Obituaries from October 2001

Mildred E. Hudson STRATTON -- Mildred E. Hudson, 97, died Wednesday (Sept. 26, 2001) at Community Hospital of McCook. She was born Nov. 26, 1903, on the family farm in Hitchcock County to Amos A. and Jennie E. (Johnson) Wood. She attended McCabe Country School near her home south of Stratton, and later attended Stratton High School where she graduated in 1923. ...

Richard James Allen CAMBRIDGE -- Richard James Allen, 73, died Thursday (Sept. 27, 2001) at the Cambridge Manor. He was born Aug. 24, 1928, to James and Nellie (Easton) Allen. The family lived on a farm south of Stockville. He attended school at District 92 in Frontier County. He devoted his life to the Christian faith as a teenager, and remained a faithful Christian for the rest of his life...

Robert E. Bottrell BEAVER CITY -- Robert E. Bottrell, 66, of Beaver City, died Sunday (Sept. 30, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He was born June 25, 1935, at Oxford to Lyle and Edna (Carmean) Bottrell. He was a life long resident of Beaver City. He graduated from Beaver City High School with the class of 1953. At the time of his death he was employed by First State Bank at Beaver City, where he had worked for 46 years. He also drove a school bus for 32 years...

Conner Leach BEAVER CITY -- Conner Leach 80, of Beaver City, died Sunday (Sept. 30, 2001) at the Beaver City Manor in Beaver City. He was born Nov. 26, 1920, at Beaver City to Clyde Conner and Ethel (Ayars) Leach. He grew up in the Beaver City area, and graduated from Beaver City High School in 1939...

Arland E. Holmes LOVELAND, Colo. -- Arland E. Holmes, 88 of Loveland, Colo., formerly of Estes Park, Colo., died September 23, 2001. He was born May 28, 1913, at Hayes County to Edward M. and Ethel (Stratton) Holmes. He graduated from Hamlet High School in 1930, worked on the family farm and attended Normal School in Wauneta. ...

Lisa Jane Lewis TOPEKA, Kan. -- Lisa Jane Lewis, 36, died Friday (Sept. 28, 2001) in a traffic accident north of Topeka. She was born July 7, 1965, at Atwood, Kan., to Robert J. and Jane S. (Sramek) Lewis. She attended Atwood Grade School, graduating from Atwood High School in 1983. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in liberal arts, and went on to law school...

Joseph 'Buddy' G. Hutfles HERNDON, Kan. -- Joseph "Buddy" G. Hutfles, 44, died Sunday (Sept. 30, 2001) at Herndon. He was born Oct. 12, 1956, at Atwood, Kan., to Joseph "Bud" M. and Mildred "Milly" (Riepl) Hutfles. He attended St. Mary's Parochial School in Herndon, and graduated from Herndon High School in 1974. ...

Conner Leach BEAVER CITY -- Conner Leach 80, of Beaver City, died Sunday (Sept. 30, 2001) at the Beaver City Manor in Beaver City. He was born Nov. 26, 1920, at Beaver City to Clyde Conner and Ethel (Ayars) Leach. He grew up in the Beaver City area, and graduated from Beaver City High School in 1939...

Lilyan Rachel Melton Lilyan Rachel Melton, 82, died Monday (Oct. 1, 2001) at St. Elizabeth's Regional Medical Center in Lincoln. She was born May 1, 1919, at Effingham, Kan., to Edith Christie Vine. She attended school in Kansas. As a teen, she traveled through Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska singing and playing guitar for church services. She worked for the telephone company, Peter's Dairy Creame, and for the Chief Motel as a desk clerk, from which she retired...

Dolf Jesse Jennings OBERLIN -- Dolf Jesse Jennings, 95, died Monday (Oct. 1, 2001) at the Decatur County Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin. He was born Oct. 19, 1905, at Nampa, Idaho, to John and Mary (Buek) Jennings. He was raised in Burlingame, Kan., and Lyndon, Kan., and attended public schools in both towns. He attended Ottawa University, Kansas State University and Montana State University...

Clyde Elwood Swartz Clyde Elwood Swartz, 59, died Tuesday (October 2, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He was born July 13, 1942, at McCook to Clyde and Mary Lucille (Finch) Swartz. He graduated from McCook High School in 1961. On Oct. 10, 1964, he married Sandra S. Fortkamp at McCook. He lived in McCook his entire life. He worked at the Electric Hose & Rubber Plant...

