U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Ruby Waldron
Kenesaw native Ruby (McMurtry) Waldron, 73, of Port Byron, Ill., died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 1995, at Trinity Medical Center West in Rock Island, Ill.
Services are 10 a.m. today at Gibson Funeral Home in Port Byron. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery at Port Byron.
Mrs. Waldron was born April 19, 1922, to Patrick and Fern (McPhearson) McMurtry in Kenesaw. On Aug. 16, 1945, she married Earl G. Waldron in Blue Hill. He died Feb. 18, 1991.
She was a member of Wheel N Steppers Square Dance Club and Trail N Squares Camping Club.
Survivors are four daughters, Carolyn Rasmussen of East Moline, Ill., Cheryl Dawson Otto of Durant, Iowa, Vickie Watts of Mesa, Ariz., and Tonya Waldron of Port Byron; two sisters, Opal Engels of Ajo, Ariz., and Verda Pritchard of Kenesaw; two brothers, Andrew McMurtry of Loup City and James McMurtry of Lincoln; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
A memorial fund has been established.
Tina S. Maw
Funeral services for Giltner resident Tina Sue Maw, 45, who died Friday as the result of a traffic accident in Hamilton County, are 11 a.m. Tuesday at the United Church of Christ in Harvard. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. Monday at Alberding-Wilson Funeral Home in Harvard. Cremation will follow services.
Myron R. 'Mike' Kister
Hastings native Myron R. "Mike" Kister, 80, of Republican City died Thursday, Sept. 21, 1995, at Harlan County Hospital in Alma.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Methodist Church in Republican City with the Rev. Lyn Seiser officiating. Graveside services are 3 p.m. at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation is noon to 9 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Brand-Wilson Funeral Home in Hastings.
Mr. Kister was born Oct. 1, 1914, to Jacob and Amelia (Eckhardt) Kister in Hastings. On May 14, 1941, he married Marguerite "Babe" Heuer. He was employed by both Union Pacific and Burlington Northern railroads and was a funeral assistant at Butler-Volland and later Brand-Wilson funeral homes. He also worked for Borley Mayflower. They moved to Republican City in 1973.
He was a life member of the Eagles Club and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was a former member and past president of the Lions Club in Huntley. He also was a member of the Hastings Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors are his wife; one son, Grail of Westminster, Colo.; two sisters, Marietta Vollweiler of Hastings and Dorothy Mae Kasiska of Evans, Colo.; and one grandchild.
Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.
Claris D. Utecht
Former Hastings resident Claris Dean Utecht, 67, of Omaha died Thursday, Sept. 21, 1995, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha.
Services are 10 a.m. Monday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel in Hastings with the Rev. Richard Kothe officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Parkview Cemetery at Hastings.
Mr. Utecht was born Aug. 14, 1928, to William J. and Lora (Hasebrook) Utecht in Adams County. He graduated from Hastings Senior High School in 1945, and received a bachelor of arts degree from Hastings College. He served in the Korean War from 1950-52. On Feb. 17, 1962, he married Noreen Krug in Denver, Colo. He worked for Skinner Macaroni in Omaha from 1968 until retiring in 1994.
He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Omaha.
Survivors are one son, Gary D. of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Coralee Howell of Grand Island and Jackie Green of Hastings; and two brothers, LaMoine of Hastings and Duane of Glenvil.
Memorials may be given to American Cancer Society.
Leona I. Esch
Hastings resident Leona I. (Hinz) Esch, 76, died Friday, Sept. 22, 1995, at Good Samaritan Village Villa Grace.
Services are 1:30 p.m. Monday at Zion Lutheran Church with the Rev. Richard Kothe officiating. Burial will be in Kenesaw Cemetery. Brand-Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Esch was born June 22, 1919, to Julius and Edna (Hagedorn) Hinz in Kenesaw. On Nov. 25, 1945, she married Alvin M. Esch. She taught in rural schools near Red Willow and later was a clerk at Jack and Jill Grocery for many years.
She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and Luther Ann's Society.
Survivors are her husband; one daughter, Carol Beran of Lincoln; one son, Jerry of Albuquerque, N.M.; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Roger; a sister and a brother.
Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Choir Robe Fund.
