Doris May Israelson, 87, of North Platte, passed away January 17, 2018 at Linden Court.

She was born September 6, 1930, to Richard Roy and Lois Opal (Woodruff) Bruening in Furnas County, Nebraska.

Doris married Robert Grant Israelson August 12, 1950 in Marysville KS. They were married just shy of 30 years when he passed away June 4, 1980.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents; an infant daughter, Joni Sue; an infant brother, Richard Bruening; sister, Rosemary Stutheit; father and mother-in-law, Grant and Ethel Israelson; brother and sister-in-law, Don and Helen Israelson.

Doris is survived by her loving children, Bill (Beverly) Israelson of Lincoln; Janis  (Philip) Tripe of Kearney; JoEllen (Robert) McIntosh and Julie (Kevin) Piper both of North Platte; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren with 1 on the way; brother, Gene (Carmen) Bruening of Superior; sisters-in law, Nelda (Larry) Brown of Lincoln and Karen Israelson of Omaha; many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Deb Dishman officiating. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

 

Bernard Francis Pieper “Bernie”, age 90 of North Platte, passed away Thursday February 1, 2018.

Bernie was born April 14, 1927 to Ernest A. and Elizabeth (Holtkamp) Pieper in Houghton, IA.  He entered the US Marine Corps September 15, 1945 and served until September 20, 1946 after which he returned home and graduated from St. John’s High School in 1947. He met his future wife, Mary Evangeline Hahler, while she was visiting a friend in Iowa, and they were married on August 30, 1952 in North Platte, NE at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  The couple lived in Iowa briefly before moving to North Platte where Bernie farmed with his father-in-law John Hahler.  He later began farming on his own.  The family business continued until shortly before his death.  He was “Someone who would bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says ‘I want to spend my life doing what dad does’.” He was very involved in his community, being a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and passing his Catholic faith to his family.  He served on the church’s finance committee, was a regular greeter at Mass and volunteered at the annual St. Pat’s BBQ since it’s beginning.   He was on the NPCS School Board and was a 4^th degree in the Knights of Columbus, serving as 3^rd degree Grand Knight and 4^th degree Faithful Navigator.  He and Mary are Wall of Honor recipients at the North Platte Catholic Schools as tireless volunteers and supporters..  He was named Outstanding Young Farmer by the North Platte Jaycees in 1957, was a past chair of the Nebraska Pork Producers, served as an original member of the Twin Platte NRD board, and past member of the Osgood School board.  He helped begin the pork breakfast for NebraskaLand Days and was a supervisor for the Lincoln County Soil and Water Conservation District.  His innovative hog confinement system design earned national recognition and the June 1969 cover of Hog Farm Management magazine.  Bernie’s greatest joy was to leave everyone smiling ~ so smile!

In addition to Mary, his wife of 65 years, Bernie is survived by his 11 children;  Mary F. Wyatt of North Platte; John (Lyn) of Polk City, IA; Lisa of Anchorage, AK; Dr. Kent (Marilyn) of Farnam, NE; Kurt (Jeanne) of North Platte; LynnAnn Scharf of Lincoln; Mark (Michelle) of Lincoln; David (Ann) of North Platte; Dr. Jay (Cindy) of Lincoln; Kati (Rich) Odbert of Columbus; and Adam (Pam) of Richland; 35 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; brother William “Bud” (Glorine) Pieper of Ft. Madison, IA: as well as other extended family members and many many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant twins; in-laws John and Mary Hahler; sisters Marge and Agnes; brothers Henry, Bob and John; 1 grandson; and 1great grandson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or the NPCS Endowment Trust and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Christian Wake Services will be 3:30 p.m. Sunday February 4, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday February 5, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Josh Brown as Celebrant.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday February 3, 2018 at Adams and Swanson Funeral home which is in charge of arrangements.

Our beautiful angel went on to blooming flowers and green gardens.  Patty Mae Smyth was born January 5, 1954 to Russell Morris and Florence Virginia Easton Morris.  She grew up in many different places and holds a special place for all her cousins, Aunts and Uncles with whom she lived with throughout her childhood.  Patty went to school in Ogallala and North Platte, graduating from North Platte High School.  In 1973, she married Steve Adkisson and to this union were 5 children.  She hired on with Union Pacific Railroad in March of 1978 and continued to work there for 18 years as a carmen and car foreman, after which she went onto work at Earl May and Huebner’s from 2006 to 2014, retiring from there; these were the best times in her life.  She had a zest for life and her laugh was contagious.  She will be missed by so many.  She loved her children, grandchildren, husband and all her Ya Ya’s. On October 23, 2009, she married the love of her life, Danny Smyth.

