William “Bill” N. Schaffer, 90, of Kearney, formerly of North Platte, passed away July 29, 2018 at Kearney Regional Medical Center.  He was born March 21, 1928 to Jacob and Ida Schaffer at St. Francis, KS.   When Bill was younger he worked for Keenan Coca Cola Bottling Company.  He was united in marriage to Mable Hunter on Oct. 1, 1947 in North Platte. He later served as manager in the Sears Automotive Department.  He then owned and operated Schaffer Sinclair for a number of years before being a sales rep for E & R Automotive.  He enjoyed following his family in their sports and activities.  Bill and Mabel opened their home to four foster children.  Bill was a member of the First Christian Church in North Platte, where he was an Elder Emeritus and a member of the B. P. O. Elks.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen (John) Arnold of Kearney; grandchildren, Neal (Kristie) Arnold of Kearney, Lynn (Matthew) Haumont of Broken Bow; great grandchildren, Brodie, Reanna and Lena; other relatives and special friends, Rich and Larea Morrell.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mable and five brothers and sisters.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in his memory.  Services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday August 6, 2018 at the First Christian Church with the Reverend Jan Ekstedt officiating.  Inurnment will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.  Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

Burton Lee “Burt” Matthies, age 77, of North Platte passed away July 28, 2018, at the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln.  Burt was born on March 25th, 1941 in Stanton, Nebraska to Raymond and Ruth (Belmer) Matthies.  Burt graduated from Stanton High School in 1958.  Following graduation, he entered the United States Air Force and was stationed in Hawaii.  After being discharged, he attended Wayne State College where he became an All-American Football player and was ultimately inducted into the Wayne State and Nebraska Football Hall of Fame.  He graduated in 1966 with a BA in Physical Education and a minor in Biological Science.  Burt was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams after graduation and later played for the Omaha Mustangs semi-pro team.

Burt married Dorothy “Dotti” Shallenberger on June 29, 1963 in Nebraska City.  The couple had two children, Brett & Michelle.  He taught for six years at Arbor Heights Junior High in Omaha.  In 1973, Burt became a United States Probation Officer.  He was sworn in as the Chief Unted States Probation Officer for the District of Nebraska on February 2, 1978 and the family relocated to Omaha.  Burt retired in March of 1998.  After the loss of his wife, Burt met Karen Campbell of North Platte.  The two were married on November 12, 2005 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte.

Burt was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where he served on various committees and was a member of the choir.  He enjoyed traveling and attending his children’s and eventually the grandchildren’s activities.  He loved his dog, Sadie.  Burt was a very generous man who had much joy in his life and never knew a stranger.  He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Burt’s survivors include his wife, Karen of North Platte; his children, Brett (Marsha) Matthies of Omaha and Michelle (Matt) McNamara of Grand Island; stepchildren, Leah (Joi) Anderson of Turtle Lake, ND, Jeramie Love of Turtle Lake, ND, Jenny (Chan) Timmons of Denver, CO and Laralee Castillo of North Platte; grandchildren, Mallory, Grant and Ella Matthies, Jacob & Kate-Lynn McNamara, Lyndi (Tanner) Boe, Taralee (Brand) Roller, Bailey, Carson & Mia Timmons, Tanner, Abby & Graci Castillo; siblings, Claydell “Doc” Matthies of Lincoln and Helen Hilbers of Stanton, NE; great-grandchildren, Tatum & Hadley Boe; and many nieces & nephews.  He was preceeded in death by his parents; his wife, Dotti; siblings, Monabell Mohnsen, Ervin Matthies, Kenneth “Deke” Matthies, Morjorie Mellott, Arthur Matthies and Dale Matthies.

Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com

Christian Wake Services will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 2nd, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 3rd, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Matthew Nash as celebrant and Reverend James Golka as concelebrant.  Inurnment will taek place at a later date at the Nebraska City Catholic Cemetery.  Visitiation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of the arrangements.

Joleen Michelle “Shelly” (Black) Arensdorf, age 62 of Tryon, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 27, 2018.

