Obituaries from February 2014

Dale A. Workman Dec. 22, 1919 - Feb. 1, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Dale A. Workman, age 94, died Feb. 1, 2014, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska. Dale was born on Dec. 22, 1919, to Roy and Elna (McCartny) Workman in Beatrice, Nebraska, where he grew up and spent most of his life...

Lloyd G. Nellor Nov. 13, 1931 - Feb. 1, 2014 BEEMER, Nebraska -- Lloyd G. Nellor, 82, died Saturday (Feb. 1, 2014), at Pender Community Hospital. He was born Nov. 13, 1931, at Beemer to Harry and Ida (Raasch) Nellor. He graduated from Beemer High School in 1949. ...

Elizabeth Rowell Dec. 6, 1935 - Jan. 24, 2014 HAYS, Kansas -- Elizabeth Rowell, 78, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2014), at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas, at the age of 78. She was born Dec. 6, 1935, in Denver, Colorado. She graduated from high school and college in Denver, earning a nursing degree. She later moved to California for almost 13 years. She recently had moved to Oberlin to be near her son, Jeff...

William F. 'Bill' Ellis Nov. 14, 1940 - Jan. 31, 2014 BARTLEY, Nebraska -- William F. "Bill" Ellis of Bartley, age 73, died at Cambridge Memorial Hospital on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. He was born in Furnas County, Nebraska, north of Cambridge on the family farm on Nov. 14, 1940, to Fern Otto and Lucille (Culver) Ellis...

Kenneth R. Lines July 25, 1941 - Jan. 31, 2014 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Kenneth R. Lines was born July 25, 1941, in Denver, Colorado, to Robert C. and Florence S. (Davies) Lines. He passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, at his home in Oberlin, Kansas, surrounded by his family...

Larry William Ator April 4, 1943 - Dec. 17, 2013 RIO RANCHO, New Mexico -- Larry William Ator, 70, a resident of Rio Rancho, died Tuesday (Dec. 17, 2013), in Albuquerque, New Mexico, following a short illness. After graduation in 1961 from Sandia High School in Albuquerque, he joined the US Marine Corps. ...

Becky Jane Lepper Sept. 7, 1949 - Feb. 3, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Becky Jane Lepper, age 64, passed away Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, at Community Hospital of McCook. Becky was born in Imperial, Nebraska, to Lauren James and Ella Lucille (Eskew) McConnell on Sept. 7, 1949...

Ernestine Smith Jan. 10, 1925 - Jan. 30, 2014 BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Ernestine Elaine (Little) Smith was born Jan. 10, 1925, in Benkelman, Nebraska, to Arthur L. and Lela M. (DeHart) Little. As a young girl, she attended country school north of Benkelman...

Loyal D. Springer March 6, 1944 - Feb. 3, 2014 LEBANON, Nebraska -- Loyal D. Springer was born March 6, 1944, on the family farm north of Danbury, Nebraska, to Cloyce and Bertha (Goltl) Springer. He passed away at his home near Lebanon, Nebraska, on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, at the age of 69...

Greta Mae Stratton Oct. 26, 1930 - Feb. 4, 2014 TRENTON, Nebraska -- Greta Mae Stratton, age 83, 0f Trenton passed away at her home on Feb. 4, 2014. She was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, on Oct. 26, 1930, to Harry and Mamie (Cunnigham) Hawthorne...

Charlotte Smith Dec. 20, 1908 - Feb. 3, 2014 ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Charlotte Smith, 105, died Monday (Feb. 3, 2014), at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Society in Arapahoe. She was born on Dec. 20, 1908, in Walter, Russia, to Christian and Elizabeth (Gies) Butherus...

Alberta Ritter OBERLIN, Kansas -- Alberta Ritter, 83, died Sunday (Feb. 9, 2014), at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. Services are pending with Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin.

John A. Wessel Nov. 13, 1941 - Feb.7, 2014 SELDEN, Kansas -- John A. Wessel, 72, of Selden, Kansas, died Friday (Feb.7, 2014), at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. He was born Nov. 13, 1941, in rural Selden to Libo and Elsie Schwarz Wessel. He gradated from Selden High School in 1959...

