Vernon Lee Maline, 71, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died January 28, 2013 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.
He was born July 3, 1941 at his parent’s home on Rock Island Table, north of Gothenburg, NE, son of Byron and Opal (Anderson) Maline. Vernon grew up on the family farm, where a love of farming was instilled at an early age. While in high school Vernon was involved in FFA as a reporter. He graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1958.
Vernon married Joyce Cooper on April 21, 1963 at Gothenburg; to this union three sons were born Kevin, Keith and Kerry. Vernon and Joyce farmed north of Gothenburg, they also raised hogs and cattle.
Vernon is survived by his three sons – Kevin (Lindi) Maline of Gothenburg, NE, Keith (Anita) Maline of Gothenburg, NE, Kerry Maline of Lincoln, NE; four grandsons – Kyle, Andrew, Hayden, and Holden; granddaughter – Jennifer; brother – Gaylord L Maline of Gothenburg, NE; sister – Lynette White of Lexington, NE; brother-in-law – Jim (DeeDee) Cooper of Littleton, CO; sister-in-law Janice Cooper of Cozad, NE; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends.
Vernon was preceded in death by wife, Joyce Maline, parents, Byron and Opal Maline, brothers-in-law Richard White and Ben Cooper.
Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, January 31, 2013 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm with the family present from 5-7 pm..
Funeral services will be held at Evangelical Free Church, February 1, 2013 at 10:30 am with Pastor Doug Monkemeier officiating.

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

Memorials may be given to the Evangelical Free Church, 1721 Lake Avenue, Gothenburg, NE 69138 or Donor’s Choice. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Ruth Maxine McGregor, 89, of North Platte, NE passed away Sunday, January 27, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

Ruth was born August 7, 1923, at her grandparents’ home north of Dickens, NE to C. Ernest and Pearl Shipler James. She attended a one room country school through eighth grade except for one year when she attended Dickens School because she was the only student in District #131. As a child, Ruth was able to participate in the Lincoln County Spelling Bee. She graduated from Dickens High School in 1941 in a class of four students.

On February 17, 1943, Ruth married Ervin Robert “Mac” McGregor of Hayes County, NE at North Platte. While Ervin served overseas during WWII, Ruth stayed in her parents’ home. In 1945, Ervin returned from the war and they began their life together as a married couple. They farmed in Hayes County until moving to North Platte in 1954.

Ruth was a member of the North Platte Berean Church and was a stay at home Mom until her daughters were older. She then went to work for W.T. Grants and later Ben Franklin. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidering tea towels and quilting. Her daughters and granddaughters all received these special handmade gifts from her. Ruth and Ervin also enjoyed taking their granddaughters on camping and fishing trips to the lake.

Ruth was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She will be missed by all.

