U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Bryce D. DeBoer, age 83
Bryce D. DeBoer, 83 of Cozad, Nebraska, died July 14, 2008, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska.
Services are pending with Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel of Gothenburg, Nebraska.
Service times, obituary, and video tribute of Bryce may be found at www.blasestrauser.com once services have been established.
Amy McCracken, age 28 (1980-2009)
Amy J. McCracken, 28, of Cozad died Saturday, July 11th, 2009, at Cozad, Nebraska.
She was born on October 2, 1980.
Amy was preceded in death by her grandparents, Maynard Hochstetler, Linda Massing, John and Dolly Ferry; cousins, Ryan and Josh.
Survivors include her husband, Brian McCracken of Lincoln; children, Koral, Marcus and Sadie McCracken; mother and spouse, Betty Hochstetler-Jolliffe and Michael of Cozad; father and spouse, Steve Massing and Carol of Lincoln, Darwin and Barb Combs of Grand Island; brothers and spouse, Christopher and Jessica Massing of Lincoln, Jeremy L. Massing of Lincoln; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at the Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete, Nebraska, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 15th, 2009. Interment was at Lincoln Memorial Park.
A memorial was established in care of the family, in lieu of flowers.
Gary Fitzgerald, age 61 (1980-2009)
Gary Allen Fitzgerald, 61, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Saturday, July 4th, 2009, at his home in Lexington.
He was born October 16th, 1948, at St. Joseph, Missouri, to John Allen and Colena Fern (McElfresh) Fitzgerald.
Gary grew up in Missouri and graduated from Tarkio High School in Tarkio, Missouri, with the Class of 1966. Gary was united in marriage to Ellen Schofner in 1976 at St. Joseph, Missouri and one son was blessed to this marriage, Christopher. The couple later divorced.
He entered the meat packing business where he worked on the line and worked his way up the ladder to eventually become a meatpacking consultant.
Gary moved to Lexington in 2001 to be near his son and grandchildren.
He enjoyed singing and listening to Elvis Presley records. He loved being with his family, especially his grandkids. Gary also enjoyed playing the guitar and music was always a big part of his life. He will be so missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include one son, Christopher Fitzgerald of Lexington, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Drake, Johnny and Shyla Fitzgerald of Lexington; mother and stepfather, Don and Colena White of Springfield, Missouri.
Gary was preceded in death by his father.
Gary's body was cremated and there will be no service.
Memorials are suggested to the family.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements.
Mark Hoselton, age 76 (1933-2009)
Mark Hoselton, 76, of Cozad, Nebraska, died July 12th, 2009, at Cozad.
Arrangements are pending at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad.
James Ambler, age 84 (1925-2010)
James Leonard Ambler, 84, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died Thursday, January 21, 2010, at Gothenburg, Nebraska.
He was born on January 30th, 1925, to Harlo and Elsie (Bryant) Ambler at Atlanta, Nebraska. He graduated from Atlanta High School and received his BS from Kearney State College; and his MA from University of Northern Colorado. Jim proudly served from 1943 to 1946 in the United States Navy. On May 22nd, 1949, he married Patricia Ibsen at Upland, Nebraska. Jim and Pat resided in Gothenburg since 1963.
He was a member of Gothenburg Planning and Zoning Committee; Gothenburg Board of Adjustment; Gothenburg Memorial Hospital Board of Directors; Crestview Board; Senior Center Policy & Governing Boards; State American Legion Baseball Committee; Executive Secretary for the Southwest Conference for more that 25 years; 50 year member of the Methodist Church; member of the Asbury Sunday School Class; and a 60 year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a recipient of the Gothenburg Honorary Pony Express Riders Award.
He was a teacher, coach, principal and athletic director for 41 years. He taught school in Holbrook, Nebraska; Amarillo, Texas; Naponee, Nebraska; Broken Bow, Nebraska; Alliance, Nebraska; and the final 27 years in Gothenburg. He was interested in Gothenburg, kids, Gothenburg High School and its athletic events, fishing, gardening, and especially his grandkids.