Dan Brock Grubb June 25, 1935 - Jan. 6, 2014 MONTGOMERY, Texas -- Dan Brock Grubb of Montgomery, Texas, passed away Jan. 6, 2014. Dan was born June 25, 1935, to Collins and Evelyn Grubb in Seymore, Indiana. He and his wife were former residents of Southwest Nebraska...

Jeffrey 'Womp' Michael Wampach March 22, 1955 - Feb. 2, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Jeffrey "Womp" Michael Wampach, age 58, passed away Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at his home in McCook,. Jeff was born on March 22, 1955, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to parents, Lloyd "Bud" Arthur and Celestine "Sally" Elizabeth (Foley) Wampach. He graduated from Harding High School, Marion, Ohio, in 1973. He continued his education at the University of Miami, Miami, Ohio...

Elsie R. Detragiache-Bishop May 3, 1918 - Feb. 8, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Elsie R. Detragiache-Bishop, 100, died Saturday (Feb. 8, 2014), at Community Hospital of McCook. Services are pending and will be announced by Carpenter Breland Funeral Home...

Todd Alan Grimm Feb. 1, 1981 - Feb. 9, 2014 GOTHENBURG, Nebraska -- Todd Alan Grimm, age 33, born Feb. 1, 1981, in Chadron, Nebraska, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in Gothenburg, Sunday afternoon, Feb. 9, 2014. Todd grew up in a number of small towns in Nebraska; Silver Creek, Harvard and Stromsburg. ...

Norma L. Hill Dec. 23, 1931 - Feb. 9, 2014 LOVELAND, Colorado -- Norma L. Hill passed away on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, at North Shore Manor. Norma was born on Dec. 23, 1931, in Culbertson, Nebraska, to Chester and Ada Roberts. She graduated from Culbertson High School in May 1950. Norma married Donald L. Hill on Sept. 3, 1950. They were members of the Methodist Church...

Helen Elizabeth Cross Oct. 10, 1912 - Feb. 7, 2014 ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Helen Elizabeth Cross, 101, of died Saturday (Feb. 7, 2014), at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Society in Arapahoe. She was born on Oct. 10, 1912, on a farm northeast of Edison, Nebraska, to Thomas E. and Nora A. (Sanderson) Hays...

Alberta R. "Bertie" Ritter March 1, 1930 - Feb. 9, 2014 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Alberta R. "Bertie" Ritter, 83, died Sunday (Feb. 9, 2014), at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. She was born March 1, 1930, to Gottfried and Sarah (McDonald) Mumm in Selden, Kansas...

Marvin M. Phelps Oct. 12, 1922 - Feb. 10, 2014 CALLAWAY, Nebraska -- Marvin M. Phelps, 91, of Callaway, Nebraska, passed away Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, at Callaway Good Life Center. He was born Oct. 12, 1922, at North Platte, Nebraska, to Burt and Edith (Calhoun) Phelps. ...

Luella Caroline Monter Aug. 20, 1921 - Feb. 5, 2014 OVERLAND PARK, Kansas -- Luella Caroline Monter, 92, died Wednesday (Feb. 5, 2014), at her home at Rose Estates Assisted Living facility. She was born on Aug. 20, 1921, in Gosper County, Nebraska, to John and Minnie (Golgart) Puls...

Patricia Ann Bath Sept. 20, 1931 - Feb. 13, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Patricia Ann Bath, age 82 of McCook, Nebraska, died at the Cambridge Manor in Cambridge, Nebraska, on Feb. 13, 2014. She was born in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 20, 1931, to Clyde and Elizabeth Ida (Downing) Thomas...

Charles 'Wayne' Waddell Oct. 1, 1927 - Feb. 13, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska --Charles "Wayne" Waddell passed away Feb. 13, 2014, at Hillcrest Nursing Home. He was 86 years old. Wayne was born on Oct. 1, 1927, at Indianola to parents, Charlie and Jessie Waddell. ...

