U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Frederick 'Sam' Deibert
Mankato, Kan., resident Frederick Edward "Sam" Deibert, 77, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 1997, at Jewell County Hospital Long Term Care Unit in Mankato.
Services are 2 p.m. Monday at Harmony United Methodist Church in Mankato with the Revs. Kendal Utt and Thaddeus Hinkle officiating. Burial will be in Odessa Cemetery at Esbon, Kan., with military rites provided by VFW Post No. 7830 of Mankato and Perry A. Lamb Post No. 368 of Esbon. Melby Mortuary of Mankato is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Deibert was born June 20, 1919, to Julius Edwin and Fairy Faye (Barr) Deibert in Hoxie, Kan. On Feb. 22, 1941, he married Wilma Helen Sager in Garden City, Kan. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a retired farmer and stockman. He lived in Hoxie, Arriba, Colo., and Esbon before retiring to Mankato.
He was a member of Odessa United Methodist Church of Esbon. He was a lifetime member of Perry A. Lamb American Legion Post No. 368 of Esbon and a member of the VFW Post No. 7830 of Mankato, 12th Armored Division Association and Pike Trail Sams. He was involved in 4-H for 36 years, serving in various capacities. In January 1991, he was inducted in the Kansas Fiars Association Hall of Fame.
Survivors are his wife; five sons, Edwin Bruce and Dale Junn, both of Minneola, Kan., Edward Gene of Virginia Beach, Va., Jackie Ray of Columbus and Andy Joe of Russell, Kan.; two daughters, Helen Alice Libby of Haviland, Kan., and Kathy Sue Lindberg of Colby, Kan.; two brothers, Kenneth of North Platte and Corwin Franklin of Brewster, Kan.; one sister, Maggie Ann Brown of Ellinwood, Kan.; 18 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Memorials may be given to Jewell County Hospital Long Term Care Unit.
Gass rites
Thursday, Feb. 6, 1997
Services for Hastings resident Cecilia L. Gass, 91, of The Kensington who died Thursday, Feb. 6, 1997, at Good Samaritan Village Villa Grace are 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Carl W. Utley officiating. Private family burial will be in Edgar Cemetery at Edgar. Visitation is 1-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home. The family will be present from 2-5 p.m. Sunday.
Una B. Koch
Hastings resident Una B. (Duncan) Cox McCoy Koch, 83, of 1722 W. Fourth St. died Friday, Feb. 7, 1997, at Good Samaritan Village Perkins Pavilion.
Services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. David L. Speicher officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens north of Hastings. Butler-Volland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Koch was born March 2, 1913, to Evert and Julia (Halstead) Duncan in Mason City. In 1926 she moved to Hastings from York. She was a cook at Central Community College for 12 years. She retired in 1981. On April 3, 1983, she married Lambert "Bert" Koch in Denver. She was a homemaker.
She was a member of Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors are her husband; two daughters, Donna Cox of Mesa, Ariz., and Shirley Carlson of Bertrand; one son, William Cox of Bethany, Okla.; one brother, Ivan Duncan of Denver; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Clifford Cox in 1972 and Glenn McCoy in 1980; and two brothers.
Memorials may be given to Church of the Nazarene Memorial Roll.
Leonhard Katzberg
Former Prosser resident Leonhard W. Katzberg, 77, of Wood River died Wednesday, Feb., 5, 1997, at Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Services are 10 a.m. Monday at Grace Lutheran Church in Wood River with the Rev. Steve Heinsen officiating. Burial will be in Concordia Cemetery near Prosser with military rites provided by American Legion Post No. 314. Apfel Funeral Home of Wood River is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Katzberg was born Oct. 28, 1919, to Gustave and Emma (Bockstadter) Katzberg near Prosser. He grew up on the family farm near Prosser. He attended Christ Lutheran Parochial School near Prosser. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Silver Star and Purple Heart. On May 30, 1954, he married Alvena Juhl in Wood River. They farmed in the Wood River area.
He was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church and the community.
Survivors are his wife; five daughters, Joyce Gideon of Wood River, Carol Owen of Grand Island, Jewell Hulitt of Randallstown, Md., Kimberly Frazell of Wood River and Barbara Kenny of Cairo; one sister, Leona Lambrecht of Wood River; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by four brothers.
Wayne Mesecher Sr.
