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Dorothy Toof
Dorothy Toof, 89, of Aurora, died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004 at Hamilton Manor in Aurora.
Serivces were Saturday, Nov. 13 at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora with Rev. Chris Kester-Beyer officiating. Burial was in the Aurora Cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.
Dorothy H. Toof, daughter of Hugh and Irene (Phillips) Hardin, was born June 7, 1915 in rural Iowa. She grew up in Pleasantville, Iowa where she graduated from high school. She went on to graduate from Des Moines Business College and then worked as a secretary for the Internal Revenue Service in Iowa and California.
She married Nov. 21, 1948 she married Rollie Toof, Jr. in Des Moines, Iowa. They moved to Aurora in 1950. He died June 15, 1983.
She enjoyed her family and grandchildren. She loved cooking and taking care of her home and yard. In her spare time, she liked to go to garage sales.
Survivors include her son, Jim (Jane) Toof of Hampton; two grandchildren, James (Tamera) Toof, Jr. of Lincoln and Jacque (Doug) Hettle of Bradshaw; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Bradley of Westminster, Md.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and a brother, Ralph Hardin.
Jesse 'Jay' Ann Anderson
Jesse 'Jay' Ann Anderson, 85, of Aurora died Wednesday, Nov. 24 at Hamilton Manor in Aurora.
Private graveside services were held Saturday, Nov. 27 with a memorial service to be held Sunday, Dec. 12 at 1 at First Christian Church in Aurora followed by a reception at the Aurora Vets Club. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.
Jessie Ann 'Jay' Anderson, the daughter of Violet (Tate) Kernodle and Ralph J. Kernodle, was born in Macon, Ill. on Aug. 13, 1919 and died in Aurora on Nov. 24 at the age of 85 years.
She grew up in the towns of Macon, Blue Mound, Mowequa and Decatur, Ill. She met Raymond E. Anderson while he was serving in the U.S. Army and they were later married in St. Louis, Mo. on May 28, 1943. Raymond preceded her in death. They lived on and operated the same farm for more than 50 years.
She lived south of Aurora on Highway 14 since 1945. She was well known for her skills as a cosmetologist and for her volunteer efforts at Hamilton Manor and the Humane Society. Her love of animals and her concern for others were her hallmarks.
Jessie Ann was a member of the United Methodist Church. She is survived by her son Dr. James B. (Sandra) Anderson of Aurora, her daughter Rae Ann Weymouth of Ann Arbor, Mich.; four grandchildren, Laurel (Rob) Marlatt of Aurora; Lesley (Eric) Hammerschmidt of Lincoln; Elizabeth (James) LaTerza of Lansing, Mich.; and Edward Weymouth of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and three great-grandchildren, Aaron, Ryan and Ian.
Dr. Don R. Madsen
Dr. Don Ray Madsen, 58, of Texas, died Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004.
A memorial service was held Friday, Nov. 26 in the chapel of Limbaugh Funeral Home in Portland, Tex. Burial will be in Hampton in the spring.
He was born Sept. 3, 1946 to Raymond and Georgialee Madsen in Cleburne, Texas. He received his education in Ft. Worth through junior high and high school and junior college were completed in southern California.
He served his country in the Army 82nd Airborn prior to completing his bachelor of schience degree at Texas Wesleyan University and earning his doctor of dental surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry. He practiced dentistry in Ft. Worth, Arlington, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and most recently in Laredo.
Survivors include his mother, Georgialee Madsen of Hampton; his fiancee, Michelle English and her children Ryan and Christie and his children Colin and Alexandra Madsen of Corpus Christie; two sisters, Linda Madsen and Sylvia (Joe) Durham and brother-in-law, Karl Madsen of Los Angeles, Calif.; aunts and uncles, many cousins, friends and colleagues.
He was preceded in death by his father in 2003.
Helen Mueller
Former Hampton resident Helen Ann Mowitz Mueller, 93, of Seward, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004 at Pleasant Dale.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 10:30 a.m. in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Dale with Rev. Louis Griser officiating. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Hampton.
