Ben Joe Lee, 91 years, of North Platte, NE, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Ben was born the sixth of 13 children to Harry Edward and Rosa Lucinda Greeley Lee on December 11, 1923, at North Platte where he grew up and attended school. Ben worked for the family before joining the U.S. Army in 1943 . Following his discharge in 1946, Ben returned to North Platte and hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad as a Fireman before being promoted to Engineer. Ben retired from the railroad in 1985 and had been President of UTU Local #7.

On January 23, 1946, a double wedding ceremony was held in Norton, KS where Ben was united in marriage to Clara Lottie Ohlsen and her sister, Betty, married Ray Smith. Clara and Ben made North Platte their home and had been married for 54 years when she passed away in 2000.

Ben married Bertha Mae ‘Birdie’ Teutsch on May 11, 2002, at the First Christian Church in North Platte.

He had been an active member, deacon and trustee of the First Christian Church and a member and Past Master of Platte Valley Lodge #32 AF&AM. Ben was also an active member of the Tehama Shrine, North Platte Shrine Club, P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion, V.F.W. #1504, North Platte Honor Guard, Eagles #2839 and Winter Dance Club. Along with his many church and fraternal activities, Ben also enjoyed morning coffee with his Masonic brothers, playing golf, traveling and he loved to dance.

He is survived by his wife, Birdie, of North Platte; his children, Sandee (Russ) Berggren, of North Platte, Karen Killham, of Lincoln, NE, and Bruce (Beth) Lee, of Thornton, CO; stepsons, Rodney (Berta) Olson, of Broken Bow, NE, and Jerry (Rose) Olson, of Long Beach, MS; eight grandchildren, Jenifer (Chris) Foust, Kelli (Todd) Smith, Christopher (Amy) Berggren, Owen (Emily) Killham, Evan Killham, Adam Killham, Rebecca (James) Greene and Ryan (Melodee) Lee; 12 great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; 10 step grandchildren; 23 step great-grandchildren; two step great great-grandchildren; three sisters, Dorothy Miller and Ruth Carlson, of North Platte and Daisy (Don) Musser, of Tryon, NE; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family.

