchildren, Wednesday, Myka and Bastion
Was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, husband, Kenneth L. Geiken, and daughter, Lori Dee Geiken, at the age of 3
Kearney Hub, 16 June 2020
HALL, Larry D., 77, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died Monday, June 29, 2020, at his home with his family by his side
Private funeral and burial will be held
Mortuary: Olinger Crown Hill in Wheat Ridge
Born: Nov. 8, 1942 in Hastings
Parents: Willis (Bill) and Stella Hall
Attended A.O. Thomas Kindergarten, Whittier Elementary, Park Elementary and Kearney (Neb.) Junior High School; played trumpet in the Kearney High School Band, also played football and baseball; played for his high school baseball team and local Legion club; graduated from Kearney High School in 1960, then earned a B.A. in education from Kearney State College (now known as University of Nebraska at Kearney); member of the Theta Xi Fraternity; was awarded the Kearney State Outstanding Alumni Award, 1989; earned his Juris Doctorate in 1967 with honors, from University of Nebraska Law School
Accepted a position and quickly became a partner in the law firm Wright, Simmons, Honcock and Hall in Scottsbluff, Neb.; went on with Kansas Nebraska Natural Gas Co. (later KN Energy, and predecessor of Kinder Morgan) in Hastings, in Evergreen, Colo., and eventually to Lakewood when the company moved their headquarters; moved up the corporate ranks quickly, served in the capacity of executive vice president, president, and ultimately chief executive officer and chairman of the board; also was an attorney and counselor of the Supreme Court of the United States, as well as the Supreme Court of Colorado and Nebraska; served on boards of directors for the Colorado Alliance of Business and the Greater Denver Chamber of Commerce; member of the Kearney State Foundation Board of Directors and a Trustee of the University of Nebraska Foundation; retired in 1999 and moved to their mountain home, and then Grand Junction, Colo., before finally moving to Colorado Springs, Colo., to be closer to his four sons and their families
Activities: treasured time with his family, whether it was skiing, spending time at their mountain home, family vacations to Lake Powell, Mexico, or Hawaii, or just spending time together during the holidays; enjoyed attending sporting events, was a season ticket holder for the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Rockies, University of Colorado and University of Nebraska football teams, but especially enjoyed the Denver Broncos, being a season ticket holder for over 40 years and attending the Broncos Super Bowl XXXII victory in San Diego; skiing, golfing, hunting, fishing, and spending time on the beach were favorite activities: will be best remembered as a strong believer in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his love of family
Survivors include his wife, Jeffe of Colorado Springs; son, Jeff (Tami) of Lone Tree; son, Mike (Karen) of Centennial; son, Bryan of Kiowa; daughter-in-law, Audrey (Scott); and his eight grandchildren, Andrew, Jennifer, Ethan, Ben, Abbie, Josh, Kaylee and Ellie
Was preceded in death by his oldest son, Scott of Colorado Springs; and his parents, Bill and Stella Hall of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 4 July 2020
HANNEMAN, Amalia “Molly” O., 88, of Kearney died Monday, June 29, 2020, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Center in Kearney. Funeral service: Friday at Countryside Christian Church
Burial: Fredericksburg Cemetery south of Minden
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Dec. 3, 1931, in Kearney
Parents: Magner and Viola (Stuthiet) Nielsen
Grew up south of Minden, graduated from Minden High School in 1951
Moved to Kearney in 1952 and began working at St. Luke’s Nursing Home
Married: married Marvin Hanneman on Feb. 6, 1957, in Minden
After marriage, lived in Kearney; worked as a nurse’s aide at Mosaic in Axtell, a cook and custodian at Northeast Elementary School in Kearney, and a custodian at Hilltop Mall; retired in 2003
Activities: was always there for her family, making them her No. 1 priority; also enjoyed feeding the neighborhood squirrels and birds
Survivors include her daughters, Lorelie Hanneman of Kearney; Deb Engler and husband Carl of Silver Creek; Ruthann Whatley of Kansas, Sarah Scoville and husband Bill of Sumner; son, Paul Hanneman of Kearney; brother, Burdette Nielsen of Cabool, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Diana Taylor; two brothers; and one sister-in-law
Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated later. Kearney Hub, 2 July 2020
HIDY, Larry Eugene, 60, of Kearney died Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at his home
Memorial service: Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Burial of cremains: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Born: Sept. 27, 1959, in Kearney
Parents: John and Gracie (Stithem) Hidy
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1978, attended two years at Kearney State College
Married: Pamela Pittenger Hilker on Dec. 31, 1987
Was baptized along with son Joshua Jon Hidy, on July 24, 1988; was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington on April 22, 1990 Had 40 years experience in the glass business, and Tri-County Glass Inc. was opened 11 years ago
Activities: former member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a current member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney; member of Leadership Kearney class of 2013, and an active member of Kearney Dawn Rotary for the last 10 years; enjoyed golfing, wood working, and carpentry, but the love of his life was spending time with family
Survivors include: his wife, Pamela Hidy of Kearney; son, Joshua (Suzuka Shimada) Hidy of Kearney; two granddaughters, Miley Marie and Mia Rose Hidy; two sisters, Eva (Dwayne) Nickel-Drabek of Kearney and Shelly (Roger) Doud of Kearney; brother, Bob (Diane) Hidy of Loveland, Colo.; mother-in-law, Barbara Stevenson; a sister-law, Brenda Sonksen; 18 nieces and nephews; 31 great-nieces and -nephews; as well as extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bill Hidy; a sister, Verena Wetter; father-in-law, Gordon Pittenger; stepfather-in-law, Lewie Stevenson; sister-in-law, Debra Ann Branstiter; brothers-in-law, Butch Nickel and Ray Wetter; nephews, Bo Stevenson and Nathan Mandelko; and his niece, Hilary Ann Branstiter
Kearney Hub, 5 June 2020
HILLYER, Patricia J., 67, of Falcon, Colorado, died at home on Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Celebration of life: later
Inurnment: Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs
Mortuary: All-States Cremation
Born: March 27, 1953, in Norton, Kan.
Parents: Frank and Ruth (Harrold) Brand
Was the youngest of 11 children; grew up in Kearney, Neb., and graduated from Kearney Senior High in 1971
Married: Feb. 26, 1972, to Lacy Hillyer of Grand Island, Neb.
