Anita Joan (Sander) Wills, 69, of North Platte entered into eternal peace on November 12, 2017.  Her family was by her brave, courageous side until the very end.

Anita was born on July 26, 1948, to William and Marianna (Heskamp) Sander.  She grew up and attended school in Meade, KS.  Her family later moved to Dodge City, KS, where she attended Saint Mary’s of the Plains College.  It was at Saint Mary’s where she met her best friend and partner in life, Arthur Wills.  The couple was married on September 14, 1968.  They built a life together in North Platte, NE, where they raised their three children and made many lifelong friends.

Professionally, Anita enjoyed a career in banking and commercial real estate, most recently working as the Office Manager for Commercial Investment Services before retiring in 2010.  However, her family and friends were always her priority and passion.  She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.  She loved traveling to spend quality time with her children and four grandchildren, and was always there when they needed her.  Anita treasured her many friendships, entertaining them at her home or gathering for coffee and lunch.  She also cherished her time outdoors caring for her beautiful rose garden.  She was a lifelong member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, where she volunteered her time over the years supporting various events and the CCD program.  Anita lived her precious life to the very fullest, sharing with the rest of the world her deep faith, grace, optimism, sense of wonderment and adventure, and witty sense of humor.

She will be truly missed.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mariana Sander; and two of her three brothers, William and Daniel Sander.

She is survived by her husband, Arthur Wills, of North Platte, NE; her three children, Shawn Wills, of Omaha, NE, Heather (Greg) Von Behren, of Rockville, MD, and Alisa (Kevin) Wills-Keely, of Centennial, CO; her four grandchildren, Dawson and Hanna Wills, of Omaha, NE, Alexander Von Behren, of Rockville, MD, and Zoe Wills-Keely, of Centennial, CO; her brother, Dennis (Judy) Sander, of Liberal, KS; and a number of extended family members and dear friends.

A memorial has been established to the Salvation Army and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

The visitation will be held from 9am to 7pm, followed by a rosary service, on November 16, at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day, November 17, at 10am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Reverend James Novakowski as celebrant.  The burial will follow at the North Platte Cemetery.   Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Robert Lee “Bob” Liska, 86, of North Platte, NE passed away Monday November 13^, 2017, at his daughters home in Espanola, NM. He was born July 10, 1931 in Crete, NE to Frank and Zdenka Liska. Bob worked for the State of Nebraska and James E Simon Construction, where he helped build the North Platte Telegraph and several churches and banks in the area. He loved to travel and received his Pilot’s License at a very young age and enjoyed flying. He had a Piper Cub and a Luscombe. He also loved his roses, gardening and hunting. His later years were spent on Lake Maloney, where he loved to fish. Bob always knew the exact spots to catch fish.

He is survived by his brothers, John Liska and James Liska; sister, JoAnn Stickler; children, Bradley (Marcia) Liska, Brian (Dana) Liska, and Barbara Liston; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren, with a little one on the way; one great great grandchild; and many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Jean H. Liska. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in his memory. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 17 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday, November 16, 2017 from 5 -7 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.

Donna Marie (Rodgers) Oliver formerly of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away quickly due to colon and liver cancer on November 10, 2017.

James and Elizabeth (Easton) Rodgers gave birth to Donna on November 10, 1929. She grew up and attended school and graduated from North Platte High School. On February 1, 1958 she married Vernard Jack Oliver who adopted her two small children from a previous marriage. They made their home on the Oliver Ranch before moving to North Platte to have additional children and raise their family. She enjoyed being a housewife raising her children and being “Mom” to more than 200 children as a daycare provider, foster parent and guardians for over 25 years. In February of 2013, Donna and her husband moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado. After her husband passed away she moved to Oakbrook One apartments where she made many friends and was close to her special companions through volunteers of America, as well as her many CSU dog walkers through “Pets Forever” especially Matt (The dog walker ). Her secret passion for 54 years was watching Days of our Lives, which taught her how not to keep a secret and how to shop.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, two sisters, her husband, and three sons, Randall Jack, David Eugene, and Gary Lee.

She is survived by her furry companion, Rusty, her children Kelly Doyle Oliver of Superior NE. Debra (Wayne) Lynis Viewig of Kiowa, CO. Sandra Katherine Tanner of Ft. Collins, CO. Rodger Kevin Oliver of Cheyenne, WY. Janelle Rich of Bullhead City, AZ. Carolyn Richard of Hastings, NE. and Tracy Helvie of Hastings, NE. Fourteen grandchildren and thirteen great grand children. Her brother Virgil “Butch” Rodgers of , NE. and sister in law Edna of Montana and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 18, 10 am, at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ at 220 N. Vine, North Platte, followed by a graveside service at Fort McPherson National Cemetery and lunch 12 pm at the church. Please visit www.VesseyFuneral Service.com to leave the family a special memory or condolence.

P. Dean Peterson, 79, of Gothenburg, died Nov. 12, 2017, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha of acute pancreatitis.

He was born on July 25, 1938, in Gothenburg, the son of P. Raymond and Clara Peterson. He grew up on the family farm and attended school at New Hope. He graduated from Gothenburg High School with the class of 1957.

Dean married Aleda Abbott on Aug. 7, 1960, in Cozad, and they made their home on the farm north of Gothenburg. Dean and Aleda had five children, Kay, Karen, Kim, Kelly and Mark.

Dean was a member of the Evangelical Free Church and Well Drillers Association.

Dean owned and operated Peterson Well Drilling for 56 years, working alongside his son, brother and nephew. Working was his passion and he enjoyed his customers. He also took pride in farming and ranching on the X-9 Family Farm. He loved to hunt and to be with his grandkids.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Aleda; two sons, Kim and Kelly Peterson; and sister-in-law, Luetta Peterson.

Surviving him are his son, Mark (Susan) Peterson of Gothenburg; two daughters, Kay (Dan) Catlin of Kearney and Karen (Dave) Bardwick of Missoula, Montana; six grandkids, Abby, Chad and Derrick Bardwick of Missoula, Seth Catlin of Kearney, Tyler and Kayla Peterson of Gothenburg; brother, Jerry (Sherri) Peterson of Gothenburg; sister, Deanna (Terry) Cox of Arlington, Texas; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Memorials are suggested to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 133, Gothenburg, NE 69138, or the E-Free Commons Building. Online condolences may be shared at blasestrauser.com.

Services will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, at the Gothenburg Evangelical Free Church with Pastors Scott Newman and Robert Litzenberger officiating. Burial will be at New Hope Cemetery, Gothenburg. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m., with the family from 5-7 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 16, at Evangelical Free Church, Gothenburg. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel & Monuments, Gothenburg, is in charge of arrangements.

James C. “Jim” Davenport, 83, of Arnold, passed away Nov. 11, 2017, at the Callaway District Hospital.

Jim was born on July 4, 1934, to Orville and Lola (Bean) Davenport in Gothenburg. He was a 1952 graduate of Gothenburg High School, where he enjoyed playing football and participating in track. After high school, he attended Colorado A&M in Fort Collins, Colorado. While there, he was a member of the football team. In 1956, he joined the United States Army, where he served in Germany until 1957.

On Jan. 19, 1958, Jim married the love of his life, Sherry Hircock. From this union, nine children were born, Julie (Randy) Bailar, Jeani Davenport, Joni (Mike) Claymon, JoDee Kimball, Dan Davenport, Jennifer (Jeff) Drey, Michael Davenport, Jimmy Davenport and Jacque (Ryan) Porter.

After a short time in Denver, the couple made their home in Arnold for a few years before moving to the family farm, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Jim loved his life of farming and ranching, especially making work fun for his children by turning himself into a “corn monster” while irrigating, as well as hiding birthday gifts in the corn field. He also took a lot of pride in keeping the family farm and vehicles in tip top shape.

Jim appreciated the great outdoors, including spending time fishing and camping. Many laughs and pranks were had with his fishing friends and family out on the boat. Most recently, he spent the summer camping at one of his favorite places in the world, Merritt Reservoir, near Valentine.

The most important part of Jim’s life were his wife and children. He enjoyed attending his children’s school activities, including being a timer at track meets. On occasion, he even felt it was necessary to give his opinion to the referees at basketball games. He went to numerous state basketball and state track meets over the years, always rising early in order to be one of the first people there so he could get a good seat. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren, especially giving them tractor rides at the farm.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Sherry; parents, Orville and Lola; stepfather, Bob Lewis; brothers, Daniel and Jon; son, Michael; and grandson, Andrew Claymon.

Left to cherish the memories he gave us are his stepmother, Mary Davenport; sister, Deanna (Ralph) Morgan; his children; grandchildren, Bridget (Les) Anthony, Chandini Dahlberg, Brian Claymon, Calvin (Andrea), Nicci, Mason, Mac and Lexie Drey, Kacey and Charlie Porter, and Austin Davenport; great-grandson, Les Anthony V; great-granddaughter, Blake Drey; and a host of relatives and friends.

Memorials are suggested to James C. Davenport Memorial Fund at Pinnacle Bank in Arnold.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arnold. Burial will be at the Arnold Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Rosary will follow at 7 p.m. Arnold Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gene Louis Davis, 77, a lifetime rancher of Grant County, died Nov. 10, 2017, at Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City, South Dakota.

Gene was born on Feb. 5, 1940, in Hyannis to Anastasia Julia Emma Breuhaus and Harry Alger (Pard) Davis Sr. He attended school in Hyannis, graduating with the class of 1957.

Following high school graduation, Gene worked at the family ranch for John Sibbitt as a hay contractor and carpenter. He lived in Texas for a short while working for his brother and wife, James and Twila.

He enjoyed everything that involved cattle and spent many years working as an artificial inseminator for local ranchers in addition to servicing his own cattle. This resource provided the opportunity to sell breeding bulls to local ranchers.

In his retirement years, he mowed hay for the Henderson’s and loved to work in his garage with all of his wood projects.

On Oct. 29, 1965, Gene married Jeanne Kay Crumroy in Hyannis. They recently celebrated 52 years together.

Gene loved the sport of rodeo. He participated in bareback riding and bull riding as a young cowboy. In later years, he was always willing to assist young people wherever needed to advance their rodeo dreams. He and Jeanne sponsored the Hyannis High School Rodeo Club for 46 years, and he was also a member of the committee organizing the local Nebraska State Rodeo and Hyannis Old Timers Rodeo.

Gene enjoyed watching and listening to any Nebraska Cornhusker sport. His idea of a perfect day was to have family, friends and good food watching the Huskers or a good rodeo on TV.

He was a founding director of Pelican Beach Golf Course Hyannis, a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 136 and a founding member of the Hyannis High School Rodeo Club.

Gene was fortunate to be the recipient of a kidney transplant at Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver on Dec. 1, 2010. He always commented, “I’m not tied to the machine any longer” and was thankful to his donor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pard and Stasia; four brothers, James, Harvey and wife Ella (Hinton), Leonard and wife Josephine “Jo” (Blaylock) and Harry Jr.; two sisters, Marian and husband Raymond (Dave) Austin and Anastasia (Ana) Smith.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne; sister, Helen (Tom) Stroud of Arvada, Colorado; sister-in-law, Twila (Carpenter) Davis of Quitman, Texas; and brother-in-law, George “Bud” Smith of Sheridan, Wyoming; godson, Wyatt Thurston of Big Valley, Alberta, Canada; goddaughter, Ashlyn Henderson of Hyannis; several nieces and nephews; and a host of wonderful friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Hyannis Area Community Foundation, designated for the Gene Davis Rodeo Scholarship or to the donor’s choice.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Mountain time on Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Hyannis Congregational Church with Pastor Deb Johndreau officiating. Burial will be at the Hyannis Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mountain time, with the family present form 2-5 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Mullen Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.