U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Harold Hughes
Harold Hughes was born on June 25, 1915 at Gretna, Neb. He was the youngest of three children born to Cornelius James and Mary Coleman Hughes.
The family moved to Chase County south of Brandon, Neb., when Harold was 10 years old.
He attended rural school and later attended high school at St. Partick's in Sidney, Neb., and Imperial, Neb.
Harold was married to Marie Pump on March 27, 1940 in Grant, Neb. Eight children were born to this union. They lived south of Brandon and Harold continued to maintain the farm after Marie died in 1975.
He was married to Eloise Voorhies Jervis on Sept. 26, 1981 at Hopkinsville, Ky. They lived on the Hughes farm until 1987 when they retired into Grant.
Harold had moved to the Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant in January of this year, where he died Monday night, Feb. 27, 2006. He had reached the age of 90 years.
He was a member of the Grant Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church. While living on the farm, he was a long time member of the Venango School Board and the Venango Lions Club. He served on the Chase County Hospital Board and was serving as the president when the new hospital was built.
Harold and Eloise enjoyed traveling and he was able to visit all 50 states and 44 foreign countries.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marie; one daughter, Betty Real; one sister, Frances Ourada; and one brother, Herb Hughes.
Harold is survived by his wife, Eloise of Grant; two sons, Mike Hughes of Denver, and Dan and his wife Josie Hughes of Grant; five daughters, Barbara and her husband Harry Botkin of New Braunfels, Texas, Kathi and her husband Dan Keck of Yakima, Wash., Karen Hughes of Belen, N.M. and special friend Donna Crockett, Mary Lou Wade of Crosby, Texas, and Susan and her husband Barry Samsula of Plano, Texas; one stepson, Daniel and his wife Mimi Jervis of Carbondale, Colo.; one stepdaughter, Judy and her husband Joe Swain of Anderson, S.C.; son-in-law, Marvin Real of rural Venango; 22 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
A vigil service was held on Friday, March 3, at the Grant Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, March 4, at the Mother of Sorrows Church with Father Bill Grant officiating. Music was provided by Connie Cohen and the congregation.
Casket bearers were Matt Tines, Devren Hansen, Lee Roy Becker, Dave Schmitt, Bob Tatum, and Don Softley. Honorary escorts were Burle Newth, Barney Lair, Leonard Schmitt and Bob Tishendorf. Burial was in the Imperial Cemetery.
A memorial to the Hastings Memorial Library in Grant has been established.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Clayton Terry
Clayton Terry was born on April 7, 1930 at Elsie, Neb. He was the second of six children born to George and Louise Harms Terry. He grew up in the Elsie community where he attended school through the eighth grade.
Clayton was married to Verla Gartrell on Aug. 25, 1950 in Grant, Neb. They lived south of Madrid, Neb., where they farmed for over 20 years until 1972 when they moved into Madrid.
Clayton later worked for Gifford Hill Irrigation and Big Byron fertilizer in Grant. In his retirement he still enjoyed doing different projects with his hands.
Clayton had developed respiratory problems the middle of February and had been moved to the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Neb., where he died Wednesday night, Feb. 22, 2006. He had reached the age of 75.
In addition to his parents, Clayton was preceded in death by one son David and one sister Patsy Borton.
He is survived by his wife Verla of Madrid; four sons, Randy of Hershey, Neb., Wayne and wife Terri of Paxton, Neb., Dale and wife Shari of Wahoo, Neb., and Mark and wife Shirley of Lincoln, Neb.; one daughter, Gayle and husband John Winchell of North Platte; 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Alva and wife Roma of Valentine, Neb., and Ron and wife Sharon of Ogallala, Neb.; two sisters, Carolyn and husband Bruce Wilson of Ellensburg, Wash., and Twila Gartner of Grant; other relatives and friends.
Family services were held Monday, Feb. 26, at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant with John Long officiating.
The body was cremated. Committal of the cremains was held Feb. 26 at the Madrid Cemetery.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Wendall Harbert
Wendall Burdette Harbert was born Feb. 7, 1921 in Jerauld County, S.D., to Samuel Wallace and Susan Jane Elliot Harbert. He was the youngest of seven children.
The family lived on several different farms and ranches in this area until 1935 when they moved to the Harbert homestead near Mitchell, S.D. Wendall graduated from high school in Mitchell, Neb., in 1939.
Wendall was a member of what Tom Brokaw called "The Greatest Generation." He knew what it was to work hard and play a football game on an empty stomach.
He knew what it felt like as a child to be tossed up on a recently caught mustang to demonstrate the bronc's gentleness.
His family understood commitment to freedom. When war broke out, all four boys in the family joined the service.
