Walter Doremus
Walter Doremus, 83, of Kimball, died October 26, 2004. Funeral services will be Thursday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m., at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Home, Scottsbluff, 632-4101. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery, Gering.
Jim F. Robinson
Jim Forrest Robinson, 28, of Swink, Colo., formerly of Bushnell, died in Otero County, Colorado. A memorial service was held Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004 at the Cantrell Funeral Home of Kimball with Pastor Don Blomberg of the Albin Baptist Church officiating. Cremation took place. If friends wish, memorial gifts may be made to the Jim Robinson Memorial Fund in care of the family.
He was born October 16, 1975 in Greeley, Colo., a son of Albert and Carol (Isanhart) Robinson. He lived in the Kimball area for a number of years and graduated from Kimball High School in 1994. He had just recently moved to Swink, Colo. Jim was a derrick hand in the oil fields and had worked in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. He enjoyed mechanical work and was an avid fisherman and rock collector.
He is survived by his mother Carol Robinson and father Albert Robinson, both of Bushnell; a daughter Breanna Lundgren of Kimball; brother Albert Robinson of Kingston, Idaho; three sisters, Diana Chamberlain of Marion, Mich., Lillian Tarnnowski of Kimball, and Rebecca Le of Chelsey, Mass. Also surviving are 11 nieces and nephews and seven great nieces and nephews.
Shirley Coulter
Shirley Coulter, 90 of Potter, Neb. died Wednesday morning, January 19, 2005 at the Memorial Health Center, Extended Care in Sidney.
Funeral services were Jan. 25 at the Potter United Methodist Church with Pastor Mary Frohs and the Rev. Jim Roberts officiating. Visitation was at Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney. Burial was in the Potter Cemetery.
Memorials have been established to the Potter United Methodist Church or the Potter Fire Department.
Shirley Elizabeth (Mayer) Coulter was born in Tipton, Calif. on April 25, 1914 to Charles and Susie (Elter) Mayer. When she was six weeks old, her family moved back to the homestead fourteen miles north of Potter, where she experienced a happy childhood with her brothers Maynard and Clayton and her sister Evelyn. She boarded with the Clarence Johnson family while attending Potter High School and worked at the Johnson Store after graduation.
On January 1, 1937, she married James Coulter and worked with him in their farming operations. Shirley devoted herself to her husband and three children. After Jim’s death in 1967, she continued to supervise the farm business; she worked part-time at the post office for sixteen years.
Shirley belonged to the Potter United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, Eastern Star, and the Social Neighbors Club. She enjoyed playing cards at the Senior Center. She loved her home and spent many happy hours working in her yard. Throughout her life, she faced difficulties—the illnesses and death of her husband, loss of her son Bob, her own failing health, and the move to Memorial Extended Care—with a positive attitude and believing God would see her through. Her usual response to the question, “How are you?” was “I’m fine.”
Survivors include her daughter, Suzanne and husband Wayne Roberts of San Antonio, Texas; her son Jim and wife Carol Coulter of Omaha, Neb.; four grandchildren: Jim Roberts and wife Jan, Bill Roberts and wife Jill, Kim Bain and husband Darryl and Amber Coulter; nine great-grandchildren; her sister Evelyn Shoemaker of Sidney, Neb.; numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, her husband, and one son, Bob.
Maurice ‘Stub’ Steele
Maurice S. “Stub” Steele 85 of Kimball, died January 29, 2005 at the Kimball County Manor. Funeral services were February 2 at the Cantrell Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mel Daves officiating. Burial was in the Kimball Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Diabetes Foundation or the Charity of Choice. Cantrell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Stub was born December 23, 1919 in Elm Creek, to William and Blanche (Fitz) Steele. He received his education in Banner County. He farmed with his father until 1940, and then moved to Bushnell. He and Viola Hammond were married in 1940, having three daughters to this union, they divorced in 1956. Stub then married Betty Jo (Burger) MacMillan in 1957.
