Arya Jayde Helie was born Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 2:31 p.m. where she was welcomed into the gates of Heaven. Arya’s loving parents, Sean and Briana were able to adore her for a short time with lots of love, kisses and cuddles. Arya’s beautiful face will always be remembered with her cute button nose and her soft sweet cheeks. Her precious hands and feet with such long beautiful fingers and toes will be an imprint in our broken hearts forever! Her mother was already jealous of her gorgeous perfect nails. Arya was perfect from head to toe, maybe that’s why God needed her more than us. Arya’s loving siblings definitely got some loving time with her as well. They enjoyed holding her so closely with warm kisses, hugs and tears. She will always be remembered for her comforting touch she has left in our hearts. Arya is our sweet blessing and we all were so anticipating her arrival to join our little family. She is so loved by all who got to meet her so briefly and will be greatly missed.

Arya Jayde is the daughter of Sean and Briana Helie; sister to, Kaden, Laila, Madison and Mia. Our love for our little princess will never fade away. Arya is also survived by grandparents, Laurie Razo, James Helie and Teresa Helie; her great grandparents, Jim and Virginia Yakel,  Terry and Virginia Tyma. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many others.

Arya will always remain her parents precious baby princess, Kaden, Laila, Madison and Mia’s sweet little sister. We will always cherish the impressionable memories she blessed us with in a short amount of time. We all fell deeply in love with Arya Jayde. We will look forward to holding her again in Heaven one day. Until then, our shattered broken hearts will always be with her.

A celebration of life will be at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, December 22 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com. Family will be receiving friends Thursday, December 21, 5:30-7 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  A memorial has been established in her memory.  Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Frank E. Speck, 79, of North Platte, passed peacefully surrounded by family December 13, 2017, at Great Plains Health. He was born July 8, 1938 to Harry and Gwendola (Lawson) Speck at Kearney, Nebraska.

Frank served in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1961 where he served as a non-commissioned officer and an Electrician’s Mate. He conducted multiple sea tours on the USS Vulcan and was responsible for the operation of his ship’s electrical power generation systems, lighting systems, and electrical equipment. He later used the trade he learned in the Navy to get a job as an electrician at the Union Pacific Railroad where he retired after 40 years of dedicated employment.

Frank married his high school sweetheart Marcia S. Applegate on August 13, 1958. They were married for over 50 years until Marcia passed away in 2008. They enjoyed fishing, camping, and boating at nearby lakes. Later in life, Frank learned the game of golf and would offer “advice” to anyone willing to listen. He was a wonderful golfing partner and could be frequently found out on the course or laughing and having fun with this Applebee’s Family.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Marcia; a son, Ronald Dean Speck and his parents.

Frank is survived by his son, Richard (Diane) Speck of North Platte; his daughter, Suzanne Johnson of Lincoln; nine grandchildren, Kyle (Anna) Johnson, Amy (Dominic) Rioux, Jessica (Tim) Johnson, Jeannie (Alex) Roeder, Jennifer Hoagland, Heather, Amberlea Sue, Cody Speck and Danielle Lee and 19 great grandchildren.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December18, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Job Vigil officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 5:00p.m. on Sunday , December 17 at Carpenter  Memorial Chapel.

Online condolences may be shared on his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/frank.speck.395

 

Phillip Gonzales Contreras, age 91 of North Platte, passed away Tuesday December 12, 2017 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE.

Phillip was born on March 26, 1926 in Chanute, KS to Cosmo and Concha “Pearl” (Gonzales) Contreras.  He lived in Crook, CO until the age of 10 when he moved with his family to North Platte in 1936.  He married Amanda L. Tappan in Lexington, NE.  He joined the US Marines in 1952 and served stateside during the Korean War.  After his discharge he returned to North Platte where he worked for PFE on the Railroad, and for the Armor Packing Plant.  He later became a dealer for Saladmaster, selling cookware.  He found his calling with this career and with his charismatic personality became very successful.

Phillip is survived by his children, Sharon (Jim) Ruffing of North Platte, Phyllis Contreras of North Platte, Phillip Jr. (Jennifer) Contreras of North Platte, Andrea Contreras of Lincoln, NE and Stephanie (Ed) Contreras – Tucker of North Platte; 7 grandchildren, Kimberly Contreras of Portland, OR, Shelly Patzer of Pierre, SD, Brad Contreras of Lincoln, NE, Greg Contreras of North Platte, Seth Pflaster of Omaha, NE, Nick Pflaster of Hastings, NE, and Max Contreras of North Platte; sisters Rose Jurado of North Platte and Mickey Perez of TX; brother Joe Contreras of Omaha, NE; as well as numerous extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife Amanda in January 2017.

Memorials are suggested to Amazing Facts, P.O. Box 1058, Roseville, CA 95678-8058

and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday December 22, 2017 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church with Reverend Joseph Carty officiating.  Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Thursday December 21, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

 

Colleen M. Brackett, 73, of North Platte, formerly of McCook, passed away Dec. 11, 2017 surrounded by her family at Great Plains Health in North Platte. Colleen was born February 1, 1944, as a twin, to James “Jim” and Wynona (Eifert) O’Brien at McCook.  Colleen and her twin sister Kathleen O’Brien were raised in McCook.

Colleen is preceded in death by her parents, James and Wynona O’Brien. She is survived by her sister, Kathleen O’Brien; former husband, Ron Hart of Julelsburg Co; her children. Scott (Heidi) Hart of North Platte, Sheila Wymer of Abilene TX, Suzy (Sam) Mueller of McCook, NE, and Stephanie (Gary) Rodgers of Arcade, NY; Grandchildren, Melissa Liesenfeld of Cheyenne, WY, Crystal West of McCook NE, Angela (Tyler) Richardson of United Kingdom, Derrick Sundell of Benkelman, NE, Sarah and Christopher Rodgers of Arcade, NY and Patricia (Josh) Boykin of Abilene, TX; Great Grandchildren, Tyler Amison, Thedrick Harpman and Levi Boykin.

Colleen dedicated her life to caring for her sister, Kathleen. Her family was the most important to Colleen she loved spending time with her grandchildren and lived for making adventures and memories with them. Colleen was the center of the family and spent every minute possible with them.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.  A Celebration of Colleen’s life will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Brett Terry officiating. Those wishing to sign Colleen’s memorial book may do so from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday prior to services.  Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.