Obituaries from February 2013

Thomas Joseph Jones Sept. 11, 1928 - Jan. 30, 2013 LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Thomas Joseph Jones, 84, of Lincoln, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. He was born Sept. 11, 1928, in Cambridge, Nebraska, the oldest son of Thomas Peter and Josephine (Hougnon) Jones...

Norma Richards Sept. 30, 1923 - Jan. 30, 2013 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Norma Richards, 89, died Wednesday (Jan. 30, 2013), at Hays Medical Center in Hays Kansas. She was born Sept. 30, 1923, in Jennings, Kansas, to F. J. "Ted" Dodson Jr. and Della Van Sickel. She was raised on a farm southwest of Jennings...

Elila Mae Whiteside April 7, 1921 - Jan. 28, 2013 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS -- Elila Mae Whiteside passed into the Lord's hands on Jan. 28, 2013, at the age of 91. Mrs. Whiteside was born in Benkleman, Nebraska, and has one surviving brother, Jimmy and five sisters, Bonnie, Barbara, Ruby, Hellen, and Leta...

Ruth Lorraine Hayward Jan. 6, 1914 - Feb. 1, 2013 KEARNEY, Nebraska -- Ruth Lorraine Hayward, age 99, formerly of Trenton, Nebraska, passed away at Cambridge Court in Kearney, Nebraska, on Feb. 1, 2013. She was born in Hitchcock County near Stratton on Jan. 6, 1914, to Roy and Effie (Gagle) Spencer. She graduated from Stratton High School and received her Normal Training in 1932 to teach school. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Kearney State Teacher's College in 1964...

Tommy E. Wheeler Nov. 25, 1961 - Feb. 2, 2013 OXFORD, Nebraska -- Tommy E. Wheeler, 51, of Oxford, died Saturday (Feb. 2, 2013), at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, as the result of an automobile accident. He was born Nov. 25, 1961, at Alamosa, Colorado, to Ernest S. and Geneva R. (Kerchner) Wheeler...

Elaine B. Meeks CULBERTSON, Nebraska -- Elaine B. Meeks, 80, of Culbertson, died today (Feb. 4, 2013), at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. Services are pending with Carpenter-Breland Funeral Home of McCook.

Marian Ellen Croutcher Dec. 17, 1928 - Feb. 2, 2013 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Marian Ellen Croutcher of McCook, passed away Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, at Community Hospital. She was 84 years old. Marian was born on Dec. 17, 1928, at McCook to parents, Harold Harvey and Nellie Louise (Echternach) Snyder. She graduated from McCook High School with the Class of 1947...

Tanner Lee Townsend Jan. 27, 2013 - Jan. 27, 2013 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Tanner Lee Townsend, infant son of Trent and Jessica (Stanley) Townsend, was born and died Sunday (Jan. 27, 2013), at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, Kansas. Survivors include his parents; twin brother, Tyler Joseph; paternal grandparents, Gary and Lucille Townsend, of Danbury, Nebraska; maternal grandparents, Joe and Regina Stanley of Oberlin; and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and other family members...

Stephen Kelsey Dec. 2, 1920 - Feb. 4, 2013 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Stephen Kelsey, 92, died Monday (Feb. 4, 2013), at Community Hospital in McCook. Inurnment is Friday, 1 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements...

Olive Grace Summers Dec. 29, 1911 - Feb. 4, 2013 NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Olive Grace Summers, 101, died Monday (Feb. 4, 2013), at Centennial Park Retirement Village She was born Olive Grace Summers on Dec. 29, 1911, at Belgrade, Nebraska, to John and Blanche (Ford) McClatchey, one of eight children. She graduated from Palisade in 1931. In 1941, Olive graduated from Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Hastings...

Elaine Carol Meeks Dec. 26, 1932 - Feb. 4, 2013 CULBERTSON, Nebraska -- Elaine Carol Meeks, age 80, formally from Worland, Wyoming, passed away Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska. Elaine recently moved to Culbertson, Nebraska to be near her family...

Dennis William Stewart March 14, 1960 - Feb. 3, 2013 KEARNEY, Nebraska -- Dennis William Stewart, 52, died Sunday (Feb. 3, 2013), from injuries sustained from a fall. He was born March 14, 1960, in Alliance, Nebraska, one of five sons born to William and Bettye Stewart. He attended school in McCook and graduated in 1979...

Stephen H. Kelsey Dec. 2, 1920 - Feb. 4, 2013 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Stephen H. Kelsey, age 92, of McCook, died at the Community Hospital on Feb.4, 2013, after a long battle with cancer. He was born on Dec. 2, 1920, in Norwood, Massachusetts, to George and Vivian (McGregor) Cleaves. ...

Donald Dean Pettera Oct. 29, 1930 - Jan. 28, 2013 MESA, Arizona --Donald Dean Pettera, 82, died Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, in Mesa, at the Villa Hospice. He was born to Joseph F. and Edith Kompus Pettera Oct. 29, 1930, in Herndon, Kansas. Don attended country grade school and graduated from Herndon High with the class of 1948...

William 'LeRoy' Walter STRATTON, Nebraska -- William "LeRoy" Walter, 78, died Wednesday (Feb. 6, 2013), at Good Samaritan Hospital, Kearney. Survivors include his wife, Shirley, of Stratton; daughter, JoAnn Walter and Tim Richards of McCook, Nebraska; sons, Jerry Walter of Stratton, Jeff and wife, Cathy Walter of Denver; and one grandson...

Tammy Sue Hobbs-Pracht May 24, 1964-Feb. 7, 2013 NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Tammy Sue Hobbs-Pracht, 48, died Thursday (Feb. 7, 2013), at North Platte, Nebraska. She was born May 24, 1964, at Sterling, Colorado, to James S. Hobbs I and Betty "Tootie" B. (Kruger) Hobbs...

Fred Goings WAUNETA, Nebraska -- Fred Goings, 73, longtime resident of Wauneta, Nebraska, died Friday (Feb. 8, 2013), at Sky Ride Medical Center in Lone Tree, Colorado. Survivors include his wife, Kay of Wauneta; a son, Bob Goings, also of Wauneta; a brother, Dennis and wife, Colleen Goings of Elsie, Nebraska; and two grandchildren...

Elvera V. Neitzel Aug. 17, 1928-Feb. 8, 2013 GOODLAND, Kansas -- Elvera V. (Richers) Neitzel, 84, died Friday (Feb. 8, 2013), at the Good Samaritan Society in Goodland, Kansas. She was born Aug. 17, 1928, in Cheyenne County, Kansas. She was a homemaker...

Dr. Chris Royce 'Royce' Rasmussen LANSDALE, Pennsylvania -- Dr. Chris Royce "Royce" Rasmussen, 81, passed away Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at home in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. He was the husband of Carole (Faison) Rasmussen. Royce was born in Trenton, Nebraska, and grew up in Oberlin, Kansas...

Janice Marie Vontz Oct. 26, 1939 -- Feb. 6, 2013 BAKERSFIELD California --Janice was born in McCook, Nebraska, to Harold and Ruth Klocke in 1939. She graduated from Indianola High School and married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Vontz in 1956. Together they had nine children. In 1960, the family moved to California, first to Merced, then to Fresno and in 1970 to Buttonwillow where they finally settled to raise their family...

Teri L. Morris March 25, 1085 - Feb.9, 2013 COLBY, Kansas -- Teri L. Morris, 27, died Saturday (Feb. 9, 2013), at Colby, Kansas. She was born March 25, 1985, at Hill City, Kansas to Lee and Glenda (Farr) Chase. She attended school in Hill City and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 2003 and Colby Community College...

DeLilah Georgene Monter Jan. 17, 1932 - Feb. 9, 2013 ELWOOD, Nebraska -- DeLilah Georgene Monter, 81, of Elwood, died Saturday (Feb. 9, 2013), at Lexington Regional Health Center in Lexington, Nebraska. She was born Jan. 17, 1932, in Gosper County, Nebraska to Theodore and Hilda (Riepe) Reese...

