Nadine E. Nelson, 77, of North Platte, passed away May 31, 2016 at Great Plains Health. She was born Nov. 5, 1938 to Lyle and Edna (Larson) Nelson at North Platte. Nadine spent most of her life in North Platte and worked at the Opportunity Center. She liked to bowl, Special Olympics, going for rides and Christmas with nieces and nephews. She is survived by her brother, Gene (Claudette) Nelson; nieces and nephews, Tammy (James) Bratton, Todd (Hayley) Nelson, Phyllis (Tom) Pease, Diane Foote, Amelia (Earl) Swanson and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Virginia (Farrell) Foote; a brother, Wesley Nelson; and a nephew, Jim Foote. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the First Lutheran Church for Vacation Bible School. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Frank Fitch officiating. Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 pm Wednesday at Carpenter Memorial which is in charge of arrangements.

Margaret Louise (Slipke) Doyle, 82, of North Platte passed away May 30, 2016 at Great Plains Health surrounded by her five children.
She was born August 13, 1933 to Norbert and Margaret Slipke in Cawker City, Kansas. At the age of ten her family moved to North Platte, NE, where she attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Schools. In her senior year Margaret moved to Denver, CO, when her father’s job transferred them. She graduated from South High School May 1951, and attended Barnes Business School graduating in May 1952.
On November 28, 1953 she married James E. Doyle at Blessed Sacrament Church in Denver. She and Jim lived at Travis Air Force Base in Merced, CA until Jim’s honorable discharge in September 1954. In 1956 they moved back to North Platte.
In addition to caring for her family, she worked at Nash Finch Company for eight years, and for KNOP-TV, retiring after twenty eight years. Margaret also served her church as a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, the funeral dinner committee, and was a faithful supporter of the St. Patrick’s School System.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; brothers, Leroy, Jacob, and Richard; and an infant grandson, James.
She is survived by her children, James (Patricia) E. Doyle IV of Lexington, NE, Karen (Tim) O’Connor of North Platte, Julie (Mike) Sullivan of Sterling, CO, Geri Lynn (Steve) Miller of Laramie, WY, and Kathleen (Scott) McConnell of Sudbury, MA; grandchildren, Maggie (Jimmy) Watt, TJ (Sarah) O’Connor, Sean Sullivan, Megan (Adam) Allsop, Shannon Doyle, John O’Connor, Sarah Sullivan, Jake Doyle, Benjamin Miller, Ainsley and Grant McConnell; great-grandchildren, James and Bennett Watt, and Brecken, Eli, and McKinley O’Connor; sisters-in-law, Jean (Clem) Matter, Gloria Jean Slipke, and Donna Slipke; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment Trust. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
The family is receiving visitors at the home of Karen and Tim O’Connor.
Christian Wake Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 2, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend James Golka as celebrant. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be noon until 9:00 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Nila Evelyn Reitz, of Cambridge formerly of Curtis passed away May 28, 2016 in Cambridge. She was born on April 8, 1938 in the farming community of Farnam, Nebraska to Lynn and Valerie (Crampton) Messersmith and grew up on a farm with two brothers, Del and Dennis. After graduating from high school, she moved to Denver, CO where she became a Civil Service Employee. She met John Martin Reitz and the two were married in 1959. To this union two sons, were born, Lynn and Alan. Nila was also blessed with John’s first son, Dennis. She traveled the world being married to a military man in the Air Force. At the age of 41, she decided to change careers and became an air traffic controller for the FFA where she finished out her career in Washington, DC. They then retired and moved to Florida for a few years before Nila decided it was time to return to her roots and they moved to Curtis, NE very near to where she was born. She later moved to Cambridge, NE to be closer to her brother Dennis after the passing of her husband, John. Nila was a great lady who enjoyed donating her time to numerous charities and church functions.
Survivors include her sons, Dennis, Lynn, and Alan; 4 grandsons; two great-grandsons; and 3 great-granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, John.
Memorials may be made to the Cancer Research Society and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday June 3, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Curtis, NE with the Reverend Tammy Aubushon officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

