Dr. Joseph Francis Coyle Jr., age 81 of Gothenburg, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2014.
Joseph was born in Kansas City, KS on August 21, 1933 to Joseph F. and Mary A. (Ronayne) Coyle, Sr. He graduated from De La Salle Academy and then attended St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota for one year. He finished his undergraduate work at Kansas State University and was accepted to the College of Veterinary Medicine, where he graduated in 1957. Joseph entered the US Air Force in 1958. He married Loretta “Lolly” A. Doody on October 3, 1959. The couple lived in Michigan while he was stationed at Selfridge Air Force Base, serving as the base veterinarian. They moved to Broken Bow in 1960 where he started his vet practice. In 1976 the family moved to Omaha, and in 1995, Joe and Lolly moved out to Jeffrey Lake near Brady.
Joseph is survived by his daughters Colleen (Mark) Potts of Omaha and Theresa Coyle of Maywood; son Patrick (Missy) Coyle of Keller, TX; grandchildren Macy and Brandon Potts and Clay and Cooper Coyle; a sister, Sr. Mary Jo Coyle of Kansas City, KS; as well as numerous other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Loretta, and his son Michael Coyle.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Brady Volunteer Fire Department and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. The rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Friday, November 14, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Mass of Christian Burial following at 10:30 a.m., with Reverend Donald O’Brien as celebrant. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 2014 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Sharing of memories and storytelling with the family will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Francis “Bud” M. Budnick, age 79 of North Platte, passed away Friday November 7, 2014 at Centennial Park Retirement Village after a courageous battle with a cancerous brain tumor. His wife Carol was at his side.
Bud was the sixth child born to Henry E. and Mary (Frederick) Budnick on July 30, 1935 in Elmira, NY. He spent his childhood in the suburb of Southport and graduated from Southside High School. Shortly after graduation he joined the US Army and served in Korea. In 1956 he returned from Korea and met his wife Carol Thompson, a Nebraska native working at the Pentagon, whom happened to be dating his army buddy. Bud and Carol were married November 9, 1957 in Arlington, VA. While no children were born to Bud and Carol, Bud had a special way with animals. He loved his dogs, cats, birds and other animals very much and he enjoyed caring for them throughout his life.
Bud was very gifted and had many talents, never recognizing them as a special gift from God. Carol called him her “diamond in the rough”. Those talents led him through many occupations during his lifetime including fabricating sheet metal to build fire trucks, bartending in NY, various construction jobs, city park maintenance worker, and Public Safety Building maintenance. Bud built and posted the “We Make the Difference” signs outside the North Platte Public Safety Building. He retired as a building inspector for the City of North Platte. He so enjoyed his work with the Fire, Police and Inspection Departments personnel, as well as many personnel in Public Service Department and City Hall. It took some time, but after living in Nebraska for a while, Bud became an avid Husker fan and he and Carol enjoyed watching Husker games on television. Bud enjoyed a simple life and a humble home with a beautifully manicured yard and flowers, surrounded by wonderful neighbors. Bud will be greatly missed by all who loved him and knew him well.
Francis “Bud” is survived by his wife Carol; one sister, Mary Ellen Green; three brothers, William “Bill”, Richard “Slats” (Mary), and Roger “Butch” Budnick, all of NY; five brother-in-laws, Bob (Nadine), Dwight (Michal), Dr. G.V. (Julie), Frank (Sherry) and Dennis Thompson; three sister-in-laws, Rosalie Thurber, Donna Steward, and Madeline (Ron) Shewmaker; and many loving nieces and nephews throughout the United States; and special friends Fern Shively and Gary Rickett who helped him come into a closer relationship with God. Bud’s dog Rocky misses him so much already, as do Fern’s dogs Rosie and Kippie who dearly loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents Henry E. and Mary (Frederick) Budnick; sisters Gladys, Jean and Helen; brother Robert “Bubbles” Budnick all of New York; and one brother-in-law William “Bill” Thompson, of Nebraska whom he loved very much.
Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Animal Shelter or another animal care organization in the North Platte area and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday November 12, 2014 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home Chapel. Inurnment will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Florence H. Tillman, age 89, of Hershey, passed away November 6, 2014 at her home.

Florence was born August 23, 1925 in Sutherland, NE to Benjamin and Florence (Melvin) Dikeman.  She grew up in the area, attending country school and helping on the family farm.  After her father broke his leg, she took on the majority of the farm work.  She married Garland M. Tillman on October 25, 1945 in North Platte, and to this union three children were born, Dewayne, Darlene and Dyette.  She also worked as a seamstress at the O’Connor Department Store for several years.  She was an excellent seamstress and rarely used a pattern.  Her family was the center of her life; she took great pride in her three children, all of them getting married within a three month span.  She took in those who needed a place to stay; she enjoyed cooking for her family and friends and was very self-sufficient, making her own soap, canning and gardening in her younger years.

