Verlon A. Hopkins, age 90, of North Platte passed away February 28, 2013 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. He was born April 22, 1922 in Stapleton, NE to Benjamin and Gertrude Fifield Hopkins.
Verlon graduated from Baker Rural High School in Stapleton. In 1943, he married Elsie Andre. He farmed and ranched for many years around Stapleton. He worked for the Wells family for many years before moving to North Platte to work at a gas station.
Verlon helped build I-80 interstate for Missouri Valley Construction Company, mixing the concrete from North Platte to Big Springs. He joined the Nebraska Department of Roads in 1970, retiring in 1990. At that time, he and Elsie wintered in Yuma, Arizona. He was a member of the First Assembly of God Church, and for 17 years he and Elsie officiated Sunday morning services at the North Platte Care Center.
He enjoyed playing pool, going to lunch at the North Platte Senior Center, and calling bingo there.
Survivors include a daughter, Patricia (Buster) Fear of North Platte; sister, Edna Sherwood of North Carolina; brother, LeRoy Hopkins of Oregon; granddaughters, Brenda (Keith) Larabee of Stuart, NE, Sheila (Ed) Albright of Pierre, SD and Becky (Jeff) Barner of North Platte; 6 great-grandchildren; and brothers-in-law, Melvin Andre of Callaway, Cliff (Claire) Andre of CO and John (Peggy) Andre of CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elsie; an infant brother; brother, Eugene Hopkins; sister-in-law, Helen Hopkins; and brother-in-law, Bill Sherwood.
Memorials may be made to the First Assembly of God Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Phyllis Gress, of North Platte, went to be with her Lord and Saviour on February 27, 2013. She was born on Dec. 19, 1920 to David and Margaret Barry at Martel, NE. Along with her sister and brothers, the family moved to the family farm southwest of Sutherland in 1921. Phyllis graduated from country school southwest of Sutherland. Phyllis married Wayne Gress on November 18, 1949 on Phyllis’s family farm. After their marriage they farmed southwest of Sutherland for 30 years until moving to North Platte in 1979. Phyllis loved her husband, Wayne, and daughter, Connie, with all her heart and did everything she could to make them happy and she succeeded. They did everything together. She enjoyed her wonderful Paxton Methodist Church Ladies Circle, their friendship and fellowship. She dearly missed them after moving to North Platte. Phyllis was a member of the Paxton American Auxiliary for over 60 years. She also enjoyed crocheting, gardening and reading. Phyllis was a wonderful cook, homemaker and mother. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, David and Margaret Barry; brothers, Clarence and Leroy; a sister, Pearl Brunner. She is survived by her husband, Wayne of 63 years; her daughter, Connie (Mark), who both called Phyllis their angel and best friend. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Private family services will be held at a later date. Burial will be at the Paxton Cemetery. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Pauline Latimer, age 99 formerly of Wellfleet, passed away February 20, 2013 in McCook.
Pauline was born on April 21, 1913 to Luroy F. and Cecile (Painter) Soules in Monmouth, KS. She attended school at North Platte. On October 21, 1934 she was married to Floyd “Stub” Latimer. She was a homemaker and worked with her husband on their farm for many years. She enjoyed taking care of, and working with, people. She did a lot of volunteer work. She was a member of the Wellfleet Methodist church for over 55 years.
Pauline is survived by her son Kavin (Debra) Latimer of McCook; half brother Paul (Elizabeth) Soules of Denver; grandchildren Jennifer, Jeremy and Aaron; 9 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; many other family members and friends.
Pauline was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister Virginia; and two half brothers Oscar and Wayne Soules.
A memorial has been established to the Wellfleet Methodist Church and online condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and graveside services will be held at a later date at the Wellfleet Cemetery.

