U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Lorna Schrotberger
Lorna Schrotberger was born on June 8, 1924 in Perkins County northwest of Grant, Neb. She was born the second of six children born to Arthur and Emma Engel Boehmer. She was baptized on July 5, 1924 and later confirmed on June 5, 1938.
Lorna grew up on the family farm and attended parochial school at Trinity Lutheran. She attended high school in Grant and graduated from Perkins County High School in 1942.
Lorna was married to George Schrotberger on April 28, 1943 at the Trinity Lutheran Parsonage. Six children were born to this union. They made their home northwest of Grant.
In 1956 the family moved to the present farm home west of Grant. In addition to helping George on the farm, Lorna drove a route bus for Grant Schools for nearly 25 years.
George died in 1995 and Lorna continued to maintain her farm home. She was preparing to go to church on Sunday morning, July 24, 2005 when she died of an apparent heart attack at home. She had reached the age of 81.
Lorna had always been active in the Trinity Lutheran Church and sang in the church choir for several years.
In addition to her parents and husband, Lorna was preceded in death by one brother, Lawrence Boehmer and two sisters, Pauline Poppe and an infant sister, Katherine Boehmer.
She is survived by five sons, Wendall and his wife Linda of Gurley, Neb., Bruce and his wife Georgia of Overland Park, Kan., Rodney and his wife Penny of Grant, Kevin and his companion Janet Weiss of Imperial, Neb., and Chris of Grant; one daughter, Diane and her husband Joel Hunsburger of Tipton, Mo.; 16 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred and her husband Ward Clough of Otis, Colo., and Ardis and her husband Roy Sparks of Brule, Neb.; two daughters-in-law, Billie and Kelli of Grant; many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 27, at the Trinity Lutheran Church north of Grant with Pastor Wayne Pick officiating. Music was provided by Sandy Glenn and the congregation.
Casket bearers were Lorna's grandchildren. Burial was in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. A memorial has been established.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Elma B. Flaming
Elma Flaming, age 84 of rural Paxton, Neb., passed away Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at Linden Court in North Platte, Neb.
Elma was born Dec. 21, 1920 in Bradshaw, Neb., the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Ediger) Buller. Elma attended grade school in York County, Neb., and briefly attended Bible School in Henderson, Neb.
Elma moved to Ogallala, Neb., where her sister lived and was employed as a housekeeper in area homes. Elma accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized at the Maranatha Bible Camp when she was 18 years old. On Aug. 29, 1941 she married Clifford Flaming in Paxton.
Elma was more than just a homemaker as she helped Clifford with all the duties on the farm for many years. She had been a faithful member of the Mennonite Brethren Church in Paxton and Grant for many years and was a longtime member of the Ogallala Faith Evangelical Free Church.
Elma loved children and taught Sunday School and was a nursery attendant for many years. She had also been a leader for Bible studies for Friendship Bible Coffees from the Stonecroft Ministries.
Survivors include: One daughter, Lola and husband John Wall of Lyons, Kan.; two sons, Chuck and wife Shari Flaming of Paxton and Mark and wife Jan Flaming of Paxton; four grandchildren: Rev. Stephanie (Paul III) Brown of Wichita, Kan., Carissa and husband Mason Rob-bins of Wichita, Alyssa Flaming and Jed Flaming of Paxton; great-grandchildren: Brookelyn Brown and Paul Brown IV of Wichita; one brother, Herman and wife Ann Buller of Fresno, Calif.; two sisters: Ann and husband Mel Harms of Dallas, Ore., Leona Sweeney of Aptos, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Flaming; five sisters, Esther Wiens, Bertha Jansen, Mary Thiessen, Rubena Isaac and Martha Flynn; and six brothers, John, Henry, Daniel, Arnold, Frank and Peter Buller.
Memorial Services were held on Saturday, July 23, 2005 at the Ogallala Faith Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Eric Wait officiating. Family committal services were at the Paxton Cemetery.
A memorial was established in her memory. Gubser Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Stanley Schroeder
Dr. Stanley Schroeder, 81, formerly of Imperial, Neb. died on July 14, 2005 at the Grand Island Veterans Home after a brief illness with recurring cancer.
Dr. Schroeder was born on Dec. 15, 1923 in Venango, Neb., the son of Albert and Alda (Wostenberg) Schroeder.
He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Veterinary Medicine.
He also served in the Military during WWII.
He was united in marriage to Barbara Black on June 15, 1948 in Caldwell, Idaho. The couple lived in Imperial where they owned and operated the Stanbar Animal Hospital for almost 30 years.
Dr. Schroeder volunteered with Boy Scouts, Jaycees and he served as a member of the school board during those years. He spent his free time gardening, reading, and helping his daughters with their outdoor 4-H Projects.
For most of his life you would find him accompanied by "man's best friend," including Bruno, Heidi, Mutsy or Sam.