Survivors include her two daughters, Sandra (Loren) Shimmin and Marlene Gale, all of North Platte; five grandchildren, Jennifer Hehnke, of Sidney, NE, Pearl Gale and Sarah (John) Winchell, all of North Platte, Tara (Toby) Norman, of Grove City, PA and Amanda (John) Howell, of Kearney, NE; 13 great-grandchildren, Alexandra, Johnny, Kensley, Conner, Caden, Shay, Jorey, Erik, Brandi, Aiden, Avery, Lagarius and Liam; several nieces, nephews and other family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin “Mac” in 2001; her parents, Ernest and Pearl James; and a sister, Doris Hamer, in 1999.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, January 31, 2013, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Pastor Teters of the North Platte Berean Church officiating. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to Maranatha Bible Camp. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Albert “Tom” Coy Thomlison, 67, of North Platte, passed away Jan. 24, 2013, in Omaha.
Albert Coy Thomlison was born July 7, 1945, in North Platte, the son of Coy Vernon and Evelyn Marie (Bockus) Thomlison. He graduated from Sutherland High School with the class of 1963. Tom married Sheila Thompson on July 12, 1964, in North Platte. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. Tom worked as an electrician for the Union Pacific Railroad for 30 years before retiring in 2003. He was a member of the F.O.E., the American Legion, and the Moose Lodge, all in North Platte. Tom never met a stranger, he enjoyed talking to people and was a kid at heart. He enjoyed garage sales, eBay, motorcycles, playing cards and traveling.
Tom was preceeded in death by his son, Bob Thomlison; two grandsons, Jeff Sines and Derek Thomlison; grandparents, Harold and Gladys Bockus, and Albert M. and Lulah Belle Thomlison.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sheila, of North Platte; daughter, Annette (John) Sines, of North Platte; daughter-in-law, Lisa (Bob) McCellen; eight grandchildren, Alissa, Rachel, Dalton, Dylan, Levi, Caleb, Hailey and Blade; parents, Coy and Evelyn Thomlison, of North Platte; three brothers, Steve (Becki) Thomlison, of Gering, Mike (Kathy) Thomlison and Pat (Patty) Thomlison, all of North Platte; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other relatives, along with a host of friends.
Memorials are suggested to Miracle Bible Camp or Sutherland High School Scholarship Fund. Condolences can be made at dewittfuneral.com.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at First Baptist Church in North Platte with Pastor Tom Wiles officiating. Inurnment will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be from 1-6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at First Baptist Church. DeWitt Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Hastings is in charge of arrangements.

Frances Irene Geiser was born Sept. 27, 1934, to Archie Delbert and Irma Lea Geiser, on the farm where they lived north of Arnold. She passed away Jan. 24, 2013, in North Platte, with her loving family at her side.
Her childhood was spent in and around Arnold where she attended schools and worked. On May 9, 1954, Frances married Marion W. Scott, her loving husband of 58 years.
She lived her entire life in the Arnold area, other than six months spent in Phillips, on the farm with Marion’s brother, Eugene, and his wife, Alice.
Frances and Marion lost term infant twins in 1954 and later were blessed with the births of their daughter, Melva, in 1955 and son, Loren, in 1958.
Frances was baptized in the First Baptist Church in Arnold on Feb. 17, 1963. She helped teach Sunday School and Vacation Bible School while working at the Arnold Cafe with her father and raising a family.
After the Arnold Cafe was closed, Frances took a job working at the school cafeteria, where she truly loved watching all of the children grow, especially her grandchildren and their close friends. She was always happy to have the kids at her home.
Frances was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for more than 30 years and actively volunteered time with them up until her passing.
Frances was preceded in death by her mother and father, Irma Lea and Archie Delbert Geiser; brothers, Robert, Wilbur and baby boy Geiser; and great-grandson Thorne Phillips.
She is survived by husband, Marion Scott; daughter, Melva Phillips; son, Loren (Lori) Scott; sisters, Jackie (Maurice) Scott, Brenda Olin, Gerry (Clark) Saure, Rickie (Steve) McKnight; grandchildren, Ty, Shawn and Jessica Phillips and Lindsey and Landis Scott; great-grandchildren, Stone, Saffron, Ethan and Jordaine Phillips, Dagen Fletcher and baby Ventura (soon to join us).
Services will be at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 28, at the First Baptist Church in Arnold with Pastor Irving Jennings officiating. Burial will be at the Arnold Cemetery. Arnold Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Jean Paul Felix Clouatre, 85, of North Platte, died Jan. 25, 2013, at Linden Court in North Platte.
Felix was born Sept. 7, 1927, at Ingham, to Delphis “Del” and Alma Rose Gaudreau Clouatre. He attended school in McPherson County before his family moved to North Platte in 1935. Felix graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1946.
On May 30, 1946, Felix joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged on April 2, 1948. Felix returned to North Platte and went to work for Sixth Street Market from 1948 to 1953. He then began a career with the Union Pacific Railroad and retired as a clerk in 1989.
On June 2, 1955, Felix married Leona Jane Vath at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ogallala. To this union eight children were born. In 1965, he took on a supplemental job with North Platte Monument Company and Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens until 1991. Felix enjoyed hunting, fishing and helping out with Little League Baseball. He also enjoyed playing baseball and later softball. He liked to take long rides in the canyons with his brother-in-law, Jack Schaeffer.
Felix was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge, U.P. Old Timers, AARP, TCU Union and was a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Del and Alma Clouatre; his son, Pat Clouatre; and his sister, Stella Robinson.
Survivors include his wife, Leona, of North Platte; four sons, Tom (Tina) Clouatre, of Saluda, Va., David (Teresa) Clouatre, Mark (Connie) Clouatre, and Steven (Kim) Clouatre, all of North Platte; three daughters, Teresa (Don) Keever, of Shepherd, Mont., Denise (David) Baladez, of Julesburg, Colo., and Lisa Clouatre (special friend, John Aupperle), of North Platte; 29 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family.
Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment-Trust. Online condolences may be made at odeanchapel.com.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 30, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Seiker as celebrant. Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with military honors. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 28, and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements.

Rebecca Elizabeth (McLaughlin) Fowler Prill, age 87 of North Platte, passed away at her home on January 25, 2013, surrounded by her family.
Rebecca was born on May 7, 1925 in Philadelphia, PA. the only daughter of Alice and George McLaughlin. Rebecca attended Catholic school during her young years and embraced the Catholic faith and was baptized when she was a teen. Her faith was the center of her life.
Rebecca married William Fowler at the tender age of 17. They enjoyed their family of nine children, raising them in Croydon, PA, where William died in 1981. Rebecca always referred to her children as her rosebuds: William, Alice, George (who predeceased her in 1990), Margaret Mary, Monica, Matthew, Bernard, Joan and Thomas. She was involved in scouting when the children were young. When time permitted later on in her life, she enjoyed camping with her husband and family.
Rebecca finally achieved her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse in 1973 after completing her studies at the Grandview Diploma School of Nursing in Beaver Falls, PA. She loved the field of nursing and devoted a lot of time to study in various fields of medicine.
Rebecca moved to Florida to pursue her career in nursing and also to become a neighbor to her only brother, George McLaughlin, who also predeceased her. It was there that she met and married James Prill. Together they traveled to North Platte, NE on many occasions and even lived there for a short time. James passed away in 2000.
Having already retired, and due to her age and long life, Rebecca said yes to the offer from her two daughters, Monica and Joan, to move to North Platte, NE where they could provide her with lots of love and care.
Rebecca survived the tornado that destroyed her home in North Platte on March 18, 2012, though with injuries, which affected the remainder of her life.
Rebecca had 27 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren (so far!).
A memorial has been established to the North Platte Youth for Christ and online condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com.
Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday January 28, 2013 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Register book signing will be Sunday noon to 6:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of local arrangements. Additional services will be held at a later date in Pennsylvania.

