Anna Lula (Cooper) Ham, age 69 of Ogallala, passed away Friday September 2, 2016 at the Ogallala Community Hospital.
Anna was born on October 17, 1946 in North Platte to Marion and Nona (Teel) Cooper. She grew up and attended school in North Platte. In 1989 she was united in marriage to Billy Ham of Trinity, TX. They retired together and resided there until Billy’s passing in 2008. After Billy’s death, Anna moved back to Ogallala to be near family and friends. She worked in several establishments throughout her life, being of service to others, including private in-home care. She was very personable and loved being around people and visiting. She had a love for many things in life and always had open arms for whoever may be in need. Her dog “Tiny” also had a very special place in her heart and life.
Anna is survived by her siblings, Leta Larimore of Gilbert, AZ, Madeleine (Norman) Kirshchbaum of Grand Island, NE, Mirl (Joan) Cooper of Schuylkill Haven, PA, and Nancy (Rick) VanRotz of Ogallala, NE; stepchildren belonging to her late husband Billy Ham; several half brothers and sisters; numerous nephews and nieces; great and great-great nephews and nieces; as well as many special friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Marion and Nona Cooper formerly of North Platte, NE; and husband Billy Ham formerly of Trinity, TX.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday September 7, 2016 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Mirl Cooper offering words of comfort. Cremation was chosen and will follow the service. Inurnment will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday September 8, 2016 at North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday September 6, 2016 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Ernest “Ernie” Merel Collins, age 86 of North Platte, passed away Thursday September 1, 2016 at Great Plains Health.
Ernie was born on March 7, 1930 in North Platte, NE to Clifford and Edith (Smith) Collins. He married Bonnie June Cochran on June 2, 1953 in North Platte and to this union Dennis, Terry and Sherry were born. After high school he worked for Ely-Hoppe Lumber Company, owned and operated the Chevron Gas Station on Rodeo Road, and was a carpenter for Homan Bros. Construction. He went to work as a carman on the Union Pacific Railroad and retired in 1995. Ernie was in the National Guard for 8 years, enjoyed playing softball as a left handed pitcher, and driving through Cody Park to watch the buffalo. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and following their sporting and music events.
Ernie is survived by his wife Bonnie of North Platte; children Dennis (Catherine) Collins of Colorado Springs, CO, Terry (Mary) Collins of North Platte and Sherry (Kyle) Cole of North Platte; grandchildren Joshua (Jenn) Collins, Ashley Collins, Nolan Collins, Landon (Jennifer) Collins, Curtis (Andrea) Collins, Logan (Hillary) Collins, Baylee (Collin) Mink, Heidi (Todd) Stark, Alexis Cole and Alyssa Cole; great grandchildren Zachary and Lily Collins, Alicia, Emmy and Easton Collins, Jack Collins, Addison Collins, Augie and Elizabeth Stark; sister Katherine Lewis of North Platte; brother Verlin (Lois) Collins of Pomona, CA; as well as numerous other family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Jordan Collins; granddaughter Mary Cole; and siblings Wayne Collins, Donald Collins and Lorine Cochran.
Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday September 5, 2016 at Grace Community Bible Church with Reverend Mike Wing officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday September 4, 2016 with family receiving friends from 4:00 until 6:00 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Herman Grauerholz, Jr., age 82, of Sutherland, NE, passed away on Monday, August 29, 2016, at Imperial, NE.

Herman was born October 6, 1933, to Herman, Sr. and Rose Burch Montgomery Grauerholz at Sutherland and grew up on the family farm southwest of Sutherland. He attended Pleasant Hill country school and graduated from Sutherland High School with the Class of 1951.

Herman began his career with the Platte Valley Power and Irrigation District (PVPP & ID), which later became Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), before graduating from high school. He took a leave from work in December 1953 to serve in the U.S. Army. After completing basic training Herman was assigned to a truck driving unit in Texas. From there, he was sent to Germany and because of his job, he was able to visit many European countries. Herman was very proud of his military service.

