Betty Rose Levine, age 91, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at Linden Court.

Betty was born January 24, 1926, to Fay Bee and Sallie Dean Holland James in Mullen, NE, and was raised on the original James Homestead, north of Mullen.

On October 28, 1942, Betty was united in marriage to Erik Harry Levine in Oberlin, KS, and graduated from Mullen High School in the spring of ’43. Betty and Erik started their married life on the Anderson Homestead, south of Mullen, before moving to North Platte where Betty worked for the Project Bakery. The couple later lived in Kearney and Paxton before settling in North Platte in 1960.

Betty had worked for Memorial Hospital and Great Plains Regional Medical Center in Housekeeping and later Accounts Payable, eventually retiring in 1984. She was an active member of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, serving on the Altar Guild and teaching Sunday School. Betty was also a leader in Girl Scouts and 4-H.

She is survived by her children, Terry (Ingrid) Levine, of North Platte and Aurilla Walker, of Cozad, NE; grandsons, Dee (Twila) Walker, of Rapid City, SD, and Doug (Amy) Walker, of Omaha, NE; great-grandchildren, Ashton Walker, of Rapid City, SD, and Emily Walker, of Omaha, NE; a brother, Eugene Wallace (Dorothy) James, of Mullen; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Erik; her parents, Fay and Sallie James; brothers, Wesley Enoch, Harold Edward “Shady” and Neal Elliot James; sisters, Clara Isabella Stoner, Vera Maude James, Lela Iola Hamilton and Florence Joyce Pew; and two infant siblings.

Cremation was chosen. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2017, at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior with Celebrant Father Jeffrey Nelson. Betty’s cremains will then be placed in the Columbarium in the Resurrection Atrium at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at the church. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Episcopal Church of Our Savior.

Eadie F. McAlpine, 96, of Wood River, formerly of North Platte, passed away peacefully on Feb 27, 2017 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Wood River.

She was born April 12, 1920 in Grand Island to Knud H. Aabel and Luella A. Wion, where she grew up and graduated high school. Eadie attended the University of Washington. She returned to Grand Island, and then moved North Platte in 1968, where she lived the majority of her life thereafter.

She enjoyed conversing with friends, gardening, quilting, selling Avon, and lunch with girlfriends.  Being a mother and grandmother was most important to her; a woman who was a lover, a hugger, a smile to always lead you in the right direction – with an iron fist and a kind word!  She was united in marriage to Claude A. McAlpine.

She is survived by her children, Charline (Don) Evans of North Platte, Pete (Joyce) of Wood River, and Nancy (Jim) Mitchell of Ventura, CA; grandchildren, Tone Lange, Corey (Amy) Lange, Lorie (Jason) Luebbe, Karie (Doug) Tank, Randy (Lee) Mitchell and Aaron (Michelle) Mitchell; great grandchildren, Quenten and McKenzie Lange, Katlin and Alyssa Luebbe, Tavian and Cierra Tank, and Randy Mitchell Jr.; and other relatives.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  Cremation was chosen. Those wishing to sign her memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the funeral home.  Services will be held on Saturday March 4th at 11am at Carpenter  Memorial Chapel in North Platte, which is in care of the arrangements.

Beverly Margaret Odean, age 81, of Missouri, formerly of Nebraska, passed away Saturday, February 25, 2017, at St. John’s Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.

Beverly was born July 22, 1935, to Donald Wessley and Frances Margaret Renfro Kerr at Kansas City, MO. She grew up in Denver, CO, and later moved to Gering, NE, where she graduated from high school and married Leo James Colson in 1953. The couple had four children and lived in Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado before settling in Hershey, NE, and later divorcing.

On October 26, 1974, Beverly was united in marriage to Delmar Delaine Odean at Malta, MT. They lived in the Hershey and Sutherland areas until moving to Florida in 2011. Beverly and Delmar loved music and spent their lives traveling and playing music in various places throughout the Midwest with their band, “The Del Mars”.

Beverly and Delmar were married for over 34 years when he passed away in 2012. She then moved near her daughter, Brenda, in De Soto, MO, and lived each day waiting to be reunited with Delmar. Though Beverly and Delmar are gone, their music lives on and will be cherished by their family and friends.