She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Dale and a former member of Zion Lutheran Church, Hampton.
Survivors include one daughter-in-law, Caroline Mowitz, Omaha; one grandson, Lynn Mowitz, Hampton; one granddaughter, Linda (Mike) Hahn of Council Blufss; two great-grandchildren; one stepdaughter, Paula (Stanley) Wehling of Ogallala; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Anette (Eggerling) Ficke; her husbands Elmer Mowitz and Paul Mueller; one son, Donald Lee Mowitz; one sister and four brothers.
Betty D. Peirce
Former Aurora resident Betty D. Peirce, 82, of Red Cloud, died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004 Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004 at Webster County Hospital.
Funeral services were Monday afternoon, Nov. 29 at the First United Methodist Church in Red Cloud with Rev. Richard Fairbanks officiating. Burial was in the Red Cloud Cemetery.
Betty D. Peirce, daughter of Raymond and Hilda (Jorgensen) Wert, was born south of Aurora. She graduated from Hampton High School in 1940, then attended Lincoln School of Commerce and Hastings Business College.
She moved to Red Cloud where she was employed at the Webster County Courthouse.
She married Russel C. Peirce at the Methodist parsonage in Red Cloud.
In 1961 she purchased the Corral Cafe and in 1971 bought the McFarland Hotel and operated it in conjunction with the cafe. She sold the business and retired in 1992.
Survivors include her two daughters, Myrna (Joe) Cagnina of Fredericksburg, Va. and Linda (James) Smith of Dale City, Va.; five sons, Jim (Margaret) Peirce of Hastings, Terry (Diane) Peirce of Lincoln, Mark Peirce of Red Cloud, Michael (Cherlene) Peirce of Hastings and Larry (Angie) Peirce of David City; 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren; one sister, Bonnie (Clarence) Blase of Hordville; one brother, Keith Wert of York; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Russel on March 17, 1988; one grandson, Marty Smith in 2002; two sisters, Twila Woghlemuth and Donna Isaacs; one brother, Dwayne Wert.
Lila Sekutera
Lila M. Sekutera, 83, of Loup City died Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004 at Howard County Community Hospital in St. Paul.
Funeral services were Monday, Dec. 6 at St. Josaphat's Catholic Church with the burial in the Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City.
Mrs. Sekutera was born Oct. 31, 1921 at Litchfield to Calvin H. and Sarah J. (Juett) Lewis. She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, on Nov. 4, 1983.
Lila grew up in Litchfield and attended Round Grove School. At the age of seven, she moved with her family to a farm near Mason City, where she attended the Lazy Hollow School.
She was united in marriage to Clarence Sekutera on April 7, 1953 at Loup City.
She cooked for the Sisters of St. Josaphat's for five years, and also worked at the Colony Inn Motel. She later cleaned at the Nebraska Public Power District office. She then operated a children's daycare out of her home for 50 years, taking care of more than 175 children.
She enjoyed baking pies for others, canning and playing cards and was a member of St. Josaphat's Catholic Church and the Council of Catholic Women.
Survivors of the immediate family include a son and daughter-in-law, Clarence 'Sunny' (Bonnie) Sekutera of Loup City; three daughters and two sons-in-laws, Darlene (Bill) Maahs of Aurora, Maxine Burke of Grand Island, and Lucille (Dan) Marsh of Kearney; and a step-daughter, Renae Chelewski.
Also surviving are 10 grand- children, three step-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a great-great granddaughter.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Stella VanMatre, Violet Brundiage, and Mable Burns; and three brothers, Melvon, Charles and Richard Lewis.
Memorials are suggested to the family's choice.
Jeanine L. Wasco
Former Giltner resident Jeanine L. Wasco, 71 of Allentown, Pa., died Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004 at Leigh Valley Hospice.
Services were Friday, Nov. 12 at K.V. Knopp Funeral Home in Allentown. Burial was in St. Anne's Catholic Cemetery Emmaus.
Mrs. Wasco was born in Giltner to Frank E. and Fern E. (Potter) Smith.
