Ronald Staehr
Ronald Alfred Staehr, age 67, of York, Neb., brother of Keith Staehr of Kimball, was taken to his heavenly home Thursday, December 23, 2004, at Lincoln, Neb.
He was born June 14, 1937 to Alfred and Grace (Dey) Staehr. Ron was baptized on June 27, 1937 and confirmed in 1951 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Waco, Neb.
Ron was a 1955 York High School graduate and worked at the Water Department for the City of York for 15 years. He and his brother formed the partnership of Ron and Jerry's Plumbing. Ron was a very active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York, coached softball, enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards. He was a member of the Lutheran Layman's League and a former member of the York Jaycees. His family was very close to his heart and he loved attending all his grandkids’ events.
On September 21, 1958, he married CloeAnne Opfer of York. To this union four children were born: two sons Scott Staehr of York, and Brian and his wife Jerrita Staehr of Friestatt, Mo., two daughters Susan and her husband Larry Robinson, and Brenda and her husband Greg Horner, all of York.
Also surviving are six brothers: Robert Staehr of Utica, Gerald (Marilyn) Staehr of York, David (Charlotte) Staehr of Overland Park, Kan., Douglas (Vicki) Staehr of Stromsburg, Neb., Keith (Cynthe) Staehr of Kimball, Neb., and Gene (Sandi) Staehr of York; three sisters, Dolores (Richard) Bartholomew of Seward, Neb., Joyce (Denny) Riekenberg of Hordville, Neb. and Mary (Scott) Chew of Salinas, Calif; many nieces and nephews, his mother-in-law Pauline Opfer of York, brother-in-law Glenn Rathje of York and sister-in-law JoeAnne Staehr of York.
Preceding him in death were his parents, son Mark, a brother Dennis Staehr, sisters Donna Jean Rathje and Elaine Staehr, father-in-law Walter Opfer, and brothers-in-law Wayne Opfer and Marvin Rathje.
Walter Vandivort
Walter Winfield Vandivort, 89, of Scottsbluff, father of Barbara Snyder of Harrisburg, died Friday, Dec. 31, 2004 at Beverly Healthcare in Scottsbluff.
Funeral services were Jan. 4, 2005 at the First Church of God in Scottsbluff with Pastor Guy Walton and Rev. Stanley Reiley officiating. Interment
was at Fairview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or to Prairie Haven Hospice. Condolences may be emailed to the family at sympathy@jolliffefuneralhome.com.
Walter was born April 15, 1915 at Bridgeport to Oscar W. and Della (Smith) Vandivort. He married Vivian M. Sheets in 1933 at Oshkosh. He and his family lived in Bridgeport until his retirement, when they moved to Scottsbluff.
Walter loved everyone and was always there for his family. He was always grateful for visitors while in the rest home. He was a member of the First Church of God in Scottsbluff.
Survivors include his daughter Barbara Snyder of Harrisburg, son Bill in Torrington, Wyo., daughter Shirley in Melbeta, sister Marjorie Schmidt of Bayard, 12 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 12 great-great grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
His parents, wife, son Jimmy, daughter Betty Lou McGinley, granddaughter Candy Vandivort, grandson Ricky McCollum, great granddaughter Joan Keller, great grandson Cody Strauch, two sisters and son-in-law Linden Snyder preceded him in death.
Rev. James Irwin
Rev. James K. Irwin, minister emeritus, 87, of Gering, formerly of Kimball, died Friday, Dec. 31, 2004 at Regional West Medical Center. A Celebration of Life service will be at 2 p.m., Jan. 7 at First United Methodist Church in Gering. Visitation was scheduled at the Gering Memorial Chapel Wednesday, Jan. 5 from 1-8 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 6 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or the family. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.geringchapel.com.
Jack Howard Slater, son of Gladwin and Hilda Slater, was born Nov. 9, 1917 in Blackfoot, Idaho. He was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Hugh C. Irwin in 1920 and named James. K. Irwin. The family moved from a homestead southeast of Kimball to Alliance in 1920. He possessed a bachelor of Arts degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln and a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Drew Theological Seminary in New Jersey. He was married to Elizabeth Felver of New Jersey and they raised six children.
Survivors include his wife, three sons and three daughters, 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, a sister, a half-brother, and one half-sister.
