U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Jack Pump
Jack Pump, 58, died Tuesday morning, Oct. 12, 2004 at the Perkins County Community Hospital in Grant, Neb.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m., at the Westside Church of Christ in Imperial, Neb.
Interment is in Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will appear in next week's issue.
Gary D. Cook
Gary D. Cook, 65, of Piedmont, S.D., died at his home in Piedmont on Oct. 9, 2004.
Gary was born on July 22, 1939, to Orie and Blanche (Richmond) Cook at Grant, Neb. He graduated from Perkins County High School in 1957. After a year of college at the University of Nebraska, he spent two years in the US Army. Returning to Imperial, Neb., in 1965, he purchased the ready mix plant. Gary was married to Darla Cady on Sept. 17, 1971, in Denver, Colo. He ran Cooks Ready Mix until he retired in 1996 when he and his wife moved to Piedmont.
While in Imperial, Gary served on the planning commission and variance board for many years. He helped start the Eagles Club and was their first president. He coached T-ball, baseball, and was a Cub Scout master. While living in Piedmont, he served on the Piedmont District Fire Board. He became an Elk and his enjoyment was making improvements on his home and yard in between golfing and fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Darla of Piedmont; one son, Chip Cook of St. Peters, Mo.; his mother, Blanche Cook of Grant, Neb.; one sister, Beverly and husband Larry Bachmann of International Falls, Minn., and Cathy and husband Dan Kruzek of Denver, who lived with them for several years; three nephews, Gregg and wife Tammy Bachmann of Indianola, Iowa, Doug and wife Tammy Bachmann of Des Moines, Iowa, and Kevin and wife Jane Bachmann of Basel, Switzerland; several aunts; one uncle; several grand nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Orie in 1989, and a sister, Alice Ann Cook in 1943.
A memorial has been established to the Hospice of the Northern Hills.
Following his request, his body was cremated and private inurnment services will be held at his beloved home in South Dakota.
Gladys Esther Pankonin
Gladys Esther Pankonin (wife of Grant, Neb., native Vernon Pankonin) was born on Jan. 30, 1942 in Manati, Puerto Rico. She was the oldest of four children born to Felix and Calixta Gines Cruz. She grew up in Puerto Rico and attended the University of Puerto Rico. She met Vernon while he was working in Puerto Rico and they were married in 1973.
Gladys and Vernon moved to Germany where they lived until 1979. Their sons Chris and Alex were born in Germany. In 1979 they returned to the United States and made their home in Springfield, Va. Gladys and Vernon had gone to Puerto Rico to visit her family when she died on Aug. 30, 2004 after a short illness. She had reached the age of 62.
She is survived by her husband, Vernon; two sons, Christopher and Alex; her parents; one sister Normi Cruz; two brothers, Josue Cruz and Peter Cruz; other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Oct. 1, 2004, at 11 a.m., at the Trinity Lutheran Church, north of Grant, with Pastor Wayne Pick officiating. Burial of cremains will be held in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Joseph C. Welsh, Jr.
Joseph C. Welsh, Jr., age 77 of Ogallala, Neb., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2004 at the Ogallala Community Hospital.
He was born Nov. 25, 1926 in Grainton, Neb., the son of Joseph Charles and Edith Nora (Sintek) Welsh. He graduated from the Grainton High School in 1944. Joe served in the United States Army during World War II. He married Nelda R. Mentzer on July 9, 1951 at Ericson, Neb.
Joe was a state brand inspector for 42 years before his retirement. Joe was a member of St. Luke's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 4979, the American Legion and the Optimist Club. He was a long time member of the Ogallala School Board and the Educational Service Unit 16 board of directors. He was a scorekeeper for the Ogallala football and basketball teams and a baseball scout for the Cincinnati Reds farm team. He also coached Ogallala American Legion baseball for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Nelda Welsh of Ogallala, Neb.; one daughter, Susan and husband Jim Collins of Idaho Falls, Idaho; two sons, Joseph C. "Chuck" Welsh III of North Platte, Neb., Douglas and wife Melonie Welsh of Omaha, Neb.; grandchildren Taylor and Joseph Collins, Katie and Meghan Welsh, Molly Morales; great-grandchildren Alek and Hallei Morales; sisters Rosie Walters of Elsie, Neb., Regina Teichert of North Platte, Neb., Monica and husband Bill Mas-sanet of Leaven-worth, Kan.; brothers-in-law, Howard and wife Marion Mentzer of St. Louis, Mo., John Woolley of Minneapolis, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Olga Welsh of Ashland, Ohio, Darlene Welsh of North Platte, Neb., Anne Welsh of Elsie, Neb., Caroline Mentzer of Ericson, Neb., and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Irene and Lois; and three brothers, Dale, Harry and Jim.
