U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Dirk Stinnette
Dirk A. Stinnette, a resident of Colorado Springs, Colo., since 1982, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007.
He was born on Sept. 6, 1959 in Imperial, Neb., to Verl and Mary Ann Stinnette.
Dirk was a 1978 graduate of Chase County High School and he was launched into his surveying career by his uncle, Jerry Weiss.
He worked with the Colorado Springs Utilities as a surveyor for 14 years.
Dirk is survived by his wife, Diane; his son, Dillon; mother, Mary Ann Stinnette, of Imperial; sister, Cindy, and husband, Nelson Michaud, of Opelika, Ala.; sister, Sondra, and husband, Jon Smith, of Boise, Idaho; sister, Pam, and husband, David Real, of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; sister, Kris, and husband, Allen Vowell, of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; sister, Wendy, and husband, Jeff Skeels, of Grant, Neb.; and brother, Jeff, and wife, Kristi Stinnette, of Lincoln, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his father, Verl Stinnette.
Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 23, 2007 at St. Joe's Church in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Clyde 'Dennis' Grimes
Clyde Dennis Grimes was born Jan. 2, 1921, at Best, Neb., in southwest Chase County, Neb., to Clyde R. and Mary I. (Taylor) Grimes.
As a youngster he attended rural grade school and graduated from Chase County High School in 1939.
Dennis, as he was known, was inducted in the U.S. Army on July 31, 1942 and served in Europe during WWII. Dennis was discharged in March of 1946 and returned to the Imperial area.
In 1948, he was united in marriage to Lorene E. Brown at Benkelman, Neb., and the couple settled in Champion, Neb. Dennis and Lorene owned and operated several restaurants in the area including the Imperial Bakery and Cafe and the Champ Inn. He was also employed as a truck driver for some time.
Dennis passed away Thursday morning, Feb. 15, 2007, at the Chase County Community Hospital, Imperial, Neb. He was 86 years of age.
Dennis had many hobbies including hunting and fishing.
Survivors include: sons, Thomas and wife, Linda, of Ft. Morgan, Colo., Gary and wife, Vicki, of Wauneta; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Capitola Kelly of Imperial, Lila Welch of Dallas, Texas, Marie Green of Ft. Morgan, Colo.; brothers, Bob Grimes and wife, Peggy, of Simla, Colo., Eldon Grimes and wife, Shirley, of Greeley, Colo.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Buck.
Graveside inurnment services were held Monday afternoon, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m. at Green Lawn Cemetery, Lamar, Neb., with Rev. Francis Baker officiating.
Military Rites were provided by the VFW and American Legion Posts of Imperial.
A memorial has been established in Dennis's memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Berniece Teply
Berniece Fontella Teply died Feb. 17, 2007 at Imperial, Neb.
Rosary was held Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Imperial.
Funeral Mass was Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Seiker celebrating.
Interment followed at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lester Woodworth
Lester Melvin Woodworth was born Sept. 22, 1929, to Melvin and Macie Woodworth at Loretta, Neb.
As a small boy, he moved with his family to a farm north of Imperial, Neb.
When he was about five years old, a horse kicked a steel wheel gate down and hit him. He had 40 stitches from his eyes to the back of his head. He couldn't see for over two weeks. The family had no car, and his dad rode a horse back to the neighbors to come and take him to the hospital. They were very worried that he would not live.
Lester attended a country school and many days, they had to walk four miles or they rode a horse - four kids on one horse. The story goes: as they entered the schoolyard, the old horse would always make a sharp turn and they all fell off.
Lester worked at the Chevrolet Garage in Imperial and later on the State Highway Department. In 1950, he married
Barbara J. Erlewine of Grant, Neb. To this union, five children were born: Janice Marie in 1953; Lester Leon in 1955; Teresa Ann in 1958; Irma Jean in 1964; and Gary Wayne in 1971.
Lester entered the Navy in November 1951 and was discharged in 1955. He spent 18 months aboard a transport ship and the rest of the time in San Diego at the Fleet Center. There, he transported the Captain and other officers across the bay. Lester ran a large captain's boat. Leon was born at the naval hospital in San Diego.
After Lester was discharged, he worked for Pacific Power and Light Company on the coast. In 1957, the family moved to Belle Fourche, S.D. In 1958, they moved to a ranch at Arpan, S.D. Then the family purchased a ranch at Glendive, and sold the ranch in 1994 and moved to Shepherd and purchased a small retirement place.
Ranching was Lester's life. He loved it very much, and his biggest love was for horses. He rode and trained horses every day. Lester loved to team rope.