Following his discharge in 1955, Herman returned home and went back to work, eventually retiring in 1989 after 36 years of service.

In August of 1961, Herman was united in marriage to the love of his life, Deloris Gibson, in Madrid, NE. They lived in Sutherland and raised three children.

Herman worked very hard his entire life. Along with his full time job, he farmed and raised cattle, and at one point had a Grade A dairy.

Herman was a longtime member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Sutherland and a member of the Rural Youth, a card club and the American Legion. He was also a volunteer Lutheran Brotherhood Representative, doing many benefits for people.

He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Deloris, of Sutherland; children, Richard (Cathy) Grauerholz, of Hershey, Timothy Grauerholz, of Imperial, and Karleen (Kevin) Monheiser, of Hershey; five grandchildren, Kelsey (Jeremy) Hayden, Christine Grauerholz, Joshua (Chelsea) Grauerholz and Kortney and C.J. Monheiser; two sisters, Irma Anderson and Nona (Harley) Gries; sisters-in-law, Marlene (Joe) Estermann and Connie (Kim) Stewart; brothers-in-law, Roland McCoy, Kenneth (Beverly) Gibson and Rod (Carol) Gibson; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman, Sr. and Rose; two sisters, Donna Batterman and Geraldine McCoy; brother-in-law, Leyon Batterman; half brothers, Orlo and Allen Montgomery; and an infant brother, Gerald.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 3, 2016, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Erin Dunlavy officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service at the church. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Grace Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Evelyn Rose Frame, age 87, of Hershey, NE, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Evelyn was born July 26, 1929, to William Jacob and Helen Papik Korbel in Kramer, Lancaster County, NE. The family moved to Hershey in 1936 and Evelyn attended Star Country School then graduated from Hershey High School in 1947.

On June 26, 1949, Evelyn was united in marriage to Gayle Leigh ‘Ruffy’ Frame at the Methodist Church in Hershey. The couple built a home on the family farm where Gayle farmed and raised hogs and cattle with his family. Evelyn and Gayle had five children in three years, two sets of twins and one in between, and were married for nearly 49 years when he passed away in 1998.

Evelyn was a member of the Hershey United Methodist Church, U.M.W. and North Platte Woman’s Bowling Association. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, bowling and researching family genealogy. Evelyn loved her family and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her children, twin sons, James (Carol) Frame, of Hershey and John (Roseanne) Frame, of West Des Moines, IA, and twin daughters, Barbara (Gary) Pedersen, of Grand Island, NE, and Beverly (Bill) Israelson, of Lincoln, NE; brother, Robert (Patricia) Korbel, of Evergreen, CO; and two sisters, Mildred (Russell) McNeel, of Yuma, AZ, and Gladys (Carrel) White, of North Platte.

Survivors also include 10 grandchildren, Jason (Marci) Frame, Timothy (Keely) Frame, Holly (Luke) Larsen, Jacob Frame (fiancée, Stephanie Johnston), Leslie Frame, Tara (Nick) Martin, David Petersen, Jill (Dan) Vaughn, Daniel (Amber) Fleecs and Tracy (Tim) Berntson; 18 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

Along with her husband, Gayle, Evelyn was preceded in death by their son, Ray; her parents, William and Helen Korbel; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Robert Fisher; and daughter-in-law, Donna Frame.

Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. Friday, September 2, 2016, at the Hershey United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating. Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department or Hershey United Methodist Church.

