Leland Kermit Paxton, age 102, died November 1, 2017.  He was born February 17, 1915 in Thomas County, NE, to Jesse Claude and Maggie Mae (Lutes) Paxton.

Kermit was a long time rancher, selling his last cattle in February of 2016. He was active in several livestock organizations, president of the Nebraska Stockgrowers for several years, instrumental in the organization of the Nebraska Bull Test station in Ogallala where he served as manager for 10 years, was one of the first ranchers in this area to switch to angus cattle, and together with his brother-in-law Vernon Jameson, John and Eli Votaw, and Jay Hepperly would have an annual angus bull sale in North Platte in the 1960’s. His greatest love was his horses. The descendants of his original horse, Susie, are still winning awards today. Never idle, he also carried mail off and on from 1938 – 2010, drilled stock wells for himself and his neighbors with a well rig he built himself,  was a skilled blacksmith and mechanic, and did custom haying for his brother, Chester Paxton and the Lutes Ranch. He helped build the Hall Church and faithfully attended Hall Church and the Presbyterian Church in Stapleton; taught Sunday school classes for several years and was active in the Gideon Society.

October 3, 1941 he married Pauline Katherine Johnson and to this union 5 children were born; Anna Mae, Joan Pauline, James Clarence, Colleen Darlene and Leland Kermit. He lost Pauline to cancer November 20, 1966.

On May 28, 1968 Kermit and Lois (Stryker) McFate were united in marriage. Two more children were added to the family with this union; Monte Joe McFate and Grace Ann Booker. Kermit lost his second wife, Lois, on May 27, 2001.

Kermit was preceded in death by his parents; both wives; in-laws Thomas and Anna (Rodewald) Johnson; son Leland; granddaughter Bridget Paxton; great granddaughter Michelle Hunter; great-great grandson Grant Winfield; siblings Ivy (Floyd) Haynes, Von (May) Paxton, Chester (Ida) Paxton, Victor (Hazel) Paxton, Fay (Dan) Connell, Cleo (Archie) Neal; in-laws Oletha (Marion) Kern, Clarence (Maebelle) Johnson, Lester (Susie) Johnson, Elizabeth (Vernon) Jameson, Gertrude (Hank) Lechtenberger, Walt (Donna) Johnson, Fern (George) Frederick, Elmo (Alva McFate) Stryker, Laura (Robert) Pierce, Amy (Ivan) Griffith, Marge (Walt) Bassett and Bill Stryker.

He is survived by his children Anna Mae (Lester) Wyckoff of Barron, WI, Joan (Tuck) Farmer of Stapleton, NE,  James (Bonnita) Paxton of Hillsdale, WI, Colleen (Dale) Pettit of Cheyenne, WY and daughter-in-law LeeAnn Paxton of North Platte; step-children Monte Joe (Madeline) McFate of Callaway, NE and Grace Ann Booker of Denver, CO; grandchildren Paula Platzek, Opal (Troy) Samson, and Julie (Rich Benny) Loftus all of WI, Theresa Farmer of Tryon, NE, Chad (Heather) Farmer of Stapleton, NE, Johnathan C. (Suszanna) Paxton of CA, Steve Paxton of WI, Crystal (Scott) Winfield of Wood River, NE, Clint (Stephanie) Pettit of Tryon, Mitzi Klimek of Omaha, NE, Brittany (Oliver) Pettit of NC, Shalee (Steven) Morrison of Thedford, NE, Charlie Paxton of North Platte, Tim (Bambi) Booker of Denver, CO, Ted (Dawn) Booker of NM, Tony Booker of Denver, CO, Melonie (Lee) Morrison, Melissa (Troy) Donegan, Michael (Rhonda) McFate and Merlin (Donna) McFate all of Callaway, NE.  46 great grandchildren with the 47th due in February; 22 great-great grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Hall Church, Gideon’s, or the Stapleton Cornerstone Presbyterian Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  A Celebration of Life service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday November 6, 2017 at the Stapleton Cornerstone Presbyterian Church with Reverend Eric Mockaitis officiating.  Burial will follow at the Lone Star Cemetery north of Ringgold.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with the family receiving friends from 4:00 to 6:00 on Sunday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Laura Mae Erickson, age 65, of North Platte, NE, entered into eternal rest with the Lord on Wednesday, November 1, 2017, at Great Plains Health.

Laura was born May 14, 1952, to Melvin Eugene “Bill” and Betty Lorraine (Sorensen) Erickson in North Platte where she grew up. At the age of 13, Laura professed to serve the Lord, which she did the rest of her life. Laura graduated from North Platte High School in 1970 then went on to receive her Associate’s Degree in Education from MidPlains Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and English from Kearney State College.

Laura began her teaching career in Nebraska, she loved to teach and loved her students. She taught country schools at Brownlee and south of Valentine then returned to North Platte where she taught at McKinley Elementary and Lincoln Elementary. From there Laura moved to Atlanta, GA to teach and she worked on her Master’s and Doctorate Degrees during the summers.

After she left Georgia, Laura returned home and went to work for Armadillo, transporting railroaders. She later did testing for the government and worked at McFarland’s Greenhouse for multiple years until her health prevented her from working.

Laura enjoyed playing musical instruments, singing and performing in and attending music festivals. She had great faith in the Lord and loved all her family and going to church conventions.

She is survived by her siblings, Larry Erickson, John (Dotty) Erickson and Karen (Russ) Payton, all of North Platte, Bill (Mary) Erickson, of Las Vegas, NV, and Kenneth Erickson, of Stockbridge, GA; her loyal friend, Fred Larson, of Council Bluffs, IA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephew, and other family.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Betty Erickson; and nephew, John T. Erickson.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Monday, November 6, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 1-6 p.m. Sunday 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, the family has established a memorial.

Robert A. Venezie, age 87 of North Plate, and former longtime resident of Bellevue, NE passed away October 31, 2017 at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte, NE

Robert was born on March 8, 1930 in Elwood City, PA to Carmen and Ethel (Stephenson) Venezie.   He was married to June Marie Richerson on June 21, 1950 and to this union two children were born, Cynthia Diane and Gary Robert.

Bob enlisted in the US Air Force on October 17, 1948, retiring June 16, 1969 as a Chief Master Sergeant.  After retirement Bob worked at Mutual of Omaha until 1987.  He was an avid golfer, hitting a hole-in-one on two occasions.  He enjoyed watching sports and his knowledge and understanding of the games was phenomenal.  His family enjoyed listening as Bob retold life stories.  Reading was another of his favorite pastimes.

He is survived by his sister Mary Ann Gearhart of Elwood City, PA; daughter Cindy (Norman) Olson of Milwaukee, WI; and son Gary (Merry) Venezie of North Platte: 5 grandchildren Micah (Gina) Olson of Eagle, CO, Erik (Stefanie) Olson of Oconomowoc, WI, Britton Olson of Milwaukee, WI, Andrew (Jada) Venezie and Adam (Selena) Venezie of North Platte; 8 great-grandchildren, Adriyanna and Tony Venezie, Cheyenne and Kennedy Czarnick, Henrik and Sailor Olson, and Riley and Hana Olson.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and his wife June.

Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Private family inurnment with his wife June will be held at a later date at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.  Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.