U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Donald Weiss, Sr.
Donald Lee Weiss was born to George and Goldie Weiss on July 29, 1923 in Imperial, Neb. and passed away on Nov. 5, 2003.
He graduated from Chase County High School in 1940 and attended Creighton University for a short time. Don then returned Imperial to help run the family farm, until the time he enlisted in the United States Navy.
Don received an honorable discharge from the Navy on Nov. 21, 1945, at which time he returned to work on the family farm.
Don married Anastacia (Ann) Shutze on Feb. 14, 1949. To this union were born four sons and two daughters.
Don was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, an active member of the Promoters of Music (Pom Poms), and a charter member of the Imperial Jaycees. He was instrumental in founding the Southwestern Nebraska Irrigators Association and he directed the choir at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for many years. Don was also a delegate to the Nebraska Democratic Convention in 1959.
Don was preceded in death by his father, George.
He is survived by his wife Ann, his mother Goldie Weiss and his sister Amy Jo Monasmith, all of Imperial; his children Bill Weiss, Tom and Cate Weiss, Don Weiss Jr. and Joe Weiss and Jeannie, all of Imperial; Carolyn and Tom (Huck) Huckabee of Delafield, Wisc. and Mary and Pat Lewis of Cheyenne, Wyo.; 13 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Don was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Rosary was held Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Imperial, Neb.
Mass of the Christian Burial was Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Imperial with Father Greg Pawloski officiating.
Soloists were Mrs. Paulette Dillan, Mr. Ron Moritz and Mr. Tom Huckabee.
Casketbearers were Jason Weiss, Jennifer Weiss, Calvin Weiss, Amanda Weiss, Dustin Weiss, Matthew Weiss and Christopher Weiss.
Military Rites were by the V.F.W. Post #4688, Imperial, Neb.
Interment was at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial, Neb.
A memorial fund in Don’s name has been established.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Myrna Athey Bradbury
Myrna Athey Bradbury, age 85, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at the Silver Bluff Nursing Home in Canton, N.C.
A native of Chase County, Neb., she had resided in Chicago, Ill., before moving to Haywood County, N.C., in 1968. She was the daughter of the late Harvey E. and Mina A. Theobald Athey.
She was employed as a chemist and lab technician at the Haywood County Health Department for 20 years before her retirement.
She was an avid reader and loved to travel.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Ernest Bradbury who died in 1999; son, Joe; two sisters and two brothers.
Myrna is survived by a daughter, Faith, and her husband, Bill Stairwalt, of Beatrice, Neb.; a son, Michael Scott Bradbury and wife, Patricia, of Weaverville, N.C.; a brother, Marvin Scott Athey and wife, Vesta, of Imperial, Neb.; 13 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.
Graveside services for Myrna Bradbury were held Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 5, 2003, at 1 p.m. MST, at Riverside Cemetery, Wau-sneta, Neb., with Pastor Keith Wellman officiating.
A memorial has been established to the Silver Bluff Christmas Fund, 100 Silver Bluff Drive, Canton, N.C. 28716.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Ellen Kerchal
Mary Ellen Kerchal was born on Aug. 30, 1943, in Seward County, Nebraska. She was adopted as an infant by Walter J. and Lucille (Traphagan) Middleton.
As a young girl she attended school in Oxford, graduating in 1961, from Oxford High School.
Mary married Eldon F. Kerchal on Nov. 27, 1987, at Ft. Collins, Colorado, and the couple settled in the Palisade area where she continued to live until her death.
Mary enjoyed many hobbies, but especially loved her grandchildren.
Mary passed away Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Kearney, Nebraska. She was 60 years of age.
Mary was preceded in death by family, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Middleton; grandmother, Mary Traphagan, several aunts and uncles.
Mary is survived by her husband, Eldon, of Palisade, Neb.; mother, Patricia Dedomenico of Westminster, Colo.; daughter, Jill Collins and husband, Jim, of Amsterdam, N.Y.; son, Jeff Johnson of North Platte, Neb.; special aunt, Delores Gettman of McCook, Neb.; and special friend, Mary Ellen Best of Oxford, Neb.; stepchildren, Steve and Linda Kerchal of Wauneta, Neb., Dave Kerchal of Wauneta, Neb., Ronda Bischoff and husband, Bill, of Wauneta, Neb.; and grandchildren, Kylee, Shawn, Nicki, Justin, Jessie, Jenae, Logan and Heather.