James ‘Earl’ Sanburn was called home to rope his final calf on Friday, May 27, 2016 surrounded by his wife, Jane and children. Earl was born August 7, 1942 to Lee and Mable (Franklin) Sanburn in Lenox, Iowa. Raised in the rural areas around Lenox, Bedford, Conway and Nodaway. Earl married Carolyn Dunn of Nodaway, August 10, 1957 and to this union, 3 children were born, Terri, Tracy and Cody. In 1959, Earl moved his family to Corning when he started working at Conoco Oil. Along with breezing race horses in the early hours and later learned to shoe. In 1960, he hired out as a lineman, trouble shooter and technician for Western Telephone Company, now known as Frontier. He worked there for 25 years. Earl was very fortunate to have owned several very nice roping horses, one that took him to a championship in Calf Roping at Grand River, Iowa in 1971. Some of Earl’s others passions included braiding leather and rawhide, along with hunting and guns. On June 15, 1985, Earl married Jenalee Jane (Beckett) Curphey of Lenox. They resided north of Lenox for a short time, then to Sidney, Iowa. Later they found themselves moving to Wickenburg, Arizona for 18 years, moving to North Platte, NE in 2014. Earl was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He will be missed and loved. He is survived by his wife, Jane; daughters, Terri Sanburn (Gary Warner) of Stapleton and Tracy (Sean) Jackson of North Platte; son, Cody (Triana) Sanburn of Lincoln; grandsons, Aidan and Kade; 10 step grandchildren; 6 step great greandchildren; sister, Jean Moore of Clarinda; niece, Marilyn (Kim) Shore of Clarinda; nephew, Jeff (Lisa) Moore of California; stepsons, Richard (Kathy) Curphey of Cedar Rapids, IA, Mike (Bobbie) Curphey of Texas and Gary Curphey of Sharpsburg, IA; sisters-in-law, Leola Adams and Lois Lamb both of Mt. Ayr, IA, Imogene Mains and Janice (Mike) Miller both of Creston, IA; brother-in-law, David Beckett of Lenox, IA; cousin, Robert Miller of Sand Springs, OK. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Joe Neuhardt; brothers-in-law, Marty Moore and Earl Beckett; and one step grandson. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com or www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com. Memorials are suggested to the family to be determined at a later date. Services will be 2pm Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Pearson Funeral Home in Corning, Iowa. The family request casual wear. Visitation will be 1pm to 7 pm Wednesday, June 1, 2016 with family receiving from 5 to 7 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte and Friday, June 3, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 4 to 6 at Pearson Funeral Home in Corning, Iowa. Pearson Funeral Home and Carpenter Memorial Chapel are in charge of arrangements.

