Obituaries from January 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Gerald D. Decker, 81, of Lincoln, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, at home. The son of Alfred and Roslyn Decker, Jerry was born Oct. 17, 1933, in Alliance, Nebraska. He attended McCook Community College, Kearney State College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earning a doctorate in education. ...

Marilyn Jane Schaffer June 20, 1930 - Dec. 28, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- Marilyn Jane Schaffer, long-time resident of McCook, passed away Dec. 28, 2014, at the Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush, Colorado. Marilyn was born on June 20, 1930, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the second child of six born to Faye and Esther Pixley. She graduated from Washburn High School in Minneapolis with the class of 1947...

Sharon Ruth Marr Dec. 13, 1928 - Jan. 2, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- Sharon Ruth Marr was born in Big Springs, Nebraska, on Dec. 13, 1928, to Plato and Ruth (Chamberlain) Redfern. She had two sisters, Arlene and Maxine. She attended elementary and high school in Big Springs. ...

Raymond Dwayne Jones July 8, 1928 - Jan. 1, 2015 OBERLIN, Kan. -- Raymond Dwayne Jones was born July 8, 1928, in Oberlin, Kansas, the son of Raymond H. and Florence B. (Pruden) Jones. He passed away Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, at the Decatur County Good Samaritan Society in Oberlin, Kansas, at the age of 86...

Evelyn June (Trembly) Salyer April 11, 1929 - Dec. 31, 2014 McCOOK, Neb. -- Evelyn June (Trembly) Salyer passed away at her home in McCook on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014. She was 85 years old. Evelyn was born to Benjamin and Edith (Alsbury) Trembly on a farm south of Wauneta on April 11, 1929...

Donald F. Davis HINCKLEY, Utah -- Donald F. Davis, age 85, of Hinckley, Utah, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, at the Delta Hospital. Don was born in Yoder, Wyoming, and grew up in McCook, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his mother, Zela; his older sisters, Margaret, Oma, Jessie and Daisey; also his younger brother, Dale. ...

Harold Fisher Oct. 19, 1949 - Jan. 5, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- Harold Fisher, age 65, died at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook on Jan. 5, 2015. He was born in McCook on Oct. 19, 1949, to Everett and Forence (McDowell) Fisher. Harold attended school in McCook. On Aug. 25, 1969, he joined the Army National Guard and served until May 23, 1975...

Robert N. 'Bob' Fraker Feb. 17, 1923 - Jan. 4, 2015 OBERLIN, Kan. -- Robert N. "Bob" Fraker was born Feb. 17, 1923, in Aurora, Colorado, the son of James Alfred and Leah (Berry) Fraker. He passed away Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at Decatur Health Systems in Oberlin, Kansas, at the age of 91...

Ralph 'Lefty' Felker Sept. 29, 1925 - Jan. 5, 2015. McCOOK, Neb. -- Ralph "Lefty" Felker died at Hillcrest Nursing Home on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015. He was born in Culbertson, Nebraska, on Sept. 29, 1925, to Alex and Mary (Propp) Felker. He was raised on the family farm near Culbertson and was confirmed in 1940 at St. ...

William E. 'Bill' Fitzpatrick MCCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. -- William E. "Bill" Fitzpatrick, age 84, of McCool Junction passed away Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at Central City, Nebraska, following a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was born in rural York, Nebraska, to Richard and Elizabeth "Betty" (Russell) Fitzpatrick. ...

Don 'Brownie' Brown Aug. 5, 1920 - Jan. 2, 2015 PRATT, Kan. -- Don "Brownie" Brown died Friday (Jan. 2, 2015), at Pratt Regional Medical Center in Pratt, Kansas. He was born on Aug. 5, 1920, in Burlingame, Kansas, to Rev. Robert and Orphana Brown. He married Geraldine Fryback on Dec. 25, 1944; she preceded him in death on Feb. 17, 2002...

Tod James Rogers May 1, 1952 - Jan, 2, 2015 DENVER, Colo. -- Tod James Rogers, 62, of Denver, died Friday (Jan, 2, 2015), at Denver Hospice in Denver. He was born May 1, 1952, in Denver. He was an office manager at Concrete Construction. Survivors include his parents, James and Beryl (Headrick) Rogers and brother, Eric Rogers of Denver...

