Our beloved mother and grandmother, LaWana Howell Thompson, was called home February 23, 2017, at the age of 80 years old, in North Platte, Nebraska. She was born in Sugar City, Idaho, on July 8, 1936, to Richard Smith Howell and Signa Elizabeth Fikstad Howell. She was the sixth of eight children.

LaWana married the love of her life, Merlin John Thompson, on October 31, 1952, at her parent’s home in Salt Lake City. They were lifelong members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple April 13, 1972. The couple was happily married for almost 63 wonderful years and were blessed with five daughters.

She was primarily a homemaker but also worked as a nurse’s aide, packed salads at Lynn Wilson Foods, and cared for children at The Sports Mall children’s nursery for many years before retiring.

LaWana and Merlin loved to spend time with family. They would often travel long distances to family events. They also loved to have family over to picnic, swing and ride horses in their backyard.

She had many interests including poetry, scrapbooking, flowers, watching old Westerns, and collecting dolls and rocks. She also enjoyed music, dancing and playing the piano.

LaWana was preceded in death by her loving husband, Merlin; her parents; and four of her brothers, Dale, Leo, Aaron (at birth) and Ted Howell.

She is survived by her brother, Richard “Merrill” Howell, of West Jordan, UT; sisters, RaNay Debenham, of Vancouver, WA, and Colleen Steed, of Oklahoma City, OK; sisters-in-law, Karla Howell, of Bountiful, UT, Alice Howell, of Kearns, UT, and Wanda Hall, of Rexburg, ID; her children, Kristine (Wayne) Hopkinson, of North Platte, NE, Barbra Jean (James) Debenham, of West Valley City, UT, Jillene Thompson, of West Valley City, UT, Dixie Lee Lee, of Taylorsville, UT, and Stacey May (Randy) Maestas, of Riverton, UT; 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and a great great-granddaughter; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2017, at the LDS Church (4111 Park Ridge Road, North Platte). A viewing will be held at the church from 3-4 p.m. with the funeral to follow. LaWana will be laid to rest with her husband, Merlin, in Redwood Memorial Estates in West Jordan, Utah. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Esther Marie Dobbins, 96 of Stapleton passed away February 25^th 2017, at her home. Esther was born February 2^nd, 1921 to Abraham “Earl” and Maude (Arritt) Gallington on the family homestead North of Arnold, NE.

Esther completed her elementary education in a country school North of Arnold.  Esther attended two years of high school in Anselmo and graduated High School in Arnold, NE.  While in high school, Esther worked at the Arnold Library and at the Arnold Theater.  After high school Esther worked North West of Arnold at the Britton ranch as a cook.  Esther worked 5 years at the Gambles store in Arnold while her future husband, Arthur Uphoff was stationed for four and a half years in the Pacific during WWII.

In 1946, Esther married Arthur Henry Uphoff.  To this union three children were born. The family ranched North West of Stapleton Nebraska. Arthur died in 1963.  In 1967 Esther married Hershel Dobbins.  Hershel and his three children joined the family.  The family continued to ranch N/W of Stapleton.  They later relocated to a ranch East of Stapleton along the South Loup River.

In addition to helping with the ranch work, Esther was an excellent cook and seamstress. Esther loved the country life, especially the Sandhills. Esther was an avid Gardner and enjoyed watching things grow.  Esther was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Arnold, NE.  She was a member of the Senior’s Club in Stapleton, the monthly card club and loved going to senior meals in Stapleton to socialize with her friends.

Esther is survived by son, Ronald (Kay) Uphoff of Stapleton; daughter, Deanna Uphoff-(Kendall)Allison of North Platte; daughter-in-Law, Beverly Uphoff of Omaha; stepdaughter , Janet (Vern) Boeser of Stapleton; stepson, Robert (Rita) Dobbins of Hershey; step daughter-in-law, Dotti Dobbins of Omaha; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Arthur Uphoff & Hershel Dobbins; two sisters, Vera Gallington & Edna Rutt; two brothers, Edward & Sylvester Gallington; son, Kenneth Uphoff; step-son, Willis Dobbins; and foster brother, Marion Downing.

Memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church in Arnold, NE and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be at 10:30 Wednesday, at Adams and Swanson’s Chapel in North Platte, NE with the Reverend Ben Eikhoff officiating.  Interment will be at the McCain Cemetery near Stapleton.   Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.