U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Earl Holke
Earl F. Holke, 76, of Grand Island died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center.
Mr. Holke was cremated, and there will be no services. Burial of the cremains will be in the Ravenna Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Grand Island paramedics at Fire Stations 1 and 2.
Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Holke was born on Jan. 3, 1923, in Greenwood to Fred and Elizabeth (Maher) Holke. He grew up in Greenwood and was educated there, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1941. After his education, he worked for the Burlington-Northern Railroad.
Mr. Holke served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1942 through 1945. After the military, he returned to work for the railroad.
He married
Norma Tackberry on Dec. 4, 1947, in Galena, Ill. The couple lived on an acreage south of Ravenna, where they raised hogs, cattle and horses. Mr. Holke continued to work as a signal maintainer for the Burlington-Northern and retired after 38 years of service. The couple moved to Grand Island in 1990.
Mr. Holke loved traveling in his motor home.
He was a member of the Ravenna Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Eagles Camping Club.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Randy of Fremont; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Cindy Lou; and three sisters.
Oaklyn Howe
Oaklyn "Tooter" Howe, 90, of 339 S. Vine died Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday at Kleine Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice.
Mrs. Howe was born on July 6, 1908, in Missouri to Perry and Anna (Brown) Smith. She was educated at Omaha Tech.
She married
Richard S. Howe on Oct. 28, 1925, in Iowa. She was a professional model in the 1930s, sang professionally and appeared at the Orpheum Theatre. The couple moved to Grand Island in 1936.
They owned and operated Howe's Steak House. She was also a bowling instructor. Mr. Howe died in February 1990.
Mrs. Howe was in the Bowlers Hall of Fame, was past president of the Women's Bowling Association and past president of the Liederkranz Ladies Society.
Survivors include one daughter, Genevieve M'rsen of Grand Island; five grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Richard; one great-grandson; one brother, Leon Smith; and one sister, Genevieve Knowles.
Earl Schmidt
Earl H. "Smitty" Schmidt, 76, of Grand Island died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1999, at the Grand Island Veterans Home.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home. The Rev. Fred Gardner will officiate. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the United Congregational Church.
Herbert Bankson
HAMPTON -- Herbert J. Bankson, 85, of Hampton died Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999, at Aurora Memorial Hospital.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Hordville with the Rev. Charles Pollard officiating. Burial will be in the Hordville Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Solt Funeral Home in Central City.
Mr. Bankson was born on Sept. 30, 1913, near Hordville to John A. and Laura A. (Swanson) Bankson. He attended grade school in Hordville and District 65 School and graduated from Hordville High School in 1932. After graduation, he was a trucker with his uncle, Newton Bankson.
He married
Doris G. Andersen on Sept. 15, 1943, in Hordville. They lived and farmed in Hamilton County until their retirement in 1966.
He was a lifelong member of Fridhem Lutheran Church and was involved with Lutheran Brotherhood. After retirement, he and his wife volunteered at Marquette schools for 20 years. They volunteered with the Red Cross Bloodmobile for 20 years and had visited residents weekly at Hamilton Manor since 1991. They enjoyed taking trips with tour groups.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Kent Bankson and Doyle Bankson of Hastings; two daughters, Allerita (Mrs. Jim) Gerloff of Ayr and Karol Bankson-Recknor of Marquette; eight grandchildren; and two step grandchildren.
Lawrence Knopik
FULLERTON -- Lawrence "Groby" Knopik, 67, of Fullerton died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 1999, at Litzenberg Memorial County Hospital in Central City.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Fullerton. The Rev. Don Cleary will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Scripture service and rosary, Friday at Palmer Funeral Home in Fullerton.
Mr. Knopik was born on Sept. 10, 1931, at Nance County to Frank and Caroline (Lesiak) Knopik. He grew up in the Fullerton area and attended District 58 Red Top School.
He married
Arlene Miller on Oct. 20, 1954, at Clarks. They farmed northwest of Fullerton.
They moved into town in 1991, but he continued to farm until his death.
He enjoyed farming. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Rex of Fullerton and Mark of Nemaha; three daughters, Gwen (Mrs. Charles) Zaruba of Julesburg, Colo., Roxanne (Mrs. Dave) Umstead of Fullerton and Karla (Mrs. Kevin) Stutzman of Cairo; 11 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; six brothers, Edward and Virgil, both of Fullerton, Frank of Lincoln, Richard of LeMoore, Calif., Louis of Grand Island and Jerome of Plattsmouth; and five sisters, Kathleen Casey of Omaha, Ethel (Mrs. Charles) Kava and Rose (Mrs. Carroll) Zaruba, both of Fullerton, Lorraine (Mrs. Jake) Hamel (his twin) of Columbus and Mary (Mrs. Ben) Gdowski of York.
He was preceded in death by two infant brothers; and two sisters, Elizabeth Stopak and an infant sister.
'Bud' Suck
CENTRAL CITY -- Delbert "Bud" L. Suck, 79, of Central City, formerly of Archer, died Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999, at Litzenberg Long-Term Care in Central City.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Zion United Methodist Church near Archer with the Rev. Barbara Hart officiating. Burial will be in the Archer Community Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Solt Funeral Home in Central City.
Mr. Suck was born on April 17, 1919, near Archer to Jacob and Lena (Wegner) Suck. He attended District 43 School in rural Merrick County.
He farmed until entering the U.S. Army and serving in World War II. After the war, he continued to operate the family farm until his health forced him to retire in 1990. He moved to Merrick Manor in Central City in June 1991.
He was a lifelong member of Archer Zion United Methodist Church and had received his 50-year membership. He was a member of the Loyal Workers Sunday school class.
Survivors include two sisters-in-law, Hulda Suck of Central City and Lillie Suck of Palmer; and several nieces.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Lester, Edward and Elmer Suck; and two sisters, Martha and Viona Suck.
Laura Huffman
LINCOLN -- Laura Huffman, 38, of Lincoln, formerly of Fullerton, died Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999, at Bryan LGH Medical Center in Lincoln.
Services are pending at Palmer Funeral Home in Fullerton.
