Stories from Monday, February 22, 2016

Mildred M. Welter Oct. 2, 1923 - Feb. 19, 2016 PAOLA, Kan. -- Mildred M. Welter, 92, formerly of Dresden, Kansas, died Friday (Feb. 19, 2016) at Paola. She was born Oct. 2, 1923, in Dresden to Michael and Theresa (Zodrow) Karls. She graduated from Dresden High School in 1941...

Beulah M. Gerdes Dec. 6, 1924 - Feb. 20, 2016 HOLDREGE, Neb. -- Gravesides services and interment for Beulah M. Gerdes will be Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time (2:30 p.m. Central Time) at the Benkelman Cemetery at Benkelman, Nebraska, with Pastor Kenton Birtell officiating...

50th anniversary The children of Doyle and Carol Dawson are requesting a card shower in honor the couple's 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, Feb. 27. Cards of congratulations will reach them at P.O. Box 616, Araphahoe, NE 68922.

Photographers are dusting off their telephoto lenses or lusting after new ones as the annual sandhill crane migration begins. We do see a few sandhill cranes in Southwest Nebraska -- as well as a rare whooper or two on occasion -- but we're more likely to get a drive-by look from Interstate 80 on trips to Lincoln or Omaha...

(Note: One of the rather painful things, which comes with old age, is an erratic sleeping habit that one develops. Sometimes that results in watching TV in the wee hours. Recently, it was very pleasant for me to be on hand for one of the old Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movies. This brought back memories of one story I heard while I was "Growing Up in Plain View". )...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Board of Education will have a special meeting Tuesday noon at the junior high conference room, to discuss general contractor bids for the senior high safety remodeling project. The major project, estimated to cost almost $1 million, will entail remodeling the south side front entrance at the high school to enhance safety features and re-configure office space to accommodate these changes...

McCOOK, Neb. -- About 260 kids will get sunglasses with the $6,500 raised by the first-ever, first-of-its-kind "Race for You (V)" relay between Cambridge and McCook on Saturday. McCook eye doctor Rob Stamm said this morning that coordinators and Republican River Runners Club members were very pleased with the turnout of 17 teams of 170 runners who ran the 34-mile relay to raise awareness of the risk of eye disease for children who wear glasses but not sunglasses and to generate funds to provide protective sunglasses for them.. ...

OSCEOLA, Neb. -- The Nebraska Figure 8 and Derby Hall of Fame will induct a demolition driver from Culbertson during it annual meeting and ceremony March 5 in Osceola. Shane Rippen of Culbertson was nominated for the hall of fame honor by demolition derby official Matt Newcomb of Polk County, for his longevity and win record...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Friends plan a benefit soup supper Saturday for McCook hair stylist Tammy Holthaus, who broke her right femur in a fall on the snow in early February. A free-will donation will be accepted for the soup and sandwich benefit scheduled from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., at the Assembly of God Annex at 811 East C in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Community College men's and women's basketball teams will host rival squads from North Platte Tuesday for the final home games this season at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center. In addition to the action on the court, several campus groups and organizations will be involved in a variety of "Spirit Week" activities. Tuesday's doubleheader is set to start at 5:30 p.m. with the women's match followed at approximately 7:30 p.m. by the men...

Mary Jo Baumfalk April 16, 1944 - Feb. 21, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Mary Jo Baumfalk of McCook passed away Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, at Hillcrest Nursing Home. She was 71 years old. Mary Jo was born on April 16, 1944, at McCook to parents, L. Jake and Genevieve Greta (Ike) Wagner. She graduated from McCook High School in 1962...

Martin D. LaRue Aug. 8, 1932 - Feb 21, 2016 OBERLIN, Kan.-- Martin D. LaRue, 83, of Oberlin, formerly of Jennings, Kansas, died Sunday (Feb 21, 2016), at Good Samaritan Society-Decatur County in Oberlin. He was born Aug. 8, 1932, near Melverne, Osage County, Kansas, to Ray L. and Abbie (Bass) LaRue Sr. He graduated from Sheridan Community High School in 1952...

70th anniversary The family of Stanley and Mitty (Huggins) Quigley of Indianola, Nebraska, are hosting an open house in honor of the couple's 70th wedding anniversary Tuesday, March 1. They were married in Fort Worth, Texas in 1946. The open house is Sunday, Feb. ...