U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Betty J. Maxfield
Betty Jean Maxfield was born Feb. 11, 1921, in Wauneta, Neb., to Louis A. and Mae (Gains) Grimm. She grew up and attended school in Wauneta and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1938. She then attended Hastings College for one year.
Betty married Raymond Maxfield on Sept. 19, 1939, in Denver, Colo., and the couple settled in Wauneta where they lived for 64 years.
Betty was an accomplished pianist and gave lessons to many children in Wauneta. She also was the organist for her church, taught Sunday School for many years and gave voice lessons.
She enjoyed music, crocheting, embroidering and fine needlepoint and cross-stitch.
Betty was a member of the United Methodist Church of Wauneta and the United Methodist Women.
Betty passed away Monday evening, Nov. 17, 2003, at the Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home, Wauneta. She was 82 years of age.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Leonard Dudek.
Survivors include: husband, Raymond of Wauneta; son, Jim Maxfield and wife, Connie, of Wauneta; son, Jeff Maxfield and wife, Kay, of Taylorville, Ill.; five grandchildren: Heidi Southard, Amy Maxfield, Bert Maxfield and wife, Johnne, Todd Maxfield and wife, Jennifer, and Eric Maxfield; three great grandchildren: Nathaniel Southard, Rachel Southard and Taylor Maxfield; brother, Lowell Grimm and wife Myra, of Wauneta; sister, Miriam and husband, Chuck Allen, of Des Moines, Iowa; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Merrill and Jean Maris of Wauneta; and sister-in-law, Dorthy Dudek of Wauneta.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Wauneta with Pastor Michael Laing officiating.
Organist was Mrs. Kay Maxfield and soloist was Mrs. Sharon Walgren.
Casketbearers were Bert Maxfield, Todd Maxfield, Eric Maxfield, Carroll Grimm, Rod McMinn and Ron O’Neil.
Interment was at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta, with Liewer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
A memorial has been established in Betty’s memory.
Russell Earl Polly
Russell Earl Polly, the older son of Edward Earl and Veva (Pence) Polly was born March 31, 1914, at the family farm east of Wauneta, Neb., in Chase County.
Russell attended grade school at Sunny Side School in Chase County. He skipped grades three and seven. He graduated from Wauneta High School as the president of the Class of 1931. He was an honor student and named Salutatorian of his class.
He worked on the family farm when he was a young man. He attended the Methodist Church and was baptized as a child.
He enlisted in the Army-Air Corps on Nov. 7, 1942. He was a member of the Airforce-Army Band, stationed at Marana Army Air Field in Marana, Ariz. close to Tucson. He was a bandsman specializing in clarinet and saxophone. He was honored with a good conduct medal and honorably discharged on June 21, 1945.
On Aug. 3, 1938, he married Eva Agnes Kerchal, and to this union one daughter was born: Patricia Ann.
Russell spent nine years working for Standard Oil Company.
He was appointed Postmaster of Wauneta, Neb. in 1950. He worked in this position for 41 years, retiring in 1990. Russell received several awards and honors while working as postmaster. He loved people and made many life long friends during this time as he served the public.
He was a member of the American Legion Post #304, and the United Methodist Church, both of Wauneta. He was a Director of the Wauneta Falls Bank. He served on the Methodist Church Board, the City Council, and the Riverside Cemetery Board.
Russ’s love of music influenced every area of his life and was very evident. His favorite music was the big band sound. He considered Dixieland Jazz as happy music. He played for numerous dances with several different bands and combos every weekend for many years. His clarinet and saxophone were prized possessions and brought much pleasure to both him and the many people who loved to listen to his musical interpretations.
Russell passed away Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, at the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln, Neb. He was 89 years of age.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Eva, son-in-law Garry Wayne Wallin, four grandchildren Melissa Ann, Michelle Ann, Kelly Lynn and Monica Ann; two great grandchildren Tailor Marie and Baby Boy Wallin; a brother Robert Keith Polly.
Survivors include his daughter Patricia Ann Wallin of Imperial, Neb.; five grandchildren Gregory Joe Wallin and wife Sherry of Manzanola, Colo., Jeffrey Wayne Wallin and wife Marilee of Imperial, Neb., Destry Wallin of Canon City, Colo., Steven Dirk Wallin and wife Charlotte of Imperial, Neb., Shawna Renae Wallin of Imperial, Neb.; five great grandchildren Justus Wayne, Makenna Dawn, Dakota James, Kalen Jeffrey and Matalie Jae Wallin, all of Imperial, Neb.; sister-in-law JoAnn Vicary and husband Rob of Lincoln, Neb.; brothers-in-law Leonard Kerchal and wife Frona of Benkelman, Neb., Virgil Kerchal of Wauneta, Neb. and Keith Kerchal and wife Nona of Wauneta, Neb.
Funeral services were held Saturday morning, Nov. 15, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Wauneta with Pastor Michael Laing and John Engbrecht officiating.
Organist was Mrs. Lucille McBride.
