U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Dwight R. Murray
Dwight Russell Murray died on May 6, 2018, in Overland Park, Kan. He was born on Sept. 26, 1944, in Superior, Neb., as the second son of Aaron and Charlotte Murray, when brother Denny (Carl) was three years old. Sisters Joanne and Susan arrived in the 50s. Dwight grew up on the back of a horse with a gun in his hand and a dog following close behind. There were always animals around; the pet raccoon would even ride along with him on his horse.
He inherited Granddad Jim's love of horses. Dwight always had a special connection with animals which was an ongoing passion and theme throughout his life. It was easier for him to communicate with animals than people ... as long as they didn't cross him. During the summers he worked the farm, threw bales for anyone needing help and went to harvest. Evenings were spent playing shortstop and catching for junior Legion baseball and riding in horse shows. He graduated from Montrose High School in 1962 where he played football, basketball, baseball, track, and also where he truly enjoyed Mrs. Bangs' school lunches (especially the cinnamon rolls).
He farmed with his dad and worked at Texaco when he was home from Fort Hays State College where he majored in business. The scene of the world was changing and the ever present threat of being drafted to Vietnam was a black cloud looming over everyone's shoulder. By college graduation in 1968 he knew being drafted was inevitable and he enlisted in the Army the day before his draft notice arrived. Dwight married
Sharon Loomis two months before deployment. After serving 13 months in Vietnam, he returned to the United States in 1970 and found a place he could not recognize as home.
His entrepreneurial spirit lead him to become an auctioneer. Aaron, Dwight and Carl conducted public auctions for several years in Jewell County. Later Dwight's interests turned to real estate and the financial world. He became a stock broker in the Kansas City area. However, the best thing that happened to Dwight was the birth of his daughter, Erin Michelle, in the early 80s. She was his grounding foundation. They made many road trips to ski, camp and fish.
For years, Dwight studied horse bloodlines producing winners, at least on paper. By 1983, he applied that study to greyhounds and headquartered his kennel first in Abilene and then on his family's land east of the Mankato Sale Barn. For the next decade and a half he focused on the greyhounds, raising and winning as one of the best trainers in the country. As the dog racing scene changed, his attention gravitated to what he had always known: raising horses and cattle. He spent many hours of hard labor to clean up and sustain a chemical-free natural pasture of many native grasses. Naturally, he also returned to the call of his rodeo roots and won the 1997 Jewell County Ranch Rodeo - All Around Team buckle.
He enjoyed hunting his whole life. Most seasons, Dwight, a horse, and his dog bagged a deer or elk and made a point to always use and share what he brought home. He was not into sport hunting.
Dwight did things his way and believed in leaving things better than when he found them.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by daughter Erin; a brother Carl Dennis; sisters Joanne Freeman (Dale) and Susan Hoffman (Don); nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. Per Dwight's request there will not be a funeral but the family invites the public to share memories and enjoy some of his favorite cookies and refreshments on Sunday, May 27, 2018, at the Mankato City Office (Old Armory Building), 217 S. High Street, Mankato, Kan., 1 to 3 p.m.
(Notice dated May 17, 2018)
Velma Heitmann
Velma Esther Heitmann, 91, died last Wednesday at Parkview Haven Nursing Home in Deshler. The daughter of Herman Dunker and Sophie (Grundmann) Dunker, she was born June 16, 1926, in rural Deshler.
Velma grew up in rural Deshler, attending Trinity Lutheran School and then graduating from Deshler High School. On Aug. 8, 1948, she was united in marriage to Merlin Victor Heitmann and to this union were born Charlotte, Ward and Lee. The couple made their home in rural Byron, where she was a homemaker.
She was active at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Byron, where she was involved in several groups through the years. She also was a member of the Extension Club for several years. She enjoyed crocheting, cross stitching and crossword puzzles.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merlin; two grandsons, Kyle Heitmann and Justin Heitmann; five brothers, Hubert, Henry, Erwin, Freeland and Reuben Dunker, and three sisters, Ruth Effenbeck, Estella Vorderstrasse and Margaret Elting.
