COLUMBUS TELEGRAM
Dec 2010

December 1, 2010

COLUMBUS – Elsie BARJENBRUCH, 97, of Columbus, died Nov 28, 2010. 
Born Apr 7, 1913, on the family farm homesteaded by her grandfather, 
Niel’s Olson, near Leigh, to Clarence V and Pauline (Rabeler) Olson. 
Married Arnold Carl Barjenbruch, Feb 10, 1944, at Zion Lutheran 
Church, Leigh. Moved to Omaha after the death of her husband. 
Employed at University of Omaha Dietary Department until moving 
to Columbus in 1976. Then worked for Nebraska Job Service until 
retiring. Preceded by her parents; husband in 1965; son, Earl Arnold 
Barjenbruch; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lawrence (Florence) Olson, 
Arnold (Sylvia) Olson; infant brother, Lester Olson; and brothers-in-law, 
Martin, Oliver and Adolph Barjenbruch. Services Thursday at Immanuel 
Lutheran Church, Columbus. Burial in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Leigh. 
Gass Haney Funeral Home in charge.

GRAND ISLAND – Edwin C. NUNNALLY, 87, of Grand Island, died Nov 29, 2010. 
Born Jan 2, 1923, Monroe, to Charles and Kathryn (Ditter) Nunnally. Served in 
the Army Air Corps from Jan 1943 until the end of the war. Married Elizabeth 
“Betty” Mae Morris, May 23, 1948, Warnerville Methodist Church, near Norfolk. 
Worked for Nebraska Public Power District for 42 years, retiring in 1988. Moved 
to Grand Island in 1991. Services Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Grand 
Island. Burial of ashes in Prospect Hill Cemetery, near Norfolk, with military 
honors. All Faiths Funeral Home in charge.

December 2, 2010

LINCOLN – Nadine JOHNSTON, 83, of Lincoln, formerly of Central City, died 
Nov 29, 2010 at her home. Born Oct 15, 1927, Summerfield, Kansas, to 
Clarence and Ruth (Brown) Blodgett. They lived in several Nebraska 
communities before settling in Pawnee City. After graduating she 
worked for the Pawnee County Sheriff. Married Carroll Johnston, 
Apr 24, 1949 in Pawnee City. They made their home on their farm 
northwest of Central City, where she was a homemaker. Preceded 
by her husband; and parents. Memorial services later. Burial in Burke 
Cemetery. Solt Funeral Home of Central City in charge.

DAVID CITY – Ernest J. FIALA, 87, of David City, died Nov 30, 2010. 
Services Saturday at St Mary’s Church. Burial in St Mary’s Cemetery. 
Chermok Funeral Home in charge.

SCHUYLER – Arlene Ann KRACL, 81, of Schuyler, died Nov 30, 2010 at her 
home. Born Aug 20, 1929, Clarkson, to Adolph and Anna (Slegl) Zoubek. 
Married Marlin Kracl, Jan 31, 1948, Omaha. They made their home in 
Schuyler. Worked at Mead Ordnance Plant and Dale Electronics in 
Columbus for 33 years. Preceded by her parents; husband in 2006; 
sons, Jeffrey Kracl in 1967 and Larry Kracl in 2008. Services Friday at 
First Presbyterian Church, Schuyler. Burial in Schuyler Cemetery. Kracl 
Funeral Chapel of Schuyler in charge.

December 3, 2010

COLUMBUS – Milton J. ZADINA, 84, of Columbus, died Nov 30, 2010 at his home. 
Born July 27, 1926, Omaha, to Bessie (Halamek) and Joseph Zadina. Served in 
the US Army during WWII. Married Joanne Ort, Apr 28, 1951, Omaha. Worked 
for Burroughs Corporation for many years. Worked part time at Financial 
Products following retirement. Moved to Columbus in 1999. Preceded by his 
parents; wife, Joanne. Services Saturday at St Joan or Arc Catholic 
Church, Omaha. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

FREMONT – Lorraine A. HIRSCH, 89, of Fremont, died Dec 2, 2010. Services 
Monday at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Fremont. Burial in Calvary Cemetery, 
Fremont. Moser Memorial Chapel, Fremont, in charge.

