U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Clifford Murray
Clifford "Cliff" Wagner Murray aka "WBOWVE" was born March 21, 1916 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Arthur Martin Murray and Mary Alice (Wagoner) Murray.
He attended Anson High School in Marshalltown.
Cliff left Marshalltown in 1942 for Detroit, Mich. where he began his career as a bartender. In 1946 he moved to Denver, Colo. working in several lounges until buying the Drift Inn and Monroe Liquors which he owned and operated until moving to McCook in 1983 where he owned and operated Cap & Cork liquors until his retirement.
He married
Geraldine Mae Lock on July 7, 1958 in Las Vegas, N.M.
Cliff was a lifelong active member of the Elks and Eagles Club. He enjoyed listening and talking to his many friends on his Ham radios.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Geraldine (Lock) Murray; two brothers, Albert Murray and James Harvey; and one sister, Violet Prock.
Cliff is survived by three daughters, Barbara and husband, Tim Shannon, of McCook, Kathleen and husband, Richard Gold, of Everett, Wash. and Debra Murray of Imperial; six grandchildren, Annie Murray and fiancAŠ, Jeff Martin, of Imperial, Dennis Shannon of McCook, Michelle Shannon of Denver, Colo., Paul McQueen of Yakima, Wash., Madonna and husband, Anthony Schmierer, of Everett, Wash. and Donald McQueen of Lodi, Calif.; seven great-grandchildren, Neveah Martin of Imperial, Timothy D. Shannon of North Platte, Jessica, Brianna, and Erica McQueen of Lodi, Calif., Anthony and Westley Schmierer of Everett, Wash.
Memorials may be given in his name.
Funeral services were Monday, April 28, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook with Father Gary Brethour officiating.
Burial was in the Calvary cemetery at McCook.
Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook was in charge of the arrangements.
Robert 'Coke' Cowles
Robert Stanley "Coke" Cowles was born Feb. 19, 1925, in Denver, Colo. to Ralph and Edith (Innis) Cowles. Coke grew up in the Denver area graduating from Englewood High School.
He entered the U.S. Navy in July of 1943 and served in the European Theater during WWII. After his discharge in March of 1946, he married
Eva June Felt on Oct. 4, 1947, in Raton, N.M.. The couple lived in the Denver area, where Coke was employed in the auto industry.
In 1954 they moved to California, where Coke was employed by General Motors, and he and Eva raised four children. In 1975 they moved to Enders, Neb., where Eva had originally come, and they owned and operated the Enders Cafe for many years. Coke was self employed most of his life restoring and rebuilding classic autos having his own company "Cowles Old Wheels."
Coke passed away Thursday evening, April 24, 2008, at the Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home. He was 83 years of age.
He was a member of the American Legion and had many hobbies including collecting hubcaps and Classic Autos.
Coke loved his family and friends and enjoyed spending time with his wife, Eva. He will be missed by all who had a chance to know him. He was truly a good soul.
Survivors include wife, Eva of Enders; sons, Leonard Cowles and wife, Maria, of Seal Beach, Calif., Robert S. Cowles II and wife, Margie, of Lukewood, Calif.; daughters, Valerie Krenz and husband, Steve, of Owasso, Okla., Vickie Lynne Miner and husband, Gary, of Enders; 11 grandchildren, Michelle, Chris, Mike, Tonya, Jonna, Nichole, Jesse, Bobby, Hillary, Jena, Patrick; 15 great-grandchildren; and sister, Helen Prunk of Ramona, Calif.
Coke was preceded in death by his parents and a twin brother.
Coke chose cremation and his remains will be scattered at sea by the U.S. Navy, attended by his great-grandson, Chief Petty Officer, Michael Reed.
A memorial has been established to donor's choice.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sally Garrison-McKinster
Sally May Garrison-McKinster was born April 3, 1914, at Carthage, Tenn., to Andrew and Dee (Cardwell) Martin.
As a young girl she grew up and attended school near Carthage. Sally worked at the Carter Shoe Factory for several years before marrying John Garrison on May 28, 1932, in Franklin, KY.
The couple lived in the Carthage area before, Sally being diagnosed with Juvenile T.B., moved to Denver, Colo.
John and Sally made Denver their home for many years. Sally kept the books for her husband's contract painting business and helped raise her family before John's death in 1965.
Sally married
Andrew McKinster on June 18, 1966, in Englewood, Colo. and continued to make the Denver area her home. After andrew's death, Sally moved in 1997, to Imperial, Neb. to be near family.
