Jerry Allen Otterstad, 75, of Willow Island, died Aug. 1, 2017, in Bellevue. Services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg. Burial will follow at the Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4, with the family present at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg. Online condolences may be shared at blasestrauser.com. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, is in charge of arrangements.
Category: Obituaries
Janice Mae Ecker Visscher Death Notice
Janice Mae Ecker Visscher of Aurora, Colorado, formerly of Sutherland, died July 31, 2017. Graveside services will be at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4, at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
Jason D. Roth Death Notice
Jason D. Roth, 37, of North Platte, died Aug. 1, 2017. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 7, at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior. The casket will be closed. Burial will be at the North Platte Cemetery. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Oma Y. Refior
Oma Y. Refior, 101, of Sutherland, passed away August 1, 2017 at the Sutherland Nursing Home.
She was born on October 11, 1915 to Morgan and Ada (Staples) Smith in White, Nebraska. She graduated from Curtis High School. Oma was united in marriage to Gerald D. Refior in Julesberg, Colorado. She lived in North Platte, Lexington and Brush, Colorado areas. While living in Brush, Oma was an Avon dealer. She also enjoyed decorating cakes for people.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sisters, Ula, Elva, and Phyllis; brothers, Melvin, Junior and Herchial and an infant sister.
She is survived by her son, Gerald (Marcia) Refior; stepson, Dale (Virginia) Refior and grandson, Tracey (Rhonda) Refior; stepdaughter, Viola Burch and her family; daughter-in-law, Ardis Refior and a sister, Audfrey Schmidt. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com. Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, at Riverview Cemetery near Sutherland with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.
Myron Lee Garth
Myron Lee Garth, 89, passed away July 14, 2017, at the Kansas City Hospice House.
Myron was born to Lucille and Merle Garth on June 5, 1929, in Emporia, Kansas. He attended Rosedale High and Rockhurst University. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
He married Catherine A. Mulvihill of Kansas City, Missouri, on June 25, 1949. Myron and Catherine raised six children in south Kansas City, where they were founding members of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Myron faithfully served his parish and school for more than 50 years as a lector, finance minister and wherever needed.
Myron enjoyed camping, fishing and gardening and was an avid supporter of his children’s activities. Myron could often be found in his backyard, grilling and enjoying the help of his grandkids while preparing dinner for family and friends. Myron worked for South Western Bell and ATT for 36 years.
Myron was proceeded in death by his wife, Catherine, after 50 years of marriage.
Myron is survived by six children, Rose Mary Garth of Indianapolis, Indiana, Michael (Therese) McCarthy-Garth of North Platte, Rita (Pat) McGrath of Farmington, New Mexico, Teresa Gutierrez and Ann Garth, both of Overland Park, Kansas, and Tom (Carole) Garth of Kansas City, Missouri; 12 grandchildren, including Dr. Timothy (Michelle) Garth of Little Rock, Arkansas, Katie Garth of Omaha and Danny Garth of Chesterfield, Missouri; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to the Serra Club, Kansas City Hospice House or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared at floralhillsfuneralhome.com.
Mass of Christian burial was on July 18 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church.
Richard Dennis Schrotberger
Richard Dennis Schrotberger, 63, of Bloomfield, passed away July 29, 2017, in Bloomfield.
He was born on July 28, 1954, in Grant to Frank Sr. and Gloria Schmidt Schrotberger.
Richard received a bachelor of arts degree from Mid-Plains Community College. He worked 27 years for the city of North Platte.
Richard was from a military family and was very active with the VFW. He was the manager of Bingo at Sun Ray Casino and retired in 2016. Richard loved to sing and dance with his friends. He also loved his Harleys and went to Sturgis for years. Family was everything to him and Richard was a very happy, loving person.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Sr. and Gloria Schmidt Schrotberger.
He is survived by his wife, Julie Schrotberger; daughters, Relissa (Chad) Williams, Rachel Schultz and Jeri (Pat) Luce-Desmond; brothers, Frank Jr. (Roxanne) Schrotberger, Mike (Mary) Schrotberger and Jon T. Schrotberger; sister, Marsha (Don) Jones; four granddaughters, Hope, Isabella, Rosa and Cora; four grandsons, Daniel, Devon, Torin and Tiernan; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s name to VFW Post 2182, 5513 Hwy. 64 in Farmington. Online condolences may be shared at farmingtonfuneral.com.
Services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 4 at the VFW Post 2182, 5513 Hwy. 64 in Farmington with Sarah Mahaffey officiating. Farmington Funeral Home, 2111 W. Apache St., is in charge of arrangements.
Harold B. Foote
Harold B. Foote, 77, of Yankton, South Dakota, died unexpectedly July 29, 2017, at his home.
Harold was born on Aug. 11, 1939, in Huron, South Dakota, to Burr and Darline (DeLano) Foote. He grew up on a farm near Yale, South Dakota, and attended Foote Country School. Harold went to Yale High School for three years and then graduated from Huron High School in 1957.
After school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard an aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet. Harold was honorably discharged in 1960 and moved back to Huron, where he worked for an implement dealer. Shortly thereafter, Harold moved to Pierre and started working for the State Highway Department.
He met Ruth (Eckert) on a blind date and 10 months later, they were married on Oct. 21, 1962, in Midland, South Dakota. After their marriage, they moved back to Huron and Harold attended Huron College, graduating with a teaching degree in 1967. Later, he received his master’s degree in special education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Harold taught school including special education for more than 40 years, teaching in Colstrip, Montana; Mission, South Dakota; North Platte; St. Francis, South Dakota; Bonesteel, South Dakota; and Lake Andes, South Dakota. In 2009, he retired, and he moved to Yankton in 2010, where he spent the last seven years working as a greeter at Walmart.
Harold loved to visit and be around people. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and watching sports, especially college basketball, Husker football and the Denver Broncos. He was proud of his service in the Navy, but above all, he was proud of his family and cherished the time spent with them.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Carl Foote.
Harold will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 54 years, Ruth Foote of Yankton; five children, Kathy (Dennis) McConnell of North Platte, Jeffrey (Deb) Foote of North Platte, Krista (Rod) Neugebauer of Ethan, South Dakota, Jennifer (Scott) Magnussen of Pierce and Jason (Jessie) Foote of Yankton; 13 grandchildren; brother, Richard (Marvel) Foote of San Diego; sister, Faye Berry of Forest Hill, California; sister-in-law, Carol Foote of Redding, California; and many nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be shared at wintzrayfuneralhome.com.
Services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 4, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yankton with the Rev. David Gunderson officiating. Burial will be at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 of Yankton and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3, at Wintz & Ray Funeral Home, Yankton, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Wintz & Ray Funeral Home, Yankton, is in charge of arrangements.
Arthur “Rex” Howard Death Notice
Arthur “Rex” Howard, 94, of North Platte passed away July 30, 2017 at Linden Court. Cremation was chosen. Memorials may be made in his name or to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Graveside Services will be held 2:00 p.m. MT Thursday, August 10, 2017 at Westlawn Cemetery near Gering, NE with the Reverend Dr. Douglas Delp officiating. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Neva L. Voycheske
Neva L. Voycheske, 87, of North Platte, formerly of Chadron passed away July 28, 2017 at Great Plains Health. She was born on June 27, 1930 in Alliance, NE to Lyle and Vera (Whetstone) Hakanson.
Neva graduated from Chadron Prep High School and attended Chadron State College for a year. She married Joseph Voycheske on May 24, 1952 in Hays Springs, NE. The couple lived south of Chadron on the table and later moved to Hay Springs, and then to town in Chadron. Neva worked at Chadron Community Hospital for many years as a nursing assistant. She was a member of the Eagles Club, and volunteered for the RSVP, and enjoyed gardening, sewing, playing cards, and games.