Ruth Arlene (Petsch) Sutton May 6, 1924 - Feb. 13, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Ruth Arlene (Petsch) Sutton, 89, who was born May 6, 1924, in 3-36 Precinct in Dundy County, Nebraska, passed away Feb. 13, 2014, at El Dorado Manor in Trenton, Nebraska. Ruth grew up in Dundy County and attended school in Stratton, Nebraska, graduating from high school with the Class of 1942. ...

Wilma Hawkinson Oct. 28, 1924 - Feb. 7, 2014 BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Wilma Gladys Hawkinson passed away at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska, Feb. 7, 2014, surrounded by her family. She was 89 years of age. She was born Oct. 28, 1924, to Harve L. ...

Wiley L. Wentling July 7, 1933 - Feb. 15, 2013 BEAVER CITY, Nebraska -- Wiley L. Wentling, 80, died Saturday (Feb. 15, 2014), at Phelps Memorial Hospital, Holdrege, Nebraska. He was born July 7, 1933, at Achilles, Kansas, to William L. and Alma R. (Fox) Wentling. ...

Philip D. Young May 10, 1954 - Feb. 14, 2014 CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Philip D. Young, age 59, of Cambridge died at his home on Feb. 14, 2014. He was born in McCook, Nebraska, on May 10, 1954, to Eugene "Gene" and Patricia (Witte) Young. Philip attended grade school and high school in Cambridge, graduating from Cambridge High School in 1973. He was active in sports...

Nancy Kay Goodsell August 29, 1945 - Feb. 11, 2014 BILLINGS, MONTANA -- Nancy Kay Goodsell, 68, of Absarokee, Montana, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, due to an aortic aneurism. She was born Aug. 29, 1945, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Hal and Arlene Goodsell. After high school in Omaha and McCook, Nebraska, she attended the University of Nebraska and was always an avid fan of the Huskers...

Leo B. Miller June 16, 1949 - Feb. 12, 2014 OMAHA, Nebraska -- Leo B. Miller, 64, of Lincoln, died Wednesday, Feb.12, 2014, in Omaha. Leo was born June 16, 1949, in McCook, Nebraska, to Carl and Augusta (Andrijeski) Miller. He grew up on the family farm northwest of McCook in the St. Ann community. He attended a one room school at St. Ann through the eight grade. He graduated from McCook Senior High School in 1967 and the University Of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture in 1969...

Donald E. Lawson July 12, 1937 - Feb. 14, 2014 CONCORDIA, Kansas -- Donald E. Lawson, age 76, of Concordia, Kansas, formerly of Norcatur, Kansas, died Feb. 14, 2014, at Mount St. Joseph's Nursing Home in Concordia, Kansas. He was born on the family farm near Norcatur, Kansas, on July 12, 1937, to Earl E. and Maleta Lawson. Don graduated from Oberlin High School...

Kathleen A. Repp May 30, 1949 - Feb. 12, 2014 LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Kathleen A. Repp, 64, of Lincoln, died Feb. 12, 2014. She was born Kathleen Ann Cappel on May 30, 1949, in McCook, Nebraska. She recently retired from the State of Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Margaret Cappel and daughter, Julia Repp...

Cecilia May Peyton April 17, 1918 - Feb.12, 2014 SUN CITY WEST, Arizona -- Cecilia May Peyton, 95, died Feb. 12, 2014. She was born in McCook, Nebraska, to Frank and Mary (Kersting) Klocke on April 17, 1918. She was raised on the family farm south of McCook and graduated from McCook High School in 1934. ...

Geraldine R. Murray April 21, 1940 - Feb. 18, 2014 McCOOK,Nebraska -- Geraldine R. Murray, age 73, of McCook, died at Community Hospital in McCook 0n Feb. 18, 2014. She was born in McCook on April 21, 1940, to Kenneth and Nadine (Gragg) Cross. Geraldine attended school in McCook, graduating from McCook High School in 1958. On May 16, 1964, she was united in marriage to Charles Murray in Boone, Iowa. Charles preceded her in death on April 19, 2004...

Kendra Larae Guthrie MEDFORD, Massachusetts -- Kendra LaRae Guthrie, 30, of Medford, Massachusetts, passed away Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. She was preceded in death by her father, Kent Guthrie; her grandmother, Frances Waddell and grandparents, Laverne and Barbara Guthrie...