Clare M. Matthews
Jewell County, Kan., native Clare MacDonald Matthews, 93, of Encampment, Wyo., died Monday, Sept. 18, 1995, at Community Health Center of America in Saratoga, Wyo.
Services were today at Friend Church in North Branch, Kan., with the Revs. Joe Vance and Carroll Everist officiating. Burial was in Sheafer Cemetery north of Mankato, Kan. Kramer Funeral Home of Mankato was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Matthews was born May, 22, 1902, in a dugout in Harrison Township in Jewell County to Charles L. and Hannah Armagost Matthews. He graduated from North Branch Academy in 1921. He farmed and played semi-pro baseball for 10 years until an injury to his pitching hand ended his baseball career. In 1935, he moved to Idaho to farm with his father, sister and two brothers. In 1950, he married Leila Parker Bostock in Lomtia, Calif. She died in 1973. He worked for National Supply Co. in Torrance, Calif. In January 1993, he married Wilma Short Thornburg. They moved to Mankato in 1984, then to Encampment, Wyo., in September 1993.
Survivors are his wife; and five step-children, Delpha Keys of Silver Springs, Md., Lynn Bostock of Alameda, Calif., Ronald K. Thornburg of Cheyenne, Wyo., Donna Berkey of Longmont, Colo., and Preston J. Thornburg of Laramie, Wyo.
Clarence R. Weber
Former Hastings resident Dr. Clarence R. Weber, 84, of Holiday Island, Ark., died Thursday, Sept. 21, 1995, at his home.
Rosary is 7:30 p.m. today at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel. Services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Michael's Catholic Church with Monsignor Raymond Hain and the Rev. David F. Bourek officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery.
Dr. Weber was born Sept. 14, 1911, to John and Anna (Trupp) Weber in Friend. He started his medical practice as physician and surgeon when he moved to Hastings in 1941. He served with the U.S. Army 241st general hospital in France and Luxembourg from 1944-46. On March 17, 1961, he married Delores Homan in Hastings.
He was a former member of the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital medical staff, Adams County Medical Association, American Medical Association, International College of Surgeons, American Society of Abdominal Surgeons and American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, the Elks and the American Legion in Hastings.
Survivors are his wife; three sons, Jack of Clearwater, Fla., David of Kansas City, Mo., and Robert of Holiday Island; three daughters, Peggy (Weber) Koepke of Mill Valley, Calif.; Ann (Weber) Sieg of Beaver, Ark.; and Mary (Weber) Norman of Winslow, Ark.; a brother, Kenneth Weber of Friend; two sisters, Geraldine Kohel and Phyllis Watkins, both of Crete; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jane (Weber) DeVaney; a brother and a grandson.
Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society.
Harold C. Anderbery
Former Minden area resident Harold C. Anderbery, 89, of Kearney died Friday, Sept. 22, 1995, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Bethany Lutheran Church southeast of Axtell with the Rev. David Evenson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation is until 9 p.m. today at Layton Funeral Home in Minden.
Mr. Anderbery was born Nov. 12, 1905, to Peter and Hulda (Peterson) Anderbery in Axtell. He grew up in the Axtell area. On Oct. 19, 1927, he married Helen Berger at the Bethany Lutheran parsonage. They farmed in the Axtell and Minden areas. He retired in 1955. They moved to Kearney in 1992.
He was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church and past member of the Axtell Lions Club.
Survivors are his wife; two sons, Richard of Axtell and Philip of Kearney; 10 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn Foat; two sisters and a brother.
Memorials may be given to the Bethany Home or its building fund.
Dick Smidt
Hastings resident Dick Smidt, 101, died Friday, Sept. 22, 1995, at Good Samaritan Village Villa Grace.
Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Lawrence E. McClure officiating. Burial will be in Hanover Presbyterian Churchyard Cemetery near Glenvil.
Mr. Smidt was born Nov. 1, 1893, to Gerd and Thalka (Busboom) Smidt in rural Adams County. On Feb. 20, 1918, he married Anna Walters. She died Nov. 10, 1975. He spent much of his life farming in Adams County. In 1953, he moved to Hastings where he worked for the old concrete block factory. He moved to Good Samaritan Village in 1983.