Wendall joined the Navy in 1940 and served six years as a radio man. He was very proud of the fact that he was a Pearl Harbor survivor.
On Jan. 12, 1942, Wendall married his high school sweetheart Mildred Strand. By the time he was discharged in 1946, the couple were parents to their first child Laurie. Wendall worked in a butcher shop in Chamberlain, S.D. In 1947, Thomas Rockne was born. In 1948, the family moved to Mitchell to the family farm. Daughter Coleen and son Daniel were born here. Wendall farmed and raised Black Angus cattle. In 1953 Wendall lost his entire calf crop to leptospirosis, for which there was no vaccine, forcing him to leave the farm.
He decided that he could use his experience as a Navy radio man to become a railroad telegrapher and depot agent. However, the railroad required passing a six months course to be hired.
Faced with no money and a hungry family, he pled his case to the administration. After passing his test with the telegraph key, he studied the regulation manual on his own for about six weeks.
When he passed the written test he became the only person to go to work for the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad who had not gone through the required school. From 1954 until his retirement he worked as a depot agent. During this period his family moved to Bartley, Beaver City, and Oxford, Neb., and Brush, Colo. In 1969, he moved back to Nebraska, and made a home in Wallace and Elsie.
Wendall participated in sports in high school. Throughout his life he enjoyed the competition of horseshoes, chess, and sports involving his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was always busy, even in retirement.
He raised Polypay sheep and Belgium Blue cattle on his over-the-hill farm. He trained Border Collies, participated in local politics, the local amateur theater, and could always find something to build.
After the loss of his wife Mildred in 2000 he moved to Pritchett, Colo. In April of 2002, he married Mary Walker.
His is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Laurie and husband Gene Schroder of Baca County, Colo., sons Tom of Denver, Colo., and Dan and wife Penny of Brush, Colo., two siblings, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Services were held Monday, Feb. 27, 2006 at the Rich Funeral Home chapel. Interment was in Hope Cemetery, Wesington Springs, S.D.
Harold Hughes
Harold Hughes, 90, of Grant, Neb., passed away Monday night, Feb. 27, 2006 at Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant.
A vigil service will be held Friday, March 3, at 5:30 p.m., at Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, March 4, at Mother of Sorrows. Burial will be in the Imperial Cemetery at Imperial, Neb.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A complete obituary will appear in next week's issue.
Vernon Peterson
Vernon Gordon Peterson of Milford, Neb., died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006 at Sunderman Homes West Nursing Home in Seward, Neb., at the age of 90 years, 10 months and 16 days.
He was born April 2, 1915 on a farm near Milford to Fred and Lena Bettsinger Peterson, the second of four children.
As a young man, he helped farm while he attended a country school near Milford and later attended Milford Public Schools.
Vernon was united in marriage to Retha E. Bell on Sept. 26, 1942 in York, Neb., and shortly thereafter he enlisted into the U.S. Army serving from 1942 through 1946 during WWII.
Early in their marriage they moved to Camp Adaire, Ore., where Vernon sustained a broken ankle which limited his service to being a guard at various POW camps throughout the Midwest. Vernon also traveled to California with Japanese POWs and guarded them as they picked cotton.
Vernon and Retha were blessed with the birth of a son, Richard, and a daughter, Kathy. They eventually returned to Nebraska where they lived south of Seward and later moving in to Milford in 1960.
Vernon worked for Hughes Brothers in Seward for five years and returned to farming while also working for the Seward County Maintenance Department for 15 years, retiring in 1980.
Vernon enjoyed in his spare time setting fishing lines and going hunting. He also loved to play pitch and other card games with friends and family. In his later years Vernon could be seen accompanied by one of his many dogs over the years. Vernon was a member of the Milford American Legion and a lifetime member of the Lincoln Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Retha in 2000, a son, Richard, in 1968, and a brother, Leroy.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Tim Meyer of Grant, Neb.; his grandchildren, Matthew Meyer of Lincoln, Neb., Jennifer and Kaitlyn Meyer, both of Grant; a great-granddaughter, Alexa Noyes, also of Grant; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Treva and Val Springer, Roselma Bell, Keith and Libby Bell, all of Lincoln, Velma Bell, Tonganoxie, Kan., Duane and Evelyn Bell of Minneapolis, Minn.; many nieces and nephews.
Services were held Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Milford United Methodist Church with Reverend James B. Miller officiating.
Interment with full military services was conducted at Blue Mound Cemetery, Milford.
Pallbearers were Matthew, Jennifer and Kaitlyn Meyer, Cara Shuster, Kirby Roth and Don Sheldon.
A memorial has been established to the Milford Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Milford, was in charge of arrangements.
Lorraine Lungrin
Lorraine M. Lungrin of Kearney, Neb., formerly of Ogallala, Neb., was born on July 19, 1925 near Cedar Rapids, Neb., to Frank and Bessie Sronce Steinwart. She grew up on farms near Cedar Rapids and Elsie, Neb. She received her education at Grainton and Elsie Public Schools.
Lorraine was united in marriage to Manfred Lungrin on June 8, 1943 in Oberlin, Kan., after which the couple lived on farms near Elsie and Palisade, Neb. They also lived in Imperial, Neb., and Ogallala, Neb., where she was employed by the Ogallala Community Hospital as a nurses aide.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kearney, Neb., where she served on various committees and was a member of Circle 5. She was a volunteer for the American Red Cross, and was also an avid fan of the Lopers at the University Nebraska at Kearney.
Lorraine had been a patient at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney where she died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. She had reached the age of 80.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Manfred, her parents, and two brothers, Harold and Bob Steinwart.
Survivors include one daughter, Connie of Kearney; two sons, Dick and wife Carol of Mesquite, Nev., and Bob and wife Cindy of Kearney; one brother, Don Steinwart of Lexington, Neb.; one sister, Marge Blaase of Ogallala; grandchildren, Jeff and Brenda Lungrin of Watauga, Texas, Tracy Lungrin of Mesquite, Steve and Julinne Lungrin of Mesquite, Joel and Nichole Lungrin of Denver, Colo., and Molly Lungrin of Kearney; and one great-granddaughter, Madison Gonzales of Watauga.
Services were held Saturday, Feb. 18, at First United Methodist Church in Kearney with Reverend Dr. Marvin Koelling and Reverend Matt Fowler officiating. A committal service was held at the Ogallala Cemetery prior to interment.
Memorials are to be determined.
Online condolences or personal reflections can be submitted at osafh.com.
O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home of Kearney was in charge of arrangements.
Robert Elliot
Robert A. Elliot, 91, former resident at Westview Retirement in Grant, Neb., died late Friday night, Feb. 17, 2006, at the Presbyterian-St. Luke Hospital in Denver, Colo.
He was born on March 19, 1914 at Springfield, Ill., to Robert P. and Amy Keithly Elliot.
During his life he worked as a personnel manager for an electronics firm and was involved with real estate. He moved to Ogallala, Neb., and later Oshkosh, Neb., where he operated a cafe, and Chappell, Neb., where he was a resident of the Hilltop Manor.
His body was cremated and his cremains will be buried at the cemetery in Vandalia, Mo. Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements.
Christina Rood
Christina Rood, 84, passed away Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006 at the St. Mary's Hospital at Nebraska City, Neb.
Christina was married to Gale "Bill" Rood on Feb. 10, 1940 at Maryville, Mo. He passed away in 1990.
Christina has lived in Broken Bow, Neb., for the past 18 years. She worked as a bookkeeper for Farmers Coop for many years prior to retirement. She loved traveling and camping.
Christina was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Lenna (Spitznogle) Slauter, her husband, 11 brothers and sisters.
She is survived by daughters Diana Dankof and husband Duane of Nebraska City, Neb.; Joyce Cook and husband Lynn of Elsie, Neb.; sons, Richard Rood of Grand Island, Neb.; Vernon Rood and wife Peg of Omaha, Neb.; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Schmegel of Washington, Mo.; many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006 at Govier Bros. Funeral Chapel in Broken Bow with Rev. Jerome H. "Kip" Colgrove of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Nebraska City, officiating.
Pallbearers were Cary Cook, Christopher Cook, Colby Cook, Marc Rood, Brad Moyer, Ben Moyer, Michael Cook, Doug Rood and Don Kawecki.
Marshall Funeral Chapel of Nebraska City and Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow was in charge of arrangements.
Neyl Robertson
Neyl E. Robertson, age 95, of North Platte, Neb., died Feb. 2, 2006 at Premier Estates Senior Living. She was born Oct. 13, 1910 in Funk, Neb., to George and Mary Wright Theobald.
On March 7, 1928 she married Frank Robertson in North Platte. The couple owned and operated a small farm near Elsie until 1975.
Neyl and her husband enjoyed 74 years of marriage.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church, R.S.V.P. and enjoyed quilting.
Survivors include a daughter, Ronda and husband Ronald Johnson of North Platte, two grandchildren, Jeffrey Johnson of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Rebecca Johnson of North Platte.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2002, her parents, an infant daughter, six sisters and two brothers.
Services were held Monday, Feb. 6, 2006 at First United Methodist Church in North Platte with Dr. Rev. Charles Spence officiating. Burial was at the Morningview Cemetery in Wallace.
Carpenter Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