Glenn 'Buster' Schneider WAUNETA, Nebraska -- Glenn "Buster" Schneider, 63, died Monday (Feb. 17, 2014), at his home in Wauneta. Survivors include his mother, Dottie Cook of Atwood, Kansas; children, Star Elijah and husband, Jason, of Tallmadge, Ohio, Julie Stebbens and husband, Aaron of Kansas City, Missouri, and Melinda McBee of Archie, Missouri; brothers, Fred Schneider of Benkelman, Nebraska, Bradley Schneider and wife, Linda, of Bird City, Kansas and Kurt Schneider of North Platte, Nebraska; sisters, Alice Glasco and husband, Jim, of Bayard, Nebraska, Linda Ketzner of St. ...

Randy R. Koetter Dec. 11, 1957 - Feb. 18, 2014 ELLSWORTH, Kansas -- Randy R. Koetter passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center in Ellsworth, Kansas, at the age of 56. He was born Dec. 11, 1957, to Woodrow Raymond and Emma W. (Springer) Koetter in McCook, Nebraska...

Elmer James Schaefers July 6, 1940 - Feb. 9, 2014 Beaver City, Nebraska -- Elmer James Schaefers, 74, of Beaver City, died Sunday (Feb. 9, 2014), at Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Cambridge, Nebraska. He was born on July 6, 1940, in Clayton, Iowa, near Locking Dam 10 to Harold and Venita (Carpenter) Schaefers...

Blanche Wilma Weidner Jan. 22, 1928 - Feb. 19, 2014 TRENTON, Nebraska -- Blanche Wilma Weidner of Trenton passed away Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, at Community Hospital in McCook. She was 86 years old. Blanche was born Jan. 22, 1928, to Willie and Emma (Poertner) Wendelin, on the family farm east of Crete in Lancaster County...

.Waldon Lee Volz July 31, 1930 - Feb. 21, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Waldon Lee Volz, age 83, passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at Hillcrest Nursing Home. Waldon was born July 31, 1930, to Edward Thomas and Bernice Walthina (Bush) Volz in York, Nebraska. He graduated in 1948 from Polk High School. He won a football scholarship as quarterback, but decided on the ministry...

Myrtle Annetta Ross OBERLIN, Nebraska -- Myrtle Annetta Ross, 96, died Friday (Feb. 21, 2014), at Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at the Oberlin Church of Christ with the Rev. Bill Duncan officiating. Burial will be in the Oberlin Cemetery...

Gertrude (Gert) J. McCue July 13, 1932 - Feb. 22, 2014 ALMA, Nebraska -- Gertrude (Gert) J. McCue, 81, of Alma, died Saturday (Feb. 22, 2014), at the Good Samaritan Colonial Villa in Alma. She was born July 13, 1932, on a farm north of Arapahoe, Nebraska, to Herman and Bertha (Gehring) Monter...

Dennis 'Denny' Larry Messersmith July 23, 1948 - Feb. 22, 2014 CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Dennis "Denny" Larry Messersmith of Cambridge, Nebraska, passed away at St. John's Nursing Home in Kearney, Nebraska, on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. He was born at Eustis, Nebraska, on July 23, 1948, to Lynn and Valeria (Crampton) Messersmith. ...

Shirley Ann Haarberg March 3, 1934 - Feb. 22, 2014 WAUNETA, Nebraska -- Shirley Ann Haarberg was born on March 3, 1934, to Clyde Brady and Letha Grace (Davidson) Murray in Dallas, Iowa. Shirley's father worked for the railroad and the family moved often with his job. She attended school through high school in Texas, Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma...

Mildred Mae Bathrick Tomlin ROCK HILL, South Carolina -- Mrs. Mildred Mae Bathrick Tomlin, 89, passed away Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House, Rock Hill, South Carolina. Mildred Mae Bathrick was the third of three children of Martin and Alpha Bathrick. At the age of three, her family moved to Cambridge, Nebraska, where she attended school, graduating high school in 1943. She married Bryce Dwayne Tomlin and they had two daughters, Linda Joan and Debra Sue...

