U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Helen Lorance
Helen Beatrice (Tatum) Lorance died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006 at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Neb. at the age of 101.
She was born Aug. 31, 1904 at Waverly, Neb. to Joseph Earl and Lena Leota (Hughes) Tatum, and attended school in Waverly before moving with her family at the age of 14, to her family's farm south of Madrid, Neb.
After a short time, Helen moved with her family to a farm south of Wauneta, Neb. It was near here, at a local barn dance, that she met her future husband, Willis Lorance. They were united in marriage on Aug. 18, 1926, and to this union that would last more than 63 years, a daughter, Norma was born.
Helen and Willis lived on their farm 10 miles northwest of Stratton all of their married
lives. Being a homemaker and a farmwife was something Helen was very proud of. She was an excellent cook and especially enjoyed baking pies, including her specialty, green tomato pie.
When Helen wasn't busy helping with farm chores or raising her daughter, she and Willis could often be found at square dances and folk dances throughout the area. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Stratton.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Joseph and Lena Tatum; her loving husband, Willis; brother, Harry Tatum; sisters, Wilma Romine and her husband, Chester, and Lillian Walgren and her husband, Leslie; Cleo Harrison and her husband, Elmer.
Survivors include her daughter, Norma Thomas and husband, Robert of Stratton, NE; two grandchildren, Rita Crose of Loveland, CO, and Mike Brown of North Platte, NE; six great-grandchildren, Barret Brown of Omaha, NE, Blake Brown of North Platte, NE, and step-great-grandchildren, Trevor Larsen and wife, Jennifer of Omaha, NE, Tiffany O'Day and husband, Terry of Santa Monica, CA, Tara Layman and husband, John of Centerville, VA and Tammy Larsen of Santa Monica, CA; two great-great-great grandchildren, Emma Layman and Teagan O'Day.; sister-in-law, Ruby Tatum of Julesburg, CO; and numerous other relatives, friends and neighbors.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006 at 11 a.m. (CST) at Community United Methodist Church in Stratton with Rev. Brian Fong officiating.
Organist was Marjorie Redfield and Beth Kollmorgen was pianist. Vocalist was Sandy Thompson.
Casketbearers were Scott Walgren, Rex Walgren, Ed Harrison, Don Harrison, Garth West and Franklin West.
Interment followed services at Rose Hill cemetery near Stratton.
Memorials may be given in her name.
Arrangements were under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Stratton.
Lucille Richmond
Lucille Richmond was born on Aug. 31, 1921 at Lodgepole, Neb. She was the youngest of three daughters born to George and Dora Hein Whitefoot.
Lucille grew up in the Lodgepole community where she attended school, graduating with the class of 1939.
After graduation, Lucille moved to Sidney, Neb., where she worked until 1942 when she moved to Grant, Neb., where she owned and operated a cafe.
Lucille was married
to Floyd Richmond on June 27, 1943. They lived for a brief time at the Richmond farmstead southwest of Grant before moving to their farm northeast of Grant.
In addition to helping Floyd, Lucille worked for many years as a clerk for the Sullivan Department Store and later the Aten Department Store. They lived on the farm until 1976 when they moved to the north edge of Grant.
Floyd died in 1982 and Lucille continued to maintain her home and yard until 2003 when she moved to the Westview Retirement Center.
Lucille had surgery at the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Neb., on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Complications developed from the surgery and she died at Great Plains on Friday afternoon, Feb. 3, 2006. She had reached the age of 84.
Lucille was baptized as a young girl at Boelus, Neb., and had been a long time active member of the Grant United Methodist Church. She had also been a long time member of the Sawyer Extension Club.
In addition to her parents and husband, Lucille was preceded in death by one sister, Irma Kreider.
She is survived by her son Bill and wife Carmen Richmond of rural Grant and her daughter Jo Ann and husband John Benge of Lincoln, Neb.; eight grandchildren, Tonya and husband Jeff Olsen, Ryan, Angela and Curt Richmond, Bonnie and husband Larry Wiecht, Shawn and wife Amy, Brian and Danny Benge; three great-grandchildren, Alexis, Reilly and Jensen; one sister, Phyllis Maline of Cozad, Neb.; other relatives and friends.
Services were held Monday, Feb. 6, 2006 at the Grant United Methodist Church with Pastor Sally Ruggia-Haden officiating.
Music was provided by Donice Holaway and Lori McCloskey.
Casketbearers were Ryan Richmond, Curt Richmond, Jeff Olsen, Shawn Benge, Brian Benge, Danny Benge and Larry Weicht.
Interment was in the Grant Cemetery.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Walter Einspahr
Walter Gustav Einspahr was born Dec. 23, 1910 to Gustav and Auguste (Koch) Einspahr in the family farm home near Enders, Neb.
He was the youngest son in the family of eight brothers and three sisters.
Walt was baptized in infancy at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on the South Divide. He was confirmed by Rev. Fred Elze at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial on March 28, 1926.
He attended grade school in Enders, graduated from Chase County High School in 1928 and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for one semester.
He worked on the family farm until the government purchased a part of the land for the construction of Enders Dam and Lake.
He was married
to Evelyn Marie Barraclough on June 18, 1931 in the bride's home north of Wauneta by Rev. David G. Wine. To this union were born three daughters, Joy, Rita and Marcia, and a still-born son.
Farm life in the early 1930's was difficult, so for extra income Walt trapped fur-bearing animals in the winter and sold the hides. He also worked with his horses on the new road being constructed to Benkelman.
The family moved to Imperial in 1934 where Walt accepted a position at Einspahr's Drug Store. He made all the ice cream that was used and sold during that time.
Walt took a correspondence course in accounting which resulted in keeping books for several businesses in Imperial.
In 1940 he accepted the bookkeeper position at Leech Chevrolet Company.
In February, 1942, he joined the staff of First National Bank where he worked until 1976, when he retired from the then Chase County Bank & Trust as Cashier and Vice President.
He was treasurer of the Imperial golf club and Zion Lutheran Church for many years and also a member of the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department.
Sports were always an important part of Walt's life, beginning with football and basketball at CCHS. He played summer baseball until 1952, but continued golfing, fishing and hunting until failing health interfered with these hobbies. A winter hobby was making fishing lures and fly-tying, and there was always a summer garden as space allowed. A variety of fruits and vegetables were shared with friends and neighbors as surplus came.
When health made it impossible to continue living in their home of 50 years, he and Evelyn retired to Imperial Heights in September, 1996.
He passed away at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial on Feb. 4, 2006, at the age of 95.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Evelyn, daughter Rita Ackermann, son-in-law Kenneth Rider, sisters Laura Cook and Minnie Knepper, and all seven brothers: Theodore, Edward, William, Ludwig (Lue), Frank, Martin and Lawrence.
Surviving are daughters Joy Smith and husband Harlan and Marcia Rider of Imperial; son-in-law Harvey Ackermann of McCook; sister Florence Weaver of Choteau, Mont.; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; two great, great grandsons; four step grandchildren and families and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. (MT) at the Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial with Pastor David Kahle officiating.
Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
A memorial has been established to Zion Lutheran Church of Imperial or donor's choice.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Walt carried a clipping in his billfold which read:
"A Fisherman's Prayer"
God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day,
And when my final cast is made, I most humbly pray,
When in the Lord's landing net I am peacefully asleep,
That in His mercy I be judged as "good enough to keep."
Betty DalPonte
Betty DalPonte was born September, 1923 in Wilcox, Neb. She died Jan. 23, 2006 in Greeley, Colo., where she resided.
She was married
to Ben DalPonte. They resided in Imperial for a short while from 1973-1974 where Ben managed the Trinidad Bean Co.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Foster and Ina Samuelson; husband, Ben; and brother, Foster Samuelson, Jr.
Survivors include two daughters, Pam Dengenhart and husband, Joe and Cheryl DalPonte both of Greeley, Colo.; grandsons, Curt Dengenhart of Boston, Mass. and Kevin Dengenhart of California; two sisters, Jackie Christensen and husband, Bob of Imperial and Donna Roper and husband, Maurice of Ukiah, Calif.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A private family service was held in Sterling, Colo. at Riverside cemetery on Jan. 30.
Thelma Wallin
Thelma Marguerite (Eskew) Wallin of Longmont, Colo. was born Jan. 7, 1917 in Champion, Neb. to Jesse "Jack" and Grace (Fulk) Eskew.
Thelma graduated from Chase County High School in 1935.