Along with his wife, Clara, Ben was preceded in death by their infant children, Charles and Baby Girl Lee; parents, Harry and Rosa Lee; three brothers, Walter, Clyde and Robert Lee; six sisters, Phyllis Marshall, Agnes Kelley, Opal Barnes, Ruby Houk, Pearl Williams and Eva Everett; and his best friend, Mike O’Rourke.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at the First Christian Church with Pastor Tim Adams officiating. Burial with military honors and Masonic Rites will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Shrine Club, Paws-itive Partners or First Christian Church. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Philip H. Grabouski, 93, of North Platte, passed away April 15, 2015 in Lincoln, NE. He was born March 11, 1922 in Beatrice, NE to Herman and Cora May Remley Grabouski. He grew up in the 1930’s on a grain and livestock farm southwest of Beatrice and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1938. Having trained at the Beechcraft Aircraft Company in Wichita, KS, he worked as a civilian testing aircraft engines for the war department in the United States and Great Britain, including aircraft flown by the Flying Tigers in WWII. He joined the Navy in 1944 and used his aviation engine skills in the Pacific theater.
In 1949, he graduated from University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in technical agriculture. He bought a farm southwest of Beatrice raising crops and running a diary operation from 1949-1956. He was recognized as an innovative farmer as he was the first in the area to install an irrigation system. From 1957 to his retirement he worked as an agronomist for the University at the West Central Research & Extension Center in North Platte. He attended graduate school at UNL from 1972-74, where he earned his master’s degree. He received the 1983 Crop & Soils Magazine Award for Excellence in Journalism from the American Society of Agronomy and the USDA Distinguished Service Award in 1987 for his soil test comparison program. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 1986. Being a farmer at heart all his life, he started his own consulting business to farmers, working for another 27 years until age 90.
Having been a member of the UNL livestock and dairy judging teams in college, he judged at numerous county fairs throughout western Nebraska for 42 years. He enjoyed working with 4-H young people and advised them to “do their best, respect others and get an education.” He always said “an education can never be taken away from you.”
Phil married his loving wife, Eleanor Pieper of Beatrice in 1948. They were married for 67 years and raised eight children; Jan, Joy, Jill, Julie, Jody, Jim and John. He was a caring husband, father and grandpa, who loved his family and was proud of each one. Phil had faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church for over 58 years and served on various boards and committees.
Phil was an avid gardener, raising vegetables for his family. He loved flowers, especially roses and took great pride in his yard and grape vineyard. He also loved to fish and hunt deer, elk and wild turkeys; was a backyard mechanic and valued his tools; restored antique cars and loved to travel.
Phil is survived by his wife, Eleanor; daughters, Jan (Les) Ravenscroft of North Platte, Joy (Jay) Callahan of Lincoln, Jill (Michael) Jank of Lincoln, Julie (Rich) Weese of Kansas City, and Jody (Russ) Brown of Arlington, TX; sons, Jeffrey of San Diego, CA, Jim (Jacque) of Sioux City, IA and John of Lincoln; 17 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a brother, Harold (Beverly) of Winnebago, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul, Howard and Lloyd; and a sister, Ruth.
Memorials may be given to Our Redeemer Lutheran School in North Platte or Maranatha Bible Camp, Maxwell, NE. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.
Services will be 11:00 am Monday, April 20, 2015 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors graveside. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 pm Sunday with the family receiving friends from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Joann Elizabeth Prince, age 63 of North Platte passed away Wednesday April 15, 2015.
Joann was born on September 9, 1951 in Omaha to Harry W. and Frances (Dahmer) Spencer. She grew up in North Platte where she attended North Platte High School. She married Jesse Jackson and to this union a son Ricky was born. She later married David Grider and to this union a son Daniel was born. She later married James Prince in Texas. She worked for Great Plains Hospice and worked in elder care for many years. She enjoyed watching Pro Wrestling on tv and visiting Cody Park to get ice cream and watch the animals. She collected Winnie The Pooh and Tigger Too collectables. Joann was always willing to help family and friends in need.
Joann is survived by her sons Daniel Grider of Texas and Ricky Booker of Florida; siblings Henry (Cathy) Spencer of Evans, CO, Harry Jr. (Connie) Spencer of Julesburg, CO, Marjorie (Robert) Barger of Greely, CO, Linda Ball of North Platte, Mike Spencer of North Platte, Arthur Daniel Spencer of Texas, LaDonna Schmidt of North Platte and Mary (Mike) Larenz of Texas; as well as numerous other family members and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Cathy Rains, Larry Spencer, Leonard Spencer, Steven Spencer; great nephew CJ Schmidt; and nieces Michelle and Carla.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday April 20, 2015 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Captain Tony Bowers officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Sutherland. Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday April 19, 2015 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Jeffery L Leonard, 46, of North Platte NE, departed this earthly life on Tuesday April 14, 2015 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He was born May 18th 1968 to Sharen (Crow) Leonard and LaMoyne Johnston. He was later adopted by John Leonard. Jeff was the youngest of four children.
He was born with a congenital heart disease. He grew up in Cozad and Callaway Nebraska. He attended Callaway Public Schools. After graduation in 1987, Jeff moved to North Platte where he and his mom operated a successful candy route which he truly enjoyed being with people. He would spoil all those who visited with the vast array of candy bars to choose from.

Being faithfully dedicated to Christ, Jeff truly treasured reading his Bible. This all lead him to become a member of the Bethel Church in North Platte where he was baptized. Here he was blessed with compassionate lifetime friendships. It was Jeff’s true nature to be an unintentional blessing to others through his happy, kind, and courageous personality.

Jeff was best known among his friends and family for his enormous love of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was totally BIG RED from the clothes he wore to the bedroom, bathroom and car he drove. He even got his mom involved with matching Husker attire. He would mingle with many of the blackshirts at various Husker events including the annual Big Red Banquet. Jeff was also involved with Tom Osborn’s Teammates mentoring program.

