U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Henry Lewis Tropf
Henry "Hank" Lewis Tropf passed away Oct. 22, 2005 at the Pioneer Place Nursing Home in Vale, Ore.
Hank was born to Emil Lewis and Minnie Louise Dorow Tropf on July 30, 1916 near Madrid, Neb.
He was the oldest of six children. His family moved to the Nyssa area in 1935 where Hank worked at various jobs.
On Dec. 9, 1943, Hank married Julia Mendive. They had two daughters, Sandra and Tamra.
Hank began his carpenter/contractor career in the early 1950s. Numerous houses in the Vale and surrounding area were built or remodeled by Hank over the years. He took pride in his work and was well known for the quality of his buildings and cabinetry work. In later years, one of his hobbies was building grandfather clocks. Family members and friends were lucky recipients of his beautiful clocks.
Another hobby was photography. He took his camera out early in the morning or at dusk and waited for baby fox to come out of their dens so he could get a picture of them. He was able to get close enough to take pictures of eagles in their nests. He saw beauty in objects that many of us would pass by and caught them in the lens of his camera.
Hank was an avid reader. He liked reading about the history of the west, Indians, ghost towns and his book "Tropf's Since the Civil War." He was outspoken about politics and loved to argue with anyone who disagreed with him. He usually had the last word and was affectionately known as "a tough old bird."
Hank was a softhearted man who taught his children and some of his grandchildren their numbers, the alphabet and how to color. He ate french fries and drank cokes with them after school. He passed on his love for woodworking to many of his family members. He was always willing to show any of them how to "do things right" and, of course, that was "his" way. He was a man of integrity and a role model as a father, grandfather, husband and friend. He was always there to lend a hand to anyone who needed it.
Many times Hank visited museums and old junk dumps in Chase and Perkins Counties and at Birch Tree, Mo. and found many antique treasures.
Hank was preceded in death by his German born grandmother, Emelia Clemp Dorow; daughter, Tamra Eddy; sister, Emma Gruell; brother, Arno Emil "Ike" Tropf and grandson, Graham Henry Eddy.
Hank is survived by wife, Julia of Vale, Ore.; daughter, Sandra Larson and husband, John of Boise, Idaho; son-in-law Mike Eddy of Vale, Ore.; sister-in-law, Doris Tropf of Burns, Ore.; brother-in-law, Eugene Gruell and wife, Edna of Boise, Idaho; brothers, Gordon and wife Dona of Champion, Neb.; Bernard and wife, Rose of Caldwell, Idaho; Durward and wife, Marguerite of Adrian, Ore.; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral service was held on Oct. 26 at the Vale Christian Church. Burial was at the Valley View Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Pioneer Nursing Home, c/o Lienkaemper Chapel, PO Box 970, Onterio, Ore. 97914.
Arrangements were under the direction of Lienkaemper Funeral Home.
Marvin Brown
Marvin Ernest Brown, age 73, farm owner south of Ogallala, Neb., passed away Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Marvin was born March 22, 1932 in Grant, Neb. He is the son of William F. and Margie Belle (Jones) Brown. Marvin was the younger brother of Juliana B. Brown Lenhart.
Marvin graduated from Perkins County High School in 1949 where he played football. He married Marlene Mae Walker on Sept. 19, 1950. He lived and farmed on the family farm south of Ogallala for 55 years except for his years of service in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954. Travis Ernest and Diana Lynne were born to Marvin and Marlene in 1956 and 1958.
Marvin took great pride in farming and paying special attention to detail with his operation and equipment. He farmed with his son Travis and earlier with his brother-in-law, Harold Westover.
He also enjoyed hunting and had a special talent in woodcarving where he crafted many pieces of wildlife for family and friends. Marvin shared his talent in carving through club memberships in Ogallala, North Platte and Omaha. He also loved to teach and demonstrate carving to local groups and especially youth groups.