Velma is survived by two sons, Ward Heitmann of Byron and Lee Heitmann of Omaha; one daughter, Mrs. Ken Knebel (Charlotte) of Phoenix, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; twin sisters, Juleen Hellbusch of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Julie Stuthman of Wayne; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Her funeral was held Monday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Byron, with Pastor Breen Sipes officiating. Interment was in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, rural Byron. Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, was in charge of the arrangements.
(Notice dated April 12, 2018)
Bill Delka
Billie Dean "Bill" Delka, 72, died last Wednesday at his home in Guide Rock. He was born on May 10, 1945, in Red Cloud, the sixth of 11 children born to Harold and Olive (Smith) Delka. His childhood years were in the Bostwick area. Bill attended Guide Rock High School before being drafted into the United States Army, where he was a heavy equipment operator.
While working construction, Bill met Arlene Schmidtberger, who was the sixth of 13 children. They married
on June 21, 1969, at Cathedral of the Plains Catholic Church in Victoria. Bill was proud of his family and they were the most important part his life.
Bill worked construction in Kansas and Texas before moving back to Nebraska where he worked as mechanic. Bill and Arlene moved to Guide Rock in 1975 and opened Delka's Sales and Service. The shop remained a central gathering space on main street until it closed in 1995 when Bill went to work for Roadbuilders, Inc., in Grand Island. In his leisure time, he enjoyed gardening.
Bill was an active member of AA for 27 years. Through the AA community, he actively lived the 12 steps and became a mentor to others. His quick wit and sense of humor led to contagious laughter in any setting. Even with surgeries and chemotherapy, Bill was known to brighten people's days with his clever comments and genuine conversations.
Survivors include his wife, Arlene; children, Mrs. Kory Delkamiller (Julie) of Omaha, Les Delka of Lincoln, Neb., Chris Delka of Pierce, Mrs. Brian Howard (Amy) of Papillion, Mrs. Kevin Edgren (Jill) of Grand Island; 15 grandchildren; siblings, Neil, Don, Ted, Frank, Ray, Dale, Betty Elaine, Joe and Doris; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Red Cloud, with The Rev. Paul Frank officiating. Interment with military honors was in the Guide Rock Cemetery. Williams Funeral Home of Red Cloud was in charge of the arrangements.
(Notice dated April 12, 2018)
Marjorie Stafford
Marjorie Ilene Carpenter Stafford, 93, died Thursday. She was born Sept. 21, 1924, to Edith Cora (Malstead) and Berton Wesley Carpenter.
Marjorie resided at the family farm in Rose Creek Township, Republic County, with her parents and Sisters, Vera and LaVeda. She attended Munden Schools. Following high school, Marjorie attended and graduated from normal training, which allowed her to teach at country schools. She taught at Pleasant Grove District 61 for two years, where she met Dale Samuel Stafford.
Dale and Marjorie were married
on Dec. 22, 1945. To this union, three children were born: Patricia Elaine, Dennis Dale and Roger Harold. She resided at the farm north of Scandia until her death.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Scandia, and an active member of the UMW. She was a former member of EHU, and also the Oops and Swipes! card group. Other interests included family, gardening, crocheting and cooking.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dale; a sister, Vera; and a grandson, Gregory Dale.
She is survived by her children, Patricia Cardwell of Lawrence, Kan., Dennis Stafford of Wamego and Roger Stafford of rural Scandia; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, LeVeda Lane of Salina; other relatives and friends.
Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) at the United Methodist Church in Scandia, with Pastor Sandra Jellison-Knock officiating. Interment will be in the Washington Cemetery, rural Republic. Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Scandia, is in charge of the arrangements.
(Notice dated April 12, 2018)
Rev. Melvin Rempe
Rev. Melvin L. Rempe, 78, died on March 27, 2018, at York General Hearthstone, York, Neb., where he has been residing since July 2016. He was born May 10, 1939, in Lawrence, Neb. He began his education at Sacred Heart Elementary in Lawrence, followed by Maur Hill Prep, Atchison, Kan., and St. Thomas Seminary, Denver, Colo.
