Donald Lee Konruff, age 79 of North Platte, passed away Monday, January 30, 2017 at Golden Living Center in Cozad, Nebraska.

Don was born on April 11, 1937 in North Platte to Fred and Mabel (Simants) Konruff. He grew up in Maxwell attending Maxwell High School. He lettered in football all 4 years and was offered a scholarship to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Instead he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1955. He met Jacqueline Lee Nicholas in 1956 and they married in June of 1957. He was a Seabee in the Navy and served for 20 years. He also served in the Fleet Reserve for 10 years. During his time in the service he attended Life Bible College and became an ordained minister for the Foursquare Gospel Church. Upon his retirement in 1974 he began his ministry and pastored many churches. He was a talented man who loved sports. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Don is survived by his wife Jackie of North Platte; children, Tracy (Glen) Scherz of Hay Springs, Teri (Mike) Griffith of Cozad, Mike of North Platte, and Mark of North Platte; Sibling, Kathy Mullins of Dothan, AL; Grandchildren, Corby (Jamie) Scherz, of Gillette WY, Jessica (Jimmy) Landreth, of Chadron, Tyler (Natasha) Scherz, of Hay Springs, Sara (Nick) Ruhmann, of Kalispell, MT, Rachel Brooks, of Cozad, Matthew (Fabiola) Griffith of Kansas City, MO, Samantha Konruff of Denver, CO, Tod Konruff of North Platte, Kayla Konruff U.S.M.C., Lexi Konruff of Crawford, and Marissa Konruff of Crawford; and 10 great grandchildren and another on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his three brothers, Jerry, Earl, and Tom.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Society.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm, Friday, February 3, 2017 at Adams Swanson Funeral Home with Job Vigil officiating. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors graveside.  The casket will be closed.  Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Joseph P. Corkle, 66, of North Platte, passed away peacefully January 28, 2017 at his home.  He was born January 16, 1951, to George and Martha Lydia (Praeuner) Corkle at Norfolk, NE.  Joe attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

On October 27, 1984, he was united in marriage to his wife, Peggy of 32 years.  He was an accountant with McChesney, Martin Sagehorn, PC in partnership for over 45 years.  He served as a past president for Nebraskaland Days and Crime Stoppers, a member of Lincoln County Democrats and North Platte Ambassadors. In support of our country’s military he continued to be involved with bringing the sailors of the USS Nebraska to Nebraskaland Days events.  Joe enjoyed golf, photography, hunting and camping.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, George T. Corkle.  He is survived by his wife, Peggy; a son, Joel (Dori) Trausch; grandchildren, Porter and Maeve Trausch; sister, Cathleen (James) Kent; sister-in-law, Mary Virginia Corkle; brother-in-law, Roger Sandeen; nephews, Tom (Dacia) Kent and Brian (Natalie) Kent; nieces, Ellen (Luigi) Cazzaniga and Marne (Bob) Hamilton; and many great nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or Fur the Love of Paws.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 2, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Josh Brown as celebrant.  Family will be receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.   The casket will not be open. Cremation will follow the funeral mass.

 

Clarence “Wayne” Cunningham, 98, of Loveland, Colorado, passed away January 26, 2017 at his home. Wayne was born to Clarence and Pearle (Adamson) Cunningham on a farm 13 miles west of Fullerton, Nebraska on November 4, 1918. He attended school in Fullerton.

On September 5, 1933, Wayne accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and in his own words, “I felt a calmness and my burdens lifted, and I have had a good prayer life and spiritual fellowship all these years.”

In February, 1937, he moved to Arnold, NE when his dad purchased the Gambles store and became a partner in the business in 1940.

On January 29, 1942, he was drafted into the army and fought in World War II, being stationed in the Aleutian, Marshall, and Philippine Islands. He was wounded on December 20, 1944 and was honorably discharged July 10, 1945. He earned the Purple Heart medal, the Bronze Star medal, the WWII Victory medal, and many others. Upon his return home, he continued his work at Gambles.

