U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Wilmer 'Mac' McConnell
Wilmer (Mac) Ray McConnell was born in Woodruff, Kan. on July 22, 1918, to Ray and May McConnell. The family moved to Imperial when Mac was young.
Mac graduated from Imperial High School in 1936. During his high school years he participated in football, basketball, track and baseball. Following high school, he worked at Einspahr Drug Store until marrying Reta Lucille Hall on June 18, 1939.
Their daughter, Judith Ann was born in Imperial on May 17, 1941 and Mac continued to work at Einspahr's until entering the US Army in 1944. He served in the Philippines receiving the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Libertine Ribbon with two bronze stars and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in February 1946.
Upon his return to Imperial, he took a position with Leach Chevrolet garage as the Parts Manager.
On June 27, 1947, Mac Hall joined the McConnell family.
Mac started as a postal clerk in 1952. Three years later he was appointed Postmaster and continued in that position for 26 years until his retirement in 1978.
Mac and Reta enjoyed their years in Imperial and loved golf, fishing, cards, entertaining friends in their home and most of all their family. The warm weather of Arizona beckoned and Mac and Reta started spending their winters in Mesa. Their circle of friends grew larger with the addition of their new snowbird acquaintances.
After Reta's passing in 1999, Mac continued to split his time between Imperial and Mesa.
Mac is survived by daughter, Judy, and Arnie Vitosh of Odell, Neb.; son, Mac, and Kathy McConnell of Elkhorn, Neb.; granddaughters, Angie (McConnell), and Ryan Ballinger of Edena, Minn., Jennifer (Vitosh) and Chad Warren of Odell, Neb., Alyson (Vitosh) and Scott Petersen of Fairbury; grandson, Aaron and Karen McConnell of Overland Park, Kan.; and honorary granddaughter, Cathy Reich. Also surviving are great grandchildren, Bryston and Zachary Warren; Dalton and Alyse Petersen; Lindsey and Riley Ballinger. Additional survivors include sisters, Florine Travis and Enid Holscher and brothers, Gwen and Larry McConnell.
Mac was preceded in death by wife, Reta; parents, Ray and May McConnell; brothers, Don and Lauren and brothers-in-law, Dean Holscher and Les Travis.
Mac was a member of the American Legion and VFW, served as volunteer fireman for 19 years, a charter member of Imperial Rotary Club and a member of the McCook Elks Club.
Memorial services for Mac were held Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006, 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Imperial, Neb. with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Inurnment was held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial, Neb.
Military rites were by VFW Post #4688, American Legion Post #292, Imperial, Neb.
Memorials should be directed to Adams Bank and Trust in Imperial, Neb.
His memory will live on forever with his family and all his golfing buddies.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Justus J. 'Bud' Brinkema
Justus J. "Bud" Brinkema, age 82, of St. Petersburg, Fla., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006, at Golfview Healthcare Center in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Bud was born July 6, 1924 at Hastings, Neb., to Justus J. and Erma (Gardner) Brinkema.
Bud grew up and attended school in Hastings. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. After the war, he lived in North Platte and Imperial, Neb. for a short time.
He was in retail business at Davies Department Store in Atlanta, Ga., for several years.
The past 25 years, he has lived in the Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla., area, most of this time as a retail manager and buyer for men's clothing at Lord and Taylor. He also managed several men's clothing stores.
Bud enjoyed the value of little things in life-flowers, trees, sunrise and sunset, adding this is all free and you can enjoy it daily. Take your time and enjoy them, smile and laugh-it doesn't cost anything. Those who loved him know that gentleness, humor and love were at the heart of who he was.
He is survived by a brother, Paul G. Brinkema of Omaha, Neb.; step-brother, Doyle Knapp and wife, Bettie of Imperial; a niece, Jane Crawford of Imperial, Neb.; great-niece, Denise and husband, Jamie Gibb, also of Imperial, Neb.; great-niece Paula and husband, Mark Scheil of Giltner, Neb.; four great, great nephews and nieces, Trevor and Grace Alizabeth Scheil and Dylan and Jordan Gibb. Also, a very special friend, Judy Weitekamp of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Graveside service and interment will be Friday, Sept. 22, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. at Fort McPherson National cemetery in Maxwell, Neb. with Pastor Jim Hawley of the Presbyterian Church in North Platte officiating the memorial service.
Memorials may be made to: Golfview Healthcare Center, St. Petersburg Hospital Foundation, of Florida Sun Coast c/o Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes, 2201 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Street North, St. Petersburg, Fla. 33704.