As important as the Huskers were to Jeff, he would say “family and friends are more important than any game.” One of his favorite family events was to ride four wheelers. He always enjoyed playing cards and video games anytime he could.

Jeff will always be remembered for his kind heart and that he truly was a fighter when it came to his health. In spite of the enormous odds against him, Jeff would never complain. Jeff will be missed deeply by his family, neighbors and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his birth father, adopted father and grandparents.

Jeff is survived by his mother, Sharen (Crow) Leonard of North Platte, sisters Coeleen Witthuh and husband Brad of Callaway, Michelle Shaner and husband Greg of Grand Island, Cristy Leonard-Rivers and husband Larry, Jr. of Lincoln, nieces Kimberly (Witthuhn) Stump (Lawrence) of Broken Bow, Maggie Shaner of Grand Island, Leslie Shaner of Grand Island, nephew Levi Witthuhn of Las Vegas NV, and great nieces Brianna Mowrey, Addison Stump, great nephew, Kamron Mowrey all of Broken Bow. Also many aunts uncles and cousins.

A memorial has been established in his name to the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center of Omaha, Nebraska. Please join the family in honoring Jeff with casual Husker attire.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at the Arnold Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Warren Grant McClintock, 96 years, of North Platte, NE, formerly of Grainton, NE, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Warren was born March 10, 1919, to W. Grant and Rose B. (Brownlee) McClintock on the family homestead south of Grainton. He attended country school in his early years then went to school in Grainton where he graduated in 1936. Warren rode a horse to school and had fond memories of two of his horses, Red and Echo, who left him stranded at school many times.

On February 22, 1947, Warren was united in marriage to Lavona Mae Hawkinson at Torrington, WY and to this union four children, Duane, Renae, Janice and Karma, were born. They lived and worked on the family farm south of Grainton until 1994 when they moved to North Platte. Warren and Lavona were married for nearly 58 years when she passed away on September 8, 2004.

On March 1, 2008, Warren married LaVon ‘Bonnie’ Fattig in Sutherland, NE. They enjoyed many trips and cruises together while they were married and lived a full and happy life.

Warren served on several boards during his lifetime, including the Wallace Co-op Fertilizer Board and 16 years on the Grainton School Board. He also served on the Board of Directors of Farmers State Bank for 38 years and was a lifetime member of that board.

Warren loved farming and the smell of “fresh dirt” in the spring. In 1987 while still operating the family farm, Warren received the 100 year Aksarben Pioneer Farm Family Award, and at this time he and his father were the only two generations that had owned and operated the farm. Warren maintained the status as a second generation owner/operator of the family farm up until his death.

He was a patient, kind and loving husband, dad, and grandpa. He touched the lives of so many people with his generosity and kindness. Warren will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived his wife, Bonnie, of North Platte; three daughters, Renae (Ron) Doyle, of Lee’s Summit, MO, Janice (Mike) O’Brien, of Wallace, and Karma (Tony) Dorn, of Minden, NE; a son, Duane (Sue) McClintock, of Wallace; three stepchildren, Bill (Penny) Fattig, of Gothenburg, NE, Pat (Rod) Rayburn and Bob (Marla) Fattig, both of Brady, NE; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; nine step grandchildren; 17 step great-grandchildren; and other family.

Along with his wife, Lavona, Warren was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Rose; two brothers, David and George McClintock; his sister, Lillian Davisson; a granddaughter, Michelle; and great-grandson, Dalton.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Grace Lutheran Church in Sutherland with Pastor Erin Dunlavy officiating. Burial will follow in the Morning View Cemetery at Wallace. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore and prior to the service at the church.

Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. The family has established a memorial. Bullock-Long Funeral Home and Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Marvin Wayne Powell, age 72 of North Platte, passed away peacefully Tuesday April 14, 2015 surrounded by many of his immediate family. He left his earthly home and is now in the loving arms of his Heavenly Father.
Marvin was born on December 31, 1942 in North Platte to Winton Ray and Flora Evelyn (Sivits) Powell. He was a devoted husband, loving father, wonderful grandfather and great grandfather. He was preceded in death by his father Winton “Ray” Powell, his mother, Flora Evelyn (Sivits) Powell and great granddaughter Maelee Powell. He was united in marriage on August 31, 1963 and is survived by his loving and devoted wife Phyllis Elaine (Eggert) Powell and to that union was born five children, Valee (Richard) Colburn, Timothy Powell, James (Deb) Powell, Anjanette (Jeffrey) Pierce, and Rebekah Powell and friend Jamie Gastineau; grandchildren Jessica (Israel) Vidal, Jonathan (Chasie) Colburn, Thomas Colburn, Joshua (Kayley) Powell, Andrew Powell and friend Taylor Shore, Matthew Powell, Rebecca (Charles) Jasnoch Carr, Lance Fairchild, Bree (Matt) Wood-Wilson, Shamane (Clint) Glover, Michaela Riley, Hanna Pierce, Ethan Pierce, Caiden Modlin, Makenna Modlin; great grandchildren Anna, Luke, Henry and River Colburn, Zaiden, Brekkyn and Tenzley Powell, Jesse Bennett, Genavieve Carr, Naveah Wood-Wilson, Carter Robles; sisters Donna (Tyronne) Fries, Diane Osbon; brother Delmer (Mary) Powell; as well as numerous other relatives and friends.
Marvin was a graduate of North Platte High School, class of 1961. He later graduated from Life Bible College in Los Angeles, CA in 1967. He was an Ordained Minister and held a license for 48 years through the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. His love for the Lord and desire to see souls won for the kingdom of God was a priority in his life. He lived in a way that others could see Jesus through him. He retired as an office manager from Central Nebraska Packing where he worked for 32 years. He was the Race Secretary for the North Platte Flyers and the Husker Hawkeye Combine. He had a love for his lifetime hobby of raising and racing homing pigeons. He won 1st and 2nd place in the first pigeon race of the season on Saturday April 11, 2015.
The celebration of Marvin’s life will be held at The Rock Church located at the corner of A and Carr, formerly Lighthouse Foursquare Church of North Platte, Saturday April 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Jeff Pierce officiating. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been set for his wife at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com Graveside services will follow at the Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday April 17, 2015 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.

