Obituaries from December 2014

Fred J. Allen Nov.20, 1940 - Nov. 30, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Fred J. Allen, 74, died Sunday (Nov. 30, 2014) at his home in McCook. Services are pending and will be announced by Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook

Gerald Ivan Barratt II July 6, 1961 - Nov. 22, 2014 LEAWOOD, Kan. -- Gerald Ivan"Jerry" Barratt II, 53, was born in McCook, Nebraska, on July 6, 1961, then moved to the Omaha area while still a boy. He spent many summers with his Grandma Barratt and the Dack family (dearly loved aunt, uncle, and cousins), enjoying life away from "the city."...

Frances Lorraine Rupe Sept. 4, 1920 - Nov. 30, 2014 KEARNEY, Neb. -- Frances Lorraine Rupe, 94, passed away Nov, 30, 2014, at the Kearney hospital. Lorraine was born in Wheatland, Wyoming, to Joseph Henderson Wood and Vera Marie (Brown) Wood. The oldest of three children, Lorraine spent her early childhood north of Henry, Nebraska. ...

Lloyd Clinton Nealeigh April 3, 1915 - Dec. 1, 2014 MADISON, Neb. -- Lloyd Clinton Nealeigh, son of William and Amy (Perkins) Nealeigh, was born at Cornell (south of Trenton), Nebraska, April 3, 1915, and departed from this life Dec. 1, 2014, at the age of 99 years...

Kermit Karns IMPERIAL, Neb. -- Kermit Karns, 97, died Sunday (Nov. 30, 2014), at Imperial Manor Nursing Home in Imperial. Survivors include children, Celia Spady of Champion, Nebraska, Dick Karns and wife, Loretta, of Kearney, Missouri, and John Karns of Liberty, Missouri; five grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren...

Monine Elizabeth Mortensen Dec. 2, 1929 - Nov. 29, 2014 CURTIS, Neb. -- Monine Elizabeth Mortensen ended her battle with pancreatic cancer at home on Nov. 29, 2014, surrounded by family. Monine was born in Moorefield, Nebraska, on Dec. 2, 1929, to Carroll and Nona Shaffer. ...

Ida Bartels WAUNETA, Neb. -- Ida Bartels, 96, died Tuesday (Dec. 2, 2014), at the Sunrise Heights Nursing Home in Wauneta. Survivors include children,Wayne Bartels and wife, Donna, of Enders, Nebraska, Dale Bartels and wife, Barbara, of Brush, Colorado, Barbara Cooper and husband, Jerry, of Henderson, Nevada, Lois Glover of Wauneta and Allen Bartels and wife, Joyce, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee; 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren...

Cliff Shackelford WAUNETA, Neb. -- Cliff Shackelford, 93, died Tuesday (Dec. 2, 2014), at the Sunrise Heights Nursing Home in Wauneta. Funeral services are Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, 10:30 a.m. (MT) at United Methodist Church of Wauneta with the Rev. Bonnie McCord officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta...

Alizabeth JoAnn 'Ali' Moreau Jan. 21, 1992 - Dec. 1, 2014 NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Alizabeth JoAnn "Ali" Moreau, age 22, of North Platte, passed away Dec. 1, 2014, in North Platte due to a single vehicle accident. Ali was born Jan. 21, 1992, to Andrea Nekuda. ...

Larry Marlin Dyer Oct. 9, 1938 - Dec. 2, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Larry Marlin Dyer, age 76, passed away at the Community Hospital in McCook on Dec. 2, 2014. He was born at his home in Bertrand on Oct. 9, 1938, to Jesse and Madge (Stevens) Dyer. Larry grew up in Bertrand, graduating from Bertrand High School in 1956...

Sheila Lynn Wondercheck April 9, 1977 - Dec. 3, 2014 NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Sheila Lynn Wondercheck of North Platte, originally of Trenton, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. She was 37 years old...

LaVern Dale Schneider Sept. 5, 1924 - Dec. 5, 2014 NORTH PLATTE. Neb. -- LaVern Dale Schneider, 90, of North Platte, formerly of McCook, went to eternal peace Dec. 5, 2014. He was born to Henry and Helen (Braun) Schneider Sept. 5, 1924, at Culbertson, Nebraska. ...

Brett Campbell Dec. 15, 1957 - Dec. 5, 2014 GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Brett Campbell, 56, of Grand Island, went to his Heavenly home Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at CHI Health St. Francis. Celebration of life services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church. Reverends Jack Gillam and Adam Snoberger will officiate...

