First Name: Last Name:

Dale Knefelkamp
Dale Knefelkamp, 63, of rural Phillips, died Friday, Jan. 30, 2004 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln after enduring several health problems during the latter years of his life. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Grand Island. Rev. Joel Schroeder officiated. Survivors include his wife, Laura of Phillips; his parents, Frederick W. and Elsie V. Knefelkamp of Grand Island; parents-in-law, Don and Lois Schuster of Phillips; two daughters, Debra (David) Martin of Harvey, N.D. and Pamela (Darrell) Harders of Grand Island; one son, Brian (Lori) Knefelkamp of Aurora; six grandchildren; one brother, Larry (Linda) Knefelkamp of Kansas City, Mo.; a brother-in-law, Greg (Carol) Schuster of Phillips; two sisters-in-law, Paula (Michael) Wolff of Troy, Ohio and Carol (Gene) Samuelson of Bertrand; nine nieces and nephews and two great-nieces.

Mike Myers
Former Polk resident Clarence F. "Mike" Myers, 81, of Grand Island, died at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004. Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. at the chapel of Solt Funeral Home in Polk with Rev. Bill Forbes officiating. Burial was in the Arborville Cemetery near Polk. Survivors include two sisters, Vivian Bayer of Polk and Bette Jo Stapleton of Vancouver, Wash.; one brother, Raymond (Wilma) Myers of Grand Island; many nieces and nephews

LaVern L. Ochsner
LaVern L. Ochsner, 80, of York, father of Hampton resident Janice Ediger, died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004 at York. Funeral services were Friday, Jan. 30 in Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York with Rev. Arthur Brinkmeyer officiating. Military graveside services were held at Greenwood Cemetery in York. Survivors include three sons, Dennis (Carol) Ochsner of Laurel, Doug (Sue) Ochsner of Maxwell and David (Kimberly) Ochsner of Geneva; three daughters, Joyce (Dale) Wittgren of Stromsburg, Jean (Dan) Farnham of Elkhorn and Janice (Randy) Ediger of Hampton; 17 grandchildren, two step-grandsons and eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Raymond Ochsner of York and one sister, Thelma Kalberg of Hastings.

Lilah Schultz
Lilah Schultz, 74, of Henderson, died Sunday night, Feb. 1, 2004 at Hamilton Manor in Aurora. Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Mennonite Brethren Church in Henderson. Pastor J. Edward Epp will officiate. Burial will be in the Mennonite Brethren Cemetery. Visitation hours are from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Survivors include her husband, LeRoy of Henderson; four children, Virgil (Charlene) Schultz of Nelson, Lowell Schultz of Marquette, Milton (Lori) Schultz of Superior and Lola (Mike) Dorsey of Blue Earth, Minn.; 10 grandchildren, Ann O'Connor, Mark, Kurtis and Kevin Schultz, Avery Witt, Richard, Brian and Matthew Schultz, Jeremy and Joseph Dorsey; two great-grandchildren, and a brother, Merle Goertzen of Oregon.

Dorothy Traylor
Former Aurora resident Dorothy Traylor, 88, of Edna, Texas died Friday, Jan. 16, 2004 in Edna, Texas. Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 19 at Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel with Sherrel Mercer officiating. Burial followed at Memory Gardens in Edna. She is survived by her one daughter, Dorothy (Ken) Harter of Edna and Aurora; one daughter-in-law, Sharon Traylor of Victoria, Texas; one granddaughter, Amy (Jeremy) Kucera of Aurora; step-grandsons, James (Ralinda) Harter of Omaha, John (Marilyn) Harter of Pella, Iowa, Chris (Dorlas) Harter of Lincoln, step-granddaughter, Kim (Alan) Hunt of Greensboro, N.C., one great-grandson, four step-great-grandsons and one step-great-granddaughter; one sister, Ann Hillman Strane of Edna; one nephew.