Sally passed away Thursday morning, April 10, 2008, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home, Imperial, NE. She was 94 years of age.
Sally's favorite hobbies included gardening and sewing. She was also a member of Eastern Star.
Survivors include son, John Garrison Jr. and wife, Delores, of Las Vegas, Nev.; son, Dan Garrison wife, Dorene, of Imperial, Neb.; step-daughter, Marcella Young of Englewood, Colo.; numerous grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, John and Andrew; two sons, Buddy and William Garrison; grandson, Danny; granddaughter, Deborah Andahl; brothers, Herbert, Ezra, George and Henry Martin; sisters, Christin Eidson and Margaret Napier; step-daughter, Luella Sherman.
Graveside services for Sally Garrison-McKinster were Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the Littleton Cemetery, Littleton, Colo. with Rev. Bill Bryan officiating.
A memorial has been established in Sally's memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Arlyn Cox
Arlyn Wesley Cox was born in Champion, Neb., on May 7, 1934 to John "Kermit" and Wilma Cox.
Arlyn attended Champion Grade School from Kindergarten to eighth grade then left behind his education to farm with his dad. He made farming his passion and career for 61 years. Arlyn milked Holstein cows, raised corn, wheat, sugar beets, beans, onions, potatoes, hogs, sheep and beef cattle. He also shelled corn and cut silage for many years.
On Aug. 8, 1959, Arlyn married
Jeannine (Leach) Cox. The couple spent one year near Enders on the South Divide then settled permanently 2.5 miles west of Champion. The couple raised two daughters, Arlys Yvette and Tonya Lea.
Arlyn's priorities were his family and farming. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather ("Bamp") and great-grandfather.
As a young man Arlyn was a 4-H member and exhibited his Holstein dairy cows at the Nebraska State Fair and Aksarben.
In his teens and early 20s Arlyn participated in the Golden Gloves boxing club that met in the top of his barn on Saturday nights. He loved riding his Triumph motorcycle-even though all of his friends had Indians. He took much pride in making improvements around his farm, putting in a hard days work and enjoyed the satisfaction of a high yielding crop.
Arlyn loved his car collection. He and Jeannine went on many trips with the Flatlander Car Club to the Black Hills, Estes Park and eastern Nebraska. He enjoyed having the Flatlanders come to the ponds for meetings and showing them his collection of Bel Airs and Impalas. His favorite car was his light blue, 1958 Chevy Impala convertible.
Arlyn was a firearm enthusiast as well. He enjoyed traveling to gun shows and adding pieces to his cache over the years.
A person could always expect to get a stubby-fingered wave from Arlyn as he drove to and from town for his morning coffee and his afternoon game of pitch at the "V" or the Eagles.
Arlyn was a member of the Elks Club for 39 years, the Flatlander Car Club for 30 years, Eagles #3472 for 30 years and the United Methodist Church for 50 years.
Arlyn retired from farming in 2001. Since then he enjoyed having tea parties with his great-granddaughter, Morayah, and arguing with her over what channel the television should be on.
He loved to watch the turkeys, deer and pheasants that took habitat on his farm. Arlyn took pleasure in watching his grandchildren show livestock, looking at their new calf crop every spring and was always up for a good western.
Arlyn was reunited with his father, mother, infant brother and other family and friends on Saturday, April 12, 2008. He fought hard for eight weeks after a heart valve replacement and passed away at the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln, Neb.
Now he looks down on his family, his friends and his farm. Though his life was cut short, his memories will remain with us forever.
Preceding him in death were his parents, in-laws, infant brother and three infant grandchildren.
Arlyn is survived by his wife, Jeannine of Champion, Neb.; daughter, Arlys Cupp, and husband, Ed, of Champion; daughter, Tonya Lauer, and husband, Terry, of Greeley, Colo.; grandson, Taylor Cupp, and wife, Katie, of Lincoln, Neb.; granddaughter, Kelsey Cupp, of Lincoln, Neb., Brandi Emery and Aron Krautschun of Greeley, Colo; two great-granddaughters; sister, Patty Kilpatrick, and husband, Bill, of Tie Siding, Wyo.; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. MST at the United Methodist Church in Imperial with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating. Burial will follow the services at the Lakeview cemetery west of Champion.
Casketbearers are Rod Johnson, Bob Kluender, Jack Kelly, Donnie Schilke, Donnie Bernhardt and Roy Cushing.