Robert “Bob” Lee Duysen, age 84 of North Platte, passed away on February 25, 2013.
Bob was born on May 17, 1928 in Imperial to Rudolph and Luella (Kleist) Duysen. He grew up in Imperial and after school he worked for a rancher until he began working for the State of Nebraska. He was drafted into the US Army during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge he returned to Nebraska and continued working for the State. He went to diesel mechanic school in Kansas City, then returned to work for the State. On February 26, 1961 he and Esther Endreson were married in Denver. In 1970 Bob joined on the UPRR and worked there until he retired in 1995.
Bob loved tinkering with engines and was constantly tearing down and rebuilding motors. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He attended Harvest Christian Church, especially enjoying the Saturday night coffee services. His pride and joy was his family. He was a good man.
Bob is survived by his two daughters Eileen (Jeff Gorley) Wolfe of North Platte, Elsie (Bill) Gregory of Scottsbluff; son Aaron (Eileen) Duysen of Colorado Springs; 7 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; sister Pat (Don) Einspahr of McCook; brother Claire Duysen of Imperial; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Esther; and sister Betty Terry.
A memorial has been established in his name and online condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be Wednesday February 27, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Harvest Christian Church with Pastor Ron Lauber officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday February 26, 2013 from noon until 9:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Alice Elaine Johnson, 85, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died February 25, 2013 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.

Alice was born October 26, 1927 in Gothenburg, NE, daughter of Henry and Bertha (Westerbuhr) Franzen.

Alice lived in Gothenburg her entire life. She graduated from Gothenburg High School.  She married James Richard Johnson at North Platte on September 15, 1948.  To this union four daughters were born: Barbara, Donna, Kay and Beverly.  Alice worked as a cook for Gothenburg public schools for over 20 years.  Alice enjoyed sewing and dancing.

Surviving are four daughters – Barbara (Terry) Lehman of Hopkins, MN; Donna (Stan) Haynes of Omaha, NE; Kay (special friend Dave) Kottwitz of Gothenburg, NE; Beverly (Kirt) Peden of Gothenburg, NE; four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, five step great-grandchildren.

Alice was preceded in death by husband, James Richard Johnson; parents;  brother, Melvin Franzen; two sisters Emma Brooks and Frieda  Swanson; and son-in-law, John Kottwitz.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Tuesday, February 26, 2013 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm with the family present from 5-7pm.

Funeral services will be held at American Lutheran Church, Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Tom Wilson officiating.

Interment will be at the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, NE; Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.

Memorials may be given to the American Lutheran Church, 1512 Avenue G, Gothenburg, NE 69138.

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

Loren Lee LeDroit, age 72 of North Platte, passed away on February 24, 2013.
Loren was born on March 24, 1940 in Lexington to Dewey and Elizabeth (Spiegel) LeDroit. He grew up in North Platte. He worked as a brick layer most of his life, working for many different construction companies and for himself. He was proud of the fireplaces he built around town. Loren was famous for his wooden wishing wells and wooden baskets. He sold them to people from all over the country. He retired in 2003. He enjoyed hunting, ice fishing and spending time with his family. He was always willing to help people and was easy going with a good sense of humor.
Loren is survived by his children Kevin (Pam) LeDroit of North Platte, Brenda (Kevin) Mahlberg of Elwood, Sheri (Tony) Valencia of Denver, Lori LeDroit of North Platte; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother Donald (Deanna) LeDroit of Michigan; sisters Shirley (Dennis) Ogborn of North Platte, Louise (Chet) Tridle of North Platte, Lucille Hagan of Lexington; many nieces and nephews; and also his good friends Paul Gibbs, Dale and Bev Johnson, and Mike Halverson.
Loren was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers Russell and Dewey.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Callahan Cancer Center and online condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen. Graveside services will be Saturday March 2, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the North Platte City Cemetery. Register book signing will be Tuesday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Nellie Caroline Fite, 98, of Maxwell, NE died Saturday, February 23, 2013, at the Sutherland Nursing Home in Sutherland, NE.

