Margaret M. Gerd, 85, of Delta, Colorado, passed away March 11, 2017, at her residence.

Margaret M. Gerd was born on Oct. 20, 1931, to William Lloyd and Margaret Maher in North Platte. Margaret spent her childhood in North Platte, where she was a professional softball player at 16, earning 80 cents per hour per game, practice. Growing up with six brothers, Margaret was very athletic and very family oriented, helping her mother after the difficult loss of her father. Along the way she also graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1950.

After getting married to the love of her life at age 20, Margaret and Donald Gerd raised two sons. She was a wonderful mother and role model to her children and others. She was senior manager for all the Jeffco R-l school cafeterias, a title she earned without a college degree, along with her position as senior EMT for the Conifer Ambulance Service, one more time leading her family by example. Eventually, Margaret became senior manager for her own company, D Gerd trucking and excavating. But not all of her life was hard work. Margaret was a very happy person who enjoyed the country and loved to plant flowers; yellow roses were her favorite.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald A. Gerd; her son, David John Gerd; and her brothers.

She is survived by her son, Don A. Gerd; one granddaughter, Chelsea; and her clan, nieces and nephews, dear to her heart.

Online condolences may be shared at taylorfuneralservice.com. Memorials are suggested to North Platte St. Patrick School.

Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 14, at the VA Cemetery in Grand Junction, Colorado. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory, Delta, is in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn Joy Pinault, 78, of North Platte, passed away April 8, 2017, at The Monarch Hospice Center in Lincoln. She was born on April 8, 1938 to Melvin and Irene (Clouse) Hiatt in Bartley, Nebraska at the family home. Her mother passed away shortly after childbirth and her grandmother adopted and raised her and her twin brother, Carrol.  Carolyn graduated from Bartley High School and later from Draughn’s Business College in Wichita Falls, Texas with a degree in Secretarial Business. She was employed as a secretary/bookkeeper/Real Estate Broker for Action Agency in North Platte and for H.F. Ray Development in Garden City, Co.  Carolyn was employed by Hewlett Packard/Agilent in Loveland, Co. for 29 years until her retirement in 2003. She enjoyed spending her time leather tooling, doing ceramics, bowling and softball. She also enjoyed camping and fishing in the Colorado mountains and watching Denver Broncos and Nebraska Huskers football. Carolyn treasured the time she spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, seven maternal aunts and three maternal uncles.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter Cindy I. Smith of Cheyenne, Wyoming; granddaughters, Sara (Aaron) Vieyra and Tia Kalkowski; great granddaughter, Ambria Vieyra; great  grandsons,  Blaze Vieyra and Cruz Slaght all of North Platte;  sisters, Jacqueline (Herbert) Kelley of North Platte and Sandra Snyder  of Westminster, Colorado; twin brother, Carrol Hiatt of North Platte; brothers, Joel (Holly) Hiatt of North Platte and  Harbor Stanton of Alaska, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com. Services will be at 10:30 a. m. Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Visitation with family receiving friends will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Cremation will follow.  Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Mary Hills Anderson, 81, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away April 6, 2017.  She was born in Rochelle, Illinois; July 7, 1935.  Her parents were Carroll A. Hills and Grace Groesbeck Hills.  Mary had two older sisters and a younger brother.  She graduated from Rochelle Township High School, attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and later married Lyle Anderson in Munich, Germany, where her husband-to-be was stationed with the U. S. Army.  After that tour of duty, they moved to New Jersey where her husband was enrolled in Drew University’s Theological School.  In the following years, Mary shared in their pastoral ministry including five years of missionary work in the Philippines.  She also worked in public schools, assisted the administrator of a community health organization, and worked in the Los Angeles and San Diego County Welfare offices.  They retired from First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Livingston, Tennessee, where Mary started a prayer group that continues to minister in that congregation.  A few years ago, they moved to North Platte, to be closer to their families.

