Lenore Virginia Johnson of North Platte, passed away May 7, 2013 at Linden Court. Lenore, the daughter of Evelyn Yoakum, was born in Lewellen, NE.
Lenore was the owner of North Platte Vac & Sew and a member of the Assembly of God and Salvation Army Churches.
Lenore is survived by her children Carol (Paul) (Pat) Olson of Olympia, WA, Susan (John) (Ted) Pitarro of Bend, OR and Kathy (Merle) (Steve) Bilhimer of Rochester, WA; siblings, Shirley (Ray) Junker of Keller TX, Phillip (Nadean) Yoakum of Fayetteville, AR; 4 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother and brother John.

Cindy Wanda Cox-Votaw, age 48, of Wellfleet, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. She was born June 26, 1964, in Dunlap Iowa to Gary and Barbara Stolley-Cox. She graduated from Dunlap High School with the class of 1982. She then attended college in Sioux City getting her degree in retail management. After college she traveled all over the country with her dog, Dakota. She ended up settling down in Nebraska, where she met the love of her life, Mark Votaw. The couple made their home in Wellfleet. Cindy worked various jobs before becoming a truck driver for Sodexo, delivering food to schools in the area. Cindy loved artwork, gardening, kayaking, and just being outdoors with nature. She was very creative and had a wild imagination. Cindy was a people person who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include the love of her life, Mark Votaw of Wellfleet; a daughter Cassie Dee Votaw also of Wellfleet; parents Barbara and Gary Cox; a sister, Anita Cox; a brother Todd (Lori) Cox all of Dunlap, Iowa; two nieces, Erin (Kevin) Korell and Heather Votaw; three nephews, Andy, Alec and Carson Cox; and a great-nephew Jesse Korell.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Laynie Dae Votaw.
A memorial has been established in her name and online condolences may be made at www.carpentermemorial.com.
Funeral services will be 10:30 AM today at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Tammy Aubushon officiating. Burial will follow at Wellfleet Cemetery. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Charlene Rae Devine, 66, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died May 5, 2013 at her home in Gothenburg, NE, following a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born May 13, 1946 in Gothenburg, NE, daughter of Harry James Crawford Sr. and Lorraine Elbera (Franzen) Crawford.

Charlene graduated from Wasson High School in Colorado Springs, CO in 1964. She married Ron Devine on April 2, 1966 at Colorado Springs; to this union, two daughters were born: Kelli and Kristi.

Charlene worked as a tax preparer for many years. Charlene was a 4-H mom to many. She collected porcelain dolls, enjoyed shopping and going to garage sales. Charlene was a very generous person who shared many of the things she purchased with the less fortunate. She was a member of the Birthday Club, Card Club, Red Hat Society, Meals on Wheels Volunteer, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Lutheran Church Women, and Luther League Sponsor.

Charlene’s greatest treasures were her grandchildren. She loved “heading East” to attend their many activities.

Surviving are loving husband Ron Devine of Gothenburg, NE; two daughters – Kelli and husband Rod Mattson of Wahoo, NE, Kristi Phillipson of Omaha, NE; five grandchildren; Colter Mattson, Chaleigh Mattson, Cadie Mattson, Emma Phillipson, and Brody Phillipson; sister – JoAnn Norris; brother – Daniel (Daryl) Crawford; her father-in-law Morris Devine; along with many extended family and friends.

Charlene was preceded in death by her father, Harry James Crawford Sr., mother, Lorraine Elbera Crawford and a brother Harry “Butch” Crawford, Jr, and mother-in-law Cora Evelyn Devine.

The Devine family would especially like to thank the Hospice nurses and staff, and the Gothenburg Rescue Unit for their tender care of Charlene.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Wednesday, May 08, 2013 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm. with the family present from 5-7.

Funeral Services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, May 9, 2013 at 10:00 am.

Interment will follow in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society Heartland Division 9850 Nicholas, Suite 200Omaha, NE 68114; Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department 602 Tenth Street Gothenburg, NE 69138; Central Plains Home Health & Hospice 300 E 12th Street Cozad, NE 69130.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Vera E. Schwarz, 90, of Elwood, passed away May 4, 2013, at Elwood Care Center in Elwood.
Vera Elizabeth Hock was born to Fred and Helena Maria (Baumgartner) Hock, in Waterloo, Iowa, on May 14, 1922. She was baptized at Trinity American Church in Waterloo. When she was a year old, Vera’s family moved to a farm northwest of Strawberry Point, Iowa, and lived in that area for many years. Vera graduated from Strawberry Point High School in 1939, where she received normal school training in order to obtain her elementary school teaching certificate on her 18th birthday. She then taught country schools in the Strawberry Point area for the next 10 years. One of the schools she taught in was one her mother attended as a child, near St. Sebald Lutheran Church.
Until 1947, Vera was able to teach on a “war certificate,” but that summer she enrolled at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, in order to renew her regular teaching certificate. There she met a young soon-to-be seminarian from North Dakota, Richard Schwarz.
On July 29, 1951, Vera and Richard Walter Schwarz of Hazen, N.D., were married at St. Sebald Lutheran Church by Vera’s brother, and they spent the next year living in a small trailer at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. While Dick, as Vera called him, finished his final year of seminary, Vera taught at a local rural school. The couple’s first parish was Zion Lutheran Church in Kulm, N.D. The family then moved to Parkston, S.D., in 1957, where they served for 12 ½ years. A call to St. John’s Lutheran Church moved them to Eustis for seven years, and then they moved to Long Lake, S.D. Vera and Richard retired to Elwood in 1988. Vera and Richard had four children, Jonathan, Kathryn, Joel and Steven.
Vera was a faithful servant of the Lord in her ministry as a pastor’s wife. She accompanied her husband much of the time on his pastoral calls as well as teaching Sunday school, conducting Bible Studies and ministering to their congregations with a warm and caring personality as well as with her wonderful cooking and baking talents. Vera’s glazed donuts were sinfully delicious and are remembered fondly by all who were able to enjoy them.
Vera’s great sense of humor and enthusiastic laughter will also not soon be forgotten. She loved to make you smile. She was known as the card lady at the Elwood Senior Center where she recycled greeting cards for a number of years. She loved crossword puzzles and word games, but one of her great joys in life was playing UNO with the grandkids…sometimes she even let them win.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Pastor R.W. Schwarz, on March 19, 2013; her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Orville Wandersee; and her brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Fern Hock.
Vera is survived by her sons, Jonathan (Carolyn) Schwarz, of Lincoln, Joel (Maria) Schwarz, of Layton, Utah, and Steve Schwarz, of Arapahoe; her daughter, Kathy Gundell, of Eustis; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren, Jeremy (Brooke) Schwarz and Gavin, both of Lincoln, Jennifer (Dayne) Crawford and Brooklyn, both of Goodyear, Ariz., Amanda (Bryant) Brockmeier and Lane Baxter, Evan, Reid, and Jeannae, all of Eustis, James (Gwen) Gundell and Turner and Jaxson, all of Gothenburg, Christopher Schwarz, of Sioux Falls, S.D., Adam (Jessica) Schwarz and Jaleigh and Reese, all of Suffolk, Va., Danielle (fiancé, Scott Woodstock) Schwarz and Samuel Schwarz, both of Layton, Utah; her brother, Pastor A.L. (Gerda) Hock, of Strawberry Point, Iowa; her sisters-in-law, Pauline (Melvin) Brinkmeyer, of Eureka, S.D., and Eva (Richard) Newkirk, of Gehanna, Ohio; as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.
Memorials are suggested to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America or the American Diabetes Association . Online condolences to the family may be shared at reynoldslove funeralhome.com.
Funeral Celebration of Life Service will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 8, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis with Pastor Harold Laursen officiating. Burial will be at the St. John’s Lutheran East Cemetery at Eustis. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., today, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.

Laura Porter Reece, age 87 of North Platte, passed away on May 4, 2013 at her home surrounded by her children..
Laura was born on August 6, 1925 in Gothenburg, NE to Robert and Paulina (Heidebrink) Freeze. She attended school in North Platte. She married Fredrick “Mike” C. Porter on November 9, 1944 in Oberlin, KS and they had six children. Following Mike’s death, Laura married Tim Reece.
She loved her children and she liked playing Bingo. She was a good-hearted, caring woman who loved life.
Laura is survived by her children Michael (Gail) Porter of Chino, CA, Daniel (Joan) Porter of Chino, CA, David (Carol) Porter of Sidney, NE, Kathy “Kitty” (Andy) Cynova of North Platte, and Laurie Jones of North Platte; 18 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter Sandra Porter; husband Fredrick “Mike” Porter; and her oldest grandchild Charity Ann Porter in 2010.
Online condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday May 7, 2013 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday May 8, 2013 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Reverend Neal Hock officiating. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday May 7, 2013 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Howard D. “J.R.” Russell Jr., age 54 of North Platte, passed away May 6, 2013 in North Platte.
J.R. was born on November 19, 1958 in Scott City, KS to Howard and Eldora (Miller) Russell, Sr. He grew up in Garden City, KS and married Beverly Boyd on August 12, 1992 in Hasting, NE. The couple lived in North Platte where he worked for Weathercraft. He was also a self employed mechanic who helped many people throughout his lifetime. He enjoyed working on cars, either his own or others’.
J.R. is survived by his wife Beverly of North Platte; children Jeremy (Denise) Boyd of Lakemoor, IL, Catherine Perez of North Platte, Robert Russell of North Platte, Sheila Russell of Kansas; parents Howard and Eldora Russell Sr. of Chappell, NE; 5 grandchildren Zoe, Connor, Alex, Ryleigh, and Julyanna; siblings Herb Russell of North Platte, Lyle (Lisa) Russell of Garden City, KS, David (Rojean) Russell of Benton, KS, Stan Russell and Brad Russell both of North Platte, Charlotte (Harvey) Wendell of Garden City, KS, Brenda (Victor) Smith of North Platte; and numerous other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Kevin and Stacy, and infant daughter Shawna.
A memorial has been established in his name and online condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and a private family service will be held at a later date.

David E. Wyatt, age 55 of North Platte, passed away May 4, 2013 at GPRMC.
David was born on November 24, 1957 in Winchester, KY to John and Glenna (Morton) Wyatt. He attended school at Hershey and Maxwell, and entered the U.S. Marine Corp. He later settled in North Platte where he met Kimberley Steinwart. They had one child Tyler. Kimberley preceded him in death in 1987. He worked at TO Hass for a while before working at Quality Heating and Air Conditioning for many years. He began a relationship with Penny Caudillo and the couple had a child, Terrell. He loved to fish and enjoyed the outdoors.
David is survived by his two sons Tyler (fiancé Angie Rael) Wyatt and Terrell Caudillo both of North Platte; his life partner, Penny Caudillo of North Platte; stepson Tim (Nicole) Caudillo of North Platte; four grandchildren, David, Timothy, Acella and Theo; siblings Natalie (Richard) Little of Woodland, CA, Melinda (Todd) Sharp of North Platte, Regan (Darci) Wyatt of North Platte, Daryl (Chris) Wyatt of Holdredge, NE, Keith Wyatt of Holdredge and Michael (Tonya) Wyatt of North Platte; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and fiancé Kimberley Steinwart.
A memorial has been established in his name and online condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be held Wednesday May 8, 2013 at 1:30 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with full military honors. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book Tuesday 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday 9:00 a.m. until service time, at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Richard E. Reutzel, 66, passed on to pheasant heaven on May 1, 2013, at his home in Ovid, Colo.
Born in Grant on Aug 3, 1946, he was the son of Roy W. and Doris P. Reutzel. Richard attended the Madrid and Grant schools and worked hard to receive his GED later in life as well as graduating with an associate’s degree from Northeastern Junior College shortly thereafter. He served in the U.S. Army and worked for Sara Lee for 30 years. Richard married Peggy Ziegler on April 7, 1968, and they shared a daughter.
His many hobbies included watching his grandchildren’s activities, hunting, fishing, going to auctions and yard sales, as well as stock car racing, driving his own car for several years. Richard was also active in the Ovid Lion’s Club for many years and served as the Treasurer on the Ovid Fire Department’s rural board.
Richard was preceded in death by his grandfather, Bill Reutzel; his father, Roy W. Reutzel; three step-fathers; a brother-in-law, Harold Irwin; in-laws, Clarence and Marie Ziegler, and a niece and nephew.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy; a daughter and son-in-law, Richelle and Andy Schneider, of Ovid; two grandchildren Brooke and Hunter; his mother, Doris Edwards, of Ogallala; his father-in-law, Lee (Sylvia) Palmer, of Renton, Wash., his sister-in-law, Bonnie Lyons of Tukwilla, Wash.; his sisters Bess (Bill) England, Nila Irwin, of Lincoln, Bonnie (Eldon) Kokes, of Grand Island, Jody (Bill) Reutzel, of Ogallala, and Sue (Roy) Reutzel, of Paxton; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m., (MDT), Monday, May 6, at the Austin Tennant Funeral Home in Julesburg, Colo. with Pastor Art Roth officiating. Burial will follow the services at the Ovid Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Ovid Volunteer Fire Department or the Ovid Lions Club.