Vernell Meinte
Vernell Kenneth Meinte, 80, of Holyoke, Colo., died Sept. 13, 2006 in North Platte, Neb. He was born Nov. 5, 1925, in Blue Hill, Neb. to Martin Meinte and Hattie Krueger Meinte.
He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill. Meinte was raised on a farm near Blue Hill and moved to Colorado when he was 16.
Meinte enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Nov., 4, 1943, and served in Okinawa and occupied Japan during WWII. He returned to Amherst, Colo. in April of 1946.
On Aug. 24, 1947, Vernell married
Dorothy Nierman at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amherst. They had three children, Myron, Michele and Malinda, and adopted a daughter, Roxanne.
Meinte became manager of the Amherst Coop Oil Co. in 1947 and served in that position for 27 years. In 1974 he became manager of the Amherst Coop Elevator Inc.-Lamar Branch. Upon retirement he volunteered at the Julesburg Welcome Center.
He enjoyed baseball, softball, bowling, hunting, fishing, camping and golfing. He and Dorothy belonged to many card clubs and enjoyed socializing with many friends. All of these activities were especially enjoyed when shared with family and friends.
He was a charter member of the Amherst Fire Department and served as the captain of the State Championship Racing team.
Meinte was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday school teacher, elder and trustee. He served on the Holyoke Re-1J school board, Community Federal Credit Union Board and was an active member of VFW Post #6482 and American Legion Post #90. Meinte was proud to receive his high school diploma through the Veterans' Honorary Diploma Program in 2003.
Meinte is survived by his wife, Dorothy; son, Myron, and his wife, Margie, of Houston, Texas; daughters, Michele Yowell, and husband, Bruce, of Strasburg, Malinda Paloucek and husband, Jim, of North Platte, Neb. and Roxanne Dinsmore and husband, Harvey, of Lincoln City, Ore.; grandchildren Kim and Mat Meinte of Houston, Andrew and Alex Yowell of Strasburg and Katie, Erin, Dylan and Jackie Paloucek of North Platte; and great-granddaughter Brianna Meinte of Houston.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Keith Meinte.
Funeral services were held Monday, Sept. 18, 2006 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amherst, with Pastor Al Borcher officiating.
Internment followed at Amherst Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Northeast Zone LLL Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Amherst, Colo. 80721 or American Cancer Society/Relay for Life/Phillips County, 106 S. Interocean, Holyoke, Colo. 80734.
Arrangements were entrusted to Gerk Funeral Home of Holyoke.
W.R. 'Mac' McConnell
W.R. 'Mac' McConnell, 88, longtime resident of Imperial, passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2006, at his home.
Survivors include son, Mac and wife, Kathryn, of Elkhorn, Neb.; daughter, Judy Vitosh and husband, Arnold, of Odell, Neb.; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; brothers, Larry and wife, Betty, of Ft. Worth, Texas and Gwen of Goodyear, Ariz.; sisters, Enid Holscher of Louisville, Ky. and Florine Travis of Wichita, Kan.
Memorial services for Mac McConnell will be held Saturday afternoon, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Imperial with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Private inurnment services will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial, before memorial services.
A memorial has been established in Mac's memory.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Duane J. Thiem
Duane J. Thiem, age 76, of Columbus died Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006 at the Columbus Community Hospital.
Duane J. Thiem was born April 18, 1930 in Petersburg, Neb. to John and Mary (Loeffler) Thiem. He grew up in the Petersburg area where he received his education.
He served in the United States Army from 1948-1952 during the Korean War.
He married
Ann Foss March 2, 1954. They lived in Loretto, Petersburg, St. Edward, Imperial area, Albion, returned to Petersburg and moved to Columbus in 1991.
Ann died in 1990.
On Oct. 25, 1991 Duane married
Mary Staroscik-Kinzer. They continued to live in Columbus.
Duane worked as an electrician for Lindsay Manufacturing. He traveled to Saudia Arabia, Canada, Brazil and South Africa on work related trips.
Duane was a member of St. Isidore Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, VFW Post #3704, Fraternal Order Eagles Aerie #1834 and Christian Encounter Christ. He was an avid musician, having played with many groups and bands over the years. He also volunteered his musical talents to many area nursing home and hospitals.
