U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Mario Becerra III
Mario Becerra III, 15, of rural Union, died in rural Union on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. He was born on May 4, 1992, in Omaha, to Mario Eleno Sr. and Mary Sue (Crispin) Becerra.
He grew up in Nebraska City, Nebraska and attended Bancroft Elementary School. At an early age, Mario showed interest in music and singing. He later attended Nebraska City Middle School and 9th grade at Nebraska City High School. He loved listening to his iPod, singing and dancing for his family and friends. Mario loved “High School Musical” and attending high school and talking with friends on MySpace. He had a great passion for photography, especially taking pictures of his nieces, nephews, and himself. Mario was a wonderful son to his mother that he kissed every morning before leaving for school. Mario and his mother shared a love of watching movies together. He had a beautiful smile that brought joy to everyone he knew.
He was preceded in death by his brother Mario Becerra, Jr. and his uncle Danny Becerra.
He is survived by his mother Mary Sue Becerra and her special friend Jeremy Beaver of rural Union; sisters Rachelle Ragland and husband Tom of Nebraska City, Cheri Madsen and husband Eric of rural Union, Samantha Dierberger and husband Todd of Humboldt, and Sara Becerra of rural Union; brother Brian Becerra and his fianc�©e Lesly Post of Bellevue; grandmothers: Teresa Crispin of rural Union and Eleanor Becerra of Council Bluffs; aunt Linda Way and husband Denny of Des Moines; uncles Louie Crispin of Nebraska City and Melvin Crispin of rural Union; nieces Gabrielle, Gracie, and Ella Ragland, Reese and Malayna Madsen, Alicia Gubalke and Avery Jane Dierberger; nephews Thomas Ragland, Ethan Dierberger, Bryce Kennedy and Mario Eleno Becerra IV; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Nebraska City with Rev. Jesse Brown officiating.
Visitation is from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007, at the Peterson Mortuary in Nebraska City. Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Interment will be at the Wyuka Cemetery in Nebraska City.
Memorials may be given to the Mario Becerra III Scholarship Fund.
Sterling C. Adams
Sterling Cecil Adams, 76, Nebraska City, died Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, at Golden Living Center, Nebraska City.
Surviving locally are son, Michael Adams and wife Christina, Nebraska City.
Memorial services were Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Gude Mortuary, Nebraska City. Interment will be later at Mount Vernon Cemetery, Peru.
Gude Mortuary, Nebraska City, was in charge of arrangements.
Louise M. Witte
Louise M. Witte, 83, of rural Peru, died Dec. 26, 2007 at St. Mary’s Community Hospital in Nebraska City. She was born Nov. 21, 1924 in Nebraska City to Ernest and Josephine C. (Hilsenbeck) Knoll. She married Robert James Witte Sept. 17, 1946 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nebraska City.
She attended St. Bernard’s Academy in Nebraska City, graduating in 1942.
She was a devoted housewife and homemaker. She also worked at American Meter for a number of years. She was a member of the Quilting Club, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Christian Mothers and a former member of the Eagles Auxiliary.
She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Robert and Diana Witte of peru and William “Bill” Witte of Nebraska City; five grandchildren, Bradley Witte, Jennifer Booth, Andrew Witte, Laura Flies and Michael Witte; six great-grandchildren, Kara, Lindsey, Madeline, Elias, Nicholas and Victor; sister Marjorie Boesen of North Platte; sister-in-law Bonnie Rawlings of Nebraska City; and other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband on April 7, 1989.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nebraska City with Fr. Mark Cyza celebrating the Mass. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Nebraska City.
A rosary will be recited Friday at 7 p.m. at Gude Mortuary followed by family greeting friends until 8 p.m.
Memorials may be given to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Gude Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Stanley L. Stukenholtz
Stanley L. Stukenholtz, 78, of Onawa, Iowa, died Dec. 27, 2007 at Pleasant View Care Center at Whiting, Iowa. He was born Jan. 23, 1929 in Nebraska City to Wilbur and Anna (Schindler) Stukenholtz. He married Jean Marie Newton in 1950.
