Sheila Mae Panek, age 65 of North Platte, passed away Monday March 27, 2017 at the North Platte Care Center.

Sheila was born on September 18, 1951 in Thief River Falls, MN to Kenneth and Mae (Hamburg) Maidment.  After graduating high school she attended Northland Community Technical College to earn her RN Degree. Her passion was to take care of others, which she was able to do for over 20 years. She was the most caring and selfless mother, friend and nurse. She also loved animals and as a child she and her father took care of various wild animals ranging from skunks, to raccoons to turtles. She was always there for people in need and made sure all the neighborhood kids ate when they were at her house.

Sheila is survived by her children, Joe (Rachelle Nordblad) Panek and Tia (Michael) Eggers both of North Platte; grandchildren, John Eggers, Merissa Panek, Lillian Gutherless, Jaylee May Nordblad; siblings Luke (Elaine) Maidment of Florida, Sue (Kevin) Johnston of Thief River Falls, MN; brother-in-law Steve Panek; several other family members including uncles, nieces and nephews; as well as many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband John Anthony Panek in May of 2008; mother-in-law Marjorie Panek; and brothers Mark Maidment and Keith Maidment.

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 1:00 p.m. Friday March 31, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with the Reverend Josh Brown officiating.  Inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery near Hershey. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday March 30, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Elsie Anna Shanks, age 92, of North Platte, NE, passed away surrounded by her family on March 27, 2017, at Great Plains Health.

Elsie was born October 6, 1924, to Peter W. and Anna Wulff Mohr on a farm near St. Libory, NE. On August 26, 1925, Elsie was baptized at Messiah Lutheran Church in Grand Island. In 1938 she became a confirmed member of Trinity Lutheran in Grand Island, with Revelation 2:10 “Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” her confirmation verse.

Elsie attended school in Grand Island at Trinity Lutheran, Walnut Jr. High and graduated from Grand Island High School in 1942. After graduating, Elsie was employed as a service assistant at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company.

On November 30, 1947, Elsie was united in marriage to Benjamin Curtiss “Benny” Shanks, Jr. at Grand Island. To this union five daughters, Patricia Lynn, Janet Frances, Nancy Ann, Mary Helen and Linda Diane, were born. The couple first resided in Grand Island where they worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and then moved to North Platte following Benny’s transfer. Here they raised their family and were members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Elsie and Benny were together for 58 years when he passed away in 2006.

Elsie was a very nurturing person who loved to cook and bake. Baking cinnamon rolls and her many breads were frequent requests of family and friends. She was proud of her children and their families and she also helped raise her 11 nieces and nephews. Elsie had a compassionate nature and a talent for doing good things for others but also enjoyed the solitude of reading and solving word puzzles.

She was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and Telephone Pioneers of America. Elsie was a kind, loving woman who found her faith, family and her church most important to her. She lived life by her favorite quote from Albert Einstein, “Only a life lived for others is worth living.”

Elsie leaves behind her daughters, Patricia (Rick) Malinowski, of Littleton, CO, Nancy (Doyce) Williams, of North Platte, Mary Cladinos (Edgar Galloway), of Raleigh, NC, and Linda Shanks (Wayne Meacham), of Aurora, CO; five grandchildren, Daimon (Nadine) Cladinos, Janelle Banks, Wyatt (Liz) Williams, Dustin Williams and Jon Galus; 11 great-grandchildren; a great great-grandson; brother, Edward (Carol) Mohr, of Lincoln, NE; sister, Helen (Ashley) Grandy, of Tucson, AZ; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

Along with her husband, Benny, Elsie was preceded in death by their infant daughter, Janet; her parents, Peter and Anna Mohr; brother and sister-in-law, Ernest and Mary Ann Mohr; and her sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Calvin Engquist.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 31, 2017, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Robert Wiest officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens where she will await the glorious day of resurrection of all the dead.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday 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 to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or the North Platte Animal Shelter.

Evelyn H. (Heinzle) Anderson, age 96, of North Platte, died March 27, 2017 at Linden Court.  Evelyn was born on June 4, 1920 in Hershey, NE to Jonas and Bertha (Nation) Swedberg.

Evelyn graduated from O’Fallons High School May 19, 1937.  On October 31, 1939 in Grand Island, Ne she married Willard “Bill” “Shorty” Heinzle.  The couple lived in North Platte where Evelyn played for the North Platte traveling softball team.  Willard preceded her in death in 1967.

