Virginia Ellen Carns Woods, 92, of Plattsmouth, NE, formerly of North Platte, NE, passed away Monday, September 16, 2013, at The Nebraska Masonic Home in Plattsmouth.

Virginia was born June 14, 1921, at Sarben, NE to Daniel Merril and Mary Florence Wever Carns. When she was three the family moved to North Platte. Virginia graduated from North Platte High School in 1939. After graduation she attended business college in North Platte and worked for Barkalow Brothers tobacco and magazine shops at the Union Pacific Depot and the Pawnee Hotel. During WW II she worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a crew dispatcher.

On June 1, 1941, Virginia married Harry Frank Woods in North Platte. They had two daughters, Harriette and Deborah. Virginia worked as a bookkeeper for Dr. Heider for a few years and then was a “local” telephone operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in the days before dial-up telephones. She was a manager and sales lady for Tupperware Home Products. For the next two years she worked as a bookkeeper for J & L Drug. In the 1960’s Harry and Virginia owned and operated two small markets, Woods Market on West 5th Street and Modern Market on Jeffers Street. She then retired to take care of her mother, Mary Carns.

Virginia was a member of the First United Methodist Church for over 70 years. She was very active with the youth in North Platte, serving as President of Cody School PTA, was a life member of Girl Scouts where she served as leader and was Guiding Star Girl Scout Council President and Board Member. She was guardian of Job’s Daughters and past member of Signet Chapter #55 Order of Eastern Star. Virginia also loved cats and took in many strays.

Virginia is survived by her daughters, Harriette Luttrell (partner, Edward Ritner), of Sunrise Beach, MO, and Deborah (Terry) Wingett, of North Platte; four grandchildren, Ellen Luttrell Jensen, of Omaha, NE, Emily Luttrell (Danny) Norris, of Charleston, SC, Tate (Kristi) Wingett, of San Antonio, TX, and Tracy Wingett (fiancé, Jeannie Collins), of North Platte; her great-grandchildren, Kylie, Dillion, Trace, Chase and Jason; her nephew, Michael Carns, of Panama City, FL; and other family and friends.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; her parents, Dan and Mary Carns; a brother, Vancel Carns; and a son-in-law, Ronald Luttrell.

Graveside funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, September 23, 2013, in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Guiding Star Girl Scout Council or the Goodfellow’s Shoe Fund. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Daniel Howard Purintun, 62, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died September 17, 2013 in Gothenburg, NE.

He was born June 16, 1951 in Lexington, NE, son of Charles and Kathryn (Jones) Purintun.

Daniel grew up at Gothenburg and graduated from Gothenburg High School. He attended Data Processing School in Kansas City. Dan married Eva Ramirez, they had two daughters Erika and Jessica. They later divorced. Dan lived in California from 1970-2003 and worked as a supervisor at Banner Jell Caps Pharmaceutical Company. Daniel thoroughly enjoyed traveling especially to Las Vegas with his family. After returning to Gothenburg he worked at Walmart. He enjoyed movies and music and was an amazing father to his two girls, Erika and Jessica. He was a soccer coach, a scorekeeper for softball and worked at the snack bar.

Surviving are 2 daughters – Erika Purintun of Simi Valley, CA, Jessica Purintun; grandson – Daniel James; mother Kathryn Purintun of Gothenburg; sister- Kathleen (Keith) Vogt of Gothenburg, NE; brother – James Purintun of Gothenburg, NE; aunt – Catherine (Bob) Adams; extended family including German Madrigal; Feliz Madrigal; Gefel; Amy; Kanda (Clayton) children: Kyle, Karleigh, Kaitlyn Kleinknecht; Kody Vogt; Karmen Jones and children: Kalib, and Kehl, along with many extended family and friends.

Daniel was preceded in death by father Charles Purintun; grandparents Hugh and Emma Purintun; grandparents James & Edith Jones; Dave & Randy Adams.

Memorial services will be held at First United Methodist Church, September 19, 2013 at 11:00 am with Dr. Jeff Thurman officiating.

