U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
John L. Hall, age 51 (1957-2008)
John L. Hall, 51, of Bellevue, Nebraska, died July 4, 2008.
He was born on May 14, 1957 in Wichita, Kansas, to John L. and Opal Jeannette Hall.
John was in the automotive business for almost 30 years throughout New York and Nebraska. John was an avid Cornhusker fan, watching sporting events of his children and he also enjoyed golf.
John is survived by his wife, Kim; daughters, Katie and Abbie; sons, Phillip (Angelina) of Boaz, Alabama, and Christopher of Owego, New York; grandsons, Christopher (CJ), Broc and Ethan; sisters, Katherine (Orlan) Larson of Omaha, Nebraska, and Melinda (Scott) Ackerson of York, South Carolina; sisters-in-law, Deb (Jim) Tuepker and Karla (David) Zlatkovsky of Lexington, Nebraska, Kyle Delaney and Jennifer (Dave) Bennett of Omaha, Lisa Hennek of Dallas, Texas, and Lori (Kurt) Weinberg of Lake Crystal, Minnesota; in-laws, Don and Margy Hennek of Lexington.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and grandparents.
A celebration of life ceremony was held July 9, 2008, at John A. Gentleman at Omaha, at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family.
Linda Williams, age 63 (1945-2008)
Linda L. Williams, 63, of rural Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, died Friday, July 4, 2008, at her home.
Linda L. Spencer was born May 29, 1945, in Cozad, Nebraska, to Richard and Ruby (Russell) Spencer. She grew up in Cozad and Lexington, Nebraska, later moving to Fremont where she went to work for an egg company. Later, she worked for several area restaurants, including Eldon's Place. For many years, she was an Avon lady, and at one time was the No. 1 sales person in the state of Nebraska. She married Terry Williams on March 7, 1965, in Fremont. They fist lived in Fremont, then moved to rural Cedar Bluffs, where they farmed and raised livestock.
Survivors include her husband, Terry; a son, Terry (Dawn) Williams, Jr., of Cedar Bluffs; two grandchildren, Jennifer and T.J.; a brother, Frank (Nancy) Spencer of Blair, Nebraska; three sisters, Delores (Bill) Livingston of Lexington, Judy (Bernard) Case of Foler, Colorado, and Beulah (Karl) Tiede of Overton; sister-in-law, Mary Spencer of Folsom, California; and brother-in-law, Leland Tonnie of Curtis, Nebraska.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, in the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont with the Rev. Tom Shaw officiating. Burial was in Memorial Cemetery in Fremont.
A memorial was established in her memory.
Ludvisgsen Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
F. Les Banta, age 95 (1921-2008)
F. Les Banta, 95, of Scottsdale, Arizona, formerly of Lexington, Nebraska, died Sunday, July 6, 2008, at Scottsdale Village Square Assisted Living in Scottsdale.
He was born February 12, 1913, at Oakdale, Nebraska, to Louis Frank and Augusta Elizabeth (Born) Banta.
Les grew up around the Oakdale area and attended high school in Norfolk, Nebraska. He was united in marriage to Maybelle L. Danner on May 5, 1937, at Norfolk. Three daughters were blessed to this marriage, Karla, Leslie and Diane.
He started a 41 year career with Northwestern Bell, which took him to various areas in the state of Nebraska, including, Norfolk and Minden, Nebraska, eventually settling in Lexington in 1949. He retired from the phone company in 1976. Following his retirement, he spent 9 years with the Dawson County Sheriff's Department as a Correctional Officer. He moved to Scottsdale in 1998.
Les was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington, the Telephone Pioneers, the Eagles Club and a 40+ year member of the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department.
Les never knew a stranger, always had a twinkle in his eye and a story for all who would listen. Les was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be so very missed by all of them and his many friends.
Survivors include two daughters, Karla Widra and Leslie Brotherson, both of Scottsdale, Arizona; seven grandchildren, Terri Mann (Brad) Morrow, Heath (Maggie) Mann, Brandon (Andi) Mann, Michael (Debi) Bossung, Scott Brotherson, Eric (Patti) Widra, and Kirk Widra; and seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Bernice Salyer of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Les was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jeff Banta; sister, Leora Fleischman, wife, Maybelle; and daughter, Diane Hirsch.