Marvin served on the District 22 school board and was a member of the Grant and Ogallala United Methodist Chur-ches and the American Legion. Family bonds were important to Marvin. He spent many hours sharing time with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene of Ogallala, daughter, Diana and husband Jim Green of West Des Moines, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Michelle Brown of Greeley, Colo.; sister-in-law, Arlene West-over of Fort Worth, Texas; granddaughters, Mallory and Heide Brown of Greeley; grandsons, Justin and David Green of West Des Moines.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Juliana Lenhart and his son Travis who passed away on May 22, 2001.
Memorial services were held Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Ogallala United Methodist Church with Pastor Kelo Kaleuati officiating. Inurnment was in the Ogallala Cemetery with military honors provided by the Keith County Veteran's organizations.
Cremation was chosen.
Gubser Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Donna Lee Ribble
Donna Lee Ribble, age 76, longtime Ogallala, Neb., resident, died Oct. 20, 2005 at the Ogallala Community Hospital.
Ribble was born Oct. 19, 1929 at Elsie, Neb., the daughter of Theo and Wilma Crist Skinner, and was raised from age four by Harry and Marie Franke.
Donna received her education in country school through eighth grade and graduated from Ogallala High School in 1947. She attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Neb., as an English major.
On April 2, 1960 Donna married Evans Ribble and they settled in Ogallala. Mrs. Ribble worked as a legal secretary, and then became office manager for Evans when he went to work for Lawson Products in 1981.
She was an avid reader, enjoyed fishing with Evans, playing with her grandchildren, knitting and studying the Bible. Ribble was a member of the First Baptist Church and helped prepare the church bulletin.
Preceding her in death were her foster parents, her birth parents, a brother, Mark Skinner and a sister, Helen Graves.
Survivors include her loving husband Evans Ribble of Ogallala; daughter Elaine Hayford of Brewton, Ala.; son Robin Ribble and wife Nidia of Costa Rica; daughter Lorri and husband John Parsons of Omaha; son Harrison Ribble and wife Joy of Corpus Christi, Texas. Others left to cherish her memory include three grandchildren Jared Parsons, and Allie and Arik Ribble; sister Frances Knight of Baltimore, Md.; three brothers Ed Skinner and wife Yvonne of Paradise, Calif., Charles Skinner and wife Mary, and Roger Skinner and wife Janet, all of Ogallala.
The family chose cremation. Memorial services were held Monday, Oct. 24, at the Ogallala First Baptist Church with Rev. Curtis Tschetter officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church and the Omaha Street School.
Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala was in charge of arrangements.
Harold Ray
Harold Ray was born on Jan. 28, 1930 at Tekamah, Neb. He was the only child born to Herley and Edna (Marr) Ray. Harold grew up in Tekamah and graduated from high school in 1948.
Harold was married to Barbara Wolfe on May 26, 1951 at Tekamah. He joined the U.S. Army in 1951 during the Korean War and was stationed in Augusta, Ga.
After his discharge they returned to Tekamah. Harold started his career with Northwestern Bell and lived in Norfolk. He was involved in management and lived in different cities in Nebraska including Sidney, Grand Island and Omaha. He retired in 1987 and Harold and Barbara moved to Springfield, Mo. They moved to Grant in 1992 to be closer to their daughter. They returned to Springfield before moving back to Grant again in 2000.
Harold suffered a pulmonary embolism Friday morning at his home and was transferred to the Aurora, Colo. Medical Center where he died Saturday afternoon, Oct. 15, 2005. He had reached the age of 75.
Harold was a member of the Grant Evangelical Free Church. He also had belonged to the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion. While employed by Northwestern Bell, he belonged to the Telephone Pioneers.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents and a young son, Michael, who died in 1956.
He is survived by his wife of over 54 years, Barbara; one son, Bryon and wife Sharon Ray of Nixa, Mo.; and one daughter, Tracey and her husband Donnie Hajek of Grant, three grandchildren, John Ray and Josh and Brittney Hajek; other relatives and friends.
Services were held Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005 at Grant Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Russ Gaar officiating.
Music was by Carolyn Harms, Mark McGreer, Russ and Jeanne Gaar.
