Charlotte Patricia “Pat” McGreer, age 88, passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at her home in Big Springs, Nebraska. She was born February 6, 1924, in Roscoe, Nebraska, the youngest of the four children who lived to adulthood of Charles Edward and Bertha Marie (Krab) Thalken.

A Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 21st at St. Luke’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 22nd at St. Luke’s Catholic Church with Father Bryan Ernest as celebrant. Committal services will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Big Springs Cemetery.

Growing up on the family farm, Pat developed an early interest and talent as a seamstress by making a dress in sixth grade on her mother’s treadle sewing machine. Her family moved from the farm to Ogallala just before Pat entered high school.

A graduate of Ogallala High School in 1941, Pat was employed for six years at Storer’s Jewelry. She married Wilber McGreer on August 5, 1947. Pat and Wilber moved from Paxton to Big Springs in 1958 to farm. They started McGreer Camper Park when Interstate 80 was built in 1969 and continued in these ventures until their retirement. Pat and Wilber had just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Mrs. McGreer was a homemaker and a very accomplished knitter, quilter, and seamstress, touching the lives of many with her handiwork. She made Christmas stockings for each of the many members of her own family, as well as for extended family and friends. She also made dozens of quilts for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The grand kids will miss her always-full cookie jar.

Family was a vital part of Pat’s life. She was blessed with a very large family and was a blessing to them. The highlight of her days was when the family gathered to enjoy each other. No one loved to laugh more than her.

Survivors in addition to her husband, Wilber, include son Michael and wife Louise of Big Springs; daughter Maureen Balk Garza of Liberty, Missouri; son Mark and wife Nita of Big Springs; daughter Marcia Petersen and husband Alan (Butch) of Leawood, Kansas; daughter Margaret (Peg) Wood and husband Steve of Whitewater, Colorado; son Matthew and wife Diane of West Dundee, Illinois. Pat is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Katherine Meismer and Alice Heideman, brother, Darrell Thalken, and son-in-law Thomas Balk.

A memorial has been established in Pat’s memory. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Gubser Funeral Home and at the church prior to the Rosary.

Gubser Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.

Floriberto “Indio” Parra-Munoz, Jr., 28, passed away Oct. 17, 2012, as a result of an automobile accident.
Floriberto was born March 30, 1984, at North Platte to Juliana (Waters) and Floriberto Parra-Munoz. He attended North Platte High School and worked construction. He enjoyed sports, watching football, and also loved drawing. He loved his family, especially his niece and nephew.
“Indio” is survived by his parents; his grandmother, Edna Bluebird, of Pine Ridge, S.D.; three brothers, Filemon Parra-Munoz of Rocky Ford, S.D., Briano Jose Parra-Munoz, of North Platte, and Joseph (Jobe) Red Shirt, of Pine Ridge, S.D.; two sisters, Belecya Parra-Munoz, of North Platte, and Ashley Spotted Elk of Pine Ridge, S.D..; his Aunt Peggy Goodwin, of North Platte; Theresa Water and Uncle Santos Parra; his niece, Canelo Parra-Munoz, and nephew, Santiago Parra-Munoz. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Emma Bicenti Parra-Munoz; his grandmother, Regina Grabbing Bear; his grandfather, Patricio Parra-Munoz; his grandmother, Belbina Parra-Munoz; and his aunt Alicia Parra-Ramirez.
A Christian wake service will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, at St Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will be Monday at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Pine Ridge, S.D.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Duane McBride, 51, of Ogallala, died Oct. 17, 2012, in his home.
Duane was born on Feb. 2, 1961, in Sterling, Colo., the son of Robert and Alfreda “Fritz” (Sauer) McBride. He moved with his family to Ogallala in 1965. Duane attended Ogallala Public Schools, graduating in 1979.
He then attended Western Nebraska Tech College in Sidney and was employed with Union Pacific Railroad. In 1980, Duane began working for Kildare Lumber Company in Ogallala and later became assistant manager.
On July 24, 1982, Duane was united in marriage to Pamela Kay Petersen in the United Methodist Church in Royal, Iowa. The couple made their home in Ogallala.
Duane enjoyed hiking, water skiing, jet skiing and traveling in the mountains. He especially liked spending time on the Washington coast. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and served on the Board of Trustees.
Preceding him in death was his father.
Survivors include his wife, Pam; and his mother, “Fritz” McBride, both of Ogallala; one son, Aaron (fiancé, Megan Slane) McBride; and one daughter, Shaina McBride, all of Omaha; two sisters; Theresa (Steve) Hicks, of Thornton, Colo. and Cynthia (Jeff) Bishop, of Bellevue.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. John Stubenrouch officiating.
Burial will be at the Ogallala Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., today, at Draucker Funeral Home. A memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent to drauckerfh.com.
Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.

