Wanda E. Smith, 94, formerly of Mullen, passed away Jan. 28, 2018, at Sutherland Care Center.

Wanda was born on May 22, 1923, to Clifford L. and Leona (Knight) Middaugh in Cody. She attended a country school and then school in Whitman before graduating from Gordon High School in 1940. After graduating, she taught home school for two years.

In August 1943, she traveled to California, where Allen Smith was stationed in the U.S. Army. They were married on Aug. 29, 1943, in Carson City, Nevada. In December 1943, Allen’s outfit was moved to Camp Bowie, Texas, and Wanda went to Mullen to live with Allen’s family. To this union three children were born, a daughter, Gloria Anne, and sons, John Joseph and James Allen.

After Allen’s discharge from the U.S. Army, they spent about four months in Casper, Wyoming, before returning to Mullen, where Wanda worked in the Mullen Café until she and Allen bought the beer parlor in 1952, which they ran for 19½ years. After selling the beer parlor, Wanda went to work for Macke’s grocery store, Dutton’s grocery, and in September 1976, she took a job as assistant village clerk in Mullen. She spent 11 years at the village office, retiring in 1988 as village clerk.

In Mullen, she belonged to the Episcopal Church, American Legion Auxiliary, ECW and Pioneer Memorial Auxiliary. She volunteered for the Legion Auxiliary, the rest home and participated in several other community events and activities.

In June 2002, Allen and Wanda moved to North Platte. Due to Allen’s health issues, he passed away Aug. 22, 2002.

In North Platte, Wanda attended the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, and joined St. Bridget’s Guild, R&R Card Club and RSVP. She volunteered two to three days a week at the Thrift Connection Store and RSVP until she was 87. She spent a year at Premier Estates Assisted in North Platte before moving to the Sutherland Care Center in January 2017.

Wanda was a gifted artist and painted several pictures on canvas and old sawblades, as well as burnt many scenes into wood for family and friends, and most recently made jewelry for her loved ones while in the care center. Wanda’s love of art and creativity has been instilled in her children and grandchildren.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Allen; sister, Elsie Jane Hough; and parents, Clifford and Leona Middaugh.

Survivors include her brother, Ted (Chris) Middaugh of Reno, Nevada; daughter, Gloria Blakely of North Platte; sons, John Smith of Sutherland, and James (Grant) Smith of Colorado Springs, Colorado; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren with another on the way; and nieces, nephews and several cousins.

Memorials are suggested to the Sutherland Care Center, Cedar View Cemetery in Mullen or the donor’s choice.

Inurnment will be at noon on Saturday, April 7, at Cedar View Cemetery, Mullen. Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Arthur Ennis McEntire “Pop”, age 72, of North Platte passed away Friday March 23, 2018 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Art was born July 2, 1945 in North Platte to Coyton and Florence (Campbell) McEntire.  He worked as a painter and other jobs before hiring on with UPRR In 1976.   He was also an ordained minister with the Assembly of God Churches. He loved to read the Bible and studied it tirelessly.  Pop loved the great outdoors and passed his love of nature on to his children and the generations that followed.   On October 8, 1962 he married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Stubbs in North Platte.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia of North Platte; children, Lori (Patrick) Clinch, Patti (Pat) Condon, and Misti (Michael Torres) McEntire all of North Platte; brother, Rick McEntire of North Platte; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Jean Triplett of North Platte, and Delores Buell of California; brother-in-law, Bill Olson of North Platte; and numerous other family members and friends; not to mention his beloved dog, Gizmo (aka Geeters McLadd).

He was preceded in death by his parents Coyton and Florence McEntire; his beloved son, Artie in August of 2016; nephew Dustin McEntire; and brother, Timmy McEntire.

Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday March 27, 2018 at the Assembly of God Church with the Reverend Gary Goodwin officiating.  Burial will follow at the North Platte Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday March 26, 2018 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Edward F. Poltack, age 60 of Lincoln, formerly of Wallace, NE passed away Monday March 19, 2018 in Lincoln,

Ed was born February 28, 1958 in Grant, NE to Andrew and Mary (McGahan) Poltack.  He grew up in Elsie and graduated high school from Wheatland High School in 1976.  He attended college at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.  After college Ed returned to Elsie and went to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad.  He married Deborah K. Ogier on March 17, 1987.  To this union Deb brought two children, Daniel Homan and Dustia Homan.  They added two more, Zachary Poltack and Corrine Poltack.  The couple owned and operated Grandma Deb’s Café in Wallace for over ten years.  Ed was a fun loving man with a heart made of gold.  He was an avid Husker fan, gardener, and cook and could tell the greatest stories.  He loved his family very much and most of all his grandchildren.  He was very proud of his family.

Edward is survived by his wife Deborah of North Platte; sons Daniel (Kodi) Homan of North Platte, Zachary (Alyssa) Poltack of Sutherland; daughters Dustia (David) Lawrence of North Platte; Corrine (Dustin) Dimmit of North Platte; grandchildren Hayley Homan, Carlie Homan, Ella Homan, Kobe Lawrence, Kade Lawrence, and Dace Dimmitt; brothers Thomas (C.J.) Poltack, John (Patty) Poltack; sisters Julia (Doug) Group, Kathleen (Robert) Ortiz, Barbara (Rick) Kort; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Mary; father-in-law Willis Ogier; and brother-in-law Bradley Ogier.

Memorials are suggested to the Lincoln City Mission.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday March 27, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte with the Reverend Josh Brown as Celebrant.  Burial will follow at the North Platte Cemetery.