Chester Albert ‘Chet’ Bruner, Jr., age 85, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Chet was born November 13, 1930, to Chester Albert, Sr. and Marguerite Harriet Dunning Bruner at Englewood, CO. In 1932 the family moved to Medicine Bow, WY, then to Omaha, NE in 1934 and to North Platte in 1939. Chet graduated from North Platte High School in 1948 then hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad. During his career Chet worked as a Clerk, a Fireman then an Engineer before he retired in 1992.

On June 3, 1983, Chet was united in marriage to Elona Marie Lambert Driscoll in North Platte where they made their home. Chet loved to fish, golf, play the guitar and sing. Following his retirement he shared his music with those in nursing homes and Senior Centers and played at Bethel Evangelical Free Church for five years.

Chet was a member of U.T.U., U.P. Old-timers and Bethel Evangelical Free Church.

He leaves behind his wife of nearly 33 years, Elona, of North Platte; his son, Terry (Sherri) Bruner, of Sanger, TX; stepchildren, Chance (Cassaundra) Driscoll, of Florence, CO, Velona (Joe) Kaczor, of Curtis, NE, and Tralisa (Tarey) Bussell, of Granite Canyon, WY; three grandchildren, Shelia (Jason) Thomas, Tina (Troy) McVay and Sandi (Matt) Franz; eight step grandchildren, Tranett McKain, Makala (Joey) Schultz, Keeana Bussell, JonQue Bussell, John Bussell, Dallas Driscoll, Ashley Driscoll and Kyle Driscoll; seven great-grandchildren; six step great-grandchildren; his brother, David (Jeri) Bruner, of Billings, MT; sister, Darlene Bean, of Tremonton, UT; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Chet was preceded in death by his parents, Chester, Sr. and Marguerite; and an infant brother, George.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at Bethel Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Brett Terry officiating. Inurnment will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.

The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or on Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5 to 6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to Gideon Bibles or the church.

Tucker James Brown, age 20 of North Platte, passed away Friday December 18, 2015 at Children’s Hospital of Colorado after a lengthy and courageous battle with leukemia.

Tucker was born on December 15, 1995 in North Platte to Derwyn and Carolyn (Thayer) Brown.  He attended Cody Elementary School, Adams Middle School and graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 2014.  He mowed lawns in the summer, loved welding and working on the ranch.  He enjoyed hunting, riding horses, roping and water sports on the lake.  Tucker will be remembered as a crazy, fun loving, strong, courageous, giving, kind hearted young man who always had a smile on his face.  He lived each day to the fullest and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Tucker is survived by his parents Derwyn and Carolyn Brown of North Platte; brother Ryan Brown of North Platte; grandparents Loren and Anita Brown of Arnold; aunts and uncles Linda Thayer of Chadron, Rod (Brenda) Thayer of Imperial, Heidi (Bart) Sinner of Ft. Worth, TX, Tina (Michael) Warner of Riverton, WY, Rod (Twila) Brown of Paxton, Todd (Kathy) Brown of North Platte; several cousins, extended family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Lester and Vivian Thayer; and uncles James Thayer and Mark Brown.

Memorials are suggested to Children’s Hospital in Denver, CO and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday December 22, 2015 at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church with Chaplain                    officiating.  The family requests casual dress in Tucker’s honor.  Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday December 21^st with family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m.  until 8:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Rodney “Unk” Lee Hessling, age 52 of Tryon, passed away Wednesday December 16, 2015 at Great Plains Health.
Rodney was born on October 20, 1963 in Omaha, NE to Donald Richard and Lois June (Hogan) Hessling. After his graduation from Ralston High School he mostly worked with Washington Inventory Service in Omaha. He moved to Tryon in March of 2007 with his sister Roxane. He worked at Cement Products in North Platte for a short time. Rodney loved spending time with his family; he was full of knowledge, enjoyed reading, watching movies and working with computers. He enjoyed playing computer games, watching The Doctor Who tv show and cooking. He was easy going but never afraid to voice his opinion.
Rodney is survived by his sisters Roxane (Ronald) Munson of Tryon and Roberta (Bernard) Orr of Villisca, IA; 6 nieces; 2 nephews; 15 great nieces and nephews; as well as other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and family services will be held at a later date in Illinois. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Phyllis V. Kern, 88 of North Platte passed away December 10, 2015 at Linden Court. She was born on November 13, 1927 in Long Beach, CA to Ray and Frances (Hartford) Gamble.
After living most of her childhood years around the Los Angeles, CA area, she moved to North Platte with her mother. Phyllis met and married Orville L Kern May 6th, 1949. There were 4 children in this marriage. Charles (Kay) Kern, Karen Pierson, Kathleen (Wes) Newtson and Keta (Matt) Smith. She held different jobs from Montgomery Wards to sewing drapes for Schwesers. She loved to sew and was a 4H Leader for many years, teaching her daughters to sew and bake. When it came to baking, she made wedding cakes for many years that were amazing and beautiful. Phyllis also loved to garden and canned everything she grew. The inside garden was like a jungle at times. She even grew an avocado seed into a huge tree.
Animals were always a big part of her life as well. She considered them all to be a part of the family. Starting with a pig named Pokie to chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs, cats that people would dump in their yard, fish, a bird, a guinea pig and 2 horses. Not all at the same time of course.
After her husband retired from the Union Pacific Railroad, they took to traveling full time in their camper. They went from Alaska to old Mexico and everywhere in between that a camper could go and sometimes even places where campers shouldn’t be. After Orville’s health started to decline, they became permanent residents of North Platte again. Phyllis took to reading more and crocheting. When her health declined, she moved into Linden Estates and then to Linden Court where she lived the final years of her life.
Phyllis is survived by 2 daughters, Karen Pierson of Denver, CO, and Keta (Matt) Smith of North Platte; 1 son-in-law, Wes Newtson of Benkelman, NE; 9 grandkids, Mike Pierson of Denver, CO, Krystal (Eric) Traver of Eagle River, AK, Keta Rinne of Benkelman, NE, Scott (Sarah) White of North Platte, Miranda Newtson of Lincoln, NE, Kati Seybold of Benkelman, NE, Sara (Jason) Evert of Fairfax, VA, Lindsey Smith of Los Angeles, CA and J.C. Smith of Gothenburg, NE.; and 10 Great grand-children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville; her son, Charles; 1 daughter, Kathleen; a daughter-in-law, Kay Kern; her parents; and her husband’s parents.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be held 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at Messiah Lutheran Church with Reverend Tim Eighmy officiating. Inurnment will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in the spring of 2016. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book Tuesday and Wednesday December 22nd and 23rd from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth Emily Beckius 62, of Stapleton passed away December 16, 2015 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Ruth was born August 4, 1953 in North Platte to Emory and Frances (Blevins) Long. She was raised in Stapleton and Gandy, graduating from Stapleton High School in 1971. On May 22, 1971 she married Dan Beckius in St. John’s Catholic Church in Stapleton. The couple lived two years in Germany, and 6 months in Texas, while Dan was in the service. They moved to Kimball for two years before returning to Stapleton where Ruth ran a day care out of her home for years before working at the Stapleton High School as a para professional for 15 years.
Ruth was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and outside activities. She loved her family, grandchildren, and her dogs.
Survivors include her husband Dan of Stapleton; children, Leroy (Sheri) Beckius, and Chad (Lisa) Beckius of Vermillion, SD; grandchildren, Emily Beckius, James Beckius, Andrew Beckius and Caleb Beckius; brother, Ray (Debbie) Miles of Montrose, CO; numerous other family members; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dale Miles; father and mother in-law, James and Lila Beckius.
Memorials may be made in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Christian Wake Services will be 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 20, 2015 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Stapleton. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 21, 2015 at St. John’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Thomas Guidipalli as celebrant. Burial will follow at the Loup Valley Cemetery near Stapleton. Visitation will be noon until 9:00 a.m. Saturday and noon until 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Grace Loretta Basile, age 89, of Sutherland, NE, died at her home on Tuesday, December 15, 2015.

