U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Pauline D. 'Polly' Choquette
Campbell resident Pauline D. "Polly" (Schnase) Choquette, 92, died Thursday, April 27, 2000, at her home.
Services are 10 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Campbell with the Rev. Bill Caughey officiating. Burial will be in the Upland Cemetery. Campbell Funeral Home of Campbell is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Choquette was born Feb. 13, 1908, to Charles and Pauline (Kottwitz) Schnase in Blue Hill. On Jan. 7, 1931, she married Oval M. Choquette in Smith Center, Kan. They lived on a farm between Upland and Campbell until 1960 when they moved into Campbell. On Nov. 11, 1968, her husband died.
She was a member of the Upland Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aid until the church closed. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Campbell.
Survivors are one daughter, Donna Jean Oberg of Hastings; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by seven brothers and three sisters.
Memorials may be given to the church.
Martin G. Raatz
Chester resident Martin G. Raatz, 72, died Thursday, April 27, 2000, at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, Kan.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bachelor-Faulkner-Dart-Surber chapel in Belleville with the Rev. Robert Hovorka officiating. Burial will be in Chester Cemetery in Chester. Visitation is 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. today and Sunday at the funeral home.
Mr. Raatz was born Dec. 1, 1927, to Carl and Mathilda (Tietjen) Raatz in rural Hubbell. On March 30, 1957, he married Dixie Lee Wessel. He was an antique dealer and employee at the Foote Station until he retired.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Lonnie of Aurora, Ill., and Russell of Lincoln; two brothers, Donald and Charles, both of Hebron; two sisters, Carol Mulch of Independence, Mo., and Margaret Witte of Hebron; and four grandchildren.
Robert 'Bob' E. Watts
Rural Deweese resident Robert "Bob" Edgar Watts, 86, died Sunday, April 2, 2000, at Brodstone Memorial Nuckolls County Hospital in Superior.
Services are 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Fairfield Community Presbyterian Church with the Rev. John Green officiating. Burial will be in the Fairfield Cemetery. McLaughlin Funeral Home of Clay Center is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Watts was born Feb. 26, 1914, to Charles and Grace (Horton) Watts near Edgar. He attended Antioch Rural School near Deweese until the eighth grade. He then started farming with his father. On April 23, 1938, he married Velda Roush near Fairfield. They farmed near Deweese for 62 years. He drove a truck for Kniss Sutton Truck Lines for five years. He also started a small shop on his farm where he did mechanical work. He later retired from trucking.
He was a member of the Fairfield Community Presbyterian Church and was associated with Masonic Lodge and Royal Arch, both in Nelson.
Survivors are his wife; two daughters, Marlys Jester of Fairfield and Jenelle Herman of Oak; two sisters, Ruth Woodhead and Lydia Harnett, both of Edgar; two brothers, Gordon of Edgar and Donald of Fairfield; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
One brother, James, also died Sunday.
Memorials may be given to the family or the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Unit.
James Watts
Rural Edgar resident James Watts, 83, died Sunday, April 2, 2000, at the Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva.
Services are 3 p.m. Wednesday at Williams Funeral Home chapel in Edgar with the Revs. Harold Fox and Leslie Harms officiating. Burial will be in the Edgar Cemetery.
Mr. Watts was born April 16, 1916, to Charles E. and Grace F. (Horton) Watts in Nuckolls County. He grew up in Nuckolls County and attended Antioch Rural School near Deweese. On June 2, 1941, he married Inez McCauley in Pawnee City. They farmed on the family farm in Nuckolls County.
He was a member of the Nelson and Pleasant View school boards. He was a former member of Nuckolls County Fair Board and the Nuckolls County Election Board. He also was a former 4-H leader.
Survivors are his wife; two sons, Jimmy and Carl, both of rural Fairfield; one daughter, Charleen Mailand of Seward; two brothers, Donald of Fairfield and Gordon of Edgar; two sisters, Lydia Harnett and Ruth Woodhead, both of Edgar; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by one grandchild. One brother, Robert, also died Sunday.
Beverly J. Siemens
Hastings resident Beverly J. (Ground) Siemens, 62, of 310 E. Fifth St. died Sunday, April 2, 2000, at her home.
