Obituaries from February 2018

Wesley “Wes” Draper June 21, 1947 - Jan. 30, 2018 BENKELMAN, Neb. — Wesley “Wes” Draper, 70, died Tuesday (Jan. 30, 2018), at his home in Benkelman. He was born June 21, 1947, to Raymond and Blanche (Ellis) Draper in Benkelman. A graveside inurnment will take place at a later date in Benkelman Cemetery with full Military Honors...

Betty Lou Pohl April 30,1930 - Feb. 2, 2018 McCOOK, Neb. — Betty Lou Pohl was born April 30, 1930, in Omaha, Neb., to George Augustus Bang and Lucille Elma (Schmitz) Bang. She died after a brief illness on Feb. 2, 2018, at Community Hospital in McCook...

Marcella R. Leitner March 22, 1925 - Feb. 1, 2018 WICHITA, Kan. — Marcella R. Leitner, 92, of Wichita, formerly of Oberlina and Herndon, Kan., died Thursday (Feb. 1, 2018), at Via Christi Hospital-St. Francis in Wichita. She was born March 22, 1925, in Herndon to William J. and Anne C. (Huftles) Riepl. She attended St. Mary's Parochial School and graduated from Herndon High School in 1945. She earned a certificate in accounting and business administration at Marymount College in Salina, Kan...

Barbara Ruth McConnell Nov. 30, 1919 - Feb. 5, 2018 TRENTON, Neb. — Barbara Ruth McConnell of Trenton passed away Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, at El Dorado Manor. She was 98 years old. Barbara was born on Nov. 30, 1919, at Trenton to parents, Perry Earl “P.E.” and Hope (Pember) Bentley. She graduated from Trenton High School with the class of 1937...

John Albert Scharf Aug. 20, 1930 - Feb. 6, 2018 CURTIS, Neb. — John Albert Scharf of Curtis died Feb. 6, 2018, at Parson’s House in Omaha at the age of 87. John died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.  John was born Aug. 20, 1930, in Curtis to William Adam Scharf and Florence Beatrice (Skaife) Scharf. ...

Dorothy Elizabeth Grosskopf July 25, 1921 - Feb. 11, 2018 McCOOK, Neb. — Dorothy Elizabeth Grosskopf of McCook passed away Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. She was 96 years old. Dorothy was born on July 25, 1921, at McCook to parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Brenning. She attended Westward Grade School, McCook Junior High School and graduated from McCook Senior High with the class of 1941. She was employed at North Western Bell Telephone Company as a supervisor for 12 years...

Dennis Hanes Feb. 19, 1952 - Feb. 5, 2018 BENKELMAN, Neb. — Dennis Lee Hanes was born on Feb. 19, 1952, in Benkelman to Elmer E. and Barbara D. (Kuhns) Hanes. Dennis was the oldest of three children. As a youngster, he grew up and attended grade school in Benkelman, graduating from Benkelman High School with the class of 1971. ...

Charles “Chuck” E. Six Jan. 28, 1935 - Feb. 7, 2018 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Charles “Chuck” E. Six, 83, of Arapahoe, died Wednesday (Feb. 7, 2018), at the V.A. Hospital in Grand Island, Neb. He was born on Jan. 28, 1935, at Hannibal, Mo., to Harry Alan and Ruby (Skeen) Six...

Alvin Duane Williams Feb. 27, 1932 – Feb. 6, 2018 PLATTEVILLE, Colo. — Alvin Duane Williams, 85, passed away at his home in Platteville on Feb. 6, 2018. He was born Feb. 27, 1932, in Benkelman, Neb., to Cecil Alvin and Doris Evelyn (Mathews) Williams. Growing up, Duane lived in Benkelman and Haviland, Kan...

Elizabeth A. Sis May 10, 1936 - Feb. 5, 2018 BENKELMAN, Neb. — Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Sis of Benkelman died at the age of 81 at the Dundy County Hospital on Feb. 5, 2018, after a short battle with COPD and influenza. Betty was born in Benkelman on May 10, 1936, to Leonard Tobias and Iva Daniella (O’Neal) Keim. Betty graduated from Benkelman High School with the class of 1953...

Nick D. Dahlgren May 6, 1932 - Feb. 11, 2018 SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Nick D. Dahlgren, 85, of Scottsbluff, went home to be with his Lord Jesus on Feb. 11, 2018, at Skyview Care Center, Bridgeport, Neb. A celebration of life will be 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. ...

Mary E. Bauer April 2, 1925 - Feb. 13, 2018 KEARNEY, Neb. — Mary E. Bauer, 92, of Kearney, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2018), at her residence. Funeral services are Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Kearney. Rev. Brian Klein and Marshall Bauer will officiate. ...

Ralph Lavern Lammers Dec. 7, 1920 - Feb. 12, 2018 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Ralph Lavern Lammers, 97, of Arapahoe, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2018), at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Holdrege, Neb. He was born on Dec. 7, 1920, in Upland, Neb., to Chris and Dora (Klahn) Lammers...

Wilma M. Witman April 24, 1919 - Feb. 15, 2018 GREELEY,Colo. — Wilma M. Witman, 98, of Greeley passed away Feb. 15, 2018, at Tru Hospice of Northern Colorado. She was born in Bethany, Mo., on April 24, 1919, to Zella (Ballard) and Ramer Tucker. In March of 1924, Wilma’s family moved from Missouri to Hayes Center, Neb., in a Model T Ford. ...

Rachel Carter OBERLIN, Kan. — Rachel Carter, 94, of Oberlin, formerly of Jennings, Kan., died Thursday (Feb. 15, 2018), at Good Samaritan Society in Oberlin. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Carter; parents, Rev. Arthur and Laura Carlton; brothers, Arlyn, Rev. Lawrence, Glen and James Carlton; and three sisters, Zelfa Neill, Harriet Casey and Naomi Carter...