Joey K. Loveland, 91, passed away Oct. 16, 2012, at Linden Court.
She was born on July 5, 1921, to Charles T. and Ima Yanagida in North Platte. Joey was a 1939 graduate of Platte Valley District Eight. She attended and graduated at Grand Island Beauty Academy in 1941. Joey was a cosmetologist for 60 years and owner of Fox and Joey’s Beauty Salons and North Platte Beauty Academy.
She was a member of Episcopal Church of Our Savior.
Survivors include her sister, Susie (Bud) Kudlacek, of North Platte; brothers, Bill Yanagida, of Fernley, Nev., Roy Yanagida, of Lincoln; and nephews, nieces and grand-nephews and nieces.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Jerry Loveland, in 1980, her parents; and brother, Gene Yanagida.
Cremation was chosen. Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 22, at Episcopal Church of Our Savior.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Episcopal Church of Our Savior or Mid Nebraska Community Foundation. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.
Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

William “Bill” W. Votaw, 86, of Emporia, Kan., passed away Oct. 14, 2012, at Newman Regional Health, Emporia.
Bill was born on April 23, 1926, in Wellfleet, the son of Walter and Ethel Johnson Votaw. He married Janice Rice on Aug. 11, 1957, in North Platte, they divorced, and he later married Roma Ury on May 12, 1979, in North Platte. Roma passed away on July 14, 2001.
Bill received basic training at Ft. Riley, Kansas, serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as an electrical lineman from Jan. 12, 1951, until a family hardship discharge on April 15, 1952. He was proud of his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying small planes. He farmed and worked as a contract carrier of mobile homes in Arcadia. He was a Coast-to-Coast hardware store owner in Norfolk, with his first wife, Jan.
After moving to North Platte, Bill enjoyed memberships with the VFW and American Legion. He worked as a copier repairman at Midwest Office Supply Store. He was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad as an electrician. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1920.
He later moved to Las Vegas, Nev., and operated a home copier repair and sales business with his second wife, Roma. He was a member of Warm Springs Baptist Church and enjoyed the BYKOTA Bible study group.
Bill enjoyed boating, loved cultivating roses, and assisted family with home projects, enjoyed classical music, theatre and musicals. He moved to Emporia and became a member of the Emporia Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed excursions to local and area attractions. Bill moved to Holiday Resort and enjoyed the aviary, aquariums, activities and greeting residents and staff.
Bill is survived by three sons, Stuart Votaw and Rod Ury, both of North Platte, and Michael Ury, of Valley; four daughters, Ruth Smith, of Emporia, Carol Crosier, of North Platte, Paula Thompson, of Chesapeake, Va., and Pamela Schmidt, of Lincoln; three grandchildren, Amy Kreider Thompson, Christopher Smith and Sarah Smith; and one great-granddaughter, Annabelle Kreider.
Bill was preceded in death by both wives, Janice Rice Votaw and Roma Ury Votaw.
Bill was cremated. Burial will be at Fort Riley Post Cemetery on Friday, Oct. 26, with military honors by the Fort Riley honors unit.
Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior project, Fort Riley and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at robertsblue.com.
Services are pending for a memorial service in North Platte. Roberts-Blue-Barnett is in charge of arrangements.