Mary Lou Munn BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Mary Lou Munn, 87, a longtime resident of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas, died Sunday (Jan. 4, 2015), at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Survivors include children, Nancy Anderson of Omaha, Nebraska and Diane Malleck of Spokane, Washington and two grandchildren...

Pansy Ethel Gerdes Aug. 8, 1917 - Jan. 2, 2015 BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Pansy Ethel Gerdes was born Aug. 8, 1917, in Belmont (Kingman County), Kansas, to James Edward Carter and Grace Shoemaker Carter. On Jan. 1, 1936, she married Everett Gerdes at the Lutheran Church in Benkelman. To this union two daughters were born, Shirley and Melba. Ethel and Everett lived and worked on their farm until they retired in 1975 and moved into Benkelman...

Anne 'Annie' Frease Feb. 9, 1941 - Dec. 6, 2015 HELENDALE, Calif. -- Anne "Annie" Frease, 73, passed away at her home on Dec. 6, 2014. Preceding her in death were her parents and one daughter, Becky. Survivors include her husband, Jack Frease of Helendale, formerly of McCook, Nebraska; son, Billy and wife Celeste of Boulder City, Nevada; daughter, Rita of San Pedro, California; three step-sons, Jimmy and wife, Nikki of McCook, Mikey and wife, Ryann of Chicago, Illinois and Marc of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Christine, CarlyAnn and Billy Jr., Justine and Jacqi, Sadie and Fletcher, Charlie, and one great-grandchild.. ...

Lee Andrew Amsberry Feb. 27, 1928 - Jan. 5, 2015 GOODLAND, Kan. -- Lee Andrew Amsberry, 86, died Monday (Jan. 5, 2015), at Good Samaritan Society in Goodland. He was born Feb. 27, 1928, in Cheyenne County, Kansas. He was a service station owner and farmhand...

Joann A. Smolczyk April 13, 1935 - Jan. 4, 2015 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Joann A. Smolczyk passed away Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at Bryan LGH in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 79. Jo was born on April 13, 1935, in Bellevue, Nebraska, to parents Alvin J. and Estelle A. ...

Lillian Lorena Power July 7, 1917 - Dec. 18, 2014 GRANT, Neb. -- Lillian Lorena Power was born on July 7, 1917, at Gothenburg, Nebraska. She was the youngest of seven children born to Clyde and Lorena Guhr Bryant. Lillian grew up in Gothenburg and graduated from high school in 1934. After graduation, she attended Kearney State Teacher's College for a year...

Margaret Ellen Rodgers Feb. 14, 1919 - Jan. 8, 2015 PALISADE, Neb. -- Margaret Ellen Rodgers, 95, died Thursday (Jan. 8, 2015), at Community Hospital in McCook. Services are pending and will be announced by Carpenter Breland Funeral Home.

Nellie Mae Hammond March 20, 1924 - Jan. 9, 2015 CURTIS, Neb. -- Nellie Mae Hammond, 90, of McCook, Nebraska, formerly of Curtis, Nebraska, died Friday (Jan. 9, 2015), at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born March 20, 1924, at Curtis to Sam and Daisy (Walker) Wood. ...

Arlen E. Wolfe Dec. 15, 1936 - Jan. 6, 2015 HOLDREGE, Neb. -- Funeral services for Arlen E. Wolfe will be Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Reverend Jeff Adams officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege with military honors provided by the Martin Horn American Legion Post No. 66 of Holdrege in conjunction with the United States Air Force Military Honors Team...

Fern Mary Kleinsorge Nov. 4, 1940 - Jan. 8, 2015 OBERLIN, Kan. -- Fern Mary Kleinsorge, 74, a retired bookkeeper, passed away Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. A Rosary Service was 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West in Wichita. Mass of Christian Burial was today, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Wichita...