Stephen Earl Potthoff April 3, 1953 - Feb. 23, 2014 MCCOOK, Nebraska -- Stephen Earl Potthoff age 60, passed away on Feb. 23, 2014, at the Wedgewood Nursing Home in Grand Island, Nebraska. He was born in McCook on April 3, 1953, the son of Lloyd and Elvira (Walker) Potthoff. ...

Mark Allan Kennedy June 27, 1958 - Feb. 23, 2014 DANURY, Nebraska -- Mark Allan Kennedy, age 55, of Danbury, died at his home on Feb. 23, 2014. He was born in Wichita, Kansas, on June 27, 1958, to Jerry and Imogene (Scott) Kennedy. Mark graduated from Lenora High School in 1976. While in high school he worked in Norton, Kansas, as a welder for New Age Welding...

Susan Carson Shipley Oct. 28, 1934 - Feb. 25, 2014 LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Susan Carson Shipley, 79, died Tuesday (Feb. 25, 2014) in Lincoln. She was born Oct. 28, 1934, in Fremont, Nebraska, to Herbert and Dorothy Olson. She moved to Norfolk, Nebraska, for her freshman year of high school and graduated with the class of 1952. She received a bachelors of art degree in education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln...

Katherine 'Katie' Annette Knight July 26, 1971 -Feb. 19, 2014 ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Katherine "Katie" Annette Knight, 42, of McCook, Nebraska, died Wednesday (Feb. 19, 2014), at her home. She was born on July 26, 1971, at Stratton, Nebraska, to Roger and Barbara (Shaffer) Felt...

Shirley Ann Balcom Aug. 6, 1927 - Feb. 26, 2014 CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Shirley Ann Balcom, age 86, of Cambridge, died at the Christian Homes in Holdrege on Feb. 26, 2014. She was born on the family farm in Gosper County, Nebraska, north of Holbrook on Aug. 6, 1927 to William and Anna (Rupp) Hilker. Shirley married Clare "Bus" Balcom on March 20, 1944, in Norton, Kansas. To this union five children were born: Roger, Richard, Lois, Diane and Pat...

Rodney Glenn Hays Jan. 5, 1937 - Feb. 2, 2014 OMAHA, Nebraska -- Rodney Glenn Hays, 77, died Tuesday (Feb. 25, 2014), in Omaha. He was born Jan. 5, 1937, in Elwood, Nebraska, to Pearl and Verna Hays. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Pat Morris Hays; sister, Pat Peters and daughter, Moni Hays...

Joe Birge BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Joe Birge, 62, long-time resident of the Benkelman area, died Wednesday (Feb. 26, 2014), at the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Nebraska. Survivors include his wife, Mary of Benkelman; children, Sabrina Birge of Nashville, Tennessee and Dusty Birge and fiancée, Shayla, of Denver, Colorado; brother, George Birge of Stigler, Oklahoma; sisters, Dorothy Sowell of Hinton, Oklahoma and Barbara Coe and husband, Brad, of El Reno, Oklahoma...

Ronald Edward Nielsen Dec. 9, 1942 - Feb. 26, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Ronald Edward Nielsen of McCook died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. He was 71 years old. He was born on Dec. 9, 1942, in Tacoma, Washington, to Richard Andrew and Verna Pauline (Lohr) Nielsen. ...

Harlan Wyrick June 16 1919 - Feb. 28, 2014 CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Harlan Wyrick passed away Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, at his home in Cambridge. He was 94 years old. Harlan was born June 16, 1919, to Harry and Pearl (Lyman) Wyrick in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1926, the family moved to a farm near Ord, Nebraska. ...

Maxine Violet Sigwing June 10, 1918 - Feb. 27, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Maxine Violet Sigwing, age 95, passed away Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, at Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala, Nebraska. She was born in McCook, Nebraska, June 10, 1918, to Eric D. and Arvilla G (Jeffers) Dugger. She was united in marriage to William (Bill) Sigwing on March 1, 1934, in Oberlin, Kansas. They spent 60 years together working hard, fishing, and traveling to see family before Bill preceded her in death in 1994...