Allen Glen Sheets, 66, of rural Cozad, passed away on Dec. 15, 2012, at his home.
Allen was born on Aug. 21, 1946, to Claude B. Sheets and Etta Marie (Wilson) Sheets-Wilcox near Merna in his family’s home. He was the youngest of 11 children. When he was 3 years old, the family moved to Cozad. The Sheets boys were full of adventure and escapades. They were very active, and kept their Mom and older sisters on their toes. Allen graduated from Cozad High School in 1964.
In 1964, Allen met Carolyn Fleming of Sargent. They were married on Jan. 22, 1966, at Parkview Methodist Church in Cozad. To this union were born three children, Allen Jr., Curtis and Wynetta. Over the years, Allen worked for several farmers in the Cozad and Eustis area. Allen especially loved working with cattle and livestock. In his “spare” time, he loved to hunt and fish, and there were many great memories made with his children, nephews, brothers and uncles. He was a very humble and honest man who worked hard to support his family. He was not a man impressed by material things, but looked with acceptance at a person’s heart.
Allen became a Grandpa in 1988, and he adored his grandchildren. He would spend as much time as he could with them, usually in his shop as they “worked” together. Allen enjoyed making old iron and chain links into ornamental yard decorations, which are treasured by many family members. He and Carolyn also hosted many “weenie roasts” on their farm, and whoever was available could come, sit around the fire and exchange memories and stories. He was a great role model, and will leave a huge hole in his family’s hearts.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Sheets and Etta Wilcox; stepfather, Jesse Wilcox; brothers, Claude Jr., Leonard, Lawrence, Loyal and Russ; and sisters, Claudia, Esther and Georgia.
Allen is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn, of rural Cozad; sons, Allen Jr. (Linette), of Cozad, and Curtis (Arlene), of Gothenburg; his daughter, Wynetta (Jason) Brown, of rural Gothenburg; grandchildren, Kaylea, Melissa and Bailey Sheets, of Hastings, Tirsten Sheets, of Bertrand, Lauren Peterson and Trent Sheets, of Cozad, Tyler and Logan Sheets, of Gothenburg, Courtney, Sarah and Collin Brown, of rural Gothenburg; great-grandsons, Wiley and Calvin; sister, Betty (Orville) Schmidt; brother Earl Sheets; sisters-in law, Charlotte Sheets, Sandy Sheets, Sandy Keiswetter, Jane Sheets, Ada Kohler, Kay (Darrel) Gould, Marilyn (Jerry) Kelly, Gena (Bob) Urban; aunt, Hazel Sheets; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services will be at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 20, at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad with Pastor Eric Most officiating. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery south of Cozad.
Visitation will be from 1-7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad.

Darrell L. Riese, 69, of North Platte passed away Dec. 17, 2012 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.
Darrell was born April 20, 1943, to Julius and Esther (Jacobitz) Riese at Hastings. He grew up on a farm southeast of Norman, and graduated from Minden High School in 1961. He worked as a mechanic for Weedlun Chevrolet and later owned and operated a service station in Norman.
On Sept. 7, 1968, he married Sharon Norseen at Minden and they moved to North Platte in 1981. Darrell worked for Ellett’s Automotive until his retirement. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family. Darrell is survived by his wife, Sharie, of North Platte; his daughter, Stacie (Rick) Johnson of North Platte; two grandchildren, Kim (Josh) Zwickl and Dillon Johnson; one great-grandchild, Autumn Zwickl; a sister, Joyce Hadenfeldt of Kenesaw; and two nieces, Ronda (Kim) Ehly and Conda (Mike) Quackenbush, both of Kenesaw.
Darrell was preceded by his parents and brother-in-law, Gayle Hadenfeldt.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec 21, at the Jackson-Wilson Funeral Home in Kenesaw with the Rev. Paul Duffy officiating. Burial will be at the Kenesaw Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., today, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte. Further visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Jackson-Wilson Funeral Home in Kenesaw. 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.

