June L. Walker of North Platte passed away June 9, 2017 at Great Plains Hospital at the age of 83.  June was born June 22, 1933 at Farnam, Nebraska to Elmer and Eva (Keiper) Hilton. When June was very young the family moved to the farmstead north of Cozad, Nebraska. June graduated from the Cozad High School in 1951. In 1956, she was united in marriage to Gerald Walker at the United Methodist Church in Cozad. In 1962, the Walker family began with the births of Michelle Lynn, Monte David and Marsha Sue. Soon after they moved the family to North Platte, Nebraska. June was a great home maker and also worked at the Greyhound Bus Depot and NBC computer center. Her most treasured times were spent at home taking care of her family and spoiling her grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, tea parties with her girlfriends, listening to country music and the Grand Ole Opry.  June was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter, Michelle Gill; sister, Doris Hergenrader; and brother, Leonard Hilton.  She is lovingly survived by her children, Monte (Anissa) Walker of North Platte and Marsha (Rick) Nester of Layton, UT; 6 grandchildren, Sam Gill and David Gill of Phoenix, AZ, Brittany Nester of Layton, UT, and Colton (Erin Lewis) Walker, Luke Walker and Bryson Walker, all of North Platte. A memorial has been established in her memory.  Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  Services will be held Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the North Platte First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Doug Delp officiating.  Burial at Farnam Cemetery will follow at 2:00 p.m.  Visitation will be Tuesday, June 13, 2017 from 1 to 8 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.

Merna Jane (Schick) Elson died May 24, 2017, at Linden Court Nursing Home. She was 93 years, 6 months and 12 days young.

She was born on Nov. 13, 1923, in Lincoln County to Chris and Jennie Lincoln Schick. She was the youngest of five children. Merna and her family lived next to Chris’ widowed mother Christiana Schick in the Fox Creek community north of Curtis. Chris farmed with his mom. Merna’s mom Jennie went to Christiana’s home every day to help her care for her invalid daughter Emma. Merna loved her tiny stern German grandmother. Christiana loved her little black-haired granddaughter too.

Merna followed her brothers to Fox Creek School every day. Her parents finally let her start school at age 4. Wild strawberries were plentiful along Fox Creek. The berries started a lifelong love affair for Merna. Merna graduated at age 16 from the Nebraska School of Agriculture. She was a marching cadet for the Aggies. She was an honor roll student. She had taken normal training in high school.

She started teaching in a Stockville country school. She taught there for four years. Merna said she loved teaching and that she had some “pretty rowdy boys, but they were good kids.” She taught two years at the Mesa school north of Curtis. As a child during the Great Depression in the 1930s, Merna had $850 saved when she quit teaching to marry Tom Elson on Aug. 11, 1946.

Merna’s faith journey began by observing her maternal grandparents, John and Mary Lincoln of North Platte, pray at meals and at bedtime. Chris and Jennie belonged to the Pleasant Home Church north of Curtis. They didn’t baptize their children as babies. Merna joined the Pleasant Home Church in 1942. She transferred her membership to the Curtis Methodist Church after her marriage. At the time of her death, she had been a church member for 75 years. She taught Sunday and Bible school. She was active in Methodist Women. She cooked for potluck and funeral dinners. She wrote greeting cards and letters to family and friends to let them know that she cared about them.

Tom and Merna began married life in a farmhouse north of Curtis on property known as the school section. Merna was a dedicated hardworking farm/ranch wife and the mother of four children, Beth, Dale, Richard and Eldon. She cooked, cleaned, gardened and raised chickens. Tom and Merna opened Farmers Oil in 1976. They sold gas. Tom hauled fuel to farms and ranches. They had a Laundromat and a tire shop. Eldon said gas was 53 cents a gallon in 1976. Merna ran Farmers Oil for one more year after Tom died in 1997.

Merna was a 50-year member of the Busy Homemakers Extension club. She was a 4-H leader for the Fox Creek 4-H Club. She was a lifelong Husker fan. She loved to cook and entertain for family and friends. Family events were recorded and published in the local paper. Merna was proud of the fact that she was a two-time breast cancer survivor.