She was united in marriage to Leon Wallin on Sept. 6, 1935 in Grant, Neb.
Thelma passed away Jan. 25, 2006, at Hospice Care of Boulder and Broomfield Counties Care Center in Louisville, Colo. at the age of 89 years.
Thelma was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, and later worked as Deputy County Assessor for Chase County, Neb. She was of the Methodist Faith and a member of the Chase County Extension Club.
Her hobbies included crocheting and quilting, making quilts for all her grandchildren and baby blankets for her great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Leon Wallin; a brother, Jesse Don Eskew; a daughter, Gweneth Naugle and her parents, Jack and Grace Eskew.
She is survived by three sons, Jack Wallin and wife Mary of Johnstown, Colo., Leroy Wallin and wife Sharon of Morrison, Colo. and Ivan Wallin and wife Roe Ann of Greeley, Colo.; a son-in-law Jerome Naugle of Boulder, Colo.; 10 grandchildren, Dian Arnold and husband Wayne, Randy Naugle, Eric Wallin and wife Tracey, Dawn Rine and husband Malin, Brad Wallin and wife Rita, Brian Wallin and wife Stephanie, Todd Wallin and Dawn Wrede, Kimberley Wallin and Ole Gehring, Terra Zimmerman and Tosha Zimmerman. She was the proud great grandmother of 13 great grandchildren, Kevin and Ryan Arnold, Terra and Grant Naugle, TaRissa and Evan Wallin, Cierra and Kyler Rine, Emma and Elani Wallin, Lucas Wallin, Teagan Wallin and Brett Geisking.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, at the Methodist Church with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Music was provided by pianist, Mrs. Joan Lantry, and singers, Irvin and Garneta Bauerle.
Casketbearers were Randy Naugle, Brad Wallin, Eric Wallin, Brian Wallin, Todd Wallin and Malin Rine.
Burial was at Mount Hope cemetery with Liewer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 2825 Marine Street, Boulder, Colo. 80303.
Ruth Ashmore
Ruth Louise (Winter) Ashmore, 88, died Saturday morning, Jan. 28, 2006, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home in Imperial, Neb.
She was born Feb. 28, 1917 in Clatonia, Neb. to William (Billy) and Anna (Struckmeyer) Winter.
She was baptized on July 22, 1917 and confirmed on Oct. 30, 2005 at Zion Lutheran Church, Imperial, Neb. by Rev. David Kahle.
Ruth married
Robert Ashmore on Jan. 22, 1942 in McCook, Neb. They made their home on the family farm near Lamar, Neb. To this union three sons were born: Lyle, Rodney and Glen.
Ruth enjoyed cooking and specialized in making homemade bread, pies and baked beans. Gardening and canning food for the family was one of her accomplishments. She was an avid reader and read anything she could get her hands on. She loved to shop for yarn and supplies to crochet blankets for her children and grandchildren.
Ruth is survived by her three sons: Lyle Ashmore of Dallas, Texas, Rodney and wife Rosie Ashmore of Vancouver, Wash., Glen and wife Janet Ashmore of Lamar, Neb.; 14 grandchildren: Terry Ashmore of Chesapeake, Va., Kimberly and husband Kent Raymond of Round Rock, Texas, Kelly Ashmore of Dallas Texas, Kyle and wife Bridgette Ashmore of Dallas, Texas, Julie and husband, Ivan Reece of Clockamae, Ore., Steve and wife Karen Ashmore of Vancouver, Wash., Randy Ashmore, Tom and wife Megan Ashmore and Adrian Ashmore, all of Imperial, Neb.; 11 great grandchildren: Cody and Alyssa Ashmore of Dallas, Texas, Stephanie and Samantha Green, Derick and Dylan Reece of Cockamae, Ore., Tylor, Chase, Catilin and Alexander Ashmore of Vancouver, Wash. and MaKenna Ashmore of Imperial, Neb.; one brother, Orval Winter and wife Esther of Hoquiam, Wash. and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Robert, one brother Elmer Winter, three sisters Irene Weers, Alice DeBolt and Velma Alexander.
Funeral services were held Feb. 1, 2006, at 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. David Kahle officiating. Music was by Zion's choral choir.
Interment was at Green Lawn cemetery in Lamar, Neb.
A memorial has been established in her memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