On February 14, 1970 she married Donald Anderson in North Platte.  Together they built the Knights Inn Hotel and owned and operated it until 1979.

Evelyn was a member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.  She enjoyed yard work and gardening.  She loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include a daughter, Ronda (Roger) Stewart of Dunning;  grandchildren, Steven (Brenda) Heinzle of North Platte, Troy (Kessy) Heinzle of Curtis, Heather (Joey) Pucket of North Platte, Camille Phelps of Omaha, Melanie (Kirk) Clark of Brewster, Chad (Tina) Stewart of Maywood, and Chelsey (Tom) Deaver of Hayes Center, and Julie Rom, and Jerry Townley both of Fort Collins, CO; 19 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Luree Swedberg of Kansas; and numerous other family members and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; son, Rodney Henizle; 7 brothers, Elmer Swedberg, Herman Swedberg, Jonas “LeRoy” Swedberg, Rueben Swedberg, Melvin Swedberg, Ernest Swedberg, and Donald Swedberg; and 3 sisters, Helen Wilson, Dorothy Tabke, and Darlene Anderson.

Memorials are suggested to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church with the Reverend Bob Deardoff officiating.  Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Wednesday March 29, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Wayne Arthur Devine, 94, of Grand Island, formerly of Gothenburg, died March 23, 2017.

Wayne was born on Jan. 18, 1923 in Farnam, the son of Albert and Rebecca (Hilton) Devine. He grew up on the family farm in Farnam until eighth grade before moving to Cozad and graduating from Cozad High School in the class of 1943.

Wayne was united in marriage to Norma Slack in Cozad on Oct. 2, 1946. A wonderful, caring husband and father, Wayne and Norma made every decision together.

Following their marriage, the couple made their home and farmed north of Gothenburg.

In 1962, they moved to Gothenburg, where Wayne managed Slack Nursing Home. In 1969, he purchased Phillips 66 in Gothenburg, and in 1973, he purchased the Phillips 66 in Cozad. He then went back doing various odd jobs at the nursing home.

Never one to stay idle, Wayne officially retired at the age of 63 and went to work for Blasé Memorial Chapel.

The couple relocated to Grand Island in 1994, and Wayne worked part time at Skagway South, where he enjoyed morning coffee sessions with the other help.

An avid baseball fan, Wayne’s favorites were the Kansas City Royals and the Huskers. He played softball as one of the Gothenburg Sodbusters back in the day.

Music was also a big part of his life. As a member of the Hay Valley Boys, he only set his guitar down long enough to take a turn around the floor with Norma.

Wayne enjoyed people and loved to visit. A member of Peace Lutheran Church, he was disappointed when his health prevented him from attending. His family will forever miss his wry humor and corresponding grin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Diane Penner; and brothers, Dale, Morris and Gilbert.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Norma; son, Lennie (Barbara) Devine of Grand Island; five grandchildren, Amy Devine, Sara (Nick) Kutovy, Aaron Devine, Derrick (Gina) Devine and Rebecca Penner; stepgrandchildren, Mickey Dennison and Elizabeth Dennison; and three great-grandchildren, Jake, Alexis and Tony.

Memorials are suggested to Lebensraum Assisted Living Center. Online condolences may be shared at giallfaiths.com.

Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, at Peace Lutheran Church in Grand Island with the Rev. Luke Biggs officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, at Farnam Cemetery with the Rev. Larry Viter officiating. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, March 27. at All Faiths Funeral Home, Grand Island, which is in charge of arrangements.

Dalbert Dean Hergenrader, 84 of North Platte passed away March 24, 2017 at North Platte Care Center.

He was born July 10, 1932 in Cozad, Nebraska to George Sr. and Katherine (Maul) Hergenrader.  He graduated in 1950 from Cozad High School.  On October 17, 1954 he married Orla Marlene Price.   They lived in Lexington, Ne until he was drafted by the Army in 1955, and served 6 years.  After his return from the Army he began his career with Wheelers – Country General, where he worked until his retirement in 1995.

Dalbert enjoyed family gatherings, hunting, fishing, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and going to Rosebud with his wife.

