Alfred Earl Wolfe, age 93 of Ogallala, passed away on July 5, 2012 at the Ogallala Community Hospital. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 3^rd at the Ogallala United Methodist Church with Pastor Chuck Rager officiating. Inurnment will be in the Paxton Cemetery.

Earl was born April 7, 1919 at Princeton, Missouri, the son of Alfred and Mamie (Woodward) Wolf. At an early age he moved with his family to Franklin, Nebraska. He later moved with his mother and sister to Paxton. He worked on several farms in the North Valley until he and Helen Reitz were married on June 2, 1946. The couple moved south of Paxton and farmed there until Earl’s retirement in 1981 when they moved to Ogallala. Earl was a very proud farmer and loved the land and his way of life. He was a very dedicated husband and father.

Earl was a member of the Paxton and Ogallala United Methodist Churches. He served on the Paxton Church Board for many years and was chairman of the Church Building Committee when the church was destroyed by fire and rebuilt. He was a lifetime member of the Ogallala Elks Lodge and served on the Keith County Fair Board for many years and was a 4H Leader for the Keith County Swine Club for many years. Earl loved spending time with family and friends and usually had a story or two to tell. One of his favorite things in later years was going to the Senior Center for coffee every morning. Earl will be missed by all who knew him, especially his family.

He is survived by his daughter, Winnifred K. and Don Cunningham of Broadwater, NE and his son, Herbert E. and Trudy Wolf of Windson, CO; and three granddaughters, Samantha Cunningham of Macomb, IL, Katy Wolf of Crete, NE and Mary and Drew Rische of Crete, NE. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen in 2007; his parents; two brothers, Kenneth and Olen Wolf; and a sister, Elma Reitz.

Memorials may be given in memory of Earl Wolf to the Paxton and Ogallala United Methodist Churches. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com. Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ronnie Hart Tatman, 73, formerly of North Platte, died July 27, 2012, at the Veteran’s Hospital in Cheyenne, Wyo.
Ronnie was born on Feb. 28, 1939, in North Platte, to Harold J. and Dorothy (Hart) Tatman. He graduated from Kearney High School in 1956. After graduation, Ronnie joined the Air Force where he served from 1958-1965. After his return to North Platte, he worked for the United States Postal Service for 35 years.
On Sept. 29, 1961, Ronnie married Sue Ann Smith in Bellevue. He enjoyed camping and fishing. After his retirement from the Postal Service, he and Sue passionately traveled for 12 years in their RV. He and Sue celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last September.
Ronnie is survived by his wife, Sue; two children, Mike (Shawna) Tatman, Page (Phillip) Cardenas; three brothers, Terry (Marlene), Larry (Joyce), and Fred (Carol) Tatman; six grandchildren, Misty Tatman (friend Anthony), Stephanie (Dan) Seamann, Mitchell (friend Amber), Christopher (Jami) Tatman, Sarah Cardenas, and Elizabeth Cardenas; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Squire Gordon; and two brothers, Harold and Jerry Tatman.
A memorial has been established to the Salvation Army and online condolences can be made at adamsswanson.com.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31, at the Adams and Swanson Chapel with the Rev. Lew Champ officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 12- 9 p.m. on Monday. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Theodore Irving ‘Ted’ Peal, 47, formerly of North Platte, NE passed away at his home in Omaha, NE on Thursday, July 26, 2012.

Ted was born the youngest of five children on July 9, 1965, to Robert Irving ‘Bob’ and Donna Dean Coffman Peal at Omaha. He grew up in Grand Island and North Platte and graduated from Millard South High School in 1983. Following graduation, Ted joined the U.S. Navy and served four years aboard the USS Albert David FF1050 as a Fire Control Technician. He attained the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer. After his discharge, Ted returned to Omaha.

In 1989, Ted was united in marriage to Holly Frazier of Council Bluffs, IA. To this union two children were born, Andrew and Ashley.

Ted was baptized in the Christian faith at an early age and attended St. John Vianney Catholic Church. He was a member of the American Legion Post #374 in Omaha. Solving crossword puzzles, attending auctions and garage sales, watching and collecting film noir movies and shooting the breeze with friends were some of his favorite pastimes.

Ted is survived by his children, Andrew and Ashley Peal, of Denver, CO; his father, Bob Peal, and sister, Melinda (Patrick) Reckard, all of North Platte; three brothers, Tony Peal, of North Platte and Tom (Paula) Peal and Tim (Cathy) Peal, all of Omaha; and numerous other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Donna Peal; and sister-in-law, Lisa Dunning Peal.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 3, 2012, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the 20th Century Veteran’s Memorial or the donor’s choice. The guestbook may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements.

James R. “Jim” Paxton, 89, of Sidney, passed away July 25, 2012, at the VA Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyo.
James Robert Paxton, the son of Leon Glenn and Evelyn (McCarty) Paxton, was born on July 12, 1923, at Marysville, Kan. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Claire Webster on June 24, 1949, at North Platte.
Jim owned and operated Paxton Electric for many years and also worked as a rural letter carrier. He was involved with the Boy Scouts of America, was a member of the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, the VFW and the American Legion. Jim enjoyed spending time with family and friends, camping and traveling. He also enjoyed woodworking, building model train layouts and attending train shows and scenic train rides.
Jim served in the United States Army from April 6, 1943, to April 9, 1946, serving in Europe during WWII. Following active duty, he served in the Army Reserves in Scottsbluff and retired as Chief Warrant Officer II.
Survivors include three sisters, Helen, Glendene and Nancy; two brothers, Lynn and Francis; four sons, Robert (Rich), of Monroe, N.C., Kendall, of Hanna, Wyo., Donald (Joni), of Sidney, and Randall (Patty), of North Platte; and numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and extended family members.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elizabeth; four sisters, Ellen, Virginia, Janet and Leona; and two brothers, Wayne and Terry.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31, at the First United Methodist Church in Sidney, with the Rev. Tom Hyde officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery.
Cremation was chosen. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Monday to sign Jim’s register book and drop off condolences for the family.
Memorials are suggested to the Sidney American Legion Post No. 17, in care of Gehrig-Stitt Chapel, POB 151, Sidney, NE 69162. You may view Jim’s Book of memories, leave condolences, photos and memories at gehrigstittchapel.com.
Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Jim’s care and funeral arrangements.

Loretta Irene Lebsack Blauvelt was born July 16, 1928, to Fred and Rosella Lebsack and went to be with her Lord the afternoon of July 27, 2012.
Loretta grew up on the family farm near Loveland County. After graduating from high school, she went to Southwestern Bible College in Waxahachie, Texas. After graduation she teamed up with her long-time friend Bonnie Roll and the two of them became the Nebraska District Sunday School Directors and Kid’s Kamp Leaders. It was during these years that she developed a relationship with the Blauvelt family of Thedford.
She later became the child Evangelism Coordinator for the General Council of the Assemblies of God in Springfield, Mo.
In January 1966 Eldon Blauvelt, a cattle rancher from the Sandhills, lost his wife of 28 years. That fall he made a trip to Springfield to visit friends. It was during that trip that he met Loretta at the Assemblies of God Headquarters and the two of them went out to supper. The next trip he made to Springfield he brought down red roses and the love affair had its beginning. They were married Sept. 15, 1967, in Lincoln.
Loretta immediately became a ranch wife, a title she dearly loved. She would participate in showing cattle with the family at shows from Louisville, Kentucky to Denver with a number in-between.
In the fall of 1980 the family moved the cattle operation to Missouri and she and Eldon built a new home on the ranch near Miller, Mo. They continued to live there until November 1998 when they sold the ranch and moved to Casper, Wyo. With Eldon’s failing health they moved to Maranatha Village in Springfield on Feb. 1, 2007. Eldon passed away Jan. 30, 2008. Loretta continued to live there until her passing, making numerous friends among the village personnel, along with enjoying the friendship of long-time friends who also lived there.
Loretta was a licensed minister of the Assemblies of God, a wonderful Sunday School Teacher, a great wife and stepmother and a beloved step-grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Rosella Lebsack; a brother, Wayne Lebsack; her husband, Eldon Blauvelt and many dear friends to numerous to mention.
She is survived by a brother, Glenn Lebsack, of Iowa; stepson, Ron (Nila) Blauvelt, of Carthage, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Marilyn (Dale) Ackerman, of Grand Island, and Jan (the Rev. Gary) Sherman, of Buffalo, Wyo.; eight grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m., on Monday, July 30, at Maranatha Chapel in Springfield, Mo., with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Online condolences can be made at greenlawnfuneralhome.com.
A second memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, in Thedford. The memorial will be at the Bethel Assembly of God Church in Thedford. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Her interment will be at the Thedford Cemetery alongside her husband and the love of her life.
Mullen Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Donald Lane McClellen, 69, of North Platte, died July 24, 2012 in Bellevue, NE.
“Lane” was born in North Platte, NE on August 06, 1942 to Donald C. and Yvonne B. (Larson) McClellen. He lived in North Platte, Lexington, and Maxwell his entire life. Lane graduated from North Platte High School in 1960. In 1962, he married his high school sweet heart Barbara A. Bates. Lane served in the Army National Guard for nine years. During his life he worked for the Dawson Public Power, Platte Valley Public Power, Fairacres Dairy, National Guard Armory, NE Department of Roads, and after working 32 years for the Union Pacific Railroad he retired in 2002.
Lane loved spending time and playing games with his family, he and Barb shared a love for music and attended numerous musical festivals over the years. He also enjoyed all of his pets, fishing, traveling, golf, and playing games with his grandchildren. This past April, Lane and Barb celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren in Branson, MO. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Barbara McClellen, children Judy McClellen of North Platte, Luana McClellen of Omaha, Michael (Annette) McClellen of Papillion, daughter-in-law Melanie McClellen of North Platte. Grandchildren Roni and Michaela McClellen of Papillion, Andrew and Heather McClellen of North Platte. Sisters Carol (Martin) McDermott of Fort Lupton, CO; Jan (Gordon) Jones of Ellsworth, NE; Brother Scott (Keri) McClellen of Gregory, SD; Sister-in-laws Margret (Larry) Thompson of Ewing, MO; Pat (Norman) Crom of Tabor, IA and an uncle, three aunts, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Lane was preceeded in death by his parents Donald C. and Yvonne McClellen; Father and Mother-in-law Luther and Beulah Bates; son Steven McClellen.
Visitation will be Friday, July 27 from 1 to 8 pm; the family will be receiving friends and loved ones from 6 to 8 pm at Carpenter Memorial Chapel and from 9 am till service time on Saturday. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 28 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte. Burial will be at Plainview Cemetery south of Maxwell, NE. Memorials may be made to the family in his memory. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com

Clarence L. Johnson “Johnny”, age 86 of North Platte, passed away Thursday July 26, 2012 at Linden Court.
Clarence was born September 10, 1925 in Jackmore Flats, south in Lincoln County to Herman and Minnie Mae Johnson. He entered the US Navy at age seventeen and served on troop transport ships during WWII. After his honorable discharge he returned to North Platte where he married Rita L. Heppner on March 14, 1953. Clarence drove a cab and a bus in North Platte, then worked at Fairmont Foods for twenty years. He was also a custodian at NPHS for eleven years, retiring in 1991. He was a member of Parkview Church of the Nazarene, VFW, and American Legion. Clarence enjoyed square dancing and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Clarence is survived by his wife Rita of North Platte; children Steven Lee (Phyllis) Johnson of North Platte, Cynthia (Justin) Goforth of North Platte, Terry (Jerry) Pitkin of Wisconsin, Linda Jobman and Tim Hansen of North Platte, Tammy (Eugene) Pursley of North Platte; thirteen grandchildren LeeAnn (Eddie), Mary, Jessie, Kayle, Brandon, Stacy (Matt), Jackie, Mathew, Minnie, Emma, Derek, Tyler, Zachary; eleven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; brother Albert; and sisters Marie and Josephine.
A memorial has been established in his name and online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be at Parkview Community Church of Nazarene Monday July 30, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Jack Atteberry officiating. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Norma Kurkowski, age 80 of Ogallala, passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at the Hill Top Lodge Nursing Home in Beloit, Kansas. Norma was born July 3, 1932 at Haigler, Nebraska the daughter of Andrew and Marie Smith.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 30th at the Gubser Funeral Chapel with Pastor Drew Sharp of the Ogallala New Hope Church officiating.
After leaving Haigler the Smith family resided in several towns before finally settling in Wray, Colorado. After moving to Ogallala Norma was employed at Grandma Dowler’s café and then for TRW for thirty years. After retiring from TRW she also worked at the Ogallala Community Hospital in the laundry department and the Econo Lodge and Pump and Pantry motels cleaning rooms and doing the laundry. Norma enjoyed spending time with her family and tending to her flowers and garden.
Survivors include one son, Lonnie Kurkowski of Ogallala; one daughter, Kandice (Lynn) Hazen of Brule; three grandchildren, Alan, Matt and Nicole Hazen; six grandchildren; one brother, Lawrence Smith of Shawnee, OK; three sisters, Arlene “Lois” Smith of Seattle, WA, Audrey Benedict of Julesburg, CO and Goldie Bottrell of Ault, CO; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George Kurkowski; and six brothers and sisters, Melvin Jay Smith, Mildred Smith, Robert Smith, Roseta Booker, Sid Smith and Don Smith.
Cremation was chosen and there will be no visitation. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuenralhome.com. Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lorene A. Wildes, 95, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died July 24, 2012 at Linden Court in North Platte, NE.

She was born June 7, 1917 on the family farm, near Cozad, NE, daughter of John W. and Selma (Erikson) Bellstrom. She grew up in the Gothenburg/Cozad communities. She attended Dawson County Middle 2 School through 8th grade and then graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1935.

Lorene earned her RN in 1945 and her BSN in 1959. She was a dedicated nurse and worked in various nursing roles including outpatient, Central Supply, the Red Cross Blood Mobile and was a supervisor of Public Health Nursing. She worked for many years in the Omaha area. She was a member of the ANA in Minnesota, Maryland and Nebraska and Center Baptist Church in Omaha. Lorene enjoyed visiting friends, researching, reading, writing, and traveling.

Survivors include her six nephews, Stanley E. (Patricia) Youngberg of Woodbridge, CT; C. Edward (Janet) Youngberg of Evergreen, CO; Robert J. Youngberg of Lakewood, CO; Roger (Linda) Tederman, Michael (Vicki) Tederman, Terry (Jean) Tederman all of Omaha, NE; two nieces, Roberta L. (Robert) Wilson of Hershey, NE; Mary Ann (Ron) Sobon of Omaha, NE; her great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
Lorene was preceded in death by her parents John and Selma Bellstrom, brother H.O. “Bob” Tederman, sister Gladyce M. Youngberg.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 26, 2012 from 1:00 -8:00 with the family present from 6-8 at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church, 1002 Ave C, Gothenburg, NE; Friday, July 27, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. with Pastor Bill Ivey officiating.

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

Memorials may be given to Center Baptist Church, 2111 S. 41st St., Omaha, NE 68105 . To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.