U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Wilfred Miller
Wilfred Henry Nelson Miller, a lifelong area resident, passed away Saturday, Jan. 25, 2008.
Wilfred was born Feb. 7, 1913 to Anna Wallin Miller and Locy Nelson Miller on their farm home, 15 miles west of Imperial.
He attended District 4 school and graduated from Chase County High School in 1932.
On Dec. 25, 1932 he married
his high school sweetheart, Helen Dunbar. To this union three children were born: Murlena, Wilfred (Bill) and Delvis.
They farmed west of Imperial before retiring in 1978. They moved into Imperial in 1983. Wilfred was active in community affairs, helped organize and get electricity to that area in 1942 and telephone in 1949. He served on the Rural Fire Board and the Chase County Fair Board.
He was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church until it united with the Methodist Church. He was an active member of Izaak Walton League and the Imperial Lions Club. He loved to hunt and fish and took up golf after retirement.
Wilfred is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen; his parents; two brothers; two sisters; one daughter-in-law; two grandsons and one great-grandchild.
He is survived by his daughter, Murlena Beard, and husband, Max, of Imperial; son, Bill, and wife, Susan, of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; son, Delvis of Norton, Kan.; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Imperial with interment following at Mount Hope cemetery in Imperial.
Pianist was Mrs. Marcia Bauerle and singers were Irvin and Garneta Bauerle.
Casketbearers were Mitch Miller, Albert Beard, Kelly Beard, Richard Beard, Michael Beard, Matthew Beard and Brandon Adamson.
Honorary casketbearers were Frank Clements, Dean Milner, Nick Schultz, Wes Spickelmier, Alvin Harmon, Marvin Hamilton and Lloyd Wilson.
Memorials have been established to the United Methodist Church and the Imperial Community Center.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Linda Dreiling
Linda Sue Dreiling was born Oct. 2, 1952, at San Benito, Texas, to J.W. Pauline (Grayson) Holloway.
As a young lady she grew up and attended school in the Harlingen, Texas area, graduating from Harlingen High School in 1970.
Linda married
Paul L. Dreiling on May 9, 1992, in Lubbock, Texas, where the couple settled and made their home. Linda was employed by Texas Tech University in the payroll department.
Linda passed away Monday, Jan. 21, 2008, at the Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. She was 55 years of age.
Linda enjoyed fishing, bowling and camping with the kids.
Survivors include husband, Paul Dreiling of Lubbock, Texas; sons, Tony Dreiling and Joe Rattcliff of Lubbock, Texas; daughter, Debbie Rattcliff of Lubbock, Texas; brothers, Gary Holloway of Lubbock, Texas and Dennis Holloway and wife, Teresa, of Imperial, Neb.; sister, Debbie Shakespear of Utah; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Chris and Mary Dreiling of Imperial, Neb.
Memorial services for Linda were held Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the First United Metho–dist Church with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Inurnment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial, Neb.
A memorial has been established in Linda's memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Elzada Dougherty
Elzada Dougherty, 79, passed away Jan. 13, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nev.
She was born Nov. 16, 1928 in Imperial, Neb. and was an 18-year resident of Pahrump, Nev.
She was a lover of all animals and loved taking care of dogs and finding them good homes. She owned her own animal rescue shelter.
She leaves to mourn son, Terry, and friend, Dana, of Pahrump, Nev.; daughter, Karen Edwards, and husband, Kenny, of Imperial; three grandchildren, Julie Sharp of Imperial, Tim Dougherty of Pahrump, Nev., Tami Jackson of Denver, Colo.; five great-grandchildren, Alex and Jared Sharp of Imperial, Desman and Julian Jackson of Denver, Colo., Alyssa Dougherty of Pahrump, Nev.; two sisters and many loving friends.
Memorial services were held Friday, Jan. 18, 2008, at Lee Funeral Home Chapel, Pahrump, Nev.
Bob Gradoville
The Omaha athletic community lost a true sports enthusiast and former Creighton University baseball and basketball standout when Robert L. "Bob" Gradoville died early Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008.
The 83-year-old, a Creighton University multi-letter athlete in the 1950s, died quietly in his sleep after battling congestive heart failure for several months. He had moved to the Papillion Manor near Omaha in September, 2007.
Born in Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 25, 1924, he attended grade school in Knoxville, Iowa, and graduated from Dowling/St. Joseph High School in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1942 after earning nine athletic letters in baseball, basketball and football. He was rated one of the best high school baseball catchers in the state of Iowa during high school, and was also a top scorer in basketball in the Des Moines area. He was named to Iowa's second team all-state basketball squad in 1942. He also played running back on the high school gridiron.
After enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943, serving in the Pacific Theatre, he was honorably discharged in 1945 and earned a Purple Heart. Gradoville returned to Omaha and enrolled at Creighton University the next year, where he was a standout athlete in baseball and basketball, earning seven letters as a Bluejay (three in basketball, three in baseball, one in football). As a catcher, he was captain of the baseball team his last two years at Creighton. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in English and secondary education.
He was united in marriage to Rita Ostronic on Aug. 13, 1950.
His first teaching assignment took him and his new wife to Hartington, Neb., where he spent two years coaching and teaching at Holy Trinity High School. While teaching there, he also played baseball in the summers in the semi-pro Pioneer Night League for the team from Wisner, Neb. He also played for Schuyler, West Point and David City in the Pioneer League.
He left education after the 1951-52 school year, and took a position with the Veteran's Administration Hospital, where he served as recreation director, director of volunteers, and later, as administrative assistant to the chief of staff. He retired from the VA after nearly 30 years of employment.
Despite leaving teaching, Bob never lost his love of coaching. He spent 30 years coaching baseball and basketball in Omaha's Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) grade school leagues, and also coached summer baseball teams at the high school level. Because of that, he was fondly known by many as "Coach."
In 1963 and 1964, his Midget baseball teams earned the runner-up spot in the state. In 1965, he was an assistant coach when Ryan High School's Legion baseball team, known as the Pepsi Team, advanced to the national finals in Aberdeen, S.D., where they finished second.
Despite his involvement in coaching, he always found time to follow his eight children and grandchildren's athletic accomplishments and other involvements. All four of his sons played for their father's CYO teams. Son Bill, now of Rapid City, S.D., went on to play baseball in college, and was an all-American catcher for Kearney State College in the early 1970s. Two of his grandsons, both catchers, played baseball for Creighton University, and have been drafted.
Bob was also a long-time member of the Nebraska's Old Timers Baseball Association. He was inducted into the Dowling/St. Joseph High Athletic Hall of Fame in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1997. He was active in his church and veteran's organizations, as well.
He enjoyed numerous visits to Imperial and made many friends here during the past 30 years.
Survivors include four sons, Gary and Jean Gradoville of Aurora, Colo., Bill and Patty Gradoville of Rapid City, S.D., Ron Gradoville of Omaha; Mark Gradoville of Fresno, Calif.; four daughters, Jan and Nick Schultz of Imperial, Neb., Lori Gradoville of Papillion, Peggy Gradoville of Lincoln, and Donna and Dave Donham of Omaha; 19 grandchildren, and -four great grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers and two sisters.
His wife of 53 years, Rita, preceded him in death in 2002.
A funeral Mass was held Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, in Omaha at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. A rosary and wake service was held on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008.
A special part of the funeral was the singing of his favorite song, "Prayer of St. Francis," by daughter, Lori Gradoville, and testimonials from his grandchildren. Pall bearers were his six grandsons. Burial was at Calvary cemetery in Omaha.
Memorials are being earmarked for a baseball scholarship at Creighton University.
Ardith Smith
Ardith Geraldine McCormick Smith was born March 1, 1909 in Hayes County, NE and passed away at the Heritage of Wauneta on Jan. 18, 2008, at the age of 98 years.
Geraldine graduated from Palisade High School in 1927.
Jan. 1, 1930 she married, Clifford C. Smith of Palisade. To this union three children were born.
Cliff and Geraldine started a cement construction business. One of their accomplishments was building the second largest outdoor swimming pool in Palisade. They had their gasoline transports and auto repair shop until 1942.
During World War II they lived in Omaha where she worked at the Martin Airplane Bomber Plant as rosie the riveter.
After the war they moved back to Palisade and continued with their auto repair and Dodge and Plymouth dealership, along with being a housewife, mother and secretary for the business. She worked at the local cafe and a short time at the REA.
She was a Legion Auxiliary member for over 60 years and a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and Amvets Auxiliary, and was also a member of the Palisade Community Foundation.
She was preceded in death by her husband, C.C. Smith; her parents, Flora-Bel Johnston and Arthur W. McCormick; five brothers, Orie, Earl, Vern, Charlie and James McCormick and one daughter, Isletta Ann Zolper.
She is survived by her two sons, Billy C. Smith and wife, Beth, of Palisade and Dennis G. Smith and wife, Carol, of Whidby Island, Wash.; 13 grandchildren; four step grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 15 step great grandchildren and six great, great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, 1 p.m. CT at the First United Methodist Church, Palisade, Neb. with Pastor Judy Dye officiating.
Organist was Mrs. JoAnn Ward.
Casketbearers were Richard Miner, Byron Alberts, Cliff Smith, Scot Knudson, Steve Brown and LeMoine Ferguson.
Memorials may be given to the Palisade Community Foundation.
Interment was at the Palisade Cemetery, Palisade, Neb.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Elmer Keiser
Elmer Keiser was born August 28, 1926 in rural Dundy County to John and Mary (Haarberg) Keiser. Elmer attended St. Paul's Lutheran School, Ough School and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1944. Elmer was baptized Sept. 19, 1926 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and confirmed in the church on April 21, 1940.
Elmer was honorably discharged from the US Army after serving in the Korean Conflict. Returning home to the farm where he was born, he was joined in marriage to Edna Legg on Feb. 20, 1955. Elmer and Edna continued to reside at the farm with Elmer farming and ranching until he passed away on Jan. 17, 2008 at the age of 81.
Elmer held several offices at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, during his membership there. He also served on local CO-OP Boards, first at Enders and then Wauneta Equity for many years, most recently serving on the First State Bank Board until retiring at the end of 2007.
Survivors include his wife, Edna of Enders; sons, Rodney Keiser of Enders, Richard Keiser and wife, Janet, of Wauneta; a daughter, Marcia Comly and husband, Richard, of Boulder, Colo; a sister Leta Brunkhorst of Enders; grandchildren, Aaron Keiser, who attends college in Hays, Kan., Brennan Keiser of Wauneta, Patrick and Ross Comly of Boulder, Colo.; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Wilma Keiser of Stratton, Elma Hinde of Otis Colo., Wilma Parsons, Lafayette, Colo., Vera Eliot of Bellflower, Calif., Howard and Lorena Legg of Grand Island, Neb., Marjy Legg of Crete, Neb., Sharlene Legg of Haxtun, Colo.; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Albert John (in infancy), William, Albert, Raymond and Edwin; sisters, Alma McBride and Linda Rietsch.
Services were held Tuesday morning, Jan. 22, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Pastor Keith Wellman officiating.
Interment followed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Pallbearers were Aaron Keiser, Brennan Keiser, Lynn Keiser, Joseph Rietsch, Richard Comly and Steven Arnett.
Liewer Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.
Joseph J. Greene
Joseph J. Greene was born Jan. 24, 1924, to Joseph H. Greene and Vera M. (Bricker) Greene on a farm near Enders, Neb.
Joe attended Benkelman High School where he played saxophone in the band. After graduating in 1931, Joe continued education at Chillicothe Business School in Missouri.
Joe served in the Army Air Corp as an airplane mechanic in India. He was happy to say that he never lost a plane.
Afterwards, Joe returned to Denver, Colo., where he completed a business degree at Denver University. While there, he worked as a top salesman for a Pontiac/Cadillac dealership.
