Leonard E. Geyer, 83, of Maxwell, passed away July 2, 2016, at Golden Living Center in Cozad where he has resided the past 8 years. He was born Nov. 4, 1932, to Roy and Meda (Reynolds) Geyer at Maxwell.

Leonard attended school at Maxwell Public Schools and was raised north of Maxwell on the family farm.  His father passed away when he was 13 years old where he continued to help maintain the farm.  After Leonard lost his father music became a very important part of his life. Leonard loved to play musical instruments, self -taught.  Leonard made sure his whole family learned how to play an instrument. He could fix anything with duct tape, a pair of pantyhose and some spit and get it to last the season. He never met a stranger, would stop and help, fix them a meal, attempt to fix their problem, and give them money and send them on their way. He was always telling jokes and playing tricks on people.

Leonard served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958.  On May 20, 1958, he was united in marriage to Shirley Miller at Maxwell. In 1964, Leonard hired on to the Union Pacific Railroad as a switchman/brakeman until 1980.  He continued to farm and custom haying.

He is survived by two daughters, Marcia (Jody)  Strasburg of Arnold and Roxanne (Jim) Cook of Katy, TX; sister, Irene Bates of TX; sister-in-law, Cleo Geyer of CA; five grandchildren, Joshua (Annah) Geyer, Garrett Harbert, Mariah (Dalton Riedel) Strasburg, Breyden Geyer, and Michael Strasburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Eugene Geyer; two brothers, Vernon and Harold Geyer; an infant son, Jeffrey; and a grandson, Eric Strasburg. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Central Plains Hospice in Cozad.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 7, 2016, with the Rev. Dr. Douglas A Delp officiating at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  Burial will be at the McCain Cemetery southeast of Stapleton.  Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Nina L. Johnson, 84, of North Platte “officially” passed away at her home at 1:15 a.m. July 4, 2016 (unofficially”, the time was 11:45 p.m. July 3, 2016).  She was born on March 5, 1932 to W. Clinton and Hildred E. (Robinson) Waits at her grandparents’ Okey N. and Edith Robinson’s home, on Garfield Table road, 14 miles west of Arnold, NE. approximately two hours before the doctor arrived.  She graduated from Stapleton High School May 12, 1949 and was united in marriage to Mahlon E. Johnson at her parent’s home, east of Ringgold, NE., on June 12, 1949.  They made their first home on his parent’s ranch near Arthur, NE.  To this union three children were born, Marlon LeRoy Johnson, Clinta Leone Johnson (Ron) Samuelson of Omaha, and Lance Alan (Linda) Johnson of North Platte, NE.

Nina loved riding horses and working cattle.  She did the things that most ranch wives do while raising her family.  She was saved at the age of 16 and worked as a teacher in Sunday School and Bible School in the different churches they attended.  Also, she had several other church jobs.  She entertained many people through the years and enjoyed finding new and different recipes.  After twenty-four years on the ranch they moved to Lemoyne, NE for twenty seven years and, then, to North Platte, NE.  While in Lemoyne, they had Bible studies in their home.  She also worked for Sandhill’s Crisis Intervention Program, (SCIP) for five years in Ogallala, which she really enjoyed and where she used her counseling gifts.  Three guest books have names from many states and several other countries.  It might, also, be noted that Nina enjoyed recording her many thoughts and memories in rhyme.  She celebrated 63 ½ years of marriage.

In April, she discovered she had pancreatic cancer when, in seeking relief for back pain which she believed was the result of a fall experienced in December, she had a MRI done.  Nina’s life was a clear echo of the Philippians 1:21 sentiment, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

She is survived by her children; plus six grandchildren, Matthew (Jessica) Samuelson, Toby (Elly) Samuelson, Jessica (Chris) Kline, Crystal Johnson, Kristin Johnson, and Christopher Johnson; nine great-grandchildren, listed respectively, Naomi Marie, Asher Joe, Grace Ella, Addelynn May, Cora Joann, Finley Darlene, Charolette Lee, Etta Marie, and Ivan Ran; sister-in-law, Doris (Duane) Wilson of Arthur; several nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as by Eilene James-McKenney, a sister of the heart, and Janie (Cross) Oliver, a daughter of the heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Mahlon; son, Marlon Johnson; parents-in-law, Chris and Almeda Johnson; step-father-in-law, Bill Quick; brother, Mervyn Waits; sisters-in-law, Winifred Anderberg and Ethel Anderson; brothers-in-law, Bill Schneede, Orland Anderberg, and Lewis Anderson; nieces, Lorna Custer and Leone Dunlap; nephew, Kenny Chris Anderson; and a great-grandson, Owen Shane Samuelson.

Per Nina’s request, donations to Gideon’s International for Bibles are preferred in lieu of flower arrangements.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. C.S.T. Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, 421 West 4^th Street, followed by interment at the Sutherland, Riverside Cemetery, then dinner at the Calvary Baptist Church, 900 East 2^nd Street, North Platte, NE.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.