U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Art Betz
Art Betz, the son of Martin and Helen (Daily) Betz was born April 14, 1940, at Long Island, N.Y. He died peacefully on June 8, 2018, at his residence near Webber, Kan., at the age of 78 years, one month and 25 days. He was the owner and operator of Betz Trucking Company. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Patricia Cleveland, of Webber, Kan.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran cemetery near Lovewell Lake, with Pastor Matt Ehlers officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to the University of Nebraska Foundation for Cancer Research.
Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior is in charge of arrangements.
(Notice dated June 21, 2018)
Shirley Novak
Graveside services for Shirley Kay Novak will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato.
(Notice dated June 21, 2018)
Gary Tordrup
Gary Dean Tordrup, the son of Carl and Marceline (Shaw) Tordrup, was born on Nov. 7, 1950, at Superior, Neb. He died on June 12, 2018, at the age of 67 years, seven months and five days at his residence in Superior. Gary was a graduate of Superior High School and the University of Nebraska. Gary was united in marriage to Janice Bargen and to their union were born sons, Chris and Shawn. He was employed as an extension assistant as well as engaged in farming. He was a member of Olive Hill Church.
Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Chris Tordrup and his wife, Jessica, of Stromsburg, Neb., and Shawn Tordrup and his wife, Shauna, of Bennington, Neb.; grandchildren, Wade Scripter, Mackinzie Cole, Ella Tordrup and Payne Tordrup. He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant twin brother, Larry Tordrup.
There will be no services at this time. Memorials have been suggested to the family for future designation. Megrue-Price Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
(Notice dated June 21, 2018)
Arlo Doehring
Arlo Wayne Doehring, the son of Paul and Gladys (Havelka) Doehring, was born on Feb. 24, 1925, in Republic County at Warwick, Kan. He died on June 16, 2018, at the Blue Valley Lutheran Nursing Home in Hebron, Neb., at the age of 93 years, three months and 23 days.
Arlo attended the Egbart and Messman Country Schools near Hebron, Neb., and the Kroeger School near Hubbell and graduated from Hebron High School. He attended and graduated from Fairbury Junior College and went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a bachelor's degree in agriculture.
He was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Betty" Lee Canning on June 9, 1946, at Munden, Kan. Arlo farmed in the Chester, Neb., area, had worked for the Farmers State Bank in Superior and retired doing one of his loves, woodworking in his shop. He enjoyed the outdoors by camping and fishing, raising vegetables in his raised bed gardens, his fruit trees and had many bee hives.
Arlo was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; brothers, LaVonne and Merlyn; and a sister, Mabel Piepho.
Survivors include his children: Arleeta Gunn and husband, Gary, of Chester, Neb.; Varyl and wife, Jeannie, of Lincoln, Neb.; and Kim and wife, Barb, of Wichita, Kan.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his sisters, Ruth Evers of Hebron, Neb., Shirley Richardson and husband, Bob, of Brighton, Colo.; brothers, Lemoine Doehring and wife, Connie, of Garland, Neb., and Norman Doehring and wife, Leora, of Salina, Kan., along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Friday, June 22, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior, Neb.
Music was a congregational hymn of "The Old Rugged Cross" with Jeremiah Vondra as guitarist.
Visitation was held on Thursday, June 21, 2018, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the family present to greet friends from 4 to 5 p.m.
Pallbearers were Nathan Zuercher, Ryan Earley, Joshua Doehring, Matthew Kremer, Seth Gissler and Layne Gissler. Honorary pallbearers were Tyler Doehring, Norman Doehring and Lee Doehring.
Interment was in the Chester City cemetery at Chester, Neb.
Memorials are suggested to go to the Chester United Methodist Church.
Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N. Commercial, Superior, Neb., 68978, or www.pricefuneralhomes.com.
Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Neb., was in charge of the arrangements.