Kahlan Rae Schilz, three month old daughter of Leo Schilz and Ashley Miller of Ogallala, passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 22nd at the Ogallala New Hope Church Worship Center with Pastor Eric Wait officiating. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Kahlan was born August 29, 2012 at Ogallala. Other survivors include her brother, Dustin Smith; grandparents, Robbie and Janet Gallentine, Lynn and Cathy Miller and Thomas and Lynn Schilz; aunts and uncles, Josh Miller and Crystal McClung, Erika Madison Miller and Jeremy Shaball; great grandparents, Larry and Fay Gallentine and Don and Judy Lehl; godmother, Hannah Flaming and numerous great aunts and uncles. She was preceded in death by great grandparents Otis and Virginia Berry.
On August 29th God gave us the blessing of Kahlan Rae. One December 16th she spread her wings and returned to heaven. During the small amount of time she was present on earth she taught us the meaning of love. Kahlan brought us new meaning to our lives and showed us how precious our family and friends are.
A memorial has been established in her memory. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com. Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ralph C. Kelley, 78, formerly of North Platte, passed away Dec. 15, 2012, at the Sutherland Care Center.
Ralph was born Dec. 25, 1933, in Bignell, to Roy and Louise Yanken Kelley. He graduated from Maxwell High School and then was drafted into the United States Army, where he served as a Corpsman.
Ralph married Barbara Kostic in 1955. To this union was born a son and daughter, Tim and Deborah. After being discharged from the Army he lived in Colorado for a few years before returning to North Platte. He joined the Union Pacific Railroad, working with the Stores’ Department.
In 1961, he married Kathy Mueller. To this union was born a son, Jeff. The family moved to Hershey. Ralph retired from the Union Pacific in 1984.
Ralph enjoyed playing guitar and played in a band. He also enjoyed visiting with friends and going to the Colorado Mountains. He will be remembered as a fun-loving and carefree man.
Survivors include a daughter, Deborah Wigatow, of Grand Junction, Colo.; sons, Tim Kelley and Jeff (Jackie) Kelley, all of North Platte; six grandchildren, Joshua, Willow, Chrystal, Kevin, Kendra and Robert; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Herb (Jackie) Kelley, of North Platte; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and seven siblings, Helen, Lester, Gladys, Dorothy, Jean, Ruby and Melvin.
A memorial has been established and online condolences may be shared at adamsswanson.com.
Graveside memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.
Cremation was chosen. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Martha E. Anderson entered Heaven on Dec. 6, 2012.
Martha was born on the family farmstead southwest of Aberdeen on May 14, 1914, to Carl F. and Rosa E. (Winter) Wendt. She was the oldest of three children. Her mother passed away when she was 8 years old, leaving her father to raise the three children. She attended Brown County rural schools and graduated in 1934 from Aberdeen Central High School after attending her early high school years in Webster.
She married Ray H. Anderson on Dec. 16, 1939, in Aberdeen. They were married for 49 years. This union was blessed with three children, Betty, Sandra and Howard. She was a devoted mother and farm wife. One of her greatest passions was gardening, evident by the size of the garden she tended for many years and the amount of food she preserved each year. For many years, she also enjoyed raising chickens and exhibiting food items at the Brown County Fair.
She was a 4-H leader for 20 years, member of Brown County extension clubs for 70 years, served on the Brown County Cancer Board for 25 years, and was a 64-year member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church, where she was active in LWML circles.
Survivors, who will miss her, include daughters, Elizabeth “Betty” Knepke, of North Platte, and Sandra Hobart, of Pierre, S.D.; son, Howard (Paige) Anderson, of Aberdeen; grandchildren, Alicia (Duane) Brittenham, of North Platte, Erin Anderson, of Minneapolis, Minn., Ryan Anderson, of Conde, Ray Anderson, of Aberdeen; and great-grandson, Ethan Brittenham, of North Platte. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Wickstrom; nephews, Richard (Rhonda) Wendt and their daughter, Emily, of Ridgecrest, Calif., and Allen (Rebecca) Trask, of Deerwood, Minn., and their children.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, in 1989; son-in-law, Duane Knepke; brother, Fred (Betty Lou) Wendt; brother-in-law, Elmer Wickstrom; and sister-in-law, Myrle (Floyd) Trask.
Services were on Monday, Dec. 10, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aberdeen.
Memorials are suggested to Brown County 4-H Forever or the American Cancer Society . Online condolences may be shared at spitzerfuneralhome.com.
Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home of Aberdeen was in charge of arrangements.

