Obituaries from July 2025

Feb. 28, 1940 - June 18, 2025 STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. - Robert Val Beneda, age 85, passed away June 18, 2025 at his home in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Bartos Beneda and Frances Wormwood Beneda of McCook, NE; as well as his brother, Glen Edward Beneda of Lompoc, CA; and sister, LuAnne Beneda Haller of McCook, NE. ...

Mary Kay Cochran (Harr), passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 30th, 2025, after a courageous 22-year battle with cancer. Mary Kay lived her life with quiet strength, boundless grace, and a heart full of love. She faced every hardship with dignity and resilience, never allowing illness to diminish her spirit or define her journey. Even in the most difficult moments, she continued to show up for the people she loved—with a warm smile, a kind word, and endless generosity...

Sherri Lea (Lotker) Shuler, born March 2, 1950, in Oberlin, KS to Floyd Lee and Helen Dorothea (Forrester) Lotker, Jr. and started her journey on June 17, 2025 at the age of 75, in Goodland, KS at Topside Manor. Sherri grew up on the family homestead west of Oberlin alongside her three siblings Floyd Lee III (Skipper), Laurie and Jackie. ...

Myrna Kircher, 86, Minot, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6th at home, surrounded by her loving family, after a hard fought 13-year battle with cancer. Her determination to beat this disease earned her the nickname “Wonder Woman.” She was awarded, by her family, with a Wonder Woman pin, which she proudly wore and requested it be pinned on her burial dress...

January 27, 1946 – June 12, 2025 Douglas Glen Hoschouer, 79, of McCook, NE, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2025, after a courageous battle with COPD. Doug was born January 27, 1946, to Julian Sr. and Lois Hoschouer. He grew up on a farm outside Wellfleet, NE, with his siblings, Julian Jr. ...

Gary Joe Hastings, 79, of Gering, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Gary was born on September 27, 1945, in Sutherland, Nebraska, to Robert and Irene (Derra) Hastings. He grew up in Hayes County alongside his siblings, attending school there and graduating with the Hayes County High School Class of 1964. Following high school, Gary continued his education at McCook Community College, Chadron State College, and Kearney State College...

Ken Reynolds, beloved brother and friend, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2025, in Forsyth, Missouri, at the age of 85. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson. Burial with full military honors will follow in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson...

Lainey Rea Marie Haarberg, infant daughter of Keagan and Brittany (Hixon) Haarberg of McCook passed through Heaven’s gates and into Jesus’ arms on Saturday morning, July 5, 2025. Lainey was born in McCook, Nebraska on June 9, 2025. She was greeted at home by the love of her siblings Cooper, Axel, Paisley and Rylee. ...

Marston and Dusty J. Mason. Growing up, Darian would love to ride bikes, wrestle, play in the snow and listen to anything with music. In his professional life, Darian worked at Ace Hardware Store. In his free time, Darian could be found spending time with his daughter, Abbey, fiancé, Lily, family and friends. ...

Mark Edward Haller, age 67 of Hammond, La., entered into rest on Jan. 17, 2025 in San Antonio, Tex. Mark was born in McCook, Neb. on Sept. 6, 1957 to parents Charles R. Haller and Luanne (Beneda) Haller. Mark graduated from McCook High School in 1975, where his art teacher, Jim Steinke, started him on the path he would follow the rest of his life. ...

Fern Hoffman, longtime resident of Dundy County, died September 25, 2024 at Hester Home in Benkelman. A graveside inurnment will be held at 10:00 A.M. (MT) on Saturday, July 19 at Haigler Cemetery in Haigler, NE with Rick Morris officiating. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.liewerfuneralhome.com...

Larry Dale Hardenbrook of Beaver City died on January 19, 2020. There will be a celebration of life service on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Beaver City. In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Larrys name...

Megan Leann Hinson, age 32, passed away on July 9, 2025, in El Cajon, CA. Born on May 13, 1993, Megan had a creative spirit and a wild heart that touched many lives. Her vibrant personality and sense of humor made her unforgettable to those who knew her well. Megan faced challenges with mental health and substance use, and despite her courage and determination, she was unable to overcome the challenges she faced...

Eric T. “Smitty” Smith, 60, of McCook, Nebraska, passed away July 12, 2025, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. He was born February 22, 1965, in Lyons, Kansas, the son of Carl and Josephine (Limones) Smith. Eric graduated from Lyons High School, with the class of 1983. After graduation, he joined the United States Army. Eric relocated to McCook, Nebraska several years ago, formerly of Lyons. He worked at Kugler Company in McCook, Nebraska...