Funeral services were Friday, Oct. 24, 2003, 10:00 a.m. (MDT) at St. John’s Catholic Church, Wauneta, Neb., with Father Greg Pawloski officiating.
Organist was Mrs. Diana Ham and soloist was Mrs. Sharon Walgren.
Casketbearers were David Kerchal, Steven Kerchal, Justin Kerchal, William Bischoff, Don Myers and Kevin League.
Interment followed at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta, Neb.
A memorial has been established in Mary’s memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Marvin E. Dart, Sr.
Marvin E. Dart Sr., born on Nov. 7, 1933, to Ornan C. and Leona Dart in Haxtun, Colo. and raised on the Dart farm in Enders, Neb. passed away peacefully on Sept. 15, 2003.
Marvin is survived by his wife Joye S. Dart, his brother Don Dart and family, his sons Marvin (Gene) Dart Jr., Kenneth O. Dart and wife Christy, Boyd W. Dart and wife Lisa, Glen A. Dart and wife Kim Marie and his daughter Jeanette S. Osborne (Dart) ad husband Calvin.
Marvin enjoyed his many grandsons and granddaughters: Tara Dart, Miranda Bodus (Dart), Joseph Dart, Russell Dart, Gene Dart, Brittany Dart, Kelsey Osborne, Kaitlyn Osborne, James Schmitz, and Carissa Schmitz.
Marvin was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. He was a special friend to many and will be deeply missed by all.
There will be a family memorial and he will be laid to peaceful rest at a place special to his heart.
Alvin Lee Wooden
Alvin Lee Wooden, 75, longtime Ft. Morgan, Colo. resident died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003 at the Colorado Plains Medical Center in Ft. Morgan.
He was born Oct. 9, 1928 to Leon and Viola (Brinkley) Wooden in Longmont, Colo.
On Sept. 14, 1952 he married Lily A. Adler in the Peace Lutheran Church in Longmont, Colo.
They moved to Ft. Morgan from Casper, Wyo. in 1953.
Al was a member of the Christ Congregational Church and was a Life Member of the Ft. Morgan VFW Post 2551.
Fishing and playing golf were a couple of Al’s favorite hobbies. He was a good mechanic and when he had a little more time after he retired had enjoyed gardening.
Al is survived by his wife Lily of Ft. Morgan, Colo.; one son Alvin Wooden Jr. of Imperial, Neb.; two daughters Pam Green of Imperial, Neb. and Debbie Adolf of Longmont, Colo. and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 20, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. at the Christ Congregational Church in Ft. Morgan.
Interment followed in Memory Gardens.
Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the Christ Congregational Church.
The Heer & Jolliffe Mortuary in Fort Morgan was in charge of the arrangements.
‘Minnie’ E. Knepper
Wilhelmina ‘Minnie’ Elizabeth Knepper was born Nov. 7, 1908, on the family farm in Enders, Neb., to Gustav and Augusta (Koch) Einspahr and passed away on Oct. 16, 2003, at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial, Neb., at the age of 94.
She became a member of God’s family through the rite of Holy Baptism and made public confession of her faith at her confirmation on July 8, 1923, at Zion Lutheran Church, Imperial.
Minnie grew up with eight brothers and two sisters and because she was the eldest daughter helped with the household chores and cared for the younger siblings. Her early education was in a local one room school. When she reached high school age, she boarded with a family in Imperial so she could attend high school and graduated with the class of 1926, She taught in a country school, then travelled to Little Falls, N.Y., with a brother and worked a year before returning to Enders. There she clerked in a local store until her marriage.
On Dec. 13, 1931, she married Alvin Knepper at Zion Lutheran Church. After Alvin assumed the manager’s position at the Farmers Co-op Exchange in Wauneta, they moved there and raised their family of four children: son Ralph Eldon and daughters: Berneta, Doneta and Shirley.
Both Alvin and Minnie were charter members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta. Minnie’s faith was very important to her which was exemplified by her active participation in the congregation as well as by her daily living. For years she was a Sunday School teacher and remained active in Ladies Aid, LWML and Bible study groups. She was also a member of the Shilohette Extension Club and the Sewing Club. Because of her love of flowers and gardening, she provided bouquets for the church’s altar for many years and was fondly known as "the flower lady."