Kent L. Dodson
Former Giltner resident Kent L. Dodson, 65, of Phoenix,Ariz., died March 3, 2004 in Phoenix. A memorial service was held in Phoenix, Ariz. March 6 with burial in the Veterans Cemetery. Memorials are directed to American Cancer Society Mr. Dodson was born April 4, 1938 in Giltner. He graduated from Giltner High School in 1955, then served four years in the Air Force. He attended Phillips University in Enid, Okla. He had lived in New Mexico and Arizona for 42 years where he worked in real estate. Survivors include his wife, Joanne; three children, Shelly, Pam and David; one brother, Dick Dodson; one sister; Marilyn Hogan and many other family members and friends.

Ervin Hagemeister
Former Hamilton County resident Ervin Hagemeister, 86, of North Bend, Ore., died Sunday, March 28, 2004 in North Bend. Funeral services are pending. Mr. Hagemeister was born Feb. 5, 1918 in Hamilton County to August F. and Maggie (Hinton) Hagemeister. During World War II, he served his country in the Coast Guard, stationed at Coos Bay, Ore. After his discharge, he made his home in Coos Bay with his wife, Betty. After his retirement from working in a lumber mill, they made their home in North Bend, Ore. Survivors include his wife, Betty of North Bend, Ore.; one daughter, Jeanne of Sacramento, Calif.; one son, Ervin Jr. of Vancover, Wash.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; one sister, Doris Iliff of Aurora; one brother, August Hagemeister of Phillips; a brother-in-law, Roland Eicher of Flint, Mich. and sister-in-law, Bethine Hagemeister of Aurora. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Orvis, Glen and Gene; and two sisters, Lorena Eichere and Ruby Forte.

Glenn R. Reab
Former Giltner resident Glenn R. Reab, 79, of Englewood, Colo., died Monday, March 22, 2004, at The Villa Manor in Denver, Colo. Services were held on Thursday at Fort Logan National Cemetery with military honors. Mr. Reab was born Feb. 15, 1925, on a farm outside of Giltner to Merle and Elizabeth (Rupp) Reab. He graduated from Giltner High School in 1944. He joined the Army in 1945 and served until Dec. 9, 1946. In 1947, he moved to Englewood, Colo. and married Donna Bevilhimer on June 1, 1947. He was employed at Samsonite Luggage for 40 years, retiring on Feb. 15, 1987. Survivors include his wife, Donna; daughter, Karla; and two brothers, Max Reab of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Gene Reab of Grand Island; two grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Don Reab.

Lester Johnson
Lester Johnson, 97, of Aurora, died Tuesday afternoon, May 25, 2004 at East Park Villa in Aurora. Funeral services were held Friday morning, May 28 at the United Methodist Church in Aurora with Rev. Brian Kottas officiating. Burial was in the Aurora Cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com. Lester Alton Thomas Johnson, son of Thomas Henry and Anna (Rodewald) Johnson was born May 16, 1907 in North Bend where he grew up and attended high school through the tenth grade. He married Susie Alice Bignell on June 12, 1931 near Morse Bluff. They farmed in Dodge County before he went to work for a meat packing plant in Omaha. He then worked for Safeway stores as a meat cutter for 30 years. His wife died Dec. 10, 998. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Aurora and the Lions Club. Survivors include his two sons, Donald (Barbara) Johnson of Littleton, Colo. and James (Naomi) Johnson of Ralston; four daughters, Polley (Ed) Olivera of San Carlos, Calif., Lillian (Louis) Oswald of Aurora, Susan (Ronald) Sipe of San Antonio, Tex. and Christina (Jack) Robertshaw of Aurora; 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Walter Johnson of Fremont and Gertrude Lectenberger of Fremont.

