Ray Stanley Pinney, 76, of North Platte, died at his home on Sunday, January 27, 2019.  Ray was born on April 22, 1942 to Jack Elmo and Alta Florence (Nixon) Pinney at Hays, Kansas.  He graduated in 1960 from Ellis High School, then worked for area farmers before hiring on with Peter Kiewit while they were building the I-70 section in Kansas.

In 1961, Ray joined the U.S. Army and served until 1963, then returned to Kansas where he went to work for Van Pac.  His job brought him to Nebraska to help build the railroad from Wallace to the Gerald Gentleman Plant.  When that job was completed, he was employed by National Industrial Corporation (N.I.C.) out of Texas and worked as a Pipe Foreman.  Ray later went back to Peter Kiewit where he was a Mechanical Superintendent, working at 19 different locations.  He eventually moved to Sutherland where he worked for Colorado Petroleum, then the American Red Cross and later the Lincoln County Roads Department before retiring in 2012.

Ray was married to Elizabeth Wever and they had three children, Jeff, Jennifer and Janelle.  He was later united in marriage to Rosalie Marie Houser on December 23, 1983 in Texas and the family lived wherever his job took them.

Ray was a member of the P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and attended the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, even though he was baptized in the Methodist Church when he was young.

Ray loved his family and enjoyed his work and class reunions.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalie, of North Platte; children Jeff (Jana) Pinney of Wichita, Kansas, Jennifer Pinney of Hays, Kansas, Janelle Chevas of Greeley, Colorado, and Chris (Steve) Frame and Carylon (Rod) Dillenburg of North Platte; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Janice Broome of North Platte, and other family.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Jack & Alta; brother, John Pinney; sister, Nancy Pinney; and a great-grandson.

Cremation was chosen.  Graveside services with Military Honors will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 8, 2019 in Fort McPherson National Cemetery.  The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com, or at the graveside.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the North Platte Alzheimer’s Support Group.  Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte is in charge of the arrangements.

Kal Sears, of North Platte, passed away at the Sutherland Care Center on Thursday, January 31, 2019, just shy of his 82nd birthday.  Kal was born on February 8, 1937 in North Platte, Nebraska, where he spent most of his life, and was one of four children born to Fred Harmon and Rada Roselie (Silvrants) Sears.  After graduating from North Platte High School with the Class of 1955, Kal enlisted in the U.S. Army.  He enjoyed his Army expreience and being on the Army Boxing Team.

With his Army experience over, he took his honorable discharge and returned home in 1958.  He went to work for the Post Office, that was followed by a job in a motel.  Then he landed a position on the Union Pacific Railroad working as a Clerk and Patty Wagon Driver.  The railroad kept him employed for 30 years and 11 months.

The Railroad wasn’t too bad of a job, it gave a pay check every two weeks, days off, sick days, insurance and time to do what he loved best – hunting.  Kal was an avid sportsman.  He enjoyed his time fishing, hunting or sitting in a goose blind or up a tree.  He loved taking trips with his son hunting wild boar in Texas or Arizona, elk and deer in Colorado and Wyoming, and fishing in Canada.  He was a member of the Nebraska Bow Hunters Association as well as various conservation groups, a life member of the North America Hunting Club, and a member of Eagles Aerie #2839.

In 1964, Kal married Marge Arensdorf.  They had two children, Roger and Roxie, and later divorced but remained friends.  Kal later had a close companionship with Donna Fair for over 34 years.

Kal loved being outside to see sunrises, sunsets and nature at its best.  He enjoyed writing about his experiences and was proud that some were published in magazines.  Kal was truly one of a kind.  He had a story for everything and a knack for telling it.  He loved cooking, especially what he shot or caught, going to garage sales and having his own each year, his kids and his little buddy, Sam.  Kal will definitely be missed by those who knew him best.

He is survived by his son, Roger Sears and companion, Kim Arnold, of Paxton; his daughter, Roxie Jochum and companion, Tracy Hilker, of Kearney and her sons, Anthoini and Tyson of Lincoln; sister, Darlen Kratzenstein of Brady; brother and sister-in-law,  Don & Jan Sears of North Platte; sister-in-law, Delores Sears of Hastings; special grandkids, Brittanie and husband, Nathan Nelson, and Bryce Obermeier of North Platte; great-grandkids, Makenna, Alexis and Garrett; special neighbors and friends, Ron & Carmen Meyer, Jessica Lemon, Rick & Dodie Odean, Lynn & Boni Hothan, Bill Mulligan, C.J. Lynes, Jerry McIntosh and Willie Greve; many nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Kal was preceded in death by his parents, Fred & Rada; brother, Dale Sears; brother-in-law, John Kratzenstein; and his buddy, Sam.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating.  Hunting, camouflage or casual dress is requested.  Burial with Military Honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery.  Visitaion will be from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on  Monday at Oden Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of the arrangements.  The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com.  Instead of flowers, memorials are suggested to the North Platte Animal Shelter in Sam’s name or the MS Society in Roxie’s name.

Elva Louise Evans, 93, of Grand Island, formerly of Sutherland, died Sunday, January 20, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Village in Grand Island, Nebraska.  Elva was born on April 8, 1925 at Arcadia, Kansas to Frederick Albert Arnold and Sarah Margaret Galvin Ricketts.  She grew up in Kansas and Missouri and graduated in 1943 from Bronaugh High School in Missouri.  On July 4, 1943, Elva was united in marriage to Vencil Mondell Evans in Bronaugh, Missouri and they lived in Wichita, Kansas.  They moved to Sutherland, Nebraska in 1962 and opened the Tack Room in 1970.  After Vencil died in 1992, Elva eventually moved to Grand Island.  She attended the Hershey Baptist Church.

She is survived by her sons, Ron (Diane) Evans of Marianna, Florida, Denny (Vickie) Evans of Spokane, Washington, Ray Evans of Grand Island, and Robert Evans of Evanston, Wyoming; daughter-in-law, Ellie Evans of Trenton, South Carolina; and other family.  Along with her husband, Vencil, Elva was preceded in death by their son, Dough; her parents; brother, Robert and Ivan Ricketts; and sisters, Fannie Goddard, Mayme Zilliox, Bernece Galvin, Audra Ricketts and Leatha Griffith.

Cremation was chosen.  Inurnment will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery on July 3, 2019.  The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com.  Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte is in charge of the arrangements.

D. Jean Fritz, 90, of North Platte, passed away January 25, 2019 at Linden Court. She was born on January 12, 1929 to William and Mary (Johnston) Gugelman at Stockville, Nebraska.

Jean attended grade school in Orafino, Nebraska and graduated from Curtis High School with the class of 1944.  She went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln earning a teaching degree.  On May 25, 1947, Jean was united in marriage to H. Earl Fritz in Kansas.  They lived in the Eustis and Farnam areas, moving to North Platte in 1988.  Her greatest joy was her family.  She loved music, sewing, gardening, and bowling.

Jean is survived by her children, Vicky Fritz of North Platte, Connie Taylor of Moorefiled, Nebraska, Denise (Stan) Reed of Oak Harbor, Washington, and Tonya (Tony) Hergenrader of North Plattte; daughter-in-law, Vicki Fritz of Farnam; eight grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and other relatives.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl in 2003; son Terry Fritz; son-in-law, Terry Taylor; grandchildren, Jeremy Fritz and Kacy Taylor; a great grandson, Keegan Taylor; three sisters and one brother.

Services will be 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2109 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.  Visitation with family receiving friends will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her memory.  Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  Carepenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Adrian F. “Herb” Szwanek, age 88, of North Platte passed away January 27, 2019 at Centennial Park Retirement Village.

