U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Katie Gardner
Katie Marie Gardner, 93, Seward, died March 18, 2004, in Seward.
She was born Oct. 25, 1910, in Beaver Crossing to Emery and Katie E. (Birky) Stutzman.
She graduated from Milford High School in 1928 and taught for three years at Trabert School, Stauffer School and a school near Pleasant Dale. She married Guy Willard Gardner on Feb. 22, 1932, in Milford. The couple farmed near Goehner until 1959, when they moved to Seward.
Mrs. Gardner worked as a bookkeeper at Beckler Implement and Gardner's Farm Service in Goehner. She was a charter member of Bellwood Mennonite Church in Milford, where she was active in the quilting group and Bible class.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Guy Gardner; sisters, Alta Stutzman and Clara Enns; and daughter-in-law, Shirley Gardner.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Jean Gardner and Jim and Jane Gardner, all of Seward, and Lonny Gardner, Aurora, Colo.; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters, Della Troyer, Union City, Pa., Verna Stauffer, Dorchester, and Agnes Gotchy, San Jose, Calif.; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were March 22 at Bellwood Mennonite Church in Milford, with the Rev. Marlin Kym officiating. Casketbearers were Bruce, Tim, Terry and Steve Gardner, Ralph Soles, Brian Hegeholz, Dr. Daryl Hackbart and Jay Dubs. Honorary casketbearers were Sherree, Brandee, Ben and Sarah Soles, Deb, Melissa, Brandon and Kaylee Hegeholz, Linda, Justin, Jasmine and Miguel Dubs, Susan, Brittney, Tyler, Jackson and Elijah Hackbart, and Lori, Brooke, Pam, Jill, Heidi, Lindsay, Samantha, Rachel, Michael, Matthew, Calen and Jared Gardner. Private family interment was held at Seward Cemetery.
Lois Hoppe
Lois Ruth Hoppe, 88, Seward, died March 20, 2004, in Seward.
She was born Sept. 22, 1915, in Holland to Harmon and Clara (Wismer) Veddar.
She graduated from Bennett High School and on July 21, 1934, married Virgil Hoppe in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The couple farmed north of Princeton, then near Dorchester until retiring in 1962. After retirement, the couple moved to Crete. Mrs. Hoppe worked for Form-Fit Garment Company. She enjoyed working with plants and flowers, particularly African Violets, and often held plant sales in the spring. She enjoyed attending dances and playing cards with her husband.
Mrs. Hoppe was a former member of Dorchester United Methodist Church and Crete Berean Church, where she occasionally played piano for the Sunday School students. She was a member of the Ladies Extension Club, where she was active in bake sales. Mrs. Hoppe was a resident of the Greene House Assisted Living Center in Seward.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Lyle Veddar; and sisters, Bessie Veddar and Marge Webb.
Survivors include her husband, Virgil, Seward; sons and daughters-in-law, Ron and Sally Hoppe, Salem, Oregon, Roger and Joyce Hoppe, Milford, and Gordon and Sharon Hoppe, Omaha; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Violet Obermeyer, Hickman; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are Thursday, March 25, at 11 a.m. at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home in Milford, with the Rev. Robert Troyer officiating. Casketbearers are Rod, Matt and Doug Hoppe, Chris Gustafson and Jantha Slade. A private family interment will be held at Lincoln Memorial Park prior to the funeral service. Memorials may be sent to the Shriner's Children's Hospital.
Edmund Moravec
Edmund Ivan Moravec, 83, Seward, died March 14, 2004, in Seward.
He was born July 7, 1920, in rural Seward to Frank and Frances (Krenk) Moravec.
He graduated from Garland High School in 1938 and married Gladys Mary Robison on Feb. 19, 1944, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manitowoc, Wis. The couple lived and farmed in the Bee and Seward area all their lives.
Mr. Moravec was a World War II veteran, having served a tour of duty with the United States Army in the Philippines. He was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Bee, where he served as an usher and trustee, and was a member of the Men's Club. He was a former member of the Bee Volunteer Fire Department and a former longtime member of the board of directors for the Bee Cooperative Elevator Company during the 1970s and 1980s.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathy.
