Elma Glennis Naviaux Newman, formerly of North Platte, NE, passed away at the Waterford Nursing Home in Omaha, NE, on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at the age of 101.

Elma was born August 1, 1915, to Clarence Earl and Sarah Olive Pollard Campbell at Kaycee, WY. Elma grew up in Wyoming, living in Kaycee and Buffalo. She graduated from Buffalo High School then moved to Cheyenne to work as a secretary. Elma later met Eugene Elliott Naviaux and they were married in Cheyenne in 1937. They lived in Huntington, OR, and Omaha before settling in North Platte in 1945. Elma went on to work as a secretary for Nebraska Public Power District in North Platte and was there 25 years before she retired. Elma and Eugene were married for 25 years when he died in August of 1962.

On January 24, 1964, Elma was united in marriage to Irwin Spencer “Josh” Newman in North Platte where they continued to live. Over the years Elma and Josh enjoyed spending summers in Glenhaven, CO, and were members of Winter Dance.

Elma was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 70 years and a past member of B.P.O. Does. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed the Campbell family reunions.

She is survived by her daughters, Glennis (Ron) Baker, of North Platte and Sandy Naviaux, of Omaha; stepchildren, Leslie Newman, of Oxford CA, Loris (Dick) Michael and Linda (Tom) Melia, of Sandpoint, ID, and Peggy Brodsky, of Atlanta, GA; five grandchildren and 15 step grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and 27 step great-grandchildren; 2 step great great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces, nephews and other family.

Along with her husbands, Eugene Naviaux and Josh Newman, Elma was preceded in death by her son, Bill Naviaux; parents, Clarence and Sarah Campbell; brother, Lee Campbell; sisters, Carman Kostenbauer and Cleo McPherron; stepsons, Don and Larry Newman; and granddaughter, Nicky Naviaux England.

Cremation was chosen. Graveside Memorial Service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 30, 2017, in the North Platte Cemetery with Pastor Steve Nofel officiating. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at the graveside. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements. Memorials can be made to the donor’s choice.

Renee Joyce Wilkins, age 85 went to be with the Lord on Friday June 23, 2017 at Cozad Care Center in Cozad, NE.

Renee was born May 19, 1932 in McPherson County to Orval E. and Della (Hall) Black.  She worked alongside her father in Black’s Cash Store and attended school in McPherson County, graduating with the class of 1950.  After graduation she served in the US Navy for 2 years where she met her husband Brozy “Bud” Wilkins.  They were married May 16, 1954 and to their union 3 children were born: Brozy “Butch” III, Brenda, and Ed.  While Bud was in the service they lived in various places including Virginia, Texas, and Spain.  When Bud retired they lived for a while in Florida, back in Tryon, and finally in Kearney, NE.  Joyce loved playing board games and cards, and taught her grandchildren and some nieces and nephews how to play games from an early age.  She liked camping and fishing and she and Bud had purchased a motor home just before he passed away.  They had many wonderful times spent with her 3 sisters and their spouses sharing holidays together and lots of camping journeys together.  She was active in her Baptist Church in Kearney, serving on the visitation committee and being chair of her Baptist Women’s Group.

Joyce is survived by her 3 children, Brozy “Butch” Wilkins III of Pinehurst, TX, Brenda (Mike) Peters of Gothenburg, NE, and Orval Edward (Lori) Wilkins of Pleasanton, NE; 9 grandchildren Brozy “Buck” Wilkins IV, Chad (Mindy) Wilkins, Marci (J.T.) Blackwell, Deke Wilkins, Shea (Jennie) Wilkins, Nick Wilkins, Stephanie (Dave) Rodriguez, Amy Case, Craig Wilkins; daughter-in-law Wanda Wilkins; 14 great grandchildren; sister Jerry (Gary) Neal of North Platte, NE; 2 half sisters Jodeen Carroll of Lexington, NE and Shelly (Jeff) Arensdorf of Tryon, NE; 1 half brother Ed Black of Tryon, NE; and 1 step sister Susan Crapo of Yankton, SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bud; an infant son; an infant grandson Cody Wilkins; sisters Joanne Jennings and Janis Nielsen; brothers-in-law Darwin Nielsen and Dale Jennings; infant niece Kylee Neal; step brother Rick Black; step sister Beth Ehrbar; and her stepmother Leah Black.

Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be graveside 1:00 p.m. Wednesday June 28, 2017 at Miller Cemetery in Tryon with military honors.  Pastor James Paine will officiate.  Visitation will be from noon until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday June 27, 2017 and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until noon, with the family receiving friends from 11:00 a.m. until noon at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Terrill George Nichols, of Greeley, passed away June 21, 2017, at his home following a courageous four-year battle with colon cancer.

Terry was born on Aug. 25, 1945, in North Platte to Howard and Georgene Nichols, joining his three older brothers, Charles, Kirk and David Nichols. He grew up in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School.

He served in the Army Reserves. Terry moved to Colorado as a young adult for employment opportunities.

He married Bonnie (Daniels) Nichols on Sept. 24, 1974, in Boulder, Colorado. They later moved to Greeley to raise their family. He attended Greeley Wesleyan Church.

Terry’s career in office equipment spanned 40 years, of which many were as owner of Nichols Business Machines Sales and Service. He also worked for Sears, Hugh M. Woods, Walmart, Home Depot and R.R. Donnelley.