Randy Jacob Stalder, age 70, of Beaver City, Nebraska passed away Monday, July 14, 2025, at Beaver City Manor in Beaver City, Nebraska. He was born February 26, 1955, at Norton, Kansas to Leo Jacob and Jerry Lou (Spratling) Stalder. He was raised on the family farm in the Beaver City area and graduated from Beaver City High School with the Class of 1973. Following graduation, he entered the United States Navy, where he served his country for 4 years becoming an extremely skilled machinist...

Ethyl Marie (Logan) Siegfried passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025, at the age of 89, surrounded by her loved ones. Known for her boundless compassion, quiet strength, and unwavering kindness, Ethyl touched the lives of all who had the privilege to know her...

Patrick “Pat Joseph Kennedy, age 86, passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in The Villages, Florida. Pat was born in Oberlin, KS on December 17, 1938, to parents Fred R. and Ellen M. (Fiala) Kennedy. Pat grew up in Bartley, Nebraska where he worked on the family farm and traveled with his father custom cutting wheat from Texas to Montana. ...

Olelia Ann Hartsfield is the youngest child of John Wesley and Mary Savannah (Todd) Hartsfield. She was born in Cottage Grove, Tennessee on Wednesday, April 24, 1932 at 3:00 pm. At the age of four, she moved with her family to Farmington, Kentucky. Olelia was bused to the Mayfield Model country school outside of Mayfield, Kentucky, a great school, grades 1-6. ...

Merry Jane Koetter, age 69, of McCook, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at her sister’s home in Hill City, Kansas. Merry was born on May 11, 1956, in Rapid City, South Dakota, adopted by her parents, Maryan and Cliff Casjens. She attended grade school in West Lafayette, Indiana and Lincoln Nebraska, and graduated from Oberlin High School in 1974. ...

Connie Gene (Eller) Miller Rooney passed away suddenly on July 5, 2025, at her home in Stratton, at the age of 71 years, 11 months, and 18 days. Born on September 8, 1953, in St. Francis, Kansas, Connie was the eldest of two children born to Gene Loyd and Eunice Marie (McGriff) Eller. ...

Karen Joyce (Gettman) Meister Lieske was born June 16, 1938 in McCook, to Reuben and Irene Gettman. Karen entered eternal rest on July 24, 2025. She graduated from McCook High School and attended Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. On September 6, 1958, she married Ronald Paul Meister at St. Patrick Catholic Church in McCook. They had four children...

Linda L. Thurman was born July 21, 1953, in Hot Springs, South Dakota to C. Robert and Dorothy Todd. She went to glory on Tuesday July 22nd surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her father, C. Robert Todd, Her son, Todd Grimm, Kim Jamison and beloved sister-in-law, Jayne Todd...

Jeani L. Davenport, age 65, passed away on July 23, 2025 at her home in McCook. Born on March 12, 1960 to James C. and Sherry L. (Hircock) Davenport in North Platte, Jeani was the second of nine children. Jeani attended school in Arnold, where she played the clarinet, was part of the team that won the state FFA Range Judging Competition, and graduated in 1978. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Agnes Catholic Church, where she was a member...

Colton Glenn Ketterl, 23, passed away on July 19, 2025, in Traer, Kansas. Colton was born on August 13, 2001, to Jay and Annetta (Andis) Ketterl in McCook. Colton was raised in Traer Kansas and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 2020. After high school, Colton went to Kansas State University for a year and studied agriculture. After school he resided back home with his parents to continue farming and raising cattle...

Gary Lee Guinn was born May 12, 1935, in Oberlin, Kansas to Bruce and Dorothea (Bowser) Guinn, the third of four sons. He lived on the family farm southeast of Oberlin, moving into town in second grade. He attended Oberlin City School and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1953. ...

Crystal Dawn Ward, mother, wife, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at Hillcrest Nursing home in McCook, on May 19, 2025, at the age of 88. Crystal was born to William W. and Darlene D. (Rains) Carroll on August 1, 1936, in Castana, IA. ...

Charles Richard Druse Sr., born to Alice Lucille Ross on February 21, 1937, at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha. He passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at the age of 88. He lived in St. Thomas Orphanage in Lincoln, until the age of 4 when he was adopted by Charles M. Druse Jr. and Hazel J. (Banwell) of Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge Public Schools in 1955, where he was on the Class C State Champion football team earning Allstate honors his senior year...