Obituaries & Orphan Trains: NEGenWeb

Howard Hurd

Howard Hurd, age 80, of Aurora died Thursday, January 17, 2002, at his home. Memorial Services will be held 10:30 A.M. Saturday in the Chapel of the Higby-McQuiston Mortuary. Dr. Joe Scahill will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: HOWARD H. ENGERT HURD

Howard H. Engert Hurd, the son of Fred and Irene (Brown) Engert, was born in Canandaigua, New York on October 13, 1921 and died in Aurora, Nebraska on January 17, 2002, at the age of 80 years. James and Martha Hurd raised Howard, who was an orphan train rider. He grew up in Stromsburg and attended Country School District #25, then graduated from Stromsburg High School. He enlisted in the US Navy for World War II and served from 1942-1945. After the war, he drove taxicabs and worked for Meadow Brook hospital driving an ambulance in New York. Howard was united in marriage to Gladys E. Finn on October 30, 1952 at Greeley, Colorado. He began driving a truck as an owner/operator, over the years he worked for Eisemae Chemicals, Seward Motor Freight, Monfort and G.I. Moving and Storage. Howard was a member of the V.F.W. He did public speaking at schools, care centers and the Plainsmen Museum on his involvement in the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America. Howard also loved to play cards and bowl. He was preceded in death by his parents and three children, Thomas Haas, Gary Engert and Marjorie Kidd. Howard is survived by his wife Gladys of Aurora; 10 children, 5 sons, James Engert and his wife Maureen of Sidney, William Engert and his wife Jill of Jefferson, South Dakota, Renard Engert and his wife Annie of Grand Island, Loren Engert and his wife Cheiko of Dalhart, Texas and Carlin Engert and his wife Chris of Aurora; 5 daughters, Gladys Gustafson and her husband Lyal of Madison, Wisconsin, Frances Weisgerber and her husband Brian of Boonsboro, Maryland, Renee Enderle and her husband Chuck of Aurora, Martha "Luis" Hernadez of Aurora and Lorene Landers and her husband Jerry of Lincoln; 37 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Fred Swedenburg and his wife Idona of Clarks and a sister, Imogene Lorman and her husband Everett of Stromsburg.

Agnes STANDER

ASHLAND � Agnes T. Stander, 90, of Ashland, died Tuesday, May 7, 2002 at the Ashland Care Center in Ashland. Stander was born July 8, 1911 in New York, New York. She was orphaned as a child. In 1914 she rode the orphan train from New York to Beatrice to live with her adoptive parents Albert and Rosa Micloski. She attended grade school in Beatrice and attended Cathedral High School in Lincoln. She moved to Ashland with her family when she was in her early 20�s and has lived in Ashland ever since. She was united in marriage to Robert Stander on February 17, 1936 at St. Mary�s Catholic Church in Ashland. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sister Margaret Chrischilles. Mass of Christina Burial was held on Friday, May 10 at St. Mary�s Catholic Church with Rev. Edwin Stander as Celebrant. Interment is at Ashland Cemetery in Ashland. Marcy Mortuary in charge of arrangements. ASHLAND GAZETTE, Saunders County, Nebraska.

