Karla Lynn Bryant, 68, of Gothenburg, died April 29, 2018, in Gothenburg.

She was born on April 2, 1950, in Lexington, the daughter of Paul and Lola (Tharp) Heins.

Karla lived in the Cozad area until moving to Gothenburg in 1967. She attended school at District 29 south of Cozad and Cozad High School before graduating from Gothenburg High School. She continued her education at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, earning a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy; Nebraska Wesleyan University, earning a Bachelor of Science in biology; and Kearney State College.

Karla begin working as a physical therapist in 1973. In the 1990s, she started serving many of the area schools. Karla truly loved working with the kids, something she continued to do until her passing. She incorporated as Karla Bryant, PT, PC in 2003. Karla was a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Nebraska Chapter, Pediatric Section, Private Practice Section and Neuro-developmental Treatment Association.

She married Cedric Bryant on May 23, 1971, in Gothenburg, and to this union daughters Amanda and Alison were born. The couple later divorced. Karla was a member of the Gothenburg Community Playhouse and Gothenburg First United Methodist Church. Her faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior was most special to her, along with her family and friends.

She liked to play cards, board games and puzzles. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping, biking, hiking, therapeutic riding and riding the motorcycle. She enjoyed a wide variety of sports, especially softball and baseball. She participated in Wellsprings Camp for many years.

Karla was preceded in death by her parents; nephew, Chad Gronewold; and grandparents, Fred and Sophie Heins, Cyrus, Myrtle and Luella Tharp.

Survivors include her two daughters, Amanda (Corey) Rossell of Gothenburg and Alison (Matt) Feik of Cozad; brother, Byron Heins; sister, Myra (Dale) Gronewold; granddaughter, Makenzie Rossell; three grandsons, Tra Rossell, Bryant Feik and Austin Feik; former husband, Cedric Bryant; two sisters-in-law, Judy (John) Jensen and Loretta (Robert) Todd; brother-in-law, Roger (Sharon) Bryant; boyfriend, Charles Bean of Cozad; lifelong friend, Iris Desmarteau; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, along with many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to AWANA, Gothenburg First United Methodist Church, Banner United Methodist Church or Farnam United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be shared at blasestrauser.com.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 4, at Cozad First United Methodist Church, 1515 B Street, Cozad, with Pastor Doug Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery south of Cozad. The memorial book may be signed from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m., on Thursday, May 3, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, which is in charge of arrangements.

Kim Lee Keeling, 54, of Sutherland passed away unexpectedly April 30, 2018 in North Platte.

He was born on December 28, 1963 in Muskogee, OK to Ronald and Sharon (Eytchison) Keeling.  Kim graduated in Oklahoma at Fort Gibson High School.  He attended Northeastern State University and then joined the Navy Reserves where he was a Corpsman.  He graduated from Northeastern and continued his work with the Union Pacific Railroad.  He married Shari Goff in December 1987 in Muskogee.  In 1998 they moved to Sutherland where Kim worked in the Environmental and Haz Mat departments where he was a manager, and was currently the Program Manager of Hazardous Materials.

Kim developed Booty Farms in 2002 where they did produce and seasonings, involving his whole family and many kids in the Sutherland community.

Kim touched many lives, he never knew a stranger, and was always giving with his time and advice.  He was very close to the Lord and loved and shared his faith.  He was a member of the Sutherland Presbyterian Church where he was a Deacon and an Elder.  Gardening was his passion and he loved working in the dirt.  His family was the true center of his life and he will be remembered for his patience, kindness, and as a great teacher.

Survivors include his wife, Shari of Sutherland; children, Kyle (Meesha) Keeling, Mik Keeling all of Sutherland, and Jennifer (Josh) Summers of Greeley, CO; father, Ron (Carolyn) Keeling of Fort Gibson, OK; grandchildren, Kaxtin Keeling of Sutherland, Justin (fiancée, Samantha Kirk) Wilson, Brinkley Duncan, Hayden Lathrop all of Tulsa, OK; great-granddaughters, Elizabeth Knapp, and Tenley Duncan both of Tulsa, OK; mother-in-law, Patricia Goff of Sutherland; siblings, Steven Keeling of Kansas City, MO, Holly Keeling, and Jake (Lindsay) Keeling all of Fort Gibson, OK; aunts, Jeanne Carpenter of Broken Arrow, OK, Joann Lee of Slidell, LA, and Sue Carlow of Houston, TX; niece, Terra Goff-Blackburn of Cornith, TX; two nephews, Kade and Kolt Keeling; and numerous other family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother Sharon; grandparents, Herb and Blanche Eytchison, and Joe and Velma Edith Keeling; and a brother-in-law, Randy Goff.

