Rachel Wilma Triplett, 83, of North Platte, NE, passed away Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

Rachel was born March 1, 1930, to Walter Albert and Daisy Elizabeth Bell Verbeck at Holdredge, NE. She grew up and went to school in Maywood, NE and worked at the Verbeck Cafe which her parents owned.

In 1946 Rachel married Charles Earl Goodwin at Maywood where they made their home. They moved to Denver, CO in 1955 where Rachel worked as a nurse’s aide for various nursing homes. Charles died in 1985.

On October 17, 1989, Rachel married Marion “Jim” Triplett, Sr. at North Platte where they made their home. They later moved to Hershey, NE where they were members of the Hershey Baptist Church. Rachel and Jim enjoyed traveling South for the winters. She also enjoyed her animals. Rachel was an outdoor woman who loved to camp, fish and garden.

She is survived by her husband, Jim, Sr., of Hershey; three daughters, Patricia (James) Goedeker, of Hershey and Penny (Johnny) Berg and Tammy (Joe) Sauls, all of North Platte; six sons, Warren (Madeline) Goodwin, of St. Augustine, FL, Roger (Joyce) Goodwin, of Sutherland, NE, Jeffrey (Donna) Goodwin, of Las Vegas, NV, Michael (Mary) Triplett, of Sterling, IL, Marion “Jimmy” Triplett, Jr., of North Platte and Shawn Triplett (special friend, Tina Farley), of Lincoln, NE; 20 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Hazel (Bob) Thayer, of Fort Collins, CO and Mary Roethemeyer and Darlene Carter, both of North Platte; two brothers-in-law, Cliff Triplett and John Triplett, of North Platte; a sister-in-law, Mary Etta Fisher (friend, Elmer Witt), of North Platte; many nieces, nephews and other family.

Rachel was also preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Daisy Verbeck; her sister, Opal Campbell; and a sister-in-law, Iva Mae Nuss.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, November 22, 2013, at the North Platte Baptist Church (on Halligan Drive) with Pastor Bill Reeves officiating. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Virginia Margaret Meyers, 69, of North Platte, NE, died Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

Virginia was born July 24, 1944, to Jesse Leon, Sr. and Maria Erminda “Erma” Garcia Soto at North Platte where she grew up and attended school. On December 22, 1974, Virginia married Guy LeRoy Meyers, Sr. in Lincoln, NE and they made their home in Commerce City, CO. Virginia worked at Buckley Air Force Base as a cook for nine years. They returned to North Platte in 1986 where Virginia took care of her family.

Virginia was a loving and religious woman who cared greatly for her family. She was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

She is survived by her children, Lisa Blea and Michael Meyers, both of North Platte, Paul Blea, of Hawaii, Andrew Blea, of Anselmo, NE, and Guy Meyers, III, of Wheatland, WY; her stepson, Allen Meyers, of Omaha, NE; six grandsons; four granddaughters; two great-granddaughters; a sister, Georgia (Mike) Wortham and three brothers, Bobby (Penny) Soto, Jesse (Margaret) Soto and Arthur Soto, all of North Platte; many nieces, nephews and other family.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy; her parents, Jesse, Sr. and Erma Soto; her daughter, Mary Ann Soto; two brothers, Richard, Sr. and Jimmy Soto; a sister-in-law, Vicki Soto; and a grandson, Carl August Gutz.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 23, 2013, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Cremation will follow the service. 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 also be shared at odeanchapel.com. The family has established a memorial.