Grand Island Independent, Monday 20 Jan 2003

Mary Tenopir

ST. PAUL -- Mary M. Tenopir, 92, of St. Paul died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003 at the Heritage Living Center in St. Paul. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Ray Kosmicki will officiate. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery at St. Paul.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Peters Funeral home in St. Paul with a 7:30 p.m. vigil service.
Mrs. Tenopir was born on Dec. 16, 1910 in the Bronx of New York City to Mary Rogers.
Survivors of the immediate family include one son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Candie Tenopir of St. Paul; one daughter, Lynette Smith of St. Paul; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Bernard and Margaret Kramer of Omaha, Lawrence and Albena Kramer of Atkinson and Louis and Collette Kramer of Omaha.
Also surviving are four granddaughters, Jessica Tenopir of Omaha, Nicole Huprich of Ellsworth AFB, S.D., Melissa Smith of St. Paul and Kristal Smith of Grand Island; and two great-granddaughters, Juliana Huprich and Syndey Paxton.
Mary's mother died when she was only 13 days old and her grandmother cared for her until she was two years old. At that time she placed her in the New York Foundling Home. Shortly after, she came to Nebraska on the Orphan Train in 1912. She was then adopted by Rudolph and Mary (Liable) Kramer of Stuart, Ne. She grew up on the family farm near Stuart and attended St. Boniface parochial school in Stuart. Upon completing her education she began working for several families in Atkinson.
She married Emil Tenopir on Feb. 23, 1943 at Atkinson. The couple farmed north of St. Paul. In 1961, they moved into St. Paul and continued to farm until 1971. Emil died March 12, 1993, and Mary continued to live in her home until Aug. 2001, when she entered Heritage Living Center.
Mary was instrument in organizing the orphan train reunions on the National and State levels. In 1987, she played an extra in the PBS move "Home At Last," that was filmed at Stuhr Museum. She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and its Council of Catholic Women.
She enjoyed baking, entertaining and attending the orphan train reunions. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Emil; and two brothers, Leo and Joe Kramer.
Memorials are suggested to the family's choice.

------- The Phonograph-Herald, St. Paul, NE 1/22/2003
Mary M. Tenopir Rites January 23rd
Mary M. Tenopir, 92, of St. Paul died Friday, January 17, 2003, at the Heritage Living Center in St. Paul. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Peters Funeral Home in St. Paul, with a 7:30 p.m. vigil service. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 23rd, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Ray Kosmicki will officiate. Acolytes will be Lucas Wood and Cashlin Lothrup. Sister Maria del Rey Mangan will be the lector. Jerry Hruza will sing "Here I Am Lord", "Prayer of St. Francis" and "On This Day, O Beautiful Mother". Delores Eiberger will play an organ solo, "My Wild Irish Rose". Burial will be held in the Elmwood Cemetery at St. Paul.
Pallbearers will be Don Gokie, Gary Craig, Dan Kramer, Bill Sack, Rollin Kramer and Jerry Sack. Memorials are suggested to the family's choice. Peters Funeral Home in St. Paul will be in charge of arrangements. Mary M. Tenopir was born on December 16, 1910, in the Bronx of New York City, to Mary Rogers.
Mrs. Tenopir's mother died when she was only 13 days old and her grandmother cared for her until she was two years old. At that time she placed her in the New York Foundling Home. Shortly after, she came to Nebraska on the Orphan Train in 1912. She was then adopted by Rudolph and Mary (Liable) Kramer of Stuart. She gew up on the famliy farm near Stuart and attended St. Boniface Parochial School in Stuart. Upon completing her education she began working for several families in Atkinson.
She married Emil Tenopir on February 23, 1943, at Atkinson. The couple farmed north of St. Paul. In 1961, they moved into St. Paul and continued to farm until 1971. Mr. Tenopir died March 12, 1993, and Mrs. Tenopir continued to live in her home until August 2001, when she entered Heritage Living Center. Mrs. Tenopir was instrumental in organizing orphan train reunions on the National and State levels. IN 1987, she played an extra in the PBS movie, "Home At Last" that was filmed at Stuhr Museum. She was a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and its Council of Catholic Women. She enjoyed baking, entertaining and attending the orphan train reunions.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Candie Tenopir of St. Paul; one daugher Lynette Smith of St. Paul; three brothers, and sisters-in-law, Bernard and Margaret Kramer of Omaha, Lawrence and Albena Kramer of Atkinson, and Louis and Collette Kramer of Omaha; four granddaughters and two great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Emil; and two brothers, Leo and Joe Kramer.