Memorials are suggested to the Diabetes Association or to the Callahan Cancer Center and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Memorial Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2018 at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church with Pastor Scott Mustion officiating.  Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Mary Elizabeth Johnson, 84, of North Platte earned her angel wings April 30, 2018 at her home.

Mary was born February 27, 1934. She spent her days with the loves of her life, her devoted soulmate Ron, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her dogs, Sam, Satch, and Mildred.  Mary lived for and immensely enjoyed family, holidays and get-togethers, her flowers and gardening, travel and camping, baking and cooking for holiday meals, collecting angels, country music, scrapbooking and crafts, reading, visiting with friends, and shopping.

Mary is survived in life by her husband Ron, son Mike (Joan) Epping, daughters Kris (Sherm) Forden, Connie (Curt) Cook, Kim (Randy) Hongsermeier, grandchildren, Margaret (James) Desjarding, Joseph  (Alanna) Epping, Mike (Alicia) Epping, Deri Forden, Heidi (Pat) Kelley, Heather Cook, Jon (Andrea)  Hongsermeier, and Jay Hongsermeier, great-grandchildren, Conner and Brenna Epping, Tristan and Miles Epping, Lakin Forden, Akoia Forden, Teegan, Tatum, and Natalie Kelley, and Amelia DeVaughn, sister-in-law Barbara Deeter and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law Ella Johnson, grandson Deone Forden, brother-in-law Mark Deeter, and close family friend Marian Fisher.

Online condolences can be made at www.carpentermemorial.com.  A Memorial has been established in her memory for later designation. A Celebration of Life will be 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2018 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.

Mary loved fiercely and lived life with tenacity.  She would invite all to do the same.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of services.

 

Audrey Irene (Kellie) Brown was born August 20, 1938 at Wauneta, NE.  She was the oldest child of James Henry Kellie and Audrey Marie (Matson) Kellie.  She departed this life to be with her Lord April 30, 2018 at Great Plains Health at the age of 79 years.  She lived nearly all her life in Nebraska except for the years she and her husband pastored in Colorado.

Audrey attended elementary school in various country schools in rural Nebraska.  She attended High School three years in Imperial, NE and graduated from Sutherland High School in 1956.  She also attended Lakewood Commercial College in Lakewood, CO and Mid Plains Voc-Tech College in North Platte, NE.

Audrey attended The Pilgrim Holiness Church in Imperial and then Sutherland.  She gave her heart to the Lord on Sunday afternoon, October 2, 1954 at The Pilgrim Holiness Church in Imperial, NE.  Rev. R.G. Flexon was the evangelist at that revival.  She joined The Pilgrim Holiness Church in Sutherland on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1956.  On June 23, 1956, she dedicated her life to Christ for full time service at Camp Bethel at Sutherland, NE.  She was sanctified on May 15, 1960 at The Pilgrim Holiness Church at Arthur, NE.

Audrey was united in marriage to Melvin Laverne Brown at Lodgepole, NE on February 14, 1958, celebrating 60 years together this year.  To this union were born three daughters and one son; Sandra JoAnn, Sylvia Diane, Laverne Dale, and Karla Ann.  She loved her family very much and showed it in many ways.  She enjoyed making quilts and handmade items for them.  Each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren received a quilt she had quilted.  She said, “Each quilt covers them with my prayers.”

Audrey was a bookkeeper all of her adult life.  Following the tragic deaths of her family, she wrote a book entitled, “Alive…But Alone” and took great satisfaction in public speaking and presenting her story of how she survived.  Two highlights of this part of her life was when she appeared on the Sally Jessy Raphael show in New York, New York and when she presented seminars at the Governor’s Conference on Crime in Omaha, NE.  All who knew her know of the great pain and suffering she endured at the deaths of her family, but she was amazingly strong through it all.  She demonstrated the fact that the grace of God does work even in our darkest hours.  Audrey was a faithful helper to her husband in his ministry.  She especially loved doing Women’s Ministries.  She was a past President of the North Platte After Five Christian Women’s Club in North Platte, NE.  At the time of her passing she attended Bethel Evangelical Free Church until failing health made attending impossible.

