Brett D. Little, 46, Kearney, died Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at his home. A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., October 17, 2017 at Kearney E-Free Church, 4010 7th Avenue, Kearney, NE with Tim Stratton officiating, burial will be 3:00 p.m., at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery 12004 South Spur 56A Maxwell, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Program and Veterans’ Suicide Awareness Project.

Brett was born December 8, 1970 in North Platte, Nebraska to Jerry and Georgia (French) Little. He graduated from North Platte High School in May of 1989 and enlisted in the Army Reserves in the fall of 1989 where he remained active until his passing. He served a tour in Germany, was mobilized for Iraqi Freedom, and one tour in Kuwait during this time.

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Walter D. Miller, 82,  of Sutherland, passed away October 8, 2017 at Great Plains Health. He was born on June 3, 1935, to  Gervin H. and Elizabeth J. (Opp) Miller in Scotia, Nebraska. He attended school in Belgrade, Nebraska. He joined the Marines in 1954 and while he was in California, he met the love of his life, Darlene Guntle and they were united in marriage on May 19, 1956. While in the Marines he drove amphibious vehicles and spent time in Korea. He was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1962. Walter and his family returned to Belgrade, NE and farmed for a few years.  He farmed, trucked, worked construction, had his own construction business and lived in many towns. He was a crane operator for his last years before retirement. In 2000 he and Darlene moved to Sutherland to work on the power plant and have lived there since. Walter will be remembered as a very quiet man who loved bowling, fishing, hunting, boating, coin collecting and the Huskers.  Spending time with his family was very important to him.

Walter is survived by his wife of 61 years, Darlene of Sutherland; sons, Randy (Dian) Miller of Rockville, Ne., Ron (Tina) Miller of Ravenna, Ne. and Roger Miller of Ravenna, Ne.; seven grandsons; one granddaughter; one great granddaughter; several nieces and nephews and two special canine friends, Sandy and Buddy; sisters, Beverly Landers of Loup City, Mary Hlavinka of Denver and Sandy Hart of Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Betty Lou Dew;  a brother, Gervin “Sonny” Miller; daughter-in-law, Angela D. Miller and a grandson, Bradley Jo Miller.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 16, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Vaughn Fahrenbruck officiating. Burial to follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon – 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 15 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. A memorial has been established in his name. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Mary Ann Mintle, 78, passed from this life Sept. 24, 2017, after a long battle with cancer.

She was born during a blizzard on June 25, 1939, in Mullen to Claude Alfred and Mary Elizabeth (Adkins) Florea.

She grew up on a ranch south of Thedford and graduated from Thomas County High School on May 15, 1957, the last graduating class to receive a teaching certificate.

After graduation, she taught school at Woodlake, northeast of Thedford, and at a rural school near Chambers. Mary Ann attended Kearney State Teachers College, after which she worked in Lincoln for an insurance company, as well as at the capitol.

She was offered the “champagne lady” position for the Lawrence Welk Show, but turned it down to marry her husband, Jim.

In June 1961, she married the Rev. James Lewis Mintle and began her life in a ministry that lasted nearly 45 years. To this union seven children were born, Mary Darlene, Rose Ann, Joanna Louis, James L., Sylvia Elizabeth, Velma Carlene and George Alfred Mintle.

Jim and Mary Ann enjoyed ministering at many churches including Cedar Creek, O’Neil, Mullen, Taline Union, Elsmere, Brewster and Thedford. In spring 1970, they settled at their ranch near Thedford.

One of the highlights of her life was singing together as a family, and she took great pride in teaching her children to sing and blend together as a group. Mary Ann had various jobs to help support their large family, including selling Avon, working in the school cafeteria and running the Cactus Cafe restaurant.

She was jovial, loved making people happy and had a ready smile for everyone. She loved her position as rural mail carrier west and south of Thedford, and north and south of Seneca. She enjoyed the families on her route and looked forward to delivering special packages to their children, especially during holidays.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Mary Florea; brothers, Donald Eugene and George Alfred Florea; two sisters, Naomi Della Florea and Cornelia Jean (Florea) Shears; husband, the Rev. James Lewis Mintle; mother-in-law and father-in-law, George and Velma Mintle; brother-in-law, Gary Mintle; and nieces, nephews and friends.

