U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Margaret Stransky
Margaret (Johnson) Stransky was born on July 21, 1916 in Perkins County south of Elsie, Neb. She was the second of 11 children born to August and Anna Cisar Vlasin. She attended country school and later graduated from Grainton High School in 1934.
Margaret was married to Virgil Johnson on Sept. 19, 1935 in Elsie, Neb. They made their home south of Elsie and lived in different locations until 1957 when they moved into Madrid, Neb.
Virgil died in 1958 and Margaret later married Bill Stransky on Nov. 23, 1961 in Grant. Margaret served as a cook at the Madrid School for several years and in 1974 she and Bill established Stransky's Drive Inn, a successful diner she owned and operated until 1982 when they sold it. Bill died in 1994 and Margaret continued to maintain her home in Madrid. She suffered a stroke in 2001 and had moved to the Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant where she died early Friday morning, Jan. 6, 2006. She had reached the age of 89.
Margaret was a member of the Grant Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She had been a member of the Madrid American Legion Auxiliary. She always enjoyed family activities and the many fishing and camping trips they took. She had a longtime appreciation of polka music.
In addition to her two husbands, she was preceded in death by an infant sister, Edith Vlasin, five brothers, Stan, Joe, Otis, Francis and Charles Vlasin; one grandson, Garrett; two great-grandchildren, Amanda and Matthew; her stepdaughter, Barbara Cotter.
She is survived by five daughters, Marlene Mohr of Madrid, LaDonna and husband Larry Perlinger of North Platte, Shirley and husband Robert McCormick, Linda and husband Dale McCollam of Fort Lupton, Colo., and Noni and husband Don Thiesen of Ogallala, Neb.; 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson; four sisters, Genie Johnson of Ogallala, Betty Stub-blefield of Aurora, Colo., Anna-Belle Vapenik and Marie Smith, both of Wauneta, Neb; other relatives and friends.
A vigil service was held Sunday, Jan. 8 at the Grant Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Jan. 9 at Mother of Sorrows with Rev. Bill Grant officiating.
Music was by Connie Cohen, Verna Grabowski and Mary Ellis.
Casket bearers were Mark McCormick, Vincent Perlinger, Brett Thiesen, Seth Thiesen, Michael Cotter, Bryan Lee, Matt Yeagle and Matt Fox. Honorary escorts were Margaret's granddaughters.
Interment was in the Madrid Cemetery.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Elizabeth Walters
Elizabeth Walters was born on Jan. 13, 1939 at Ogallala, Neb. She was the oldest of three children born to Hans and Bena Flesner Tiessen. The family lived in the Roscoe, Neb., area until 1944 when they moved to a farm north of Madrid, Neb. Liz attended country school District No. 66 and later graduated from Madrid High School in 1956.
Liz attended Kearney State Teacher's College for two years where she received her teaching endorsement. She eventually earned her Bachelor of Science degree by attending summer school. Liz taught in Sidney, Neb., for two years before moving to Ogallala where she taught for one year.
She met Larry Walters in Ogallala and they were married on Aug. 12, 1962 at the Trinity Lutheran Church north of Grant, Neb.
Larry and Liz moved to a farm home southeast of Venango, Neb., and this is where she lived the rest of her life. Liz taught at Holyoke, Colo., for five years after they were first married. After the birth of their son, Liz stayed home to take care of her family and help manage the farm.
Liz had developed a malignancy two years ago and had been moved to the Perkins County Community Hospital in Grant where she died Saturday evening, Jan. 7, 2006. She had reached the age of 66.
Liz was always very community and civic minded. She served on the Venango School Board, the Perkins County Community Hospital Board, the Perkins County Election Committee, and was a long time member of the Live and Learn Extension Club.
She was an active member of the Venango St. Paul's Lutheran Church and she served as the president of the ladies circle for many years. She also served as superintendent of the Sunday School department and taught both Sunday School and Bible School. She truly had a servant's attitude.
Liz was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Larry; one son, Kent and his companion Melissa Dutton of Grant; two brothers, John Tiessen of St. Louis, Mo., and Glenwood and wife Marsha Tiessen of Council Bluffs, Iowa; other relatives and friends.
Services were held Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006 at the Venango St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Pastor Alan Borcher officiating. Music
was provided by Virginia Brinkema and the congregation.
Casket bearers were Trent Tiessen, Steve Nissen, Kurt Anderson, Dwayne Reynolds, Alvin Greunke, Bruce Marquardt and Brian Hermann. Interment was in the Venango Cemetery.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jack Curtis
Jack Curtis was born Aug. 4, 1940 at Kansas City, Mo. He was the only child born to Robert H. and Opal M. McCoy Adams. Jack lived with his grandparents, Alfred and Della McCoy during his early years in Alfalfa County, Okla. He then lived with his mother and his stepfather, Fred Curtis in different farming communities in Oklahoma.
