Dee Ann Diehl-Bartlett, 54, of North Platte, died July 21, 2012, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg following a battle with cancer.
She was born July 10, 1958, in Gothenburg, daughter of Bill and DeDe (Sherman) Diehl. She grew up in Brady and graduated from Brady High School, class of 1976. She lived in the area, Gothenburg, Willow Island and most recently, North Platte.
She worked at various jobs in the Gothenburg and Cozad area. She enjoyed cooking, crochet and loving her grandchildren with all of her heart.
Surviving are her son, Taylor (Andrea) Armstrong, of Ashland; parents, Bill and DeDe Diehl; grandson, James Armstrong; granddaughters, Jocelyn and Jaley Armstrong; brothers, Scott (Pam) Diehl and Kenny (Lisa) Diehl, both of Brady; along with many nieces, nephews; and extended family and friends.
Dee was preceded in death by her sister, Kathy Bockus; first husband, Jim Armstrong; nephew, Justin Bockus; grandparents, Willard and Elanor Diehl and Jim and Helen Sherman.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Robert Litzenberger officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Gothenburg Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Dee’s grandchildren’s college fund c/o Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, 620 10th St, Gothenburg, NE 69138. To sign the online guest book, go to blasestrauser.com
Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Month: August 2012
Billy Leon Daniels
Billy Leon Daniels, 81, of Farmington, Ill., passed away Aug. 2, 2012, at his home following a long illness.
He was born on Sept. 29, 1930, in Dodge City, Kan., to F. Eugene and Helen Daniels.
He married Patricia L. Hartshorn on Aug. 29, 1948, in Holly, Colo. She survives.
He worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for 29 years, 19 years as an electronic technician at remote sites and the remaining 10 years as supervisor of the airport and surrounding sites in North Platte, where he retired in 1988.
He was a veteran and served in the Army from 1952-54. Billy was a member of the American Legion Post No. 140 of Farmington and Masonic Lodge No. 246 in Garden City, Kan.
He is also survived by four sons, Wallace Daniels, of Cheyenne, Wyo., David (Darla) Daniels, of Garden City, Kan., Michael (Cindy) Daniels, of Farmington, Ill., and Darrell (Sandi) Daniels, of San Diego, Calif.; and one daughter, Becky (Jerry) Brown, of Farmington, Ill.; one sister, Lorene Willhite, of El Dorado, Kan., also survives. The couple has 10 grandchildren.
The family plans to have a private memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Farmington Rescue Squad, 49 N Cone St, Farmington, Il 61531.
Online condolences may be sent to sedgwickfuneralhomes.com. Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home of Farmington is in charge of the arrangements.
Steve Collier
Steve Collier passed away at his home in Dunning on July 31, 2012.
Steven Wayne Collier was born to Wayne and Zona Collier in Omaha on Aug. 5, 1947.
The family made their home southwest of Dunning on the Collier Family Ranch. Steve graduated from Halsey-Dunning High School in 1965.
Following graduation, Steve enlisted in the Army. He was stationed in Fort Still, Wyo., for two years. Upon honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to Nebraska and made his home in Broken Bow.
He was employed by Wenquist. He later returned to the family ranch where he spent several years.
In 1980, Steve married Carolyn Pollard and they made their home in Poncha Springs, Colo., where Steve was employed by CoZinco. He managed the fertilizer production company. Steve and Carolyn enjoyed the home they built in Poncha Springs for many years. The house and yard were an ongoing project they loved to work on. Steve was a fantastic mechanic and loved to fix anything.
Steve was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn (Pollard) Collier; his father, Wayne Collier; in-laws, Walter and Vera Rieber, and Steve and Carolyn’s precious dog, Muffin.
Steve is survived by his mother, Zona Collier; brother, Walter (Rebecca) Collier; sister, Ginger Christiansen; step-children, Kirk (Phyllis) Pollard and families; Karla (Jeff) White and families; sisters-in-law, Marlene (Norval) VanDiest, Phyllis (Jim) Wilhelm, Sandi Reiber (Gene Sullivan); brother-in-law, Merlyn (Sharon) Rieber; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Services were on Aug. 3, at the Open Bible Church in Dunning with Pastor Ralph McKay officiating. Inurnment will be at the Dunning Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Open Bible Church at Dunning.
Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow is in charge of arrangements.
Do you have what it takes to be a STAR?
