U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Lawrence H. Ostdiek
Lawrence resident Lawrence H. Ostdiek, 103, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1997, at Good Samaritan Center in Nelson.
Rosary is 7 p.m. Thursday and services are 10:30 a.m. Friday, both at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lawrence with the Revs. Dennis Hunt, Mel Rempe and Frank Machovec officiating. Burial will be in St. Stephen's Cemetery south of Lawrence. Merten-Butler Mortuary of Blue Hill is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Ostdiek was born Jan. 1, 1894, to Christopher and Sophia (Stritt) Ostdiek in Nuckolls County. On Feb. 25, 1919, he married Emma L. Hoelting at St. Stephen's Catholic Church south of Lawrence. He was a farmer. He retired in 1960 and he and his wife moved into Lawrence. His wife died April 23, 1978.
He was a member of Sacred Hearth Catholic Church and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus.
Survivors are two sons, Vincent of Hastings and Bernard of Superior; three daughters, Agnes Ostdiek of Blue Hill, Viola Pavelka of Grand Island and Rita Mazour of Lawrence; one brother, Ernest of Blue Hill; one sister, Hilda Rempe of Superior; 24 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by four brothers, three sisters and one infant grandchild.
A memorial has been established.
Maria Gutierrez
Kenesaw resident Maria Gutierrez, 92, died Monday, Feb. 10, 1997, at Haven Home of Kenesaw.
Rosary is 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel in Hastings. Services are 10 a.m. Friday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Hastings with the Rev. David F. Bourek officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery at Hastings.
Mrs. Gutierrez was born Aug. 7, 1904. On Feb. 20, 1920, she married Merced Gutierrez. They moved to the Juniata and Kenesaw areas in 1936. Her husband died in 1993. She was a homemaker.
She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church.
Survivors are five sons, two daughters, 20 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to Haven Home of Kenesaw.
Leona Jensby
Superior resident Leona (Harling) Jensby, 89, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1997, at Park View Haven in Deshler.
Services are 2 p.m. Friday at United Methodist Church in Superior with the Rev. Dale Bussinger officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery north of Superior. Visitation is until 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior.
Mrs. Jensby was born Dec. 17, 1907, to James and Estella (Gibson) Harling in Saline County. She attended school in Ruskin, graduating from high school in 1924. On Dec. 24, 1926, she married Leslie Nels Jensby in Belleville, Kan. They farmed near Cadams, Hardy, Ruskin and Webber, Kan. In 1969 they retired and built a home in Superior. Her husband died Oct. 10, 1979.
She was a member of United Methodist Church in Superior. She was a charter member of the Federated Women's Club in Ruskin and later in Hardy. She was a member of an extension club in Webber, Kan., Union Church Women and United Methodist Women. She sang with the Harmonettes of Hardy.
Survivors are two sons, Kenneth of Hardy and Roy Leon of Ellinwood, Kan.; one daughter, Donna Meyer of Ruskin; one brother, Donald Harling of St. Paul, Minn.; 18 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by one son, Robert; four sisters and four brothers.
Memorials may be given to the family.
Karen M. Masek
Columbus resident Karen M. (Vanek) Masek, 44, died Monday, Feb. 10, 1997, at Columbus Community Hospital.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Gass-Haney Funeral Home of Columbus is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors are her husband; four sons, including Christopher of Hastings; her mother; three brothers; and one sister.
John O. Holmes
Hastings resident John O. Holmes, 83, of 1319 Sheridan Drive died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1997, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.
Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Harold D. Stromer officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery.
Mr. Holmes was born Aug. 22, 1913, to Ernest Edwin and Hulda (Rauscher) Holmes in Friend. He graduated from Sutton High School in 1931. On Aug. 2, 1942, he married Lucile Anderson in Saronville. He was employed by Burlington Northern Railroad. In 1948 he joined the Hastings Police Department. He retired as captain in 1967. In 1967 he moved to Loveland, Colo. He sold real estate for several years before moving to Kearney. He returned to Hastings in 1980.
He was a member of First St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Midwest Lodge No. 317 A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rite, York Rite, Tehama Temple, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Officers Association of Nebraska and Burlington Veterans Organization.
