Oliver Dean Befort age 84 of North Platte, passed away Wednesday December 30, 2015 at Imperial Manor Nursing Home.
Oliver was born on March 12, 1931 in Weskan, KS to Albert and Florine (Drieling) Befort. He proudly served our country as an Army PFC from 1951 to 1952. He was stationed in Germany and worked as a welder. Oliver married Delores Jaeger on July 7, 1956 at St. Patrick’s Church in Imperial, NE. To this union two children were born, Mona and Jeff. Oliver was a meat cutter in Imperial, working for Fern Collins & Staley. The family moved to Boulder, CO in 1965 and he worked as a Meat Market Manager for Ideal Market until his retirement in 1989. After retiring, Oliver and Delores moved back to North Platte. He belonged to the VFW Post and UFCW Local #7.
Oliver is survived by his wife Delores of North Platte, NE; children Mona (Cevin) Hopp of Mead, CO and Jeff (Michelle) Befort of Forney, TX; 6 grandchildren Jason Dennis, Christina (Blake) Beasley, Carly (Sean) Riley, Camdyn Hopp, Elise Befort, Meghan Befort; 2 great grandchildren Bryson Beasley and Abigail Riley; a special nephew Patrick Jaeger; brothers Duane (Bev) Befort, Edward (Ardell) Befort; sister Judy (Bob) Bedford; sisters-in-law Patricia Thompson, Joyce Roesener, Marla (Darty) Schilke, Sharon Jaeger; brother-in-law Bill (Jan) Jaeger; as well as other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Florine Befort; in-laws Raymond and Delma Jaeger; brothers Ronald and Donald Befort; an infant brother; sister Valaria Cooper; and brother in law Jim Thompson.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte or Community Hospital Hospice in McCook, NE. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake Service will be 9:30 a.m. Monday January 4, 2016 with Mass of Christian Burial following at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Reverend Charles Torpey as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with full military honors. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book from noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Mark D. Fageol, 56, of North Platte, passed away December 25, 2015 at his home. He was born March 30, 1959 to Floyd and Mildred (Borden) Fageol at Burlington, IA. He graduated from Burlington High School with the class of “77”. Mark attended the Hawkeye Institution School of Technology in Waterloo, IA. He worked at a photographer for the Burlington Hawkeye News, moved to Sioux City, IA, where he worked for the local newspaper there. Mark later hired on at the Union Pacific Railroad and currently was a conductor. His hobbies included photography, computers and enjoyed traveling. He is survived by his parents; three brothers, James Fageol, David Fageol and John Fageol; a cousin, Michael Borden and his family. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemroial.com. Memorial services will be 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Ronald W Gross, 75, of Maxwell, Ne passed away Dec 27^th, 2015 at his home. He was born Aug 8, 1940 to Erwin (Pete) & Esther Gross in Maxwell, Ne. Ronald grew up in Maxwell. He graduated from Maxwell High in 1958. In 1961, Ronald married his High School sweetheart, Judy (Jameson) Gross. They both resided in Maxwell until 1962 when they moved to North Platte, NE. Ronald was employed with Lincoln County Road Department until he was hired out with the Union Pacific Railroad from 1969 until he retired Aug of 2003 as a conductor. When he wasn’t working at the Railroad, he loved to be farming his land in Maxwell, Ne. He has raised Certified Register Angus, purple corn for Frito Lay and Yellow Pop Corn for Orville Redenbacher.  He will always be remembered by his family and friends with being a practical jokester and a man that would do anything for the ones he loved. He loved listening to country music, camping, water sports, racing motorcycles, tinkering in his garage and just being outdoors. He is survived by his wife, Judy Gross, his main sidekick Scooter the dog,  1 brother, Gary (Shannon) Gross, Albuquerque, NM, 2 daughters, Margene Hunt (Terry West) of Pryor, OK & Malinda Forshaw (Keith) of Coal Valley, IL. He has eight grandchildren, Jeremy Hunt (Kandace), Spencer Hunt (Stephanie), Shealynn Sawicki (John Christy), Brian Forshaw (Chelsea Jordan), Landon Hunt (Tiffany), Sean Sawicki (Harley Cowan), Tristan Duggar, Sydney Williams. 4 Great grandchildren,  Kaydan & Brason Hunt, Lee Hunt & Ethan Sawicki, and Special friends Dori (Clifton) Hendrix , Kyle Fastenau  and several Nieces and Nephews.  Visitation will be held at Carpenter Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, Dec 30, 2015 from 8:30 am to 8 pm with the family receiving friends from 5 to 7. Services will be held at Carpenter Memorial Chapel Thursday, Dec 31, 2015 at 1:00pm with burial following at Plain View Cemetery in Maxwell, Ne. Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Heart Institute.

