Isla Faye (Clausen) Beman, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, lost her long struggle with Alzheimer’s on Sunday April 2, 2017 at the Broken Bow Care and Rehabilitation Center in Broken Bow, NE.

Isla was born on her father’s cotton farm at the “Big Four”, near Ralls, in Crosby County, TX, on New Year’s Eve, 1922.  She was the 5^th child born to Claus and Petrea Marthena (Christensen) Clausen, Jr.  In 1926, when Isla was just 3 years old, the Clausen family had to leave Texas and move back to Boelus, NE, when Isla’s mother, Petrea, underwent Escharotic treatment for cancer in Savannah, MO.  When the family was reunited, Claus purchased a farm near Boelus.  Isla grew up on that farm during those difficult hard times of the Great Depression and “Dust Bowl Dirty Thirties”.  She told us of times when it was so dusty they had to tie wet bandannas over their nose and mouth to breathe, as they watched their crops wither and die, or be devoured by clouds of grasshoppers who even ate clothes hanging out to dry.  Once in a while her mother could spare a nickel out of the egg money so Isla could pursue her lifelong love of the piano and take a few lessons from her Aunt Lydia.  Isla attended Boelus Public Schools, graduating from high school on May 9, 1940.  After graduation she moved to Grand Island, NE with her sister Ethel who was in nurses training at St. Francis Hospital.  Isla helped her with her studies and then after she was capped, they both got work at The Old Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home.  It was there, in the spring of 1941, on a blind date, that she met and fell in love with Orval C. Beman.  He was almost immediately drafted into the army on June 17^th and sent to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.  While home on furlough, they eloped and were married in Aurora, NE on November 1, 1941.  They were married for 59 wonderful years.  While Orval was serving in the South Pacific during WWII, Isla lived with her mother and father-in-law, Eva and Abe Beman, on their farm at Cairo, NE.  She and Abe worked in the Grand Island Ordinance Plant, which produced artillery shells.  Orval was wounded on the Island of Luzon in the Philippines on January 25, 1945.  He finally recovered and was discharged on October 21, 1945 at Ft. Lewis, WA.  After the war, Isla and Orval moved to North Platte, NE where he resumed his job with the Union Pacific, taking a transfer into engine service as a fireman.  He eventually was promoted to engineer.  Isla was a homemaker, and also gave piano and accordion lesions, and was active in Cody School PTA.  After the family was raised, she worked for Elsie McGovern’s Answering Service as a PBX operator, and then for many years as a sales clerk / florist at Leo’s Flowers.  She and Orval retired in 1978.  They enjoyed 22 happy, active years of retirement together, enjoying square dancing, bicycling, swimming, hiking, and most of all travel and camping in their 5^th wheeler.  They spent winters in Texas and Arizona, and summers with their family in Nebraska.  Among Isla’s many hobbies over the years, were fishing, skiing, music, sewing, reading, crossword puzzles, and Husker football.  She was a member of the 1^st Evangelical Lutheran Church, and later West End Chapel.  She was a life member, since 1946, of the Ladies Auxiliary of the V.F.W. Post 1504 North Platte, NE.  In Arizona she volunteered as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army.

Isla was preceded in death by her loving husband Orval; her parents Claus and Petrea Clausen; brother Clyde Elgin Clausen; and sisters Lorraine Marian Clausen Peppmiller, and Cathryn Fern Clausen Bernhagen.

She is survived by her 2 sons Kenneth (Susie) Beman, Sr. of North Platte, and Richard Beman of Omaha; sister Ethel Clausen Claus of Seattle, WA; grandson Kenneth Beman, Jr. of Charlotte, NC; granddaughter Shelly (Mike Robb) Beman of North Platte; great granddaughters Willow Kovanda of Omaha and Faith Beman of Charlotte, NC; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Memorials are suggested to Asera Care Hospice of Kearney, NE and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday April 7, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Smith officiating.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Thursday April 6, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth “Ken” William George, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.

Ken was born April 3, 1929, to Kenneth and Edith George at Blair, NE. The family later moved to Omaha where Ken graduated from Tech High School in 1947. He then went to work as a cable splicer for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. In December 1950, Ken enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War.

