U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Frederick J. Saathoff
Hastings resident Frederick John Saathoff, 63, of 727 Madden Road died Thursday, April 3, 1997, at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln
Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at Peace Lutheran Church with the Rev. Donald E. Boeschen officiating. Graveside services are 2:30 p.m. at Naponee Cemetery at Naponee. Visitation is 5-9 p.m. today, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 1-9 p.m. Sunday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home. The family will be present from 6-8 p.m. Sunday.
Mr. Saathoff was born March 15, 1934, to William and Grace (Frerichs) Saathoff in Naponee. He graduated from Naponee High School in 1952. He graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Business Administration with distinction in 1956. In 1973 he graduated as a distinguished scholar from Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., with a master's degree in business administration. On Dec. 30, 1956, he married Beverly Bunch in Red Cloud. He served in the U.S. Army for six months. He was commissioned a second lieutenant. He and his wife moved to Oklahoma City where he worked for Amoco Corp., then Standard Oil, as an accountant. He and his wife moved to Tulsa, Okla., and later Homewood, Ill., where he continued to work for Amoco. He eventually became controller of the corporation. He retired in 1990. In 1992 he and his wife moved to Hastings.
He was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church and Lutheran Laymen's League and was treasurer of the church. He was a American Association of Retire Persons income tax volunteer and helped with the Adams County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Survivors are his wife; one daughter, Nancy Saathoff of Hastings; one son, Donald of Greeley, Colo.; one sister, Jeanette Fisher of Alma; and one stepsister, Elva Ziegler of Holdrege.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Ronald; one sister and one brother.
Memorials may be given to Peace Lutheran Church.
Ella E. Miller
Heartwell resident Ella E. (Monthey) Miller, 83, died Wednesday, April 2, 1997, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at United Methodist Church in Kenesaw with the Rev. Beverly Minor officiating. Burial will be in Kenesaw Cemetery. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. until noon Saturday at Jackson-Wilson Funeral Home in Kenesaw.
Mrs. Miller was born Sept. 11, 1913, to John A. and Anastasia (Kroll) Monthey on a farm northwest of Kenesaw. She attended elementary school in Hayland and high school in Prosser. She worked at Hayland Store for three years. She also did baby sitting and worked at the Cornhusker Ammunition Depot in Grand Island. On Dec. 31, 1938, she married Fred Henry Miller. They farmed southeast of Lowell. In April 1966 they moved to a farm northwest of Heartwell. Her husband died Sept. 3, 1972. She moved into Heartwell in December 1980.
She was an active member of Lowell Methodist Church. She also was active in American Sunday school serving as secretary and treasurer. She also was a Sunday school teacher. She was active in Lowell School R-6 organization.
Survivors are one daughter, Judy Muller of Heartwell; one son, Roger of Heartwell; one sister, Gladys Kroll of Hastings; and two grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by three brothers and five sisters.
Memorials may be given to the family.
Sophie A. Hofman
Former Blue Hill resident Sophie A. (Zschiesche) Hofman, 87, of Webster Grove, Mo., died Tuesday, April 1, 1997, in St. Louis.
Services were to be today at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, Mo. Burial was planned in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Des Peres, Mo. Jay B. Smith-Fenton Chapel of Fenton, Mo., is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Hofman was born Aug. 15, 1909, to Herman and Theresa Zschiesche in Pottsville, Texas. She lived in Brazil; Littleville, Texas; Gladstone; Blue Hill; Scottsbluff; California and Kirkwood.
Survivors are her husband, the Rev. Martin Hofman; two sons, Marion of Delta, Colo., and Norman of Burnsville, Minn.; two daughters, Doris Grabowski of Bridgeton, Mo., and Ruth Hemmann of Des Peres; one brother, Arnold Zschiesche of Hamilton, Texas; two sisters, Freida Steger of LaGrange, Texas, and Ruth Young of Hamilton; 15 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.
Memorials may be given to Concordia Seminary, 801 Demun, Clayton, MO 63105.
Menno J. Rose
Hastings resident Menno J. Rose, 81, of 727 Valley Chase Ave. died Thursday, April 3, 1997, at Good Samaritan Village Villa Grace.
