U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Lawrence Snyder, age 83 (1921-2005)
Lawrence E. "Slim" Snyder, 83, of Kearney, Nebraska, formerly of Overton, Nebraska, died Friday, April 8, 2005, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
He was born July 9, 1921, at Stapleton, Nebraska, to Vernon E. and Pearl (Kessler) Snyder. Slim was united in marriage to June A. Fees August 8, 1941. He then entered the United States Army during WWII, where he served as a Medic. Upon his discharge he returned to the States and lived in Overton, where he worked for Progressive Products, Orthman Manufacturing and Brennan Farms, until his health forced him to retire. He enjoyed all sports, especially the Kansas City Royals baseball team and Nebraska Cornhuskers. He loved the rodeo and participated in rodeos as a young man, riding steers and broncos. Slim was a member of the American Legion and VFW.
Survivors include his wife, June Snyder of Kearney, Nebraska; one son, Charles "Gene" and Lea Ann Snyder of Overton; one brother, Loren Wayne and Betty Snyder of North Platte, Nebraska; two sisters, Verna Dean Schneider of Kearney, and Marlene Rasmussen of Roosevelt, Utah; one sister-in-law, Iris Snyder of North Platte; one granddaughter, Brooklyn and husband Robert Jackson of Overton; and one great-grandson, Thomas Eugene Jackson of Overton.
Slim was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Leo and Lester; one sister, Doris; and one sister-in-law, Marsha.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington, Nebraska, with Rev. Mark Maresh officiating. Slim's body was then cremated. Inurnment will be held at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, Nebraska, on Thursday, April 14, 2005, at 11 a.m. with the North Platte Honor Guard providing Military Honors.
Memorials are suggested to Mt. Carmel Home Keens Memorial in Kearney, Nebraska.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements.
Elna M. Fleischer, age 86 (1918-2005)
Elna M. Fleischer, 86, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died on April 8, 2005, at the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital Long Term.
She was born on September 16, 1918, at Gothenburg to Henry M. and Lillian (Geiken) Franzen. Elna was baptized on October 20, 1918, and confirmed April 9, 1933, at Zion Lutheran Church. On February 10, 1935, she married William E. Fleischer, Sr. at the Zion Lutheran Church. She and Bill lived in the New Hope Community north of Gothenburg for many years. After Bill's death on March 6, 1983, she moved into Gothenburg. She loved to bake cinnamon rolls and special fruit bread for all of her family and friends. She loved gardening and was a member of the Gothenburg Gardenaires, the Zion Lutheran Church Women and the Zion Women Quilters.
Survivors include two daughters, Roine (Norris) Ecklund of Gothenburg and Elnora "Tip" (Arlan) Ronnekamp of Gothenburg; one son, William (Marlene) Fleischer of Gothenburg; one sister, Lee Schaetzle of Denver, Colorado; one brother, Bill (Martha) Franzen of Denver, Colorado; eight grandchildren, Mark (Holly) Ballmer of Gothenburg, Alan (Jennifer) Ballmer of Gothenburg, Janet (Marion) Douglass of St. Libory, Nebraska, William J. (Traci) Fleischer of Gothenburg, Becky (Scott) Simants of Brady, Nebraska, Wade (Jennifer) Fleischer of Glenvil, Nebraska, Tracy (Barry) Tyler of Creighton, Nebraska, Kurt (Susan) Ronnekamp of Leawood, Kansas; 16 great-grandchildren, Luke, Brooke, Alex and Alisha Ballmer, Matthew and Patrick Douglass, Torey, Trevor, Hannah, Jacob and Zachary Fleischer, Jeff, Dalton and Lexi Simants, and Cameron Tyler and Jacob Ronnekamp; step-grandchildren, Steve (Linda) Ecklund of Grand Island, Nebraska, Scott (Robyn) Ecklund of Wichita, Kansas, and Lisa (Matt) Wilson of Gothenburg; 17 step-great-grandchildren; Special family friends, Maria (Miller) Mess and her children Henry, Lori, Heidi and Trudy.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son-in-law, William Ballmer; four brothers; and three sisters.
Funeral services were held on Monday, April 11, 2005, at 2:30 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, Gothenburg with Rev. Don Wilken officiating. Burial was in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Gothenburg.
Memorials may be given to the Zion Lutheran Church or the Gothenburg Senior Center.
Blase Memorial Chapel of Gothenburg was in charge of arrangements.