Following his discharge in 1952, Ken returned to Omaha and his job with the Bell Company. On September 11, 1954, Ken was united in marriage to Jan Swanson at Augustana Lutheran Church in Omaha. They continued to live in Omaha until 1969 when Ken was transferred to North Platte with the Bell Company. After 39 years Ken retired from his job and started his next 15-year career as Lincoln County Veteran Service Officer. He later went to work for Odean Colonial Chapel until completely retiring in 2014.

Ken was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church where he enjoyed singing in the choir and served on the Church Council. He was a member of Platte Valley Lodge #32 AF&AM, Tehama Shrine Temple, North Platte Shrine Club, the Elks Club, as well as the 40 & 8 Club, and Telephone Pioneers of America. He was also Past President of P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and a member of the V.F.W. Post #1504.

Ken proudly served on the North Platte Veterans’ Honor Guard for many years, helping provide military honors at funerals, and enjoyed driving the Shriner’s Cadillac in parades throughout the area. He really enjoyed mornings at Cardiac Rehab at the hospital where he met many new friends.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, of North Platte; sons, Steven George of Littleton, CO, and Gary George and Jim Cox, of Omaha; sister, Nancy Lewis, of Colorado Springs, CO; as well as his nieces, nephew and other family.

Ken was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Scott; and his parents.

Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Steve Berke officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday 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 the First Evangelical Lutheran Church or Hospice House – The Josie Harper Residence, 7415 Cedar St, Omaha NE 68124.

Roderick Aloysius Gerdes, age 85 of North Platte, passed away Friday March 31, 2017 in North Platte at Great Plains Health.

Rod was born February 22, 1932 to Henry and Erna (Kosemund) Gerdes on a farm in St Libory, NE.  He grew up in Grand Island and graduated in 1950 from St. Mary’s Cathedral High School.  He graduated from the St. Francis School of Radiologic Technology in 1952.  He joined the Air Force in 1952, served in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1956.    He married Carolyn Brennan on August 20, 1956 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance, NE.  He and Carolyn resided in Lexington, NE for 3 years, and moved to North Platte in 1959.  He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Rod served on the North Platte Catholic Schools school board and St. Patrick’s Parish Finance Committee.  Rod was a Life Member of the 3^rd and 4^th Degree of the Knights of Columbus.  He was a past Grand Knight of Council 1211, a former District Deputy and Nebraska State Membership Chairman.  He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the VFW.  Rod was employed by St. Mary’s Hospital, The Heider Clinic, Associated Physicians and Midland Family Medicine, and retired in 2002.  He was a past president of the Nebraska Society of Radiologic Technologists.  Rod enjoyed camping, fishing, dancing, his family, and visiting casinos.

Rod is survived by Carolyn, his wife of 60 years; children Mike, Steve (Deb), Liz Berglund (Tim), Tom (Sally); 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son Gregory; his mother and father; brother Leo; sister Clara Drake; and in-laws Jim Drake, Clinton and Mary Brennan, and Dr. Lynn and Marianne Liebel.

Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment Trust Fund and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  A Christian wake will be held on Monday April 3, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday April 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Interment will follow with military honors at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, NE.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday April 2, 2017 and from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday April 3, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Hazel Lillian Brackman, age 81 of Brady, passed away Wednesday March 29, 2017 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.

Hazel was born on June 10, 1935 in Moorefield, NE to Frank and Lilly (Callahan) Reutzel.  She spent her youth and teen years in the Lincoln County area.  She graduated from Lincoln County Public Schools on May 15, 1948.  She married Edward E. Harr on December 6, 1952.  They were married for 30 years before Ed passed away on April 23, 1982.  From this marriage she had 4 children, Robert E. (1954), Linda S. (1955), Edward S. (1963) and Carmen D. (1968).  On October 18, 1983 she married Earl Brackman who passed away a few years later.  Hazel loved to read, go fishing with her sister, and browse at flea markets and garage sales for knick knacks because in her words: “I have to have my stuff!”

Hazel is survived by her children Robert (Dee), Linda (Gregg), Edward, Carmen (Laneece); brother-in-law Gary Burke; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Edward Harr and Earl Brackman; parents Frank and Lilly Reutzel; sisters Daisy Reutzel, Margie Gutherless, Patsy Burke; and brother Daniel Reutzel.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday April 3, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Ned Cooper officiating.  Burial will follow at Moorefield Cemetery.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday April 2, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Homer D. “Ike” Empfield, age 77 of Stapleton, NE passed away Thursday March 30, 2017 at Great Plains Heath with his wife and two children at his side.