Survivors include his wife, Gladys Moravec, Seward; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Bonnie Moravec, Georgetown, Texas, Robert and Nancy Moravec, David City, and Daniel and Pamela Moravec of rural Seward; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Dennis Buchholz, Aurora; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Bev Moravec, Nickerson; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gladys and Gerald Divis, Ashland, Jeri and Curtis Fleming, Morse Bluffs, Darlene and Carl Wills, Lincoln, and Wilma Buck of Ashland; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Spaeth of Janesville, Wis.
Funeral services were March 18 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Bee, with the Revs. Loras Grell, Brad Zitek and Peter Gadient officiating. Casketbearers were Brian Buchholz, Nolan and Jeff Moravec, Bernard and Allen Raiter, Gary Stara and Duane Divis. Honorary casketbearers were Sandi Costanzo, Kayleah, Michelle and Jodi Moravec and Kristi Layman. Interment was at Bee Catholic Cemetery with military honors provided by Seward Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4755.
William Bye
William R. Bye, 88, Seward, died July 26, 2004, in Seward.
He was born Aug. 6, 1915, near Seward to William E. and Mary (Odell) Bye. He was confirmed on June 1, 1946, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. He attended high school in Garland. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He married Louise Gentz on Dec. 10, 1945, in Seward. He was a truck driver for Seward Motor Freight and a custodian at St. John Lutheran School in Seward and the Seward Civic Center. He was a member of the Seward VFW Post 4755.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence, and his sister, Irene Dine.
Survivors include his wife, Louise Bye of Seward, sons and daughters-in-law, Alan and Karen Bye and Todd and Renee Bye, all of Seward, daughter and son-in-law, Cheri and Denny Wullenwaber, Seward, brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Elaine Bye, Hastings, brother- and sister-in-law, Jim and Ruth Bye, Seward, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were July 29 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Interment was at the Utica Cemetery. Casketbearers were Jeremy, Allison and Tara Tonniges, Kelsey Wullenwaber, and Daniel, Nyla and Tony Bye. Honorary casketbearers were Alan, Jr. and Tanner Bye, Haille Franzen and Zachary and Tatum Tonniges.
Dale Fehlhafer
Dale Herman Fehlhafer, 62, Utica, died July 26, 2004, in Utica.
He was born July 22, 1942, in Seward to Otto and Esther (Knorr) Fehlhafer. He graduated from Utica High School in 1960. He married Anette Bargsten on June 16, 1962, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was employed at Fehlhafer, Inc. Auto Parts and Salvage. He was an active member of the Utica Volunteer Fire Department and served as fire chief for 25 years. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Utica.
He was preceded in death by his father, Otto, and daughter, Tami Dinkelman.
Survivors include wife, Netty of Utica, sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Marci Fehlhafer, and Andy and Christal Fehlhafer, all of Utica, daughter and son-in-law, Jodi and Mark Foxvog, Utica, brothers and sister-in-law, Ewald and Edith Fehlhafer, Utica, and Wilber Fehlhafer, Kansas City, Kan., sisters and brother-in-law, Lavilda Murray, Utica, and Lois and Rich Rhodes, Palm Coast, Fla., mother, Esther Fehlhafer, Utica, and six grandchildren.
Funeral services were July 28 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Utica with the Rev. John Burger officiating. Interment was at the Utica Cemetery with an escort by the Utica Fire Department and tow truck operators. Casketbearers were Douglas Murray, Joe Falcone, Mike and Alan Fehlhafer, Mark Frey and Dan Peters.
Georgia Hofbauer
Georgia R. Hofbauer, 90, Osceola, died July 30, 2004, in Osceola.
She was born June 26, 1914, in Brainard to Ludvik and Mary (Kucera) Weverka. She graduated from Brainard High School in 1931. She married Thomas A. Hofbauer on Feb 20, 1933, at Holy Trinity Church in Brainard.