He is preceded in death by parents, John and Mary Thiem; infant son, Steven Duane Thiem; sister, Clara Becklun; brother, Gerald Thiem; brother, Raymond Thiem; brother, Vincent Thiem; sister, Delores Thieman; sister, Lucille Thieman; and first wife, Ann Thiem.
He is survived by wife, Mary Thiem of Columbus, Neb.; daughter, Frances Kleffner of Lincoln, Neb.; son, John (Donna) Thiem of Columbus, Neb.; daughter, Joan (Mark) Bomark of Cheyenne, Wyo.; son, Steve (Tammi) Thiem of Genoa, Neb.; daughter, Patti (Todd) Finkral of Columbus, Neb.; daughter, Christine (Byron) Casper of Denver, Colo.; son, Mike (Chyla) Thiem of Norfolk, Neb.; step-daughter, Marilyn (Steve) Woerth of Brownville, Neb.; step-son, Ed (Teri) Kinzer of Columbus, Neb.; step-daughter, Kathy (Clark) Wilke of Osmond, Neb.; step-son Chuck (Deborah) Kinzer of Papillion, Neb.; step-daughter, Patti (Todd) Stuthman of Columbus, Neb.; step-daughter, Joni (Joe) Moore of Columbus, Neb.; 37 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at 10 a.m. at St. Isidore Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Miksch officiating.
Visitation begins on Thursday after 5 p.m. at St. Isidore Church with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. Thursday, also at the church. Visitation continues Friday morning from 9-10 a.m. at St. Isidore Church.
Interment with military honors will be in St. John's cemetery in Petersubrg, Neb.
McKown Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lee Wamke
Lee Robert Wamke of Fort Collins, Colo., died Sept. 5, 2006, in hospice care at Centre Avenue Health and Rehab Facility with his wife and daughters at his side.
Born Jan. 11, 1920, to Charles and Clara (Golz) Wamke in Beaver Crossing, Neb., he graduated from high school in 1937. He was employed by Gates Rubber in Denver, Colo. in 1939 before his service in WWII.
He married
Nadine Wine of Nebraska in 1947, graduating from Colorado A&M; with a forestry degree in 1951.
After living briefly in Nebraska, the family relocated to Denver where he was employed by Green Bowers Nursery. During that time, he planted many of the island trees found throughout Denver today.
In 1959, he moved the family to Illinois to take a position at D. Hill Nursery in Dundee. While there, he and a co-worker were responsible for developing a method to winterize plants, a technique now universally employed.
His beloved Nadine died in 1964, and he began raising his three daughters alone.
In 1967, he married
his new love Ruby Mae Koehnke of Elgin, Ill. and they resided in Elgin until Ruby's retirement in 1986, at which time they made a new home in Fort Collins, Colo.
At the time of his death, they had been married
39 years, and she cared for him with profound tenderness, love and devotion throughout illness, throughout their marriage.
Lee held most dearly his family and his religious faith, nurtured by his membership in the Church of the Brethren (Prince of Peace, Denver; Highland Avenue, Elgin, Ill.; and Northern Colorado, Windsor). He shared with his grandchildren the importance of enjoying "the value of little things in life-flowers, trees, sunrise and sunset," adding, "this is all free, and you can enjoy it daily. Take your time and enjoy them. Smile and laugh-it doesn't cost anything." Those who loved him know that gentleness, humor and love were at the heart of who he was.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby; his sister, Helen (Wamke) Dull; daughters, Dianne and her husband Roger Perry, Jean and her husband Will Kay and Andrea Wamke and her husband Geoff Brumbaught; four grandchildren, Michael Chenoweth and his wife, Danielle; Jonathan Chenoweth and his fiancee Elizabeth Price; Noah Wamke; and Alana Wamke.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Nadine; brothers Elmer, Clarence and William and sister Verna (Wamke) White.
Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at Northern Colorado Church of the Brethren, Windsor, Colo.
Memorial contributions may be made to Larimer County Hospice and to Northern Colorado Church of the Brethren, c/o Resthaven, 8426 S. Highway 287, Fort Collins, Colo. 80525.
Lorean Anderson
Lorean Anderson, 82, of Wauneta, Neb. passed away Monday, Sept. 4, 2006 at Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home.
Survivors include daughters, Elaine Roschewski of Palisade, Judy Morris of Imperial and Debbie Andrew and husband, Charlie, of Wauneta; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held today, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006, at 10 a.m. at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta with Pastor Greg Struckwisch officiating.
Inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta.
No visitation will be held, she was cremated.
A memorial has been established in her memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was is in charge of arrangements.
