Helen Maxine Lawyer Brannan, age 88, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away, Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Helen was born July 18, 1929, at the old Wurtele Hospital in North Platte, the daughter of Kinkaid pioneers Claude and Effie (Gilmore) Lawyer. She graduated from North Platte High School in 1946 and received her degree from Central Business College in Denver in 1947. She joined Platte Valley Public Power and Irrigation in North Platte as a stenographer that same year and worked there until 1952.

Helen married Robert Attwood Brannan, son of Virgil and Garnette (Haskins) Brannan, at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in North Platte on April 18, 1948. Following Bob’s service in the Korean War, the Brannans resided in North Platte. Helen worked for the Hartford Insurance Company between 1952 and December 1954. She was then invited to become the Church Secretary for First Methodist Church in 1957 and served the church until December 1964. Helen rejoined Nebraska Public Power District in 1965 as an Executive Assistant working for Gerald Gentleman and Robert Petersen until her retirement December 31, 1989.

Helen was a 79-year member of First United Methodist Church. She was a 70-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron of Signet Chapter No. 55 in North Platte in 1964, Worthy Grand Matron of Nebraska 1980–81, district supervisor, and state parliamentarian for several years. She also wrote the 100th Anniversary History of Signet Chapter. Helen was a Past Guardian of Bethel No. 4, International Order of Job’s Daughters. She served as chaplain and parliamentarian for Sioux Lookout Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in North Platte, and was a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit #163, North Platte.

Helen will always be remembered for her elegance, wit, and loving kindness. She was a talented violinist and singer, and an accomplished ballroom dancer who remembered well the big bands at Jeffers Pavilion and the North Platte Canteen. She was a gifted interior designer and drafted the plans for her own home in 1960.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Debra and husband Carl Mullendore of Bernalillo, New Mexico, her sister-in-law Beverly Wilson of Kansas City, her aunt, Phyllis Lawyer of North Platte, and numerous cousins, including Vera Combs of North Platte, Marilyn Lougheed of Lacey, Washington, Garry (Ronda) Lawyer of Grant, Nebraska, Judy (Dan) Smiley of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Ken (Lynn) Gilmore of Oakdale, Minnesota, and Garnett Volkens of Rocklin, California.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Robert Brannan, and parents, Claude and Effie (Gilmore) Lawyer.

Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church, the Nebraska Masonic Home in Plattsmouth, ESTARL (Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership), or donor’s choice.

Cremation was chosen. A memorial service with Order of the Eastern Star Rites will be held Monday, October 2, 2017, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in North Platte with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Inurnment will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery, south of Maxwell. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements.

Philip “Phil” L Morrell Sr., 88, passed away Sunday, September 24, 2017.

Phil was born July 21, 1929, to Thomas and Ivy Morrell. He proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War.  He later joined and retired from the United States Army Reserve.  Phil married Rosemary Ferguson, who survives, on October 15, 1952

He and Rosemary enjoyed traveling,  camping, square dancing, hiking the Arizona landscape, including multiple trips in and out of the Grand Canyon and going into the desert with their 4 wheel drive vehicle.

He is survived by three children, Philip (Susan) Morrell, Susan Morrell, and Bobbie Morrell; one grandchild, Aubrey (Robert) Morrell-Challquist and three great-grandchildren Ethan, Keaton and Elena Rosenbaum.

A graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2017, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, 12004 S Spur 56A, Maxwell, NE 69151.  In lieu of Memorial or flowers feel free to make a donation to your favorite charity. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.

 

Lena Rebecca Zogg, age 78, of  North Platte, NE, died Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at the Ogallala Community Hospital.

Lena was born on April 11, 1939, to Dewey and Minnie Earl in Gothenburg, NE. She grew up in the Gothenburg and Cozad area then married Fred D. Zogg, Sr. on September 22, 1954, in Cozad. They lived in several communities in Nebraska before settling in North Platte where they became members of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Lena worked different jobs during her life but first and foremost, she was a wife, mom and true friend. She will be missed by all those who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Fred, Jr. and wife, Terry Zogg, Charlotte Zogg, Melody and husband, Cesar Lucero, Angel Houck, and Lesa DeCent and husband, Marv Schildhauer, all of North Platte; and siblings, Bob Earl and Hazel Earl.