During 1942 and 1943 he was employed at the Sioux Ordinance Plant as well as Fort Carson and Walsenberg, Colo. driving a gravel truck. Stub returned to Banner County and farmed for Jack Rich near the Banner County line. He moved to Kimball in 1945 and began wheat farming. He started working in the oil field in 1951 as a roughneck and after two years was moved to drilling operator. In 1956, he bought the Hiway Texaco Station, which he operated until 1961. Stub then started Steele’s Wrecking Yard and in 1966 bought a casing pulling unit. He retired 1998.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo Steele; three daughters, Janet Wells of Englewood, Fla.; Joan Pruett of Kimball, and Dian Comer of Independence, Mo.; three step-children: Hoke MacMillan of Phoenix, Ariz., Debora Huff of Bushnell, and Cinde MacMillan of Denver, Colo.; one sister Irene Wallin of Kimball, two brothers: Harold Steele of Potter, and Bill Steele of Julesburg, Colo.; ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
Stub was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Bernard and Robert.
Elena Rizzuti
Elena Rizzuti, 67, of Kimball, died unexpectedly on Monday, January 24, 2005 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.
She was born August 25, 1937 in Brooklyn, N.Y., a daughter of Frank Paul and Elena Maria (Clemente) Calise. She graduated from Bay Ridge High School and had lived in New York for 53 years before coming to Kimball in 1990. While living here she had been a cook at Kimball County Manor for over 11 years. She is survived by nephew Frank Calise, sister-in-law Susan Calise, and great niece Assunta Calise, all of Kimball. Also surviving are niece Christine Calise of Hudson, N.Y. and sister-in-law Madonna Calise of Staten Island, N.Y.
Cremation has taken place and her remains will be buried in the family plot at Calvary Cemetery in Queens, N.Y. The Cantrell Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
William Welch
William P. Welch, age 71, of Milbank, formerly of Potter, Neb., died Tuesday, February 1, 2005 in the McKennan Hospital/Avera Health in Sioux Falls. The organist will be Roger Goosen.
Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 4 in the Parkview United Methodist Church in Milbank with the Reverend Marlyn E. Kuper and the Reverend Robert Semrad officiating. Family members are asked to meet in the church fireside room by 1:30 p.m. Friday to attend services. Visitation will be at the Emanuel-Patterson Funeral Home in Milbank on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. and in the church Friday one hour before services. Burial will be in the Milbank City Cemetery with graveside military rites presented by the Birch-Miller American Legion Post #9 and the Grant County VFW Post #3486.
William Paul Welch was born on January 30, 1934 in Cortland, New York, the son of Ralph and Marion (Mantey) Welch. He moved with his family to Dryden, New York; to Colorado Springs, Colo. in 1945, and to Sidney, Neb. where he graduated from Sidney High School in 1952. He was a Korean War veteran having served his country in the U.S. Navy from March 17, 1953, until his honorable discharge on Dec. 17, 1962.
Bill married Barbetta Beale on Dec. 30, 1956, in Potter, Neb. He spent twenty-eight months on an aircraft carrier, the USS Hancock. He was stationed at Key West, Fla,, where he was part of an air-sea rescue team. His last assignment was as a nuclear weapons instructor in Whidbey Island, Wash. Bill taught airmen procedures for loading, arming, and dropping nuclear bombs. After his honorable discharge, he and Barbetta and family moved to Potter, where he farmed until moving to Milbank in 1977. He worked for Curtis Breeding Service, a national livestock breeding company. A back injury kept him from working for many years until he recovered and applied for and obtained the Veterans Service Officer’s position in Grant County. Bill served as Veterans Service Officer and Grant County Emergency Management Director for ten years. He served two years as the president of the South Dakota Veterans Service Officers Association. He retired in December 2003.
Bill was a member of the Parkview United Methodist Church in Milbank where he served as finance chairperson. He was a member of the American Legion for forty-two years and a past commander of the Birch-Miller American Legion Post #9 in Milbank. He was currently serving as adjutant and editor of the monthly newsletter. Bill also served on the committee for the Big Stone Lake Walleye Classic held each Father’s Day and served on the Board of Directors of the Neb. Glacial Chapter of the Red Cross. Bill enjoyed fishing, playing golf, watching “Big Red” football, gardening, especially his roses, and making rugs on his looms.