OSCEOLA – Paul John MEISTER, 88, of Osceola, died Nov 29, 2010 at York 
General Hearthstone, York. Born Apr 4, 1922, Bellwood, to Conrad and Mae 
(Schmidt) Meister. Worked on the family farm until 1941 when he enlisted in 
the US Army, serving during WWII. Married Dolores Marie Gabel, June 7, 1949 
at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shelby. Lived and farmed two miles east and 
two miles south of Osceola, moving into Osceola in 1997, then into York General 
Hearthstone on Feb 15, 2008. Preceded by his wife on May 29, 2009; parents; 
sisters, Marcella Cook, Delores Halvalena and Joan Ernst; brothers, Lawrence, 
Cyril, Jerome and Conrad Meister III. Services Tuesday at St Vincent’s Catholic 
Church, Osceola. Burial in Osceola Cemetery. Dubas Funeral Home of Osceola 
and Stromsburg in charge.

HUMPHREY – Marvin L. HEESACKER, 77, of Humphrey, died Dec 1, 2010 at Faith 
Regional Health Services, Norfolk. Born May 12, 1933, Humphrey, to Clarence 
and Mary (Dreifurst) Heesacker.  Served in the US Army from June 22, 1953 to 
April 26, 1955, then transferred to Army Reserve. Married Sharon A. Green, 
Sept 16, 1958, Leigh. Was a mechanic for Humphrey Auto and his own 
business, Marv’s Service. Preceded by his parents; wife; son, John Lee; 
brothers, Alvin and Ivan; sister, Margie Paprocki. Services Saturday at 
St Francis Catholic Church, Humphrey. Burial in St Francis 
Cemetery, Humphrey. Duesman Funeral Chapel in 
Humphrey in charge.

December 4, 2010
(No paper)

December 5, 2010

LITTLETON, Colo. – Bob HIEMER, died Dec 3, 2010, in Littleton, Colo., after 
a lengthy battle with cancer. Preceded by his parents, Anton and Ellen 
(Blevins) Hiemer; brothers, Max and Harley; and son, Gary. 

CODY, Wyo. – Dietrich Albert “Al” BECHER, died Nov 27, 2010 in Cody, Wyoming. 
Born June 29, 1924, rural Platte County, to Herman and Olga (Depe) Becher. 
Served in the US Army. Married Georgia on Sept 12, 1947. Moved to Wyoming 
1951 and lived in Cody since 1953. Preceded by his wife; parents; brothers, 
Milton, Harry and Walter Becher; and sister, Alyce Ernst. Burial in Riverside 
Cemetery in Cody on Dec 10, with military rites.

COLUMBUS – Leonard SLOVINSKI, 90, died Dec 2, 2010. Born Apr 25, 1920, 
Tarnov, to Joseph and Mary Ann (Sliva) Slovinski. Farmed with his dad and 
helped harvest in the Dakotas. Married Angeline Tworek, Jan 23, 1946 at 
St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Columbus. Moved to Omaha where he 
worked for Brandies Furniture Store; then moved to Los Angeles and 
worked as a bus driver. Returned to Nebraska, joining his brothers at 
Rite-Way Filling Station. Started Leonard’s Mobile Village in the 60s. 
Preceded by his parents; son, Robert Slovinski; sisters, Anna Nosal, 
Helen Slovinski and Sr. Felicia Slovinski; brothers, Alex Slovinski, 
Edward Slovinski, Joseph Slovinski and Sigmund Slovinski; 
grandson, Matt McPhillips; granddaughter, Sara Slovinski. 
Services Monday at St Isidore Catholic Church, Columbus. 
Burial in St Bonaventure Cemetery, Columbus. McKown 
Funeral Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – William “Bill” E. PROROK, 81, of Columbus, died Dec 2, 2010. 
Born Jan 10, 1929, on a farm near Tarnov, to Charles and Agnes (Kush) Prorok. 
Worked for Behlen’s in Columbus for many years; and later Lightner Lumber in 
St Edward. Married Marge Dickenson, Mar 10, 1962, at St Edward Catholic 
Church. Did carpenter work throughout St Edward as well as worked for the 
City in later years. Preceded by his parents; brothers, Ray, Ralph, Eddie, Virgil 
and Rudy; sister, Margaret Micek. Services Monday at St Edward Catholic 
Church, St Edward. Burial in St Edward Catholic Cemetery. Miller-Levander 
Funeral Home in St Edward in charge.

