Loretta Louise Pilakowski, age 96, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Monday, May 15, 2017, at Linden Court.

Loretta was born August 7, 1920, to Earl Vincent and Christine Elsie Elizabeth Wagner Battershell in Paxton, NE, where she grew up. During her junior year of high school, the family moved to Lodgepole, NE, where Loretta graduated with the Class of 1938.

On August 15, 1938, Loretta was united in marriage to Vincent Stanley Pilakowski at Chappell, NE. They first lived in Lodgepole then moved to North Platte in 1941 where Vincent worked on the railroad and Loretta stayed home to raise their eight children. In 1970 the family moved to Paxton and lived there until in 1982. The couple then retired to Salida, CO. Following Vincent’s death in 1997, Loretta returned to Nebraska to be closer to her family.

In North Platte, Loretta was an active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and was active with Catholic Daughters. She was also a member of the Monday afternoon ladies pitch group and volunteered at the Bargain Bin and with R.S.V.P.

Loretta was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandmother. She was also a great cook who will always be remembered for her famous angel food cakes, homemade egg noodles, and creamed chicken and “kniddle” (knudel).

She leaves behind her sons, Gerald “Jerry” Pilakowski and Philip (Patricia) Pilakowski, both of Omaha, NE, Fredrick Pilakowski, of Billings, MT and James (Melissa) Pilakowski, of Yuma, AZ; daughters, Betty (Jerome) Steffes, of North Platte, Nancy (Ronald) Morgan, of Gilbert, AZ, Mary Teresa (Sid) Petersen, of Kimball, NE, and Karen Hargis, of Fremont, IN; her sister, Laura Hargens, of Norfolk, NE; and sister-in-law, Lee Battershell, of Karmichael, CA.

Survivors also include 23 grandchildren, Dave and Dennis Steffes, Diane Gilbert, Doug and Don Steffes, Tim Pilakowski, Kaylynn Larson, Michelle Szaro, Melissa Casassa, Stacey Parker, Janelle Wolfe, Lisa Van Dine, Scott Zuviceh, Nichole and Zarek Pilakowski, Rylee Shaw, Elton Ogg, Robin Fendley, Vincent and Zane Pilakowski, and Kathryn, Jeremy and Justin Taylor; 46 great-grandchildren; 15 great great-grandchildren; her close friend, Peg Lawler, of Paxton; as well as many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Along with her husband, Vincent, Loretta was preceded in death by their two baby boys and daughter, Kathryn Pilakowski; her parents, Earl and Elsie Battershell; brothers, Forrest Battershell and Arnold “Red” Battershell; sister, Margaret Abernathy; daughter-in-law, Sharon Pilakowski; granddaughter-in-law, Wanda Steffes; grandson, Dan Steffes; great-granddaughter, Beth Steffes; and great-grandson, Ethan Fendley.

Services will be on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Celebrant Father Mark Seiker, Rosary Service will be at 9:30 a.m. at the church followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church or the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment and Trust.

Mike Torres, age 73, of North Platte, died May 11, 2017 at 3:15p.m. from an automobile accident.

He worked for Union Pacific Railroad and Simmons Construction Company, and helped his father with his tree business.

From his previous marriage he has children, Mikey and Desiree.

Mike was united in marriage to Jackie Wright in 1985.  Had Amanda Murrillo and Jeremy Torres, Nick Torres and Tonya Hernandez; and numerous grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Amanda; granddaughter, Adriana; sister, Carol West, and Narciso and Frank Torres.

Survivors include Bivian, Tony, Joe and Sandy Torres, Angie and Ben Torres, Dolores and Pete Torres, Mary & Don Holden, Marcia & John Jimenez, Amelia Cross, Rosie & Jim Meeker, and Alice and Steve Stites.

Christian Wake Services are 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Josh Brown officiating.  Graveside Services are 2:00 p.m. MT Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the Ogallala Cemetery.  Visitation will be held noon – 5:00 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

James Eugene Fattig, age 88 of North Platte, formerly of Wallace, passed away Friday May 12, 2017 at his home.  He had been in hospice care for 3 days.