Survivors also include her grandchildren, Jason Zogg, Fred IV and Eva Zogg, Rebecca Zogg, Christal Zogg and Tyler, Samson and Meghan Zogg, Chelsea and Joshua Walter, Benjiman Zogg, Daniel and Stephanie Zogg, Johnny and Sara Zogg, Suzie and Dan Whitten-Zogg, Jamie and Boston Griffis, Jasmine and James Ward, Conner Pitre, Chance Houck, Rebecca DeCent, Christina DeCent and Ashley DeCent; 30 great-grandchildren, Hunter, Jersy, Bruce, Breanna, Harley, Ziva, Chevy-Ann, Tierinie, Aubrie, Hayden, Isacc, Audriella, Baby J., Aaliyah, Kailyn, Alice, Dale, Paige, Dakota, David, Shamra, Brea, Genesys, Zariah, Jayce, Noah, Cali, Willow, Dominick and Jason; as well as other family members.

Lena was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, Sr.; parents, Dewey and Minnie Earl; parents-in-law, Frederick and Sadie Zogg; brother-in-law, Dale and wife, Pauline Zogg; and grandsons, Frederick and Jeremiah.

Cremation was chosen. A gathering of family and friends will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Inurnment will follow in the Maywood Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore.

Thomas F. “Tom” Bagnell, Jr., 78, of North Platte, passed away September 22, 2017 at Great Plains Health. He was born September 28, 1938 to Thomas F. and Virginia (Oliver) Bagnell, Sr. at Everett, Massachusetts.  He graduated from Everett High School.

Tom briefly served in the United State Navy, then served in the United States Air Force until being honorable discharged in 1962.  While in the Air Force he was stationed in Topeka, KS.

On November 1, 1959, Tom was united in marriage to Janice VonLehe at Linn, Kansas.  The couple lived in Linn, KS, Burlington, MA and Washington, KS before moving to North Platte in 1980, where Tom was employed by the Union Pacific Fruit Express, retiring in 2004.

Tom enjoyed fishing, yardwork and their home which he built himself.

Tom is survived by his wife, Janice of North Platte; daughter, Terri (Les) Gauby of Washington, KS; sons, James (Paula) Bagnell of North Platte, Kelly (Tara) Bagnell of Sidney, NE and Curtis Bagnell of North Platte; five grandchildren, Beau, Tess, Skyler, Scott and Bailey; brothers, Joe Bagnell of Everett, MA, Edgar (Donna) Bagnell of Frankfort, KY and Bill (Sandra) Bagnell of Billerica, MA.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Online condolences may be shared at www.capentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in his memory.  Services will be 11:00 am Wednesday September 27, 2017 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with the Rev Robert Deardoff officiating.   Burial will be at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tuesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is care of arrangements.

 

Lillian Lola Athey Nansel, age 96, of North Platte, NE, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Friday, September 22, 2017, at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte, NE.

Lillian was born in a sod house in the Sand Hills of Nebraska, which she so loved, on December 15, 1920, near Elsmere. She was the tenth of 11 children born to LeGrande and Rose Mae Dailey Athey. As a youngster in such a large family, Lillian was the pancake maker in the morning and the wild turkey herder in the afternoon.

In 1937 at the age of 16, Lillian graduated from Ainsworth High School. She immediately passed all her teacher’s exams and began teaching. As a petite 4’11” young woman, she felt compelled to inform her pupils she was 18 years old. Lillian later attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, Black Hills State Teacher’s College and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, acquiring a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and a minor in Art.

She went on to teach in Brown, Blaine and Lincoln Counties in Nebraska and Butte County, SD, for a total of 40 years. Lillian loved teaching and proclaimed, “Teaching was the most fun I ever had. I loved my students.” And for her work, she was awarded the “Teacher of the Month” two times, in the North Platte School System.

On September 14, 1940, Lillian was united in marriage to horsetrader Floyd “Pete” Nansel, in Broken Bow, NE. To this union four children, Marguerite, Betty Anne, Joe Pete and Keo, were born.

