U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Aileen M. Johnson, 75 (1929-2004)
Aileen M. Johnson, 75, of Lexington, Nebraska, formerly of Sumner, Nebraska, died Tuesday, November 30, 2004, at Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington. She was born March 3, 1929, north of Mason City, Nebraska, to Lawrence L. and Anna Marie (Meier) Peterson.
Aileen attended school at Sumner, graduating from Sumner High School with the Class of 1946. She was united in marriage to Loren Johnson on October 30, 1949, at Mason City, Nebraska. Two sons were born to this union, Lynn and Larry. Aileen and Loren lived at Sumner all their married lives. Following Loren's death, Aileen moved to Johnson Lake and later to Lexington.
She was confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Mason City and later was a member of the Sumner Baptist Church. Aileen enjoyed her flower garden, was very musically inclined and could learn to play any instrument. She will be greatly missed by her loving family.
Survivors include two sons, Lynn and Kim Johnson of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, and Larry and Kathy Johnson of Loveland, Colorado; two brothers, Alden and Susan Peterson of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Leonard and Bonnie Peterson of Ansley, Nebraska; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Aileen was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Loren on February 25, 1990.
A graveside service was held Saturday, December 4, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the Jewell Cemetery at Sumner with Mr. Maurice Karlberg, officiating.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the Johnson Lake EMS.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements.
Josie Wilson, age 89 (1915-2004)
Josie Wilson, age 89 of Cozad, Nebraska, former longtime Lexington, Nebraska, resident, died Tuesday, November 30, 2004, at the Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, Nebraska.
She was born May 11, 1915, at Norton, Kansas, to Burton and Selenia Teffte Sanson. She attended school at Norton.
On November 24, 1934, she married Lawrence Wilson. They made their home at Lexington until 1991, when they moved to Cozad.
She was a member of the Assembly of God Church.
Her favorite pastimes were knitting and music, which included singing in the church choir and playing the piano.
Survivors include a daughter, Betty (Wes) Shoop of Cozad; six grandchildren, Cindy (Mike) Austin of Omaha, Nebraska, Pam (Andy) Lahr of Lincoln, Nebraska, Terri Shoop of Lincoln, Nebraska, Karen Houser of Denver, Colorado, Steve (Marie) Houser of Curtis, Nebraska, and Cherrie (Landy) Earhart of North Platte, Nebraska; 13 great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1998; a daughter, Delores Houser; two granddaughters, Debbie Smith and Vicki Jo Houser; a great-granddaughter, Ilana Goosey; five sisters and a brother.
A memorial has been established in her memory.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, December 3, 2004, at the Berryman Funeral Home Chapel in Cozad with Pastor Joe Masten of the Lexington Assembly of God Church officiating. Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.
Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad, was in charge of arrangements.
Doris (Hatting) Walker, 92 (1912-2004)
Doris (Hatting) Walker, 92, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Thursday, December 2, 2004, at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood, Nebraska. She was born on a farm near Loomis, Nebraska, on June 8, 1912, to William A. and Emma A. (Foss) Hatting.
Doris was the eldest of two girls and two boys. The family moved to a farm south of Lexington in 1919. Doris attended country school at District #31, and graduated from Lexington High School with the Class of 1930. She then attended Weselyn University where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She also attended Colorado University at Boulder.
After earning her Teaching Certificate, she taught for five years at District #99. Her class was comprised of five boys. Doris married Allen Walker on September 1, 1937, at Lexington. Following their marriage they moved to Alliance, Nebraska, where Allen worked for the A.H. Jones Motor Company. Doris sold Luzier Cosmetics and rose to District Manager. Allen entered the Military in 1942 and Doris returned to Lexington where she worked as a bookkeeper for Al Beisner at Dawson County Motors. Allen returned from the service in 1946. In 1949, they purchased the Evening Star Motel to which they later added a coffee shop. They also purchased the Cozad Motel. The couple operated these businesses for 25 years. Walker Roofer Company was founded in 1963, and Doris took care of bookkeeping duties until the mid 1970's. They sold the motels and returned to Lexington in 1974, to retire.
Doris served as Den mother for Cub Scouts and was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she was active in the Woman's circle, a past member of Business and Professional Women and the Mother's Club. Doris was known for her cooking and baking, especially for family gatherings, which she enjoyed so much. After Allen's death in 1997, Doris enjoyed time at Park Avenue Estates and later the Elwood Care Center.
Survivors include two sons, Jeff and Gwen Walker of Lexington, and Donn Walker of Lexington; one granddaughter, Jamie Walker of Kansas City, Missouri; two brothers, Bill and wife Marge Hatting of Lexington, and John Hatting of David City, Nebraska.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, William and Emma; her husband, Allen; and a sister, Lucille Ritterbush.
Services were held Monday, December 6, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington with Rev. Todd Karges officiating. Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.
Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or the Heartland Military Museum.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home of Lexington was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Alice Hubbard, 81 (1915-2004)
Mary Alice Hubbard, 81, of Overton, Nebraska, passed away Thursday, December 2, 2004, at her home near Overton. She was born October 19, 1923, at Ansley, Nebraska, to Josiah True and Nellie (Gladson) Wood.
