Stories from Friday, April 26, 2002

On this Arbor Day, let us each resolve to plant a tree. It's simple, really. And, yet, it can be deeply satisfying, now and for years and years to come. Today is a good time to start. Take a knee. Spade the dirt. Insert a sprig. Water and nurture. Watch the growth. Rejoice in the effect...

OBERLIN -- Ardith Gail Bartels, 77, died Wednesday (April 24, 2002) at her home in Oberlin. She was born Dec. 24, 1924, to McKinley and Neta (Dawson) Gettle in Goodland, Kan. She grew up in Goodland and graduated from Goodland High School in 1942. She attended Colby Community College and received an associated degree as a licensed practical nurse...

Viola S. Millard, 88, died Wednesday (April 24, 2002) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was born April 8, 1914, to John and Anna (Lalley) Stritt at Lawrence. She graduated from Indianola High School. She graduated from St. Joseph's Hospital Nursing School in 1940 as a registered nurse and worked at the POW camp in Indianola and then at the Denver Veteran's Hospital for 40 years, retiring in 1976...

WAUNETA -- Eva Agnes Polly, 84, died Wednesday (April 24, 2002) at Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial. She was born June 19, 1917, to Joseph Iznac and Olga Cecelia (Vlasin) Kerchal on the family farm north of Wauneta. She attended grade school in Hayes County and she graduated from Wauneta High School in 1935. ...

Fredie A. Boehm, 77, died Wednesday (April 24, 2002) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was born March 7, 1925, to Fred and Mary Etta (Dwyer) Boehm in Lindsay, Neb. He grew up in McCook where he attended Saint Patrick's High School. In 1941, he entered the U. ...

LEBANON -- Harry Dean Warner, 76, died Thursday (April 25, 2002) at his home. He was born May 10, 1925, to Harry and Aril (Ankenman) Warner at Lebanon. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1943. On July 29, 1950, he married Elizabeth "Betty" Hope Ward in Lebanon. He worked for Winchester Firearms as Gun Club manager for many years. He had lived in Lebanon for 75 years...

BEAVER CITY -- Verda E. Dillin, 94, died Thursday (April 25, 2002) at the Beaver City Manor. She was born Sept. 5, 1907, to Lewis Jerome and Mary Ellen (Schooner) Lomax in Wilsonville. She grew up in the Wilsonville area and graduated from Wilsonville High School in 1924...

WAUNTEA -- Opal P. Russell, 88, of Benkelman, died Wednesday (April 24, 2002) at Heritage of Wauneta. She was born July 10, 1913, to Joseph Ferdinand and Emma Fredericka Wilamina (Behlke) Paul at their home in the Indian Creek Precinct in Dundy County. ...

GERING -- Charlie A. Roe, 97, died Wednesday (April 24, 2002) at Heritage Health Care Center in Gering. He was born March 6, 1905, to Frank and Sarah Roe and was raised on a farm north of Hayes Center. He graduated in 1923 in Hayes Center and worked for two years for Ben Kemp...

Have you seen them yet? They have been everywhere the past couple of Saturdays. If not, they should be around for at least one more weekend. No, it's not the annual migration of birds, but rather couples in their finest duds making their way to their respective proms...

As the debate continues over the mock disaster at the high school, one major point has not been addressed. Who is going to pay the legal fees and settlements when the school system is sued for causing emotional distress to a student? I believe the answer to that will be the taxpayers...

The city, forgave Valmont the contract which they could have demanded a large payment while cutting deep into Mr. Bill's $900 summer income. What a nice city council.

Dear Friend, Islamic terrorists destroyed the twin towers and part of the Pentagon and except for the courageous action of some of our fellow Americans they may have destroyed the Whitehouse or our U.S Capitol building. How soon will they strike again and where?...

Dear Editor: I attended West Ward's Spring Program at the senior high auditorium Tuesday evening. It was really enjoyable! This was a perfect example of faculty, students and parents working together. When I saw all these healthy, happy boys and girls singing so beautifully, I thought "how truly blessed we are to live in McCook. Nebraska when we know so many children in the world are hurting and hungry."...

WESTCLIFFE, Colo. -- Burial services will be Thursday (May 2, 2002) at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook for Lenora Marie (Schmitz) Johnson, late of Westcliffe, Colo. She died at her home Dec. 16. 2001. She was 95. Born Nov. 11, 1906, to Joseph Alfred and Lenora Mary (Smith) Schmitz, she was raised on a farm southwest of McCook, and attended McCook High School, graduating with the Class of 1924...