U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Eleanor DeVinney Jensen, 87
Eleanor DeVinney Jensen, 87, a prominent Washington County farm woman and community activist, died Sunday, Aug. 16, 1998, in San Mateo, Calif., where she had recently moved to be near her son and his family.
Eleanor Jensen Photo
She granted her body to the Stanford University Medical Research School for detailed rheumatoid arthritis study. After this study, she will be buried with the Jensen family in the Blair Cemetery.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be 10 a.m Saturday, Oct. 17, 1998, at the Herman Federated Church with Rev. David Masten officiating. A reception will follow.
Eleanor DeVinney was born March 2, 1911, in Chunchula, Ala., to Joseph and Marie DeVinney. Six years later, after developing a lumber mill, the DeVinney family returned to a family farm near Blair. She graduated from Blair High School in 1928 with high honors and was a state champion in debate. She debated that the origin of a civilized society is well - chosen words. The debate topic was "Resolved, words and ideas are first weapons of choice to correct human conflict." Through Normal School courses, she received a teaching certificate with her Blair degree. By age 21, she had taught for four years at the eight - grade March country school. She emphasized classic farm community concepts, cooperation, fundamental knowledge and the advance of an idea from year to year. On May 20, 1932, she married
Alton Byron Jensen. The couple farmed seven miles north of Blair.
Despite the effects of drought and severe economic depression on farm life, she strongly believed in community activity. She helped found and promote the Federation of Women's Clubs in Nebraska, Blair Bench Club, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Blair Community Hospital, Pleasant View Sunday School, Herman Eastern Star and the Herman Federated Church. She was an organist and often accompanied her husband.
After suffering a stroke, she moved to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Blair. In October of 1996, decades after she gave up formal school teaching, she began working with South School students in Blair on their reading and math skills through an inter - generational program. She enjoyed teaching again, adding that "It gives me something to do besides taking a nap."
She is survived by her daughter, Sally, of Omaha; her son, Larry, and his wife, Noriko, of San Mateo; her sister, Irene Davis of Truckee, Calif.; her stepsister Lucille Smith of Blair; three grandchildren, Dirk Byron and his wife, Dawn, of San Mateo; Brooke Alise Jensen of San Francisco; Nels Joseph of San Jose; and two great - grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alton, in 1985 and a daughter - in - law, Jan Alise, in 1974.
Eva Smith, 98
Eva G. Smith, 98, of Blair died Tuesday, Aug. 18, 1998, at Good Shepherd Home in Blair.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at First United Methodist Church in Blair. Burial will be in the Blair Cemetery.
A prayer service will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Campbell - Aman Funeral Home, whose staff is in charge of arrangements.
Eva G. Smith was born on Oct. 26, 1899, at Blair to Frank and Cecil Schafer. She attended the March Elementary School and graduated from Blair High School in 1919. She taught school in Springfield. On June 8, 1921, she married
Roland P. Smith in Omaha. They farmed in the DeSoto area until moving to Blair in July of 1978. She moved to Good Shepherd Home in April of 1998.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church for 70 years. She was a member of the DeSoto Club, War Mothers and the Fort Calhoun Order of Eastern Star.
She is survived by her son, Roland Smith, Jr. of Blair; two grandsons, Jeff Smith and wife, Cindy, of Blair and Ken Smith and wife, Dawn, of Bloomfield; a granddaughter, Shirley Moore and husband, Mike, of Sgt. Bluff, Iowa; and by seven great - grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Roland in 1978, her parents, two brothers and one sister.
M. Marilyn Beers, 76
M. Marilyn Beers, 76, of Omaha died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1998.
Services were Saturday at Heafey - Heafey - Hoffmann Dworak & Cutler West Center Chapel in Omaha. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery.
She had worked as the manager of a school food service.
She was the sister of the late Don DeFore, best known as Mr. B in the sitcom "Hazel."
She was survived by four sons and daughters - in - law, Louis and Sharon Beers of Thompsons Station, Tenn., Mark and Kris Beers of Omaha, Dana and Sue Beers of Omaha and Jayme and Molly Beers of rural Blair; a daughter and son - in - law, Pat and Neil Harman of rural Blair; five grandchildren; a sister, Virginia Almstead of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and a brother, Verne DeFore of California.
Helen Munk, 87
Helen Munk, 87, of Blair died Thursday, Aug. 6, 1998, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair.