Casket bearers were Josh Hajek, Brittney Hajek, John Ray, Noel Bullock, Don Lundvall and Rod Young.
Honorary escorts were Ken Terwilliger, Bill Beckler, Bernard Kuskie, Rod Wolfe, Donnie Hajek and Don Hajek.
Interment was in Grant Cemetery with a flag presentation by Perkins County Veterans.
Bullock-Long Services was in charge of arrangements.
Henry VanCura Jr.
Henry VanCura Jr. was born on July 19, 1928 south of Elsie, Neb. He was the oldest of five children born to Henry and Lola Lee VanCura.
Henry began his schooling in Madrid, Neb., and the family later moved to Keith County where Henry attended high school in Ogallala, Neb., through his junior year. He later received his G.E.D. out of North Platte, Neb.
He worked in the Ogallala area until 1951 when he joined the United States Army during the Korean War. Henry was a light truck driver and was wounded in action when a roadside bomb exploded near Inje, Korea. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
After his honorable discharge in 1952, Henry returned to Ogallala. He was married to Mary McVay on Dec. 12, 1953 in Ogallala. They lived in several different communities in Nebraska and while in Elsie, they owned and operated the H and M Tavern.
Henry also was involved in lumber yard work for the S.E. Foster Co., and was the manager of the yard in Chappell, Neb.
Mary died in 1983 and Henry moved to Torrington, Wyo. In Torrington, he met and married Jean Schneider on Nov. 23, 1984. They lived in Torrington for a brief period before moving to Arthur, Neb., in 1985 and back to Elsie where he helped the Cutler's with their farming operation.
Because of his declining health, Henry was transferred to the Southview Manor Care Center in Cozad, Neb., in July of 2002. He died at Southview Manor early Thursday morning, Oct. 6, 2005. He had reached the age of 77.
Henry was a lifetime member of the V.F.W., Disabled American Veterans and a member of the Elsie American Legion Post.
He is survived by his wife, Jean of Paxton, Neb.; one son Jeff and his wife Bonnie VanCura of North Platte; two daughters Michel'l and her husband Tim Cummings of Rapid City, S.D., and Pam Cavenaugh of New Jersey; one stepson Sam and his wife Jodi Schneider of Delta, Colo.; one stepdaughter Stacy and her husband Andrew McIntyre of Tucson, Ariz.; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; three brothers Charles and his wife Charlotte VanCura of Colorado Springs, Colo., Babe and his wife Shirley VanCura of Lexington, Colo., and Delmar and his wife DeAnn VanCura of Ogallala; one sister Betty Davis of South Barre, Vt.; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Oct. 10, 2005 at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant with John Long, officiating. Casket bearers were Terry Bruner, Scott VanCura, Don Lee, Mike Gartner, Dale Tederman and Glen Stanek.
Committal Services were held at the Ogallala Cemetery. The flag presentation was presented by Perkins County Veterans.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James Vapenik
James Vapenik was born on Dec. 9, 1922 north of Elsie, Neb. He was the oldest of four sons born to James and Katherine "Katy" Lindauer Vapenik.
When James was a young boy the family moved to a farm south of Grainton, Neb., where he attended country school through the eighth grade.
He was married to Ruby Pickard on Feb. 2, 1944 at North Platte, Neb. They lived south of Grainton, Neb., where James farmed in addition to working for Les Hanson in construction. In 1979, James and Ruby moved into Grainton.
James had led an active life until his health began to fail this summer. With the help of his family, James was able to stay home until last Wednesday evening when he was transferred to the Perkins County Community Hospital in Grant,. Neb. James died at the hospital on Thursday morning, Oct. 6, 2005. He had reached the age of 82.
He is survived by his wife Ruby, of over 61 years; two sons, Eugene Vapenik of Monroe, Wis., and Tim and his wife Deb Vapenik of Wallace, Neb.; one daughter, Maxine Stewart of Elsie, Neb.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; three brothers, Les and his wife Alice Vapenik of rural Elsie, Ed and his wife Annabelle Vapenik of Wauneta, Neb., and George "Dutch" and his wife Velda Vapenik of rural Elsie; other relatives and friends.