Survivors include children, Teresa Dold of McCook, NE, Patricia (Lyle) McKinnon of Chadron, NE, Michael (Cyrenna) Voycheske of Atwood, CO, Thomas Voycheske of Cheyenne, WY, Barton (Karma) Voycheske of Ogallala, NE, and Cory (Sonja) Voycheske of North Platte, NE; grandchildren, Mikel (Jamie) McKinnon of Chadron, NE, Jamie McKinnon of Oklahoma City, OK, Heidi (Mike) Bailey of Sparks, NV, Kenneth (Carissa) McKinnon of Chadron, NE, Dustin (Stacie) Dold of McCook, NE, Kaylia Dold of McCook, NE, and Kristin Voycheske of Cheyenne, WY, Stephani (Justin) Thompson of North Platte, NE, Hailey Voycheske of Ashville, NC, Taylor (Cole) Willard of Lafayette, CO, Tucker Voycheske of North Platte, NE, Joseph Voycheske of Atwood, CO, Ciara Voycheske of Ogallala, NE, and Grayson Voycheske of Laramie, WY; great-grandchildren, Derek McKinnon, Robbie McKinnon, Bailey McKinnon, Ashleigh McKinnon, Jamie McKinnon, Jace McKinnon, Zachary Carlson, Brian Carlson, Jennifer McKinnon, Jason McKinnon, Josh McKinnon, Jacob McKinnon, Jackson Boll, Brooklyn Dold, Addison Dold; a brother, Dennis Hakanson of Anchorage, Alaska; sister-in-law, Peggy Hakanson of Council Bluffs, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph; special friend, Dennis Kirk; granddaughter, Jennifer McKinnon; grandson, Riley Voycheske; great-granddaughter, Chloe Dold; a son-in-law, Allen Dold; and brothers, Wendell Hakanson and Glen Hakanson.
Memorials may be made to the Great Plains Foundation or to the North Platte RSVP and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Cremation was chosen. Celebration of life will be held 11:00 a.m. August 11, 2017 at Calvary Cemetery near Chadron, NE with the Pastor Cole Willard officiating. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Louis Robert “Bob” Fear, Jr.
Louis Robert “Bob” Fear, Jr., of Sutherland, NE, passed away on Monday, July 31, 2017, at the Sutherland Care Center, at the age of 83.
Robert was born in North Platte, NE, on December 31, 1933, to Louis Robert, Sr. and Myrtle (Browne) Fear. He grew up on the family ranch, south of Sutherland, and attended country school through the 6th grade. Robert continued his schooling in Wallace, NE, then went to high school at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, NE. After he graduated in 1951, he returned to the ranch.
On June 28, 1953, Bob was united in marriage to Charlaine Deloris Fry in Hershey, NE. The couple continued to live on the Fear family ranch, making them the 4th generation to live on the same ranch. They owned and operated the Fear Ranch Company and raised commercial cattle along with their three children.
Bob loved what he did and was recognized for his ranching when he was featured in a New York Times article. In 2001 and 2002 he received the Outstanding Grassland Conservation Award. When their son, Larry, took over the ranch, Bob and Charlaine retired and moved to Sutherland in 1999.
Bob was a member of the Sutherland United Methodist Church, a past board member of the Sutherland Rural Fire District, Horse Club 4-H Leader, an active member of the Nebraska Cattleman’s Association, and served as director of the Twin Platte Natural Resources District from 1975 to ’99 and was Board Chairman from ’80 to ’95.
Bob loved boating, water skiing, welding and making things. In his later years he learned to golf and became a member of the Lake Maloney Golf Club. Bob and Charlaine later owned a condo in Grand Lake, CO, and that is where he enjoyed snowmobiling.
He is survived by his wife, Charlaine, of Sutherland; daughters, Barbara (Lon) Petersen, of Elkhorn, NE, and Sandra Bay, of Sutherland; grandchildren, Larren Fear, Landan Fear, Jennifer Stephens (fiancé, Chris Stone), Justin Petersen, Rebecca (Jon) Reiter, Dr. Elizabeth (Andrew) Harris and Jessica (Justin) Grentz; nine great-grandchildren, Trinity, Paul, Jayden, Emersyn, Mikayla, Ben, Piper, Andy and Lincoln; sisters-in-law, Nancy Fulk, of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Arleta Bell, of Estes Park, CO; and other family.
Bob was preceded in death by his son, Larry Fear; and his parents, Louis and Myrtle Fear.
Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2017, at the Sutherland United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating. Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with family greeting friends from 4-6 p.m. 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, memorials are to the Sutherland Rural Fire Department, Sutherland United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore