Robert “Bob” Dillon Hendrickson, 90, of Stapleton, NE, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2014, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, NE.

Bob was born April 13, 1923, to Nels Robert and Hulda Sophia Swanson Hendrickson at Brady, NE in the Wild Horse Valley. He was baptized December 14, 1924, at Svea Dahl Mission Covenant Church in Brady. Bob attended Spannuth School, north of Brady, and graduated from Brady High School in 1941. He then farmed north of Brady in the Wild Horse Valley from 1941 to 1956.

On June 20, 1942, Robert married Mary Maxine Camblin at Oberlin, KS and they made their home on the farm. They later moved to Arnold, NE for a year then to North Platte where Bob worked at the North Platte Experimental Farm from 1957 to 1993. In 1979 Bob and Maxine bought their farm on Garfield Table Road, south of Stapleton, and he remained there until his death. He raised hogs and cattle for many years and had cattle until 2010. Bob loved his farm, grandkids and great-grandkids very much.

He is survived by his three daughters, Mary (Jerry) Johnson and Nickette “Nicki” Evans all of North Platte and Betty Bierbach, of Reno, NV; three grandchildren, Jill (Eric) Hansen and Jason Evans, of North Platte, and Read (Elizabeth) Bierbach, of Sparks, NV; his great-grandchildren, Morgan, Kaitlyn and Emily Hansen, Bella Wick and Raylan and Dylan Bierbach; two nieces, Corinne (Kenny) Bostrom and Minnie Anne (Ron) Lindvall; a nephew, Doug Kimberling; a brother-in-law, Robert Camblin, of California; and other family.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine; a grandson, Scott Johnson; his parents, Nels and Hulda; two brothers, Verel and Herbert Hendrickson; two sisters, Ellen Kimberling and Ethel Kostman; and a nephew, Robert Costman.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, February 22, 2014, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Father Jeffrey Nelson of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to Stapleton Fire and Rescue.

Iola Gay Eckhoff, 75, of Sutherland, NE, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2014, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, NE.

Iola was born December 12, 1938, to McKinnley “Kenny” and Dena Fern Rucker Goodwin at Wallace, NE. The family moved to Hershey, NE in 1941 where Iola attended school and graduated from Hershey High School in 1956.

On August 21, 1955, Iola married Melvin Alva Eckhoff at the United Methodist Church in Hershey and they moved to Sutherland in 1956, where they have resided ever since. To this union three children were born.

After the boys were in school, Iola went to work for Irl and Ruby Todd with the Sutherland Courier-Times Newspaper. She later became the Business Manager of the newspaper for several years after the Todd’s sold it. Iola later had the opportunity to be employed by the U.S. Postal Service for over 17 years. She then worked as Clerk-Treasurer for the Village of Sutherland for seven years until she retired. Iola was a member of the Sutherland United Methodist Church where she also played the organ.

Iola and Melvin enjoyed camping, boating and fishing at Lake McConaughy and the Sutherland Reservoir during the summers for over 25 years until Iola began having some health problems. They also liked to travel in their RV to the southwestern states during the winters.

Iola loved visiting Florida where her son, Randy, and his family lived for several years. She would go to Florida and bring her grandchildren home to Sutherland for several weeks during the summer.

In her earlier days, Iola enjoyed working in the flower garden and doing yard work. In later years she loved to sit and enjoy the flower garden that her husband and great-granddaughter tended to. Iola’s husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the highlights of her life. She was happiest when they were close by and was so excited when she could keep her great-grandchildren; they were extra special in her heart.

Iola is survived by her husband of 58 years, Melvin, son, Randy (Brenda Hansmeier) Eckhoff; two grandchildren, Melissa Layne Eckhoff and Dustin Randall Eckhoff; two great-grandchildren, Aspen Bayleigh and William Dustin Lenz, all of Sutherland; a sister, Wanda Jenkins, of North Platte; a sister-in-law, Altene Goodwin, of Phoenix, AZ; and many nieces, nephews and other family.

She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Nanette Marie Eckhoff; a son, Terry Lee Eckhoff; her parents, Kenny and Dena Goodwin; two sisters, Mary Russell and Cora Mae Whittaker; and two brothers, Lyle and C. Dale Goodwin.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2014, the Sutherland United Methodist Church with Pastor Kolawole ‘Kola’ Akinnigbagbe officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery south of Sutherland. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Sutherland United Methodist Church, Sutherland Senior Center or the Sutherland Fire Department.

Robert “Bob” Floyd Webb, 66, of North Platte, NE, died Monday, February 17, 2014, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE.

Bob was born March 5, 1947, to Floyd Henry and Catherine Marie Breckenridge Webb in Appleton, WI. When he was 12 years old, the family moved to Sacramento, CA and Bob graduated from Luther Burbank High School in 1965. He then attended UC Davis, graduating from there in 1970. Bob went on to work for a private scientific testing lab before beginning his career with the FBI in Washington, DC in 1971.

On June 24, 1972, Bob married Sherri Anne Wilkinson in Grand Island, NE and they made their home in Washington, DC. Bob became a Special Agent; his first assignment was in Charlotte, NC in 1973. They returned to DC in 1975 and Bob became a Forensic Scientist with the bureau. They later moved to North Platte in 1991 where Bob was a Special Agent and his territory was from North Platte to the Panhandle. He retired in August 2001 after 30 years with the FBI.

Bob and Sherri raised bulldogs and enjoyed living at the lake where they could go boating and golfing. Bob especially loved having the grandchildren visit; they loved boating with their Grandma and Grandpa. He was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Lake Maloney Golf Course.

Bob is survived by his wife, Sherri, and parents, Floyd and Catherine Webb, all of North Platte; his children, Douglas (Chandra) Webb and Tammy (Randy) Davis, all of Omaha, NE and Matthew (Cari) Bates, of Olathe, KS; four grandchildren, Maddox Webb, Bridget and Jason Davis and Mason Bates; a sister, Mary Ellen (Joseph) Fiorentino, of Watertown, NY; father-in-law, Doug Wilkinson, of Kearney, NE; two brothers-in-law, Thomas (Patti) Wilkinson, of Waco, TX and Gary (Cindy) Wilkinson, of Kearney, NE; several nieces, nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Bonnie Lou Hector, and mother-in-law, Dolores Wilkinson.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2014, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Frank Fitch III officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Callahan Cancer Center.

Pastor Robert A. Payne, age 67 of North Platte, went to be with his savior on February 17, 2014 at Linden Court. He was born April 7, 1946 at Lincoln, NE to Glen and Frances (Kelley) Payne. Bob graduated from High School in Lincoln, NE and later served in the United States Navy. On June 5, 1965, he was married Susan Power in Lincoln. They moved to North Platte in 1975, where he brought many people to the Lord as senior pastor at the Calvary Baptist Church for 35 year. He was united in marriage to Rebecca Carsten on March 2, 2006 at North Platte. Pastor had been attending the Grace Community Bible Church. Those that will dearly miss him are his wife, Rebecca of North Platte, children; Robert (Kim) Payne II of Bellevue, NE, Kirk (Rebecca Hansen) Payne of Lincoln, Jessica Payne of Crete, and Joshua Payne of Lincoln, sister; Glenda (Larry) Clark of Longbeach, CA, grandchildren, Brigett, Turner, Tianna, and Kaylee, numerous great-grandchildren, mother and father-in law; Carroll and Kathleen Carsten of North Platte, his church families, and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Susan, and a brother, Raymond. Memorial services will be held 10:00 am, Thursday, February 20, 2014 at the Grace Community Bible Church with Pastor Mike Wing officiating. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Grace Community Bible Church. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9 am to 5 pm Wednesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is making arrangements for the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Donna Mae Jensen, 81, of Othello, WA, formerly of North Platte, passed away Feb. 13, 2014 at Othello. She was born Aug. 8, 1933 in Idaho, where she grew up on her family ranch. On September 10, 1952, she was united in marriage to Joseph W. Jensen in the LDS Salt Lake Temple. She moved with her family to North Platte in 1969. Donna worked with preschool children at Achievement Preschool, North Platte Daycare and later Joyland Daycare. She was active in the LDS Church all of her life including Relief Society and Sunday School Teacher. Donna was a member of North Platte Welcome Wagon, Sandhills Symphony, Sweet Adeline’s for 20 years, Jay C’s in Idaho, and foster grandparent at schools reading to youngsters. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph William Jensen; daughters, Mayrene and Theresa, her brother, Robert Nate, her sister, LaRae Rasmussen, and her parents Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Nate. Donna is survived by her daughter, Leslie (Blaine) Cole of Warden WA; her son, Bruce Jensen of Lakewood, CO; her son, Nate (Lori) Jensen and her son Robert Jensen both of Bellevue, NE; seven Grandchildren and seven Great grandchildren. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 21, 2014 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Ruth Matsutani, 93 of North Platte passed away February 9, 2014 at her home. She was born October 15, 1920 in Westminster, CO to Kakutaro and Nobuyo Shimoda Nakagawa. On April 26, 1950 she married Masa Matsutani. Ruth was a 4-H leader, member of the Nichols Ladies Aid and the Episcopal Church. She was a certified nursing assistant for many years. Survivors include her children, Barbara (Tom) Spettel, Norma Romero, Kent (Mary) Matsutani, and Carolyn Matsutani; grandchildren, Genny, Becky, John and Jocelyn; and 2 sisters. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Masa; sister, Julie; brothers, John, Joe, and Paul. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hershey Senior Center or to the Episcopal Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the Episcopal Church. Burial will be at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 14, 2014 with the family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel which is in charge of arrangements.

Ronald E. “Ronnie” Williams, age 72, of North Platte took the final checkered flag and crossed the finish line February 8, 2014 at his home. Ronnie was born April 14, 1941 in North Platte to Gene and Margaret James Williams. He graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 1959. Ronnie worked as a mechanic for Shaner and Schram Auto Repair. On June 26, 1960 he married Deanna M. Dailey in North Platte. The couple moved to Colorado in 1961 where Ronnie worked for Davidson Chevy in Greeley and a Chevy Garage in Loveland. They moved back to North Platte in 1964 where he went to work at Joe Dye Ford and later Ellets Automotive. In 1974 Ronnie hired out on the Union Pacific Railroad as an engineer, retiring in 2004.
Ronnie was a car enthusiast his entire life, building his first rod at age 14. Ronnie raced drag cars and go carts, and was involved in racing sprint cars for 25 years, and through the years enjoyed restoring many street rods. He enjoyed his dogs, especially Charlie Brown, Jack and Jake, but not the cats!
Survivors include his wife Deanna of North Platte; daughter, Denise (Jim) Hohnholt of North Platte; son, Tommy (Julie Wilke) Williams of North Platte; grandchildren, Brogen Hohnholt, Chase Hohnholt, Whitney Williams and Ezra Williams; twin sisters, Shirley (Larry) Cohn and Sharon (Afton) Cash all of North Platte; brother, Don Williams of Arkansas: mother-in-law, Delores Dailey of North Platte; brothers-in-law, Dennis and Connie Dailey and Boonie and Liz Dailey all of North Platte; numerous other family members and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a son, James “Jimmy” Williams; father-in-law, Dean W. Dailey; and grandparents, Guy and Mabel (Beveridge) James.
Memorials may be made in his memory to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2014 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Casual attire is requested. Burial will follow at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be noon until 9:00 p.m. today and 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Shirley “Irene” Walz, 84, of North Platte, NE, died Sunday, February 9, 2014, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

Shirley “Irene” was born January 9, 1930, to Elgin Smith and Ethel Louise Simants in North Platte where she grew up. At the age of 10, her stepfather, Archie “Jack” Konruff entered their lives. After her schooling, Irene worked on the family ranch north of town until she was married.

On February 19, 1951, Irene married Bernard “Bernie” H. Walz in Stapleton. They made their home on the ranch south of Stapleton where Bernie was raised. In 1958 they moved eight miles west of North Platte and later lived in the Hershey and North Platte areas. Irene worked for Coast-to-Coast before going to work for House Of Time for several years. When it closed she went to work for Hoover’s Jewelry. Irene later worked as a tour guide at Scouts Rest Ranch which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Irene was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She liked to sew and loved dancing. She also enjoyed going to thrift shops and collecting anything with butterflies.

Survivors include her daughter, Sherri (Dave) Laubner, and two sons, Randy (Sheila) Walz and Rich Walz, all of North Platte; a daughter-in-law, Pat Walz, of Hershey, NE; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Lois (LeRoy) Branting, of North Platte; a niece, a nephew and other family.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Bernie; a son, Ken; her parents, Elgin Smith and Ethel Konruff, and stepfather, Jack Konruff; and a nephew, Russ Sandberg.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Friday, February 14, 2014, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Inurnment will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to Scouts Rest Ranch.