Florence is survived by her children, Dewayne (Diane) Tillman of Hershey, and Dyette (Leroy) Kettering of North Platte; 9 grand children; 18 great grandchildren; sister Rita Shimmin of Ogallala; as well as numerous other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Garland; daughter Darlene Trusty; grandson Lee Kettering; great grandson Matthew Lafferty; and siblings Melvin, Lane, Merle, and Maxine Armstrong.

Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Disabled Veterans and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday November 10, 2014 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Karr officiating.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Delmar Gene Kesterson Sr., age 85 of Maxwell, passed away at his home on November 5, 2014.
Delmar was born on February 1, 1929 in Hershey, NE to Arthur L. and Arvilla (Hubbell) Kesterson. He went to country school in the Sandhills and Bignell until the 9th grade when he moved to North Platte to attend high school and live with his sister Nonie. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1946 then worked for local farmers, and in Oregon in the lumber mills before entering the US Army in 1951. He served in the Korean War where he made lifelong friends with some of the men he served with. After his discharge in 1953 he married Betty Johnson on January 15, 1954 in North Platte. The couple lived in North Platte for a short time before moving east of Maxwell where they farmed. They moved to their homeplace in 1975 where they raised corn, alfalfa and cattle. He loved the farming lifestyle and enjoyed working hard. He always took much pride in the big gardens he grew. In 1985 he and Betty took on a rural mail route and they worked that until 2006. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion.
Delmar is survived by his wife Betty of Maxwell; children Sandy (Max) Thomas of Plattsmouth, Delmar (Angie) Kesterson Jr, of North Platte; grandchildren Curtis (Jenny) Thomas of Lincoln, Amanda Kesterson of Plattsmouth, and Charley Kesterson of North Platte; 2 great grand children Emery and Dalton Thomas of Lincoln; sister Melba Griffin of Roseburg, OR; and numerous other family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; twin daughters Debra and Diane; another infant daughter Marsha; twin grandchildren; brother Jeard; and sisters Cecile, Leta, Velva, Lenora “Nonie”, and Betty.
Memorials are suggested to the Callahan Cancer Center and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday November 10, 2014 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home Chapel with Aaron Stalker presiding. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 6:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 4:00 until 6:00. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Nico “Nicky” J. Apodaca, 47, of North Platte, passed away November 4, 2014 at his home. He was born to Joseph and Guadalupe Caudillo Apodaca on March 24, 1967 in North Platte.
Nicky graduated from North Platte High School in 1985. He worked construction jobs for many years. He was an avid pool player, and was MVP in his pool league 2 years in a row! Nicky enjoyed puzzles and fishing. He loved his nieces and nephews, and had lots of friends who he was very faithful to. Nicky was very trustworthy to his family and friends.
Survivors include his siblings, Anna (Jim) Smith, Daniel Apodaca, Virgil Apodaca, Colleen Apodaca, and Diana Apodaca all of North Platte; close friend, Sandy (Rueben) Valdez of North Platte; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and especially his Aunt Jennie Lopez of North Platte; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be made in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Christian Wake Service will be 7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 9, 2014 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 10, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend James Golka as Celebrant. Inurnment will be in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from noon until service time at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Samuel Charles Wallace, Jr., 83, of North Platte, NE, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Monday, November 3, 2014.

Sam was born April 20, 1931, to Samuel Charles, Sr. and Gladys Bell Tivey Wallace at Clarks, NE where he grew up. He graduated from Clarks High School in 1949 then went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad as a telegrapher.

On June 10, 1951, Sam married Louise Ann Garretson at Clarks and to this union four sons were born. They lived in Clarks, North Carolina and Salina, KS. In 1952 Sam joined the U.S. Marines and served until 1954. Following his discharge he returned to Clarks and his job at the railroad.

The family moved to North Platte in 1967 where Sam continued his employment with the Union Pacific Railroad and received a promotion as Chief Train Dispatcher. During his career, Sam had worked as a telegrapher, station agent and chief train dispatcher; he retired in 1987.

Sam was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Platte Valley Lodge #32 AF&AM and P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion. He also helped with Marriage Encounter and Meals on Wheels. In 1999 Sam and Louise received the Midlanders of the Year Volunteer Award.

Sam will be missed by his family which includes his wife of 63 years, Louise, of North Platte; sons, Rex (Maureen) Wallace, of Amherst, MA and Doug (Vicki) Wallace, Wayne (Renee) Wallace and Larry (Diana) Wallace, all of North Platte; and 10 grandchildren, Keary Ryan, Megan Ryan (Alan Yorke), James Ryan, Joyce (Kevin) Reser, Scott (Kara) Wallace, Preston (fiancé, Jasmine Moore), Matt (friend, Sarah Frantz), Sam (friend, Tenisa Grimsley), Max Wallace and Kylie Wallace.

