Leslie C. Weil, 90, of North Platte, died June 18th at Linden Court nursing home.
Les was born October 18, 1924, at North Platte to Lester and Fern (Younghein) Weil. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Wallace, NE where his father managed the Ford garage. In 1936, he moved with his family back to North Platte. Les enjoyed working as a youngster at his father’s service station. From age14 until after graduating from high school, he worked after school at the Ford Garage in North Platte. He has always been proud that at age 16 he started driving new Ford cars from the Dearborn, Michigan factory to North Platte. Les completed his education in North Platte, graduating with the class of 1943. During his junior and senior year he served with some of his classmates in the Nebraska State Guards and immediately following graduation he joined the United States Army, serving with the 64th Topographic Engineers in Hawaii, Guam and Japan. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 6th 1946. Les returned to North Platte and on April 6th 1947 he married Eloise J. Falk in Holdrege, Nebraska. El and Les then moved to Denver, Colorado where Les attended and graduated from Barnes Business College and then moved to Axtell, Ne. where he farmed with his father-in-law. In early 1950 they moved to North Platte, where Les became associated with Mutual Building and Loan Association, serving as Treasurer and later as President until retirement in 1985.
Les was active in the community serving on numerous boards and committees. He had been associated with the Boy Scouts of America for over 63 years; he served as Scoutmaster, Council Treasurer and Council President of Tri-Trails Council and received the Silver Beaver Award. He was presently serving on the Executive Board of the Overland Trails Boy Scout Council. Les was a charter member and served as President of the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, where he received their “Above and Beyond Award” in 2009. He also served as President of the North Platte Ambassadors, also the Community Chest and as Past President of the North Platte Kiwanis Club and the North Platte Development Corporation. He was awarded the Young Man of the year and later Boss of the Year by the North Platte Jr. Chamber of Commerce. Les was also a charter member of the HUSKER NATION, he loved the BIG RED!
Les is a member of the First United Methodist Church, and a life member of the American Legion. He was also a member of the Platte Valley Masonic Lodge # 32, the BPO Elks Lodge # 985, the North Platte Rotary and North Platte Moose Lodge # 551.
Les enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting and being outdoors to appreciate nature. Les was very proud of his loving wife of 68 years, his children and grandchildren. His family and relatives enjoyed many great times, full of fun, at their Lake Maloney home. Les was fond of telling stories and at the end of them he would say “that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.” He also enjoyed his coffee buddies and they all had great stories!
Les was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty Herbst and her husband Ed, his brother-in-laws; Robert Klusman and Charles Elliott: sister-in-law and brother-in-law; Berniece (Harold) Henrickson
Les is survived by his wife Eloise, daughter Linda (Bill) Smith of North Platte, two sons, Randall (Brenda) Weil of Fremont, and Roger Weil of Austin TX, sisters Bonnie Elliott and Lolly Klusman both of Lincoln, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Judy and Glenn Falk of Kearney: grandchildren: Haley (Cory) Johnson of Amarillo, TX, Taylor (Brad) Van Valkenburg of Amarillo, TX, Brant Weil of Brooklyn, NY, Raleigh Weil of Austin, TX, Rori (Mark) Howell of Columbus, OH, Jandi Weil of Moodus, Ct.; great grandchildren: Ella Jane Shumaker, Barrett, Mac and Brooks Johnson all of Amarillo, TX, Henry Van Valkenburg (on the way); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In-lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Overland Trail Boy Scouts Council or the Mid- Nebraska Community Foundation.
Memorial services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. A private inurnment will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors graveside prior to the service. Cremation was chosen. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so online at www.carpentermemorial.com or Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. and Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.