Services are 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rosemont with the Rev. Daniel Praeuner officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery at Blue Hill. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today and 8 a.m. until noon Saturday at Merten-Butler Mortuary in Blue Hill and one hour prior to services. Butler-Volland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Rose was born Oct. 18, 1915, to George and Dora (Hublein) Rose near Rosemont. He graduated from Blue Hill High School in 1932. On April 21, 1946, he married LaVon Cornelius. He farmed near Rosemont. He also was a Pioneer Seed Co. dealer for 35 years. He and his wife moved to Hastings in 1992.
He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church.
Survivors are his wife; three daughters, Marilyn Heikes of Kenesaw, Ga., and Diane Hemberger and Linda Hemberger, both of Hastings; two sons, Ken of Hastings and Rodney of Blue Hill; one sister, Druella Hohnstein of Hastings; two brothers, Andrew of Blue Hill and Ernest of Fort Collins, Colo.; and nine grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, two brothers, one sister and one grandchild.
Memorials may be given to Calvary Lutheran Church.
Roger D. 'Rod' Nitzel
Hastings resident Roger D. "Rod" Nitzel, 57, of 622 S. Kansas Ave. died Friday, April 4, 1997, at his home.
Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Dale Phillips officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. until services Tuesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Nitzel was born May 10, 1939, to Norman R. and Olive Leone (Reeves) Nitzel in Bladen. He moved to Hastings with his family as a child. He attended Hastings Public Schools. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1956-1960. He was a 2nd class petty officer. On Oct. 26, 1957, he married Marilyn Bleyhl. They were married for 23 years. He managed the Whirla-Whip Dine Out. He graduated from Southeast Community College-Milford in tool and die work. He worked for Dutton-Lainson Co. He later co-owned Chubbyville Restaurant. On Dec. 20, 1986, he married Susan Karash. In 1990 they moved to Sidney. They returned to Hastings in 1995. He worked for Case Power and Equipment and was an electrician for Clark Electric.
He was a member of Eagles Club and American Rifleman Association.
Survivors are his wife; two daughters, Rebecca Buhr and Angela Gage, both of Hastings; one son, Jeffery of Hastings; three stepdaughters, Capri Hess of Juniata, and Debbie Anderson and Kelly Karash, both of Hastings; one stepson, Troy Karash of Hastings; his mother, Olive Leone Fleharty of Hastings; his father and stepmother, Norman and Loverne Nitzel of Phoenix. Ariz.; two sisters, Wanda Menze of Sidney and Marge Marsh of Lemoore, Calif.; one half sister, Patti Nitzel of Phoenix; three brothers, Terry Arnold of Reno, Nev., Jim Arnold of Oahu, Hawaii, and George Arnold of Loveland, Colo.; and 23 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his step father, George Arnold Sr.; and one sister.
Memorials may be given to the family.
Merna V. DeJung
Edgar resident Merna Neveta (White) DeJung, 82, died Saturday, April 5, 1997, at Community Care of Edgar.
Services are 1 p.m. Tuesday at Williams Funeral Home chapel in Edgar with Harold Fox officiating. Burial will be in Edgar Cemetery.
Mrs. DeJung was born May 4, 1914, to Asa Freeman and Maggie (Judy) White on a farm near Angus in Nuckolls County. She grew up in the Edgar area and attended Edgar schools. On Aug. 19, 1937, she married Cornelius DeJung in Minden. They lived in Edgar. They also lived in Wilber for eight years. She was a homemaker.
Survivors are her husband; one son, James Denney of Melbourne, Fla.; three sisters, Evelyn Anderson, Melva Schurr and Geneive Royster, all of Hastings; and one brother, Dale White of Edgar.
She was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.
Delbert L. Fuller
Superior resident Delbert Leo Fuller, 78, died Friday, April 4, 1997, at Brodstone Memorial Nuckolls County Hospital in Superior.
Services were to be at 2 p.m. today at Megrue-Price Funeral Home chapel in Superior with the Rev. Dale Bussinger officiating. Burial was planned in Hardy Cemetery at Hardy.
Mr. Fuller was born July 11, 1918, to Jesse and Grace (Schnitker) Fuller near Webber, Kan.
He attended school in Webber. He farmed with his father until entering the U.S. Army in 1942. He served in France, Belgium and Germany. He was wounded and taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge. He was a prisoner of war from December 1944 to April 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart. After his discharge, he returned to the family farm. On Oct. 16, 1946, he married Letha Cooper in Belleville, Kan. They farmed in the Webber area. In October 1992 they moved to Superior.