After marriage, lived and worked in Grand Island until Lacy joined the U.S. Air Force; then lived in Biloxi, Miss., Caribou, Maine, Stuttgart, Germany, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Minot, N.D.; while in Hawaii, adopted their daughter, Jessica
Worked for both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army Civil Service Agencies of the Department of Defense; later settled in the Denver area, worked for the Air Force Finance Center at Lowry Air Force Base; moved to the Colorado Springs area, Patricia transferred positions to the U.S. Air Force Academy; took time to be a full-time mother to their daughter; later returned to the workforce as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service until retiring
Activities: enjoyed traveling the world and living in various countries, enjoyed the experiences and differences in the cultures, the customs and the different types of cuisines; loved spoiling her grandchildren
Survivors include: her husband, Lacy Hillyer; her daughter, Jessica (Zach) Gray; her brothers, Frank and Hal; sisters, Ruth and Donna; and the joys of her life, her grandchildren, Kinsley and Bryant
Was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her siblings, Eldon, Merna, Arlene, Robert, Richard and Kenneth
Kearney Hub, 13 June 2020
HUBBARD, Gary Mike, 65, of rural Elm Creek died of cancer on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at his home
Service: Tuesday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney
Inurnment: Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in Elm Creek
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born: Dec. 17, 1954, at Kearney
Parents: Gary Lee and Shirley Margaret (Moles) Hubbard
Was the eldest of 13 children; received his education from Elm Creek Public Schools, graduated from Elm Creek High School, 1972
Married: Dec. 16, 1988, to Marian Donovan of Greeley at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek; had three children together
After marriage, lived on a farm south of Elm Creek; was a lifelong farmer who was taught the meaning of hard work by his grandpa, Harold Moles
Battled cancer six times for more than 36 years
Activities: took pride in taking care of his land and the environment; was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed hunting and fishing; loved playing basketball, and continued to play until December 2019; his fondest memories were those spent on the basketball court while being coached by his now friend, Emmit Bosshamer; was proud of his children and his granddaughter; member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek, served in many capacities, including on the parish council throughout the years; also served on the Elm Creek Rural Fire District #7 from 2002-19; was a lifelong 4-H member and enjoyed coaching many of his kids’ teams throughout the years
Survivors include: his wife, Marian of Elm Creek; children, Noah of Elm Creek, Olivia and her husband, Devon (Kevon) of Elm Creek, and Gabriel of Omaha; granddaughter, Steelie; his mother, Shirley Hubbard of Elm Creek; his siblings, Jeff Hubbard and his wife, Lana of Elm Creek, Dawn Schneider and her husband, Dennis of O’Neill, Lisa Marshall and her husband, Larry of Bertrand, Tia Van Matre and her husband, Todd of Gibbon, Shawn Hubbard of Dickens, Harold Hubbard and his wife, Darla of Elm Creek, Neal Hubbard and his wife, Tracy of Elm Creek, Heather Anderson of Kearney, April Hubbard of Elm Creek, Anastasia Benson and her husband, Craig of Mooresville, N.C., and Tara McCormick and her husband, John of Andover, Mass.; 147 nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by his father, Gary Lee Hubbard; grandparents, Harold and Avis Moles and Morace and Carmell Hubbard; infant sister, Carol Margaret Hubbard; infant nephew, John Paul Hubbard; nephew, Tyson Hubbard; niece, Aubree Hubbard; and father-in-law and mother-in-law: Bernard and Mary Alice Donovan
Kearney Hub, 3 July 2020
HUNT, Jannette Mae S., 95, of Amherst died Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at her home
Funeral services and interment: Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Daykin and 235th roads in Amherst, on Sunday June 28
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: May 28, 1925, in Buffalo County near Miller
Parents: Walter and Theresia (Kaps) Simshauser
Was raised in rural Buffalo County near Amherst; attended and graduated from Kearney State College in Kearney
Married: 1949, to Melvin Randolph Hunt
After marriage, lived Charlottesville, Virginia
Taught school for almost 40 years and was employed by Albemarle County
Activities: loved gardening, shopping, travel; and doing weekly Sunday family dinners and card parties for her entire Nebraska family; enjoyed receiving cards from former students; enjoyed decorating for holidays
Survivors include three children and their spouses, Motanna J. (Hunt) Cason, Johnny R. Hunt and Jeffrey D. Miller, and Rocky J. Hunt and Barbara (Gray) Hunt; sisters, Phyllis (Adelung) Nelson of Broadview, Mont., and Edith (Adelung) Schriner of Waverly; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces and their families
Memorials: Amherst High School; University of Nebraska at Kearney (KSC); and Scottsville High School Alumni Association (Albemarle County, Va.)
Kearney Hub, 22 June 2020
JANSSEN, Waldemar L. “Wally”, 85, of Kearney died Monday, July 6, 2020, at the Prairie View Garden Assisted Living in Kearney
Funeral service: Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe
Burial: Arapahoe Cemetery
Mortuary: Wenburg of Arapahoe
Born: Sept. 17, 1934, in Seward
Parents: Harm and Caroline (Kamprath) Janssen
Grew up in Arapahoe, graduated from Arapahoe High School with the class of 1953
Military: U.S. Air Force, served 1952-1956
Married: June 17, 1957, to Mary Jo Frost in Los Angeles
After marriage, moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., and then to Lexington for several years, worked construction and in the hardware business; lived in Gothenburg and McCook, then returned to Arapahoe to own and operate the Coast to Coast hardware store; owned the store for 24 years, then retired in 1999 and moved to Kearney; Mary Jo passed away in 2008.
Activities: loved to camp and follow their grandchildren in all their activities; member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Arapahoe, and then of Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Kearney
Married: May 18, 2010, to Ruth Pigott; lived in Kearney
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Janssen of Kearney; son, Gary and wife Susanne Janssen of Alma; daughter, Rowan Buckley and Heather Volker of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Blaine (Allison) Janssen, Brent Janssen and Brandie Janssen and fiancé Troy Bland; sister-in-law, Donna Janssen of Arapahoe; and brother-in-law, Doug and wife Jan Frost of Fort Collins, Colo.
Was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Jo; and brothers, Brunno, Gilbert and wife Gretel Janssen, and Reinhold Janssen
Kearney Hub, 8 July 2020
JOHNSON, Lillian H., 97, of Kearney died Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney
Funeral service: Friday at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Minden Cemetery prior to the service
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born: July 28, 1922, in Bloomington
Parents: John and Katie (Dorn) Fritson
Was raised in Bloomington and was a 1940 graduate of Bloomington High School
Married: Oct. 31, 1948, to Edsel Johnson at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden; had two children together
After marriage, lived on a farm 4 miles east of Minden, farmed and raised cows, chickens, sheep and lambs; helped with many tasks on the farm; later worked at the Minden Hospital for several years; moved into Kearney in 1990
Activities: longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden and was very active as a Sunday school teacher and was a charter member of the Ruth Society; member of Zion Lutheran Church and School in Kearney; member of the VFW Auxiliary, DAV Auxiliary and TOPS; enjoyed tending to the chickens, her garden and flowers
Survivors include her daughter, Kay (David) Banner of Kearney; son, Kim (Cindy) Johnson of Holdrege; grandchildren, Jamie (Jake) Richards, Jim (Jennifer) Johnson, Jessica (Brent) Husted, David (Kristi) Banner, Gary (Manny) Banner and Candis Dodd; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jeannie Fritson of Hildreth; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers; three sisters; and three nephews
Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church
Kearney Hub, 1 July 2020
JONES, Shirley Mae, 83, of Kearney died Sunday, July 5, 2020, at her home
Memorial service: Saturday, July 11, at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral Chapel
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: May 20, 1937, in Miller, S.D.
