Stories from Tuesday, March 9, 2004

Some individuals are naturally prone to playing practical jokes. Others seem to be natural victims of these jokes. While some practical jokes are crude and mean spirited, some are funny -- although, I guess that might depend on your point of view. Nevertheless, in the interest of recording a bit of history, I'd like to recount a few...

Longtime mentor takes Readiness NCO position with 1074th Longtime McCook High School wrestling Dean Reicks has resigned to take a position as the Readiness NCO with the 1074th Transportation Company in North Platte. SFC Dwane Cochran, the previous Readiness NCO, retired after 25 years...

HASTINGS -- The McCook YMCA Devil Ray Swim Team competed in their final meet of the winter season, the Nebraska YMCA State Championship, on Saturday. The meet took place in Hastings with over 400 swimmers from 12 different teams attending this competition...

Dec. 20, 1919-March 8, 2004 OBERLIN -- Fredrick Helmkamp, 84, died Monday (March 8, 2004) at Decatur County Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin. He was born Dec. 20, 1919, to Ewald and Louise (Wendelin) Helmkamp in Traer. He was raised in the Traer area and attended school at St. John's Lutheran School. He graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1938...

OBERLIN -- Phyllis (Zurbrick) Mye, 69, died Sunday (March 7, 2004) in Oberlin. She was born July 12, 1934, to Ansley and Irene (Larkin) Zurbrick in Buffalo, N.Y. She was a payroll accountant. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Barry Mye; and one sister, Joyce...

Feb. 9, 1919-March 8, 2004 Lloyd H. Smith, 85, of Cambridge, died Monday (March 8, 2004) at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was born Feb. 9, 1919, to Mary Elizabeth (De Villers) and Christian Smith. His early childhood was spent on the family farm in Frontier County. He attended rural school until the eighth grade. He then helped his father on the farm...

Jan. 22, 1944-March 2, 2004 STURGIS, S.D. -- Garreld Arylyn Taylor, 60, died March 2, 2004, at Fort Mead Veterans Hospital in Sturgis, S.D. He was born Jan. 22, 1944, to Charles Crandall and Martha Ellen (Grose) Taylor at Chase County Hospital. He was raised on a farm northeast of Enders. He attended grade school at District 41, Pioneer School. He then attended Chase County High School and Curtis Ag School...

May 13, 1941-March 7, 2004 Vernon P. "Pete" Williams, 62, died Sunday (March 7, 2004) at his home in McCook. He was born May 13, 1941, to George Edward and Thora "Neva" (Russell) Williams in Ordway, Colo. He graduated from Manitou Springs, Colo., High School in 1959...

July 9, 1928-March 6, 2004 BEATRICE -- Jack W. Reed, 75, died Saturday (March 6, 2004) in Beatrice. He was born July 9, 1928, in Orleans. He was a 1946 graduate of McCook High School and received his bachelor of science degree in engineering from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1951. He was employed with the Nebraska Department of Roads and was Vice-president of mining for Peter Kiewit and Sons in Omaha until he retired in 1986. He lived in Elkhorn, Wickenburg, Ariz., and Beatrice...

The McCook Public Schools board of directors sold the former West Ward elementary building for $65,000, at its regular meeting Monday evening. Although she did not reveal the new owner's plans for the building, McCook real estate agent Jeannette Reed said D. Jon Morrison was excited about the possibility of owning the building. No other information about his plans was immediately available...

Red Willow County commissioners agreed Monday to contribute $1,000 to Good Samaritan Hospital's "Family Advocacy Network," a program that Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood called "an excellent investigation tool" in sexual assaults and crimes against children...

The sheriff's deputy who investigated the one-car rollover accident Friday night is convinced the girls' injuries were minor because they were wearing their seat belts. Red Willow County Deputy Joe Koetter said Monday he's confident the seat belts saved Jennifer Sydow and her passengers from serious injuries. Without the seat belts, the four girls probably would have been thrown from the rolling car, Koetter said...

Members of the McCook Elks Lodge are facing a difficult decision. Because of financial challenges and the loss of membership, the Elks officers have sent a letter to members, asking whether B.P.O.E. Lodge 1434 of McCook should turn back its charter and all physical and monetary property to the Nebraska Elks Trustees...

**Dear Editor, I am an eighth grade student at Washington Manor Middle School in San Leandro, Calif. I am currently doing a school project that entails planning a vacation to your fine state. I would greatly appreciate any information or memorabilia that your generous readers could send me. I am interested in family activities, interesting historical sights and unique artifacts that make your state special. Thank you for your time and consideration...

**Dear Editor, I read your Croswind column in the March 2 Gazette. Now that you have found the more scenic route to Kearney, I hope you will take the time to visit our museum. The museum was started about 14 years ago by four Vietnam veterans. It is staffed and managed entirely by volunteers...

I've still got stretch marks on my knees from a growth spurt in high school. I also remember sore knees from running on asphalt during cross country, which I went out for more for the chance to get fresh air and enjoy the scenery than any chance to reach the finish line first...

April 14, 1920-Feb. 9, 2004 BATTLE CREEK -- Frances (Austin) Koudelka, 84, died Feb. 9, 2004, in Battle Creek. She was born April 14, 1920, to Robert D. and Viola (Ward) Austin in McCook. She graduated from McCook High School in 1937. On July 20, 1974, she married James A. Koudelka. The couple resided in Battle Creek. She was employed with WPA in Lincoln and Norfolk. She co-owned Koudelka Market in Battle Creek and in 1969, purchased Frozen Food Center in Norfolk...