Shelly was born September 25, 1955 in Mullen, NE to Orval and Leah (Hardin) Black. She attended elementary and high school in Tryon and graduated from McPherson County High School in 1973. She married Jeff Arensdorf on May 25, 1975 and they began a life of ranching in McPherson County. They had three sons: Jason, Jeremy, and Jared.

Shelly was the ultimate hard worker: raising three boys, helping grow a ranch, volunteering with community activities like the Heart Fund and county fair, and working at the U.S. Postal Service in North Platte. She recently retired from the Postal Service.  Shelly was especially proud of her sons and loved each of her grandchildren with all her heart. She was a great listener. Her sons and extended family frequently called just to talk and she was always willing to listen and help. She was supportive, accepting, and loving – often rooting for and championing the underdog in life.  She loved beautiful flowers, colorful lilies in particular, and had her mother’s green thumb with plants and flowers.  As she approached retirement, her flower garden and collection of potted plants grew and grew. Shelly passionately followed Nebraska Volleyball and watched every match she could and attended many memorable games. She enjoyed traveling and was always looking forward to the next trip. Although she would say she was fine without pets, any she encountered would gravitate to her, and the many cats she cared for would argue that she enjoyed mothering them. She had a special touch and saved many sick and injured ranch animals over the years.

Shelly will be lovingly remembered by Jeff, her husband of 43 years; their sons, Jason (Jennifer), Jeremy, and Jared (Amanda); her five grandchildren, Faith, Noah, Isabella, Jazlyn, and Isaiah; brother Ed Black; sisters Jodeen Carroll, Jerry (Gary) Neal, and Susan Crapo; mother and father-in-law, Esther and Dale Arensdorf; sisters and brothers-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews; and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orval and Leah Black; sisters Janis Nielsen, Joanne Jennings, Joyce Wilkins, and Beth Ehrbar; brother Rick Black; and brothers-in-law Darwin Nielsen, Dale Jennings, Bud Wilkins, Dallas Mulford and Larry Carroll.

Memorials are suggested to the Tryon Volunteer Rescue and Fire Department and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at the McPherson County High School Gymnasium with the Reverend Dr. Douglas Delp officiating.  Burial will follow at the Miller Cemetery.  Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Virginia Lee “Ginny” Becker, 92, of Sutherland, passed away at home surrounded by her family on July 28, 2018.

Virginia was born on Aug. 28, 1925, to Carl and Fern Greisen at North Platte where she grew up. She graduated from North Platte High School then attended the nursing program at Baylor University.

In February 1946, Virginia was united in marriage to the love of her life, William James “Bill” Becker, while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. Following his discharge from the service they moved to Lincoln, then to Elgin, Illinois, with Bill’s job. The couple had five children and eventually moved to Playa del Rey, California, to enjoy the beach community and the fact they no longer had to shovel snow.

While in Lincoln, Virginia worked as a nurse in the V.A. and vet’s hospital. She went back to school to become a teacher and later earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California. In 1975, Virginia started teaching kindergarten to children in inner-city Los Angeles. She loved teaching and helping people any way she could. Virginia also learned Spanish so she could teach English to those who wanted to learn and had traveled to Costa Rica to help others learn English.

When the kids were younger, Virginia enjoyed baking cookies and cinnamon rolls as treats for her kids. She had a great love for books, reading thousands over the years, and enjoyed music. Virginia had a kind heart for animals and was known for feeding the neighborhood cats, opossums and raccoons, much to her husband’s dismay.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and their son, John Tom; her parents, Carl and Fern Greisen; stepmother, Catherine Calhoun Greisen; and sister, Margaret Little.