Memorials may be given to the Sun Theater, PO Box 15, Gothenburg, NE 69138. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Peggy Lee (Brinker) Halstrom, 84, of Grand Island, NE, formerly of Gothenburg died on Sept. 11, 2013 at Tiffany Square in Grand Island, NE.

She was born April 8, 1929 in Yetter, IA, daughter of Leo and Hazel (Arndt) Brinker.

Peggy grew up in Auburn, IA. After graduating high school she attended Iowa State Teachers College. On April 19, 1957, she married Harlan Halstrom at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. They moved to Broken Bow, NE in 1968 and lived there until 1980. From there they moved to Burwell, NE and lived there until in 1984. In 1984 they settled in Gothenburg. Harlan passed away on October 8, 1992. Peggy remained in Gothenburg until 2008 when she moved to Grand Island, NE. Peggy has always enjoyed a good game of cards or bingo, especially casino games.

Surviving are sons, Tim (Kay) Halstrom of Farmington, NM; Tom (Alica) Halstrom of Grand Island, NE; Todd Halstrom of Las Vegas, NV; four grandchildren: Jackson, Elliott, Alex, and Matthew; and sister-in-law, Judy McNally; along with many other extended family and friends.

Peggy was preceded in death by husband, Harlan Jay Halstrom, parents, Leo and Hazel Brinker, and brother, Mal Brinker.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Sunday, September 15, 2013 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, September 16, 2013 at 10:00 am with Pastor Larry Viter officiating.

Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

M. Marcene Livermore, 88, of North Platte, passed away on Sept. 1, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center.
She was born on Jan. 18, 1925, to Emmett and Mona Hughes, of Ericson. When she was 6 years old, she was joined by a sister, Darlene, and soon followed by another sister, Berdine, and brothers, Gerald, Lonnie and Norman, who completed the large family. As the oldest, Marcene helped raise her siblings. She completed eighth grade at a one-room school house in Garfield County.
The Hughes were ranchers. Marcene learned from her grandparents, who also lived on the ranch. She baked bread at age 4 and at age 9, her canned peaches won first prize at the county fair.
At age 18, Marcene was asked to work at a prominent hunting lodge on a ranch near Ericson. The owner had heard of her as “an extraordinary young woman.” She took the job and helped put up hay, do chores, clean, cook, can and bake.
Marcene married Loren Livermore, of Burwell, in 1947. Their daughter, Judy, was born that year.
Later she became the chef at the Burwell Legion Hall, where she prepared food for the Burwell Rodeo. One year, she organized the preparation of seven tons of potatoes for rodeo week, with help of the community.
She graduated from beauty school in 1949 and operated her own shop thereafter. She kept her beautician’s license until she was 70.
In 1957, she took over operation of the staff kitchen at Fonner Park in Grand Island, preparing the food for horse owners, trainers and jockeys. She later worked in management at the Ramada Inn in Grand Island, where she expanded the banquet and convention program.
After Marcene moved to North Platte in 1975, she and Loren traveled extensively. Marcene remained active, canning fruit and berries in their motor home and also steering Loren’s fishing boat from the flying bridge.
Following her husband’s death in the early 1990s, Marcene earned her GED, and the instructor asked her to teach other GED students. She attended North Platte Community College, where she studied several subjects. She volunteered in the community, helping at the library, the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center, the 20th Century Veterans Memorial, the United Way campaign and the Garden Glove open market in Original Town. She loved music and art. In recent months, she was in the audience at Open Mic Nite at A to Z Books, where she enjoyed a regular role as “an encouraging observer.”
In all things she did, Marcene expressed a joy of living and wanted good to be sent and paid forward.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents; her husband; her brother, Gerald; a sister, Berdine; and stepsons, Wendell, Larry and Loren.
She is survived by her daughter, Judy Oliver; her sister, Darlene (Bill) Gumb, of Sargent; her brothers, Lonnie (Kathy) Hughes, of Sargent, and Norman “Dutch” (Cindy) Hughes, of McCook; and a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins.
No flowers are her request. Memorials are suggested to the Mid-Plains Community Foundation for educational scholarships, the Original Town or the Mid-Plains United Way.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, followed at noon by food and fellowship at the Eagles Club in North Platte.

