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Rosemary Pueppka


Rosemary Pueppka, age 77 of North Platte, died peacefully in her sleep Wednesday October 3, 2012 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center following a lengthy illness.
Rosemary was born February 1, 1935 on a farm near Wellfleet, NE to Leo and Veda (Flock) Greenwood. The family moved to North Platte in 1939. She attended school at St. Patrick’s until her senior year, graduating from North Platte High School with the class of 1952.
Rosemary married Darrell Pueppka at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on May 17, 1954 and the couple made their home in North Platte.
Shortly after graduating from high school Rosemary went to work for the CPA firm of Hansen & Fuening where she worked for over thirty years, retiring in 1984.
Rosemary was a deeply spiritual person whose Catholic faith was very important. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish for over seventy years, serving as a lector, Eucharistic minister and on the Parish Council.
Survivors include her husband Darrell; sons Steve and Larry both of North Platte; and daughter Sharee of Omaha. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother James.
A memorial has been established to the St. Patrick’s Food Pantry and on line condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake services will be Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday October 8, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend James Golka officiating. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be Friday noon to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 6:00 p.m. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Arlene Marie Lewis


Arlene Marie Lewis passed away October 1, 2012 in Omaha. She was born December 8, 1942 to Allen Scott & Letha (Scott) VanNatta in North Platte. She lived and went to school in North Platte, spending some time in the country as well. Constantly smiling, Arlene was loving and caring and because she always wanted to be involved in her community, she volunteered at the Salvation Army Church for several years. She had a great love of music, especially Elvis Presley, and was a thrifty shopper, finding gems at the local garage sales. Arlene was preceded in death by her sister Sarah Contreras.
Arlene is survived by Deana Guljas and husband Timothy of Houston, Thomas G. Lewis of North Platte, and Anne Severn of North Platte, her adored grandchildren: Laura Waltz, Brittany Waltz, Kaysee Lewis, and Roger Severn. She leaves behind her devoted fiancé George Ross (Korky). Arlene is also survived by her brothers and sisters: Dorothy (Ralph) Hankins, John (Marilyn) Scott, Vernon (Paula) Scott, Shirley Geiger, and Marilyn (Gary) Nelson as well as numerous nephews & nieces.
A memorial has been established in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 5, 2012 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Smith officiating. Burial will follow at the North Platte City Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Edna Earle Maurer


Edna Earle Maurer, 100, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died October 3, 2012 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE.

She was born February 10, 1912 in Gothenburg, daughter of Robert and Grace (Aunspaugh) Davis.

Edna graduated from Gothenburg High, class of 1931. She taught school at District 81R for three years and married Collis Maurer on June 7, 1935. The couple had two boys, Richard and George. They farmed in Lincoln county where they raised corn, pigs, cows, chickens, a garden. Edna loved to cook, raise chickens, gardening and playing games. She was a member of the Union Aides Society and the American Lutheran Church.

Surviving are her son Richard Maurer of Gothenburg, NE; five grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren along with many extended family.

Edna was preceded in death by husband, Collis H Maurer in 1981; son, George Maurer in 1998; her parents; four sisters, Helen Giboney, Jessie Davis, Opal Kicker, Dorothy Davis;
two brothers Kenneth and Wyatt Davis.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, October 04, 2012 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Services will be held at American Lutheran Church, Friday, October 5, 2012 at 10:00 am with Pastor Tom Wilson, Lonna Grabenstein PMA officiating.

