Richard Kenneth “Dick” Shultz, age 89, of North Platte, NE passed away at his home Saturday, May 19, 2018. He was born December 11, 1928 to Kenneth Eli and Helen Elizabeth (Runner) Shultz in Comstock, NE. Dick was raised in and around Custer County and graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1946. A World War II veteran, he joined the Army Air Corp in 1946. After his discharge in 1949 he married Patty Lou Prowett on March 26, 1950 in North Platte. Dick and Pat were blessed with 9 children. Elizabeth (Gary) Vedder of North Platte, Richard (Elizabeth) Shultz of Houston, TX, William (Cynthia) Shultz of Phoenix, AZ, Michael (Erin) Shultz, of North Platte, Dee Anna (Duane) Brand, of Casper, WY, Daniel (Cecilia) Shultz, of Council Bluff, IA, Sandra (Robert) Patterson of Sacramento, CA, Pamela (Dan) Miller, of North Platte, and John (Katherine) Shultz of North Platte, 23 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Shirley and Bonnie and his beloved granddaughter, Missy. Dick worked for several years as a salesman for Colgate Palmolive Company, manager of Pats Bootery, later parts manager for Cornhusker Tractor and Equipment and Nebraska Tractor. Mr. Shultz was a past member of the Jaycees and a little league baseball coach. He was an active member of the Bethel Evangelical Church. He loved his family, gardening and was an excellent cook and collected recipes to pass along to others.

Celebration of life will be 10:00 am Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at the Bethel Church with Noah Palmer officiating. Inurnment will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9am to 5 pm at Carpenter Memorial Chapel which is in care of arrangements.

Ronald Eugene Gerken, age 76 of North Platte, passed away Friday May 18, 2018 at Indian Hills Nursing Home in Ogallala, NE.

Ron was born February 2, 1942 in North Platte, NE to Charles Joseph and Clarita (Molly) Gerken.  He graduated from North Platte High School in 1961.  He worked with his dad and step mother, Lydia Gerken, at North Platte Plumbing and Heating and was a member of the National Guard.  He hired on to the Union Pacific Railroad as a pipefitter on April 25, 1968 and retired on January 31, 2002.  After his retirement he started his own business, Ron’s Backflow Prevention.  He married Patricia Beaver in December 1962 in North Platte, and to this union daughters Amy and Jill were born.  He then married Debbie Tridle on October 25, 1974 and to this union daughter Kristi was born.  He was an avid scuba diver and was part of the Search and Rescue Dive Team.  He was a softball coach for Kristi’s teams. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening and was a great water skier.  He was a Jack-of-All-Trades and a friend to everyone.  He loved animals, taking care of many strays.  He will be remembered as a wonderful father and grandfather and will be remembered as “Grandpa Ron” to many of the kids around him.

Ron is survived by 3 daughters, Amy (Rick) Gerlach of Dewitt, NE, Jill (Dan) Shundoff of Kearney, NE, Kristi (Russ Jones) Gerken of North Platte; grandchildren Cheyenne, Savannah, August, Cody (Ashley), Levi and Weston Gerlach; Dylan (Rachel Kosmacek) Siemers of North Platte, NE, Alix Siemers of Kearney, NE, Jaiden Smith and Josie Jones both of North Platte, NE; as well as other extended family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step mother; and sister, Ronda Mahan.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Lincoln County Dive and Rescue Team and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday May 25, 2018 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Smith officiating.  Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday May 24, 2018 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Mary Elizabeth Johnson, 84, of North Platte earned her angel wings April 30, 2018 at her home.

Mary was born February 27, 1934. She spent her days with the loves of her life, her devoted soulmate Ron, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her dogs, Sam, Satch, and Mildred.  Mary lived for and immensely enjoyed family, holidays and get-togethers, her flowers and gardening, travel and camping, baking and cooking for holiday meals, collecting angels, country music, scrapbooking and crafts, reading, visiting with friends, and shopping.

Mary is survived in life by her husband Ron, son Mike (Joan) Epping, daughters Kris (Sherm) Forden, Connie (Curt) Cook, Kim (Randy) Hongsermeier, grandchildren, Margaret (James) Desjarding, Joseph  (Alanna) Epping, Mike (Alicia) Epping, Deri Forden, Heidi (Pat) Kelley, Heather Cook, Jon (Andrea)  Hongsermeier, and Jay Hongsermeier, great-grandchildren, Conner and Brenna Epping, Tristan and Miles Epping, Lakin Forden, Akoia Forden, Teegan, Tatum, and Natalie Kelley, and Amelia DeVaughn, sister-in-law Barbara Deeter and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law Ella Johnson, grandson Deone Forden, brother-in-law Mark Deeter, and close family friend Marian Fisher.

Online condolences can be made at www.carpentermemorial.com.  A Memorial has been established in her memory for later designation. A Celebration of Life will be 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2018 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.

Mary loved fiercely and lived life with tenacity.  She would invite all to do the same.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of services.

Calvin (Cal) Miller passed from this life and entered heaven on May 14, 2018 at his home near Maxwell, Nebraska. Cal was born on February 25, 1928 to Benton and Estella Mae Miller in their home east of Maxwell. He was the sixth and youngest child of Benton and Estella.

The family moved soon after Cal was born to a farmstead southwest of Maxwell. The big white house on that farm would be his home for the next 50 years. He would spend his growing up years helping his family on the farm, attending school at Maxwell and participating in sports.

While in High School, he began dating Elaine Kittle. They were married soon after Elaine graduated in 1948. They had four children: Cindy, Tim, Mike and Jim. They raised their children on the ranch near Maxwell. Later, after the children left home, Cal and Elaine moved to Canada where Cal had a ranch near Evansburg, Alberta, Canada. Elaine passed away in 1988.

After moving back to Nebraska, Cal married Mary Lou Campbell in 1989. They spent ten years on a ranch near Tucumcari, New Mexico and later in Gothenburg, Nebraska. His home for the last few months has been on the ranch near Maxwell. In that home he enjoyed the view from his living room and patio looking out over the beautiful hay meadows that had been the focus of his life for so many years.

Cal was a real “cowboy” in so many ways. He would much rather ride a horse and work cattle than ride a tractor and farm. He was involved in the community by serving on the school board for many years. He also served faithfully in church, being a deacon, Sunday School teacher and usher. He will be remembered as a kind man with a gentle spirit, ready to give a listening ear and a helping hand to whoever needed it. To his family, he not only provided for them materially, but he provided an example of one who knew and loved Christ.

Cal was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; his parents, Benton and Estella Mae; his brothers and sisters, Lloyd Miller, Dorothy Legler, Beulah Helberg, and Art Miller; and his step-daughter Beverly Ruybalid.

Cal is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; four children: Cindy of Aiea, Hawaii, Tim (Pam) of Maxwell, Jim (Gaylene) of Shepherd, Montana, and Mike (Debbie) of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He is also survived by his sister, Marjorie Gamble of North Platte, his step-children Carla (Curt) Carlson of Aurora NE, Mary (Jeff) Judy of Lee’s Summit MO, Kathleen (Joe) Schrier of Castle Pines CO, Becky (Bryce) Pederson of Cumberland WI, and John (Stephanie) Campbell of Wilmont SD and Jon Ruybalid of Phoenix, AZ . His family also includes 13 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren, 23 step-grandchildren and 21 step-great-grandchildren, along with many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the Maxwell Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Plainview Cemetery near Maxwell. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements