Phyllis J. Evans, 90, of North Platte passed away Jan. 14, 2012 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. She was born Sept 3, 1922 to Elbert and Berniece (Gaines) DeFord at David City, Nebraska. She is survived by her son, Fred (Liz) Evan Jr., of St. Peters, MO; her daughter, Sue Evans of North Platte; brother, Hank (Evelyn) DeFord of Coon Rapids, MN, three grandchildren, Scott, Janet, and Leslie; and four great grandchildren. She was preceded by her parents, husband, Fredrick D. Evans, Sr., an infant daughter, Cheryl Irene; and a sister, Patricia. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Graveside services will be 1:00 pm Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Her casket will be closed. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Thursday and Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.
Category: Obituaries
Brenda Lee East
Brenda Lee East, 65, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died January 14, 2013 at her home in Gothenburg, NE.
She was born December 24, 1947 in McCook, NE, daughter of Stan and Louise (Nelson) Phillips.
Brenda grew up in Curtis, NE and graduated from UNSA in 1966. She then went on to graduate from Business School in Grand Island in 1967. She lived in Curtis until 1966, when she moved to Grand Island for a couple years. She lived in North Platte from 1968 to ’73 before moving to Longmont, CO for a year. She married Melvin East on April 28, 1973 at the Congregational Church in Curtis, NE. To this union one son Levi Owen was born. They lived in Curtis from 1974 to 1984 and then moved to Gothenburg.
Brenda worked as a housekeeper for the Broadway Inn, Travel Inn, and Super 8 Motel. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Curtis CO-OP, KAHL radio station in North Platte, and Goads Pit-Stop. She liked to read and love taking care of little children. Her beloved dog Patty was by her side all of the time.
Survivors include her loving husband Melvin; son – Levi Owen East; brother – Randy (Cheryl) Phillips; two sisters – Linda (Howard) Benjamin, Deborah (Dennis) Hazen; four sisters-in-law LaVaughn (Melvin) Shipman, Monia (Wayne) Biehn, Lita (Bob) Reinwalt; sister-in-law – Midge Hansen; many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents Stan & Louise Phillips; father-in-law, John East; three mother-in-laws, Lily East, Midge East, and Vivian East; several aunts & uncles; one nephew and one niece.
Visitation will be held at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Curtis, Nebraska; Thursday, January 17, 2013 from 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm. with the family present from 5-7.
Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, Curtis NE, Friday, January 18, 2013 at 10:00 am with Pastor Bonnie Forney officiating.
Interment will follow in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, NE
A memorial has been established in her name and may be directed to 714 16th, Gothenburg, NE 69138. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.
Chris L. Nelsen
Chris L. Nelsen, 53, of York, died Jan. 11, 2013, near Maxwell.
He was born Aug. 17, 1959, at McCook, to Robert “LeRoy” and Velma (Ramels) Nelsen and graduated in 1978 from Curtis-Medicine Valley High School. Chris was a longtime sales manager at Scott-Hourigan Co. in York. Chris loved golfing, attending farm shows and traveling for work. He also enjoyed his toy tractor collection and his two best buddies “Jazzy and Lizzy.” In December 1979, Chris was married to Judy Jurgens at Curtis. Then on Nov. 28, 1998, he was married to Denise (Reese) Shirley at North Platte.
He is survived by his wife, Denise, of York; his son, Daniel Lee Nelsen, of Moorefield; twin daughters, Erica LaRae (Brett) Bartlett, of Fayetteville, N.C., and Joslyn Renee Nelsen, of Curtis; son, Brian (Chelsea) Reese, of Hickman; daughter, Jenny (James) Snook, of Lincoln; and son, Tyler Reese, of Lincoln. Also surviving is his brother, Don Nelsen (Johnna Rutenber), of Krum, Texas; and his sisters, Charlene (Gaylord) Johnson, of Hastings, Emily (Lumir) Hayek, of Ord, Janice Nelsen, of Hastings, and Lori (Tom) Tobiasson, of North Platte. His grandchildren include MacKenzie Nelsen and Bentley Campbell, both of Curtis, Jacoby Snook, of Lincoln, Batie Reese, of Hickman, and Brecken Bartlett, of North Carolina; his in-laws, Vernon “Sonny” (Eileen) Shirley, of North Platte; and many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.
Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.metzmortuary.com.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 17, at the First United Methodist Church in York with Mary Scott officiating. Private family inurnment to be held at a later date. Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at Metz Mortuary in York. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place.
Gerald Duaine Schneider
Gerald Duaine Schneider, 61, of North Platte, NE died Monday, January 14, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.
Gerald was born January 3, 1952, at Saint Frances, KS to Glenn Edward and Doris Dottie Felzien Schneider. He grew up in Saint Francis and graduated from Saint Frances High School then started working in construction.
In 1987 Gerald married Laura Lea Hartman and to this union a son was born. They made their home in Saint Francis. They later divorced and he continued working in construction.
Gerald is survived by his mother, Doris Schneider, of Atwood, KS; his son, Arden Schneider, of Saint Francis; three sisters, Alice (Jim) Glasco, of Bayard, NE, Linda Kay Ketchner, of Saint Francis and Denise Eldora Bandel, of Lompoc, CA; four brothers, Carl “Fred” Schneider, of Benkleman, NE, Glenn Edward Schneider II, of Wauneta, NE, Bradley Dean (Linda Marie) Schneider, of Bird City, KS and Curt L. Eugene Schneider, of North Platte; and other family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Glenn.
Cremation was chosen. Burial will be at a later date in Saint Francis, KS. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
Dyle Barnett Cameron
Dyle Barnett Cameron, 93, of North Platte, NE died Friday, January 11, 2013, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.
Dyle was born January 16, 1919, at Madrid, NE to Earl Barnett and Veryl Belle Weaver Cameron. He graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 1937. Dyle entered the Army Air Corps in 1942, serving stateside and in the Pacific Theater. After his discharge in 1945, Dyle was employed by the Railway Express Agency for 31 years. He then worked for JC Penny for five years until retiring in 1980.
On October 6, 1976, Dyle married Florence Bernice Wills Eggers. She preceded him in death in 2006. Dyle enjoyed wood working, painting by numbers with oil, yarn stitchery and latch hook work. He also liked to tend to his yard and garden. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and a past member of Platte Valley Lodge #32.
Survivors include the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of his wife, Bernice; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice; and his parents, Earl and Veryl.
Graveside funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 16, 2013, in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with Pastor Tom Wiles officiating. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Jean Knaub
Barbara Jean Knaub, age 50 of Ogallala, passed away Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Ogallala Community Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 17th at the Ogallala Radiant Life Assembly of God Church with Pastor David Gill officiating. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Barb was born May 4, 1962 at Scottsbluff, Nebraska the daughter of Don and Ruth (Young) Knaub. The family moved to Ogallala in 1965 where Barb attended schools graduating from the Ogallala High School in 1980. She attended Trinity Bible Institute in Ellendale ND graduating in 1983 with an Associate’s Degree in secretarial and Bible studies.
She worked in day care and volunteered at the Goodall Public Library and at the Radiant Life Assembly of God Church where she was a member and taught Sunday school and helped with the children in the nursery for seventeen years. Her hobbies included going to garage sales, making crafts, reading, assembling collections. She always had a love of animals. She had been a resident of Indian Hills Manor since October of 2010.
Survivors include her mother, Ruth M. Knaub of Ogallala; one sister Lori L. (Jake) Smith of Cedar Rapids, NE; nieces Heather Smith of Hastings, NE and Erin Smith of Cedar Rapids, NE; a nephew Ryan Smith of Cedar Rapids, NE; a great nephew Bradley Taylor of Hastings, NE and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Don H. Knaub; a sister Pamela Sue Knaub; grandmothers Helen Young, Helen Knaub Rutz; grandfathers Orton Young, Jake Knaub and Herb Rutz; her great grandparents; three uncles, two aunts and two cousins.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16th at the Gubser Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be directed to Radiant Life Assembly of God Church, Indian Hills Community Care Center or the Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade in her memory.
Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Gladys P Sexton
Gladys P Sexton, 87, of Mullen died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013 @ her home in Mullen
Services will be held Wednesday, January, 16, 2013 at 1 PM MST at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Mullen, NE.
Interment will be @ Cedarview Cemetery in Mullen
Memorials to: Cedarview Cemetery or St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 15, 2013 from 1 M to 7 PM MST @ the Mullen Funeral Home
Mullen Funeral Home 308-546-2260
LeRoy Williams
LeRoy Williams, 59, of North Platte, NE died Thursday, January 10, 2013, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE.
LeRoy was born January 1, 1954, at North Platte to Walter Lee and Josephine Eleanor Deal Williams. He grew up in Sidney, NE and received his education from Sidney High School. He worked for Ole Weaver from the age of 14, cutting and trimming trees, until he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1972. LeRoy was discharged in October 1976 then moved to North Platte before returning to Sidney where he went to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad with Maintenance of Way. He took welding classes at the Voc Tech in Sidney then later started his own business. LeRoy lived in Sidney, Sterling, CO and North Platte. He liked to fish and had lots of fishing stories. He liked to pull tricks on Marie, the love of his life for 34 years, and was also Pops to Joe, Brandon and Kobi.
Survivors include his sister, Jacqueline Wilson, and brothers, Eugene (Tammy) Pursley and Steve (Bonnie) Pursley, all of North Platte; his life partner, Marie Sickler, and her family, Joe, Brandon and Kobi Sickler, all of North Platte; and other family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Josephine, and stepfather, Walter Pursley; and his brother, Ernest Lee Williams, Sr.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, January 17, 2013, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Gary Smith officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. A memorial has been established for Brandon and Kobi. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Carlson Godfrey
Ruth Carlson Godfrey, 86, of North Platte, NE passed from this life on Friday, January 11, 2013, at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte.
Ruth was born July 19, 1926, on the family’s homestead in McPherson County, NE. She was the ninth child of Norwegian immigrants, Kristoffer Karlsen Stensrud and Gunda Petersen Stensrud. (Her father’s name was Americanized to Chris Carlson when he homesteaded.)
Ruth’s mother passed away in May of 1930, leaving eight children motherless and neighbors encouraging their father to put them on the Orphan Train. Instead, with the help of the older children, the family stayed together, although it seemed wise to place three year-old Ruth in the care of neighbors. During Ruth’s early years she lived with the Powers’, Marvins’ and other families in the Sandhills near Tryon, NE. When Ruth reached the upper grades in school, she moved in with her older sister, Ingeborg Godfrey, and her family near Sutherland, NE. They lived in a boxcar and had a dining car for a kitchen. She graduated from Sutherland High School in 1945 and over the years has enjoyed attending her class reunions.
Ruth’s sisters, Ingeborg and Dagmar, married brothers, Wilbert and Ralph Godfrey. In 1946, Ruth married their cousin, Richard, so all of the Carlson girls became Godfreys. Richard and Ruth moved to California then returned to the Nebraska Sandhills seven years later. They lived near Hyannis then to the Sutherland area. Wanting to be closer to the church, the family moved to North Platte in 1962. Ruth was a member of the Restoration Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ. She worked for 23 years in the Madison Junior High cafeteria, enjoying her co-workers, staff and students.
In 1979, Ruth accompanied her father back to Norway to see the old Stensrud homestead, the church her father had attended before coming to America and met relatives she had only heard about.
After Richard passed away in 2002, Ruth traveled to Kansas City with a dear family friend, as they both had children in that area. That trip began 10 years of “drives” for Ruth and Lloyd Dowhower and a wonderful, loving relationship.
Ruth is survived by her three sons, Dale (Rita), of Oak Grove, MO, Larry (Nancy), of Lone Jack, MO and Wayne (Leona), of North Platte, NE; her grandchildren, Julie Godfrey, of Chicago, IL, Mark Godfrey, of Oak Grove, MO, Joel Godfrey, of Kansas City, MO, Sara (Ryan) Brown, of Lee’s Summit, MO, Erin (Calvin) Hobbs, of Kansas City, MO and Jared Godfrey, of Lincoln, NE; two great-grandchildren, Logan and Claire Brown, of Lee’s Summit, MO; her dear friends, Lloyd Dowhower and Diana Henry, of North Platte, NE; and other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents, Chris and Gunda Carlson; sisters, Ingeborg and Dagmar; brothers, Carl, Paul, George, Einer, Barney and Harold “Tuffy” Carlson.
Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, January 14, 2013, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Burial will be at a later time in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Restoration Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
Timothy Russell Ryan
Timothy Russell Ryan, 62, of Santa Rosa, CA, formerly of North Platte, NE passed away Friday, January 4, 2013, in Santa Rosa, California.
Tim was born May 2, 1950, in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School in 1968. Following graduation he joined the U.S. Navy and served as a Corpsman from 1968-70. Tim was discharged in 1970, then returned to North Platte where he worked for the State of Nebraska as a Scale Officer until he hired on to the Union Pacific Railroad in 1973 as a brakeman on the 4th District. In 1979 Tim moved to Cheyenne, WY and in 1994 transferred to engine service. He worked as an engineer and the UTU Local Chairman until his retirement in May 2010 when he moved to Santa Rosa, CA to enjoy his retirement in the wine country. Tim was actively involved with local Little League, helped coach a minor league team and tutored 1st graders in reading. He sampled the local fare enjoying the wine estates, local wildlife and ocean views whenever time allowed.
Tim was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He was also an avid sports fan and particularly loved college football (“Go Big Red!”). His enduring charm and sense of humor made him instant friends wherever he was and always added to the occasion.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela, of Santa Rosa; sons Mark and Tim Jr.; a daughter, Lori, his mother, Margaret, of Omaha; two brothers, Rick, of North Platte and Mike, of Omaha; his sister, Mary Ellen, of Omaha; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Tim was preceded in death by his father, Richard “Dick” Ryan; grandparents, Harold and Ellen Ryan; uncles, Jim, Gene and Frank; several aunts, cousins and many dear friends.
Rosary Service will be 7 p.m. Thursday, January 17, 2013, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday the 18th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father Tom Ryan as celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery . Visitation will be Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until service time at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your local hospice. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.