Leland “Shorty” Staab
Leland C. “Shorty” Staab, 80, a longtime Kimball resident, died at Memorial Health Center, Extended Care in Sidney on Saturday, March 5, 2005. A Mass of Christian Burial was March 9 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kimball. Burial was in the Kimball Cemetery. A Christian Wake Service was March 8 at Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association. Cantrell Funeral home was in charge of the arrangements.
Mary Dick
Mary Dick, 92, of Sterling, Colo., mother of Shirley Tindall of Kimball, died March 6, 2005 in Loveland, Colo. A celebration of her life was March 9 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev Eugene Bruggemann officiating. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery. Chaney-Reager Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Memorials are to Trinity Lutheran Church of Sterling, or Hospice of Larimer County.
Velyn Gruenig
Verlyn D. Gruenig, 61, of Reliance, S.D., father of Laura Bateman, of Kimball, died March 7, 2005. Funeral services are Thursday, March 10, 2 PM at Reliance Methodist Church. Graveside services will be at 10 AM on March 12 in Mt. Hope Cemetery at Watertown, S.D.
Jerome Vavra
Jerome “Jerry” Vavra, age 74 of Everson, Wash., formerly of Kimball, passed away February 21, 2005 in Lynden following a long illness. Graveside Services were Feb. 24 at Nooksack Cemetery. Services were under the care of Gillies Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Lynden.
Pearl Cleveland
Pearl Doris Cleveland, 85, of Kimball, died at Kimball County Manor Wednesday, February 23, 2005. Funeral Services were February 26 at the Cantrell Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Roger Gillming officiated. Burial was in Kimball Cemetery.
Elizabeth Schneider
Elizabeth L. Schneider, 61, of Bayard, Neb., formerly of Banner County, passed away Saturday, February 26, 2005 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. A funeral was March 1 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Bayard. Cremation followed the service at The Jolliffe Funeral Home Crematory in Scottsbluff. Inurnment was March 2 at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering.
Maurine Wallin
Maurine N. Wallin, 84, a former Kimball resident, died at the Sutherland Care Center in Sutherland, Neb. Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005. Funeral services were March 2, at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball. Burial followed in the Kimball Cemetery. Cantrell Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Richard Henson
Richard “Dick” Henson, 77, of Kimball, died at Kimball Health Services Wednesday, February 16, 2005. Funeral Services were February 19 at the First Presbyterian Church of Kimball. Pastor Alan Foutz officiated. Burial was in Kimball Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or to Prairie Haven Hospice. Cantrell Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Richard Dale Henson was born November 4, 1927 in Shelton, Neb., a son of Richard J. and Rachel (DeVall) Henson. Dick’s father worked for Bell Telephone Company so he attended many schools in eastern Nebraska and graduated from Gibbon High School in 1945. In 1947, he and his parents moved to Kimball County. They lived in Dix for five years and moved to their farm where they resided for 41 years before moving into Kimball. Dick was named as an Outstanding Young Farmer in the 1950s and as an Outstanding Farmer/Rancher in 2002.
He and Helen Hill were married in January 1951 at the Methodist Church in Mitchell. He was an active member of the Mason’s and had twice been the master of James L. Eatmon Lodge #294 of Kimball. He was a member of the Shrine. He had served for a number of years on the Kimball Banner Fair Board and the Kimball Parks and Recreation Board. He was very active with young people in the area and had been a member and 4-H leader of Colts and Fillies 4-H club. The Hensons owned ponies and traveled to many states with them to show. Rick Hisey joined them and trained the animals. In 1965, Rick won Grand Champion honors in the Gelding, Stallion, Mare, and Performance categories.
He is survived by his wife, Helen of Kimball; a sister, Shirley Rae Henson of Beatrice; a sister-in-law, Marian Hill of Gering; nephew Mike and his wife Angela Hill, and great nephew, and great nieces Connor Jordan Hill, Ashley, Allie and Lara Hill. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Roy Hill.
