U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Wynona Hamel
Wynona Aldena Hamel of Denver, Colo., formerly of Imperial, Neb., died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007.
Survivors include daughters, Deanna Espinoza, Nancy Bressler and Peni Aronson; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and sister, Trudy Nelson of McCook.
Services will be held Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. at Olinger Highland Mortuary, 10201 N. Grant St., Thornton, Colo. 80229.
Helen Pitts
Helen Silvester Pitts was born on February 15, 1921 in Imperial, Neb. to Frank and Hattie Silvester. She died on August 21, 2007 at the ripe age of 86.
After spending her childhood in Nebraska she came to Denver and worked as a waitress in a local restaurant. Here she met John Pitts and they were married
Feb. 4, 1946 and spent many wonderful years dedicated to each other. They traveled widely in the states and went on several cruises, which they particularly enjoyed. They were avid fans of square dancing and occupied several places of leadership in the Denver area. They made many new friends in this enjoyment.
Helen is known for two things in particular. First is her ability and pleasure to sew which was evident in her children's clothes and their dancing costumes. The second was Helen's willingness to volunteer wherever there was a need. (A den mother, hospital volunteer, Share Colorado, Mt. View Child Care Center, children's ministry, etc.) She served on many committees and boards including her church that she loved.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, John; daughter Sharon (Jim) Webb; and son Dan (Paulette) Pitts. Helen is also survived by two brothers, four sisters, including Bill Silvester of Champion, Bea Bauerle of Champion and Dee Fries of Benkelman, two sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and square dancing friends.
She was preceded in death by her son Jack, four brothers and her parents.
We praise God for Helen's life and thank our Lord that she went to be with Him in glory.
Services were held Friday, Aug. 24 at Mt. View Community Church in Denver, Colo.
Interment at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 173818, Denver, Colo. 80217-3818.
Richard Thompson
Richard Harry Thompson was born the second child of five children to Glen John Henry Thompson and Mrs. Barbara Elisha (Sparks) Thompson on Nov. 21, 1936 near Grainton, in Lincoln County, Neb.
He departed this life Thursday afternoon, Sept. 27, 2007, at the Christian Homes in Holdrege, Neb. where he had been a resident since June of this year. He was 70 years, 10 months and six days.
"Dick," as everyone came to know him, grew to manhood in Chase County where he attended the Chase County Rural School District through the eighth grade.
On Feb. 26, 1960 Richard Harry Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Sharon Kay Myers at the Methodist Church in Imperial, Neb. To this union three children were born, a daughter, Kristi Kay and twin sons, Richard Kent and Douglas Kirt.
The family resided in Hayes County, Neb. where Richard farmed. They moved to Wauneta, Neb. in 1964, where Dick continued to farm.
The family moved to Harlan County in 1967 where Dick was a foreman for 21 years of the Nip and Tuck Ranch north of Orleans, Neb.
Dick and Kay purchased an acreage 12 miles north and 1 3/4 miles east of Alma, Neb., in Harlan County where they resided for 13 years, from 1988 until 2001.
Dick was employed by Terry Woollen from 1988 until October of 2000. Dick was diagnosed with cancer in 2000. The family moved into Holdrege in 2001, so that Dick could be near his doctors.
Dick accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior on Nov. 15, 1987 and was baptized at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege the following year.
He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Alma, Neb.
Dick had served as a leader of the Triple "C" 4-H Club in northern Harlan County for 12 years, and a member of the Lions Club at Huntley, Neb.
He taught Sunday School at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege and lead Sparks AWANA from 1990 to 1995.
Dick was preceded in death by his mother in September of 1961; his father in November of 1997; and his brother, James Thompson, in 1993.