DUNCAN – Steven WOMBACHER, 52, of Duncan, died Dec 3, 2010 at Columbus 
Community Hospital after a long battle with scleroderma and myositis. Born 
Dec 26, 1957, Columbus, to Raymond and Viola (Gilsdorf) Wombacher Sr. 
Marked for Middlestate Manufacturing, and later moved to Denver where 
he worked for Midwest Industrial Tools. Married Claudia “Candy” Zepeda 
on Nov 30, 1986 in Riverside, CA. Moved back to Nebraska in 1991 and 
worked for PMC (Pole Maintenance Company). Settled in Duncan in 1995, 
continuing to work at PMC until his health caused him to retire. Preceded 
by his parents; brothers, Robert, Joseph, Leon, Kenneth and Don. Services 
Tuesday at Highland Park Evangelical Free Church, Columbus. Burial in 
Sacred Heart Cemetery, Shelby. Gass Haney Funeral Home in charge. 

December 6, 2010

DAVID CITY – Gene B. DOCEKAL, 78, of David City, died Dec 4, 2010. 
Services Tuesday at St Mary’s Catholic Church, David City. Burial in 
St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, David City. Kracl Funeral 
Chapel, David City, in charge.

December 7, 2010
(Notice only—Obituary appears below)

December 8, 2010

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. – Rex L. DIMMITT, 78, died Dec 4, 2010 at his home. 
Born in Omaha to George and Marian Dimmitt. Served in the US Army 
from 1947-1952. Married Darlene Mahoney, 1959.  Married JoAnn. 
Employed with Union Pacific Railroad for 33 years. Was a 17-year 
resident of Buckhead Ridge, having relocated from Elkhorn. 
Preceded by his wife, Darlene, in 1976; parents; brothers, George, Jr. 
and Donald. Memorial service during the summer of 2011 in Columbus. 
Muxton-Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Okeechobee, Florida, in 
charge.

NELIGH – Harriet V. YATES, 74, of Neligh, died Dec 7, 2010, Columbus. 
Services Thursday at Snider Memorial Funeral Home, Clearwater. Burial 
in Oakdale City Cemetery.

NEWARK, N.J. – Craig E. PAVELA, 55, of Newark, N.J., died Oct 30, 2010. 
Born Oct 20, 1955, Irvington, N.J., to Walter and Hela (Blanke). Employed 
by Pathmark Grocery chain. Services Thursday at St Francis Catholic 
Church, Humphrey Inurnment later. Duesman Funeral Chapel of 
Humphrey in charge.

December 9, 2010

CRESTON – Michael D. “Beef” GROTLUSCHEN, 37, died Dec 6, 2010 at his home 
south of Creston. Born Nov 17, 1973, Norfolk, to Norris and Margaret (Cech) 
Groteluschen. Worked for Luedke Construction prior to becoming part owner 
of Groteluschen Construction. Also farmed with his brother and raised livestock. 
Preceded by his father; grandparents, Ted and Lillian Cech, Charles and Elsie 
Groteluschen. Services Friday at Zion Lutheran Church, Leigh. Burial in Zion 
Lutheran Cemetery. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

CRESTON – Adella KORTE, 92, of Creston, died Dec 7, 2010 at Columbus 
Community Hospital. Born July 5, 1918, Columbus, to William and Clara 
(Rosche) Cattau. Worked on the family farm. Married Paul Korte, 
Feb 2, 1944 at Christ Lutheran Church. Started working at B-D Medical 
in 1969; retiring in Aug 1983. Moved from the farm into Creston in 1980. 
Preceded by her parents; husband; grandson, Jay Blessen; brother, 
Werner Cattau; brother and sister-in-law, Elmer and Caecelia Cattau; 
brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Herbert and Henrietta Wilke. Services 
Saturday at St John’s Lutheran Church, rural Columbus. Burial in the 
parish cemetery. Gass Haney Funeral Home of Columbus in charge.

December 10, 2010

LONG PINE – Lois E. MOORE, 76, of Long Pine, died Dec 8, 2010 at Ainsworth Care 
Center. Services Dec 18 at Evangelical Free Church, Ainsworth. Inurnment at 
Grandview Cemetery, Long Pine. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth in charge.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI. – Barry A. REIMERS, 61, of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, died 
Dec 8, 2010 after a short battle with cancer at Riverview Hospital, Wisconsin 
Rapids, WI. Born June 21, 1949, Fremont, to Marvin and Clarice (Nelson) Reimers. 
Lived most of his life in Columbus. Served in the US Navy from 1968-1973. Worked 
with his father in the family shoe business at Schwesers Shoe Store. Also worked 
for many years on the Union Pacific Railroad. Married Merla “Mert” Grave, 
Sept 23, 1984. Moved to Wisconsin Rapids area in 1998. Most recently worked 
as a courier for Nekoosa Port Edwards State Bank. Preceded by his parents. 
Services Sunday at Ritchay Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis

December 11, 2010
(No paper)

December 12, 2010

COLUMBUS – June Marjorie SOHL, 90, of Columbus, died Dec 9, 2010. 
Born Sept 18, 1920, on the family farm north of Hooper, to Charles 
and Emma (Weigle) Claasen. Married Henry G. Sohl, Sept 20, 1939 
at the Claasen farm, with Henry’s father, Rev. Ezra H. Sohl, performing 
the ceremony. Preceded by her husband, Henry, in March 1975; sons, 
George C., who died in a house fire at age 11 months in Apr 1948; 
and Keith D., in June 1999. Services Tuesday at United Methodist 
Church, Benedict. Burial in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Benedict. 
McKown Funeral Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – Elsie GRUBAUGH, 89, of Columbus, died Dec 8, 2010. 
Born Oct 27, 1921, Geneva, to Roy and Zella (Baldwin) Rakestraw. 
Married Marvin Grubaugh on Feb 6, 1951. Was a beautician in 
Geneva, Osceola, Rising City and David City. Preceded by her 
parents; husband on Apr 14, 1982; brothers and sisters, Mildred 
Ruhl, Lois Hlina, Nellie Fiddler, Myrle Rakestraw, William “Shorty” 
Rakestraw; in-laws, Dick and Carol Grubaugh, Al and Bess 
Grubaugh, Marie and Oz Goerlinger. Services Monday at 
St Anthony Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in St Mary’s 
Cemetery, David City. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

DAVID CITY – Ruth Matulka WOITA, 94, of David City, died Dec 9, 2010. 
Born Oct 10, 1916, Seward County, to Jacob and Anna (Keller) Spahr. 
Married Joe Matulka Jr on July 28, 1943 at St Mary’s Catholic 
Church, David City. Married Leonard Woita on Dec 13, 1971 at Plasi. 
Worked several janitorial jobs and later as a nurse’s aid at David City 
Hospital for 15 years. Preceded by her parents; husband, Joe on 
Apr 19, 1962; husband Leonard, on Nov 17, 2001; son, Ronald 
Matulka; sisters, Elsie Lubbee and Edna Hackbart; brother, Elmer 
Spahr. Services Monday at St Mary’s Catholic Church, David City. 
Burial in St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Kracl Funeral Chapel of 
David City in charge.