Clifford L. Stoddard, 86, of Hershey, NE passed away January 23, 2013 at North Platte Care Center.
Clifford was born March 4, 1926 in Polo, MO. to Clarence and Ida Stoddard. He lived his young life in Missouri.
On May 9, 1944 he married Betty Orr in Atchison, KS. Clifford joined the Air Force July 6, 1944 and was honorably discharged on June 5, 1946. Clifford served with the Air Transport Command. Was assigned to the 1304th Army Air Force Base Unit for six months. Was stationed in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations for sixteen months. Spent entire period of overseas tour in India. Repaired, serviced, maintained, overhauled and modified, military-model gasoline and Diesel powered wheel and track cargo and combat automotive equipment. Worked in repair shops as foreman for five months. Specialized in brake adjustment, alignment and replacement.
When Clifford returned from the war the family moved to McCloud, CA. In 1952 the family moved to Hershey. In 1958 they moved to the Kuroki farm north of Hershey, Clifford farmed for George Kuroki for a number of years, he then farmed on his own until his retirement. Cliff resided there until he became a resident at Premier Estates Assisted Living in 2007. In April 2012, he became a resident of North Platte Care Center.
Clifford enjoyed farming and being with his family on the 4th of July and Christmas.
He is survived by his daughter, Darlene Stoddard of Godfrey, IL. His daughter-in-law’s Sue Stoddard of North Platte and Carol Gray of OK, a brother, George (Janis) Stoddard of ID and Charles (Bonnie) Stoddard of North Platte. Nine grandchildren, Peggy Ingram of Alton, IL., Shelly (John) Bryn of North Platte; Darrell Dean (Deena) Stoddard of Lindsey, OK., LaDonna (Kyle) Brown of Lewisville, TX., Kendra (Gregory) Kirkman of Liberty,MO., Casey (Elly) Sack of North Platte; Kerri (Bill) Fedorchik of Bridgeport, NE., Kelli (Clay) Kaps of Sutherland, NE., Kevin (Jody) Stoddard of Lincoln, NE., fourteen great-grandchildren, Samantha and Bryce Bryn of North Platte, NE., Taylor, Nathan, Calara Sack of NJ., Kinsley Kay Sack of North Platte, NE., Ashley and Emily Stoddard of Lindsey, OK., Jacob and Jerrod Fedorchik of Bridgeport, NE., Aydan and Azyk Kaps of Sutherland, NE., and twins Kelsey and Kyle Brown of Lewisville, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Ida Stoddard; his wife, Betty; two sons, Eugene and Roger Stoddard and a daughter Gail Sack, son-in-law, Larry Sack; a brother James Stoddard and two sisters, Helen Prother and Virginia Atchinon.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 31, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte, NE. Burial will be at North Platte Cemetery with military honors provided by American Legion Post 279 Hershey, Nebraska.
Visitation will be 8:30 a.m to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 am until service time on Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences maybe shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

Dorothy Arlene Greeley, 81, of North Platte, NE died Wednesday, January 23, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

Dorothy was born April 30, 1931, at Brownville, NE to John Henry and Violet Lanham Pebley. She grew up in Nebraska and graduated from Maxwell High School in 1949. She then worked for Woolworth’s Five and Dime Store before getting married.

On October 13, 1950, Dorothy married Delbert Theodore Greeley at North Platte where they made their home. She then went to work for Johnny’s Cafe in the Burlington Bus Depot. Later, Dorothy went to Beauty School and worked for a beauty shop before going to work at St. Mary’s Hospital then Memorial Hospital. Dorothy also worked a number of years as secretary for the Eagles. She enjoyed helping with Nebraskaland Days and was one of the original people with the Buffalo Bill Cody Club.

Dorothy was a member of the First Christian Church in Brownville. She was also an Auxiliary member of the Moose, Does Drove #109, American Legion and the Eagles where she was also on a bowling team.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Delbert, son, Dale (Linda) Greeley, and daughter-in-law, Katheryn Greeley, all of North Platte; son-in-law, Michael Scott, of Carlton, OR; eight grandchildren, Joshua Greeley, Heather (Greg) Smolik, Dezarae Greeley, James Evans, Dawn Marie Briesch, Todd (Brandy) Roberts and Shawn and Cody Scott; 18 great-grandchildren, Liberty Greeley, David and Bradley Smolik, Skyler Probst, Christopher, Jessie and Cassidy Briesch, Michael, Shaylin, Cordi, Robert, JR, Kaleb, KC and Hunter Roberts, and Thomas, Elizabeth and Nicolas Evans; three sisters, Verla (Richard) Moore, of Colorado Springs, CO, Gladys Johnson, of North Platte and Sarah “Ginny” Harold, of Cozad, NE; several nieces, nephews and other family.

She was preceded in death by her son, William “Dee” Greeley; daughter, Kathy Scott; her parents, John and Violet Pebley; a brother, Lonnie J. Pebley; and brothers-in-law, Fritz Johnson and Don Harold.

Cremation was chosen. A graveside memorial service will be 2:30 p.m. Monday, January 28, 2013, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery with Pastor Bill Reeves of the North Platte Baptist Church officiating. The memorial book may be signed from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore or at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.