U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Joseph Ranson 'J.R.' Crabb
J. R. Crabb was born on Febr. 17, 1904 in Liberty, Mo., the son of Ivan I. and Carrybell Cox Crabb. At a young age J.R.'s family moved to Weeping Water, Neb. where his father ran a farm implement business. Again while just a young lad his family moved to Lincoln, Neb. where his father worked for the Burlington railroad. As a teenager after his father had a bad case of the flu, J.R.'s family took a sugar beet contract and moved to Hershey, Nebr. where they worked and lived for a number of years. In 1926 J.R.'s family moved to Crook, Colo.
In 1927 J. R. went to Sutherland, Neb. and was joined in marriage to Mary Sarah Kennedy and the couple began working for a rancher north of Sutherland. On August 20, 1931 Mary gave birth to a son, James Charles. In the spring of 1933, J.R. rented a farm near Sidney, Neb. While there, on Nov. 28, 1936 Mary gave birth to a daughter, Anna Mae. In the spring of 1938 J.R. moved his family to a farm he purchased near Sunol, Neb. where the family lived until 1951 when he bought a farm near Lodgepole, Neb.
J.R. for many years had tinkered with clocks and watches so he took a correspondence course and became a watch repairman. So, in 1958, J.R. sold his farm and took a job working for a jeweler in Benkelman, Neb. as a watch repairman in Imperial, Neb. and soon after purchased the Imperial jewelry store. J.R. and Mary ran Imperial Jewelry until 1966 when ill health caused him to retire. J.R. and Mary continued to live in Imperial. Mary passed away in 1979 and J.R. stayed on at his home there until he moved to the Heritage of Wauneta rest home in 1999. J.R. celebrated his 100th birthday on Febr. 17, 2004.
J.R. was manager of the theater in Imperial for many years, as well as the caretaker at the fairgrounds. He loved music and played many instruments as well as teaching music. He had his own band during the depression.
J.R. Crabb passed away on Nov. 1, 2004 at Heritage of Wauneta.
J.R. was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; daughter Anna Mae; one grandson, Edwin Joseph Boehmer, his parents, two brothers and one sister.
J.R. is survived by one son, James and wife Eleanor of Wauneta, Neb.; three granddaughters: Mary Kay Knode and husband Merl of Haxtun, Colo.; Christine Joy Aden and husband Charles of Brandon, Fla.; Barbra Ann Crabb of Sidney, Neb.; five great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; 25 step-great-grandchildren and 22 step-great-great grandchildren.
Memorial Service was held on Nov. 1 at Liewer Funeral Home, Imperial, Neb. with Rev. Francis Baker officiating.
Music provided by Big Band Sound.
Inurnment was at the Sutherland Cemetery, Sutherland, Neb.
Liewer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
William C. Kunz
How do you sum up a man's life in a few paragraphs?
A loving tribute by a Grand daughter!
William "Bill" C. Kunz, 84, of 547 W. 6th St., Imperial, Neb., passed away, at home in the company of his loving wife, Friday morning, Nov. 5, 2004, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Born Oct. 14, 1920, in the town of Elmwood, Neb., Bill was the son of the late Fredrick and Pearl Kunz.
Bill attended school through the eighth grade, later to receive an honorary high school diploma at the age of 80.
Bill served his country in the U.S. Army, serving as sergeant during WWII, from May 23, 1943 to July 6, 1945, where he received the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, EAME Service Ribbon and three Bronze Service Stars. He served in the Rhine Land, Rome and Central European conflicts.
Shortly after his return to the U.S., he was united in marriage to Gloria Adrene Gallagher. They wed on Sept. 13, 1945 in Baltimore, MD following a brief courtship.
Bill was a devoted entrepreneur; he opened and managed several businesses in Cody, Wyo., including a motel, grocery store and a John Deere Implement Dealership, which he operated for many years.
His true passion was farming. He owned and operated several ranches over his lifetime.