Ilamae A James, 89, of North Platte passed away peacefully May 29, 2016 at Linden Court. She was born on Mother’s Day, May 8, 1927 to Pete and Marjorie Leider outside of North Platte. She grew up in Wellfleet and graduated from North Platte High School. On October 17, 1957 she married Albert N. James. She quit her job at the Lincoln County Courthouse to raise her family. Ilamae worked part time as a church secretary and eventually went to work for the North Platte Public School System until her retirement in 1998. Ilamae was a member of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in North Platte where she also belonged to St. Bridgets, St. Margaret, and Alter Guilds. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi for 70 years. She loved to read and made beautiful hand-stitched quilts, going on to teach a class on quilting at Mid Plains Community College. Ilamae lived at the Regency Retirement Village where she enjoyed morning coffee with her friends.
Survivors include her son, Bruce (Debra) of CA; daughter, DaNelle Nisley of North Platte; grandchildren, Nicholas (Colleen) James of CA, Christopher (Meagan) James of TX, Ashlei (Wayne) Fernandez of TX, Michela James of CA, Colton Nisley of North Platte and Laura James of PA; great-grandchildren, Carson, Lilly and Logan; and a brother-in-law, David James of Lincoln and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert; sons, Robert and infant son, Raymond; and a grandson, Cory.
Memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of Our Savior and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 9:30 a.m. Friday June 3, 2016 at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior with the Reverend Dr. Jeffrey S.F. Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be noon until 9:00 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Dale V. Benham, 89 of Sun City, AZ, and formerly of North Platte and Omaha, NE, died in Sun City, AZ, December 22, 2015. Memorial Services will be held at the Adams-Swanson Chapel on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at 11:00 AM.
Dale Benham was born October 3, 1926, in Cozad, NE to Howard B. & Beulah M. Miller Benham. He spent his childhood and early years in North Platte, NE. He graduated from North Platte Senior High School in May 1944. He received his Associates College Degree in Business Management on February 25, 1985 from the Metropolitan Technical Community College in Omaha, NE. He maintained a 4.O GPA and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Eta Sigma.
In May 1947 he married Arleta R. Reynolds in North Platte, they were later divorced.
On November 15, 1969 he married Rosa Marcette (Wells) Sawyer. They lived in Omaha and North Platte, NE. After retirement they moved to Sun City, AZ in 1990.
Mr. Benham began his railroad career in 1944, as a clerk for the Union Pacific Railroad until 1946. He went to Alaska in 1949 and worked as a clerk for the Alaska Railroad. He returned to North Platte on November 28, 1949 and worked again for the Union Pacific Railroad as a clerical worker. He then advanced to higher positions and to Union Pacific’s headquarters in Omaha, including the position of Private Secretary to the Engineer of Track, that overseen the rail lines in a private car. He advanced to the Secretary of Chief Engineer and several different management positions in Personnel Services. He celebrated his retirement on September 27, 1985 after 36 years with the Union Pacific Railroad.
In North Platte he was an active member and officer of the Oddfellow Lodge (IOOF). He maintained a lifelong membership in the Lodge after leaving North Platte. He was active in the Omaha Sports Club for both Bowling and Golfing for many years. After retiring, he and his wife Marcette spent several years traveling in their 5th Wheel around the United States performing host services at National and State Park Campgrounds. After retiring to Sun City, he became a member of the Sun City Genealogy and Computer Clubs. He did extensive home computer research in Genealogy and traced his family lines back over 600 years. He frequently returned to North Platte to participate in class reunions.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved/devoted wife of 32 years, Rosa Marcette in 2001; son John R. Sawyer in 2011 and grandson, Bryan A. Benham in 2010.
Mr. Benham is survived by a son, Kevin R. (Cindy) Benham, of Aurora, CO; 5 daughters, Colleen Benham Blevins of Sun City West, AZ; Kathleen L. Benham, of Denver, CO; Robin Lea Sawyer (Ronald) Swanson of Loup City, NE; Lila Marcette Sawyer (Robert) Mason, of Pittsburgh, PA; Shari L. Sawyer (Tim) Bazzie, of Charlotte, NC; a brother, Gary L. (Jeri) Benham of Flagstaff, AZ; a brother in law Albert A. (Ruby) Wells, of Sun City, AZ; a brother in law James S. Wahlberg, of Colorado Springs, CO; 14 grandchildren; and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held at 11 am, Tuesday, May 31st at the Adams and Swanson Chapel in North Platte, with Pastor Scott Mustion of the Presbyterian Church officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ida Mae (Neale) Fransen, age 90, a former resident of North Platte, NE, died Friday, May 20, 2016, in Chandler, Arizona.

Ida Mae was born December 12, 1925, to Clifton and Ada Neale in North Platte where she grew up. She graduated from North Platte High School in May 1943 then went to work immediately for Northwestern Bell Telephone.

On December 12, 1946, Ida Mae married Virgil Fransen in North Platte. After their marriage, Ida Mae continued her work with Northwestern Bell Telephone and her husband worked as an electrician for Snell Electric. They later moved to Southern California where they spent most of their married life and Ida Mae continued her career with Pacific Bell and AT&T. During this time she headed the AT&T exhibit at Disneyland as one of her work adventures for about three years. She eventually retired from Pacific Bell as a second line Middle Manager.

Ida Mae and Virgil were worldwide travelers and enjoyed their time together. They retired to the Phoenix, Arizona, area where she lived until her death. She took up oil painting at a later age and was most proficient in this area. Ida Mae enjoyed her activities at the Country Club where she loved to play games such as Dominoes and Hand and Foot. She was most active in her church, heading up the Prayer Chain for several years. Ida Mae was immaculate in her dress and her home.

She is survived by several nieces, Charlene (Lowell) Berg, Toninette Swanson, Judy (Tom) Matthews and Sandra (Harvey ‘Buddy’) Mynott; great-nieces and nephews; great great-nieces and nephews; and great great great-nieces and nephews.

Ida Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil; her parents, Clifton and Ada Neale; sisters, Mary Margaret Mendenhall and Ruby Viola Baumbach; and brother, Raleigh Neale.

Graveside Funeral Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2016, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 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. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Sun Lakes Community Church, 25811 South Country Club Drive, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.