Survivors include her husband, Danny Smyth of North Platte; her children, Jason (Jennifer) Adkisson of Lincoln, Season (Mike) Kreber of North Platte, Kasey (Rebecca) Adkisson of Aurora, CO, Kortney (Les) Marky of North Platte, and her baby, McKenzie Adkisson of North Platte; grandchildren, Jacob, Joey, Aura, Chloe, Gus, Kennedy, Antonia, Gracey Mae, Jamel, Devin, Chuckie, Travis, Tyler, Ashlynn, Dallas, Jackie, Maximus, Keith and Kaiden; her Ya Ya’s, Susan Thomas, Leslie Morris and wife Diana Oneil, Katie (Scott) Fosbinder, Tammy Morris Flatt and Annette (Mark) Hamrick; step children, Chuck and Jamie Roberts, Kayla Smyth, Mickey (Miranda) Smyth, Timmy Jr.; numerous Aunts, Uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, Russell Morris, Jr.; numerous Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.  Patty loved her plants, flowers and especially her beautiful patio, all her fairy princes’ and princesses’, as she would call all her grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Russell Morris, Jr. She was the best mother, grandmother, sister, wife and friend.  Our world is a lot smaller without her huge heart here.  Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  A memorial has been set up at Hershey State Bank.  Cremation was chosen.  Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 5, 2018 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

Leonard James “Jim” Meston, age 72 of North Platte and formerly of Broken Bow passed away January 30, 2018 at Linden Court. He was born November 30, 1945 at Broken Bow, NE to Adrian D. “Bud” and Louanna Belle (Thompson) Meston. Jim attended Broken Bow High School and lived most of his life in the Broken Bow area. He worked for the city of Broken Bow, IBP, and most recently for Sapp Brothers. He was united in marriage to Sharron Petersen on July 26, 1994 and they moved to North Platte in 2012. Jim enjoyed auto detailing, and watching the Nebraska and Oklahoma football rivalry.

Survivors include his wife, Sharron, daughter, Stephanie (Dave) Anderson, grandchildren, Ashley (Kyle) Wolfe, Jordan (fiancé Tabatha) Anderson, Jacob Anderson, Jalissa, Brooke, Jimmy Jr., Madison, and Nevaeh Meston, great-grandchildren, Brylee Rose Meston and Ryker Wolfe, step-children, Michael (Mary) Petersen, Robert (Lori) Petersen, Scott (Sarah) Petersen, Calvin Petersen, and Michael Oliver, brother, Jerry (Cheryl) Meston, sister, Linda (Raymond) Baxter, his beloved dog, Max, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Jimmy D. Meston, siblings, Betty (Bob) Liles, Laura Belle Ferguson, Edna Mae Brooks, Ada Lou Naylor, and Bud Lee Meston. Memorial services will be 11:00 am Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Harvest Christian Fellowship. Cremation was chosen. Inurnment will be at a later date in Broken Bow. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so from 9:00 am to 5pm Thursday and Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel which is in care of arrangements. A memorial has been established in his memory. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com

Lucy Marie Johnson, 93, of Stapleton passed away January 31, 2018 at Great Plains Health.  Lucy was born November 28, 1924 in Gandy, Nebraska to William and Gertrude (Hughes) Fablinger.  She graduated High School in Gandy, NE, and taught in rural schools at the young age of 16.  On June 3, 1951 she married Russell Johnson in Gandy.  The two moved to the Johnson family farm where Lucy has resided until May 2017.

Lucy belonged to the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, being very active through the years as treasurer.  She was also treasurer for the Loup Valley Cemetery for many years.  She enjoyed helping with the census, was a VFW Auxiliary member, and was a very giving person (especially to her grandchildren) who always put others before herself.

Survivors include her children, Tom (Lyndel) Johnson of Stapleton, and Jacque (Kent) Allison of North Platte; grandchildren, Dawn Beers of North Platte, Garrett (Heather) Johnson of Stapleton, Lyndsi (Tony) Romero of McPherson, KS, Joshua Allison of Alliance, Josiah Allison, Alexandria Allison, and Aaron Allison all of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Dakota Beers, Beau Beers, Alyssia Johnson, Saige Johnson, Ty Romero, Nathan Romero, and Quinn Romero.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; children, Geraldine, and twin boys, Wayne and Dwayne; and three sisters, Alice Rockwell, Elsie Hubbell, and Esther Blevins.

Memorials may be given to the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church or to the Loup Valley Cemetery.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 5, 2018 at the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Eric Mockatis officiating.  Inurnment will follow at Loup Valley Cemetery.  Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Melvin F. Effenbeck, 77, of Maxwell, passed away January 29, 2018, at Great Plains Health.

Melvin was born at home in Bignell, Ne. on September 8, 1940 to Martin and Florence (Tibbetts) Effenbeck. He grew up and attended schools in Bignell and Maxwell, graduating from Maxwell High School as Class Salutatorian. He then graduated from Kearney State College with a degree in mathematics.

He served three years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict, stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. After the army, he worked a few years in Denver and Boulder, Co. He then returned to Maxwell and was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad, where he worked until his retirement. Melvin enjoyed tending his yard, flower beds, occasional research on family genealogy and some numismatics.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his brother, Marion (Donna) Effenbeck; nephew, Steve (Alnetta) Effenbeck; aunts, Mary Seeley of Milwaukie, OR, Florence Meredith of Gothenburg and Lila Effenbeck of North Platte and several cousins.

Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m.  Friday, February 2, 2018 at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. Visitation with family receiving friends will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to The Maxwell Veterans Memorial Fund, Maxwell High School Scholarship Fund or to the donor’s choice. Lunch will follow served by the Maxwell American Legion Auxiliary at the Maxwell City Hall. Condolences may be sent to 2221 Cedarberry Lane, North Platte, Ne 69101. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.