Survivors are his wife; one daughter, Kristin Powell of Hastings; and one grandchild.
He was preceded in death by a infant sister and two brothers.
Memorials may be given to First St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Paul G. McCartney
Rural Lebanon, Kan., resident Paul G. McCartney, 87, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1997, at Webster County Community Hospital in Red Cloud.
Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Red Cloud with the Rev. Alvin Trucano officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery in Smith County, Kan. Simonson-Williams Funeral Home of Red Cloud is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. McCartney was born Jan. 30, 1910, to Dennis J. and Sarah Elizabeth (Mountford) McCartney in Smith County, Kan. He attended Mount Hope School in Smith County. On Dec. 23, 1942, he married Melva M. Rippen in Smith Center, Kan. They farmed in Smith County. His wife died May 10, 1991.
Survivors are two daughters, Judy Mitchell of Salina, Kan., and Paula Disbrow of Chanute, Kan.; three sons, Roger of Belleville, Kan., Gary of Lebanon and Allen McCartney of Great Bend, Kan.; two sisters, Beulah Stones of Smith Center and Ethel Blomenkamp of Hastings; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A memorial fund has been established by the family.
Fred J. Thaut
Hastings resident Fred J. Thaut, 69, of 905 S. St. Joseph Ave. died Thursday, Feb. 13, 1997, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Services are pending with Brand-Wilson Funeral Home.
Mary E. Hongsermeier
Former Hastings resident Mary E. (Krueger) Hongsermeier, 63, of North Platte died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997, in North Platte.
Services are pending with Carpenter Memorial Funeral Home of North Platte.
Francis 'Fritz' Muckel
Bloomington resident Francis L. "Fritz" Muckel, 72, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997, at Franklin County Memorial Hospital in Franklin.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Sunday at Maple Grove Cemetery in Bloomington. His remains were cremated. There will be no visitation. Hutchins Funeral Home of Franklin is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Muckel was born Oct. 19, 1924, to Arthur and Florence (Dunn) Muckel in Casper, Wyo. He moved with his family to Bloomington at the age of 2. He attended schools in Bloomington, graduating from Bloomington High School in 1943. He also graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University. On Jan. 9, 1947, he married Barbara Houtz in Belleville, Kan. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a retired rural mail carrier in the Bloomington area.
He was a member of United Methodist Church, Paul Hartt American Legion Post No. 145, both of Bloomington, Masonic Lodge No. 264 A.F. & A.M. of Franklin and Scottish Rite and Tehama Shrine Temple of Hastings. He was a life member of VFW Post No. 5757 of Franklin. He served on the Maple Grove Cemetery Board, Bloomington Board of Education, Village Board of Bloomington and church board.
Survivors are his wife; two sons, Roger of Grand Island and David of Conrad, Mont.; two daughters, Judy Heitkotter of Wichita, Kan., and Mary Ellen Stone of Longview, Wash.; two brothers, Raymond of Pueblo, Colo., and Robert of Crete; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one brother.
Peggy A. Dunn
Chester resident Peggy A. (Woodside) Dunn, 64, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1997, at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Community Bible Church in Chester with the Revs. Ray Berry and T.J. Fraser officiating. Burial will be in Chester Cemetery at Chester. Visitation is until 9:30 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Bachelor-Faulkner-Dart-Surber Funeral Home in Belleville, Kan.
Mrs. Dunn was born Sept. 11, 1932, to Ollie and Goldie (Cottam) Woodside in Hubbell. On July 7, 1950, she married Earnest P. Dunn. She was a homemaker and Scott Specialties employee.
She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star of Chester and was a 4-H leader.
Survivors are her husband; two daughters, Janet Dingman of Bennet and Linda Dunn of Seattle, Wash.; two brothers, Keith Woodside of Narka, Kan., and Kale Woodside of Lincoln; one sister, June Zimmerman of Chester; and five grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia McGhghy.
Haller rites
Rosary for Hastings resident Dorothy Haller, 79, who died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997, at Good Samaritan Village Perkins Pavilion is 9:45 a.m. and services are 10 a.m. both Saturday at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church with Monsignor John J. McCabe officiating. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery at Roseland. Butler-Volland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Elmo J. Bennett
Elmo J. Bennett, 77, of Smith Center, Kan., died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997, at Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center.