He attended elementary school at Avard and later graduated from Waynoka High School in 1958. He attended college for one semester and worked for the railroad for a brief time before returning to farm with his grandfather McCoy.
Jack was married to Rosalie McCray o Jan. 24, 1960 at Alva, Okla. Jack was in a vehicle accident in 1964, resulting in a walking handicap he endured for the rest of his life.
In 1965 Jack began the custom combine run from Oklahoma to North Dakota. He eventually formed Jack Curtis and Sons and cut wheat and corn until 1981. They cut wheat in Perkins County, Neb., and liked the country and the people, and moved to Elsie, Neb., in 1976 where he maintained his home until his death.
Jack and Rosalie began a tandem driving team for Werner Trucking in 1985 and received many safe driving awards from the company until their retirement in 1999. After his retirement from Werner, Jack stayed busy helping family and friends with their farming operations.
Jack had developed a malignancy that was discovered in December and had been moved to the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte where he died early Friday morning, Jan. 6, 2006. He had reached the age of 65.
Jack had joined the Burlington, Okla. Christian Church when he lived there. He was a member of the Wallace Masonic Lodge in Wallace, Neb. He was presently serving as the chairman of the Elsie Village Board. He enjoyed woodworking, his garden, and a good card game. He also enjoyed the time he had to watch his family grow up in Perkins County.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one step-sister, Marchetta Dunn.
He is survived by his wife, Rosalie; two sons, Doug and his wife Mary Curtis of Elsie and Adam and his wife Kathy Curtis of rural Madrid; four grandchildren, Josh Hansen, Jackie, Drew and Mariah Curtis; a half-brother Danny and wife Terry Curtis of Waynoka, Okla.; two aunts, Madeline Herman of Seabrook, Texas and Jean McCoy and her son Mark and his wife Patsy of Argonia, Kan., whom he still helped farm; other relatives and friends.
Services were Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the Elsie United Methodist Church with Chaplain Terry Cook officiating.
Music was by Dolores Sexson and Cori Sis.
Casket bearers were Dennis Goings, Harvey Brott, Troy Glunz, Duane Konzak, Mark McCoy, Josh Hansen, Jackie Curtis, Drew Curtis and Mariah Curtis.
Interment was in the Elsie Cemetery. Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Alis Deden Bellairs
Alis (Deden) Bellairs was born on Oct. 23, 1913, in a sod house on her parents' homestead in Sedgwick County, Colo., northwest of Venango, Neb. She was the second of six children born to Barney A. and Christina Belle Collins Dudden.
When Alis was a young girl the family moved to a farm in Phillips County, Colo., southwest of Venango. Alis attended rural school until 1920 when they moved into Venango. After their home burned down the family moved to a home just north of Venango and Alis continued her schooling in Venango, graduating from Venango High School in 1932.
She then enrolled in a one year teacher preparation program at Kearney State Teacher's College. She taught rural schools in the Venango and Brandon, Neb., area for five years.
Alis was married to David A. Deden on June 1, 1936 at the Dudden family farm north of Venango. They lived at different farmsites in Sedgwick County and Perkins County, Neb., until 1944 when they moved to the present farm northwest of Venango. She made her home there for the next 50 years. David died in 1949 due to a vehicle accident and Alis continued to manage the farm and raise her young family.
Alis was married to Victor Bellairs on April 16, 1960. Alis continued to live on the farm after Victor died in 1981 until 1995 when she moved to Westview Retirement Center in Grant, Neb. She moved to Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant in 2001 where she died late Thursday afternoon, Dec. 29, 2005. She had reached the age of 92.
Alis was active in many church, school and community organizations when she lived at Venango. She was an organizer of the Fairy Dell Fire District and served as its secretary-treasurer for 50 years. She was a leader in Cub Scouts, Rainbow Girls, and numerous other family organizations. She was also active in the many parent activities of the Venango Schools. She was a lifelong member of the Venango Community Church. She was a member of the Perkins County Chapter No. 294 of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as the Worthy Matron in 1938. She was also a charter member of the Hosanna White Shrine in Denver. Alis had a keen interest in genealogy and spent many years researching the history of her family and kept many books with family records. During her retirement years, she enjoyed travel to foreign countries with her sister.
In addition to her parents and two husbands, Alis was preceded in death by two brothers, Garret and Orville Dudden.
