Douglas Fay Johnson, age 67, of Frisco, TX, formerly of North Platte, NE, passed away at home on Thursday, November 27, 2014, with his family by his side.

Doug was born August 20, 1947, to Robert Fay and Frances Arlene Peterson Johnson at North Platte where he grew up. He graduated from North Platte High School with the Class of 1965. While living in North Platte Doug was a teacher, guidance counselor, realtor and City Council Representative. He was on the City Council when the city approved the building of the East Viaduct and the North Platte Recreation Center.

Doug married Ronda Jean Shaner and they made North Platte their home until they moved to Texas. Doug later spent over 25 years in Hospital Sales with Hospira, formerly Abbott Laboratories. He held positions as a sales representative, District Manager, National Accounts Manager and retired as an Area Sales Director in 2011. Doug was the recipient of the All-Star Award many times and was a friend and mentor to many of his colleagues.

Doug had an affinity for fitness and exercised daily for many years. Hiking in the Arizona mountains with his wife, Ronda, was his true passion and the shining stars in his life were his grandsons who knew Doug as “D-Paw”. They will miss his gentle spirit, sweet laugh and all those hugs and kisses.

Doug is survived by his wife, Ronda, and daughter, Alison (Rich) Wiegard, all of Frisco, TX; a son, Ben (Kristie) Johnson, of Thornton, PA; two grandsons, John Ryan Wiegard and Cash Douglas Johnson; his loving mother, Frances Johnson (special friend, Kris Krzycki), of North Platte; three wonderful sisters, Shar (Gerry) Berglund and Cindy (Spike) Haddock, all of North Platte and Becky (Ted) Dreyer, of Portland, Oregon; his mother-in-law, Betty Shaner, of North Platte; brother-in-law, Steve (Deb) Shaner, of Manhattan, KS; and his nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

Doug was preceded in death by his father, Bob, and father-in-law, Ron Shaner.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Job Vigil officiating. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name to the North Platte Recreation Center. Donations can be made to: Doug Johnson Memorial c/o North Platte Rec Center Fund, PO Box 1321, North Platte, NE 69103. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements.

Robert John Jensen, 66, passed away March 6, 2015 at his home in Kearney. Robert was born June 24, 1948 in Gandy, NE to Niels and Esther (Philpot) Jensen. He contracted polio at a young age and was disabled after that, living in various group and foster homes for most of his life. He enjoyed being around animals and watching tv.
Survivors include a sister, Dorene (Bob) Smith of North Platte; brother, Donald Jensen of North Platte; nephews, Larry Smith of North Platte, Rick Smith of Hershey, Michael Smith of Grand Island, and Daniel (Stephanie) Jensen of Ralston; great-niece, Sarah Jensen of Ralston; great-nephews, Larry Smith Jr. and Harley Smith Both of North Platte; guardian, Frank Sherman of Kearney; and foster parents, Scott and Cora Garrett of Upland.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Leretta Smith; and numerous other family members.
Memorials may be made to Mosiac of Holdrege and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Graveside Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2015 at the Arnold Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Adams & Swanson Funeral home which is in charge of arrangements.

Lorna K. McCarter, age 72, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at Kearney Regional Medical Center with her family by her side.

Lorna was born November 17, 1942 in Sutherland to Elfert and Myrtle (Wing) Meyer. She worked at several jobs, with her latest being a diet clerk at the hospital.

She enjoyed Husker football, watching Jeopardy, bowling, helping and taking care of others, and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include five children, Paul Guthmiller, Terie Kummer, Bob (Tiffany) Negley, Mike McCarter, and Susan (John) Robinson; sixteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren; four sisters, Phyllis Arlynn (Phil) Webster, Lela (Pete) Pyzer, Linda Cooper, Sherry (Wes) Martin, all of North Platte; one brother, Richard Meyer of Alliance; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by parents; her step-father Bufard Gates; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Walt Woodward; three brothers, Freddy Meyer, Donnie Meyer, an infant brother Lynn Meyer; and most recently her sister Carol Olson.

A memorial has been established to the Harvest Christian Fellowship Church and online condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com.