Edward Lockwood
Edward E. Lockwood, 92, of Kimball, died on Sunday, January 2, 2005 at the Brookside Inn Nursing Facility in Castle Rock, Colo. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, January 7, 2005 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kimball. The Rev. Robert Karnish will officiate. Interment
will be in Kimball Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 1:00 to 6:00 PM and on Friday morning from 9:00 AM until noon. Memorial gifts may be made to the Kimball Health Services Foundation. The Cantrell Funeral Home of Kimball is assisting with arrangements.
He was born May 6, 1912 in Muscatine, Iowa, a son of Edward John and Verna Louise (Buttman) Lockwood. He began his career as a salesman with the Frye Boot Company and traveled the Midwest extensively where he was one of the company’s top sales people. One of his accounts was the Flohr Clothing Company of Kimball. After Mr. Flohr’s death in 1963, Edward became manager of the store. He and Maxine (Farmer) Flohr were married in Kimball on December 22, 1966.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and had been a member of the B.P.O.E. (Elks).
Edward had one son, Edward Lou Lockwood. He is survived by a step-son James Flohr of Parker, Colo.; a daughter-in-law Sherry Flohr of Castle Rock; two grandchildren: Cory Flohr of Alexandria, Va., and Carrie Nickoloff of Firestone, Colo.; and two great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Maxine on March 13, 1992, and a brother George Thomas Lockwood.
Diane Browne
Memorial funeral services for Diane Carolyn Browne, 56, of Scottsbluff, formerly of Harrisburg, who died Monday, Dec. 20, 2004, were held Dec. 29 at the First United Methodist Church in Scottsbluff. Rev. Robert Wigert officiated. Inurnment was at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff.
Jolliffe Funeral Home and Crematory in Scottsbluff was in charge of arrangements. A memorial has been established to the Morrill Elementary School.
Diane was born Feb. 14, 1948 at Sioux Falls, S.D. to Wesley W. and Vivian (Jensen) Browne. She grew up in and graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1966 and graduated from Chadron State College in 1970. She taught he first year of school at Banner County Schools in Harrisburg. She taught at various area schools and was currently teaching fifth grade at Morrill Elementary School.
She was a member of the church, DOES, Morrill Education Assoc., Nebraska State Education Assoc., and Phi Kappa Delta.
Survivors include her uncle and his wife, Miles and Marilyn Brown of Des Moines, Iowa; aunts in South Dakota, and numerous cousins.
Her parents preceded her in death.
James Taylor
James J. “Jim” Taylor, 89 of Kimball, died on Saturday December 18, 2004 at the Kimball County Manor. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 22 at the Cantrell Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation was Tuesday December 21. The Reverend Roger Gillming officiated. Burial was in the Kimball Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Kimball Volunteer Fire Department or the Kimball Rodeo Association. Cantrell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jim was born in Kimball to Oscar and Fiede (Pedrett) Taylor on November 28, 1915. After graduating from Kimball County High School, he worked various jobs including the Coop Elevator and for the City of Kimball. Jim and Maxine Schwaller were united in marriage in Kimball.
He served his country by entering the United States Army in 1941 arriving in India in 1944 and was flown across the Himalayan “Hump” to China. There he participated with an American liaison veterinary team attached to a unit of the Chinese Expeditionary Force in the Salween campaign. Upon his discharge he returned to Kimball.
Jim was elected Kimball County Sheriff in 1970 and served two terms ending in 1978. While he was sheriff, he served as the Civil Defense Director resigning in 1974. After retiring as sheriff, he worked at Accessory Sales Inc. He was a member of the Kimball Volunteer Fire Department and assisted with the Kimball Rodeo Committee.
Survivors include his sisters Betty and husband Thomas Conners of San Diego, Calif., and Evelyn and husband Mark Wiekhorst of Salt Lake City, Utah; nephew Don and wife Sheila Story; niece Joyce and husband Ed Kulp; and a cousin Mary Soper all of Kimball, as well as numerous other nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Maxine in 1966, an infant son Randy, and one brother and one sister.
Barbara Mellor
Barbara Mellor, 82, of Broomfield, Colo., formerly of Kimball, died Saturday, November 27, 2004 at St. Joseph Exempla Hospital in Denver, Colo. Memorial services were held Saturday, Dec. 4 at Aspen Mortuary in Lakewood, Colo. and at Broomfield Silvercrest Senior Apartments in Broomfield where Barbara had been a resident for the last eight years.
