Magdalene Marie “Midge” Weber, 72, formerly of Grand Island, died December 22, 2017, at the North Platte Care Center in North Platte. Cremation was chosen. Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at the Inland Cemetery, east of Hastings. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family for designation to help cure breast cancer. Condolences may be shared online at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
Category: Obituaries
Wessley “Wes” Dean Lyons Death Notice
Wessley “Wes” Dean Lyons, age 55 of Stapleton, NE passed away Wednesday June 6, 2018 at Great Plains Health.
Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cremation was chosen and memorial services will be held at a later date. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Larry Richard Petska
Larry Richard Petska, age 67 of Hershey, passed away Monday June 4, 2018 at Bergan Mercy Medical Center in Omaha, NE, after a short battle with cancer.
Larry was born November 4, 1950 in Ord, NE to Richard Stanley and Lois Katherine (Crane) Petska. He graduated from Hershey High School in 1969 and joined the Navy in June of 1969, serving until June of 1989. In addition to his other duty stations, he served on 3 submarines, The Sam Rayburn, the Francis Scott Key and the Von Stueben. He married Ruth JoAnn Dishman on May 15, 1970 in Virginia Beach, VA. He was a member of the Hershey American Legion Paul R. Martin #279. He enjoyed fishing, riding his motorcycles, playing guitar and chess, and operating his Ham radio. Larry was an avid sportsman, skeet and trap shooting, pistol and cowboy shooting, bird hunting and archery. He was a lifelong learner.
Larry is survived by his wife JoAnn Petska of Hershey, NE; sons Michael and Richard of Sutherland, NE; grandsons John and Michael Jr. of North Platte, NE; siblings Jane (John) Haines of La Feria, TX, ; Jean (Butch) Brecks of Cozad, NE, Frances Petska of El Cerrito, CA, Gary (Cindy) Petska of Hershey, NE, Linda Petska of Hershey, NE, Virginia (Paul) Michalski of Elyria, NE, Charles (Lisa) Petska of Cozad, NE; sister-in-law Mary (Terry) Collins of North Platte, NE; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Lois Petska; and grandparents.
Memorials are suggested in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Christian Wake Services will be held 7:00 p.m. Sunday June 10, 2018 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday June 11, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland with the Reverend James Janovec as Celebrant. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from noon until 8:00 p.m. Sunday June 10, 2018 with the family receiving friends from 5:00 until 7:00 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Connie Louise Wood-Boss
Connie Louise Wood-Boss, 56, of North Platte, passed away May 18, 2018, at Great Plains Health.
Connie Louise Wood was born on Nov. 20, 1961, in Valentine, to Russell Boyd and Clara Joyce (Seaton) Wood. She grew up in North Platte and worked at several businesses.
She was always helpful to other employees and customers. Connie loved the outdoors, she enjoyed nature and all its beauty. She loved Cody Park and enjoyed fun times at the river. She loved all of her family and friends and had fun playing cards with her mom and sisters, and enjoyed a good game of Cad. She loved animals. Her current cat, Murphy, was so loving and special to her. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; and her sister and best friend, Carol Lynn Wood.
Connie is survived by her father, Russell Wood of Cambridge; mother, Joyce McNeal of North Platte; siblings, Cathy (Gary Twidwell) Wood of North Platte, Clare (Gene Naber) Wood of Hambolt; niece, Toni Bargell of Lincoln; nephew, David Bargell of North Platte; great-nieces, Makenna, Evelynn and Ellanor; special friend, Denny Bedker of North Platte; as well as other extended family members and many friends.
Memorials are suggested in her name and online condolences may be shared at adamsswanson.com.
Services will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with Pastor Deb Dishman officiating. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Gary R. Ross
Gary R. Ross, 71, entered eternal rest on May 23, 2018, at Corning Specialty Care, Corning, Iowa.
Gary Roland Ross, the son of Clifford Eugene and Dorothy Margaret (Esser) Ross, was born on May 11, 1947, in Greene, Iowa. Gary graduated from Greene High School with the class of 1965. He then attended Elsworth Junior College for a short time.
Gary was united in marriage to Barbara Poppe on June 18, 1966. Two children were born to this union, Tammy and Jason. They later divorced. Gary served his country entering the National Guard in 1967. He was honorably discharged in 1976.
Gary was a businessman, owning two car washes in Waterloo, Iowa, the University Car and the PDQ. He was also the owner of the Cardinal Lounge in Hudson, Iowa, for a short time. He then went back to school in 1985, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Northern Iowa, and graduated with honors in 1986. He then began working for the Social Security Administration in Creston, Iowa.