 

Mary Katherine ‘Kay’ Johnson, age 77, of North Platte, NE, died at home on Saturday, December 26, 2015, with family at her side after a prolonged fight with cancer.

Kay was born November 4, 1938, in Oak Grove, MO, the daughter of Ray and Eva Peerson. She grew up in Oak Grove and graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, KS then from Kansas State University with a BA in Education and Sociology, Phi Kappa Phi Honorary, in 1960. In 1980, she earned a Master’s Degree in Family Life Education, Omicron Nu Honorary, from Kansas State.

Kay married Dr. Jerre Johnson on August 20, 1960, and they lovingly raised three daughters and a son. She was very involved in her children’s lives and taught Sunday school, 4-H programs, Cub Scouts and Brownies. In addition to raising four children Kay balanced graduate school and a career. She started teaching Kindergarten in Gower, MO for two years, taught night classes in Aging at Mid Plains Community College for 2 semesters, and worked at the Lincoln County Attorney’s office for two years. Kay then became Executive Director of Peoples Family Planning of North Platte and managed that agency for 17 years.

Kay’s passions outside her family included reading, music, traveling, Sudoku and beating her husband in Backgammon. She loved raising flowers but not weeding. She was a long time member of the Theatre Guild, enjoyed PEO, was Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow and a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. Kay was a Husker football fan, except when they played Kansas State, then she and her mother-in-law exchanged words. Kay was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Jerre L. Johnson, of North Platte; daughters, Janelle Sullivan, of Boone, IA, Cheryl Johnson, of Orlando, FL, and Kristin (Brandon) Taylor, of Longmont, CO; son, Mark Johnson, of North Platte; three grandchildren Kelli Sullivan, of North Platte and Kyle and Sara Taylor, of Longmont, CO; a great-grandson, Sean Ellis, of North Platte, her sister, Judy (Bob) Vilumis, of Overland Park, KS; longtime friend, Dee Weber, of Lexington, NE; and other family and friends.

Per her request, cremation was chosen and a private family memorial service will be held. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Goodfellow Shoe Fund or the donor’s choice.

Donald L. Tobiasson, 92, of North Platte passed away December 26, 2015 at Centennial Park Retirement Village.  He was born April 17, 1923 in Gibbon, NE to Jens and Evesta Rubina (Hogrefe) Tobiasson.  Don grew up south of North Platte where he farmed with his family.  He married Helen Campbell on August 3, 1946 in North Platte.  The couple lived on the home place where they raised cattle and farmed.  Donald also worked for Lincoln County, running a maintainer, worked at the sale barn, and at the North Platte experiment station for the University of Nebraska.  Donald played baseball for the Lakeside Team.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Survivors include four sons, Gary (Char) of Salt Lake City, Utah, Ronald (Randa) of North Platte, Marty (Dottie) of Chadron, and Mark (Leisa) of Hershey; grandchildren, Chad  Tobiasson, Amy (John) Picray, Brian (Leanne) Tobiasson, Julie (Brian) Newland, Trent (Cammie) Tobiasson, Nate (Megan) Cain, Troy (Kelsey) Tobiasson, Travis (Ariele) Tobiasson, Trisha and Tara Tobiasson; great-grandchildren, Brooke and Wade Picray, Hunter, Jens and True Tobiasson, Mason and Zane Newland, Nathan, Ashley, Taden and Tanner Tobiasson, Lilli, Lizzi, and Trace Tobiasson, Preah and Thaxston Tobiasson and Rusty Tobiasson; sisters-in-law, Caro Campbell and Lila Campbell; and a brother-in-law, Pete (Lynne) Campbell; and numerous family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen; infant brother, Guy; sister and brother-in-law, Edna (Gale) Galloway; brother and sister-in-law, Danny (Mary) Tobiasson; and a granddaughter, Jodi Tobiasson Cain.

Memorials are suggested to the Gift of Hope Cancer Foundation and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 4, 2016 at the Bethel Evangelical Free Church with Pastor George Cheek officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with full military honors. Visitation will be noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Eugene Francis ‘Gene’ Berglund, age 76, of North Platte, NE, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, December 23, 2015.

Gene was born June 18, 1939, to Carl Gust, Sr. and Marie Katherine Larson Berglund in North Platte where he grew up. Gene graduated from North Platte High School in 1957. He worked at the North Platte Telegraph and was a Marque Boy for the Paramount Fox Theaters.