Survivors include his wife, Barbetta, Milbank; two sons and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Pat Welch, Potter; and Vance Welch, Bemidji, Minn.; seven grandchildren; one brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Vicki Welch, Omaha, Neb.; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Dretta and Dick Peterson, Annapolis, Md.; Virginia and Gordon Creswell, Tempe, Ariz.; and Jane and Jay Harroff, Estes Park, Colo.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Dallas A. Welch, and one nephew. The Emanuel-Patterson Funeral Home of Milbank is in charge of the arrangements.
Donava Santero
Donava H. Santero, 69, of Oshkosh, mother of Vicki Van Newkirk of Kimball, died Jan. 20, 2005 at the Garden County Hospital in Oshkosh. Cremation has taken place and a graveside service was Jan. 24, 2005 at the Ash Hollow Cemetery near Lewellen. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Oshkosh Rescue Unit. Holechek Funeral Home in Oshkosh is in charge of arrangements.
She was born on May 8, 1935 in Lewellen to Kenneth and Helen (Mardis) McCormick. She graduated from Lewellen high school and attended college in Minneapolis, Minn., receiving an associate degree in nursing as a lab tech. She worked at the hospital in Lewellen.
She is survived by her children, Vicki and husband Perry Van Newkirk of Kimball, another daughter and two sons; granddaughter Jamie (Gene) Golding of Kimball and nine other grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Kenneth Dunlap
Kenneth M. C. Dunlap, 76, of Stapleton, formerly of Kimball, died Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005 at his home.
He was born July 10, 1928 to Jesse and Pauline McCool Dunlap at Atchinson Co., Mo. He grew up in Missouri and Nebraska. After graduating high school, he attended telegraphy school in Omaha. He worked for UPRR as a mobile agent until he retired in 1988.
Ken married Vivian J. Pierce in 1950 in Ogallala. The couple lived in Keystone, Ogallala and Kimball before moving to Stapleton in July 2003. He was a member of the Eagles Club in Kimball and the UP Oldtimers. He was an avid bowler. He taught many kids how to bowl in Ogallala and Kimball.
Survivors include his wife Vivian of Stapleton; two daughters, Velda (Bill) Cassell of Stapleton and Doris Walker of Ogallala; two sons, Dennis (Diane) Dunlap of Alma, Mich. and Robert (Collette) Dunlap of Castle Rock, Colo.; three sisters; two brothers; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Keith Eugene in 1951, and an infant brother.
Services were Jan. 25 at Stapleton Presbyterian Church. Burial was in McCain Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lawrence Acker
Lawrence “Larry” F. Acker, formerly of Kimball, died Jan. 18, 2005 at Homestead Health Care Center in Lincoln. Services were Jan. 21 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Assoc. of Great Plains in Lincoln.
He was born in 1932 on a cattle/wheat ranch near Bayard. He married Dorothy Prester in 1953 in Scottsbluff. They moved to Kimball where he worked for Lee’s Appliance and TV Repair Service. They moved to Scottsbluff in 1957.
Survivors are his wife, Dorothy, a daughter, grandchildren, and brothers James and George. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Joseph and sister Theresa.
Lorene Smith
Lorene Smith, 94, of Gering, formerly of Banner County, died Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005 in Scottsbluff. A private family graveside will be at West Lawn Cemetery. A memorial service was Jan. 24.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church in Gering. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.geringchapel.com.
Lorene was born July 8, 1910 in Banner County to J. Roy and Ella (White) Baker. She married Theodore “Ted” Smith in 1930 in Bridgeport.
Survivors include her son, Dr. Wayne Smith and wife Bettie of Lakewood, Colo., two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and brother Edwin Baker of Gering.
She was preceded in death by her husband, brother Roy Baker, and sister Lenna Rumble.
Jack Bauer
Jack J. Bauer, 74, of Kimball died Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at the Kimball County Manor. Funeral Services were Monday, Jan. 17, 2005 at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball. Pastor Mel Daves officiated. Interment
was in the Kimball Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Jack Bauer Memorial Fund.