Survivors are seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 20 great-great-grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by two sons, Harold and Lloyd; seven brothers, two sisters, and one grandchild.
Memorials may be given to Hanover Presbyterian Churchyard Cemetery.
Hebert A. Meyer
Blue Hill native Hebert A. Meyer, 77, of Grand Island died Saturday, Sept. 23, 1995, at St. Francis Skilled Care in Grand Island.
Services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grand Island with the Rev. James Janke officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Park Cemetery in Grand Island. Kleine Funeral Home of Grand Island is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Meyer was born June 17, 1918, to Edward and Anna (Somerfield) Meyer in Blue Hill. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Blue Hill. He farmed on the family farm before moving to Grand Island in 1940. He was a cab driver for City Cab Co., and a mechanic for Service Center. On Oct. 6, 1946, he married Margaret Burkhardt in Bladen. They lived in Grand Island. In 1956, he began working as a salesman for Ace Hardware. In retired in 1980.
He was a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church and The Platt-Duetsche Society.
Survivors are his wife; two daughters, Ann Keeler of New Braunfels, Texas, and Janell Wetzel of Grand Island; two brothers, Gerhardt of Bladen and Orville of Blue Hill; three sisters, Anita Potts of Hastings, Edna Burge of Alma and June Jacobitz of Blue Hill; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister.
Memorials may be given to the family.
Emma Wessels
Former Bladen resident Emma Wessels, 88, died Saturday, Sept. 23, 1995, at Grandview Manor Nursing Home in Campbell.
Services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at United Methodist Church in Bladen with the Rev. Baldeo Singh officiating. Burial will be at Presbyterian Cemetery in Campbell. Merten-Butler Mortuary of Blue Hill is in charge of arrangements.
Miss Wessels was born Nov. 2, 1906, to Wessel U. and Anke (Berhends) Wessels in Hickman. She worked at Lincoln General Hospital and later as an aid at Sunnyside Home in Hastings. In 1922, she moved to Webster County. She moved to Bladen in 1972. She moved to Grandview Nursing Home three weeks ago.
She was a member of Bladen United Methodist Church.
She is survived by one sister, Elsie Murphy of Clay Center, Kan.
She is preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.
Memorials may be given to Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Holmer A. Carlson
Hastings resident Holmer Albin Carlson, 77, of 2320 Bateman St. died Sunday, Sept. 24, 1995, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.
Services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at Emmanuel Methodist Church near Clay Center with the Rev. Bill Bicket officiating. Burial will be in Sutton Cemetery at Sutton. Kohler Mortuary of Sutton is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Carlson was born April 30, 1918, to Albin and Esther (Rauscher) Carlson in Verona. He attended Verona Schools through the 10th grade and graduated from Sutton High School in 1936. On Oct. 17, 1942, he married Frances Findley. She died May 4, 1981. On Sept. 20, 1986, he married Geraldine Ockinga in Hastings. He lived on the family farm for more than 50 years before retiring and moving to Hastings.
He was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church. He served on the Sutton Co-op board and served nine years on the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service board.
Survivors are his wife; two daughters, Jeanene Heinz of Humboldt, Iowa, and Linda Hietbrink of Des Moines, Iowa; one stepdaughter, Sharon Sara of Cheyenne, Wyo.; one stepson, Steven Ockinga of Windsor, Colo.; one sister, Arlene Atwood of Bellevue; five grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to Emmanuel United Methodist Church.
Elmer P. Holl
Kenesaw resident Elmer P. Holl, 90, died Sunday, Sept. 24, 1995, at Haven Home in Kenesaw.
Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kenesaw with the Rev. Ronald Krause officiating. Burial will be in Lowell Cemetery at Lowell. Jackson-Wilson Funeral Home of Kenesaw is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Holl was born Feb. 11, 1905, to Jacob and Caroline (Stade) Holl in Lowell Township. He graduated from Kenesaw High School. On May 12, 1929, he married Lydia Brauer. He farmed northwest of Kenesaw for 12 years. He worked one year for Nebraska Game and Fish Commission in Gretna and then owned and operated General Repair Shop in Staplehurst for 40 years. In 1985, he moved to Kenesaw.