Rosary is 7 p.m. Sunday at Simmons Funeral Home chapel in Smith Center. Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Smith Center with the Rev. Ken Lohrmeyer officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Smith Center. Visitation is at the funeral home until Sunday evening and one hour prior to service time at the church.
Mr. Bennett was born Oct. 30, 1919, in Reamsville, Kan. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II and owned Bennett's Electric until 1986. On Oct. 9, 1994, his wife Rita preceded him in death.
He was charter member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of Knights of Columbus and American Legion. He was a member of the Smith Center Housing Authority, served two terms as Smith Center mayor and served on the Smith Center Country Club board of directors.
Survivors are three daughters, Linda Kerschen of Cunningham, Kan., Nancy Tanner of Ft. Mill, S.C., and Terri Jones of Smith Center; three sisters, Wilma Boon of Hastings; Norva Griffin of Denver, and Joan Siel of Portland, Ore.; and seven grandchildren.
Ralph M. Anderson
Guide Rock resident Ralph M. Anderson, 86, died Thursday, Feb. 13, 1997, at Brodstone Memorial Nuckolls County Hospital.
Services are 11 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church in Guide Rock with the Rev. Alvin Trucano officiating. Burial will be in Guide Rock Cemetery. Simonson-Williams Funeral Home of Red Cloud is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Anderson was born Nov. 15, 1910, to Aaron and Ethel (Whitehead) Anderson in Tampa, Kan. He moved with his parents to Smolan, Kan., as a young boy. He graduated from high school in Smolan in 1930. On July 19, 1937, he married Emma Nelson in Lindsborg, Kan. They farmed in Gypsum, Kan. In 1960 they purchased a farm east of Guide Rock.
He was a member of Guide Rock United Methodist Church, Guide Rock Masonic Lodge No. 128 A.F. & A.M., Order of the Eastern Star and Guide Rock Lions Club.
Survivors are his wife; four sons, Ralph Jr. and Roy K., both of Guide Rock, Wayne P. of Yale, Okla., and Carl R. of Little Rock, Ark.; one sister, Lois Brewer of Elmo, Kan.; 14 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers.
Viola M. Rickard
Hastings resident Viola M. (McCone) Redman Rickard, 88, of 524 Lane H died Friday, Feb. 14, 1997, at Good Samaritan Village Perkins Pavilion.
Services were to be 10 a.m. today at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Cheryl Ann Elfond officiating. Burial was planned in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Island.
Mrs. Rickard was born March 17, 1908, to Charles and Emma (Ericson) McCone in Fairbury. She attended school in Grand Island. She married Elba Redman of Leon, Iowa. They lived in Kearney. He died in 1949. On Dec. 8, 1951, she married Ralph R. Rickard in Hastings.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church. its Sewing Group and was a past Circle officer. She also was a member of Coterie Club, YWCA and was a past member of Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She worked in the MLMH Gift Shop for many years.
Survivors are her husband; and four sisters, Lillian Goethe and Helen Patterson, both of Las Vegas, Ethel Reese of Whittier, Calif., and Dorothy McIntosh of Orange Vale, Calif.
She also was preceded in death by one sister and one brother.
Memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church.
Rickard rites
Services for Hastings resident Viola Rickard, 88, of 524 Lane H who died Friday, Feb. 14, 1997, at Good Samaritan Village Perkins Pavilion are 10 a.m. Monday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Cheryl Ann Elfond officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery at Grand Island. Visitation is 1-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Rufus E. Hust
Sutton resident Rufus E. Hust, 85, died Saturday, Feb. 15, 1997, at Sutton Community Home in Sutton.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Salem United Methodist Church in Sutton with the Rev. Rod Dunkerson officiating. Burial will be in Sutton Cemetery. Kohler Mortuary of Sutton is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Hust was born June 17, 1911, to Albert and Alvina (Hofmann) Hust in Imperial. He moved to Sutton with his family in 1919. He attended Farmers' Valley School and Sutton High School. On May 19, 1932, he married Dorothy Louise Wedeking in York. He worked at the Hastings Naval Ammunition Depot, Grand Island Cornhusker Ordnance plant and Harvard Air Base. He was police chief in Sutton from 1947-51. He later was employed by Monson's Garage. He moved to Sutton Community Home two years ago.