Stanley married Corleen Dyer on March 17, 1980 in Greeley, Colo. The couple resided at Alta Vista Ranch outside of Calhan, Colo. where they raised a small herd of red Angus cattle.
Highlights of his later years included trips to Europe, Africa, Alaska and considerable touring throughout the United States. During the late 1990's, he traveled extensively throughout Colorado and in 2003, he went to live with his daughter in Sioux Falls, S.D.
He entered the Grand Island Veterans Home in January 2004. While living at the Veterans Home, he developed a new family of friends and caregivers who cherished his charming sense of humor and sweet disposition. He even discovered an artistic side and created numerous, whimsical and unique ceramic pieces.
Survivors include four daughters and their husbands: Sue Ann and Dr. Terry Lang of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Mary and Nelson Siegler of Boulder, Colo.; Kristin "Kemeha" and Kutar Schwartz, of California; and Linda and Ben Rohrer, of Salina, Kan.; seven grandchildren: Heather Lang, Sera Jordan, Gretchen Lang, Robin Lang, Betsy Lang, Tanner Rohrer and Madeline Rohrer; and one sister, Yvonne Hermann of Venango, Neb. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant son, Scott Schroeder.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Imperial, Neb.
Inurnment at the Mount Hope Cemetery.
Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home of Grand Island was in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials to the Grand Island Veterans Home. Please mail to Mary Siegler, 1355- D Bear Mountain Dr., Boulder, Colo. 80305.
Victor Otto Pankonin
Victor Otto Pankonin was the fifth of eight children born to Otto and Dora Geisert Pankonin July 8, 1915, on the family farmstead in the Farmersville community north of Grant. He died Monday morning, July 18, 2005 at the age of 90 years and 10 days.
He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, being baptized in the faith on Aug. 1, 1915 and confirmed on May 5, 1929.
He attended rural grade school near the farm and parochial school at Trinity Lutheran for two years before attending Perkins County High School, graduating in 1933.
He worked on the family farm before spending two years working in California. After his return to Grant, he attended auction school in Missouri in 1936 and continued working on the family farm.
On Nov. 7, 1942, Victor married Hulda Gloy in a ceremony at Trinity Lutheran.
To this union were born six children: Galen, Gilbert, Alvin, Kathryn, Charles and Russell.
Vic and Hulda raised their family on the home farmstead where Vic engaged in a life-long career of farming.
In addition to serving his church, Vic was also involved in public service. He was a member of the hospital board when the original hospital was built in Grant. He also served several terms on both the Perkins County High School board and the Grant Elementary school board.
He put his auctioneering talents to work when he and Hulda purchased Grant Sales Company in 1956. The barn held livestock auctions for many years, later concentrating solely on the sheep business. Vic traveled over a three-state area looking at sheep, building one of the strongest sheep markets in the region. The barn also served as a wool collection point for growers.
After sheep production in the region declined, they ceased regular sales in 1974, but Vic continued to hold miscellaneous sales, farm and household auctions.
He started the 4-H livestock auction, which was held at the sale barn for many years. He continued to auctioneer the livestock auction until crying his last sale in 2002.
On March 12, 1990, at the age of 75, Vic lost his left leg above the knee in a farm accident. After recovering, he continued to work on the family farm with his son, Alvin, for another decade.
For the past five years, Vic suffered from chronic stump pain which significantly reduced his outside activities.
Vic suffered a stroke in mid-June and was unable to recover, passing away in the hospice unit of the Imperial Manor in Imperial.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Arnold and Ben, and sisters Gertrude Willcut and Alice Holscher.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Hulda, children Galen Pankonin of Omaha, Gilbert Pankonin of Temecula, Calif., Alvin Pankonin, Kathryn Fattig, Charles and wife, Barb Pankonin, all of Grant, and Russ and wife, Lori Pankonin, of Imperial.
He is survived by 13 grandchildren, Sonia Pankonin, Jeff Pankonin, Justin Pankonin, Danielle Pankonin, Aimee Pankonin, Casey Pankonin, Michelle Phifer and husband Ryan, Ryan Fattig, Mandi Pankonin, Ashley Pankonin, Zach Pankonin, Brooke Lutz and husband Jeff and Celeste Pankonin.
Great grandchildren include Eden Beers, Kyah Jangalo, Kenoz Pankonin, and Austin Lutz.
Other survivors include brother Elmer Pankonin and wife Gerry of Grant, sisters Esther Kurkowski of Downey, Calif., and Bernice Mosel of Garden Grove, Calif., and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Thursday, July 21 at the Trinity Lutheran Church north of Grant at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Wayne Pick officiating. A memorial has been established in Victor's name. Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.
Andrew Joe Loop
Andrew Joe Loop, 40, of Culbertson, Neb., died Friday, July 15, 2005 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Neb.