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

Memorials may be given to the American Lutheran Church Kitchen Fund or Youth Groups, 1512 Avenue G, Gothenburg, NE 69138. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Shirley Lee Seaton


Shirley Lee Seaton, 67, of Brady, NE passed away October 1, 2012 at her home. Shirley was born December 12, 1944 in North Platte to Victor and Daisy Favinger Sukraw. She was raised north of Maxwell and graduated from Maxwell High School in 1962. Shirley married David Seaton June 9, 1963 in Maxwell.
Shirley was an active leader in Girl Scouts and she directed the Girl Scouts musicals in Lexington for many years. She drove the Brady Public School bus for many years and she and her husband ran the Hitching Post in Brady. The couple later started a custom haying business and Shirley worked along side of her husband in the hay fields. She enjoyed sewing and doing crafts, fishing with her dad and was an avid gardener. She loved her dogs, Lazlo, Bear and Ruby and especially enjoyed spending time with her family and grandkids. Shirley always put everyone before herself, especially her daughters and grandchildren. She was very devoted to her parents and was a special “mom” to many. Shirley was a brave and courageous woman facing her illness and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include her daughters, Tonja (Tyrone) Shaw of Brady and Nicole Gaona of North Platte; her father, Vic Sukraw of Maxwell; a brother, Lewey Sukraw of Brady; half brother, Kenneth Favinger of North Platte; grandchildren, Chevas, Radley and Emilee Shaw, Dominic D’Aquila and Camron and Chandler Gaona.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her mother; her grandparents; a half brother, Lawrence Favinger, and sisters-in-law, Kristi Sukraw and Bonnie Favinger. A memorial has been established to the Brady Volunteer Fire Department and online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com.
Services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Brady Methodist Church. Inurnment will be at Plainview Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Joyce Lerene Hayes


Joyce Lerene Hayes, 87, of North Platte formerly of Hershey, NE passed away Saturday, September 29, 2012, at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte.

Joyce was born August 5, 1925, at Eldorado, NE to Grier Elwell and Viola Magdalene Gallentine Hunt. Joyce grew up in Eldorado and graduated from Ericson High School in 1943 then taught in rural schools. Joyce later worked as a waitress and cashier at a cafeteria while going to college in Lincoln, NE. She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1951 with a BA Degree in Education then taught high school for two years. She later worked as a cashier in the office at O’Conner Five and Ten Store in North Platte.

On September 12, 1953, Joyce was married to Glen Walter ‘Red’ Hayes at Ten Sleep, WY by her father, Rev. Grier Hunt. Joyce and Glen lived in Hershey until Christmas 1954, when they moved into the home they built south of Hershey. They moved to Henderson, NE in 1997 then to Centennial Park Retirement Village in 2005.

Joyce was a long-time member of the Hershey United Methodist Church and attended the Hershey Baptist Church.

Survivors include her children, Glenda (Gary) Phipps, of Whitman, NE and Rex (Irene) Hayes, of Henderson, NE; three grandchildren, Heather (Erick) Johnson, of North Platte, Brett (Jordyn) Phipps, of Whitman and Wade Phipps, of Fort Laramie, WY; three great-grandchildren, MaKenna and Madisyn Johnson and Kaisley Phipps; her sister, Janice (Joe) Vermeer, of Palm Springs, CA; a brother, Wilfred ‘Bill’ (Vada) Hunt, of Omaha, NE; and other family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen; her parents, Grier and Viola Hunt; two sisters, Bernadine Hunt and Ruth Hernandez; and four brothers, Daryle, Lester, Donald and Eugene Hunt.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 4, 2012, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Job Vigil officiating. Burial will follow in the Lamont Cemetery southwest of Hershey. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday with family greeting friends from 3 to 5 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to Lamont Cemetery. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Willa Marie (Arent) Owens Mortimore


Willa Marie (Arent) Owens Mortimore, 96, of Curtis died September 28, 2012 at Linden Court in North Platte, NE.

She was born February 13, 1916 to Fred Fredrick and Elizabeth Marie (Podewitz) Arent in Kearney County near Minden, NE. They later moved to Cambridge, then Culbertson. In the spring of 1928 her family moved to Frontier County south of Stockville, where they built a home.

Willa married Richard T. Owens on February 6, 1936. To this union four children were born Patsie Lee, Harold Edward, John Charles and Shirley Ann. Dick died on May 19, 1945 leaving her with four small children. She was later united with Ervin Cecil Mortimore in 1948.