She is survived by one daughter, Velda Vee and husband Gene Naugle of Penrose, Colo., and two sons, Byron "Barney" and wife Patty Deden of Omaha, Neb., and Dave and wife Sylvia Deden of Venango; three stepchildren, Donna and husband Ivan Feh-ringer of Peetz, Colo., Del and wife Shelly Bellairs of Raleigh, N.C., and Dennis and wife Judy Bellairs of Denver; 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson; one brother, Raymond Dudden of Denver and two sisters, Berdena Sattler of Ft. Collins, Colo., and Christine and husband John Rosenbach of Julesburg, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Betty Dudden of Ft. Collins, Alice Deden of Columbus, Neb.; and Katherine Deden of Albion, Neb.; other relatives and friends.
Services were held Monday, Jan. 2, 2006 at the Venango Community Church with Pastor Kevin Haus-man officiating. Burial was in the Venango Cemetery. A memorial to the Venango Community Church has been established in her memory. Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Donald L. Farmer
Donald L. Farmer, 81, of Caldwell, Idaho, died Monday, Dec. 26, 2005 at a Caldwell Hospital.
Donald, also known affectionately as "Poppy," was born Jan. 14, 1924 in Wallace, Neb. His parents were Vane Farmer and Anna Nelson Farmer. Don was the youngest of six children.
Don attended various schools in Nebraska and graduated from high school in Grainton, Neb. Don lived on a farm southeast of Grainton.
Don married Leota M. Rowley on May 19, 1944. He served in the United States Army in World War II and was issued an honorable discharge in 1946 after serving tours in the Philippines and Japan.
Don and Leota moved to Caldwell in 1952, where he resided until his death. He was employed as a cabinetmaker and in later years, became a construction superintendent. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Caldwell, the United Methodist Church in Caldwell, the Local Carpenters Union, and was also a 4-H and Boy Scout leader.
Don loved hunting, fishing, camping and family gatherings. He gave to his children and grandchildren the love of the outdoors, fishing and camping. He raised Appaloosa horses, which was his greatest passion.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Glen and Dale Farmer, his sister-in-law Iola Farmer, and three sisters, Dorothy Nunn, Verna June Wilkerson, and Margaret Dotson.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, his daughter, Sherry Larsen of Kenne-wick, Wash.; son, Scott Farmer and wife Linda of Meridian; grandsons, Brian Houston and wife Nicole, of Tigard, Ore., Jeremiah Farmer of Meridian; granddaughters, Darcee Houston of Boise, Idaho, Sumerlin Larsen of Tacoma, Wash., Serena Larsen of Kennewick, Wash., Kelsey Farmer of Meridian; great-grandchildren Vendala and Landry Houston of Tigard, Dillan Lee Drak of Meridian; sister-in-law, Ceone Farmer of Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006 at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. Pastor John Mars of the Caldwell United Methodist Church officiated.
Interment was at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, Boise.
Blanche Cook
Blanche Cook was born on March 13, 1916 at the Richmond farmstead southwest of Grant, Neb. She was the oldest of four children born to William and Alice Hoffman Richmond.
Blanche grew up on the farm, attending country school and later graduating from Perkins County High School in Grant in 1934. After graduation, Blanche worked in the telephone company office for several years.
Blanche was married to Orie Cook on May 18, 1937 in Denver, Colo. Three children were born to this union, Beverly, Alice and Gary. They lived for two years in California before moving to Denver.
In 1945 they returned to Grant. In 1958, Orie started Cook's Ready Mix in Imperial and Blanche worked in the office. The business became a success and the family moved to Imperial in 1963.
After their retirement, Blanche and Orie spent their winters in Mesa, Ariz. Orie died in 1989 and Blanche continued to maintain her residence in Imperial and Mesa.
She moved to the Westview Retirement Center in Grant in 2004 and because of declining health, she moved to the Park Ridge Assisted Living earlier this year.
She stayed active at Park Ridge but suffered an apparent stroke Friday afternoon, Dec. 16, 2005. She was moved to the Perkins County Community Hospital where she died. She had reached the age of 89.
Blanche had been baptized at the Grant Congregational Church early in her life. After her marriage, she remained active in church, teaching Sunday School and Bible School.
After their move to Imperial, they joined the Methodist Church. She was a member of the Esther Circle and helped fold the church letters for mailing each month. Blanche was a member of the Imperial Eagles Auxiliary and volunteered at the Senior Center.
Blanche always enjoyed a game of cards and bingo. Orie and Blanche enjoyed camping and fondly remembered the good times shared with the "Over the Hill" group.