Besides growing flowers, she also had a large garden, sharing its bounty with friends and neighbors and canning and preserving food for her family. She was a good cook and was especially known for her homemade bread and cinnamon rolls which she continued to bake until she and Alvin moved to Heritage of Wauneta in September of 2000. She was artistic and creativity was evident in her sewing where she often created designs and patterns for clothing her daughters "fancied." In addition, she loved to crochet and embroider, did tole painting, liked the challenge of crossword puzzles and read her Bible daily. Her time was "never her own" - everyone else came first in her life. Her bright smile and cheerful attitude endeared her to many.
Preceding Minnie in death were her parents; her husband, Alvin; son-in-law, Bernie Steinert; seven brothers: Theodore, William, Edward, Ludwig, Frank, Martin and Lawrence and one sister, Laura (Mrs. George) Cook.
Survivors include: son, Ralph Knepper and wife, Paula, of Holdrege, Neb,; daughters: Berneta Steinert of Wauneta, Doneta Steinert of Lincoln, Neb., and Shirley and husband, James Pamp, of Centennial, Colo.; six grandchildren: Dan Steinert of Hayes Center, Neb., Terry Steinert and wife, Darla, of Aurora, Ill., Joel Steinert and wife, Blair, of Logan, Utah, Roni Olander of Lincoln, Steven Pamp of Denver, Colo., and Kirsten Pamp of Basalt, Colo.; four great grand-children: Ian and Evan Olander and Matthew and Hannah Steinert; one brother, Walter Einspahr of Imperial, one sister, Florence (Mrs. Winston) Weaver of Billings, Mont., and a sister-in-law, Ida (Mrs. Ludwig) Einspahr of Ogallala.
Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wau-neta, with Pastor Greg Stuckwisch and Pastor Keith Wellman officiating.
Organist was Karen Christner. Congregational hymns included "Jerusalem the Golden," "Jesus Lives, The Victory’s Won," and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." "The Lord’s Prayer" was sung by Mrs. Paula Knepper.
Casketbearers were grandchildren Dan Steinert, Terry and Darla Steinert, Joel and Blair Steinert, Roni Olander, Steven Pamp and Kirsten Pamp.
Interment was at Riverside Ceme-tery, Wauneta.
A memorial has been established at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta was in charge of arrangements.
Madeline M. Cox
Madeline Mae Cox, long time resident of Imperial, Neb. was born Jan. 8, 1923, in rural Dundy County, to Harry L. and Selma (Nelson) Dixon.
As a young girl she attended District #70 in rural Dundy County and graduated from high school in Benkelman, Neb.
Madeline married Donald Wayne Cox on Jan. 9, 1941, at St. Francis, Kan. To this union one son, Jerry, was born.
The couple resided in Max, Neb. until moving to their farmstead in 1946. Madeline and Don remained on the farm until moving to their present home in Imperial, in 1967.
Madeline passed away Tuesday morning, Oct. 14, 2003 at her home in Imperial, Neb. She was 80 years of age.
Madeline enjoyed gardening, socializing and was a fabulous cook. Madeline also enjoyed her grandkids and spoiling her great grandkids. She was always there to help people in need and never missed sending greetings for those special occasions or just to say hello. Her presence will be missed by many.
Madeline is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Marvin, Maurice and Mardelle and sister Mildred.
Survivors include husband Don of Imperial, Neb.; son Jerry Cox of Parks, Neb.; granddaughter Kristi Bernhardt and husband Kurt, Lamar, Neb.; grandson Tom Cox and wife Cindy, Phoenix, Ariz.; three great grandchildren Preston, Alexa and Austin Bernhardt; sisters-in-law Virginia Dixon, Benkelman, Neb., Dorothy Adams, Imperial, Neb., June Cox, Wauneta, Neb., Genevieve Tumblert, Lodi, Calif.; many other members of the family and friends.
Services for Madeline were held Saturday morning, Oct. 18, 2003, 10 a.m. at the Wesleyan Church of Imperial with Pastor Todd Burpo officiating.
Organist was Mrs. Colleen Mullanix and singers were the Wesleyan Church ensemble.
Casketbearers were Terry Martin, Jeff Steggs, Reid Ott, Tom Cox, Kurt Bernhardt and Carroll Alsbury.
Honorary casketbearers were Steve Applegarth, Preston Bernhardt, Bill Greeley and Rod Kerchal.
Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial, Neb.
A memorial has been established in Madeline’s memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