Ike was born on December 16, 1939 in Stapleton, NE to Homer G. and Aletha (Yost) Empfield.  He graduated from Stapleton High School in 1958 then attended Kearney State College for one year.  He married Karen Allen on June 4, 1961.  He worked with his dad doing earth moving and later, ran his own land excavation business, along with owning a small farm, which he really enjoyed.  Ike was a good neighbor and went out of his way to help people in need.  He never met a stranger and had a smile for everyone.  He had a deep and protective love for his wife and children, and a special love for little kids.  He served 6 years in the National Guard and was a member of the Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Stapleton American Legion.

Ike is survived by Karen, his wife of 55 years; son Devin (Barb) Empfield of Scottsbluff; daughter Darcy (Tom) King of North Platte; grandchildren Kelsey (special friend Ethan), Dakota, Hunter (Ashley) and Autumn (special friend Taylor); brothers-in-law Darold (Bron) Nielsen, Bruce (Sharon) Allen, and Byron Daly; sisters-in-law Zola (Bill) Karn and Genie (Jim) Warner; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Arlene Nielsen; infant sister Arleta; infant brothers Terry Lee and Jerome; sister-in-law Wanda Daly; and brothers-in-law Vic Allen and Bud Allen.

Memorials are suggested to the Cornerstone EPC Church (Presbyterian) in Stapleton or the Stapleton Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Service.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday April 3, 2017 at the Presbyterian Church in Stapleton with Reverend Eric Mockaitis officiating.  Burial will follow at McCain Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday April 2, 2017 at the Presbyterian Church.  Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gary Leon Kemp, age 68 of Maywood, passed away Wednesday March 29, 2017 at the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, CO, surround by his children and Jean, his wife of 44 years.

Gary was born on March 31, 1948 in Sutherland, NE to Emerson L. and Lucille (Fuller) Kemp.  He grew up on the ranch 5 miles north of Tryon, NE and attended McPherson County High School, graduating with the class of 1966.  On June 10, 1972 he married Jean Snyder in North Platte and they spent the next 44 years on the Blackstone Homestead located 10 miles north of Curtis in Wells Canyon.  Here they raised cattle, horses and their 4 children, as well as running their trucking business, Kemp Enterprises, and the Cooper Feed Dealership in Curtis..  Gary had many passions which included trucking, cattle, horses, team roping and just being a cowboy.  Along with his father, Tom Kemp Sr. and brother Tom Kemp Jr., he was a founding member of the Tryon Roping Club.  He was also an active member of the Curtis Roping Club for many years and attended jackpot ropings all over southwest Nebraska with his children.  He joined the “million-mile club” when he had put over a million miles on one transmission in his 1994 Kenworth truck.  He took great pride in his truck and trailers, and all of his family spent a lot of time with him, keeping the trucks washed and looking sharp.  Gary began trucking in 1968 and hauled cement, grain, cattle, propane and petroleum products for 47 years.  Most of all, Gary enjoyed spending time with family and friends, reminiscing about the good ol’ days; but he could always find a job to do around the ranch when all of his kids and grandkids were home!

Gary is survived by his wife Jean Kemp of Curtis; children Kerri Kemp of Curtis, Kort (Lisa) Kemp of Wallace, Kelvin (Marissa) Kemp of Lincoln, and Kristy (Josh) King of Hershey; grandchildren, Taylor Kemp, Allyson Kemp, and Avery King; brothers Tom Kemp Jr., Monty Kemp and Rex Kemp; as well as other extended family members including cousins, nieces and nephews, and all of his friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents Tom and Lucille Kemp; father and mother-in-law Miles and Hollis Snyder; brother-in-law Jim Snyder; and great nephew Brandon Blake.

Memorials are suggested to the McPherson County Fair Board, McPherson County Fire and Rescue or the donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday April 2, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Bob Witt officiating.  The family requests that those attending wear casual attire.  Burial will follow at the Miller Cemetery near Tryon.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday April 1, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home.