U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Ervin 'Fuzz' Harris
Ervin "Fuzz" Harris was born in Chase County in the Nebraska community of Blanche on Dec. 14, 1934. He was the second of eight children born to James Albert "Bert" and Ruby Kidd Harris.
Fuzz grew up in the Blanche area where he attended rural school. He began farming with his father and neighbors at an early age.
Fuzz was married
to Caroline "Corrine" Styskal on May 24, 1956 in Scottsbluff, Neb.
They lived in the Blanche area for a brief time before moving to Grant, Neb. They moved to their present home north of Grant in 1967.
Fuzz was involved with custom swathing and baling for area farmers.
Corrine died in 1994 and Fuzz continued to maintain his home.
He had developed a malignancy this spring and had been moved to the Perkins County Community Hospital where he died early Saturday morning, Aug. 11, 2007. He had reached the age of 72.
Fuzz was a past member of the Imperial Eagles Club and the Ogallala Moose and Elks Lodges. Most mornings you could find Fuzz holding court with area farmers at D.J.'s or Tharp's Sale building.
His greatest passion was hunting and fishing. He was disappointed that he wasn't able to make his annual trip this summer to Snowy Range in Wyoming for trout fishing.
He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
In addition to his parents and wife, Fuzz was preceded in death by one brother, Jim Harris; one sister, Helen Harris; and a young daughter, Tonia Jo Harris.
He is survived by one daughter, Ranee, and her husband, Mike Borowski, of Kearney, Neb.; one son, Doug, and his wife, Vangie, of North Platte, Neb.; five grandchildren: Josh, Kyle, Ryan and Kelsey Borowski and Ellie Harris; two brothers, Keith, and his wife, Beulah, of Imperial, Neb., Larry, and his wife, Audrey, of rural Ogallala, Neb.; three sisters, Susie Anderson of Kearney, Freida and her husband, Wayne Nutt, of Dickens, Neb, and Sharon and her husband, Tom Nutt, of Holdrege, Neb.; his mother-in-law, Adeline Styskal, of Grant; brother-in-law, Dale and his wife, Connie Styskal, of Grant; sister-in-law, Berniece Lewis of Kearney; longtime special friend, Patty Thompson, of Imperial; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007 at the Grant United Methodist Church with Pastor Sally Ruggia-Haden officiating.
Music was by Bob Cummings and Dolores Sexson.
Casketbearers were Pat Vlasin, Rick Samp, Randy Styskal, Leon Pankonin, Bill Richmond, Galen Tickle, Dennis Pankonin, Bob Triplette, Bill Cooper and Bob Bishop.
Burial was in the Grant Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Juanita Guinn
Juanita Welch Guinn, passed away on Aug. 7, 2007 after a wonderful life with her loving husband of 59 years, Don, and surrounded by her family, Juanita went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Juanita was born in Muskogee, Okla. on Oct. 19, 1928 to Arthur Welch and Laura Kitchel Welch.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father. Her only brother James Welch of Olathe, Kan. passed away one day before and was certainly there to welcome her home.
Juanita married
Don G. Guinn on Sept. 18, 1948 in San Antonio, Texas and they built a life together with the Lord God as their pilot. They had two daughters, Diana and Donna.
Juanita followed her loving husband to many wonderful communities and as far away as Africa and the Philippines. They traveled the world and Juanita took pride in making each house into a wonderful home for her family.
Juanita loved to read, do crossword puzzles and had an amazing "green thumb." If you ever received a letter from Juanita you know that she was a gifted communicator and made you feel that you were right there with them.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Don; two daughters, Diana Leibbrandt and Donna DeBusk and husband Bill DeBusk, all of Colorado Springs, Colo.; five grandchildren: Amy Leibbrandt Johnson and her husband, Maurice, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Chad and Amy Leibbrandt of Imperial, Neb.; Zach Shaw of Hastings, Neb.; and Cody DeBusk and Katie DeBusk of Colorado Springs, Colo.; great grandchildren, Carter, Kaylin and Addisen; sister and brothers-in-law, Bruce Guinn, Oberlin, Kan., Gary and Mev Guinn, Oberlin, Kan. and Larry and Violet Guinn, Deertrail, Colo. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and many friends and family around the world.
To all those who knew Juanita and loved her, just know that she is now in paradise waiting for us all.
Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association or charity of donor's choice.
Memorial services were held Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Pikes Peak Christian Church on Bradley Road in Security, Colo.
Graveside services and interment was at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13, 2007 at the Oberlin cemetery in Oberlin, Kan.
Ann Pringle
Ann Pringle of Great Bend, Kan. died Aug. 6, 2007 in Topeka Kan., after surgery for heart complications.
She was born Sept. 9, 1927 in Lincoln, Neb.
Nancy Weir of Imperial and Margaret Sands, deceased, of Payson, Ariz. are sisters. They are first cousins to Babette Stenger Pribbeno, formerly of Imperial. Babette's father, Bud, was a brother to their mother, Madeleine Stenger Chamberlin.
Ann and husband, Bill, had three children: Sarah Pringle Krom, Steve Pringle and Dr. Jean Pringle, all of Great Bend, Kan.
Services were Friday, Aug. 10 at the First Presbyterian Church in Great Bend, Kan.
Inurnment will be at Arkansas City, Kan. following the services.
Maria Munson
Maria "Mary" M. Munson died Aug. 4, 2007, at Holdrege, Neb.
Rosary was Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007 at 7 p.m. at St. John's Catholic Church, Wauneta, Neb.
Mass of the Christian Burial was held Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 at 10 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church, Wauneta with Fr. Val Bartek officiating.
Organist and soloist were Ken and Barbara Smith.
Casketbearers were Brian Baldonado, Todd Garrett, Mike Kauk, Matt Kauk, Justin Lovitt, Michael Lovitt, Christopher Lovitt, Dustin Haag, Ben Kauk, John Biskup, Daniel Biskup, Carter Kauk, Troy Salela and Luke Salela.
Honorary casketbearers were Lesli Haag, Bridget Salela, Theresa Haarberg, Sara Ross, Megan Baldonado, Morgan Baldonado, Madisyn Garrett, Maggie May Kauk, Emmi Grace Haag.
Interment was at the Riverside cemetery in Wauneta.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Keith Powell
Keith Dwight Powell was born May 30, 1921, at Crab Orchard, Neb., to Carl and Alice (Walrod) Powell.
In 1928 the family moved to Grant, Neb., where Keith grew up and graduated from Perkins County High School in 1938.
He worked at the Grant Elevators until entering the U.S. Army Air Corp. in September of 1942. He was honorably discharged in November of 1945.
On Aug. 22, 1942, Keith married
Evalynne Saum at Farnum, Neb. The couple settled in Grant, where they raised two children, Donald Dean and Sandra Kay.
Keith owned the Dime Store and Skogmos Clothing Store until 1967 when they moved to North Platte, Neb. He retired in 1979 and moved to Imperial to be near their grandson, Robi.
Keith passed away early Wednesday morning, Aug. 1, 2007, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home, Imperial. He was 86 years of age.
Survivors include, daughter, Sandy Browning and husband, Larry, of Imperial; one grandchild, Robi Browning and wife, Sara, of Imperial; two great-granddaughters, Sidney and Adrienne; sister, Donna Brodbeck and husband, Bob, of Grant; sisters-in-law, Ella Mae Hust and Leora Powell; several nieces and nephews.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents, wife Evalynne, son Donald, brothers Sterling and Everett.
Graveside services were held Saturday morning, Aug. 4, 9:30 a.m. (MT) at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial, with Randy Hayes officiating.
A brief visitation was held at the conclusion of services.
A memorial has been established to the Nebraska Children's Home Society, 3549 Fontenelle Blvd., Omaha, NE 68104.
Military services were held by the VFW Post #4688 of Imperial.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Vesta Athey
Vesta Athey of Imperial died July 27, 2007, in Imperial.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, July 31, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Imperial with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Inurnment was at Mount Hope cemetery in Imperial.
A more complete obituary will follow in a later issue.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Billy Dale Pribbeno
Billy Dale Pribbeno was born Jan. 14, 1928 in Chase County to Valma Fay and William Henry Pribbeno.
He spent his early school days at the Enders School. Thereafter, he attended Bob Jones Academy in South Carolina, where he studied through high school and college, receiving a degree in liberal arts from Bob Jones University.
Bill enlisted in the Navy and spent time on the USS Midway.
He returned to the farm when his father, Yum, fell ill with ALS. Upon Yum's death, Bill took over the farming at the place on the south divide. Of particular impact on his life was his mission to Africa for the State Wheat Commission in the early 60's.
Bill married
Babette Stenger in 1963. With that union came three children: Sue, Jeff and Lori. After years of farming and ranching, Bill "climbed off the tractor and became a banker" in 1975. He owned and operated the First State Bank in Enders for several years and retired in 1991.
Bill was active in Rotary, especially in the early years of the Youth Exchange Program. He was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and a longtime member of the KRVN Board of Directors. He was a member of Ag Builders and Nebraska Wheatgrowers Assn.
He was on the Advisory Council to the President for the University of Nebraska for several years. Bill was a life-long member of the Methodist Church.
Bill passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at Hearthstone in York, Neb. He was 79.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Gloria, and his parents.
Survivors are his wife, Babette; daughters, Sue Renken and husband, Mike, of York, Neb. and their children, Sam Renken, Mary Uher and Meghan Renken; Loretta (Lori) Swanson and husband, Dave, of North Platte and their children, Alex and Sophie; Dolly Parker and husband, Clay, and children, Libby, Henry and Sage; and one son, Jeff Pribbeno and wife, Connie, of Imperial, and sons Logan and Max. Bill recently became a proud great grandfather to Zuri Michael Renken.
Memorial services were held Friday, July 20, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Imperial with Mrs. Melody Newman officiating.
Accompanist was Mrs. Loretta Swanson and soloist was Mr. Patrick McNair.
Military rites were by Imperial V.F.W. Post #4688, Imperial.
Casketbearers were Sam Renken, Mary Uher, Meghan Renken, Sage Parker, Libby Parker, Logan Pribbeno, Max Pribbeno, Alex Swanson, Sophia Swanson and Henry Parker.
Interment was at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
Memorials are suggested to The Rotary Foundation or the CCHS Music Department.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