She leaves to mourn her beloved husband, Melvin; children, Sandra (Thomas) Hazen of Spring Hill, KS, Sylvia (Eddie) Hansen, Laverne (Gegetta) Brown, Karla (Charles) Downey all of North Platte, ten grandchildren, Mitchall (Jessica) Hazen, Brent (Lisa) Hazen  and Ryan (Heather) Hazen all of Olathe, KS, Brandon Hansen of North Platte, Brady (Maria) Hansen of Lincoln, Kaitlyn Hansen , Ashlee Brown both of North Platte, Travis Brown of Windsor, CO, Emma and Ella Downey of North Platte; seven great grandchildren, Kayla, McKenzie and Cooper Hazen, Kimberlynne and Camden Hazen, Jesse and Jason Hazen all of Olathe, KS.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, James Henry and Audrey Marie Kellie; brother, David Kellie;  sister, Jennie Rowley; nieces, Florence and Deanna; nephew, Daniel Kellie; two grandchildren who were called back to heaven before they were born, one child of Laverne and Gegetta Brown (un-named) and Erin Regan Downey, child of Karla and Charles Downey.  These precious babies await us in heaven.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 Thursday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2018 at Bethel Evangelical Free Church.  Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.  Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Sandra Gay Tappan passed away peacefully in Tucson, Arizona on April 25, 2018 at the age of 78.

Sandy was born October 8, 1939 in Greybull, Wyoming to Darrell Clayton Fellows and Arlene Joy Fellows.  She graduated high school in Cozad, Nebraska in 1956 and attended the Nebraska Christian College until 1958.  Sandy and Lawrence Edward Tappan were united in marriage on October 19, 1958 and had one son Rocky Joe Tappan born on February 2, 1962.

Sandy worked as a legal secretary until Rocky was born, then stayed home to raise him.  She and Larry moved several times for his work.  First as a plumber in Cozad, then policeman in North Platte.  In 1972 the family moved to Texas, to follow Larry’s work, from truck driver in La Porte to deputy sheriff of Chambers County.  Sandy went back to work, when Rocky was in high school, as an executive assistant.  After Rocky’s graduation, Larry and Sandy became over the road truck owner/operators.  She ended up at Exxon in Baytown as an executive assistant then to product specialist.

Larry and Sandy retired in 1998, and moved back to Nebraska.  They purchased several homes to remodel then sell, and a farm to make the Double T Campground.  Hearing of opportunities and better climate for Sandy’s breathing they moved to Arizona City, Arizona.  After Larry passed away, Sandy continued to live there until her health required a move to Tucson for assisted living.

She enjoyed friends and family, playing all kinds of games (having her favorites and could beat you at scrabble without even blinking), painting, shopping, gardening, sewing, decorating, bible study, and singing.  Her church family was a big part of her life.

Sandy is survived by her son Rocky Joe Tappan and daughter in law Doris of La Grange, Texas, her brothers Dick Fellows of Brady, NE, Kevin Fellows and wife Vicki of Etoile, TX, sisters, Pat France and husband Bill of Kearney, NE, Sharon Nejedly of North Platte, and many nieces, nephews and special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, brother Joel Fellows, sister June Carpenter and husband Donald (Pal) Carpenter, brother in law Frank Nejedly, sister in law Mary Fellows, nephews Arthur (Art) Carpenter and John Carpenter.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.

There will be a graveside service where Sandy will be laid to rest next to Larry at the McCain Cemetery in Stapleton, NE, under the direction of Carpenters Memorial Chapel of North Platte at 2:00pm Saturday May 5, 2018.

Kathleen Sanders died on April 29, 2018, at Linden Court in North Platte. She was born on August 7, 1927 to Robert and Avis Spargo in Franklin, NE. Kathleen graduated from Arnold High School in 1944 and worked in the family business, Spargo Store, until it was sold.  She moved to Texas, spending 31 happy years selling Southwestern Indian jewelry and making many friends and memories.

We would like to thank the nurses and staff at Linden Court for her wonderful care over the past 3 ½ years.

She is survived by 3 daughters, Kerry (Kenny) Brosius, Jerry Miller, and Kathy Fager; and step-daughter, Terri (Lannie) Geiser.  She adored her 6 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.  They were the light of her life. She is also survived by her sister, Jo Keyser; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Joyce Olson; and son-in-law, Phil Fager.