Parents: Edison and Bernice (Witte) Davis
Grew up on the family farm near Miller, and graduated from Miller High School in 1955
Married: Jack Jones in Miller on July 14, 1957; would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on Tuesday; received her C.S. degree in South Dakota in 1958
After marriage, lived in Niobrara; Audubon and Malvern in Iowa; and then Kearney for the last 37 years; worked as the lead waitress at the Kearney Holiday Inn and the Younes Center for over 25 years
Activities: member of the First United Methodist Church in Kearney; became an honorary member of Dobytown Kiwanis, 1994; was a faithful Husker fan; selflessly never forgot a birthday or anniversary for her family
Survivors include her husband, Jack Jones of Kearney; daughters, Sandy (Alan) Byers of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Peggy Leu of Nebraska City, Sharon (Tom) Jones of Omaha and Cathy (Keith) Bryant of Centennial, Colo.; grandchildren, Jason (Mindy), Bryan, Christopher (Tina), Sarah (Dustin), Jennifer (Joe), Staci (Justin), Brittany (Matt), Carissa (James), Aaron and Kelsey; great-grandchildren, Emily, Mallory, Cami, Henry, Brecken, Teegan, Ashtin, Kade, Isla, Gatt, Reese, Riley, Raygan, Tyler and Wyatt; brothers, Russell and Gary Davis, both of Miller; sister, Donna Welch of Pierre, S.D.; sisters-in-law, Beverly Jennings of Pierre, Helen Raber of Longmont, Colo., Ruby Gooden of Gilbert, Ariz.; and many other family and friends
Was preceded in death by her brothers, Roger and Ronald Davis, and sister, Diane Hague
Memorials: AseraCare of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 9 July 2020
KAHLE, Lydia E., 96, of Kearney died Saturday, June 27, 2020, at St. John’s Good Samaritan Society in Kearney
Funeral service: Thursday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Sept. 20, 1923, on a farm northeast of Minden
Parents: Herman and Ida (Schukei) Pockrandt
Was baptized into the Christian faith on Oct. 23, 1923, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minden; on June 20, 1937, became a communicate member of the congregation through the rite of confirmation; attended schools in Kearney County
Married:April 6, 1947 to Albert L. Kahle at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney; had four children together
Worked at West Co. for 11 years, but spent most of her life being a farmer’s wife, mother and grandma
Activities: active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney; in later years coped with being visually challenged
Survivors include her daughter, Judy Wellman and her husband Phil of Kearney; son, Randy Kahle of Kearney and grandchildren, Greg Kohler and his wife Melodie, Jeff Kohler and his wife Rachel, and Kelsey Cervantes and her husband Jeremy. Great-grandchildren are Faith Kohler, Emma, Kyle, Lydia and Madison Cervantes
Was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; daughters, Bonnie and Shirley; grandson, Michael; and great-grandson, Patrick
Kearney Hub, 1 July 2020
KEEP, Meredith Corrine (Furry), 83, of Arapahoe, formerly of Elm Creek, died Sunday, June 28, 2020, at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center Nursing Home in Arapahoe from multiple myeloma
Chose cremation
Memorial service: Saturday, July 11, at the United Methodist Church in Elm Creek
Mortuary: Wenburg
Born: on Good Friday, March 26, 1937 at the Widney Hospital in Lexington
Parents: H. Glen and Harriette Winterton (Pickering) Furry
Lived on a farm east of Lexington until age 9, moved with family to a farm southeast of Overton in the Williamsburg Community; attended rural school (Horseshoe Bend) in Dawson and Phelps counties, graduated in 1954 from Loomis High School; attended summer school at Kearney State Teachers College for three summers and taught rural school for two years in Gosper County; then entered nurse training, graduated from Lincoln General Hospital School of Nursing in 1959
As an RN, had worked at Lincoln General Hospital, Lexington Community Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney; the last job lasted 33.5 years, retired in 1999
Married: Charles Burton Keep on Nov. 29, 1959, at Overton; had four children; divorced in November 1999
Activities: interests included quilting, gardening, researching family genealogy with her mother and sisters, and frequent DQ and KFC visits; was a member of the Elm Creek United Methodist Church and Garden Club
Survivors include sons, Chuck and wife Becky of Columbus, and Willie and wife Barb of Elm Creek; daughter Jenny Spaulding and husband Jeff of Arapahoe; two special companions, Frank and George; sisters, Edie Zetterman of Lexington and Jean Stahla, husband Phil, of Gillette, Wyo.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren
Was preceded in death by a stillborn son, Jeffrey F.
Memorials: Elm Creek United Methodist Church, Elm Creek Food Pantry, Kearney S.A.F.E. Center, Elm Creek Driver’s Education or Elm Creek Fire and Rescue for the purchase of a patient sling to get people up off the floor
Kearney Hub, 29 June 2020 and July 7, 2020
KNEESE, Jean N., 96, of Gothenburg, formerly of Kearney, died Sunday, May 24, 2020, at Stone Hearth Estates in Gothenburg
Private family service: Friday
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Dec. 21, 1923, in Farnam
Parents: Arthur O. and Amy (Mercer) Heumphreus
Attended Farnam High School, graduated with the class of 1941; attended Kearney State College
Married: Forrest Saum on March 28, 1942
Married: Milton Kneese on April 16, 1966
Taught school in Dawson County for four years and later worked for Buffalo County as a social worker for more than 39 years
Activities: member of Kearney First United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary and also the Eagles Auxiliary
Survivors include: her stepchildren, Kenneth Kneese of New Jersey and Michael Kneese of Hawaii; nieces, Terri Moore of Gothenburg and Kim Brown and partner Danny of Council Bluffs, Iowa; nephews, Doug Kniestadt and wife Irene of Franklin and Bob Kniestadt and wife Sandy of Denver; along with several great-nieces, great-nephews and other extended family
Was preceeded in death by her parents; brother, James Heumphreus; sisters, Bernice Ostendorf and Marjorie Kniestadt; husband, Milton; son, Bradley Saum; stepdaughter, Jackie Kneese; and niece, Marilyn Decker
Kearney Hub, 27 May 2020
LINNEMEYER, Eric A., 36, of Kearney died Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Funeral service: Monday, July 13, at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral Home
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Born: Feb. 10, 1984, in Bellevue
Parents: Gary and Diane (Marty) Linnemeyer
Attended school in Culbertson, graduated with the class of 2002
Was currently employed at Walgreens in Kearney as a shift lead
Survivors include: his children Zoey and Oliver of Kearney; his mother, Diane Marty of Hastings; sister, Amanda Linnemeyer and family of Kearney; father, Gary Linnemeyer of Frenchtown, N.J.; dear friend, Angela Linnemeyer of Kearney; aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends
Was preceded in death by grandparents, Clearance and Judith Linnemeyer, Eldon and Phyllis Marty and Melvin Johnston; two uncles, Doug Marty and David Linnemeyer; one aunt, Cindy Marty; two cousins, Chris and Marcia Callan
Kearney Hub, 10 July 2020
LONGSINE, Joshua Willis,, 35, died Monday, June 15, 2020, at St. Anthony Hospital in Westminster, Colorado
Celebration of life open house: July 2 -3, at Craig Funeral Home in Minden, Neb.
Burial: Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell, Neb.
Born: March 24, 1985, in Hastings, Neb.