John Mathias Kleidosty HERNDON, Kan. -- John Mathias Kleidosty, 84, of Herndon, died Monday (Oct. 1, 2001) at Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin. He was born June 16, 1917, to John and Rosalia Kleidosty. He was the former operator and co-owner of the Herndon Pool Hall. He spent his life on the family farm, and in Herndon...

Frank Lawrence Pratt HASTINGS -- Frank Lawrence Pratt, 93, formerly of Indianola, died Friday (October 5, 2001) at the Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings. He was born on June 3, 1908, at Indianola to Jesse and Anna (Lehn) Pratt. He lived in Rome, N.Y., from the age of two to five when his father died and the family moved back to Indianola. He attended country schools in Red Willow County and graduated from Indianola High School in 1929...

Maurice C. Lee Maurice C. Lee, 98, died Thursday (Oct. 4, 2001) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was born Sept. 30, 1903, at Louisville, Kan., to Charles W. and Laura V. (McDowell) Lee. He grew up at Long Pine, graduated from Long Pine High School in 1925. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1927...

Harry J. Most ATWOOD -- Harry J. Most, 79, died Saturday (Oct. 6, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Center in Atwood. He was born May 8, 1922, at Ludell, Kan., to Walter Otto and Minnie H. (Rodenbeck) Most. He was a veteran of World War II, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946 in several locations, including Casablanca, Africa, and the European Theatre...

Eldon Allen Shepherd Eldon Allen Shepherd, 70, of McCook died Saturday (October 6, 2001) at his home. He was born June 3, 1931, at Maywood to Lennie and Cecilia K. (Dueland) Shepherd. He graduated from McCook High School in 1948. On Sept. 27, 1959, he married Marilyn M. Stevens at McCook. He lived in the area most of his life...

Edgar S. Johnson DENVER, Colo. -- Edgar S. Johnson, 63, died Sunday (Oct. 7, 2001) at Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital in Denver. He was born Sept. 29, 1938, at Denver to Edgar C. and Marie C. (Miller) Johnson. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and had worked for 7-UP Bottling Company, Sears, and was a self-employed manuscript typist...

Lillian J. Best Lillian J. Best, 76, died Saturday (Oct. 6, 2001) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born Aug. 25, 1925, at McCook, to Henry and Catherine (Sak) Hoff. She grew up in McCook and graduated from McCook High School. On June 16, 1946, she married Ellwood Robert Best at McCook. They spent their married lives in McCook. She was employed as a receptionist at First National Bank in McCook from 1962 until her retirement in 1987...

Ervin W. Gerver Ervin W. Gerver, 89, died Monday (October 8, 2001) at Hillcrest Nursing Home. He was born July 6, 1912, at Champion to Ruel Martin and Iva Clarise (Terwilliger) Gerver. On Nov. 27, 1933, he married Dorothy J. Toohey at St. Francis, Kan. In 1951, they moved to McCook. He worked for the Department of Roads for 25 years, retiring in 1975...

Dennis Brooks Schnell NORTH PLATTE -- Dennis Brooks Schnell, 81, died Tuesday (Oct. 9, 2001) at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte after a lengthy illness. He was born Feb. 7, 1920, on the family farm near Harvard to Conrad and Mary Margaret (Schlitt) Schnell. ...

Fredricka 'Freda' (Weber) Evertson CAMBRIDGE -- Fredricka "Freda" (Weber) Evertson, 96, died Wednesday (Oct. 10, 2001) at the Cambridge Manor in Cambridge. She was born Aug. 21, 1905, at Reamsville, Kan., to Henry and Fredricka (Harms) Weber. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith at the age of three weeks. She attended country school near Reamsville. She was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cambridge on Jan. 22, 1961. The family moved to Cambridge when she was 17...

Monroe Schmidt FRONTIER COUNTY -- Monroe Schmidt, 78, died Wednesday (Oct. 10, 2001) at his home in Frontier County. He was born Jan. 9, 1923, at Cozad to Enno and Taliena (Hicken) Schmidt. He attended school in Cozad. He farmed near Willow Island. On July 19, 1942, he married Mae Morris at Lexington. ...

Julia Alberta (Lawrence) Winkler CURTIS -- Julia Alberta (Lawrence) Winkler, 86, died Thursday (Oct. 11, 2001) at Senior Living Choices in Curtis. She was born May 25, 1915, at Deming, N.M., to Emmor and Pearl (Wilsey) Lawrence. She grew up on a farm west of Moorefield, went to college in Kearney and earned her degree in education...

Karen L. Meager Karen L. Meager, 61, was born April 1, 1940, to Ralph C. and Pearl M. Meager, at Laramie, Wyo. Karen graduated from McCook High School in McCook in 1958. She received her degree in business administration and management in Denver, Colo. She worked in retail management for many years in both Montana and California. She worked in newspaper advertising in Colorado and Nebraska. For the last 14 years, she worked for the Billings Gazette in Billings, Mont...

Susan (Henneberger) Glad ATWOOD -- Susan (Henneberger) Glad, 59, of Atwood, died Friday (Oct. 12, 2001) at St. Catherine's Hospital in Garden City, Kan. She was born Sept. 8, 1942, at Atwood to Dr. Charles E. and Frances (Eaden) Henneberger. She was a graduate of Atwood High School and the University of Kansas...

James 'Jim' J. Rutt James "Jim" J. Rutt, 52, died Saturday (Oct. 13, 2001) at his home in McCook. He was born Jan. 7, 1949, at St. Catherine's Hospital in McCook, to Dick and Lee Rutt. He grew up and attended school in McCook, graduating from McCook High School in 1967. ...

Mary J. Keller TRENTON -- Mary J. Keller, 84, of Trenton, died Friday (Oct. 12, 2001) at Community Hospital of McCook. She was born March 10, 1917, in Hitchcock County to Joseph Charley and Elizabeth Jane (Pierce) Cole. She grew up in Hitchcock County, graduating from Dyke Country School southwest of Culbertson...

Ruthe F. Poirier Ruthe Frances Poirier, 87, died Saturday (Oct. 13, 2001) at Community Hospital of McCook. She was born Nov. 16, 1913, in Frontier County to George and Mabel (Bennett) Dey. She grew up in Frontier County, and graduated from Gresham High School in Gresham in 1929. She was a rural schoolteacher for seven years, and then worked as a secretary and treasurer for the Agriculture Adjustment Agency at Curtis and Stockville...

Verle Florence Menze ARAPAHOE -- Verle Florence Menze, 86, died Sunday (October 14, 2001) at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Nursing Center at Arapahoe. She was born April 10, 1915, at Edison to John and Retta (Elifrets) Richardson. Her mother died when Verle was four. ...

Dwight Elkanah Pierce ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Dwight Elkanah Pierce, 78, died Saturday (Oct. 13, 2001) at his home in Albuquerque after a brief struggle with heart disease. He was born April 16, 1923, at Stratton. He owned and operated a farm and ranch north of Stratton for more than 30 years. He also owned and operated other businesses, including manufacturing and real estate...

Kenneth L. Meguire STRATTON -- Kenneth L. Meguire, 61, died Monday (Oct. 15, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He was born Jan. 15, 1940, at Stratton to George H. and Letha (Golding) Meguire. He grew up at Stratton where he received his education. He was a lifelong Stratton resident...

Susan (Henneberger) Glad ATWOOD -- Susan (Henneberger) Glad, 59, of Atwood, died Friday (Oct. 12, 2001) at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kan. She was born Sept. 8, 1942, at Atwood to Dr. Charles E. and Frances (Eaden) Henneberger. She was a graduate of Atwood High School and the University of Kansas. On June 20, 1964, she married Albert Eliott Glad at the Methodist Church in Atwood. She was a lifetime area resident, and a homemaker...

Doris Elaine Wissbaum Martin GRAND ISLAND -- Doris E. Wissbaum Martin, 76, died Saturday (Oct. 13, 2001) at her home in Grand Island. She was born March 3, 1925, at St. Paul to Lawrence J. and Neva Wissbaum. She lived in the St. Paul and Grand Island area until moving to McCook at the age of 12 to complete her education. She worked at Larry's Cafe for many years...

Carol J. Matson Carol J. Matson, 58, died Wednesday (October 17, 2001) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born Nov. 14, 1942, at McCook to William H. and Neva Wardine (Otis) Lepper. She attended McCook Public Schools. On May 2, 1966, she married Donald Matson at McCook. She was employed at Mac's Drive Inn until her health prevented her from working...

Patricia Rose (Marintzer) Riener HERNDON, Kan. -- Patricia Rose (Marintzer) Riener, 50, died Tuesday (Oct. 16, 2001) at her home in rural Herndon. She was born Oct. 23, 1950, at McCook to Hubert William and Doris C. (Janousek) Marintzer. She attended St. Mary's Parochial School, and graduated from Herndon Rural High School in 1968. She attended business school at Brown Mackie in Salina, Kan., and worked for 10 years as a secretary at Allison Drilling Company in Denver, Colo...