Memorial services are 3 p.m. Wednesday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel in Hastings with the Rev. Dr. Sam Rathod officiating. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Book signing is until 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. until services Wednesday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Siemens was born March 12, 1938, to Frank and Gladys (Williams) Ground in Hastings. She graduated from Hastings Senior High School. For 27 years she worked in the merchandising department at Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas Co. in Hastings.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and Quilters Group.
Survivors are one son, Kevin of Omaha; two brothers, Dale of Lincoln and Frank of Fresno, Calif.; one sister, Marie Dorr of Denver; and two grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church.
Leona M. Augustin
Juniata resident Leona M. Augustin, 87, died Tuesday, April 4, 2000, at the Kenesaw Haven Home.
Services are pending with Jackson-Wilson Funeral Home in Kenesaw.
Elmer E. Porter
Riverton resident Elmer E. Porter, 82, died Monday, April 3, 2000, at his home.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Hutchins Funeral Home chapel in Franklin with the Rev. Dean Herman officiating. Burial will be in the Riverton Cemetery. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. until services Thursday at the funeral home.
Mr. Porter was born June 22, 1917, to Arthur U. and Laura (Howsden) Porter in Huntley. He attended Huntley School. On Dec. 24, 1935, he married Hazel E. Martin in Phillipsburg, Kan. He farmed in the Huntley area before moving to Salem, Ore., in 1942. He worked in a wool factory and a cannery in Salem. He and his wife returned to the Huntley area to farm in 1944. In 1947 they moved to McCook where he worked for the 7-Up Bottling Co. and the West Sale Barn. They moved to Curtis to farm in 1962 and then to Riverton in 1966. He worked at the elevator and milked cows in the Riverton area until retiring in 1984. On Dec. 8, 1995, his wife died.
Survivors are one daughter, Ethel Brush of Riverton; one son, Arthur of Smith Center, Kan.; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by one daughter; two sons; one brother; and two sisters.
Jean I. Austin
Hastings resident Jean Irene (Gruver) Austin, 76, of 919 E. Ninth St., died Saturday, April 29, 2000, at Good Samaritan Village Perkins Pavilion.
Services are 2 p.m. Monday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel in Hastings with the Rev. Dr. Carl W. Utley officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation is 5-9 p.m. Saturday, 1-8 p.m. Sunday with family present from 6-8 p.m. and 9 a.m. until services Monday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Austin was born July 31, 1923, to Clarke A. and Lena Mae (Scott) Gruver in Troy, N.Y. She graduated from high school in Kirwin, Kan., and earned a degree from West Virginia Business College in Bluefield, W.Va. She was a secretary for the U.S. Army Air Force in Wichita, Kan. On March 25, 1944, she married Delbert W. Austin in Oklahoma City. She was a professional seamstress and a bookkeeper for Fleming Manufacturing Co. in Hastings for 26 years.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Hastings.
Survivors are her husband; two sons, Larry A. of Knoxville, Tenn., and Ronald L. of Phillipsburg, Kan.; two daughters, Judith A. Lienemann of Pawleys Island, S.C., and Sharon J. Wisker Disciascio of Portland, Ore.; two sisters, Monna K. Parsons and Wava N. Gruver, both of Wichita; and eight grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one brother.
Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or the donor's choice.
Dean R. Erickson
Former Ong resident Dean R. Erickson, 72, of Grand Island, died Wednesday, May 3, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.
Memorial services are 7 p.m. Monday at Messiah Lutheran Church in Grand Island with the Revs. Gretchen Diers and Doug Stensby officiating. Burial will be private with the family. There is no visitation. Butler-Volland Funeral Home in Hastings is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Erickson was born Jan. 21, 1928, to Earnest and Ebba (Roos) Erickson in Ong. On Nov. 4, 1951, he married Naomi J. Fuerstenau. He worked for Overland National Bank in Grand Island for 23 years and also was a financial adviser. He worked at Chief Industries and the Pony Express, both in Grand Island.