Jim was born July 14, 1928 and was adopted when he was 6 weeks old by Glenn and Helen (Klump) Fattig of Ringgold, NE, in McPherson County.  He grew up in a loving home and grew to love the farm life.  He started helping with the field work at an early age.  He attended Cottonwood Grove Rural School through 8^th grade and went to high school in Stapleton for 2 years.  Jim was married to Inez Lutes on May 20, 1951 at the home of her parents on the Lutes Ranch in the Sandhills in Logan County.  He farmed with his dad until 1958.  Three children were born at that location, Martin Louis, Janice Ionne, and Lynell Kay.  The family moved to Elsie, NE in 1958 where Jim was employed by a local farmer, Webb Flaming.  He later worked for the Elsie Equity as a feed mill operator.  Their 4^th child, Glenda Jo was born while the family lived in Elsie.  They moved to a farm south of Wallace in 1965 where Jim worked for Marion and Jerome Clemens until 1968 when he and Inez purchased a service station in Wallace.  He did mechanic work, had a fuel delivery service and sold fertilizer until 1987.  They then were managers of a Motel 6 in Laramie, WY for 6 years.  They moved back to Wallace where he worked for local farmers, working the fields and driving a truck.  He worked as a truck driver for Opplinger Farms for 4 years.  After his retirement, he continued to help local farmers with field work and truck driving, especially at corn harvest time, and helping work fields in preparation for spring planting, until he was almost 87 years old.  He also served on the Elsie and Wallace Volunteer Fire Departments.  He loved to go to the local café to drink coffee with his friends and raising his garden; he was very sad when he could no longer garden after his 87^th birthday.  Jim attended Cottonwood Grove Sunday School and Church with his parents and later the family attended Hall Church in rural McPherson County.  He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Elsie, and later in Wallace, where he was still a member at the time of his death.  Jim’s health started to fail in 2015, so he and Inez moved to South Oak Manor in North Platte on March 4, 2017 with the help of family and many friends.  He always liked a good story and we heard many of them over and over!  He loved to pester the ladies by putting trash in their purses, etc!  He enjoyed going to the senior center for meals and spending time with friends.

Jim will be greatly missed by Inez, his wife of nearly 66 years; his children Marty (Leslie) Fattig, Jan (Jim) Singleton, Lynell (Mark) Franklin, and Glenda (Martin) Vega; 8 grandchildren, Tony (Michelle) Singleton, Jason (Tonia) Franklin, Jeremy Franklin, Tara (Kris) Drain, Michelle (Ryan) Phifer, Tiffany (Travis) Phillips, Ryan Fattig, Lynsie (Rick Neely) Nichols; 5 step grandchildren, Ben (Nikki) Vega, Bob (Allison) Vega, Amanda (James) Wassinger, John (Victoria) Parrish, Andy (Charlotte Grooms) Parrish; 24 great grandchildren; sister, Doris Tiffany; brothers-in-law Loren (Janis Stout) Lutes and Lloyd Connell; sisters-in-law Joyce Lutes, Alice Lutes, Phoebe (Frank) Martin, Olive (Stan) Gurney, and Esther (Tom) Harmon; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Glenn and Helen Fattig; mother-and-father-in-law Louis and Ernestine Lutes; brother-in-law Wayne Tiffany; brothers-and-sisters-in-law Flora Connell, Vernon (Pauline) Lutes, Ernie (June) Lutes, Susan (Alfred) Shimmin, Nathan Lutes, Stephen Lutes, Martin Lutes, Keith Lutes; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorials are suggested to the Wallace Methodist Church or the Wallace Fire Department and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday May 15, 2017 at Wallace Methodist Church with Reverends Ann and Harun Gatobu and Tammy Aubushon officiating.  Burial will follow at the Morningview Cemetery.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday May 14, 2017 with the family receiving friends from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Elgin Lee Gewecke, age 90, of Stapleton, NE, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at the North Platte Care Center.

Elgin was born April 6, 1927, to Emil Fredrick and Margaret Lee Wiseman Gewecke at Elm Creek, NE, where he grew up. Elgin graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1944 then worked at the lumber yard and farmed in the area.

On March 16, 1952, Elgin was united in marriage to Judith Irene Teichert in Stapleton. The following year they moved to the family farm and the couple had three children, Elga Ann, William Kent and Richard Thomas. Elgin worked in the lumber yard, did carpenter work and farmed. In 1995 the Geweckes moved into a house that Elgin built in Stapleton. Elgin and Judith were married for over 56 years when she passed away in 2008.