Edna Verna Mitchel, age 95 of North Platte passed away Sunday April 12, 2015.
Edna was born August 14, 1919 in North Platte to Roy and Mabel (Goltry) Ridinger. She attended school in North Platte and in 1935 she married Merle Wilson. They had two children, Kenneth Merle and Nancy JoAnn. They later divorced. She worked hard at multiple jobs during her life time, culminating with her retirement after 20 years with TRW in Ogallala. She always liked to sew, making many of her daughter’s clothes and doll clothes. While in her fifties, she learned how to crochet and then in her sixties, how to knit. She enjoyed both crafts.
Edna is survived by her son Kenneth of Virginia and daughter Nancy Sukstorf of North Platte; grandson Jay Wilson; brothers Gary of Georgia and Larry of Utah; as well as other extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Mabel; brothers Glen and Bob; sisters Alma, Eva, Alice and Janet Rae; an infant daughter Annette Rae; daughter-in-law Lori Wilson; son-in-law Jerry Sukstorf; and special nephew James Ridinger.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday April 17, 2015 graveside at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with Pastor Brent Montgomery officiating. Visitation will be from noon until 9:00 p.m. Thursday April 16, 2015 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Andrew L. Lauber, 25, of Oshkosh, passed away April 11, 2015, in Oshkosh.
Andrew LeVerne Lauber was born on March 13, 1990, in Gothenburg to Ron and Roxane (Cheney) Lauber. He grew up in North Platte. He attended middle school and his freshman year in Brady before attending North Platte Public High School from his sophomore year on.
Andrew played football for Brady High School and earned all conference honors his freshman year in the quarterback position, running and throwing for 1,000 yards. Andrew then transferred to North Platte High School and started his sophomore year at both the quarterback and linebacker positions. Andrew also played football for Trinity College and started in the free safety position as a freshman.
Andrew was diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder as a teenager and subsequently found himself struggling constantly with the desire to self-medicate. He was very much aware of his struggles and was in a constant battle for sobriety. In spite of his struggles, Andrew remained optimistic and not only believed that he would someday overcome his battles, but also believed the same thing for his friends.
Andrew came to a personal faith in Christ in November 2014, which began a transformation that was witnessed by both family and friends. He spent his last day on earth working with a friend, sharing testimonies of faith and visiting with his family. Andrew was watching a movie with his brother that evening when he simply fell asleep on this side of eternity and woke up on the other side with the Lord.
Andrew was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert Cheney; and great-grandparents, Alfie and Ella Cheney, Earl and Beaulah Thornton, LeVerne and Mittie Bell Tolle and Fred and Mary Lauber.
Survivors include his parents, Ron and Roxane Lauber, of Oshkosh; sisters, Alicia (Steve) Taylor, of Olathe, Kansas, Michelle Lauber, of Redding, California, Abigail (fiance, Ty Carter) Lauber, of Redding, California, Michaela Lauber and Aimee Lauber; brothers, Micah Lauber, Marcus Lauber and Adon Lauber, all of Oshkosh; nephew, Ian Taylor, of Olathe; niece, Faith Taylor, of Olathe; grandparents, Duane and Lita Lauber, of North Platte, and Eva (Cheney) Reeves, of Lewellen; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Memorials are suggested to Alabaster Sober Living, 1305 S. Willow, North Platte, NE 69101. In addition, there will be a collection during the meal following services at the Tiger Den to help defray the cost for the family. Online condolences may be shared at holechekfuneralhomes.com.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Community Wesleyan Church in Lewellen with Pastors Pete Johnson and Jeremy Rinke officiating. Burial will follow at Ash Creek Cemetery north of Lewellen. Visitation will be one hour before services at the church. Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations, Oshkosh, is in charge of arrangements.

It is with sad hearts we announce the passing of another member of the Greatest Generation. John Vernon Combs, 89 years of age, of North Platte, NE, passed away with his family by his side on Monday, April 13, 2015, at Linden Court in North Platte.

Vernon was born to Archie and Beama Combs on August 28, 1925, at home in Hershey, NE. From 1941-1944, he attended Sutherland High School where he met Vera Dillin. They were married October 5, 1944, in Riverside, CA, one month before Vernon left for the war. Vernon served with the 5th Marine Corps, 28th Division and was in the 15th wave to hit the beach on Iwo Jima. He was present when the flag was raised on Mount Suribachi. On March 12, 1945, he miraculously survived a gunshot wound and returned home to Vera as he had promised.

Vernon and Vera lived in North Platte with their three children, Lynette, Steven and Kevin. Vernon was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, making wonderful memories through the years with his family.

Vernon worked for the railroad for seven years before becoming a feed salesman for Standard Chemical Feed Company. He enjoyed working with the farmers in the Cozad area and retired in 1990 after 27 years of service.

Vernon was the Nebraska State Director for the National Pony Express Association from 1980-1990 and received the Trail Boss Award at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in 1999 at the age of 73.

Vernon was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was instrumental in overseeing and building the first chapel at S. Jefferson and C Street in 1958. After retiring, he and Vera served an 18 month mission for the church in London, England.

Vernon is survived by Vera, his wife of 70 years, of North Platte; three children, Lynette (Larry) Young, of Ventura, CA, Steven (Valerie) Combs, of Scottsbluff, NE, and Kevin (Cindy) Combs, of Centennial, CO; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ned and Jerry Combs of Salt Lake City, UT; and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Beama Comb; his sister, Ada McConnell; and grandson, Shane Young.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2015, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Dan Hitch conducting. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday with family greeting friends from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Brite Blue Foundation (briteblue.org). Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.