He attended Harmony School then Nebraska City High School, graduating in 1945. He was active in track and was the team’s high jumper. He attended Peru State College where he majored in education and graduated in 1950.
He taught in Casey, Iowa, and later in Zearing, Iowa, where he taught numerous subjects including math, biology, other sciences, industrial arts, drivers education, history and physical education. He also coached football, boys’ and girls’ basketball (simultaneously) and boys’ and girls’ track (simultaneously).
His last teaching assignment was in Onawa in 1956. He stayed until retiring from West Monona in 1990. At Onawa he taught Industrial Arts and Driver’s Education. He was also the first volleyball coach.
He received his master’s degree from Wayne State College in 1967. He also did carpentry work, hail adjusting and refereed football and basketball. He enjoyed his children’s athletic and musical contests and other school activities.
He became interested in politics. He was asked to run for the Iowa legislature but declined so the family could stay in Onawa. He was elected mayor of Onawa, becoming the first teacher/mayor in the state. He served two terms then served for eight years as a city councilman.
He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and was Lt. Governor for the group’s Nebraska/Iowa District. He was a member of Vesper Lodge #223 AF&AM, the Sioux City Consistory and SIMPCO of Sioux City. He was one of the original founders of the Monona County Sanitary Landfill and served on the board for many years.
He enjoyed woodworking, music and sports.
He is survived by his daughter, Ann, of Council Bluffs; son Lee and wife Janet of Onawa; grandchildren Cody and Cassie; brother George of Nebraska City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and a brother, Dale.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at the United Methodist Church at Onawa with Pastor Catie Newman officiating. Burial will be at a later date. There will be no visitation.
Rush Family Care Service of Onawa is in charge of arrangements.
Myrtle E. Nagel
Oct. 21, 1912-Feb. 29, 2008
Myrtle E. Nagel, 95, Anchorage, Alaska, died Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at Providence Alaska Medical Center. She was born Oct. 21, 1912, on a farm near Bennet, daughter of George Alfred and Leona May Rodaway. She married Henry Beckfeldt June 15, 1935 at Shenandoah, Iowa and Louis Nagel in 1974.
Nagel graduated from eighth grade at Bennet and completed one year of high school. After her first marriage ended in divorce in 1953 Nagel moved to Denver. She and her second husband lived in Agate, Colo. until their marriage ended in 1985. Nagel moved to Emmett, Idaho in 1986 and lived there until October 1995 when she moved to Anchorage to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Delbert Martin. She moved into Anchorage Pioneer Home in December 2000 when her health started to decline.
Nagel liked to play dominoes, do jigsaw puzzles, watch baseball games, read the newspaper, play bingo, do embroidery work and visit with her friends at the Pioneer Home. In her younger years she loved to dance. Nagel attended First Presbyterian Church.
She thought Alaska was the most beautiful state she had ever seen and loved living there her last few years.
Nagel enjoyed her stay at the Anchorage Pioneer Home. She said that the nurses and staff were good to her and always took the time to say, “Hi, how are you doing today?” which she appreciated. Nagel always enjoyed the activities so she was reminded when something was going on.
Everyone said that Nagel had a great sense of humor. She always said “Thank you” and “God bless you.”
Surviving are two sons, Gary Beckfeldt, Lincoln and Carl Gordon, Phoenix; two daughters, Ruth Martin, Anchorage, Alaska and Madonna Bell, Mequon, Wis.; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded by her parents; 13 brothers and sisters; two sons; one grandson and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be Saturday, March 8, at 2 p.m. at Fusselman-Wymore Funeral Home Chapel, Syracuse. The Rev. Eldon Davis will officiate. Interment will be at the Bennet Cemetery.
Fusselman-Wymore Funeral Home, Syracuse, is in charge of arrangements.