Casketbearers were Greg Wallin, Jeff Wallin, Destry Wallin, Steve Wallin, Shawna Wallin and Julie Lamphere.
Military rites were by American Legion Post #304, Wauneta, Neb.
Interment followed at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta, Neb.
A memorial has been established in Russell’s memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Stephen V. Zakis
Stephen V. "Zeke" Zakis, 71, of Cheyenne, Wyo., died Nov. 4 at his home in Cheyenne after a year-long battle with cancer.
He was born April 6, 1932, in Phillips, Wisc., to Edward Jacob and Johanna Jenny (Selucky) Zakis. He moved to Chicago to attend Lane Tech High school from which he graduated in 1950.
On Sept. 24, 1955, he married Andrea A. Edgeley in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England. To this union four children were born.
He joined the Air Force in 1951 and served his country for one year in Vietnam. After 26 years, he retired in 1977 while stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
Making Cheyenne, Wyo. his home, he worked for Checker-Yellow Cab and Montgomery Ward. He retired in 2000 from the Bureau of Land Management after 10 years of employment.
Mr. Zakis faithfully attended Cheyenne Berean Church after accepting Jesus Christ as Savior in June 1987.
Zeke enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, bowling, golfing and working out at the YMCA. He was a generous and devoted husband, father and grandfather. His quiet spirit and integrity will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Andrea Zakis of Cheyenne, Wyo.; a son, Stephen Zakis of Cheyenne, Wyo.; two daughters, Beverly Dinnel and husband Duane of Wauneta, Neb. and Roberta Townsend of Cheyenne, Wyo. (a recent Imperial Republican employee); a stepmother, Elsie Zakis of Chicago; a sister, Patsy Snell of Spring Hill, Fla.; a brother, Edward Wollard and wife Camille of Ocean Springs, Miss.; two half-brothers, Michael Zakis and wife Carol of Tucson, Ariz. and Robert Zakis and wife Janice of South Elgin, Ill.; and seven grandchildren, Jonathan Townsend and wife Amanda, Erin Townsend and Philip Townsend, all of Victoria, Texas, Spencer and Anthony Townsend of Cheyenne, Wyo., Jane Greene and husband Ryan of Imperial, Neb., and Vincent B. Zakis of Cheyenne, Wyo.
He was preceded in death by a son, Vincent J. Zakis; and his father, Edward Zakis.
Funeral services were held at Cheyenne Berean Church with the Rev. Workman officiating.
Burial followed at Mountain View Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Rolf Algermissen, Jim Foy, Fred Harlow, Jonathan Townsend, Philip Townsend and Ryan Greene.
Honorary pallbearers were Spencer Townsend, Vincent B. Zakis and Anthony Townsend.
Friends may contribute to the American Cancer Society.
Charles Hanna
Charles Forest Hanna died Monday, Nov. 10, 2003, at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial. He was 78 years old.
Charles was born on July 7, 1925, on the Hanna farmstead, northeast of Wauneta, to Forest Hanna and Lenore (Leidig) Hanna. At the age of six, his mother, Lenore, died. Two years later Forest married Sophia Faye (Bames-burger) and she became "Mom" to Charles and little brother, Robert. Charles attended school at Shiloh School on the north divide and Wauneta High School in Wauneta. He gradu-ated in 1942 and attended Curtis Vocational Technical School.
In the spring of 1944 he entered the Army and served in Japan during World War II. He was honorably discharged in December, 1946.
On Nov. 22, 1947, he married Bonnie Jean Hill in McCook. To this union, four children were born. Charles and Bonnie spent 20 years of their lives working together on the family farm north of Wauneta. He also worked as a home builder, machinist, machinery shop foreman, truck driver and motel owner, with farming his true vocation.
Charles enjoyed being with his family, drinking coffee with friends, collecting jokes and stories, card parties, bowling, watching TV (especially the Cornhuskers), traveling and woodworking.
Charles was a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge, the VFW, the Farmers Co-op and the United Methodist Church.
He retired in 1987, returning to his farmstead north of Wauneta. After this home was destroyed by fire, Charles and Bonnie moved to their present home in Wauneta. Charles spent his time enjoying his family, traveling and volunteering in the community. His work at the Senior Center and the Wauneta Cemetery were his most gratifying. His happiest days were spent driving a tractor to help his nephew, Mike, on the farm.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Forest and Faye Hanna; an infant son; his infant brother, Donald Dean; and son-in-law, James Madden.
Survivors include his wife, Bonnie of Wauneta; his three children, Catherine and husband, Lynn Lowman, Louisville, Colo., Vicky Hanna of Torrington, Wyo., and Douglas Hanna and wife, Darcy, of Boulder, Colo.; brother Robert Hanna and wife, Marge, of Wauneta; eight grand-children: Shanna and Travis Jones; Josh DeMarcinco and wife, Frannie; Jeremy Madden and wife, Melissa; Lindsey and Dan Maulsby and Ashley and Brooke Hanna; three great grandchildren: Dylan Maulsby, Abigail Madden and Elianna DeMarcinco and 11 nephews and nieces.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Wauneta, with Pastor Michael Laing officiating.