COLUMBUS – John P. KOZIOL, 94, died Dec 8, 2010. Born June 25, 1916, 
near Tarnov, to John and Anna (Zoucha) Koziol. Prior to WWII, he worked 
in various states on the railroad and on farms. Served in the US Army from 
April 1942-Oct 1945. Married Laura Zoucha on July 10, 1951 at St Michael’s 
Church, Tarnov Farmed near Tarnov until moving to Columbus in 1971. 
Also worked at D&L (Camaco) for 13 years, retiring in 1981. Preceded 
by his parents; wife; brothers, Barney, Joe, Tom, Frank and Mike; 
sisters, Mary Thomas, Josephine Koziol and Laurene Koziol; 
father-in-law, Joe P. Zoucha; mother-in-law, Mary Zoucha; 
brothers-in-law, Earl Thomas, Larry Zoucha, Art Zoucha, Chester 
Zoucha, Gene Zoucha and Jerry Zoucha; sisters-in-law, Frances 
Swierczek, Irene Borke, Florence Koziol, Rosella Koziol, Elizabeth 
Koziol and Patty Dixon. Services Thursday at St Anthony Catholic 
Church, Columbus. Burial in St Bonaventure Cemetery, Columbus
with military honors. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

December 13, 2010

COLUMBUS – Edward Joseph NIEDBALSKI, 75, of Columbus, died Dec 11, 2010 
at Veterans Hospital in Omaha. Born Mar 15, 1935, Platte Center, to James 
and Barbara (Liss) Niedbalski. Served in the US Navy from 1952-56. Married 
Dorothy Molczyk, Jan 24, 1959 at St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Columbus. 
Later married Cecelia Ann Johnson, Nov 10, 1990. Preceded by his parents; 
wife, Cecilia; brothers, Louis, Dominic, Leo, Ben and Stanley; sister-in-law, 
Eleanor Niedbalski; brothers-in-law, Egnac Janulewicz, John Tiwald, Anthony 
Kielian and Walter Spies. Services Wednesday at St Anthony Catholic 
Church, Columbus, with military honors. Burial at Valley View 
Cemetery, Genoa. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

OXFORD – Patty June JOHNSON, 71, of Oxford, died Dec 3, 2010 at Phelps 
Memorial Health Center, Holdrege. Born Apr 13, 1939, Edison, the third of 
five children to James William and Samantha Marie (Chapman) Hosier. 
Married James Karash in 1954. Married LeRoy Arnold Johnson, Oct 2, 1965. 
Employed at the gas company in Oxford, the Posy Patch for 20 years, and 
since1996, the Ampride station in Oxford. Preceded by her parents; 
husband LeRoy; brothers-in-law, Roger Spark, Dean Roberts; sister, Carol
Ann Quinn; grandson, Nathan Groteluschen. Services Dec 8 at St John’s 
Lutheran Church, Oxford. Burial in Oxford Cemetery. The 
Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford in charge.

COLUMBUS – Carroll “C.A.” OLCOTT, 87, of Columbus, died Dec 11, 2010. 
Born Mar 23, 1923, Columbus, to Jesse and Clara (Ernst) Olcott. Early 
years were spent on the family farm west of Lone Star. Served in the 
US Navy Seabees during WWII. Married June Dallegge, Jan 15, 1947 in 
Garrison. Worked as a delivery man for 7-Up Bottling Company, then 
Meadow Gold Dairy for 35 years before retiring. Worked at Columbus 
Races and Phil Spady Chrysler during retirement. Preceded by his 
parents; son, Leslie Olcott; brother, Gene Olcott; sisters, Donna 
Czuba and Geraldine “Sis” Hoppe. McKown Funeral Home in 
Columbus in charge.

