Larry Gene Janecek, 68, of Mitchell, died March 21, 2017, in Lubbock, Texas.

Larry was born on June 7, 1948, in North Platte to Karl and Lucille Janecek. He grew up in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School in 1966. He attended Kearney State College, graduating in 1970.

He married the love of his life, Beth, on Aug. 23, 1969, in Kearney. They began their married life in North Platte, where he worked for American State Savings Co. They moved to Imperial in 1975, where he was the fertilizer manager of the Frenchman Valley Co-op.

In 1979, they moved to Gering, where he worked as a loan officer with the Federal Land Bank. He later took a position with First Security Bank in Mitchell, which later became Pinnacle Bank. Larry became president of the Mitchell branch of Pinnacle Bank in May 1999, and the couple moved to Mitchell at that time. Larry retired from the bank in 2011.

Upon his retirement, he began driving buses for Western Nebraska Community College, a job he loved dearly. He was known to the students on the sports teams as “Mr. Larry,” a title he cherished. It was on a trip to the women’s national basketball tournament in Lubbock that he went to be with his Lord and Savior.

Larry was actively involved in each community in which he lived, coaching his two sons in youth baseball and as a member of numerous organizations. He and Beth proudly supported WNCC as a part of the dorm parent program for 25 years.

He served as president of the Mitchell Economic Development board and was a member of the Kiwanis Club for many years. He was a board member for Festival of Hope for many years and served as a member of Crime Stoppers and numerous other community organizations. He loved classic cars and bought his first Studebaker, a 1963 Avanti, in 1980. He was past president and current car show chairman of the High Plains Auto Club.

Above all, Larry was a man of faith and was actively involved in church life wherever he lived. He served on numerous church boards and was always willing to take on a new position. He was a member of the church choir and always kept practices lively.

He loved his family dearly and was so very proud of his sons and daughters-in-law. He had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and faithfully followed their activities.

Larry was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; and brother-in-law, Ron Erpelding.

Survivors include his wife, Beth; sons, Matthew (Mickie) of Gering and their children Quinton and Maddux, and Joel (Torri) of Dubuque, Iowa, and their children Atley and Adler; brother, Don (Jean) Janecek of McKinney, Texas; sister-in-law, Maxine Erpelding of Kearney; brother-in-law, Rod (Stephanie) Karsten of Grand Island; numerous nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; one great-great-nephew; two great-great-nieces; and many, many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Calvary Lutheran Church or the WNCC Athletic Department. Online condolences may be shared at jolliffefuneralhome.com.

Services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Sheryl Kester-Beyer officiating. Burial will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 27, at Jolliffe Funeral Home, Scottsbluff, which is in charge of arrangements.

John C. Schmidler, 82, of North Platte, passed away March 20, 2017 at Great Plains Health.  He was born May 27, 1934 to John C. and Mary C. (Cooper) Schmidler at Marysville, KS.  John attended school at Marysville High School. In 1950, he hired on with Union Pacific Railroad and later served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.

On March 15, 1958, John was united in marriage to Marilyn Hamm in Marysville, KS. They lived in Omaha before moving to North Platte in 1989.  He was a member of the Platte Valley Lodge A. F. and A.M., past member of the Eagles, Moose, and Elks.  John enjoyed hunting, fishing and most importantly his family.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn of North Platte; a daughter, Shari Schmidler of Omaha; a sister, Dorothy Moser of Manhattan, KS; six grandchildren, Ben, Sonia, John, Josh, Tamara and Dennis; four great-grandchildren, Caden, Breana, Tyler and Sailor; one furry companion, Tinker Bell; and many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Susan Hunter; two sisters, Mary Jo Krug and Kay Louise; and a brother, George Schmidler.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Brett Terry officiating.  Cremation was chosen.  Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

Jane M. Earnest, 82, of North Platte, NE, was reunited with her immediate family on March 19, 2017.

Jane was born to Paul and Lois (Shick) McGuire on June 15, 1934 in Lexington., NE. She graduated from Lexington High School. She then attended Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.  Jane worked as a registered nurse for 45+ years. Even when her memory started to fade, she remembered medical terms, and remained a nurse to the end.  She worked in numerous care facilities in both Colorado and Nebraska through the years. When she herself was a resident in a care facility, she made sure to treat the nurses with the same respect she wanted residents to give her. She always said please if she needed something and told the nurses thank you when they were done.

Preceding Jane in death were her parents; a son, Terry Earnest; brother, Robert McGuire; sisters, Mary Alice McGuire and Kay McGuire Bain; and nephews, Kelly, Kristopher and Paul Bain.

Survivors include a son, Michael (Patti) McGuire of Chicago Il; granddaughter, Megan (Jason) Tommer; two great-granddaughters, Kinsley and Leighton Tommer both of Chicago; brother-in-law, Jim (Michelle) Bain of North Platte; niece, Kim (Matt) Joy of Santa Fe, NM; and nephews, Patrick ( Marla) Bain and Jeff (Brenda) Bain all of North Platte.

A special “Thank You” to North Platte Care Center and Premier Estates for taking care of her these past three years.

Memorials are suggested to Holy Spirit Catholic Church or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Christian Wake Service will be said Friday March 24 at 9:30 AM, followed by Catholic Mass of Christian burial at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Father James Novakowski as celebrant. Burial will be at the Lexington Cemetery, Lexington Nebraska. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Cecil “Ray” Mullen, 78, of North Platte, formerly of Maywood, passed away March 17, 2017, at Great Plains Health. He was born on April 4, 1938, to Charles and Tracy (Blake) Mullen in Maywood. Ray graduated from Maywood High School with the Class of 1956. He was united in marriage to Sharron White on March 7, 1957 at Stockville.