He was a member of Disabled American Veterans.
Survivors are his wife; one daughter, Lillian Vogan of Salina, Kan.; one son, Roger of Belleville; his mother of Parkview Haven in Deshler; one sister, Georgia Webber of Hardy; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorials may be given to Brodstone Memorial Nuckolls County Hospital.
Fred Engles
Hastings resident Fred Engles, 95, died Friday, April 4, 1997, at Good Samaritan Village Villa Grace.
Services are 1 p.m. Wednesday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. John Lee Ross officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery. Visitation is 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Engles was born April 11, 1901, to Fred and Amalia (Huber) Engels in Russia. In 1919 he moved to Hastings from Lincoln. On April 26, 1924, he married Christine Nolda. She died Nov. 6, 1981. He worked for CB&Q Railroad at the Hastings Depot in the baggage area.
He was a member of Transportation Communication International Union Lodge No. 471.
Survivors are two sisters, Mollie Krumm and Elizabeth Cole, both of Lincoln.
He also was preceded in death by three sisters and one brother.
Memorials may be given to Sunnyside Home.
Wilbur K. 'Bill' Aker
Former Harvard resident Wilbur K. "Bill" Aker, 62, of Anaheim, Calif., died Tuesday, April 1, 1997, in Rawlins, Wyo., as the result of a car accident.
Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Harvard United Methodist Church in Harvard with the Rev. Dr. Hal Smith officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Harvard Cemetery. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. until services Tuesday at Alberding-Wilson Funeral Home in Harvard.
Mr. Aker was born Feb. 15, 1935, to Lyman Louis and Anna Elizabeth (Koenig) Aker in Hastings. He graduated from Harvard High School. He attended the University of Nebraska. He served in the Korean War. On March 16, 1957, he married Barbara Wilson. He was an iron worker for 30 years.
He was a member of Harvard United Methodist Church, VFW and Eagles Lodge. He was a master mason.
Survivors are his wife; one daughter, Nancy Aker Morrison of Dayton, Ohio; one son, David Louis of Anaheim; one sister, Jeanne Anderson of St. Paul, Minn.; and two grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother.
Thomas Cavanaugh
Esbon, Kan., resident Thomas F. Cavanaugh, 89, died Saturday, Jan. 4, 1997, at his home.
Services are 10 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Church in Esbon with the Rev. Kenneth Lohrmeyer officiating. Burial will be in St. Elizabeth's Cemetery at Esbon. Melby Mortuary of Mankato, Kan., is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Cavanaugh was born Feb. 20, 1907, to Michael J. and Eleanor S. (Conrad) Cavanaugh in Mankato.
Survivors are one brother, Joseph of Plainview, Mich.; and one sister, Louise Cavanaugh of Mount Josephs Home in Concordia, Kan.
Chloris Wenske
Former Clay County resident Chloris (Yost) Wenske, 80, of Fredericksburg, Texas, died Saturday, March 29, 1997, in Fredericksburg after a long illness.
Services were Thursday at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery at Fredericksburg. Beckman Funeral Home of Fredericksburg was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Wenske was born June 8, 1916, to Conrad and Marie (Yost) Yost in Harvard. She graduated from Harvard High School in 1934. She taught first-through-eighth grades in a one-room country school in Clay County until her marriage. She married Edward Wenske in 1937. They farmed near Edgar. In 1979 they retired and moved to Texas.
She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clay Center. She later became a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg. She was a member of Nebraska Federation of Women's Clubs Edgar Chapter. She was a leader in the Century Sam's branch of the Good Sam's Club in Gillespie County, Texas.
Survivors are her husband; one daughter, Joan McArthur of Austin, Texas; and two grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three sisters and an infant brother.
Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church in Clay Center or Alzheimer's Association, 919 N. Michigan Ave., suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611-1676.
Eunice Bauer
Former Minden resident Eunice (Petersen) Bauer, 86, of Escondido, Calif., died Saturday, April 5, 1997, at a nursing home in San Diego.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Friday at Minden Cemetery at Minden with the Rev. Eldin Wells officiating. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Layton Funeral Home in Minden.
Mrs. Bauer was born Feb. 28, 1911, to Soren and Martha (Hansen) Petersen in Bassett. She moved with her family to Minden as a small child. She graduated from Minden High School in 1929. She was a registered nurse for Dr. H.S. Andrews at Seeley Hospital in Minden. She married Kenneth Bauer. They moved to Fremont in the 1940s. Her husband died in 1972. She later moved to California.