On June 6, 1948, he was married to Marilyn Tarr. Wayne and Marilyn ran the Gambles store with partner, Robert May, until 1981 when they sold the business and retired. Wayne was a member of the United Methodist Church in Arnold, as well as a member of Rotary Club, American Legion, and Chamber of Commerce. Wayne and Marilyn relocated to Loveland, CO in 1995, where he lived the remainder of his life.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marilyn, of Loveland, son Ron (Renee) Cunningham of Frederick, CO, daughter Sharon (Steve) Bailey of Mead, CO, four grandchildren, Wendy Stelk, Colin Cunningham, Austin Bailey, Kaylin Bailey, and two great granddaughters, Isla and Zadi Cunningham. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Pearle, sister, Evelyn, and brother in law, Dick Young.

Funeral Services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Loveland, Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will take place from 3-5:00 p.m., Wednesday at Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Arnold cemetery in Arnold, NE, Friday, February 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church in Loveland, CO or American Legion Post 130 in Arnold, NE in care of Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home.

Phyllis Jean Beckius, age 85 of North Platte, passed away Friday January 27, 2017 at Linden Court.

Phyllis was born on October 25, 1931 in St. Francis, KS to Jacob and Ida (Miller) Schaffer, one of six children.  She grew up mostly in North Platte, moving to Omaha during her high school years.  She returned to North Platte after finishing school where she met Jim Beckius.  The couple was married on February 20, 1950.  She worked as a waitress at King Fong when they were first married, then the Dunes Motel and Lakeway Lanes and then was able to stay home to raise her family.  She was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, The Sweet Adelines, and loved to bowl, golf and play cards.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Jim of North Platte; children Marsha (Rex) Reece of North Platte, and John (Wendy) Beckius of Glenwood Springs, CO; 5 grandchildren, Chad (Lea) Reece of North Platte, Josh (Juanita) Reece of Lincoln, Joe (Denise) Beckius of Pensacola, FL, Cody (Alisha) Beckius of Ft. Collins, CO, and Shane Beckius of Glenwood Springs, CO; 7 great grandchildren, Brian Engel, Mina Reece, Jaiden Gott, Roman Reece, Destini Beckius, Journey Beckius and Ethan Beckius; brothers Bill and Ronald Schaffer; special relative Cindy Schroeder of Phoenix, AZ; as well as numerous other family members and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson Jesse; brothers Bob and Harold Schaffer; and sister Lucille Beans.

Memorials are suggested to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton or the Great Plains Hospice and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Christian Wake Service will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday January 31, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday February 1, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with Reverend Mark Seiker as Celebrant.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday January 31, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Leo Charles Smith, age 85 of North Platte, passed away Friday January 27, 2017 at Great Plains Health.

Leo was born on February 20, 1931 in North Platte to Elmer and Emma (Burch) Smith.  He grew up in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School.  He was a Corporal in the Army from December 1951 until November 1953, serving in Korea.  He married Beverly J. Brown on March 31, 1957.  After her death in 2003, he married Betty Glebe on May 12, 2007.  Except for two years in Boulder, CO and his time in the military, Leo was a lifelong resident of North Platte.  He worked as a Carman on the UPRR for 18 years.  He was a member of The Rock Church, had a passion for cooking and baking, especially pies, and enjoyed fishing, gardening and joke telling!