Survivors include her husband, Donald; three sons, Daniel, Michael and Alan, all of Allentown, Pa.; one daughter, Deborah Chapkovich of Allentown, Pa.; her mother, Fern Smith of Aurora; one sister, Jaceel Dubbs of Grand Island and a brother, Dr. Dennis Smith of Aurora.
Leslie Firth
Former Hampton resident, Leslie Firth, 96, of Kearney, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2005 at St. John's Center of Good Samaritan in Kearney.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Pastor Chris Kester-Beyer will officiate. Burial will be in the Hampton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m.. Tuesday at the mortuary. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at higbymortuary.com.
Leslie Donald Firth, son of Christopher and Alice (Sundgren) Firth, was born Nov. 20, 1908 in Aurora. His mother died when he was small, so he lived part-time with an aunt in Stockham. As a child, he worked and helped his aunt on the county farm.
He attended school in Aurora.
He and his father purchased and ran the Sinclair gas station in Hampton for several years. He then worked for the township of Hampton.
He married Ardith Schaepler Nelson in St. Paul in 1951. They lived in Hampton until approximately 1963. The worked at White Hall Home for Boys in Lincoln for a short time, then moved to York where they worked as custodians at the York City Auditorium. They served large events held at the auditorium over the years until they retired. His wife died in 1974.
He married Alida L. Budde of Grand Island in 1976. She and her late husband had been longtime friends of Mr. and Mrs. Firth. They bought a home in Hampton and lived there until 1998 when they sold their home and moved to Lebasaraum Assisted Living in Grand Island. After his wife died, he moved back to Aurora and lived at Colonial Corners for a year, then moved to St. John's Center in Kearney due to declining health.
He was a member of the Aurora Lions Club and a member of Masons for more than 50 years. In 2001 he was honored as the oldest living Mason in Nebraska. His hobbies included carpentry and fixing things for his family, friends and acquaintances.
Survivors include his stepdaughter, Francine (Gerald) Janzen of Kearney; three grandchildren, Michelle Janzen of Kearney, Kerri Koenig of Lincoln and David Janzen of Loredo, Tex.; five great-grandchildren and one cousin on his mother's side.
He was preceded in death by his parents, both wives and two uncles.
Kenneth R. Hartman
Former Aurora resident Kenneth Ray Hartman, 91, of Boise, Idaho, died Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004 in Boise.
He was born in Harvard. He lived seven miles south of Aurora for several years and went to Prairie Center School, Cain School and Aurora High School. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Nebraska for several years during his teens.
He moved with his family to Boise, Idaho in 1936 and was employed as a truck driver until World War II when he was drafted into the Army. He served as a sergeant technician in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. He was discharged in February of 1946.
He started a trucking business in 1947 in Richmond, Calif. It began as Hughs and Hartman and later expanded to Sequoia Trucking. After the firm dissolved, he became head mechanic for Acme Transport until he retired in 1978. After the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, he and his wife, Jean, moved home to Boise in 1990.
He was an avid reader and loved music, teaching himself to play piano, organ and guitar. He also loved to hunt, collected guns, did volunteer work at Boise's Heritage Retirement and enjoyed vegetable gardening.
Survivors include his wife, Jean; one son, Tommy Hartman of Adams, Ore.; one son-in-law, Kevin Ricklefs of Las Vegas, Nev.; three grandsons, two great-grandchildren; his brother, Gordon Hartman and sister, Betty Lewis of Boise; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Gladys Vogt, Myrna Farrell and Norma Wassler and daughter, Penny.
Lloyd Van Housen
Lloyd Van Housen, 85, of Polk, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005 at Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Wagner Funeral Home in Central City with the Rev. Rex Logan officiating. Burial was in Arborville Cemetery in Polk.
Mr. Van Housen was born April 8, 1919 at the family farm home nine miles northeast of Aurora in Hamilton County to Arthur and Laura (Fenster) Von Hausen. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith in 1919 and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Polk, on April 9, 1933. In 1928 the family moved to York County near Arborville. He attended school at District 51 in Hamilton County, District 66 in York County and Immanuel Lutheran Parochial School, Polk.
Following in his father's footsteps, he was an accomplished mechanic, having done much custom work, and was a farmer all of his life except one year when he worked at Hastings at the ammunition plant.
On Oct. 2, 1941 he married Marjorie Glasser at Immanuel Lutheran parsonage in Polk.
He was a member of Arborville Congregational Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren, his red tractors and Ford vehicles. He was known by his friends and family as 'Flat top.'
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie, three sons, Dennis (Cheryl) Van Housen, Neal Van Housen and Terry (Becky) Van Housen all of Polk; nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Edna Anderson of Stromsburg and Faye Stevens of York; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Rolland Van Housen.
Memorials are suggested to the family and condolences may be sent to them at www.wagner funeral.com.
Fred Johnson
Fred Johnson, 82, of Aurora, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005 at Memorial Community Care in Aurora.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel of Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Inurnment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.
Fred J. Johnson, son of Fred and Cora (March) Johnson, was born Aug. 1, 1922 in McClare, Colo. He grew up and attended school in Colorado. He served in the Army during World War II and was wounded in Italy before being honorably discharged.
He married Shirley Frost Nov. 19, 1940 in Tribune, Kan.. They moved to Aurora in the 1950s to work on the railroad. She died Nov. 20, 1962. He went to work as a plumbing/heating specialist for Jones Plumbing and Heating.
He married Bonnie Eastman Jones April 5, 1970- in Aurora. He worked for Friemier Plumbing and Heating in Grand Island until they purchased the laundromat and worked there until they retired. She died July 4, 1998.
He enjoyed playing softball and bowling in his earlier years. He also enjoyed dances at the Eagles and Vets Clubs. Later on he liked to play cards and attend his great-grandchildren's activities.
Survivors include five children, Larry (Rhonda) Johnson of Sutton, Jeane (Dick) Knoell of Sutton, Fred Johnson Jr. of Phoenix, Ariz., Gary (Kathy) Johnson of Aurora and Addie (Bruce) Dyer of Aurora; stepdaughter, Jan Jones of Aurora; stepdaughter-in-law, Jo Jones of Aurora; six grandchildren, Kate (Dallas) Troester of Aurora, Jeremiah (Traci) Johnson of Kansas City, Rich Knoell of Las Angeles, Deena (Gary) Cuddeford of Sutton, Brady (Chrissy) Johnson of Aurora, Troy Johnson of Phoenix, Mike Dyer of Clay Center and Kathy Dyer of Aurora, Vonn Jones of Omaha and Geri (Blaine) Braziel of Lincoln; seven great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and both wives; two sons, Robby and Jackie; four brothers, four sisters and a stepson, Rod Jones.
Fern Smith
Fern Smith, 93, of Aurora, died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005 at Memorial Hospital in Aurora.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 3 at 10:30 a.m. in the United Methodist Church in Aurora. Rev. Seth Leypoldt will officiate. Burial will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Visitation hours are from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.
Fern Eleanor Smith, daughter of William David and Ella (Williams) Potter, was born April 14, 1911. She graduated from Aurora High School in 1928 and received her teaching certificate from Wesleyan College in Lincoln. She taught school in District 87 (Hamilton Center) and District 66 (Fairview) which is now on display at the Plainsman Museum.
She married Frank Emanuel Smith at York on May 29, 1932. They farmed near Giltner. In 1935 they moved to Loveland, Colo. where she worked in turkey processing plant. In 1939 they moved to Stamford and in 1943 to Phillips. They were always engaged in farming and raising livestock. In 1977 they retired and moved to Aurora where they cleaned offices for Aurora Co-op. He died March 22, 1990. In March of 1996 she sold her home and moved to an apartment. She then moved to Grand Island in October of 2001 to live with her daughter, Jaceel.
