U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Paul Ridlen
Paul Merle Ridlen, age 78, passed away Dec. 20, 2003, in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Paul was born April 17, 1924 in Henderson, Iowa to James Pearl and Ethel Roll Ridlen.
He married Delores Hill Feb. 21, 1947 in Imperial, Neb. and three children were born to them: Janice, David and Dennis.
Paul served in the Army in WWII and was honorably discharged on Nov. 30, 1946.
Paul farmed in Hayes Center, Neb. for three years then in Haxtun, Colo. He moved to Champion, Neb. where he farmed from 1951 to 1969 before going to Colorado Springs, Colo. until 1986.
Paul and Delores returned to Imperial until 1997 when due to health reasons, they returned to Colorado Springs to live with their daughter, Janice.
Paul was a born again Christian and had Psalms 100 memorized word for word. He enjoyed singing hymns and music, hunting and fishing, being with family and reading his Bible.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James Pearl and Ethel Ridlen, older brother M. Lee Ridlen and one grandson, Dustin Ridlen.
Survivors include wife Delores Ridlen of Colorado Springs; daughter Janice (Gary) Stone of Colorado Springs; sons David (Pam) Ridlen of Enders, Dennis (Dottie) Ridlen of Hot Springs, S.D.; sisters Lois Dow of Orchard, Neb., Marie (George) Mader of New Plymouth, Ohio, twin sister Pauline (Earl) Landrus of Spokane, Wash., Lucille (Verlon) Dinnel of Enders, Neb.; brothers Carl (Virgina) Ridlen of Fairview, Tenn., Ray (Thelma) Ridlen of Palisade, Neb., Roy Ridlen of Palisade, Neb., Robert (Deana) Ridlen of Aurora, Colo., seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Services and burial were held Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, at Memorial Gardens in Colorado Springs, Colo. with Paul and Ben Palmer officiating.
Eulogy was given by son David centering on Paul’s love of the Lord and his family. Granddaughter Debra recited Psalm 100 in Paul’s memory.
Colleen Mullanix of Lamar, Neb. provided music.
Pallbearers were Kelsey Ridlen, Lucas Ridlen, Ron Ridlen, Don Ridlen, Debra Ridlen and Larry Ridlen, along with Military escorts.
Petra Garrison
Petra Garrison, age 38, passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 2003, at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, Neb.
Survivors include husband Danny Garrison, Imperial, Neb.; daughter Sarah Garrison, Imperial, Neb.; parents Alfred and Lore Pruen, Stuttgart, Germany; grandmother Hedwig Hindennach, Black Forest, Germany; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dan and Dorene Garrison, Imperial, Neb.
Funeral services for Petra Garrison will be held today, (Thursday morning), Dec. 11, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Robert Frank officiating.
Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
A memorial has been established in Petra’s memory.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ann Rueter
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a 91-year-old Nebraska resident, Ann Rueter, on Monday, Dec. 8, 2003.
She was born Anna Carmelita Holbein on Aug. 16, 1912, in Eustis, Neb.
Upon graduating from Eustis High School in 1930, Ann entered Midland College in Fremont, Neb.
In 1931, she began studies at Nebraska State Teachers College in Kearney.
She taught in rural schools in the Eustis area, and also in Naponee, Wauneta and Kimball. While teaching in Wauneta, Ann met and married Carl E. Rueter on Jan. 31, 1942. They made their home on a farm near Wauneta.
Ann was active in the community, as a 4-H leader and Sunday School Teacher. She attended the Methodist Church and lived in Wauneta for over 60 years, most recently as a resident of Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home.
Ann loved to travel and made many excursions around the world with her brother, Fred Holbein and wife Mildred.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband Carl in 1965; brother Fred and sisters Helen Kugler and Vera Montgomery.
Ann is survived by her son Brice of Wauneta, Neb. and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Saturday morning, Dec. 13, 2003 at 10 a.m. (MST) at the United Methodist Church of Wauneta, with Pastor Michael Laing officiating.
Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta.
Visitation will be held Friday afternoon from 2-6 p.m. (MST) at the funeral home in Wauneta.
A memorial has been established to the donor’s choice.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jim Erlewine
Jim Erlewine was born at Grant, Neb. on July 24, 1945.
He was the third of four children born to Clarence and Jessie Cornelius Erlewine.