He was born February 13, 1930 in Scottsbluff, a son of Jake and Pauline (Scott) Bauer. He lived his entire life in western Nebraska and worked at various jobs in the oil fields, the sugar factory, and the City of Scottsbluff.
He was first married to Anna Wise. She preceded him in death. He later was married to Sue Jones.
Jack is survived by one son, Jack (Diane) Bauer, Jr, of Melbeta; two daughters, Debra (Richard) Christenson of Kimball and Sally Shurerbarth of Chadron; a brother, Donald (Virginia) Bauer of Scottsbluff; and three sisters, Linda (Harold) Adels and Jean (Billy) Britton of Melbeta, and Betty (Neil) Robinson of Scottsbluff. He is also survived by a number of grand and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, infant sister, an infant great granddaughter, and two brothers.
Dr. Richard Markley
Dr. Richard Eugene Markley, formerly of Kimball, died Oct. 17, 2004 at age 91.
Dr. Markley was born Sept. 25, 1913 in Kimball, Neb. He was the younger brother of Luella Mockett, former Kimball resident.
Dr. Markley graduated from the University of Denver and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He served in the South Pacific during World War II. He moved to Lake Oswego, Ore. in 1949 and later to McMinnville, Ore. He married Dr. Leta Gehrsitz in Kimball.
He was an ophthalmologist, as well as a farmer and wine grower.
Survivors include his wife and son, Carl.
Remembrances to Legacy VNA Hospice in McMinnville. Arrangements by Autumn.
Janice Roberts
Janice C. Roberts, formerly of Kimball, passed away January 15, 2005 at her home in Omaha, where she lived with her daughter since 2001.
She was born April 19, 1919 in Shelton, Neb.
Janice and her husband Donald ranched and farmed in Kimball County prior to moving to Kearney, Neb. in 1966. They spent their retirement years between Kearney and Carlsbad, Calif.
She is preceded into death by her husband, Donald F. Roberts; parents, Charles and Lillian Rosenthal; and brother, Robert Rosenthal.
Survivors include: daughter Judy A. Roberts; granddaughters Laura West, Merry Johnson, and Amy Jackson; and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Masonic Manor. Burial of the cremains will be at the Dix Cemetery in Dix, Neb. at a later date. No viewing or visitation.
Memorials may be made to the Church Women United Scholarship Fund for Uta Halee, 3017 Mormon Road, Omaha, Neb., 68112.
Orinda Pickett
Orinda C. (Frank) Pickett, 89, of Sidney, formerly of Kimball, died at Beverly Health Care in Sidney on Wednesday, January 12, 2005. Memorial services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, January 22, 2005 at the First Baptist Church of Kimball. Pastor Mel Daves will officiate. A private burial will take place prior to the service. No visitation is scheduled.
If friends wish, memorial gifts may be made to either First Baptist Church of Kimball or to Beverly Health Care of Sidney. The Cantrell Funeral Home of Kimball is assisting the family with arrangements.
She was born July 5, 1915 at Beaver Crossing, a daughter of Gottlieb and Caroline (Vogt) Frank. On April 16, 1933 she married Raymond Pickett. They spent most of their lives in western Nebraska where they farmed for many years in the Kimball area. From the late 1960s into the 1980s they owned TV stores in Kimball, Sidney, and, for a time, in Albuquerque, N.M.
Orinda was a homemaker and received a diploma as a nurse from the Chicago School of Nursing. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Kimball.
She is survived by two sons: Eugene and his wife Dana Pickett of Battlement Mesa, Colo., and Leo and his wife Carolyn Pickett of Grand Junction, Colo.; one daughter, Carolyn and her husband Merlyn Heidemann of Potter; a brother, Leroy Frank of Scottsbluff; and two sisters, Viola Johnson of Gering and Betty Barkel of Pine Bluffs, Wyo. Other survivors include 14 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, five sisters and four brothers.