Barbara was born January 9, 1922 in Kimball to Ralph and Neva Hill and grew up in Kimball and Sidney. She graduated from Sidney High School in 1940 and attended nursing school in Omaha for two years. Her husbands included John W. Doud of Des Moines, Iowa; Charles Houghtaling of Kimball, Neb.; and Gordon Mellor of Longmont, Colo., all of whom preceded her in death.
Barbara and Charlie lived in Kimball from 1949 until they moved to Longmont, Colo. in 1966, where Barbara worked for many years as a travel agent and they owned and operated Longmont Appliance Service until after Charlie's death in 1981.
Barbara moved to the Silvercrest Senior Apartments in April 1996 where she enjoyed the many activities and friends.
She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law: Michael and Kathi (Batterton) Houghtaling of Tucson, Ariz., and Gary and Anna Houghtaling of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughters and sons-in law Galene and Ken Bushor of Lakewood, Colo., Zeta and Wayne Sanford of Belleville, Ill., Mindi and Carroll Warling of Arvada, Colo.; sisters and brothers-in-law Bonnie and Jay Block of Thayne, Wyo. Pat and Merlin Lemon of Layton, Utah; sister-in-law Betty Kind of Kimball; 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Inurnment in the Kimball Cemetery will take place in May when family and friends can be together to celebrate her life.
She will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. Any memorial contributions can be made to the Salvation Army or directly to Salvation Army Broomfield Silvercrest Senior Apartments, 1110 East 10th Ave., Broomfield, Colo. 80020.
W. E. Jack Fiscus
W. E. Jack Fiscus, 93, of Greeley, Colo., formerly of Kimball, died December 9, 2004 at Bonell Good Samaritan Center in Greeley. Visitation was at Stoddard Funeral Home in Kimball. Funeral services were Dec. 13 at the First Christian Church of Greeley. Interment
was in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Greeley.
Jack was born July 11, 1911 at Alma, Neb. to Mert and Maroah Jane (Jordan) Fiscus. He attended school in New Raymer, Colo. and was a member of the First Christian Church. He married Genevieve Kellner in 1933 in Sterling, Colo. He worked in the silver mines in Wallace, Idaho and Central City, Colo. in the late 1930s and early 40s.
He moved to Kimball, Neb. in 1945, where he owned and operated Kimball Machine Shop for nearly 20 years. He moved to Greeley in 1966 and worked for Farmhand and several welding and machine shops in northern Colo. He volunteered many hours at the church and will be remembered as a good provide for his family and a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, three sisters, three brothers and one grandchild.
He is survived by daughters Donna Mae McMurray and husband Morris of Oregon City, Ore., and Linda Carey and husband Doug of Greeley; son Gary Fiscus and wife Sharon of Brighton, Colo.; brother Mike Fiscus and wife Lois of Grand Junction, Colo.; 8 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado, 2726 W. 11 St. Rd., Greeley, CO 80631.
Gertrude Kosemund
Memorial services for Gertrude Louise “Trudy” Kosemund, 65, were held December 13, 2004, at the First English Lutheran Church in Kimball, Neb., with Pastor Dwayne Hunzeker officiating. Inurnment was in the Kimball Cemetery at Kimball.
She died Thursday, December 9, 2004, at Platte County Memorial Hospital in Wheatland, Wyo.
Gertrude was born July 5, 1939, in Kimball, the daughter of Timan and Helen (Schneider) Kleven. She was educated in Kimball, graduating from Kimball High School. Trudy married Marvin Kosemund in Kimball October 4, 1958. Marvin was an oilfield worker so the family lived in many places including California, Australia, Malaysia, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Following her husband’s death in 1977, Trudy moved to Kimball for a time, Oklahoma, and then to Wheatland.
She was baptized in the First English Lutheran Church in Kimball and
was a member of the church when she resided there. Trudy enjoyed visiting with family and friends.
She is survived by five children: Debra K. Carlson of Saginaw, Texas, Lorelei Bartling of Sidney, Neb., Michael D. Kosemund of Shawnee, Okla., Marty Lee Kosemund of Macomb, Okla., and Bradley E. Kosemund of Konawa, Okla.; her mother, Helen Kleven of Wheatland; three sisters, Pat Preuit of Wheatland, Beverly Hodges of Purcell, Okla., and Karen Shelor of Sidney; two brothers, Ron Kleven of Chesapeake, Va. and Terry Kleven of Gillette, Wyo.; twenty grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
Trudy was preceded in death by her husband in August 1977; father in 1973; and a brother, Kurt Kleven in July 2004.