Kristi L. Carnes June 5, 1980 - Jan. 8, 2015 Madysn Faye Harmon ARAPAHOE, Neb. -- Kristi L. Carnes, age 34, and her infant daughter, Madysn Faye Harmon of Arapahoe, died Thursday (Jan. 8, 2015), at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Holdrege, Nebraska. Krisit was born June 5, 1980, in Oxford, Nebraska, to Loren D. and Dianne F. (Coffman) Carnes...

Margaret Ellen Rodgers Feb. 14, 1919 - Jan. 8, 2015 PALISADE, Neb. -- Margaret Ellen Rodgers of Palisade passed away Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, at Community Hospital in McCook. She was 95 years old. Margaret was born on her grandparents' farm near Red Cloud, Nebraska, on Feb. 14, 1919, to parents Jesse Lewis and Phebe Irene (Harry) Barlow...

William "Bill" Dean Koetter Jr. Jan. 5, 1929 - Jan. 9, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- William "Bill" Dean Koetter Jr., age 86, passed away Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 at his home in McCook. Bill was born on Jan. 5, 1929, in McCook to William B. Koetter, Sr. and Mildred J. ...

Rex Alan Olson Nov. 27, 1960 - Jan. 10, 2015 OBERLIN, Kan. -- Rex Alan Olson, 54, a 1979 graduate of Decatur Community High School, died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado. He was born Nov. 27, 1960, at the Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin, the son of Keith and Mary Lou (Bendon) Olson...

Dale Allacher OBERLIN Kan. -- Dale Lee Allacher passed away Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska, at the age of 77. He was born April 22, 1937, to Ernest and Frieda (Klawonn) Allacher, the third of eight children who were raised on the family farm near Herndon, Kansas. He attended Herndon schools and graduated from Herndon Rural High School in 1955. During his school years, Dale worked for several farmers in the Herndon area...

Dallas Duane Cobb Jan. 29, 1952 - Jan. 11, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- Dallas Duane Cobb, age 62, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, in Kearney, Nebraska. Dallas was born Jan. 29, 1952, in Stratton, Nebraska, to parents Bobbie B. and Eldred R. (Carpenter) Cobb. The family made their home in Stratton, where Dallas graduated from Stratton High School in 1970...

Velda Victoria Coburn Carmichael Dec. 12, 1917 - Jan. 8, 2015 REDDING, Calif. -- Velda Victoria Coburn Carmichael left her temporary home on earth Jan. 8, 2015. Velda was born in Stockville, Nebraska, on Dec. 12, 1917, to Lennie and Lottie Coburn. She lived on a farm north of Indianola, Nebraska, until at the age of 16, she married James Carmichael...

Katherine Lillian (Ruf) Atteberry July 16, 1912 - Jan. 12, 2015 CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Katherine Lillian (Ruf) Atteberry, age 102, of Cambridge, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at the Cambridge Manor in Cambridge, Nebraska. She was born on July 16, 1912, in Red Willow County between Wilsonville and Cambridge, Nebraska to Henry and Mary (Amen) Ruf...

Nova Devo Versch March 26, 1928 - Jan. 12, 2015 BIRD CITY, Kan. -- Nova Devo Versch died Jan. 12, 2015, at the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Center in Wichita, Kansas. She was born March 26, 1928, to J. Arthur Butler and Edith (McDougal) Butler. She grew up in Bird City. She married Gerald 'Bud' Versch on Dec. 1, 1946...

Leslie A. Lafferty April 20, 1971 - Jan. 12, 2015 COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Leslie A. Lafferty, 43, of Council Bluffs, died Monday (Jan. 12, 2015), at her home in Council Bluffs. She was born on April 20, 1971, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Bobby and Pamela (West) Jones...

Annie Marie Miller Oct. 23, 1971 - Jan. 15, 2015 SALEM, Ore. -- A special ray of sunshine was lost when Annie Marie closed her eyes for the last time on Jan. 15, 2015. Annie, 43, was born Oct. 23, 1971, in Grand Island, Nebraska, to Robert Miller, formerly of Indianola, Nebraska, and his wife, Monica (Schaaf) Miller, formerly of McCook, Nebraska. Annie was one of three children. She attended the Oregon School for the Blind and Fairview Training Center...