James is survived by his spouse of 60 years, Pat; son, Lennie Ambler of Lexington, Nebraska; daughters, Polly (Mark) Petersen of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Penny (Dennis) Strand of Imperial, Nebraska; sister, Beverly Reynolds of DeKalb, Illinois; sister-in-law, Maxine Gottula of Lincoln, Nebraska; granddaughters, Beth (Kyle) Reynolds, Jeni Petersen, Morgan Strand, Molly Strand, Abby Ambler; grandsons, Jesse Ambler and Alex Strand.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harlo and Elsie Ambler; daughter, Peggy Jo Ambler; sister, June McGuire; brothers-in-law, Don Reynolds, Ken Gottula and Frank McGuire.
Funeral services were held on Monday, January 25th, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church, Gothenburg, Nebraska, with the Rev. Randall L. Dilts, officiating. Burial was in the Gothenburg Cemetery.
A memorial is to be established in Jim's name.
Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg was in charge of arrangements.
Larry Kuhlman, age 56 (1953-2010)
Larry Kuhlman, 53, of Orange Park, Florida, died at home Thursday, January 21st, 2010.
He was born in Cozad, Nebraska, on March 17th, 1953, and graduated from Cozad High School in 1971. He was a resident of Orange Park, Florida, for the past 39 years. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy from 1971-1979. He continued his service from 1980-2010 at the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. Larry was an exceptional man and a devoted husband, brother and son.
He is survived by his wife Tina; father, Herbert Kuhlman; step-mother, Mary Kuhlman; brother, Henry Kuhlman (Dorothy); sisters, Janice Knoedler (Larry), Beverly Bernal (Dan) and Peggy Pohlman (Dan); numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved dogs Pele and Mayah.
Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Kuhlman.
A celebration of Larry's life will be held on Friday, January 29th at 6 p.m., at Broadus Raines Chapel.
In Lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Northeast Florida Community Hospice.
Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 904-284-4000.
Phuong Nguyen, age 46 (1963-2010)
Phuong Nguyen, 46, of Cozad, Nebraska, died Friday, January 22nd, 2010, at the Cozad Community Hospital.
Phuong was born November 18th, 1963, at Saigon City, Vietnam, to Qui Nguyen and Tot Le. She attended high school in Saigon City, Vietnam.
Following her schooling, she married Nguyen Tam Vu. In 1992, the couple moved from Vietnam to be closer to family in the United States. The couple made their home in Cozad. In 1997, Phuong earned her U.S. citizenship. While in Cozad, Phuong worked at Tyson Foods in Lexington. She was a dedicated wife and mother.
Survivors include her husband, Nguyen Vu of Cozad; son, Khoa Vu of Lincoln, Nebraska; parents, Qui Nguyen and Tot Le; brother, Hung Nguyen and many siblings and relatives still residing in Vietnam.
There will be no services held.
Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad was in charge of arrangements.
Jean LaVere Mann, age 75 (1934-2010)
Jean LaVere Mann, 75, of Omaha, Nebraska, formerly of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died Monday, January 25th, 2010, at Omaha.
She was born on November 13th, 1934, to Walter and Myrtle (Lindholm) Anderson at Arnold, Nebraska. She graduated from Gothenburg High School. She lived in the Gothenburg area the majority of her life until she moved to Omaha in 2008. She worked as a waitress, secretary, bookkeeper, and nurses aide. She loved to dance, play the piano, sewing, crotchet, old-time country music and word search puzzles.