Mary attended school at Gandy and finished at Overton. She was united in marriage to Alvin Hubbard on December 25, 1945. This union was blessed with six children, Wallace, Richard, Sherry, Nina, Wayne and Charles. Alvin and Mary moved to the homeplace in 1949 on the "hill" where Mary lived until her death.
She loved being outdoors, working with the animals, horses and bucket calves. She loved spending time with her family and her dog "Pippy." Mary enjoyed putting puzzles together, working crossword puzzles, going to rodeos, embroidering and taking trips with her daughter, Nina. Mary will be so missed by her loving family.
Survivors include three sons, Wallace and Martha Hubbard of Lexington, Nebraska, Wayne and Bobbie Hubbard of Overton, and Charles Hubbard of Overton; two daughters, Sherry and Nick Gehrt of Lexington, and Nina Hubbard of Lexington; one brother, Rollo Harvey of Lexington; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Alvin in 1972; her son, Richard in 1993; and many brothers and sisters.
Services were held Monday, December 6, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Overton with Rev. Sharon Stevens officiating. Burial was in the Overton Cemetery at Overton.
Memorials are suggested to the Overton Fire Department or the donor's choice.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements.
Lonnie L. "Lon" Eby, 63 (1941-2004)
Lonnie L. "Lon" Eby, 63, of Overton, Nebraska, died suddenly Thursday, December 2, 2004, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. He was born June 21, 1941, north of Overton in Dawson County, to Quincy C. and Mayme (Blackman) Eby.
Lon attended elementary school and junior high at Sumner, Nebraska, and transferred to Overton, where he graduated from Overton High School with the Class of 1961. Following graduation, he farmed on the family farm. He then went to work as a carpenter and worked at this profession until his rheumatoid arthritis forced him to find another line of work. He worked for Cargill for a time and for the USDA as a grain inspector, retiring in 2002. He was united in marriage to Charlene Chainhalt on October 21, 1982, at Holdrege, Nebraska.
Lon had many interests throughout his life, he loved golfing at the Overton Golf Course, he enjoyed football, bowling on the Men's Bowling League in Lexington, hunting and fishing. He always liked having coffee with the "guys" and then going to the fire hall to play cards. But, his favorite pastime was spending time with his family and he took great pride in being the best "grandpa."
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Lexington and attended the Overton Methodist Church, the Overton Golf Club as well as the Lexington Men's Bowling League. Lon was so loved by his family and will be so missed by those who loved him.
Survivors include his loving wife, Charlene Eby of Overton; one son, Mike and Lisa Eby of Riverside, California; four daughters, Deborah Kosmicki of Thornton, Colorado, Patricia "Patty" Hagan, United States Army, Crystal and Dan Quinn of Columbus, Nebraska, and Melissa "Missy" and Randy Saathoff of Holmesville, Nebraska; one brother, Verlyn and Ellen Eby of Overton; three sisters, Bernice and Leo Mazanec of Overton, Clarice and Robert Bamrick, Sr. of Overton, and Geraldine and Fred Vollmer of Lexington; sisters and brothers-in-law, Norma Eby of Overton, Evelyn Weaver of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sherron and Raymond Hagan of Smithfield, Nebraska, and Nadine and Roger Kesterson of Farmington, New Mexico; 12 grandchildren, Lindsey Eby, Andrew Eby, Jacquelynne Kosmicki, Zackery and Matthew Quinn, Adam, Sydney and Sierra Quinn, Oliva Saathoff, Brittany Saathoff, Nick Saathoff and April Saathoff; and one great-granddaughter, Riley Saathoff.
Lon was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and twin sisters, at birth.
Services were held Wednesday, December 8, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Overton with Rev. Sharon Stevens officiating. Burial was in the Overton Cemetery at Overton.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the Eby family.
Lee Ellen Formsma, 35 (1969-2004)
Lee Ellen Halbgewachs Formsma, 35, of Blue Mountain, Mississippi, formerly of Hasings, Nebraska, died Thursday, December 2, 2004, at her home in Blue Mountain. She was a member of Ripley Primitive Baptist Church. She was a 1992 graduate of Hastings College. After graduadtion, she worked as Assistant Director of Admissions and International Student Director at Hastings College. She also worked as a Sales Representative with Milan Express in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She was a wife and a mother.
Services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, December 6, 2004, at Ripley Presbyterian Church with interment following in Blue Mountain Cemetery in Blue Mountain. Brother Mike Strevel was the officiating minister.
She is survived by her husband, John Formsma of Blue Mountain; two sons, Jackson Formsma and Parker Formsma of Blue Mountain; her mother, Linda Halbgewachs of Lincoln, Nebraska; her father, Howard Halbgewachs and his wife, Cynthia, of Cozad; one sister, Joanna Pope of Wahoo, Nebraska; one step-sister, Lara Hartman of Kearney, Nebraska; and two step-brothers, Chris Taylor of Tyrone, Georgia, and David Taylor of Cozad.
