Vern Allan Haase, age 79, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, in North Platte.

Vern was born in 1936, to Dean Ritter and Mable Carolyn Diener Haase in North Platte where he grew up. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1954 then went on to receive his Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration from McCook Community College in 1956. Vern returned to North Platte and went to work for Mac’s Hardware until 1959 when he joined the U.S. Army.

Following his discharge in 1962, Vern returned to his position at Mac’s Hardware, which eventually became Ace Hardware. Vern was co-owner of Ace Hardware until 2005 when the store was sold and he retired.

He was a member of the North Platte J.C.’s, B.P.O. Elk’s #985 and P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion. Vern enjoyed spending his time fishing at the lake, reading, building miniature steam engines and model trains. Vern was also talented in music. In high school, he received honors for playing the drums and later was lead guitarist with a local country music band, Hadley Barrett and the Westerners.

Vern is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Haase and Julie Haase, both of Omaha, NE; sister, Shirley Turner, of North Platte; niece, Angela Turner, of Grand Island, NE; nephews, Steven (Debbie) Turner, of Frisco, CO, and Timothy Turner, of North Platte; and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Carolyn.

Funeral Service will be 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. The casket will be closed the day of the service. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to NET Television.

Shirley Ann White, 81, of North Platte passed away August 18, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her family.
She was born on November 19, 1934 in McCook, Nebraska to Edward Otis and Delsie (Simmons) Dike. Shirley grew up in McCook, graduating from McCook High School in 1952. On November 18, 1956 she married Raymond Clinton White in Brady, NE, and celebrated 50 years of marriage before Raymond’s death in 2007. The couple lived in North Platte where Shirley worked at the North Platte Telegraph, retiring in 1990 after 17 years of service. She also worked at Sitel and Advantage Direct.
Shirley was a founding member of Calvary Baptist Church. Her family was the center of her life, especially her grandchildren. She was an excellent cook who never knew a stranger.
Survivors include her children, James (Lynn) Dike of Manassas, VA, Charlotte Jackson of North Platte, Cathy (Shorty) Kramer of Stapleton, Susan (Mick Hamel) Little, Lee (Bill) Durand, and Jennifer (Rob) Drake all of North Platte; 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; brother, Dennis (Gloria) Dike of Sacramento, CA; daughter-in-law, Elisa White of Minnesota; numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends; special friends, Sharon Neal, Carolyn Pease, and Darlene Williams.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sons, Edward and infant Fredrick; sisters, Verla Hutchinson, Peggy Jeffers, Helen Flowers, Joanne Moore, and Ona Shepherd; and brothers, Murray and Jerry.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Calvary Baptist Church with the Reverend Gordon Rhodes officiating. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Constance “Connie” Jean Hemphill passed away August 12, 2016 in Minneapolis, MN, in the presence of her children. She was born to Troy and Louise (Bartlett) Fonda on October 11, 1930 in Hot Springs, South Dakota. After completing first grade in Edgemont, SD she moved with her family to Pavillion, WY where she graduated as valedictorian from high school there. She attended the University of Wyoming, receiving a Secretarial Degree. She was married to Ronald D. Hemphill in 1949 in Oconto, NE. He preceded her in death due to cancer in 1981. They had three children, Gary, Randy, and Tanya. Connie worked in the secretarial field and when the children were all in elementary school she returned to college where she earned her B.A. in Education degree magna cum laude, and later a M.S. degree from Kearney State College. She taught high school business education for several years in Gordon, Sumner, and Maxwell, NE, and then finished her teaching career at North Platte Jr. College in North Platte, NE. After retiring she spent over 10 years in Florence, AZ with her loving and devoted companion Fred L. Cotton. Connie belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary for over 66 years, royal Chapter of the Eastern Star, Beta Sigma Phi sorority, and the Nebraska Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed volunteering in several areas and also loved to read, do puzzles, crafts, paint, dance, and play the organ.
She leaves her three children, Gary (Becky) of Omaha, NE, Randy (Pam) of Fort Collins, CO, and Tanya (Don Jensen) of St. Anthony, MN; 6 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 2 step-grandsons; and 5 step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband Ron.
Graveside services were held at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, NE where she was buried beside her husband Ron. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.