(Notice dated June 21, 2018)
Stella Fesler
Stella I. Fesler, age 94, of Taylor, died June 7, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Earl G. Fesler, loving mother of Gail Estelle (Dennis) Vespa, Dale Yvonne (Larry) Massengill, Earl Wesley (Amy) Fesler and Jill Lea (David) Buerkle, dearest grandmother of Lonny, James, Renea, Jeffrey, Jon and Maggie and great-grandmother of Amber, Wesley, Abby and Colleen. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Amanda; her parents, Henry and Emma Stauffer; her sisters, Lulu and Helen; and her brother, Henry.
Visitation was Monday, June 11, 2018, 1 to 8 p.m., at Michigan Memorial Funeral Home. Service was Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at noon, at Christ The King Lutheran Church.
(Notice dated June 21, 2018)
Robert Bruce
Robert Charles Bruce was born on Feb. 16, 1931, in Lincoln, Neb., to parents, Paul and Lila Mumma Bruce. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1932 his brother, John, was born. Some months later, the family of four moved to Toledo, Ohio, and then again to Detroit, Mich. In 1945 they settled in Santa Monica, Calif., only moving a few times to different homes in the area.
Bob's mother, Lila, grew up in Nelson, Neb. First on a farm built in the 1890s and then to their present family home in downtown Nelson. His aunt and uncle had a farm, and Grandmother and Aunt Elva lived in the family home. The family home in Nelson had continued to be so important to the Bruce family and even after both of his parents died, Bob continued to spend almost half of the years in that home in Nelson, Neb. When in Nebraska, Bob was organist for the Nelson Community Church of Christ. His brother, John, has gone back often to spend time with Bob. Bob even had his photography exhibit at the state fair.
Robert graduated from Santa Monica High school. There is a picture of him playing the organ in Barnum Hall at Santa Monica High School. He not only attended Santa Monica City College, also known as Santa Monica College, but he later taught organ at that college.
Robert attended USC and he graduated with a bachelor's degree, a major in music and a minor in science. Afterwards he also earned his master's degree. When Bob went to USC his mother, Lila, also went back to school and they attended USC and graduated together with Lila getting her degree in teaching.
His first teaching position was at Audubon Junior High School and then he went on to teach for many years at Paul Revere Junior High School. He taught science, stagecraft and photography. During his teaching years and also after retirement, Robert assisted the Brentwood Symphony which met at Paul Revere Junior High. He worked on many aspects of staging and sound.
Besides science, photography, stagecraft, gardening and the raising of orchids, Robert was an organ builder and certainly an organ enhancer. As organist at the First United Methodist Church, now known as Kardia United Methodist Church, Bob was always adding new bells and whistles to the organ.
Robert was not only an active member of the American Guild of Organists but he served as dean of the local chapter for two different terms. He was the organist for our California Pacific Annual Conference at the University of Redlands three consecutive years. Robert loved to go to the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo and enjoyed listening to the old theater organ accompany silent movies.
Robert served as church organist for the Baptist church in the San Fernando Valley for many years. He came to the First United Methodist Church of West Los Angeles on Christmas Eve, 1988, and became the official church organist in 1989. He had continued to serve the church, now known as Kardia United Methodist Church, except for the many months he had gone to Nelson, Neb., each year. Initially he was the organist and choir director.
Robert is survived by a loving and devoted brother, John. Uncle Bob was like a second father to his four nieces and one nephew, Colleen, Julie, Carol, Barbara and Steve. In addition, Uncle Bob is cherished by 14 great nieces and nephews as well as two great-great-nephews.
Robert (Uncle Bob), found something so many of us struggle with. He found and embraced his purpose in life. Quite simply, Robert's purpose was being a kind soul. Always willing to share a story or bend your ear ever so gently about something that sparked his interest or the interest of whomever he was speaking with. Always looking directly into your eyes and genuinely listening with so much attentiveness. Robert's kindness was unmeasurable with his thoughtfulness of music given to the church, cards given to friends and family, wonderful food brought to share, a smile to warm your heart.
It is Robert's life we now should embrace as a reminder of our purpose. Be kind to one another as that is such a powerful element that God has given us to embrace as we live our days on this earth. And that kindness will follow us into our journey with the Lord, "For greater is He that is in us as he that is in the world."
