Leslie “Les” A. Ross, age 88, of Mooresville, IN passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at Miller’s Merry Manor. He was born on April 18, 1926 in North Platte, Nebraska to the late William and Mary (Rasmussen) Ross.
Aside from his parents he is preceded in death by his step son, Kirk Summers; his three brothers, Carl, Robert and Jesse Ross; and three sisters, Helen Sommer, Margaret and Frances Ross.
Les worked as a rancher and campground operator during his earlier years. He and his wife were members of the Church at Mt. Gilead.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Ross; his sons, Tom Ross of Wyoming, Ron Ross of Nebraska and step son, JD (Teresa) Summers of McCordsville; his daughters, Becky (Martin) Howery of Nebraska, Connie (Gerald) Devine of Nebraska, and stepdaughter, Sherry (Gary) Crews of Mooresville; 19 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.
Memorial service will be 11:00 am Friday, July 11, 2014 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel . Interment will be held at Plainview Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Hattie Ethel (Wheeler) Johnson, age 97, of Sutherland passed away June 27, 2014 at the Sutherland Care Center. She was born January 5, 1917 in Custer County, Nebraska to Heasell and Inez (Trew) Wheeler. Hattie married Clarence Johnson on September 7, 1936. To this union two daughters were born, Nadine and Lois.
Clarence and Hattie furnished the livestock for RCA Rodeos for several years, later working for ranches in Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Nebraska; retiring in Chappell, NE in 1984. Clarence passed away in August 1989. Hattie moved to Sutherland in 2004 to be close to her daughter. She has resided in the Sutherland Care Center since September of 2008.
Hattie is survived by two daughters, Nadine (Bob) Thompson and Lois Miller; a sister, Iva Nichols brother-in-law, Al Knott; nine grandchildren, Jacque (Dave) Street, Gay Lynn Brown, Denise (Rusty) Gift, Jeanie (Randy) Forden, James Wilson, Mary Kay (Douglas Lee) Taylor, Laurie (Bob) Faust, Connie (Jeff) Fyfe, and Julie (Shelley) Thompson; as well as many great and great-great-grandchildren.
Hattie’s friendship and pioneer spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Memorials may be made to the Sutherland Senior Center or to the Hershey/Sutherland Food Pantry. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. today, Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the Sutherland Methodist Church with the Reverend Kola Akinnigbagbe officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Cecelia Marie Vieyra, age 77, of North Platte, died June 26, 2014 at Centennial Park Retirement Village.
She was born August 16, 1936 in McCook, NE to James Pete and Mary (Reyna) Gonzales. Cecelia graduated from McCook High School in 1953 and on April 23, 1954 married Plasido G. John “Pache” Veiyra in North Platte. The couple made their home in North Platte where Cecelia worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, and later at Memorial Hospital until 1981.
She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where she was active in the choir. She loved singing and reading. When Cecelia was younger she loved to dance and taught her girls to dance. Her husband and daughters were the center of her life. Cecelia was an excellent cook, famous for her enchiliadas. She had a beautiful smile that lit up the room. She will be remembered as an excellent wife, mother, and grandmother, and will be missed.
Survivors include her 3 children, Christina (Edward) Rangel of North Platte, Sally (Jose) Martinez of North Platte and Cecelia Jo Vierya (David Williams) of Lincoln; 6 grandchildren, James (Deanna) Sheets of Lincoln, Misty (Christopher) Dillenburg of North Platte, Richard “Ricky” (Andrea) Clark Jr. of North Platte, Michael (Katie Hill) Sheets of North Platte, Angelia Rangel of Aurora, CO and Adrian Madlock of Lincoln; 8 great grandchildren; siblings, Angelia DeVoe, Raymond Gonzales, Pete Gonzales, Alfred James Gonzales, and Paul Gonzales; and numerous other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Plasido; a daughter, Regina Rae Madlock; and siblings, Virginia Jackson, Andrea Badousek, Susan Cafferty, Victor Gonzales, and Joe Gonzales.
Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Christian Wake Services will be 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday July 2, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Rev. James Golka as celebrant. Cremation will follow the service and inurnment at North Platte Cemetery will be at a later date. Visitation will be Monday from 9-9 and Tuesday from 9-5 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Cary Robin Werts, age 58, died of accidental drowning in Tucson, AZ on Friday, May 30, 2014.

Cary was born March 13, 1956, in Davenport, IA to Roger and Charlotte (Mahoney) Werts. He was baptized and confirmed at Asbury United Methodist Church in Bettendorf, IA and lived there until 1971 when he moved with his family to North Platte, NE. Cary graduated from North Platte High School in 1974 then attended Mid-Plains Community College where he participated in theater and took law enforcement classes.

In 1975 Cary enlisted in the U.S. Marines, taking his basic training in San Diego, CA. On July 22, 1978, Cary married Susan Whisler in Leavenworth, KS and they had two sons. Cary served four years in the Marines then moved to Wyoming where he worked until he joined the U.S. Army, serving another 16 years. Cary was stationed in Germany for 3 years, Fort Campbell, KY and Ft. Leavenworth, KS.

He finished his military career at Ft. Leavenworth then worked in security at St. Mary’s College and completed barber school in Leavenworth. Cary later worked for the Kansas Department of Corrections in Lansing where he worked in security until he retired in 2008. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Cary enjoyed and participated in distance running during his military service and after retirement.

Survivors include Cary’s sons, Nick (Becky) Werts, of Tucson and Vincent Werts, of Sugar Land, TX; a stepdaughter, Arlene (Paul) Salinas, of Sugar Land, TX; his mother, Charlotte Werts, of North Platte; a sister, Peggy (Dana) Mackey, of Fremont, NE; three brothers, Gary (Diana) Werts, of Bettendorf, IA, Tary (Diana) Werts, of Cheyenne, WY and Bary Werts, of North Platte. He also has a grandson, Jeremiah Werts, of Tucson; three step-grandchildren, Nicholas, Grace and Judah Salinas, of TX; and several nieces, nephews and other family.

Cary was preceded in death by his wife, Susan; his father, Roger Werts; maternal grandparents, John Francis Mahoney and Cora Mahoney McKinley and step grandfather, Chester McKinley; paternal grandparents, Harvey and Artie Werts; and his father and mother-in-law, Ralph and Ruth Whisler.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2014, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Pastor Cathy Cole officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed prior to the service or at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the 20th Century Veterans’ Memorial. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Wayne Eugene Vollbrecht, 84, of North Platte, passed away June 23, 2014 at Great Plains Health. He was born May 27, 1930 to Herbert G. and Nora B. (Nicholson) Vollbrecht at Grand Island. He grew up in Bartlett and graduated from North Platte High School. On September 12, 1948, he was united in marriage to Kathleen Bailey in North Platte. He was employed in various businesses, including, a ranch hand in Chambers, NE, truck driver and route salesman for Coca Cola, Kitty Clover, Dakota Snack Sales in Rapid City, SD, Best Linen, administrator for the Moose Lodge and Magic Spray Car Wash until his retirement in 2006. Wayne loved to fish at the Lake Maloney Inlet. He is survived by a son, Kent of North Platte; four daughters, Marcia (Richard) Fugate of North Platte, Carol Rudisale of North Platte, Nancy (John) Flores of Alliance and Vickie (Terry Sandstrom) Snyder of Wheatland, WY; 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; and an adopted daughter, Peggy Stark. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife and one brother, Herbert Lee. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 27, 2014 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Nora Ann Harris, 80, of Dickens, passed away June 22, 2014, as a result of an auto accident east of Dickens. She was born June 17, 1934 to Nicholas and Agnes (Light) Ogier at Wallace, NE. Nora was united in marriage January 12, 1957 to Vern Harris at Wallace. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Alter Society. Nora was an accomplished seamstress, excellent cook and enjoyed jigsaw puzzles. She is survived by her husband, Vern of Dickens; a son, Scott (Deborah) Harris of Dickens; two daughters, Diana (Gerry) Phelps of North Platte and Melinda (Dave) Poyourow of Rapid City; a brother, Bill (Marilyn) Ogier of Alpine, AR; six grandchildren, Dan (Lannae) Phelps, Brent Phelps, Tiffany (Ben) Volden, Ashton Harris, Brook Harris and Schanice Harris; three great grandchildren, Matthew, Olivia and Oliver Phelps; and a sister-in-law, Zola Melichar of Lincoln. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Bob Ogier, two sisters, Ruth Boe and Norma Bomberger. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wallace. Rosary will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Visitation will be 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. prior to the Rosary. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Susie Kudlacek, age 94, died on June 18, 2014, at the Grand Island, NE Veteran’s Home. Susie was born March 20, 1920, in North Platte, NE to Charles and Ima Yanagida. She was a 1938 graduate of Platte Valley School District #8 and graduated from the North Platte Beauty Academy in 1957, and received her cosmetology license from the State of Nebraska in November 1957.
Susie was a cosmetologist in Omaha, NE for several years working at several west Omaha salons. She and her husband, Bud, moved back to North Platte to care for her mother, and until their retirement they had Bud’s 215 Bar in North Platte. Susie was a wonderful cook and especially a good baker.
She was a member of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in North Platte, NE.
Survivors include her husband, Bud Kudlacek, of Grand Island, NE; a brother, Roy Yanagida, of Lincoln, NE; a son Ron Minobe, of Denver, CO; a stepson, Dwayne Kudlacek, of Holdrege, NE; stepdaughters, Caryn Moser of North Bend, NE; and Connie Moser, of California; and nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.
Preceding her in death were husbands Jim Minobe and Vince Mullaney; her parents; brothers, Bill and Gene; and a sister, Joey Loveland.
The body was cremated, and there will be a private service for family only. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Burial will be at the North Platte Cemetery. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge. Memorials are suggested to be given to the Episcopal Church of Savior, 203 West 4th Street, North Platte, NE 69101.

Jeffrey W. Peters, 36, of Lincoln, passed away June 10, 2014. He was born May 11, 1978 in Franklin, NE. He attended Cody Elementary and graduated from North Platte High School in 1996. After high school, he was employed in North Platte at local restaurants before relocating to Omaha, where he worked 10 years in the deli for Hy-Vee grocery. Jeff was a member of the North Platte First United Methodist Church, Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America, and played tenor saxophone in the NPHS JV band. He was a photographer in Western Nebraska Models and Photographers group. During Nebraskaland Days, he enjoyed entering the Hog Calling contest and won 2nd place one year. He enjoyed people, music, fishing, photography and family gatherings, especially with his nephews, Nathan and Brody. He enjoyed good food and sitting around backyard fire pits with his brother, Greg, family and friends. Jeff could bring a smile to anyone’s face with his sense of humor and his positive attitude. His childhood illness helped him to become strong-willed and a survivor. Survivors include his parents, Gary (Susan) Peters of North Platte and Kay Peters of Omaha; brother, Greg (Tara) Peters of Omaha; two nephews, Nathan and Brody Peters of Omaha; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Ruth Bower, Dale and June Peters; and his cousin, Zachery Peters. A memorial has been established in his memory. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com, or sent to Carpenter Memorial Chapel, 1616 West B Street, North Platte, NE 69101. Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 20, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church with Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. The family has chosen cremation. Inurnment will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.