Survivors also include nine great-grandchildren, Finn and Dan Yorke, Alyssa and Jordan Reser, Kayla Bockus, Bella Wallace, Ethan and Sawyer Moore and Jayce Frantz; a sister-in-law, Bonnie Garretson, of Central City, NE; his brother-in-law, Dennis (Louise) Garretson, Platte Center, NE; special friends, Abby, Butch, Roman and Squirt; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Sam, Sr. and Gladys; his sister, Parnela Dexter and two infant sisters; and three brothers-in-law, Rex Garretson, Morris Garretson and Leroy Dexter.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. The family has established a memorial in lieu of flowers. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Martin Alfred Goehring, 100, of Thedford, died Nov. 1, 2014 at Linden Court Nursing Home in North Platte. He was born at home near Emerson, Iowa on March 3, 1914 to the parents of Ada William and Henry “Martin” Goehring. He grew up in Iowa and worked in the Civilian Conservation Corp. He married Florence Marie TenEick July 22, 1934, and they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary July 2009. They moved to the Sandhills in 1944 to follow his desire to become a ranch hand cowboy. He is survived by their four children, James Goehring (Beverly) of Cheyenne, Janenne Goehring (Pat) of Lakewood, Co., Louis Goehring (Sharon) of Summerville, S. C., and Fay Ann Blaylock (Kenny) of Falls City, Ne. Grand children are Mark Goehring (Karen) of Carpenter, Wy., JoLinda Foster (Steve) of Yellowstone Nat’l Park, Dawn Goehring of Summerville, S. C., Sarah Cameron (Don) of Bremerton, Wa., and Paula Rotschafer (Cory) of Lincoln, Ne., and ten great grand children. He was preceded in death by his wife Florence and his brother Arthur. Alfred found time to write down some of his life experiences in the Sandhills which was published and shared with family and friends on his 99th birthday. Services will be Friday, Nov. 7th at 10:30 a.m. in Thedford at the UCC Church. Reverend Sunny Riding officiating. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences maybe shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Conrad (Connie) Russell Slater, 88 left to go to his heavenly home, surrounded by his loving family, November 2, 2014. Conrad was born March 18, 1926 to Russell and Louise (Franzen) Slater in North Platte. He lived his entire life in North Platte, except three years when he served in the US Air Force as an aerial photographer during World War II. He attended Lincoln and Roosevelt elementary Junior high, graduating from North Platte High with the class of 1944. He worked 38 years for the Union Pacific Railroad as a carman and car foreman, retiring in 1988. He was baptized in the Lutheran Church at an early age. On December 9, 1952, he married Marilyn Joan Henderson at the First Methodist Church. They would have celebrated their 62nd anniversary. To this union two children were born, a son, Steven Russell Slater and Tammy Slater Hamburger. Conrad was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved his family very much, as well as the Huskers, baseball, Nascar, fishing and war movies. He was a wonderful dancer and ice skater. He played softball for the Union Pacific Railroad team, was a member of the Bethel Church ,P.R. Halligan Post #163 of the American Legion, North Platte High School Alumni, Union Pacific Oldtimers and Winter Dance Club. He served as a Cub Scout leader for Troop 297. The light of his life was his wife, children and grandchildren. He attended all his grandchildren’s activities. Conrad is preceded in death by his mother and father, infant sister, sister-in-law and brother-in-law DeVona and Gerald Welch.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn, son Steven (Kim)Slater of Omaha, a daughter, Tammy (Phil) Hamburger of North Platte, four grandsons, PJ ( Kayli) Hamburger of Lincoln, Tyler (Jillian) Hamburger of North Platte, Michael and Christopher Slater of Omaha, granddaughter Stephanie Slater of Omaha, great-grandaughter, Hadley and great-grandson Hendryx Hamburger of Lincoln, a sister and brother-in-law Joan (Ed) Osowski of Mansfield, MA, brother-in-law, Robert (Sherry) Henderson of Littleton, CO, eight nephews and two nieces. Services will be Thursday, November 6th at the Bethel Church at 11:00 AM with burial at Fort McPherson in Maxwell with Military Honors. Memorials are suggested to the Bethel Church, Callahan Cancer Center or Memory Bench at Cody Park. Visitation will be from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm Wednesday, November. 5th at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.

William ‘Bill’ Osborne Wesslund, 92, of North Platte, NE, passed away Sunday, November 2, 2014, at his home.