Nellie was born January 11, 1915, to Lawrence D. and Hazel Olive Brittenham Carroll south of Brady, NE where she grew up and graduated from Brady High School. In 1934, Nellie married Kenneth Ardale Rimpley and they had three sons, Ray, Larry and Dick Rimpley. Nellie had lived in Maxwell since 1972 and owned several rental houses for 20 years. She also managed several clothing stores in Denver, CO and California for a number of years.

She is survived by her sons, Dick Rimpley and Larry Rimpley, of Maxwell; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren; five great great great-grandchildren; a sister, Veda Nickerson, of Maxwell; and other family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Rimpley; a son, Ray Rimpley; her parents, Lawrence and Hazel Carroll; two brothers, Lee and Clinton Carroll; four sisters, LaVon Viera, Elenor Thurman, Jesse Schultz and Nona Horton; and her grandsons, Allen and Jerry Rimpley.

Cremation was chosen. A family memorial graveside and inurnment will be held at a later date in the Plainview Cemetery south of Maxwell. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com with Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore in charge of arrangements.

Pastor Judy Ann Evelyn Gifford, 71, of Paxton, NE passed away Monday, February 18, 2013, at her home in Paxton surrounded by her family.

Judy was born April 21, 1941, at North Platte, NE to Frederick Arthur and Gladys Evelyn Horn Nelson. She attended school in Kearney, NE before her family moved to Oregon and then to Red Bluff, CA where she graduated in 1959. Judy later moved to Sutherland, NE and worked for TRW in Ogallala, NE.

On September 23, 1961, Judy married Joseph ‘Joe’ Edward Gifford at Julesburg, CO and they made their home in Paxton. In 1962 they moved seven miles south of Paxton to the farm where they raised their family. In 1996 they moved back into town where they have lived since.

In 1994 Judy’s first assignment was as Parish Ministry Associate (PMA) for Lodgepole and Chappell, NE. On October 8, 1999, Judy began pastoring Grace Lutheran Church in Sutherland and Maria Lutheran Church in Hershey where she started the T.E.E.M. (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) Program. Judy was ordained at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte on February 23, 2002. Pastor Judy also served as an assistant to the Bishop with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America from 1999 to 2013.

Pastor Judy was a member of the Maria Lutheran Church and an associate member of Grace Lutheran Church. She was a life member of the Paxton American Legion #303 Auxiliary and the D.A.V. Auxiliary. Judy was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who had deep faith in God and loved to minister to others.

Survivors include her husband, Joe Gifford, of Paxton; her son, Mark (Teresa) Gifford, of Lincoln, NE; four daughters, Jerri (Jim) Morris, of Gower, MO, Kathy (Brian) Scusa, of Paxton, Cynthi (Randy) Hartsuiker, of Big Springs, NE and Teresa (Mike) Morland, of Paxton; her mother, Gladys Nelson, of North Platte, NE; two brothers, Ron (Cathy) Nelson, of Red Bluff, CA and Stan (Roseann) Nelson, of Longwood, FL; a sister, Betty “B.J.” Aldrich, of Chadron, NE; sisters-in-law, Mary Nelson, of Red Bluff, CA, Lila Lewis, of Columbus, NE, Margaret Gifford, of Paxton, Hazel Gifford, of North Platte, NE, June Gifford, of Grand Junction, CO and Peggy Gifford, of Boise, ID.

She is also survived by her 18 grandchildren, Jennifer Bufkin, Jacob Vernetti, Anelisa (Chris) Goodwin, Cheyenne Morris, JuliAnna Scusa, Rissa Patterson, Kerstyn Scusa, Alex (Shay) Hecht, Justin (Brittany) Hecht, Cameron Hecht, Evangela (Mike) George, D.J. Thorpe, Chris Hartsuiker, Zachary Morland, Chance Morland, Kylan Lanowski, Ashley Gifford and Michael Ryan; 11 great-grandchildren; her faithful companion, Heidi; numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends including Carla Carroll, of Kingman, AZ.

She was preceded in death by her father, Fred Nelson, and brother, Larry Nelson.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. (CT) Saturday, February 23, 2013, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte with Bishop Brian Maas and Pastor David deFreese officiating. The memorial book may be signed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore or online at odeanchapel.com. Family will greet friends Friday evening from 6 to 8 (CT) at First Evangelical Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries or the Callahan Cancer Center. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Gregory Joseph Anderson, 64, of Sioux City, Iowa, died February 18, 2013 in Gothenburg, NE.
He was born October 17, 1948 in North Platte, NE, son of Joseph and Ruth (LaValley) Anderson.
Gregg grew up at Brady. He lived at Brady, North Platte, Omaha and Sioux City, IA. He married Jeanne Carlson on May 17, 1967 at North Platte, NE; to this union four children were born: Brian, Tim, Jeff, Kristina. He worked as a grocery store director.
Surviving is his wife, Jeanne Rene Anderson; three sons, Brian, Tim, and Jeff Anderson; daughter, Kristina Anderson; two sisters, Sandra (Fred) Peters, Linda Slack; two brothers, Mark Anderson, Billy (Tiffany) Anderson, five grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Gregory was preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Ruth Anderson, sister, Roxanne Dishman.
Register Book Signing will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, NE, from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm with the family receiving friends from 5-7 pm.
Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, February 23, 2013 at 11:00 am with Pastor Larry Viter officiating.
Inurnment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Central Plains Home Health & Hospice, 300 E 12th Street, Cozad, NE 69130 or American Cancer Society Heartland Division, 9850 Nicholas, Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68114.
Book signing is Friday, Feb 22.

Alice Eleanor Olsen, 94, of Overland Park, KS, formerly of North Platte, NE, passed away Friday, February 15, 2013, at the Overland Park Nursing and Rehab in Kansas.

Alice was born July 16, 1918, at Bessemer, MI to Oscar and Anna Johnson Gustafson. She grew up in Bessemer then attended the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.

On November 11, 1937, Alice married Rev. Ivan Edwin Olsen in Chicago, IL. They moved to North Platte where they made their home and raised their children. Alice was the beloved wife of the founding pastor of the Berean Church, and as such, enjoyed sharing the duties and privileges of her pastor-husband. She led women’s ministries, mentored women, and called upon the sick and grieving. She was very much involved in the various ministries of the Berean Church over the years, providing leadership in prayer, evangelism and social action including the Berean Children’s Home and Maranatha Bible Camp, of Maxwell, of which her husband was principal founder.

Since her husband’s death in 1993, Alice continued to represent Christ in many venues and was called upon to speak to groups of married couples, women and seminary students. She was frequently highlighted as a speaker at the Berean National Conventions. But despite the call of the public life, she most enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom cherished her and will miss her greatly.

Alice is survived by her children, Dr. Ivan (Lois Joy) Olsen, of Paw Paw, MI, Joy (Rev. James) Lucht, of Lee’s Summit, MO, Faith (Steve) Eppler, of Olathe, KS and Precious (Dr. Liam) Atchison, of Overland Park, KS; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; her brother, Oliver Gustafson, of Elgin, IL; three sisters, Lorainne (Irving) Booth, of Eagle River, WI, Dorothy Bergeson, of York, NE and Carol Ann Johnson, of Hurley, WI; and other family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Dr. Ivan E. Olsen; her son, Dwight; and her parents, Oscar and Anna Gustafson.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 22, 2013, at the North Platte Berean Church with Rev. James Lucht, Dr. Liam Atchison and Rev. John Stone officiating. Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday with friends and family gathering from 6 to 8 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Maranatha Bible Camp or Generational Compassion (this is an organization which Alice helped start to support the poor elderly in nursing homes who have no visitiors or family). Checks can be sent to Lothlorien, Box 4559, Overland Park, KS 66204. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.