It is with heavy hearts and warm memories that we remember our loving, congenial, gentle husband, father and grandfather, Larry Kirsch, who passed away in North Platte on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, at the age of 71.

Larry was born on June 16, 1942, to John Adam and Dorothy Maxine Foran Kirsch at Arnold, NE. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1960. He worked for Hipp Wholesale and Cash Wa Distributing and was a member of the Eagles Aeries #2839 and the Moose Lodge #551.

Larry had a golden heart as he was always willing to walk that extra mile to be of service to whomever needed or wanted help. He was a friend to everyone and working with people was his driving force.

Larry is survived by his wife, Diane, whom he married on May 17, 2003, and his mother, Maxine, both of North Platte; his children, Randy Kirsch, of North Platte, Sara (Carl) deSoto, of Austin, TX, Brian Rief, of Lincoln, NE, Jodi (Bill) Simants, of North Platte and Dennis Kailey, of Denver, CO; three grandchildren, Aiden deSoto, Grady and Koby Simants; three sisters-in-law, Karen Sandberg, of Sutherland, NE, Loretta Sandberg, of Stratton, NE and Dianne Sandberg, of Cheyenne, WY; and other family.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Kirsch; and brothers-in-law, Bob, Roland and Bruce Sandberg.

Rosary Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2013, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Celebrant Father Jim Golka. Cremation will follow the mass and inurnment will be in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. The family has established a memorial for Aiden deSoto for autism. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Julie Ann (Gatzemeyer) Goans, 74, of North Platte, passed away on July 12, 2013, at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, in Lincoln, after a short battle with lung cancer.
Julie was born on a farm near Hartington on March 6, 1939, but spent many years in Bancroft and graduated from Bancroft High School. She married Wally Goans on April 3, 1958.
Julie’s passion was learning and teaching and she was actively teaching computer technology full time at North Platte Community College.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer J. and Elizabeth E. Gatzemeyer; husband, Wallace L. Goans; infant child, Mary Goans; and son-in-law, Jim Turkal.
She is survived by her son, Steven M. (Carol) Goans, of Lincoln; daughter, Beth C. (Rick) Nethery, of Willow Hill, Ill.; grandchildren, Stephanie (Turkal) (Scott) Snell, Katharine Turkal, Emily Goans, Sean Goans, Rebecca Nethery; two twin great-granddaughters, Alivia and Alayna Lingafelter; her brothers, Norman, George, David, Burton, Ronnie, Jon; and her sister, Helen.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to caringbridge.com in honor of Julie Goans.
Inurnment will be at noon on Friday, July 19, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. A celebration of Julie’s life will follow the service from 1-3 p.m., at North Platte Community College South Campus, 601 W. State Farm Road, in the fireplace commons area.

Ron Shaner, 86, of North Platte, NE, passed away Monday, July 15, 2013, at Linden Court in North Platte.

He was born Ronald Eugene on October 10, 1926, at Maxwell, NE to Orville and Ida Vergene Deets Shaner. He grew up in North Platte and attended North Platte High School. Ron joined the U.S. Navy in November 1944 and served until May 1946. After his discharge he returned to North Platte and started Shaner and Schram Garage then Shaner Garage. He retired in 1982 but never stopped working.

On February 24, 1945, Ron married Betty Jean Larson at Atwood, KS and they made their home in North Platte where they raised their two children.

Ron was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and a life member of P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and the Moose Lodge. He enjoyed fishing, yard work, building birdhouses, hunting and “making prairie dogs fly.” Ron especially loved his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty, of North Platte; his son, Steve (Deb) Shaner, of Manhattan, KS; a daughter, Ronda (Doug) Johnson, of Frisco, TX; three grandchildren, Alison (Rich) Wiegard, Ben (Kristie) Johnson and Dr. Adam Shaner; a great-grandson, Cash Johnson; his nephew, Mark Shaner; and other family.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Ida Vergene, and a brother, Gerald Shaner.

A graveside funeral service with military honors will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2013, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery with Mr. Lloyd Speicher officiating. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital Transportation Fund or the donor’s choice. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com

Joleen Joyce Shaw, 76, of North Platte, Nebraska, died July 15, 2013 in North Platte, NE.

She was born February 6, 1937 in Gothenburg, NE, daughter of Theo and Nora Rodine. She grew up at Gothenburg and attended New Hope elementary and graduated from Gothenburg High School. She married Larry Shaw Jr, June 17, 1961, they had three children. Larry preceded her in death in 1981. For the past 10 years she worked at the Cabela’s Call Center in North Platte. She attended First Baptist Church in North Platte. Her passions were her family, Nebraska Football, golf and her animals.

