Allan John Marquette, age 81, of North Platte passed away August 11, 2013 at his home. He was born March 23, 1932 in Alexandria, MN to John and Freda Bruske Marquette. Allan grew up in Alexandria, and was baptized and confirmed in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. He served in the United States Air Force as an Airman 1st class for 10 years. On June 2, 1953 in Minneapolis, MN Allan married Toni Larson. Allan worked for Consolidated Freightways as a truck driver, retiring after 31 years of safe driving in 1994. On June 1, 2013 he and his wife Toni celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Allan enjoyed returning to Minnesota to fish in the summer. His hobbies included hunting and fishing as well as watching football (including the Minnesota Vikings). He was also an avid Nascar fan. Allan was a member of the American Legion and Teamsters Retired Local 554. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Survivors include his wife, Toni of North Platte; children, Roxanne (Richard) Merksick of North Platte, Sheryl (Darrel) Kackmeister of Union, NE, Randy (Phyllis Pounder) Marquette, Daniel (Susan) Marquette, all of North Platte, and Jody (Fred) Stanley of Omaha; grandchildren, Daniel Totenhagen of Union, NE, Traci (Chuck Matheley) Jones of Weeping Water, NE, Amanda (Kyle) Henson of Kearney, MO, Kahla Jo Marie Stanley, and Aleah Stanley both of Lincoln; 5 step-grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; brother, Jim Marquette; numerous nieces, nephews, friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lyle, Merle, Glenn and Ray; and a sister, Gladys.
Memorials may be made in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 16, 2013 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with Chaplain Richard Karr officiating. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with Military honors graveside.

Lela Jean “Jeannie” Collier, 49, of North Platte, NE, died Friday, August 9, 2013, at home surrounded by her family and friends.

Jeannie was born June 28, 1964, at Bakersfield, CA to Frances Almetia Collier. She grew up in Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. The family moved to North Platte in 1979 where Jeannie graduated from North Platte High School in 1984. She was married to Billy Cox, Bill Lloyd and Dennis James Otten.

Jeannie attended Harvest Christian Fellowship. She loved Applebee’s, dancing, karaoke and her dog, Suzyque Angel. Jeannie had a beautiful smile and was kind to people.

Survivors include her children, Dakota, of Curtis, NE, LaToyah Rochester, of Colorado and Cheyenne “Tena” Otten Corter, of North Platte; her sister, Rhonda Johnson, and special friends, Amy Corter, Marilyn Ehmen and Charlotte Deardorff, all of North Platte; two nephews; and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Frances Collier.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2013, at the Harvest Christian Fellowship. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery at Sutherland. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to Tena’s College Fund. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Paul Edward Johnson, 97, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died August 9, 2013 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE.

He was born March 12, 1916 at Eustis, NE, son of John and Anna Johnson. He grew up in the Cozad area and graduated from Cozad High School. Paul was married to Helen Velte and they had two children. Paul married Tille E. Stevens on March 12, 1948, they had two children. He farmed southwest of Cozad and then moved to a farm northeast of Gothenburg. Paul had a love for the land and a special place in his heart for horses. He enjoyed Golden Gloves Boxing and Micro Midget Racing.

Survivors include two sons – Steve (Jo) Johnson of Gothenburg, NE, Kenneth Lee (Carol) Spilker of Clifton, NJ; two daughters – Beth (Curt) Bowman of Tucson, AZ, Bette (Dr. Robert) Patton of Kingsport, TN; four granddaughters – Kimberly Johnson, Linda (Bruce) Williams, Christina (Mike) Makoska, Kara (Scott) Zinke; three grandsons – Doran Johnson, William (Deborah) Patton, David Patton; six great-grandchildren-Elizabeth, Charles, Rudd, Dylan, Leah, and Brayden; brother John Johnson of Lexington, NE; many nieces, nephews, extended family, and Rebecca Meredith his special caregiver.

Paul was preceded in death by wife, Tillie Emily Johnson, parents, John and Anna Johnson, five sisters – Dorothy (Leslie) Delap, Ester (Lawrence) Velte, Florence Stear, Edith (Ward) Kinnan, and Ruth (Vern) Brown; one brother Harold Johnson; sister-in-law Lola Johnson.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Tuesday, August 13, 2013 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm with the family present from 6-8pm.

Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, August 14, 2013 at 10:30 am with Pastor Larry Viter officiating.