Max R. Brodersen Feb. 25, 1943 - Jan. 16, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- Max R. Brodersen, age 71, died at Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska, on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015. He was born in Harlan, Iowa, on Feb. 25, 1943, to Hans Henry and Eleanor (Frederickson) Brodersen. ...

Jeannette J. Henning June 19, 1937 - Jan. 15, 2015 HOLDREGE, Neb. -- Funeral services for Jeannette J. Henning will be Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Darren Stroh officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege following the services...

Helen Louise Juenemann June 9, 1943 - Jan. 17, 2015 OBERLIN, Kan. -- Helen Louise Juenemann of Selden, Kanas, died Saturday (Jan. 17, 2015) at Oberlin. She was born June 9, 1943, in Colby, Kansas, to Peter and Susan (Andrewjeski) Siruta. She attended Levant and Brewster schools and Independence Beauty College...

Karen Bruning OBERLIN, Kan. -- Karen Bruning, 73, died today (Jan. 20, 2015), at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska. Services are pending with Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin.

Evelyn Aden Feb. 17, 1922 - Jan. 19, 2015 GOTHENBURG, Neb. -- Evelyn Aden, 92, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died Monday (Jan. 19, 2015), in Gothenburg. She was born Feb. 17, 1922, in Gothenburg to Martin G. and Hulda (Ludwig) Block. She grew up in Gothenburg and attended school in Gothenbug...

Norvin Justice Anderson Dec. 14, 1926 - Jan. 19, 2015 ST. FRANCIS, Kan. -- Norvin Justice Anderson, 88, of St. Francis, Kansas, passed away on Jan. 19, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones. Norvin was born on Dec. 14, 1926, to Justice and Ethel Kemp Anderson on the family farm in Cheyenne County, Kansas. ...

Glenn F. Martin Sept. 21, 1920 - Jan. 20, 2015 OBERLIN, Kan. -- Glenn F. Martin, 94, died Tuesday (Jan. 20, 2015), at Decatur County Good Samaritan Society in Oberlin. He was born Sept. 21, 1920, in Admire, Kansas, to Jacob Thiere and Ida May (Hauserman) Martin. He attended Admire High School and Emporia State University. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II...

Heath L. Pierson July 10, 1989 - Jan. 20, 2015 LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Heath L. Pierson, age 25, died on Jan. 20, 2015, in Lakewood, Colorado, in a motor-vehicle accident. He was born in North Platte, Nebraska, on July 10, 1989, to Brian and Jill (Hoge) Pierson. Heath grew up in McCook, Nebraska, and graduated from McCook High School in 2008. Heath was active in athletics in high school. He played basketball, football and summer baseball...

Karen Kaye Bruning July 20, 1942 - Jan. 20, 2015 OBERLIN, Kan. -- Karen Kaye Bruning, 72, died Tuesday (Jan. 20, 2015), at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska. She was born July 20, 1942, in Beloit, Kansas, to Roy and Edna (Pennington) Bolte. She was raised in Logan, Kansas. She attended grade school and high school in Logan and graduated from high school in Phillipsburg in 1960. She lived in Plainville, Hill City, Placo, Phillipsburg, Logan, Atwood, Herndon and Oberlin...

Alfred A. Albers OBERLIN, Kan. -- Alfred A. Albers, 88, of Selden, Kansas, died today (Jan. 23, 2015), at Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, Kansas. Services are pending with Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin.

Doris Marie Rowe Pursel Jan. 25, 1926 - Jan. 18, 2015 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Doris Marie Rowe Pursel was born on Jan. 25, 1926, in Lenox, Iowa, to C. Stanford Rowe and Ethel Mae Dunkle Rowe. She passed away in her home with her husband by her side on Jan. 18, 2015, in Tallahassee Florida...

Clara May Crouse March 13, 1928 - Jan. 20, 2015 BEAVER CITY, Neb. -- Clara May Crouse, 86, died Tuesday (Jan. 20, 2015), at the Beaver City Manor. She was born on March 13, 1928, in Gilcrest, Colorado, to John and Clara (Warden) Wolf. She lived in Longmont, Colorado, before moving to Beaver City in the early 1980s...

