Stories from Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Lester M. Bieker WATKINS Colo. - A Memorial Mass in honor of Lester will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in McCook, NE with Father Bernard Kimminau as Celebrant. The Bieker family invites friends and family for a luncheon following the Mass at Marlene’s Kitchen, north of McCook on Highway 83...

Robert ‘Bob’ Reher June 26, 1951 - Dec. 25, 2024 McCOOK, Neb. - McCOOK Neb. - Robert ‘Bob’ Reher 73 of McCook Nebraska passed away Wednesday Dec. 25. Bob was born June 26, 1951 in Grand Island NE the first son of Gilbert and Lolita (Jones) Reher Bob attended Stolley Park Elementary School and Graduated from Northwest High School. ...

LaVerne ‘Vern’ Brickner Oct. 26,1949 - Dec. 27, 2024 KEARNEY, Neb. - LaVerne ‘Vern’ Brickner, 75 of Kearney passed away Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 at his home surrounded by family after a short illness. A funeral mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney with Fr. Joe Hannappel officiating. A rosary will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday prior to the service. Visitation will be 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Monday followed by a time of sharing at the church...

McCOOK, Neb. - Open dialogue and community engagement were enabled throughout 2024, as the McCook Gazette hosted the “Coffee Talk” series, creating a platform for residents to connect with local leaders and discuss local issues. The inaugural event occurred on March 27, marking a shift from the previous “Coffee with a Cop” format. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - Community Hospital is pleased to announce a new addition to its board of directors. Rebecca Wiemers, LCSW, LMHP, MPA, Ph.D., who began her three-year term at the Dec. 18 board meeting. Wiemers, a licensed mental health counselor at Unified Therapy Clinic, has been in the McCook area most of her life. ...

Jimmy Carter’s presidency, from 1977 to 1981, remains a study in contrasts – marked by ambitious goals, unforeseen crises, and lasting legacies. For Nebraska, Carter’s tenure carried specific ramifications, reflecting the broader challenges and opportunities of his administration...

The last day of a significant year in our lives. It is a good time to sit back and review 2024. Good, bad, or was it just another year gone by? Actually, my sister Margaret, age 92, (I think!) summed it up nicely in her Christmas card. “2024 has been a good year for us as we’ve stayed well and active. Life in a retirement home keeps us safe, fed and active.”...

Marilyn Louise Malleck Nov. 04, 1938 - Dec. 29, 2024 McCOOK, Neb. - Marilyn Louise Malleck, age 86, of McCook, Neb. passed away on Dec. 29, 2024 at Community Hospital in McCook surrounded by family. Marilyn was born Nov. 4, 1938 in McCook to Harry and Margaret L. (O’Berg) Brown. She was one of four children born to this union...

McCOOK, Neb. - As 2025 approaches, the McCook Chamber of Commerce reflects on a year marked by significant events and achievements under Director Sarah Schneider’s leadership. Schneider, a resident of McCook for 20 years, took the helm in January and embraced her role with enthusiasm and a vision for community collaboration and growth...