April 2017 – Page 32 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraska governor appoints student college trustees

Posted on April 3, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has appointed three student representatives to the State College System Board of Trustees.

Ricketts announced Monday that Chadron State College sophomore Ashley Goad, Peru State College sophomore Treyten Nelson and Wayne State College junior Jayme Krejci will serve on the board during the 2017-18 school year.

The Nebraska State College System consists of three colleges with a combined 9,000 students. The governor appoints a non-voting student representative from each college.

The board of trustees meets at least five times a year and approves tuition and salaries for college employees.

Former NP woman struck by vehicle in Kearney dies

Posted on April 3, 2017April 3, 2017

An 88-year-old Kearney woman, who formerly lived in North Platte, has died several days after she was struck by a vehicle.

The Kearney Police Department says Paula Newmyer was walking in the parking lot of the Kearney Walmart at around 2:57 p.m., last Thursday, when she was struck by a pickup that was backing out of a parking stall.

Newmyer was transported to CHI Health Good Samaritan hospital where a news release says she passed away this weekend.

No charges have been filed against the 18-year-old driver at this time, but the case is still under investigation. An autopsy has been ordered.

Newmyer and her husband Dan were long-time residents of North Platte before moving to Kearney. Paula worked for many years at Hirschfeld’s in Downtown North Platte.

Kenneth “Ken” William George

Posted on April 3, 2017

Kenneth “Ken” William George, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.

Ken was born April 3, 1929, to Kenneth and Edith George at Blair, NE. The family later moved to Omaha where Ken graduated from Tech High School in 1947. He then went to work as a cable splicer for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. In December 1950, Ken enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War.

Following his discharge in 1952, Ken returned to Omaha and his job with the Bell Company. On September 11, 1954, Ken was united in marriage to Jan Swanson at Augustana Lutheran Church in Omaha. They continued to live in Omaha until 1969 when Ken was transferred to North Platte with the Bell Company. After 39 years Ken retired from his job and started his next 15-year career as Lincoln County Veteran Service Officer. He later went to work for Odean Colonial Chapel until completely retiring in 2014.

Ken was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church where he enjoyed singing in the choir and served on the Church Council. He was a member of Platte Valley Lodge #32 AF&AM, Tehama Shrine Temple, North Platte Shrine Club, the Elks Club, as well as the 40 & 8 Club, and Telephone Pioneers of America. He was also Past President of P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and a member of the V.F.W. Post #1504.

Ken proudly served on the North Platte Veterans’ Honor Guard for many years, helping provide military honors at funerals, and enjoyed driving the Shriner’s Cadillac in parades throughout the area. He really enjoyed mornings at Cardiac Rehab at the hospital where he met many new friends.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, of North Platte; sons, Steven George of Littleton, CO, and Gary George and Jim Cox, of Omaha; sister, Nancy Lewis, of Colorado Springs, CO; as well as his nieces, nephew and other family.

Ken was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Scott; and his parents.

Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Steve Berke officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church or Hospice House – The Josie Harper Residence, 7415 Cedar St, Omaha NE 68124.

Roderick Aloysius Gerdes

Posted on April 3, 2017

Roderick Aloysius Gerdes, age 85 of North Platte, passed away Friday March 31, 2017 in North Platte at Great Plains Health.

Rod was born February 22, 1932 to Henry and Erna (Kosemund) Gerdes on a farm in St Libory, NE. He grew up in Grand Island and graduated in 1950 from St. Mary’s Cathedral High School. He graduated from the St. Francis School of Radiologic Technology in 1952. He joined the Air Force in 1952, served in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1956. He married Carolyn Brennan on August 20, 1956 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance, NE. He and Carolyn resided in Lexington, NE for 3 years, and moved to North Platte in 1959. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Rod served on the North Platte Catholic Schools school board and St. Patrick’s Parish Finance Committee. Rod was a Life Member of the 3^rd and 4^th Degree of the Knights of Columbus. He was a past Grand Knight of Council 1211, a former District Deputy and Nebraska State Membership Chairman. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the VFW. Rod was employed by St. Mary’s Hospital, The Heider Clinic, Associated Physicians and Midland Family Medicine, and retired in 2002. He was a past president of the Nebraska Society of Radiologic Technologists. Rod enjoyed camping, fishing, dancing, his family, and visiting casinos.

Rod is survived by Carolyn, his wife of 60 years; children Mike, Steve (Deb), Liz Berglund (Tim), Tom (Sally); 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son Gregory; his mother and father; brother Leo; sister Clara Drake; and in-laws Jim Drake, Clinton and Mary Brennan, and Dr. Lynn and Marianne Liebel.

Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment Trust Fund and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. A Christian wake will be held on Monday April 3, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday April 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Interment will follow with military honors at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, NE. Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday April 2, 2017 and from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday April 3, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Hazel Lillian Brackman

Posted on April 3, 2017

Hazel Lillian Brackman, age 81 of Brady, passed away Wednesday March 29, 2017 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.

Hazel was born on June 10, 1935 in Moorefield, NE to Frank and Lilly (Callahan) Reutzel. She spent her youth and teen years in the Lincoln County area. She graduated from Lincoln County Public Schools on May 15, 1948. She married Edward E. Harr on December 6, 1952. They were married for 30 years before Ed passed away on April 23, 1982. From this marriage she had 4 children, Robert E. (1954), Linda S. (1955), Edward S. (1963) and Carmen D. (1968). On October 18, 1983 she married Earl Brackman who passed away a few years later. Hazel loved to read, go fishing with her sister, and browse at flea markets and garage sales for knick knacks because in her words: “I have to have my stuff!”