Jean is survived by her daughters, Marla (Roger) Kniewel of Omaha, Laurie Coughlin of Carson City, Nevada, Melissa (Layne) Cark of Logan, Iowa and Launa (Graeme) Brinton of Carmichael, California; sons, Larry (Lynn) Mann of Maple Falls, Washington, Mark Mann of Maple Falls; sisters, Carol (Keith) Aden of Gothenburg and DeAnn Meysing; 19 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Myrtle Anderson; brother, William "Bill" Anderson; sister, Geraldine Woodward; sister-in-law, Louise Anderson; brother-in-law, Ray Meysing.
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association, 105 Apache Drive, Lexington, NE 68850.
Services will be held at First Baptist Church, January 30th, 2010, at 2 p.m., with Pastor Larry Viter officiating. Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery.
Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Cozad was in charge of arrangements.
Gerald Jorgensen, age 72 (1937-2010)
Gerald (Jerry) Jorgensen, 72, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died Monday, February 22nd, 2010, with his family by his side.
Jerry was born at Curtis, Nebraska, on May 19th, 1937, to Carl and Fern Jorgensen.
Jerry graduated from High School at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis in 1955. He went on to serve in the National Guard.
On May 6th, 1956, Jerry wed his high school sweetheart, Marlene Yonkers.
Jerry and Marlene had 53 wonderful years together. To this union they were blessed with two sons (Brad and Ross) and one daughter (Rana Williamson).
In 1956 Jerry and Marlene moved to Gothenburg where he was employed by Jobman's furniture. In 1960 Jerry took a job working for Paul and Jack Kniss at their Gothenburg Gambles store selling furniture and appliances. A lifelong friendship with the Kniss family was forged during his employment at the Gambles store. Jerry's career took a dramatic shift in 1963 when he began a lifelong passion of sales and serving his insured's working as an insurance agent for State Farm Insurance Companies in Gothenburg and Curtis, Nebraska. He established his first office in the 800 block of downtown Gothenburg and a satellite office in "Chucks" Barbershop in Curtis and later at Brown Brothers Automotive in Curtis. Jerry's Gothenburg office was relocated to its present location on 10th street in 1976. His Curtis office was moved to the Curtis Mall in 1983. Jerry never tired of helping insured's and counseling them with their insurance needs. He enjoyed his job immensely and developed many friendships as a result of his 46 years in business, which he never took for granted.
Jerry's passion was his family, loving and serving others at work and in the community, his love of Jesus Christ and his church. He and Marlene enjoyed attending Husker football games since 1980. Jerry was a good neighbor and a true neighbor as Christ taught.
Jerry was active in his community working on Chamber of Commerce functions and the City of Gothenburg Planning and Zoning Committee in his earlier years in business. Jerry especially enjoyed working at church in the Awana Program, serving on various church committees' and teaching Sunday School. Jerry was a member of Gideon's and was a board member on the Christian radio station KJLT in recent years.
Survivors include Jerry's wife Marlene; sisters, Shirley Todd of Scottsbluff, Beverly Benda of Hemingford, Carolyn (Sus) Peden of Gothenburg; sons, Brad (Janell) Jorgensen of Gothenburg, Ross (Julie) Jorgensen of Bakersfield, California; daughter, Rana (Keith) Williamson of Gothenburg; grandchildren, Jamie (Bryan) O'Donnell of Japan, Jeremy (Emily) Jorgensen of Lincoln, Heath (Lindsey) Carranza of Omaha, Jerrad (Cara) Carranza of Omaha, and Chris (Jessica) Carranza of Omaha, Alyssa (Casey) Lucas of Oakhurst, California, Ashley Jorgensen of San Diego, California, Amy Jorgensen of Bakersfield, California, Cory (Anna) Williamson of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Zane Williamson (special friend Michaela Stovall) of Hastings, Nebraska and six great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 27th, 2010, at 11 a.m., at the Evangelical Free Church, Gothenburg, Nebraska, with Pastor Rick Rehmert, officiating. Burial was in the Gothenburg Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Evangelical Free Church Building Fund, Awana, or KJLT Radio.
Blase Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg was in charge of arrangements.