Lorene Lillian Fought, 87, of North Platte passed away September 7, 2013 at Premier Estates. She was born April 23, 1926 in Bolus, NE to Morton and Elsie (Dodd-Stine) Hansen. Lorene attended school in Litchfield, NE. She worked at the Defence plant in Grand Island during WWII. Later she and her girlfriend moved to North Platte where Lorene worked at numerous restaurants. In 1949 she married William Walter Lunkwitz. To this union four children were born. In 1988 she married David Fought in North Platte. Lorene retired from waitressing in 2003 at the age of 77. She enjoyed making bead ornaments for her grandkids, going for walks, reading, doing puzzles and gardening. Lorene was a member of the First Lutheran Church in North Platte.
Survivors include her children, Alice (Clyde) King, Shirley (Mike) White all of North Platte, William Lunkwitz Jr. of Killeen, TX and David (Barbara) Lunkwitz of Locust Grove, OK; twin sister, Lora Gonser of Colcord, OK; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and other family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, David Fought; six sisters; and three brothers.
Memorials may be made to the North Platte Animal Shelter and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Memorial Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 2013 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with the Reverend Frank Fitch III officiating. Inurnment will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Joan M. Berlis, 77, of North Platte, formerly of Brule, NE, passed away Sunday, September 8, 2013, at the North Platte Care Center.

Joan was born on August 19, 1936, the daughter of Glen and Fern (Golden) Petersen in Cushing, NE and grew up in Denver, CO. She moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1953 where she met and married George Berlis, her husband of 55 years. She moved back to Denver in 1957. In 1960 Joan moved to Brule with her husband and three children and lived there until 2003 when she moved to North Platte.

She is survived by three daughters, Belle (Martin) Enderle, of North Platte, Linda Berlis, of Denver and Lori (Marc) Adams, of St. Louis MO; a son, Scott, of Denver; four grandchildren, Derek Enderle, of Nederland, CO, Nathan Enderle, of Seattle WA, Jordan Enderle, of Lincoln, NE, and Sarah Berlis, of Denver; and other family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George, in 2009; and three sons, Butch, Tony and Chuck.

Services and inurnment will be with immediate family only. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Marguerite M. Smith, 92, longtime Maxwell resident, passed away Sept. 6, 2013, at North Platte.
She was born Nov. 2, 1920, to Bernard and Frances (Kemper) Miller at Wellfleet. She attended school in Wellfleet and was united in marriage to Percy D. Smith on April 7, 1940. They made their home in Maxwell, where she was an assistant cook at the school for more than 32 dedicated years, retiring in 2001.
She was a member of the Legion Auxillary and Royal Neighbors Camping group.
Survivors include her daughter, Carolyn K. (Mike R.) Foust; her son, Robert P. (Linda C.) Smith, all of Maxwell; her grandchildren, Marguerite (Dre) Grandberry, Ginger (Larry Rivera) Foust, Richard Foust, Bobbie (Allen) Patz, and Dani Cumming; 10 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Gladys Forbes, of Wilson, N.C.; her brother, Marlin (Colleen) Miller, of Maywood; nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, on Feb. 25, 1969; her sisters, Hazel Ling, Arlene Ingram and Phyllis Hilty; and her brothers, Bernard, Alvie, and Marvin Miller.
A memorial has been established. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com
Services will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Joe Sukraw officiating. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 9, at the funeral home.