Lyle Morrison
The father of John Morrison, of Kimball, died Jan. 14, 2005 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. Lyle W. Morrison, 90, was a longtime Sidney resident. Funeral services were Tuesday at the First Christian Church in Sidney and burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery with military graveside honors.
Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church or the Western Nebraska Veterans Home in Scottsbluff.
Lyle Wayne Morrison was born August 23, 1914 in Dundy County, Neb. Gehrig Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Douglas Reetz
Douglas Wendall Reetz, 81, of Potter, passed away Thursday, January 6, 2005 at Memorial Health Center in Sidney. Funeral services were January 15 at the Evangelical Free Church in Sidney with Pastor Doug Birky officiating. Graveside services followed at the Potter Cemetery. The casket was closed. Memorials may be given to the Evangelical Free Church designated for youth programs.
Doug was born August 15, 1923 the son of Fred and Maude Reetz of Potter. He graduated from Potter High School in 1940. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln for 2 years.
He married Arleen Block in 1944 and they celebrated 61 years of marriage. Doug accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Sidney. He dearly loved his pastor, his family and the entire church family. He was passionate about Bible creationism, teaching that God is the creator of all.
Doug farmed north of Potter and also managed Front Street in Ogallala for 3 years. He and Arleen purchased and expanded Buffalo Bend restaurant, motel and campground in Potter. Many people enjoyed their wonderful hospitality at the Bend as well as the family oriented summer western variety shows that he produced. He loved western history and gave his family and others the same appreciation for the heritage for our area.
He was president of the Western Nebraska Threshing Association. He was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Frank Welch Masonic Lodge, the Shrine and also a member of the Shrine Tri Wheels parade unit. After retiring, he enjoyed working with Student Ventures, a youth ministry, and was inspirational in helping start the Upper Room youth program of the Evangelical Free Church. He loved working with youth in cub scouts, boy scouts, 4-H, Luther League and teaching Sunday School. He is leaving with a lot of love from the youth and members of his church. He touched many lives with his kindness and was an inspiration of love and faith to his whole family. He will be missed by many and especially his family that loved him so much, but we are blessed and comforted by the knowledge that he is with his Lord with joy evermore.
Survivors include his wife Arleen of Potter; two sons, David and wife Glo of Powell, Wyo., and Jeff and his wife Nicole of Mozambique, Africa; one sister, Cynthia and her husband Don Thies of Lewellyn; six grandchildren, Clinton Reetz of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Ginger Sleep of Powell, Shauna Reetz of Longmont, Colo., Meredith Baxter of Powell, Jes Reetz of Loveland, Colo. and Dana Crooks of Powell; 14 great grandchildren. He was a father figure to Arleen's brother's children.
Gehrig Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Jack Kleven
Jack Kleven, 66, of Simi Valley, Calif., passed away on December 22, 2004 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Jack was born January 2, 1938 in Cheyenne, Wyo. and grew up on a farm in Banner County, Neb. He attended college in Scottsbluff, Neb. and then entered the Army. Upon returning to the Scottsbluff area he met his wife Sherry, then a student nurse. They were married for 43 years.
Jack had many hobbies and interests. He especially enjoyed golfing, flying, woodworking, playing the guitar, camping and riding his Harley. Jack worked many years in broadcasting as an announcer and in advertising, starting as an announcer at KIMB Radio in Kimball, Neb. He also had another long career in aviation insurance.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Ossie and Loretta, and infant grandson, John Erik.
He is survived by his wife Sherry, son Randy and his wife Lauri, of Boise, Idaho; granddaughters, Madison and Delaney; sister Katy and husband Keith Snyder of Pasco, Wash.; nephew Nick Kleven and his wife Joni of Pasco; great nephew Cameron; great nieces Brianne and Stephanie; sister-in-law Verla Davenport and husband Rick of Reno, Nev., nieces Molly and Jill; along with many cousins and friends. He will be deeply missed by all.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Jack’s physicians at Facey Medical Group, the Vitas Hospice Team and the many friends and family who provided endless support and concern throughout his illness.
A memorial service and celebration of his life was Dec. 28 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Simi Valley.