Herb was born on September 16, 1930 in Cotesfield, NE to James and Lizzie (Duester) Szwanek.

Herb graduated from Elba High School in 1949.  He worked for farmers; and then the railroad for a short time before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1950.  After being discharged, he went back to the Union Pacific Railroad as a signalman, then transferring to the Maintenance of Way department as a crane operator.  Herb married Mary Anderson on August 23, 1958 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arnold.  He retired from the railroad September 30, 1992.

Herb was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and a member of the 4^th degree Knights of Columbus.  He loved his yard, full of peonies, rose bushes, and a garden.  He enjoyed the outdoors and mechanic work and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of North Platte; children, David (Mary) Szwanek, Kirk (Pam) Szwanek all of North Platte, Jeff (Robin) Szwanek of Lincoln, and Rod (Lori) Szwanek of Omaha; brothers, Frank (Mildred) Szwanek of Mullen, and Ed Szwanek of Evanston, WY; sisters, Verna Nabity of Sacramento, Ca, Katherine Kyhn, Sylvia Chelewski both of Grand Island, and Rose Marie “Rosie” (Paul) Kilian of Omaha; numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins; and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Shirley Szwanek; brothers-in-law, Leo Nabity, Ron Chelewski, and Monty Kyhn; and a step-grandson, Robbie Mills.

Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Catholic School Endowment Fund or to the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Christian Wake Service will be held 7:00 p.m. Thursday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Matthew Nash as celebrant.  Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors graveside.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Bettye Lou Killham, 86, of North Platte joined her heavenly father and awaiting loved ones on January 24, 2019.

Bettye was born in Alleen, Arkansas to Eugene and Buelah Scarborough on February 27, 1932. At the age 15 she moved to Pacifica, California. There she married Robert L. Killham and to this union came a daughter, Karen and a son, Ricky. Bettye had a successful career with AT&T and retired after 30+ years.

In 2010 Bettye settled in Nebraska to be with her grandchildren. Bettye was a woman of faith and had a strong relationship with God. She enjoyed dancing, cooking, reading, watching old movies and spending time with her family. Her positive way of thinking, good sense of humor, contagious smile and wise words will be missed greatly.

Bettye is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Buelah, son Ricky Lee, sisters Marle Zarnock and Rachel Reed, brothers Calvin and Kelsey Scarborough, (ex) huaband Robert Killham, and father and mother in-law Guy and Ellen Killham.

She leaves behind her daughter and best friend, Karen of North Platte, A sister, Lena Brooks of AZ, granddaughters Lori (Brent) Luft, Jessica (Scott) Hernandez, Ricci (Dana) Foster, Faith (Zach) Killham, 16 great grandchildren all of North Platte and nieces and nephews.

A private service will be held at a later date. Online condolences can be submitted at Carpentersmemorial.com

Evelyn E. Wambolt, 96, of Gering, formerly of Maxell, went home to be with her precious Lord and Savior on January 22, 2019 at Heritage Estates in Gering.

Evelyn was born on August 2, 1922 in Lyman, Ne to Edward and Ethel (Trout) Foster.  She was raised at Lyman, NE, and married Henry Wambolt on March 24, 1940.  Evelyn along with her husband served God through pastoring churches, Bible Studies, and Bible Club.  After their retirement, they continued to serve God at Maranatha Bible Camp for 30 years.  Evelyn received her nursing training in Sterling, CO.  She enjoyed caring for others through her nursing skills.

Evelyn lived a full life and had many interests such as fishing, gardening, sewing, and homemaking.  She was an avid artist, painting many beautiful landscapes.

Survivors include her daughters, Judy Wambolt of Sterling, CO, Ruth (Stan) Mast of Kearney, NE, Esther (Steve) Melroy of Scottsbluff, NE, and Nancy (Scott) Rutherford of Severance, CO; sons, Donald (Georgia) Wambolt of Greeley, CO, and David (Sandy) Wambolt of Meeker, CO; 6 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Hank; sisters, Clara Schanaman, and Florence Green; and an infant sister.