The most important thing in Merna’s life was the Lord Jesus Christ and her family. She had a kindness about her that came with a gentle heart. She was a wonderful mom. Merna was the kind of mom that lifted you up when you couldn’t fly. She thought of others before herself. Her last words to her family were “I love you.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chris and Jennie Schick; husband, Tom Elson; son, Dale Elson; grandson, Travis Miller; brothers-in-law, George Elson, Earl Elson and Fritz Wolff; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ward Schick, Warren (Irene) Schick, John (Marian) Schick and Bob (Delores) Schick.

Merna is survived by her children, Beth (Bob) Miller of Pawnee City, daughter-in-law Lorinda Elson of Curtis, Richard Elson of Curtis and Eldon (Sue) of Curtis; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Miller of Edgerton, Kansas, Amanda Miller of Lawrence, Kansas, Anita Blum (Jason) of Henderson, Dr. Jody Elson of Wichita, Kansas, Lisa Elson of Denver, Lindsey Elson of Omaha, Cassidy Elson of Nebraska City and Rob (Adessa) Elson of Nebraska City; stepgrandchildren, Burt (Denisa) Davis of North Platte, Cindy (Jason) Krupicka of Curtis, Becky Gray of Curtis, Daniel (Shelly) Davis of Beatrice, Daniel (Shelly) Davis Beatrice and Matthew (Lee) Davis of Curtis; five great-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Schick of Custer, South Dakota, Jean Elson of North Platte and Wilma Wolff of Blair; one cousin, Marylin Hansen of North Platte; one very special cousin-in-law, Joan Wetzel of Corvallis, Oregon; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved her.

Memorials are suggested to the Curtis Methodist Church, 402 Center, Curtis, NE 69025; or Great Plains Health Care Foundation for the maternal simulator project, P.O. Box 1167, North Platte, NE 69103.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, at the First United Methodist Church, 402 Center, Curtis, with Pastor Emmanuel Afful officiating. Burial will be at the Curtis Cemetery, RD 391, Curtis, NE 69025. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m., with the family present from 4-6 p.m., on Friday June 2, at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Curtis, which is in charge of arrangements.

Dorla Anthony Keup, 69, passed away May 19, 2017, following a battle against cancer.

She was born on Jan. 18, 1948, in North Platte. She was the youngest of eight children. She graduated from North Platte High School and attended a junior college.

She was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan; son, Nathan; parents, Walter and Leota Anthony; and brothers, Neil, Otis and Jackie Anthony.

Dorla leaves behind to cherish her memories her daughter, Stacy (Jonathan) Nedbalek; grandson, Tre; granddaughter, Madison; sisters, Marilyn (Shorty) Ruiz, Audrey Clouse and Elaine (Leland) Spanjer; brother, Jimmy (Carolyn) Anthony of Nebraska; and brother-in-law, Louis Keup of North Platte.

Services have taken place in St. Sinton, Texas.

Leona Bea Valentine Godfrey, of North Platte, NE, returned to her Heavenly Father at the age of 63, on Monday, May 29, 2017, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Leona was born in Ogallala, NE, on August 23, 1953, to Cecil Harvey and Wilma Allison Gessford Valentine, the fifth of eight children. Leona was raised on the Gessford ranch, near Arthur, NE, which her father sharecropped with his father-in-law, Charles Gessford. Leona spent much of her childhood jumping on hay stacks in the haymow and climbing on chicken houses, even though both activities were frowned upon by her parents. She also spent may days in Arthur with her grandparents, Judge Charles Marion and Anna Mable Gessford, and had many memories of serving tea to Mable’s friends and helping in their little garden.

In 1971, Leona graduated from Arthur County High School. She liked to say she was pretty sure she graduated in the top 10 of her class, since only 12 graduated that was a good possibility. Leona then moved to North Platte to attend junior college and somehow her grades improved after she met Wayne Godfrey, a man who she said, always brought out the best in her. The couple married on July 25, 1975, in North Platte.

For their honeymoon, the young couple planned to attend a church camp, then three teens were unable to find acting guardians for the week, so Wayne and Leona “adopted” them, and another couple called the lodge and asked to share a room with them…They started out with three teenage daughters and roommates on their honeymoon, and things never really changed. That’s pretty much the definition of Leona and Wayne’s life together.

The couple were youth leaders for the church and those young people became their family. They took many youth groups on church history trips as far east as Niagara Falls, Canada, west to the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, as well as passion plays in North Dakota and Arkansas.

Along with her church activities, Leona dreamed of working with special needs children and was able to do so when she worked for the Educational Service Unit #16 for seven years. ESU was a very special place to be a part of.

Things changed for Leona and Wayne when their children, Erin and Jared, completed the family. Leona became a stay at home mom and Wayne became pastor of the church while also starting his own business, Lighthouse Cabinet and Woodworking. When Erin was seven, she had a tumor which closed off the oxygen to her brain, causing her to have seizures. The immediate fix was for Leona to begin home schooling to keep Erin up with her class, and that fix lasted the next 14 years and allowed Leona to watch her own children learn and grow, which she loved.

Leona even taught the local home school group’s Speech and Drama Class, and at the coaxing of her daughter, coached the girl’s basketball team. She took youth field trips with the Lighthouse Christian School to destinations such as an Indian reservation in New Mexico, the Tetons, St. Louis Arch, Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore and many other places.

After Erin and Jared were grown, they convinced Leona to try home health care, which she did for several years. Her last job was just across the driveway from her home, so she was forced to walk to work, even on the coldest of days.

In 2013, Erin and Calvin Hobbs elevated Leona from just a mother to a grandmother, with the birth of Calli Danielli, who became one of her greatest joys in life. Wayne and Leona were blessed to be able to have Calli in their care several times, and enjoyed it immensely.

Those left to mourn Leona’s passing include her husband, Wayne, of North Platte; their children, Erin Danielle (Calvin) Hobbs, of Apple Valley, CO, and Jared Israel (Kimberlee), of Fort Collins, CO; her delightful granddaughter, Calli Danielli Hobbs; sisters, Shirley Garner, of Trenton, NE, and Marjorie (Gary) White, of Lincoln, NE; brothers, Walter (Linda) Valentine, of Omaha, NE, and Olin (Denise) Valentine, of Centennial, CO; sister-in-law, Sheilah Valentine, of Arthur, NE; brother-in-law, Dale (Rita) Godfrey, of Oak Grove, MO, and Larry (Nancy) Godfrey, of Lonejack, MO; special families, Norm and Kathy Morash and their daughters, McKenzie, Megan and Madison, and J.W. and Linda Flentje and son, Andrew; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Wilma Valentine; sister, Sharlene; brothers, Harvey and John Valentine; sister-in-law, Irma Valentine; brother-in-law, Doug Garner; and one special nephew, Brandon Valentine.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 2, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Restoration Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Lee Wayne Knepp, 77, of North Platte passed away May 29, 2017 at his home.  Lee Wayne was born August 3, 1939 in Center Point, NE to Claude and Lela (Meade) Knepp.

Lee Wayne grew up in Curtis and graduated from the Ag High School in Curtis.  From there he attended Southeast Community College in Milford for two years. Lee Wayne worked on a harvest crew for 5 years. He married Sharon Booker on September 1, 1968 at the Callaway Methodist Church. The couple lived in Curtis where Lee Wayne worked at the Curtis Body Shop.  They also lived in Frontier County for many years and in 1990 moved to North Platte where he worked in a body shop until his health forced his retirement. The couple moved to Maxwell and Callaway before returning to North Platte. Lee Wayne was an excellent mechanic, teaching his children his trade, and was an avid reader.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon of North Platte; children, Jeff (Sue) Knepp of Grand Island, Tracy (Nichole) Knepp of Rapid City, SD, Jon (Patricia Honeywell) Knepp, Rocky Knepp, Kevin (Lynae) Knepp, Chris (Sammi Tafoya) Knepp all of North Platte, NE, and Kevin (Megan) Knepp of Wausa, NE; 15 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; siblings, Francis, Andy, Pat, Burtis, Danny, Ilene, and Inez; numerous other family members; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and eight sisters and brothers.