He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Lutheran Laymen's League of Kenesaw. He was active in the Staplehurst Volunteer Fire Department where he was fire chief for 16 years. He also was active in the Staplehurst Town Board. He was a Bible school teacher and held many church offices.
Survivors are his wife; two daughters, Nelda Rippe of Roggen, Colo., and Arliss Whitaker of Aurora, Colo.; one son, Clennen Holl of Denver; two sisters, Leona Brauer of Minden and Ella Rosenkoetter of Grand Island; one brother, Otto of Kenesaw; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Keith; and a brother.
Memorials may be given to The Lutheran Hour.
Bertha L. Wiese
Kenesaw resident Bertha L. Wiese, 69, died Monday, Sept. 25, 1995, at Haven Home in Kenesaw.
Jackson-Wilson Funeral Home of Kenesaw is in charge of arrangements.
Mildred I. Zimmerman
Nelson resident Mildred I. (Meyer) Zimmerman, 84, died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 1995, at Brodstone Memorial Nuckolls County Hospital in Superior.
Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Nelson Community United Church of Christ in Nelson with the Rev. Royce Buchtel officiating. Burial will be in Nelson Cemetery at Nelson. Visitation is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at Klawitter Funeral Home in Nelson.
Mrs. Zimmerman was born April 6, 1911, to Henry and Ola (DeMilt) Meyer near Smyrna. She attended Fairview Rural School south of Nelson and graduated from Nelson High School in 1929. On Dec. 22, 1932, she married Harlan F. Zimmerman. He died March 4, 1980. She moved to Good Samaritan Center in August.
She was a member of Nelson Community United Church of Christ, Rebekah Lodge and Card Club.
Survivors are one daughter, Jerrilee Hoeft of Custer, S.D.; one son, Larry of Phillipsburg, Kan.; three brothers, Harlan and Ralph, both of Nelson, and Donnie of Superior; two sisters, Marjorie Fisher of San Bernadino, Calif., and Norma Osburn of Beatrice; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by a brother.
Memorials may be given to the family.
Victor Stromer
Services for former Glenvil resident Victor Stromer, 77, who died Friday, Sept. 29, 1995, at Valley County Hospital at Ord are at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Butler-Volland Funeral Home chapel in Hastings with the Rev. Harold D. Stromer officiating.
Burial with military rites will be in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery west of Glenvil. Visitation is 1-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Wayne C. Reinsch
Geneva resident Wayne C. Reinsch, 57, died Friday, Oct. 6, 1995, in Geneva.
Rosary was Monday at Farmer and Son Funeral Home in Geneva. Services were to be at 10 a.m. today at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Geneva with the Rev. Walter Banach officiating. Burial was planned in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery at Geneva.
Survivors are his wife, Janet; three sons, Mathew, Mark and Patrick, all of Geneva; three brothers, Francis and Clarence, both of Geneva, and Merle of Shickley; six sisters, Viola Stengel of Shickley, Gertrude Dondlinger of Phoenix, Ariz., Maguerite Getz of Denver, Jeanette Schommer of Lincoln, Patricia Bourke of Sutton and Jo Ann Haufle of Crete; and two grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or for masses.
Phil V. Choquette
Campbell resident Phil V. Choquette, 85, died Sunday, Oct. 8, 1995, at Grandview Manor Nursing Home in Campbell.
Wake services are 8 p.m. Wednesday and services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday, both at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Campbell with the Revs. James Schrader and William L'Heureux and the Very Rev. James O'Connor officiating. Burial will be in St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery east of Campbell. Campbell Funeral Home of Campbell is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Choquette was born Dec. 26, 1909, to Wilfred and Mary Louise (L'Heureux) Choquette on a farm near Upland. On June 12, 1934, he married Angela Evelyn Morin in Orleans. They lived in the Upland area. In 1974 they moved to Campbell. His wife died Oct. 26, 1990.
He was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, Elks Club and was a 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1123. He was a past member of the Farmer's Home Administration board and Upland School Board. He and his wife were recipients of the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award.
Survivors are two sons, Dennis of Longmont, Colo., and James of Upland; one daughter, Julene Margritz of Lexington; one sister, Adwilda Roggenkamp of Minden; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established.