Perhaps his most successful sale was to convince a beautiful woman he knew to marry him. In 1952, he "closed the deal" and married
Gloria Bremer, an Imperial native, daughter of Albert and Ione Bremer. The couple took up residence at the Bremer farm eight miles west of Imperial as Joe worked with his father-in-law, Albert Bremer.
Joe, a hard worker, loved farming and even during years of drought and low corn prices, said, "there is no place else I'd rather be." His perseverance and passion for life were immeasurable. He loved music and often sang as he tended the ground God had entrusted to him.
With daughter Sylvia's marriage to Dale Large in 1983, Joe continued successful farming, partnering with Dale. In addition to farming, Joe sold seed corn and won numerous district and national awards for excellence. He really enjoyed people. Strangers were just friends he hadn't met yet.
Joe said he felt his greatest accomplishment in life was to be a loving husband, father and grandpa. Joe enjoyed his entire family immensely and reunions were a passion for him.
Joe and Gloria had three children: Annette (Greene) Hazuka (1953), Sylvia (Greene) Large (1955) and Robert Alan Greene (1959). Sadly, Robert died as an infant, but Joe enjoyed the fellowship of his "girls," and four grandchildren, teaching them the joys of go-carting, target shooting, traveling, music, golfing, fishing, hunting, humor and just being together.
Joe was an avid collector of replica cars, a special hobby he shared with his family.
He was a World War II veteran, member of Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, the National Rifle Association and served on the board at Chase County High School.
After seven years of dialysis due to renal failure, Joe went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, in Colorado Springs, Colo., where had recently moved to be with his daughter, Annette, and son-in-law, Jim.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gloria Marie (Bremer) Greene; his daughter, Sylvia Kay (Greene) Large, and infant son, Robert Alan Greene.
He is survived by his daughter, Annette (Greene) Hazuka and son-in-law, James E. Hazuka, of Monument, Colo.; grandson, Joseph Hazuka of Aurora, Colo.; son-in-law, Dale Large of Imperial, Neb.; granddaughters, Alisha Large of Lincoln, Neb., Kimberly Large and Samantha Large of Omaha, Neb.; brothers, Carroll Greene and wife, Ruth, of Ogallala, Neb., Glenard Greene and sister, Virginia (Greene) King, both of Imperial, Neb.
The Imperial United Methodist Church hosted the celebration of life at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007, with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Annette (Greene) Hazuka and Dale Large presented eulogies and the grandchildren offered their memoirs of grandpa.
Music was beautifully orchestrated by Dr. J. Gordon Christensen and soloist, Mrs. Jill Bauerle.
The poignant power point presentation was authored by granddaughter, Kimberly Large.
Pallbearers were Dale Large, James Hazuka, Joe Hazuka, Geoff Beemer, Tim Greene and Dirk Greene.
Interment was at Mount Hope cemetery and Andrew Kinder VFW Post #4688 rendered a moving 21-gun salute.
Joe will by missed by all.
Liewer Funeral Home carefully carried out arrangements.
B. Frederick Muscheites
B. Frederick Muscheites, 89, of Sabetha, Kan., passed away Jan. 14, 2008 at the Apostolic Christian Retirement Village in Sabetha, Kan.
He was born May 18, 1918 on a ranch near Greeley, Colo. He was about four years old when he and his parents, B. Frederick and Ruth McCoy, moved to a farm just a mile north of Table Rock, Neb.
On April 5, 1933 their farmhouse burned to the ground and the family moved into Table Rock. Fred was a graduate of Table Rock High School.
With the assistance of a football scholarship, he was able to attend and graduate from Doane College in Crete, Neb. in 1940 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He was selected as one of the outstanding students in American Universities and Colleges.
Fred spent the next year teaching social science and coaching football at Pawnee City High School.
He was united in marriage on May 25, 1941 to B. Roberta Barnard at Stratton, Neb.
That fall Fred enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to pursue a Masters degree.