Mary was a long-time member of PEO.  She is survived by her husband, four children, ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, as well as her sister and a brother.  She was preceded in death by her parents and oldest sister.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  Memorials are suggested to Missionaries Support of First Presbyterian Church.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 10, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church in North Platte.  Cremation was chosen.  Family inurnment will be at a later date.  Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

 

Mary Alice (Murphy) McCarthy, 98, of North Platte, Nebraska passed away on April 7, 2017 at Linden Court.  Mary Alice was born on December 31, 1918 to James Emmet Murphy and Margaret Mary (O’Brien) Murphy in Greeley County, Nebraska. Alice graduated from Spaulding Academy in 1937.  After graduation Alice pursued a career in education, traveling to her one room schoolhouse by horse. She taught in Elsmere, Nebraska and District 38 in Greeley County, Nebraska.

On November 3, 1943, Alice married Lawrence Richard McCarthy at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Winter Haven, Florida, where Larry was stationed while serving in the United States Army Air Corps. After World War II the family moved to North Platte in November 1945, where Larry was employed in the store department of the Union Pacific Railroad. Alice and Larry also owned and operated the Arrowhead Motel in North Platte for many years.

Alice was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church for over seventy years.  She thoroughly embraced her Irish Catholic heritage.  She was very active in the Altar Society, Bible Study and Rosary groups.  Alice was also a Committee chair of the American Heart Association, active in the RSVP, and worked tirelessly for over forty years. She was a Cub Scout den leader for Pack 292, as well as an associate leader for 4-H and Camp Fire Girls for many years.

Alice had a passion for literature and shared her talents with McDaid Elementary School Students by volunteering in the school library for over 30 years. She also enjoyed her years as a room parent and chaperone at Saint Patrick’s High School activities. She especially enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren participate in many musical and theatrical performances and a variety of sporting and school events. Alice enjoyed dancing, crafts, drawing, painting, and sewing for her seven children. She was very welcoming to all. She cared for generations of children by providing home cooked meals and welcomed everyone to her home. She was a very good listener. Alice’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her family and friends, telling jokes, laughing, and having fun.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Eugene, Cletus, and Frank Murphy; sister, Noreen (Murphy) Kearns; and sisters-in-law, Eula (Sills) Murphy, Teresa (O’Brien) Murphy, and Helen Eileen (McCarthy) Kurtenbach.

Alice is survived by her three daughters, Margaret Mary (Ray) Cunningham of Florissant, Missouri, Sharon (Carl) Hassler of Arroyo Grande, California, and Therese (Mike) McCarthy-Garth of North Platte; four sons, Robert (Deb) McCarthy of North Platte, Paul (Emma) McCarthy of Carson, California, Patrick (Barbara) McCarthy of Fort Worth, Texas, and Joseph (Kim) McCarthy of Fort Worth, Texas; 16 grandchildren, Kevin Cunningham of Chesterfield, MO, Kristin Cunningham of St. Louis, MO, Kerry (Ben) Johnson of Fishers, IN, Dr. Kevin (Linda) Hassler of Pismo Beach, CA, Jimmy Hassler of Arroyo Grande, CA, Dr. Timothy (Michelle) Garth of Little Rock, AR, Katie Garth of Omaha, NE, Danny Garth of Chesterfield, MO, Gabe (Zita) Phillips of Dingman’s Ferry, PA, Josh Phillips of Lincoln, NE, Dr. Kelly McCarthy of Chicago, IL, Richard McCarthy of Carson, CA, Joshua McCarthy of Lincoln, NE, Kayla (Juan) Guzman of Fort Worth, TX, Erin McCarthy of Fort Worth, TX, and Morgan (Brittany) Hill of Fort Worth, TX; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers, Reverend James E. Murphy of Spalding, NE, and Michael Murphy of Grand Junction, CO; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorials may be made to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment or a charity of the donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Christian Wake Service will be 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 10 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 11 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Josh Brown as celebrant and the Reverend Jim Murphy as con-celebrant. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. Visitation will be noon – 6:00 p.m. Sunday and 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Lana Marie Clouse was born December 20, 1959 in Broken Bow, Nebraska to Donal and Pauline Clouse of Purdum. She passed away in her home April 5, 2017 at North Platte. At age 11 she developed diabetes. It was a struggle throughout her life to live with the disease.