Memorials were to a charity of the donor’s choice. Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland and Cantrell Funeral Home of Kimball, were in charge of the arrangements.
Morton Saltmarsh
Morton E. “Mort” Saltmarsh, age 86, died on Saturday, December 11, 2004 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Neb. Funeral services were December 14 at the Cantrell Funeral Home Chapel in Kimball. Pastor Dwayne Hunzeker officiated. Burial was held in the Kimball Cemetery. Cantrell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Morton was born in Atlantic, Iowa on June 20, 1918 to Earl and Alma (Debord) Saltmarsh. He moved to Kimball in 1965. On June 24, 1977 he married Vivian (Tatum) Halstead in Cheyenne, Wyo.
He was a talented carpenter and built silos and later worked with Rite Away Construction. Morton was an avid hunter in his free time and a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include his brothers Charles and Robert Saltmarsh and a sister Elsie Miller; nephew Gary and wife Judy Anderson and family; step-children Leanne and husband David Gunenther and family, Larry and wife Cindy Halstead and family, Nancy Halstead, Jeri Hays and David Rutledge, Terry Halstead, and Annette and husband Gary Morgan and family; close friends Mike, Deb and Amber Schadegg, and Randy and wife Jan Smith and family. A number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive.
Mr. Saltmarsh was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Vivian on March 7, 1987, and a sister Marjorie Wesserdine.
Richard Montgomery
Richard Lee Montgomery, age 75, of Chadron and Bushnell, died on December 10, 2004 in Bushnell. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A. M. on Friday, December 17 at the Calvary United Methodist Church of Bushnell. Reverend Roger Gillming will officiate. Burial will be held in the Kimball Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the Nebraska Public Television or the Calvary United Methodist Church in Richard’s name. Cards may be sent to the family at PO Box 147, Chadron, NE 69337. Cantrell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Richard was born February 18, 1929 in Kimball. He farmed with his parents until graduating from Bushnell High School in 1947. He married Opal Smith on October 24, 1948 in Bushnell. Together they raised three children. Richard owned and operated a portable pellet mill since 1967 when he started Montgomery Feed Company. He has many loyal customers throughout a four-state region, many of whom he worked with nearly every year for 40 years.
He was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church and a charter member of the Bushnell Lions Club and held many offices. He served on the Bushnell Village Board and was a volunteer fireman in Bushnell for many years. In 1984, Richard and Opal moved to Chadron, where he resided until his death. Richard enjoyed Nebraska history, reading the news, was a tractor and marble enthusiast and loved to travel and seek adventure.
He will be sadly missed by his wife of 56 years, Opal; children Pamela and husband Zach Bell of Denver, Colo., Steven and wife Emma Jean Montgomery of Dallas, Texas, and Karen and husband Gary Schoenike of Oconomowoc, Wisc; grandchildren Matthew and Jill Montgomery, Stephanie Tarnutzer, Gregory and Geoffrey Bell; great granddaughter Grace Tarnutzer, and a very soon to be born great grandchild. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Lois.
Norma Jean Jefferson
Norma Jean Jefferson, 76, passed away Nov. 19, 2004 in Boulder City, Nev.
She was born in Valley, Neb. in 1928 to Purdy and Emily Moul. Private services will be held at a later date.
She is survived by sister Evelyn Johnson, brother Colin Moul, sister-in-law Loraine Moul, son Terry Jefferson and granddaughter Misty Jo and husband Luis Larez, all of Kimball; daughters Brenda Vermillion, Deb and Chuck Marsh of Boulder City; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Phillip Jefferson and daughter Mary Elizabeth.
Niels E. Christensen
Niels E. "Bud" Christensen 72, brother of Arne Christensen, of Cheyenne, Wyo., died Nov. 30, 2004 at United Medical Center West.
He was born April 23, 1932, in Kimball, Neb., and had lived here since 1956.
Mr. Christensen was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, a foster parent with the Casey Program and the state of Wyoming, and he was a Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout.
He owned Danish Bakery in Cheyenne. He was an insurance agent and was a manager at Albertson’s bakery and worked at the Hitching Post and Laramie County Community College.