Services were held Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005 at the Wallace United Methodist Church with Pastor Jurdan Counts officiating. Music was by Organist Donna Hahn and Soloist Bob Cummings.
Casket bearers were Joshua Vapenik, Jon Vapenik, Ben Vapenik, Jerry Vapenik, Greg Vapenik, Conrad Nelson and Francis Dowling. Interment was in the Elsie Cemetery.
Bullock Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Billie Creasman
William Frederic "Billie" Creasman, 74, a former resident of Rapid City, died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005 at the Colonial Manor in Custer, S.D.
Billie was born to William "Bill" and Charlotte (Powers) Creasman on July 18, 1931 in Indianola, Neb. The family grew up in the country and Billie attended schools in Waunita. After graduation, he joined the US Marine Corps and fought on the front lines of the Korean War. He received his honorable discharge as a Sergeant.
Billie's career was as a farm hand and truck driver. He retired while employed with Jenner Equipment in Rapid City.
Billie is survived by two daughters, Ramona Bradeen of Custer and Letha Claussen of Grand Junction, Colo.; seven grandchildren, Rayannan Myers, Daniel Myers and Kelly Ann Claussen, Grand Junction, and Shaundra Creasman and Tanya Creasman of Quincy, Calif., Ricky Lee Creasman of Grants Pass, Ore., and Zoey Bradeen, Custer; two sisters, Patsy Teply of Imperial, Neb., Joyce Hofman, McCook, Neb., and one brother, Roger Creasman, Elfrido, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his son, Richard L. "Ric" Creasman, his parents, Bill and Charlotte Creasman and two brother-in-laws, Eddy Teply and Larry Hofman.
Funeral services were Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Osheim-Catron Funeral Home with the Rev. Don Stoebner officiating. Burial, with military honors by Rushmore VFW Post 1273, was at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis.
A memorial has been established to the Activities Fund of Colonial Manor and the Tree Fund at Wedgwood Assisted Living, Custer.
John Blaase, Jr.
John Blaase, Jr., age 75 of Ogallala, Neb., passed away Friday, Sept. 30, 2005 as the result of a truck accident southeast of Grant, Neb.
He was born Jan. 10, 1930 in Keith County, the son of John and Ethel (Annable) Blaase. John grew up in Brule and graduated from the Brule High School in 1948. He met and married Margary Steinwart from Elsie, Neb. The couple was married on July 3, 1953 in Elsie. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 3, 2003.
John began working at Goodall Electric which later became TRW. He worked there until his "semi" retirement in the early 1980's. He held numerous other jobs in the community and was always willing to help his friends and neighbors.
He was a life long member of the United Methodist Church as well as being a member of the Ogallala Elks Lodge 1760, the Ogallala Masonic Lodge 159 A.F. and A.M. and was a member of the Shrine Temple.
John was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Survivors include: His wife, Marge of Ogallala; two daughters, Pam and husband Bob Godberson of Gibbon, Neb., Stacy Jablonski and her fiancé Kevin McDaniel of Julesburg, Colo.; one brother, William and wife Lavonne Blaase of Las Vegas, Nev.; one sister, Ann and husband Kurt Williams of Woodward, Okla.; two sisters-in-laws, Mary Steinwart of Ogallala and Lorraine Lungrin of Kearney, Neb.; one brother-in-law, Don and wife Laura Steinwart of Lexington, Neb.; two granddaughters, Taylor Godberson and Cassie Jablonski; three grandsons, Austin Godberson, Ryan Jablonski and Reed Jablonski; several nieces, nephews and cousins as well as many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Esther; and a niece, Annette.
Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 at the Ogallala United Methodist Church with Mark Baldwin officiating. Burial was in the Ogallala Cemetery with Masonic Rites conducted by Ogallala Masonic Lodge 159 A.F. and A.M.
A memorial was established in his memory. Gubser Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
