Carolyn Ruth Merrill, age 83 of Ogallala, passed away on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at the Indian Hills Manor Nursing Home in Ogallala. Cremation was chosen and Memorial Services will be scheduled and announced at a later date.
Carolyn was born February 18, 1929 at Elsie, Nebraska the daughter of Jesse Ellsworth and Freida (Smith) Rogers. Carolyn was raised in the Elsie community. She started high school in Grant and later graduated from the Elsie High School. Following her high school graduation she attended and graduated from Cosmetology school in Hastings, Nebraska. She married Wendell J Merrill on June 19, 1949 at Elsie and the couple made their first home there where she operated a beauty shop in her home. They resided in both Ogallala and Grant before finally settling in Ogallala in the late 1960’s and Carolyn was employed by Irene Fox at the Wee Flower Shop.
Carolyn was a devout Christian attending the Church of Christ where she taught many children in Sunday School and Bible School classes as well as serving in many other various ways including coordinating meals on wheels for several years. She was active for many years in the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce and was elected President in 1975. That year she was also awarded the Nebraska Community Improvement Program Leadership Award for her achievements in supporting the community and state. She worked tirelessly as the Co-Chairwoman for the Fantasyland project designing and preparing the displays for the enjoyment of children and adults, which brought thousands of visitors to the community in the 1980’s during the Holiday Season.
She was a gifted musician with a beautiful voice and could play several instruments by ear. She especially loved to play the organ. She enjoyed anything that allowed her to utilize her artistic and creative abilities, from arranging flowers and decorating of any kind to oil and watercolor painting. Carolyn enjoyed Nebraska football and others sports and was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
In later years with her own health failing she was still a dedicated servant of God, caring for the elderly and shut in friends and community members. This care and concern for others continued even in her last years while residing at Indian Hills Manor. The family would like to express it’s sincere appreciation to the staff there for the excellent care given Carolyn, as well as to the Hospice organization, the Ogallala Community Hospital and Medical Clinic and Dr. Johnson and Dr. Byrd for their excellent care.
Survivors include her husband, Wendell Merrill of Ogallala; two sons, David Merrill of Denver, CO and Scott (Gwen) Merrill of Ogallala; four grandchildren, Ryan (Kourtney) Merrill of Denver, CO, Eric Merrill of Prescott, AZ, Eboni Merrill of Omaha, NE and Ambri (Ted) Vogel of Bennington, NE; one great grandson, Sam Merrill of Denver, CO; two sisters, Mary Pedigo of Colorado Springs, CO and Loreen Harshman of Wray, CO; brother in law, Bill (Gloria) Merrill of Bellevue, NE; and Wendell’s brother in law, Harry Schack of Lakewood, CO and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Debra DeeAnn; sister, Nadine Burdick and sister in laws, Edith and Claude Graves and Doris Schack.
A memorial has been established in her memory. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com. Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Margaret Evelyn McKain, 92, of North Platte, NE passed away Monday, September 10, 2012, at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte.

Evelyn was born August 26, 1920, to Charlie Clyde and Irene Pearl Curtis McKain on the family farm northwest of North Platte. In 1925 the family moved southwest of town and Evelyn attended District 39 Miller School. She went from first through eighth grade with some great teachers. Evelyn graduated from North Platte High School in 1941. During the summers she helped put up hay and during World War II she volunteered at the Canteen where she was in charge of cards, candy and magazines. A service man had found her name in a magazine that was handed out so he sent her several letters and a photo of him on a sign for the movie “Someday I’ll Find You.”

Evelyn had attended the First United Methodist Church and in later years she attended the First Baptist Church. She was a member of the Happy Hillside Extension Club and Home Helpers Extension Club. She volunteered at the Lincoln County Museum for a number of years with her good friend, Evelyn S. Smith. Over the years, Evelyn had volunteered over 4000 hours with RSVP. She also enjoyed bowling with a league until her legs gave out.

The family would like to thank the staff at Centennial Park Retirement Village for their many years of care.

Evelyn is survived by her sister, Lois Reckard, and sister-in-law, Geraldine McKain, both of North Platte; five nieces and nephews, Marcia (Gaylen) Rogers, of Highland, UT, Marlene (Bill) Songster, of North Platte, Mike McKain, of Lincoln, NE, Pat (Melinda) Reckard and Robin Reckard, all of North Platte; 14 great-nieces and nephews; 16 great great-nieces and nephews; and other family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Irene McKain; her brother, Merle McKain; brother-in-law, Bob Reckard; a niece, Peggy Reckard; and a great great-niece, Jessika Songster.

Graveside funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 14, 2012, in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the North Platte Opportunity Center. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

L. Eunice Poole, age 89 of Ogallala, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, September 9, 2012 at the Indian Hills Manor Nursing Home in Ogallala.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 13th at the Gubser Funeral Chapel with Pastor Eric Wait of the New Hope Church officiating. Inurnment at the Morning View Cemetery at Wallace will be at a later date.

Eunice was born December 4, 1922, the daughter of Linus and Edna (Power) Bennett. She grew up and attended schools at Wallace. On January 31, 1938 she married LeRoy Holliday. LeRoy passed away in 1961. She later married Robert Poole on March 9, 1962. The couple made their home in Toronto, Canada until returning to Nebraska in 1966.

Eunice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was preceded in death by her mother, her husband Robert, brothers Lyle, Bill and Maynard and an infant son. She is survived by her son, Roger (Deb) Holliday of McNeal, AZ, daughters, Barbara Dishman of North Platte, Beverly Porter of Gothenburg and Judy Krajewski of Ogallala, 12 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren.

A memorial has been established in her memory. Online condolences may be sent to gubserfuneralhome.com. Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

North Platte lost a member of the Greatest Generation on Sept. 7, 2012.
leaves his legacy as a husband, a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a citizen defending his country. He was 92 years old.
He witnessed first-hand, some of the worst that World War II’s Pacific Theater had to offer: The Aleutians, The Philippines and Okinawa. In fact, he arrived in the Pacific Theater the very day that the Battle of Attu began. In a world that must have seemed mad with killing and death, Ray Morse was committed to saving lives. He served in an Army Medical Battalion.
A native Nebraskan, Ray was born to parents Henry and Beulah Morse in Wallace. He graduated from Kearney High School in 1938, and went on to attend The University of Nebraska at Kearney, until his nation called for service.
He married Allene (Fisher) Morse in early 1950. He supported his family as a pipe fitter with the Union Pacific Railroad and retired in 1983. Retirement did not curtail his commitment to craftsmanship – he leaves behind a well-used shop in the basement of his longtime North Platte home, complete with a bench worn by countless hours of seated tinkering and reflection. You have not met a more practical man than Ray Morse.
His sisters, Helen Caldwell, of Boulder, Colo., and Louise Stafford, of New Jersey, preceded Ray in death.
He is survived by his wife, of 62 years, Allene Morse; his daughter, Nancy (Doug) Reifschneider; as well as his grandchildren, Jason (Angie) Hill and Dana (Walt) Morgan; four great-grandchildren, Adam Brubaker, Braedan Hill and Lydia and Gus Morgan. He will be missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Golden Living Center, Cozad or Aserscare Care Hospice, Kearney. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Dr. Douglas Delp and Pastor Alison Frazier of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with military honors graveside by the North Platte Veterans organizations.
Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Debra Faye Forsyth, 50, died Sept. 5, 2012, at her home in Mt. Vernon, Texas.
She was born on Nov. 6, 1961, in St. Joseph, Mo. She is the daughter of Roger Miller and Faye (Crystal) Kniss. Debbie grew up in Sutherland and graduated from Sutherland High School.
While working at the Power Plant in Sutherland she met her husband Ronnie. She married Ronald Forsyth on May 22, 1981. After their marriage they moved to Texas. Debbie worked as a Registered Certified Pharmacy Technician at Key Medicine Chest in Winnsboro, Texas. In 1990, Debbie and Ronnie were blessed with one daughter, Crystal De’Lynn Forsyth.
Debbie had a loving heart and enjoyed giving gifts to others besides her family when needed. She loved going to the NASCAR races and made it an annual event with Ronnie and their friends. Her last great adventure was in August at the races in Bristol, Tenn.
The most treasured time of her life was going to Nebraska to be with her family, especially her great nieces and nephews.
Debbie was welcomed into heaven by her grandparents; two brothers, Robbie and Butch; sister, Crystal Renee’; her dad, Roger; her father-in-law, Jewel; brother in-law, Jerry and John David.
She is survived by her husband, Ronald; and daughter, Crystal, of Mt. Vernon, Texas; her mother, Faye Kniss and step-dad Jack Kniss, of Gothenburg; three sisters, Dee (Jeff) Tuenge, of North Platte, Tammy (Don) Leonhardt, of Azle, Texas, Rochelle Whitman, of St. Joseph, Mo.; one brother, Chuck (Suzi) Miller, of Springfield; step-sister, Julie McCoy; four step-brothers, Jared Kniss, Chad, JJ and Kyle Obert; step-mother, Ruby Miller, of Nebraska; and many nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law.
Services were on Sept. 10, at the First United Methodist Church, Mt. Vernon, Texas, with the Rev. Jack Wallace officiating. Online condolences may be left at samharveyfuneralhome.com. Sam Harvey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Keith F. Dubry, 85, went to be with the Lord on Sept. 7, 2012, at Chimney Rock Villa in Bayard.
Keith was born on March 1, 1927, in Milburn, to Willis and Olive (Stithem) Dubry. He graduated from Broken Bow High School and served in the U.S. Navy with an honorable discharge. Keith was a Seaman First Class V-6 aboard the U.S.S. Sperry submarine.
Keith married Alice Hamilton, of Thedford, on Sept. 4, 1948. They lived at Callaway and Broken Bow before settling in Thedford where they raised their two sons, Ronald and Dennis.
Keith was a working man with a big heart, always willing to help a family member or friend with anything at any time. Keith was a farmer and rancher before he and Alice bought the Cowpoke Inn Restaurant and Lounge, where he spent many long hours serving the community and public. Later, he helped his sons in the grocery store, feed business and hog operation. Past retirement age, Keith was a meat cutter at Ewoldt’s Grocery.
An active community member, Keith served as a school board member at Antelope Valley School, Service Club member, Thomas County Commissioner, and EMT. He held many offices at the local, district, state, and national levels for the American Legion, was a member and President of the Nebraska State Beverage Association and served at various offices and on committees at the United Church of Christ Congregational where he was a member until he transferred his membership to Hope Congregational Church in Bayard when they moved in 2006.
Besides enjoying hard work and being an active community member, Keith was a Big Red Husker fan. Keith and Alice attended many Husker games in Lincoln, various Big Eight conference games, and several bowl games. Keith also loved children, whether it was spending time with his sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, or talking to children in the restaurant, grocery store and nursing home.
Survivors include his wife, Alice, of 64 years; sons, Ronald (Shari), of Woodlake, and Dennis (Linda), of Bayard; grandchildren, Ann (Travis) Collier, of Dunning, Mindy (Mason) Burbach, of Scottsbluff, Ashley (Shane) Harimon, of Bayard, and Doug (Cheryl) Dubry, of Muskogee, Okla.; three step grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sister, Anna May Allison, of Broken Bow; brothers and sisters-in-law, Floyd (Betty) Hamilton, Reed (Rosa Lee) Hamilton, Louise Miller; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Preceding Keith in death were his parents; brother, Eugene; stepfather, Walter Daily; brothers and sisters-in-law, Delmer Allison, Lois and Grant Figard and David Miller.
The family would like to thank all of the staff and caregivers at Chimney Rock Villa for the wonderful care Keith received. He won the hearts of many who cared for him.
Services will be at 2 p.m. (CDT) on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Thedford with Pastor Ted Meter and the Rev. Linda Martin officiating. Inurnment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Thedford with military rites. There will be no visitation.
Memorials are suggested to Hillcrest Cemetery, Prairie Haven Hospice, or to the family to be used for children with PKU.
Cremation has taken place at Jolliffe Funeral Home and Crematory in Scottsbluff, which is in charge of arrangements.

Lois Elaine Rieker, 84, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died September 9, 2012 at Gothenburg Memorial Hospital in Gothenburg, NE.

She was born September 14, 1927 in Eustis, NE, daughter of Arthur and Helen (Keller) Hueftle.

Lois was baptized and confirmed in the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis, NE. She graduated from Eustis High School, class of 1945. She went to Normal College in Kearney, NE to train as a teacher. She taught one year in a one room school near Johnson Lake and 2 years southwest of Cozad, NE. She married Kenneth Rieker on September 18, 1949 at Eustis, NE; to this union two children were born – Lorri & Jim. Lois and Ken moved north of Gothenburg in 1950 to begin a lifetime of farming. Lois enjoyed growing flowers, baking, scrap booking, and involvement in her children’s activities. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she served as a Sunday school and confirmation teacher, sang in church choir, and was active in Lutheran Church women. She enjoyed being a member of 2 Pinochle Clubs, was a 4-H Club leader and member of the Hilltop Ladies Coffee Club.

Surviving are husband, Kenneth Rieker of Gothenburg, NE, daughter – Lorri (Dick Oddo) Rieker of Lawrence, KS; son – Jim (Tami) Rieker of Raleigh, NC; grandson – Ansel O’Doniel; step-grandson – Brandon Swartz; step-granddaughter – Alyssa Swartz; two brothers – Marvin (Pat) Hueftle of Omaha, NE, Alan (Delores) Hueftle of Eustis, NE; sister – Arlene (LaVern) Ostendorf of Wayne, NE; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law Gilbert and Nadine Rieker.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Tuesday, September 11, 2012 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, September 12, 2012 at 10:00 am with Pastor Don Wilken and Jo Anderson, PMA officiating.

Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, Nebraska, with lunch to follow at Zion Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be given to the Zion Lutheran Church 77191 HWY 47, Gothenburg, NE 69138 or Central Plains Home Health and Hospice PO Box 108, Cozad, NE 69130.. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Keith Franklin Lutes, age 80, of Tryon, passed away September 8, 2012 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, NE.
Keith was born on May 25, 1932 near Sidney, NE the eighth of 13 children born to Louis and Ernestine (Hanna) Lutes. He attended elementary school at Lone Valley north of Stapleton and high school at Stapleton for a short time, later receiving his GED from MO Western College in St. Joseph.
Keith married Alice Stirling on January 15, 1961 in Hale, Missouri. He received Jesus as Savior in November 1953 and served the Lord faithfully in many capacities.
He loved the ranch life and took pride in caring for his cattle and horses. He spent twelve years in MO where he owned and operated a farm also spending 3 years operating a service station. One of the joys of his life was including children and friends on cattle drives. Keith was a McPherson County Commissioner and was the manager of a Feed Store in Tryon. He was a member of the Hall Church, serving on the Board and teaching Sunday School class, and supporting the children’s and youth ministries.
He is survived by his wife Alice of Tryon; three brothers, Vernon (Pauline) of Tryon, Ernest of Hartford, WI, and Loren (Janis) of Texas; four sisters, Inez (Jim) Fattig of Wallace, NE, Phoebe (Frank) Martin of Sun City West, AZ, Olive (Stan) Gurney of Burwell, NE, and Esther (Tom) Harmon of Pierre, SD; sister-in-law, Joyce Lutes of Central City, NE; brothers and sisters-in-law, Geneva (Stirling) and Dan Connell of Tryon and Bill and Carolyn Stirling of Chillicothe, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Flora Connell, and Susan Shimmin; three brothers, Stephen, Martin and Nathan Lutes; brother-in-law, Al Shimmin; and a sister-in-law, June Lutes.
A memorial has been established to Feed the Children or to the Royal Family Kids Camp and online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com.
Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at the Ringgold Free Methodist Church with the Reverend Stanley Gurney officiating. Burial will be at the Miller Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. today at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home and the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Ringgold Free Methodist Church. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Evelyn Marie Kleinow, age 88, of North Platte, passed away September 9, 2012 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE. She was born on October 22, 1923 in Oshkosh, NE to John Benjamin and Margaret Elizabeth Hassenstar Slattery.
Evelyn attended primary school in Port Angeles, OR. She graduated from Julesburg, CO in 1943 where she lettered in band and sang in choir.
The family moved to North Platte and she entered the United States Navy in 1944, serving with the Waves in California and Washington D.C. She was honorably discharged in 1946.
Evelyn returned to North Platte where she worked as a waitress. She married Albert Grasz in 1946. They separated. She married Ivan Doyle in 1966. He passed in 1967 from injuries sustained on the railroad. She married Wayne Kleinow in 1969, and moved to the farm in Wellfleet. Evelyn continued working as a waitress, she also worked as a nurses’ aide and ran the farm in Wellfleet. They sold the farm, moved to North Platte where she dressed poultry and wild game. Wayne passed June 6, 1989. She continued to sell Avon and Watkins home products. She also got involved with RSVP. Evelyn enjoyed selling tickets for girl’s softball and basketball games. She also started working at the Bargain Bin and Saint Patrick’s Food Pantry. She ran the food pantry for 18 years where she received many awards. Some of her awards include; The Cody Scout Award November 2, 2004, the Walk of Honor, Woman of Achievement in 2004 and First Lady’s Outstanding Community Service Award in 2004. She was a member of the American Legion 0163, VFW Aux 1504, RSPV and Fraternal Order of the Eagles 2839.
She loved to quilt and embroidery. She made her grandchildren baby quilts. She enjoyed going out with friends to eat, especially Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Survivors include children, Joyce (Robert) Kohler of North Platte, Dick (Barbara) Grasz of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, Kenneth (Lois) Grasz of North Platte, Helen (Keith) Hackney of McCook, NE; step-daughter, Gay Doyle of Pueblo, CO; step-son, Louis (Judy) Doyle of Plainfield, CT; brother, John E (Anne) Slattery of Ogallala, NE; sister-in-law, Mary Slattery of Cerritos, CA.; 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Ivan Doyle and Wayne Kleinow; brother, Larry (Mary) Slattery; sister, Helen Slattery; grandsons, Steve Kohler and Timothy Grasz.
A memorial has been set up for the St. Patrick’s Food Pantry and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 13, 2012 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend James Golka as celebrant. Burial will follow service at Fort McPherson National Cemetery with military honors graveside. Christian Wake Service will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. today and 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.