Martin F. Thompson May 5, 1920 Feb. 7, 2013 GREGORY, South Dakota -- Martin F. Thompson, 92, formerly of McCook, died Feb. 7, 2013, at Gregory. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda M. Thompson; sons, Martin Gene Thompson and Martin F. Thompson Jr.; brothers, Leonard, Glen, Melvin, Bill, Robert and John; and sister, Irene...

Dan Ross Brown Oct. 13, 1948 - Feb. 12, 2013 PALISADE, Nebraksa -- Dan Ross Brown of Palisade passed away Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 at Culbertson, Nebraska. He was 64 years old. Dan was born on Oct. 13, 1948, in Culbertson to Elma Wilson. At a young age the family moved to Portland, Oregon where he attended school...

Norman Troester Jan. 29, 1931 - Feb. 10, 2013 DENVER, Colorado -- Norman Troester, 82, died Feb. 10, 2013 in Denver. Services are 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3300 West Nevada Place, Denver, Colorado, Burial is at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver...

John S. 'Jack' O'Toole Sr. June 10, 1924 - Feb. 11, 2013 OBERLIN, Kansas -- John S. "Jack" O'Toole Sr. died Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at Falls City, Nebraska. He was born June 10, 1924, in Alma, Nebraska, to James "Emmett" and Elizabeth Chapiesky O'Toole...

Vera Frances Oliver Aug. 26, 1918 - Feb. 13, 2013 GOTHENBURG, Nebraska -- Vera Frances Oliver, 94, died Wednesday (Feb. 13, 2013), in Gothenburg. She was born Aug. 26, 1918, in Tryon, Nebraska, to Charles A. and Lena Belle (Parkhurst) Daly. She grew up in McPherson County, Nebraska, and graduated from McPherson County High School in 1934. ...

Edith C. Millar SIOUX CITY, Iowa --Edith C. Millar, 91, of Sioux City, Iowa, formerly of Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska, died Wednesday (Feb. 13, 2013), at a nursing home in Sioux City. Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes in Sioux City are in charge of the arrangements...

Maralyn Courange July 20, 1936 - Feb. 14, 2013 LAKEWOOD, Colorado -- Maralyn Courange died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2013), at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood. She was born July 20, 1936, to Valti and Ida (Montgomery) Magers in Oberlin, Kansas. She was raised in Decatur County. She attended Traer grade school and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1954...

Mary Ann Votapka July 8, 1928, - Feb. 16, 2013 JENNINGS, Kansas -- Mary Ann Votapka, 84, died Saturday (Feb. 16, 2013), at the Cedar Living Center in Oberlin, Kansas. She was born July 8, 1928, in Norton, Kansas, to Otto and Gladys (Huff) Johnson...

Kent Doetker WAUNETA, Nebraska -- Kent Doetker, 70, a longtime resident of Wauneta, died Friday (Feb.15, 2013), at the Sunrise Heights of Wauneta. Survivors include: sons, Jed Doetker and wife, DeAnn Kelly Doetker and wife, Dawn and brother, Loren Doetker and wife, Karen , all of Wauneta and five grandchildren...

Wilma E. (Rall) Steier March 4, 1924 - Feb. 3, 2013 VENICE, Florida -- Wilma E. (Rall) Steier, 88 died Feb. 3, 2013, at Venice. She was born March 4, 1924, to William C. Rall and Louise (Gaede) Rall. She grew up in Hoxie, Kansas. She married Robert Steier Aug. 8, 1954. She lived and worked in McCook for 55 years...

Wilker H. T. 'Mickey' Stubblefield Feb. 26, 1926 - Feb. 19, 2013 SMYRNA, Georgia -- Wilker H. T. "Mickey" Stubblefield was born in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Feb. 26,, 1926, to the late parentage of Harrison and Mary Wilker Stubblefield. He departed this life on Feb. 19, 2013, in Smyrna, Georgia...