He would later meet Sally Ann Mills and they were married on Sept. 12, 1987, in Waterloo, Iowa. Gary’s family grew to include Sally’s children, Jason and Shelly. Shortly after they were married, they moved to North Platte, then to Denver, Iowa, and in 2000, to Rolla, Missouri, where he would continue working for the Social Security Administration until his retirement in 2003.
In August 2016, Gary and Sally moved to their home in Corning.
Gary was a former member of the Elks Club and Rotary Club. He was member of the Gasoline Dealers Association, of which he was a former president. Gary had a huge love for golf, joining local country clubs wherever they lived. He also loved deer hunting. Gary had a love for dogs and enjoyed taking his kids around BMX racing, when they were younger. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Preceding Gary in death were his parents, and brother, Robert Ross.
Left to cherish Gary’s memory are his loving wife, Sally of Corning; children from his first marriage, Tammy (partner, Charles Hall) Sutton of Gilbert, Arizona, Jason (Shelly) Ross of Waukee, Iowa; children from his second marriage, Jason (Dennae) Wilkening of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Shelly Parsons of Creston, Iowa; grandchildren, Amanda, Noele, Tiffany, Savanna, Kylie, Paige, Cheyenne, Cooper, Carsyn; four great-grandchildren; brothers, Gene (Sandra) Ross of Greene, Iowa, and Dennis (Mary Jane) Ross of Greene, Iowa; sisters, Nancy (David) Boehmere of Waterloo, Iowa, and Susan Ross of Texas; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Online condolences may be shared at Mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. In lieu of flowers, the family request to have memorials directed to Care Initiatives in Corning, Iowa 50841.
Services will be on Saturday, June 9, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home, Marshalltown, Iowa, which is in charge of arrangements.
Royce T. Willerton Death Notice
Royce T. Willerton, 72, of Tucson, Arizona, formerly of North Platte, died May 20, 2018, surrounded by his family. Services were on May 25, at Capilla del Sol Christian Church, Tucson. Cards may be sent to the immediate family to Sherry Willerton c/o Capilla del Sol Christian Church, PO Box 89357, Tucson, AZ 85742.
Mary Louise Shanahan Death Notice
Mary Louise Shanahan, 71, of North Platte, died May 25, 2018 at her home. Cremation was chosen. Services will be at a later date. Condolences can be sent to her home at 14092 W. State Farm Road, North Platte, NE 69101. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Retha Mae Wycoff
Retha Mae Wycoff, 96, passed away June 2, 2018, at Linden Court in North Platte.
She was born March 31, 1922, to Alvin Silvester Edeal and Edna Mae (Cole) Edeal in the rural Fairhaven area northwest of Overton, and grew up on a family farm. She attended rural school at Fairhaven (Dawson County District No. 21) and after graduation from Lexington High School continued her education at the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture earning her bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1942. The following year, she taught home economics at Gothenburg.
On June 12, 1943, she married Keith Hamlin Wycoff in Seattle, Washington, where the newlyweds spent the summer before settling in Chicago. Retha was employed at Marshall Field’s in children’s wear sales before being promoted to the personnel office.
The next year, while her husband was at sea, she taught in Hay Springs. In 1945, Retha and Keith settled in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and started a family. They were active in the Northampton Methodist Church and made friendships which endured a lifetime.
From 1949 to 1963 the family lived near Overton. Retha was a homemaker and busy mother as her family eventually grew to three sons and two daughters. Retha designed her next house and personally did all the floorplan and elevation drawings. It was built in Lexington, and the family moved there in 1963 where she continued to live until age 89.
Retha loved dancing and was tap dancing by age 7 on the Fox Theater stage in North Platte. At her 80th birthday party she astonished her family by demonstrating the splits and straight-leg high kicks. She excelled academically in college with awards including a Danforth summer study scholarship for outstanding young women.
Her interests in later life included music, gardening and writing. She served many years as a Sunday school teacher and was a devoted member and past president of the Nebraska Conference of United Methodist Women. Retha had a keen interest in fostering international understanding and had many opportunities for travel. She sometimes accompanied her husband on international business trips. Together they visited mission or service organizations and former international exchange students. They served as delegates to international Methodist conferences. She took pride in five children with adult careers in the arts or in medicine and in their families. She was an example to all of generosity and kindness.
Retha was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Edna Edeal; brother, Dean Edeal; her husband, Keith H. Wycoff; sister-in-law, Ruby (Wycoff) Crandall; and niece Karen (Edeal) Kander.
Survivors include sons Delane (Dorothy) Wycoff, Kevin (Paige) Wycoff, Timothy (Susan West) Wycoff and daughters Janine Wycoff, Valerie (James Lovell-Smith) Wycoff; exchange daughter, Naoko (Takemoto) Okamoto; grandchildren Jason Wycoff, Kathryn Wycoff Gross, K. Tyler Wycoff, Reid Wycoff, Cole Wycoff, Isaac Wycoff, Olivia Wycoff, Timothy Lovell-Smith and Jasmine Lovell-Smith; plus great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Reynolds Love Funeral Home, Lexington, is coordinating arrangements with details pending.
