Robert C. “Bob” Koenig, 84, of Brady, passed away June 28, 2015 at Gothenburg Memorial Hospital. He was born Aug. 17, 1930 to Tom and Stella (Beaver) Koenig at Gering, NE. He graduated from Maxwell High School with the class of “49”. In 1951, Bob joined the United States Army and served until his honorable discharge in 1953. On July 17, 1954, he was united in marriage to Doris J. Hopkins at North Platte. Three daughters were born to the couple. He was employed by the State of Nebraska as a gas transporter. On Aug. 17, 2009, Bob married Lucille Whipple at Gothenburg. The couple later moved to Brady. He was a member of the American Legion and loved horses. He is survived by his wife, Lucille of Brady; three daughters, Deb (Bill) Dugger of Kearney, Betty Lewin and Carol Koenig both of Omaha; a step-daughter, Barbra Hotz of Gothenburg; three sisters, Virginia Bailey, Donna (Dean) Kittle and Patty Mentzer; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Doris in 2008; and a granddaughter, Alexis. A memorial has been established in his memory. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2015 with Pastor Bob Allen officiating at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Helen Haythorn, 61, of Maxwell, NE, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at Gothenburg, NE.

Mary Helen was born April 30, 1954, to Howard Conrad and Sue Ann Cochran Haythorn at Sutherland, NE and grew up on the ranch at Maxwell. She graduated from Brady High School in 1972 then attended the University of Denver. Mary Helen returned to Nebraska and became a care giver to many people and families, including her own. She also enjoyed writing Keno at Shores for many years.

Mary Helen was a member of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in North Platte. She served on the Brady Funeral Committee and Brady Alumni Committee. Mary Helen loved her family, especially her nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her father, Howard Haythorn, and brother, Harry B. (Londa) Haythorn, of Maxwell; sister, Margaret E. (Darrell) Ruh, of Kenesaw, NE; nieces and nephews, Ambrea (Levi) Nelson, Harry M. (Josie) Haythorn, Emily E. Haythorn (Matt Smith), all of Maxwell, Ahna Ruh and Walker Ruh, of Kenesaw, NE, and Amanda (Joshua) Hays and Justin (Charity) Ruh, of Greeley, CO; 14 great-nieces and nephews, Riker, Bryson, Gavin, Timothy James ‘T.J.’, Jade, Nicky, Paige, Harry E., Elizabeth, Sarah, Kellin, Dax, Kai and Mataiya; aunts, Beldora Haythorn, of Ogallala and Jane (Bryce) Lundell, of Cheyenne; cousins, Craig (Jody) Haythorn, of Arthur, NE, Sally Haythorn, of Ogallala, NE, Judy (Jerry) Shannon, of Mesa, AZ, Sandy (Gordon) Walsh, of South Lake, TX and Cathy (Tom) Kerwin, of Naperville, IL; other cousins and family and her many friends.

Mary Helen was preceded in death by her mother, Sue Ann.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at Episcopal Church of Our Savior in North Platte with Father Jeffrey Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at the Brady Cemetery. The casket will be closed. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Shriner’s Childrens Transportation Fund, Make-A-Wish Foundation or Brady Public School Foundation Fund.

Linda Kathryn Winder, 67 of North Platte passed away June 26, 2015 at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. She was born April 11, 1948 in Fremont, NE to Ray and Evelyn (Kutlas) Anderson. Linda graduated from Goodland High School in 1966. She worked for the Goodland Daily News before moving to North Platte where she worked for Kunkel’s Auto Supply. On August 16, 1969 she married Lynn Winder at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte. To this union 2 sons were born, Shane and Todd.
The couple moved up to the family farm at Stapleton where Linda pursued her bachelor’s degree and after graduating from Kearney State College continued her employment at 1st National Bank where she was a financial analyst for many years, retiring due to health reasons.
Linda was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, loved jigsaw puzzles, reading and numbers, cooking, fantasy football, and was a Denver Bronco’s fan. Her family was the center of her life, and enjoyed family get togethers.
Survivors include, sons, Shane (Jennifer) Winder of Omaha, and Todd (Jennifer) Winder of North Platte; grandchildren, Carson, Logan, Mason Winder, Tate and Trevor Cohoe, and Kanon Winder; siblings, Julie (Jerry) Thompson of North Platte, Patti (Keith) Saathoff of Tacoma, WA, Donna (Jimmy) Simmons of North Platte, Angela (Jim) Most of Aurora, NE, Christy (Dan) Smith of Helena, MT, Kaycee Anderson of North Platte, and Barbara (Gil) Fowler of Tacoma, WA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jackie Luken; and a brother, Michael Anderson.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend James Golka as celebrant. Inurnment will follow at the North Platte City Cemetery. Christian Wake Services will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Cremation was chosen, those wishing to sign the register book may do so from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2015 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Michael Ruybalid, 60, of North Platte, NE, passed away at his home on June 21, 2015.

Michael was born January 5, 1955, to Gilbert and Regina Ruybalid in Los Angeles, CA. Michael served in the U.S. Army, the same branch in which his son, Jeffrey, currently serves.

In February 1980 Michael hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad and worked in various cities. He was currently working for the railroad as Manager of Locomotive Maintenance at the time of his death.

Michael enjoyed reading, golfing and kayaking.

