U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Wesley E. Lamberson, August 2, 2008, age 54
Wesley E. Lamberson of Prague died Aug. 2, 2008 at his home in Prague.
Wesley was born in Laredo, Texas, on April 16, 1954 to Delmas E. and Marjorie O. (Glock) Lamberson. He was a graduate of Kimball County High School, attended UNL 1972-73, and graduated from Doane College (1996 BA/Educ., M./ed in 2004),
On March 23, 1974, he married
Marcia M. Stevens.
He served as a Cadet on the Lincoln Police Force in 1973-74, and as an LPD Officer from 1974-1991, foster parent 1986-1993, taught at Odell and Mead Public Schools 1997-2004, and principal and teacher at Fremont Platteville Elementary 2004-2008. He was a member Mead Covenant Church, Sons of American Legion Squad #3, Crete Masonic Lodge, Royal Arch Mason, Order of Eastern Star Crete Chapter #104 and former member Motor Corp 400.
Survivors include his wife Marcia: daughters Brandy Lamberson, of Lincoln, Eileen (Jeffrey) Bramble of Lincoln, Bobbi Jo Lamberson of Beatrice, Rebekah Lamberson of Prague; son Joshua Lamberson (Mandy Tryon) of Durant, Okla.; four grandchildren; father, Delmas Lamberson of Lincoln, sister Linda (John) Lustrea of Garland.
Celebration of Life Service, Wednesday, Aug.6, at the Mead Covenant Church with interment:at Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln, NE, Wednesday, 11:00 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in care of the family. Arrangements by Svoboda Funeral Home, Wahoo. Obit dated Aug. 6, 2008.
Len Vidlak, David City, Jan. 23, 2009, age 81
Leonard A. Vidlak died Jan. 23, 2008, in David City. Funeral services were Jan. 27 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in David City with the Rev. Ronald Homes officiating. Burial was at the church cemetery.
Memorials have been established for the church, Aquinas Guardian Angel Fund and Aquinas High School.
Len was born Nov. 19, 1927, in Abie to James and Lillian (Brecka) Vidlak. He attended Abie Public School and graduated from Schuyler High School in 1946.
On April 15, 1948, he married
Lorraine Podany at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Schuyler. They lived and farmed near Abie until 1976 when they moved to David City to own and operate the Southern Fifteen Liquor Store. He retired in 1982. Len played with Ernie Kucera, Mike Brecka’s Orchestra and the American Czech Brass Band. He was inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame in 1996.
Len is survived by his wife, Lorraine of David City; daughters, Lana (Gene) Birkel of Lincoln, Lori (Larry) Janak of David City, son Lenny (Sue) Vidlak of Abie, six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; sister, Leona (Frank) Hanis of Fremont.
Obit dated Jan. 28, 2009
Bernice (Vopalensky) Robertson, Morse Bluff, Jan. 20, 2009, age 88
Bernice M. Robertson died at her Morse Bluff home on Jan. 20, 2008.
Bernice was born Christmas day, Dec. 25, 1920, to James and Marie (Vasina) Vopalensky of Morse Bluff. She was a 1938 graduate of North Bend High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Wayne State Teachers College. Bernice taught school at numerous schools in the North Bend and Scribner area. She was the media specialist at North Bend Central High School from 1970 until retiring in 1983.
Bernice was a member of the North Bend United Presbyterian Church, serving as a teacher and superintendent of the Sunday School, active in the church ladies organization; American Legion Auxiliary of Post 340 of Morse Bluff, VFW Auxiliary of Post 8223 of North Bend; Eastern Nebraska, Saunders County and the Nebraska State Genealogical Society; Saunders County Historical Society; Nebraska State Historical Society and Nebraska League of Postmasters Auxiliary, Nebraska Branch.
On June 19, 1944, Bernice married
Raleigh R. Robertson at Marysville, Kan. He died Feb. 1, 2001.
