Obituaries from March 2021

Kevin Jon Blackman Jan. 16, 1974 - Feb. 25, 2021 BARTLEY, Neb. — The family of Kevin Blackman is saddened to announce his passing at age of 47. He was born at a whopping 10 pounds, 6 ounces in Omaha, Neb., to Carol (Stritt) Blackman and Gene Blackman. He had a four-year-old brother, Greg to welcome him home...

Milton James “Milt” Houghtelling, Jr Aug. 18, 1944 - Feb. 16, 2021 MORRISON, Colo. — Milton James “Milt” Houghtelling, Jr. of Morrison went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. He was 76. On Aug. 18, 1944, Milt was born in McCook, Neb., to Milton James (Sr.) and Leona Mae (Williams) Houghtelling. ...

Carol E. Rempel SIDNEY, Neb. — Carol Evangeline Rempel, 95, died Friday (March 5, 2021), in Sidney. Cremation was chosen and no services are planned at this time. You can view her Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com...

Luke Joseph Marintzer May 17, 1966 - March 6, 2021 VICTORIA, Kan. — Luke Joseph Marintzer, 54, of Victoria, passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Hays Medical Center. Luke was born in McCook, Neb., on May 17, 1966, to Hubert W. and Doris C. (Janousek) Marintzer. ...

Mary Verlene Poore Dec. 14, 1925 - March 9, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Mary Verlene Poore, 95, a longtime resident of McCook, passed away at her home in McCook on March 9, 2021. She was born on Dec. 14, 1925, to Swantie and Esther (Garrett) Swanson in McCook. Mary attended school in McCook, graduating from McCook High School and attending McCook Junior College. At just 18 years old, she worked as a bookkeeper at Camp Indianola, a World War Two POW Camp near Indianola, Neb...

Steven Douglas “Steve” Arnold March 19, 1939 - March 8, 2021 HERNDON, Kan. — Steven Douglas “Steve” Arnold, 81, of Herndon, passed away March 8, 2021, at Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin. He was born on March 19, 1939, in Farnam, Neb., to Forrest and Leah (Stevens) Arnold...

Patsy E. Heble Aug. 7, 1941 - March 10, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Patsy E. Heble, age 79, of McCook, passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at Community Hospital in McCook. Patsy was born Aug. 7, 1941, in McCook to parents, Anthony and Inez (Brunswick) Hakenkamp. ...

R. Jean Elson Nov. 21, 1929 - March 12, 2021 CURTIS, Neb. ­— Ramona Jean Elson, 91, of Curtis, died Friday, March 12, 2021, at Linden Court in North Platte. She was born Nov. 21, 1929, at home in Somerset township in Lincoln County, Neb., the eldest twin daughter of John J. and Dorothy L. (Garner) Durner...

Alma Young April 5, 1935 - March 9, 2021 STRATTON, Neb. — Alma Elizabeth Young was born April 5, 1935, at Grand Island, Neb., to Jense P. and Henrietta (Lewis) Jensen. As a youngster, she grew up in Grand Island area and attended school. On July 20, 1955, Alma married Richard R. ...

Richard Allan Belknap Feb. 24, 1934 - Feb. 16, 2021 WESTON, Wis. — Richard Allan Belknap, 86, of Weston, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 16, 2021, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born Feb. 24, 1934, in Palisade, Neb., to Roland and Dorothy (Huet) Belknap. Richard grew up in McCook, Neb., and graduated from McCook High School in 1952...

Roger Dean Leitner Feb. 17, 1947 - Dec. 21, 2020 GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — Roger Dean Leitner died on the Winter Solstice, Dec. 21, 2020. For over a decade, Leitner had celebrated the Winter Solstice with an annual soirée for his family, friends, and staff associated with the Museum of Outdoor Arts (MOA). ...

Phillip Bryce Fornoff April 9, 1933 - March 16, 2021 HAYES CENTER, Neb. — Phillip Bryce Fornoff died Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at the age of 87. He was born April 9, 1933, at Palisade, Neb., to Delbert and Ilah (Sloan) Fornoff. Phillip attended country school at Lookout District No. ...

Merle L. Cox Aug. 30, 1941 - March 15, 2021 McCOOK,Neb. — Merle L. Cox, age 79, of McCook, passed away on Monday, March 15, 2021, at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Neb. Merle was born Aug. 30, 1941, in rural Hayes County, Neb., to parents, Elmer L. ...

Greta ‘June’ Kentopp Nothaus Feb. 19, 1945 - March 14, 2021 WAUNETA, Neb. — Greta ‘June’ Kentopp Nothaus, the daughter of Walter Thomas and Violet Stella ‘Dell’ (Seitz) Blankenship, was born Feb. 19, 1945, in Benkelman, Neb., and passed away March 14, 2021, in Wauneta...

