Jaynette LaVaughn (Pierpoint) Cain, 85, of North Platte, died Sunday, March 22, 2015, at Linden Court. Jaynette was born January 29, 1930 in Wallace, Nebraska to Ralph Harrison Pierpoint and Hazel Leona (Benkosky) Pierpoint. She attended school in Wallace, and McCook, Nebraska, and then her family moved to Anaheim, California where she was a day student at a boarding school with Shirley Temple.
Jaynette moved back to North Platte after marring Clarence L. Cain on October 13, 1945 in Seattle, Washington. She worked at FW Woolworths and they began their family. While raising her children she worked on painting and flocking pottery animals that were sold in Yellowstone National Park. As a life member of the VFW Post 1504 Auxiliary, she held several local and district positions. She was a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Union Pacific Old Timers club. She was an active member of the North Platte St. Patrick’s Altar Society, and an original member of a weekly rosary group that started in the 1970’s at St. Patrick’s Church. She owned Jaynette’s Ceramic Shop in Sutherland, Nebraska.
During her retirement years she loved to chase her grandchildren and attending reunions for USS Manlove. Jaynette enjoyed reading, learning new things and above all else talking to everyone she met.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Kathryn (Henry) Whitcomb of Blackhawk, Colorado, Michael (Pamela) Cain of North Platte, Nebraska, Theresa (Douglas) Taylor of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Kimberly (Russell) Small of North Platte, Nebraska; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; special friends, Larry and Linda Peterson; nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarence L. Cain; great-grandchildren; and two nephews, Curtis Cain and Jeff Cain.
A memorial has been established in her name and online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com.
Christian Wake Services will be 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2015 at Adams & Swanson Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend James Golka as celebrant. Inurnment will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so from noon until 9:00 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2015 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

William Ernest ‘Ernie’ Pratt, Sr., 77 years, of North Platte, NE, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at the North Platte Care Center.

Ernie was born August 9, 1937, to William Thomas and Ruby Viola Northcutt Pratt in Yuma, CO and grew up in Yuma County. Ernie moved to Wallace, NE in 1955 where he worked as a mechanic and on a harvest crew.

On June 12, 1960, Ernie married Sandra Lillian ‘Sandy’ Jones in North Platte where they made their home. Ernie worked for Meyer-Schneider Motors before going to work for Central Nebraska Packing Plant until 1999. He later worked for Flying J Truck Stop until his health forced him to retire in 2004. Ernie and Sandy were together nearly 55 years before she passed away in September 2014.

Ernie attended the Bethel Evangelical Free Church. He enjoyed camping, hunting, watching car races and working on stock cars.

Survivors include his children, Tracy Morehead, Michael (Merideth) Pratt and Steve (Vikki) Pratt, all of North Platte; eight grandchildren, Joell Navarette Pratt, Dezrae and Brittany Herrick and Zack, Brianna, Brendan, Shane and Jordan Pratt; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty (Leland) Thomas, of Grant, NE; three brothers, Clifford (Susan) Pratt, of Sterling, CO, Richard (Teresa) Pratt, of North Platte and Tom ‘Clay’ (Linda) Pratt, of Custer, SD; and several nieces, nephews and other family.

Along with his wife, Sandy, Ernie was preceded in death by their son, William Ernest, Jr.; son-in-law, Wayne Morehead; his parents, William and Ruby Pratt; and a nephew, Billy Pratt.

Cremation was chosen. A graveside service and inurnment will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2015, in the Morning View Cemetery in Wallace followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. with Pastor Brett Terry officiating at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. 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. The family has established a memorial.

Elton L. Hansen of Bartley, Ne. died unexpectedly at his home during February 2015. He was born on March 20, 1965 in North Platte, Ne. where he grew up. He was graduated from North Platte High School in 1983.
Elton was a lover of music, both country and rock and roll. He taught himself to play the guitar and wrote and sang his own songs, as well as his favorites from a wide variety of musicians. He dreamed of going to Nashville because, he said, some of his songs “were pretty good,” and they were. He also had a fondness for dogs, particularly coon dogs, and liked to tramp around in the middle of the night chasing critters. He delighted in the showmanship of professional wrestling (even if it was fake).
He was an unusual mix of outgoing and reclusive, enjoying “conversating” (as he jokingly called it) with people, telling a good story, and “entertaining” his cousins’ children, who found in him a companionable adult. He loved his sister, Jean, as he could, and she will miss hearing him say, “Oh, come on now….”
Yet, he chose solitude, and spent most of his time alone (other than the wild turkeys, coyotes, occasional bobcat and even the rattle snakes that showed up in his yard). Sadly, he faced many challenges early in life and coped by ignoring that which was difficult to change or correct, convincing himself, and others too, that “it’s not that bad.”
Elton is survived by his sister, the Rev. Jean M. Hansen of Akron, Ohio; his aunt, Ruth Bunting Hobbs of Hebron, Ne. and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Evelyn Hansen and brother, Frantz W. Hansen of North Platte.
Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at the North Platte Cemetery. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