Phyllis M. Pfeffer July 12, 1925 - Jan. 23, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- Phyllis M. Pfeffer, age 89, of McCook, passed away at her home on Jan. 23, 2015. She was born in Palisade, Nebraska, on July 12, 1925, to Bruce and Nina (Smith) Carse. She attended and graduated from Palisade High School in 1943...

Marilyn Marcille DeVries July 24, 1931 - Jan. 21, 2015 YUMA, Ariz. -- Marilyn Marcille DeVries, 83, formerly of Cambridge, Nebraska, died Wednesday, (Jan. 21, 2015), at her home in Yuma. She was born in Cambridge, Nebraska, on July 24, 1931, to Wayne and L. Fern Johnson...

LeRoy Joseph Horinek May 6, 1934 - Jan. 24, 2015 ATWOOD, Kan. -- Le Roy Joseph Horinek was born on May 6, 1934, in Atwood, Kansas. He passed away on Jan. 24, 2015, at the Good Samaritan Home in Oberlin, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Henrietta (Kacirek) Horinek and sister, Doretta Sappenfield...

Darlene Lucille Brubaker Oct. 23, 1929 - Jan. 25, 2015 BIRD CITY, Kan. -- Darlene Lucille Brubaker, 85, died Sunday (Jan. 25, 2015), at Rawlings County Hospital in Atwood, Kansas. She was born Oct. 23, 1929, in Stratton, Nebraska. She was a homemaker...

Betty Jones Sept. 20, 1931 - Jan. 27, 2015 OBERLIN, Kan. -- Betty Jones, 83, died Tuesday (Jan. 27, 2015), at Decatur Health Systems in Oberlin. She was born Sept. 20, 1931, in Herndon, Kansas, to Edward and Elizabeth (Leitner) Portschi. She grew up on a farm south of Herndon...

Hilma Maxine Flint May 19, 1924 - Jan. 26, 2015 CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Hilma Maxine Flint, 90, died Monday (Jan. 26, 2015), at Cambridge Manor. She was born on May 19, 1924, at the family home northwest of Cambridge in Red Willow County, to Samuel A. and Georgia Walkington. Hilma was the youngest of nine children. She attended country school through the eighth grade and then Cambridge High School, where she graduated in 1941...

Larry Lincoln Bowen Nov. 7, 1933 - Jan. 6, 2015 GRAPEVINE, Texas -- On Nov. 7, 1933, Larry Lincoln Bowen and Jerry James Bowen were born at their maternal grandparents' home in Kearney, Nebraska, to Dean and Erma Lincoln Bowen. The kitchen oven served as an incubator for the tiny boys. Sadly, Jerry only lived for 12 days, but little Larry persevered and lived a long, full life, dying at the age of 81...

Lindinburge 'Lindy' Emery Oct. 14, 1928 - Jan. 26, 2015 HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- Lindinburge "Lindy" Emery, age 86, of Hot Springs, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. He was born on Oct. 14, 1928, in Rawlins County, Kansas, the son of Christian Angermeir and Gertrude Emery Angermeir. On Sept. 8, 1953, he was married to Mae Lorraine Morosic, who was born in Red Willow County...

James 'Jim' David Nelson Sept. 7, 1957 - Jan. 28, 2015 VALENTINE, Neb -- James "Jim" David Nelson, 57, died Wednesday (Jan. 28, 2015), at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine. Services are pending and will be announced by Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook...

Gladys A. Liston Earl Sept. 3, 1924 - Jan. 24, 2015 BARTLEY, Neb. -- Gladys A. Liston Earl, age 90, died at her home on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015. She was born in McCook, Nebraska, on Sept. 3, 1924, to Charles and Crescenty Balius Clapp. Gladys grew up in McCook, graduating from McCook High School in 1942...

James 'Jim' David Nelson Sept. 7, 1957 - Jan. 28, 2015 CULBERTSON, Neb. -- James "Jim" David Nelson, age 57, of Culbertson, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015 at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine, Nebraska. He was born Sept. 7, 1957, in Benkelman, Nebraska, to Omar A. and Fannie G. (David) Nelson. He attended Benkleman High School...