Bill never "fully" retired. He was the hardest working individual, rarely taking time deserved for himself. He always had to get one more thing done or the day was not a success.
Bill would also be characterized as a strong provider to his family, an honest, loyal and trustworthy man who believed strongly in the belief system. Some would call him stubborn, others would say he had passion for life.
Bill returned to his roots in his hometown of Imperial, Neb. to care for his aging mother. He purchased a farm in the Keystone, Neb. area and farmed the land for many years. In recent years, he sold the farm to spend quality time with his wife of 59 years in Imperial, Neb.
Bill was a member of the Catholic Church, VFW, a member of the Community Center Board in Imperial and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria; his four children, Pamela of Salt Lake City, Utah, Linda of Phoenix, Ariz., Billie Jean (Rodney) of Billings, Mont. and his only son, Fredrick (Lori) of Cody, Wyo.; his sister, Barbara and his brother, Bud, both of California; five grandchildren, Melissa, Robert, Tiva Marie, BG and Kristopher; four great grandchildren, Madison, Olivia, Maxx and MacKenzie.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Imperial.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Marjorie M. Van Horn
Marjorie Marie Van Horn, who owned a fabric store in Blair, Nebr., died Nov. 1, 2004, at Southwest Washington Medical Center. She was 83.
Mrs. Van Horn was born March 25, 1921, in Alliance, Neb., and lived in Vancouver, Wash. for the past 25 years.
Her husband, Vernon, died in 1995, and a son, Ronald Hazard died in 1968.
Survivors include two daughters, Phyllis Jones of Vancouver, Wash. and Jeanne Kistaitis of Omaha, Neb; one son, Lloyd Hazard of Imperial, Neb.; two stepsons, James Van Horn of Pasadena, Calif., and Bob Van Horn of Omaha, Neb.; one brother, Pete of Nebraska; one sister, Maxine of Nebraska; 12 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia Society of America, 1402 Third Ave., Suite 1100, Seattle, WA 98101 or to the donor's choice.
Harry H. Steier
Harry Harold Steier was born on Jan. 28, 1917 in Herndon, Kan., the sixth and youngest child of Paul and Lizzie (Zwiekl) Steier.
As a youngster, Harry attended school with his brothers and sisters in Herndon. He completed his education at an early age and assisted his parents on their farm as well as hiring out to other farmers in Kansas and Nebraska.
In the fall farming season he would travel to Nebraska and pick corn by hand.
He loved to talk about his experiences.
In June of 1942, Harry enlisted in the U.S. Army, during WWII and served until October of 1943, when he was honorably discharged.
Harry returned to the Herndon, Kan. area and while picking corn in Dundy County, Neb. met Edna Luetta Grams. The couple's courtship evolved into marriage on June 28, 1944, in St. Francis, Kan.
In 1948, Harry and Edna purchased a farm three miles from the Hiawatha community in rural Dundy County, Neb. They spent most of their lives on the farm. Harry developed his dry land farm with irrigation and was employed by the U.S.D.A. as a grain inspector.
The couple didn't have any children, but they were blessed with each other and their faithful dogs Muffy I-IV. One seldom saw Harry without Edna and Muffy at his side.
Both enjoyed their church, which they continued to attend as long as they were able, fishing, attending sales and visiting friends and family.
Harry and Edna retired in Imperial, Neb., along with their small dog.
Edna passed away on Nov. 16, 1994 and Harry continued to live in his home until he was no longer able to care for himself.
Harry passed away Thursday morning, Oct. 28, 2004, at the Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman, Neb. He was 87 years of age.
Harry will be remembered for his hard work, his love of God, the land, his friends and family. He always had a sincere concern for others, with little concern for his own needs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Edna, brothers Walter, Herb and Bob Steier and sisters Emma Schiessler and Helen Schwarz.
Survivors include sisters-in-law Wilma Steier and Frieda Steier, both of McCook, Neb.; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Wednesday morning, Nov. 3, 2004 at 10 a.m. (MT) at the Westside Church of Christ in Imperial, Neb. with Pastor Bill Lewis officiating.
