Obituaries from January 2024

James “Jim” Blaine Pettera Dec. 2, 1953 - Dec, 29, 2023 McCOOK, Neb. - James “Jim” Blaine Pettera, age 70, of McCook, Neb. passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, Dec, 29, 2023, at the C.L. Werner Cancer Hospital in Omaha, Neb. after his 11 year battle with multiple myeloma/blood cancer...

Darlene Ann Dizmang MOOREFIELD, Neb. - Darlene Ann Dizmang, 89, of Moorefield, Neb., died Jan. 2, 2024, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, Neb. Visitation will be held at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Curtis, Neb. on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m...

Jeffrey Wayne Johnson Feb. 27, 1992 - Dec. 22, 2023 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Jeffrey Wayne Johnson, 31, of Champaign, Ill. passed away on Dec. 22, 2023 at Carle Foundation Hospital. He was born on Feb. 27, 1992 to Greg Johnson and Sara Unger. Jeff grew up in Champaign and graduated from Centennial High School in 2010. During Jeff’s junior year, he led the Chargers to a state championship in 2009. Then during his senior year, he led the Chargers to a 4th place finish in the state championship...

Yancy Sowers Feb. 9, 1978 - Jan. 3, 2024 OBERLIN, Kan. - Yancy Sowers, 45, of Oberlin, Kan., passed away on Jan. 3, 2024. He was born on Feb. 9, 1978, in Colby, Kan. Yancy was a loving husband to Amanda for 23 years and a dedicated father to his children, Kyra and Kaden. He is survived by his wife and two kids all of the home, parents Armin and Vickie Sowers, his brother Darrick Sowers, niece Kellie Misner, and multiple aunts, uncles, cousins and friends...

Alan Griffith Reiners Aug. 30, 1952 - Dec. 29, 2023 LINCOLN, Neb. - Alan Griffith Reiners passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 29, 2023 at the age of 71. Alan was married to Karen Bohnenkamp on June 23, 1995. They had one daughter, Kelsi Lynn and Karen brought a stepson, Andrew into the marriage...

Dr. Donald Asher Brooks April 22, 1924 - Jan. 5, 2024 McCOOK, Neb. - Dr. Donald Asher Brooks, age 99, of McCook, passed away at his home on Jan. 5, 2024. He was born in North Platte, Neb. on April 22, 1924, to Donald F. and Nina A. (Short) Brooks. He grew up in McCook from the age of two and graduated from McCook High School. ...

Dorothy Juanita Clason June 22, 1938 - Jan. 6, 2024 BEAVER CITY, Neb. - Dorothy Juanita Clason, age 85, of Beaver City, Nebraska passed away on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at the Beaver City Manor in Beaver City, Neb. Graveside services will be Wednesday, Jan. ...

Dorothy May Smith April 4, 1927 - Dec. 26, 2023 NORTH PLATTE, Neb. - Dorothy May Smith of North Platte passed away Dec. 26, 2023, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook at the age of 96. Dorothy was born April 4, 1927, to Edward and Josephine Hopkins in Chadron where she grew up. After graduating from Chadron High School, Dorothy held several different jobs, her favorite was as a bookkeeper at a Chadron Car Dealership...

Emma Geraldine “Geri” Fisher Feb. 11, 1930 - Jan. 8, 2024 ARAPAHOE, Neb. - Emma Geraldine “Geri” Fisher, age 93, of Arapahoe, Neb. passed away on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 at the Beaver City Manor, Beaver City, Neb. She was born northwest of Oxford, Neb. on the family farm to George and Myrtle (Johnson) Baily on Feb. 11, 1930...

David Duane Anderjaska Sep. 11, 1954 - Jan. 9, 2024 BUFFALO, MO. - David Duane Anderjaska, age 69, of Buffalo, MO, formally of McCook, Neb., entered into rest on Monday, Jan. 9, 2024, at Colonial Springs Healthcare Facility in Buffalo, MO. David was born on Sep. 11, 1954, in McCook, Neb. to Gerald and Joyce (McLeland) Anderjaska...

Frances L. Hilker Oct. 21, 1936 - Jan. 6, 2024 BENKELMAN, Neb. - Frances L. Hilker was born in Vernon, Tex. on Oct. 21, 1936 to Bud and Eva (Stanfield) Nunn. She attended school in Vernon and graduated with the Vernon High School class of 1955. Not long after graduating high school, Frances made many trips to McCook, Neb. ...

Chester (Chet) Leroy Hayes Sep. 9, 1936 - Jan. 8, 2024 GRINNELL, Kan. - Chester (Chet) Leroy Hayes, Grinnell, Kan. was born Sep. 9, 1936, and died on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, at the Logan County Hospital in Oakley, Kan. at the age of 87. Chet was born to parents Clarence Albert (Jack) and Virda (Latimer) Hayes on the family farm north of Rexford, Kan. Chet was the third of five children; two older sisters, and a younger brother, and sister, completed the family...

Kevin James Carfield June 22, 1962 - Jan. 9, 2024 McCOOK, Neb. - Kevin James Carfield, of McCook, Neb., passed away at his home on Jan. 9, 2024, at the age of 61. Kevin was born on June 22, 1962, to parents Edwin and Janet (Curry) Carfield. He was raised in McCook and graduated from high school with the class of 1980...