She worked as a cook at Annie Jeffrey Hospital in Osceola. She also worked in the office at Model Laundry in Grand Island. She did custodial work at Aquinas High School and the Sunshine Court in David City. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in David City. She enjoyed baking, making crafts, crocheting and being with people.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas, brothers, Adolph and Henry Weverka, and sisters, Julia Kucera, Agnes Rech, Hattie Samek, Helen Kovar and Henrietta Sypal.
Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Norman and Marie Kucera, Osceola, daughters and sons-in-law, Wilomine and Charles Kucera, Osceola, and Jean and Kenneth Stewart, Greenwood, sister, Martha Anderly, Seward, 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Aug. 2 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in David City with Msgr. Adrian Herbek officiating. Interment was at St. Mary's Cemetery in David City. Memorials are directed in care of the family.
Carl Matzner
Carl A. Matzner, 88, Stromsburg, died July 30, 2004, in Osceola.
He was born Dec. 5, 1915, near Gresham to Charles and Anna (Rehbock) Matzner. He married Irene Suhr on July 12, 1942, in Surprise. He was a retired farmer near Gresham. He was a life member of the Seward County Historical Society. He loved the outdoors, playing cards and visiting.
He was preceded in death by his son, Edward.
Survivors include his wife, Irene of Stromsburg, sons and daughters-in-law, Stanley and Nancy Ann Matzner, Kearney, Leon and Fran Matzner and Dennis and Andrea Matzner, all of Gresham, daughters and sons-in-law, Joann and Ronald Paulsen, Minden, and Judy and Rick Buresh, Lincoln, sisters, Esther Suhr, West Bend, Wisc., Emma Rathje, David City, Ruth Neujahr and Ann Tonniges, both of Gresham, and Clara Erks, Seward, 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Aug. 3 at Faith Lutheran Church in Rising City with the Rev. Wayne Hilgendorf officiating. Burial was at St. Paul Cemetery in Gresham. Casketbearers were Vern Suhr, Loyd Erks, Joe Sloup, Gary Neujahr, Robert Tonniges and David Dey. Honorary casketbearers were Vernon Dey, Walter Schmidt, Richard George, Hubert Dey, Ronald Haake, Reynold Otte and Harold Heins. Memorials may be given to the Gresham or Stromsburg Fire Department or the church building fund.
James McGuinn
James B. McGuinn, 66, Clarks, died July 25, 2004.
He was born Dec. 27, 1937, in North Carolina to Joe "Pink" and Velda Ann (Baker) McGuinn.
He graduated from Biltmore High School in Asheville, N.C., in 1955. He entered the U.S. Army on Sept. 26, 1956, and served until Sept. 25, 1958. He worked as a mechanic, truck driver, McGuinn's Garage owner and farmer. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Polk. He was a decorated volunteer for the Clarks Fire Department for 38 years.
He married Carolyn Corbidge on Feb. 13, 1960, in Unionville, Conn. They moved to Omaha in 1962 and then to Clarks in 1996. He was also a pilot and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth James, his father, Joe "Pink," and brothers-in-law, Wellington "Bill" Pease, Henry Wajciechowski, Jr., and Chris Devevo.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn of Clarks, mother, Velda, Conover, N.C., son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Marcy McGuinn, Monroe, daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah and Sundown Spencer, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Cindy and Andrew Jensen, Seward, seven grandchildren, sister and brother-in-law, JoAnne and Frank "Denny" Harbinson, Conover, N.C., and Carolyn's family, Lois Pease, Georgia "Pepper" Wajciechowski and Francis "Corky" Devevo, all of Unionville, Conn., Robert "Butch" and Dee Corbidge, Springhill, Fla., Justine "Tina" and Frank Pratt, Bristol, Conn., Louis and Mary Corbidge, West Hartford, Conn., and Sherry and Richard "Joe" Wice, Southington, Conn.
Funeral services were July 30 at First Baptist Church in Polk with the Rev. Roger Burke officiating. Burial was at the Clarks Cemetery.
