Jeramie James Powell, age 45 of Gothenburg, NE, formerly of North Platte, passed away Thursday July 6, 2017 at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Jeramie was born on December 15, 1971 in Pawtucket, RI to Roger Ray and Judy Ann (Dolan) Powell.  When he was 3 months old, the family moved to North Platte where he grew up and graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 1990.  He worked numerous jobs including construction, carpentry, painting, wood working, and dry walling.  In 2009 he moved to Gothenburg.  Jeramie was stylish and artistic.  He enjoyed motorcycle riding, grilling, cooking, building houses, fishing, NE football, and loved spending time with his family.  He had a good faith and took a lot of pride in his work.  He loved to talk about the satisfaction he gained in the jobs he took part in.  He was also ornery, fun loving, and a jokester with a good heart.

Jeramie is survived by his mother Judy Powell of North Platte; special long time companion Patti Vesely and her son Luke; siblings Charity (Nate) Wyatt of Gothenburg, Becky (Jimmy) Serrano of North Platte, and Casey Powell of North Platte; nieces and nephews Emily Ann, Haylee, Addison, Jules, Ellie, Lilith, Ea Ray, Tucker and Maxwell; as well as many other extended family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Roger Powell; grandparents Dewey and Lucille Powell, and Dick and Phyllis Dolan.

Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday July 11, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church in Gothenburg with Reverend David Boyd officiating.  Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.  Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday July 10, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Lee R. Cohn, 84, of Grand Island passed away June 30, 2017, in Lincoln.

Lee was born on May 17, 1933, to Harry and Eva (Towers) Cohn in Cottonwood Springs.

Lee was the eighth of nine children. He attended country school, graduating from Maxwell High School in 1951. He worked for the Wilhelmsons before entering the U.S. Army in 1955, and he was honorably discharged in 1957. He worked in Nevada before moving to Grand Island, working at Redman’s Mobile Home, Ace Hardware and Grand Island Public Schools.

He married Laurel (Bostock Lewis) on Jan. 20, 1968, in Hastings. To this union four children were born, Lynda Lea, Lewis Cody, Lucinda Eve and Lance Kristopher.

Lee was a hard worker, always helping friends and relatives. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, square dancing, working on his acreage and doing small engine repair. It was very important to him to attend his children and grandchildren’s special events, and he loved spending quality time with his family. He liked playing cribbage and dominoes with his special brother-in-law, Casey, and other family members. He was a member of the Eagles, Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Liederkranz and the Nebraska Rural Youth Group. He had donated more than 25 gallons of blood.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers and sisters, Evelyn Harriet Ellis, Theodore Cohn, Velva Cohn, Wilbur (Shorty) Cohn, Allwin (Bud) Cohn, Doris Bayne, Esther Jackson and Orlene Adams Jackson.

He is survived by his wife, Laurel; daughter, Lynda Cohn of Grand Island; son, Lewis Cody (Susan) of Tucson, Arizona; daughter, Lucinda (Tim) Faunce, and granddaughter, Nima of Palmyra; son, Lance (Carley) and granddaughters, JoLee and Jada of Omaha; sister-in-law, MaryJane Cohn of North Platte; brother-in-law, Harold Bayne of Broken Bow; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Memorials are suggested to his grandchildrens’ college fund or the GI Education Foundation. Online condolences may be shared at giallfaiths.com.

A military memorial service will be at a later date at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. All Faiths Funeral Home, Grand Island, is in charge of arrangements.

Robert G. “Bob” Heitman, 79, of Minden passed away July 1, 2017, at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

Bob was born on May 10, 1938, in Wichita, Kansas, to Paul and Minnie (Torske) Heitman. He grew up in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School in 1957. He served in the U.S. Navy, then returned to the North Platte area.

On Feb. 9, 1963, he married Barbara “Bobbie” Sivits in North Platte, and they lived in North Platte, where Bob worked for North Western Bell as a telephone technician. They moved to Minden in 1969. Bob retired from Qwest, and they remained in Minden.

Bob was a member of the United Methodist Church in Minden, the Eagles and American Legion Post No. 94 in Minden. He enjoyed reading about history, completing construction projects around the house, collecting coins and being around his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara “Bobbie” of Minden; son, Nick Heitman of Kearney; daughters, Lori (Scott) Borgmann of Shelton and JoAnn Vohland (special friend Vincent Sumstine) of Minden; four grandchildren, Scotty and Jacob Borgmann, Tyson Schroeder and Jessa Vohland (special friend, Trey Stombaugh); two great-grandchildren, Brody and Jack Borgman; brother, Ron (Marty) Heitman of Council Bluffs, Iowa; sister, Ruth Ann (Paul) Maginn of Omaha; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, at the United Methodist Church in Minden with the Rev. Paul Blanchard officiating. Casual attire is requested. Burial will be at Fredericksburg Lutheran Cemetery south of Minden with burial rites provided by the Minden American Legion and the Heartwell VFW. There will be no public visitation. Craig Funeral Home, Minden, is in charge of arrangements.

John F. Kratzenstein, 79, of Brady, died July 3, 2017, in Gothenburg.

He was born on Jan. 14, 1938, on the farm north of Brady, son of Arthur and Martha Kratzenstein.

John grew up in Wild Horse Valley and graduated from Brady High School. John married Darlene Sears on April 21, 1963, in North Platte. To this union a son Monte and a daughter Suzanne were born. John lived his entire life in Wild Horse Valley, where he farmed and ranched.

John was a member of the Svea Dal Covenenant Church.

John lived his life treasuring his friends, family and faith. He loved his many friends who always offered a hand, especially during his last 13 years of deteriorating health. John loved his family so much. His happiest moments were spent at family dinners and gatherings, watching his grandkids sporting events, showing the great-grandkids around the farm and sitting in his recliner watching the chaos of a family get-together. John lived his life as an incredible example of his Christian beliefs. His calm demeanor, patience and faithfulness inspired many, especially during his numerous hospital stays.

His handshake was his word. His love for all was unconditional. John’s prayers were filled with thankfulness and he always mentioned the “Christian way of life” which was so important to him. He lived a life devoted to preparing for his eternal home and he is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior.

John was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marilyn Rubenthaler.

Surviving are his wife, Darlene Kratzenstein of Brady; son, Monte (Lexi) Kratzenstein of Kearney; daughter, Suzanne (Arlen) Quinn of Bellevue; grandchildren, Josie and Jace Kratzenstein of Kearney, Amber(Jonathon) Sims of Elkhorn, Brian Quinn of Mayville, North Dakota, and Shelby Quinn of Bellevue; two great-grandchildren, Cullen and Raegan Sims of Elkhorn; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Svea Dal Evangelical Covenant, 1676 Svea Dal Road, Brady, NE 69123 or the Cromer Scholarship Fund at the Brady High School. Online condolences may be shared at blasestrauser.com.

Services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 7, at Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Mike Maroney officiating.

Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m., today, July 6, at the Evangelical Free Church, Gothenburg. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, is in charge of arrangements.

Esther M. Blevins, age 87, of Stapleton passed away July 4, 2017 at Great Plains Health in North Platte, NE.

Esther was born May 26, 1930, in Gandy, NE, to William and Gertrude (Hughes) Fablinger.  She graduated from Logan County High School in 1948.  After taking normal training she began teaching rural school and attending Kearney State College in the summers.  She married Byron R. Blevins on September 13, 1953 in Gandy while he was home on a 9-day leave from the U.S. Army.  Byron was sent to Korea and Esther continued to teach at the Garfield School.  When Byron returned to the States they lived at Fort Crowder, MO until he was honorably discharged in April of 1955. They began their farming life together on the Fablinger farm 11 miles south and east of Stapleton.  To this union were born three children; Gary Wayne, Robert Dale and David Ray.  Esther was a member of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church and Christian Woman, former member of Lifeboat Mariners, Hub Bub Extension Club and a 4-H Leader.

She is survived by her 2 sons, Gary (Kelli) of Stapleton and their daughters Jaime of North Platte and Kali of Sutherland, and Robert (Janis) of Stapleton and stepson Jake Schrock of Gandy and stepdaughter Sarah Schrock of Aurora, CO; daughter-in-law Jody of Stapleton and her children Brian (Kelsea) of Superior, NE with their children Breea and Cruz, Bradley of Kearney, NE, Tyler of Lincoln, NE and stepdaughter Angie (Mike) Lyon with their children Makayla, Addyson and Selah of Grand Island, NE; sister Lucy Johnson of North Platte; brother and sister-in-law Don (Lyla) Blevins of Gandy; nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years Byron; son David; granddaughter Felicia; grandson Brent; sister Alice Rockwell; sister and brother-in-law Elsie and Edgar Hubbell; brother-in-law Russell Johnson; and brother and sister-in-law Emory and Frances Long.

Memorials are suggested to Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Stapleton or the Stapleton Fire and Rescue and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.    Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday July 7, 2017 at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Stapleton with Pastor Eric Mockaitis officiating.  Burial will follow at McCain Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday July 6, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home; and 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Stapleton.  Adam and Swanson Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.