Nina M. Lindekugel, 86, of Cozad, passed away May 3, 2013, at the Golden Living Care Center in Cozad.
Nina was born Sept. 17, 1926, at Cozad, to Reginald E. and Cora M. (Stauffer) Davis. She graduated from Gothenburg High School.
On July 6, 1945, Nina married Ivan Lindekugel at North Platte. The couple made their home in the North Platte area briefly before moving to Hershey, where Ivan drove truck. Eventually the couple moved to Cozad, where they bought the Davis Sand and Gravel Company from Nina’s parents. Their union was blessed with three children, Rodney, Lonnie and Carolyn. While in Cozad, Nina had worked at the Cozad Telephone Company and the Cozad Local, but the most important job she ever held, was that of a stay-at-home mom. She was a loving and dedicated wife and mother, and poured everything she had into her family. Ivan preceded Nina in death in 1997. In most recent years, she had made her home at the Golden Living Center in Cozad, where she enjoyed the residents and staff.
Nina was a very family-oriented person. She loved to entertain and cook big meals. She always seemed to have enough food, no matter how many visitors she had at her home. Guests and family alike were often treated to warm homemade bread and her famous apple pie. She undoubtedly spent some of her happiest moments with a houseful of family. She also maintained very close relationships with her siblings through the years.
Nina was a long-time member of the Cozad Christian Church.
Nina was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ivan, in 1997; two brothers, Robert and Gerald; two sisters, Norvene Bowden and Dorothy Feddersen; and a grandchild, Debbie Lindekugel.
Survivors include her two sons, Rodney (Cheryl) Lindekugel, of Hershey, and Lonnie (Brenda) Lindekugel, of Maumelle, Ark.; her daughter, Carolyn (Rock) Weatherly, of Cozad; two sisters, Norma Struempler, of Callaway, and Janice (George) Kraft, of Kansas City, Mo.; her brother, Doug (Jean) Davis, of Cozad; seven grandchildren, Cari (Mike) Brownwell, of Hershey, Roxanne Weatherly, of Ponca City, Okla., Randy (Tonya) Weatherly, of Cozad, Kim Lindekugel, of Durham, N.C., Robyn (Scott) Geiser, of Cozad, Greg (Annie) Lindekugel, of Bovey, M.N., and Steven Lindekugel, of Grand Rapids, Minn.; two step grandchildren, Blair (Danielle) Pedersen and Brandi (Eric) Stockman, all of Maumelle, Ark.; 15 great-grandchildren; Mike Johnston, of Lincoln; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com.
Services will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 7, at the Cozad Christian Church with Pastor Jeremy Jech officiating. Burial will be at the Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m., Monday, May 6, at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad

Delores A. Barton, 75, of North Platte, died May 2, 2013, at her home.
She was born on Sept. 30, 1937, in Nebraska City, to Clarence and Anna (Nieman) Cropp. The family moved to North Platte from Dunbar in 1950. Delores then graduated from North Platte High School in 1956. She worked at the Pawnee Drive Inn, where she met Robert C. Barton. The couple was married on Aug. 24, 1957, in North Platte. Delores worked at the W.J. O’Connor Store for 16 years, and then went to work for Ace Hardware for the next 27 years.
Delores was a member of the First Christian Church, and the Eagles Auxiliary, where she served in several chairs. She loved spending time with friends, playing cards and participating in the Rec Center swim classes. Delores enjoyed her yard work, watching bull riding, bowling, and taking care of her cat. Her family was very important to her, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she will be dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a brother, Arvin.
Survivors include her two sons, Rick (Deb) Barton, of North Platte, and Robbie (Mary) Barton, of Lincoln; three grandchildren, Ryann Cooper-Barton, of Lincoln, Heather (Jake) Butterbaugh, of Lenexa, Kan., and Dylan (Boni) Golden, of Bridgeport; four great-grandchildren, Hanna and Jack Butterbaugh of Lenexa, Kan., and Rand and Riley Golden of Bridgeport; a sister, Jeanette (John) Thompson, of North Platte; and a sister-in-law, Patricia Cropp, of Colorado.
Memorials are suggested to the Callahan Cancer Center, The First Christian Church, or Paws-itive Partners. Online condolences may be shared at adamsswanson.com.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday May 7, at the First Christian Church with the Rev. Tim Adams officiating. Burial will be at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12-6 p.m., today, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday, May 6, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.