LaVern D. Rinehart, 85, of Cozad, died Dec. 9, 2012, at the Cozad Community Hospital, surrounded by family, after a long battle with dementia.
LaVern was born March 8, 1927, at Cozad to Lee and Effie (Smith) Rinehart. He attended District 13 and District 23 schools, all while working for his uncles on weekends and summer months. LaVern graduated from Cozad High School in 1945.
In 1946, LaVern began work for Allied Mills drying hay in the winter, and green alfalfa in the summer. He began his working career making 35 cents an hour.
On Aug. 8, 1948, he married Bonnie Jean Price; they were blessed with three children, Larry, Lynn and LaVay. The family made their home in Cozad where their house was heated with a kerosene heater and blocks of ice were used to keep things cold.
In 1955, LaVern joined the Cozad Volunteer Fire Department. His service would span 43 years, involving active roles in several committees and offices, including assistant fire chief for 20 years and fire chief for six years. LaVern started the Jr. Fire Patrol at Cozad, and played an integral role in the formation of the Cozad Rural Fire Department.
In 1958, LaVern started work at the Board of Public Works as a foreman in the Water and Sewer Department. He also worked in the Electrical Department when he was needed.
In 1972, LaVern worked as a Deputy State Fire Marshal in the Pipeline Safety Division. While working for the state, he was president of the State Fire Chief’s Association, Old Timer’s Fireman Association and served 15 years on the State Fire School Committee. LaVern was also proud to have served in a couple national level offices and committees.
LaVern served on the 100th Meridian Museum Board of Directors, Grand Generation Center Board as a past president and vice president, and the Cozad Elks Lodge as a past officer.
LaVern loved to hunt, fish, garden and attend the activities of his children and grandchildren as they grew up. He loved his family and thought a lot of the people he worked with all over the area.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Marjorie Rinehart; brother, William Rinehart; sister-in-law, Mae Rinehart; brother-in-law, Keith Arnold; great-granddaughter, Ava Mabel Rinehart; and also a grand-dog, Spike, who was very much a companion to LaVern.
Survivors include his wife, Bonnie, of Cozad; two sons, Larry (Vivian) Rinehart, of Dyer, Ind., Lynn (Teresa) Rinehart, of Imperial; daughter, LaVay (Dean) Horst, of North Platte; four grandchildren, Jeremy (Jennifer) Rinehart, of Lincoln, Kayla (Kyle) Sharp, currently stationed in Grafoehner, Germany, Lucas Rinehart, of McCook, Lynsey Rinehart, of Omaha; three great-grandchildren, Madee and Cayden Sharp and Amaya Rinehart; six step-granddaughters, 11 step-great-grandchildren; sister, Vergie Arnold, of Lincoln; a grand-dog, Maverick, of North Platte; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established and condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com
Services will be at 11 a.m., today, at the First United Methodist Church in Cozad with Pastor Doug Smith officiating. Burial with fireman’s rites will be at the Cozad Cemetery.

Larry Lee Lamphear, Sr., passed away December 11, 2012 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center from complications of cancer. He was born December 25, 1958 to William and Sandra (Ridinger) Lamphear at Turlock, CA. He grew up in Stockton, CA and joined the United States Navy. After his discharged he lived in California moving to Nebraska in 1993. He was an Eagle Scout. He is survived by his mother, Sandra Olive; two sons, Larry Lamphear, Jr. and Michael Lamphear; a sister, Deborah Del Carlo; four grandchildren, Cameron, Dillon, Eathon and Aydon; a niece, Kimberly Del Carlo; a nephew, Christopher Del Carlo; and a special friend, Desiree Cheever. He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Michael Graham; and his step father, Robert Olive. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 17, 2012 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Chaplain Gary Smith officiating. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.

Martin LeRoy Rousey, 87, of North Platte passed away Dec. 1, 2012, at the Sutherland Care Center.
He was born April 4, 1925, in Wauneta to Ora and Mae Tepley Rousey. Martin grew up in the Wauneta and Hamlet area, living much of his younger years with an uncle and grandfather. He was living with his mother in Ogallala when the dam was being built.
On April 28, 1945, Martin married Glenda Stinnette. They had two sons, Marvin and Ron. The couple made their home in the Elsie and North Platte area, working farm and dairy operations.
In 1955 the couple moved to Aurora, Colo., where Martin was head of the Aurora Parks Department. After two years, Martin and Glenda missed country life and returned to the North Platte area.
In 1971 they bought land west of North Platte and started Rousey Dairy. With the help of their sons and a lot of hard work, they received state and national honors for their top producing registered Holstein dairy herd. They continued to operate Rousey Dairy until failing health prevented them from continuing.
During the Depression years, Martin raised and trained ‘coon dogs. He helped support his family through the sale of these dogs and ‘coon and coyote hides. He enjoyed his family, hunting and fishing. He really enjoyed auctions, especially in his later years, and he never met a stranger.
Survivors include sons, Marvin (Linda) and Ron (Audrey), all of North Platte; grandchildren, Pam (Jess) Helgoth, of Burwell, Kim (Scott) Goodwin, of Kilgore, Jodi (John) Miller, of North Platte, Tyrell (Deandra) Rousey, of North Platte, and Tess Rousey, of Gurley; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother; wife, Glenda, on Nov. 30, 2009, after 64 years of marriage; and numerous aunts and uncles.
A memorial has been established and online condolences may be shared at adamsswanson.com.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, at Parkview Community Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Jack Atteberry officiating. Cremation was chosen. Inurnment will take place at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 17, at the North Platte Cemetery. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., today, through Friday, Dec. 14, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.