Ross J. Klein, 87, of Gothenburg, died June 19, 2017, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

He was born on Nov. 29, 1929, south of Farnam, the son of Louis and Nona (Hayworth) Klein. Ross went to country school south of Farnam and completed eight years in seven. He then graduated from Curtis Agricultural High School. He earned his degree in electricity and allied electronics from a trade school in Lincoln in 1952. Ross was very active with sports in high school.

He enjoyed boxing and never lost a bout. He won his first bout by TKO in 37 seconds in the first round. He liked to tell that he had never had on boxing gloves before or even boxed before his first bout. He boxed for two years in Golden Gloves and won all rounds except one draw on point.

Ross farmed and ranched south of Farnam from 1950-85. In 1952, he briefly moved to Lincoln and worked at Mead Ammunition Depot because of crop loss due to hail. He also operated an electrical business and sold NK Seeds during those years. Ross bought an electronics business in Fort Morgan, Colorado, in 1985. He sold that business in 1997 and moved to Greeley, Colorado, to work for Sears appliance sales division. He also sold Honda and Toyota cars until May 2000, when he went to work for Successful Farming Magazines. He spent the next 11 years traveling through Colorado, Wyoming, western Nebraska, Kansas and South Dakota as a supervisor of sales and demographics of farm information.

In 2007, Ross and Carolyn moved to North Platte. In 2015, Ross and Carolyn moved to Gothenburg.

Ross loved all animals and birds. He was so proud of his family and was a firm believer in honest, hard work.

Ross married Jean Whisler on Oct. 1, 1950, and to this union five children were born, Rhonda, Deb, Doug, Cindy and Eric. He was married to Evonne Knapp in 1989 and married Carolyn Anderson on Sept. 21, 2006.

Ross was preceded in death by father, Louis Klein; mother, Nona M. Klein; sister, Ruth Klein; brother, Russell Klein; and Evonne Knapp and Jean Klein.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; three daughters, Rhonda (Doug) Hill of Farnam, Deb (Ed) Krone of Gothenburg and Cindy (Rod) Troyer of Greeley, Colorado; two sons, Doug (Paula) Klein Moorefield and Eric Klein of Greeley; one brother, Raymond Klein of Trenton; aunt, Darlene Klooz of Sargent; 43 grandchildren; 75 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; along with many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be shared at blasestrauser.com.

Services will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 26, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel with Greg Boller officiating. Burial will follow at the Maywood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m., with the family present from 4-6 p.m., on Sunday, June 25, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, which is in charge of arrangements.

Pamela K. Brabham, 70, of North Platte, passed away June 18, 2017, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg.

She was born on Aug. 1, 1946, in Denver to Lynn and Virginia (Pattison) Leaf. Pamela graduated from South High School in Denver and later was united in marriage to William “Joe” Brabham on Feb. 6, 1965. While in Denver, she worked for the telephone company, First National Bank and King Soopers. They returned to North Platte in 2002 and she most recently worked at the Walmart Pharmacy. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and Mayflower Society, and she was past madam president of the Aurora Eagles Club in Aurora, Colorado.

She was preceded in death by her parents and infant daughter, Tamera Lynn.

Survivors include her husband, Joe Brabham; four-legged friend, Sosji; sons, Timothy (Molly) Brabham of Round Rock, Texas, and Chris (Jo) Brabham of Southlake, Texas; brother, Ronnie Leaf of San Mateo, California; and grandchildren, Megan, Abby, Hannah, Jake, Nick and Kaylee.

Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with the Rev. Josh Brown officiating. Burial will be at the McCain Cemetery near Stapleton. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 23, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Sally S. Jochum, age 74, of Brady, NE passed away June 18, 2017 at Great Plains Health in North Platte with her loving family at her side.

Sally was born to Sherman F. and Grace M. (Bassett) Sheets on January 29, 1943 in North Platte, NE.  She graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 1961.  Sally was united in marriage to Rex Forrester Sr. in May of 1961 and to this union three children were born: Rex Jr., Jennifer, and Patrick.  She loved being a mom and made her children her top priority.  After her children had started school, she began her Real Estate career which would span over 40 years of her life.  Sally worked for several different agencies and eventually became the Owner/Broker of Gothenburg Realty.  She was a member of the National, State, and Dawson County Board of Realtors.  She loved her family and loved her job.  Through the years, she helped many people become homeowners, and most of her clients remained great friends after the sales.  Sally was very active in the community, serving on various boards throughout the years, including the Board of Directors of the Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce and the Gothenburg Ambassadors.  She was united in marriage to James Jochum in April of 1984, and they made their home at beautiful Jeffrey Lake in Brady.  Sally served on the Board of the Homeowners Association at Jeffrey Lake for many years.  She loved the lake environment and all her wonderful friends, including all of the wildlife that roamed her yard daily.  Sally loved life and lived her life to the fullest.  She enjoyed hiking, kayaking, and being with family and friends.  She especially loved the holidays and being with all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Sally is survived by her husband Jim; sons Rex Jr. (Sheila) and Patrick (Tami) Forrester; daughter Jennifer (Todd) Hergenrader; step-daughter Jennifer Cotton; grandchildren Ashley Forrester, Hannah (Rick) Dolan, Emma (Tony) Hipke, Grace Forrester, Cory and Drew Hergenrader; step-grandchildren Jace Jochum & Rylie Cotton; great-grandchildren Eddie and Ella Dolan and baby Hipke; brothers Robert, Harold ‘Dee’, Darrel and Larry Sheets.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sister-in-laws, Pat Sheets and Margaret Sheets.

Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday June 23, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Smith officiating.  Inurnment will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with a reception following at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds.  Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday June 22, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Karen Ruth (Sundermann) Maline (9/2/42-4/13/17), a long-time Nebraska resident and 5 year resident of Arizona, died after a 3½ year courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.

Karen loved her family deeply and is survived by her husband, John; son, Matt (Shelly); daughter, Sara (Scott) Bohn; sister, Becky (Dave) Schernikau.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren who were the light of her world:  Tiffany Osburn, Claire Maline, Abby Maline, Autum Maline, Bradon Maline, Emma Bohn, William Bohn, and three great-grandchildren: Lily, Audrey, and Nathaniel Osburn.  Karen had many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved and who shall miss her.

Her memorial service will be held at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, 1616 W B St, North Platte, NE 69101, at 11:00am Wednesday, June 28, 2017. Inurnment will be in the columbarium at the North Platte Cemetery.  Memorial gifts may be made to Mt. Zion Lutheran Church (Peoria, AZ) or the Alzheimer’s Association, Desert Southwest Chapter. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

 

 

Alberta “Bert” L. Kellie, 78, of North Platte, passed away June 14, 2017 at Great Plains Health.

She was born on March 3, 1939 to John and Thelma (Clark) Price Sr. in McCook, Nebraska. Bert graduated from McCook High School with the class of 1957. On August 13, 1959 she was united in marriage to Marion Kellie in Coquille, Oregon. Bert worked in various cafe’s and restaurants in McCook and North Platte. In 1965 she was employed at Continental Trailway and later by Skelly Truck Stop and the Airport. Bert enjoyed selling Avon cosmetics and volunteering at the Senior Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Betty Jensen; brothers, John Price Jr., Chuck Price and Oliver Price. She is survived by her husband, Marion; daughter, Chris (Randy) Edwards; sons, Don Kellie, Dan (Cindy) Kellie; daughter, Cathy “Bug” Kellie; twelve grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in her memory. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday June 19, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00p.m. Sunday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel which is in care of arrangements.

Aloysius L. Wiegand, 86, of North Platte, passed away May 24, 2017 in Grand Island.

He was born in a small box-like house in Overton, Nebraska on October 23, 1930, welcomed by his three older sisters and a brother. When he was five, the family moved to Kearney where he started school. He attended St. James through the eighth grade, enjoying recess, playing football and basketball the most and the strict disciplinary rules and customs demanded by the nuns the least. In the eighth grade he was given permission to play football with the public school teams. His ego surpassed his performance with each game when praise came from the local newspaper. Attending public high school brought new experiences, knowing most his classmates through summer activities, playing baseball and swimming. His study habits bringing average grades so he could participate in sports. He earned letters in four sports his sophomore and junior years, two in his senior year. He won honors in football and boxing (with two state champion trophies). The summers were spent picking up potatoes, detassling corn and playing baseball. At seventeen baseball became a money maker, playing for as many as four teams, earning twenty-five dollars a game. Making enough money to buy a car and put savings in the bank. After finishing high school, he enrolled at Kearney State College in 1949. His dad, a civil service employee, transferred to Rapid City, SD, so he and his brother went to live with their sister and her husband. When school was out they worked at the local TB Hospital for their room and board and one dollar an hour as painters. Some weeknights and every weekend were spent playing baseball for several town teams. Opportunity to play pro-ball was an option. He had visits with scouts of three different ball clubs, one being the Brooklyn Dodgers offering a nice bonus, he decided to stay in college one more semester and sign in the spring. That fall semester, the Korean War was declared and everyone was in a panic about being drafted. So in 1951, two buddies talked him into enlisting in the Navy. Three weeks later, on January 25, 1951, he was sworn into the Navy for four years.  Boot camp, another whale of new experiences, told what you must do, when to do it and marching was not his cup of tea.  After nine weeks, he was a member of the crew on the infamous U.S.S. Mattiponi A041, an oil tanker.  Their primary assignment was delivering fuel oil from oil refineries to port facilities.  Home port was San Pedro, CA.  His trips took him to Hawaii, Alaska, Korea, Iceland, Panama Canal, Aruba and several U.S. ports.  On January 27, 1955, he was discharged after four years and two days.  After his honorable discharge, Al bought a 1955 Chevrolet, drove to South Dakota to spend some time with his parents and then on to North Platte.  While in North Platte he became involved in a small business adventure with his sister, Verna and her husband, Jerry.  After deciding it had no future he returned to Kearney State College, graduating in 1958 and lettering in football and golf while getting a degree in Education.  On his graduation day, May 28, 1958 he became a proud father of a baby girl, Christine, after marrying in the fall of 1957.  The next five year he taught and coached football and track at Hershey and Pierce High Schools.  Four boys joined the family, Mike, Troy, Joel and Andy.  In 1962, they lost Troy due to an automobile accident.  Al also tried the insurance business, ending up in Hastings as a district sales manager.  While living there, Cathy was born, making them a family of five again.  They moved to Bellevue for a short time when an offer for an administrative job at Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte.  His work as a business manager for the college was his most rewarding time.  They were able to buy a few acres and build a six bedroom house.  Country living was great!

Al leaves behind his children, Christine (Richard) Rosane, Michael (Joy) Wiegand, Joel (Sharon) Wiegand and Andrew Wiegand; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Jenna, Cameron, Michael, Matthew, Troy and Sawyer; one great grandson, Kalieb.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  Cremation was chosen.  Graveside services will be 1:00 pm June 23, 2017 at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.  Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.