Parents: Dan and Linda Hunt; at age 7, was adopted by his father, Craig Longsine of Minden
Attended Minden Public Schools, graduated with the class of 2003
Moved to Kearney, worked at Cash-Wa Distributing and Thunderhead Brewery; moved to Colorado, 2015, and found a job he adored at Kokopelli Beer Co.
Activities: as a child, expressed himself though creative ways, with vibrant hair colors, then piercings, and eventually found his true passion, tattoos; enjoyed baseball and bowling; was known for his kind spirit, his nonjudgmental listening ear, and ability to have fun no matter what; was an avid animal lover; lived life to the fullest with simple pleasures; especially enjoyed the company of his friends
Survivors include his father, Craig Longsine of Minden; grandfather, Keith “Bud” Longsine of Holdrege, Neb.; aunt, Janean and uncle, Warren Hahn of Shelton, Neb.; aunt, Lori Behnken of Columbus, Neb.; aunt, Gail and uncle Larry Hayes of Holdrege; uncle, Russell Wright of Holdrege; as well as many other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by his mother, Linda Longsine; grandparents, Ike and Clara Wright; and grandmother, Marilyn Longsine
Kearney Hub, 25 June 2020
MALOLEY, Nimir G., 92, of Kearney and Omaha, died Friday, June 5, 2020, at his home in Omaha
Private family service: Tuesday at St. George Orthodox Christian Church in Kearney
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: April 29, 1928, in Lexington
Parents: George and Mary (Malooley) Maloley
One of 12 children, attended country school and proudly boasted his spelling bee championship status
Traveled to Lebanon to be introduced to a prospective life partner by family friends
Married: Margo Abou Assaly on Feb. 19, 1961, in Lebanon; had four children together
After marriage, lived on the family farm in Lexington; worked hard, negotiated wisely and put in long hours in the fields; mentored many nephews and instilled in them an appreciation for working the land with your own hands and the value of a farmer to our community during the winter months, he honed his skill in welding. His creations still adorn the family home; never truly retired from farming the homestead
Activities: was a self-taught musician, played the banjo, mandolin and harmonica and entertained many at special event; also enjoyed singing; was a faithful parishioner of St. George Orthodox Church in Kearney; his faith was the backbone for the family; in later years, moved to Kearney
Survivors include: his wife, Margo Maloley of Kearney; sons, Paul (Lori) of Omaha, Pierre (Gina) of Waterloo, Phil (Ashley) of Holdrege; daughter, Ann of Elkhorn; grandchildren, Lauren, Ryan, Liz, Pete, Grace, Claire and Clay; great-granddaughter, Aurora; brothers, John of Lexington and Joe (Linda) of Omaha; sister, Victoria Salem of Kearney; two sisters-in-law, Wanda Maloley of Lexington and Joyce Spellman of Minden, as well as nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends
Was preceded in death by brothers, Shibble, Faud, Toffie, Zickie and Andy; sisters, Leenda Liakos and Sadie Malooley, infant sister, Esther; sisters-in-law Bonnie, Virginia, Lorraine and Mary; brothers-in-law, Abdou Salem, Ed Malooley and John Liakos; nephew, Jayson Maloley; niece, Josie Awtry; cousins, Esa, Anthony, Fay and George Maloley
Memorials: St. George Orthodox Christian Church
Kearney Hub, 8 June 2020
MARTENSON, Rhonda, 64, of Kearney died Thursday, June 18, 2020, at St. Luke’s Good Samaritan Center in Kearney
Service: Tuesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon
Born: April 9, 1956, in Kearney
Parents: Leonard and Royetta (Larkin) Warner
Grew up on a dairy farm south of Gibbon; attended Dictrict 42 through the third grade; graduated from Gibbon High School in 1974
Married: Sept. 2, 2006, to Albert Martenson
After marriage, lived in Kearney
Helped her brother Gene with milking the cows and farming for several years; also was employed at Nebraska Turkey Plant, Morris Press, Holiday Inn and most recently at Cabela’s
Activities: loved animals, especially her dogs; enjoyed being outdoors, cooking, gardening and spending time with her family and friends. Survivors include: her husband, Albert Martenson of Kearney; sisters, Betty (Bud) Stall of Gibbon and Marilyn (Tom) Schachta of Kearney; sister-in-law, Jan Warner of Kearney; two half-brothers; and many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Elinore Warner; brothers, Don Warner and Gene Warner; sister-in-law, June Warner; and two half-sisters
Kearney Hub, 22 June 2020 and www.osrfh.com/obituaries
MAYFIELD, Gerda, 79, of Shelton died Sunday, June 7, 2020, at Good Samaritan in Ravenna
Funeral service: Thursday at Apfel Funeral Home in Wood River
Born: Aug. 7, 1940, in Celle, Germany
Parents: Jacob and Regina (Homberg) Meckling
Worked as a dental assistant in Germany before coming to the U.S. in 1966
Married: Don Mayfield, September 1969
Worked at Fonner Park for many years cashing out all the big winners at the $50 window; also worked at both Wood River and Shelton hay mills as a truck driver; worked for Gangwish Farms in the summer during her later years
Activities: enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Florida, Colorado, Arizona and other places; spent many hours together fishing lakes all over Nebraska and Kansas; was an avid hunter of doves and deer, took great pride in bagging more than others; had been a great trap shooter; was a great cook, a fantastic caregiver and an overall hoot; had a passion and love for flowers and animals
Survivors include her husband, Don Mayfield of Shelton; daughter, Sandra Mayfield of Council Bluffs, Iowa; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Tom) Garvey and Colin Blann; cousin, Lloyd Andrews; and three great-grandchildren, Justice, Henry and Charlotte
Was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings
Kearney Hub, 10 June 2020
MORGAN, Dean L., 94, of Aurora died Monday, July 6, 2020, at CHI Health St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island
Private graveside service: Thursday at Aurora Cemetery
Mortuary: Higby-McQuiston in Aurora
Born: Feb. 20, 1926 at Pleasanton
Parents: Frieda and L.W. Morgan
Graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1944
Military: U.S. Army, served as a technical sargent in Company B, 30th Infantry, 70th Division of the Infantry; fought in World War II in the Battle of the Bulge in Wingen, France, and finished his tour with the U.S. Army of Occupation in Germany, was honorably discharged in 1946
Returned home, attended Kearney State College and the San Francisco School of Mortuary Science
Moved to Aurora in 1950 to work at Higby Mortuary
Married: Virginia Granstrom, Feb. 24, 1952; she preceded him in death in 2019
Together owned and operated Morgan's Menswear, 1953 and for 36 years; in 1980, opened a department store, the Village Square, also in downtown Aurora
Activities: was very active in the community; charter member of the Aurora Jaycees, served on the hospital board, city council, Bremer Foundation, Rotary Club, Aurora Country Club, American Legion, First National Bank Board and various boards and committees at the United Methodist Church in Aurora; loved sports, including golf, fishing and baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals; spent many hours working in the American Legion concession stand at Mitchell Field and attending and supporting Aurora Huskies sporting events and Husker football games; took great pleasure in teaching the game of golf and how to fish to his children and grandchildren and passing on his love of all sports to them; enjoyed spending time at the various cabins they owned during 66 years of marriage
Was preceded in death by is wife, his parents and a sister, Maxine Spongberg
Survivors include a son, Robert (Kelly) of Beatrice; a daughter, Becky (Chuck) of Omaha; a sister, Margaret Trautwein of Shawnee, Okla., seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends
Kearney Hub, 7 July 2020
OHRT, Sheryl Ann, 56, of Kearney, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at her mother’s home in rural Orleans
Service: Monday at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege
Interment: Alma Cemetery
Mortuary: Nelson-Bauer in Holdrege
Born: Aug. 27, 1963, in Omaha
Parents: Kenneth Eggert and LoAnne (Richards) Ohrt
Survivors include her mother, LoAnne Ohrt of rural Orleans; sister, Janet Exstrom of Holdrege; and two brothers, Richard Ohrt of Holdrege and James Ohrt of Henderson
Kearney Hub, 29 May 2020
OLIVER, Josephine, 99, of Kearney died Monday, June 15, 2020, at Mother Hull Home
Graveside service: Friday at Shelton Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger in Kearney
Born: March 1, 1921, near Shelton
Parents: Edward and Ethel (Jones) Oliver
Attended country school near Shelton
Activities: was a very active resident of Mother Hull Home; enjoyed feeding the birds, watering the flowers, baking and playing bingo; also loved to deliver the newspaper to the other residents and visit with them
Survivors include: her sister, Anna DeLaet and husband Lynn of Kearney; as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers and three sisters
Memorials: Mother Hull Home or to AseraCare Hospice
Kearney Hub, 117 June 2020
OWENS, Roger D., 65, of Ravenna died Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Swedish Medical Center in Denver
Services: Thursday, May 28, 2020, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel
Born: Oct. 18, 1954, at Conowingo, Md.
Parents: Robert L. Owens and Betty Rambo Owens
Grew up in both Maryland and North Platte, Neb., and also lived in many other places
Married: Roxann Patterson Nov. 21, 1973, at Maxwell
After marriage, lived in many states and currently resided in Ravenna
Military: United States Navy on Aug. 30, 1972, - Oct. 19, 1972
Was a devoted over-the-road truck driver for 48 years
Activities: enjoyed family camping trips, tractor pulls and drag racing; also loved watching his grandchildren’s sporting events and was proud of their accomplishments
Survivors include: his wife, Roxann Owens; his three children: son, Michael Owens and wife Jennifer of Brighton, Colo., daughter, Jamie Teply and husband Matt of Ravenna, and daughter, Rebecca Owens and significant other James Faber of Heartwell; brother, Ken Owens and wife Dolly of Thomasville, Pa; and a sister, Mary Gallagher of North Platte, Neb.; eight grandchildren, Thomas Owens of Omaha, Neb., Jacey, Sebastian, Suzie and Layla Owens, all of Brighton, Jonathan Brais, Alexander Brais and Sara Faber, all of Heartwell, Neb.; great-granddaughter, Zoey Shulte of Grand Island, Neb.; great-grandson, Jackson Owens of Omaha; and numerous nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Betty Owens; sister, Peggy Harris; and many aunts and uncles
Kearney Hub, 29 May 2020
PLAMBECK, Ronald Dwayne, 86, of Kearney died Monday, June 15, 2020, at Emerald Nursing and Rehab in Cozad
Graveside service: Friday at Kearney Cemetery with military honors
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Feb. 13, 1934, in Persia, Iowa
Parents: Robert and Opal (Williams) Plambeck
Was raised in Omaha, graduated from Omaha South High School, 1952
Married: July 17, 1954, to Pat Jensen in Omaha
Military: U.S. Navy, November 1955 - September 1957
After returning from the service, bought cattle at feedlots and from farmers for 30 years; later retired from Cargill/Excel
Survivors include his sons, Dwayne Plambeck and wife Diane, Craig Plambeck and wife Steph, and Ronald Plambeck Jr. and wife Angie, all of Kearney; daughter, Laurie Brisbin and husband Greg of Kearney; sister, Donna White and husband Joel of Blair; sisters-in-law, Gladys Plambeck and Linda Plambeck, both of Bellevue; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patsy Plambeck; granddaughter, Sara Plambeck; and brothers, Vernon, Gary and Buddy Plambeck
Kearney Hub, 16 June 2020
RAGER, Helen Lousie (Leedom), 88, of Ravenna died Saturday, June 13, 2020, at Seneca Sunrise in Ravenna
Funeral service: Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
Burial: Highland Park Cemetery
Mortuary: Rasmussen in Ravenna
Born: Dec. 27, 1931, on the Winnebago Reservation
Parents: Benjamin and Florence (Truedell) Leedom
Married: Feb. 3, 1951, to Walter Ray Rager
Survivors include her husband of Ravenna; children, Benjamin, Michael, Kelly, Mary Pernicek, Melanie Gutzmer and Travis; brothers, Robert Leader Charge and Dick Leedom; 18 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren
Kearney Hub, 15 June 2020
RICHARDS, Robert (Rob) Oliver, 72, of Scottsdale, Arizona, died Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at his home in Scottsdale
Celebration of life: Saturday, June 26, 2021, at the Kearney Country Club
Born: in August 1947
Parents: Oliver and Lurine Richards
Grew up on a farm north of Orleans and graduated from Orleans High in 1965; attended Kearney State College for two years, then enrolled in Pharmacy College at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, graduated in 1970
Worked in Kearney as a pharmacist for 24 years
Married: Katie Keegan in 1992
Moved to Phoenix in 1994 and retired in 2010
Activities: had a passion for golf, enjoyed time with golf buddies, lifelong friends and family; survived a double lung transplant and prostate cancer before metastatic skin cancer got the better of him; maintained a positive outlook through his many health challenges
Survivors include: his wife, Katie Richards; his siblings, Terry and Marlin Richards of Alma and Cheryl Richards Haskett of Wamego, Kan.; sister-in-law, Linda Wiederspan Richards of Alma and brother-in-law, Mirv Haskett of Wamego, Kan.; nieces and nephews, Kristen Haskett, Clayton Haskett, Kaci Haskett Ross, Amy Richards and Michael Richards; two stepchildren, Jason Lopez of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Liann Lopez of Yuma, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Macie Purdy Hindman, Taylor Lopez, Tyler Argomaniz and Ella Marie Lopez; three great-grandchildren, Gwenn Hindman, Jojo Hindman and Johnn Hindman; had brothers and sisters-in-law who enjoyed his quick wit
Memorials: American Lung Association, Norton Thoracic Institute at at. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Hospice of the Valley – Team O, or The First Tee
Kearney Hub, 6 July 2020 and 22 June 2021
RICHARDS, Willie Scott, 45, of Kearney died Friday, June 5, 2020, at his home
Graveside service: Friday June 19 at the Elm Creek Cemetery
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Sept. 22, 1974 in Cozad
Parents: William and Leatha (Upton) Richards
In 1980, moved to Elm Creek with his mother and younger brother, Todd; attended kindergarten in Elm Creek; later moved to Kearney; was always adventurous, enjoyed riding bikes, playing at parks, swimming and camping with his grandma and grandpa Upton; had a tender heart and loved animals
Earned his GED, studied large equipment operations at Casper Community College; worked at Wyoming Steel and Recycling; returned to Nebraska, moved to Norfolk and attended Northeast Community College studying automotive technology; in Kearney worked at several different eating establishments
Activities: enjoyed camping and traveling to the Gulf of Mexico, the Badlands, Yellowstone, and Glacier Park; enjoyed exploring museums and parks in the area; enjoyed gong on picnics, rock collecting, fishing, hiking, movies, playing video games, and of course, cars
Survivors include: his mother Leatha (Kevin) Schott of Kearney; brother Todd (Desiree) Richards of Kearney; his aunt Phyllis Sadler of Kearney; uncle Gene (Shirley) Petersen of New York; cousin, Jeannie Lakey of North Platte, two nieces; and many, many friends
Was preceded in death by his father William; grandma and grandpa Richards; grandma and grandpa Upton; uncles; aunts; and several cousins on both maternal and paternal sides of the family
Memorials: Kearney Animal Shelter or Crossroads Center Rescue
Kearney Hub, 13 June 2020 and www.hlmkfuneral.com
RIVERA, Paul “Pauly”, 63, of Grand Island, formerly of Kearney, died Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Service: Tuesday at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island
Burial: Grand Island Cemetery
Mortuary: All Faiths in Grand Island
Born: June 6, 1957, in Kearney
Parents: Manuel and Angeline (Hernandez) Rivera
Spent his last years with Mosaic, a wonderful place; enjoyed music, coffee and good food; is remembered for his infectious smile, especially when someone gave him a dollar bill
Survivors include: his siblings, Megdaline (Lloyd) Cash of Kearney, Joe (Dorothy) Rivera of Grand Island, Lucy (Lupe) Pacheco of Kearney, Helen Bickford of Kearney, Elizabeth (Henry) Vega of Grand Island and Lisa Rivera of Grand Island; and many nieces and nephews
Was preceded in death by: his parents; siblings, Virginia Mancilla, Ray Rivera, Rosemary Jenkins, Victoria Deras, Gracie Rivera and Manuel Rivera Jr.; and a brother-in-law, Delbert Bickford
Kearney Hub, 27 June 2020
SANKS, Delphine L., 93, of Kearney died Thursday, June 4, 2020, at her home
Memorial service: July 24, 2021
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: July 31, 1926, in Broken Bow
Parents: Earl Leonard and Dorothy Delphine (Faragher) Ayers
Spent her first 10 years in Broken Bow, moved with her family to Lexington; attended and then graduated from Lexington High School in 1944; attended the University of Nebraska on a merit scholarship, received a bachelor’s degree in English; later earned a master's degree in educational media from Kearney State College
Married: Lee Sanks on March 24, 1950, in Kansas City, Mo.
Began her teaching career in 1972 at Kearney Catholic High School, first as a librarian and then 10 years as a teacher of junior high English; continued her career as a professor of English at Kearney State College, retired in 1990
Activities: was an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Lexington and a member of that church in Kearney, lifelong member of PEO; was active in the following organizations: Rowe Sanctuary, Nebraska Alumni Association, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, Kappa Alpha Theta, Black Masque Chapter of Mortar Board, and Nebraska Educational Television Commission; was an early advocate of statewide public radio; was one of the first female members of the Cornhusker Marching Band
Survivors include: her husband, Lee of Kearney; sons, John Sanks of Lincoln, Joe Sanks of Anchorage, Alaska, James Sanks and Daniel Sanks, both of Kearney; grandchildren and spouses, Nathan Sanks and Chelsea Faulkner of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Phillip Sanks of Chicago; and sister-in-law, Monna Ayers of Albion, Mich.
Was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Dorothy Ayers; and brother, John Ayers
Memorials: Kearney Area Animal Shelter, Peterson Senior Center, First Presbyterian Church of Kearney, Rowe Sanctuary and Salvation Army of Kearney
Kearney Hub, 8 June 2020 and 21 July 2021
SMITH, Daniel R., 59, of Gibbon died Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Treatment Center in Omaha
Memorial service: Friday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Burial: later
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Sept. 2, 1960, in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Parents: Jack and Thelma (Keohler) Smith
Was the youngest of four sons; moved to Kearney before eighth grade in 1974 with his family, graduated from Kearney High School in 1979
Married: July 27, 1984, to Julie Strickland in Kearney; raised two children
Activities: loved the outdoors, enjoyed fishing, camping or golfing, watching NASCAR on Sundays and cheering on the Husker football team; was a very skilled woodworker and artist
Survivors include: his children, Jeremiah and Natasha; grandchildren, Maliyah and Charlie; three older brothers, Stan, Bob and Jeff; his ex-wife, Julie; as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents
Memorials: Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
Kearney Hub, 4 June 2020
SNIDER, Diane Lee (Yilk), 68, of Kearney died Saturday, July 4, 2020, at her daughter’s home due to complications of dementia
Private service: later
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger of Kearney
Born: June 24, 1952, in Hastings
Parents: Anthony “Tony” and Esther (Sorenson) Yilk
Was the fourth of eight children; lived across from the Crosier Monastery in Hastings, shared many stories of their adventures on the monastery grounds and friendships with the priests who resided there; attended both parochial and public schools, graduated from Hastings High School in 1970; at Hastings High her fondest memories were of being part of the Tigerettes Marching Drill Team and acting as captain her senior year; attended Kearney State College
Married: Rodney Snider on Sept. 10, 1976, in Kearney; though the relationship later ended in divorce, Rod continued to help their daughters care for Diane during her last years
Was employed in various occupations, owned and operated Snider Custodial and later Country Care Gardens; enjoyed landscaping and maintaining throughout Kearney; was also known for her many years of working at Glenwood Corner and seasonally at the Cabela’s call center
Activities: was involved in Extension Club, youth activities at Haven’s Chapel, served as a 4-H leader, was part of the Center School CCO, Center School Board, Master Gardeners and to many other organizations; appeared on NTV News multiple times talking about horticulture; received her associate’s degree from CCC in Hastings and credited her daughters for helping her study; later in life, attended ALANON at the Ambry Club
Survivors include her ex-husband, Rod Snider; daughters, Shawna Snider-Alexander and husband, Cody Alexander, and Chrystal Snider and life partner, Greg Mazankowski, all of Kearney; siblings, Mary (David) Donis Perrott of Washington, Tom (Mary) Yilk of Hastings, Mike (Molly) Yilk of Nevada, Nancy Yilk of California and Jack (Sandy) Yilk of Wood River; brother-in-law Charles (Leona) Snider of York; sister-in-law, Vickie (Steve) VanPelt of Archer; any many nephews and nieces
Was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert “Bob” Yilk; and sister, Patricia “Pat” Horacek
Kearney Hub, 8 July 2020
SNYDER, Val Dwayne, 61, of Kearney, formerly of Gering, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020, after a courageous battle with liver cancer
Memorial service: Wednesday at the Scotts Bluff County Event Center in Mitchell
Mortuary: Gering Memorial Chapel
Born: June 16, 1958
Parents: Val Deane and Kay Snyder
Was the oldest of three boys, started his education at Bushnell and received his diploma from Kimball High School
Began working for KN Energy
Married: April 8, 1977, to Rebecca Sue Hettinger; had two children together
Was a very dedicated and loyal employee to Tall Grass Energy, Kinder Morgan, and the pipe line; was also the president of the 811 NebraskaOneCall board of Lincoln