Rosary was recited on Thursday, Sept. 16, at the Gubser Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, Sept. 17, at St. Luke's Catholic Church with Father John Schlaf as celebrant.
Burial was held with military honors provided by the Ft. Riley Honor Guard at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery south of Maxwell.
A memorial has been established to the Ogallala Ambulance Squad or St. Luke's School in Joe's memory. Gubser Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Harold Rathjen
Rev. Harold John Rathjen died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004.
He was born Aug. 7, 1946 to Rev. Carl Rathjen and Dorthea Janke Rathjen. He spent most of his childhood in Twin Falls, Idaho.
He served as a linguist of Swahilia in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He graduated from Idaho State University as a certified public accountant. In 1992 he received his Master of Theology degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.
He was ordained at the dual parish of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amherst, Colo., and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Venango, Neb., on June 14, 1992. He served in these two congregations until 1999.
He served in Trinity Lutheran Church in Heber Springs, Ark., from May of 2000 to March of 2002. While he was in Heber Springs, he married Carol Rich on Sept. 15, 2001.
He was called by the dual parish of Our Savior Lutheran Church in El Dorado, Ark. and Faith Lutheran Church in Magnolia, Ark. in the fall of 2002. While serving here he held weekly devotions at the Hudson Senior Center in El Dorado and was a member of the Rotary Club of Magnolia, Ark.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, David and Norman Rathjen.
He is survived by wife Carol Baker Rathjen; sisters Carol Bracht and Linda Kopps; brothers Martin Rathjen and Dean Rathjen; step-mother Dorothy Rathjen, sister-in-law Shirley Rathjen; three stepchildren and their families, Michael and Trini Anderson, Douglas and Lisa Anderson and Katrina Anderson; grandchildren Maggie Anderson, who he baptized in June of 2003, Ryan Anderson and Wyatt Anderson.
A private interment will be held at a later date in Wisconsin.
Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church Altar Fund, 900 W. Faulkner, El Dorado, AR 71730 or to Faith Lutheran Church, 1700 Jackson, Magnolia, AR 71753.
Cards may be sent to Carol Rathjen, 5409 Oakwood Dr., El Dorado, AR 71734.
Keith L. Terwilliger
Keith L. Terwilliger of Aurora, Colo., born Nov. 21, 1923, passed away Sept. 1, 2004 at the age of 81.
He was a retired Metro Denver waste water supervisor.
He is survived by his wife Donna; one son, Colin Terwilliger; one daughter, Colene and husband Jim Ledbetter; two grandchildren, Stuart and James; and four brothers, Kenneth, Paul, Ronald and Leyndel Terwilliger.
Services were held on Sept. 7, at Olinger's Hampden Funeral Home. Interment was at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.
Mary Pelster
Mary Pelster was born on June 19, 1950 at North Platte, Neb. She was the youngest of two children born to Claytus and Dorothy Kennicutt Pelster. She grew up northeast of Elsie, Neb., where she attended grade school. She began high school in Elsie but was a member of the first graduating class of Wheatland High School in Madrid, Neb., in 1968.
Mary attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for two years before beginning her work with L.O.M.A.R.–a Lincoln based agency for helping the mentally handicapped. She moved to Alexandria, Va., where she later served as a courier. She returned to Fort Collins, Colo., in the late 1980s and worked different jobs. In 1992 she returned to her parent's farm north of Grainton, Neb., to help her father after her brother died. Mary had a passion for animals and eventually started her own cow herd. She had developed a malignancy this spring and had been in failing health when she died Tuesday evening, Sept. 7, 2004. She had reached the age of 54.
Mary was a member of the Elsie Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She also enjoyed bowling when the Elsie ladies had a team in the Grant league.
Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Larry.
She is survived by her parents, Clay and Dorothy of rural Grainton; aunts, uncles and many cousins and many other friends.
Vigil services were held Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Resurrection of Our Lord Church in Elsie.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Sept. 10 at the Mother of Sorrows Church in Grant, Neb., with Father Bill Grant officiating. Music was provided by Bob Cummings, Carol Kraus and the congregation.
Casket bearers were Bill Robertson, Greg Pelster, Pat Pelster, Melvin Kennicutt, Mike Pelster, Joe Pelster, Ed Sexton and Ron Kennicutt.
Interment was in the Elsie Cemetery.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lavona Mae McClintock
Lavona Mae McClintock was born on Sept. 3, 1923 at Holdrege, Neb. She was the oldest of two children born to Matthew and Ester Eliason Hawkinson. Lavona's mother died when she was a young girl and the family moved to Chase County where Lavona's grandmother helped take care of the family. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith as a young girl. Lavona attended elementary school in Lamar. The family moved to Morrill in 1939.