Don’t forget to audition for our first musical production, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels!” Auditions will be held on Monday August 13 and Tuesday August 14 at 7:00PM in the Patty BIrge Room at the Playhouse, 301 E. 5th (5th and Bailey). Interested persons are asked to prepare a number to sing for the group and/or sing a number chosen for them. Being a part of an NPCP production is truly a life-changing experience. The cast calls for several male and female leads and an extremely busy chorus. There are no children’s roles for this production.Based on the popular 1988 film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels centers on two con men living on the French Riviera. The first is the suave and sophisticated Lawrence Jameson, who makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money. The other, a small-time crook named Freddy Benson, more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother’s failing health.After meeting on a train, they unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this small French town isn’t big enough for the two of them. A hilarious battle of cons ensues, that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end.
Performance dates are October 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 2012. For more information, please contact Director Anne Schmit at (308) 534-9682.
All NPCP productions are made possible in part by the Nebraska Arts Council and The Nebraska Cultural Endowment, as well as the loyal support of our Patrons and sponsors.
Come join us!!
The Omaha school board has decided, Freddie Gray…will stay(VIDEO)
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha school board has retained its president.
The board voted 8-4 Monday night to keep Freddie Gray as its leader. She was under fire over the Nancy Sebring case.
The board hired Sebring, the superintendent of the Des Moines, Iowa, school board, in April to replace John Mackiel, who retired. Sebring abruptly left her Iowa job in May. She lost the Omaha job after emails to a lover on her district computer became public.
At issue was whether board members thought Gray acted appropriately by withholding information about Sebring’ resignation in Iowa.
Board officers are elected by majority vote and serve for a year. Gray took the position in January.
The board action came after 90 minutes of public comment and board discussion.
Related: Video of Ben Gray Getting Upset at Meeting
Plane crash causes grass fire, cause of crash unknown
IMPERIAL, Neb. (AP) — Investigators are looking for the cause of a plane crash that killed the pilot near Imperial in western Nebraska.
The Imperial Republican newspaper says firefighters believe the single-engine plane crashed Saturday morning in a pasture. Authorities say 54-year-old Scot German, a farmer and rancher from Imperial, died in the accident.
The wreckage was discovered by the Imperial volunteer fire department, which was called to fight a grass fire. Officials say the plane burst into flames and started the grass fire.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
Crop Report: Condition of Nebraska crops looking grim.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Most Nebraska crops remain in bad condition because of the persistent hot, dry temperatures.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its weekly report on the state’s crops on Monday.
The USDA says only about 35 percent of Nebraska’s corn crop is in good or excellent shape. That’s much lower than the average of 78 percent at this time of year.
About 22 percent of the soybean crop is in good or excellent shape. That also compares poorly with the average of 76 percent good or excellent.
The USDA says even irrigators are struggling to keep up with their crops’ demands for water.
Many ranchers are hauling water for their cattle because ponds have dried up. Only about 1 percent of the state’s pastures are in good or excellent condition.
Weather Service in North Platte issues a red flag warning for west central Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have contained a series of Nebraska wildfires that burned more than 50,000 acres, but relentless heat and drought are setting the stage for more.
National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Buttler said Monday that conditions are ripe for more fires. The weather service in North Platte has issued a red flag fire warning for west-central Nebraska until midnight central time. The affected area includes all or parts of 25 counties.
Buttler says the area recently endured a streak of 25 consecutive days with temperatures above 90 degrees, the longest stretch since the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
A spokeswoman for the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency says none of the most recent fires in western and central Nebraska damaged any homes, farm buildings or other structures.
Peru State College raising money to make improvements to stadium
PERU, Neb. (AP) — Peru State College is raising money to update it football stadium and the main road leading into its campus in Peru in southeast Nebraska.
The stadium improvements including providing handicapped accessibility to the field and adding handrails to an expanded seating area. Other upgrades include new restrooms, concession stands, a plaza area and a press box.
The Legislature has appropriated $7.5 million for the renovation, which will cost about $14 million. Peru Sate is required to raise private money to qualify for the state funds. Brothers Lee and Bill Sapp, who created a chain of interstate truck stops, have pledged $500,000 for the stadium.
The school is also raising money to renovate its entrance, which is expected to cost $2.5 million.
Party crasher kills one at party, gets 20 years to life in prison
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A man charged with killing a man at a party in Lincoln has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder.
Jermaine Jackman entered the plea on Friday in Lancaster County District Court. His trial was to start on Monday.
Jackman faces 20 years to life in prison when he’s sentenced in September.
Jackman was accused of shooting Dwayne Greer in July 2011.
Two others were also charged. DaVaughn Johnson pleaded no contest to accessory to murder and making a terroristic threat. DeAnthony Love pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and using a firearm to commit a felony. They’re to be sentenced at the end of the month.