U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Cleo H. Paulsen Wilkins (1921-2006)
Cleo Wilkins, 85, died July 6, 2006, at her home in Cozad, Nebraska, as a result of lung cancer.
She was born July 1, 1921, near Blair, Nebraska, to Alfred and Rena Peterson Paulsen. She graduated from Blair High School in 1938. On July 12, 1941, she married Norman W. Wilkins, Sr. at Rockport, Missouri. The couple made their home in Blair where they owned and operated a grocery store and clothing store. In 1952, they moved to Cozad where she was employed at Menke Clothing Store and Cozad Fashions. She enjoyed playing golf and had played just six weeks ago. She also enjoyed tennis, snow skiing, traveling, Nebraska football and all sports.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a church circle; O.E.S., Ladies Golf Association and the Nebraska Women's Amateur Golf Association.
Survivors include a son, Jack (Becky) Wilkins of Kearney, Nebraska; a daughter, Lynn (Jim) Hatcher of Cozad; eight grandchildren, Shawnda (Jim) Hoppner of Austin, Texas, Joe (Larisa) Wilkins of San Diego, California, Shiloh Hatcher (fiancee, Michelle Austin) of Loveland, Colorado, Katy (Marino) Montes de Oca of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Shane (Missy) Hatcher of Kearney, Norman W. "Bill" (Michelle) Wilkins, III of Cozad, Jill (Tim) Tolleson and Kimberly Wilkins, all of Dothan, Alabama; 11 great-grandchildren, Kyle, Dylan and Jayden Hoppner, Aaliyah Wilkins, Trevor, William and Samuel Tolleson, Sebastian and Mya Montes de Oca and Kaleigh and Kelsey Hatcher; a brother, Earl (Dody) Paulsen of Cozad; and two sisters-in-law, Florence Metzger of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Bonnie Paulsen of Gothenburg, Nebraska.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2002; a son, Norman W. "Bill" Wilkins, Jr.; a great-grandson, Tyler Jacob Hoppner; and three brothers, Ivan "Ike", Gene and Lyle Paulsen.
A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 10, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church in Cozad. Burial was in the Cozad Cemetery.
Berryman Funeral Home of Cozad was in charge of arrangements.
Ethel Johnson, age 77 (1929-2006)
Ethel Johnson, 77, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died July 7, 2006, at Bryan L.G.H. East in Lincoln, Nebraska.
She was born on June 8, 1929, in Arnold, Nebraska, to Ira M. and Alveda E (Anderson) Henry.
On December 28, 1947, she married Stanley Albert Johnson in North Platte, Nebraska. They spent most of their 57 years together in the Gothenburg and Brady, Nebraska, areas, raising six children. In addition to farming she also worked as a nurses' aide and as a home care nurse.
Ethel particularly enjoyed the company of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved doing crossword puzzles and crochet. She was active in the Gothenburg United Methodist Church, the Gothenburg Senior Center, the Union Aid Club and the V.F.W. Auxiliary.
Survivors include, husband, Stanley Johnson of Gothenburg; two daughters, Janice (Dan) Holliday of Lexington, Nebraska, and Karen Johnson of Buena Vista, Colorado; four sons, John (Robin) Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska, Clifford (Robyn) Johnson of Brady, Russell (Jan) Johnson of Mt. Vernon, Washington, and Douglas (Linda) Johnson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Ray Henry of North Platte; and one sister, Ida Miller of Kennewick, Washington.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Lawrence.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 11, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Gothenburg with Rev. Randy Dilts officiating. Burial was in Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family.
Blase Memorial Chapel of Gothenburg was in charge of arrangements.
August R. "Augie" Kolb (1915-2006)
August R. "Augie" Kolb, 90, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Sunday, July 9, 2006, at the Tri-County Hospital in Lexington.
He was born October 10, 1915, at Pigeon, Michigan, to Peter and Margaret (Kruse) Kolb.
He was baptized into the Christian faith in December of 1915. At the age of two he moved with his family to Lincoln, Nebraska. Later the family moved to Lexington where the family was engaged in farming.
On September 4, 1934, August was united in marriage to Lillie Rohnert at Lexington. To this union two sons were born, Russell Bruce and Ricky Lee.
The family moved to Lincoln in 1937, August worked various jobs until September 21, 1941, when he became a fire fighter for the Lincoln Fire Department. He worked there for 28 years. Upon retiring from the fire department on January 1, 1970, August and Lillie moved to Johnson Lake, Nebraska. After two years he became employed with the Dawson County Sheriff's Department. At this time August received his GED and completed training at Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island, Nebraska. He served in the Sheriff's Department for six years. After retiring from the Sheriff's Department, he enjoyed his life at Johnson Lake. A year ago August and Lillie moved to Park Avenue Estates.
August was an ardent Nebraska football fan, he enjoyed fishing and hunting and loved cars.
Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Lillie Kolb of Lexington; sons, Russell Kolb of Omaha, Nebraska, and Rick (Sydney) Kolb of Lincoln; six grandchildren, Steve Kolb of Grand Island, Nebraska, Sue (Steve) Zastrow of Omaha, Shelly (Greg) Stoner of Omaha, Scott (Krystal) Kolb of Omaha, Beth (Jean Pierre) Jacob of Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, Africa, and Lance (Jackie) Kolb of Beatrice, Nebraska; 15 great-grandchildren, Justin, Cody, Page, and Nash Kolb, Linsey Zastrow, Shawn and Sara Stoner, Loren Kolb, Valentine, Severin, Mallory and Alexa Jacob, Lance, Jr., Averi and Aiden Kolb; one brother, Bill Kolb of Lexington; and many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers; four sisters; one daughter-in-law, Emily Kolb; and one great-grandson, Ryan Zastrow.