Michael leaves behind his children, Jaclyn (Jon) Ruybalid Krueger, of New York, NY, Courtney (Paul) Ruybalid Engquist, of Liberty, MO, Jeffrey (Kirsten) Ruybalid, of Colorado Springs, CO, and Scott Ruybalid, of Strasburg, VA; four grandchildren, Oliver, Charlotte and Katherine Engquist and Ava Ruybalid; stepmother, Brenda Ruybalid, of Whittier, CA; his aunt Martha and uncle Danny Archuleta, of Albuquerque, NM; and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Regina; and his brother, Anthony.

The family has chosen cremation and a private memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Yvonne J. “Vonnie” Easton, age 82, longtime North Platte resident, passed away in Golden, Co on June 23, 2015. Vonnie was born to Ruby Snyder Kunce and Charles William Kunce in Odell, Ne and lived in Arthur, Bellevue, Ogallala and North Platte, where she graduated from high school in 1950. As a child, Vonnie was a contortionist and performed in Ripley’s Believe It or Not, tap dancing on the back of her head. And when she was 16 years old, she went to Hollywood, CA to dance with the Charlie Baker Dancers. In 1951, she married Richard (Dick Easton) and they made their home here in North Platte. In addition to raising their four children, she also worked as a hairdresser. Vonnie was a member of St Patrick’s Catholic Church and later Holy Spirit. She was also a member of the Sweet Adelines and Newcomers. Prior to moving to Colorado to be close to her oldest daughter, she enjoyed playing cards, Jazzercise, and volunteering at her church. Vonnie’s children and grandchildren were her passion, as well as keeping a beautiful home. She had a strong belief in family and helped her nieces and nephews whenever she was needed. Vonnie is survived by her daughters, Pamela Easton Kearns of Lakewood, Co and Kim Easton Oltman of North Platte; two grandsons, Daniel Wayne Dotson of Kearney, NE and Kody Bo Oltman of Lincoln NE. Preceding her in death were her husband, of nearly 50 years, Richard (Dick) in 2000; her son, Richard Jr. (Rick) in 2001; and her daughter, Lori Lynn in 2009. Memorials are suggested to the Paws-itive Partners Humane Society in North Platte, NE. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend James Golka as celebrant. Burial will be at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6 pm Friday, June 26 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Rosary will follow at 6 pm at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Cleda Marian (Vencill) Dowhower McCammon, 87, of North Platte passed away Saturday, June 20, 2015 at her home surrounded by family. Cleda was born Aug 27, 1927 to Ervin and Marguerite (Wendeborn) Vencill in North Platte. She graduated high school in North Platte with the class of 1945. She married Wayne N Dowhower on Oct 18, 1951, on her parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. They were married 33 years before Wayne’s passing. To this union was born Hal William and Dee Victoria.
Cleda worked at McDonald State Bank while in high school and continued this job for 20 years. This job taught her how to treat people with respect, fairness and how to use good business principles. This work ethic was carried over into the business that she and her husband founded on March 1st, 1959, Wayne Dowhower Construction. She preferred to work behind the scenes, until Wayne became ill, at which point she became the driving force of the company. Under her leadership the company thrived and built many home and business in the area. She continued to be a major influence in the business even into retirement, still walking into the office each and every day to wish everyone a ‘good morning’.
May 28, 1989 Cleda was united in marriage to George Leslie McCammon of North Platte. With this union she was given what she called ‘a gift from God’ of 5 more children. George and Cleda were able to spend retirement traveling to all but 5 states in the country and enjoying many friends and family, playing cards and watching sports.
Cleda loved her very large family, embracing her own relatives as well as the families of both husbands, knowing everyone’s birthday and anniversaries, sending cards or emails to all. She loved playing cards, taking pictures, keeping up with technology, watching sports, and genealogy. She enjoyed hunting pheasant and deer and trap shooting.
She has been a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church all her life, where 8 generations of her family have been members. She has been Sunday School Treasurer for 37 years. She was active with Altrusa, Chamber Hostesses, Home Builders Assoc, being the first female president for the Home Builders, and Road Trek Assoc .
Angels in Heaven awaiting her arrival include her parents, her first husband Wayne, granddaughter Kortney Luttrell and great granddaughter Maelee Powell.
Survivors include her husband George, children Hal (Diana) Dowhower of Merrill, IA, Dee (Mark) Luttrell, Jeffrey (Lynn) McCammon of North Platte, David (Becky) McCammon of Renton, WA; Stanley (Janet) McCammon of Seattle, WA; Jean (John) Kandt of La Mesa, CA, and Elizabeth (Steven) Clair of North Platte. Grandchildren Mitchell (Sheena) Dowhower, Britni (Jason) Harris, Kristal Stewart and their mother, Jean (Bob) Peters, Jacey Luttrell, Kayley (Josh) Powell, Tara Rogers, Dan (Connie) Baker, Kristy (Nick) Bryant, Pam McCammon, Kyle (Veronica) McCammon, Jennifer and Michelle Kandt, Molly and Avery McCammon, Tracie and Tessa Clair. Great grandchildren Ashton Harris, Riley Dowhwer, Carson and Gavin Harris, Zaiden, Brekkyn, and Tenzley Powell, Dylan Hill, David McCammon, Gia Baker, and Gracelynn, Taylor, Gavin, and Parker Bryant, Sister Theresa (Art) Kesterson of North Platte, multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church Thursday June 25, 2015 at 11:00 am, with graveside services held on Friday June 26, 2015 at Floral Lawns at 10:00am. Memorials are suggested to First Evangelical Lutheran Church of North Platte and Mid NE Community Foundation, Cleda Dowhower McCammon fund for First Evangelical Lutheran Church, NP Musical Ministry.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. . Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.