He was a member of Salem United Methodist Church and was past president of the Sutton Fire Department.
Survivors are his wife; two daughters, Reva Stack and Mary Moore, both of Bellevue; one son, Jim of Lincoln; two sisters, Edna Schwab of York and Esther MacDonald of Sutton; and seven grandchildren.
Justin R. Diecker
Hastings resident Justin R. Diecker, 17, died Friday, Feb. 14, 1997, at his home.
Services are 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at North Shore Assembly of God Church in Hastings with the Rev. Ted Brust officiating. Burial will be in Price Cemetery at Lebanon, Kan. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today at Simonson-Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud and 9:30 a.m. until services Tuesday at the church.
Justin was born Aug. 27, 1979, to Terry and Donna (Read) Diecker in Red Cloud. He lived in Lebanon, Kan. In 1982 he moved to Hastings with his family. He was a junior at Hastings Senior High School. He was active in soccer and the American Legion baseball program.
Survivors are his parents; one brother, Aaron of Hastings; his grandparents, Warren and Ruth Diecker of Lebanon and Don and Loretta Read of Chandler, Ariz.
Memorials may be given to Hastings American Legion baseball program.
Regina Sprague
Red Cloud resident Regina (Heltenberg) Sprague, 72, died Friday, Feb. 14, 1997, at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Red Cloud with the Rev. Al Trucano officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hebron. Simonson-Williams Funeral Home of Red Cloud is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Sprague was born Oct. 13, 1924, to William and Nellie (Schroeder) Heltenberg in Hebron. She graduated from Hebron High School in 1942. She attended St. Catherine's School of Nursing in Omaha. She became a registered nurse in 1945. From 1945-48 she was a nurse at St. Catherine's Hospital in Omaha. In 1948 she moved to Colorado. She was employed at the Veteran's Hospital. In 1951 she returned to Nebraska. She worked at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings. On July 3, 1953, she married Harry M. Sprague in Omaha. They lived in Edison for a short time before moving to Hastings. In 1956 they moved to Red Cloud. They owned and operated Sprague Nursing Home. They retired in 1983.
She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary, National Campers and Hikers Association, Republican Valley Sodbusters and Nebraska Health Care Association.
Survivors are her husband; one son, Curtis of Dallas; one sister, Margaret Lohmeier of Hebron; and two grandchildren.
Doris McAtee
Juniata resident Doris (Schneider) McAtee, 72, of Juniata died Saturday, Feb. 15, 1997, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Juniata United Methodist Church with the Rev. Barbara Spangler officiating. Burial will be in Juniata Cemetery. Butler-Volland Funeral Home of Hastings is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. McAtee was born Dec. 12, 1924, to Charles H. and Anna (Sinsel) Schneider in Kearney County. She married Dale McAtee. She was a homemaker and resident of Juniata for 46 years.
She was a member of Juniata United Methodist Church.
Survivors are her husband; one son, Gary of Juniata; two sisters, Nira Wilkinson of Mountain Home, Ark., and Elna Arnold of Minden; and one grandchild.
She was preceded in death by one son, Myron; one sister and one brother.
Memorials may be given to the family.
Lena M. Reiber
Ayr resident Lena M. (Krull) Reiber, 84, died Saturday, Feb. 15, 1997, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings.
Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Hanover Presbyterian Church near Glenvil with the Rev. Carl W. Utley officiating. Burial will be in Hanover Cemetery. Butler-Volland Funeral Home of Hastings is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Reiber was born April 10, 1912, to I.O. and Tena (Evans) Krull in Glenvil. On Nov. 30, 1933, she married Reuben R. Reiber at Second Presbyterian Church in Hastings. He died Sept. 12, 1993. She was a homemaker.
She was a member of Hanover Presbyterian Church.
Survivors are one son, Irvin of Campbell; one daughter, Delores Stewart of Bridgeport; one brother, Lloyd Krull of Hastings; two sisters, Marie Busboom and Irene Smidt, both of Hastings; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by one infant daughter, Darlene; and four brothers.
Memorials may be given to Hanover Presbyterian Church.
