U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Richard Dittberner
Richard C. Dittberner, age 62, of Sidney, Iowa, formerly of Canton, S.D. and Imperial, Neb., died Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, S.D. unexpectedly while traveling.
Richard was born Aug. 24, 1944 in Sioux Falls, S.D. to Carl F. Dittberner and Mignon Blanche (Olsen) Dittberner.
On Feb. 25, 1994, he was married
to Gloria (Lyons) Zuck in Rock Port, Mo.
Richard worked for many years in the grain business managing grain elevators across the Midwest and was still active in consulting as well as farming.
He was a member of the Hamburg United Trinity Church, the Williams-Jobe-Gibson American Legion Post #128 of Sidney, Farm Bureau, Nebraska City Elks Lodge and the Nebraska City Eagles Club.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria Dittberner of Sidney, Iowa; two sons, Chad R. Dittberner and wife, Lori, of Louisville, Neb., their children, Morgan and Chase Dittberner and Jason Dittberner and wife, Misty, of Omaha, Neb.; step-daughters, Lyn Zuck of Riverton, Iowa and Natalie Zuck of Denver, Colo.; two brothers, Douglas Dittberner and wife, Pat, of Corpus Christi, Texas and Craig Dittberner and wife, Patty, of Canton, S.D.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 23, at the Hamburg United Trinity Church with Rev. Melvin Hurst officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the family's choice.
Interment was in the Sidney, Iowa cemetery with Military Graveside Rites by the Williams-Jobe-Gibson American Legion Post #128 of Sidney.
The Crawford-Marshall Funeral Chapel in Sidney, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.
Patsy Lee
Patsy Lee was born on June 4, 1937 in Anthon, Iowa. She was one of four girls born to Richard and Mary Hampton Courtney.
The family moved to southwest Nebraska when Patsy was a young girl. She attended school in Elsie, Neb., and graduated from Elsie High School in 1955. After her graduation she started working at TRW in Ogallala, Neb.
Patsy was married
to her high school sweetheart, Vincent Lee on Nov. 26, 1955. To this union, four children were born.
Vince and Patsy raised their family on their farm home south of Elsie. She committed to staying home with her children but sold "Beauty Counselor" makeup from her home and helped in the cafeteria at the Elsie School.
Patsy suffered a stroke four years ago and with help from family was able to stay home until November of 2006 when she moved to Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant, Neb.
She died at Golden Ours, peacefully in her sleep, early Monday morning, July 16, 2007. She had reached the age of 70.
Patsy served as 4-H leader for 25 years while her children were growing up. She served as a historian for the Elsie Catholic Church and the Grant Deanery, a group of Catholic Churches in southwest Nebraska. She belonged to the Blanche Community Card Club for many years. She often sent cards of encouragement to her many friends.
In 2003 Patsy and Vince were selected to serve as the grand marshals for the Perkins County Fair parade. Her greatest love was for her family. She attended all the activities that her children and grandchildren participated in and was always carrying her camera to get pictures for their scrapbooks. She was an excellent cook and was a baking specialist. She made all the cakes for her children's weddings and her grandchildren's birthdays. Her granddaughters especially enjoyed her "doll" birthday cakes.
Patsy was preceded in death by her parents and one grandson, Jarod Lee.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Vince; three sons, Dan and wife Patti Lee of Elsie; Mike and wife Karla and Brad and wife Ellen all of Glenrock, Wyo.; one daughter, Susie and husband Mickey Long of Hayes Center, Neb., 11 grandsons, Justin Loeffler, Casey, Mitch, Kevin, Jason, Tyler, Ryan Adam and Kyle Lee; Waylon and Cody Long; five granddaughters, Jennifer Loeffler, Tara, Courtney and Michelle Lee and Linda Long; two great-granddaughters, Ada Lee and Isabelle Loeffler; three sisters, Joan and husband Fritz Duggan of Grover, Colo.; Diane Smith of Denver; and Connie Wilson of Lakewood, Colo.; many other relatives and friends.
Rosary was held Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at Elsie Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at Grant Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Elsie with Father Mark Pfeiffer as celebrant.
Music was by Connie Cohen and Lori McCloskey.
Casketbearers were Patsy's grandchildren.
Honorary escorts were Glen Stanek, Larry Comer, Ken Potts, John Lee, George Lee, Jim Lee and Fritz Duggan.
Interment was in the Grant Cemetery.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Merle E. Kirkpatrick
Merle Edward Kirkpatrick was born on Jan. 25, 1923, in Franklin, Neb., to Newton and Cassie (Coakley) Kirkpatrick. Although born in Franklin, as a result of an early arrival, he spent most of his early life in Imperial.
He moved with his family to Seattle, Wash. and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1943. Merle was inducted in the U.S. Army on June 14, 1943 and served during WWII. His service included tours in New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon.
Merle was discharged Jan. 13, 1946 and began working with his father in the roofing and real estate business located in Colorado. While in Colorado he married
and had three daughters: Kathy, Merlena and Cheryl.
Later in life Merle returned to Imperial to be with his father. Both Merle and his father (Newt) considered Imperial home.
Merle passed away Saturday morning, July 7, 2007, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home. He was 84 years of age.
Merle was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers: Bob, Roger, Howard and Harold.
He is survived by his daughters: Kathy Roberts and husband, Bob, of Pueblo West, Colo., Merlena Collins of Sykesville, Pa. and Cheryl Honour of Canaan, Conn.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Eva Oehlerich of Ellensburg, Wash.; many nieces and nephews.