Cremation was chosen and services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Harvest Christian Fellowship with the Reverend Jeremy Rinke officiating. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Charles Robert “Bob” Arney, 83 of North Platte passed away March 4, 2015 at Linden Court. He was born September 15, 1931 in Washington, Kansas to Charles D. and Mary Rose (Alexa) Arney. When he was a young boy the family moved to North Platte where Bob attended school, graduating from North Platte High School with the class of 1949. In 1950 he married Harriett Lagerquist in North Platte. To this union three children were born, Michael, Rebecca, and Jeffery.
In 1951 he enlisted with the National Guard serving 9 years with some time spent in Fort Carson, CO and Chicago, Ill. He worked as a conductor on the Union Pacific Railroad for 43 years, serving as a Union Representative for 5 of those years. Bob was a member of the First Christian Church since 1944, a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge #985, Buffalo Bill Sports Club member, serving as treasurer for several years, Mastor Mason Platte Valley #32 member, UTU Lodge #200 member, serving as local chairman for conductors for 5 years, and was a member of the Mid-Plains Cage Club, serving as secretary of several years. He received his 50 year diamond pin for Masonics, was a referee for high school sport for many years, and was an avid Husker fan, holding season tickets since 1964. Bob married Nancy Waldron on September 20, 2005 in Julesburg, Colorado.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy of North Platte; daughter, Rebecca M. Arney of California; sons, Michael R. Arney of North Platte, NE and Jeffery R. (Elizabeth) Arney of Utah; granddaughter, Brandi Dukes of North Platte; great-grandchildren, Taylor Dukes and Tyler Dukes both of North Platte; sisters, Barbara (Bob) Munson of Colorado, Marie (Clair) Sorensen of Kansas, Josusan (Ron) Verspohl of Colorado, Vicki (Steve) Scow of Shelby, NE, and Deb (Mike) Bray of Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be made to the MPCC Cage Club or to KJLT Radio. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Dean O’Donnell, 84 years, a longtime resident of Sutherland, NE, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2015, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Frank Dean O’Donnell was born February 4, 1931, to Gailen Berma and Edna Lillian Smith O’Donnell in Paxton, NE. He grew up in Hershey, NE where he attended school through the 5th grade before the family moved to O’Fallans. Dean graduated from O’Fallans High School in 1948 then began farming with his father. Dean was also a baseball player; he played American Legion Baseball for five years with teams from Hershey, Paxton and North Platte then with the Hershey Giants town team for another eight years. In later years he also coached the Sutherland American Legion Baseball teams.

On September 11, 1949, Dean was united in marriage to Betty Joanne Bostwick in North Platte. They made their home on the farm two miles west of Hershey for a couple years before settling on a farm northwest of Sutherland in 1951 where they farmed and fed cattle for over 60 years. Dean was active in the Sutherland community, serving on the school board, cemetery board and the Sutherland Co-op board of directors, and was secretary/treasurer of the Sutherland Rural Fire District.

Dean and Betty were avid square dancers, belonging to the Goodtime Dancers in North Platte. He was also an active Square Dance Caller for 20 years, calling dances two or three nights a week. He bowled for several years and liked to hunt as well as watch and play sports.

Dean had been a member of the Sutherland United Methodist Church for over 50 years and was a member of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 66 years, Betty, of Sutherland; son, Mike (Dixie) O’Donnell, of Lincoln, NE; three grandchildren, Don O’Donnell, of Moville, IA, Bryan (Jamie) O’Donnell, of Shizuoka, Japan, and Tracy (Zac) Witcher, of Conway, AR; five great-grandchildren, Lawson Witcher and Jones, Ezra, Harper and Ivy O’Donnell; brother-in-law, Bill Stuckey, of Honey Creek, IA; his aunt, Madonna Rourke, of Bakersfield, CA; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and other family.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Gailen and Edna; a sister, Carol Stuckey; and two infant brothers.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at the Sutherland United Methodist Church with Pastor Kola

Akinnigbagbe officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery south of Sutherland. Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Sutherland Rural Fire Dept., Sutherland Senior Center, United Methodist Church or the donor’s choice. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Kathyrn Ruth Tatman, age 82, departed this earth on March 4, 2015 at Great Plains Health. Ruth was born to Alfred and Wilma (Shafto) Wiese on Feb 13, 1933. She grew up and attended schools in Nebraska and Colorado, graduating from Pleasanton Ne in 1951.

She met Harold Tatman, fell in love and married him on Sept 2, 1951. To this union two children were born, RoJean and Brenda.

Ruth loved to sew. She made all of her children’s clothing and sewed professionally for others. She was a Campfire Leader, Sunday School teacher, foster parent, and foster grandparent. In her spare time Ruth put jigsaw puzzles together and spent time reading and playing games in her tablet. Ruth spent nearly every Saturday morning finding treasures at garage sales.

Harold and Ruth spent every fall traveling with their camper touring the U.S. They spent many hours around a campfire.

After Harold passed, Ruth moved to Alma Ne, where she met a whole new group of “coffee” friends. She loved this group and spent every morning exchanging gossip and discussing world politics.

Ruth is survived by her children, RoJean (Ken) Covington and Brenda Coe, grandchildren, Angela (Mike) Nesvara, Travis (Kara) Lee, Amber Yaw, Misty (Ted) Klug. Ruth has 11 great grandchildren and was expecting her first great great grandchild in May 2015.

