Roderick Aloysius Gerdes, age 85 of North Platte, passed away Friday March 31, 2017 in North Platte at Great Plains Health.

Rod was born February 22, 1932 to Henry and Erna (Kosemund) Gerdes on a farm in St Libory, NE.  He grew up in Grand Island and graduated in 1950 from St. Mary’s Cathedral High School.  He graduated from the St. Francis School of Radiologic Technology in 1952.  He joined the Air Force in 1952, served in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1956.    He married Carolyn Brennan on August 20, 1956 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance, NE.  He and Carolyn resided in Lexington, NE for 3 years, and moved to North Platte in 1959.  He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Rod served on the North Platte Catholic Schools school board and St. Patrick’s Parish Finance Committee.  Rod was a Life Member of the 3^rd and 4^th Degree of the Knights of Columbus.  He was a past Grand Knight of Council 1211, a former District Deputy and Nebraska State Membership Chairman.  He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the VFW.  Rod was employed by St. Mary’s Hospital, The Heider Clinic, Associated Physicians and Midland Family Medicine, and retired in 2002.  He was a past president of the Nebraska Society of Radiologic Technologists.  Rod enjoyed camping, fishing, dancing, his family, and visiting casinos.

Rod is survived by Carolyn, his wife of 60 years; children Mike, Steve (Deb), Liz Berglund (Tim), Tom (Sally); 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son Gregory; his mother and father; brother Leo; sister Clara Drake; and in-laws Jim Drake, Clinton and Mary Brennan, and Dr. Lynn and Marianne Liebel.

Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment Trust Fund and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  A Christian wake will be held on Monday April 3, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday April 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Interment will follow with military honors at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, NE.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday April 2, 2017 and from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday April 3, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Hazel Lillian Brackman, age 81 of Brady, passed away Wednesday March 29, 2017 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.

Hazel was born on June 10, 1935 in Moorefield, NE to Frank and Lilly (Callahan) Reutzel.  She spent her youth and teen years in the Lincoln County area.  She graduated from Lincoln County Public Schools on May 15, 1948.  She married Edward E. Harr on December 6, 1952.  They were married for 30 years before Ed passed away on April 23, 1982.  From this marriage she had 4 children, Robert E. (1954), Linda S. (1955), Edward S. (1963) and Carmen D. (1968).  On October 18, 1983 she married Earl Brackman who passed away a few years later.  Hazel loved to read, go fishing with her sister, and browse at flea markets and garage sales for knick knacks because in her words: “I have to have my stuff!”

Hazel is survived by her children Robert (Dee), Linda (Gregg), Edward, Carmen (Laneece); brother-in-law Gary Burke; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Edward Harr and Earl Brackman; parents Frank and Lilly Reutzel; sisters Daisy Reutzel, Margie Gutherless, Patsy Burke; and brother Daniel Reutzel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday April 3, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Ned Cooper officiating.  Burial will follow at Moorefield Cemetery.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday April 2, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Homer D. “Ike” Empfield, age 77 of Stapleton, NE passed away Thursday March 30, 2017 at Great Plains Heath with his wife and two children at his side.

Ike was born on December 16, 1939 in Stapleton, NE to Homer G. and Aletha (Yost) Empfield.  He graduated from Stapleton High School in 1958 then attended Kearney State College for one year.  He married Karen Allen on June 4, 1961.  He worked with his dad doing earth moving and later, ran his own land excavation business, along with owning a small farm, which he really enjoyed.  Ike was a good neighbor and went out of his way to help people in need.  He never met a stranger and had a smile for everyone.  He had a deep and protective love for his wife and children, and a special love for little kids.  He served 6 years in the National Guard and was a member of the Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Stapleton American Legion.

Ike is survived by Karen, his wife of 55 years; son Devin (Barb) Empfield of Scottsbluff; daughter Darcy (Tom) King of North Platte; grandchildren Kelsey (special friend Ethan), Dakota, Hunter (Ashley) and Autumn (special friend Taylor); brothers-in-law Darold (Bron) Nielsen, Bruce (Sharon) Allen, and Byron Daly; sisters-in-law Zola (Bill) Karn and Genie (Jim) Warner; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Arlene Nielsen; infant sister Arleta; infant brothers Terry Lee and Jerome; sister-in-law Wanda Daly; and brothers-in-law Vic Allen and Bud Allen.

Memorials are suggested to the Cornerstone EPC Church (Presbyterian) in Stapleton or the Stapleton Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Service.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday April 3, 2017 at the Presbyterian Church in Stapleton with Reverend Eric Mockaitis officiating.  Burial will follow at McCain Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday April 2, 2017 at the Presbyterian Church.  Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.