Stories from Tuesday, May 13, 2025

McCOOK, Neb. — Her collection of cool sunglasses can barely mask a Supergirl-laser focus that wants to burn each and every tennis foe. She’s visiting Germany soon for a family reunion which fits perfectly with McCook dad/coach Tom Wiemers’ recent observation:...

Merrell Charles Maris April 21, 1928, - May 7, 2025 IMPERIAL, Neb. — Merrell Charles Maris, passed away on May 7, 2025, in Imperial at the age of 97. Born on April 21, 1928, in Birmingham, Ala., to Ethel (Baty) Maris, Merrell was adopted at the tender age of three by his mother’s husband, Jim Maris...

Kenneth “Shorty” W. Stewart May 23, 1929 - May 9, 2025 KEARNEY, Neb. — Kenneth “Shorty” W. Stewart, 95, of Kearney, died May 9, 2025, at Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege, Neb. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., May 14th, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church with Father Art Faesser as celebrant. ...

Scott E. Ackerman Jan. 3, 1964 — May 9, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — Scott E. Ackerman, age 61, passed away at McCook Community Hospital in McCook on May 9, 2025. There will be a final farewell tribute from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home...

Loretta Maxine Lengel Aug. 11, 1937 — May 9, 2025 LIMON, Colo. —Loretta Maxine Lengel, 87, passed away May 9, 2025, in Limon, Colo. Full obituary and service details will be posted at a later time. Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook has been entrusted with the arrangements...

Marvin Henry MAYWOOD, Neb. — Marvin Henry, 88, of Maywood, passed away on May 4, 2025 at his home in Maywood. Visitation is Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 1-2 p.m., at Maywood Public Schools. A funeral service is Sunday, May 18, 2025, 2 p.m., at Maywood Public Schools with Pastor Dale Heimer officiating...

Mary Alice Corman July 10, 1950 - May 7, 2025 EDGAR, Neb. — Mary Alice Corman (“MAC”), 74, of Edgar, passed away on May 7, 2025 after fighting pancreatic cancer for more than a year. Mary Alice was born to John Francis and Alice (Jewell) Coyle in McCook, Neb., on July 10, 1950. She was baptized at Garden Prairie Methodist Church...

Ronald J. Sis April 13, 1936 - May 10, 2025 McCOOK,Neb. — Ronald J. Sis, age 89, of McCook, passed away on the 10th day of May 2025. Ronald was born to James J Sis and Georgia V (Pitner) Sis on April 13, 1936, in Stratton, Neb. He grew up on a farm in Northwest Kansas and graduated from Stratton High School in 1953. ...

Norma Joyce Esch Nov. 19, 1941 - May 10, 2025 DES MOINES, Wash. — Norma Joyce Esch, 83, of Des Moines, Wash., passed away on Saturday, May 10 at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington. Joyce was born on Nov. 19, 1941 near Indianola, Neb., to Zelma Pauline Burton Esch and Carl Henry Herman Esch. She grew on a farm near Indianola and graduated from Indianola High School. She was a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University...

McCOOK, Neb. - The Educator of the Year Award, presented by Sarah Schneider and Tracey Fisher has been a tradition since 1998. The Allen D. Strunk family recognizes the value of quality educators and the importance they have in the community with this honor. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - Red Willow County commissioners approved a full slate of agenda items during Monday morning’s regular meeting, including plans for upcoming roadwork and a board appointment, all on 3-0 votes. After approving the day’s agenda, consideration of accounts payable claims included a discussion about the rising costs of prisoner meals at the county jail. All payables were approved, except a bill from Consolidated Correctional Food Services that will be held pending further review...

McCOOK, Neb. - Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, Nebraska school districts will be required to publish an online catalog of all school library books—organized by building—and provide parent notifications, under the new law LB 390. The legislation, introduced by Senator Dave Murman (District 38, Glenvil), is intended to enhance parental involvement by ensuring transparency in students’ reading materials. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - On Friday, May 9, the community gathered at the Graff Event Center to celebrate McCook’s graduating Class of 2025. As the pictures of loved ones – both as babies and seniors – played on the screen, friends and family eagerly awaited the start of commencement. Before the graduates entered, the honor of McCook Area Educator of the Year was presented to Deb Donelan, McCook Elementary music teacher since 2014...

It was a birthday surprise for your old columnist. Our son Don, who lives in California, arrived on the local airline into McCook. The plan was to stay a week and leave for back home on Mother’s Day. After a couple of days working at his rental apartment, he kept complaining of always being exhausted and feeling a tightness in his chest. ...

Americans aren’t the only people wrestling with immigration. Europe has been grappling with the issue for longer, and often more intensely, than the United States. Over the past 25 years, European countries have faced complex and politically charged immigration challenges, offering cautionary lessons in both policy design and public trust. ...

Terry Richards HAYES CENTER, Neb. — Terry Richards, 70, of Hayes Center, passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Neb. Visitation is Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m...