Activities: served on the State of Nebraska EMS Board, Gering volunteer fire department, and as a scoutmaster in adult leadership with the Boy Scouts; received numerous awards from the fire department, which included: Gering Leroy Elliott Firefighter of the Year in 1986, Gering Jaycee Outstanding Fireman in 1987 and Nebraska Aksarben Firemanship Award in 1991; had a passion for sharing his wealth of knowledge and engaging young adults in Scouts and the junior fire department; throughout his years in Boy Scouts he was a leader, scoutmaster, adviser, councilman, and was a familiar face at many district camping events; received the Silver Beaver Award, 2017; enjoyed camping, hunting, time with family, and maintaining ties with lifelong friends; his commitment to his family and friends has always been admired
Survivors include: his wife, Becky; daughter, Katie (Lance) Newth; son, Matthew (Lenae) Snyder; grandchildren, Alyssa and Payton Newth, and Aspen and Chase Snyder; parents, Val Deane and Kay Snyder; brothers, Rob Snyder and Darrell (Robin) Snyder; sisters-in-law, Joyce Rowlee and Sharon (Royce) Heimbouch; brothers-in-law, Gary (Marty) Hettinger and Ron (Bonnie) Hettinger; as well as very special nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family
Was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, maternal grandparents, and his mother-in-law and father-in-law
Memorial donations: Gering Jr. Fire Patrol, Wesley Netherland Scholarship and Laramie Peak Scout Camp
Kearney Hub, 30 May 2020
SODERHOLM, Kimberly Kay, 61, of Kearney, formerly of Holdrege, died Thursday, May 28, 2020, at her home, after a courageous battle with cancer
Celebration of life service: Tuesday at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege
Burial: Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege
Born: Jan. 15, 1959, in Lexington
Parents: Larry D. and Janet C. (Wortman) Debban
Early years were on a farm south of Elwood, moved to Holdrege in 1961; was baptized on March 1, 1959, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood, and confirmed on April 15, 1973, at the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege; her confirmation verse was: 1 John 1:9, ESV: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
In childhood, was an active swimmer; swam competitively at only 6 or 7 years old; received her education from Holdrege Public Schools, graduated from Holdrege High School, 1977; graduated from Queen Ann Beauty School in 1978
Married: Dec. 1, 1978, during an ice storm, to Thomas A. Soderholm at the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege
After marriage, lived in Holdrege; had one son
Worked for Carolyn Brown at the Loomis Beauty Shop; purchased the 7th Avenue Beauty Salon in Holdrege and later moved the business to West Avenue, naming it, Kim’s Kut & Kurl; sold her business in 2012; moved to Kearney, 2019
Activities: enjoyed working with flowers; treasured the time spent with her family
Survivors include: her husband of 41 years, Tom Soderholm of Kearney; son, Bradley Soderholm of Kearney; her mother, Janet Debban of Holdrege; brothers, Steve Debban and his wife, Terrie of Kearney, and Terry Debban of Funk; two sisters, Cheryl Taft and her husband, Dale of Elwood, and Dee Steinshouer and her husband Russ of Holdrege; sisters-in-law, Patti Thorell and her husband, Dave, and Virginia Fetters and her husband, Rich, all of Loomis; brothers-in-law, Art Soderholm III and his wife, Debbie of Johnston, Iowa, Randy Soderholm of Holdrege, Bob Soderholm and his wife, Marti of York, Rich Soderholm and his wife, Lisa of Alma, Ken Soderholm and his wife, Kathy of Kearney, Ray Soderholm of Holdrege, Bill Soderholm and his wife, Debbie of Holdrege, and Ron Soderholm of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her father, Larry Debban; grandparents, Richard and Hattie (Koitsch) Debban, and Alfred and Neta (Fastenau) Wortman; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Art and Barbara Soderholm; brother-in-law, Jerry Soderholm; special family friend, Robert Salisbury; and several aunts and uncles
Kearney Hub, 28 May 2020
STEFAN, Charles “Chuck” W., 84, of Kearney died Thursday, May 28, 2020, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney
Celebration of life: Wednesday at Grace Fellowship Church in Kearney
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Dec. 21, 1935, in Omaha
Parents: Charles Joseph and Wilhelmina (Hejl) Stefan
Was the oldest of three siblings; graduated from Omaha South High School; attended night school at the Radio Engineering Institute of Omaha for two years
Military: served in the reserve corps
Moved to San Diego, was hired on at Interstate Electronics Corp., then was transferred to Groton, Conn., as a field service engineer and worked on the Polaris, Poseidon and Trident Missiles on submarines as a documentation analyst
Married: Monica Deegan, in Ithaca, N.Y., on Dec. 26, 1961
After marriage, lived in Ledyard and Oneco, Conn.; had four children together
Was transferred back to the parent company in Anaheim, Calif., 1975, worked there the remainder of his career; enjoyed a fulfilling 40-plus year career at IEC-Division of L3 Corp., from 1961 to 2004; after retirement, along with Monica, daughter Margaret and granddaughter Rachel, and son Dave moved to Kearney
Activities: enjoyed family life and such hobbies as gardening, fishing, camping, woodworking and golfing; was an avid Cornhusker fan, through and through, no matter what coast he lived on; loved the Lord and sought a relationship to be closer to Jesus
Survivors include: his wife, Monica; four children, Chuck (wife Leanne), Margaret, Dan (wife Jill), and Dave; six grandchildren, Charles, Tiffany (Cochran), Christian, Timothy, Tristina and Rachel; one great-grandchild, Kamren Marie; and a sister, Mary (husband Reginald) True
Was preceded in death by brother, John Stefan, in 2018
Kearney Hub, 1 June 2020
STURGEON, Donald D., 87, of Kearney, died Saturday, June 27, 2020, at the Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home in Kearney
Graveside memorial service: Sturgeon Cemetery in English, Ind., at a later date
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: Feb. 5, 1933, in English, Indiana
Parents: William E. and Stella (McDaniel) Sturgeon
Military: U.S. Army from April 1953 to March 1955
Married: Thelma L. Garringer on May 13, 1961, in Bellevue
After marriage, lived in Bellevue, owned a concrete construction company; had three children, later divorced
Moved to Elm Creek
Activities: member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans
Survivors include the mother of his children, Thelma Sturgeon of Bellevue; daughters, Donna (Kent) Trampe of Amherst and Stella (James) Harnden of Bellevue; son, Robert (Donna) Sturgeon of Stockton, Mo.; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kassie Harnden and her daughter Elizabeth Phillips, Kyle Harnden and his daughter Addison, Carly (Colton) Spearman and their daughter Elise, Jared Sturgeon and Josh Sturgeon; a sister, Edith (Aven) Eastridge of Corydon, Ind.