Myron Woten
Myron P. Woten, 89, of Potter, died Thursday, February 17, 2005 at the Sidney Memorial Health Center. Memorial services were Feb. 21 at the First Lutheran Church in Potter with Pastor Mary Frohs officiating. Cremation has taken place. Inurnment was in the Potter Cemetery.
Memorials have been established to the First Lutheran Church and the Potter Fire Department.
The Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney was in charge of arrangements.
Myron was born December 3, 1915 in rural Potter to Hugh and Mary Ellen (Purdy) Woten. He graduated from Banner County High School in 1934. He was an avid basketball player in high school.
He served in World War II from January 1942, stationed in the Aleutian Islands until December 1944, and went to Okinawa in 1945. He served with the 807 Army Engineers as a heavy equipment operator building runways. All of his belongings were lost in a typhoon while waiting to be shipped home after the war. His sister, Vera, was an Army Air Corp nurse stationed in Okinawa at the same time. He was honorably discharged in November 1945.
He married Helen Studnicka April 3, 1946 in Sidney, Neb.
Myron was a life-long member of the Potter Legion, Sidney VFW, and the Dix and Sidney IOOF. He served on the Potter Rural Fire board, cemetery board, Windy Hill school board, First Lutheran Church Council, and the Federal Land Bank board. He was one of the original members of the Potter Days barbecue committee.
Survivors include his wife Helen of Potter; son Ray (Tammy) Woten of Potter; two daughters: Jeanne Murray of Scottsbluff, Neb. and Kathy (Ron) Drews of Yutan, Neb.; seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his sisters and brothers: Emma Van Pelt, Grace White, Vera Woten, Gladys Pierce, Robert Woten, and Dell Woten.
Alvin E. Limbeck
Alvin Edward “Al” Limbeck, 75, of Kimball, died at Beverly Healthcare in Scottsbluff on February 18, 2005. Cremation has taken place. Memorials and condolences may be sent to Dolan Limbeck at 3420 Road 39 W, Kimball, NE 69145. Memorials are in care of the family. Cantrell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Al was born January 10, 1930 to Edward and Rosa Frieda (Lueders) Limbeck at their farm near Gurley. He attended schools in Sidney. Al and Dolan Orth were united in marriage on May 21, 1961 in Byers, Colo., making their home in Kimball. Al served in the United States Army from January 6,1954 until October 5, 1955, being stationed in Panama for a time.
Al worked various jobs in his life, owning and operating the Rainbow CafÈ in Sidney, farming for his father as well as custom farming. He also worked as a plumber for John’s Plumbing as well as Rite –A- Way Industries, and then started his own plumbing business, Al’s Plumbing and Heating. Al enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting squirrels, and was an accomplished carpenter. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family for his vast knowledge and wisdom. He will especially be missed by his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Dolan Limbeck of Kimball; daughter Tami Limbeck of Kimball; son Jerry and wife Janet Limbeck of Loveland, Colo.; three sisters: Lorna and husband Bob Elsen of Sidney; Leota Clark of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and Leara Appelhans of Pueblo, Colo.; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
"Swede" Johnson
The father of Eileen Culek passed away Tuesday, February 15, 2005. Ardell F. "Swede" Johnson, age 89 of Ogallala, died at the Ogallala Community Hospital.
He was born August 21, 1915 in Bertrand, Neb. the son of Emil and Judith (Isaaccson) Johnson. Swede was a longtime farmer in the Madrid area.
Survivors include: His wife, Genevieve "Jean" Johnson of Ogallala; 11 children including Eileen and husband Charles Culek; three sisters; two brothers; 27 grandchildren and 26 great- grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by four brothers.
Mass of Christian Burial was February 18, at St. Luke's Catholic Church. Burial was in the Ogallala Cemetery.
A memorial has been established. Gubser Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ronald T. Cain
Ronald Thurman Cain, of Kimball, Neb., died Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005, at the Veteran's Affair Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyo. He was 72.
Mr. Cain was born Dec 6,1932, in Ayr, Neb. to John Thurman and Ethel May Cain.
He served in the Army from 1953 to 1955 and worked most of his life as a self-employed truck driver.
He married Barbara Ann Willmott on Sept 16, 1960, in Englewood, Colo. They moved to Fort Collins, Colo. in 1974, where they lived off and on for 10 years.
Mr. Cain loved spending time with his family and working on cars.
He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Daryl and Glen Dean Cain.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, of Kimball, Neb.; two daughters, Rhonda Cain, of Fort Collins, Colo., and Sheri Hayes and husband, Wayne, of Firestone, Colo.; a brother, Mike Cain and wife, Nadine, of Fort Collins; a sister, Verlee Fette, of Kimball; and four grandchildren, Casey and Caleb Kosakewich, of Fort Collins, and Shauna and Mariah Hayes, of Firestone.
A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Sat., February 26, at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center Chapel, 2360 E. Pershing Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyo. Chief chaplain Dr. James R Shell will officiate.
Jean Shaw
Jean Shaw (Neva Jean Shaw), formerly of Kimball, daughter of Lula and John Shaw, was born on March 2, 1921 and died from pneumonia in Albuquerque, N.M. at the age of 83 on Sunday, February, 20, 2005.
She is survived by her sister, Maxine Livingston of Phoenix, Ariz.; longtime friends Alice and Skip Hoover of Boise, Idaho; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Leta and Marjorie; and brother, John E.
Originally from Kimball, Jean graduated Kimball County High School in 1938.She worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Nebraska and Mountain Bell Telephone Company in Boise, Idaho after moving there. She retired after 44 years. She moved to Albuquerque in January 2003 after Alzheimer’s disease stole her mind and she could no longer care for herself.
Jean had always lived a fiercely independent life. She enjoyed golf, bridge, and playing organ and piano. Jean enjoyed traveling after her retirement. She was a member of Southminster Presbyterian Church.
French Mortuary handled arrangements,10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, ABQ, NM, (505) 275-3500.
Byron Johnson
Byron M. Johnson, of Scottsbluff, formerly of Potter, died February 20, 2005 at the Western Nebraska Veterans Home. A funeral service will be held Thursday, February 24 at the First United Methodist Church in Gering at 11:00 A.M. Interment
will be at West Lawn Cemetery with military honors. Visitation was planned for February 23 at Gering Memorial Chapel from 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Memorials can be made to the donor’s choice or in care of the family at 1040 Pioneer Drive Gering, NE 69341. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.geringchapel.com. Gering Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Byron was born May 19, 1920 in Potter, Neb. to Clarence and Edith Johnson, where they owned the local grocery store and mercantile. He attended Potter schools, graduating in 1937. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln and studied pre-law. During his senior year February 1941, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy three months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He received Navy flight training in Kansas City, Kan. and Corpus Christi, Texas. Byron received his Wings of Gold in April 1943 in Pensacola, Fla.
He married to F. Ferne Evertson in Kimball on November 26, 1944 on a 30-day furlough.
In Atlantic City, N.J. he joined the squadron VF-2. In October, his squadron was attached to Air Group Six and deployed to the Pacific Theater conducting mostly ground support missions as well as flying hours of Combat Air Patrol. It was during this deployment on the USS Enterprise that one of the most famous photographs in Naval Aviation was taken of him and his plane, an image that is ranked 23rd among the 100 greatest military photographs ever taken.
After the war, Byron returned to western Nebraska where he and his friend, former Army Pilot Keith Swartz, started a local flying service in Sidney. Byron was also instrumental in having the municipal airport built at Sidney in 1947.