Graveside inurnment services were held Thursday, July 11, 2007 at Mount Hope cemetery with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
A memorial has been established in Merle's memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Bill Pribbeno
Bill Pribbeno, longtime resident of Imperial, passed away early Tuesday morning, July 17, 2007, in York, Neb. He was 79 years of age.
Survivors include wife, Babette, of York, Neb.; daughter, Susan Renken and husband, Michael, of York, Neb.; son, Jeff and wife, Connie, of Imperial, Neb.; daughter, Loretta Swanson, and husband, David, of North Platte, Neb.; daughter, Dolly Parker, and husband, Clay, of Stillwater, Minn.; 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Friday morning, July 20, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Imperial with Melody Newman officiating.
Private family interment will be held before services at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
Visitation will be today, Thursday afternoon, July 19, 2007, from 2-6 p.m. at the funeral home. The casket will not be present at services.
A memorial has been established to the Imperial Rotary Club and to the Chase County High School's music department c/o of Chase County Schools.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Russell Fanning
Russell O. Fanning of Wauneta died July 13, 2007 in Wauneta.
Funeral services were Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Wauneta with Rev. Kay Alnor officiating.
Organist was Mrs. Diana Ham and soloist was Mrs. Dawn Doetker.
Casketbearers were Garret Zohner, Mark Ritterbush, Robert Nock, Bradley Mangham, Dave Hamilton and Bob Hamilton.
Interment was at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Pamela Neville
Pamela Sue Neville age 47, of York died Thursday, July 12, 2007 at York.
She was born March 4, 1960 at York to Leon and Sue (Thompsen) Svoboda.
On Aug. 11, 1979 Pam was married
to Nicholas Conrad in York. He died on May 29, 1993. To that union one child, Josh, was born.
On July 8, 1994 she was united in marriage to Thomas Neville at York and to that union two children, Evan and Samantha, were born.
Pam worked at several places over the years including her current position at the Cornerstone Bank in York. Prior to that she worked at the Hearthstone, McCool Fertilizer, The York County Court House, Sahling Trucking and the McCool Post Office.
She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in York. She was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters, St. Joseph's Altar Society and St. Joseph's School Board.
Pam enjoyed sewing, baking and all sporting events. She enjoyed being a farm wife and loved driving the combine. Her greatest joy was her children and grandchildren. Pam was a very spiritual person and a natural caregiver. All who knew her will miss her.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Tom, and their children, Evan and Samantha of York, son, Josh Conrad, and his wife Jenny of York; grandchildren, Keeley, Nicholas and Emory Conrad of York; parents, Leon and Sue Svoboda of York; sister, Kelly, and her husband, Brad Brooke, of Benedict, Neb.; brother, John Svoboda, and his wife, Sharon, of Lincoln; sister, Kathy, and her husband, Gayle Vrbas, of Imperial, Neb. Also surviving are many relatives including Mildred Thompsen of Lincoln and other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of special friends.
Preceding her in death are her first husband, grandparents and sister-in-law, Marla (Rediger) Svoboda.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 14, 2007 at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in York with Father Mark Tasler officiating.
A Rosary was said at the church on Friday at 7 p.m.
Interment was at St. Joseph's Catholic cemetery in York.
Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. Condolences can be sent to the family online at metz@metzmortuary.com.
Metz Mortuary, York was in charge of arrangements.
Arpha B. Thomas
Arpha Beulah Thomas was born Aug. 7, 1912, to Henry C. and Clara E. (Tiechmeier) Clausen in the township of Rockville, in Sherman County, Neb.
She grew up in the Boelus, Neb. community, living with her grandmother, Mary (Reif) Clausen much of her youth. Arpha graduated from Boelus High School in 1932 and attended Kearney State Teachers College.
She then married
Ernest F. Hemmerling Nov. 13, 1933. They lived in the Beaver City, Wood River and Grand Island areas until Ernest's death in 1940.
On April 15, 1941, Arpha married
Jesse Jewell Thomas and the couple traveled many years with his and her careers, living temporarily in Kentucky, his home state and other parts of the USA. In the 1950's Arpha and Jewell made Oklahoma City, Okla., their home where they remained until Jewell's death in 1968.
Arpha spent many of her years living out of a suitcase, as she traveled as a beauty consultant for Estee' Lauder. She personally knew Estee' and started with the company when Estee' began her cosmetic line in the 1960's. When Arpha traveled, to pass her time she carried a phortable Singer sewing machine and designed and produced garments, which she modeled and patented. Arpha was a very artistic lady and enjoyed painting and drawing. She loved to play the piano when she was able, garden and to cook. She also took great pride in decorating her home. She was very sharp witted and provided many with laughs.
Arpha moved to Imperial, Neb. in September of 2005, living at the Imperial Heights or six months and then moving to the Imperial Manor Nursing Home for the last 16 months.
She passed away Thursday morning, July 5, 2007, just one month short of her 95th birthday.
Arpha was baptized at the Ebenezer Church north of Boelus and in recent months had enjoyed the Zion Lutheran services at the Imperial Manor and visits from Pastor Kahle.
Preceding Arpha in death were her parents, her husbands, her sister, Leona, and a brother, Rupert.
Survivors include a brother, Oliver Clausen of Boelus; nieces, Bonnie Moritz of Imperial and Judy Nelson of Valley Center, Calif.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 10:30 a.m. at the regular Zion Lutheran services at the Imperial Manor with Pastor David Kahle officiating.
Graveside inurnment at the Ebenezer cemetery near Boelus will be held at a later date.