He leaves to mourn his passing his loving and devoted wife, Kay, of their home in Holdrege, Neb.; one daughter, Kristi Garner, and her husband, William, of Bellevue, Neb.; his twin sons, Kent Thompson of Omaha, Neb. and Kirt Thompson and his wife, LaRae, of Brady, Neb.; one brother, Glen Thompson, and his wife, Bonnie, of Arvada, Colo.; and twin sisters, Janice Widger and Jeanette Carmin and her husband, Richard Carmin, all of Imperial, Neb.; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Patty Thompson also of Imperial, Neb.; seven grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends.
Services were held at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege on Monday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Murray Jones, Dr. Jonathan Bosse and Chaplain DeWane Dow offering words of comfort. Eulogy was given by Terry Woollen, friends and family.
Kevin Erickson sang "Amazing Grace" and "We Shall Behold Him" and Tana Woollen sang "Jesus Saves." Roger Liljehorn was organist.
Interment was held at the Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta, Oct. 1. at 2:30 p.m.
Pallbearers were Aaron Felty, Brian Felty, Jeffrey Berney, M.D., James Ohrt, Richard Ohrt and Travis Woollen.
Honorary pallbearers were all of Dick's many, many friends.
Memorials may be directed to Christian Homes or to the American Cancer Society.
Banta-Torrey Funeral Home of Alma, Neb. was in charge of arrangements.
Rachel Haarberg
Rachel Clara Haarberg was born Jan. 28, 1918 to Martin and Mary Roschewski in Beatrice, Neb. Her parents were born in Germany.
Rachel was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church.
At a young age she moved to Liberty, Neb. where she went to school through the 10th grade.
She helped her folks farm with horses and milked many cows. She didn't know too much about house work and cooking until she got married, and then she learned fast. Cooking became one of her loves and everyone loved to eat her cooking.
She came to Chase County when she was young to help her sister, Louise, with her twins and family. There she met Herman (Pete) Haarberg and they were married
on May 19, 1935. They lived on the homestead where Pete was born and raised. They raised six children: Jerry, Ron, Ruth, Mary, Steven and Gloria.
The family later moved to Imperial where Rachel cleaned many homes and enjoyed her family and friends.
She loved her Lord and was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church as long as her health allowed.
The Lord called Rachel home on Oct. 2, 2007.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Jerry, and seven brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her children Ron (Cherie) Haarberg, Ruth Haarberg, Mary Haarberg, Steven Haarberg and Gloria Sanchez; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren and sister, Helen Bischoff of Salem, Ore.
Rachel always had a smile and word of encouragement for everyone. Regardless of the arthritis pain she endured, she thanked God for each and every day, and was happy. She never liked to complain, even when she had every right to do so. She loved her children and grandchildren with all of her heart and was a good example to all. God has gained a very special angel.
Funeral services will be held Saturday morning, Oct. 6, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial with Pastor David Kahle officiating.
Interment will be at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Wauneta.
Pamela Cederburg
Pamela Elizabeth Cederburg was born the third child of seven children to John Allen Hogeland, Jr. and Edith Lily (Schofield) Hogeland on Dec. 18, 1948 at Holdrege, Neb.
She departed this life late Sunday evening, Sept. 30, 2007 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Neb. Her age was 58 years, nine months and 12 days.
Pam attended the Alma Public Schools in Alma, Neb. graduating from high school in 1966. She attended Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb. from 1966 to 1970, graduating with a B.A. degree in Mathematics in 1970.
After college, she lived in California for a year before moving to Sidney, Neb. where she owned and operated a dress shop.
While in Sidney she met James Cederburg. They were married
on June 8, 1975 and moved to Kimball, Neb., where she lived for 30 years, raising three sons, Bryan Allen, Christopher John, and Scott Hogeland.
She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis very early in her marriage and suffered from this debilitating disease for 30 years.
In September 2005, Pam moved to the Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Center in Alma, Neb. where she resided until her death.
She was a member of the English Lutheran Church in Kimball, where she also belonged to the Women's Circle. She was a former member of the Alma United Methodist Church and was in the Chi Omega Sorority at Chadron State College.