Doris L. Thrash, 91, formally of North Platte, passed away August 27, 2016 at Hill Top Estates in Gothenburg. Doris was born November 24, 1924 on her parent’s farm near Stillwell, IL. She was the youngest child of Willard F. and Mary May Short. She was baptized at the age of 9 in the United Methodist Church in Stillwell. She received her High School education in Illinois before moving to Burlington, IA in 1941, then to Grand Island in 1942. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Doris married LaMoine Bomark in 1948 in Grand Island. They moved to North Platte in 1949 where they would establish the Danish Pastries bakery. She worked alongside of LaMoine until his health forced him to close the business. He passed away in 1961 leaving Doris to raise their four children. In 1964 she married JR (Dick) Pittman giving “Papa Dick” an instant family! He passed away in 1988. Doris and William (Bill) Thrash were married in 2002 and immediately started traveling to Zapata, TX for the winter. She thoroughly enjoyed those years with Bill! He passed in 2014. Besides her parents and husbands, Doris was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Erin Lynne Shearer, a son-in-law Ernie Fresquez, brother and sister-in-law, Marshall and Mary Short and Sister and brother-in-law, Wilma and Jack Cohee. She is survived by daughters Margo Fresquez of Cheyenne, WY, Lynne (Larry ) Jeffers of Hayes Center, sons Steve (Donna) Bomark of North Platte and Mark (Joan) Bomark of Cheyenne, WY; Step sons William Thrash, Jr of North Platte and Robert Thrash of Amarillo, TX; grandchildren Robin Fresquez of WY, Kim (Vince) Rivera and Tawnya (Mike) Ruff of Colorado, Tracey (Treg) Kearney of North Platte, Mindy (Nat) Warren of Thedford, Kristen (Josh) Corfield and Jason (Sarah) Bomark of North Platte, Travis (Maryann) Shearer of Florida, Troy (Tonya) Shearer of Illinois, Lane Bomark of Central City, Emily (Kyle) Norman of Lincoln. Step-grandchildren Conna (Matt) Wiese, Lincoln, Christopher Jeffers of TX, Cody (Cheyenne) Jeffers, Hayes Center, Seth Swink, CA, Clifton (Laurie) Swink North Platte, Amy (Ryan) DeMello CA; 28 great grand kids with another due in January, 5 great-great grand kids, 11 step great grand kids with another due in February. Also special to Doris were her, nephew, Dennis (Deb) Short, “other son” Don (Judy) White, of Mullen, step great nephew, Rick (Deb) Pittman, NP, step-niece, Max Mulder, the June Moriarty family, and step great-great grandson Greg Mooney, NC and many , many more step-grandchildren and nieces and nephews! The family will meet friends Thursday evening from 6-8 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel; graveside services will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, NE at 11:30 AM Friday, September 2, 2016. Carpenters Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Central Plains Home Care and Hospice in Cozad or donor’s choice.

