July 2017 – Page 25 – North Platte Post Archive

Painkiller maker stops sales at FDA request because of abuse

Posted on July 6, 2017

The maker of painkiller Opana ER is pulling the drug off the market at the request of federal regulators because of abuse.

Endo International PLC said Thursday it will voluntarily stop selling the pills, approved for use in patients with severe, constant pain, after consulting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company says the extended-release opioid is safe and effective when used as intended.

Last month, the FDA said it had concluded the drug is too risky. The agency said it had seen a “significant shift” from people crushing and snorting the pill to get high to injecting it instead.

It’s the first drug that the FDA has sought to remove from the market due to abuse.

Sutherland residents seek recall of 2 village board members

Posted on July 6, 2017

SUTHERLAND, Neb. (AP) — Two village board members in a central Nebraska community could face a recall vote if their opponents gather enough signatures.

Two Sutherland residents submitted court documents to the Lincoln County clerk on Wednesday to initiate the recall of Sutherland Village Board of Trustees Chairman John Lutz and Trustee Ray Ravenscroft.

The residents say Lutz has abused his position to financially benefit himself and shows disregard for open meetings laws, village ordinances and board resolutions. They say Ravenscroft has created a hostile work environment, resulting in the resignation of employees and trustees.

The newspaper says messages left seeking comment from Lutz and Ravenscroft hadn’t been returned by Thursday afternoon.

Supporters will need nearly 200 signatures to initiate a recall.

Nebraska wastewater, water quality agencies joining forces

Posted on July 6, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Two state agencies that regulate Nebraska’s water are joining forces in an effort to provide more efficient, streamlined services to the public.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Environmental Quality announced the new partnership on Thursday.

Under the agreement, the Department of Health and Human Services will move 24 of its staff into shared office space with the Department of Environmental Quality’s wastewater staff. The change goes into effect Aug. 1. Seven field staff members will also work with the environmental quality department.

Department of Environmental Quality Director Jim Macy says the partnership is expected to save the state money over time. Public health division director Dr. Tom Williams says the two programs are similar. The partnership will focus on wastewater treatment and drinking water.

Autopsy out on man who died in altercation with Omaha police

Posted on July 6, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An autopsy report says an Oklahoma man who was beaten and shocked a dozen times with a stun gun in an altercation with Omaha police suffered “sudden death associated with excited delirium.”

The report, released Thursday, says the death of 29-year-old Zachary Bearheels was also associated with physical struggle, restraint and use of a stun gun.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine says that report stops short of determining those actions caused Bearheels’ death.

Police have said Bearheels, who has a history of mental illness, was acting erratically and fought officers’ efforts to take him into custody on June 5. He died after being taken to a hospital.

Omaha’s police chief has recommended two officers, Scotty Payne and Ryan McClarty, be fired for violated department policy in their treatment of Bearheels.

Nebraska corrections department seeks state auditor’s help

Posted on July 6, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s corrections department recently joined forces with the state auditor to try to improve its accounting practices.

The Department of Correctional Services said in a statement Thursday that it asked the auditor’s office for help to address a type of accounting where the department lacked expertise.

Corrections officials say the auditors’ staff made several suggestions for improvements but didn’t identify any mishandling of state money.

Corrections Director Scott Frakes says he’s grateful for the state auditor’s help.

Floyd Earl Max

Posted on July 6, 2017July 6, 2017

Floyd Earl Max, 83, of Brady died Saturday, July 1, 2017 in North Platte. He was born Oct. 17, 1933 in Freedom, son of August and Gladys Max.

Earl grew up in the Stockville and Cozad areas before moving to Brady. In 1953 he graduated from Brady High School. Earl proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1956-1958. Earl married Jeanne Bailey in Gothenburg on Sept. 12, 1954. To this union three sons were born: Douglas, Marty, and Steven.

Earl worked at the railroad and was a foreman at Monroe for 35 years, after his retirement, he worked for a farmer for ten years. He was a member of the Brady School Board, was mayor and on the town board at Brady. Earl was a member of the Brady Fire Department, and rode for the Pony Express, starting in 1992. He enjoyed attending and watching grandkids’ sporting events, decorating his yard for Christmas, and being outside mowing and maintaining his lawn. Earl was an avid hunter and always looked forward to November and the start of deer season. He liked making summer sausage and jerky and sharing it with family and friends. Earl loved telling stories to family and friends.