One brother, Robert (Marsha) Wiese of Funk, NE; two sisters, Carol Pauly of Kearney, NE and Beverly Williams (Richard) of Elm Creek; and a sister-in-law, Violet Wiese of Pleasanton NE. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Bernard Wiese and James Wiese; and granddaughter, Ashley Covington.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Memorials are suggested to The Callahan Cancer Center or Gift of Hope. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2015 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Lew Champ officiating. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

June Rose Sowle, age 72 of North Platte, peacefully passed away Sunday March 1, 2015 at Great Plains Regional Hospital with her family by her bedside, after a courageous five year battle with cancer.
June was born October 4, 1942 in Morris Run, PA to Campbell and Melvina Mae (Molyneaux) Lowrey. She lived in Fremont, CA where she met and married her beloved husband of 18 years, Tom Sowle, before moving to North Platte where they became buffalo ranchers. She was a wonderful wife, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a dear friend to many. Although she was a private person, she was dedicated to making the lives of everyone she touched happier and more fulfilling. She was a devout Christian and loved dancing, decorating, shopping and country music. She was a deeply honest, caring, giving, selfless person; an extremely strong and courageous woman; June was the cornerstone of the family she loved so dearly.
June is survived by her husband James Thomas “Tom” Sowle of North Platte; children Vince (Patty) Kramer of CA, Wanda (Brian) Weaver of PA, Susie (Mario) Kramer of CA, Karen Hackman of NJ, Russell Kramer of CA and Sharon (Lamont Porter) Kramer of CA; step-children Kathy Sowle and Tom Sowle Jr. of CA; 27 grandchildren and great grandchildren; as well as other extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Callahan Cancer Center, 601 West Leota St., North Platte, NE 69101, and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. A memorial service and inurnment will be held in California at a later date. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

Frank Ernest Foster, 66, of North Platte, NE, passed away at home with his family by his side on Sunday, March 1, 2015.

Frank was born August 14, 1948, to Frank and Elsie Mae North Foster at Grand Island, NE. He grew up in Grand Island and North Platte where he attended school. Frank worked at the Tomahawk Truck Stop before going to work at the Ammunition Depot in Hastings, NE.

In May of 1968 Frank joined the US Army and served in Germany with the 3rd Infantry as a tank driver. Following his discharge in 1970, he met Alice Castor and her two boys, Mike and Jobe. They married in 1971 and to this union his sons, Stacy and Frank, were born. Frank and Alice later divorced.

Frank then met Barbara Sands and her two children, Christina and Michael. Frank and Barb were married on February 5, 1983, and had a son, Gavin. The family made their home in North Platte where Frank worked various jobs in the area and enjoyed his favorite pastime of trading cars. He loved to fix up old cars and give them his special touch.

Frank was a “jack of all trades” who could fix anything in creative ways. He loved to camp and fish and was always in pursuit of the “Big One”. Frank also loved dogs, especially his trusty sidekick Otis, who was always at his side. He enjoyed visiting with others, drinking coffee or having a few beers and reminiscing about the good-old days. Frank was and always will be Barb’s hero.

Frank leaves behind his wife of 32 years, Barb, of North Platte; his children, Christina Skrtich (significant other, Jeff Nelson), Michael Sands and Gavin Foster, of North Platte, Stacy (Theresa) Foster, of Sutherland, NE, and Frank Foster, Jr., of Lincoln, NE; 11 grandchildren including his special granddaughters, Jordan, Elizabeth and Mackenzie Skrtich; three brothers, Doug (Vera) Foster, Tom (Missy) Foster and Daryl Foster, all of North Platte; sisters, Shirley Schirmer (special friend, Andy Perry), of Kearney, NE, and Coreen Cooper (special friend, Oney Crane), Marsha (Ron) Daly, and Becky Foster, all of North Platte; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elsie; and sisters, Holly Smith and Jackie Boe.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2015, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Chaplain Gary Smith officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. The family has established a memorial.

James Richard Atkinson, Sr., 79 years, a longtime resident of North Platte, NE, passed away at home in February 2015.

Jim was born March 15, 1935, in Houston, PA. He was the youngest child of Charles and Rowene (Fife) Atkinson. Jim grew up in Houston and graduated from Chartiers-Houston High School in 1953. He then joined the US Army, serving most of his term of duty in Occupied Japan.

Following his discharge in 1956 Jim moved to Painesville, OH and worked for Western Union for over 25 years. On April 20, 1957, Jim married Anna Tolbert at Ruff Creek, PA, and they later divorced.

Jim married Linda Bringewatt on June 27, 1971, in North Platte where they made their home. Linda passed away on November 14, 1989. After an early retirement, Jim drove a truck for many years, and most recently worked as a mechanic for Bob Spady Buick-GMC.

Jim was a member of the Moose Lodge #551, American Legion Post #181, V.F.W. Post #1504 and F.O. Eagles #2839. He was also a life member of the Nebraska AmVets. He will be greatly missed by his many friends at the Moose Lodge and the VFW in North Platte.

Jim is survived by his four children, Cheryl ‘Cherie’ (John) Clark, of Morrisville, NC, Rhonda (Bruce) Winn, of McCool Junction, NE, James Richard, Jr. ‘Rick’ Atkinson, of Painesville, OH, and William Henry ‘Willie’ Atkinson, of Nickerson, KS; four grandchildren, Damon (Shelby) Winn, Shelby Winn, Dustin Pinneke, Brody Atkinson; a great-granddaughter, Madilynn Winn; his three sisters, Elizabeth Anderson, of Buena Vista, CO, Louise Carroll, of Mason, OH, and Charlotte Fritz of Campbell, CA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family.

Along with his wife, Linda, Jim was preceded in death by his brother, David; and parents, Charles and Rowene.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2015, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The casket will be closed. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. The family has established a memorial.