Willa was preceded in death by husband Dick Owens, husband Ervin Mortimore, parents Fred and Elizabeth Arent, four infant children, step-son Richard Lyle Owens, granddaughter Bonny Jane Owens, grandson Richard Dean Gardner, five brothers; Leslie, Pete, Ted, Dude and Fritz, and one sister Edna Kotschwar.

She is survived by her children Patsie (Russell) Wood of Cambridge, NE; Harold (Mary) Owens of Hill City, SD; John (Bernita) Owens of Stockville, NE; Shirley Owens of Curtis, NE; seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, brother Chuck (Carol) Arent of Red Feather, CO; sisters Beverly Johnson, Cozad, NE; and Onie Greenlee of North Platte, NE.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Curtis, Nebraska; Monday, October 01, 2012 11:00 am – 8:00 pm with the family present from 6:00 pm -8:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held at the United Church of Christ in Stockville, on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 10:30 am with Dale Heimer officiating.

Interment will follow in the Arbor Cemetery, Stockville, NE.

A memorial has been established in Willa’s name, c/o Kevin Owens, 38910 HWY 23, Curtis, NE 69025.

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

Beryl Ristine


Beryl Ristine, 87, of Santa Maria, Calif., formerly of Gothenburg, passed away Jan. 26, 2012.
Beryl was born on July 28, 1924, north of Cozad and Gothenburg to Luther C. and Opal (Gibson) Ristine. Growing up as a Depression-era farm boy, Beryl knew a life of hard times and no frills. There were too many chores and too few games. At the age of 13, his father married Thelva Elliott. He often listed Thelva as his mother from then on. He worked on his Aunt Nina Ristine’s farm during the winter and rode his bike into Gothenburg, where he attended high school until his senior year. It was then that his father moved the family to Waco to open a barbershop. Beryl finished his senior year in Waco, though he always attended his class reunions in Gothenburg.
Beryl enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was trained in Air/Ground Radio Operations and saw the end of World War II in Germany. As a member of the occupational forces, Beryl processed prisoners of war. Following a short break in the service and some college classes, Beryl enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, continuing in Radio Communications, then retraining into the missile field. Beryl had duty in several U.S. states, France, Germany, Turkey and Kwajalein Atoll. During all these assignments, he enjoyed traveling as much as possible. In 1970, Beryl retired as a Master Sergeant at Vandenberg Air Force Base and went to New Zealand to work as a photo engraver, using skills learned through his hobby of photography. Beryl traveled those islands and Australia extensively. Two years later, Beryl returned to the United States via a trip around the world, which included a train trip across Siberia. Resettling in Santa Maria, Beryl drove school busses for the Santa Maria School District and did administrative work as a civil servant at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Upon going into full retirement, Beryl began traveling in earnest, bus and air trips all over the country, as well as Mexico, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Beryl enjoyed 17 cruises, including the Panama Canal, Alaska and a river cruise through Russia. He also made a trip to China and a flight over the North Pole to Sweden. Beryl was a member the Santa Maria seniors travel club; he was frequently “on the bus.” Beryl took pride in his travels and was awarded Most Active Traveler and left many pictures and journals.
Other than traveling, Beryl enjoyed the golf course at Vandenberg Air Force Base for many years until a shoulder injury would not allow him to continue. Beryl then walked the course for camaraderie and exercise. He also greatly enjoyed music; he leaves behind hundreds of audiotapes, eight tracks, cassettes and reel to reels. Beryl recorded many of them himself, including light classical, popular and country. Beryl liked to be out of the house and active, even when it was only for breakfast at Kay’s Country Kitchen or coffee at McDonald’s or Albertsons.
Beryl was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Thelva Ristine Bates; two sisters, Doris Johnson and Kathleen Ristine; two half-sisters, Nellie and Carol; step-brother, Austin Bates; and a cousin, Burton Ristine.
Survivors include his brother, Archie, of Ellensburg, Wash.; sister, Helen Voisey, of Webster, Texas; half-sister, Kay Etherton, of Cozad; four step-sisters, Joan (Gary) Waugh, of North Platte, Jeanne (Larry) Brooks, of Cozad, Cheryl (Roger) Nespor, of Milford, and Lois (James) Hughes, of Nashport, Ohio; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Services with military honors will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 1, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell.