Jim lived on the Erlewine farm northeast of Grant before moving into town.
He graduated from Perkins County High School in 1963.
Jim worked for the Grant Co-op feed mill until 1966 when he joined the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam during the war. He was wounded and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. After his discharge he returned to Grant.
Jim was married to Reeka Thaden on Feb. 20, 1971 in Grant. They lived for a brief period in Sutherland before returning to Grant where he lived the rest of his life.
He was associated with the co-op service station until 1980 when he became employed in maintenance with the Nebraska State Department of Roads, District #7.
Jim was a conscientious and knowledgeable worker and highly respected by his fellow employees.
Jim also worked for several years of DeLancey’s Recreation which later became DJ’s, serving as an assistant manager to John and Darlene Potts. Jim had an easy smile and laugh and always enjoyed a game of cards with his friends.
Jim had suffered an apparent heart attack on Thursday night, Dec. 4, 2003 and was taken to the Perkins County Community Hospital. He was in the process of being transferred to the North Platte Hospital by ambulance where he died north of Grant. He had reached the age of 58.
He was a member of the American Legion, V.F.W. and a past member of the Elks Club in Ogallala.
Jim is survived by his wife Reeka; one sister Helen (Byron) Neiman of Lake Maloney; two brothers Darrell (Beverly) of Tucson and Roy (Pam) of Lincoln; nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.
Services were held Monday, Dec. 8, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. at the Grant United Methodist Church with Pastor Sally Ruggia-Haden officiating.
Music was by soloist Lori McCloskey and pianist Carolyn Harms.
Casketbearers were Kurt Neiman, Kendall Neiman, Adam Erlewine, Joshua Erlewine, Craig Erlewine and Tom Buck.
Interment was in the Grant Cemetery with tribute by Perkins Co. Veterans.
Bullock-Long Service was in charge of arrangements.
Alvina Nordhausen
Alvina Louise Wilhelmina Sophia Denker Nordhausen was born Aug. 16, 1915, in Johnson County, Neb., to Henry and Dora (Haarberg) Denker.
She was made a member of God’s Holy Family through baptism at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church near Cook, Neb., on Sept. 12, 1915. Her sponsors were Louise Dieckhoff and Wilhelmina Bischoff. On March 24, 1929, she was confirmed at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of rural Wauneta, Neb.
She moved to Chase County with her family in 1920 and lived on a farm south of Wauneta. She attended grade school at District #27 and St. Paul’s Lutheran Parochial School.
Growing up she worked along side her father with the farm work. She also worked for several families as a hired girl.
On May 7, 1936, she was united in marriage to Herman Nordhausen at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. They engaged in farming, living on the South Divide until 1972 when they moved to Wauneta.
Alvina passed away at Heritage of Wauneta on Nov. 30, 2003, at the age of 88.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman; infant son, Leon Henry; son, Richard Lee; and infant granddaughter, Jody Ann Sutherland. Also preceding her in death were sister, Edna, and brother-in-law, Syl Einspahr; brothers, Wilbert and Louis, and infant brother, Harold.
She leaves to rejoice in her salvation daughters: Anita and husband, Mert Smith, Veleta and husband, Jim Sutherland, and Judy and husband, Rudy Evers; sons: Robert Nordhausen, Harold Nordhausen and wife, Jan, and daughter-in-law, Colleen Nordhausen Garton.
She was a very special "Oma" to all her grandchildren: James (Mack) Sutherland and wife, Cindy, Michael Smith and wife, Sandra, Julie and husband, David Gahn, Steven Smith, Donald Morgan and wife, Bridgette, Jonie Nordhausen, Seth Nordhausen, Jonathan Nordhausen and wife, Lesley, Matthew Nordhausen and Christine and husband, Kelly Clevenger.
She always enjoyed visits with her great grandchildren: Brandon and Connor Morgan, Jace and Kobe Clevenger, Jessica and Cameron Sutherland, Evangeline and Jodi Gahn, Mason Nordhausen and Reagan Nordhausen.
She is also survived by sister, Dorothy, and husband, Jim Curtis, and sister-in-law, Twilla Denker.
Services will be today, (Thursday), Dec. 4, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Keith Wellman officiating.
Music was provided by Karen Christner, organist and the St. Paul choir singing "Beautiful Savior," "St. James Aire," and "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow." The congregation sang "Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise."