A celebration of Robert's life will be Saturday June 23, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Nelson Community United Church of Christ in Nelson, with the revs. Ivan and Joyce Dean, Stephen Berry and Fred Snyder officiating. Interment will follow at the Nelson Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorials have been suggested to the Nelson Community United Church of Christ. Klawitter-Price Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
(Notice dated June 21, 2018)
Bonnie Drapal
Bonnie Lu Drapal, 81, died Thursday at her home in Superior. The daughter of Leonard O. and Maude B. (Young) Bailey, she was born Jan. 27, 1937, in Edgar.
Bonnie's first marriage ended in divorce and she moved back to Nebraska where she met and married
Roy Drapal on April 2, 1983. Bonnie was a hard worker and held many jobs: grocery store clerk, chef in a restaurant, motel maid and CNA in a nursing home, both in Grangeville, Idaho, and Superior.
Bonnie liked football and she never missed a Nebraska game if she could help it! She enjoyed feeding and watching the wild life coming to eat what she put out for them. She also enjoyed gardening and canning the produce.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sons, Tim and Leonard; brothers, Max, Donald, Richard, Robert and Randy; and sisters, Betty Uldrick and Marilyn Mosier.
Survivors include her husband, Roy Drapal of Superior; sons, Stephen Baker of Lewiston, Idaho, and Chauncey Baker of Missoula, Mont.; daughters, Maxine Duckett of Great Falls, Mont., Mrs. Jeff Rickman (Paula) of Anatone, Wash.; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Joyce Snell and Gayle Peters; brothers, Jay Bailey and Rex Bailey; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral was at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Church of the Plains in Edgar, with The Rev. Ethan Feistner officiating. Burial was in Edgar Cemetery. Williams Funeral Home of Superior was in charge of the arrangements.
(Notice dated June 21, 2018)
Martha Faimon
Martha Faimon, 91, Lawrence, Neb., died Monday, May 7, 2018, at Blue Hill Care Center, Blue Hill, Neb. Rosary was Thursday, May 10, 2018, 6:30 p.m. and Mass was Friday, May 11, 2018, 10:30 a.m., both at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lawrence, Neb., with Father Thomas Schultes officiating. Burial was in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Lawrence, Neb. Visitation was Thursday, May 10, 2018, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Lawrence Visitation Chapel, Lawrence, Neb. Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Neb., is in charge of arrangements.
Martha Theresa (Menke) Faimon was born on Nov. 17, 1926, at home in rural Nuckolls County to H.B. and Elizabeth (Knoop) Menke. She was baptized at St. Stephen's Catholic Church. Martha grew up south of St. Stephen's and attended elementary school at St. Stephen's through the eighth grade.
Martha was united in marriage on April 26, 1949, to Arnold Faimon at St. Stephen's Catholic Church. The couple made their home in rural Webster County, northwest of Lawrence. During their marriage the couple was blessed with five children: Donnie Faimon, Lawrence, Neb., Larry and Mary (Kathman) Faimon, Lawrence, Neb., the late Patty Faimon who died at the age of 16 months, Rich and Karen (Buschkoetter) Faimon, Glenvil, Neb., Marlene Faimon, Lawrence, Neb., seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, husband, nine siblings and their spouses.
Martha was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, being a very active member of the Altar Society. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Sewing Circle and the Lawrence American Legion Auxiliary. Martha was a current Hastings Eagles member where she and her son, Donnie, enjoyed playing cards until recently. Martha also enjoyed playing dominos weekly with her sisters. She also enjoyed the various card clubs she belonged to.
There was nothing Martha enjoyed more than a good ol' Catholic polka mass and going polka dancing with family members and friends. Martha had quite a sense of humor and loved spending time laughing with her seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. The remainder of Martha's family and friends will miss her dearly, as she was a remarkable, loving, fun person. May Martha truly enjoy every polka dance and card game in heaven with her Husband, Arnie.
(Notice dated May 17, 2018)