Dorothy Long Meyer
Dorothy Long Meyer, 101, of Grant, passed away May 30, 2018, at Linden Court in North Platte.
Dorothy was born on Feb. 3, 1917, at Nebo, Illinois, to Otho and Olive (Harlow) Turnbaugh. She spent her childhood on the family farm, where she developed an early fondness for walking and sewing. Dorothy learned about her Lord at a very young age and strived to never falter in her love and service to Him from that time.
On June 23, 1935, Dorothy married Leo Long. The couple moved to Madrid, and their union was blessed with two children, Beverly and Dale. While in Madrid, Dorothy worked at both the school and Gaugers Market. Following Leo’s service in World War II, the couple partnered with Marion Long to purchase the hardware store in Madrid that was owned by Ward and Ruby Bullock.
In 1949, Leo died in an auto accident. Dorothy subsequently sold the hardware store and went to work for Security State Bank, later moving to Ogallala to work for First National Bank.
On Jan. 11, 1964, Dorothy married Bill Meyer. Dorothy and Bill relocated to Collinsville, Illinois, where they were very active at the First Christian Church. Dorothy served as secretary/treasurer for many years and had been honored with the Woman of the Year Award by the Collinsville Ministerial Association. In 1998, Dorothy and Bill moved to Grant, making their home at Westview. Just a year after their return to Nebraska, Bill passed away.
Since her childhood, Dorothy enjoyed taking long walks. She would typically walk at least one mile every day. One of the highlights of the year for Dorothy was taking part in the annual Firecracker Walk in Grant, which she did from the first event until last year at the age of 100. She was also a marvelous cook, with a family favorite being her deviled eggs. She also loved to crochet. Among other things, Dorothy would often crochet family names, have them framed and give them as gifts for special occasions. To Dorothy, those gifts were perhaps a reminder of the connectedness of family. She certainly lived up to the meaning of her name, “Gift from God.”
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husbands, Leo Long and Bill Meyer; son, Dale Long; granddaughter-in-law, Amy Haley Holzfaster; and infant great-granddaughter, Gretchen Holzfaster.
Survivors include her daughter, Bev (Ralph) Holzfaster of Paxton; daughters-in-law, Judy Long and DeeEta Long; grandchildren, Tim (Deb) Holzfaster of Paxton, Patrick Holzfaster of Denver, Colorado, Jon Holzfaster of Paxton, Mike Holzfaster of Ogallala, Amy Holzfaster-Schwartz of Denver, Michael (Kris) Long of Hailey, Idaho, Lisa (Brian) Wallace of Denver; great-grandchildren, Spencer (Rachel), Jordan and Taylor Holzfaster, Andy and Kelsey Wallace, Jackson, Will and Aidan Long and Leo Schwartz; along with many dear friends.
Memorials are suggested to Care Uganda. Online condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 4, at the New Life Fellowship Church, Grant with Pastor John Goodell officiating. A private family burial at the Madrid Cemetery will take place prior to the service. Visitation will be on Sunday, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home, Grant, is in charge of arrangements.
Helen J. Walsh
Helen J. Walsh, 95, died June 1, 2018, at the Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
She was born on Nov. 9, 1922, in Cheyenne, the only child of Jennie (Stalker) and Fred Herman. Helen graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1941, then worked for several local doctors.
During World War II she worked at the Cheyenne Airport Modification Center.
Helen married Jack C. Walsh at the First Presbyterian Church in Cheyenne in 1947. They moved to the San Francisco Bay area soon after. She worked at a wire mill there but they soon returned home to Cheyenne.
She worked at the Wyoming State Land Office until she decided to start a family. Later Helen worked in the family business and then was employed by the Green Thumb program as a bookkeeper and payroll specialist. She and Jack divorced in 1980.
She was C. Harlan Coghill’s companion until his death, splitting time between Cheyenne and North Platte, for over two decades.
Helen was a deeply loving and caring person. She was a caregiver to several friends and neighbors throughout the years. She enjoyed her roses, reading, traveling the area and time with family.
She was preceded in death by her mother; father; ex-husband; companion and most of her contemporaries.
She is survived by a son, J. Rickie Walsh; daughter-in-law, Denise Kay Parrish, both of Cheyenne; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Helen Sutton; a son-in-law, Joshua Sutton; and a great-grandson, John Wayne Sutton, all of Coon Rapids, Minnesota.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Davis Hospice Center or the American Cancer Society.
Services will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, at Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, with Pastor Duane Ferchen officiating. Schrader Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.