Leo is survived by his wife Betty of North Platte; children Sandy (Mark) Mason of North Platte, Allan (Brenda) Smith of Aurora, CO, and Leslie Smith of North Platte; siblings Waldo (Leona) Smith of WA, George Smith of AK, Sidney (Bonnie) Smith of North Platte, and Anna (Jack) Hayford of CA; stepchildren Catherine (William) Kolf of  IL, and Marcia (Jim) Warner of Lincoln, NE; 3 grandchildren Matthew (Amy) Smith of Detroit, MI, Leah Smith of Denver, CO, and Brianna Mason of North Platte; 3 step grandchildren Emily (Joe) DeHaven of KY, Jerome Kolf of GA, and Erika Warner of Lincoln, NE; as well as other extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Beverly Jean (Brown) Smith on July 21, 2003; brother Earl (Freida) Smith, sister Luella (Noel) Cluck, brother and sister-in-law Francis and Katherine Smith.

Memorials are suggested to The Rock Church or NP Local Alzheimer’s Support Group and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday January 31, 2017 at The Rock Church with Pastor Vaughn Fahrenbruck officiating.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with full military honors.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday January 30, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

On June 24, 1936, Marilyn Ruth Sommers was born on the plains of DeKalb, Illinois.  She loved to play tennis and dreamed of becoming a teacher.  It was in college, where she was pursuing that dream that she came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.  From that time on she grew in her relationship, loved Him dearly, and desired to see everyone around her come to know Christ the way she did.

She earned a bachelors degree from Northern Illinois University, and a Master’s degree from University of Northern Colorado, were both in Education.  She spent her career substitute teaching while her kids were young and retired as a full-time elementary teacher in 1999 from North Platte Public Schools.  She had a great passion for teaching and loved to read anything she could get her hands on.  Marilyn also had a love for travel and had been to Russia, France, and Italy.  She lived in and loved the beautiful landscapes of California and Colorado and spoke of them often.  She also lived in Idaho and Nebraska.

In Nebraska, Marilyn was a member at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in North Platte and helped with many ministries through the years, including some mission trips to Russia which were dear to her heart.  She also loved helping with Awana and really enjoyed her Sunday School classes and Bible studies there.  There were many times when Pastor Dan Reimer was mentioned after she moved away from North Platte.  His teachings and the friendship she had with the Reimers meant a lot to her.

In May of 2016, Marilyn made the decision to sell her home and move to Chattanooga, TN to be near her son Daniel.  While there, she lived at The Terrace at Mountain Creek in independent living.  She quickly made friendships there and touched many lives.  Often she would ask for prayer for her friends there.  She enjoyed the time spent with Daniel and her daughter-in-law Connie. On January 24, 2017, Marilyn succumbed to the return of breast cancer and went home to be with her Lord.  She prayed she would not suffer long and desired to be reunited with her daughter Amy and her parents in heaven.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her daughter Amy Sommers and parents Donald and Elsie Schaefer.  She is survived by her brother Donald Schaefer, her son Daniel Sommers and daughter-in-law Connie Sommers. Funeral services will be at Bethel Evangelical Free Church, Monday, January 30, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. and a graveside service following.  Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

Ronald E. Smith, 89, of North Platte, passed away January 24, 2017 at Great Plains Health.

He was born on September 18, 1927 in Maywood, Nebraska to William and Hetty (Nichols) Smith. Ronald graduated from North Platte High School. He taught at many Colleges and Universities throughout his life. Beginning in Indianapolis, Indiana and then Storm Lake College in Iowa. Ronald decided that area was too cold and moved to Modesto, California, teaching at Modesto Junior College from 1980 to 1995 as a professor to nursing students and students of anatomy.

Ronald loved nature and was a member of the Sierra Club, which is a nature conservation group. He was also a graduate of the University of Nebraska where he studied mortuary science and worked on cadavers. He was also a professor after graduation. Many people believed he was a medical genius.  After retiring, he moved back to his parent’s home in North Platte. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and received North Platte’s beautiful yard award. Ronald enjoyed ornithology, botany, fish and wildlife, including squirrels and prairie dogs. He was an avid reader and loved the beauty of the sunsets.

Ronald is survived by his cousins, Eileen Merrihew and Gloria Burke; special friend, Paul Smith and many friends and colleagues. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.  Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the Maywood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.