George Johnson 06/27/2005 Former Stamford resident, 92 ALMA � George Eugene Johnson, 92, of Alma, formerly of Stamford, died June 24, 2005, at Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Center in Alma. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stamford with the Rev. Thalia Woodworth officiating. Burial will be at Stamford Cemetery. Visitation will be until 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Banta-Torrey Funeral Home in Alma. He was born June 26, 1912, in New York, and later was adopted by Harry and Anna (Thorne) Johnson. On June 24, 1933, he married Frances Russell in Phillipsburg, Kan. She died March 26, 1989. Survivors include his son, Stanley of Stamford; daughters, Ilene Tegtman of Stamford, Sandra DeSelms of Stuttgart, Germany, and Ronda Noren of Alma; 10 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include his daughter-in-law, Sonya of Stamford; sons-in-law, Raymond Tegtman of Stamford and Don Noren of Alma; other relatives; and many friends. Born George Merschiere, he was abandoned by his parents in infancy. He was maintained by the New York Infant Asylum from Nov. 26, 1912, until Jan. 18, 1915, when he was assigned to the Children�s Aid Society of New York, which placed him on the Orphan Train at age 4. He came to the home of Harry and Anna Johnson, who adopted him May 5, 1917. He was baptized in 1916 and confirmed April 1, 1928, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stamford. He attended Sappa Creek Rural School District 54 southeast of Stamford in Harlan County. He and his wife lived on a farm south east of Stamford and later at Phillipsburg and then Scottsbluff. They returned to the Stamford area in 1937. In 1942, they moved to a farm southwest of Stamford. In 1969, they moved into Stamford and semiretired. In 1972, he was involved in an accident involving a fire truck. His right arm was injured, and it forced him to completely retire. After the accident, he and his wife began spending their winters in Mission, Texas. He moved to Park View Manor in Alma in April 2002. He continued to make new friends and spread his joy and humor to all those he came in contact with. He loved to play cards. Whether it was with his great-grandchildren or his peers, he had a great time. He will be missed by all. He entered Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Center in Alma May 2, 2005. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Stamford and was a former member of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce and of the National Hikers and Campers Association. He had served on the Stamford School Board and on as the Stamford Town Board. Recently, he had been active in the Orphan Train Society, trying to trace his roots and learn about his migration to Nebraska in his early years. As he was dying, he expressed a desire to meet his birth mother in heaven. His legacy lives on through his children. They will remember his love for others, his sense of humor, his sense of honesty and his zest for life. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his father Oct. l1, 1949. and his mother Dec. 15. 1970. Memorials will be designated later. �Kearney Hub 2005

Ruby CHRISTENSEN, 98, died July 13, 2005 in Broken Bow. Ruby Ann (O'Malley) Christensen was born March 17, 1907. Her exact location of birth was not known as she was an orphan. Ruby came out west on the orphan train. Growing up Ruby lived with several families in Nebraska and went to different schools. On Nov. 27, 1941, Ruby was married to Anton Christensen. The couple lived on various farms in Custer County. Mr. Christensen died in 1978. She was preceded in death by her husband, Anton. Funeral services were conducted July 18, 2005, at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Burial was at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell.

Fremont Tribune Mon. 16 Oct 2006 Pearl Kassmeier

Pearl D. Kassmeier, 95, of West Point died Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006, at St. Joseph's Retirement Community. She was born July 29, 1911, in New York, N.Y. and came to Nebraska on the Orphan Train. She was adopted by Anton and Anna Moser Wisnieski of Dodge. She grew up on the farm and attended schools there. She married William Kassmeier on Nov. 12, 1935, at Dodge. The couple farmed in the Dodge and Scribner areas until retiring and moving to West Point in 1965. She spent the last few years of her life at St. Joseph's Retirement Community. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir, Guild, The Good Life Club and she enjoyed the Sunshine Senior Center. Survivors include: a daughter-in-law, Sheila Kassmeier of Spencer, Iowa. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, in June 1993, two sons and a brother. The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Frank Lordemann officiating. Visitation will be noon until 8 p.m. today at Stokely Funeral Home. Guild rosary will be 1:30 p.m. today and public wake services will be 7 p.m. today, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph's Retirement Home Foundation. On line condolences may be left at: www.stokelyfuneralhome.com.

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