Music was provided by organist, Mrs. Lucille McBride, and soloist, Mr. Otis Knotwell. Solo selections chosen were "How Great Thou Art" and "Precious Lord Take My Hand." "Amazing Grace" was sung by the congregation.
Casketbearers were Mike Hanna, Dave Hanna, Travis Jones, Josh DeMarcinco, Jeremy Madden, Lynn Lowman, Tom Hill, and Dan Maulsby.
Honorary Casketbearers were Duane Blankenship, Jack Hill, Dan Richardson, Jim Beacham, Jim Maxfield, and Paul Kitt.
Military rites were conducted by American Legion Post #304, Wauneta.
Interment was at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta, with Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta in charge of arrangements.
Ida M. Einspahr
Ida M. Einspahr, age 80, of Ogallala, died on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2003 at the Ogallala Community Hospital.
Ida was born on Aug. 31, 1923 in Imperial, Neb., the daughter of Harmon and Mary Collins Ady. She attended school in Enders, Neb.
On July 23, 1939 Ida married Lue P. Einspahr in Enders. They made their home west of Enders on a farm. They moved into Imperial in 1946 and Ida worked for Einspahr Drug.
In 1968 the Einspahrs moved to Sidney, Neb. where Ida opened a ladies’ clothing shop. Then in 1969 they moved to Ogallala where Ida was employed as a cook at the Rest Home and later at the Ogallala Community Hospital. Ida retired in 1991.
Ida’s hobbies included sewing, knitting and crocheting and was known for her cooking abilities. She loved gardening and raising flowers and especially enjoyed spending time with her friends at the Senior Center.
Preceding her in death was her husband Lue in 1987 and two sisters.
Survivors include daughter Carmen and husband Leon Brand and son Larry Einspahr, all of Ogallala; sister Evelyn White of Bridgeport, Neb.; five grandchildren: Annette (Rick) Rein of Mitchell, Neb., Brenda (Terry) Nelson of Kearney, Neb., Traci (Craig) Draucker of Ogallala, Christopher Einspahr of Houston, Texas, Michael Einspahr of North Platte, Neb.; and nine great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial, Neb. with Rev. David Dobbertien of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church officiating.
A memorial has been established to the Keith County Senior Citizen Center.
Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala was in charge of arrangements.
Ivan C. Satchell
Ivan C. Satchell passed away on Nov. 5, 2003, in the Fort Mead VA Hospital in Sturgis, S.D.
Ivan was born in Imperial, Neb., on Aug. 9, 1918.
He grew up in Imperial with six siblings, graduated from Chase County High School where he excelled in football and track.
He spent two years on a naval destroyer in the South Pacific during World War II and raised a family with his loving wife, Olive B. (Williams) Satchell, on a farm on the south divide near Wauneta, Neb.
Ivan is survived by his sister, Donna Jacks of Phoenix, Ariz.; his daughter, Linda Lee (Satchell) and husband, Sid Clark, of Pine Haven, Wyo.; two sons, Ivan Douglas Satchell and wife, Karen, of Billings, Mont. and William Fredrick Satchell II and wife, Jan, of Northboro, Mass. He has eight grandchildren, 11 great grand children and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Olive, in December, 1995; five of his siblings and one granddaughter.
Cremation has taken place and arrangements for the funeral service will be at a later date.
Jerry Lee Cady
Jerry Lee Cady, 50, of Freeport, Ill. died Nov. 3, 2003, at home after an eight-month battle with cancer.
He was born Dec. 24, 1952 in Imperial, Neb., the son of Virgel and Lila Cady.
He graduated from Chase County High School in 1971 and received his BA Degree in Business Administration and Economics from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa in 1975.
Jerry married Cathy Sixt from Middletown, Ohio, in 1975.
He started his career for JCPenney’s as a trainee in Salt Lake City, Utah, then worked in Kansas City, Mo.; Cape Girardeau, Mo.; and finally as store manager in Freeport, Ill.
He was a lay minister of the Community of Christ Church and was involved in numerous community organizations and charities including Malcolm. Eaton-Golf-n-Games, United Way and the March of Dimes.
He was an avid golfer and life-long Husker Fan.
Survivors include his wife Cathy, 730 Greenfield Dr., Freeport, Ill. 61032; mother, Lila, of Grain Valley, Mo.; one son, Jeff of Freeport; one daughter, Megan Graham and husband Kevin of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; two brothers, Jim and Jack, both of Blue Springs, Mo. and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his father E. Virgel Cady.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today, Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Community of Christ Church in Rockford, Ill. 6103 Forest Hills Rd., with Gary Elrod, Brad Peele and Larry Davenport presiding.
A memorial may be sent to the Community of Christ Church in Rockford, Ill. or the charity of your choice.
