Stories from Monday, February 28, 2005

NORTH PLATTE -- Rebecca J. Durst and John R. Steele were united in marriage Dec. 4, 2004, at The Lighthouse, Four Square Church in North Platte with the Rev. Jerry Skinner officiating. Parents of the couple are Ken and Connie Bible of North Platte, Judy Steele and Dave Mullen and Larry and Sue Steele, all of North Platte...

Amanda Sue Loomis of Maywood and Jason Kyle Cox of North Platte announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Danny and Jackie Loomis of Maywood and Mick and Marlene Cox of Hayes Center. The bride-to-be is a 2003 graduate of Hayes Center High School. ...

Kate Grafel and Don Sousek, both of Lincoln, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Kent Grafel of Culbertson, Mary Whitaker of Lisbon, N.Y., and Roberta and James Sousek Jr., of Prague. Grandparents of the couple are Don and Joan Grafel of Herndon, Kan., Sam and Ilene Haller of Culbertson, Joan Haller of Pittsburg, Kan., Charlotte and James D. ...

Cassandra Jolene Lewis and Stephen Michael Hultgren announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the couple are Bill and Kathy Lewis of Cambridge and Keith and Debbie Hultgren of Storm Lake, Iowa. Grandparents of the couple are Denzil Sears of Cozad and Mrs. ...

The family of LeRoy and Lois Leibrandt is hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 65th anniversary March 5, 2-4 p.m., at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds.

The family of Daniel and Marilyn Funk of McCook is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 50th anniversary March 6. The couple married in 1955 in Scottsbluff. They have one son, Michael and a daughter-in-law, Janet of Derby, Kan. They have two grandchildren.Cards will reach the couple at 201 Apache Drive, McCook, NE 69001...

The family of Harry Eiler is hosting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday, March 2. He shares his birthday with his wife, Beverly and the couple married 56 years ago on the same day. Their children are Lamoine and Lisa of Portland, Ore., and Mark and Kathleen of McCook. They have six grandchildren. Cards will reach him at No. 11 Brassie Drive, McCook, NE 69001...

GRAND ISLAND -- The McCook boys basketball lost to Lexington 55-51 Saturday in the first round of the Nebraska Class B4 district basketball tournament. McCook started the game slowly, only putting up 7 first quarter points. This slow start led to Lexington grabbing the early advantage, and a halftime lead 30-21...

The McCook Community College softball team split a doubleheader with Garden City (Kan.) Saturday at the Jaycees Sports Complex. The Indians won the first game 4-3 and lost to the Broncbusters 4-3 in the second game. In the first game, the Indians scored one run in the bottom of the second inning...

Nov. 23, 1929-Feb. 25, 2005 ARAPAHOE -- Norman D. Kinder, 75, died Friday (Feb. 25, 2005) at his home south of Holbrook. He was born Nov. 23, 1929, to Charles and Violet (Steuber) Kinder in Cambridge. He attended country school south of Holbrook. He graduated in 1947 from Cambridge High School...

Aug. 27, 1910-Feb. 27, 2005 OBERLIN -- Genevieve H. Erickson, 94, died Sunday (Feb. 27, 2005) at Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin. She was born Aug. 27, 1910, to Carl and Mabel (Swift) Pittman in Plainville, Kan. She attended school in Plainville and graduated in 1928 from Oberlin High School. She then taught school in Rawlins, Rooks and Ellis Counties in Kansas...

Sept. 17, 1920-Feb. 25, 2005 HERNDON -- Francis W. Escher, 84, died Friday (Feb. 25, 2005) in Topeka, Kan. He was born Sept. 17, 1920, to Louis and Rosa Barenberg Escher. He was raised in Herndon and attended Catholic grade school and high school. He spent a year at Creighton University in Omaha...

Through generous contributions from area residents, more than 1,700 baseball caps have been sent to soldiers serving in Iraq. City Editor Gloria Masoner said in addition to the caps, $675 was raised for shipping. Part of that money went toward purchase personal hygiene items, and socks were also donated...

Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood said today the investigation into the July 18 murder of Dave Moreau is continuing. Wood said his office is continuing to work closely with the McCook Police Department, Red Willow County Sheriff's office, the Nebraska State Patrol and the Nebraska Attorney General's office on the case...

Red Willow County commissioners discussed the potential for litigation regarding the bleachers in the arena on the county fairgrounds during a 30-minute closed session Monday morning. County Attorney Paul Wood requested the closed session when commissioners were set to discuss, during their regular meeting, a contract with the contractor of the bleachers...

The death of a local man on Feb. 14, has been ruled an accidental death by carbon monoxide poisoning. Red Willow County District Attorney Paul Wood said today there was no evidence of foul play or suicide in the death of Brett L. Fraker, 23. Wood said he met with Fraker's parents, Pam Fraker of McCook and Mark Fraker and wife, Cathy of Oberlin, on Feb. 23 to disclose the findings...

For many years following World War II, Frannie Weiland was probably McCook's most visible citizen, as he worked in downtown McCook. He was a familiar sight as he pulled his little red wagon, filled with window washing equipment, along Norris Avenue...

When the Cambridge Trojans defeated Arapahoe Thursday night in the D1-11 sub-district boys basketball finals, Del Schoenfish reached a coaching milestone, recording the 500th victory of his career. The achievement put Coach Schoenfish in elite company, as only two other active coaches in Nebraska are above the 500-win mark. They are Jim Morrison of Howells and Jerry Eichoff of Hampton...

It's spring, and the children fly homemade kites constructed of used garbage bags, sticks, and bits of string tied together. Somehow they hold the makeshift kites aloft on the slightest breeze. I thought about a quote of a First Sergeant of mine today. ...

March 17, 1921-Feb. 26, 2005 ATWOOD -- Hugh Richard Amann, 83, died Saturday (Feb. 26, 2005) at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood. He was born March 17, 1921, to John Richard and Sylvia M (Hileman) in Red Willow County. He attended District 8 School. He graduated from the Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis in 1940. He then helped on the farm...