Stories from Monday, December 8, 2003

After the Civil War, there was a great deal of animosity in the South toward the North. Children grew up believing that "Damn Yankee" was one word. Even today feelings can run deep, as evidenced by the row stirred up over flying of the Confederate flag. If there was a lasting bitterness between soldiers who had fought on different sides, that bitterness was not deep here in the Plains, where the common experience that pioneers shared with neighbors was deeper than were memories from the war...

After a 35 percent enrollment decline in the last 10 years, the school districts of Hitchcock County are facing a major decision about how to provide quality, affordable education for their children. When the county's three districts -- Stratton, Trenton and Culbertson -- adopted a unification plan in 1999, it was hoped the school districts could get by until the unification period ended in 2006...

**Letters from soldiers EDITOR'S NOTE -- The following were forwarded from Charlynn Hamilton of Hayes Center: **Dearest Mrs. Linnaea Budke! How are you doing ma'am? My name is SSG Maximum E Padua Jr. You can call me Max! I am in the U.S. Army, stationed in Kuwait with one of the Army's finest soldiers, Jarod Epp! It's been a honor as well as a privilege to work with SSG Epp. ...

HAYS, Kan. -- Harold J. Schiltz, 86, of Selden, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 2003) at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kan. He was born Sept. 19, 1917, to Joseph and Elizabeth (Schlageck) Schiltz in Angelus, Kan. He was raised in the Angelus-Menlo area and attended schools in Angelus. He served during World War II in the Army...

DICKENS -- Gerald L. "Jerry" Schultz, 64, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, at his home in Dickens. Survivors include his wife, Gloria of Dickens; two daughters, Shanon and husband, Bill Williams of McCook and Aleyse Schultz of Chadron; and one son, Kenneth Schultz of Bellvue...

OMAHA -- Veranna E. (Judd) Nelson, 52, died Nov. 29, 2003, at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha. She was born Nov. 12, 1951, to Keith and Edna (Judd) Wallace in McCook. Survivors include her husband, David of Omaha; two daughters, Jennifer and husband, Arthur Barrett of New Mexico and Kayla and husband, Mike Daley of California; and six brothers, Harold and wife, Linda Upp of Maryland, Rick and Nancy Judd of McCook, Rod and Wanda Judd of Oklahoma, Bernard Judd of Kearney, Russ and Mary Judd and Gerold and Tammy Judd, all of Omaha.. ...

Roger Dale Schmidt, 60, of McCook, died Thursday (Dec. 4, 2003) at Community Hospital of McCook. He was born April 10, 1943, to Marion Adolph and Theresa Margaret (Fidnarik) Schmidt in Cambridge. He graduated from McCook High School in 1961. He was the production manager at the McCook Daily Gazette and employee for 47 years....

Loren Elden Thayer, 45, died Friday (Dec. 5, 2003) at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He was born Nov. 10, 1958, to Lawrence Elven and Yvonne Dorothy (Kahler) Thayer at Fort Morgan, Colo. He grew up and attended school at Brush, Colo., and was a truck driver for over 20 years. He enjoyed working with horses and singing...

ATWOOD -- Francis William Johnson, 90, died Saturday (Dec. 6, 2003) at his home in Atwood. He was born Aug. 26, 1913, to John W. and Mary (Benning) Johnson in Herndon. On July 21, 1934, he married Inez Rummel. In the early 40s, he began operating Johnson Construction Company...

CAMBRIDGE -- Waldemar W. "Wally" Haussler, 84, of Arapahoe, died Friday (Dec. 5, 2003) at Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Cambridge. He was born Feb. 3, 1919, to Karl and Maria (Huxoll) Haussler in Gosper County. He attended school at Star and St. Matthews schools. ...

The family of Dick and Paula Witt of Hastings is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 25th anniversary Dec. 16. Their children are Scott of New York City, N.Y., and Brett, Tina and Matt, all of Hastings. Dick is a former resident of Cambridge. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at 614 West 10th, Hastings, NE 68901...

LINCOLN -- Felicia Nicole McKenzie of McCook and Chad Robert Christensen of Lincoln were united in marriage April 5, 2003, at Sheridan Lutheran Church in Lincoln with the Rev. Greg Bouvier officiating. Parents of the couple are Jack and Nancy McKenzie of McCook and Dean and Sylvia Christensen of Lincoln. ...

GRAND ISLAND -- The McCook Bison girls basketball team got a lesson in physical play from Grand Island Northwest Saturday night. The Bison were outrebounded 42-28, shot 23 percent from the field and lost to the Vikings 49-28 at the GINW gymnasium. McCook (1-1) will play three games Thursday through Saturday at the Goodland (Kan.) Topside Tipoff Classic...

OVERTON -- Arapahoe's Tony Braithwait poured in 26 points -- 25 in the first half including seven 3-pointers -- to lead the Warrior boys to a 64-53 win at Overton Saturday. Arapahoe led at halftime 45-21. Blake Maaske scored 13 points and Justin Spaulding 10 for Arapahoe (2-0)...

POCATELLO, Idaho -- Glenn Milton Buzzell, 92, died Tuesday (Dec. 2, 2003) at a medical center in Idaho. Glenn was born in Culbertson, June 14, 1911, to Melville H. and Ida Mae (Stevensens) Buzzell. He graduated from high school in Culbertson in 1929...