Obituaries from January 2023

Donald John Fout, Sr. June 3, 1936 - Dec. 22, 2022 MISHAWAKA, Ind. — Donald John Fout, Sr., #MrDonSir, passed away quietly in the night after a brief bout with illness at Fairhaven Hospice in Mishawaka. Born June 3, 1936, in Iowa City, Iowa, to the late Brenton and Anna (nee Gaulocher) Fout. Longtime resident of Mishawaka and very active in the music community. Donald lived a simple life and impacted many of those around him...

Marian A. Raburn April 8, 1930 - Dec. 29, 2022 HOLDREGE, Neb. — Celebration of Life Service for Marian A. Raburn will be on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at First United Methodist Church in Holdrege with Rev. Dr. Mark Crist officiating. Private family inurnment will be at the Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Neb., at a later date...

Marilyn Jolene (Rousey) Walker Oct. 6, 1930 - Jan. 3, 2023 OGALLALA, Neb. — Marilyn Jolene (Rousey) Walker, age 92, was called to rest on Jan. 3, 2023 at the WEL-Life Assisted Living in Ogallala. Marilyn, the only child of Orla (pronounced Or-lay) and Helen (Ruettimann) Rousey, was born Oct. 6, 1930, at Hamlet, Neb. She attended grade school in Hamlet and attended high school at Wauneta, Neb., graduating with the Class of 1948...

Patricia Ann (Boyle) Grafel Feb. 26, 1930 - Jan. 3, 2023 TRENTON, Neb. — Patricia Ann (Boyle) Grafel, age 92, passed away on Jan. 3, 2023, at the Azria Health Blue Hill Care Center, Blue Hill, Neb. Patty was born on Feb. 26, 1930, on the family farm southeast of Trenton, Neb., to Dan and Esther (Grovert) Boyle. ...

Melody Lynn Crawford Feb. 5, 1956 - Jan. 1, 2023 BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Melody Lynn Crawford, 66, died Sunday (Jan. 1, 2023), at Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings. She was born to Paul and Gertrude (Hutson) Smith on Feb. 5, 1956, in Oxford, Neb. She married Tim Crawford on April 30, 1977...

Norman Dale “Norm” Richards Dec. 10, 1940 - Jan. 6, 2023 OBERLIN, Kan. — Norman Dale “Norm” Richards was born Dec. 10, 1940, at his rural home in Decatur County, Kan. He was the youngest of five children born to Edith M. (Holliday) and Elmer Leorin Richards. He passed away Jan. 6, 2023, at the age of 82. Norm attended school in Oberlin and in high school, excelled at football, basketball, and was very involved in FFA. He graduated in 1959...

Keith Mark Wilson Dec. 2, 1964 - Jan. 7, 2023 PHILLIPS, Neb. — Keith Mark Wilson, age 58, of Phillips, passed away peacefully surrounded by his siblings on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. Keith was born Dec. 2, 1964 to parents, Dwaine and Kay (Scharf) Wilson...

Carlos Ismael Hernandez June 20, 1972 - Jan. 6, 2023 McCOOK, Neb. — Carlos Ismael Hernandez was born in Culiacan, Sinolaoa, Mexico on June 20, 1972, to Francisco Hernandez and Maria Olivia Vega. He met Marcy Rodriguez in Fort Morgan, Colo., in 1997, and the two would share the next 25 years of their lives together...

Kara Sue Hester (Walker) June 28, 1974 - Dec. 15, 2022 McCOOK, Neb. — Kara Sue Hester (Walker), 48, of McCook, died Dec. 15, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb., at Bryan Memorial East after a stroke. Kara was born on June 28, 1974, at St. Catherine’s Hospital in McCook to parents, Raymond Gonzales Jr. and Sharon Kay Walker. She was one of the last babies born here as the new McCook Community Hospital opened a few days after her birth. She grew up in McCook and graduated from McCook High School in 1993...

Darlene Leibbrandt Dec. 2, 1928 - Jan. 6, 2023 DANBURY, Neb. — Darlene Leibbrandt, age 94, of Danbury, passed away at the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colo., on Jan. 6, 2023. She was born northwest of Culbertson in Hitchcock County to Jacob and Katie Eckhardt on Dec. 2, 1928. She graduated from Culbertson High School in 1946...

Dr. R.A. “Buzz” Peterson Jan. 22, 1941 - Jan. 4, 2023 NORTON, Kan. — Dr. R.A. “Buzz” Peterson, 81, of Norton, passed away Jan. 4, 2023, at his home. He was born Jan. 22, 1941, in Harlan, Iowa, to William “Harley” and Eldora A. (Struve) Peterson. Buzz grew up in Harlan and was a 1959 graduate of Harlan Community High School. ...

Joe Bert Hinton July 14, 1934 - Jan. 2, 2023 WILLOWS, Calif. — Joe Bert Hinton, 88, of Willows, passed away Jan. 2, 2023. He was born southwest of Stockville, Neb., on July 14, 1934, to Bert and Vera Hinton. He attended Walnut Hill grade school near Orafino, Neb., where his sister was his teacher. He graduated from Stockville High School in 1953, attended McCook Junior College, then received a degree in civil engineering from Denver University. ...

Samuel L. Smith Dec. 12, 1936 - Jan. 8, 2023 McCOOK, Neb. — Samuel L. Smith, age 86, formerly of Culbertson, passed away at Community Hospital of McCook on Jan. 8, 2023. He was born in Hitchcock County on Dec. 12, 1936. He attended his first six years of elementary school in Trenton, then moved to Culbertson where he graduated in 1955...

Joyce E. Hofman Nov. 26, 1941 - Jan. 1, 2023 YORK, Neb. — Joyce E. Hofman, age 81, formerly of McCook, Neb., died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, at York General Hearthstone in York. She was born on Nov. 26, 1941, to Bill and Charlotte (Powers) Creasman in Imperial, Neb. On June 13, 1971, she was united in marriage to Larry Hofman in McCook...

James M. Lee June 30, 1936 - Jan. 7, 2023 HASTINGS, Neb. — Hastings resident James M. Lee, 86, passed away Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings. Per Jim’s wishes, he will be cremated and there will be no services. Private family interment will take place at the McCook Cemetery, McCook, Neb. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com. Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center is serving the family...

Marvin Haines April 8, 1923 - Jan. 10, 2023 BENKELMAN, Neb. — Marvin Ellis “Burr” Haines passed away at the Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman on Jan. 10, 2023, at the age of 99 years of age. Marvin was born to Russell Alva Haines and Daisy Ellis Haines on April 8, 1923, in Payette, Idaho. After the death of his father when he was two, Marvin lived with his grandparents in Benkelman, where he attended school and graduated from high school...

Kenneth Eugene “Kenny” Cozad Feb. 21, 1959 - Jan. 9, 2023 LEBANON, Neb. — Kenneth Eugene “Kenny” Cozad, 63, passed away on Jan. 9, 2023, in Lebanon. He was born on Feb. 21, 1959, to John and Dorothy (Martin) Cozad in McCook, Neb. Kenny grew up in Lyle, Kan., and went to Norcatur Grade School and then graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1977. ...

Helen Jean Frick Aug. 2, 1929 - Nov. 3, 2022 SARASOTA, Neb. —Helen Jean Frick passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. Helen was born on Aug. 2, 1929, in Kearney County, Neb., to Larry and Sarah Binderup. Helen married Wilbert Frick on Sept. 26, 1948. They were married for 62 years. Helen lived in McCook, Neb., for most of her life, managing the books for Frick Construction and running a produce farm with her husband, children and grandchildren...

Neil Thomas “Hutch” Hutchens Jan. 1, 1958 - Jan. 5, 2023 WILSONVILLE, Neb. — Neil Thomas “Hutch” Hutchens, age 65, of Wilsonville, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at the CHI Bergan Mercy Hospital, Omaha, Neb. He was born Jan. 1, 1958, to Harry T. ...

Karen Doetker July 2, 1955 - Jan. 13, 2023 WAUNETA, Neb. — Karen Louise (Lucas) Doetker was born July 2, 1955, to Kenneth and Tillie (Sinka) Lucas in Lamar, Colo., the third of five children. She passed away Jan. 13, 2023, with family by her side. During her youth, Karen was involved in 4-H and FFA, and enjoyed life living on the farm. The family moved to Wauneta in 1970, where she graduated high school...

Doris Jean Bobinmyer Wacker Nov. 29, 1927 - Jan. 12, 2023 SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Doris Jean Bobinmyer Wacker passed peacefully from this earth on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Circle of Life Hospice House in Springdale at 95 years of age. She was born on Nov. 29, 1927, to John Edward and Anna Blanche(Drain) Bobinmyer at home on the Bobinmyer Homestead in Hitchcock County, Neb., just north of Herndon, Kan...

