Irene Barnes, of North Platte, NE, died at Centennial Park Retirement Village on Thursday, August 17, 2017, at the age of 99.

Irene was born October 17, 1917, to Carl Fredrick and Kate Irene Slaughter Liljegren at Axtell, NE. She grew up on a farm and attended country school. Irene graduated from Wilcox High School in 1935 then the following day, her grandparents moved her to North Platte.

On August 20, 1938, Irene was united in marriage to Herbert Clayton Barnes in North Platte and to this union four sons, David Dale, John Clayton, Frank Wesley and Fred Allen, were born. Irene was a homemaker and worked as a seamstress most of her life. She was also a caregiver, first to Herb’s mother until she passed away in 1969 then later to Herb after he developed Alzheimer’s. Irene cared for him as long as she could until he too passed away in 2002.

Irene had been a member of the North Platte Berean Church since 1941. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, traveling and camping. Irene especially looked forward to Christmas dinners and having a house full of family.

She is survived by her son, David (Mary) Barnes, of Ogallala, NE; daughter-in-law, Charlotte Barnes, of Fairfield, CA; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

Along with her husband, Herb, Irene was preceded in death by their sons, Frank, Fred and John Barnes; daughters-in-law, Mary and Barbara Barnes; her parents, Carl and Kate Liljegren; four brothers, Melvin, Charles, Dale and Richard Liljegren; and sisters, Doris Albin and Maxine Pease.

Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at the Berean Church. Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday 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 to Marinatha Bible Camp or the Berean Church.

Steve Pueppka, of North Platte, NE, died unexpectedly at his home in August, 2017, at the age of 62.

Steve was born on February 28, 1955, the oldest of three children, to Darrell Eugene and Rosemary (Greenwood) Pueppka in North Platte where he grew up. He graduated from St. Patrick’s Catholic School in ’73 then attended Mid-Plains Community College, graduating with an Associates in Arts Degree in ’75. Steve later attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the Gemological Institute of America where he earned his Gemology Degree.

By 1976 Steve went to work at Hoovers Jewelry. He worked as a sales person, jeweler, store manager and was an authorized Timex watch service person. In 1983 Steve opened his own store, Stephen’s Jewelry, which he operated until 1998. When he closed the store, Steve spent time volunteering for various organizations and enjoyed his time at Great Plains Regional Medical Center and the Callahan Cancer Center. In later years, he was a caregiver for his parents.

Steve enjoyed being a part of the North Platte community. He was a member of the North Platte Rotary Club and served on the Board of Directors for two terms. He was also the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Foundation.

Steve was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Here he served as President of the church Finance Board, was a member and Chancellor of the Knights of Columbus, and was President of the Parish Council. He was also actively involved with the catholic school where he served on the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment Trust, was President of the St. Patrick’s School Finance Board, and was on the Board of Directors for the Alumni Association.

Steve liked being in positions of responsibility and helping others. He was willing to set goals and strived to achieve them. He had always been interested in cooking, whether it was reading cook books, watching cooking shows, or writing down recipes. Steve especially loved Elvis! No matter what it was, music, movies or memorabilia, he collected it all. And best of all, Steve did get to see Elvis perform live in Omaha.

He is survived by his sister, Sharee Pueppka, of Bellevue, NE, and brother, Larry Pueppka, of North Platte; his uncle, Rod Pueppka, of North Platte; as well as his cousins and other family.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Darrell and Rosemary.

Cremation was chosen. The family will be greeting friends at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore on Thursday, August 24, 2017, from 6 to 7 p.m. then a Memorial Service will follow at 7 p.m. led by Father Josh Brown. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Book signing will be on Thursday from 9 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the North Platte Catholic School Endowment Fund. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.