Berniece Overless


Berniece Overless, 91, of Colorado Springs, Colo., formerly of North Platte, died Sept. 25, 2012. Cremation was chosen. Services are pending at Fort McPherson National Cemetery.

Bonnie Cooper


Bonnie Jean Cooper, age 79 of North Platte passed away September 26, 2012 in North Platte.
Bonnie was born September 26, 1933 in North Platte, NE to James and Mattie Pease. She graduated from North Platte High School. Bonnie worked at the Canning Factory in North Platte, at the Dodge Dealership in the parts department for many years, and at the horse plant in North Platte.
Bonnie married Martin Mora Sr. and the couple lived in North Platte. Martin preceded her in death August 7, 1986. On September 1, 1987 she married Vernon Cooper.
Bonnie enjoyed gardening, especially her irises, crocheting, and country music. She had a very strong love for her family.
Bonnie is survived by her husband Vernon of North Platte; son Martin (Alice) Mora Jr. of North Platte; four grandchildren Martin Mora of North Platte, Fara (Everardo Lujan) Muniz of Clovis, NM, Dr. Ian (Nichole) Mora of Chicago Il, and Robin Mora of North Platte; five great grandchildren Austin Muniz and Rosa Muniz of Lexington, Raymond Lujan, Grace Lujan, Anthony Lujan all of Clovis, NM; siblings Edward (Carolyn) Pease, Evelyn (Dan) Dougherty, Mary Ann (Bob) Perlick; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Martin; siblings Bob Pease, Jim Pease, and Roland Pease.
A memorial has been established in her name and on line condolences may be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Visitation will be Saturday and Sunday noon to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday October 1, 2012 at 1:00 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with the Bishop Vic Gentry officiating. Burial will follow at the North Platte Cemetery. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Floyd Russell (Russ) Masters


Floyd Russell (Russ) Masters, lifelong North Platte resident and newspaperman succumbed to cancer Wednesday afternoon, September 26, 2012, at his home. He was 80 years old.
Russ was born on October 8, 1931 in North Platte, NE to Chester and Mabel Masters. After attending North Platte schools he graduated from NPHS in 1949. He served in Germany for the U.S. Army from 1952-54 and returned to his job at the North Platte Telegraph Bulletin. Russ was the Sports Editor and later the Circulation Manager until 1978.
Russ coached numerous boys’ basketball and baseball teams. Boys and girls of all ages in North Platte remember Russ as a mentor from their days on his teams or as newspaper deliverers for the Telegraph. He was responsible for hundreds of boys and girls establishing their first checking accounts, and was also instrumental in the establishment of tee-ball in North Platte.
Russ married Norma Jean Lewandowski on July 10, 1952. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. They owned Sutherland Courier-Times from 1978 until 1995. Russ was the Publisher, Editor, Photographer and Janitor.
Russ was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, serving many roles including Chairman of the first Holy Spirit Church Council. He was the Exalted Ruler of the North Platte Elks Lodge during the 70’s. He was also a member of the American Legion and Knights of Columbus and past president of the Sutherland Chamber of Commerce.
Loving survivors include his wife Norma Jean; two sons Jerry (Amy) of Parker, CO, Mark (Kathy) of Waukee, IA; one daughter Jeanne Masters of Carrollton, TX; a brother Evert (Elisabeth); six grandchildren Jeff Masters, Emily Masters, Joey Masters, Amber (Chris) Zimmerman, Alysia Masters and Abby Masters; and one great-grandson Cameron Zimmerman.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two step-fathers; daughter Susan; son Timothy; and his sister Betty Uebel.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Holy Spirit Catholic Church Building Fund or St. Patrick’s Catholic Schools Endowment. Christian Wake service will be Friday at 6:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday Sept. 29, 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Reverend James Novakowski officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

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