In addition to her parents and husband, Blanche was preceded in death by her brother, Floyd Richmond in 1982, her infant daughter, Alice in 1945, and her son Gary in 2004.
She is survived by her daughter Beverly and her husband Larry Bachmann of International Falls, Minn., and a daughter-in-law, Darla Cook of Piedmont, S.D.; four grandsons, Chip Cook of Denver, Gregg and his wife Tammy Bachmann of Indianola, Iowa, Doug and his wife Tammy Bachmann of Des Moines, and Kevin and his wife Jane Bachmann of Wake Forest, N.C.; Blanche also considered Cathy Kruzek of Denver, who spent time with Gary and Darla while she was growing up as her granddaughter; great-grandchildren, Sasha Davis, Zac Bachmann, Mark Bachmann, Kate Bachmann, Nicole Gullion, Eric Gullion, Brandon Brooks; two sisters, Jean Mitchell and Mary Burnham, both of Denver; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Richmond and Louvella Cook of Grant and one brother-in-law, Clair Bell of Lexington; other relatives and friends.
Services were held on Monday, Dec. 19, 2005 at the Grant First Congregational Church with Pastor John Keener officiating. Music was by Lynn Schumacher and Lori McCloskey.
Casket bearers were Gregg Bachmann, Doug Bachmann, Kevin Bachmann, Chip Cook, Jerry Benge and Bill Richmond.
Interment was in the Grant Cemetery. Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Yvonne Potts
Yvonne (Vonnie) Lou Potts, the daughter of Wilfred Lyle and Alyce Lamoree Dickson was born in Stromsburg, Neb., on June 3, 1939.
She spent her early years in Stromsburg and Omaha, Neb., before her family moved to Deshler, Neb., where she graduated from Deshler High School. Vonnie attended one year of college at University of Nebraska at Lincoln and then went on to become a dental assistant.
Yvonne was united in marriage to Jack Potts on Sept. 4, 1960 at Omaha. They had three children, Jodi, Lori and Mark. They lived in Beatrice, Neb., and then moved to Aurora, Neb., in 1969.
She was a member of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ.
She died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005 at Bryan/LGH West Hospital in Lincoln, Neb. Yvonne had reached the age of 66.
Vonnie is survived by her husband Jack Potts of Aurora; three children, Jodi and her husband Bob Weiler of Omaha, Lori and her husband Mark Armstrong of Kearney and Mark and his wife Colleen Potts of Germantown, Tenn.; five grandchildren; her stepparents, Dr. Harry and his wife Irene McGee of Omaha; one brother Jim Dickson of Kayesville, Utah; three sisters, Kathy and her husband Roland Obering of Colorado Springs, Colo., Terri and her husband Mike Voglein of Montrose, Colo., and Lisa McGee of Denver, Colo.
Funeral Services were held Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005 at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Aurora. The Reverend Monty Nelson officiated. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.
Claytus Pelster
Claytus Pelster was born on Jan. 24, 1923 near Elsie, Neb. He was the third of five children born to Edward and Kathryn Schwabe Pelster.
Clay grew up north of Elsie and later graduated from Elsie High School in 1941.
Clay was married to Dorothy Kennicutt on Oct. 1, 1945 in Elsie. Two children, Larry and Mary, were born to this union.
They lived for a brief time on the Pelster farmstead north of Elsie before moving to their farmstead northeast of Grainton, Neb., in 1951 where they spent their entire married life.
Clay had been battling health problems for a long time and broke his hip on Oct. 5, days after their 60th wedding anniversary. He was moved to the Perkins County Community Hospital Thursday night, Dec. 8, 2005, where he died. He had reached the age of 82.
Clay was a member of the Elsie Catholic Church. He was a former member of the Ogallala Elks Club, had served on the Hi-Line Coop Board, and in previous years enjoyed bowling in a league with his friends in the Elsie and Grainton area.
In addition to his parents, Clay was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Pelster; one sister, Marie Sexton; his son, Larry in 1992 and his daughter Mary in 2004.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of rural Wallace, Neb.; one brother, Leonard and wife Chris Pelster and one sister, Dorothy Robertson, all of North Platte, Neb.; many other relatives and friends.
Rosary was held Sunday, Dec. 11 at Elsie Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, Dec. 12 at Wallace St. Mary's Catholic Church. Rev. Mark Pfeiffer and Rev. Bill Grant officiated.
Music was by Shirley Aylward, and Doug and Michelle Sullivan.
Casket bearers were Melvin Kennicutt, Ron Kennicutt, Greg Pelster, Bill Robertson, Mike Pelster, Pat Pelster and Joe Pelster.
Interment was in the Elsie Cemetery.
Bullock-Long Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.
