Stories from Wednesday, February 9, 2005

In the last two seasons, Jessica Hall been the lone McCook High School diver at the Nebraska State Championships. This year, the Bison senior will be joined for her third trip to state by brother Matt, a freshman at MHS. The 1-meter state diving competition is Feb. 24-26 at the University of Nebraska pool in Lincoln...

Indian squads both place three players in double figures NORTH PLATTE -- The McCook Community College men's and women's basketball teams both lost at Mid Plains-North Platte Tuesday night. Mid Plains-North Platte won the men's game 86-79 and the women's game 69-53...

July 18, 1985-Feb. 6, 2005 BREWSTER, Kan. -- Sean Michael Swanson, 19, died Sunday (Feb. 6, 2005) near Gray County, Kan. He was born July 18, 1985, in Lexington. He was a student in college. Survivors include his parents, Michelle Jorgensen of Brewster and Roger and Hillerie Engler of McCook; grandparents, Mille Engler of Lexington, Darrell and Jackie Jorgensen of Brewster, Gordon and Susan Brunick of Holyoke, Colo., Melvin and Sandra Marshall of Wray, Colo.; brothers, Tanner Swanson and Nathan and Jace Jorgensen, all of Brewster, Allen Engler of Everett, Wash., Hunter Engler of Norfolk, Matt Thayer of McCook and Cory Engler of McCook; and sisters, Stacy Swanson of Denver, Colo., Tara Swanson of Cape Coral, Fla., Callie Jorgensen of Brewster, Kan., and Miranda Thayer of McCook.. ...

Dec. 27, 1919-Feb. 6, 2005 WESTBROOK, Maine -- Lillian B. "Bunny" Dyhrberg died on Feb. 6, 2005, at Bay Square in Yarmouth, Maine, after a long illness. She was born Dec. 27, 1919, in McCook, the daughter of Clarence and Lillie Glahn Bunstock. She attended local schools, graduating from McCook High School. ...

April 25, 1925-Feb. 7, 2005 Vernon A. Meints passed away Feb. 7, 2005, at Bryan LGH Hospital in Lincoln at the age of 79. He was born April 25, 1925, in Culbertson, the eldest son of Henry and Alice (Seed) Meints. He was preceded in death by both his parents and one brother, Raymond of Lincoln and a daughter, Merry Jeane Bunstock...

The family of Les and Tammy Sides is hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 25th anniversary Feb. 9. The couple married at St. Benedicts Catholic Church in Florence, Colo. Their children are Jody Sides of Cambridge and Eric Sides of Indianola. Cards of congratulations will reach the couple at HC 66 Box 53, Bartley, NE 69020...

An accomplished educator and well-rounded citizen of McCook remembered her community through an endowment of more than $900,000, according to representative of local beneficiaries. Gwendolyn Mae McKenzie, who died on Aug. 2, 1995, left $840,000 to the McCook College Foundation, and $100,000 to the Ed Thomas YMCA...

"He was my hero." With those four healt-felt words, Ye (Seng) Wilson spoke this morning of her great admiration for Vern Meints, a McCook business and civic leader who died Monday morning following an extended illness. Ye is well-acquainted with Vern's kindnesses. In 1976, Vern and his wife, Nadine, served as sponsors for the Seng family to come to the United States from a refugee camp in Thailand...

Shortly after receiving his high school diploma, Ben left home for Marine Corps basic training at San Diego, Calif. Watching our first bird fly from our nest meant enduring a unique summer of change. At the last minute, God moved and in His time, allowed us to attend the graduation ceremonies in early September...