On the evening of December 28, 2015, Merri Louise “Harden” Magee passed away in Chappell, NE. She was 58 years old when she passed.
Merri was born May 28, 1957 in Lexington, NE to Herbert and Janice Harden. On that same day her father purchased the family farm on Dodge Hill. She was the youngest of her seven siblings and had many fond memories growing up on the farm.
She graduated from North Platte High School in 1974. Merri was a bit of a nomadic soul, who was always on the go. She was a jack of all trades going from a farm wife to lawyer’s secretary to writing title insurance to a Mary Kay Consultant. In 2000 She began a new chapter in her life becoming a Union Operating Engineer, later getting her crane certification.
When she wasn’t working, she spent her time with her children and grandchildren. Her summers were spent at Lake McConaughy where she loved spending time with friends and family.
Survivors include her three children, son Elliot Garrison (Anchorage, AK); son Joshua Magee and grandson Roudy Magee (Curtis, NE); Daughter Haley Magee and grandson Charlie Magee (Chappell, NE)
Also surviving are 6 siblings, Larry Harden and wife Kathy (Denton, TX); Linda Torske (Annapolis, MD); Theresa Wright and husband Joe (Berrian Springs, IL); Bette Richardson (North Platte, NE); Janelle Wise and Husband Dale (Lincoln, NE); Tracey Harden (Cheyenne, WY)
She was preceded in death by her Father, Herbert Harden and Mother, Janice Harden.
A Merri Magee Memorial account has been set up at Adams Bank & Trust. Memorials can be given to the family or given directly to Adams Bank & Trust for Merri’s headstone. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Services will be Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in North Platte. Pastor Jim Nichols will be officiating. Burial will be following service at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens in North Platte. Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday January 2, 2016 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Oliver Dean Befort age 84 of North Platte, passed away Wednesday December 30, 2015 at Imperial Manor Nursing Home.
Oliver was born on March 12, 1931 in Weskan, KS to Albert and Florine (Drieling) Befort. He proudly served our country as an Army PFC from 1951 to 1952. He was stationed in Germany and worked as a welder. Oliver married Delores Jaeger on July 7, 1956 at St. Patrick’s Church in Imperial, NE. To this union two children were born, Mona and Jeff. Oliver was a meat cutter in Imperial, working for Fern Collins & Staley. The family moved to Boulder, CO in 1965 and he worked as a Meat Market Manager for Ideal Market until his retirement in 1989. After retiring, Oliver and Delores moved back to North Platte. He belonged to the VFW Post and UFCW Local #7.
Oliver is survived by his wife Delores of North Platte, NE; children Mona (Cevin) Hopp of Mead, CO and Jeff (Michelle) Befort of Forney, TX; 6 grandchildren Jason Dennis, Christina (Blake) Beasley, Carly (Sean) Riley, Camdyn Hopp, Elise Befort, Meghan Befort; 2 great grandchildren Bryson Beasley and Abigail Riley; a special nephew Patrick Jaeger; brothers Duane (Bev) Befort, Edward (Ardell) Befort; sister Judy (Bob) Bedford; sisters-in-law Patricia Thompson, Joyce Roesener, Marla (Darty) Schilke, Sharon Jaeger; brother-in-law Bill (Jan) Jaeger; as well as other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Florine Befort; in-laws Raymond and Delma Jaeger; brothers Ronald and Donald Befort; an infant brother; sister Valaria Cooper; and brother in law Jim Thompson.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte or Community Hospital Hospice in McCook, NE. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake Service will be 9:30 a.m. Monday January 4, 2016 with Mass of Christian Burial following at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Reverend Charles Torpey as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with full military honors. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Mark D. Fageol, 56, of North Platte, passed away December 25, 2015 at his home. He was born March 30, 1959 to Floyd and Mildred (Borden) Fageol at Burlington, IA. He graduated from Burlington High School with the class of “77”. Mark attended the Hawkeye Institution School of Technology in Waterloo, IA. He worked at a photographer for the Burlington Hawkeye News, moved to Sioux City, IA, where he worked for the local newspaper there. Mark later hired on at the Union Pacific Railroad and currently was a conductor. His hobbies included photography, computers and enjoyed traveling. He is survived by his parents; three brothers, James Fageol, David Fageol and John Fageol; a cousin, Michael Borden and his family. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemroial.com. Memorial services will be 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Ronald W Gross, 75, of Maxwell, Ne passed away Dec 27^th, 2015 at his home. He was born Aug 8, 1940 to Erwin (Pete) & Esther Gross in Maxwell, Ne. Ronald grew up in Maxwell. He graduated from Maxwell High in 1958. In 1961, Ronald married his High School sweetheart, Judy (Jameson) Gross. They both resided in Maxwell until 1962 when they moved to North Platte, NE. Ronald was employed with Lincoln County Road Department until he was hired out with the Union Pacific Railroad from 1969 until he retired Aug of 2003 as a conductor. When he wasn’t working at the Railroad, he loved to be farming his land in Maxwell, Ne. He has raised Certified Register Angus, purple corn for Frito Lay and Yellow Pop Corn for Orville Redenbacher.  He will always be remembered by his family and friends with being a practical jokester and a man that would do anything for the ones he loved. He loved listening to country music, camping, water sports, racing motorcycles, tinkering in his garage and just being outdoors. He is survived by his wife, Judy Gross, his main sidekick Scooter the dog,  1 brother, Gary (Shannon) Gross, Albuquerque, NM, 2 daughters, Margene Hunt (Terry West) of Pryor, OK & Malinda Forshaw (Keith) of Coal Valley, IL. He has eight grandchildren, Jeremy Hunt (Kandace), Spencer Hunt (Stephanie), Shealynn Sawicki (John Christy), Brian Forshaw (Chelsea Jordan), Landon Hunt (Tiffany), Sean Sawicki (Harley Cowan), Tristan Duggar, Sydney Williams. 4 Great grandchildren,  Kaydan & Brason Hunt, Lee Hunt & Ethan Sawicki, and Special friends Dori (Clifton) Hendrix , Kyle Fastenau  and several Nieces and Nephews.  Visitation will be held at Carpenter Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, Dec 30, 2015 from 8:30 am to 8 pm with the family receiving friends from 5 to 7. Services will be held at Carpenter Memorial Chapel Thursday, Dec 31, 2015 at 1:00pm with burial following at Plain View Cemetery in Maxwell, Ne. Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Heart Institute.