He is survived by his sons, Monty (Connie), Tony (Tonya) and Todd (Jennifer) Hergenrader all of North Platte; eight grandchildren, Joshua (Hilary) Robinson, Jamie Robinson, Steavie (Parker) Reed; Kessy, Dustin, Samuel, Cory and Drew Hergenrader; three great-grandchildren, Caden Robinson, Ailee & Aubrie Hergenrader; two sisters, Beverly Whitehead and Lorraine (Lavern) Gerdes;  many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Orla, and daughter, Mona Rae Robinson; his parents; sisters, Dorothy and Virginia; brothers, George Jr. and Stanley.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Cremation was chosen. Those wishing to sign his memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tues and Wed at the funeral home.  Services will be 11:00 Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Inurnment will be at Ft McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Mae Koch, age 88, of Hershey, NE, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017, at Great Plains Health in North Platte, NE.

Emily Mae was born May 2, 1928, to Pine Dunn and Kate (Fowler) Lewis in Cañon City, CO. When she was two years old, the Lewis family moved to Nebraska. Mae spent her childhood in the Maxwell area, then the family moved to Sutherland in 1943. Mae graduated from Sutherland High School and then went to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in North Platte for three years.

On Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950, Mae was united in marriage to Frank Wayne Koch at the Sutherland Methodist Church. The couple settled on the Koch family farm southwest of Hershey, where Wayne was born, and continued to farm and ranch on the same land as his father and grandfather. They had been married for nearly 63 years when Wayne passed away in 2012.

Mae and Wayne were blessed with five children, Nancy, Christine, Charles, Karen and Kelly, and eventually many grandchildren. They enjoyed square dancing together and going on canoe trips with family. Mae was a great cook and loved making rolls, breads and cookies, and also liked to garden and can her produce. She was a 4-H leader and member of U-Come 2.

Mae was a 50 year member of the Hershey United Methodist Church, was passionate about the church and loved being involved with various activities. She was President of UMW for two terms, served as chairman for funeral dinners, was on the Memorial Committee, taught Sunday School, and participated in the prayer shawl ministry. Along with her many church activities, Mae’s hobbies included crafts, refinishing and upholstering furniture, sewing and playing Dominos with her family. But most importantly, Mae had great faith, loved her family, enjoyed being a grandma and living the country life.

She is survived by her children, Nancy (Blaine) Hoatson and Charles (Judy) Koch, of Hershey, Christine (Steve) Rogers, of Clyde, KS, Karen (John) Haller, of Tryon, NE, and Kelly (Jill) Koch, of Kearney, NE; 11 grandchildren, Riley Hoatson, Adam Hoatson, Anna Rogers, Laura Rogers, Grant Rogers, Julia Rogers, Kyle Koch, Kurtis Koch, Kendall (Chrissi) Koch, Katie (Chris) Waudby and Stephanie Osborn; great-grandchildren, Heath, Charlie and Jake Koch, and Jessica, Jackson, Jennifer and soon to be born, Jonathan Waudby; as well as many nieces, nephews, including Janet Stoffers, Sandy Burbach, Craig Padgett and Judy Baylor, and other family.

Along with her husband, Wayne, Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Pine and Kate Lewis; sisters, Cuma Lewis and Bette Padgett; and granddaughter, Emily Osborn.

Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. Monday, March 27, 2017, at the Hershey United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating. Burial will follow in the Lamont Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday 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 Hershey United Methodist Church or the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department.

Gina Marie Street Shirley, 58, of Fountain, Colorado, passed away Feb. 25, 2017, in Colorado, after a tiring battle with cancer.

She was born on Dec. 6, 1953, in Callaway to Claris and Doris (Glaze) Street. Gina grew up in Callaway and attended school there, graduating in 1977. She attended college in Kearney for a year and then took a job with Ford Motor Co., staying with that company for 17 years until she passed away.

Gina loved Callaway, horses and the countryside. She kept her horses until she moved away, but she loved to come back to Callaway and go to the G’Schwind farm to see her horses. She said there’s no place like good old Callaway. She also loved hunting, fishing and camping, as well as being with her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Patrick; stepdaughters, Shannon McCown and Kristin Shirley; six granddaughters; mother, Doris Street; brother, Gary Street of Ohio; sister, Cheryl Street-Lee of Florida; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Callaway Good Life Center, Callaway District Hospital or the donor’s choice.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 31, at the United Methodist Church in Callaway. Inurnment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Callaway. Arnold Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.