One of his greatest joys was the many years he spent as a Santa’s helper at Christmas time. He loved auctions, garage sales, collecting clocks and trains and spending time in Florida. He was an extremely sociable person and loved talking to just about anyone about anything — especially about his children and granddaughters. He will be missed by many.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David; and sister-in-law, Mary Nichols.

Terry is survived by his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Mindy (Rodney) Marshall; granddaughter, Eleanor Marshall, Kersey; son, Christopher (Amber) Nichols; granddaughters, Bergen Gallegos, Cooper Gallegos and Rachael Nichols; daughter, Marcy (Colin) McWhorter; granddaughters, Abigail, Emily, Isabelle and Samantha McWhorter, of Orlando, Florida; son, Mark (Majel) Nichols; and granddaughters, Lily and Ivy Nichols.

Memorials are suggested to your local food bank in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. Online condolences may be shared at allnutt.com.

Services will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27, at the Allnutt Macy Chapel. Cremation will follow. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, June 26, at the Allnutt Macy Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Leonard F. Buhrman, 89, of Grand Island passed away June 22, 2017, at Wedgewood Care Center in Grand Island.

Leonard was born on April 9, 1928, in Grand Island, the youngest son of Louis and Augusta (Schwenck) Buhrman.

Leonard was raised in Greeley, where he graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School. Although he earned a Regent Scholarship, Leonard enlisted instead in the U.S. Army on Jan. 8, 1951. He served in Korea, having earned a Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged from the Army on Aug. 9, 1962, but continued for 20 years in the Army Reserves.

On Sept. 21, 1950, he was united in marriage to Mary Leonard at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The couple made their home in Grand Island, where Leonard was employed as a conductor engineer for Union Pacific Railroad and in his free time, was also a master plumber. Leonard and Mary were blessed with daughters, Kathy, Connie, Jean Ann, Jeannette and Patty, and sons, Richard and Bill. In 1973, Leonard was transferred to North Platte, where he continued as a conductor for UPRR and owned and operated Buhrman Plumbing in North Platte and Grand Island.

After 51 years of service for Union Pacific Railroad, he was finally convinced to retire. Not one to be idle, he filled his days with keeping up with all of his grandchildren and extended family as well as his longtime friends and his faith. Leonard was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge and Elks Lodge, and American Legion. He had a wonderful memory and enjoyed playing cards. He was an expert at crossword puzzles and was an avid reader of western novels. Leonard was very personable and always made the effort to stay in touch with his friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; two daughters, Jean Ann Buhrman and Jeannette Murrain; and brother, Bob Buhrman.

Leonard is survived by his children, Kathy Buhrman of Aurora, Colorado, Connie (Bill) Niles of Hastings, Patty (Don) McBride of Grand Island, Richard (Vickie) Buhrman of Gretna and Bill (Lisa) Buhrman of Council Bluffs, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Grand Island Central Catholic High School. Online condolences may be shared at giallfaiths.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 27, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Father Donald Buhrman and Father Marty Egging officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors by North Platte Honor Guard and U.S. Army Honor Guard. A Celebration of Life gathering will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, June 26, at All Faiths Funeral Home, Grand Island. Christian wake will follow at 7 p.m. All Faiths Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Shirley Jean Carlson, age 87 of North Platte, passed away Friday June 23, 2017 at North Platte Care Center.

Shirley was born on November 14, 1929 in North Platte, to Charles and Lydia (Castor) Beavers.  She grew up in Brady and graduated from Brady High School before marrying Harold Carlson in 1949.  The couple resided in North Platte and to their union 3 children were born.  She worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Mary’s Hospital.  Shirley enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and will be greatly missed.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Jeanne Anderson of Gothenburg; son Harold of Kimball, NE; 4 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and sister LaVonne Foss Hammond of IN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son Michael Carlson; grandson Timothy Anderson; sisters Lila Sadi and Stella Cain; and brothers Harold, Gerald and Eugene Beavers.

Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Cremation was chosen and a memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday June 27, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Smith officiating.  Inurnment will follow at North Platte Cemetery.  Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday June 26, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Betty A. Gardner, age 82, formerly of North Platte passed away June 9, 2017 at Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

She was born on April 9, 1935 in North Platte to Dr. E. Bernard and Josephine (Brown) Drost.  Betty graduated from St. Patrick’s Catholic Schools in 1953.  She attended college in Colorado at Loretta Heights in Denver before marring C. James Gardner on January 2, 1954 in Julesburg, CO.  The couple resided in North Platte where Betty was a stay at home mom.  Later in life, she was office manager for her father, Dr. E.B. Drost.  They later moved to Chandler, AZ where she was office manager for an appliance company, and moved back to North Platte where they were members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.  Betty was active in the ladies group Catholic Daughters, and home visitation.  She was in the St. Pat’s choir for 26 years, was an avid bridge player, and her favorite job was the raising of her family.  She will be missed very much.

Survivors include her children, Linda (Bruce) Malsbury, Mike (Beverly) Gardner all of North Platte, David (Susan) Gardner of Federal Way, WA, Bill (Lucy) Gardner of Almsville, OR, and Thomas (Kristi) Gardner of Highlands Ranch, CO; 9 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Larry (Linda) Drost of Boise, ID; and a special friend, Lynette Beckmann of North Platte.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; a son, Richard; brothers, Dr. Jerry and Bernie Drost; and a great-granddaughter, MaKenna Walters.

Memorials may be made to the North Platte Catholic School Endowment Trust and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 30, 2017 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Reverend James Novakowski as celebrant.  Inurnment will follow at the North Platte Cemetery.  Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.