Lavona was married to Warren McClintock on Feb. 22, 1947 in Torrington, Wyo. They made their farm home south of Grainton, Neb., for 47 years before moving to North Platte, Neb., in 1994. She had been failing in health for the past several years but was able to remain at home with Warren's help. She had been transferred to the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte the end of August where she died on Wednesday night, Sept. 8, 2004. She had reached the age of 81 years.
In addition to her parents, Lavona was preceded in death by her brother, Wayne Hawkinson, one granddaughter, Michelle O'Brien and one great-grandson.
She is survived by her husband of over 57 years, Warren; one son, Duane and wife Sue of rural Grainton; three daughters, Ranae and husband Ron Doyle of Lees Summit, Mo., Jan and husband Mike O'Brien of Wallace, Neb., and Karma and husband Tony Dorn of Minden, Neb.; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sutherland, Neb., with Pastor Judy Gifford officiating. Music was provided by Bob Cummings and the Grace Lutheran Praise Band. Casket bearers were Aaron Kolbet, Gavin McClintock, Grant McClintock, Nathan Melton, Dale O'Brien, Matt O'Brien, Steve Sage and Scott Uehling.
Committal service and interment was in the Morningview Cemetery at Wallace.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Wendall William Adams
Wendall William Adams, M.D., 90, died Friday, April 7, 2006 at the Arizona Heart Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz.
He was born May 15, 1915 to William Henry and Sarah Jane (Shaw) Adams in Hast-ings, Neb.
Dr. Adams grad-uated from high school in Grant, Neb., in 1932, from Hastings College in 1936, and from Northwestern University Medical School in 1940.
He was married to Helene Burton Starr from 1939 until her death in 1985.
He served in the Navy Medical Corps as a Lieutenant, j.g., from 1944 to 1946.
He practiced obstetrics and gynecology in Cleveland, Ohio and was on the staff at St. Luke's and University Hospitals in Cleveland for 41 years.
He was an active member of The Church of The Master in Cleveland where he was a soloist in the choir. He was a member of numerous medical associations and a past President of the Cleveland Society of OB/GYN.
He married Lenla (Fletcher) Wiseman in Scottsdale, Ariz. on May 12, 1986.
After his retirement in 1987, he was a part-year resident of both Alliance, Neb., and Phoenix, and became an avid golfer. He was an active member in the United Methodist Church in Alliance and the Desert Foothills United Methodist Church in Phoenix, where he continued participating in both choirs until 2004.
He is survived by his wife Lenla Adams; sisters Theone Kent of Grant, Neb., and Evelyn and husband Gordon Tegnell of Chapel Hill, N. C.; children Dr. Susan Belz and husband Robert Hurwich of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Rinda and husband Daniel Beck of Glenview, Ill., and Dr. Wendall William and wife Nancy Adams, Jr. of Puyallup, Wash.; stepchildren Jane and husband Russell Lance of Phoenix, and Roy Wiseman of Scottsdale; grandchildren Robin Belz (Edward Alvarran), Peter (Laura) Belz, Christina and Allison Beck, Katherine and Lauren Adams, Grady and Kelcey Lance, and Rider Wiseman; great-grandchildren Andrew and Alexis Belz, and Caroline Alvarran Belz; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Helene, and his son Gary.
A celebration of life was held on Saturday, April 15 at Messinger Indian School Mortuary in Scottsdale.
A memorial service will be held in Grant, Neb., in August with interment in the Grant Fairview Cemetery.
Robert Swan
Robert Swan, 89, of rural Ogallala, Neb., died Sunday afternoon, April 23, 2006 at the Perkins County Community Hospital in Grant, Neb.
He is survived by his wife Delores; three daughters, Dr. Ruth and husband Dennis Demmel of rural Ogallala, Carol and husband Allen Salzmann of Wheatridge, Colo., and Mary and husband Mark Griffith of Parker, Colo.; two sons, Dr. Marvin and wife Marcia Swan of Grant, and David and wife Tracey Swan of Lincoln, Neb.; 16 grandchildren.
Funeral services for Robert Swan will be held on Wednesday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church north of Grant with Pastor Wayne Pick officiating. Burial will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A complete obituary will appear in next week's issue.
Parthenia Bell Owen Scheel
Parthenia "Pat" Bell Owen Scheel was born on Aug. 25, 1920 in Omaha. (She was the great-granddaughter of the famous pioneering homesteader, Daniel Freeman.)
Pat was the oldest of two daughters born to Bryan and Ida Mae Bell Owen. The family moved to Grant, Neb., when Pat was an infant and later moved to Scottsbluff, Neb., where she graduated from high school in 1938. Pat was married to Don Pearre in Grant in 1938.