Pallbearers were her grandchildren.
Interment was at St. Paul’s Cemetery with Liewer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
No man is born and no man dies without the grace of God’s love.
Selma Lydia Bauerle Mather
Selma Lydia Bauerle, the sixth child of Wilhelm August Bauerle and Anna Elizabeth Ebel, was born on June 30, 1909 and departed this life on Dec. 4, 2003, at the Imperial Manor at the age of 94 years. She was born at her parents’ home south of Champion, Neb.
Her father was an immigrant from Germany and her parents were among the early Chase County pioneers and homesteaders on a farm south of Champion. She attended school in the rural public schools.
Like many a child of immigrant parents, she did not learn English until attending elementary school. Upon the coming of the First World War with Germany, her father declared that they were Americans so they would henceforth speak only English in their home and in the community.
In later years, she enjoyed telling stories to her children and grandchildren about her family’s experiences growing up as a pioneer family on the prairies.
She was baptized on May 22, 1920 by the Rev. H.L. Wiegert and made her personal commitment to the Christian faith through the Sacrament of Confirmation on Jan. 12, 1927 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Champion Valley. She was a life-long member of the Lutheran Church, first at Immanuel Church and later at Zion Lutheran in Imperial. She served as youth league director, Sunday School teacher, Ladies Aid leader (the Willing Workers), and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She, and her husband, held a special interest in their church and especially in the development of the organ.
She was united in Holy Matrimony to Charles LeRoy Mather on April 22, 1930 by The Rev. Fred Elze. Three children were born to this union, Evelyn, Yvonne and Loys. They first lived and farmed with her parents on their farm in Champion Valley. In 1945, they acquired the Mather farm north of Imperial, a farm that had been homesteaded by her husband’s parents. They lived there until 1957 when health problems forced her husband away from active farming at which time they moved to Imperial.
Hers was a life of service. Selma was a devoted wife and mother, pouring her talent and energies working side by side with her husband, operating a household and nurturing her children in their physical, intellectual and spiritual growth. She was well known as "the Mom" who would willingly take a car load of students to a music contest, sporting event or other school or 4-H activity-even if the trip didn’t include one of her own children. She served as a 4-H leader for many years. She took great pride in her cooking and in hospitality to others. Many a newcomer to Imperial became a guest at her table.
When her children were grown and left the home, she directed considerable attention to volunteer service and to public service. She served as one of the earlier members of the Imperial Hospital Auxiliary and as a volunteer worker in the early years of the Imperial Manor. Later, when she became a resident of the Manor, she enjoyed helping the other residents with their mail, reading the Bible to them, and being a voice of welcome to new residents.
Selma was a pioneer. She was the second women to serve on the Chase County High School Board of Education and took great pride in her role in getting an addition to the high school building to provide adequate space for the home economics and vocational agriculture classes and laboratories. She also was one of the leaders in organizing the first home extension club in Champion Valley and one of the first in Chase County for she was a firm believer in the Cooperative Extension Service’s role in getting new-found information out to the people in rural communities.
Though she had no formal training in art, she was an artist in her own right. Her artistic talent was evident in a variety of forms in the design, decoration, or construction of textiles, clothing, satin rose corsages, liturgical banners for the church seasons, wedding cakes, and in her gardening. She especially enjoyed growing roses and other flowers. Many of her favorite rose bushes followed her to the Imperial Manor’s rose garden. She also loved and studied birds and worked to attract as many different species into her yard as possible.
Selma was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy. They lived a long and happy married life together sharing countless common interests. They especially enjoyed attending high school football games and a variety of musical and artistic events. At a crucial time, LeRoy and Selma were among the visionaries and promoters in development of the Zion pipe organ and took much pride in the completed instrument. They were honored in 1983 by Zion Lutheran church for their 50 years of singing together in Lutheran choirs. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary shortly before his death. Theirs was the longest marriage in the Mather lineage which dates back to the early 1500s in England.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sisters and their spouses: Emmanuel, Louis and Albert Bauerle and Emma Greim, Ida Wallace and Valeda Goddard, and by a grandson Hardy Norman. She was also preceded in death by all of her Bauerle cousins.