Memorials in Jack’s name may be made to the Oncology Program at Facey Medical Foundation, c/o Margie Melby, Controller, 15451 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Suite 300, Mission Hills, CA, 91345.
Lucille Nickal
Lucille Nickal, of Scottsbluff, mother of Lynda Wasielewski of Bushnell, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005 at Regional West Medical Center. A private family memorial service was at the Jolliffe Funeral Home Chapel. Interment
will follow at a later date. Lucille’s son, Gary, of Torrington, officiated for the memorial service and Lucille’s daughter, Cathie Teague, of Los Angeles, Calif., and daughter-in-law Carol Nickal of Longmont, Colo., were in charge of the music.
Abiding by Lucille’s wishes, cremation has taken place at the Jolliffe Funeral Home & Crematory in Scottsbluff. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that memorials be made to the Panhandle Humane Society.
Lucille was born March 14 in Lyman to Herman and Nellie (Clark) Nolke. She received her education in the Lyman schools before marrying Alex Nickal. The couple farmed in Lyman for many years and moved to Bayard in 1953. Lucille helped her husband on the farm and sold sweet corn that she raised to area grocery stores. She and her husband moved their family to Scottsbluff in 1958.
She was a compassionate person, always taking care of family, friends and all area stray cats. She was very much an animal lover, especially her dear friend Sammy, her cat. Lucille loved the outdoors, enjoyed playing cards, and out-yelled most family members when cheering for the Huskers, Broncos, or even the Colorado Buffaloes. She loved her football.
Survivors include her children: Virginia LaVerne of Denver; Calvin Nickal and his wife Carol of Longmont; Gary Nickal and his wife Sharol of Torrington, Wyo.; Cathie Teague and her husband Gerald of Los Angeles; Lynda Wasielewski and her husband Kent of Bushnell; Terry Nickal of Gering; and Tami Gross and her husband Bill of Gillette, Wyo.; grandchildren: Kim, Terri, Larry, Brett, Tom, Wendy, Jason, Gary, Jamie, J.R., and Natasha; 11 great-grandchildren; brother Calvin Nolke and his wife Eva of Lyman; sisters: Emogene Terwilliger of Morrill; Lola Russell and husband Gene of Glendo, Wyo.; and Erma Potter and her husband Charles of Ft. Laramie, Wyo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her parents, Herman and Nellie Nolke; ex-husband Alex; and sisters Muriel Frahm and Dorothy Spath preceded Lucille in death.
Bernard Culek, Sr.
Bernard F. Culek, 85 of Kimball died unexpectedly at Kimball Health Services on Thursday, December 30, 2004.
Mass of Christian Burial was on January 4 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Robert Karnish officiated. Burial followed at the Kimball Cemetery. A scripture service was Monday evening at the funeral home. If friends, wish memorial gifts may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. The Cantrell Funeral Home of Kimball assisted the family with arrangements.
Bernard was born in Adams County, Neb. on August 7, 1919 a son of Frank and Bessie (Hoskovec) Culek. In 1925, the family moved from Harvard, Neb., where his father was a butcher, to a place southeast of Bushnell. In 1948, he moved to the farm southwest of Kimball where he lived ever since. He attended school at District 28 through 8th grade and attended Bushnell High School graduating in 1939. In high school Bernard enjoyed participating in plays and was the art editor of the school paper. He and Lucile Haas where married in Harrison on October 5, 1953.
Bernard was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Czechs of Western Nebraska group. He was instrumental in starting one of the banks in Bushnell, served on the board of Rural School District 16, was a former member of the ASCS Committee of Kimball County, and had been a substitute school bus driver. Bernard loved the outdoor life and was happiest when he was working around his farm.
He is survived by his wife Lucile, son and daughter-in-law Bernard “Bernie” Culek, Jr., and Anna, and son Dan Culek all of Kimball; one brother John Culek and his wife Evelyn of Pine Bluffs Wyo., two grandchildren Angie Culek and Nathan Culek, and a great grandson Ethan Culek-Schaeffer; also a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant brother Francis.