Andy was born May 30, 1965 at Oakley, Kan., to Leo and Mary Aidyl Stohler Loop. As a young boy he attended school at Lamar, Neb., through the eighth grade then his freshman year was spent at Imperial, Neb. Later his family moved to Paxton, Neb., where he graduated from Paxton High School in 1984. Andy had a series of jobs from ranching to traveling with a carnival. His true destination in life was to become an over-the-road truck driver. Andy attended Omaha Trucking School to fulfill this dream. He immediately started working for Best Refrigeration Company in Omaha, Neb., as an over-the-road driver and also worked on the Coleman Dairy for many years. At the time of his death, Andy was employed by Don Hagan of Culbertson as an over-the-road driver. He enjoyed the highway.
Survivors include his mother, Mary of Paxton; four sisters, Sarah Morse of Imperial, Lydia and husband John Lenhart of Roscoe, Neb., Mary and Veronica Loop both of Paxton; six brothers, Earl and wife Beth Loop and Patrick Loop all of Imperial, Paul and wife Katy Loop of Fallon, Nev., Frank Loop and Kelly Harms of Yuma, Colo., Gabriel and wife Brittany Loop of Lake Elsinore, Calif., and Gail Loop of El Cajon, Calif.; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; and special friend Ramona Wilkenson and family of McCook, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his father Leo; and grandparents George and Bessie Stohler and Earl and Mabel Loop.
Rosary was held Tuesday, July 19, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Paxton. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, July 20, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Paxton with Father Bryan Ernest as celebrant. Burial was in the Benkelman Cemetery. Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The family has established a memorial.
Vera Carlson
Vera Carlson, age 80 of Madrid, Neb., passed away Sunday, July 3, 2005 at her home. She was born Jan. 28, 1925 in Market Drayton, England.
Vera joined the English Army in 1941. She married George Carlson on April 29, 1944 at the St. Thomas Parish Church in Winchester, England.
Vera was a private A.T.S. in the English Army and George was a member of the U.S. Army. They had met at the USO when Vera was 19 years old.
Vera, accompanied aboard the ship by her young son John, landed at New York's Ellis Island on Jan. 14, 1946. After being cleared by customs officials they joined George in Grand Island, Neb.
In 1947 the young family moved to California. Margaret was born in 1948 and Robert was born in 1952. Vera studied hard and in 1955 she became a naturalized United States citizen.
In 1979 George and Vera returned to Grand Island and operated the Tri-State Processing Plant. In 1988 the couple moved to Madrid to make their home.
Vera enjoyed making jams and jellies from the fruits of her own garden for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Until her illness she could be seen three or four times a week outside mowing and tending to her yard.
She had been a member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include two sons, John and wife Sharon Carlson of Grant, Neb., and Bob Carlson of Madrid; one daughter, Margaret and husband Jim Carlson-Hein of Long Beach, Calif.; grandchildren Julia and husband Mark Frazier of Groton, Conn., David and wife Betty Carlson of Devine, Texas, Tracey and husband Kris Vardas of Pismo Beach, Calif., Kelly and husbband Brian Osterhoult of Oakdale, Calif., Janet and husband Richard Huff of Julesburg, Colo., Mitchell and wife Jeanie Sutherland of Grant, Joshua Sutherland of Omaha, and Laneya Carlson of Grant; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister, Renie French of Essex, England and cousin, Dee St. Pierre of Kent, England.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George.
Funeral services for Vera Carlson were held on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at the Madrid United Methodist Church with Pastor Richard Haden officiating.
Burial was in the Madrid Cemetery.
A memorial has been established in her memory.
Gubser Funeral Home of Ogallala was in charge of arrangements.
John Rundall
John Alexander Rundall, 93, of Julesburg, Colo., passed away at the Sedgwick County Nursing Home on July 4, 2005.
Rundall was born on Sept. 4, 1911, in Pine Bluffs, Wyo., and is survived by his wife of 68 years, Johanna VanHoveln Rundall of Julesburg, sons Dennis and wife Chickie of California, James and wife Barbara of Texas, David and wife Anna of Virginia and daughter Maradith and husband Ed Goode of Westminster, Colo.; nine grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; sister Marion Bragdon of Capser, Wyo.; brother Keith and wife Dorothy of Stoneham, Colo.; brother Don and wife Mary of Ovid, Colo. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Rundall is preceded in death by his parents, John "Jack" and Gladys Rundall and step-mother, Mary Rundall Chapman, brothers Reuben, Paul, William, sister, Doris and son Stanley.
Mr. Rundall served with the Civilian Conservation Corp, was a volunteer for the Ovid Fire Dept, employed at the Sioux Army Depot in Sidney, Neb., during the war, was CEO of the Rundall Construction Co., employed at the Great Western Sugar Beet Factory in Ovid and was custodian at the Julesburg High School until his retirement.
He enjoyed working in his yard and garden. He had a unique talent of working with wood. His works are enjoyed throughout the community as well as from coast to coast.
Services were held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Thursday, July 7, 2005 with Rev. Trenton Christiansen officiating.
Interment was at Hillside Cemetery in Julesburg, Colo.