In 1958, Gene married Ruth Ann Schemp, his high-school sweetheart, and the two lived in North Platte until 1980 when they moved to Longmont, CO. Gene worked for Bassett Carpet in Colorado and returned to North Platte, continuing his trade as an independent carpet installer for Whitaker Furniture, now Erickson Furniture. Beginning his trade as a carpet installer in his early 20s – a time when the carpet seams needed to be hand stitched, he continued his profession with dedication his entire life. Even in retirement, Gene never stopped working. He worked every day that he could and wanted to help his sons, who followed in his footsteps, keeping track of their daily work.

Gene was a family man who was blessed with 57 years of marriage and a beautiful family that he was very proud of. Family was the center of Gene’s life. He loved going to coffee with them over the years every day he could. With a cup of coffee and many stories to tell, Gene never complained and was always there to listen and be supportive of those he loved.

Gene could be seen sitting on his front porch visiting with others, in his garage rebuilding old cars and tending to the flowers in his garden. Gene had a servant’s heart and always put Christ first. He was a true believer and found comfort in knowing where he was going. Gene attended the North Platte Berean Church.

Gene’s smile, kindness and warm heart will be greatly missed and his family will cherish their happy memories forever.

Gene leaves behind his wife, Ruth, of North Platte; children, Jim (Linda) Berglund and Tim (Liz) Berglund, all of North Platte, David (Deborah) Berglund, of Firestone, CO, and Deb Berglund, of San Diego, CA; 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Janice Berglund, of North Platte; and numerous nieces, nephews and other loved family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Gust, Sr. and Marie Berglund; his brother and sister-in-law, Carl, Jr. and Lois Berglund; and sister and brother-in-law, Elsie and Chuck McKain.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday, December 28, 2015, at the North Platte Berean Church with George Cheek officiating. Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday 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 Maranatha Bible Camp or the American Diabetes Association.

Marion L. Gertsch, 83, of North Platte passed away December 22, 2015 at his home as he would have wanted.

He was born July 3, 1932 to Calvin T. and Mattie C. [Pilling] Gertsch, Columbus, NE.  Marion graduated from Lincoln North East High School in 1949, entered the military and served with the Navy from January 1951 until his honorable discharge on November 3, 1952. He was united in marriage to MaryLou Parli on August 1, 1953 in Lincoln Nebraska.

Marion served as a Boy Scout leader, a 4H club leader, he was also a member of the Lincoln County Fair board and various other organizations.  He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He retired after 31 years of service from the Soil Conservation Service in December, 1989.

Marion is survived by 4 children, David [Donita] Gertsch, Plattsmouth NE; Douglas [Marie] Gertsch, North Platte; Dwight [Sandy] Gertsch, Chandler AZ; and Dawn [Chuck] Kincaid, North Platte; grandchildren, Stephanie Gertsch, Ross Gertsch, Steven [Michelle] Gertsch, Brian [Janae] Gertsch, Jenna [Chris] Gertsch-Wood, Maxwel Gertsch, Sarah Brown, Lindsey [Mike] Richards, Wes [Randi] Kincaid, ten great grandchildren, his sister Ellen [Ken] Weller and brother, Russell [Norma] Gertsch, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, MaryLou in 2000, an infant sister, 4 brothers, Clyde, Wayne, Jack and Lester Gertsch, and his sister Alice Dietrich.

Graveside services will be 11:00 am Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors graveside. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 Tuesday with family receiving friends from 5 to 7pm at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Pauline ‘Polly’ Trisdale, age 75, of North Platte, NE, passed away Monday, December 21, 2015, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Polly was born December 16 , 1940, to Claude Kirk and Vola B. Scott Trisdale at Gallitan, TN. The family later moved to Colorado then to North Platte in 1951. Polly attended school in North Platte and later worked in housekeeping at St. Mary’s Hospital, Memorial Hospital and Great Plains Regional Medical Center. She retired in 2002. Polly then cleaned for Dr. Lamberty’s office before caring for her family.

Polly loved her nieces, nephews and her dogs, Molly and Squeek.

She is survived by her brothers, Harry Trisdale and Marlin (Diana) Trisdale, of North Platte; sisters, Mary Wade, of Las Vegas, NV, and Sue (Joe) Hackler, of Cheyenne, WY; her dogs, Molly and Squeek; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Vola; seven brothers, John, David, Roy, Claude, Jr., Donnie, James and Robert Trisdale; and four sisters, Sara Trisdale, Kathrine Walker, Peggy Williams and Nellie Johnston.

Cremation was chosen. Graveside Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Monday, December 28, 2015, in the North Platte Cemetery with Chaplain Gary Smith officiating. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at the graveside. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.