Father was ordained a priest for the Lincoln Diocese on May 29, 1965, at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln, Neb.
His career included duties as a priest, educator, counselor, director and producer. He received a master's degree in counseling from Creighton University, Omaha, Neb.
Following his ordination, he served at parishes in Hastings and Beatrice. He was on the staff at Lourdes High School in Nebraska City. During this tenure he was administrator of parishes in Peru and Julian. Fr. Rempe was assigned to David City and was pastor at Cambridge, Arapahoe and Red Cloud. He spent five years at St.
Joseph's in York, Neb. During this time, he provided counsel to prisoners at the Nebraska Center for Women. He retired in June 2014 and moved to St. John Vianney Residence in Omaha.
In addition to his work in the Lincoln Diocese, Father Rempe worked in San Francisco at the Archdiocese Communication Center and the Archdiocese of Omaha with the Catholic Telecommunications Network of America. At this time, he produced and assisted with several broadcasts on the Pope and Vatican in Rome as well as educational videos. CTNA disbanded in 1995. Father Mel Rempe was Director of Communications Office for Omaha Archdiocese 1981 to 1995 with residence at St. Mary Magdalene Parish.
Father Rempe's love and appreciation for the arts began while attending St. Thomas Seminary in Denver. Fr. Mel was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Richard and Hilda (Ostdiek) Rempe; brother-in-law, Maurice Kroening; niece, Monica Martin Seifried; grandparents, uncles, aunts and numerous cousins.
Surviving relatives include his five siblings, Geraldine Rempe Kroening, Derby, Kan.; Richard J. Rempe (Caroline), Superior, Neb.; Sister Richardine (Luella) Rempe, SSND, Pico Rivera, Calif., Rosemary Rempe
Martin (Dan), Jacksonville, Fla., and Vernon Rempe (Doris), Grand Island,
Neb., nieces, nephews and cousins.
His life was celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial in Lincoln, Neb., at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at 11 a.m. Viewing was held one hour prior to Mass.
A Memorial Mass was held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, York, Neb., on Wednesday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m.
A Memorial Mass and burial will be held in St. Stephen's Cemetery, Lawrence, Neb., near his birthplace on Friday, April 13, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Catholic Social Services or St. Joseph's School Tuition Assistance Fund, York Neb. Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N. Commercial, Superior Street, Neb., 68978. Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Neb., is in charge of the arrangements.
(Notice dated April 12, 2018)
Bartholomew Cabrera
Bartholomew Cabrera, 100, of Deshler, died Thursday at Jefferson Community Health and Life. The son of Augustin and Maria (Sandoval) Cabrera, he was born Aug. 24, 1917, In Mocane, Okla. "Barb" grew up in the Deshler area and attended school and graduated from Deshler High School with the Class of 1936. He married
Olivia J. Reinboth Nov. 16, 1939, in Hebron. This union was blessed with the birth of three sons.
Barb worked in the ammunition depot in Mead before entering the United States Army April 27, 1945, during WWII. He was honorably discharged Aug. 31, 1946.
Returning home to Deshler, Barb started working at the Deshler Broom
Factory. He worked there for more than 44 years. While employed at the
broom factory he was also janitor at St. Peter Church and Deshler Lutheran School and also mowed the cemetery. He was helped by his wife and his sons, teaching them how to work and take responsibility.
Barb was an active member of St. Peter Church in Deshler serving on various committees, mixed choir, men's choir, elder vice president, president of PTL, envelope committee, bulletin folder, and delivered bulletins to Park View Haven and Meadowlark Heights.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Olivia; one son, Randall; and sisters, Marie Garner, Angela Christensen, Helen Martinez and Tina Cabrera.
He is survived by two sons, Jim of Lincoln and Brad of Washington, Utah; one sister, Meta Fegter of Deshler; four grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral was Monday at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Deshler. Officiant was Pastor Brian Francik. Burial was in the church cemetery with military honors by Thayer County American Legion posts. Kroll Funeral Home of Deshler was in charge of arrangements.
(Notice dated April 12, 2018)
