The US women’s volleyball team is comprised of several players making their Olympic debuts, including former Husker Jordan Larson. They didn’t look inexperienced in their first game of these London Olympics, topping South Korea in four sets on Saturday. Today they’ll return to the floor at Earl’s Court for their second preliminary match against Brazil in what should be one of the best matches of the tournament. Tonight in prime time, you’ll see the medals awarded in the men’s gymnastics team competition. Team USA’s score was the best of the qualifying round by almost three full points, but they’ll see strong competition from China and Russia. Also tonight, you’ll watch gold medal competition in the pool in the men’s 200 meter free and 100 meter backstroke, the women’s 100 meter backstroke and 100 meter breaststroke, and men’s synchronized diving. Medals will also be awarded today in men’s shooting, men’s and women’s judo, and women’s fencing.
Month: July 2012
Huskers in London – Dagunduro, Maric Make Men’s Hoops Debuts
The first Nebraska men’s basketball players to represent their countries in the Olympics debuted yesterday. For Ade Dagunduro and Nigeria, the result was the nation’s first-ever Olympic win, 60-56 over Tunisia. Aleks Maric and Australia weren’t as fortunate, as they dropped a 75-71 decision to Brazil. Dagunduro came off the bench to score six points and grab a rebound in nearly 17 minutes off the bench in Nigeria’s win. The former Husker guard was 1-of-5 shooting from the floor, but went 4-of-6 from the charity stripe, as Nigeria built a double-digit lead and held on in the final minutes against Tunisia. Maric had four points and two rebounds, hitting both of his shots from the floor, but played just eight minutes because of foul trouble. Both players are back in action Tuesday, as Nigeria faces Lithuania and Australia battles Spain.
Rockies Lose Third Straight
The Colorado Rockies had no chance of slowing down the National League’s hottest team. The Cincinnati Reds wrapped up a three-game sweep of the Rockies with a 7-2 win yesterday afternoon at Coors Field. Jonathan Sanchez’s second start in a Rockies uniform was even more underwhelming than his first. He gave up six runs on eight hits in four and a third innings of work, including back-to-back home runs by Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce in the fifth that sent Sanchez to the showers. Offensively the Rockies got off to a fine start, with Josh Rutledge hitting a two-run home run in the first inning. It was the second career homer for the rookie shortstop, who was the only Rockie to have a multi-hit game. The Reds have now won ten straight games, while the Rockies have lost three straight and eleven of 15. The Rockies are off tonight before resuming their homestand with the first of three games against the St. Louis Cardinals tomorrow night.
Broncos Training Camp Report – First Day of Red Zone Drills
Sunday wasn’t Peyton Manning’s best day at Denver Broncos’ training camp, but the veteran QB still looked plenty sharp. Manning made several nice throws in traffic and none of his passes were picked off as the Broncos practiced in pads for the second straight day and did red zone drills for the first time. Manning is looking to get in sync with his young wide receivers. Eric Decker made some nice grabs but Demaryius Thomas showed why he has some work to do when a fastball from Manning bounced off his chest in the end zone. When the second-team offense took the field, it was rookie Brock Oswelier who assumed the controls. Broncos head coach John Fox says the competition to be Manning’s primary backup is still wide-open between Osweiler, Caleb Hanie, and Adam Weber. The Broncos return to the practice field today.
— Compiled with assistance from AP report
Lucille Alice Simonson
Lucille Alice Simonson was born to Simon T. and Helen L. Stewart Simonson on Feb. 24, 1927, on her parent’s ranch north and west of Mullen in Cherry country. Lucille departed this life on July 26, 2012, in North Platte.
Lucille was the youngest child and was adored by her sister Allegra and brother Bill.
Lucille grew up on the ranch, graduated from Mullen High School, attended Normal training and taught school for a few years. On Aug. 18, 1946, she married Stan Barent in a double ceremony with her sister Allegra and Dewayne Buechler in the front yard of their parent’s ranch.
Stan rodeoed and Lucille timed at rodeos for many years. She was a bright spot in many crow’s nest. She followed the events on television later in life with the PBR being one of her favorites. Her television was set permanently on that channel so she would not miss it. For many years, Lucille was the friendly face of the Avon Lady and perfume, as well as the color purple, which was a signature of hers.
Lucille was known as “Aunt Ceile” to many over the years and her nieces and nephews were another of her passions. Lucille also loved animals and adopted baby pigs, turkeys, geese, and deer, but cats were her favorite and she almost always had one as a pet.
Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; her four siblings; and her beloved Stan.
She is survived by sisters-in-law, Laura Simonson, Lavina Sevier; brothers-in-law, Tuffy Barent, Boyd Barent; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins as well a host of friends and neighbors. She will be missed.
Memorials are suggested to the Seneca Cemetery, Mullen High School Rodeo Club or Thedford High School Rodeo Club.
Services will be at 11 a.m. (MDT) on Tuesday, July 31, at the Seneca Auditorium in Seneca. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. (MDT) on Monday at the Mullen Funeral Home.
Mullen Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Ronnie Hart Tatman
Ronnie Hart Tatman, 73, formerly of North Platte, died July 27, 2012, at the Veteran’s Hospital in Cheyenne, Wyo.
Ronnie was born on Feb. 28, 1939, in North Platte, to Harold J. and Dorothy (Hart) Tatman. He graduated from Kearney High School in 1956. After graduation, Ronnie joined the Air Force where he served from 1958-1965. After his return to North Platte, he worked for the United States Postal Service for 35 years.
On Sept. 29, 1961, Ronnie married Sue Ann Smith in Bellevue. He enjoyed camping and fishing. After his retirement from the Postal Service, he and Sue passionately traveled for 12 years in their RV. He and Sue celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last September.
Ronnie is survived by his wife, Sue; two children, Mike (Shawna) Tatman, Page (Phillip) Cardenas; three brothers, Terry (Marlene), Larry (Joyce), and Fred (Carol) Tatman; six grandchildren, Misty Tatman (friend Anthony), Stephanie (Dan) Seamann, Mitchell (friend Amber), Christopher (Jami) Tatman, Sarah Cardenas, and Elizabeth Cardenas; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Squire Gordon; and two brothers, Harold and Jerry Tatman.
A memorial has been established to the Salvation Army and online condolences can be made at adamsswanson.com.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31, at the Adams and Swanson Chapel with the Rev. Lew Champ officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 12- 9 p.m. on Monday. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Theodore Irving “Ted” Peal
Theodore Irving ‘Ted’ Peal, 47, formerly of North Platte, NE passed away at his home in Omaha, NE on Thursday, July 26, 2012.
Ted was born the youngest of five children on July 9, 1965, to Robert Irving ‘Bob’ and Donna Dean Coffman Peal at Omaha. He grew up in Grand Island and North Platte and graduated from Millard South High School in 1983. Following graduation, Ted joined the U.S. Navy and served four years aboard the USS Albert David FF1050 as a Fire Control Technician. He attained the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer. After his discharge, Ted returned to Omaha.
In 1989, Ted was united in marriage to Holly Frazier of Council Bluffs, IA. To this union two children were born, Andrew and Ashley.
Ted was baptized in the Christian faith at an early age and attended St. John Vianney Catholic Church. He was a member of the American Legion Post #374 in Omaha. Solving crossword puzzles, attending auctions and garage sales, watching and collecting film noir movies and shooting the breeze with friends were some of his favorite pastimes.
Ted is survived by his children, Andrew and Ashley Peal, of Denver, CO; his father, Bob Peal, and sister, Melinda (Patrick) Reckard, all of North Platte; three brothers, Tony Peal, of North Platte and Tom (Paula) Peal and Tim (Cathy) Peal, all of Omaha; and numerous other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Donna Peal; and sister-in-law, Lisa Dunning Peal.
Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 3, 2012, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the 20th Century Veteran’s Memorial or the donor’s choice. The guestbook may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements.
James R. “Jim” Paxton
James R. “Jim” Paxton, 89, of Sidney, passed away July 25, 2012, at the VA Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyo.
James Robert Paxton, the son of Leon Glenn and Evelyn (McCarty) Paxton, was born on July 12, 1923, at Marysville, Kan. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Claire Webster on June 24, 1949, at North Platte.
Jim owned and operated Paxton Electric for many years and also worked as a rural letter carrier. He was involved with the Boy Scouts of America, was a member of the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, the VFW and the American Legion. Jim enjoyed spending time with family and friends, camping and traveling. He also enjoyed woodworking, building model train layouts and attending train shows and scenic train rides.
Jim served in the United States Army from April 6, 1943, to April 9, 1946, serving in Europe during WWII. Following active duty, he served in the Army Reserves in Scottsbluff and retired as Chief Warrant Officer II.