Survivors include son George J. (Karen) Robertson of Mead; daughters Mary Jo (Donald) Bosworth of Morse Bluff, Nancy Wagner of Lincoln; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The funeral was Jan. 24 at the United Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Maetta Snyder officiating. A family committal service was held at Memorial cemetery in Fremont prior to the church service.
Memorials are suggested for the North Bend Public Library Building Fund. Obit dated Jan. 28, 2009
Noel R. Ray, Sr., North Bend, Jan. 8, 2009, age 85
Noel R. Ray, Sr., of North Bend died Jan. 8, 2009, at Birchwood Manor.
He was born May 10, 1923, to Halver and Lottie (Milbourne) Ray in Overton. Noel grew up in Elm Creek where he graduated from high school. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943, serving until April 1946. He served aboard the U.S.S. Carine and U.S.S. Boxer during World War II.
After his discharge he returned to Elm Creek and began working in the construction business. He moved to North Bend in 1950, working for construction companies, Dodge County and Schuyler Packing from which he retired in 1985.
On June 9, 1946, Noel married
Doris Holmes in Manilla, Iowa.
Noel was the organizer of the U.S.S. Boxer annual reunions andserved as president of the organization for two years and treasurer for 10 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of North Bend, VFW Post 8223 of North Bend, American Legion Post 340 of Morse Bluff. He served the VFW as Quartermaster and helped with their weekly bingo for many years.
Noel is survived by his wife, Doris of North Bend; son Noel Ray Jr., Buddy of Lincoln; daughter Judy Ray of Lincoln; former daughter-in-law Janice Ray of Snyder; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law Gale and LaJean Steinhoff of Harlan, Iowa, Erma Ray of Elm Creek; grandchildren Nicolle (Brian) O’Conner, Jill (Dennis) Metz, Jennifer Ray, Janelle (Tim) Boyd; and six great grandchildren.
There will be no local visitation or services. Burial was Jan. 12 at McPherson National cemetery in Maxwell with military honors.
Memorials are suggested for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.
Moser Memorial Chapel in North Bend was in charge of arrangements. Obit dated Jan. 14, 2009
Ernest M. Farrand, Columbus, Jan. 1, 2009, Age 71
Ernest M. Farrand died Jan. 1, 2009, at Golden Living Center in Columbus.
Ernest was born Sept. 9, 1937, in North Bend to Ernest and Gladys (Beeler) Farrand. He lived his whole life in the North Bend, Ames and Cedar Bluffs area. Ernest worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad and was a truck driver off and on since he was 16 years old, last in 2005. He served in the Navy from 1955 to 1958 on board the USS Midway.
On June 5, 1959, Ernest married
Joan Smith in Fremont.
Ernest was a member of the Cedar Bluffs Presbyterian Church and had served as an elder there.
Survivors include his wife, Joan, of North Bend; sons Michael Farrand of Lincoln, Mark (Kim) Farrand of North Bend; daughter Lynn (Glenn) Miller of Ames; sister Shirley Shaffer of Nebraska City; seven grandchildren and two great -grandchildren.
Memorial services were Jan. 6 at Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont with Vicar Dianna Kuhl officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Woodland cemetery in North Bend with military honors.
Lucille F. (Kempkes) Thurber, July 28, 2008, age 84
Lucille Frances Thurber, the daughter of George and Fannie (Maruska) Kempkes was born on March 16, 1924 at Cowles, Nebraska. She passed away on July 28, 2008 at the Grand Island Veterans Home in Grand Island at the age of 84 years, 4 months and 12 days.
Lucille graduated from Superior High School with the class of 1941. She was united in marriage to Marvin R. Thurber on June 7, 1942, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Superior. To this union 5 children were born.
Lucille lived in the Superior and Nelson communities and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nelson. Her special interests included crocheting, sewing, quilts and needle work, her flower garden and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed birdwatching as a pastime with her husband.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Marvin on December 28, 1999; daughter Georgia in 2002 and four sisters, Rosie Meester, Helen Haag, Mildred Grummert, and Thelma Arnold and her brother, George Kempkes.