Esther M. Krause
April 22, 1920-March 1, 2008
Esther M. Krause, 87, Lincoln, formerly Cook, died Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Lancaster Manor, Lincoln. She was born April 22, 1920, at Cook, daughter of Albert G. and Sophia (Bose) Krause.
Krause was retired from Edison Company after 39 years and six months. Besides Cook, she also lived at Visalia, Calif., Ventura, Calif. and Lincoln.
Surviving are sisters, Dorothy Krause and Helen Price, both Lincoln; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded by her parents; brothers, Everett and Floyd Krause; and sisters, Mable Krause and Leona Kierstad.
Services will be Thursday, March 6, at 10:30 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 28th and Franklin St., Lincoln. Pastor Verdell Schram will officiate. Graveside service is at 1:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church Cemetery northwest of Cook.
Pallbearers will be Pat Borer; David, Larry, Steve and Micah Price and Jim Kierstad.
Memorials are suggested to Calvary Lutheran Church, Lincoln.
The casket will be open an hour before church services.
Fusselman-Wymore Funeral Home, Syracuse, is in charge of arrangements.
Leila K. Staack
May 31, 1932-Feb. 27, 2008
Leila K. Staack, 75, Avoca, died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at BryanLGH Hospital, 48th Street, Lincoln. She was born May 31, 1932, daughter of Henry and Erna (Krumweide) Dodenhof. She married Harold Albert Staack Jan. 29, 1951, at Avoca. He died in 1994.
Staack was a bartender at the Avoca Steak House.
Surviving are daughters, Patricia and husband Terry Scheinost, Carol and husband Mike Graham, all Syracuse; sons, Fritz and special friend Reba, John and wife Doris, Gary and wife Kim, and Kenneth and wife Didi, all Avoca; and Henry, and Ron and wife Sherri, all Syracuse; 19 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Melvin and Barb Dodenhof, Omaha; and Randall and wife Millie Dodenhof, Truth or Consequences, N.M.
Besides her husband, Staack was preceded by her parents.
Services were Monday, March 3, at First Lutheran Church, North Branch, near Avoca. The Rev. Don Wright officiated. Interment was at the church cemetery.
Pallbearers were Kenneth, Gabriel, Joshua and Shawn Staack; Phillip Graham and Marc Dodenhof.
Jan Niebuhr was organist.
Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice.
Fusselman-Wymore Funeral Home, Weeping Water, was in charge of arrangements.
Ronnie M. Warden
Ronnie M. Warden, 59, of Nehawka died at Duff’s Friendship Villa in Nebraska City on March 8, 2008. He was born Nov. 12, 1948 in Nebraska City to Frank M. and Alberta (Cornell) Warden.
He is survived by his daughters, Shelly Jones and husband Sam of Nehawka and Jamee Warden of Winter Park, Colo.; sons Jon Warden of Lincoln and Brock Warden of Nebraska City; brother Roger Warden of Blair; grandchildren Zach, Drew, Josh and Adrian Jones; niece, Rachel; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He Lived in the Nehawka and Nebraska City area his entire life. He was a farmer and enjoyed snow mobiling, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle with friends and spending time with his family.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12, at the First United Methodist Church in Nebraska City with Rev. Sandy Webster officiating.
Pallbearers are Zach Jones, Drew Jones, Josh Jones, Jeremy Stone, Seth Ahrens and Mike Rice.
Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery near Nehawka.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family.
Visitation is 1-9 p.m. Tuesday at Marshall Funeral Chapel in Nebraska City with the family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m.
Marshall Funeral Chapel of Nebraska City, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.
Mildred J. Van Winkle
Mildred “Millie” J. (Rhoten) Van Winkle, 85, died Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, at St. Mary’s Community Hospital, Nebraska City.
Surviving locally are children Darrell Rhoten and Pamela Gress, both Nebraska City.
Memorial mass is Friday, Dec. 28, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nebraska City. Interment is at 1:30 p.m. at St. Leo’s Cemetery, Palmyra.
Gude Mortuary, Nebraska CIty, is in charge of arrangements.