Memorials should be directed to the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer’s Association and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Cremation was chosen by Kathleen.  A memorial service and internment will be at a later date.  Please, no flowers.  Adams & Swanson is in charge of arrangements.

 

Jon E. Broadbent, age 73 of Stapleton, passed away Friday, April 27, 2018 at Great Plains Health in North Platte. He was born May 13, 1944 in Waseca, MN to Earl George and Luella May (Schnoor) Broadbent. He graduated from High School in Minnesota and later served in the United States Navy and served as a Naval Chief.

Jon also served in school administration at Red Cloud, Loup City, Venango, Wauneta, Maxwell, and most recently in Stapleton. Survivors include his children, Emma Broadbent of San Antonio, TX, Eric Broadbent of Creston, NE and Edie Broadbent of Fargo, ND, and his furry companion, Tigger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, half-brother, Arvid Schnoor, and a daughter, Ella.

Services will be 11:00 am Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Eric Mockaitis officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 11am prior to the service. Cremation will follow. Memorials are suggested to Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Stapleton.  Online condolences maybe shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Anne Sadi, longtime resident of North Platte, NE, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at the age of 100.

Anne was born September 19, 1917, to Joseph Donnell “Don” and Mary Kathryn “Mamie” (McGahan) Baker at Elsie, NE, where she grew up. She attended country school near her home and graduated from Elsie High School in 1933.

Anne went on to business college in Denver, CO, before settling in North Platte where she worked in the offices of local attorneys for many years. During World War II, Anne worked in the office which distributed ration vouchers for fuel and food to travelers passing through the area and later moved to Sidney, NE, to help set up offices for the armory at Fort Sidney. She eventually returned to North Platte and continued working in law firms which included attorneys Dent, Maupin, Kay, Satterfield, Beatty, Clark, Murphy, Morgan, Gatz, Girard, Gale and Scritsmier from 1952 to ’81.

On May 22, 1950, Anne married Zeke J. Sadi at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and they continued to live in North Platte. She was an active member of St. Patrick’s Parish, the Ladies of St. Patrick’s and P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion Auxiliary. She gave out poppies each year for Remembrance Day until she was well into her 90’s and volunteered at the Bargain Bin for 23 years before retiring from there at the age of 95. Anne’s efforts were always well beyond what was expected of her.

She was quiet a person with a quick mind and sharp sense of humor. Anne loved life and found joy in children, beautiful flowers and animals, especially her friendly neighborhood birds, bunnies and squirrels. Over the past few years, Anne really enjoyed the care and friendship she received from Joe Mohr and Elena Ramos.

She will be dearly missed by her relatives, cousins, including Beth and Theresa McGahan, “son at heart” who looked out for her for many years, Joe Mohr and his family, Elena, Mario, Marissa, Christian and Derrek Ramos and Jessica, Danial, Brittany, Landon and Sophie Lawrence; along with her friends including Sister Jean Macke and Mary Pieper.

Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Zeke; parents, Don and Mamie Baker; brother and sister-in-law, James and Margaret “Markie” Baker; sister and brother-in-law, Mary “Edie” and Edmund Quinn; infant sister Alice; and good friend, Tina Mohr.

Service will be Friday, May 4, 2018, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church beginning with a Rosary Service at 10 a.m. followed at 11 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial with Celebrant Father Josh Brown. Cremation will follow the mass. Private inurnment will be at a later date in the Elsie Cemetery. Visitation is prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Bargain Bin or St. Patrick’s Church. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

David E. Holm, age 57, passed away at his home is Port Isabel, Texas on March 21, 2018.

David was born on December 13, 1960 in North Platte, NE to Elinor (Holm) Davis.  He grew up in North Platte and attended North Platte High School.  He enlisted in the United States Army at 18 years of age and was medically discharged after three years of service.  He worked for Simon Construction for many years and also worked various construction jobs and in the oil fields in Wyoming for many years.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and traveling.

David is survived by his mother Elinor Davis of North Platte; brother, Rodney (Kelli) Davis of North Platte; sister, Kristi Wright of Frazee, MN; aunt, Sharon Heiser of North Platte; special friend, Peggy Houser of Greybull, WY; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ernest “Peanuts” and Esteline Holm; and an uncle, Joe Foust.

Memorials may be made in his name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Graveside services with military honors will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2018 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with Pastor Gary Smith officiating.  Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.