Services were held Wednesday, July 12, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington with Pastor Megan Morrow officiating. Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.
Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home of Lexington was in charge of arrangements.
Alice Marie Dishman, 91 (1915-2006)
Alice Marie Dishman, 91, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Wednesday, August 30, 2006, at the Tri-County Hospital in Lexington.
She was born May 10, 1915, in Fairview, Kansas, to Jerry and Josephine (Hrabjet) Florian. She married Rollin White in 1934, and he died in an accident. She married Loren Dishman in 1947, and they were later divorced.
Alice lived in Lexington for nearly 60 years. She worked as a cook in several small cafes in town and as a housekeeper. Later she worked as a care giver. She enjoyed cooking and quilting for her family. She was loved by her family and will be missed.
Survivors include her daughters, Evelyn Sullivan of Escondido, California, Verna Barnhouse of Smithfield, Nebraska, Geraldine Strickland (Don) of Albany, Oregon, Carol Price (Don) of Lexington and Judy Schultz (Ron) of Lexington; grandchildren, Frank Sullivan, Lewis Tate, Larry Tate, Dwain Strickland, David Strickland, Douglas Strickland, Rick Price, Don Price, Chris Kennedy, Chastity Moss, and Veronica Cole; 21 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Sylvia Echer of Lucas, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, two brothers, one grandchild and one great-grandchild.
At her request no funeral was held. Disposition was by cremation. Family memorial services will be held at a later date. Online condolences or personal reflections may be submitted to osafh.com.
O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home of Kearney is in charge of arrangements.
Janet J. Dyer, age 19 (1986-2006)
Janet Dyer, 19 of Cozad, Nebraska, formerly of Holdrege, Nebraska, died August 31, 2006, near Darr, Nebraska, in an auto accident.
She was born December 14, 1986, at Idaho Falls, Idaho.
She attended Holdrege R7 rural school and graduated from Loomis High School in 2005. She was an honor student and a mentor for grade school students. She was employed with Cabela's at Kearney and Wal-Mart at Lexington.
She was a member of the Mascot Bethel Church of rural Orleans, Nebraska. She enjoyed the outdoors, particularly doing farm work with her dad. She also enjoyed being with children of all ages and was looking forward to having a teaching career. She had made her home in Cozad for the past year.
Survivors include her parents, Joe and DeBra Dyer of Holdrege; a son, Nathaniel Scott Haggert: a brother, K. C. Fleming of Holdrege; a sister, Davie Sue Fleming of Holdrege; grandparents, Darrell and Bonnie Dyer of Winifred, Montana, and Jimmie and Steve Bartlett of Salmon, Idaho; a nephew, Benjamin O'Dell of Alma, Nebraska; and numerous aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by a grandfather, Kenneth Lanning; and great-grandparents, Brode and Etta Lanning, Jim and Billie Montgomery, John Wombold, Joseph Dyer and Helen Cookingham.
Memorials are suggested to the Janet Dyer Trust Fund. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com.
Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 6, 2006, at the Mascot Bethel Church southwest of Holdrege with Pastor Linda Knipping officiating.
Berryman Funeral Home of Cozad was in charge of arrangements.
Gilbert Harold Hess, 81 (1925-2006)
Gilbert Harold Hess passed away at the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital, Gothenburg, Nebraska, on Sunday, September 3, 2006.
He was born on February 25, 1925. to Earl L. and Katie E. (Hueftle) Hess, northwest of Eustis, Nebraska.
He grew up in the Eustis and Farnam, Nebraska, area and attended rural Gosper County School and Farnam Public School. Gilbert was enlisted in the Army serving his country in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. After leaving the service, Gilbert returned to the Farnam area to farm, which he continued to do until his death.
On August 19, 1970, he married Lois B. Jackman. On June 14, 1995, Lois preceded him in death. After being a widower for three years, Gilbert was lucky enough to find the love of his life a second time. On June 6, 1998, he married Marjorie Reed of Beatrice, Nebraska, at Fairbury, Nebraska.
Gilbert was a member of the Farnam United Methodist Church for over fifty years, a member of The Lions Club, American Legion, the Nebraska Farm Bureau, Farnam Housing, the Authority Board, and the Farnam Rural Fire Department Board.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Hess of Farnam; three step-daughters, Barbara Jones, Sharon Higgins of Homdel, New Jersey, and Shirley Aden of Fairbury; one brother, Irvin (Ruth Ann) Hess of Farnam; one brother-in-law, Alvin Junker of Gothenburg; two sisters-in-law, Adelyn Hess of Orleans, Nebraska, and Maxine (Virgil) Jackman of Lincoln, Nebraska; a special prayer partner, Tyler McPeak; a host of nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren, step great-grandchildren and friends; and a friend that only comes along once in a lifetime, Keith Carter.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lois; a brother, Clifford; a sister, Ruth Junker; a nephew, Scott Hess; and a step-son, James Reed.
Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church of Farnam, PO Box 37, Eustis, NE 69028 or the Farnam Senior Center, 214 Main Street, Farnam, NE 69029.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2006, at the Farnam United Methodist Church in Farnam with Rev. Tess Hufford officiating. Burial followed at the Farnam Cemetery.
Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel of Gothenburg was in charge of arrangements.
