Post Staff – Page 882 – North Platte Post Archive

Gerald L. “Jerry” Brewer

Posted on August 8, 2016August 8, 2016

Gerald L. “Jerry” Brewer, age 78 of North Platte passed away August 7, 2016 peacefully at his home with his family by his side. He was born September 22, 1937 at North Platte to Theodore F.W. and Lois M. (Heskett) Brewer. Jerry graduated from North Platte High School in 1955 and was later united in marriage to Lois E. Schuler on January 3, 1957 at Boulder, CO. He was in a family partnership of Brewer Transit Mix Concrete Company and owner of Solid Waste Disposal for a number of years. Jerry was an avid hunter, elk hunting in Colorado and Wyoming, pheasant hunting in Nebraska and North Dakota, and goose hunting with his family on his farm. Jerry established Brewer Land & Cattle, where he sold property and raised cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats. Providing a place for his family to hunt and fish was important to him. He was proud of his granddaughters Alice and Kelli who played softball for the North Platte Sensations and Alice played for the University of Nebraska and watch his great-grandchildren in their sports and school activities. His family was the love of his life along with his dog “General” who all kept him going through his fight with cancer. Jerry will always be loved and never forgotten. He along with Rick Cook and Mary Ann Blackledge, were instrumental in starting North Platte Clean City Committee, now known as Keep North Platte and Lincoln County Beautiful. Jerry was a member of Pork Producers and served as president and chairman of the Nebraskaland Days Pork Breakfast, Eagles Aerie 2839, Loyal Order of the Moose, where he was a charter member and served as president. He was also a cubmaster for the Cody School Cub Scouts. His family includes his wife; Lois of North Platte, sons; Ted A. Brewer of Kearney and Steven Brewer of North Platte, granddaughters; Alice (Dan) Shea and Kelli (Wyatt Adams) Brewer, great-grandchildren, Daniel, Owen, Kaode, and Kenadi, sister-in-laws, Sherry Hupfer of Cozad and Sandie Schuler of Estacada, Oregon, and faithful Schnauser, General Robert E. Lee. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in law; Tom and Fern Schuler, brother-in laws; Tommy and Gordon Schuler, and sister-in-law; Lily Kucera. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Services will be 10:00 am Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel and burial at the Riverview Cemetery in Sutherland. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 pm at Carpenter Memorial Chapel who is in care of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to continuing education for oncology nurses at the Callahan Cancer Center.

‘The Voice’ contestant, Hannah Huston, to perform at Nebraska State Fair

Posted on August 8, 2016

Grand Island native, Hannah Huston will be appearing at the Nebraska State Fair on Friday, September 2 in the Heartland Events Center.

Tickets are $6 plus gate for reserved seats with her performance beginning at 7:30pm.

“We would simply not have been complete, without Hannah Huston gracing our stage. She captured the hearts of America and made all Nebraskan’s proud with her tenacious performance on NBC TV’s “The Voice,” said State Fair events and entertainment director, Chelsey Jungck.

“What matters most to me is living a life full of passion, creativity and realness; ultimately, to live a life that is glorifying to my Heavenly Father. I owe a lot to my family and others around me who have fueled my passions including my love for music,” said Huston.

Huston finished third on “The Voice,” got to write a song with Pharrel Williams and was able to perform before millions of viewers. Not typical, certainly, but well deserved in every way.

Huston’s goal, even before “The Voice” was to continue writing and recording music. Her future is bright.

“Music makes you feel all the feels, it tells you something about who you are, it reveals brokenness, joy, pain, fear; it transports you. I think its’ beautiful and I intend to make music that is meaningful,” said Huston.

Jungck added, “This will be Hannah’s first full set performance since her time on The Voice. We could not be more proud of Hannah, and even more excited to have her on our stage at the Nebraska State Fair.”

13 skydivers in Colorado jump safely when plane catches fire

Posted on August 8, 2016

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Authorities say a skydiving plane caught fire and the 13 passengers aboard parachuted to safety as it made an emergency landing at a small Colorado airport.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says the plane had just taken off from Colorado Springs East Airport when its engine caught fire Sunday afternoon. Officials believe it may have started when a bird got into the engine.

The skydivers, who were using Out of the Blue Skydiving and had been trained, jumped from the plane and were picked up by company workers. No injuries were reported.

Passenger Trent Reese said they heard a pop and a few seconds later, the pilot said, “Everybody out.”

The pilot landed safely back at the airport.

Colorado patrol says Nebraska Ironman bike rider veered into traffic

Posted on August 8, 2016

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Authorities say a 34-year-old Nebraska woman struck and killed by a vehicle during the Ironman Boulder race this past weekend in Colorado had veered outside the designated race lane.

Michelle Walters died Sunday morning after being hit during the event’s bicycle race on U.S. 36 north of Boulder.

Colorado State Patrol Trooper Nate Reid tells the Daily Camera (https://bit.ly/2auMLFu) that Walters veered outside of the coned-off race lane and into the traffic lane where she was hit by a pickup truck.

Walters died at a hospital.

The driver of the truck was not injured and no citations were immediately issued.

Reid said it is not clear why Walters veered from the designated race lane.

The accident is still under investigation.

Jail sentence upheld for Nebraska man’s hobby of making explosives

Posted on August 8, 2016August 8, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld a six-month prison sentence for a Nebraska man who was manufacturing fireworks and explosive devices in a shed behind his Ralston house.

Jeffrey Belmont had argued he shouldn’t have been convicted because he was making explosives as a hobby, not a business. But the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the law prohibiting making explosives still applied to Belmont.