Daniel Canfield, 57, of Ogallala, died Sept. 5, 2013, at Bryan LGH Medical Center East in Lincoln.
Dan was born on Dec. 24, 1955, at Olympia, Wash., the son of Jack and May (Stiltner) Canfield. After graduation from Ogallala High School, he was employed in the restaurant and bar business.
He entered the Navy on April 5, 1974, and served a short time. He was honorably discharged.
His hobbies included fishing and traveling.
He was preceeded in death by his parents; and a brother, Jack Canfield.
Survivors include four brothers, Dave (Lori) Canfield, of Albany, Ore., Eric (Heather) Canfield, of Lincoln, Joe (Michelle) Canfield, of Sterling, Colo., and Ed Canfield, of Ogallala; his friend, Mickey Neiman, of Ogallala; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to the Goodall Library. Online condolences may be shared at draucker funeralhome.com.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (MDT), on Tuesday, Sept. 10 and Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Draucker Funeral Home. Cremation will follow. The family has requested no services. Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.

Fred Allen Barnes, 67, formerly of North Platte, passed away Aug. 30, 2013, surrounded by family at Kaiser in Vacaville, Calif.
He was born on Sept. 9, 1945, in North Platte, to Herb and Irene Barnes. Fred grew up in North Platte, then attended college in Denver, Colo. He joined the Army in 1965 and served in Korea. He then worked as a service technician for Montgomery Ward for 30 years.
Fred married Charlotte in 1968 in El Sobrante, Calif. They were happily married for 45 years.
Our hearts are saddened by the loss of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and hero.
Fred was preceded in death by his father, Herb Barnes; and brothers, John and Frank.
Fred is survived by his wife, Charlotte; his daughters, Pamela Gill, of Fairfield, Calif,, Patricia (Ruben) Pagtalonia, of Fairfield, Calif., and Melissa (Tony) Rosenberry, of North Platte; his son, Mark (Gina) Barnes, of Fairfield, Calif.; his mother, Irene Barnes, of North Platte; his brother, David (Mary) Barnes, of Ogallala; and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Kaiser nurses, respiratory therapists, and doctors that cared for Fred. Your kindness and support is deeply appreciated.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. (PDT), Friday, Sept. 13, at New Life Church, 5900 Cherry Glen Road, Vacaville, Calif. followed by a military service at 11:30 a.m. (PDT), at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, Calif.
Fairfield Funeral Home of Fairfield Calif. is in charge of arrangements.

Beulah Loostrom, 94 of Gothenburg died on Sept. 6, 2013 at the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital in Gothenburg.

She was born September 6, 1919 north of Gothenburg, NE on the family farm to William and Ella (McFate) Bedell. She grew up north of Gothenburg attending New Hope School and Gothenburg High School graduating in 1935. She spent her lifetime farming and ranching with her husband north of Gothenburg in Custer County and in Lincoln County between Brady and Maxwell. Beulah worked at the FSA office and then Gothenburg Feed Products for many years. She later was an owner of Loostrom Jewelry Store.

She married John Andrew Loostrom at North Platte on February 26, 1939, to this union, three children were born: David, Peggy and Mark.

Surviving are two sons David (Linda) Loostrom of Gothenburg, NE; Mark (Shawn) Loostrom of Maxwell, NE; daughter – Peggy (John) Pape of Grand Island, NE; six grandchildren-Perry (Kristin) Loostrom, Gothenburg, NE; Wendy Jensen, Grand Island, NE; Merry (Mark) Danley, Lincoln, NE; Dr. Jeffrey (Stephanie) Pape, Norfolk, NE; Sherry (Ryan) Sanner, San Diego, CA; John (Melodie) Loostrom, Maxwell, NE; 12 great grandchildren, three sisters-in-law; L. Johanna Bedell of Gothenburg, NE; Carol May Brown of Lexington, NE; Rosemary Loostrom of Plymouth, MI; brother-in-law Rod Carlson of Cozad, NE; along with a host of friends and extended family.

Beulah was preceded in death by husband, John Andrew Loostrom on April 3, 2013, her parents, four brothers, two sisters and two great-grandchildren Lane Michael and Bobbi Jo Loostrom.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Monday, September 09, 2013 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm with the family present from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

Graveside Services will be held at Gothenburg Cemetery, September 10, 2013 at 3:30 pm with Pastor Robert Litzenberger, officiating.

Memorials may be given to the Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department, 602 Tenth Street, Gothenburg, NE 69138. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.