Surviving are wife, Jeanne of Brady; sons, Douglas (Crys) of Gothenburg, Marty (Becky) of Hastings, Minn., and Steven (Jill) of Ogallala; grandchildren, Amanda (Travis) Barkmeier of Lexington, Shane (Kelsey) Max of Gothenburg, Emily Max of Omaha, Katie (Eric) Olsen of Stillwater, Minn., Abbie Max of St. Paul, Minn., Stephanie (Jon) Snodgrass of Northfield, Minn., Amber Max of Minneapolis, Minn., and Conner and Jade Max, both of Ogallala; great-grandkids, Kaden and Kooper Barkmeier and Bjorn Olsen; sister-in-laws, Virginia Bailey of North Platte, Janice Bailey of Sun City West, Ariz., and Carolyn Bailey of Manhattan, Kan.

Floyd was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Norma Small, Devona Buss, Verna Miles, Betty Max, and Jim; and nephew, Jimmie Max.

Services will be held at the Gothenburg First United Methodist Church on Friday, July 7 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Bobby Brueggeman officiating. Cremation was chosen and inurnment will take place at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the Brady Volunteer Fire Department or the Brady School Foundation. To sign the online guest book, go to blasestrauser.com.

Mary E. (nee White) Kniker

Posted on July 6, 2017July 7, 2017

Mary E. (nee White) Kniker passed away, Saturday, July 1, 2017 in Aurora, Colorado, surrounded by her family. She was 95. Mary was born in August of 1921 in Kinston, North Carolina and was the 8th of 12 children.

She is now reunited with her husband of 65 years and the love of her life Christian Kniker.

Mary is survived by her daughter Nancy Lynn (John) Striebel, her son Robert Chris (Yvonne) Kniker, her grandchildren Christopher Robert (Jennifer) Kniker, Robert Tyson (Heather) Kniker, Grete Elizabeth Striebel, John Nathan (Melissa) Striebel, her great granddaughter Katherine Mary Elizabeth Kniker and specially her sister Christine French.

Services: Funeral service at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. Interment at National Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 4-8 p.m. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.

Lee R. Cohn

Posted on July 6, 2017

Lee R. Cohn, 84, of Grand Island passed away June 30, 2017, in Lincoln.

Lee was born on May 17, 1933, to Harry and Eva (Towers) Cohn in Cottonwood Springs.

Lee was the eighth of nine children. He attended country school, graduating from Maxwell High School in 1951. He worked for the Wilhelmsons before entering the U.S. Army in 1955, and he was honorably discharged in 1957. He worked in Nevada before moving to Grand Island, working at Redman’s Mobile Home, Ace Hardware and Grand Island Public Schools.

He married Laurel (Bostock Lewis) on Jan. 20, 1968, in Hastings. To this union four children were born, Lynda Lea, Lewis Cody, Lucinda Eve and Lance Kristopher.

Lee was a hard worker, always helping friends and relatives. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, square dancing, working on his acreage and doing small engine repair. It was very important to him to attend his children and grandchildren’s special events, and he loved spending quality time with his family. He liked playing cribbage and dominoes with his special brother-in-law, Casey, and other family members. He was a member of the Eagles, Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Liederkranz and the Nebraska Rural Youth Group. He had donated more than 25 gallons of blood.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers and sisters, Evelyn Harriet Ellis, Theodore Cohn, Velva Cohn, Wilbur (Shorty) Cohn, Allwin (Bud) Cohn, Doris Bayne, Esther Jackson and Orlene Adams Jackson.

He is survived by his wife, Laurel; daughter, Lynda Cohn of Grand Island; son, Lewis Cody (Susan) of Tucson, Arizona; daughter, Lucinda (Tim) Faunce, and granddaughter, Nima of Palmyra; son, Lance (Carley) and granddaughters, JoLee and Jada of Omaha; sister-in-law, MaryJane Cohn of North Platte; brother-in-law, Harold Bayne of Broken Bow; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Memorials are suggested to his grandchildrens’ college fund or the GI Education Foundation. Online condolences may be shared at giallfaiths.com.