Marion 'Sook' Rouse, 83 (1921-2005)
Marion 'Sook' Elizabeth Rouse, 83, of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, died Thursday, May 19, 2005, at the Johnson Lake, Nebraska, home of her daughter, after a long illness.
She was born on December 12, 1921, in Hopewell, Virginia, to Archer and Nell (Ligon) Jones. Her father gave her the nickname 'Sook' and that is the name most people knew her by. She grew up in Hopewell, and graduated from Hopewell High School in 1938. She then attended Farmville State Teachers College.
Marion was united in marriage with Harry Mahone Rouse, Jr. on August 31, 1940, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, then they both returned to college, and kept the marriage a secret. On October 19, 1941, she and Harry went to New York City and married again, this time sending telegrams to their family and friends. They made their home in Newport, New Virginia, while Harry worked at the ship yard, until he enlisted in the Navy during World War II. After the war they spent six months, with her parents, brother, Ligon and his wife, Ruth, working on the family cottage at Burwellsbay, Virginia. In September of 1947, she and Harry moved to Denver, Colorado, to join Harry's sister Molly and her husband, James Booth, in the machinery business. They soon became owners and formed Booth-Rouse Equipment Company. In 1986, Marion and Harry retired, and moved to Johnson Lake to be closer to one of their daughters, Nancy and her family. She enjoyed entertaining and having her family and friends out for barbeques and to play cards. Even as her health failed she loved spending time with her grandchildren and especially with her great-grandchildren, and going to the family cottage in Virginia.
Survivors include three children: daughters, Beth and her husband Ray Tesch of Wheatland, Wyoming, and Nancy and her husband William (Bill) Holen of Johnson Lake; son, James and his wife Karen Rouse of Hayden Lake, Idaho; five grandchildren, Shelby (Holen) Forrester and special friend, Chris Votaw of Oconto, Nebraska, Shawn Holen and special friend Marla Maack of Gothenburg, Nebraska, Michael and wife Chantell Holen of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Nickolas and Madison Rouse of Hayden Lake, Idaho; and by four great-grandchildren, Robert Forrester of North Platte, Nebraska, Chase Forrester of Oconto, Nebraska, and Kiera and Lisa Holen of Lincoln, Nebraska; a sister-in-law, Ellen Rouse of Hopewell, Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Archer and Nell (Ligon) Jones; her only brother, Judge Ligon Jones and his wife Ruth; two brothers-in-law, Alex Rouse, James Booth and his wife Molly Louise; and by her loving husband of 60 years, Harry.
A graveside service was held Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at 3:30 p.m. at Robb Cemetery south of Lexington, Nebraska, with Pastor Bob Roos officiating.
Memorials are kindly suggested to Tri-County Hospital Hospice or Johnson Lake EMS.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements.
Earl Richard Miller, 84 (1920-2005)
Earl Richard Miller, 84, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died May 19, 2005, at his home after a lengthy illness. He was born June 21, 1920, to George A. and Nellie (Kilmer) Miller, Sr. at the homestead north of Gothenburg.
He grew up attending Zion Lutheran Church, where he was baptized in 1927 and confirmed in 1935.
On May 16, 1947, he married Ruth M. (Smallfoot) at Gothenburg. Earl farmed north of Gothenburg, then in 1982 moved into Gothenburg, yet continued farming his parents farm ground.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth May Miller of Gothenburg; daughter, Sally (Allen) Anderson of Norfolk, Nebraska; sons, Jerry (Annette) Miller of North Platte, Nebraska, and Kenneth (Mary) Miller of Lincoln, Nebraska; son-in-law, Richard Janssen of Cozad, Nebraska; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; sister, Edna Long of Gothenburg; brother, Antone "Tony" (Joanne) Miller of Brady, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Marie Miller of Gothenburg; several nieces, nephews and a host of special friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Diane Janssen; granddaughter, Tami Renee Anderson; and a brother, George, Jr.
Funeral services were held on Monday, May 23, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, north of Gothenburg with Pastor Les Larsen officiating. Burial was in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society.
Blase Memorial Chapel of Gothenburg was in charge of arrangements.
Earl Lynn Mosher, age 60 (1944-2005)
Earl Lynn Mosher, 60, of Friend, Nebraska, died Friday, May 20, 2005, at the Friend Manor.
He was born August 22, 1944, in Lexington, Nebraska, to John T. and Jane (Hogan) Mosher, the fourth of five children.