He worked for the Maywood Coop and later hired out on the Union Pacific Railroad in 1972 until his retirement. Ray enjoyed hunting and trapping throughout his life and he especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Survivors include his children; Jerry (Lorraine) Mullen of Maywood, Diane (George) Dykes of Georgia, Michael Mullen of North Platte, James (Becky) Mullen of McCook, and David (Sheri) Mullen of North Platte, 13 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren;  a sister, Colleen Miller; a brother, Robert Mullen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sharron; brother Kenneth Mullen; brother-in-law, Marlin  “Doug”  Miller; grandson, Raymond Murphy; daughter-in-law, Kellie Mullen.

Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.  Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 24, 2017, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so Tuesday thru Thursday  from  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Cremation was chosen. Inurnment will be at a later date. A memorial has been established in his name.  Carpenter memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Kenneth R. Etherton, 88, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died March 18, 2017 at Hilltop Estates.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Tuesday, March 21, 2017, 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm with the family present from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

Services will be held at Evangelical Free Church, Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 11:00 am with Pastor Scott Newman officiating.

Interment will take place in the Fairview Cemetery south of Cozad at 9:00 am on Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

Memorials may be designated to The Commons Building at the Evangelical Free Church.

Mary Frances Eychner Deutschman 87, of North Platte passed away March 18, 2017 at Linden Court.  Mary was born August 2, 1929 in Grand Island, NE to Vernon and Margaret Eychner.  She graduated from Grand Island High School in 1947.  Mary attended Hastings College as a music major with a burning desire to teach.  North Platte Public Schools needed an elementary teacher with the love of music, so she began her teaching career September 1, 1949 at Jefferson School in North Platte.  On July 31, 1953 she married Robert Deutschman and continued to teach at Franklin, McKinley, and Adams Junior High.

Mary retired the first time to enjoy being a mother to Dick and Jane.  After Jane’s death she returned to teaching at Osgood School.  Mary finally received her B.A. Degree in 1970 from Kearney State College and became an Elementary music teacher at Cody School.  She retired again in June of 1990 after 30 years.

She was a member of NEA, NPEA, and the North Platte Retired Teachers.  She was proud to be a charter member of the Sandhills Symphony Orchestra.  Mary was a life member of Monday Musicale.  She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma for 50 years.  Mary received special recognition for the Christa McAuliffe Award.  She was selected for North Platte Woman of Achievement in Education in 1989.  Her trio, The Singing Strings, gave her great joy for many years.

Survivors are her daughter-in-law, Robin Deutschman of North Platte; three delightful grandchildren, Benjamin (Toni) Deutschman of Blair, Ne, Andrew Deutschman of Omaha, and Makenzie (Seth) Scollard of Lincoln, Ne; two great-grandsons, Brock and Brody Deutschman; a sister, Helen Knapp of Minden, NE; and a brother, George (Judy) Eychner of Kerrville, TX.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her wonderful husband of 62 years, Robert; and her beloved Dick and Jane.

Memorials are suggested to the Sandhills Symphony and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Graveside Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 24, 2017 at the North Platte Cemetery with the Reverend Robin Storer officiating.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m.  – 9:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

George Charles Wetzel, 81, Corvallis, Oregon, died Thursday, January 26, 2017, at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

George was born March 20, 1935 in McCook, to Leon Seaver and Freda Bell Scharf Wetzel. He grew up in Curtis, where he attended the University Of Nebraska School Of Agriculture and met his future wife Joan Hathaway. George and Joan were married on September 15, 1956 In Lincoln.

George attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and graduated from the University Of Minnesota School Of Mortuary Science. Following graduation, George did his mortuary internship with Johnson Funeral Home in Kearney. George and Joan moved to Valentine where he worked for Watts Funeral Home.  The couple returned to Curtis in 1960 where he joined his father at Wetzel Funeral Home and International Harvester dealership, where between them, they provided funeral services for a total of 70 years.  George and Joan raised their family in Curtis and were an integral part of the community.

George was instrumental in the founding of the Frontier County Ambulance Service and was on the ambulance board. He was a volunteer fireman and EMT.  He was on City Council, the Library Board and the Star Theater board. He was also active in the Curtis Easter Pageant from its inception, portraying Judas for many years, then directed the Living Pictures for several years. He enjoyed being part of the Curtis Fall Festival, was an active member of the United Methodist Church, helping build the new church. He also helped with the construction of Arrowhead Meadows Golf Course. George was a Mason and an Elk.

He was an avid golfer, gardener and reader.

George was preceded in death by his sister, Wilma, brother-in-law Dale Rust and brothers-in-law Wayne and Turner Hathaway. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan Hathaway Wetzel, his children, Diane, Martin (Sharon Hammer) and LeeAnn (Donna Strigle), grandchildren William, Olivia and Eva.

The Funeral service will take place this summer, because as George said, January funerals are too dang cold. He was a gentle, funny and a loving man, and will be missed. A lot.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Curtis Public Library.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00pm, Friday, June 30, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Curtis, NE.

Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel is in charge of services.

Marlene  Houchin, 65, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died March 14, 2017 in Kearney, NE.

Memorial Services will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017, 10:30 am, Evangelical Free Church 1721 Lake Avenue, Gothenburg, NE.

Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312