Leo M. Weis March 27, 1927 - Dec. 7, 2014 OBERLIN, Kan. -- Leo M. Weis, 87, died Sunday (Dec. 7, 2014), at Decatur Health Systems. He was born March 27, 1927, to Michael and Theresa (Ritter) Weis of rural Hoxie, Kansas. He was raised in the Leoville, Kansas, area. He lived in Jennings and Lenora, Kansas, then moved to a farm south of Dresden...

Shirley A. Seeman Nov. 14, 1928 - Dec. 7, 2014 OBERLIN, Kan. -- Shirley A. Seeman, 86, died Sunday (Dec. 7, 2014), at Dectur County Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin. She was born Nov. 14, 1928, in Hitchcock County, Nebraska, to Claude and Edna (Reeves) Myers. She was raised in Hitchcock County and McCook, Nebraska. She lived in Red Willow County between Danbury and Marion, moved to Danbury and then to Oberlin in 1963...

Michael Lee Erickson Jr. Dec. 4, 1994 - Dec. 7, 2014 CULBERTSON, Neb. -- Michael Lee Erickson Jr. of Lincoln, formerly of Culbertson, passed away Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, at his home. He was 20 years old. Mikey was born on Dec. 4, 1994, at Laramie, Wyoming, to parents, Michael Lee and Alissa Marie (Brennan) Erickson Sr. ...

Vesta Elaine Gilbert April 13, 1925 - Dec. 8, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Vesta Elaine Gilbert, age 89, passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, at her home in McCook. Vesta was born to Vinton E. and Velma I. (McKnight) Brown on April 13, 1925, in Naponee, Nebraska. She graduated from Max in 1942...

Richard William Winters Jan. 8, 1946 - Dec. 8, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Richard William Winters of McCook passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital. He was 68 years old. Dick was born on Jan. 8, 1946, in McCook to parents, Avery W. and Evelyn E. (McBride) Winters. He graduated from Indianola High School in 1964 and continued his education at McCook Community College...

Cliff Shackelford June 5, 1921 - Dec. 2, 2014 WAUNETA, Neb. -- Clifford L. Shackelford was born June 5, 1921, in the Imperial, Nebraska, area, and he lived his early years in the Lamar community of Chase County, Nebraska. He passed away Dec. 2, 2014, at the age of 93...

Maxine (Mrstik) Sauvage July 2, 1927 - Dec. 9, 2014 OBERLIN, Neb. -- Maxine (Mrstik) Sauvage, 87, died Tueday (Dec. 9, 2014), in Oberlin. She was born July 2, 1927, in rural Kanona, Kansas, to Rudolph and Emma (Fiala) Mrstik. She graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1945. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Rebekah's Lodge...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Paul Orville Ellis, age 74, of Cambridge died at his home on Thursday (Dec. 11, 2014). He was born in Cambridge on March 24, 1940, to Orville and Pearl (Roberts) Ellis. Paul graduated from Cambridge High School in 1958.He then attended and graduated from Kearney State College in 1962, later attending the University of Nebraska Pharmacy College and graduating in 1965...

OBERLIN, Kan. --Shirley A. Seeman was born Nov. 14, 1928, in Hitchcock County, Nebraska, to Claude and Edna (Reeves) Myers. She passed away Sunday (Dec. 7, 2014) at the Decatur County Good Samaritan Society in Oberlin, Kansas, at the age of 86. Shirley was reared on a farm near Culbertson, Nebraska, in Hitchcock County and attended a country school near her home. After she completed the eighth grade, her family moved to McCook, Nebraska...

OBERLIN, Kan. --Maxine M. Sauvage was born July 2, 1927, on a farm north of Kanona, Kansas, to Rudolph J. and Emma (Fiala) Mrstik. She passed away Tuesday (Dec. 9, 2014) at her home in Oberlin, Kansas, at the age of 87. Maxine spent her early years on the family farm near Kanona, where she attended school through the eighth grade. ...

Wayne Harold Grafel July 3, 1926 - Dec. 12, 2014 CULBERTSON, Neb. -- Wayne Harold Grafel, age 88, of Culbertson, Nebraska, passed away Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. Wayne was born July 3, 1926, to John and Elizabeth Catherine (Goltl) Grafel in Herndon, Kansas. ...

Steven A. Haussler June 21, 1950 - Dec. 13, 2014 AXTELL, Neb.-- Steven A. Haussler, 64, died Saturday (Dec. 13, 2014), at Mosaic Center in Axtell. He was born on June 21, 1950, at Cambridge, Nebraska, to Robert and Carol (Menze) Haussler. He was preceded in death by his parents...

Raymond Edward Bley Nov. 2, 1929 - Dec. 13, 2014 WAUNETA, Neb. -- Raymond Edward Bley, age 85, was born Nov. 2, 1929, to Jacob and Katie (Duhm) Bley on the family farm in the Eden community and grew up there. He attended grade school in rural schools. High School was attended in Wauneta, and he later received his GED...

Roland 'Duane' Fisher Jan. 9, 1932 - Dec. 12, 2014 KEARNEY, Neb. -- Roland "Duane" Fisher, 82, of McCook, Nebraska, died Friday (Dec. 12, 2014), at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He was born Jan. 9, 1932, in Frontier County, Nebraska, on the family farm to Mason Webb and Mary B. (Wasia) Fisher. Duane graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1951...

Wilma Lucille Stevens March 10, 1925 - Dec. 12, 2014 WICHITA, Kansas -- Wilma Lucille Stevens, 89, formerly of Leavenworth and Tonganoxie, Kansas, died Friday (Dec. 12, 2014). She was born March 10, 1925, to Fred and Bertha Messinger of McCook, Nebraska. She married Lyle Wallace Stevens June 8, 1947. She worked for several years in the banking industry...

Harold Dizmang WAUNETA, Neb. -- Harold Dizmang, 76, died Wednesday (Dec. 10, 2014), at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado. Survivors include his wife, Carol Dizmang of Wauneta; children, Cynthia, Donna, Mike, Bryon and Gregory; brothers, Dale and John Dizmang and several grandchildren...

Twila Faye Burkert Feb. 9, 1929 - Dec. 16, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Twila Faye Burkert of McCook, formerly of Hayes Center, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at Community Hospital in McCook. Twila was born on Feb. ...

Heath R. Swigert BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Heath R. Swigert, 34, died Monday (Dec. 15, 2014) at his home in Benkelman. Survivors include his parents, Robert and Cindy Swigert of Benkelman; children, Katlyn Swigert, Lynae Swigert, Julia Coleman and Jordan Coleman; grandmothers, Bertie Stroup of Benkelman and Peggy Ketler and husband, Gary of Benkelman; sister, Emilee Brown and husband, Clarence of Kearney, Nebraska; and sister, Alisha Shapley and husband, Roy of Benkelman...

Sharla J. Trotter June 8, 1937 - Dec. 12, 2014 LAKEWOOD, Col. -- Sharla J. Trotter, 77, of Lakewood, passed away Dec. 12, 2014.

 She was born June 8, 1937, in Stratton, Nebraska, the daughter of Ervin and Wilma (Romine) Ross. She graduated from McCook High School in 1955. On April 7, 1961, she married John Trotter of Edgewater, Colorado...

Esther Luella Semler Jan. 19, 1928 - Dec. 15, 2014 ST. FRANCIS, Kan. -- Esther Luella Semler, 86, died Monday Dec. 15, 2014, at Good Samaritan Society at St. Francis. She was born Jan. 19, 1928, in Cheyenne County, Kansas. She was a homemaker and CNA...

Mildred M. Carroll May 26, 1921 - Dec. 16, 2014 ARKANSAS CITY, Kan, -- Mildred M. Carroll, 93, formerly of Oberlin, Kansas, died Tuesday (Dec. 16, 2014), at Presbyterian Manor in Arkansas City, Kansas. She was born May 26, 1921, in Deer Trail, Colorado, to William and Lulu (Connell) Davis. She grew up on a farm in Roosevelt Township, Decatur County, Kansas, and attended school in Decatur and Norton County rural schools and Almena High School...

Betty Jane Hoyt Jan. 18, 1926 - Nov. 4, 2014 HETTINGER, ND - Betty Jane Hoyt, 88, died Nov. 4, 2014, in Hettinger. She was born Jan. 18, 1926, to Dean and Emma Hoyt. She graduated from McCook High School. She married Paul Carlson. They later divorced...

Francis R. Broz April 22, 1924 - Dec. 17, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Francis R. Broz, age 90, of McCook, died at Community Hospital in McCook on Dec. 17, 2014. He was born in rural Hayes County, Nebraska, on April 22, 1924, to Frank and Agnes (Schneider) Broz. He attended and graduated from high school at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in 1941 at Curtis...

Eileen Aeby BENKELMAN, Nen. -- Eileen Mary Aeby, 88, died Thursday (Dec. 18, 2014), at the Sarah Ann Hester Home in Benkelman. Survivors include her children, Rosemary James and husband, Ruben of Tennessee, Teresa Smith and husband, Jim of Duluth, Minnesota, Vicky Hanes and husband, Mark of Benkelman, and Bill Aeby of Benkelman; sister, Dotty Scott and husband, Dave of New Port Richey, Florida; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren...

Frederick 'Fred' John Allen Nov. 20, 1940 - Nov. 30, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Frederick " Fred" John Allen, 74, died Nov. 30, 2014, at his home in McCook. He was born Nov. 20, 1940 in Iowa City, Iowa, to Dale and Catherine (Kost) Allen. He was raised in West Branch, Iowa, and graduated from West Branch High School in 1958. He lived in Iowa, Oregon and Wisconsin during his life before spending his later years in Nebraska...

Donald Elvis Bethel Dec. 25, 1925 - Dec. 16, 2014 LEBANON, Neb . -- Donald Elvis Bethel, 88, of Lebanon, Nebraska, died Dec. 16, 2014, at the VA Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Graveside inurnment with military honors will be Saturday, May 23, 2015, 11 a.m. at Wilsonville...

William D. Ladehoff Aug. 11, 1940 - Dec. 14, 2014 OBERLIN, Kan. -- William D. Ladehoff, 74, passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Kearney, Nebraska. He was born Aug. 11, 1940, in North Bend, Nebraska, to Landers and Para Ladehoff and was raised on the family farm...

Esther Mae Meyers March 25, 1917 - Dec. 19, 2014 ARAPAHOE, Neb. -- Esther Mae Meyers, 97, of Arapahoe, died Friday (Dec. 19, 2014), at CA Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe. She was born on March 25, 1917, in Pierce County northwest of Meadow Grove, Nebraska, to Edward and Mary (Schutt) Duhachek. Before marriage, she worked in Norfolk, Nebraska, Denver, Colorado, and several years at Brandeis in Omaha, Nebraska...

Dorothy Dack Lawrence Eisenbarth Nielsen May 17, 1915 - Dec. 22, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- On Dec. 22, 2014, Dorothy Lucille Eisenbarth, at the age of 99, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born on May 17, 1915, to John W. and Frances Elizabeth (Albrecht) Dack and was the second of seven children. Dorothy grew up on the family farm and attended rural school district No. 61 near McCook...

Lila Schwartz BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Lila Schwartz, 82, formerly of Benkelman, died Sunday (Dec. 21, 2014), at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. Survivors include children, Warren Schwartz and wife, Patty, of Greeley, Colorado, Terri Terry and husband, Wayne, of Sarben, Nebraska, Pam Smith and husband, Frank, of Wauneta, Nebraska; brother, John Pursley, of Stratton, Nebraska; sisters, Marshlene Wilkinson, of North Platte, Nebraska, Evelyn Rowley and Mary Emma Maris of Imperial, Nebraska; eight grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.. ...

Russell L. Dowling June 8, 1915 - Dec. 23, 2014 MCCOOK, Neb. -- Russell L. Dowling, age 99, of McCook, died at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook on Dec. 23, 2014. He was born in McCook on June 8, 1915, to Leslie and Ethel (Andrews) Dowling. He attended School in McCook, graduating from McCook High School in 1935...

Mearl Richard BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Mearl Richard, 91, longtime resident of Benkelman, died Saturday (Dec. 20, 2014), at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home in Imperial. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Fern, in 1988; brothers, Vearl and Lawrence; and sisters, Ivagean Vernon and Louise Billington...

Doris Madeline Edwards Sept. 8, 1919 - Dec. 23, 2014 BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Doris Madeline Edwards, daughter of Orrin Leo and Ethel Bell Wilson, was born Sept. 8, 1919, in Dundy County, Nebraska, on her parent's farm 20 miles north of Benkelman. She passed away peacefully at the Hester Memorial Home on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014, at the age of 95 years, three months and 16 days...

Grant LeRoy Callander June 16, 1951 - Dec. 24, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Grant LeRoy Callander was born June 16, 1951, the first child of Glenn LeRoy and Dorothy (Patterson) Callander at St. Catherine's Hospital in McCook. Grant died on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was 63 years old...

Angie S. Stamm July 20, 1971 - Dec. 24, 2014 BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Angela Sue Stamm was born July 20, 1971, in Benkelman, Nebraska, to Russell Stamm and Phyllis (Ham) Stamm. Angie grew up in Benkelman, where she attended Dundy County High School and graduated in 1989. As a youth, Angie was very active in Horse 4-H and was grand champion in showmanship...