Mr. Christensen is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Christensen of Cheyenne; a son, Michael Christensen of San Antonio, Texas; three daughters: Sharon Christensen, Renee Segers and Kathy Keller, all of Cheyenne; two brothers, Arne Christensen of Kimball and Robert Christensen of Laramie; a sister, Elsie Gunsholt of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 23 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Idabelle Christensen, on Aug. 10,1991; and his parents, Niels and Laura Christensen.
Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes with the Rev. Sarah Moening officiating.
Interment
will be in Cheyenne Memorial Gardens.
Friends may contribute to the American Cancer Society, Christ Lutheran Church or a charity of their choice.
Connie Karpman
Connie (Dinges) Karpman, formerly of Kimball, died March 16, 2005 of cancer. Services and burial were in Boston, Mass. where she resided with her husband Maurice and children Rachel and Gabe.
Emma Halstead
Emma Halstead, 82, longtime Kimball resident, died at her home in Kimball on Monday, March 28, 2005. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 31 at First English Lutheran Church in Kimball with Pastor Dwayne Hunzeker officiating. Burial will be in the Kimball Cemetery with military graveside honors preformed by the Kimball VFW Post #2243. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from noon until 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be given to Prairie Haven Hospice, the First English Lutheran Church, or the Senior Friendship Center, or they may be given in care of the family. Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Daisy Bradt
Daisy Bradt, 101, of Kimball, died March 30, 2005 at the Kimball County Manor. A memorial service will be Sunday April 3 at 3 p.m. at the Cantrell Funeral Home Chapel in Kimball with Elder Allen Heim officiating. Cantrell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.
Joyce Swackhamer
Joyce Marie Smith Backes Swackhamer, of Carson City, Nev., mother of Lloyd Backes and former Bushnell resident, died March 17, 2005. Funeral services were March 21 at Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Community church. Memorials have been established with Saint Mary’s Hospice Foundation and Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Community building fund. FitzHenrys Funeral Home took care of arrangements.
Cleo Bradford, Jr.
Cleo Bradford Jr., 79, formerly of Dix, died March 15, 2005 at Prairie View Care Center in Limon, Colo. Love funeral Home, Limon, took care of arrangements. No formal services were held; the family chose cremation. Memorials may be directed to VFW Post #09491, Deer Trail, Colo. 80105.
Jamie Bunner
Jamie M. Bunner, 21, of Sidney, formerly of Kimball, daughter of Chuck and Nancy Bonner and a senior at Chadron State College, died March 8, 2005 as the result of an automobile accident east of Chadron. Funeral Services were March 12 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sidney with Fr. Edward Cortney and Fr. Jim Novakowski officiating. Interment
followed with graveside services in the Gates Cemetery, west of Sargent, Neb. Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney took care of the arrangements. A memorial has been established in care of the family.
Llera Nott
Llera A. Nott, 87, of Dix, died at United Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyo. on Thursday, March 10, 2005. Funeral services were March 12 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kimball with Pastor Ted Bourret and Vicar Earl Brown officiating. Burial was in the Dix Rural Cemetery. Memorials may be given to either St. John’s Lutheran Church or Prairie Haven Hospice. Cantrell Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Delmar Maas
Delmar Maas, 65, of Seattle, Wash. formerly of Potter, died Saturday, March 12, 2005 at University Hospital in Seattle.
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, March 18 at First Lutheran Church in Potter with Pastor Mary Frohs officiating. Interment
will follow in the Potter Cemetery.
Friends may call on Thursday, March 17 from 1:00 to 8:00 P.M. with the family to be present from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney.
Memorials may be made to honor Delmar Maas to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for cancer care and research.
R. Marvin Talbott
R. Marvin ‘Marv’ Talbott, 74, of Kimball, died Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at Memorial Healthcare Extended Care in Sidney. Arrangements are pending at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball.
Lillian Hendrickson
Lillian Wilhelmina Hendrickson, 93, of Bridgeport, mother of Dale Hendrickson of Kimball, died Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at the Heritage of Bridgeport. A Memorial Service was March 4 at Messiah Lutheran Church at Broadwater. Inurnment was in Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery at Bridgeport. Cremation was at Jolliffe Funeral Home Crematory, Scottsbluff. Full obituary in the March 10 Observer.
Dora Eich
Dora Margaret Eich, 83, of Kimball, died at Kimball Health Services on Thursday, March 3, 2005. Cremation will take place and a memorial service was March 9 at the Kimball Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Dora Eich Memorial Fund. The Cantrell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Full obituary in the March 10 Observer.