Herman Epp
Herman Epp, 88, of Henderson, died Friday evening, May 28, 2004 in the Henderson Care Center. Funeral services were Tuesday morning, June 1 at the Henderson Bethesda Mennonite Church with Rev. George Kaufman officiating. Burial was in the Bethesda Mennonite Cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com. Herman H. Epp., son of Jacob M. and Marie (Peters) Epp, was born Feb. 4, 1916 in York County. He was raised on a farm south of Henderson and attended District #31 School through eighth grade. He married Emma Friesen Nov. 2, 1938 in Henderson. They farmed south of Henderson and in 1944 moved to a farm south of Aurora. In 1974 they retired from farming and moved into Henderson. His wife died Aug. 4, 1993. He was a member of the Henderson Bethesda Mennonite Church. Survivors include his three sons, Roger (Pam) Epp of Aurora, Ardell (Diane) Epp of Aurora and Stanley (Jean) Epp of Omaha; three daughters, Dara Dean (James) Peters of Lincoln, Mary Ellen (Robert) Pankratz of Henderson and Ardenna (Delmar) Friesen of Sutton; 17 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert D. Epp and two sisters, Jeanette (Alfred) Regier and Louise Swan.

Lona Andersen
Lona Andersen, 89, of Marquette, died Friday evening, July 30, 2004 at Hamilton Manor in Aurora. Funeral services were Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 3 in Higby-McQuiston Chapel in Aurora. Rev. Brian Kottas officiated. Burial was in the Aurora Cemetery. Lona Alice Andersen, daughter of William Harmon and Bessie (Thornton) Hodge, was born Nov. 21, 1914 in Westerville where she grew up and graduated from high school. She married Elmer Victor Andersen Nov. 29, 1933 in Ord. They farmed for seven years in that area, then moved back to Marquette in 1945. They bought a school bus and she drove for Marquette Public School for a few years, then sold it to Marquette Public School and continued driving for 23 years, carrying three generations of kids. Her husband died June 13, 1985. She moved to Hamilton Manor in Aurora in 1991. She was a member of the Aurora United Methodist Church. Survivors include her two sons, Phil (Sherrie) Andersen of Marquette and Gene (fiance Rhonda) Andersen of Hendersen; six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Flora Nell of Hickonbottom, Wash.; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Joel Coffey
Former Phillips resident Joel Coffey, 58, of Laramie, Wyo., died Friday, July 23, 2004 at Ivinson Memorial Hospital after a short fight with cancer. A memorial and life celebration was held Monday, July 26 at the United Presbyterian Church in Laramie. Robert Joel Coffey, son of Robert Eden and Christine Wilkinson Coffey, was born Oct. 13, 1945 in Auburn. He was an avid basketball player in high school in Phillips. He attended Hastings College on a basketball scholarship, graduating in 1967 with a degree in mathematics. He married Dona Lamb in her hometown of Laramie, Wyo. in August of 1967. They moved to Grosse Pointe, Mich. to begin their teaching careers. In 1969 they moved to Albuquerque, N.M. where he earned his masters degree in mathematics. They moved to Medicine Bow, Wyo. where he taught math and science and coached basketball in the high school. They moved to Laramie where he taught at the junior high. He eventually studied at the University of Wyoming and earned his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering with honors in 1980. Survivors include his wife, Dona; one son, David (Beth) Coffey; one daughter, Twila (Gabe); one granddaughter, Alexandra; one grandson, T.J.

Wayne Baasch
Wayne Baasch, 70, of Arvada, Colo., brother of Phillips resident Delores Danielson, died Friday, Oct. 1, 2004 at his home. Memorial services were held Tuesday, Oct. 5. Wayne Charles Baasch, son of Charles and Alvira (Rauert) Baasch, was born March 4, 1934 in Grand Island. He married Dorothy Petzoldt June 21, 1953 in St. Paul's Church in Grand Island. He attended District 30 School and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1951 and the University of Colorado in 1967. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958. He moved to Arvada, Colo. in 1959 where he was employed at U.S. West for 30 years, retiring in 1986. He was a member of the Lutheran faith, joining King of Glory Lutheran Church in Arvada, Colo. in 1960. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; one son, Steve (Sharyl) Baasch of Aurora, Colo.; one daughter, DeEtta (Danny) Montana of Golden, Colo.; grandchildren, Alex, Will, Kevin, Aaron and Leighza Baasch and Jessica and Jeremy Montana; two sisters, Marlene (Leonard) Madison of Grand Island and Delores (Deryl) Danielson of Phillips; one sister-in-law, Betty (Frank) Madison of Gering and one brother-in-law, Floyd (Marilyn) Petzoldt of Prescott, Ariz.

Ruth Carlson
Former Stockham resident Ruth Carlson, 89, of Grand Island, died Tuesday morning, Sept. 28, 2004 at Wedgewood Care Center in Grand Island. Funeral services were Friday, Oct. 1 in the chapel at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Rev. Bob Pier officiated. Burial was in the Aurora Cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary. com. Ruth Anna Carlson, daughter of Peter A. and Myrtle (Driesback) Traudt, was born Oct. 1, 1914 in Stockham where she grew up and graduated from Stockham High School. She married Robert 'Wendell' Carlson Nov. 18, 1934 in Belleville, Kan. They farmed in the Stockham and Benedict areas. They owned the Carlson gas station one year, then farmed west of Bradshaw. They moved to Grand Island in 1996 and to Riverside Lodge in 2000. Her husband died July 29, 2002. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and Dorcas Circle. She was involved in the Hi Neighbor Club and several other ladies functions. Survivors include her three children, Cleetis (Bernard) Miller of Grand Island, Dr. Phyllis (Dr. Brito) Markussen-Mutanayagam of Kearney and Lincoln and Dennis W. (Janelle) Carlson of Shelby; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Elton Elge
Elton Elge, 94, of Aurora, died Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004 at Tiffany Square in Grand Island. Funeral services were Monday morning at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Aurora with Rev. Karl Larson officiating. Burial will be in the Monroe Church Cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com. Elton Elge, son of Carl and Anna (Lager) Elge, was born June 5, 1910 in Essex, Iowa where he spent his early years. He moved with his family to a farm northwest of Aurora when he was nine years old. He married Esther O. Palmberg July 26, 1933 at Mamre Mission Church near Marquette. They farmed in the West Monroe community and were members of the Siloa Mission Church and then the West Monroe Free Church. He was a pioneer in irrigation development, digging his first well by hand. He entered the insurance business and was an agent for several years as well as holding a real estate license. In 1970 they moved to Aurora. His wife died Jan. 20, 1992. Due to his health, he lived at Riverside Lodge for several years and, most recently, at Tiffany Square in Grand Island. He started flying airplanes in 1940 and started his own airport and flying school. He wanted to serve in the Army Air Corps during World War II but was denied due to his age, his family and his job as a farmer. Instead, he joined the Civil Air Patrol and was involved with this for many years. Along with his flying duties, he was a crop duster for farmers in the area. He was a longtime member of the Nebraska Flying Farmers and Ranchers and was one of the first officers. He also enjoyed his ham radio. He was a member of the Aurora Evangelical Covenant Church and the local Gideon Camp. Survivors include his three children, Ron Elge of Aurora, Carolyn Solander of Aurora and Ruth (Robert) Dolan of Cedar Creek; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one sister, Lillian Tollander of Omaha.

LaVera Klone
LaVera Klone, 94, of Aurora, died Monday, Sept. 27, 2004 in Hamilton Manor in Aurora. Funeral services were Friday, Oct. 1 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hampton with Rev. George E. Damm officiating. Burial followed in the Hampton Cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary. com. LaVera Wilhemina Johanna Klone, daughter of Emil and Johanna (Frank) Fenster, was born May 17, 1940 in Chappell. She grew up in rural Chappell and attended country school. She worked as a housekeeper for a family in Chappell following her schooling. She married Albert Klone Nov. 24, 1932. They lived with his parents on a farm near Bradshaw. In 1938 they moved to Lincoln where her husband went to aircraft school then went to work at the Lincoln Air Corps Base during World War II. After the war, they moved to their farm near Bradshaw. They moved to East Park Villa in Aurora in 2002. She was a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church in Hampton and the Ladies Aid. She also was a member of the York County Extension Club. Survivors include her husband, Albert Klone of Aurora; two sons, Phillip (Minnie Ann) Klone of Plymouth, Minn. and Daryl (Ruth Ann) Klone of Littleton, Colo.; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Klone, Kathryn Coburn, Michelle Braun, Mark Klone and Matthew Klone; 10 great-grandchildren.