Hastings resident the Rev. Wayne K. Mesecher, 62, of 23 Sara Drive died Thursday, Feb. 6, 1997, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.
Services are 1:30 p.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenvil with the Rev. Tim Wiggins officiating. Burial will be in Clay Center Cemetery at Clay Center. Visitation is 1-9 p.m. today and Sunday and 9-11 a.m. Monday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home.
Rev. Mesecher was born Sept. 23, 1934, to Keith and Goldie (Bundy) Mesecher in East Peoria, Ill. He graduated from East Peoria High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-56. On Aug. 26, 1956, he married Sherrill DeBoer at the First English Lutheran Church in Peoria. He worked at the Peoria and Pekin Union Railroad for 16 years. He graduated from Eureka (Ill.) College in 1968. In 1971 he graduated from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He served at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenvil from 1971-77, First St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Burlington, Colo., from 1977-86 and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Omaha from 1986-96. He retired in 1996 due to ill health.
Survivors are his wife; one daughter, Sherri McCune of Hastings; three sons, Wayne "Rusty" Jr. of Burlington, Carl of Gainesville, Fla., and Peter of Hastings; two brothers, Mitchell of Huntington Station, N.Y., and Jerry of Washington, Ill.; one sister, Sandra Gale of Texas; and five grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenvil.
Mesecher rites
Services for Hastings resident the Rev. Wayne K. Mesecher Sr., 62, of 23 Sara Drive who died Thursday, Feb. 6, 1997, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital are 1:30 p.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenvil with the Rev. Tim Wiggins officiating. Burial will be in Clay Center Cemetery at Clay Center. Visitation is 1-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home.
Ella A. Schroeder
Guide Rock resident Ella A. (Mueller) Schroeder, 71, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997, at Valley Lutheran Hospital in Mesa, Ariz.
Services are 1:30 p.m. Monday at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rosemont with the Rev. Daniel Praeuner officiating. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery southwest of Lawrence. Simonson-Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Schroeder was born March 4, 1925, to Henry and Alma (Meyer) Mueller near Davenport. She graduated from Davenport High School in 1943 and then taught preschool for three years - the last two at Zion Lutheran near Lawrence.
She married Oscar Schroeder Feb. 9, 1947 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church near Davenport. They lived and farmed near Lawrence, where she was a member of Rosemont Calvary Lutheran Church and the ladies' aid society.
Survivors are her husband; a daughter, Linda Ernstmeyer of Lincoln; two sons, Leonard of Superior and Bob of Blue Hill; three sisters, Lorna Wagoner and Irma Sunderman, both of Clarinda, Iowa, and Florence Sunderman of Lincoln; three brothers, Erwin Mueller of Hebron, Walter Mueller of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Alfred Mueller of Superior; and seven grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one brother.
Memorials may be directed to Rosemont Calvary Lutheran Church.
Howard Berkemyer
Friday, Feb. 7, 1997
Red Cloud resident Howard Berkemyer, 90, died Friday, Feb. 7, 1997, at the Heritage Care Center in Red Cloud.
Services are pending with Simonson-Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud.
Gerald Biltoft
Nora resident Gerald Biltoft, 54, died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 1996, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Nelson Community United Church of Christ with the Rev. Royce Buchtel officiating. Burial will be in Nelson Cemetery at Nelson. Visitation is until 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. until services Saturday at Klawitter-Price Funeral Home in Nelson.
Mr. Biltoft was born Aug. 17, 1941, to Oscar and Wanda (Lowery) Biltoft in Deshler. He graduated from Nelson High School. On June 24, 1962, he married Carol Diane Shipley in Angus.
He was a member of Nelson Community United Church of Christ, Elk Creek Country Club, both in Nelson, Belgian Draft Horse Association of America and Nebraska Draft Horse Association. He was a past member of Nuckolls County Fair Board and Farmers Union Elevator Board.
Survivors are his wife; one son, Todd of Greeley, Colo.; his mother of Superior; one brother, Larry of Ruskin; and four sisters, Nola McCartney of Odell, Connie Nickel and Linda Poppe, both of St. Paul, and Shirley Wegener of Jackson, Miss.
He was preceded in death by one son, Toby Lynn, and his father.
Memorials may be sent to the family at Rural Route 1, Box 92, Nora, NE 68961.