Byron took advantage of the G.I. Bill and returned to the College of Law in Lincoln in 1949. He attended law school with a wife and three children. He graduated law school in 1952 and the family moved to Gering. He enjoyed a successful and fulfilling law career, including 35 years in private practice. He was engaged as Attorney and Contraction Officer for formation, construction, and operation of the Gering Valley Watershed. He served four years as Scotts Bluff County Attorney and was elected to three successive terms as the Public Defender of Scotts Bluff County, retiring in 2000.
He was a member of the Gering First United Methodist Church; charter member and past president of Toastmasters International #944; past president of the North Platte Valley Historical Society; member of the American Legion and VFW; member of the Nebraska State Bar Association; selected into the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame. He was a decorated World War II veteran with awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Gold Star, eight air medals and numerous other awards.
Byron is survived by his wife Ferne, his legal secretary throughout his career. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in November 2004. Other survivors include their three children: Bryce M. Johnson of Gering, Kim J. (Bill) Lawler of Stillwater, Minn., and Karen L. Schmidt of Gering; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; sister, Marjorie (Don) Hopkins of Pinehurst, N.C.; and sister-in-law Helyn Wheeler of Potter.
Byron was preceeded in death by his parents; his cousin, Robert Arthur Johnson, who died in France at the Battle of the Bulge in 1944; brothers-in-law Col. (Ret) Bryce Singleton Evertson, who is buried in Arlington National Cemetery; Lyle Evertson of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; Ervin Wheeler of Potter.
Evelyn Schreinert
Evelyn V. Schreinert, 81, of Lincoln, formerly of Dix, died February 7, 2005. Memorial services were Feb. 11 at Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the family.
Evelyn married Ernest Schreinert in August 1943 in Sidney, Neb. and was a long time resident of Dix and Sidney and moved to Lincoln in 1989. She was a homemaker and loving mother and grandmother.
Survivors include a son Walter of Dix; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Nicole Farless of Lincoln; daughters and sons-in-law Carol and Gary Kurz of Cody, Wyo., Donna and John Seidel of Lincoln, and Patty and Robert Melton of Columbus, N. J.; daughter Angie Brummer of Lincoln; brothers Richard and Blanche Gunderson of Torrington, Wyo., and Carol and Rita Gunderson of College Place, Wash.; sister-in-law Eula Mae Gunderson of Roswell, N.M. and Marybeth Gunderson of Texas; sixteen grandchildren and great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a daughter Betty, two brothers and one sister.
Eloise Atkins Kronkright
Eloise Kronkright, 98, of Leavenworth, Kan., formerly of Kimball, died Jan. 31, 2005 at Cushing Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were Feb. 4 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
She was born Nov. 16, 1906 in Kimball, Neb., the youngest of six children born to Elizabeth and William Atkins. She graduated Kimball High School in 1926 and received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the University of Nebraska. She taught kindergarten and second grades in Nebraska and Wyoming prior to marrying Frank H. Kronkright, also of Kimball, in July 1933. They adopted one daughter, Kathryn. The family moved to Leavenworth in 1947.
Eloise is survived by her daughter, Kathryn Meyer of Leavenworth, and two granddaughters, Kelly Mack of Cleveland, and Carry Smith of Atlanta, and three great great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Leavenworth Public Library, or the Leavenworth Assistance Center. Davis Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
John Forsyth
John Marshall Forsyth, 69, formerly of Dix, Neb., passed away February 4, 2005 in Houston, Texas.
He was born November 14, 1935 in Buckingham, Colo. to Edgar and Erma Forsyth.
He moved to Dix in 1948 and graduated Dix Rule High School. He attended college in Denver, Colo., were he met and married Mary Ann Christenson. He served in the U.S. Army and worked as a transportation lawyer for several major trucking corporations. Recently, he worked with his family in their transportation company.
Marshall is survived by his wife Mary; sons John Edgar Forsyth and Jeffrey Allen Forsyth and wife Barbra; grandson George Satchel Forsyth; brother Frank and Kathy Forsyth; sisters Nancy Miller and husband Richard, and Peggy Bunsen; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were Feb. 10 in Houston. Interment
service with honors followed at Houston National Veterans Cemetery.