Was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and five sisters
Kearney Hub, 29 June 2020
THOMPSON, Maxine M., 84, of Kearney died Saturday, June 6, 2020, at her home in Kearney
Funeral service: Thursday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney
Burial: Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell
Born: Jan. 1, 1936, in Dixon County
Parents: Kenneth and Eula (Gloshen) Voss
Received her education from Allen, Neb., graduated with the class of 1954; later earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Kearney State College
Married: Norman Thompson on Nov. 24, 1954, in Ainsworth; had four children together
After marriage, lived in Ainsworth and traveled around due to Norman’s construction job; moved to the Shelton/Gibbon area in 1961; moved in Kearney in 1993
Activities: enjoyed reading, babysitting her grandchildren and collecting books
Survivors include her daughters, Susan Tillemans and husband Cliff of Gibbon, Sharon Thompson of Kearney, Sandra Erickson and husband Michael of North Platte and Shelly Thompson of Kearney; brother, Kenneth Voss of Long Pine; sister, Karen Davison of Ainsworth; brother-in-law, Ross Thompson and his wife, Bonnie, of Sidney; sisters-in-law, Jean Thompson of Fremont and Janet Thompson of Wilber; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; and husband Norman; and sister-in-law, Rimena Voss
Memorials: Alzheimer’s Association
Kearney Hub, 9 June 2020
TRAMPE, Talon J., 15, of Amherst, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2020 at C.H.I. Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney
Funeral service: Thursday, June 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst
Burial: Stanley Cemetery near Amherst
Mortuary: Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl
Born: January 10, 2005, at Kearney
Parents: Trent and Linda (Oleson) Trampe
Born: Jan. 10, 2005, in Kearney
Parents: Trent and Linda (Oleson) Trampe
Was baptized Feb. 13, 2005, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst and confirmed April 14, 2019; was a freshman at Amherst High School; was active in football, basketball, track, FFA and FBLA; in summers, played baseball in Amherst and with the Overton Legion team; also enjoyed hunting and 4-H Shooting Sports; member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Amherst
Survivors include his parents, Trent and Linda Trampe of Amherst; brother, Thatcher Trampe of Amherst; grandparents, Sharon Trampe of Amherst and Betty Sargent and husband Curtis of Cozad; aunts and uncles, Joni Long and husband Ron of Amherst, Deb Adelung and husband Kent of Amherst, Lisa Bergt and husband Clarence of Amherst and Terri Lovitt and husband Kurt of Sumner; numerous cousins and friends
Was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jan Oleson and Darrell Trampe
Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church, Amherst Fire Department, or for an education fund for his brother Thatcher
Kearney Hub, 9 June 2020
VASKO, Miles Adrian, 48, of Lincoln died of cancer Thursday, June 18, 2020
Celebration of life: later
Mortuary: Roper and Sons in Lincoln
Born: Oct. 26, 1971, in North Platte
Parents: Robert and Teri Vasko in North Platte
Graduated from Kearney High School in 1990
Was employed at Kawasaki for 25 years
Activities: enjoyed NASCAR, Nebraska Cornhuskers and restoring his ’68 Chevy
Survivors include his partner, Kirsten Perkins; son, Joshua Vasko; stepson, James (Valerie) Perkins; mother, Teri Vasko; brothers, Ethan (Heidi) Vasko, Tyler (Cathy) Vasko, Kelley (Donna) Vasko and Scott Vasko; aunts and uncles, Larry and Toni Smith, Bud Milner and Christy Schlientz, Steve and Kelly Thomalla and Kent and Val Schlientz; grandchildren, Keaden, Ryden, Coralyn, Oden and London; along with many neices, nephews and cousins
Was preceded in death by his father, Robert Vasko; and grandparents, Charles and Maxine Schlientz and John and Mary Vasko
Kearney Hub, 24 June 2020
WENIG, Ona Mae, 90, of Kearney died Friday, June 19, 2020, at her home
Donated her body to the Nebraska State Anatomical Board for medical education and scientific research
Memorial service: Friday at First Baptist Church in Kearney
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: April 13, 1930, in Dawson
Parents: Jesse and Edna (Etter) Spurgin
Graduated from Dawson High School in 1948 and attended business school at Omaha
Married: Thomas Wenig on Dec. 29, 1948, in Falls City
After marriage, lived in Iowa, South Carolina and Florida, returned to Nebraska in 1968, working with the Southern Baptist Convention; she and her husband were commissioned as home missionaries of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1975, served in western Nebraska, retired in 1994; made their home and business office in Kearney
Activities: member of First Baptist Church at the time of her death; longtime member and volunteer of the Kearney Chapter of the United Ostomy Association; enjoyed sewing, traveling and spending time with her family
Survivors include her daughters, Christy Clarke and Camilla Wenig, both of Kearney; sons, Michael Wenig of Omaha and Joseph Wenig of Lafayette, Ind.; sisters, Norma Alfard of Fayetteville, Ark., Cheryle Weir of Wilmington, N.C., and Karen Eickhoff of Lincoln; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, William H. Clarke; daughter-in-law, Sharon Wenig; along with several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, Kenneth Spurgin, Arthur Spurgin and Larry Spurgin; sister, Helen Martinosky; two infant grandsons; a great-grandson; and a great-granddaughter
Memorials: First Baptist Church or to Roger Williams Fellowship.. Kearney Hub, 22 June 2020
WILLARD, Betty, 90, of Kearney died Thursday, June 11, 2020, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg
Funeral Mass: Tuesday at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney
Burial: Kearney Cemetery
Mortuary: O’Brien Straatmann Redinger
Born: Nov. 19, 1929, in Stuart
Parents: Frank and Rose (Kramer) Hamik
Was raised in Stuart and attended Stuart High School; attended Lincoln Beauty Academy in Lincoln
Married: Leland Willard on Oct. 28, 1954, in Stuart; had five daughters together
After marriage, lived in Kearney and enjoyed traveling extensively together
Enjoyed staying home to raise her family; had a 30-year career with Avon; loved to spend time with her family; was a gracious host and especially looked forward to cooking for family and their guests
Activities: active member of St. James Catholic Church, was involved in the altar society and prayer chain; longtime volunteer with the American Red Cross and Good Samaritan Hospital; was an avid bowler and a proud member of the Betty Club
Survivors include: her daughters, LeAnne Lacey and her husband, Mike, of Shelton, Lori West of Kearney, Lisa Schwab and her husband, Kent, of Silverthorne, Colo., and Lichelle Aden and her husband, Jim, of Gothenburg; grandchildren, Jessica Frink (Jeremy), Justin Lacey (Jill), Timmy, Nicole and Dillon West, Sydney Schwab, Kyle Schwab (Elle), Bailey, Grace, Maggie and Sophia Aden; great-grandchildren, Owen and Elliet Frink and Madi and Barrett Lacey; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends
Was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lee Willard; daughter, Lynelle (Willard) Parks; grandson, Isaiah Aden; and her sisters and brothers
Memorials: St. James Catholic Church
Kearney Hub,15 June 2020