Elgin was an active Christian and community member. He was a member of the Stapleton Presbyterian Church where he served as elder, treasurer and trustee, was on the pastor nominating committee, and taught Sunday School. He also attended several building mission trips and was on the North Platte Gideons. Over the years, Elgin had served on various boards including the West Minister Woods Camp, School Board and Extension Club.

Elgin was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He always made time to attend his kid’s sporting events. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his children, Elga (John) Allen, of Milford, NE, William (Melody) Gewecke, of Hillsdale, WY, and Richard Gewecke, of Stapleton; grandchildren, John Melvin (Lexie) Allen, Elisa (Jeremy) Wiemer, Jennifer (Tim) Baker and Nathan (Lawren) Gewecke; seven great-grandchildren, Jacob Wiemer, Joshua Wiemer, Draven Tellier, Dexter Allen, Preston Allen, Lilly Baker and Hannah Baker; sister, June (Marlin) Reiners, of Juniata, NE; brothers, Vern Gewecke, of Kearney, NE, and Fred Gewecke, of Elm Creek; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Law, of Wallace, NE, and Bertha Marie Fox, of Chadron, NE; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

Along with his wife, Judith, Elgin was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Margaret; sister, Irene Freiberg; brothers, Kenneth, Wilbur and Earl Gewecke; and granddaughter, Sarah Marie Gewecke.

Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church in Stapleton. Burial will follow in the McCain Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 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 suggested to Cornerstone Presbyterian Church at Stapleton.

Luella “Pat” M. Franzen, 84, of Gothenburg, formerly of North Platte, passed away May 7, 2017 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.  She was born June 11, 1932 to Arthur Lee and Grace Irene (Carpenter) Patterson in Herndon, KS.  Pat and her family moved to Grant while she was growing up and eventually to Brady, where she graduated from Brady High School.

On May 14, 1949, she was united in marriage to Werner “Bud” J. Franzen in Gothenburg.  The couple lived in various places including, Gothenburg, California, Georgia, where they were ordained in the ministry. They then moved to North Platte, where she was employed by Dr. Cooper and Dr. Getty.  Then later owned and operated Starlite Skating Rink.

She is survived by her husband, Werner “Bud,” of Gothenburg; a son, Ron (Karla) Franzen; daughters, Dianne (Edwin) Nicholas, Pamela Colyer and Cynthia (Steve) Franzen-Wigderson; seven grandchildren, Lesley, Shelli, Kelly, Keith, Gregory, Melissa and Krista; 10 great grandchildren, Terrel, Gracey, Avri, Juli, Isabella, Noah, Ava, Vincent, Dexter and Blake; two great great-grandchildren, Kadence and Adelyn; and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; and four sisters.

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, May 12, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, with the Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

Elaine Gloe (Gewecke) McKim was born in Farnam, Nebraska on November 27, 1929. She passed away May 4, 2017 in North Platte, Nebraska.  Gloe was 87 years old.  She was the only child of Edgar and Emma (Patterson) Gewecke.  In her youth, she lived with her parents in Farnham where she graduated from High School in 1946.  Gloe moved to Gothenburg after graduation to accept a job with Bell Telephone Company.  She married the love of her life, Jack McKim, in Gothenburg on January 29, 1951.

Jack and Gloe lived in Kentucky where he served in the Army and was stationed at Fort Campbell.  They returned to Nebraska in 1953 and made their home in North Platte. They lived in the ‘house that Jack’ built and raised their children.  Gloe worked for the telephone company her entire career.

Gloe enjoyed playing bridge with her many friends; she supported Jack in his fraternal organizations and they danced.  Oh boy, did they dance!  Gloe entertained family and friends in North Platte as well as their winter home in Mesa, Arizona.  Many new friends were met and cherished in their desert home.

In addition to her parents, Gloe was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years in 2011 and their daughter, Leann McKim, in 2016.  She leaves behind her son, Larry McKim; daughter, Linda Wilson; grandson, Casey; and grand daughter, Alexis.

As Gloe traveled through this last year, she was not alone.  Larry would like to acknowledge those who were there guiding and supporting them along the way.  Many thanks to the Chestnut Street staff at Linden Court for their compassionate and tender care on this journey.  Each of you was important to us and our appreciation is endless.

In our sadness we feel pride in the legacy you left.  Your spirit will continue to shine, lighting the way for others, and leaving us an example to follow and a remarkable life to remember with grateful hearts.  Godspeed.

Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.