David Charles Wesslund, age 65, died November 4, 2017, in Portland, Oregon.

David was born in North Platte, Nebraska on March 21, 1952. He was the fifth of 11 children born to William O. and Ida Ruth (Harris) Wesslund. At a young age, David was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease and not expected to survive childhood. Through innovative health care and kidney transplants, he was able to live independently the rest of his life.

David graduated from North Platte High School with the Class of 1970 then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He later spent several years in Omaha as a manager for Holiday Inc. In 1980 David moved to Portland where he ran the Portland Sports Card Co. for 20 years and worked in other retail capacities until retiring in 2016.

Though he moved away, David remained a lifelong Nebraska Cornhusker fan. “Uncle Dave” was loved by all his family and enjoyed creating mischief with his nieces and nephews.

He is survived by all his siblings, Pat Kamin (Thomas), of LaVista, William Wesslund (Mary Copenhaver), of Portland, Linda Kamin (Robert), of Omaha, Robert Wesslund (Connie), of Lincoln, Daniel Wesslund (Susan), of North Platte, Kristen Perkins, of LaVista, John Wesslund (Bernadette), of LaVista, Susan Petersen (Jeffrey), of North Platte, Janet McClellen, of Plattsmouth, and Joan Claar (Mark), of Overland Park, Kansas; 17 nieces and nephews; 19 great-nieces and nephews; and other family.

David was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ida.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 13, 2017, at the Historical Chapel in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha. Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation or the Nebraska Kidney Association. Online condolences may be shared at forestlawnomaha.com.

Thomas Lee “Tom” Kennedy, of Sutherland, NE, passed away at his home on Friday, November 10, 2017, at the age of 85.

Tom was born April 20, 1932, at Wellfleet, NE, to Merle Leroy and Letha Jane (Heskett) Kennedy and spent his whole life in Sutherland, except for the time he served in the army. He graduated from Sutherland High School in 1950 then enlisted in the U.S. Army in January. Tom served with the 82^nd Airborne in Fort Bragg, NC and earned the rank of Sergeant.

Following his honorable discharge in ’54, Tom returned to Nebraska and went to work for Sears Redi Mix in Ogallala. During this time he met Charlene “Penny” Guy and the two were married. They had three children, Susan, Montee and Karen, and later divorced.

Tom worked with a seining crew for the Game & Fish Department and for the Village of Sutherland as plant operator and lineman. He then spent the rest of his career working for Nebraska Public Power District, retiring in 1997.

On June 17, 1983, Tom was united in marriage to Barbara June Campbell Lenz. Through this marriage the family grew with the addition of Barb’s eight children. He was a loving father to them all and they thought of him as “Dad”.

Tom was active in the Sutherland community where he served one term as Lincoln County Commissioner, a job which he took great pride in, and was a member of the Otto V. Johnson Post #208 American Legion for over 60 years.

Tom had a good life. He loved to fish, tell stories and was a “hobbyist” who tried raising bees and making wine. He also raised peacocks and chickens, had cats and a great dog named Bear. Tom believed there was a God because, “Man could not make this much beauty.” He will be greatly missed.

Tom is survived by his wife, Barb, of Sutherland; his children, Susan (Bill) Fisher, of Maxwell, Montee (Sandy) Kennedy, of North Platte and Karen (Ruth) Kennedy-Larkin, of Lakewood, CO; stepchildren, Kent (Peggy) Lenz, Kim Lenz, Rick (Jonie) Lenz, Karen (John) Neergaard, Audrey (Duane) Boggs, Julie (Buddy) Gamble, Sandra (Reid) Rodgers; grandchildren, Carlee Cochran (Ted Simmons) and Kristyn, Kadyn and Spencer Kennedy-Larkin; great-granddaughter, Wylee Jane Simmons; sister, Carolyn (Dick) Grady, of North Platte; nieces, Debra Krag, of Nashville, TN, and Lori Hepperly, of North Platte; as well as many step grandchildren and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Letha; stepdaughter, Teresa Brooks; granddaughter, Janel Gamble Godfrey; step grandson, Shelby Brooks; great-granddaughter, Ashlynn Gamble.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 16, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Pastor Dunwoody officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Riverview Cemetery, south of Sutherland. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Otto V. Johnson Post #208 American Legion.