Lori Sue Weber Feb. 17, 1958 - Jan. 6, 2024 PAPILLION, Neb. - In loving memory of Lori Sue Weber 65, born Feb. 17, 1958, to Lloyd and Eileen (Lorenzen) Weber in Lincoln, Neb. Lori graduated from McCook High School in 1976, and from the Kearney State Teachers College, Kearney Neb., with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a minor in music. Lori spent several years in various teaching roles in the McCook area and worked part time for the McCook City Library...

Michele Eileen Gerkman Aug. 30, 1964 - Dec. 30, 2023 SOUTH LYON, Mich. - Born in McCook, Neb. on the Aug. 30, 1964, Michele Gerkman was the daughter of Melvin and Joyce Nicholson. She graduated from Beaver Valley High School in 1982 where she excelled in academics, band, and athletics. She attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln, earning a BS in Accounting...

Darwin Gans Jan. 9, 1928 - Jan. 6, 2024 McCOOK, Neb. - Darwin Dwayne Gans, age 95, passed away Jan. 6, 2024, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. A Funeral Service was held Monday, Jan. 15, at First Baptist Church in Columbus. Burial at Edholm Valley Cemetery near Octavia. Memorials may be directed to family wishes. Svoboda Funeral Home of Schuyler is handling arrangements for Darwin’s family...

Lyn Reynolds May 2, 1957 - Jan. 9, 2024 CEDAR BLUFFS, Kan. - Lyn Reynolds was born on May 2, 1957 in McCook, Neb. to Stanley and Jeannine (Mockry) Reynolds. He attended school in McCook and Wilsonville, Neb. and graduated from McCook High School with the class of 1975...

Diane Sue Koetter Aug. 9, 1950 - Jan. 11, 2024 DOWNS, Kan. - Diane Sue Koetter, age 73, of Downs, Kan. passed away on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. Diane was born in McCook, Neb. on Aug. 9, 1950 to parents Donald “Breezy” and Twila (Collins) Frick. Diane and sister, Debra, grew up on the family farm outside of Culbertson, graduating from Culbertson High School in 1968...

Lisa Gartner 1966-2024 LEBANON Tenn. - Lisa Gartner passed away on Jan. 12, 2024 at age 57. The Celebration of Life is Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN. In lieu of flowers, please make Memorial Donations in her name to St. Jude and/or New Leash on Life...

Roger Duane Wilson Jan. 13, 1934 - Jan. 18, 2024 McCOOK Neb. - Roger D. Wilson, age 90 passed away at his home in McCook, Neb. on Jan. 18, 2024. Memorials are suggested to the McCook College Foundation 1205 East 3rd McCook, NE 69001. Memorial services will be held Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the McCook Evangelical Free Church.

Gary (Butch) Edward Doetker Dec. 11, 1939 - Jan. 16, 2024 WAUNETA, Neb. - Gary (Butch) Edward Doetker, 84, longtime resident of rural Wauneta, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 16th at his residence southeast of Wauneta. Gary was born on Dec. 11, 1939, to John and Lena (Busking) Doetker. ...

Kathleen Sue Hartwell March 30, 1954 - Jan. 19, 2024 McCOOK, Neb. - Kathleen Sue Hartwell, age 69 of McCook, Neb. passed away Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 in McCook. Kathleen was born March 30, 1954 in McCook, Neb. to Robert and Dorothy (Kircher) Vontz. She attended and graduated from McCook High School in 1972...

Roy Irvin Jacobs McCOOK, Neb. - Roy Irvin Jacobs passed away unexpectedly at his home in McCook on Nov. 15, 2023, due to a massive heart attack. Cremation was chosen and a celebration of life service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary in Cambridge, Neb. Burial with military honors will follow in the Fairview Cemetery of Cambridge...

Raymond “Doc” E. Fisher INDIANOLA, Neb. - Raymond “Doc” E. Fisher, age 83, of Indianola, Neb. passed away on Jan. 23, 2024 in Lincoln, Neb. Memorial contributions are suggested in Doc’s name to be designated at a later date and may be designated to Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, c/o the Fisher Family, PO Box 476, McCook, NE 69001...

Neal Leslie Meints, Sr. July 25, 1944 - Jan. 25, 2024 MANHATTAN, Kan. - Neal Leslie Meints, Sr. died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. Neal was born on July 25, 1944 to Lucille and Reinke Meints in McCook, Neb. Neal worked and resided in McCook until moving to Sterling, Colo. in 1970. After leaving Sterling in 1991, he spent his time traveling together with his wife, Sharon. He lived in Nebraska, New Mexico, Idaho, Washington and Kansas where he has resided with his family for the past nine years...

Lynette J. Gunnerson Aug. 11, 1936 - Jan. 25, 2024 GOTHENBURG, Neb. - Late Thursday Jan. 25, 2024, Lynette J. Gunnerson passed away surrounded by family. Lynette was born in Gothenburg, Neb., Aug. 11, 1936 to Emil and Judith (Bratten) Aden. Lynette spent a majority of her life living in Gothenburg, where she graduated high school with honors in 1954, met and married her husband Larry in 1960, and raised their three sons Alan, Kirk, and Kevin...

James “Jim” J. Helm Dec. 29, 1943 - Jan. 28, 2024 DANBURY, Neb. - James “Jim” J. Helm passed away on Jan. 28, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, Colo. Jim was born on Dec. 29, 1943, in McCook, Nebraska to John F. and Helen M. (Sughroue) Helm. He attended grade school at Spring Branch 202, one mile west of Lyle, Kan. Jim graduated from Norcatur High School, Kan., in 1961. Later, he obtained an associate degree from McCook Junior College...