Lorna Kunnemann May 13, 1943 - March 17, 2021 IMPERIAL, Neb. — Lorna Jean Draper Kunnemann, 77, of Imperial, went home to Jesus on March 17, 2021, in Denver, Colo. Lorna was born in Imperial on May 13, 1943, to Lorin and Velma (Cooper) Draper. Lorna grew up in the Chase County Community along with her brother, Marv. ...

Russell A. Redden Dec. 25, 1975 - March 21, 2022 INDIANOLA, Neb. — Russell A. Redden, age 44, of Indianola, passed away on Sunday, March 21, 2021, as the result of a motor vehicle accident. He was born in Tahlequah, Okla., on Dec. 25, 1975, to Claude Robert and Connie (Mathis)Redden. The family moved to Nebraska in 2005 from Arkansas City, Kan., to be closer to family...

Delores “Dolly” M. Sauers Aug. 10, 1930 - Feb. 16, 2021 INDIANOLA, Neb. — Delores “Dolly” M. Sauers, age 90, of Indianola, passed away at Cambridge Memorial Hospital on Feb. 16, 2021. She was born on Aug. 10, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to William and Mae (Howell) Morrow. Dolly grew up in the Pittsburgh area, graduating high school from Stowe High School in 1947...

Michael Eugene Zwickle June 13, 1947 - Nov. 26, 2020 McCOOK, Neb. — Michael Eugene Zwickle, age 73, of McCook, passed away Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, at Hillcrest Caring Center in McCook. Mike was born June 13, 1947, in McCook to Harry M. and Golda L. (Roller) Zwickle. He was one of three siblings who grew up in McCook, graduating from McCook High School with the Class of 1965...

Leisa L. Beat April 7, 1949 - March 19, 2021 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Leisa L. Beat, age 71, of Arapahoe, died Friday (March 19, 2021), at her home. She was born at Spokane, Wash., on April 7, 1949, to Flann Root and Marjorie Louise Bellamy. She grew up in Spokane, Wash. She married David Beat on Jan. 29, 1971. They moved to Arapahoe, Neb., and she worked as a waitress, at CA Mues Nursing Home and at Walmart in McCook, Neb.,...

John C. Lemons, III McCOOK, Neb. — John C. Lemons, III, 50, of McCook, died Tuesday (March 23, 2021), at Great Plains Medical Center in North Platte, Neb. Private family memorial services will be at a later date. Memorials can be given in his name to the family to help defer funeral expenses. Memorials may be given directly through the website page at www.carpenterbreland.com. Contribution may also be sent to Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, P.O. Box 476, McCook, NE 69001...

Elaine Elizabeth Towne Oct. 2, 1929 - March 12, 2021 RAPID CITY, S.D. — Elaine Elizabeth Towne passed away at Monument Health in Rapid City on Friday, March 12, 2021. She was born on Oct. 2, 1929, to Arthur and Amelia Karnatz in Esbon, Kan. She married Richard A. Towne on May 16, 1947. They had four children, Linda E. (Butch) Lindsey, Marsha L. (Bradly) Colling, Richard M. (Dana McDaniels) Towne, and Robert Allen Towne (who died at only five hours old). ...

Wendell W. Smith Aug. 3, 1932 - March 24, 2021 BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Wendell W. Smith, 88, of Beaver City, died Wednesday (March 24, 2021), at the Beaver City Manor in Beaver City. He was born Aug. 3, 1932, in Republican City, Neb., to Weye and Leta (Neece) Smith. He married Merry Alice Fuller and to this union three children were born. He worked in construction and at Burlington Northern Railroad...

Sally Christine “Chris” (VanHoosier) Small Feb. 10, 1951 - March 27, 2021 SATANTA, Kan. — Well, if you are reading this, God has called me home. I, Sally Christine “Chris” (VanHoosier) Small, passed on into my next life at our home with my loving family by my side on Saturday evening, March 27, 2021...

Leroy James Heinrich July 17, 1936 - Feb. 10, 2021 OAKLEY, Kan. — LeRoy James Heinrich, 84, of Oakley, died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Logan County Hospital. He was born July 17, 1936, in Quinter, Kan., to Gabe and Mary (Engel) Heinrich. He graduated from Grinnell High School in 1954, and served in the U.S. ...

Harvey Vernon Cole March 29, 1932 - March 25, 2021 CURTIS, Neb. — Harvey Vernon Cole, 88, of Curtis, died March 25, 2021, at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Neb. Harvey was born March 29, 1932, in Curtis, son of Hazen and Bessie (Gilliland) Cole. Harvey was a lifetime resident of Curtis...