The family has honored Les's wishes that his body be cremated.
A memorial graveside service will be held Monday, July 21, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk, with Pastor Chris Asbury officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department, Box 721, Lexington, Nebraska 68850.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Iris Fread, age 86 (1921-2008)
Betty Iris Fread, 86, of Ravenna, Nebraska, formerly of the Cozad/Lexington, Nebraska area, died Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at Ravenna Good Samaritan Center in Ravenna.
She was born September 24, 1921, at Kearney, Nebraska, to Charles and Viola (Burns) Dodson.
Betty was united in marriage to Tom Fread on June 13, 1939, at Lexington. She was baptized on August 9, 1992, at the Berean Fundamental Church in Lexington.
She lived in the Lexington area the majority of their married lives. She moved to the Ravenna Care home in November of 2003, where she lived until she passed away.
Betty enjoyed playing cards, Yahtzee and gardening. She was well known for her wonderful cooking skills and always had as many as she could for Sunday dinners.
Betty was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother to her large family and will be very missed.
She was a member of the Berean Bible Church in Lexington.
Survivors include two daughters, Vivian (Greg) Kocour of Fremont, Nebraska and Cheryl (Ron) Blodgett of Litchfield, Nebraska; one brother, Clarence Bud Dodson of Louisville, Kentucky; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tom in 1988; daughter, Carolyn Bice Roepke in 2005; one grandson, Rick Blodgett; one great-great-granddaughter, Claire and one brother, Lynn.
Services were held Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the Berean Bible Church in Lexington, with Pastor Glenn Johnson officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the Berean Bible Church.
Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements.
Leo E. Steinbrink, age 96 (1957-2008)
Leo Ernest Steinbrink, 96, of Elwood, Nebraska, died July 10, 2008, at the Elwood Care Center.
He was born March 27, 1912, on the Steinbrink homestead in rural Gosper County, Nebraska, to Phoebe L (Lewis) and Frederick E. Steinbrink. He lived with his brothers and sisters on the farm northwest of Elwood, until he was a young man. He attended Brace country school until he completed the eighth grade, at which time his father determined that no farm boy needed further education. Although that may have been the end of his formal education, Leo was a life time reader and particularly enjoyed the study of the Bible.
On May 23, 1936, Leo and Ona Baisinger were married at the Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Nebraska. Rising gas prices caused them to turn their wedding rehearsal into the real thing, thus saving both sets of parents, the bride and groom, and their witnesses the expense of driving to Lexington the following day as planned.
The drought of the 30's brought an early end to the new couple's farming on the land owned by Leo's grandfather Perry D. Lewis in Phelps County. Leo found work with the Goodheart Construction Company; his first site was the new school in Eustis, Nebraska. This work took the couple to O'Neill and Omaha in Nebraska. From there the construction company began to build post offices in California, Oregon, and Idaho. Leo became the superintendent on these poured-concrete buildings. While working in Riverside, California, Leo became a father for the first time when their daughter Carolyn was born.
After leaving construction, Leo brought his small family back to Elwood. While waiting to be drafted into military service during World War II, Leo began to farm with his father-in-law. Upon the unexpected death of Frank Baisinger, Leo took over the management of the Baisinger land. Farming was deemed an occupation essential to the war effort, feeding a nation and its military, and Leo was not drafted.
Leo's son Allen was born in the years following the war. The family remained on the Baisinger land. When a tornado destroyed many of the farm buildings, Leo and Ona bought the land and began the efforts to modernize the farm, new out buildings, new house, electricity, and terracing of the land were among their efforts.
Leo kept informed of new developments in farming and worked whenever possible to incorporate new practices in his stewardship of the land. He was interested in preserving the quality of the soil and its wildlife. Much of the pasture land remained virgin sod and wildlife was encouraged and protected long before concerns of environment were in vogue.
Through the many years Leo was a member and a leader of the First Christian Church locally and state-wide. Leo served on the Gosper County Soil and Water Conservation District Board for fifteen years and was chairman of the board for eight years. In 1972, Leo was elected to the Board of Directors of Central Nebraska Public Power District and served for more than ten years.
