Robert “Bob” Wilson Tucker, age 91 of North Platte, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at Sumner Place in Lincoln, NE.

Bob was born on December 15, 1922 in North Platte, NE to John W. and Inda M. (Clark) Tucker.  He graduated from North Platte High School in 1941, joined the Army in 1943, serving in Germany and France during WW II.  He married Anna Marie Walz in North Platte on August 8, 1953 and the couple made their home in North Platte where Bob worked as a real estate broker for 27 years, retiring from Coldwell Banker in the early 1990’s.  After his retirement, he worked at the Sports Shoppe until 2013.  He was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, a 4^th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, a member of the American Legion and Buffalo Bill Kiwanis Club.  He loved all sports, particularly the Huskers, St. Patrick’s High School teams and enjoyed exercising and staying physically fit.  He played in the North Platte Municipal Band for over 50 years.

Bob is survived by his 6 children Geri (Jerry) Hepp of Lincoln, Monsignor Robert Tucker of Lincoln, Mary (Gary) Kuehl of Littleton, CO, John (Donna) Tucker of Lincoln, Jim (Linda) Tucker of Lincoln, and Carol (Bill) Zakavec of Arvada, CO; 11 grandchildren Kristin Kuehl, Kimberly (Scott) Dillehay, Adam Tucker, Jack Tucker, Alana Tucker, Katelyn Tucker, Kylie Tucker, Lynsey Tucker, Sara Tucker, Joshua Zakavec and Jenna Zakavec; 2 great-grandchildren Roman Tucker and Lilliann Dillehay; nephews Steve (Tracy) Craig, James Craig; nieces Kathy (Roger) Bradley and Maggie (Mark) Andrade and many life-long friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Anna Marie; and siblings John, Donald, Margaret and Richard.

Memorials are suggested to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Building Fund or St. Patrick’s Endowment and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  A Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln.  Another Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in North Platte.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Monsignor Robert Tucker and Reverend Mark Seiker officiating.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, NE.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Marvin “Mert” Stivers, age 77, of Callaway, died May 8, 2014 as a result of a motor vehicle accident. He was born on October 27, 1936 in Callaway, NE to Walter and Laura (Wilborn) Stivers.

Mert graduated from Callaway High School in 1955 where he was an all-state football player. After graduation, he returned to the family farm. On September 13, 1959, Mert married Beverly West in Oconto. The couple moved to the family place where they farmed for many years. Later in life, Mert worked for All Points Fertilizer, and then for Trotters for the past several years.

Mert was a member of the Callaway Lutheran Church, the Masonic Lodge, and the Rodeo Association for over 45 years. He loved farming and working his cattle, and still enjoyed going to bull sales. He loved to visit, especially one on one. Mert enjoyed his life and his work and always tried to keep a positive attitude.

Survivors include his wife Bev of Callaway; three daughters, Deb Stivers of Omaha, Marjorie (Paul) Sararo of New Jersey, and Cindy Stivers of Tuscon, AZ; three siblings, Lorna Gannon of Portsmouth, Iowa, Frances Fuller of Grand Island, and Lynn (Sharleen) Stivers of Callaway; and numerous other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Marilyn; and brothers, Johnny, and Bob; and an infant sister. A memorial has been established in his name and online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday May 15, 2014 at the Callaway Community Building with Pastor Fred Werkmeister officiating. Burial will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the Callaway Community Building. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

Bernard (Ben) Francis Winkenwerder, 82, went home to the Lord May 9, 2014 at the Golden Living Center in Broken Bow, NE.
He was the 12th (and the youngest boy) of 14 children born to Richard and Amelia (Miller) Winkenwerder, at their home southwest of Hershey, NE on March 7, 1932. He attended the Lamont country school, and Sutherland High School. He helped run the family farm while his older brothers were in the military during WWII. Ben was very active in the Rural Youth, where he met many friends and his future wife. He joined the Army in 1954 and was sent to Korea where he was a military police officer.
He married Alice Bloomquist on Oct. 21, 1962. They adopted son Craig in 1966, daughter Karen in 1968, and daughter Carol in 1970.
He worked at Armour Meat Packing, then started his own business laying carpet. He was known to be a perfectionist at his work. He laid carpet for 35 years until his health forced him to quit and even then would do small carpet jobs to help out a friend or neighbor.
He moved to Dunning, NE to live with his sister Dotty Roseberry for several years until his declining health sent him to the nursing home-first in Sutherland and then in Broken Bow.
He is survived by his daughter Carol (Trever) Staff of Lexington, son Craig of Sutherland, and daughter Karen; 5 grandchildren, Jesse “Jess” Schroeder of Gothenburg, Wolfgang Schroeder of Canon City, Co, Konrad Schroeder of Lexington, Katrina Stiefel of Canon City, CO, and Amber (Daryl) Jones of Lexington; and 7 great-grandchildren, Kyle, Cameron, and Dominick Stiefel, Alexia Deck, Izayah Jones, Bella Jones, and Melody Cervantes ; sisters Edith (Gordon) Phetteplace of LaCrosse, WI and Dotty (Jim) Roseberry of Dunning, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his wife Allie, son Todd Allen, and 11 of his siblings. Online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday May 16, 2014 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sutherland with the Rev. Erin Dunlavy officiaiting . Burial will be in the Lamont Cemetery southeast of Sutherland. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Kearney Area Ascera Hospice, the Sutherland Senior Center or the Grace Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements

Charles William Baskins, life long resident of North Platte departed this life on May 8, 2014. He was born July 24, 1920 to C.L. and Leah Baskins.
Charles was united in marriage to Ruby M. McKain on July 16, 1950. Survivors include Ruby, daughter Carla Huffman, and grandson Jared Charles Baskins. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert L. Baskins.
Charles graduated from North Platte High School in 1938. He then attended the University of Nebraska graduating Spring 1942 with a Bachelor of Science. His education was interrupted when the United States entered WWII and Charles enlisted with the Coast Guard in June, 1942. Upon discharge, he returned to the University of Nebraska, College of Law graduating in 1949. Charles then joined his father in the practice of law. His career spanned more than half a century.
In 1958, while serving as City Attorney for North Platte (1951-1959), Charles was elected as President of the Western Nebraska Bar Association which comprised the Thirteenth and Seventeenth Judicial Districts. He was elected to membership in the House of Delegates of the Nebraska State Bar Association in 1969. He is past president of the Lincoln County Bar Association. Charles was the attorney for the Village of Hershey from 1961-2000.
From 1961-1964, Charles served as the Chamber of Commerce Director. He was a member of the American Legion and B.P.O.E. for many years.
Charles was a Director of McDonald State Bank (1965-1982), Director of United Nebraska Bank (1982-2004) and Director of Hershey State Bank (1981-2007).
Charles was selected to receive the 1993 Award of Special Merit from the Nebraska State Bar Association for his 33 years of service on the Nebraska State Bar Commission.
Charles enjoyed the sport of skeet and trap shooting for most of his life. He also enjoyed pheasant, quail, goose and duck hunting.
Charles will long be remembered for his honesty and integrity in his personal as well as professional life.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.
Graveside services will be 2:00 pm Thursday, May 15, 2014 at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors. His casket will not be open. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Tuesday and Wednesday with the family receiving friends from 5 to 8 pm Wednesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

George W. Layton, 90, of North Platte, passed away May 3, 2014 at his home. He was born April 27, 1924 to Harry and Florence (Bramwell) Layton at Green River, WY. He attended school at Green River High School. On Jan. 12, 1945 he was united in marriage to Mary R. Reynolds at Green River, WY. George was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad for over 40 years as a machinist. He was a member the Episcopal Church of Our Savior. George is survived by his daughter, Leslie (David) Hallacy of Aberdeen, WA; his son, Roger (Susan) Layton of Sutherland; his son-in-law, Jerry Parkinson of Kent, WA; 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and special family, JerriAnne Snyder. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary; a daughter, Virginia “Ginny” Parkinson; a granddaughter, Melonie Parkinson; a grandson, Joe Millard; and a brother, Ernest Layton. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer Foundation. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Episcopal Church of Our Savior with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Nelson officiating. Burial will be at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Alice T. Nakada Ugai, 88, died peacefully in Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 28, 2014.

She was born in Mitchell, Nebraska, to the late Kaoru (Harry) and Kumaki Takagi Nakada on August 12, 1925. She graduated from Mitchell High School and earned her Bachelor of Arts in zoology from the University of Nebraska in 1943. She married Norman F. Ugai in 1955 and they lived in North Platte to raise their three children.

Alice worked as a Registered Laboratory Technician at Children’s Hospital in Chicago before her marriage. She was a PTA room mother, Camp Fire Leader and Council Member, Cub Scout Den Mother and volunteer at American Legion baseball games. Alice loved to quilt, knit, crochet, sew and do craft projects. She and Norman enjoyed annual Cannon Company Reunions in Las Vegas, Hawaii, and many trips to our National Parks. Alice was a kind and devoted wife, mother, aunt, sister and friend.

Alice is survived by daughter, Susan Ugai of Lincoln; son, Alan Ugai of Henderson, Nevada; son and daughter-in-law, Brian Ugai and Victoria Smolen of Seattle; sister, Beatrice Nakada Ugai of North Platte; sister, Maudie Nakada Noma of Chicago; sister-in-law Kiyo Nakada of Rochester, NY and nephews Norman, Richard and Mark Ugai; Richi, Fred, and David Ogawa; and niece Joyce Nakada.. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, her parents, and her brother, Pershing Nakada.

Private burial and internment will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

John Maurice “Jack” Viersen, Jr., 86, of North Platte, NE, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

John was born May 9, 1927, to John Merle and Yula Hedwig Coykendall Viersen at Maywood, NE where he grew up. While in high school John worked on Martin Viersen’s Ranch during the summers. He graduated from Maywood High School in 1944 then attended the University of Nebraska for a short time. John joined the U.S. Army in 1945 and served in Germany during the Allied Occupation immediately after World War II.

Following his discharge in 1947, John returned to Nebraska. He played Town Team Baseball in the late 40’s and early 50’s and settled in North Platte. On February 11, 1956, John married Maxine Ivonne Flock Sanford. They made their home in North Platte where John worked in sales and then as a title abstractor. He bought Scott Abstract Company in 1970 and owned it until he retired in 1987.

John was a member of the First Christian Church and P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion. He was an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine, of North Platte; his son, Gary (Mavis) Viersen, of Atlanta, GA; four grandchildren, Campbell, Rees, Lena and Derek Viersen; two nieces; four nephews; and other family.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Yula; his brother, Leo “Budge” Kendall Viersen and an infant brother.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2014, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Burial with military honors will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 5, 2014, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family has established a memorial. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday with family greeting friends from 7 to 8 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com.