Stephen Lee Allen, age 66 of North Platte, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2017 at home with his devoted mother by his side.

Stephen was born on November 11, 1950 in North Platte to Ray William and Ruth Viola (Haney) Allen.  Stephen attended school in Thermopolis and Worland, WY.  In 1983 when his father retired the family moved back to North Platte to be closer to extended family and friends.  He enjoyed making cards, writing letters and working on his computer, but he was never happier than when he was spending time with friends and family.  He had a great sense of humor that could light up a room and make everybody laugh.

Steven is survived by his mother Ruth of North Platte; cousins Pam (Kevin) McClary of Benton City, WA and Jeffrey Lambert of FL; Uncle Wilbur of Stapleton; cousins Fred and his daughters Candi and Tammy, Bobby and family, Bruce and his children Mitch and Brenda, Hannah and Jan Doyle; as well as many other cousins and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Ray; and his grandparents.

“After the storm, a haven.  After the pain, sweet peace.  After the days of illness, came a sweet release.  His work on earth is ended, “Not lost, but gone before.”  His Savior gently beckoned, and he entered heaven’s door.  He was kind and gentle, unselfish to the end.  A peerless son and brother, an ever faithful friend.  We shall miss him greatly, but may God ease the pain, as we accept the blessed hope and prepare to meet again.”  By Ernestine Lutes. 

Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday February 6, 2017 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Bishop Daniel Hitch officiating.  Burial will follow at Miller Cemetery near Tryon.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday February 5, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Isabella Rose Plunk, 7 months old, of North Platte died February 3, 2017, due to an auto accident.  She was born June 20, 2016 to Matt Plunk and Stacy Shannon at North Platte.

Isabella had the most beautiful big brown eyes and smile that melted your heart. She was so happy and smart and oh so strong. She was loved by all and knew her smile and laugh would light up her parent’s eyes. Isabella touched everyone that knew her.

Those that will always cherish her are her parents; sister, Fiona Layne Storm; grandparents, Jim and Becky Plunk and Melanie (Matt Skunda) Shannon; great-grandparents, Marilyn Canady, Fran Egner, Jim and Carolyn Plunk, and Jim Canady; great-great grandmother, Virginia Canady; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Lane Shannon Sr. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 10, 2017, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Cremation was chosen. A memorial has been established at US Bank in her name.  Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

 

Alice L. Bassett, 95, of Colorado Springs, Colorado – formally of Tryon and San Jacinto, California, pass away Monday, January 30, 2017 in Colorado Springs.

Born Alice Lucile Priest May 27, 1921 to Hugh M. Priest and Louelva Connell Priest Hatch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Alice was the oldest of five siblings.

Alice was a third generation of pioneers to McPherson County – her maternal grandfather having been Michael Anthony Connell, the first homesteader in this part of the country to file a tax return on settled land.  She spent until the age of 5 on her parents’ ranch near Hans Peak, Colorado, then relocated with her parents back to their home counties of Hooker and McPherson in Nebraska in 1926.

She attended rural schools but times were hard in the 30’s and even though, with her brother Hermel and Gordon, her future husband, she scored among the top three in eighth grade exams out of 22 tested, she, by necessity, went to work on ranches as a house girl cooking and cleaning and caring for newborn babies.  During this time she cared for 14 newborns and new mothers – many of the babies her younger cousins.  It was her lifelong regret that she had not been able to attend and graduate high school.

At age 10, on June 23, 1931, she was baptized, along with other family members and local residents of McPherson and Hooker Counties, under the old High Bridge, on the Dismal River by an itinerant minister, the Rev. Amos Rundus of Munden, Kansas.

She married Gordon Bassett in 1942 at Mullen and they purchased a ranch 12 miles north of Tryon.  Their two children were born during this time but in the middle 50’s, depression and dry years forced them out of ranching.  They followed relatives to San Jancinto, California where Gordon worked in a dairy and at heavy construction.

They returned to Tryon in 1960 and Gordon and Alice became editors and publishers of the Tryon Graphic, purchasing it from their brother-in-law, Arthur French.  This county newspaper had been in the family since the middle 40’s.  Gordon was appointed to fill out the term of the elected county sheriff and was elected for two more terms.  Eventually, the Graphic was sold back to Arthur French. During Gordon’s sheriff days, Alice’s’ job was to run the home base radio.

Several years after Gordon’s death in 1976, Alice sold her ranch land and house in Tryon and moved to Colorado Springs to be near her daughter and grandchildren.

Alice loved to walk, crochet, read, scrapbook, visit with family and neighbors and take care of her grandchildren.  Her apple pies were wonderful.  It is ironic that Alice was a partner with her husband at printing and publishing and her last years were enjoyed in the Union Printers Home at Colorado Springs.

Alice’s philosophy of life and living was based on Hebrews 13:5-6; Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Alice was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her step father, Elzie Hatch; her two brothers, Hermel and Kenneth Priest; Kenneth’s wife, Maxine; a sister and brother-in-law, LaVerne and Doris Neal; and brother-in-law, Arthur French; also brothers and sisters-in-law, Wayne and Eva Connell and Leonard and Inez Bassett.

Survivors to love and honor her memory are one son, Kenneth Bassett of Grand Island; a daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Clifford Kirkpatrick of Colorado Springs; four grandchildren, Clancy R. Nasland of Aurora, Colorado, Dylan and Lora Kirpatrick and family, Jocob, Mia, Isiah, and Gabriel, all of Colorado Springs, Ryan and Abby Kirkpatrick of Denver; Cassidy and Mikey Miles of Security, Colorado;  one sister, Mrs. Audrey French of Alliance (formerly of Stapleton); a sister-in-law, Mrs. Phyllis Priest of North Platte; an uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Connell of Tryon; and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

Memorial moneys will be donated to the church at Miller Cemetery, McPherson County, Nebraska.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday February 2, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Chapel in North Platte.  Interment will be at Miller Cemetery in McPherson County next to her husband, parents, and numerous extended family.  Visitation will be noon – 9:00 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Hazel Arlene Himmerite, age 86, of North Platte, NE, was reunited with the love of her life when she passed away at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, January 29, 2017.

Hazel was born May 10, 1930, to Edwin Calvert ‘Doc’ and Rachel Clark Gale at North Platte where she grew up and later graduated from North Platte High School.

On June 15, 1948, Hazel was united in marriage to the love of her life, George ‘Mac’ Stephen Himmerite, in Kearney, NE. They made their home in North Platte and eventually moved to the farm west of town in 1974. Here they farmed side by side and raised two daughters, Joy and Pam. Hazel and Mac were married for nearly 62 years when he passed away in 2010.

Hazel was a member of the First Baptist Church. She loved her family and was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was also a kind, hardworking lady who will be missed.

She is survived by her daughters, Joy Adkisson, of Sutherland, NE, and Pam (Mike) Brosseau, of North Platte; five grandchildren, Todd (Crystal) Adkisson and Toni Adkisson, all of Sutherland, Kimberly (Kenneth) Hicks, of Hershey, NE, Alicia (Nate) Shirley, of Maywood, NE, and Amber (Aaron) Sundberg, of Lincoln, NE; five great-grandchildren, Nathan, Shane, Stephen, Mia and Colin; her sister, Lila Effenbeck, of North Platte; as well as other family.

Along with her husband, Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, Doc and Rachel Gale; brother-in-law, John E. Effenbeck; and in-laws, George H. and Hazel U. Himmerite

Cremation was chosen. A private family service will be held in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Great Plains Hospice.