Memorials are suggested to Camp Maranatha for the sponsorship fund and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Maxwell First Baptist Church with Pastor George Cheek officiating.  Burial will follow in the Plainview Cemetery near Maxwell.  Book signing will be 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Friday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Virginia Alberta Younghans, age 94, passed away at her farm home south of North Platte on Wednesday, January 23, 2019.

Virginia was born July 20, 1924 in White, NE to Denton A. and Lydia C. (Orman) Fisher.  She grew up in Hershey and graduated from Hershey High School.  She was a WWII veteran with the US Army W.A.C.S.  She was the first woman to join the Nebraska American Legion.  After her military service, she married Robert H. Younghans in 1950; they raised four sons.

Virginia is survived by her children Bill (Barb), Don (Janelda), Ken (Kendra) and Harry; siblings Nina Lowe, Rodney (Jean) Fisher; sisters-in-law Millie, Claudia and Sharon; 12 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Denton and Lydia Fisher; husband Robert in 1975; sibling Claude Shepard, Miles Fisher, Edith (Calvin) Holz, Howard Fisher, Robert (Margaret) Fisher, Ray Fisher and Danny Fisher.

Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday January 29, 2019 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Reverend Jeff Cottingham officiating.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with the Hershey American Legion Post 279 providing military honors.  Visitation will be from noon until 8:00 p.m. with Family Receiving Friends from 6:00 until 8:00 on Monday January 28, 2019 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

As a gifted and talented singer, Georgene Marie Carlini delighted North Platte residents for decades with her beautiful angelic soprano voice, often singing together with her one true love, Ulysses A. Carlini, Sr.

At age 92, on Monday morning Jan 21, 2019 at Great Plains Health with family by her side, Georgene left this world to sing with a new heavenly choir and join her beloved Ulysses and their beautiful, sweet daughter Mary.

As great as her love of music was, Georgene’s greatest love and joy was her faith and family – Ulysses, their 8 children, their 18 grandchildren and their 9 great grandchildren.

“She loved each and everyone of us kids,” said her oldest son Greg Carlini. “She always told us how proud she was of us all, as well as how much she loved her precious little grandkids and her sweet great grand babies.”

“Before she passed she told us how grateful she was to have lived a long, good life, and to be blessed with such a big, beautiful family,” said her daughter Theresa Carson.

Georgene was born on Feb 22, 1926 in Aurora, Ill., to John and Theresa (Kames ) Heitkotter. Since she was born on George Washington’s birthdate, her family named her Georgene.

She received her undergraduate degree from DePaul University in Chicago. And while working on her master’s degree at DePaul, she met and fell in love with Ulysses, who had the opportunity to tutor her. Together they performed professionally in Chicago and throughout the Midwest in the late 1940s. The two were married on Feb. 18, 1950 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aurora, Ill. and lived in Chicago, while Ulysses earned his masters from Northwestern University and worked in radio before becoming a pioneer in television.

The Carlini family moved to North Platte more than fifty years ago in 1968 for Ulysses’ job to manage KNOP-TV. Besides being the busy mother of eight, Georgene was also KNOP-TV’s Community Affairs Director and on the station’s Board of Directors from the 1960s to 1990s. She was even known to pitch in when they needed someone to operate a studio camera during a newscast or two.

At one time or another, all the Carlini kids worked there until Gray Communications bought KNOP-TV and KHAS-TV four years ago. Ulysses “Uly” Carlini,Jr. is GM and Vice President at a Gray Communications TV station in Panama City Beach, Florida, where they successfully weathered the deadly Hurricane Michael last year.

Besides her work at the TV station, Georgene shared her musical talents with North Platte’s Monday Musicale, the Heartland Singers, the community Handbell Choir, St Patrick’s and Holy Spirit Catholic Churches, and as Past President of The North Platte Community Concert Association.