Joan Lee Anderson, Age 86 of North Platte, passed away October 15, 2012 at Centennial Park Retirement Village as a result of complications from Parkinson’s disease. She was born August 17, 1926 to John and Margaret (Blaise) Lamplaugh in North Platte, NE. She graduated from North Platte High School. She married Levi S. Anderson, Jr. in 1946 and they moved to Paxton and started a sand and gravel business. The family had a short stint in Scottsbluff, NE, running another sand and gravel business. They moved back to Paxton, then to Sutherland, where she was a beloved and fair administrator of the Sutherland Nursing Home for 26 years, where she continued working even when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1981. Joan was a member of the following local organizations: Altrusa, Elks Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Moose Lodge, and St. Pat’s Altar Society. She moved to Centennial Retirement Center in 2005, initially in assisted living, then into the skilled nursing center where she remained until her death.
Joan was never demanding, but modest with a subtle sense of humor. She would be your best friend, yet knew she was your mother and let you know it! She never asked anything from anyone; was quiet and demure, even in her last days. She didn’t want any pain relief; she always said she was fine until her last breath.
Joan is survived by her daughter Sherry (Rick) Keuter of North Platte; sons Levi S. III (Joyce) Anderson of North Platte, Rick L. (Sue) Anderson of Sutherland; ten grandchildren Heidi Weizel, Eric Anderson, Seth Anderson, Erin Anderson, Justy (Brian) Linden, Riley (Cinta) Anderson, Lucas (Brandi) Anderson, Rick (Erica) Keuter, Ryan Keuter, Josh (Paz) Rouse; and fourteen great grandchildren.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents and step-dad Freddie Hankins; husband Levi S. Anderson Jr.; daughter Linda (Anderson) Johnston; and grandson Devin Weizel.
The family wishes to thank relatives and friends for all their prayers and support during this difficult time. The family would also like to thank the wonderful staff of Centennial Park Skilled Nursing for their dedication and service.
A memorial has been established to the National Parkinson Foundation and on line condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake service will be Friday October 19, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at the same location with Reverend James Golka officiating. Inurnment will follow Mass at the North Platte Cemetery. Those wishing to do so may sign the register book Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Doris J Craig, 91, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died October 15, 2012 at Hilltop Estates, Gothenburg, NE.

She was born June 19, 1921 in Custer County, NE, daughter of Martin and Amanda (Maline) Larson.

Doris graduated from Gothenburg High in 1937. She worked for Clyde Loutsenheiser and Tri County as a secretary. On March 16, 1947 Doris married Ralph Craig. They lived in Ord, NE, where Doris worked in Valley County Court House. While living there, a son William M Craig was born, he passed away two days later and was buried in the Ord Cemetery. They bought a Gamble Store in Crawford, NE and were there for five years. Ralph worked for the Game and Parks so they moved to Chappell and later to Ogallala. They later purchased a farm near Maxwell and moved there.

Doris was active in the Brady Methodist Church. She belonged to the Hill and Valley Extension Club and Westerners in North Platte. She was a member of Chapter EB PEO, where she served in various offices including president. She also was active in the Scandinavian Heritage group in Gothenburg.

Surviving are brother, Mike (Marian) Larson of Gothenburg, along with many nieces and nephews.

Doris was preceded in death by husband, Ralph L. Craig, her parents, her infant son William, two sisters and their husbands – Yvonnne (Don) McClellen and Marilyn (Burton) Ristine.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, October 18, 2012 9:00 am – 8:00 pm.

Services will be held at First United Methodist Church, October 19, 2012 at 10:30 am with Rev. Janie Freeman and Rev. Scott McClellen officiating.

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

Memorials may be given to The Gideons International, PO Box 133, Gothenburg, NE 69138 or the Brady United Methodist Church, PO Box 96, Brady, NE 69123.

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

Barbara A. Shepherd, age 79 of North Platte, passed away October 13, 2012 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. She was born November 7, 1932 in Gary, IN to Lloyd and Mildred (Petersen) DeCent.
Barbara did many things in her life including being a police woman in North Platte and a singer and entertainer (Bobbie Dee) in Las Vegas, NV. She moved back to North Platte from Las Vegas and earned her LPN license. She later went on to run an in-home day care and was also a foster parent. Children and singing were two things in life that she really enjoyed. She was a member of the St. Patrick’s choir and loved to quilt, and cook and read. She was known for taking in and caring for people who had no where to go. Life was not always easy for Barb but she always made the best out of what life handed her. She was a devout Catholic and her many nieces and nephews had a special place in her heart.
Barb is survived by her two sons Ronald (Angela) Hornyak of Sutherland and Jeffrey (Christine) Johansen of North Platte; six grandchildren Amanda, Nichole and Stephanie Hornyak, Ben Miller and Elizabeth and Ryker Johansen; one great grandson Easton Wood; and a sister Fran Wyman.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters Joann Monette and Edith Hasbrouck; and five brothers Lloyde E. DeCent, Jack William, Jr., James F. Decent, Dutch Shaffer, and Clyde “Butch” Shaffer.
A memorial has been established and on line condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday October 20, 2012 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend James Golka officiating. Cremation will follow Mass, and inurnment will be 4:00 p.m. Thursday October 25, 2012 at the North Platte City Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with the family receiving friends 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.