Services were Saturday, Aug. 8 at First Lutheran Church in Blair. Burial was in the Blair Cemetery.
Helen Antil Munk was born Sept. 23, 1910, at Blair to George and Jenny ( Jacobs) Antil. She grew up in Blair and graduated from Blair High School. On June 23, 1927, she married
Leonard Munk at Harlan, Iowa. She worked at Dana College for many years.
She was a member of First Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her husband, Leonard; daughters, Ruth Plucar and Virginia Faltys, both of Omaha; one son, Norman Munk of Bloomfield, Colo.; nine grandchildren; 15 great - grandchildren; and one sister, Georgia Matzen of Blair.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Melvin; one granddaughter, Rhonda Kiddes and two sisters, Arlene Shock and Mildred Gasser.
Campbell - Aman Funeral Home in Blair was in charge of arrangements.
Paul V. Schmit, 70
Paul V. Schmit, 70, of Beaver Crossing died Sunday, Aug. 2, 1998, at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Grand Island.
Services were Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Beaver Crossing . Rev. Maurice Current officiated. Burial was in Calvary cemetery at Beaver Crossing with military services conduced by American Legion Holmes Post No. 178.
Paul Victor Schmit was born March 8, 1928, on a ranch near Nenzel in Cherry County to John and Gertrude ( Schaefer) Schmit. He attended school in Nenzel and later graduated from Valentine High School. On July 25, 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea. After his discharge, he married
Doris D. Horan on July 5, 1956 at Beaver Crossing. He operated "Smitty's Cafe" for many years in Beaver Crossing. He also was employed with the Beaver Crossing Co - op.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he taught CCD classes and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the American Legion Holmes Post 178 in Beaver Crossing and the 40 & 8 Voiture 103 in Lincoln. He was scout master of Troop 179 and served as the city's mayor for 15 years. He was a long - time member of the Beaver Crossing Volunteer Fire Department.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed working as a carpenter and built several structures in Beaver Crossing.
He is survived by his wife, Doris of Beaver Crossing; children Rodger Schmit and Debra McCartney of Grand Island, Robert Schmit of Beaver Crossing, Donna and Jim Waegli of Kennard, Mary and Dennis Coufal of Brainard, Shirley and Denver Beetem of Friend and Donald and Becky Schmit of Unadilla; 10 grandchildren; three brothers, Al Schmit of Blair and Bud Schmit and Bill Schmit of Nenzel; one sister, Anna Marie Nollette of Nenzel; mother - in - law, Fern Horan of Friend and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister and four brothers.
Memorials may be directed in care of the family.
Lauber - Moore Funeral Home in Beaver Crossing was in charge of arrangements.
Mary A. Snover, 71
Mary A. Snover, 71, of Nickerson died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1998, at her home.
Services were Saturday, Aug. 8, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church north of Arlington. Rev. Dr. Michael L. Rogers officiated. Burial was in the Hooper Cemetery.
Mary A. Moseman was born April 16, 1927, in rural Hooper to Herman and Fern ( Briggs) Moseman. On Aug. 18, 1946, she married
Dale Snover at Winslow. She lived all her life in the Fremont and Hooper area. She worked for St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School at rural Arlington.
She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her husband, Dale; three sons and daughters - in - law, Don and Sandra Snover of Yuma, Ariz., Ron and Donna Snover of Lincoln and John and Connie Snover of Fremont; five brothers and sisters - in - law, Clarence and Lorraine Moseman of Fremont, Kenneth and JoAnn Moseman of Plainview, Calvin and Marian Moseman of Craig, Marlyn and Marlene Moseman and Duane and LaRae Moseman, all of Hooper; a sister and brother - in - law, Joan and Marlin Scheer of Auburn; six grandchildren and eight great - grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Shawn A. Snover.
Pallbearers were Kendall Scheer, Jeff Clarkson, Jason Snover, Ernie Schafersman, Dana Iverson and Rick Moseman. Honorary pallbearers were Verdell Stork, Michael Leifeste, John Foust, Dennis Rosenthal, Ted Martin, Dale Wimer, Byron and Michael Moseman and Jerry Ruskamp.
Memorials may be given to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Arlington, the American Cancer Society or Fremont Area Medical Center Hospice Program.
Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont was in charge of arrangements.
