Patricia Ann Mentzer, 77, of North Platte, passed away March 10, 2017 at Great Plains Health.  She was born June 1, 1939 to Chester and Stella (Beavers) Cain in Gothenburg, NE.

Patricia married Delbert Dale Mentzer on May 31, 1955 in Grand Island, NE.  They had three children, Cheryl, Steve and David.

Patricia worked most of her life as a self-employed daycare provider in her home.  She found happiness in attending bluegrass festivals and spending time with family.  She was “grandma” to everyone, and treated everyone as her own.  Patty was always there to help everyone she could and be around when people needed her.

Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl Meyer of North Platte; sons, Steve (Kathy) Mentzer of North Platte and David (Christina) Mentzer of Cheyenne, WY; 7 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Bailey and Donna (Dean) Kittle; sisters-in-law, Lucille Koenig, Lorene Reutzel and Donna Clark;  brother-in-law, Don (Donna) Mentzer; and special friends, Neal and Peggy Smith.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Delbert in 2011; a brother, Robert Koenig; two grandchildren, Jessica and Nathan Domingus; one great granddaughter, Erica Lamphear.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  Services will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Bob Townsend officiating. Burial will be at Plainview Cemetery near Maxwell.  Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

 

Wesley Bishop Dixon, age 80 of Wellfleet, NE left this earth on March 11, 2017 after a brave and determined bout with Alzheimer’s.

Wes was born on April 6, 1936 in Pleasanton, NE to Lloyd and Mary (Reynolds) Dixon.  He attended schools in the Pleasanton, Riverdale and Lexington areas.  He entered the workforce at the very young age of 17 for the Union Pacific Railroad and retired after 45 years in 1998.  For the past 20 years he served as the caretaker of the Wellfleet-Ashgrove Cemetery.  He married Geraldine Brummet on March 17, 1957 in Lexington, NE and to this marriage 2 children were born, Laura Lynn and Timothy Allen.  They later divorced in 1978.  On February 27, 1980 he married Della (Shirley) Gilmore in Julesburg, CO and from this marriage, he gained 7 children.  Wes was a member of the Wellfleet Methodist Church, Volunteer Fireman and First Responder, a member of the North Platte Elks Club, North Platte Eagles, North Platte American Legion Club, German American Club and a founding member of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Posse.  He was instrumental in starting the annual Pleasanton Rodeo.  He is known to his family as a caretaker for his siblings, parents and other loved ones.  His love of his family was only rivaled by his love of animals.  He would lay carpet for many families and handed the trade down to the next generation.  His many grandchildren, nieces and nephews remember the special nicknames bestowed to them by their loving “Grandpa Wes”.  His children fondly remember traveling summers in a camper to the Black Hills and California, and the Labor Day tradition of camping in Pleasanton at the affectionately known “Cottonwood Hilton” along the South Loup River.  He traveled to Canada to fish and Germany and Hawaii to visit his son and family.  Wes will be greatly missed by his many loved ones.

Wes is survived by his wife, Della; children Laura Haney of Denver, CO, son Tim Dixon of Maywood, NE, stepchildren, Larry Kelley of McCook, NE, LeeAnn Paxton, Mary Gilmore, Mike Gilmore, Pat Gilmore all of North Platte, and Andy Gilmore of Lincoln, NE; 23 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; siblings Mary Lou Lienemann of Holdrege, NE, Phillip (Corliss) Dixon of Pleasanton, NE and Becky Dale (Dennis) of Pleasanton, NE; as well as  many nieces and nephews other extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law Ron Lienemann; son-in-law Leland Paxton; grandson Shaun Haney; and stepson Sam Gilmore.

Memorials are suggested to the Wellfleet Community Club or the Maywood Methodist Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday March 16, 2017 at the Maywood Methodist Church with Pastors Tammy Aubushon and Charles Nyamakope.  Visitation will be Tuesday March 14, 2017 from noon until 9:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.; register book signing will be from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

 

 

 

Melvin Peter Moritz, age 88, of North Platte and formerly of Sutherland, NE, passed away at Linden Court on Sunday, March 12, 2017.

Melvin was born November 13, 1928, to Peter and Josie Fleecs Moritz at Loup City, NE. By 1930 the Moritz family moved to Sutherland and eventually settled on a farm south of town. Melvin attended District 18 West Fairview School and graduated from Sutherland High School in 1947. In November he started his only job, working at the Sutherland Co-op, and continued to do so until retiring 42 years later.

On September 23, 1952, Melvin was united in marriage to Agnes Marie Vasa at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland where they made their home. Melvin and Agnes were married for nearly 65 years and raised three children.

Melvin was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, served on the church board and was a 4th degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. When he was younger, he was a volunteer with the Sutherland Fire Department and later served on the boards of the Senior Center and Riverview Cemetery.

Melvin was a loving husband and a great father and grandfather. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening but especially liked to do woodworking and making furniture.

He is survived by his wife, Agnes, of North Platte; children, Ron (Staci) Moritz and Judy (Greg) Gifford, of North Platte, and John (Missy) Moritz, of Kimball, NE; eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Moritz, Melissa (Daniel) Lightfoot, Amanda (Nate) Zeller and Corey Gifford, all of North Platte, Allison (Jeff) White, of Lincoln, Erinn Moritz, of Omaha, NE, Sarah Moritz, of Syracuse, NE, and Kaitlin (Jordan) Knaub, of Harrisburg, NE; seven great-grandchildren, Nathanial Gifford, Hunter Lightfoot, Peyton, Abbi and Zachary Zeller, and Colbie and Camden Knaub; as well as several nieces, nephews and other family.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Josie Moritz; sister and brother-in-law, Julia and Carl Schwartzlander; brother and sister-in-law, Clarence and Mary Moritz; and grandchildren, Michael and Victoria Moritz.

Christian Wake Service will be 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Celebrant Father Jim Novakowski. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore and prior to services at the church. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment or the donor’s choice. Memorial cards can also be sent to Agnes at 1402 William Avenue, North Platte. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth L. Adams, 81, of North Platte, passed away March 11, 2017 at Linden Court. He was born May 1, 1935 to Alvie and Peggy (Myer) Adams at Lexington, NE.

Kenneth loved spending time with his grandchildren, fishing and taking trips to the zoo. He enjoyed his two dogs, Shamrock and Jiggs.  He also enjoyed traveling, bowling, playing cards and board games; and helping in the kitchen, canning and baking.  He was a very giving person.

He is survived by his wife, Erma of North Platte; brother, Dee (Jayne) Robinson; sister, Debby Moore; his children, Jeff (Amy) Adams, Julie Adams, Kenny (Heather) Adams, T.J. (Jolene) Adams, Shelley (Mike Smith) Vasquez, , Richard (Paula) Cline, Sonya (Jody) Turner; 23 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and a special friend, Nancy Lozano and her family. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Charles.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  Cremation was chosen. Those wishing to sign his memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the funeral home.  Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.