She was an active member of the Prairie Gen Church, Pleasant View Church and Evangelical United Brethren Church which is now the Aurora United Methodist Church. She served on the board and sang in the choir. She received an award for teaching Sunday school for 50 years. She also belonged to the TPM Extension Club, church circle, Garden Club, Retired Teachers and was on the Senior Center Board and a 4-H club leader for years. She sewed many items for Memorial Hospital Auxiliary that were used in the hospital. She made and quilted 100 or more quilts, crocheted as many afghans and also crocheted booties for newborns for the church.
Survivors include her two children, Dr. Dennis Smith of Aurora and Jaceel (L.D.) Dubbs of Grand Island; son-in-law, Donald Wasco of Allentown, Penn.; nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren and four step-great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Jeanine Wasco and brother, Vern E. Potter.
Loretta Williams
Loretta Williams, 80, of Aurora, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005 at Hamilton Manor in Aurora.
Funeral services were Saturday morning, Jan. 29 in the United Methodist Church in Aurora with Rev. Brian Kottas and Father Craig Doty officiating. Burial was in the Aurora Cemetery.
Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com
Loretta OIympia August Williams, daughter of Ignacy and Anna (Bongard) August, was born on Leap Year, Feb. 29, 1924 in Chicago, Ill. She was named, in part, in honor of the 1924 Paris Olympics.
She grew up in Trenton, N.J. and attended St. Hedwicks Catholic through the eighth grade. In 1942 she graduated from Trenton High School, then worked as a librarian and as bookkeeper at the prestigious Heidleberg Restaurant. Shortly after the end of World War II, she met her future husband, Cliff, at a USO dance sponsored by the Masonic Temple in Trenton.
She married Clifford W. Williams on March 3, 1946. They moved to Nebraska where they both worked at Western Electric and he attended the University of Nebraska.
After his graduation from the university in 1951 they moved to New York State where she supported his career at IBM. They moved to Sudbury, Mass. and then to Avon, Conn. In Avon, she was elected justice of the peace and was active in the Democratic Party. In 1968 they founded Transcom, a high-technology manufacturing company. This company was later acquired by a New England technology conglomerate. In 1972 they founded another high-technology company, International Sensors Systems, Inc. At the suggestion of lifelong friend Harold Edgerton, they chose to locate the company in Aurora and in 1973 moved their family to Aurora. In 1982 they built a complex of apartments in Doniphan to help low-income families. She enjoyed designing, building and managing these apartments until health issues prevented her from doing so. She and her husband celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1996.
She was very active in both state and national politics. She served as a delegate to the 1980 Democratic National Convention and participated in many local, state and national campaigns. She was a longtime member of the Eastern Star. She was very involved in the United Methodist Church and many community organizations. She belonged to many bridge clubs over the years and also enjoyed bowling, participating in several state championships.
Survivors include her husband, Clifford W. Williams of Aurora; three children, Barbara Johnson, Ph.D. and her husband Keith of Aberdeen, S.D.; Patricia Ann Williams Glee of Aurora and Matthew Williams and his wife Dr. Patricia Read-Williams of Auburn, Wash.; three grandchildren, Katherine Christine Glee of Rolla, Mo., Laura and Erin Williams of Auburn, Wash.; one sister, Eleanor Edinger of Yardley, Penn.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Steven Warren Williams; one brother, Daniel and two sisters, Melanie and Felicia (Gerry).
Kay Nuss
Kay Nuss, 54, of Aurora, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005 at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. in Stockham Community Church followed by a fellowship lunch. Rev. Paul Nauman will officiate. Burial will be in the Aurora Cemetery at 1 p.m. Visitation is from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.
Kay Nuss, daughter of Edella Bonnell, was born June 3, 1950 in Hastings. She grew up in Grand Island where she attended school.
Kay and Gary Nuss were married for 35 years. They remained close friends over the remaining years. They invested all of their time in getting the fuel station at the Aurora I-80 interchange to succeed. In the last several years, she was a support manager at Wal-Mart in Grand Island.
She enjoyed flying and adding to her collection of elephants.
Survivors include her three children, Angie (Todd) Joyce of Aurora, Amy Nuss of Grand Island and Gary Nuss, Jr. of Grand Island; 10 grandchildren, Jesse, Keasha, Jasmine, Junior, Christian, Heather, Hannah, Hailey, Justin and Audra and one great-grandchild; a brother, Delmar Sielaff of Grand Island; two sisters, Janet Liebsack and Pam (Eddy) Robinson, all of Mississippi; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother.
Jon Beach
Former Aurora resident Jon Lee Beach 40, of Salt Lake City, Utah, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005. His health had been declining for several years.
A memorial service was held Saturday evening, Jan. 29 at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora.
Jon loved animals and the family requests memorials be made to the SPCA. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.
Jon Lee Beach was born June 18, 1964 in Gothenburg. He attended Aurora Public Schools and graduated in 1982. He then attended Hastings Community College. After college he moved to California. After a brief stay there, he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Survivors include his mother, Marji Beach; twin sister, Jodi Zaruba; brother-in-law, Tim Zaruba and a nephew Trevor, all of Raleigh, N.C.; stepmother, Rheta Beach of Salt Lake City; many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Beach; grandparents, Wayne and Dorothy Beach and Leland and Mildred Ripley; and his step-grandmother, Erma Ripley.
James Bierbower
Former Giltner resident James J. Bierbower, 81, of Chevy Chase, Md., died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005 at Charlotte Hall Nursing Home in St. Mary's County.
He was born in Giltner. He lived in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Md.
He enrolled at the University of Nebraska in 1940. His education was interrupted by World War II when he enlisted in the Marine Corps and became a F4U Corsair fighter pilot. He served as a first lieutenant in a squadron known as the Death Rattlers, aboard aircraft carriers in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Naval Air Medal for his actions in combat.
After the war, he enrolled in Georgetown University where he received a bachelors degree in 1947 and a law degree in 1949. He was a member of the Georgetown Law Review and obtain a masters of law degree from George Washington University in 1954.
He was a well-known Washington trial lawyer who represented Nixon campaign aide Jeb Stuart Magruder during the Watergate trials and EPA official Rita Lavell during a Superfund inquiry. He practiced law in Washington for 49 years, representing a bevy of capital characters.
He began working at the general counsel's office of the Central Intelligence Agency in 1950. A year later he began a five-year stint at Covington & Burling. He opened his own law office in 1956. He was a partner in the firm of Bierbower and McGrath from 1967 to 1968, of Bierbower & Rockefeller from 1968 to 1980 and Bierbower & Bierbower from 1980 until he retired in 1995.
He was a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and taught trial practice 25 years as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center.
He was president of the voluntary Bar Association for the District of Columbia in 1978 and three years later became president of the mandatory D.C. Bar. He was named lawyer of the year in 1989 by the voluntary bar association.
He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and served as president of the John Carroll Society. He also was general counsel and trustee of the D.C. Chapter of National Multiple Sclerosis Society and a member of Metropolitan Club.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Ellen Butler Bierbower of Chevy Chase; four children, Mark Bierbower and William Bierbower, both of Bethesda, Ann Lally of Atlanta and Joan Kaye of Laurel Hollow, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Bierbower of Shelby and John Bierbower of Aurora; three sisters, June Bierbower of Aurora, Joan Kersey of College Station, Texas and Mary Lou Albracht of Manhattan, Kan.
Gus C. Morisse
Former Aurora resident August 'Gus' C. Morisse, 86, of Cook, died Friday, Feb. 18, 2005 at Community Memorial Hospital in Syracuse.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 22 at Grace Lutheran Church in Cook. Graveside services were that afternoon at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Lincoln.
Mr. Morisse was born July 8, 1918 in St. Joseph, Mo. to August Henry and Matilda Brandt Morisse.
He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II, with duty at Pearl Harbor, Marshall Island and the Pacific Rim.
He married Lenora Stentz in August of 1939 in Sidney, Iowa. He married Matilda Brandt in 1957 in Lincoln.
He lived in Aurora and Lincoln before moving to Cook in 1996. He was a traffic manager at Goodyear in Lincoln for 32 years.
He was a member of the Lincoln Traffic Club where he served as president and on the board of directors, and was a member of American Legion
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