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

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

Gary Searcey, 67, North Platte (formerly of Liberty, NE) passed away on August 3rd, 2013 in the company of loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Joy Searcey, his brother Larry Searcey, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his wife Tammy Carr, ex-wife Anita Searcey, sister in law Louise Searcey, sons Brent Searcey, Terry Coon, Gary Coon, and David Carr, daughters Tami Searcey and Katy Carr-Pedersen, granddaughters Devin Searcey and Danielle Coon, grandson TJ Coon, and many cousins. Gary loved to spend time outdoors with his family and his dogs. He loved to golf, watch sports (especially baseball), and make people laugh. He spent time in the Army National Guard before joining the Union Pacific railroad, and finally running a used car business before retiring. He was a one of a kind individual who will truly be missed by all who called him family and friend.
Cremation was chosen. A memorial has been established in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Memorial services will be held 4:00 p.m. Saturday, August 10, 2013 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Brent Montgomery officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date. Those wishing to sign the register may do so today from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and on Saturday from noon to service time. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

Karen A. Michaels, 73, of North Platte, passed away August 6, 2013 at her home. She was born July 23, 1940 to Robert and Carrie (Roseholm) McCune at North Platte, NE. In 1958, she graduated from North Platte High School and later was united in marriage to Robert Michaels on Dec. 21, 1958. Karen retired from the Union Pacific Railroad as a clerk. She was a very loving wife and mother. Karen (mom) always thought of others and knew how to make you feel special. She never forgot a birthday. She loved to have fun and she loved making people laugh. Everyone always loved being around her because she was so uplifting. She cherished her time with her family. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, especially Christmas morning. She would call all the kids bright and early and say “guess who’s been here?” Then you would hear the “dreaded” singing Santa in the background. She treasured her grandchildren and time spent with them. Grandma K did her best to attend their sporting and other events. You would hear her say… “That’s my granddaughter or that’s my grandson.” She and Bob enjoyed traveling and she LOVED shopping. HSN was her favorite TV channel. On game day, you could always count on her to have her Husker shirt on and cheering “Go Big Red”. She is survived by her husband, Robert of North Platte; two sons, Darius (Michelle) Michaels of Lincoln and Lance (Tammy) Michaels of North Platte; two daughters, Julie (Michael) Hammonds of Houston, TX and Kelley (Jason) Davis of North Platte; a brother, Rick (Stephanie) McCune of St. Louis; and 10 grandchildren, Jordan, Taylor, Vance, Shaylene, Jarnell, Setera, MacKenzie, Jaedyn, Jamon and Jayla. She was preceded in death by her parents. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in her memory. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2013 at The Berean Church. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Robert Dale “Bob” Dorram, 81, of North Platte, NE, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at home surrounded by his family.

Bob was born August 13, 1931, to Clifford Harold and Edith Mae Hopkins Dorram in North Platte where he grew up. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1950. Bob hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1951. Following his discharge in 1955, Bob returned to North Platte and the railroad.

On September 14, 1952, Bob married Shirley Ann Prather at the First Christian Church in North Platte where they made their home. Bob worked as a clerk on the railroad for 40 years, retiring in 1990.

Bob was a member of the First Christian Church and the Lincoln County Wildlife Club. He was also a life member of the PTA and a Boy Scout leader. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and loved following his grandkids and great-grandkids to their sporting events.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley, of North Platte; a son, Tim (Yvonne) Dorram, of Omaha, NE; two daughters, Patty (Jay) Wonch and Betty Jo Hernandez, all of North Platte; five grandchildren, Chad (Angela) Dorram, Jeremy (Kim) Wonch, Casey (Marcy) Dorram, Danielle Wonch (fiancé, Matt Bialas) and Christopher (Tiffany) Hernandez; nine great-grandchildren, Dustin, Taylor, Damion, Tylan, Briley, Levi, Turner Thomas, Haley and Mazy; a sister-in-law, Jacque Shepherd, of North Platte; several nieces, nephews and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Edith Dorram; and three sisters, Phyllis Bahn, Charlotte Weisgerber and Marilyn Parrish

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2013, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Pastor Garry Timmons officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gift of Hope or the 21st Century Veteran’s Memorial. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements.