Darryl Howard Dec.10, 1946 - Jan. 11, 2023 WAUNETA, Neb. — Darryl Edward Howard was born Dec. 10, 1946, in Imperial, Neb., to LaVeta (Bernard) and Johnnie Edward Howard. He grew up on a farm west of Hayes Center, Neb., where he attended school and graduated from Hayes Center High School with the Class of 1965. Darryl continued his education at McCook Community College, where he majored in agriculture...

Dustan Lee Biegler Sept. 21, 1981 - Jan. 11, 2023 LINCOLN, Neb. — Dustan Lee Biegler was born Sept. 21, 1981, in Mobridge, S.D., to Jerome and Shelley Biegler; he was the third of nine children.  The family settled in McCook, Neb., where his parents still reside and where the majority of his childhood was spent...

Marie A. Kuck Aug. 2, 1930 - Jan. 21, 2023 SMITHFIELD, Neb. — Marie A. Kuck, 92, of Smithfield, Neb., passed away Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood, Neb. A funeral service will be Thursday, Jan. 26, at 11 a.m. at the Elwood First United Methodist Church in Elwood, Neb., with Pastor Sarah Neben officiating. There will be no visitation per the families wishes. The casket will be open prior to the funeral service...

Kay A. (Hanzlik) Weaver July 17, 1957 - Jan. 23, 2023 BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Kay A. (Hanzlik) Weaver, 65, died Monday (Jan. 23, 2023). She was born to Alvin and Pearl Hanzlik on July 17, 1957. She married Craig Weaver on June 2, 1979. She was a nurse...

Grace Olivia Reiners Jan. 21, 2006 - Dec. 14, 2022 NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Grace Olivia Reiners, of New Port Richey, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. She was 16 years of age. Grace was born on Jan. 21, 2006, in Clearwater, Fla., to Joseph and Heather (Brownell) Reiners. ...

Owen Eugene Beneda April 14, 1936 - Jan. 24, 2023 McCOOK, Neb. — Owen Eugene Beneda was born on April 14, 1936, in Oberlin, Kan., to John and Sarah Jane (Kennedy) Beneda. Owen grew up on the family farm, 12 miles south of McCook, and in 1948 they moved to McCook, where Owen attended school and graduated with the Class of 1954...

Suzanne Deveny Burton Oct. 4, 1934 - Jan. 26, 2023 BARTLEY, Neb. — Suzanne Deveny Burton passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at her rural Bartley home. She was born on Oct. 4, 1934, in McCook, Neb., to Charles (Chic) and Iva Coe Deveny. Suzanne graduated from McCook High School...

Kristi Helen Schlegel Oct. 28, 1954 - Jan. 18, 2023 AIKEN,S. C. — Kristi Helen Schlegel, 68, went to be with her Lord on Jan. 18, 2023, in Aiken, where she had been living since 1995. She was born Oct. 28, 1954, to Darold and Marjorie (Covert) Schlegel in McCook, Neb. ...

Debra “Deb” Sue Young June 2, 1955 - Jan. 28, 2023 CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Debra “Deb” Sue Young, age 67, of Cambridge, passed away at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital on Jan. 28, 2023. Deb was born in Laramie, Wyo., on June 2, 1955, to Donald and Gwen (Sherard) Stine. She attended and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1973...

Densel Wayne O’Dea June 8, 1931 - Jan. 28, 2023 McCOOK, Neb. — Densel Wayne O’Dea was born June 8, 1931, on the family farm in rural Red Willow County, Neb. Densel was the second child of James W. and Louise M. (Nothnagel) O’Dea. Densel graduated from Red Willow High School in 1949 and served in the United States Army from 1952-1954, spending 13 months in Korea, stationed in Pusan, now Busan. ...

Zelpha L. Golding Sept. 4, 1929 - Jan. 27, 2023 STRATTON, Neb. — Zelpha L. Golding, age 93, of Stratton, passed away on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Kinship Pointe, McCook. Born Sept. 4, 1929, to parents, Floyd and Grace (Burks) Cushing, Zelpha grew up on the north divide of Stratton. She was the first born of three siblings. She graduated from Stratton High School and taught in country schools...

Charlene “Sherry” Franssen-Breinig July 8, 1949 - Jan. 20, 2023 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Charlene “Sherry” Franssen-Breinig, 73, of Arapahoe, died Jan. 20, 2023 at her home. She was born July 8, 1949, in Boulder, Colo., to Mary Alice and E.C. Buck Harris. She grew up in Boulder and attended Mapleton Elementary, Casey Jr. High, and Boulder High School, graduating in 1967...