Mary Ann is survived by her sisters, Sylvia Rose (Florea) Miles of O’Neil, Hazel Colleen (Florea) Smith of Geneva and Laura Belle (Florea) Ramirez of Loveland, Colorado; children, Mary of Kearney, Rose (Jerry) Mull of Brady, Joanna (Matthew) Montgomery of Clarkston, Michigan, James (Shari) Mintle of North Platte, Sylvia Mintel of Thedford, Velma (Allen) Ewoldt of Thedford and George (Trina) Mintle of Thedford; 18 grandchildren, Cody Allen Hackney, Jerry Logan Mull, Kyle Lewis Mull, Courtney Marie (Drew) Feeney, Angela Kay (Larry) Blackstone, Jason Lee (Kelly) Mull, Giavanna Isabella Montgomery, Allissandria Sophia Montgomery, Jerilyn Christine Montgomery, Jesse Wayne Montgomery, Natilee Rose Mintle, Mavrick James Mintle, Danya Marie Mintle, Caitlin Elizabeth Mintle, Connor Michael Burns, Frank Chandler Burns, Derek James Mintle and Brenton Duane Mintle; six great-grandchildren, April Mull, Rileigh Mull, Dillon Mull, Larry Dwayne Jr. Blackstone, Beau Alexander Blackstone and Adeline Amber Feeney; dear friend, Robert Burns; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Mary Ann Mintle Memorial Fund, c/o 38912 Hwy 2, Thedford, NE 69166.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, at Bethel Assembly of God Church, Thedford. Burial will be at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Arnold and Mullen Funeral Homes are in charge of arrangements.

Aiden Thomas Solon, 9, of North Platte,  entered the gates of Heaven on Saturday, October 7, 2017.   He passed away at home while surrounded by family and friends.  Aiden was born May 7, 2008 to Sage and Tammy (Halley) Solon of North Platte.  Aiden was a brave young boy who was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma (bone cancer) in January, 2016.  His journey with cancer included several types of treatment and surgery.

Aiden touched many lives with his positive attitude, wit, and love.  He liked to spend time with his brother, buddies, and family whether it was camping, playing his X-box, playing baseball, or amazing an audience with magic tricks.  Aiden loved to laugh and entertain others with jokes and games like “Would You Rather?”

Aiden had an army, Aiden’s Army, people of all ages from all over the country, who bonded in love and prayer.  They uplifted and supported him throughout his journey.  Aiden was his grandpa’s pal; he and Marv loved to hang out together.  The family dog, Theodore, brought new licks, and a best-buddy relationship to Aiden’s life.

Survivors include his loving parents, Sage and Tammy Solon, and protective older brother Andrew.  Grandparents Marvin and Beverly Halley, North Platte, NE; Carol Solon, Kadoka, SD, and a Great Grandmother Emma Jacobs, Martin, SD.   Aunts and uncles include Ron and Carol Halley, Overton NE; Rick and Kandy Halley, Apple Valley, MN; Patrick and Heather Solon, Kadoka, SD; and numerous cousins.

He is preceded in death by Great Grandparents Leland Jacobs; Francis and Clara Solon; Gerald and Lucett Halley; and a Grandfather John Solon.

Visitation will be on Friday, October 13th from 12:00 – 8:00 pm at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, with family receiving guests from 5 pm – 8 pm.   Services will be Saturday, October 14^th at 1:30 pm at the North Platte Berean Church with Rev. Jon Stone officiating.  Interment to follow at Floral Lawns Cemetery.    Celebration of Aiden’s life will conclude with fellowship at the Berean Church.

Memorials may be made in his name. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

Cleo Ellen Leet, age 87 of North Platte, passed away Friday October 6, 2017 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE.

Cleo was born on August 24, 1930 in Council Bluffs, IA to Alfred and Etta (Engle) Goos.  She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, IA, then attended The Jennie Edmundson College of Nursing.  She married Walter Allen Leet on October 7, 1951 in Tarkio, MO.  They were married for 33 years when he passed away in February of 1985.  She volunteered in many organizations and was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

Cleo is survived by her daughters Gail (Dennis) Jensen of Lincoln, NE, Paula (Rick) Boyles of Castle Rock, CO, Pam (Don) King of Kearney, NE and Lisa (Bill) Buhrman of Council Bluffs, IA; 6 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; brother Emmett Goos of Treynor, IA; as well as several nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Etta Goos; husband Walter Leet; and brother Clint Goos.

Memorials are suggested to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.  Local funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday October 11, 2017 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Reverend Jon Dickmander officiating.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday October 10, 2017 with family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home.  A second service will be held at the Cutler, O’Neill, Meyer, Woodring Funeral Home in Council Bluffs, IA.  Family visitation will be Thursday October 12, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday October 13, 2017.  Burial will follow at the Walnut Hill Cemetery.  Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.