Robert V. “Bobby” Hadden, age 65, of North Platte, died November 6, 2017 at his home.  He was born on September 16, 1952 in Richburg, NY to Robert R. and Jennie Rose (Skiver) Hadden.  He graduated from Richburg High School.

In 1976, Bobby moved to North Platte to work on the Sutherland Power Plant.  Bobby spent the rest of his life in this area.  He lived a short time in Imperial and Scott City, KS, but he considered North Platte his home.

He was an easy going, gentle, kind person who made friends easily.  He loved his truck and spent a lot of time fixing up and restoring his toy.  A lot of people only knew him because of his truck. He was the little guy with the big truck!

He was a collector of model and die cast cars, hats, and various other things.  Bobby was a member of the Colonel Cody Classic Car Club.  Along with the power plant, Bobby worked for S & L Farms in Imperial, Schwartz Enterprises at the Brady and Sutherland Rest Areas, Wal Mart, and at Great Plains Health, where he was currently employed at the time of his death.

Survivors include his daughter Keasha (Anthony Ross) Kressin of Wisconsin; 2 grandchildren, Sebastian and Sabella; siblings, David (Diane) of Ceres, NY, Tommy of Arizona, and Ariana “Kandy” Hadden of Bolivar, NY; cousin Roger (Rhonda Travers) Frederick and family of North Platte; Special friends, Randy Paul, Brenda Smith and their families, Amanda, Jessica, and Matthew and many other family members and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and several members of his North Platte family.  A memorial has been established in his name and online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com.

Cremation was chosen and the family will be receiving friends at the Adams & Swanson Funeral Home on Monday November 13, 2017 from 3-5 p.m.  Please come and share stories with the family during this time.  Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Evelyn Marie Thomlison, age 89, of North Platte, passed away November 11, 2017 at Great Plains Medical Center in North Platte.

She was born September 27, 1928 in a sod house at Bignell, Nebraska to Harold Glenn Bockus and Gladys Marie Stackhouse.

Evelyn grew up in Nebraska attending school in Maxwell. She was united in marriage to Coy V. Thomlison on November 18, 1944 at Oberlin, KS.   They raised four sons together.  She owned and operated Evelyn’s Curlette in Sutherland and co-owned Coy’s Shoe repair in Sutherland.  Evelyn loved working with her sister, Carolyn, at Valley High Ceramics in North Platte.

She always put family first and foremost in her life.  Evelyn enjoyed playing cards, the organ, accordion, and piano.  She was quite a bowler, enjoyed baking cinnamon rolls, pies, and making her special chicken noodle soup at Christmas time!

Her loving family includes her sons: Steven  (Becki)  Thomlison of Gering,  Micheal   (Kathy)  Thomlison  and  Patrick  (Patricia)  Thomlison of North Platte, daughter-in- law: Sheila Thomlison of North Platte,  Sisters: Carolyn  (Ed)  Henry  and   Marilyn Bockus of North Platte, and Charlene  Meyen of Omaha,  brother:  Dennis  (Connie)  Bockus of Gothenburg.  Also survived by: 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Coy; son, Albert Coy (Tom) Thomlison; brother, Dean Bockus; 15 brothers and sisters-in-law; grandson, Robert Coy (Bob) Thomlison and a great-grandson, Derick Thomlison, Annette’s son.

Memorials may be left to the “North Platte Opportunity Center Residence 2”, 1305 South Tabor,  North Platte, NE  69101 in support of her younger sister, Marilyn.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be from 1 – 8 p.m., with family receiving friends from 7 – 8 p.m., on Tuesday, November 14, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.