Lester served on the State High School Rodeo Board for 10 years. Over those years, he helped many boys and girls with their roping or just helped them get started. He was always so proud of his kids when they rodeoed. Whether they won or not, he was always there for them, and many times you would hear him telling someone how his kids used to ride and rope, and often telling what horse they were riding.
He has two grandsons who are beginning to be future little cowboys, and I'm sure his eyes will light up as sees them ride. He had started teaching Garth and Garrett both how to ride and rope, and they both think their grandpa was very special.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; children Janice, Leon, Theresa (John) Madson, Irma (Kelly) Meland and Gary; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, sisters, nieces and nephews.
Services were held at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at Smith Downtown Chapel in Montana.
Interment followed at Shepherd Cemetery, with military rites.
Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Donald Cox
Donald Cox, age 85, passed away Sunday evening, Feb. 18, 2007, at the Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home, Wauneta, Neb.
Survivors include: son, Jerry Cox of Parks, Neb.; granddaughter, Kristi Bernhardt and husband, Kurt, of Lamar, Neb.; grandson, Tom Cox and wife, Cindy, of Phoenix, Ariz.; four great-grandchildren, Preston, Alexa, Austin and Ryan; sister-in-law, June Cox, of Wauneta, Neb.
Funeral services for Donald Cox will be Friday, Feb. 23, 10:30 a.m. at the Crossroads Wesleyan Church with Daniel Marshall officiating.
Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
Visitation will be held today, Thursday afternoon, 2-6 p.m. at the funeral home.
A memorial has been established to our local Ike's Chapter and the Imperial VFW.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Evelyn Chambers
Evelyn Jacks was born in Imperial on Dec. 14, 1912, to Seig and Maude Jacks. She passed from this life suddenly on Jan. 18, 2007, at the age of 94, at her retirement home in El Cajon, Calif.
She was raised in Imperial and graduated from Chase County High School in 1930. (I believe she was the last surviving member of her graduating class.)
In the early '30s Evelyn moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., where her Aunt Wilma (Boardman) lived. During the three years she lived there, she attended and graduated from Santa Barbara Business College and got a job as a legal secretary. She then returned to Imperial to help her mother, whose entire day was spent giving piano lessons.
Evelyn was an accomplished pianist, playing for services at the Methodist church at a very young age and playing accompaniment for many vocalists over the years. Evelyn was also a voracious reader. As long as she had a good book, she had a friend.
In 1931 Paul Chambers came to Imperial to start the music program at Chase County High School. Evelyn took piano lessons from him for a couple of months until Paul said he could not teach her anything else. They became good friends and eventually married
on May 22, 1939. They were able to have 42 years of marriage before Paul's death in 1981.
Around 1941 Evelyn and Paul left Imperial bound for a new teaching assignment in Coolidge, Ariz. It was during that time that their only child, Paula, was born.
In the summer of 1942 Evelyn, Paul, and Paula moved to San Diego, Calif., where Paul worked in the aircraft industry and Evelyn settled in to being a housewife and mother. Music continued to be a most important part of their life, having both a Hammond organ and piano in their home. They lived in San Diego until Paula's marriage in 1963 at which time Paul and Evelyn moved to Pomona, Calif., (east of Los Angeles), where Paul had accepted a job offer. It was after Paul's death in 1981 that Evelyn moved back to the San Diego area to be near Paula and her family.
Survivors include daughter, Paula (Chambers) Rainey; son-in-law, Dwight Rainey; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; brother, Bob Jacks; and brother, Everett Jacks.
She was laid to rest next to her husband at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego on Jan. 29, 2007, following a memorial Mass at St. Kieran's Catholic Church in El Cajon, California.
Loyis Gibson
Jill Bauerle received word of the sudden death of her father, Loyis Gibson, of Beresford, S.D., on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
Eula M. Briggs
Eula Marie Briggs was born April 5, 1925, at Imperial, Neb., to William E. and Nellie M. (Edwards) Makinster.
As a young girl she attended grade school in Lamar and high school in Imperial, graduating in 1942. She continued her education by attending business school in Hastings, Neb. for several years.
Eula married
Charles Briggs on July 31, 1945, in McCook, Neb. and the couple settled in Tacoma, Wash., for a short time while Charles worked in the ship yards. They then returned to the Lamar, Neb. area.
In 1956, the couple moved to a farm on the Perkins County line, where they made their home until retirement in 1986.
Eula and Charles retired in Imperial which was their home till present.
Eula enjoyed years of employment with the Perkins County Attorney, Fritz Wanek. In the late 1970s she began working in the Grant, Neb. ASCS office and continued until retirement.
Eula passed away Thursday evening, Feb. 8, 2007, at the Chase County Community Hospital. She was 81 years of age.
Eula had many hobbies including reading, needlework, playing cards and traveling when her health allowed. Eula was a member of the United Methodist Church of Imperial and served with the United Methodist Women. Eula's favorite project in later years was the Imperial Public Library and its expansion.
Survivors include daughter, Cheri Newkirk, and husband, Jerry, of Imperial, Neb.; son, Dan Briggs, and wife, Shari, of Imperial, Neb.; daughter, Billie Schrotberger and special friend, Jeff Muehlenkamp, of Wauneta, Neb.; eight grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; sisters, Margie Gladue, and husband, Duane, of Imperial, Neb. and Shirley Tallman, and husband, Sid, of Pawnee City, Neb.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles; grandson, Tony Newkirk; great grandson, Kasey Josjer; and brother, Bob Makinster.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, 10:30 a.m. at the Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Imperial, Neb. with Pastor Todd Burpo officiating.
Pianist was Mrs. Gloria Marshall and soloist Mr. Rod Beemer.
Casketbearers were Shane Briggs, Chod Briggs, Justin Schrotberger, Jacob Schrotberger, Telly Briggs, Courtney Schrotberger and Cody Schrotberger.
Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
A memorial to the Imperial Public Library has been established.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Rose Krajewski
Rose Krajewski was born on April 20, 1919, in a farm house near Fullerton, Neb. She was the fourth of seven children born to Joseph and Anna Kiolbasa Kumor.
The family moved to Perkins County in 1920 and made their home on a farm northwest of Brandon, Neb.
She started grade school at age four since she already could read and write in English and Polish.
Rose attended District No. 84 north of Brandon and completed her elementary requirements in five years.
She stayed out of high school for a few years because of her age before attending Perkins County High School in Grant, Neb. She graduated with the class of 1937.
Rose was married
to Gerald Krajewski on April 2, 1940 in Grant. They lived on a farm in Keith County until 1943 when they moved to their farm home southwest of Brandon. They lived on the farm until 1984 when they retired and moved into Grant.
Gerald died in 1989 and Rose continued to maintain her home until 2005 when she moved to the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala, Neb.
Rose died at Indian Hills on Saturday night, Feb. 10, 2007. She had reached the age of 87.
She was an active member of the Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church and the Altar Society. At the time of her death she was the last remaining charter member of the church.
Rose belonged to the W.I.F.E. farm organization and was a lifelong member in the Perkins County Extension Club system. She was a creative person. Scrap booking and wreath making were some of the ways she expressed her creativity.
She loved to garden and raise flowers, but the wellbeing of her family was the main focus in her life. As the years progressed, Rose remained very interested in politics and world events.
She supported her children in their endeavors and was always a great source of encouragement to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to follow their dreams. Rose stressed learning and zest for life and as a result her grandchildren have taken wing and scattered throughout the world, taking her legacy with them.
In addition to her parents and husband, Rose was preceded in death by one sister, Sister Mary Casimir and one brother, Dan Kumor.
Rose is survived by two sons, Edwin and his wife LaVonna and Joe and his wife Jody Krajewski, all of rural Grant; five daughters, Mary Ellen and her husband Andy Krajewski of Lexington, Neb, Phyllis and her husband Larry Holscher of Ogallala, Joyce and her husband Dwight Beckman of Venango, Neb., Ruth and her husband Lonnie Saltz of Enders, Neb., and Geraldine and her husband Larry Hobbs of Sacramento, Calif.; 22 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Josephine Foy of Otis, Colo., and Victoria Kumor of Grant; two brothers, Frank and his wife Arlene Kumor of North Platte, Neb., and Leon and his wife Charlotte Kumor of Grant; two sisters-in-law Eileen Strong of Mesa, Ariz., and Sancy Krajewski of Ogallala; one brother-in-law, Milford Krajewski of Ogallala; and other relatives and friends.
The Vigil Service is set for Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m., at the Grant Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 (today) at 10 a.m. at the Mother of Sorrows Church with Father Bill Grant as celebrant. Music will be provided by Connie Cohen, Tara Krajewski and the congregation.
Casketbearers are Chuck Krajewski, Terry Krajewski, John Krajewski, Brad Krajewski, Nick Holscher, Zane Holscher, Aaron Beckman and Josh Saltz. Burial will be in the Grant Cemetery.
A memorial has been established. Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