Jean LaVaughn Peterson, age 93, of North Platte, passed away August 21, 2016 at Great Plains Health.
Jean was born on January 21, 1923 in Culbertson, Nebraska to Jake and Mollie (Wagner) Wacker. She attended school District #75 and Culbertson High School. On March 2, 1940 she married Clarence E. Peterson in Oberlin, Kansas. To this union 4 children were born.
Jean loved doing crafts, sewing, reading, gardening, and most of all she loved her family so very much.
Survivors include her daughters, Sandra Ostendorf of North Platte, Janet (Jared) Interholzinger of Fort Collins, CO, and Kathy Bricher of Cheyenne, WY; son, Larry (Linda) Peterson of North Platte; a sister in law; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 9 step-great-grandchildren; and 1 step-great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Clarence; 5 sisters; 6 brothers; 1 granddaughter; and 2 great-grandsons.
Memorials may be made to Great Plains Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Graveside services will be held 2:30 p.m. on Friday September 2, 2016 with Job Vigil officiating at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so Thursday September 1, 2016 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. until service time at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Marie A. Chapman, age 72, of Stapleton, died August 23, 2016 at Great Plains Health. Marie was born on March 4, 1944 in Pottsville, PA to Lyman and Nora (Sullivan) Zimmerman.
Marie moved to Massachusetts with her family when she was 4 months old. She graduated from St. Bernard High School in West Newton, MA in 1961. Marie then went on to graduate from the University of Massachusetts at Boston. She taught school in Massachusetts, the Philippines, Germany, Maryland, Virginia, Ringgold, and Stapleton. On January 29, 1972, Marie married James Chapman at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. She was very active in St. John’s Catholic Church in Stapleton, teaching CCD and was director of religious education. She was a volunteer with the Hospice Program at Great Plains Medical Center, taught Adult Basic Education and was a lifelong learner. Marie loved God, family, teaching, gardening, and laughing and finding humor in most situations. Her favorite thing was teaching small children to read and seeing the look of wonderment when they knew they were able to read!
Survivors include her husband, James of Stapleton; daughter, Mary Beth Chapman of Lincoln; step-children, Susan (Philip) Jackson of San Antonio, TX, and Steve (Toni) Chapman of San Antonio, Tx; grandchildren, Shannon Jackson Lewis, Kari Chapman, Nielle Jackson, and Rylee Jackson all of San Antonio, TX; great-grandchildren, Daeja, Kevin, and Jonathan Lewis all of San Antonio, TX; brother, Lyman (Ruth) Zimmerman of Cincinnati, OH; many other nieces, nephews, other family members, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Eileen Moeller.
Memorials are suggested to the VFW#8258, the American Legion #324, St. John’s Catholic Church or the Loup Valley Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake Service will be 7:00 p.m. Monday August 29, 2016 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Stapleton. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at St. John’s Catholic Church with the Reverends Thomas Gudipalli and James Novakowski as Celebrants. Burial will follow at Loup Valley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday August 29, 2016 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Coy V. Thomlison, age 89 of North Platte, passed away August 23, 2016 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. He was born December 21, 1926 at Middlebrook, MO to Albert M. and Lulah Belle (Strickland) Thomlinson. Coy grew up in Missouri attending school in Ironton and was united in marriage to Evelyn Marie Bockus on November 18, 1944 at Oberlin, KS. He served in the United States Army until his discharge in 1946. He hired out on the UPRR as a brakeman-conductor and also owned and operated a shoe shop along with being a barber and doing custom haying. So it could be said that he was a jack of all trades and master of many. Coy was a member of the Lions, American Legion, Eagles, and VFW. His loving family includes his wife; Evelyn of North Platte, sons; Steven (Becki) Thomlison of Scottsbluff, Micheal (Kathy) Thomlison, and Patrick (Patricia) Thomlison both of North Platte, daughter-in-law; Sheila Thomlison of North Platte, 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, 15 brothers and sisters, son, Tom Thomlison, grandson, Robert (Bob) Thomlison, and a great-grandson, Derick. Services will be 10:30 am Friday, August 26, 2016 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with military honors. Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Senior Center. Visitation will be 1 to 8 pm Thursday with family receiving friends from 7 to 8pm at the funeral home. Online Condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com

Roger Duane Brooks, age 61 of North Platte, passed away at his home on Tuesday after a brief and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on August 23, 2016.
Roger was born on May 27, 1955 in Arnold, NE to Lawrence and Mabel (Wood) Brooks. He moved to Brady with his parents in 1960, then to Ogallala in 1966, where he graduated from the Lutheran High School. After high school he served in the United States Army and was always proud to talk about his time serving in Germany. After returning from the Army he settled in North Platte where he began his career with Union Pacific Railroad. He had everlasting friendships after his 37 years at UPRR from which he retired in August of last year.
Roger was a devoted family man. He was committed to his kids and his family and loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and nephew Gary. He relished in woodworking, fishing, helping his friends or family whenever he could, and traveling with Deb.
Roger is survived by his wife Deb of North Platte; 3 children, Jason Brooks (Jessica) of Lincoln, Loni (Case) Waddell of Omaha, and Tyler Brooks (Gail) Brooks of Omaha; 2 stepchildren, Jeffrey Nelson (Meredith) of Colorado Springs, and Timothy (Jamie) Nelson of Navarre, Fl; his mother Mabel Brooks of North Platte; siblings, Orrin (Barb) Brooks of North Platte, and Gloria (Darwin) Grooms of Bassett; 16 grandchildren and numerous other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Brooks; an infant brother, George Frederick “Buddy” Brooks.
Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 27, 2016 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Tammy Aubushon officiating. Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 26, 2016 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.