She and Ulysses passed along their musical talents to their children including Judy Ahmadian, who sang professionally with a national theater touring group and their son John Carlini also plays piano professionally in Lincoln and Omaha, and teaches music as well. Georgene also taught private piano lessons for a long time in North Platte to dozens of students throughout the years including her two granddaughters Sonya Cloud and Christina Carlini Souter. Her great granddaughter, Cambria Carson, uses Georgene’s old violin to play at her elementary school concerts in Colorado and another great granddaughter Kyla Cloud sings at her elementary school concerts in Texas. Georgene loved to travel to visit with her kids and grandkids around the country. Georgene was also a founding member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church and was active for years as the organist. She was also an organist at St. Benedict’s in Evansville, Indiana, and at St Patrick’s Church in North Platte. She and Ulysses also sang with the Kentucky Quartet in Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky.

They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family and good friends in North Platte in 2010. Three years later in Dec. 2013 at North Platte’s Fox Theater in honor of Georgene and Ulysses, their family held a special reception and screening of an original documentary short, “Everything is Wonderful,” which was filmed by their grandson, Joe Carlini.

Georgene was always a huge supporter of St. Patrick Catholic Schools, where her kids and grandkids attended including her granddaughter, Teya Carlini, who currently goes there. Throughout her fifty years in North Platte, you would often find Georgene at local sports, musicals and other events cheering on her kids and grandkids.

Her survivors include her children: Theresa (Chris) Carson, of Greenbrook, New Jersey, Greg (Jodi Ritacca) Carlini, of Woodbury, Minn.,Judy (Saeed) Ahmadian, of Houston, Texas, John (Shari Schwartz) Carlini, of Lincoln, Claudia Carlini, of Lebanon, Kansas, Ulysses (Diane) Carlini Jr., of Panama City Beach, Florida, and Lewys (Holly) Carlini, of North Platte; as well as her grandchildren: Christian (Monique) Carson, of Lakewood, Colorado, Kathleen (Joe) Njau, of Manville, New Jersey, Christina Carlini (Tyler) Souter, of White Bear Lake, MN, Joe Carlini, of Los Angeles, Sonya (Mario) Cloud, of Corpus Christi, Texas, Frankie Higgins, of Kenesaw, Nebraska, Nikita (Wes)White of North Platte, Josh (Laura) Schultheiss, of Austin, Texas, Georgene “Georgie” Sommer, of Lebanon, Kansas, Ulysses “Adam” Carlini III, of Panama City Beach, Florida, Angelica (Jake) Morrow, of Grand Island, Alexandra “Allie”Carlini, of Lincoln, Gabriella “Gabbie” Carlini, of Panama City Beach, Florida, Giavanna “Gigi” Carlini, of Panama City Beach, Florida, Dane (Randi) Carlini, of Omaha., Brianna Carlini, of Austin, Texas, Zandra Carlini, of Grand Island, and Teya Carlini, of North Platte; nine great-grandchildren, Cambria Carson, Natalya Carson, Nya Njau, Eva Njau, Kyla Cloud, Aiden Souter, Amira Souter, Claire Carlini and Chloe Carlini and numerous other family members and many friends.

Georgene was preceded in death by her husband Ulysses, who passed at age 89 four years ago on Aug, 24, 2014; their daughter Mary Higgins, who passed at age 62 last June 2018; her sister Kathryn “Kay” Kempiners, who passed last June 2018 at age 103; and their daughter-in-law Verna (Kellum) Carlini (age 35) and their granddaughter Sitarah Carlini, who both passed on Oct 10, 1998.

Christian Wake Services for Georgene will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Reverend Josh Brown as celebrant. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.

Visitation will be 9:00 am- 4:00 pm Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials can be sent to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2801 W E St, North Platte, NE 69101 or St. Patrick Catholic Schools, 302 S Sycamore St, North Platte, NE 69101