Dr. Morris F. “Fritz” Skinner Jr., 83, of Gothenburg, died unexpectedly Feb. 4, 2017, in Callaway.

Fritz was born on May 6, 1933, in Ainsworth to Morris and Marie Skinner. As Morris Sr. was employed as a paleontologist for Child’s Frick of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, Fritz’ upbringing was unique. The family spent many weekends and long summer hours at dig sites across the Dakotas, Nebraska, Wyoming and other states. Fritz and his sister, Barbara, attended school in Ainsworth each year until late fall, when the whole family would move to New York City. Morris and Marie completed their cataloguing and research at the American Museum of Natural History while Barb and Fritz attended New York public school in Manhattan. In the spring, the family would move back to Nebraska, where Morris and Marie would resume their work in the field and the children would return to the Ainsworth school system.

Fritz graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1951, University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1954 and University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1958, when polio was still a major concern and the iron lung was still in common use. His internship and general practice residency were completed in San Bernardino, California.

He entered the U.S. Navy in 1961 and completed his orthopedic residency at the Naval Hospitals in Bethesda, Maryland, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. His military career included service on the USS Oklahoma City in Vietnam (1968-69) and at the Naval Hospitals at Camp Pendleton and Oakland, California, achieving the rank of commander.

Following discharge, the majority of his orthopedic career was spent in private practice in San Clemente, Mission Viejo and San Diego, California.

Among other achievements, he was one of the first surgeons to successfully complete the reimplantation of a traumatically severed forearm. He retired and moved back to Nebraska in 1998, where he continued a conservative non-operative orthopedic practice in Ainsworth and performed Disability Determination Examinations through the Bainbridge Orthopedic Clinic in Grand Island.

He married Carol Friedman in 1966, and they had one son, Robert.

After Fritz moved to Nebraska, he met and married Dr. Carol Shackleton in 2004 and resided in Gothenburg.

Over the years, he had been very active in various orthopedic associations, Lions Club, Rotary and the American Medical Association. He adored camping and spent many memorable trips with his son to the Mexican Baja and with Dr. Carol in their fifth wheel, traveling from Mississippi to Montana, Minnesota to Texas, Kentucky to California. In addition, they took trips to Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii and Europe and made numerous trips to the lake cabin in Minnesota.

His other passion was horses, riding for pleasure in California and participating in team penning rodeo activities in Ainsworth. He freely shared his love of paleontology, geology and orthopedics with friends old and new.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Marie, and one niece, Theresa Lamb.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Carol; son, Robert (Meghan) Skinner; three grandchildren, Natalie, Amanda and Koby Skinner; sister, Barbara Lamb; niece, Marcia (Ed) Dawson; nephew, Tom Lamb; and a multitude of grateful patients.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Presbyterian Church of Gothenburg or Gothenburg Health Foundation.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the First Presbyterian Church of Gothenburg, with a luncheon to follow. Book signing will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, which is in charge of arrangements.

Gary Anthony Garza, 54, of Hershey, passed away Feb. 8, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Gary was born on Oct. 26, 1962, to Lucio and Conception “Connie” Rico Garza in North Platte. He grew up in Hershey and graduated from Hershey High School in 1981. While in high school, Gary worked at Ted’s Grocery Store and later went to work at Olson’s Feed Lot, then the Hershey Truck Stop for nine years. Gary had also worked for Armadillo Express, Prem Door and Gillette Dairy before going to work for Coca-Cola. After 17 years, he retired due to his health.

On Dec. 27, 1985, Gary was united in marriage to Julie Ann Wiese in Holyoke, Colorado. They settled in Hershey, where they raised three children and were members of Our Lady of Guadelupe Catholic Church. Gary had served on the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department, was a member of the NRA and a past member of the Hershey Lions Club.

Gary was a great husband, father and grandpa who will be missed so much. He loved his family and spending time with them outside, just playing and having fun. He would mow and help Julie in the garden and loved rescuing dogs. He liked to target shoot, hunt and fish, go camping and take cruises in the country, as well as dancing and listening to music. He also liked to watch boxing, John Wayne Westerns, action-packed movies and Nebraska football. Gary especially loved his grandkids and being with them. He enjoyed life.

In death, Gary has been reunited with his daughter, Jodie Marie Garza Salinas. He was also preceded in death by his mother, Connie Garza.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Julie; their children, Rylee Garza and Amber Garza; and his father, Lucio Garza, all of Hershey; five grandchildren, Maureen, Michael and Logan Salinas, and Noah and Parker Sullivan; sisters, Rosalee (Salvador) Munoz, of Sutherland, and Patty Garza and Sandy Garza, of San Antonio, Texas; in-laws, Gene and Alice Wiese, of Lindsay; brothers-in-law, Gary (Amy) Wiese, of Lindsay, Dale Wiese (friend, Sharon), of Duncan, and Kenny (Marilyn) Wiese, Alan Wiese, Kevin (Jennifer) Wiese and Larry (Cindy) Wiese, all of Newman Grove; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Father Bryan Ernest officiating. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery south of Hershey. Christian wake will be at 6 p.m. today, Feb. 10, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with family greeting friends from 1-3 p.m., today, Feb. 10, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements.

Roxanne R. Ketterer, 61, of North Platte, passed away Feb. 6, 2017. She was born to Roland and Fern (Debban) Schultz on Dec. 27, 1955, in Sutherland.

In addition to working at Hobby Lobby, Roxie loved the Huskers and enjoyed being outdoors, fishing and adventures of all kinds.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Karen Wahl. Most of all, she loved and cherished her family, including her daughters, Stacey (Amy Cole) Schultz and Sarah (Shawn) Carver; stepdaughter, Elaine (Dan) Beckwith; sisters, Sue (Steve) Tighe and Janice (Terry Clark) Schultz; grandchildren, Myrandia, Mason and Bentley; nieces, Stephanie Sargent and Samantha Tighe; and nephew, Shaun Tighe.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Services will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Cornerstone Christian Church, 4849 Old Cheney Road, Lincoln. The family encourages everyone to wear their favorite Husker attire.

Jacquelyn Kay Morgan, age 66, of North Platte, NE, passed away at home surrounded by her family on Monday, February 6, 2017.

Jacque was born September 13, 1950, to Dale Vernon and Dolores Elaine Roland Saling at Alliance, NE. Since her dad worked on the crew for Missouri Valley Road Construction, the family lived in several Nebraska communities. Jacque eventually graduated from North Platte High School in 1968.

Jacque later met Charles Spencer Morgan and they were married on April 14, 1972, in Denver, CO. They lived in Denver for a while before returning to the Morgan family farm, north of Sutherland, NE, then moved to North Platte in the mid ’90’s.

Jacque had worked as a cook at the Hershey Truck Stop and the Longhorn Bar in Sutherland until she became disabled by multiple sclerosis. She loved cooking and crafting and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sutherland.

She is survived by her husband, Charles, son, Clinton C. Morgan, and father, Dale Saling, all of North Platte; four grandchildren, Zane Morgan, Kulina (Stephen) Daniels, Laytn Morgan and Brannae Morgan; three great-grandchildren, Harmony, Stephen and Castiel; her brother, Tom (Linda) Saling, of Kennewick, WA; as well as several nieces, nephews and other family.

Jacque was preceded in death by her mother, Dolores Saling; sister, Kerma Hayashi; and daughter-in-law, Cori Ann Morgan.

Cremation was chosen. Graveside Memorial Service will be at Noon on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, in the North Platte Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed online at odeanchapel.com or at the graveside. Memorials are suggested to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.