Lillian was a great wife and mother. She was a 4-H leader in Custer and Lancaster Counties in Nebraska and was honored as a “Nebraska Merit Mother” in 1991 at the Governor’s Mansion in Lincoln. She was thrilled to be dining at the mansion with the Governor’s wife.

Lillian was also a published author of two paperback books, There’s Still Time and Joe the Medic, as well as two poetry books, Little Here, Little There and This and That. For her poetry, Lillian received many awards. She was also honored by her classmates of ’37 with a framed “This Is My Life” article and picture, which hangs in the Ainsworth Museum in Ainsworth, NE.

From 1999-2002, Lillian became a volunteer/community sponsor for the Community Correction Center in Lincoln (CCC-L). As part of the correctional system, she and her daughter, Keo, would sign out inmates on Sundays, transport them to and from, as well as supervise them at church services.

In later years she became known for her honky-tonk piano playing (which she learned by ear) and played the piano for the Sutherland Senior Center and the NETV documentary, “Canteen Spirit” in 2004.

Along with her recognitions for teaching and writing, Lillian received the Sutherland “Volunteer of the Year” Award in 2003, and the Wallace “Big Blue Booster” Award in 2007, which she shared with her daughter, Betty Anne. These two women had been Wallace’s undying sports event fixtures for many years because of their great-grandson, Keegan Parr.

Lillian was also a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, P.T.A., N.E.A. (Nebraska Education Association), and the Sioux Lookout Chapter of D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution).

Many family members and friends are proud owners of her oil paintings, bright colored quilts and her embroidered pillow cases. Lillian was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her positiveness, peacekeeping ability, and love of people will be missed but her legacy will not soon be forgotten.

She leaves behind her children, Marguerite Doucet, of Colorado Springs, CO, Betty Anne (Steve) Strawn, of Sutherland, Joe Pete (Gloria) Nansel, of Tucson, AZ, and Keo Nansel, of Bend, OR; 9 grandchildren, Jody Doucet, Curtis Doucet, Darren Doucet, Scott Parr, Allen Parr, Leigh Anne Parr, Maggie Nansel, Michael Nansel and Athey Moravetz; 20 great-grandchildren; 2 great great-granddaughters; as well as many nieces, nephews, other family and her friends.

Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Pete, in 1988; her parents; six sisters; four brothers; and a granddaughter, Keo Mascaranus. “Sunset and evening star, one clear call for me. May there be no mourning at the bar, when I am put out to sea.”

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 1 p.m. Friday, September 29, 2017, at the Arnold United Methodist Church. Inurnment will follow in the Arnold Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed online at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangement, and at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Arnold United Methodist Church.

Minerva Gallegos, of Brule, NE, died Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at the Ogallala Community Hospital at the age of 56.

Minerva was born February 22, 1961, to Juan Francisco, Sr. and Amada Davila Gallegos in Dimmitt, TX. She grew up and attended school in Brule then married Isidro Ortiz in Ogallala, NE. They lived in North Platte, NE for a while then moved to Texas. They returned to North Platte and later divorced.

Minerva worked as a waitress and CNA most of her life but was also a roofer in Fort Worth, TX, and a qualified press operator in Lincoln, NE.

Minerva enjoyed fishing, cooking, and trying her luck at gambling. She especially enjoyed being with her family.

She is survived by her children, Isidro Ortiz, Jr. (fiancée Amanda Pratt) and Angelica Maria Ortiz Urbina (Manuel), all of Des Moines, IA; two grandchildren, Marisol Maria Ortiz and Jose Luis Ortiz; brothers, Joe (Karma) Gallegos, of Commerce City, CO, Frank (Berta) Gallegos, of Brule, Jessie Gallegos and Carlos Gallegos, of North Platte, and David Gallegos; sisters, Janie (Martin) Jehorek, of Lincoln, NE, Maria (Randall) Haessler, of North Platte, Rosie Juarez, of Odessa, TX, Clementine (Calletano) Perez, of Orange Grove, PA, and Amanda (Will) Deuerlein, of Ogallala; as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and other family.

Minerva was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Amada Gallegos.

Funeral Service will be 1 p.m. (CT) Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Father Bryan Ernst officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. (MT) in the Ogallala Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial.