Rodney Dean Renken, 76, died at home on Sept 23, 2012.
Rodney Dean Renken was born on Oct. 27, 1937, in Lexington to Gus and Esther (Hanson) Renken. He was raised in Lexington, graduating from high school in 1956. He enlisted in the Army for three years, stationed first at Aberdeen, Md., and later at Ft. Carson, Colo.
He married Verneda Douthit on Dec. 28, 1957, at the Presbyterian Church in Lexington. Their son, Christopher, was born in 1959 at Ft. Carson, Colo. They resided in Cozad for seven years, moving to North Platte in 1968.
At age 59, Rod was involved in a car accident when a woman ran a red light, causing carotid artery damage resulting in a stroke. Left with a paralyzed right arm, unable to speak, he managed well for years, until he developed medical problems.
Survivors include his wife, Verneda; son, Chris (Toni); and two granddaughters, Rebecca and Kellie.
He was very much loved by his family and will be greatly missed.
He will be cremated without a memorial service. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Larry Sack, 61, of North Platte passed away on September 2nd. Larry was born in Kearney, Nebraska on March 3, 1951. He attended Kearney Schools until high school when his family moved to North Platte. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1969. He began his career as a Carman at Union Pacific Railroad in 1969. He married Gail Stoddard of Hershey, August 13, 1969. In 1970, Larry began his lifelong passion of scuba diving. He became an instructor and certified many area divers and rescue personnel. He was a part of the North Platte Fire Department’s Dive and Rescue Team and the Aqua Sharks Scuba Club for many years. Larry found joy in the outdoors, spending time fishing, hunting, trapping, shooting, collecting guns and sharing that love and knowledge with others. Larry and Gail had two children and shared 40 years of marriage. They spent much of their time cheering on their children and grandchildren through their years of sports. Larry was a fixture at area events and everyone recognized his face in the crowds. Larry is survived by his daughter Shelly (John) Byrn and son, Casey (Elly) Sack; sisters Sue Stoddard and Mary Lou (Art) Saathoff and brother, Jerry (Mary) Sack, all of North Platte; six grandchildren Samantha and Bryce Byrn, Taylor, Ethan, Clara and Kinsley Sack, father-in-law, Clifford Stoddard, sister-in-law, Darlene Stoddard; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and two aunts, Eva Swedberg of North Platte and Lucy Lawrence of Kearney. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gail, mother, Esther Sack, mother-in-law, Betty Stoddard, brothers-in-law Gene and Roger Stoddard. In honor of Larry, the family requests casual dress at the service. In lieu of flowers, donations will be given out to various organizations that Larry was a part of. Cremation was chosen. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday and family will be receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Oct 1, 2012 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. A tribute to Larry’s life will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Oct 2, 2012 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Arthur “Art” Wolf, 89, of Cozad, formerly of Gothenburg and Farnam, passed away Sept. 22, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
Art was born on Sept. 2, 1923, at Eustis to William and Bertha (Reiker) Wolf. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis. Art attended school at Eustis and was a member of the graduating class of 1941.
Art farmed with his father east of Farnam for a number of years before taking over the farming operation himself.
On Feb. 16, 1961, he married Gladys Miller at Bertrand. The couple resided on the farm for a number of years, eventually moving to Harlingen, Texas, in the late 1960s.
In the years to follow, Art and Gladys enjoyed wintering in Texas and spending summers in Farnam. In 1997, the couple moved to Gothenburg where they lived until 2009, when they moved to Meadowlark Pointe in Cozad.
Golf was always one of Art’s passions. He loved to play the game, and excelled at it. While he was a gifted player, he was perhaps an even better teacher. Art spent much time helping others learn the game, including his grandson, patiently answering questions and refining the mechanics of their swings.
When Art wasn’t on the golf course, he could be found spending time on his old classic pickup that he restored or cooking some of his favorite German cuisine.
Art was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Gothenburg, the Cozad Elks Club and the Farnam Lions Club.
Art was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harold and Howard; and two sisters, Wilma VanSalsen and Julia Yardley.
Survivors include his wife, Gladys, of Cozad; two daughters, Geraldine (Larry) Adler, of Overland Park, Kan., Beverly (Del) Van Der Werff, of Curtis; six grandchildren, Jay (Kelly) Van Der Werff, of Kansas City, Kan., Stacy (Jeff) Weller, of San Antonio, Texas, Julie Van Der Werff, of Rapid City, S.D., Jacqueline Hughes, of Salida, Colo., Marty (Dana) Adler, of Olathe, Kan., Jaylyn (Brice) Maddock, of Nixa, Mo.; 14 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m., today, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis with Pastors Beverly Rautenberg-Panko and Tom Wilson officiating. Burial will be at the East Cemetery at Eustis.
Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.
A memorial has been established. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com.

Karen Sue Helmuth, age 73 of Ogallala, passed away at her home on Saturday, September 22, 2012. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 27th at the Gubser Funeral Chapel with Pastor Eric Wait of the New Hope Church officiating. Inurnment will be in the Ft. McPherson National Cemetery south of Maxwell, Nebraska.
Karen was born April 14, 1939 at Ogallala, the daughter of Harold and Darlene (Johnson) DeVoe. Karen grew up and attended school in Ogallala, graduating from the Ogallala High School. She married Roger Helmuth on August 23, 1958 at Ogallala. She was employed at the Keith County Courthouse until her retirement. Karen enjoyed bowling, gardening and reading. She especially enjoyed special times spent with her granddaughters and great grandchildren as well as playing cards with her family.
Survivors include her son, Mark and wife Deb Helmuth of Ogallala; three granddaughters, Shari and husband Bryan Gallegos of North Platte, NE and Kasia and Kayla Helmuth both of Ogallala; two great grandchildren, Luxus and Kyler Gallegos of North Platte; two sisters, Konee Carlson of San Pan Valley, AZ and DeeAnn and husband Lance Lind of Laramie, WY; three brothers, Harold and David DeVoe of Ogallala and Robert DeVoe of Laramie, WY; sister in law Mary and husband Jim McChesney of Ogallala; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roger Helmuth; a sister, Denise Gies; a brother James DeVoe; a son, Mike Helmuth; and a daughter Theresa Helmuth.
Cremation was chosen and there will be no visitation. A memorial has been established in her memory. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com. Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.