Bill was born July 17, 1922, to Martin Ludwig and Elaine Osborne Wesslund in Omaha, NE where he grew up. Bill graduated from Tech High School and served in the Naval Reserves while in school. He was called to active duty on March 25, 1940, and served in Hawaii, Alaska, New Guinea and the Philippines. Following his discharge in 1945, Bill returned to Omaha and his job at AT&T.

On September 10, 1943, Bill married his childhood sweetheart, Ida Ruth Harris of Omaha, in Seattle, WA. They moved to North Platte in 1945 where Bill continued to work for AT&T/Northwestern Bell Telephone until he retired in 1974.

Bill had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 68 years and was actively involved as an Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and with the Mariners Group. He was a past member of B.P.O. Elks #985, P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and the Telephone Pioneers. Bill was also a Ham Radio Operator with the call letters WØDNW and was later licensed as WØBJ.

He is survived by his ll children, Patricia R. (Thomas) Kamin, of LaVista, NE, William J. (Mary Copenhaver) Wesslund, of Portland, OR, Linda E. (Robert) Kamin, of Omaha, NE, Robert J. (Connie) Wesslund, of Lincoln, NE, David C. Wesslund, of Portland, OR, Daniel M. (Susan) Wesslund, of North Platte, Kristen A. Perkins, of Omaha, NE, John D. (Bernadette) Wesslund, of LaVista, NE, Susan E. (Jeffrey) Petersen, of North Platte, Janet K. McClellen, of Omaha, NE, and Joan M. (Mark) Claar, of Overland Park, KS.

Survivors also include 17 grandchildren, Todd, Mark, Brian, Andy, Eric, Catherine, Amy, Adam, Joy, Stephanie, Stacy, Amanda, Annah, Jill, Sara, Katie and Alec; 13 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and other family.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Ida; his parents, Martin and Elaine; and a brother, Robert E. Wesslund.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, November 7, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Polly Deppen-Williams officiating. Inurnment with military honors will be at 2 p.m. in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church or the North Platte Senior Center. 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.

Susan K. Condon, 61, a 12 year breast cancer survivor died November 2, 2014 at her home surrounded by her family from complications of West Nile and Lymphoma. Sue was born June 22, 1953 in Sidney, Nebraska to Clarence and Lillian (Treinen) Hare. She graduated from St. Patrick’s Catholic High School in 1971. On March 11, 1972 she married William “Bill” Condon at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte.
Bill and Sue worked side by side for 40 + years. Together they worked at Central Distributing and then on their own they started Condon’s Signs, and are the current owners of Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Sue worked for the North Platte Public Schools where every teacher and substitute teacher will remember the pleasant voice of Sue while she spent hours coordinating the subs daily for many years.
Sue’s talents included decorating homes. Many hours were spent with her clients during her many years as a representative of Home Interiors. Other homes have since been decorated with Sue’s own artwork. Sue was proud to have survived breast cancer, it was 12 years ago that Sue attended her first Painting Princess’ Class where her artistic talent blossomed.
Hundreds have been lucky enough to attend Sue’s Party With a Brush classes where she made everyone feel like Picasso and every attendee left with a masterpiece of their own.
She gave generously of her time and volunteered countless hours to the Miss Nebraska Pageant. Other volunteer activities include Relay for life, RSVP, Downtown Merchants, Kids Club, and PTA.
You could always count on Sue to be heard in the grandstands cheering on her special teams and her children and grandchildren, as she was their #1 fan!
Sue is survived by her devoted family, husband, Bill Condon of North Platte; children, Cathy (Keith) Hinrichsen, Chad (Jen) Condon, Maggie (Colby) Carson, and Marcus Condon all of North Platte; grandchildren, Ali (Stephen) Friesell of Kearney, Alex Hinrichsen, Corby Condon, Kinley Condon and Crayton & Camden Carson all of North Platte; siblings, Agnes Weller of Denver, CO, Carol (Pat) Macrone of Hatboro, PA, and Lowell (Diane) Hare of Castle Rock, CO; mother-in-law, Joan Condon of North Platte; sister-in-law, Nancy Hare of Canyon, TX; and brothers-in-law, Dwain Horn of Omaha, Dave Weller of Arizona, Tom Condon, Kelly (Lisa) Condon all of North Platte, Mike Condon of San Jose, CA, and Pat (Patti) Condon of North Platte; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Vera Horn; brother, Jim Hare; and father-in-law, Clarence “Dick” Condon.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the St. Pat’s Building Fund, to a permanent memorial at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens or to the Art and Gift Gallery. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Christian Wake Services will be 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend James Golka officiating. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 6, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend R.L. Piontkowski as celebrant. Visitation will be noon until 9:00 today and from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.