She also was preceded in death by a sister.
Memorials may be given to Bethany Home in Minden.
Hazel G. Briggs
Former Hastings resident Hazel G. Briggs, 82, died Sunday, April 6, 1997, at Haven Home in Kenesaw.
There will be no services. The body was cremated. Brand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hastings is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Briggs was born Jan. 19, 1915, to William F. and Vida (Marr) Burnham in Edgar. She was a nurse's aid at Hastings Regional Center.
John E. Briggs
Former Mankato, Kan., resident John Edwin Briggs, 74, of Wichita, Kan., died Tuesday, April 8, 1997, at his home.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery at Mankato with the Rev. Kendal Utt officiating. Military rites will be provided by VFW Post No. 7830 of Mankato. Melby Mortuary of Mankato is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Briggs was born Aug. 4, 1922, in Formoso, Kan. He lived in Mankato and graduated from Mankato High School. He served in the U.S. Navy.
Survivors are his stepmother, Anna Briggs of Mankato; two sons, Danny Briggs of Wichita and Robert J. Entz of Newton, Kan.; one foster son, Richard Thomas of Wichita; one brother, George of Fremont, Calif.; three sisters, Juanita Wince of Joplin, Mo., Iva Lee Bush of Wichita and Mary Ellen Sukes of Jensen; one half brother, John Evertt Briggs of Mankato; three half sisters, Shirley Williamson of Beloit, Kan., Waunda Mauk of Minneapolis, Kan., and Donna Meier of Mankato; one stepsister, Leonra Jaske of Mankato; and one stepbrother, Robert Neeper of Tucson, Ariz.
Harold E. Gaston
Belvidere resident Harold E. Gaston, 75, died Sunday, April 6, 1997, in Hebron.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday at United Church of Christ in Belvidere with the Rev. Warren Schoming officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Hebron. Visitation is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Price Funeral Home in Hebron and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.
Mr. Gaston was born April 6, 1922, to Joseph and Bessie (Senteney) Gaston in Big Springs. He was a retired heavy equipment operator for Gaston Construction Co. of Hebron.
Survivors are his wife; Vivian; three daughters, Charlene Midthun of Golden, Colo., Glenda Bartels of Kewanee, Ill., and Joyce Randall of Hickman; four brothers, Donald, Dale, Lyle and Merlin, all of Hebron; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Memorials have been established.
Virginia E. Magee
Former Ruskin resident Virginia Ellen (Billings) Magee, 72, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, died Sunday, April 6, 1997, at Community Care North in Council Bluffs.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Spring Creek Cemetery at Ruskin with the Rev. Bill Waterman officiating. Klawitter-Price Funeral Home of Nelson is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Magee was born March 29, 1925, to Harry and Ida M. (Carpenter) Billings in Austin. She graduated from Loup City High School in 1942. She lived in Hastings, Falls City and Omaha. She married Dwight W. Magee. He died May 7, 1971.
She was a member of Eagles No. 1362 and VFW Auxiliary, both in Watertown, S.D., and Royal Neighbors of America.
Survivors are three sons, Dwight W. Jr., and Avid A., both of Watertown, and Harry I. of Kansas City, Mo.; two daughters, Sandra L. Magee of Kansas City, Mo., and Sharon Snodgrass of Council Bluffs; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to the family in care of Dwight W. Magee Jr., 164 17th St. N.E., Watertown, SD 57201.
Clarence Vorderstrasse
Chester resident Clarence Vorderstrasse, 82, died Sunday, April 6, 1997, in Chester.
Services are 1 p.m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church in Hebron with the Rev. Bruce W. Berggren officiating. Burial will be in St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery at Stoddard. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today at Price Funeral Home in Hebron and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.
Mr. Vorderstrasse was born Jan. 28, 1915, to William and Sena (Hofts) Vorderstrasse in rural Stoddard. He was a retired farmer.
Survivors are his wife, Verleen; one son, James of Hebron; two daughters, Bobbi Koss of Madison and Cindy Mesloh of Hebron; two brothers, Alvin of Chester and William of Enid, Okla.; two sisters, Elsie Pohlmann of Deshler and Esther Meyer of Hebron; 10 grandchildren; and two stepgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, three sisters and one grandchild.
Memorials have been established.