Keith Hardy Hevelone, age 93 of North Platte passed away November 18, 2013 in Cozad, NE.
Keith was born October 18, 1920 in Alma, NE. He was the youngest of 6 children of Ralph R. and Cora (Hardy) Hevelone. He lost his mother very soon after birth and his father was killed in an accident when he was 10 years old. He grew up in Blue Springs, NE near one of his older sisters. On April 21, 1941 he and Betty Jane Harris were married in Marysville, KS. To this union 3 children were born, James Lee, Dennis Keith and Norma Jean.
In August of 1942 he volunteered for the US Navy and graduated from boot camp in San Diego, CA in 18 days. After training in Chicago, IL, Norfolk, VA and San Diego, CA Marine base, he served with C.A.S.U. 16 and 17 in the invasion and occupation of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands. He then volunteered for the invasion of Tinian in the Mariana Islands. Among awards, he, Ready, Campbell and Bills received certificates of merit for “Services rendered above and beyond the call of duty”. He was discharged in October of 1945 from Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland as disabled.
He and Betty returned to Beatrice where he was employed by the Beatrice Times newspaper. In 1950 they moved to Oshkosh, NE where he worked at the Garden County News; later to the Lincoln County Journal in North Platte, NE, Clay County News in Sutton, NE, Albee Printing in Grand Island, NE and in 1996 moved back to North Platte, NE.
Keith was a life member of VFW, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and training sporting dogs for many years.
He leaves behind his wife Betty of 72 years; sons James Lee (Barbara) of Branson, MO, Dennis Keith of Burwell, NE, and Norma Jean Petzoldt of Ord., NE; 8 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 5 sisters and 1 brother.
Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Graveside services will be 1:00 PM Friday, November, 2013 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery with Pastor Gary Smith officiating and full military honors. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Per his request, the casket will be closed.

Robert Lee Smallfoot, 79, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died November 17, 2013 at Gothenburg Memorial Hospital in Gothenburg, NE.

He was born June 24, 1934 in Hastings, NE, son of Albert and Minnie (Roether) Smallfoot.

Bob graduated from Farnam High School with the class of 1952. He served his country in the US Army from 1956-1958. He lived in Farnam for 50 years, then moved to Gothenburg in 1988. Bob was a member of the VFW, Odd Fellows, and the Methodist Church. He worked for Monroe’s Auto for 5 years, for the Lincoln County Department of Roads for 12 years, for Burlington Northern Rail Road for 11 years and as a farmer. Bob’s hobbies included hunting and fishing, and watching sports, especially Michael Jordan. He liked life on the farm especially the farm animals. Friends and family were very important to Bob and he enjoyed spending time with his friends, family and grandkids.

Surviving are three sons, Rodney (Patricia) Smallfoot of Englewood, CO; Michael (Sandy) Smallfoot of Gibbon, NE; Rick Smallfoot of North Platte, NE; daughter, Debbie (Mark) Alberts of Gothenburg; seven grandchildren Ashley, Nicholas, Stephanie, Sabrina, Samantha, Justina and Lexi; 15 great grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Albert A. and Minnie Smallfoot and son Gary Smallfoot.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, November 21, 2013 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, November 22, 2013 at 10:30 am with Pastor Larry Viter officiating.

Inurnment will take place on Friday, Nov. 22 at 1:30 pm in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association, 105 Apache DR, Lexington, NE 68850. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Reuben Perez Rivera, Sr. 82, of North Platte, NE, died Friday, November 15, 2013, at the Golden Living Center in Cozad, NE.

Reuben was born February 25, 1931, at Roscoe, NE to William ‘Bill’ Munoz and Lenora Hernandez Perez Rivera. He grew up in Roscoe and in 1942 the family moved to North Platte where he attended St. Patrick’s Catholic High School. Reuben entered the U.S. Navy in 1948 and served on the U.S.S. LST-611 and the U.S.S. PCE-895. Following his discharge in 1951, Reuben returned home before moving to California for several years. He lived in Aurora, CO for 11 years then returned to North Platte in February 2011.

Reuben married Nancy Vieyra in North Platte and to this union five children were born. They later divorced. Reuben was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and V.F.W. Post #1504.

Survivors include five sons, Reuben Rivera, Jr., of McPherson, KS, William ‘Willy’ Rivera, of Lexington, NE and Tom Riveria, Sonny Arellano and Jerry Arellano, all of Omaha, NE; three daughters, Gloria Rivera Mata, of Lexington, NE, Patty Rivera Lazona, of Omaha, NE and Lucy Ramirez, of College Station, TX; a stepdaughter, Tonya Rivera, of Omaha, NE; his brother, William (Martina) Rivera, Jr., of Santa Ana, CA; two sisters, Anita ‘Annie’ Vieyra and Esther (Rosendo) Duran, all of North Platte; 26 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill, Sr. and Lenora Rivera; a sister, Nadine Dominguez; a stepdaughter, Rosie Rivera; and a niece, Ramona Duran.