Charlotte Catherine Jones, 99, of North Platte, passed away November 22, 2015 at Linden Court. She was born on December 13, 1915 to Wynn Alexander Cox and Mary (Morrison) Cox at Hershey, Nebraska. She attended school at Hershey, graduating from Hershey High School, District 137, in 1935. She was untied in marriage to Samuel Thomas Jones in Denver, Co. on June 7, 1937. They made their home in North Platte.
Charlotte was a long time member of the First Baptist Church. She also was a member of the Ladies Society – Brother of Locomotive, Firemen, and Engineers, Sarah Rebekah Lodge and AARP.
She is survived by her daughter –in-law, Janice Jones of North Platte and son-in-law, Richard Fredricey of Loveland, CO, grandsons, Alan, Scott, and Todd Fredricey of Loveland, CO., Tommy Jones of Cheyenne, Wy, Monte Fredricey of Denver, CO and Christopher Gosnell of North Platte, NE, granddaughters Amy (Jake) McGill and Shari (Gary) Jones all of North Platte, NE, several great -grandchildren and great- great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, Morris, Mord, Tim and Ben Cox, son, Thomas Jones Jr., daughter Joyce Fredricey, and other relatives.
Graveside services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2016 at the North Platte Cemetery. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Wonetta E. Dacus, 86, of North Platte, passed away May 19, 2016 at her home. She was born March 28, 1930 to John Pinkerton and Frances (Langren) Garton at Bridgeport, NE. She attended school in Bridgeport and started working at the age of 11, after her father passed away. She was united in marriage to Abner Hunt in Bridgeport in 1946. The moved to North Platte, where she employed at Country Kitchen as a manager, Hobb’s Café, where she was known as the “Pie Lady” and most recently at Prairie Mart at Lake Maloney. Wonetta attended church at the Berean Church. She is survived by her children, Howard (Barbara) Hunt of North Platte, Bobbie (Gary) Rezac of Grand Island and Rhonda Rasmussen of North Platte; grandchildren, Jason (Emma) Hunt, Shelley (Robert) Aki, Melanie Rezac, Stephanie Rezac, Luke (Stephanie) Allen, Shanda (Jason) Conley, David (Amy) Allen and Michael Krupske; great grandchildren, Araya, Chloe, Alysha, Kianna, Michael, Katie, Emily, Braden and McKenna; great great grandchildren, Julian, Mason and Layla; special friends, Chuck and Phyllis Lynch; many nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, John, Bendy and Pete; two sisters, Izetta and Alberta; and a great granddaughter, Addy J. Hunt. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Memorials are suggested to the Lincoln Connection and St. Jude’s Hospital. Services will be 1:00 p.m. Tues, May 24, 2016 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor John Stone officiating. The casket will be open for visitation one hour prior to the services. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Florence Ruth Barnick, age 90, of North Platte, NE, passed away surrounded by her family at Great Plains Health on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

Florence was born February 25, 1926, to Ladislav Robert and Florence Ann Jirgl Soucek at Oak Park, IL. She grew up in Brookfield, IL, graduating from Riverside-Brookfield High School. Florence then started working for Western Electric.

On May 24, 1947, Florence was united in marriage to Robert Birr Barnick at the Brookfield Methodist Church. They lived in Brookfield until 1966 when they moved to Montgomery, IL then lived in several states before settling in Sun City, AZ. Robert passed away in 2000 then Florence moved to North Platte in 2014 to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Jeff.

When she was younger, Florence loved to roller skate. While living in Arizona, she was an avid crafter, enjoyed sewing for others and belonged to a silk flower club. Florence loved working with her hands and was a kind and patient lady.

She is survived by her children, Karen (Jeff) Stephens, of North Platte and Kay (Martin) Heise and Kenneth Barnick, of Glendale, AZ; eight grandchildren, Brandon (Jessica) Mueller, Casey (Tiffany) Lynch, Joshua (Nirrel) Waite, Mark (Beth) Waite, Aaron Waite, Stephanie (Cathy) Cowan, Jolene Stephens and Jared Stephens; 16 great-grandchildren; her feline friend, Sable; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Along with her husband, Robert, Florence was preceded in death by her parents, Ladislav and Florence; and her sister and brother-in-law, Vivian and John Fagan.

Cremation was chosen. A private memorial service will be held in North Platte. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.