Betty Erdman BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Betty Erdman, 85, longtime resident of Benkelman, died Wednesday, (Feb. 20, 2013), at her home in Benkelman. Survivors include her husband, Paul of Benkelman; daughters, Beth Kollmorgen and husband, Richard, of Trenton, Nebraska, Christine Collier and husband, Michael, of Brea, California, Annie Pursley and husband, Chris, of Enders, Nebraska, Julia Ott and husband, Jerry, of Holdredge, Nebraska; sister, Virginia Norsworth and husband, Jim, of Lincoln, Nebraska, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.. ...

Robert R. Schmidt RIO RICO, Arizona -- Robert R. Schmidt, 93, formerly of Culbertson, Nebraska, died Feb. 18, 2013, in Rio Rico, Arizona at the home of his niece. Prior to making his home with his niece, he resided in Ames, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otta and Amelia Schmidt and his brother, Raymond Schmidt...

William 'Bill' Robert Schilz Sept. 27, 1921 - Feb. 20, 2013 MCCOOK, Nebraska-- William "Bill" Robert Schilz of McCook passed away Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, at Hillcrest Nursing Home. He was 91 years old. Bill was born on Sept. 27, 1921, in Red Willow County to Jacob Anthony and Nellie Edith (Spurgin) Schilz. He attended rural country school...

Michael Olmstead Wacker Oct. 6, 1947 - Feb. 12, 2013 BACHE, Oklahoma -- Michael Olmstead Wacker, 65 of Bache, Oklahoma, died Feb. 12, 2013, in the comfort of his home after a short battle with cancer. A celebratory memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2 at 5 p.m. at the McAlester Country Club. Arrangements are under direction of Chaney-Harkins of McAlester...

Mary Jane Seeman July 28, 1933 - Feb.20, 2013 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Mary Jane Seeman, age 79, of McCook, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, at University of Colorado Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. Mary Jane was born on July 28, 1933, in McCook to James Abraham and Cora Myrtle (Schoenholz) Jeffers. She graduated from McCook High School in 1951. Mary Jane loved to swim and served as a life guard during her high school years...

Vesta Jewell Relph March 6, 1940 - Feb. 21, 2013 TRENTON, Nebraska -- Vesta Jewell Relph, age 73, of Trenton, departed this life in Kearney at the Good Samaritan Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. She was born in Ozark, Missouri, on March 6, 1940, to Leroy and Lucille Starnes. ...

Robert "Bob" Lee Duysen May 17, 1928 - Feb. 25, 2013 NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Robert "Bob" Lee Duysen, 84, died Monday (Feb. 25, 2013). Bob was born on May 17, 1928, in Imperial to Rudolph and Luella (Kleist) Duysen. He grew up in Imperial and after school he worked for a rancher until he began working for the State of Nebraska...

Roy Littrel WAUNTEA, Nebraska -- Roy Littrel, 78, died Saturday (Feb. 16, 2013), in Lincoln, Nebraska. Survivors include sons, Jamie Littrel and wife, Liz, of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jerry Littrel and wife, Sharon, of Davenport, Nebraska, Brent Littrel of Hastings, Nebraska, Troy Littrel of Wauneta, Nebraska; sisters, Rosemary Darsa of Rockville, Maryland, and Virginia Krausnick of Benkelman, Nebraska; brother, Virgil Littrel and wife, Connie of Palisade, Nebraska; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.. ...

Pauline Latimer WELLFLEET, Nebraska -- Pauline Latimer, 99, formerly of Wellfleet, died Feb. 20, 2013 in McCook, Nebraska. She was born on April 21, 1913, to Luroy F. and Cecile (Painter) Soules in Monmouth, Kansas. She attended school at North Platte. On Oct. 21, 1934, she married to Floyd "Stub" Latimer...

Loretta Alice Schilz July 16, 1923 - Feb. 27, 2013 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Loretta Alice Schilz of McCook passed away Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at Hillcrest Nursing Home. She was 89 years old. Loretta was born in Cambridge, Nebraska, to parents, John Charles and Elizabeth Alice (Hougnon) Jones. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1940...