She is survived by two daughters, Evelyn Lock, Holyoke, CO. and Yvonne Norman, Windsor, CO. and by one son and his wife, Loys and Sonja Mather, Lexington KY. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Lester Lock, Kewanna, IN., Ron Lock, Holyoke, CO., Kevin Lock, Nome, AK., Sandra Lock Bowers, Colorado Springs, CO., Michael Norman, Ft. Collins, CO., Jan Marie Norman Peters, Sterling, CO., Charles Mather, Tulsa, OK. and David Mather, Lansing, MI.
Survivors also include 17 great grandchildren; eight great, great grandchildren and a sister-in-law Agnes Mather of Sidney, NE.
Guy Ness
A truly exceptional man, Guy Ness, died on his 98th birthday Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003 while in the care of Kenton Manor Health Care Center.
Guy was born in Escrick, Yorkshire, England in 1905 to Herbert, a merchant marine, and Anne (Nancy) Ness.
He was a big brother to Hubert and Michael Ness; both who preceded him in death. Hubert’s family still lives in New Zealand. Mike was a priest in the Episcopal Church in Nova Scotia and is buried there.
At the age of 17, Guy left his home in England and traveled via the ocean liner, Adriatic, to New York City where he passed through Ellis Island on Jan. 1, 1923. He was intent on traveling and working his way across country to the West coast where he would catch a ship to Australia. Guy knew that he wanted, to learn how to wheat farm. After many jobs, including work on the old steam trains, he decided that farming in the U.S. might just be what he wanted. He settled in to learn the trade.
At the age of 22, Guy returned to England to marry a young lady who had been only 13 when he left home. Her name was Ruby Whitby and on Feb. 23, 1928, in Hudswell, Yorkshire, England, he made her his wife.
The two celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary last February. To hear Guy tell it, Ruby threatened only once to return to England and to her mother.
After the marriage, the couple traveled by ship across the ocean to set up home in Wolsely, Saskatchewan, Canada, where they farmed. A son, Ray, was born to them on Dec. 21, 1928. Soon after, Guy visited the consulate in Regina and the family was able to move to the U.S. in 1929 and settled in Big Springs, Neb. On Jan. 15, 1936, a daughter, Joan, was born to them.
Guy enjoyed many happy and quite successful years farming with his family, first in Big Springs and later in Imperial, Neb. He and Ruby always had time for their grandchildren who spent many hours, days, weeks and summers on the farm.
Guy was a good friend to many people and would always give more than was asked or expected. He and Ruby retired from farming and moved to Greeley, Colo., in 1968 where he held numerous jobs (so much for the retiring!). He worked at a seed company for Rueben Walters and Don Felt who later sold the business to Lloyd Seekamp. He also spent many years at the Highland Nursery and he loved volunteering at his local library.
Guy was always active, ate well and enjoyed a rare glass of port. He loved mincemeat pie, scrambled eggs on toast and his wife’s famous homemade bread and fried chicken. He cared little for money or material things. Ruby set his clothes out for him every day for 75 years. He was involved with his family and community but was also very content to be alone.
Guy was active in his church, was a member of the National Rifle Association, enjoyed traveling and fishing, and was passionate about farming and reading. He was a very learned man and always had a great story to share.
Many of his tales involved times, places and things that today seem almost mystical to his family. Can you imagine going from horse-drawn buggies to fast cars and even faster jets; or from reading by candlelight to mastering all our technology; palm pilots, e-mail, the internet and cell phone?
His family feels fortunate that he was their husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend!
Guy has left behind: his wife, Ruby Ness of Greeley, Colo.; a son Ray Ness of Ogallala, Neb; son-in-law, Eldon Grimes and wife, Shirley of Greeley, Colo.; four grandchildren: Trudy Krien of Fort Collins, Colo., Beth Ness of Ogallala, Kristy LeClair of Little Rock, Ark., and Kerry Grimes of Windsor, Colo.; six great-grandchildren: Jennifer, Ryan, Keith, Andrew, Bryce and Alex. In the winter of 1998-1999, Guy’s daughter, Joan Grimes, and his grandson, Scott Ness, preceded him in death.
Many feel as though Guy chose the time of his passing. He must have been intent with completing the 98th year of his life, and the thought of checking out before fall harvest was complete, was virtually unthinkable.
Funeral services were Thursday morning, Dec. 4 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Greeley, Colo, with interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Greeley, Colo.