Honorary casketbearers are Tom Elder, Ed Fisher, Art Creveling, Larry Hand, Bobby Cox, Vernon Tropf and Bob Kelly.
A memorial has been established in Arlyn's name.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ivan Brunkhorst
Ivan C. Brunkhorst, 83, died Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Neb.
He was born Feb. 10, 1925 to Ernest and Sophia (Haarberg) Brunkhorst in Sharon Springs, Kan.
He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
Ivan moved with his family at an early age to Imperial where he attended school through the 8th grade. He then helped his parents on their farm and moved with them to the Wauneta Frenchman Valley area.
On Aug. 25, 1948, Ivan was united in marriage to Lorene Duhm at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta. They celebrated 51 years of marriage and raised twins, Dianna and Dennis.
Ivan and his family moved to several locations in the Hamlet, Wauneta, Frenchman Valley, Eden and Stratton communities. He was a lifelong member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and served as Sunday School superintendent and an Elder. He served on the Frenchman Valley Co-op board, the Hamlet School Board, a 4-H leader and was an active member in whatever community he lived.
Ivan was one who never met a stranger and enjoyed visiting with people. His passion in life was farming, dancing and playing golf.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Sophia Brunkhorst; his loving wife, Lorene Brunkhorst; an infant son; brother, Ansel Brunkhorst; and sister, Eulene Busking.
Survivors include his daughter, Dianna Rowe and husband, Robert of Brighton, Colo.; son, Dennis Brunkhorst and wife, Cynthia of Palisade, Neb.; sister, Clairene Weimer and husband, Lee Roy of Hamlet, Neb.; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta with Rev. Greg Stuckwisch officiating. Interment followed services at Riverside cemetery near Wauneta.
Memorials may be given in his name to either Grandview Retirement Center in Stratton, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta or Community United Methodist Church in Stratton.
Arrangements were under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman.
Marjorie Wright
Marjorie Wright was born Dec. 13, 1918 at Ashby, Neb. to Ora A. and Mary D. (Dearing) King. She grew up on the King homestead in Cherry Co., close to Survey Post Office, attended Survey School through the eighth grade, then attended high school in Hyannis, Neb. for one year, moving to Bethany, Mo. for one year of high school and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Ike King, her paternal grandparents, then completed high school in Alliance, Neb. in 1936.
Marjorie attended college in Chadron and received her elementary teaching certificate and then taught school for 2 1/2 years in country school in Sheridan and Cherry Counties.
On June 1, 1940, Marjorie married
Tilbert W. Wright in Hyannis, Neb., who was to be her lifelong mate for 68 years. They started married
life working for Elmus Henderson north of Whitman, Neb. for two years. She cooked for ranch hands, thus beginning a life time reputation as an excellent cook.
To this union were born five children: Jimmy Roger, who died in infancy; Phyllis Diane, Valerie Eileen, Margie Annette and Billy Lynn.
Prior to WWII, Marjorie and Tilbert lived in Hastings, Neb., then moved to Minden and opened a chicken hatcher with Tilbert's dad, Arlie Wright. Following the war, they moved to Cherry Co., moving to Mullen, Neb. in the summer of 1948, ranching north of Mullen until 1987, when they retired and moved to Imperial, Neb. They moved to Kearney in 2006 to be near their children.
Marjorie passed away at her home in Kearney on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, with her family at her side. She was 89 years of age.
Marjorie was a 50-year member of the Rebekah Lodge, member of the Methodist Church, serving with the UMW organization, was a member of the Legion Auxiliary, Extension Club and was a 4-H Leader. She was always willing to volunteer, serving many years in the nursing home and at the senior center.
Survivors include her husband, Tilbert, of Kearney, Neb.; daughter, Diane Steinbrink and husband, Paul, of Kearney, Neb.; daughter, Annette Winberg and husband, Bob, of Loup City, Neb.; son, Bill Wright, and wife, Robyn, of Grand Island, Neb.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and seven great, great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents; sister, Mabel Macumber; brother, Keith King; son, Jimmy Roger; and daughter, Valerie Eileen Smith.
Memorial services will be held Friday morning, April 18, 2008, 11 a.m. (MT) at the First United Methodist Church of Imperial with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Inurnment will be held at a later date.
No visitation, Marjorie chose cremation.
A memorial has been established to the Imperial Senior Center.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