A military memorial service will be at a later date at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. All Faiths Funeral Home, Grand Island, is in charge of arrangements.

Robert G. “Bob” Heitman

Posted on July 6, 2017

Robert G. “Bob” Heitman, 79, of Minden passed away July 1, 2017, at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

Bob was born on May 10, 1938, in Wichita, Kansas, to Paul and Minnie (Torske) Heitman. He grew up in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School in 1957. He served in the U.S. Navy, then returned to the North Platte area.

On Feb. 9, 1963, he married Barbara “Bobbie” Sivits in North Platte, and they lived in North Platte, where Bob worked for North Western Bell as a telephone technician. They moved to Minden in 1969. Bob retired from Qwest, and they remained in Minden.

Bob was a member of the United Methodist Church in Minden, the Eagles and American Legion Post No. 94 in Minden. He enjoyed reading about history, completing construction projects around the house, collecting coins and being around his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara “Bobbie” of Minden; son, Nick Heitman of Kearney; daughters, Lori (Scott) Borgmann of Shelton and JoAnn Vohland (special friend Vincent Sumstine) of Minden; four grandchildren, Scotty and Jacob Borgmann, Tyson Schroeder and Jessa Vohland (special friend, Trey Stombaugh); two great-grandchildren, Brody and Jack Borgman; brother, Ron (Marty) Heitman of Council Bluffs, Iowa; sister, Ruth Ann (Paul) Maginn of Omaha; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, at the United Methodist Church in Minden with the Rev. Paul Blanchard officiating. Casual attire is requested. Burial will be at Fredericksburg Lutheran Cemetery south of Minden with burial rites provided by the Minden American Legion and the Heartwell VFW. There will be no public visitation. Craig Funeral Home, Minden, is in charge of arrangements.

John F. Kratzenstein

Posted on July 6, 2017

John F. Kratzenstein, 79, of Brady, died July 3, 2017, in Gothenburg.

He was born on Jan. 14, 1938, on the farm north of Brady, son of Arthur and Martha Kratzenstein.

John grew up in Wild Horse Valley and graduated from Brady High School. John married Darlene Sears on April 21, 1963, in North Platte. To this union a son Monte and a daughter Suzanne were born. John lived his entire life in Wild Horse Valley, where he farmed and ranched.

John was a member of the Svea Dal Covenenant Church.

John lived his life treasuring his friends, family and faith. He loved his many friends who always offered a hand, especially during his last 13 years of deteriorating health. John loved his family so much. His happiest moments were spent at family dinners and gatherings, watching his grandkids sporting events, showing the great-grandkids around the farm and sitting in his recliner watching the chaos of a family get-together. John lived his life as an incredible example of his Christian beliefs. His calm demeanor, patience and faithfulness inspired many, especially during his numerous hospital stays.

His handshake was his word. His love for all was unconditional. John’s prayers were filled with thankfulness and he always mentioned the “Christian way of life” which was so important to him. He lived a life devoted to preparing for his eternal home and he is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior.

John was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marilyn Rubenthaler.

Surviving are his wife, Darlene Kratzenstein of Brady; son, Monte (Lexi) Kratzenstein of Kearney; daughter, Suzanne (Arlen) Quinn of Bellevue; grandchildren, Josie and Jace Kratzenstein of Kearney, Amber(Jonathon) Sims of Elkhorn, Brian Quinn of Mayville, North Dakota, and Shelby Quinn of Bellevue; two great-grandchildren, Cullen and Raegan Sims of Elkhorn; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Svea Dal Evangelical Covenant, 1676 Svea Dal Road, Brady, NE 69123 or the Cromer Scholarship Fund at the Brady High School. Online condolences may be shared at blasestrauser.com.

Services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 7, at Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Mike Maroney officiating.

Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m., today, July 6, at the Evangelical Free Church, Gothenburg. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, is in charge of arrangements.