He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and served on the church council and several committees. He served on the YMCA board of directors and the board of education and two terms on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
Survivors are his wife; two sons, Tom of Lee's Summit, Mo., and Tim of Greenwood, Mo.; one daughter, Jane Davis of Hastings; one sister, Marvelle Laursen of Grand Island; and seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers.
Memorials may be given to the church.
Adam Scheideman
Hastings resident Adam Scheideman, 84, of 127 E. South St., died Thursday, May 4, 2000, at his home.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel in Hastings with the Rev. Earl Higgins officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 1-9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. until services Monday at the funeral home.
Mr. Scheideman was born March 11, 1916, to Conrad and Elizabeth (Alberts) Scheideman in Hastings. He married Daphne Wind. She died April 26, 1950. On Aug. 27, 1952, he married Mary B. (Armstrong) Johnson. He worked in security for the Naval Ammunition Depot near Hastings. He later worked for Spitz Foundry in Hastings for 40 years.
He was a member of the Eagles Club No. 592 and a past member of the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors are his wife; two daughters, D'Maris Brooks and Geneen Zimmerman, both of Hastings; two sons, Richard Scheideman of Anchorage, Alaska, and Larry Johnson of Logan, Utah; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Richard Adam; one brother; and three sisters.
Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church or the donor's choice.
Walster 'Walt' Williams
Nora resident Walster "Walt" Williams, 82, died, at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln.
Services are 2 p.m. Monday at the Nelson Community United Church of Christ in Nelson with the Rev. Dr. Ralph Sturdy officiating. Burial will be in the Nora Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Nelson VFW and American Legion Post in Nelson. Visitation is 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Klawitter-Price Funeral Home in Nelson.
Mr. Williams was born Aug. 17, 1917, to Elmer and Dura E. (Thayer) Williams near Nora. He graduated from Nora High School in 1935 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On Dec. 2, 1945, he married Margaret Jensen in Nora. They farmed near Nora. They raised their niece, Debbie Corman of Grand Island.
He was a member of the Nelson Community United Church of Christ, Elks Lodge No. 2197 in Superior, Nelson VFW and the American Legion Post in Nelson.
Survivors are his wife; one son, Roger of Nora; one sister, Thelma Hertel of Anniston, Ala.; and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers.
A memorial has been established and may be sent in care of the family.
Tobias K. 'Toby' Stenson
Hastings resident Tobias "Toby" Keegan Stenson, 20, of Hastings College Weyer Hall, died Tuesday, May 2, 2000, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings.
Memorial services are 3:30 p.m. Monday at Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, Colo. The remains were cremated. Butler-Volland Funeral Home of Hastings is in charge of local arrangements.
Mr. Stenson was born July 24, 1979, to Dennis and Bailey (Robinson) Stenson in Fort Collins. He graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at Poudre High School in Colorado in 1997. He was majoring in English literature at Hastings College at the time of his death.
Survivors are his parents of Fort Collins; one sister, Amber Stenson of Fort Collins; one brother, Aaron of Fort Collins; and three grandparents, Bill Stenson of Nashville, Alyce Stenson of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Sheila Book of Grosse Pointe, Mich.
Memorials may be given to the Tobias Stenson Memorial Fund, First National Bank, 205 W. Oak, Ft. Collins, CO 80524.
Arthur W. Lamely II
Edgar resident Arthur W. Lamely II, 19, died Friday, April 29, 2000, in Edgar.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at the Edgar American Legion Club with the Rev. Kirk Einspahr officiating. There is no visitation. The remains were cremated. Williams Funeral Home of Superior is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Lamely was born Sept. 27, 1980, to Arthur W. and Sandra A. Lamely in Birmingham, Ala. He attended Davenport High School.
Survivors are his parents of Edgar; two sisters, Sondra Lamely and Michelle Lamely, both of Edgar; three brothers, Destry of Beatrice and Dalton and Casey Jo, both of Edgar; and one grandparent, June Faye Lamely of Belleville, Ill.
He was preceded in death by three grandparents.
Rufus Griess
Sutton resident Rufus Griess, 89, died Wednesday, May 3, 2000, at BryanLGH Medical Center East in Lincoln.