As a young boy he attended Lucerne Valley School and worked for Cooper Feed. He was united in marriage to Constance "Connie" Gerdes on July 18, 1964, in Cozad, Nebraska. To this union three daughters, Billie Jo, Becky and Jodi were born.
After their marriage, Earl and Connie lived in Cozad except for a brief time that they lived in Denver, Colorado. As a young man, Earl worked for Cozad Allied Milling operating their machinery, then worked for a time for the City of Gothenburg as a lineman. In 1971, Earl began a career as a lineman with Knox Construction, building power lines. In 1986, they moved to Friend where he was employed for two years by the City of Friend as an electrician and built bridges for Diamond Engineering from 1988 through 1989.
Earl was a member of the Friend Christian Assembly and in his spare time he enjoyed fishing and hunting, camping, boating and water activities with his family. He especially enjoyed family gatherings and spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Connie of Friend; daughters, Billie Jo and Bert Beatham of Exeter, Nebraska, Becky and Mark Bigelow of Milligan, Nebraska, and Jodi and Justin Lawver of Friend; 12 grandchildren, Marissa, Preston, Nolan, Brittany and Briann Beatham, Mariah, Nathan, Alicia and Kelsey Bigelow and Jennifer, Jay and Jared Lawver; sister-in-law, Karen Mosher of Denver, Colorado; god-son, Lucuas Gerdes of Oconto, Nebraska; mother-in-law, LaVone Gerdes of Gothenburg, Nebraska; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Kenny Gerdes and Roger Gerdes, both of Cozad, and Dallas and Becky Gerdes of Oconto; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Raymond and Donald Mosher; two sisters, Norma Parker and Jean Enmark; father-in-law, Orville Gerdes; and brother-in-law, Leroy Gerdes.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at the Friend Christian Assembly with Rev. Jerry Lewin officiating. Interment was in the Andrew Cemetery.
Memorials have been established and are directed in care of the family.
Sarah Joy O'Mara, age 60 (1945-2005)
Sarah Joy O'Mara of Eddyville, Nebraska, left our earthly presence on Friday, May 20, 2005, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, at the age of 60.
Sarah was born March 11, 1945, in Broken Bow, Nebraska, the fifth child of Arthur and Lily (Weinman) Kinish. She lived near Anselmo, Nebraska, and attended Rural District 58 until the seventh grade. Due to illness she received her eighth grade education by tutor at University Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Sarah graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Omaha in May 1963. She continued her education at Kearney State College; graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in Business Education in January 1969.
Sarah married Kenneth O'Mara on May 28, 1966, in Anselmo. To this union were born Richard, James, and Julie. Sarah led an active life and volunteered in the communities in which she lived. She was always an active member of the Catholic Church. In recent years, she and Kenneth taught CCD at Christ the King in Gering and St. Ann's in Lexington. Sarah was a dedicated advocate for various causes. She was involved with Assistive Technology, a group that helps to promote handicap accessibility. Sarah was a long standing member of Nebraska Right to Life and served on the state board for the last 15 years, holding various offices including president. Her work with the pro-life movement was extremely important to her.
In May 1972, while living in Indianola, Nebraska, Sarah was honored with the McCook, Nebraska, area "Mother of the Year" award, and will always be remembered for her desire and dedication to help those around her.
She was preceded in death by her father Arthur in 1984; brother-in-law, Mike Hickey in 1991; mother-in-law, LouElla in 1994; and father-in-law, Earl in 1999.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth of Eddyville; son, Richard and daughter-in-law Sherry of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; son, James of Eddyville; daughter, Julie of Damascus, Virginia; granddaughter, Jean of Overland Park, Kansas; grandsons, Greyson Twist of Pratt, Kansas, and Philip Twist of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; mother, Lily Kinish of Grand Island, Nebraska; siblings, Barbara (Floyd) Dunn of Rushford, Minnesota, Angela (Wayne) Booton of Marshall, Michigan; Lois (Bill) Hickey of Willow Island, Nebraska, Virginia Hickey of Alda, Nebraska, Edward (Karen) Kinish of Brady, Nebraska, and Karen Tullis of Gordon, Nebraska; special friend, Sr. Lois Jean Carlson of Kearney; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
A Rosary will be held for Sarah at 7 p.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington, Nebraska on Thursday, May 26, 2005. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2005. Fr. Gerald Carlson and Fr. Paul Colling will celebrate the Mass. The burial will be held at St. Patrick's Cemetery near Eddyville at 2:30 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to Nebraska Right to Life. SARAH REQUESTED NO FLOWERS AT HER FUNERAL!
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.