Memorials may be made in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Memorial Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 2 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with Ken Pitkin officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Morningstar Cemetery in Callaway.  Cremation was chosen; those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Lawrence D. Knolles, 90, of North Platte, died on May 28, 2017 at Centennial Park Retirement Village.  He was born December 3, 1926 in North Platte, NE to Frank D. and Edna M. (Staples) Knolles.  He attended North Platte High School until 1944 when he went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad as a fireman/oiler.  On March 22, 1945 he was inducted into the Army at Fort Lupton, CO.  He was transferred from Fort Jackson, SC to Fort Benning GA for paratrooper training.  During his service he was stationed in Japan and was honorably discharged from the service on November 16, 1946 at Camp Beale, CA.  Upon his discharge from the service Lawrence went back to the UPRR in 1946 and worked there until his retirement in 1986.

On January 8, 1947 he married Alta I. Howard in North Platte at the First Lutheran Church.  To this union were 4 children; Charlene M., Caroline K., Kenneth D., and Kim L.  He and Alta enjoyed dancing, traveling, and camping with Good Sam’s.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church.  Lawrence enjoyed playing his mandolin, and at one time played with two local bands, O’Fallons Bluff and The James Gang, and many other local musicians. He entertained the staff and fellow residents at Linden Court and then Centennial Park until he could no longer play.

He is survived by children, Caroline Behrens (Glen Sloss) of Iowa, Kenneth (Sue) of North Platte, Kim Wewel (James Billings) of Texas; son-in-law, Dick Warneke; grandchildren, Craig (Rhonda) Warneke, Christian (Tonya) Warneke, Stephanie (Jeremy) Withrow, Carrie (James) Woracek, Brian Knolles (Charlie Jolliffe), Derrick Knolles (Suzie Deardoff), Erica Hatfield (Justin Tobey), and Jodie Wewel; 18 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alta; daughter, Charlene Warneke; and great-grandson, Hunter Withrow.

Memorials may be made to the North Platte Alzheimer’s Support Group or to the Living Christmas Tree at the First Baptist Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 2 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with the Reverend Bob Deardoff officiating.  Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with military honors graveside.

Visitation will be noon – 9:00 p.m. Thursday, June 1 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Sharyn Leigh Saner, 76, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away May 28, 2017 at North Platte Care Center.  Sharyn was born August 19, 1940, of Sadie (Miller) and John Hilderbrand in Ogallala, Nebraska.

Sharyn grew up in Ogallala and after graduation in 1958, she moved to North Platte where she worked at Northern Bell as a telephone operator.  In the early 80s she attended Mid Plains Community College where she was certified as a Dietary Manager.  Sharyn had Cub Scout Dens, where she built elaborate cardboard castles, a Brownie Troop for 4 years, the P & S 4-H Club for 3 years.  She Loves her Lord and Savior with all her heart, and taught Sunday school for over 20 years, also helping with adult classes for over 10 years in church, and Bible studies later in the nursing home.  Sharyn served as a Reading aide for 2nd and 3rd graders from Lincoln, Cody, and Jefferson schools of North Platte.  When her children were old enough, she began working as a cook in Broken Bow’s nursing home, later cooking and/or managing in North Platte Linden Manor, and Seward, NE.  Upon returning to North Platte she worked at Linda’s Deli and Dunkin Donuts.

She married Paul Saner in Ogallala in 1960, and to this union raised 5 children.  Stephen (Rhonda) Harvey of Des Moines, Iowa, Daniel (Deanna) Saner of Kearney, Nebraska, James (Lynn) Saner of  North Platte, Nebraska, Deborah (Robert) Jochum of Sutherland, Nebraska, and Mark (Janna) Saner of North Platte.  She has had 19 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren.

She is survived by her siblings Loraine (Robert) Sherich of Yuma, Arizona, Charles (Roberta) Hilderbrand of Ogallala, Cactus Jack (Verna) Hilderbrand of Yuma, Arizona, Peggy (Robert) Mathes of Bradley, California, numerous nephews and nieces, grandchildren, aunts and uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents Sadie and John Hilderbrand, a step-mother Johanna Anderson Hilderbrand and Jo’s parents Anna and Fred Muller, an infant grandson, Nathan Saner, an infant son of Sharyn and Paul, her 2nd son Daniel Saner, a brother in-law Donald Antone Christensen, and a sister, Susan Lipsit of Bradley, California.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in her memory.  Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 2, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 to 8p.m. Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Cremation will follow services and an inurnment will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the North Platte Cemetery.  Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.