Pat was a talented saxophonist who performed with her family band during the Great Depression and World War II.
In the 1930s, Pat gained fame as "Patty Owen" with a regular weekly radio show in Grant and Scottsbluff, Neb., where she played live music that was broadcast throughout the heartland.
Pat and her family moved to Glendale, Ariz., in 1950. During the summer months she travelled with her mother selling horse racing silks at race tracks including Ak-Sar-Ben, Centennial, Turf Paradise, as well as many others.
Pat also worked for the United States Postal Service and for Circle K stores. She worked hard all her life to overcome adversity, support her family and preserve her cherished independence.
Pat had developed pneumonia and had been failing in health when she died early Thursday morning, April 20, 2006 at the Hospice Family Care Center in Peoria, Ariz. She had reached the age of 85.
Feisty to the very end, Pat's keen sense of humor, her unvarnished opinions, stubborn independence, inspiring strength, and enduring love for her family will be dearly missed, She was a true original and her indomitable spirit lives on.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents and her infant sister, Loneta Mae Owen.
She is survived by two daughters, Patricia Kay Lopez of Edmond, Okla., and Linda Mae Parker of Phoenix; one son, William Bryan Pearre of Phoenix; nine grandchildren, Kathy Thorley, Kristy Lopez, Karen McWilliams, John P. Lopez, David Lopez, Cait Brennan Dee, Shilo Demoney, Shannon Sortino and Bryan Pearre; 15 great-grandchildren; her beloved Dalmatian, Odie; other friends and family including cousins Robert Brodbeck and Dorothy Wykert of Grant, Neb.
Committal services were held on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at Grant Cemetery with John Long officiating.
A memorial has been established to the Hospice Family Care foundation, 1550 S. Alma Road, suite 101, Mesa, AZ 85210.
George Edward Moore
George Edward Moore, age 72 of Ogallala, Neb., passed away Monday, April 10, 2006 at the Ogallala Community Hospital.
Ed was born to James Thomas and Eleanor Claire (Thorn) Moore on the family farm south of Mason City, Neb., on Oct. 27, 1933. Ed enjoyed his life on the family farm and graduated from Mason City High School in May of 1951. Ed taught one year of country school before entering military service, where he served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.
In August of 1955 he enrolled in Kearney State Teacher's College, where he met his bride of 48 years, Barbara Owens of Benkelman, Neb.
Ed graduated in May of 1959 and began a 34 year teaching career in Paxton Consolidated Schools. In August of 1964, Ed began teaching and coaching in Ogallala, where he enjoyed many years of encouraging his athletes to "beat someone!" He spent his last day enjoying his favorite pastime, working at a track meet.
"Coach Moore," as he is remembered by the many young people he touched during his career, continued to find pleasure in youth during his retirement.
His grandchildren were the light of his life and when they were not around, he adopted surrogate children at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers.)
Ed was also very active in the Big Mac Kiwanis Club and a sponsor of the Key Club at the Ogallala High School. He had also served for many years as a board member of the Mid Plains Community College in North Platte.
Ed never let retirement slow him down and he could often be seen walking along the same route where he used to send his runners. Ed was a devout Christian and was a member of St. Luke's Catholic Church for the past 42 years. On his final day he was in touch with his spirituality, by attending Mass in the morning and Lenten Bible study in the evening. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.
Survivors include: wife Barb of Ogallala; two sons, Tim Moore of Madrid, Neb., Pat and wife Erika Moore of Kearney, Neb.; two daughters, Lori Moore of Kearney,Julie and husband Pat Brown of Scottsbluff, Neb.; granddaughters, Brooke, Megan and Hannah Brown of Scottsbluff, Kaitlyn Moore and Emilee Moore of Kearney; grandsons, Samuel and Seth "Edward" Moore of Kearney; six brothers, Jim and wife Bonnie Moore of Albany, Ore., Bill and wife Rita Moore of Albany, Dennis and wife Joan Moore of Wahoo, Neb., Gary Moore and special friend Mary Fletcher of Mason City, Neb., Larry and wife Elaine Moore of Fremont, Neb., Dan Moore of Ansley, Neb.; three sisters, Mary and husband Clem Klimek of Ord, Neb., Judy and husband Bob Miller of Broken Bow, Neb., Joyce and husband Floyd Melcher of Madison, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Jack and an infant brother Joey; and two nephews, Paul and Anthony Moore.
Rosary was recited at St. Luke's Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 12.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, April 13 at St. Luke's Catholic Church with Father Bryan Ernest as celebrant.
Interment was in the Ogallala Cemetery where Ed will forever watch the kids run. Military honors were provided by the Keith County Veteran's Organizations.
A memorial has been established in his memory.
Gubser Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