Survivors include her three daughters, Frances Butler of Nelson, Cheryl (Larry) Feala of North Bend, Janet (Jerome) Warneke of Grand Island, and one son, Marvin (Lunda) Thurber, Jr. of Jackson, Wyoming; eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Joe Haag of Farmington, New Mexico; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held August 5, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nelson.
Pallbearers were Jerry Warneke, Larry Feala, Seth Feala, Jason Feala, Virgel Thurber, Terry Grummert and Phil Peters. Honorary Pallbearers were her grandchildren, Michael Hutchins, Mark Hutchins, Kenna Betancur, Michaela Feala, Jason Feala, Seth Feala, Amber Kempkes, and Aaron Kempkes.
Interment was in the Nelson cemetery at Nelson, Nebraska.
Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 282, Superior, NE 68978.
Klawitter-Price Funeral Home of Nelson, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements. Obit dated August 6, 2008.
Minnie L. (Lukassen) Shonka, July 23, 2008, age 99
Minnie L. (Lukassen) Shonka, 99 and formerly of North Bend, died at A. J. Merrick Manor in Fremont July 23, 2008.
Minnie was born Jan. 28, 1909 to Theodore and Agusta (Kosch) Lukassen in David City.
Following her May 1, 1934 marriage to Sylvester Shonka the couple farmed in the Dwight and Ulysses areas until 1943 when they moved to Brainard. In 1963 they moved to North Bend and operated the Highway 30 Bar.
Minnie is survived by son Kenneth Shonka of Eureka Springs, Ark.; daughter Janice (Jack) Meysenburg of Omaha; brother Francis (Lucille) Lukassen of David City; sister Sally McLaughlin of David City; 8 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
She was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church. Her funeral mass was held July 28 with Rev. Donald Cleary officiating. Burial was at Woodland Cemetery. Moser Memorial Chapel was charged with arrangements.
Memorials are requested to the church or donor’s choice. Obit dated July 30, 2008
Ann F. (Kula) Tworek, July 19, 2008, age 91
Ann F. Tworek of Genoa died July 19, 2008, at Annie Jeffrey Memorial County Health Center, Osceola. She was born in rural Nance County Oct. 12, 1916, to Joseph and Catherine (Czuba) Kula.
On Feb. 16, 1942, Ann married
Joseph B. Tworek at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Krakow.
Survivors include her sons Jerry of Fremont and Jim (Nancy) of Genoa; daughters Phyllis (Gene) Urkoski of Clarks, Maxine (Richard) Urkoski of North Bend, Christine (Jim) Carlson of Silver Creek, Gaylene (Lee) Lovell of Parker, Colo.; 22 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren.
The funeral was July 22 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with burial at Valley View Cemetery, Genoa.
Arrangements by Rice Funeral Home, Genoa. Obit dated July 23, 2008
Martha M. (Viglicky) Kment, July 17, 2008, age 88
Martha M. Kment, 88 of Bellwood died July 17, 2008 at Golden Living Center in Schuyler. Funeral services were July 21 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Schuyler, with Rev. Gerald Leise officiating. Burial was at Schuyler Cemetery
Martha was born March 26, 1920, in Columbus, to Joseph and Mary(Votova) Viglicky. She graduated from Schuyler High School. On April 25, 1940, she married
Joseph T. Kment at St. Mary’s. They lived and farmed four miles south of Schuyler. Martha was a member of the church, St. Mary’s Ladies Guild, Butler County 4H leader and Extension club member, taught school near Octavia for two years and served as Treasurer on the Butler County School District 1 Board.
Martha is survived by sons Alden (Karen) Kment, Richard (Fran)Kment, Arnold (Amy) Kment, David Kment, all of Schuyler, Donald (Paula) Kment of Bellwood; daughters Marlene (Larry) Hartman, Irene (Mike) Starkey, all of Schuyler, Joann (Steve Loveless) Colfack of Rising City, Lorraine (Ray) Moore of Bellwood, Sally Roh of Schuyler; 21 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren,
Kracl Funeral Chapel of Schuyler in charge of these arrangements. Obit dated July 23, 2008.