Bryson Michael Brabec
Bryson Michael Brabec, infant son of Jason Edward and Stacie Jo (Swenson) Brabec of Clay Center, was stillborn Thursday, Jan. 11, 1996, at Memorial Hospital in Aurora.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Clay Center Cemetery with the Rev. Jack Eske officiating. McLaughlin Funeral Home of Clay Center is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors are his parents; grandparents, Allan and Jean Swenson of Clay Center and Lumir Brabec of Octavia; and great-grandparents, Leonard and Marilyn Everson of Clay Center, Forrest and Marge Swenson of Mitchell, S.D., and Steve Brabec of Clarkson.
Vivian Huston
Former Hastings resident Vivian Huston, 82, of Friant, Calif., died Thursday, Jan. 11, 1996, in Fresno, Calif.
Graveside services are 10 a.m. Thursday at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings with the Rev. Donald Boeschen officiating. Brand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hastings is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Huston was born April 7, 1913, to Burton and Clara (Barrows) Coon in Hall County. She graduated from Woodrow High School in Long Beach, Calif. In 1931, she attended business college at College of Commerce in Long Beach. She was employed by Hastings Regional Center from January to September of 1943. She worked at Seaside Hospital in Long Beach for several years as a registered nurse. She was a veteran of World War II.
Beulah M. Schmidt
Former Hastings resident Beulah M. Schmidt, 85, of Canton, Ohio, died Thursday, Jan. 11, 1996, at her home.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Mark's Episcopal Pro-Cathedral in Hastings with the Very Rev. John P. Bartholomew officiating. Burial will be in Park-view Cemetery. Visitation is 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the church. Brand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hastings is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Schmidt was born July 16, 1910, to Orville V. and Mary C. (McCulley) Pearson in Kearney. She graduated from high school in Kearney and attended the Kearney State Teacher's College for two years. On Dec. 7, 1929, she married Henry Schmidt. He died April 30, 1971. She was a secretary and bookkeeper at St. Mark's Episcopal Pro-Cathedral for 40 years. During that time she was secretary for Bishop George Beecher for 12 years and four deans, Winfield Post, Bill Steinberg, George Peek and John Bartholomew. She lived in St. Louis for four years before moving to Canton six months ago.
Survivors are one daughter, Kay Anstine of Canton; one son, Boyd M. of Santa Barbara, Calif.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.
Memorials may be given to St. Mark's Episcopal Pro-Cathedral.
Forrest L. Swails
Geneva resident Forrest L. Swails, 85, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 1997, in Geneva.
Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Geneva with the Rev. Wanda W. Bennett officiating. Burial will be in Geneva Public Cemetery. Visitation is at Farmer and Son Funeral Home in Geneva.
Mr. Swails was born in Geneva.
He was a member of United Church of Christ, Masonic Lodge No. 79 A.F. & A.M., Odd Fellows Lodge No. 65, VFW Samuel Marsh Post No. 7102 and American Legion Post No. 68, all of Geneva, and Scottish Rite and Tehama Shrine Temple, both of Hastings.
Survivors are two sons, Leon of LaVerne, Calif., and LeRoy of Geneva; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to Shriner's Burn Center.
Louise E. 'Susie' Rol
Hastings resident Louise E. "Susie" (Uhrmacher) Rol, 71, of 309 W. 12th St. died Thursday, Jan. 9, 1997, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.
Services are 10 a.m. Monday at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Harold D. Stromer officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery. Butler-Volland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Rol was born Dec. 8, 1925, to William and Amanda (Kothe) Uhrmacher in Adams County. She graduated from Hastings Senior High School. On June 13, 1948, she married Floyd Rol. She was a homemaker.
She was a member of First St. Paul's Lutheran Church and VFW Auxiliary.
Survivors are her husband; two sons, Michael Allen of Axtell and Steven Craig of Hastings; five brothers, Harold Uhrmacher of Superior, Lawrence Uhrmacher, Robert Uhrmacher and Donald Uhrmacher, all of Hastings, and Wilburt Uhrmacher of Fairbury; and three grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister.
Memorials may be given to the family's choice.
Ernest 'Pat' Hasenyager
Alma resident Ernest "Pat" Hasenyager, 87, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 1997, at Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Center in Alma.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Banta-Torrey Funeral Home chapel in Alma. Burial will be in Long Island Cemetery in Long Island, Kan.
Survivors are one daughter, Bonnie Schescke of Naponee; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Naomi B. Cheyney
Hastings resident Naomi B. (Richardson) Cheyney, 67, of 321 S. Rhode Island Ave. died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 1997, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.
Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Art Schakat officiating. Burial will be in Bartlett Cemetery at Bartlett.
Mrs. Cheyney was born Aug. 28, 1929, to Ira and Anna (Wells) Richardson in Superior. On Aug. 25, 1946, she married Marvin LeRoy Cheyney. In 1946 they moved to Hastings from Clay Center. Her husband died Aug. 1, 1993. She was a sales clerk for Ed Lightner Auction.
She was a member of the Adams County Historical Society.
Survivors are one son, David J. of Hastings; two daughters, Linda C. Howard of Doniphan and Belinda M. Puzder of Claremore, Okla.; her mother of Hastings; one brother, Ronald Richardson of Plattesmouth; one sister, Lila Shaw of Lincoln; and five grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by her father.
Memorials may be given to the Adams County Historical Society.
H. Roger Grace
Hastings resident H. Roger Grace, 91, of 214 E. Second St. died Friday, Jan. 10, 1997, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.
Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Brand-Wilson Funeral Home chapel. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines at a later date. Visitation is 5-9 p.m. today and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Mr. Grace was born Feb. 5, 1905, to Herbert L. and Ella (Schramm) Grace in Des Moines. He grew up in Omaha. He graduated from Central High School and attended the University of Nebraska. He worked for AT&T in Omaha. In 1929 he married Irene Fogarty. They moved to Hastings in 1945. He started Grace's Bike and Key Shop. He also later started Circle ESS Key Machine Manufacturing Co. In 1972 he sold Grace's Bike and Key Shop. He continued to manage the manufacturing company until his death. His wife died in 1983.
He was founder of Nebraska Locksmith Organization, of which he was a lifetime member and also a founding member of Hastings Rural Fire Protection. He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 50. In 1994 he was recipient of the Jordan Medal for being the longest continuing member of the lodge. He also was a member of Associated Locksmiths of America.
Survivors are three daughters, Margaret Westrope and Helen Thomas, both of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Dorothy Friend of Hastings; one son, Herbert R. of Fremont; 15 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by an infant sister.
A memorial will be established.
Delbert E. Wegener
Hebron resident Delbert E. Wegener, 61, died Friday, Jan. 10, 1997, in Hebron.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at Grace Lutheran Church in Hebron with the Rev. Bruce W. Breggren officiating. Burial is in Rose Hill Cemetery in Hebron. Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. today and 2-8 p.m. Sunday at Price Funeral Home in Hebron; and one hour before service time at the church.
Mr. Wegener was born July 21, 1935, to Paul and Mabel Wegener in rural Ruskin. He was a farmer for 33 years.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and the Hebron Rural Fire Department.
Survivors are his wife, Shary of Hebron; his mother of Hebron; a son, Kevin of York; a daughter, Corinne of Geneva; three sisters, Marilyn Smith of Grand Junction, Colo., Shirley McCannon of Newark, Texas, and Adell Anthony of Austin, Minn.; a brother, Don of Hebron; a stepson, Kenneth Hallgren of Osage City, Kan., a stepdaughter, Kimberly Hallgren of Republic, Kan.; five grandchildren and five stepgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorials may be given to Grace Lutheran Church, the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department or the Hebron Rescue Unit.
Wilma M. Dillon
Burr Oak, Kan., resident Wilma M. Dillon, 71, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 1997, at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, Kan.
Services are 2 p.m. Monday at Nazarene Church in Burr Oak with the Revs. Danny Strange and Joe Vance officiating. Burial is in Burr Oak Cemetery. Simonson-Williams Funeral Home of Red Cloud is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Dillon was born May 15, 1925, to Samuel E. and Lela H. (Smith) Dillon in Northbranch, Kan. She was a lifelong resident of Jewell County and attended rural school No. 119. She graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1943.
Survivors are three sisters, Winnie McNichols of Burr Oak, Caryl Abel of Topeka, Kan., and Waneta Brown of Salina, Kan.
Memorials may be given to Burr Oak Nazarene Church.