Stanley Ralph Smedra, age 86, of North Platte, died August 5, 2013 at Centennial Park Retirement Village.
Stanley was born October 24, 1926 in Boelus, NE to Joseph and Helen (Gorecki) Smedra. He grew up in the Boelus/Rockville area and graduated from Loup City High School in 1944. He entered the US Army in July of 1946 and was discharged in August of 1947. He then worked around the Loup City area until he hired on with the UPRR in North Platte. He retired after 38 years as a conductor. He married Margaret Whelan December 5, 1969; Margaret passed away August 24, 1988. Stanley was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He was an avid Nebraska football and baseball fan and was very proud of his nieces and nephews and all their accomplishments.
Stanley is survived by 18 nieces and nephews and their families; and numerous other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by Margaret; his parents; infant sister Mary and sister Esther Kusek; brothers Zigmund, Ignatz, John, Ray, Conrad, Alex and Alfred.
Memorials may be made to the Holy Spirit Catholic Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday August 9, 2013 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Mass of Christian Burial following at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend James Novakowski as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. today and Thursday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy Mae Pueppka, age 97 of North Platte, passed away Saturday August 3, 2013.
Dorothy was born January 15, 1916 in Arthur, NE to Harry and Florence (Heldt) Cullinan. She grew up in Arthur County and graduated from Arthur County High School. She was a teacher for 50 years, graduating from Kearney Teacher’s College in 1972. After her retirement, she continued to substitute teach. She married Bus Pueppka on July 2, 1941 in Chappell, NE. They lived on the Birdwood ranch near Sutherland until they moved to the home place in 1948 where they ranched. She belonged to the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, Arthur Garden Club and Extension Club. She loved to garden, cook, quilt and read and enjoyed putting on her school’s Christmas program.
Dorothy is survived by her daughters Glee Uehling of Grant, Sally Hilferty of North Platte, Patsy (Kenny) Wykert of Grant; sister Helen Damman of TX; brothers Joe Cullinan of Sutherland and Bob (Louise) Cullinan of Sarbin; 8 grandchildren Kammi (Donnie) Meyer, Gregg (Janelle) Uehling, Scott (Krista) Uehling, Kellie Kava, Traci (Sam Lee) Hilferty, Kolby (Carrie) Wykert, Tara (Darin) Tjaden, Kraig (Jessica) Wykert; 15 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bus in 2010; 2 brothers Marvin and Harry Jr.; 2 sisters Mildred Hoffman and Mary Ann Glinn; and son-in-law Bob Uehling.
A memorial has been established to the Arthur County Library and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be held Wednesday August 7, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with John Long officiating. Burial will follow at Paxton Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Donna Jean (Sapp) Conrey entered the presence of our Lord on Monday, August 5, 2013. She was born to Herman Everett and Sergia (Barnell) Sapp on October 12, 1924 in Fremont, NE. Donna attended school there until moving to North Platte her senior year, where she graduated with the class of 1944. She then received two years of nurse’s training in Denver, CO.
Donna was married to Kenneth Kerwin Conrey of North Platte on September 18, 1944. From this union there were four children: Christine Kae, deceased, Megganey Sue (Edward) Elmore of Garland, TX, James Todd (Sandra) of Sellersburg, IN, and Calvin Frank (Karen) of Norcross, GA. She was preceded in death by a brother Larry; daughter Christine; her parents; Kenneth; and her sister Maxine (Sapp) Romohr of Gresham, NE. Several cousins in the Sutton area; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren survive Donna.
After living in Nebraska, Texas and Florida during her married years, Donna returned to North Platte and worked in the office of Dr. Nakamura. She attended Bethel Evangelical Free Church and enjoyed participating in women’s bible studies. Along with other classmates, she helped organize numerous class reunions for the North Platte High School class of 1944. Donna had a life long love of learning, she appreciated art and history, and enjoyed traveling. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. She always reminded us of the importance of a spiritual relationship with God.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Bethel Evangelical Free Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Visitation will be held at the Adams and Swanson Funeral Home on Wednesday August 7, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with graveside services immediately following at the North Platte Cemetery. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Joseph L. Holmquist, 65, of North Platte, passed away Aug. 1, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center.
He was born Dec. 13, 1947, to Roy and Elvera Holmquist at North Platte. He graduated from North Platte High School. Joseph was employed as a custodian at St. Patricks High School for 28 years. He was a member and volunteered at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Joseph is survived by his mother, Vera Keith, of North Platte; his brother, Larry (Gloria) Holmquist, of North Platte; two nephews, Jim Holmquist, of Lincoln and Rich Holmquist, of North Platte; and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his father.
A memorial has been established. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.
Memorial mass will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Rev. James Novakowski as celebrant. Rosary will be recited 9:30 a.m. prior to the mass at the church. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 5, through Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nptelegraph/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-l-holmquist&pid=166213535#fbLoggedOut