John “David” Conrad, 81, of Ogallala passed away January 27, 2015, at the Sutherland Care Center. He was born September 8, 1933, in rural Chase County to John and Anna (Ourada) Conrad. He grew up living in a sod house on a farm outside of Brandon, Nebraska. In 1951, he graduated from Perkins County High school. On March 4, 1956, he married Merlene Peters in Ogallala, Nebraska. Shortly after their marriage, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served eighteen months working as an MP on the de-militarized Zone in the Korean War. Upon his return to the United States, he and Merlene made their home in Ogallala, where he went to work for his father-in-law, Merle Peters, in the construction business. In 1963 they moved from the town of Ogallala to an acreage in rural Keith County where they built their own home. David and Merlene owned and operated D&M Plumbing for many years. David also delivered and set up center irrigation pivots for many years. In 1984, David went to work for the federal government doing animal damage control, where he worked until his retirement. David was an avid hunter in his younger days and loved the outdoors. David was very mechanically inclined, and enjoyed working on any project that would challenge his abilities. He spent many hours in his large shop working on one or more of his various projects. He was well known for his problem solving skills when it came to fixing things. If the right tool or part wasn’t available, or didn’t exist, David would make it himself. In his later years one of his greatest joys was fixing and restoring antique Twin City and Minneapolis Moline tractors. He loved to show off his restorations and enjoyed competing in various tractor pulls around the area. David will always be remembered as a very hard working, kind, and generous person. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to a friend in need.
Survivors include his son Michael Conrad of Dallas, TX; daughter Jennifer (Husband Mark) Maseberg of North Platte, NE; son Steven (Wife Susan) Conrad of North Platte, NE; and two grandsons Hunter Maseberg and Noah Maseberg both of North Platte.
David was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Conrad; his wife of 44 years, Merlene; his sisters, Betty Conrad and Joann Lentz; one son, James Douglas Conrad; and his granddaughter, Madison Faith Conrad.
Memorials may be made in David’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Cremation was chosen and Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2015 MT at Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala. Inurnment with military honors will follow at the Ogallala Cemetery. Those wishing to sign his register book may do so Monday, April 13, 2015 at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala or at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at either location.

Felix M. Rivera, 99, of North Platte, passed away April 10, 2015 at Golden Living Center in Cozad with his sons by his side. He was born February 22, 1916 to Eulogio and Victoria (Munos) Rivera at Leon, Mexico. Felix hired out to the Pacific Fruit Express eventually retiring as a clerk in the yard office for Union Pacific Railroad. He was united in marriage to Constance “Connie” Martinez on September 13, 1941. Felix enjoyed gardening, yardwork and his family. He is survived by his children, Steve Rivera of Denver, CO, Tom (Nancy) Rivera, David Rivera, Larry (Ginger) Rivera and Gilbert (Mary) Rivera all of North Platte, Loren Rivera of Greeley, CO and Carol (Stan) Lopez of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandchildren, Jeremy, Ben, John, Tiffany, Michelle, Joe, Andrea, Adam, Phillip, Cheara, Marissa, Andre, Devon, Savannah, Isaiah, Maricio, Reyna, Leticia, and Lorenna; numerous great grandchildren; siblings, Frank, Ignacio, Jason, and Rosie (Manuel) Jurado. He was preceded in death by his son, Phillip; siblings, William, Manuel, Daniel, Joe, Geneva, Mary and Dalores “Lola”. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in his memory. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Madeline Fought, 88, of North Platte, passed away April 9, 2015 at Centennial Park Retirement Village. She was born Aug. 12, 1926 to Merlyn Leslie and Helen Margaret (Sheffield) Gile at Ogallala. She spent most of her life in Ogallala and went to school there. She was united in marriage to David Fought and to this union two children were born, Annabelle Colleen and David Kent. The family moved to North Platte in 1949. She worked at Allan’s Self Service for twenty-two years until the store closed. She was an avid reader, loved to dance, bake and her animals. She is survived by her son, David Kent (Dee); a sister, Helen Marie Mrasek; three grandchildren, Erin Marie, Michael Kent and Dawn Anderson; a nephew, Max; and her constant companion of forty-seven years, Robert Killham. She is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Annabelle; a sister, Marilyn Maiefski; and a beloved nephew, Bradford Maiefski. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Humane Society. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Burial will be at North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.