Kenneth L. Meguire STRATTON -- Kenneth L. Meguire, 61, died Monday (Oct. 15, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He was born Jan. 15, 1940, at Stratton to George Henry and Letha (Golding) Meguire. He grew up at Stratton and attended Stratton Public Schools...

Robert P. Young ELWOOD -- Robert P. Young, 91, died Tuesday (Oct. 16, 2001) at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood. He was born July 26, 1910, on a farm southeast of Culbertson to Francis Paul and Dora Anne (Leffler) Young. He graduated from Hayes County High School in 1928, and attended the University of Nebraska for one year...

Rose (Butherus) Cook CULBERTSON -- Rose Cook, 99, died Thursday (October 18, 2001) at Hillcrest Nursing Home. She was born July 24, 1902, to Henry and Katherine (Gies) Butherus at Trenton. She attended school at Benkleman and Bartley, graduating from Bartley High School in 1921. She received her Teachers Training Certificate and taught rural school in Bartley, District 69 and District 2 north of Culbertson. She lived most of her life in this area...

Bennie Krizek JENNINGS, Kan. -- Bennie Krizek, 69, died Friday, (Oct. 19, 2001) at rural Jennings. He was born July 23, 1932, at Jennings to Anthony and Emily (Shimek) Krizek. He was raised on the family farm near Jennings, and graduated from Jennings High School. He served in the U.S. Army...

Roger L. Calvin Roger L. Calvin, 72, died Friday (Oct. 19, 2001) at Community Hospital of McCook. He was born Dec. 20, 1928, at McCook to Eugene and Lillian (Schow) Calvin. He grew up in McCook, and graduated from McCook Senior High School in 1947. He graduated from McCook Junior College in 1949...

Alfred Haag CAMBRIDGE -- Alfred Haag, 80, died Sunday (October 21, 2001) at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. He was born Aug. 7, 1921, to Joseph and Gertrude Barbara (Gillen) Haag. He attended Danbury Public Schools. In 1944 he served with the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II...

Alfred Haag INDIANOLA -- Alfred Haag, 80, died Sunday (October 21, 2001) at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. He was born Aug. 7, 1921, to Joseph and Gertrude Barbara (Gillen) Haag. He attended Danbury Public Schools. In 1944 he served with the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II...

James 'Jim' W. Anderson James "Jim" W. Anderson, 93, died Monday (October 22, 2001) at the El Dorado Manor in Trenton. He was born March 15, 1908, at Denver, Colo., to Aurther Rolland and Charlotte Pearl (Harrison) Anderson. He attended McCook Public Schools...

Charlotte Graf Ruff GERING -- Charlotte Graf Ruff, 95, formerly of Gering, died Thursday (Oct. 11, 2001) at the Mitchell Care Center. She was born Oct. 6, 1906, at St. Petersburg, Russia, to Jacob and Maria (Lind) Graf. The family immigrated to the United States in 1907, when she was 10 months old. Her early childhood was spent in Lincoln, and then in the panhandle of Nebraska...

Austin Jacob Kotschwar Austin Jacob Kotschwar, infant son of Steve J. and Rachelle J. (Heath) Kotschwar, died Saturday (October 20, 2001) at Community Hospital of McCook. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Russell Ambler; great-grandparents, Huel Payton and Pauline Inman, Anastasia Kotschwar, and Clinton and Mary Heath...

Faye Alice Laird Faye Alice Laird, 96, of Hayes Center died Monday (October 22, 2001) at Community Hospital of McCook. She was born July 12, 1905, to Rufus and Fannie Elizabeth (Paxton) Mintling in Hayes County. She attended school in Hayes County. On Dec. 24, 1924, she married Clayton Laird at the home of Albert Schuman. She taught in the rural Hayes County Schools in 1925 and 1926. She was a homemaker...

Florence Graves OBERLIN -- Florence Graves, 81, died Wednesday (Oct. 24, 2001) at Cedar Living Center in Oberlin. She was born Jan. 25, 1920, at rural Jennings, Kan., to Frank and Anna (Fiala) Krizek. She grew up on a farm north of Jennings in Decatur County. She graduated from Jennings High School...

Robert K. Doyle Robert K. Doyle, 84, died Wednesday (Oct. 24, 2001) at McCook Community Hospital. He was born Nov. 25, 1916, in Red Willow County to Charlie E. and Lillie B. (Groves) Doyle. He graduated from Red Willow High School in 1934. On Oct. 17, 1937, he married Emma Mae Mackey at McCook. She preceded him in death on June 21, 1983...