Authorities found 36 completed explosives and 28 partially completed devices along with more than 2,000 pounds of chemicals used to make flash powder.

The court says the quantity of materials found shows Belmont was engaged in manufacturing explosives, so it upheld the sentence.

Belmont pleaded guilty last year, but he appealed to question whether the law applied to his hobby.

Ex-Nebraska teacher to have nonjury trial in locker room camera case

Posted on August 8, 2016

LOUP CITY, Neb. (AP) — A former Loup City schoolteacher accused of placing spy cameras in a girls locker room is scheduled to begin trial Thursday.

Court records say 25-year-old Anthony Rahe has decided to have a nonjury trial. The 15 counts against him include unlawful intrusion, possession of child pornography and manufacturing a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct.

District officials say a student reported finding the camera in the girls locker room Loup City Public School on Oct. 8. Investigators say school security camera footage implicates Rahe.

5 Nebraska families receive flags honoring fallen servicemen

Posted on August 8, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Five Nebraska families have received Gold Star flags honoring their loved ones who died while serving in the U.S. military.

The Nebraska chapter of the Honor and Remember organization presented Gold Star flags to the families of Army Spc. Dustin Workman, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Keith Hanson, Army 1st Lt. Mark Noziska, and Army 1st Lt. James Moore and his brother Navy Petty Officer Gene Moore.

About 120 people attended the flag presentations, which were held in a Papillion event venue. Family members were also honored at Werner Park before an Omaha Storm Chasers baseball game.

People who have had a family member die while in the military or from an illness contracted while in service can request to receive a Gold Star flag.

Foster grandparents sought to work with Lincoln children

Posted on August 8, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln program is looking for some grandmas and grandpas who want to work with children.

The Foster Grandparent program, adults spend 15 to 20 hours a week at schools, usually working one-on-one with kids.

Elisa Stutheit with the Aging Partners program says the Foster Grandparents program volunteers get a tax-free stipend of $2.65 an hour that doesn’t affect qualification for food stamps, subsidized housing or Supplemental Social Security income. Volunteers also receive mileage reimbursements or a bus pass, paid leave and paid holidays.

Volunteers must be 55 or older and have incomes of no more than 200 percent of the poverty level, which is a little under $24,000 a year for a single person.

Mary Alice Baumgartner

Posted on August 8, 2016August 8, 2016

Mary Alice Baumgartner, age 92, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, at Linden Court in North Platte.

Mary was born February 1, 1924, to Gust and Jennie Kennedy Nelson at Overton, NE, and later the family moved to Paxton, NE. Mary graduated from Paxton High School in 1942 then moved to Salt Lake City, UT. where she worked for the Office of Price Administration (O.P.A.) which was responsible for food rationing during World War II.

On October 30, 1943, Mary was united in marriage to John Lawrence Baumgartner in North Platte. Following John’s discharge from the army, the couple moved to Omaha, NE until 1948 when they settled in North Platte. Mary stayed home with the children while they were young then went to work for North Platte Public Schools Food Service Department. After 41 years Mary retired in 2011 at the age of 87.

Mary loved gardening and baking, which she happily shared with her friends and family. She was well known for her amazing divinity that was requested by many. Mary was also a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

She is survived by her children, Diane (Mark) Brodbeck, of San Diego, CA, and Gary (Vicki) Baumgartner, of Madrid, NE; four grandchildren, Tye (Jennifer) Baumgartner, Leah (Jon) Mussmann, Tracey (Teion) Turner and Troy Brodbeck (Andi Freeman); six great-grandchildren, Teion Turner II, Taylor Turner, Annabelle Brodbeck, Zoe Baumgartner, Grayson Baumgartner and Caius Mussmann; her special friend, Sharon Palmer, of North Platte; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, John, and their son, Joseph; her parents, Gust and Jennie Nelson; three sisters, Hilda Swenson, Margaret Barry and Dorothy Smith; and three brothers, Charles, Oscar and Pershing Nelson.

Cremation was chosen. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are to the North Platte Senior Center.

Rex L. Ealy

Posted on August 8, 2016August 8, 2016

Rex L. Ealy, age 91, of Moorefield, NE, passed away Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.

Rex was born December 24, 1924, to Harold and Ethel LaBounty Ealy at Hastings, NE. He grew up on the family farm east of Moorefield, NE, and graduated from Farnam High School. Rex then joined the U.S. Army in 1944.

Following his discharge in 1946, Rex returned to Moorefield then moved to North Platte where he hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad and worked as a Fireman for the next eight years.

On November 14, 1948, Rex was united in marriage to Dona Margaret Crewdson in North Platte. They later returned to Moorefield to live and work on the family farm. Rex was also a crop duster and owner of Ealy Spraying Service. He flew out of the Curtis Airport and sprayed fields throughout Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and North Dakota.

After retiring in 1985 Rex and Dona continued to live on the farm and wintered in Port Mansfield, TX for 24 years until 2008.

Rex was a member of the American Legion and Nebraska Aviation Trades Association. In his younger days he enjoyed hunting and later liked to fish in the Texas gulf.

He leaves behind his wife of nearly 68 years, Dona, of Moorefield; two daughters, Maurice (Kevin) Bortner, of Moorefield and Ann Ealy, of Omaha, NE; two grandchildren, Danielle (TJ) Harding and Heath (Hilary) Bortner; three great-grandchildren, Morgan and Donna Jean Harding and Barrett Bortner; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ethel; and two sisters, Jeanette Garner and Pauline Messersmith.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2016, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Arthritis Association.