Darlene Marie Atchison, age 84 of North Platte, passed away June 16, 2015 at Centennial Park Retirement village.
Darlene was born on May 22, 1931 on a farm south of Curtis, NE to Peter and Elsie (Hansen) Kjargaard. She attended rural grade school and the University Of Nebraska School Of Agriculture at Curtis and graduated in 1948. She married Dellas Atchison on August 20, 1950 and to this union they were blessed with five children, Timothy, Randal, Rock, Brad and Shanna. Darlene was instrumental in helping with the farming and raising stock cattle and maintaining a dairy herd.
Darlene is survived by her husband Dellas; children, Randal, Rock and Brad Atchison and Shanna (Garry) Wurth; 9 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and her sister Agnes Petersen.
She was preceded in death by her parents and son Timothy.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday June 23, 2015 at Calvary Baptist Church with Reverend Dave Logsdon officiating. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday June 22, 2015 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth Elva Carlson, 85, of North Platte, NE, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at Linden Court in North Platte.

Ruth was one of 13 children born to Harry Edward and Rosa Lucinda Greeley Lee on May 7, 1930, at North Platte. She grew up in North Platte and attended school in the country and in town.

On July 27, 1947, Ruth married Frank James Blazek in North Platte and to this union four children, two boys and two girls, were born. They lived on a farm in Kansas until 1966 when they moved to Missouri. Ruth later returned to North Platte in 1979.

In August of 1985, Ruth was united in marriage to Barney Carlson in Las Vegas, NV and they lived in California before returning home to North Platte.

Ruth was a homemaker, a housekeeper and worked in a restaurant for a period of time. She was also a supervisor at the Best Western until retiring in 1995. Ruth was a member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, crocheting and making dolls. If anyone needed help she would graciously lend a hand. Ruth was a wonderful, caring person who made friends easily and if you were lucky enough, you might even catch her singing or yodeling.

She leaves behind her children, Dean (Tamara) Blazek, of Humansville, MO, Carol (Roger) Floyd, Manhattan, KS, and Glenda (Don) Griffin, of Cortez, CO; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Blazek, of Hoisington, KS; nine grandchildren, Christy, Eric, Aaron, Shane, Carrie, Chad, Michael, Shelly and Jamie; numerous great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Miller, of North Platte and Daisy (Don) Musser, of Tryon, NE; sister-in-law, Birdie Lee, of North Platte; numerous nieces, nephews and other family.

Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Edward Blazek; husband, Barney Carlson; parents, Harry and Rosa Lee; four brothers; and six sisters.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2015, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Pastor Doug Delp officiating. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 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 the American Heart Association.

Lynn Alvin Willard, 91, of North Platte, formerly of Stapleton, NE, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Lynn was born April 19, 1924, to Harry John and Edna Louise Harnegal Willard at Madrid, NE. He grew up in the Chappell, NE area before the family moved to Hershey, NE where Lynn graduated from O’Fallon’s High School in 1942. Lynn farmed with his father before going to work for the Jim Armstrong Implement Dealership in Sutherland, NE.

On February 3, 1946, Lynn married Dorothy Marie Collins at the Methodist Church in North Platte. They rented a farm and worked the land from 1948 to 1954 then moved to Marino, CO to continue farming. They farmed in various areas in Colorado before returning to Hershey in 1966. Lynn and Dorothy moved in 1970 to the Garfield Table Road near Stapleton where they had lived for nearly 45 years until the fall of 2014 when they moved into North Platte.

Lynn was a member of the First Christian Church in North Platte, Platte Valley Antique Tractor Club, Good Time Dancers and the Nebraska Camp and Dancers.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Dorothy, of North Platte; daughters, Deb Merritt, of Omaha, NE, and Cheryl (Roger) Beem, of North Platte; four sons, Larry (Carmen) Willard, of Stapleton and Tim (Karen) Willard, Randy (Lisa) Willard and Douglas (Sharla) Willard, all of North Platte; 11 grandchildren, Tony Merritt, Mikel (Debra) Merritt, Brad Willard, Courtney Willard, Eric (Brodi) Willard, Nathan (Kristina) Willard, Sally (John Mark) Bell, Joshua (Sandy) Willard, Justin (Ashleigh) Willard, Amber Willard and Alex Willard.

Survivors also include 17 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lila Rapp, of Kansas City, KS, and Eunice Brown, of North Platte; brother-in-law, Lewis Collins, and sisters-in-law, Ruth Wilhelmson, Irene (Bob) Miller, all of North Platte; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Lynn was preceded in death by an infant son, Tommy; his parents, Harry and Edna; father and mother-in-law, Milton and Edna Collins; brothers-in-law, George Wilhelmson and Clarence Brown; sister-in-law, Charlene Collins; and a grandson, Brian Willard.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at the First Christian Church with Pastor Timothy Adams officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday with family greeting friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church or North Platte Animal Shelter. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Margaret E. Long, widow of western artist Ted Long, died June 16, 2015. Margaret was the middle child of Tom and Catherine Hoatson and was born and raised on the Hoatson Ranch north of Hershey.
She attended rural grade school, riding her horse to school. Later she attended Hershey High School. Margaret was the first homecoming queen at Hershey High School and was also in the Buffalo Bill Rodeo Queen contest. This is where Ted Long first noticed her. His mother had sent him the article when he was in Korea in the Army.
She attended Kearney State Teachers College and earned a teaching certificate. On July 30, 1955 she and Ted Long were united in marriage at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland.
As newlyweds they made their home on the Long Ranch, northwest of North Platte, where she still lived at the time of her death.
To this union four children were born; Michaelene, Thomas, Patrick and Cathy. She was very active in the lives of her children, attending 4-H events, high school rodeos and baseball, football and volleyball games.
Margaret traveled with Ted all over the world attending art shows. She was very knowledgeable on painting and sculpture and knew many of the artists who created that work. Margaret and Ted hosted President Ronald Reagan at a luncheon at the ranch when Reagan visited North Platte. Along with assembling an extensive art collection, she enjoyed the “hunt” for antiques too.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Ted, her parents Tom and Catherine Hoatson, sisters Regina McWilliams and Mary Schenck and brothers, Tom and Robert Hoatson.
She is survived by her children, Michaelene of North Platte, Tom (Connie) of Gothenburg, Patrick (Kathy) of Elko, Nevada and Cathy of North Platte. Grandsons include Trevor (Amy) Golter and Blair (Tracy) Golter, three great-granddaughters and two great grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Prairie Art’s Center or 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. Monday June 22, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend James Golka as celebrant. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Christian Wake Services will be 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 21, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Visitation will be noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Barbara Esther Winchell, age 87 died June 14 in North Platte, NE. Barbara was born on Oct. 26, 1927, the daughter of John and Ann Harding at Central City Nebraska. She married Bob Winchell January 24th 1943. They brought into this world four children; Linda, Dan, John and Dean.
After the War and Bob’s return from the service they followed job openings on the railroad Eastward from Julesburg, Colorado and finally settling in North Platte.

Barb worked at many jobs to help support her family over the years including St. Mary’s Hospital, Leeding Pharmacy, Dr. TenEyck’s Office and Ben Franklin Store until she retired. Barb and Bob have been officially retired since 1987, enjoying the many friends and Grandkids that have been so much a part of their lives.
When her health was failing even on the toughest days, news of the Grandkids exploits would bring a bright smile to her face.
She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Bob Winchell; Brother, Marvin Harding of Houston Texas; Sister, Carma Ehalt of Arizona; Sisters-in-law, Rose Harding of Burns Wyoming and Roberta Harding of Thousand Palms California; Brother-in-law, Charles Koester of North Platte; Sons, Dan (Linda) of North Platte, John (Gayle) of North Platte and Dean (Tina) of Harvard Nebraska; Thirteen Grandchildren, Fifteen Great Grandchildren; One Great Great Grandchild; many special Nieces and Nephews and lifelong friends. So many special memories of Dick, Shirley and Chris Linn include the “Thursday night Social Club” and always brought her a smile and a chuckle.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Linda; a son-in-law, Don Fairchild; and two brothers, Ted and Richard.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in her memory.
Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Private family inurnment will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Cremation was chosen. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the funeral home. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.