Paul Martin Erdman June 17, 1924 - Feb. 16, 2018 BENKELMAN. Neb. — Paul Martin Erdman, age 93, of Benkelman, passed away quietly in his sleep, following a brief illness, on Feb. 16, 2018, at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. Paul was born in Longmont, Colo., on June 17, 1924, to Ernst and Blanch Stamper-Erdman, the oldest of four children. He was baptized in 1924 at St. ...

Tonda Y. Trump-Hiatt May 31, 1957 - Feb.19, 2018 BARTLEY, Neb. — Tonda Y. Trump-Hiatt, age 60, of Bartley, passed away at Cambridge Memorial Hospital on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. She was born in Wichita, Kan., on May 31, 1957, to John and Rosanne (Sanders) Weaver. The family moved to Nebraska, where Tonda attended Republican Valley Schools...

Dorothy P. Medley Sept. 24, 1926 - Feb. 18, 2018 KEARNEY, Neb. — Dorothy P. Medley, 91, of Kearney, died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, at her home. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home, Kearney. Pastor David McDonald will officiate. Burial will be at a later date...

Norma Jean Peterson May 29, 1933 - Feb. 18, 2018 NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Norma Jean Peterson, age 84, of North Platte, passed away Feb. 18, 2018, at North Platte Care Center. She was born May 29, 1933, at Hayes Center, Neb., to John and Elva (Scott) Curran. Norma Jean graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1950...

Connie Kay Latham Nov. 5, 1941 - Feb. 18, 2018 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Connie Kay Latham, 76, of Arapahoe, died Sunday (Feb. 18, 2018), at C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center, in Arapahoe. She was born on Nov. 5, 1941, in Shenandoah, Iowa, to Arnold and Nina (Blackburn) Laumann...

Maxine (Pickett) Hemelstrand Oct. 15, 1921 - Feb. 19, 2018 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Maxine (Pickett) Hemelstrand, 96, of Arapahoe, died Monday (Feb. 19, 2018), at C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe. She was born Oct. 15, 1921, north of Edison, Neb., in Gosper County to Russell and Gertrude (Wilson) Pickett. ...

Gary L. Miller Oct. 18, 1934 - Feb. 18, 2018 OBERLIN, Kan. — Gary L. Miller, 83, of Oberlin, died Sunday (Feb. 18, 2018), at Good Samaritan Society in Oberlin He was born Oct. 18, 1934, in Norton, Kan., to Weldon and Esther (Hix) Miller. He graduated in 1952 from Norcatur High School...

Gina Rae Stinson July 4, 1973 - Feb. 20, 2018 HAYES CENTER, Neb. — Gina Rae Stinson, 44, of Hayes Center, passed away Feb. 20, 2018, at Perkins Country Community Hospital in Grant, Neb., after losing her battle with cancer. She was born in McCook, Neb., on July 4, 1973, to Dixie (Griffiths) and Robert Stinson and lived on a farm near Hayes Center until she was three. ...

Mildred Myers IMPERIAL, Neb. — Mildred Myers, 97, of Imperial, died Tuesday (Feb. 20, 2018), at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home. Survivors include children, Carol Schuman of Imperial, Jerry Rucker and wife, Janet of Arvada, Colo., and Connie Ward and husband, Garry of Sun City, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren...

Dorothy Mae Kentner Eckhardt March 1, 1923 – Feb. 24, 2018 McCOOK, Neb. — Dorothy Eckhardt, age 94, of McCook, died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. Dorothy was born in Sacramento, Neb., on March 1, 1923, to Raymond and Cora (Vermillion) Kentner. Dorothy married Gary Eckhardt on June 1, 1940...

Velora A. Schmahl May 19, 1918 - Feb. 25, 2018 McCOOK, Neb. — Velora A. Schmahl, 99, of McCook, died Sunday (Feb. 25, 2018), at Community Hospital in McCook. Services are pending with Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.

Donald G. Macfee July 29, 1943 - Feb. 23, 2018 OBERLIN, Kan. — Donald G. Macfee, 74, of Lebanon, Neb., died Friday (Feb. 23, 2018), at Kearney Regional Medical Center of Kearney, Neb. He was born July 29, 1943, in Oberlin to Doug and Charlotte (Joyce) Macfee. He graduated from Decatur Community High School in Oberlin in 1960. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War...

Mildred Myers July 25, 1920 - Feb. 20, 2018 IMPERIAL, Neb. — Mildred Marie Rann, Rucker, Myers was born in a sod house in western Hayes County, Neb., on July 25, 1920, to Power E. and Hannah B. (Vavra), Rann. She graduated from Hayes County High School in 1938 and married Charles Vernon Rucker, June 24, 1939, in North Platte, Neb. ...

Velora A. Schmahl May 19, 1918 - Feb. 25, 2018 McCOOK, Neb. -- Velora A. (Rogers) Schmahl of McCook passed away on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, at Community Hospital. She was 99 years old. Velora was born on May 19, 1918, to Henry and Elma (Oyster) Rogers at Atwood, Kan. She graduated from Atwood High School in 1936. She then went to work for Foster Farms as a bookkeeper. There she met Wayne M. Schmahl and they married January 11, 1941. To this union two daughters were born, Jean and Janeale...

Victor Kisela Jan. 10, 1925 - Feb. 23, 2018 BENKELMAN, Neb. — Victor Stanley Kisela was born Jan. 10, 1925, to Anton J. and Agnes B. (Vancura) Kisela in Wauneta, Neb. He grew up on a farm north of Stratton, Neb., with a brother and four sisters. After graduating from Stratton High School in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Navy. ...