Pam was preceded in death by her father, John A. Hogeland, Jr. on Feb. 4, 2006.
She leaves to mourn her passing three sons, Bryan of San Diego, Calif., Chris and his fiance' Katie Lecher of Lincoln, Neb. and Scott of Iowa City, Iowa; one granddaughter, Madison Marie; her mother, Edith L. Hogeland of Alma; one sister, Becky and her husband, Gary McKenzie of Alma; five brothers, John Hogeland and his wife, Linda, of Derby, Kan., Jim Hogeland and his wife, Gayle, of Grand Island, Neb., Ron Hogeland and his wife, Rhonda, of Orleans, Neb., Dave Hogeland of Alma, and Bill Hogeland and his wife, Jayne, of Alma; many nephews and nieces; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held today Thursday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. CDT at the United Methodist Church, Alma, Neb. with Pastor Melanie Adams officiating.
Interment will follow at the Alma Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday from noon until 8 p.m. at the Banta-Torrey Funeral Home, Alma and before the service time at the church on Thursday.
Memorials may be given to the Harlan County Health Systems, the Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Center or the donor's choice.
Banta-Torrey Funeral Home, Alma, Neb. is in charge of arrangements.
Timothy Long
Timothy Jay Long was born Jan. 21, 1951, at Grant, Neb., to Marion and Alberta (Parde) Long, the fourth child of five children.
As a youngster he moved with his parents to Salem, Ore., where he grew up and attended school graduating from South Salem High School in 1969. He was employed in several locations in Salem including the Salem Mushroom Plant, where he worked with the boiler system for over 10 years.
Tim moved to Wauneta, Neb., to be near family and was employed with the Trinidad Bean Company of Imperial, Neb. Tim was a foreman until his health forced him to retire.
He passed away Sunday afternoon, Sept. 30, 2007, at the Chase County Community Hospital, Imperial. He was 56 years of age.
Tim loved to hunt and fish and was an avid dog owner.
Survivors include parents, Marion and Alberta Long of Wauneta; son, Jacob Long of Wauneta; step-son, Bernard Joel Sierzega of Salem, Ore.; granddaughter, Bethany Long of North Platte, Neb.; step-grandson, Elijah Sierzega of Salem, Ore.; sister, Diann Cummings of Big Springs, Neb.; and brother, David Long of Salem, Ore.
Tim is preceded in death by brother, Jim Long; sister, Linda Hawkins; grandparents, Arnold and Louise Bartels and Haskell and Hazel Long.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta, with Rev. Greg Stuckwisch officiating.
Casketbearers were Gene Bartels, Tony Ogden, Mike Doman, Bob Bartels, Fritz McCormick, Jacob Long and Dick Bartels.
Honorary casketbearers were all nieces and nephews.
A memorial has been established to the Wauneta EMT's and Ambulance Service.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Robert G. Christensen
Robert G. Christensen, 82, of Sterling, Colo. died Sept. 19, 2007, in Sterling.
Robert Christensen was born Sept. 28, 1925, to Carl Jacob and Della (Frese) Christensen in Bennett County, S.D.
He attended high school.
He was an auto mechanic for Bill's Motors, Holloway Chevrolet, Slim's Auto Repair and had his own business, R.C. Automotive.
On July 7, 1945, he married
Jacqueline Samuelson in Hamilton City, Calif.
He was one of Jehovah's witnesses. He was active in door to door ministry and teaching others the Bible's message.
He enjoyed gardening and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline of Sterling, Colo.; children, Susan K. Malmedal and husband Blaine, Robert Christensen Jr., Melody Raffaeli and husband Tom, and James Christensen and wife Cassie; sisters, Dorothy Loos and Goldie Knowles and husband James "Bud"; brother, Carl Christensen Jr. and wife Rose; and eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Carl J. Christensen; mother, Della Christensen; and sister, Edna Thompson.
Private family services will be held. There was cremation.
Arrangements were made by Chaney-Reager Funeral Home.