Elizabeth Joseph CAMBRIDGE -- Mary Elizabeth Joseph, 85, died Saturday (Oct. 27, 2001) at the Cambridge Manor. She was born May 29, 1916, at Wilcox to Edward Thomas Sr. and Grace Ella (Hutchison) Purinton. The family moved to Cambridge during the 1920s. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1933...

Lester C. Powers TRENTON -- Lester C. Powers, 83, of Trenton, died Friday (Oct. 26, 2001) at Community Hospital of McCook. He was born Aug. 5, 1918, at Trenton to Charles Franklin and Anna Catherine (Morgan) Powers. He grew up at Trenton, and graduated from Trenton High School in 1936...

Georga B. Olmsted ARAPAHOE -- Georga B. Olmsted, 93, of Arapahoe died Saturday (Oct. 27, 2001) at Cambridge Memorial Hospital at Cambridge. She was born April 15, 1908, at Hendley to Frank and Lora (Mellinger) Bruening. She was a life long resident of Furnas County. She graduated from Beaver City High School with the class of 1925. Following graduation she taught rural county school for three years...

Charles C. Taylor ENDERS -- Charles Crandall Taylor, 85, died Saturday (Oct. 25, 2001) on his farm east of Enders. He was born June 17, 1916, at Lincoln, to Charles J. and Grace (Crandall) Taylor. He was raised on the Taylor and Crandall Ranch north of Enders. He started farming at the age of 18 years on a different farm north of Enders...

Marvel Emma (Snook) Voels STRATTON -- Marvel Emma (Snook) Voels, 91, of Stratton, formerly of Sioux Falls, S.D., died Saturday (Oct. 27, 2001) at her home in Stratton. She was born Jan. 3, 1910, at Luverne, Minn., to Wesley and Sylvia (Pokett) Snook. The family moved to Sioux Falls when she was a young girl...

Charles D. Ridenour HOLDREGE -- Charles David Ridenour, 77, died Thursday (Oct. 25, 2001) at Holdrege Memorial Homes. He was born Nov. 2, 1923, in Phelps County to Clinton and Verna (Henderson) Ridenour. He attended rural school north of Holdrege and graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1942. He was employed by Sears at Minneapolis, Minn., for a few years after high school. He then returned to Holdrege where he was engaged in farming until his retirement...

Doris M. Fimple INDIANOLA -- Doris M. Fimple, 77, died Monday (Oct. 29, 2001) at her home in Indianola. She was born Aug. 20, 1924, at Mishawaka, Ind., to Everett and Mildred (Love) Shaw. She served during World War II as a nurse at Camp Attbury in Indiana...

Carol Ann Springer OGALLALA -- Carol Ann Springer, 67, of Ogallala died Saturday, (Oct. 27, 2001) at her home. She was born March 31, 1934, in Lebanon to Freeman and Pearle Magers Gay. Carol received her early education in Lebanon Schools and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1951...

Doris M. Fimple INDIANOLA -- Doris M. Fimple, 77, died Monday (Oct. 29, 2001) at her home in Indianola. She was born Aug. 20, 1924, at Mishawaka, Ind., to Everett and Mildred (Love) Shaw. She served during World War II as a nurse at Camp Attbury in Indiana...

Lucille Witte CAMBRIDGE -- Lucille Witte, 85, died Tuesday (Oct. 30, 2001) at Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Cambridge. She was born Oct. 25, 1926, in Norton County, Kan., to Warren and Viola (Miller) Bell. She attended county school in Norton County, and Norcatur High School...

Charles 'Charlie' Henry Clary Charlie H. Clary, 95, died Monday (Oct. 29, 2001) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was born Oct. 2, 1906, at Orleans to John William and Emma Jane (Thurston) Clary. He started work at the age of 13 in a sugar factory at Bayrd where he worked for 13 years. He attended school through the eighth grade when he quit school to help his parents...

Rev. Harold E. Allen BERTHOUD, Colo. -- Rev. Harold E. Allen, 97, formerly of McCook, died Tuesday (Oct. 30, 2001) at the Peak Care Center in Longmont, Colo. He was born Oct. 30, 1904, at Riverton to Benjamin and Elizabeth (Roseburrough) Allen. He grew up and attended school in and around Bird City, Kan., where the Allen family homesteaded...