Survivors include three sisters, Helen, Glendene and Nancy; two brothers, Lynn and Francis; four sons, Robert (Rich), of Monroe, N.C., Kendall, of Hanna, Wyo., Donald (Joni), of Sidney, and Randall (Patty), of North Platte; and numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and extended family members.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elizabeth; four sisters, Ellen, Virginia, Janet and Leona; and two brothers, Wayne and Terry.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31, at the First United Methodist Church in Sidney, with the Rev. Tom Hyde officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery.
Cremation was chosen. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Monday to sign Jim’s register book and drop off condolences for the family.
Memorials are suggested to the Sidney American Legion Post No. 17, in care of Gehrig-Stitt Chapel, POB 151, Sidney, NE 69162. You may view Jim’s Book of memories, leave condolences, photos and memories at gehrigstittchapel.com.
Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Jim’s care and funeral arrangements.
Loretta Irene Lebsack Blauvelt
Loretta Irene Lebsack Blauvelt was born July 16, 1928, to Fred and Rosella Lebsack and went to be with her Lord the afternoon of July 27, 2012.
Loretta grew up on the family farm near Loveland County. After graduating from high school, she went to Southwestern Bible College in Waxahachie, Texas. After graduation she teamed up with her long-time friend Bonnie Roll and the two of them became the Nebraska District Sunday School Directors and Kid’s Kamp Leaders. It was during these years that she developed a relationship with the Blauvelt family of Thedford.
She later became the child Evangelism Coordinator for the General Council of the Assemblies of God in Springfield, Mo.
In January 1966 Eldon Blauvelt, a cattle rancher from the Sandhills, lost his wife of 28 years. That fall he made a trip to Springfield to visit friends. It was during that trip that he met Loretta at the Assemblies of God Headquarters and the two of them went out to supper. The next trip he made to Springfield he brought down red roses and the love affair had its beginning. They were married Sept. 15, 1967, in Lincoln.
Loretta immediately became a ranch wife, a title she dearly loved. She would participate in showing cattle with the family at shows from Louisville, Kentucky to Denver with a number in-between.
In the fall of 1980 the family moved the cattle operation to Missouri and she and Eldon built a new home on the ranch near Miller, Mo. They continued to live there until November 1998 when they sold the ranch and moved to Casper, Wyo. With Eldon’s failing health they moved to Maranatha Village in Springfield on Feb. 1, 2007. Eldon passed away Jan. 30, 2008. Loretta continued to live there until her passing, making numerous friends among the village personnel, along with enjoying the friendship of long-time friends who also lived there.
Loretta was a licensed minister of the Assemblies of God, a wonderful Sunday School Teacher, a great wife and stepmother and a beloved step-grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Rosella Lebsack; a brother, Wayne Lebsack; her husband, Eldon Blauvelt and many dear friends to numerous to mention.
She is survived by a brother, Glenn Lebsack, of Iowa; stepson, Ron (Nila) Blauvelt, of Carthage, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Marilyn (Dale) Ackerman, of Grand Island, and Jan (the Rev. Gary) Sherman, of Buffalo, Wyo.; eight grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m., on Monday, July 30, at Maranatha Chapel in Springfield, Mo., with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Online condolences can be made at greenlawnfuneralhome.com.
A second memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, in Thedford. The memorial will be at the Bethel Assembly of God Church in Thedford. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Her interment will be at the Thedford Cemetery alongside her husband and the love of her life.
Mullen Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Olympic Update – Day 3
They’re being called the ‘Fab Five’, and they make their prime debut debut tonight on the third day of the XXX Olympiad. The United States women’s gymnastics team is the gold medal favorite and considered to be the best US team since the ‘Magnificent Seven’ who won gold in Atlanta in 1996. The preliminary team competition gets underway today in London. Also tonight in prime time, you’ll see four swimming finals: the women’s 100 meter butterfly and 400 meter free, and the men’s 100 meter breaststroke and the 4×100 free relay. The US men’s basketball team has accrued plenty of hype entering these Olympics, and they’ve been happy to stoke that hype by suggesting they might be even better than the original ‘Dream Team’. They make their debut in these Olympics today, taking on France, a team that features a number of NBA players including Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs. The defending Olympic champion US men’s volleyball team debuts today as well. Medal events in women’s cycling, women’s shooting, women’s diving, women’s archery, men’s fencing, and judo also highlight today’s competition.