Lana loved the Sandhills and especially enjoyed working with livestock. She graduated from Sandhills Public Schools in 1978 and remained friends with many of her classmates throughout her life. In later years she moved to North Platte, where she attended Mid-Plains Community College as a non-traditional student and obtained an accounting degree. After receiving her degree she worked at Sun Mart and most recently Western Engineering Company.

Lana always had a ready smile and encouraging word for her friends and co-workers.

She leaves behind a son, JD Purdum, of Stapleton; several grandchildren; sister, Linda (Larry) Teahon of Chadron; a niece, a nephew and cousins.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Donal and Pauline Clouse; grandparents, Henry and Teresa Uphoff and Charles and Ella Clouse; numerous aunts and uncles all of which were from the Stapleton area; and several cousins.

Memorials in her memory can be sent to P.O. Box 126 Dunning, Nebr. and will to go to the Blaine County Area Foundation or the Sandhills Heritage Museum at Dunning.

In accordance with Lana’s wishes, no service will be held. Cremation has taken place and ashes will be scattered on the family ranch at a later date. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

 

Dean George Candea died April 5, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Center in Superior, Nebraska. Dean was cremated. His ashes will be placed in a columbarium niche next to his wife Barbara LaVelle Candea at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in North Platte at a later date.

Dean was born to George and Marie Candea December 27, 1920. He worked weekends as a caddy at the North Platte Country Club, where he developed his passion for golf.  He served in World War II. He married Barbara Ann Lavelle February 18, 1951. He was a plumber by profession but a golfer by passion. Dean was inducted into the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame May 12, 1997 for his dominance of sand greens. He considered it a bad round if his score exceeded 59 for 18 holes of golf. He won the Buffalo Bill Championship nine times between 1950 and 1965. Dean hit five hole in ones and one double eagle on hole #13 at the North Platte Country Club.

Survivors include his two daughters, Candace (Dennis) Edwards of Papillion, NE, Martha (Ty) Young of Superior, NE; four grandchildren, Roth (Meagan) Edwards of Knoxville, TN, Dane (Ashley) Edwards of Omaha, Ne, Jordan Young of Scribner, NE and Jacey (fiancée Michael Single) Young of Chandler, AZ; four great granddaughters, Tatum and Skyler Edwards and Paige and Brynn Hanson; brother, George (Dorothy) Candea Colorado Springs, CO; and sister, Betty Candea North Platte, NE.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara LaVelle Candea and several brothers and sisters. Memorials can be given to the Episcopal Church of Our Savior or the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of local arrangements.

 

Paula Roberta Newmyer, age 88 of Kearney, formerly of North Platte, passed away Sunday April 2, 2017 at good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, as the result of an accident.

Paula was born on February 15, 1929 in Scotia, NE to John C. and Gertrude (Chase) Poppe.  She grew up in Tekamah, NE and graduated from high school in 1946.  Paula was the sweetheart of Tekamah!  She attended Doane College and received a teaching certificate, then taught school for several years.  She also met Dan, her husband of 67 years, while attending Doane.  Paula and Dan raised their children, Susan and David, in North Platte where they lived for 58 years.  Paula’s greatest joy was her 6 grandchildren.  She was their biggest fan and spent many hours following their activities and athletic ventures.  She leaves behind a legacy of devotion and love for her family.

Paula is survived by her husband Dan K. Newmyer; children Susan (Wade) Evans of Kearney and David (Janet) Newmyer of Wilber; grandchildren Katie (Jake) McCarthy, Janie Evans, Jade Evans, Randy (Ashley) Newmyer, Mark (Erika) Newmyer, and Sam Newmyer (Mariah Morgan); great grandchildren Cruz and Ryan Evans, Cameron McCarthy, Oaks and Willa Newmyer, Clara Newmyer, with 2 more on the way; brother-in-law Kent Newmyer of CT; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Gertrude Poppe; mother and father-in-law Dan and Doris Newmyer Sr.; 1 sister and 3 brothers.

Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Cremation was chosen and inurnment will be 10:00 a.m. Friday April 7, 2017 at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Steve Nofel officiating.  Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday April 6, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.