Lyle Elmer Kingston, 83, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away April 16, 2013, in Sedalia, Mo.
Lyle was born in Dixon County on Aug 19, 1929, to Ella and Elmer Kingston. After graduating high school, he joined the Navy for two years and then decided to move back to Nebraska to be with his family.
Lyle started working as a bricklayer and mason worker. Lyle brought his passion for the artistry of masonry work to every project he built. After raising his four children in North Platte, he met the love of his life, Joan. They were married in 1985. At age 51, Lyle made a career change and went to work with the Nebraska Game and Parks Department and with Joan by his side, he became the superintendent of the second largest park in Nebraska, Calumus Reservoir. Lyle loved working hard to make the park beautiful for everyone to enjoy. After 15 years, Lyle retired to Warsaw, Mo., where he enjoyed fishing and relaxing with Joan and their new friends.
Lyle lived his life with great character and integrity, but most importantly as a man of faith. He had a quick smile, joyous laugh and a twinkle in his eye that he shared with all who knew him.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Joan; and his parents.
Lyle will be missed by his sons, Terry, Garry (Janice); his daughters, Linda (Todd), Christy (Adam); his stepsons, Lloyd Schoolfield (Rosemary), Lyle Schoolfield; grandchildren, Courtney, Kyle, Max, Maverick, Tyler, Zach, Cory, Katie, Jacob, Sean, Samantha; and great-grandson, Taten. Lyle will also be missed by his brother, Gary (Diane) Kingston; sisters, Mona (Bob) Meyer, Shirley (Gene) Fletcher, Joyce (Gib) Splittgerber and Gale (Harold) Flesner and their families.
The family will have memorial services at 2 p.m., May 19, in Warsaw, Mo., at the First Baptist Church.
Published in North Platte Telegraph from April 23 to April 24, 2013
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Sharon K. Nixon, 70, of North Platte, passed away April 19, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center.
Sharon was born March 23, 1943, at Hastings, Nebraska to Harold William and Lula Mae (Stewart) Wynn. Following her graduation from Hastings High School in 1961, she attended Hastings Beauty Academy in Hastings graduating in 1963.
Sharon married Robert L. Nixon on June 7, 1964 at First Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings. The couple made their home in Hastings where they lived and started their family and in 1978 they moved to North Platte. Sharon worked for Maronello Beauty Shop and the Good Samaritan Beauty Shop in Hastings before moving to North Platte where she worked at the Pawnee Beauty Shop, A Street Hair Company and The Hairdressers until her retirement in 1995.
She was a member of First Lutheran Church, a past member of the Eagles Auxiliary in North Platte. Her hobbies included bowling, knitting, crossword puzzles and a strong love for animals.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert, in 1994; a brother, Wallis D. Wynn; and a niece.
Sharon is survived by two sons, Mike (Dodie Johnson) and Brad (Colleen Ashburn), all of North Platte; one brother, Ronald E. (Darlene) Wynn, Sr., of Santa Maria, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Alyce Wynn, of Gaston, Va., and a host of other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established. Condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, at the Phillips Cemetery at Phillips. There will be no visitation. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so from 1–6 p.m., Sunday, April 21 or 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, April 22, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.

Leonard Russell Phipps was born Feb. 26, 1927, the oldest of three sons born to Russell and Elva LeLaCheur Phipps. He passed away at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, on April 18, 2013, following a short illness.
He attended grade school in rural Cherry County. He attended NCTA in Curtis, which required living there during the school year, graduating in 1944.
Leonard married Ferrissa Mae Malcolm of Montgomery, N.Y., on June 8, 1949. Three children were born to this union.
Being raised during the Depression, he learned to make do, always looking for a better way. The ranch raised registered Herefords and in an era when most ranchers were raising cows and calves, he made the switch to a steer operation, which enabled the family ranch to continue to grow and develop. He was also one of the first Nebraska ranchers to introduce registered quarter horses to the area.
Leonard lived on the family ranch all of his life, doing everything that it takes to run a ranch. He worked in the hayfield for 80 years and rode his horse at shipping time. He still was out caking steers, and keeping the ranch books. Leonard was a lifelong cowboy and did some roping in rodeos, but he really enjoyed team penning with friends and family members, seeing old friends and making new ones.
He raised quarter horses and was a lifelong member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He was a member of the Sandhills Cattle Association and also served on the Mullen Rural Fire Board. He enjoyed watching and bragging about the great-grandsons playing youth football.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; and his youngest brother, Bob.
Leonard is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Ferrissa; their children, Wayne (Fran) Phipps, of Berthoud, Colo., Gary (Glenda) of Whitman, and Lois Mary (Jim) Hardy of Mullen; his grandchildren Heather (Erick) Johnson, of North Platte, Brett (Jordyn) Phipps of Whitman, Wade Phipps of Ft. Laramie, Wyo., Elissa Hardy of Denver, Colo., Crystal (Wynn) Wiens of Mullen, and RJ Hardy, of North Platte; five great-grandchildren, Justin and Adam Wiens, Makenna and Madisyn Johnson and Kaisley Phipps; his brother, Doug (Alice) Phipps, of Mullen; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. Leonard never met a stranger.
Memorials are suggested to the Whitman Community Club, Whitman Cemetery, Grant County Ambulance Fund or donor’s choice.
Services will be on at 1 p.m. (MDT), Monday, April 22, at the United Methodist Church in Mullen. Burial will be at the Whitman Cemetery. Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Rudolph ‘Rudy’ Bernard Gerber, 96, of North Platte, NE, died Friday, April 19, 2013, at Linden Court in North Platte.

Rudy was born July 1, 1916, to John Henry and Barbara Meier Gerber at Ellis, KS where he grew up. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1930 then attended college in Kansas. Rudy later moved to North Platte where he hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad in 1936.

In February 1943, Rudy joined the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theater. He was discharged in December 1945 and went back to work on the railroad in North Platte. He retired as a carman in 1976.

On October 11, 1958, Rudy married Kathleen ‘Kay’ Ann Fain in Clayton, NM. They renewed their vows on January 19, 1977, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte.

Rudy was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the V.F.W. Post #1504. He was also a charter member of the V.F.W. Post #9139 in Ellis, KS.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Kay, and daughter, Debra (Thomas) Berger, all of North Platte; a son, Gary (Cathy) Gerber, of Albuquerque, NM; three grandchildren, Amanda, John A. and Connie Gerber; four great-grandchildren, Dominique Donnar, Ryan Chessmore, TJ and Addie Gerber; and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Barbara Gerber; two brothers, Adolph and Jacob Gerber; three sisters, Lorraine Reinert, Lambertine Dreinling and Adolphine Herman; a grandson, Terry Gerber; and a step granddaughter, Melissa “Missy” Clear.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial graveside service with military honors will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore or online at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Grand Island. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Pauline Edna Wood, age 75 of North Platte, passed away on Thursday April 18, 2013. A memorial has been established in her name and online condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be Tuesday April 23, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Garfield Table Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday April 22, 2013 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Leonard Ernest Widholm, 84, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died April 16, 2013 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.
He was born January 25, 1929 at Tallin Table north of Gothenburg, NE, son of Ernest and Martha Alma (Weeks) Widholm.
Leonard grew up at Tallin Table and graduated from Gothenburg High School, class of 1947. He served his country as an Army Medic during the Korean War. Leonard married Leona Mae Sitorius June 6, 1950 at Gothenburg. They began a lifetime of farming and raising their three children; Susan, Trudy and Gary. Leonard enjoyed farming, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He also liked to travel and enjoyed Husker football.
Surviving are his wife Leona Widholm of Gothenburg, NE; two daughters – Susan (Eldon) Franzen of North Platte, NE, Trudy (Tim) Kotschwar of Kearney, NE; one son – Gary (Brenda) Widholm of Gothenburg, NE; four granddaughters – Angela (Gabriel) Morrow of Wisconsin; Jennifer Fiese of Gothenburg, NE; Sarah (Travis) Nichelson of MI; Jenn Kotschwar of Kearney, NE; five grandsons – Richard (Melissa) Fiese of Elm Creek, NE; Jeffrey (Shiloah) Franzen of North Platte, NE; Tyson Franzen of North Platte, NE; Jordan (Meggie) Widholm of Sioux City, IA; Jeff (Becky) Kotschwar of El Paso, TX; 13 great grandchildren – Zacheri Caldwell, Sky Lineger, Trenton Flies, Ameila Grace Morrow, Jude Morrow, Mikayla Nichelson, Madison Nichelson, Adam Nichelson, Zander Fiese, Kegan Fiese, Audrey Kotschwar, Makenzie Kotschwar, Feona Mae Franzen; sister – Carolyn (Donald) Glenn of Omaha, NE; sister-in-laws – Elaine Widholm of Glendale, CA, Sandy Widholm of Gothenburg, NE; Margery (Norman) Jensen of Council Bluffs, IA; brother-in-law, Bill Sitorius of Gothenburg, NE; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Leonard was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Bernard Widholm; mother, Martha Alma Widholm – Fry; step-father, Samuel Fry; and two brothers, Marvin “Red” and Harold Widholm. and sister-in-law, Susie Sitorius.
Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Sunday, April 21, 2013 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
Funeral services will be held at Evangelical Free Church, 1721 Lake Avenue, Gothenburg, April 22, 2013 at 10:30 am with David Wiseman officiating.
Interment will follow in the Grandview Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 5018 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018 or Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Carol Bauer, 63, of Cozad, passed away April 16, 2013, at the Cozad Community Hospital.
Carol was born Nov. 10, 1949, at Pittsburg, Kan., to James E. and Mary “Joan” (Kendall) Flesch Sr. Following her graduation from Gothenburg High School in 1967, she attended Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte and later, Kearney State College.
Carol married Jim Bauer on Sept. 12, 1971, at Gothenburg. The couple made their home just east of Cozad where they lived their entire married lives and raised their family. Carol worked for the Home Spun Company in Cozad for many years before eventually opening her own store, Carol’s Sewing, in 1990.
Carol was proud to call Cozad her home, and worked hard to make a difference. She was tremendously active in the Cozad United Methodist Church, where she served on the missions team, witness team and was the current lay leader. She was integral in the founding of the “Cloth ‘Em” program, which grew from humble beginnings to become a much larger and ecumenical project that all of the churches in Cozad have come to participate in. Carol made a special effort to always have her life intertwined with God’s teachings and his word. Her faith was the focal point of her life, and as a result, her customers sometimes sought and received more than sewing when they visited her shop. Carol was so open with her faith that her shop was often thought of as an “extension” of the church.
Carol will be remembered for her faith and nurturing spirit. She was often mothering others, which was a pattern that developed early since she was one of six children. Carol’s impact in the lives of her family will never be forgotten, her example of God’s love will serve as a lasting guide.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother-in-law, Roger Bauer.
Carol is survived by her husband, Jim Bauer, of Cozad; two sons, Chad (Alicia) Bauer and Drew (Janelle) Bauer, all of Cozad; daughter, Michelle “Shelly” (Jimmy Roberts) Bauer, of Cozad; three grandchildren, Jessie Suhr and Kristine Bauer, of Cozad, and Steve Roberts, of Kansas; three brothers, James E. (Georgie) Flesch Jr., of Gothenburg, Michael (Peggy) Flesch, of Omaha, Russell (Deb) Flesch, of Central City; two sisters, Margaret “Marge” (George) Spencer, of Brady, Virginia (Joe) Dyess, of Plattsmouth; five brothers-in-law, Don (Bonnie) Bauer, of Cozad, Larry (Joyce) Bauer, of Lexington, Tom Bauer, of Farnam, Steve (Carol) Bauer, of Eddyville, Mike Bauer, of Bailey, Colo.; seven sisters-in-law, Phyllis (Gene) Robinson, of Holdrege, Beverly (Dale) Tomasek, of Omaha; Mary Bauer, of Denver, Julie Tucker, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Dorothy (Fred) Larson, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Marilyn Stephens, of Denver, Alice Bauer, of Overton; a special friend, John Zgud, of Cozad; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 20, at the Cozad United Methodist Church with Pastors Jeremy Jech and Jaime Farias officiating. A private family inurnment will be at the Cozad Cemetery at a later date.
Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m., Friday, April 19, at the Cozad United Methodist Church.

Edwina C. Layher, age 91, of Stapleton passed away April 17, 2013 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. She was born July 22, 1921 to Nick and Marie (Brosius) Niesen in Stapleton.
Edwina graduated from Baker Rural High School in 1938. On September 29, 1941 she married Howard Layher in Stapleton. The couple lived in Stapleton where she worked for the Stapleton Schools as a cook for over 30 years. Edwina lived her whole life in Stapleton until moving to North Platte a year ago. She enjoyed her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild, was an excellent cook, making pies every Sunday for many years. She embroidered, enjoyed playing cards, word search, and loved to read.
Edwina was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and the Friendship Club.
Survivors include daughters, Janice Berglund of North Platte, Priscilla (Ellis) McKay of Lakewood, Co, Donna (Kennard) Lovitt of Stapleton and Sandra (Daniel) Reppert of West Point, NE; son, Mike (Janine) Layher of Stapleton; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sister, Mary Keslar of Stapleton; and numerous other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard in 1997; brothers, Christopher and Donald Niesen; and a son-in-law, Carl Berglund.
Memorials may be made to St. John’s Catholic Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Christian Wake Services will be 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2013 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Stapleton. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013 at St. John’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Antony Thekkekara as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 12:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. today and from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Doris May Johnson passed away on April 15, 2013, in Eads, Colorado. She was born May 4, 1924 to Frank O. and Mabel H. (Lind) Johnson of North Platte and attended Nichols School. Dorie was in the last graduating class at Nichols school in 1941. In 1945 she was employed by the First National Bank and worked in several departments, the last being auditor at the time of her retirement in 1987.

Survivors are her nieces and nephews, Nancy (Bill) Cline, Rick (Barbara) Johnson, Penny Koch (Ralph), Mary Ellen (Dick) Yahn, Bruce (Barbara) Johnson, Rod (Sharon) Johnson, Beverly Johnson and Debbie (Paul) Willis. Grand nieces and nephews – Kevin Cline, Katie Johnson, Ben (Ana) Johnson, Eldon Koch, Aaron (Pamela) Koch, Mike (Sandy) McCarty, Todd (Jill) McCarty, Chris McCarty, Christopher Johnson, J D Johnson, Jennifer (Brett) Boyd, Chris Everett, Nick Everett, Molly Willis and Emmy Willis. Great-Grand nieces and nephews – Madison, Cole & Easton Cline, Joaquim Johnson, Benjamin & Garrison Koch, Tate, Jenna, Braxton, Aiden, Riley Jean, Logan, Sam, & Quinn McCarty, Easton Johnson, Elle Johnson, Brooklyn Boyd, Landis Everett & Taylor Sewald.

Preceding her in death were her parents, sister (Arline Johnson), brothers (B. Kenneth, Herbert, Paul and Harold “Bill” Johnson), sisters-in-laws (Madge, Lucille, Alice & Maxine Johnson), nephew (Benny Johnson) and niece (Elaine Koch).

She was a life long member of the First United Methodist Church of North Platte, the Methodist Women’s organizations, Circle 7, and served in many volunteer capacities within the church. She was also a member and gave freely of her time in many organizations – the American Legion Auxiliary, BPO Does, Altrusa Club, the Navy Admirals of Nebraska, memorial chairman for the American Heart Association and Ladies Major Bowling Association for which she was inducted into the bowling Hall of Fame in 1997. Many will remember Doris for her help in balancing their check books, delivering them groceries or the Upper Room, Halloween pictures of all that came trick or treating, being an avid football fan – especially the Cornhuskers – and always ready with a smile and a lending hand.

Due to health reasons, Dorie moved to Eads, Colorado in 2008. She soon found herself being welcomed by the entire small community of Eads and Prairie Pines Assisted Living facility. It seemed like everybody in Eads knew Dorie and she greeted all with a smile.

Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in North Platte at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013 with burial at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 19 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. A luncheon will follow the service with location announced on Saturday. A memorial has been established to the First United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice. Brown Funeral Home in Eads and Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte are in charge of arrangements.

Alvin L. Nichols age 95 passed away April 16, 2013 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. He was born Oct. 9, 1917 to Charles and Maud (Saunders) Nichols in Wauneta, NE., where he grew up and attended school. On Oct. 20, 1936 he married Beth Jones in Oberlin, KS. They moved to North Platte in 1959 from Palisade, NE. He then worked at Cornhusker Tractor & Equipment for 10 years, then the Union Pacific Railroad for 20 years. Survivors include, two daughters, Virginia Lee “Ginger” (Larry) Throm of North Platte, and C.J. (Richard) Pierson of Lincoln, a son Ken D. (Joan) Nichols of Mt. Juliet, TN., 23 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 16 great-great grandchildren. Alvin was preceded in death by his wife Beth, four brothers, and his parents. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Friday April 19th at the Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Chaplain Gary Smith officiating. Burial will be at the Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. A memorial has been established in his name.