James Leo Frye, age 85 of North Platte, passed away December 1, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born April 6, 1932 at North Platte to Lawrence and Mildred (Ray) Frye. Jim graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1950 and later served 4 years in the United States Air Force. After his discharge, he returned to North Platte and was united in marriage to Judy Anderson on September 14, 1957. Jim worked for the telephone company in the central office until his retirement. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church,  B.P.O. Elks #985, American Legion Post #0163, Eagles Aerie #2839, Knights of Columbus Council #1211, and lifetime member of Telephone Pioneers.

Survivors include his wife, Judy, children, Holly (Mark) Frye-Leet, Tracy (Jack) Frye-Harris, and Tim Frye.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, William and Thomas Frye, and a sister, Catherine Taylor.

Private family services will be held at Ft. McPherson with military honors. There will be no visitation. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com

Veda E. Nickerson, 98, of Maxwell, passed away November 30, 2017 at Centennial Park Retirement Village.  She was born March 8, 1919 to Lawrence D. and Hazel (Brittenham) Carroll at Moorefield, NE.

At the age of four, she moved to Brady and attended country school and graduated 8^th grade from District Number 13.  In 1934, she moved to Maxwell and graduated with the class of “37”.

On August 17, 1939, Veda was united in marriage to Vern A. Nickerson in Greeley, CO.  To this union two sons were born, Ivan D. and Lyle L.

She was active in church work, held two responsible office positions and was baptized in 1951 in the Maxwell Baptist Church.

She helped with the canteen, getting food gathered and transporting it in their “39” Chevrolet.  Veda was the first Cub Scout Den Mother in Maxwell, using her kitchen for meetings for 8 boys.  She helped in the school kitchen for lunches, drove the school bus and was a care giver wherever needed.  Veda also was a recipient of a Good Neighbor Award.

She is survived by her two sons, Ivan D. (Mary) Nickerson of Maxwell and Lyle L. (Judy) Nickerson of Imperial; brother-in-law, Frank Vierra; sister-in-law, Othella Carroll; 7 grandchildren, Jay (Diane) Nickerson, Denise (Dennis White) Nickerson, Layne (Janeen) Nickerson, Shawna (Elliot) Reish, Lauri (Jeff) Lamm, Wade (Lindsey) Nickerson, Shane (April) Nickerson; one step grandson, David (Tracie) Alles, ; 14 great grandchildren; and one great great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Vern in 2005; a grandson, David Nickerson; and eight brothers and sisters.

Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 3, 2017 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.  Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 4, 2017 at Plainview Cemetery near Maxwell.  Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Roger Glen Porter Sr., age 70, of North Platte, passed away November 25, 2017 at his home.  He was born on November 30, 1946 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Edwin and Lorraine (Taylor) Porter.

Roger grew up in Council Bluffs.  He enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Vietnam in the 101^st Airborne Division.  After his discharge, he married Patricia Kotinek in Denver, CO.  To this union three children were born, Roger Jr., Neville and Kathleen.  Roger lived in the Denver area for many years, moving all over the country, and returned to Nebraska to be closer to family.

He loved to fish, travel, play 8 ball and 9 ball pool, enjoyed doing leatherwork and the Colorado Rockies.

Survivors include his children, Roger (Rachel) Porter Jr. of Omaha, Neville “Ned” Porter of North Platte, and Kathleen “Kathy” (Moose) Epperson of Omaha; grandchildren, Jamie Porter, Sarah Porter, Ian Porter, Grace Porter, Elijah Porter, Veronica Porter, Eric Epperson, Christina Epperson, and Rebekah Epperson.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be made to DAV or the VFW.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Graveside Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 4, 2017 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with Chaplain Gary Smith officiating.  Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Friday, December 1, 2017 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Doris I. Edwards, 85, of Pierre, SD, formerly of North Platte passed away November 28, 2017 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, South Dakota.  She was born on August 8, 1932 to George and Gladys Burch in North Platte, NE.

After her husband passed away, Doris went to Pierre, SD to be with her sister Bev.  She enjoyed her remaining time with Bev and Blaine.  At this time she did some traveling to places she had not been.  Doris enjoyed going to North Dakota to their family farm.  She also enjoyed sitting on the deck watching the birds and squirrels and doing things in the yard.  She enjoyed the company of her family, our dog and cats and watching TV shows (especially shows such as Daniel O’Donnell).  Doris passed away after a short illness and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her sisters, Leona (Don) Eyten of North Platte, and Bev (Blaine) Olson of Pierre, SD; a brother-in-law, Dee Sheets of Durango, CO; sisters-in-law, Charlotte Leeds of Kearney and Mary De La Fe of California; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Shirley Parks of Pierre, SD, and Glenda (Tiny) Parker of North Platte.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, George; sisters, Lila (Roy) Christner, and Pat Sheets; and husbands, Chuck Kaiser and Charles Edwards.

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

Graveside Services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with Pastor Joe Sukraw officiating.  Visitation will be noon – 9:00 p.m. Monday at Adams & Swanson funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Velma Jean Elizabeth (Peterson) Brown, 85, of Brady, passed away Nov. 24, 2017, at Great Plains Health with her loving family surrounding her.

Velma was born on Jan. 6, 1932, the youngest child of Clarence and Mary (Stevens) Peterson. She grew up in Valentine and graduated from Valentine Rural High School with the class of 1950. She completed her teaching degree at Chadron State Teachers’ College.

Velma married Gerald Brown on Nov. 15, 1952, in Pierre, South Dakota. To this union five children were born, Mike, Pam, Kathy, Deb and Shelle.

Velma was a teacher at heart. She loved children and always provided an opportunity for those around her to learn something new. After 38 years of teaching elementary grade students in one-room schools and larger public schools, she retired from Maxwell Public School.

Velma was a loving wife who cared deeply for her husband. She was especially fond of her family, and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of her life. Holidays were always a festive occasion where she enjoyed having her family together and decorating her home for the holiday seasons.

In her last days, she had her family over for Thanksgiving. Baking was a passion of Velma’s, and her talent of decorating cakes was shared when she baked birthday cakes designed uniquely for each grandchild. She also decorated cakes for weddings, graduations and any other special occasion.

Velma touched the lives of many people throughout her life, and she will be remembered for her love, nurturing and caring.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; parents, Clarence and Mary; brothers, Carl, Laurence, Clarence and Ralph and their wives; sisters, Luellabel Groome and Irene Laleff and their husbands; twin infant sisters; grandchildren, Brianna Brown, Jeremy (Becky) Bartels and Jason Bartels; and great-granddaughters, Lehya Jane Bartels and Madison Joy Lee.

Velma is survived by her children, Mike (Sandi) Brown of Lincoln, Pam (Jack) Mann and Kathy Hoffman, both of Brady, Deb Franzen of Rifle, Colorado, and Michele (Stacey) Blagdon of Brady; 19 grandchildren, Josh (Melanie O’Donnell) Brown of Omaha, Cassandra (Dan) Lee of Mahomet, Illinois, Chantel Brown of Omaha, Hillary (Logan) Collins of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Whitney (Ryan) Brown of Kearney, Lucinda (Dan) Robison of Brady, Luke (Kim) Mann of Clayton, North Carolina, Jill Miller of Brady, Angel Hoffman of North Platte, Chris (Priscilla) Franzen of Greeley, Colorado, Keith (Lakyn Parrish) Franzen of Fort Morgan, Colorado, Justin (Kelsey Hauge) Franzen of Sidney, Holly (Korry) Kinnison of Ovid, Colorado, Dylan (Bailey Maddox) Blagdon of North Platte, Cameron (Kellie) Ristine of Lincoln, Torey (Matt) Franzen of North Platte, Mark (April) Hoffman, Karen (Lonnie) McClellen and Sarah Hoffman; 38 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Joan (Orrin) Thiede of Springview, Janice (Tim) Cook of Bassett, Jalene Duggan of Ontario, California, and Judy (Lyle) Nickerson of Imperial; numerous nieces and nephews; the surviving classmates of VRHS Class of 1950; and special longtime friend, Wanda Maxey of Pico Rivera, California.

Memorials are suggested to the Brady Volunteer Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 31, Brady, NE 69123. Online condolences may be shared at blasestrauser.com.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today, Nov. 28, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel with Pastor John Pauls officiating. Burial will follow at Gaslin Cemetery, Brady. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, is in charge of arrangements.