Leo remained on the farm for more than fifty years, when failing health caused him to leave. He spent his last years in the Elwood Care Center. He was delighted with visits from family and friends, often entertaining them by playing his harmonica.
Preceding him in death were: Ona, his wife of fifty-seven years; his parents; his brothers and sisters and their spouses, James C. Steinbrink and Lillian, Abigail (Steinbrink) Dreher and Emil, Mary (Steinbrink) Laughter and Brooks, George H. Steinbrink and Ethel, Myrtle (Steinbrink) Smith and Dewy, Emily Steinbrink, Baby Boy Steinbrink, Alice (Steinbrink) Dreher and Cal, Elda (Steinbrink) Burch. Velma Steinbrink, Charles Steinbrink and Delores, and Earl Steinbrink and Frances.
Survivors include his daughter, Carolyn Steinbrink of Shenandoah, Iowa; son, Allen Steinbrink and his wife Geri of Arapahoe, Nebraska; grandson, Nathaniel Steinbrink and his wife Cortney Boyd of Carbondale, Illinois; and grandson Jonathan Steinbrink of Tucson, Arizona; a sister-in-law, Doris Baisinger; special friends Richard and Marilyn Schroeder of Golden, Colorado; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services were held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at the First Christian Church in Elwood with Sharon Corder officiating. Burial was in the Elwood Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church in Elwood.
Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.
Betty M. Wells, age 79 (1929-2008)
Betty M. Wells, 78, of Omaha, Nebraska, formerly of Lexington, Nebraska, died Friday July 11, 2008, at the Hospice House in Omaha.
She was born October 12, 1929, at Elwood, Nebraska, to Hubert and Roxie (Gardner) Marquardt.
Betty worked in retail for many years in Lexington. She enjoyed old country western music including the Grand Old Opry. Betty spent a lot of time writing in her daily journal. She also loved board and card games, especially Yahtzee. But, the most important thing to Betty, was spending time with her family; her family was her pride and joy.
Survivors include one daughter: Cindy (Neil) Lindquist of Omaha; one granddaughter, Lynnette Lindquist of Papillion, Nebraska.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Delbert Marquardt and sister-in-law, Robbie Marquardt.
Funeral Services were held Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington with John Strackbein, officiating.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha. The address is 74th Cedar St., Omaha, NE 68124. Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements.
Jim Ostergard, age 81 (1926-2008)
Jim Ostergard, 81, of Gothenburg, died on July 13, 2008, at Gothenburg, Nebraska.
Jim was born to Harry and Ilene Ostergard on November 6, 1926. He attended school at Etna, Nebraska, and graduated in 1943 at the age of 16. He pursued the life long career of farming and ranching,
Jim married Betty, the love of his life, on June 12,1951, at Arnold, Nebraska. They lived near the home place with their children Steve and Yolonda (Nan). Jim lost his 17 year old son Steve in a tragic two-car accident in Mullen, Nebraska, in 1964.
In 1980, Jim started working at the Gothenburg Sale Barn where his life was enriched with friends he would keep for a lifetime, while still continuing to be active on the ranch.
His love included his family, his land, livestock and the Huskers. He was a member of the Methodist Church, the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and the Elks Club.
He is survived by daughter, Nan (Doug) Ostendorf of Gothenburg; grandson, Eric (Anne) Ostendorf of Gothenburg; granddaughter, Kori Ostendorf of Aurora, Colorado; four brothers, Jack (Mary Ann) Ostergard of Gothenburg, Dick (Connie) Ostergard of Brady, Nebraska, Larry (Joan) Ostergard of Gothenburg, Ron (Kayleen) Ostergard of York, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Sue Ostergard of Gothenburg; two great- granddaughters, Sidnee and Devyn Ostendorf; along with many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Betty of 44 years; son, Steve; a brother, Don; and sister-in-law, Arvilla Atkin and husband Al of Arnold.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 16, at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Gothenburg with Pastor Randy Dilts and Pastor Larry Viter officiating. Burial took place in the Gothenburg Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Ostergard Family, 77360 Hwy 47, Gothenburg, NE 69138, to be established at a later date.
Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg was in charge of arrangements.