Lawrence Brewster Towne Aug. 28, 1915 - Dec. 25, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Lawrence Brewster Towne, 99, died Thursday (Dec. 25, 2014), at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was born Aug. 28, 1915, to William E. and Jessie J. (Barry) Towne in Lincoln County at the Barry Ranch in Nebraska...

Larry Max Ingram Dec. 7, 1943 - Dec. 24, 2014 MOOREFIELD, Neb. -- Larry Max Ingram, 71, of Moorefield, Nebraska, died Dec. 24, 2014, at Linden Court in North Platte. He was born Dec. 7, 1943, in McCook, Nebraska, son of Lovell Max and Ruth Elaine (Cochran) Ingram...

Michael R. Evans MAYWOOD, Neb. -- Michael R. Evans, 64, of Maywood, died Friday (Dec. 26, 2014) at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Nebraska. Funeral services are Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Maywood High School in Maywood with the Revs. Martin Leeper and Dale Heimer officiating...

Roxie L. Tuller Jan. 27, 1925 - Dec. 24, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Roxie L. Tuller, age 89, of McCook, Nebraska, died at Cambridge Memorial Hospital on Dec. 24, 2014. She was born in Decatur County near Oberlin, Kansas, on Jan. 27, 1925 to Glen and Laura (Hunsacker) Heller. Roxie attended and graduated from Oberlin High School...

Stanley L. Cox Oct. 8, 1928 - Dec. 29, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Stanley L Cox, age 86, of McCook, died at his home on Dec. 29, 2014. He was born in McCook on Oct. 8, 1928, to Earnest E. Cox and Mary Etta (Young) Cox. Stanley attended McCook Public Schools until the eighth grade, when his dad became ill and he needed to go to work to help support his family which included five sisters. ...

Melvin Harold Thielbar Oct. 11, 1923 - Dec. 28, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Melvin Harold Thielbar passed away at his home in McCook on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014. He was 91 years old. Melvin was born on Oct. 11, 1923, at Oberlin, Kansas, to parents, Guy L. and Della (Remington) Thielbar. He graduated from Danbury High School in 1941...

Dennis R. Walters Nov. 9, 1955 - Dec. 28, 2014 DANBURY, Neb. -- Dennis R. Walters, age 59, passed away Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Dennis was born in McCook on Nov. 9, 1955, to Veryl and Eleanor (Kircher) Walters. He graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1973...

Cecelia Felker Nov. 23, 1927 - Dec. 29, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Cecelia Felker, age 87, died at Hillcrest Nursing Home on Monday, Dec. 29, 2014. She was born in Portland, Oregon, on Nov. 23, 1927, to Fred and Matilda (Deutsch) McConnell. The family moved to Oconto, Nebraska, when Cecelia was five years old. She attended and graduated from Oconto High School. She went to Kearney State Teachers College, earning her degree. Ceceila taught in Merna and Culbertson, Nebraska...

Dr. Robert L. Haag LINCOLN, Neb. -- Dr. Robert L. Haag, 80, of Lincoln died Friday (Dec. 26, 2014). He was a retired physician at Lincoln East Internal Medicine, a former Chief of Staff at St. Elizabeth Community Health Center and a U.S. Navy veteran...

MAYWOOD, Neb. . -- Micheal R. Evans, age 64, of Maywood, Nebraska, passed away Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Nebraska. Mike was born July 12, 1950, in McCook, Nebraska, to parents Hershel R. and Shirley E. ...

Rosetta Lynn Clark Dec. 22, 1951 - Dec. 30, 2014 HAYES CENTER, Neb. -- Rosetta Lynn Clark, 63, died Tuesday (Dec. 30, 2014) at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. She was born in McCook on Dec. 22, 1951, to Floyd Edward and Bertha Leona (Williams) Witt...

Doris Marie Carpenter Aug. 3, 1924 - Dec. 25, 2014 GREELEY, Colo. -- Doris Marie Piedalue Baney Carpenter, 90, of Greeley, passed away Dec. 25, 2014, at the age of 90 in Greeley, Colorado. She was a pinnacle member of the communities that she was involved in, as well as a dedicated and wonderful mother, friend, mentor and inspiration to everyone around her...

Patricia A. McCauley Oct. 1, 1945 -Dec. 29, 2014 TRENTON, Neb. -- Patricia A. McCauley, age 69, of Trenton, passed away at the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Dec. 29, 2014. She was born in Buffalo, New York, on Oct. 1, 1945, to William and Anne (Tyrcz) Bauer. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1963...