Hazel is survived by her children Robert (Dee), Linda (Gregg), Edward, Carmen (Laneece); brother-in-law Gary Burke; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Edward Harr and Earl Brackman; parents Frank and Lilly Reutzel; sisters Daisy Reutzel, Margie Gutherless, Patsy Burke; and brother Daniel Reutzel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday April 3, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Ned Cooper officiating. Burial will follow at Moorefield Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday April 2, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Homer D. “Ike” Empfield

Posted on April 3, 2017

Homer D. “Ike” Empfield, age 77 of Stapleton, NE passed away Thursday March 30, 2017 at Great Plains Heath with his wife and two children at his side.

Ike was born on December 16, 1939 in Stapleton, NE to Homer G. and Aletha (Yost) Empfield. He graduated from Stapleton High School in 1958 then attended Kearney State College for one year. He married Karen Allen on June 4, 1961. He worked with his dad doing earth moving and later, ran his own land excavation business, along with owning a small farm, which he really enjoyed. Ike was a good neighbor and went out of his way to help people in need. He never met a stranger and had a smile for everyone. He had a deep and protective love for his wife and children, and a special love for little kids. He served 6 years in the National Guard and was a member of the Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Stapleton American Legion.

Ike is survived by Karen, his wife of 55 years; son Devin (Barb) Empfield of Scottsbluff; daughter Darcy (Tom) King of North Platte; grandchildren Kelsey (special friend Ethan), Dakota, Hunter (Ashley) and Autumn (special friend Taylor); brothers-in-law Darold (Bron) Nielsen, Bruce (Sharon) Allen, and Byron Daly; sisters-in-law Zola (Bill) Karn and Genie (Jim) Warner; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Arlene Nielsen; infant sister Arleta; infant brothers Terry Lee and Jerome; sister-in-law Wanda Daly; and brothers-in-law Vic Allen and Bud Allen.

Memorials are suggested to the Cornerstone EPC Church (Presbyterian) in Stapleton or the Stapleton Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Service. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday April 3, 2017 at the Presbyterian Church in Stapleton with Reverend Eric Mockaitis officiating. Burial will follow at McCain Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday April 2, 2017 at the Presbyterian Church. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Nebraska passes bill to create ‘Choose Life’ license plates

Posted on April 3, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska residents will be able to display their opposition to abortion on their license plates under a bill passed by the state Legislature.

Senators voted 35-5 Monday to send a bill creating “Choose Life” license plates to Gov. Pete Ricketts, who is expected to sign it.

The plates will cost $5 more than standard license plates, and revenue will supplement federal funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

Senators who opposed the bills say controversial speech does not belong on state-issued license plates. They say people who want the plates should get bumper stickers or pay to create organizational plates instead.

Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus says the vote clears the way for more battles over speech on license plates and will waste the Legislature’s time.

Nebraska football player interrupted burglars, police say

Posted on April 3, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska football player interrupted burglars who police say got away with around $3,150 in goods from the north Lincoln residence.

A police report says De’Mornay Pierson-El saw two women leave his garage as he returned to the house early Sunday morning. He confronted two men inside who were carrying a television outside. They dropped it and fled. Police say Pierson-El then found two more men in the house, and they fled.

No injuries and no arrests have been reported.

Police say Pierson-El, Mick Stoltenberg, Jerald Foster and Alex Boryca reported the loss of men’s watches, a laptop and a video game console.

NP man accused of holding ex-girlfriend hostage, stabbing her boyfriend

Posted on April 3, 2017April 3, 2017

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A North Platte man is facing an attempted murder charge after he allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend and held her against her will.

At around 5:27 p.m., on Sunday, officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of South Walnut Street on the report of a stabbing.

According to Investigator John Deal, officers arrived and met with a 33-year-old female and a 44-year-old male in the street near the residence.

Deal says the male had serious lacerations to his arm and it was determined that he had been cut by Justin Vieyra, who was still reportedly inside the residence. Deal says officers approached the residence and were able to talk Vieyra out and take him into custody without incident.

Deal says their investigation revealed the Vieyra and the female had previously been in a relationship. He said Vieyra lives at the residence and the female agreed to come over and discuss previous problems.

At one point, investigators say an argument broke out and Vieyra allegedly locked the front door and refused to let the female leave. The female victim told police that Vieyra, during the argument, threw a chair at her and hit her. She reported that he then put her in a chokehold which cut off her breathing.

The female told officers that she had texted her current boyfriend earlier and told him that the conversation wasn’t going well. Deal says the boyfriend then drove to the residence where he could hear the female screaming inside. The boyfriend told investigators that he kicked the front door to get Vieyra’s attention so the female could escape. When he kicked the door, the lower half broke, leaving a large hole.

Then things got even more out of control. The female told officers that Vieyra told her he would kill her boyfriend if he showed up. So, when he did, Vieyra allegedly grabbed a large kitchen knife, ran to the front door and began stabbing the male through the hole in the door.

While Vieyra attacked the male, Deal says the female was able to escape out the back door. The male was then able to get away from the door just before officers arrived.

Deal says the male was transported to Great Plains Health with several large lacerations to his arms. The injuries aren’t believed to be life-threatening.

Officers were able to recover a large knife from the scene which they believe was used in the attack.

Vieyra was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed on charges of attempted 2nd-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony, false imprisonment, strangulation, all felonies, and a misdemeanor domestic assault charge.

Man’s death in north Omaha is suspicious, police say

Posted on April 3, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police are investigating what they say is the suspicious death of a 20-year-old man in north Omaha.

Officers sent to a home around 6 a.m. Sunday on a report about a shooting found the body of Scott Evans. Police have not released any other details about his death.

No arrests have been reported.