Beverly is survived by her children, Brenda (Randy) Solomon, of DeSoto, MO, Tim (Dana) Colson, of Umatilla, FL, and Don (Kathy) Colson, of Boca Raton, FL; stepchildren, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ (Steve) Ellerd, of Platteville, CO, and Kenneth (Cindy) Odean and David (Julie) Odean, of Hershey, NE; 21 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; five great great-grandchildren; her brother, Wes (Pat) Kerr, of Oceanside, CA; sister-in-law, Lynne Kerr, of Franklin, LA; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

Along with her husband, Delmar, Beverly was preceded in death by her son, James Colson; her parents, Donald and Frances Kerr; and brother, Don Kerr.

Graveside funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2017, in the Lamont Cemetery, southwest of Hershey. The casket will be closed. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at the graveside. Memorials are to the Hershey Senior Center. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Our beloved mother and grandmother, LaWana Howell Thompson, was called home February 23, 2017, at the age of 80 years old, in North Platte, Nebraska. She was born in Sugar City, Idaho, on July 8, 1936, to Richard Smith Howell and Signa Elizabeth Fikstad Howell. She was the sixth of eight children.

LaWana married the love of her life, Merlin John Thompson, on October 31, 1952, at her parent’s home in Salt Lake City. They were lifelong members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple April 13, 1972. The couple was happily married for almost 63 wonderful years and were blessed with five daughters.

She was primarily a homemaker but also worked as a nurse’s aide, packed salads at Lynn Wilson Foods, and cared for children at The Sports Mall children’s nursery for many years before retiring.

LaWana and Merlin loved to spend time with family. They would often travel long distances to family events. They also loved to have family over to picnic, swing and ride horses in their backyard.

She had many interests including poetry, scrapbooking, flowers, watching old Westerns, and collecting dolls and rocks. She also enjoyed music, dancing and playing the piano.

LaWana was preceded in death by her loving husband, Merlin; her parents; and four of her brothers, Dale, Leo, Aaron (at birth) and Ted Howell.

She is survived by her brother, Richard “Merrill” Howell, of West Jordan, UT; sisters, RaNay Debenham, of Vancouver, WA, and Colleen Steed, of Oklahoma City, OK; sisters-in-law, Karla Howell, of Bountiful, UT, Alice Howell, of Kearns, UT, and Wanda Hall, of Rexburg, ID; her children, Kristine (Wayne) Hopkinson, of North Platte, NE, Barbra Jean (James) Debenham, of West Valley City, UT, Jillene Thompson, of West Valley City, UT, Dixie Lee Lee, of Taylorsville, UT, and Stacey May (Randy) Maestas, of Riverton, UT; 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and a great great-granddaughter; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2017, at the LDS Church (4111 Park Ridge Road, North Platte). A viewing will be held at the church from 3-4 p.m. with the funeral to follow. LaWana will be laid to rest with her husband, Merlin, in Redwood Memorial Estates in West Jordan, Utah. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Esther Marie Dobbins, 96 of Stapleton passed away February 25^th 2017, at her home. Esther was born February 2^nd, 1921 to Abraham “Earl” and Maude (Arritt) Gallington on the family homestead North of Arnold, NE.

Esther completed her elementary education in a country school North of Arnold.  Esther attended two years of high school in Anselmo and graduated High School in Arnold, NE.  While in high school, Esther worked at the Arnold Library and at the Arnold Theater.  After high school Esther worked North West of Arnold at the Britton ranch as a cook.  Esther worked 5 years at the Gambles store in Arnold while her future husband, Arthur Uphoff was stationed for four and a half years in the Pacific during WWII.

In 1946, Esther married Arthur Henry Uphoff.  To this union three children were born. The family ranched North West of Stapleton Nebraska. Arthur died in 1963.  In 1967 Esther married Hershel Dobbins.  Hershel and his three children joined the family.  The family continued to ranch N/W of Stapleton.  They later relocated to a ranch East of Stapleton along the South Loup River.

In addition to helping with the ranch work, Esther was an excellent cook and seamstress. Esther loved the country life, especially the Sandhills. Esther was an avid Gardner and enjoyed watching things grow.  Esther was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Arnold, NE.  She was a member of the Senior’s Club in Stapleton, the monthly card club and loved going to senior meals in Stapleton to socialize with her friends.

Esther is survived by son, Ronald (Kay) Uphoff of Stapleton; daughter, Deanna Uphoff-(Kendall)Allison of North Platte; daughter-in-Law, Beverly Uphoff of Omaha; stepdaughter , Janet (Vern) Boeser of Stapleton; stepson, Robert (Rita) Dobbins of Hershey; step daughter-in-law, Dotti Dobbins of Omaha; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Arthur Uphoff & Hershel Dobbins; two sisters, Vera Gallington & Edna Rutt; two brothers, Edward & Sylvester Gallington; son, Kenneth Uphoff; step-son, Willis Dobbins; and foster brother, Marion Downing.

Memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church in Arnold, NE and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be at 10:30 Wednesday, at Adams and Swanson’s Chapel in North Platte, NE with the Reverend Ben Eikhoff officiating.  Interment will be at the McCain Cemetery near Stapleton.   Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Juanita F. Finch, age 82 of Cozad and longtime Paxton resident, died February 23, 2017 at Cozad Rehabilitation and Care Center.

She was born September 9, 1934 at Redford, Missouri to Melton Dale and Hazel (Bryson) Albert. She grew up in Missouri and moved to Nebraska in 1965 and lived in Paxton for the past 40 years.

Survivors include her sons, Gary (Teresa) Gallaher, Joseph (Deb) Smith, Richard (Kayleen) Smith and Greg Smith, brother, Dale (Janice) Albert, sisters, Carol (Jerry) Stepler, Darlene Ditch, and Janice Pearson, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert Finch, sons, Charles Gallaher, Michael Smith, and Ronald Kubiak.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7pm Sunday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Cremation will follow and graveside services will be at a later date at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

 

Edward Joseph Royle, 68, of Maxwell, passed away Feb. 19, 2017, with family by his side.

Edward was born on March 26, 1948, to Wilford and Hallie (Alexander) Royle in Loup City. He graduated in 1966 from Maxwell Public High School. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy.

He married Cheryl Rose on July 12, 1967.

Edward was proceeded in death by his parents, his brother and his two sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his two daughters, Shenle Clark and Jennifer Royle; 10 grandchildren, Natasha (Karl) Peeler, Desmund Clark, Alicia (David) Royle, Mykel Clark, Tiffanie (Brett) Royle, Crystal Clark, Devin Royle, Kayla (Eddie) Royle, Sierra Clark-Royle and Brittany Baulelit; 13 great-grandchildren; along with a large extended family and numerous friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ‘Edward Royle’ Go Fund Me account at gofundme.com/edward-royle. Online condolences may be shared at beldenlarkin.com.

Inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, at Belden-Larkin Funeral Home and Cremation Services, which is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Jerre L. Johnson, age 81, of North Platte, NE, passed away at home on Monday, February 20, 2017.

Jerre was born December 10, 1935, to Roy and Ruth Johnson at David City, NE. The family later moved to Lincoln, NE, where Jerre graduated from Lincoln High School then Wentworth Military Academy and later the University of Nebraska. He earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 1963. After 14 years in private practice, Jerre returned to KSU as a faculty member. In 1980 he received his Ph.D. in Veterinary Pathology and was the Director of the Veterinary Science Lab at the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte for 20 years. Dr. Johnson retired in 2000 as NU Professor Emeritus.

On August 20, 1960, Jerre was united in marriage to Mary Katherine ‘Kay’ Peerson and the family was blessed with four children. They were loving married for 55 years when Kay passed away in 2015.

Jerre was a lifetime member of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, which elected him Veterinarian of the Year in 1998, and was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. In addition, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Platte Valley Lodge #32 AF&AM where he served as Master and was a Master Mason, lifetime member of Tehama Shrine, and member of the North Platte Shrine Club. Jerre was a Rotarian for 38 years, a Paul Harris fellow, and had served in the Missouri National Guard for six years. He was also active in the Boy Scouts of America, having earned his Eagle Scout Award when he was younger and later held leadership roles for 20 years.

Jerre enjoyed reading, traveling, camping, fishing and painting. He was an avid sports fan, a loyal Husker and Wildcat fan, and he knew personally why golf was a four letter word!

Jerre leaves behind his daughters, Janelle Sullivan, of Ogden, IA, Cheryl Johnson, of Orlando, FL, and Kristin (Brandon) Taylor, of Longmont, CO; a son, Mark Johnson, of North Platte; three grandchildren, Kelli Sullivan, of North Platte, and Kyle and Sara Taylor, of Longmont, CO; a great-grandson, Sean Ellis, of North Platte; sister-in-law, Judy (Bob) Vilumis, of Kalamazoo, MI; and other family.

Along with his wife, Kay, Jerre was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Ruth Johnson; sisters, Lou Jane Munson and Shirley Faytinger.

As to Jerre’s wishes, cremation was chosen and a private family service will be held. The memorial book may be signed online at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the NVMA Scholarship Fund, North Platte Shrine Club or the donor’s choice.