Joleen is survived by her friend Mel Sappenfield of North Platte; daughter – Sandy McFarland of Salt Lake, UT; son Larry (Kris) Shaw of Tampa, FL; 2 grandsons – Josh McFarland of Los Angeles, CA, Austin Shaw of Carrolton, GA; 2 granddaughters – Ashley McFarland of Salt Lake, UT, Chelsea Shaw of Peru, IN; brother – Wallace Rodine of North Platte, NE; sister – Marian Peterson of Brady, NE; along with nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Joleen was preceded in death by husband, Larry Herman Shaw Jr.; father, Theo Rodine; mother, Nora Rodine; daughter, Debbie Shaw; son-in-law, Dillon McFarland; and her in-laws.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, July 18, 2013, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church, July 19, 2013 at 10:30 am with Pastor Bill Ivey officiating.

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

Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Betty C. Sayer, age 92 of North Platte, died July 12, 2013 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. She was born June 28, 1921 at Indianola, NE to Garrett and Frances (Dolan) Wilber. Betty graduated from Indianola High School in 1937. She was united in marriage to Gerald Sayer on May 20, 1943. In 1961, they moved to North Platte. She was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and enjoyed gardening, reading, and crossword puzzles. Survivors include her children; Kenneth (Mary Ann) Sayer and Barbara (Robert) Halverson of North Platte, Doris (James) Dorman of Kearney and Earl (Sandy Gentry) Sayer of North Platte; 8 grandchildren, Kent Sayer, Kari (Tony) Probasco, Kris Sayer, Shane Halverson, Melissa (David) Halverson-Hall, Stacey (Lance) Anderson, Kammy (Brian James) Kendall and Nicole Dorman, six great-grandchildren, her sister, Marie Appleyard of McCook; sister-in-law, Lillian Sayer of Cambridge, numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a brother, Jack Wilber. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Christian Wake service will be 10:30 am prior to the mass. Graveside services will be 3:00 pm Wednesday at St. John’s Cemetery in Cambridge. Visitation will be Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Holy Spirit Building Fund or the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment Fund.

Secilio F. Trujillo “Buck” Guerra, Sr., of North Platte, NE, passed away Saturday, July 13, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

Secilio was born March 2, 1946, to Elijio D. and Prospera “Mabel” Torres Guerra at North Platte where he grew up. He attended St. Patrick’s High School then went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad in the Maintenance of Way Department. Buck later worked nine years with the North Platte Packing Plant and worked as a cement finisher for Cement Products before starting his own cement company, A Triple A Concrete. Buck also worked for Western Engineering, retiring in 2008.

In 1962 Buck married Esther Sanchez and they later divorced. He married Connie Bruce in August 1996 and they later divorced. Buck enjoyed spending his final years with his kids and grandkids. He also loved to watch western movies, traveling and being with his friends. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Survivors include two sons, Mario (Olivia) Guerra, of North Platte and Cecil, Jr. (Sanjunita) Guerra, of Lincoln, NE; eight daughters, Vicki (Jerry) Estrada, of Lincoln, NE, Tracey (Jesus) Torres, of Grand Island, NE, Donna (Wes) Kohl, Elizabeth (Alex) Tirado, Monica (Diego) Pablo, Nikki (Darby) Stevens and Erica (Mark) Davis, all of North Platte, and Jennifer (Clint) Bach, of Columbus, NE. He is also survived by two brothers, Joe (Maggie) Guerra, of North Platte and Lupe Guerra, of Minneapolis, MN; a sister, Delores (Roger) Lane, of Lincoln, NE; 43 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elijio and Mabel Guerra; two sons, Michael and Manolito Guerra; and two grandchildren, Raquel Guerra and Alberto Urbina Guerra.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. followed by a Wake Service at 7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 2013, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with celebrant Father Jim Golka. Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family c/o Odean Colonial Chapel, 302 South Sycamore, North Platte 69101, which is in charge of arrangements.

Jimmie Dale “Jim” Jenkins peacefully passed away on July 11, 2013 at Box Butte General Hospital.
He was born at home west of Stapleton, Nebraska on August 8, 1931 to Delbert and Olive (Stalnaker) Jenkins. Jim graduated high school in 1949 and then joined the Navy on October 16th of 1950 where he was stationed in San Diego and Japan during the Korean War. He married Gerene Stewart on April 1st of 1955.
Jim managed the grocery store in Whitman, Nebraska, for 7 years where he enjoyed visiting with the customers who came in throughout the day. He began working for the Monahan Cattle Company in February of 1975 He retired in December of 2011.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Olive(Stalnaker) Jenkins, and is survived by his wife Gerene of Whitman, his children Will Jenkins of Whitman, Leasy (Chancy) Groves of Ashby, J.R.(Karla) Jenkins of Potter, his grandchildren Tana (Cody) Miller ,Taryn Groves, Jeanna, Nathan, Joshua and Jacob Jenkins, and one great-grandchild, Rhett Miller, his sisters Joyce (Don) Sheets of Burwell, Ne, and Lila Mae Lambertz of Wall Lake, IA, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Jim will be greatly missed but his contribution to the Sandhills and his legacy will not be forgotten. Jim built many sets of corrals and pens on ranches and fairgrounds across the Sandhills. He was an excellent designer, welder, and carpenter. Jim loved driving his tractor, moving bales, feeding cattle, and being out in the hills. More importantly, he spent time with his children and grandchildren teaching them his skills, a trade, and most importantly, work ethic.
Jim loved to hunt coyotes. Friends and family who went with him have great stories and fond memories of those trips. Jim also enjoyed visiting with people and loved to get together with friends to play cribbage and pitch.
Visitation will be from 1 to 7 M MDT Tuesday July 16th at the Mullen Funeral Home.
His memorial service will be held at the Hyannis High School Auditorium at 10 AM on Wednesday, July 17th, followed by food and fellowship at the Whitman Community Hall.
Memorials to Jim Jenkins Memorial Fund % of the family at Box 36, Whitman, NE 69366.
Inurnment will be at a later date by the family.

Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 308-546-2260

Helen Stearns, 89, formerly of North Platte, passed away on July 9, 2013 in Rogers, AR. Helen was born June 7, 1924, to George and Barbara Engleman. Helen married Archie Stearns on April 28, 1945, and 2 children were born of their union, Sharon and Judy. Helen worked as a custodian for the North Platte public school system for 40 years. Helen and her family were members of the North Platte Berean Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Archie, her daughter, Sharon, 3 brothers, 6 sisters, and many other loved ones. She is survived by her daughter, Judy, of Bella Vista, AR, 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews who were precious to her. A memorial service will be held at 10:00am on July 15, 2013 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte with Pastor Dean Bailey officiating. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Elisa Medrano, age 89 of North Platte, passed away Thursday July 11, 2013.
Elisa was born on May 30, 1924 in Lockhart, TX to Christopher Contreras and Olivia Tobias. She grew up in Reynosa, Mexico. On July 25, 1938 she married Tereso Medrano and they had 7 children. She worked at TRW in Ogallala and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte. She loved to cook, crochet, embroider and spend time with her family.
Elisa is survived by 3 daughters Lupe (Chuck) Duncan of North Platte, Maryann (Charlie) Rainwater of Penrose, CO, Maria Nehls of Lincoln, NE; 2 sons Joe (Patty) Medrano of North Platte, Jesse (Annie) Medrano of Amana, IA; son-in-law Augustine Tarango of North Platte; 2 special granddaughters who were her caregivers Olivia (Mario) Guerra and Glenda Nesslein both of North Platte; 17 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; 22 great great grandchildren; 1 sister Esther Bravo of Mexico City; brother-in-laws Otelio (Phylis) Perez of North Platte, and Jesse (Maria) Medrano of Grand Island.
She was preceded in death by her husband Tereso Medrano; an infant son Jesse Medrano; daughter Juanita Tarango; daughter-in-law Lee Medrano; son-in-law Fred Nehls; 2 granddaughters Julie Tarango, Linda Tarango Griess; a great grand son Antony Tarango; sisters Juanita Morales, Lupe Morales, brothers Feligonio Contreras, and Jesse Contreras.
Memorials are suggested to the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake service will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday July 16, 2013 and Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday July 17, 2013, both at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend James Golka officiating. Burial will follow at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday and Sunday from noon until 6:00 p.m., Monday 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Marvin W. Owen, 82, formerly of Sheridan, WY died Monday, July 8, 2013, at his home in North Platte, Nebraska after a long illness.

He was born February 4, 1932 in Sheridan, Wyoming to Clair and Elizabeth (Salsbury) Owen. He married Chongchit Ngoenyuang in 1985 in Thailand.

He was a Sargent in the Korean War from 1950-52. After the Korean War, he was a nursing aide at the VAMC in Sheridan, Wyoming. He had a janitorial cleaning business in Sheridan, was a traveling salesman, and was vice president at National Paper in Omaha. He later owned Marv’s Sanitary Supply janitorial supply business in North Platte, NE. He retired in 2012. He enjoyed rebuilding antique cars, fly fishing, growing fruit trees and vegetables, and rescuing stray cats.

He is survived by his wife Chongchit; children, Patti (Owen) Curry and husband David of Poteau, OK, David Owen, Donald Owen, Steven Owen and wife Twila, all of Sheridan, Bart Owen and wife Betty of Summerfield, FL and Matthew Owen of Billings, MT; grandchildren, Lyndsay (Owen) Brown and husband Jesse of Newberry, MI, Michael Owen of Sheridan, Kelsey (Owen) Dexter and husband Athen of Sheridan, Heather (Curry) Gunn and husband James of Cove, AR, Jill (Curry) Woodral of Fort Smith, AR, Michael Hopper of California, David Noecker, Lacey Salinas, Maria Owen, and Kaleh Owen, all of Sheridan; and 14 great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 11, 2013 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with the Chaplain Gary Smith officiating. Inurnment will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors graveside. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.