George Kermit Arterburn

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Dec. 18, 1927 - Dec. 14, 2023

McCOOK, Neb. - George Kermit Arterburn, age 95, of McCook, passed away at his home on Dec. 14, 2023. He was born in Imperial on Dec. 18, 1927 to Roley W. & Ruby (Lock) Arterburn. Kermit attended and graduated from Imperial High School in 1945.

Kermit married Wanda Belau in 1950 and to this union four children were born: Debra, Daniel, Thomas, and Lynda. On February 14, 1970, he was united in marriage to Charlene Seybold, and added another daughter, Chris, to the family.

Kermit worked for McCook Equity and later formed a corporation of stockholders, which became known as Stockman’s Feed and Supply. In 1979, Kermit went out on his own starting Arterburn Construction, building custom homes with his sons and son-in-law. They built about 50 homes and did many remodels. The first (1977) and last (2000) homes were his and Charlene’s. Kermit was a craftsman and was the general contractor for the first Habitat for Humanity home in McCook. In addition, they built the current Humane Society building in McCook. In retirement, Kermit enjoyed puzzles, dominos and watching Wheel of Fortune. He was still able to mow his own yard.

Kermit enjoyed his antique 1932 V-8 Ford, 1955 Thunderbird, 1961 Corvair and a 1928 International truck. He drove his vehicles in many parades in Nebraska. He and Charlene drove the 1932 Ford to South Dakota touring the Black Hills with a car club. He restored several antique tractors, including two for his nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roley and Ruby; son, Daniel; siblings, Barbara (Herman) Banks, Roley Jr. (Alyce) Arterburn, Virginia (Ken) Spady and Keith (Hazel) Arterburn; son-in-law, Jim Winchell; mother-in-law Beulah Seybold; and his favorite mini-Pomeranian, Khole.

Kermit is survived by his wife, Charlene; children: Deb Winchell, Tom (Cindi) Arterburn, Lynda (David) Kreutzer, and Chris (Randy) Zwickle; grandchildren: Joshua, Jennifer (Marc), Joel (Taryn), Jacob (Heather), Emma (Josh), Todd (Staci), Sara, Nicole (Matt), Cailee (Seth), Elissa (Bradley), and Andrea (Nick); great-grandchildren: Bentley, Harper, Drake, Corbin, Emersyn, Holden, Jase, Marah, Maeve, Everlea, Camden, Booker, Kealey, Ethan, Addyson, JD, Carson, Daniel, Joseph and Alvy. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sharon (Lynn) Riley and brother-in-law, Robert Seybold; along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook. Friends may leave online condolences at herrmannfh.com. Memorials may be left in Kermit’s name to the McCook Humane Society, American Cancer, or the ALS.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.