Eileen Bright
Eileen N. Bright, 64, a resident of Kimball died at the Kimball County Manor on February 4, 2005. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Kimball County Manor Chapel with Rev. Roger Gilming officiating. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. Memorials may be given to the family’s choice. Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Eileen Bright was born in Los Angeles, Calif. on May 5, 1940 the daughter of Gilbert and Dena (Scholtens) Clark. She was raised and received her education in L.A. She married Stan Vanderdoes in 1964 and they were later divorced. She was then married to Bob Bright and they later divorced. She also lived in Houston, Tex. 3 years, Colorado Springs, Colo. 26 years and Kimball for the last 10 years where she managed the Hilltop Trailer Park.
Survivors include her son Dean Vanderdoes and his wife Christina of Colorado Springs; one brother, Bob Clark of Apple Valley, CA and one grandson.
E. J. 'Manny' Hayden
E. J. “Manny” Hayden, 80, of Kimball died at his home on May 1, 2005. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, May 5 at the First English Lutheran Church in Kimball. Pastor Dwayne Hunzeker will officiate. Burial will be in the Kimball Cemetery. Visitation was planned at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 4, 1-6 PM. Memorial gifts may be made in care of the family. Cantrell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Raymond Kaufman
Raymond Kaufman, 93, of Oshkosh, Neb., formerly of Kimball, died April 30, 2005 at Garden County Hospital. Funeral services are May 5 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Loveland, Colo. Burial will be in Loveland Burial Park. Memorial contributions can be made to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church or Oshkosh Nursing Home in care of Kibbey Fishburn Funeral Home & Crematory, 1102 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland, CO 80537.
JoAnne Cummings
JoAnne Lucille Cummings, the mother of Deb Crago, of Kimball, died on April 30, 2005 at her home in Boulder, Colo. Memorial services are May 5 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Boulder. Crist Mortuary in Boulder is in charge of arrangements.
Lydia Mae Hamilton
Lydia Mae Hamilton, 93 of Kimball died April 19, 2005 at the Kimball County Manor. A memorial service was at the Kimball County Manor Chapel April 27. Graveside inurnment service was at the Maywood Cemetery in Maywood, Neb. April
Elizabeth Bradt
Elizabeth J. (Betty) Bradt of Wichita, Kan., formerly of Kimball, died at the Wesleyan Medical Center in Wichita on April 15, 2005. A funeral service will be Thursday, April 21, 2 p.m., at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball. The Rev. Roger Gillming will officiate. Burial will be in the Kimball Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday from noon until the time of service. If friends wish, memorial gifts may be made to either Calvary United Methodist Church of Bushnell or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Marilyn Halstead
Marilyn J. Halstead, 78, a Kimball resident, died at Kimball Health Service on Saturday, April 9, 2005. Memorial services were held Monday, April 11 at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball with Rev. Roger Gillming officiating. Inurnment followed the service in the Kimball Cemetery. Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be given to either the Kimball Health Services Foundation or Prairie Haven Hospice. Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Rod Bertramson January 25, 1914 - March 23, 2005
B. Rodney Bertramson was born on a homestead in Kimball County of Western Nebraska, January 25, 1914. From early childhood, he was engaged in the family farming activities until graduation in 1937 with High Distinction from the University of Nebraska in agronomy.
Robert Downer
Robert Wayne Downer, 65, of Harrisburg, died Monday, April 11, 2005 at Regional West Medical Center. Funeral services are pending at Gering Memorial Chapel.
Alta Harris
Alta W. Harris 85, of Scottsbluff, formerly of Banner County, died Friday, April 1, 2005 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. A memorial service was April 5 at the Harrisburg Community Church with Pastors Ken Boston and Ron Clapp officiating. A graveside service was April 5 at Sunset Memorial Park in Scottsbluff. A memorial has been established to the Harrisburg Community Church. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com.