Cremation was chosen. Services will be Tuesday, November 19, 2013, with a rosary at 1:30 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Father Jim Golka officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or before services on Tuesday.

Marjorie J. Pinkerton, age 84, of North Platte, passed away November 12, 2013 at Centennial Park Retirement Village. She was born in Shelton, Nebraska on June 20, 1929 to Eugene and Florence Inez (Dubbs) Frazell. Marjorie lived near Shelton all her early life graduating from Shelton High School and the Nebraska Wesleyan College with a teaching certificate. She taught school at her home school near Shelton and North Platte where she met the love of her life. On July 27, 1952 she married Harry B. Pinkerton. To this union two children were born, Dwight and Jane. Marjorie was baptized in the Valley Christian Church where she and Harry were active members.
Marjorie was a devoted ranch wife, loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed cooking for the family, sewing, gardening and quilting along side Harry. They hand quilted graduation quilts for all three of their grandchildren. She worked on many RSVP project quilts. She was very proud to share stories and experiences of ranch life as well as when she and her sisters volunteered at the North Platte Canteen.
Survivors include her children, Dwight (Norma) Pinkerton and Jane (Joe) Mecomber all of North Platte; grandchildren, Abby (Chris) Clark of Lincoln, Riley (Katie) Pinkerton of North Platte and Jana (Sam) Sickler of Kearney; great-grandchildren, Tucker and Molly Clark and Claire Pinkerton; sister, Rosalie Lippincott of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Harold Lustgraaf; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry, father and mother-in-law, Riley and Edna Pinkerton; sisters, Lois Ramsey and Avis Sitorius; brother, Delbert Frazell; sisters-in-law, Margaret Ann Frazell, Barbara Lustgraaf and Virginia Higgins; brothers-in-law, Lester Ramsey, Anan Sitorius and Dick Lippincott.
Memorials may be made to the Valley Christian Church, the American Cancer Society, or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 15, 2013 at Valley Christian Church with Pastor Brent Montgomery officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be noon until 9:00 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Charles M. Gress, age 70, of North Platte, passed away November 10, 2013 at the Callaway Good Life Center in Callaway. He was born August 31, 1943 in North Platte to Andrew and Clara Gould Gress. He grew up in North Platte, attending school and graduating from North Platte High School. On May 29, 1976 he married Jane Joy. To this union was born a son, Brad. Charles worked at Memorial Hospital as a custodian. He started working as a custodian for North Platte Public Schools and later worked for the maintenance department for the school. He retired after 30 years of service in 2005. Charles enjoyed doing leather work such as purses and billfolds. He will be remembered as a quiet but hard working man.
Survivors include his wife, Jane of North Platte; son, Brad Gress of North Platte; step-daughter, Melissa (Brian) Gray of Chesterfield, VA; and step-grandchildren, Brianna and Emmett Gray.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Olivia Albright and Margaret Gress; and a brother, John Gress.
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Cremation was chosen. Graveside Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 18, 2013 at the North Platte City Cemetery. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. today through Friday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Robert Cecil “Bob” Grandel, 73, of North Platte, NE, died Sunday, November 10, 2013, at his home surrounded by family.

Bob was born March 14, 1940, to Willie Cecil and Clara Clovis Sukraw Grandel at Oakman, AL. He grew up in North Platte where he attended school. He drove heavy equipment for different construction companies.

In 1967 Bob married Delores Guerra in Kansas and they made their home in North Platte and later divorced. He loved fishing and was known as “Walleye Bob” at the inlet. Bob was a good dad and a friend to many.

He is survived by his children, William (Sherry) Grandel and Diane (Tyler) Holbrook, of Lincoln, NE; 13 grandchildren, Brennan Larsen, Johnny Rodriguez, Theresa Longbine and Andrew, Ryan, Anthony, Marie, Bruce, Patrick, Alex, Ti-Anna, Alexis and Zoie Grandel; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Clara (Serge) Dragutin, of Lake Forest, CA; his brother, Edward (Wynona) Grandel, of North Platte; two nephews, David (Joni) and Dominique Grandel; other family and his many friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Clara; a son, Gregory; and a niece, Rhonda Murrain.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Friday, November 15, 2013, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Joe Sukraw officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be prior to the service. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. The family has established a memorial. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.