Grace was born May 4, 1926, to John O’Connor and Anna Florence Schmitt Farrish at Maspeth, NY. Grace grew up and attended school in New York and worked for Eagle Electric. She later married Frank L. Basile in New York where they lived until moving to North Platte in 1972.

While in North Platte, Grace worked for Buffalo Bill Trading Post for 4 years before moving to Sutherland in 1984. Here she worked for the Sutherland Care Center until retiring in 1998. She like to read, complete word searches and listen to music and attended Grace Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her children, Waylon Basile and Paul (Kitty) Basile, all of Sutherland, and Barbara Basile, of Missouri; two grandchildren, Bobby Basile and Travis Basile; three step grandchildren, Megan (Paul) Holtz, Marie Lamorie and Patrick Lamorie; her brother, Dr. Raymond O.P. (Jane) Farrish, of Tucson, AZ; brother-in-law, Marvin Danielson, of Omaha, NE; her family pets, Trixie and Honey; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; parents, John and Anna Farrish; and four sisters, Winifred ‘Wini’ Danielson, Rowena Prevo, Anna McGonigle and Mary Farrish.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Monday, December 21, 2015, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Erin Dunlany officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery, south of Sutherland. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church.

Gary “Gerald” W. Lewandowski, 74, of North Platte, passed away Dec. 14, 2015 at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born July 25, 1941 to Louis and Elizabeth (Kuszak) Lewandowski at Loup City, NE. He graduated from Aston High School and went on to Kearney State College graduating with a degree in teaching. He taught school in Brainard, NE. On May 29, 1965, Gary was united in marriage to Sharyl Hoagland at Lincoln, NE. They moved to North Platte where he taught and was a counselor at North Platte St. Patrick’s High School and North Platte High School, where he also coached football and basketball. Gary was also a Real Estate Broker, Auctioneer and rancher. He is survived by his wife, Sharyl; daughter, Kelli both of North Platte; grandchildren, Sarah (Zach), Todd, Cortney, Bailee and Taylor; great grandchildren, Gracynn, Hadley, Hartell and Rhowan; a sister, Jeanie (Jim) Curlo of Ashton, NE; a brother, Mike (Lois) Lewandowski of Lincoln, NE; sisters-in-law, Dr. Jean Lewandowski of Omaha and Joani Lewandowski of Billings, MT; in-laws, Dale (Geri) Hoagland of Grand Island and Galen (Connie) Hoagland of Harvard, NE; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Todd; two brothers, Larry and Dick; and a daughter-in-law, Valerie. Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Schools. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with the Fr. James Golka officiating, all are welcome to attend. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Alice S. Matsutani, 92, of North Platte, passed away Dec. 11, 2015 at Linden Court. She was born Jan. 9, 1923 to Takehiko and Takeyo (Shiroyama) Miyoshi at North Platte. She graduated from Nichols northwest of North Platte. Alice was united in marriage to Kei K. Matsutani. They resided in Lincoln County and farmed for many years. She was a member of the Episcopal Church, was an avid Husker fan and enjoyed gardening, quitting and painting. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Alice Matsutani of The Woodlands, TX; a sister, Pat (Sam) Hatasaka of Aurora, CO; a sister-in-law, Vaunia Miyoshi of Denver, CO; a brother-in-law, Sam Terasaki of Denver, CO; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2010; three brothers and two sisters. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Private family services will be held. Burial will be at the North Platte Cemetery. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.