Music was by Westside Church of Christ Choir.
Military Rites were by the American Legion Post #65, Benkelman, Neb.
Casketbearers were Brad Dixon, Curtis Steier, Gerald Schwarz, Harvey Steier, Dale Lingo and Russ DaMoude.
Interment followed at the Benkelman cemetery with Military Rites by the American Legion Post #65 of Benkelman.
A memorial has been established in Harry's memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jeffery Sughroue
Jeffery James Sughroue died Monday, Nov. 1, 2004, at Community Hospital in McCook. He was 48 years old.
Jeff was born on Sept. 18, 1956, at McCook to James F. and Leah C. (Allen) Sughroue.
He was baptized as an infant at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola. He graduated from Chase County High School, Imperial, in 1976.
He entered the US Army, serving during peacetime, and was later honorably discharged.
On Sept. 12, 1987, he married
Marcia A. Fossen at Indianola. To this union two children were born. They made their home in Indianola where Jeff was self-employed as a jewel smith.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Elvin and Marion Allen and Frank and Johanna Sughroue; and one sister, Janine Sughroue.
Survivors include his wife, Marcia Sughroue of Indianola; his children, Kelsey and Nathan Sughroue of the home; parents, James and Leah Sughroue of Indianola; three brothers, Jay Sughroue of Denver, Colo., Joel Sughroue of Grant and James J. Sughroue and wife, Ramona, of Indianola; three sisters, Jeanette and husband, Larry Munger, of Imperial, Julie and husband, Mike Anderson, of Cheyenne, Wyo. and Jill Bartels of Indianola; and a host of relatives and friends.
Memorials may be given in his name.
Rosary was Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004, 7 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Chapel in McCook.
Mass of Christian Burial is today (Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004), at 1 p.m. at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola with Father Nicholas Baker officiating.
A private family inurnment will be at St. Catherine's cemetery at a later time.
Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook was in charge of the arrangements.
LaVerne N. Norman
LaVerne Norval Norman was born on Nov. 23, 1912, at Elwood, Neb. to Harvey and Lillian (Cranwell) Norman.
At the age of three, LaVerne moved with his parents to the Lamar, Neb. area, settling on the Robert Cranwell place 1/2 mile north of Lamar.
The family soon moved to a farm they purchased 1 1/2 miles south of Lamar and LaVerne began his education attending school in Lamar.
He assisted his family in farming until marrying Verna Jane Cooper on Jan. 23, 1936, in Imperial, Neb.
The couple lived several years on the George Ford Homestead north of Lamar and in 1941 purchased the Old Pierce farm 1/2 mile west of Lamar. They continued to farm and raise cattle until 1974, retiring and purchasing a home in Imperial.
LaVerne passed away early Monday morning, Oct. 25, 2004, at his home in Imperial. He was 91 years of age.
LaVerne and Verna enjoyed traveling and wintering in the Fulton/Rockport, Texas area 45 miles east of Corpus Christi for many years. LaVerne loved to play cards and billiards with his Texas friends.
He was a Chase County Commissioner for 13 years and a member of the United Methodist Church of Imperial.
Laverne was preceded in death by his parents, wife Verna in 2002, sisters Mary, Fay and Bernice and brother Harlan.
Survivors include son Larry and wife JoAnn of Victoria, Texas; son Dennis Norman of Imperial, Neb.; son Leland and wife Peggy of Franktown, Colo.; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; brother Vyrl Norman of Sturgis, S.D. and sisters Lucille Cruise of Phoenix, Ariz., Belva Higgs and husband Bill of Mesa, Ariz. and Ruby Bove and husband Buzz of Phoenix, Ariz.
Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, Oct. 29, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Imperial with Pastor Murray Schmechel officiating.
Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
The casket will be open at the church for visitation before services on Friday.
A memorial has been established to the Imperial Public Library.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