Services are 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Kohler Mortuary chapel in Sutton with the elders of the Free German Reformed Salem Church in Sutton officiating. Burial will be in the Free German Reformed Salem Church Cemetery near Sutton.
Mr. Griess was born Jan. 22, 1911, to Carl W. and Lydia (Nuss) Griess near Sutton. He attended District No. 66 school in Clay County. On April 11, 1939, he married Gretchen M. Steiger in Kenesaw. They farmed the family farm near Sutton and moved into Sutton in 1971. He retired from farming in 1976.
He was a member of the Free German Reformed Salem Church.
Survivors are his wife; one daughter, Louise Paschke of Lincoln; and grandchild; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one sister and one brother.
Donald A. Clancy
Former Hastings resident Donald A. Clancy, 79, of Grand Island died Wednesday, April 5, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.
Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel in Hastings with the Rev. Steve Hodgson officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. until services Saturday at the funeral home.
Mr. Clancy was born March 30, 1921, to John Henry and Lena Marie (Trobaugh) Clancy in Fairfield. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1939. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-46, holding the rank of corporal and serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. On June 29, 1948, he married Leontina "Tina" Griess in Clay Center. They later divorced. He lived in Sutton, then Hastings, then Sutton again. In 1952 he returned to Hastings. He was a supervisor at the Naval Ammunition Depot near Hastings and the Cornhusker Ordnance Plant at Grand Island. He retired in 1983 and later worked for the Nebraska Department of Roads.
For his military service, he received the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Survivors are two daughters, Judy Magner of Juniata and Donna Gregory of Hastings; two sons, Johnny and David, both of Hastings; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to the family.
Thomas 'T.J.' Reed
Former Hastings resident Thomas "T.J." Reed, 34, of Grand Island died Tuesday, April 4, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.
Services are 1 p.m. Sunday at All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island with the Rev. Leroy Buford officiating. The remains will be cremated following services. Visitation is 10 a.m. until services Sunday at the funeral home.
Mr. Reed was born Jan. 7, 1966, to Harry and Grace (Clark) Reed at Syracuse, N.Y. He grew up in New York and Hastings and graduated from Adams Central High School in 1987. He was employed with various contract work through Mid-Nebraska Individual Services, based in Grand Island.
He was a member of Special Olympics and Strong Americans.
Survivors are his father and stepmother, Brenda Reed of Fairfield; one brother, Steve of Kansas; two sisters, Sandy Cowell of California and Cindy Littlefield of Oklahoma; and four stepsisters, Stefanie Dedrick, Christy Dedrick and Misty Dedrick, all of Hastings, and Jacee Wyman of Omaha.
He was preceded in death by his mother and one sister.
Memorials may be given to the Mid-Nebraska Individual Services.
Elizabeth E. Gunn
Former Jewell County, Kan., resident Elizabeth Ellen (Regensberg) Gunn, 87, of Belleville, Kan., died Thursday, April 6, 2000, at Lutheran Care Home in Belleville.
Services are 2 p.m. Monday at Megrue-Price Funeral Home chapel in Superior with the Rev. Jon Albrecht officiating. Burial will be in Rosemound Cemetery near Hardy. Visitation is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Gunn was born Dec. 7, 1912, to Joseph and Lillian (Miller) Regensberg near Guadalupita, N.M. She moved with her family at an early age to Las Vegas, N.M., and attended Las Vegas Public Schools. She also worked at Montgomery Ward in Las Vegas. On July 24, 1933, she married Preston Gunn in Las Vegas. They moved to Jewell County. On Sept. 21, 1974, her husband died. She wrote a news column for the Hardy Herald for several years and then for the Superior Express. She moved to a nursing home in Belleville in 1995.
She served on the Star School District board and was a former member of the Union Church in Hardy.
Survivors are one daughter, Sandra Skinner of Superior; one son, Steve of Superior; two sisters, Bertha Wells of Clovis, N.M., and Rosemarie McCurry of Santa Fe, N.M.; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by two sons, Don and Ed; two sisters; five brothers; and one grandchild.
Memorials may be sent in care of the family.