She is survived by her children, Jim Becker of Sutherland, Carla Becker of Sacramento, California, William Mark Becker of Morehead City, North Carolina, and Wendy Becker of Sutherland; grandchildren, Stacy, Gus, Michelle, Theresa, Christopher and Michael; great-grandchildren, Katherine, Alexia, Lucas, Skyler, Chase and Carter; and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Sutherland Public Library or donors’ choice. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, at the Sutherland Presbyterian Church with Vicar JA Welsh officiating. Cremation was chosen. Inurnment will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

Alice Margaret (Atkinson) Cold, age 97 of North Platte, NE and Centennial, CO, formerly of Chino Valley, AZ and Lewistown, MT, passed away Wednesday July 25, 2018 at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Alice was born on March 29, 1921 in Mariaville, NE to Fredric James and Idella Mae (Jackson) Atkinson.  She grew up in Springview, NE and graduated from Keya Paha County High School in Springview.  After a 3-year courtship, Alice married Elmer Cold on March 31, 1942 in Orange, CA while he was serving in the army during World War II.  After the war ended, they returned to Elmer’s family farm north of Springview where they lived for 5 years.  They then moved to Alice’s uncle’s ranch in the Dovetail area near Winnett, MT for 5 years.  After an unfortunate 3-year drought, they moved to Lewistown, MT where they resided for 50 years before relocating to Chino Valley, AZ in December 1999.  She remained in Chino Valley for 9 years after the 2008 death of Elmer and spent the last year living with her daughters in Colorado and Nebraska.

Alice was an accomplished homemaker, wife, and mother and will be remembered for her genealogy and photo archives.  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and continuously working on the family genealogy.  Her first working years in Lewistown were spent helping Elmer in sales for Fuller Brush.  She was involved in education as school secretary for St. Leo’s Elementary School, manager of the St. Leo’s Hot Lunch Program and finally office manager for the satellite location of the College of Great Falls established in Lewistown, MT in 1974.  She was a member of St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church of Chino Valley, AZ, St. Leo’s Catholic Church, choir, Catholic Women, Home & School Assoc., Montana Democratic Women, and a lifetime member of the DAV Auxiliary.  The treasured memories of Alice include her welcoming inclusive spirit, her genuine interest in everyone and her soft heart.  Values she passed on to her descendants are independence, persistence, leading by example, empathy and respect for diversity, inclusiveness, community participation and a sense of organization.

Alice will be mourned by friends and family including 6 children, Dan (Sue) Cold of San Ramon, CA, Dick (Carol) Cold of Chino Valley, AZ, Nancy (Rick) Deeds of North Platte, NE, Shonni (Fabricio) Zelaya of Centennial, CO, Trent Cold of Prescott, AZ, and Keith Cold of Bozeman, MT; 14 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Elmer, her husband of 66 years; brothers Bill, Ed and Walt Atkinson; and grandson Stephen Cold.

Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Christian Wake Services and Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Monday July 30, 2018 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday July 31, 2018 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Reverend Mark Seiker as Celebrant.  Burial will be with her beloved husband at the Chino Valley Cemetery in Arizona on Friday August 3, 2018.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday and from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Ramona Jean Reutzel, age 81 of North Platte, NE, passed away Wednesday July 25, 2018 at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, NE.

Ramona was born November 10, 1936 in North Platte, NE to Virgil and Lora (Hunt) Howard.  She graduated from North Platte High School in 1954 and on June 20, 1954 was married to Keith Reutzel.  She was a homemaker and served on the election board of her local precinct at Cody School.  She was a life long member of the Assembly of God and was very active in church activities, teaching Sunday School, Missionettes, Women’s bible studies, and Sunday morning services at Linden Manor.  She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and word search puzzles.  Ramona’s legacy is her family.

Ramona is survived by her daughters Barbara (William) Ingle of North Platte, NE, Patti (Don, Jr.) Bade of Lincoln, NE, Tonya (Don, Jr.) Chester of Grandview, MO; brother Doug (Doris) Howard of North Platte; sisters-in-law Donna (Dale) Gunn of Lusk, WY, Karen Imoe of Kittridge, CO; Colleen Reutzel and Lori Reutzel both of North Platte; 7 grandsons; 2 granddaughters; 11 great grandchildren; as well as other extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Keith; parents Virgil and Lora Howard; brother Marvin Howard; mother and father in-law; and 1 great granddaughter.

Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday July 28, 2018 at Cross of Christ Revival Center at 3615 West Rodeo Road, North Platte, NE with the Reverend Don Bade, Jr.  officiating.  Burial will follow at the Wellfleet Cemetery.  Visitation will be from noon until 8:00 p.m. Friday July 27, 2018 with Family Receiving Friends from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.