George Charles Wetzel, 81, Corvallis, Oregon, died Thursday, January 26, 2017, at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

George was born March 20, 1935 in McCook, to Leon Seaver and Freda Bell Scharf Wetzel. He grew up in Curtis, where he attended the University Of Nebraska School Of Agriculture and met his future wife Joan Hathaway. George and Joan were married on September 15, 1956 In Lincoln.

George attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and graduated from the University Of Minnesota School Of Mortuary Science. Following graduation, George did his mortuary internship with Johnson Funeral Home in Kearney. George and Joan moved to Valentine where he worked for Watts Funeral Home.  The couple returned to Curtis in 1960 where he joined his father at Wetzel Funeral Home and International Harvester dealership, where between them, they provided funeral services for a total of 70 years.  George and Joan raised their family in Curtis and were an integral part of the community.

George was instrumental in the founding of the Frontier County Ambulance Service and was on the ambulance board. He was a volunteer fireman and EMT.  He was on City Council, the Library Board and the Star Theater board. He was also active in the Curtis Easter Pageant from its inception, portraying Judas for many years, then directed the Living Pictures for several years. He enjoyed being part of the Curtis Fall Festival, was an active member of the United Methodist Church, helping build the new church. He also helped with the construction of Arrowhead Meadows Golf Course. George was a Mason and an Elk.

He was an avid golfer, gardener and reader.

George was preceded in death by his sister, Wilma, brother-in-law Dale Rust and brothers-in-law Wayne and Turner Hathaway. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan Hathaway Wetzel, his children, Diane, Martin (Sharon Hammer) and LeeAnn (Donna Strigle), grandchildren William, Olivia and Eva.

The Funeral service will take place this summer, because as George said, January funerals are too dang cold. He was a gentle, funny and a loving man, and will be missed. A lot.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Curtis Public Library.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00pm, Friday, June 30, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Curtis, NE.

Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel is in charge of services.

Marlene  Houchin, 65, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died March 14, 2017 in Kearney, NE.

Memorial Services will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017, 10:30 am, Evangelical Free Church 1721 Lake Avenue, Gothenburg, NE.

Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312

Lewis “Doc” “Lou” Shipley, 82, of Arnold, Nebraska, died March 15, 2017 at Gothenburg Health.

He was born December 27, 1934 in Dora, MO, son of AlFonso and Martha (Freeman) Shipley.

Lou married Delores Price on November 8, 1953 at Fairfax, MO; to this union four children were born.

Lou worked as a mechanic for many years and enjoyed working on cars. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, tending to his garden, and spending time outdoors hunting and fishing.

Surviving are wife, Delores Shipley of Arnold, NE, two daughters, Nancy (Matt) Vickers of Arnold, NE, Christy (Tim) Knapp of Fort Worth, TX; five granddaughters, Lisa (Jay) Lindholm of Gothenburg, NE, Valerie (Ray) Ferris of North Platte, NE, Travi Franssen of Gothenburg, NE, Brynn (Nicole -Friend) Geiser of Omaha, NE, Robbin Knapp of Fort Worth, TX; three grandsons, Rudy (Trish) Vickers of Arnold, NE, Jed (Ali) Geiser of Gothenburg, NE, Mike (Jenna) Knapp of Fort Worth, TX; great-grandchildren, Tracyjay (Allison), SkyeAnna, and Rhett Lindholm of Gothenburg,  Alex and Evan Geiser of Gothenburg, NE, Drake, Clayton, and Camden Ferris of North Platte, NE, Maddix, and Khloe Knapp of Fort Worth, TX, Drew, Charli and Hudson Vickers of Arnold, NE, Emilee and Michon Franssen of Gothenburg,  Zoann Boller of Fort Worth, TX ;three great-great-grandaughters, Charlee and Ali Lindholm of Cozad, NE, Jaylynn Lindholm of Gothenburg, NE; sister-in-law, Alice Shipley of Yerington, NV; brother, Sonny (Glenda) Shipley-Homan of Yerrington, NV; two sisters, Treva Peterson of Sanger, TX, Linda Lee of Fernley, NV; sisters-in-law Sharon (Charlie) Jones of Tarkio, MO and Wanda (Don) Thaden of Waco, TX; special friends, Joe & Cheryl Fisher of North Platte.

Lou was preceded in death by his parents; son, Lewis “Butchie” Shipley, Jr.; daughter, Peggy Jo Ellison; four sisters, Lorene Driskell, Maxine Hale, Ella Mae Hunter, Lola Weller; three brothers, Al Shipley, Jr., Lee Shipley, Johnny Shipley, In-laws, Mildred and D.A. Price.

Memorial services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Monday, March 20, 2017 at 2:00 pm with Rev. David Boyd officiating.

Memorials may be given to the Callahan Oncology Center, or the American Heart Association.  To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Rebecca “Becky” Nichole Bartels, 33, of Brady, NE, died March 14, 2017 as the result of an auto accident.

Rebecca was born July 13, 1983 in North Platte, NE to Harlan and Kathleen Stevens. She was baptized at Svea Dal Church near Brady and confirmed at the American Lutheran Church in Gothenburg.

She attended school in Brady and Gothenburg, graduating in 2002. While in high school, she was a member of FFA and was Home Coming Queen. She played basketball and volleyball.

While living in Brady, she met and fell in love with Jeremy Bartels. They married on August 8, 2008; they settled down in Brady where they raised their two beautiful girls Harley and Preslee. Becky went on to help coach elementary girls basketball and volleyball teams. She played on a pool league.

Becky worked many places but there are two that stand out. She enjoyed her job preparing food at the Gothenburg Senior Center for 10 years. She made countless friends while making memories. She then took a job as a cook at the Hitchin’ Post in Brady where she was employed until her death. Becky enjoyed flower arranging, gardening, canning, fishing, camping and most of all cooking.

Survivors include her parents Ken & Barb Stevens, Kathleen & Gary Pfleider, her daughters Harley and Preslee; sister LaDonna (Jeff) Brock of Gothenburg and their sons Ty (Saraid) and their daughter Brinlye; Dade and Dakin; sister Jolene (Chris) Morris of Cozad and children Alyssa, Morgan & Elias; sister Tiffiny (Melissa) Stevens of Westminster, CO and children Alec, Emily & Ian; Kari (Jeff) Perry of Polk, NE and daughter Brandie; brother Jeremyah Stevens of Cozad and children Justin and Jaya; brother Darby (Beth) Stevens of Brady and children Mariah, Jayden, Ashton, Hunter, Kennedi; brother Patrick (Brittany) Stevens of Kearney and children Adyn and Adyson; special friends – Kara Johnson, Molly Miller, Chelsey Dennis, Catie McNew, Gena Brown.

She was preceded in death by her father Harlan Stevens, husband Jeremy Bartels, brother-in-law Jason Bartels, grandparents – Orvin & Lorene Stevens, Ed & Luella Stevens, Robert & Ruth Kruse; nephew Mickale Rosner and niece Leyha Bartels.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Monday, March 20, 2017, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Funeral will be held at Brady School Old Gym, Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 2:00 pm with Lonna Grabenstein officiating.

Interment will follow in the Gaslin Cemetery, Brady, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to Ken and Barb Stevens or LaDonna and Jeff Brock for her girls Harley and Preslee.   To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.