December 14, 2010

BELLWOOD – Velma M. HOPKIN, 94, of Bellwood, died Dec 12, 2010, David City. 
Born Feb 18, 1916, Bellwood, to Frank and Anna (Seidel) Bock, Sr. Married Bennie 
L. Hopkin, Jan 13, 1950, Des Moines, Iowa. Lived in Omaha before returning to 
the Bellwood area. Worked at B-D Medical Supply and babysat for many area 
families. Preceded by her husband; parents: infant daughter, Lavonna Hopkin; 
brothers, Harold Bock, Leo Bock, Frank Bock Jr; sisters, Irene Brase, Anna 
Conrad and Elsie Kruse. Services Wednesday at United Methodist 
Church, Bellwood. Burial in Roselawn Cemetery, Columbus. 
McKown Funeral Home in charge.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Rose Ann JACKISCH, of Phoenix, Ariz., died Dec 9, 2010. 
Born Columbus, to Earl and Ruth (Stevenson) Kluck. Moved to St Louis at 
age 19 and worked for a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod school. Married 
August “Gus” C Stellhorn, Jr on Aug 8, 1953. Lived in Ft. Wayne, Ind., 
moving to Phoenix, Ariz. in 1963. Married Dr. Fred Jackisch, Dec 29, 1985. 
Preceded by her first husband, August Stellhorn. Services Wednesday at 
Mt Calvary Lutheran Church, Phoenix.

December 15, 2010

COLUMBUS – Richard E. ANDERSON, 65, died Dec 13, 2010. Born Apr 24, 1945, 
St Edward, to Axel and Mary (Carter) Anderson. Married Robin McGee, 
June 11, 1966, Golden, Colorado. Lived in Columbus before moving to 
Shenandoah, Iowa; then returned to Columbus in 1980. Worked at Behlen 
Mfg. Co. from 1963 to 1997; owners and president of Shell Valley Co, Inc. 
from 1997 to 2009. Purchased Midstates Classic Cars & Parts of Hooper in 
1999. Preceded by his parents; daughter, Darci Anderson in 2009; 
mother-in-law, Mary Ann McGee-Brunken Services Thursday at 
St Bonaventure Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in All Saints 
Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

NORFOLK – Jack ADELMAN, 76, of Norfolk, died Dec 10, 2010 at Countryside 
Home, Madison. Preceded by his parents; sister, Charlotte. Services Friday 
at St Leonard’s Catholic Church, Madison. Burial in St Leonard’s Catholic 
Cemetery. Resseguie Funeral Home in charge.

NORFOLK – Cleta LOFQUEST, 84, of Norfolk, died Dec 12, 2010 at her home. 
Born Dec 28, 1925, to Michael and Mary (Kallhoff) Rotherham. Married William 
“Bill” Lofquest, May 31, 1946, Ewing. Farmed in the Ewing area from 1946 to 
1990; worked for the US Postal Service in Ewing for 29 years. Retired in 1985 
and moved to Norfolk in 1990. Preceded by her parents; husband; daughter, 
Cathy; brothers and their spouses, Charlie (Edna) Rotherham, Joseph Kent 
(Pat) Rotherham; sister, Sr. Marion (Rita) Rotherham; five half-brothers; and 
three half-sisters. Services Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial 
in St Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Ewing. Howser-Fillmer Mortuary in charge.

COLUMBUS – Lorraine Rose IWAN, 92, died Dec 12, 2010. Born Aug 27, 1918, 
Osceola, to James and Jane (Smolenski) Zelasney. Married Henry Iwan, 
Oct 10, 1938 at St Mary’s-Pilso. Helped her husband farm in rural Duncan 
and Genoa. Preceded by her parents; husband; daughter, Sally Arasmith; 
infant son, David; son-in-law, George Arasmith; and brother, Allen 
Zelasney. Services Thursday at St Isidore Catholic Church, Columbus. 
Burial in St Mary’s Pilsno Cemetery. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

GRAND ISLAND – Arlene Mae RALSTON, 97, died Dec 14, 2010 at the 
Nebraska Veterans Home, Grand Island. Born Nov 25, 1913, on a farm 
near Harvard, to August F and Mable Steadt Ruebsamen. Married 
Frederick Allison, 1933. Joined the Harry Hugo Players and performed 
in many states for 15 years. Married Joseph A. Ralston of Kearney in 
1946. Worked as newspaper distributors; purchased and operated 
the A & W Drive In Restaurant in Columbus in 1963; and in 1973 
purchased the A&W Restaurant in Hastings and moved there. 
Moved to Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island in 2009. 
Preceded by her parents; first husband Frederick Allison in 1944 
during WWII; brothers, Raymond and Frederick Ruebsamen; and 
sisters, Gladys Helser and Frances Dieringer. Services Friday at 
St Cecilia’s Catholic Church, Hastings. Burial in Kearney City 
Cemetery, Kearney. Brand-Wilson Funeral Home in 
Hastings in charge.

COLUMBUS – Mary Lou SHEMEK, 80, died Dec 14, 2010. Services 
Friday at St Isidore Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in St Michael’s 
Cemetery, Tarnov. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

December 16, 2010

OMAHA – Robert WAGNER, 75, of Omaha, died Dec 15, 2010. Services 
Friday at St John Vianney Catholic Church, Omaha. Burial in Calvary 
Cemetery with military honors. Crosby-Burket-Swanson-Golden 
Funeral Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – Mary Lou SHEMEK, 80, of Columbus, died Dec 14, 2010. 
Born Jan 5, 1930, Cornlea, to Thomas and Anna (Barnas) Molczyk. 
Married Clarence Shemek, Jan 17, 1950, at St Michael’s Catholic 
Church, Albion. Lived and farmed on the family farm near Tarnov 
until 1989; then moved to Columbus. Preceded by her parents. 
Services Friday at St Isidore Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in 
St Michael’s Cemetery, Tarnov. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

DAVID CITY – Helen M RIHA, 98, of David City, died Dec 14, 2010. 
Born May 27, 1912, to Frank and Mae (Theewen) Aerts on a farm 
near St Francis (Center) Church. Married William Riha, May 27, 1934 
at St Francis Church (Center.) Lived in the Butler County area all of 
their married lives. Preceded by her parents; husband in 1992; 
infant daughter, Connie; son-in-law, Edward R Wachal; brothers, 
James, Ted, Bill and Leo Aerts; sisters, Cecilia Svoboda, Elizabeth 
Kosch, Dorothy Samek, and Henrietta Hladky. Services Friday at 
St Mary’s Church, David City. Burial in St Mary’s Cemetery. 
Chermok Funeral Home in David City in charge.

WATERLOO – Susan A. WHITE, 44, of Waterloo, died Dec 15, 2010 at her 
home after a battle with cancer. Born Nov 30, 1966 to Glenn and Janice 
(Reetz) White in David City. Was a features writer and Editor at the 
Omaha World Herald. Preceded by her father in 2006; niece, Danielle 
White; grandparents, Werner and Viola Reetz, Burt and Una White; 
and step-grandmother, Florence White. Services Saturday at Zion 
Lutheran Church, Omaha. Burial at Immanuel Lutheran 
Cemetery, rural Rising City. Chermok Funeral Home in 
David City in charge.

December 17, 2010
[none reported]

December 18, 2010
[no paper]

December 19, 2010

SUPERIOR – Florence BARGEN, 96, died Dec 16, 2010 at Haven Home, Lincoln. 
Services Tuesday at Hardy Union Church. Burial in Spring Creek Cemetery, Ruskin. 
Williams Funeral Home, Superior, in charge.

FULLERTON – Marguerite L. HOPWOOD, 99, of Fullerton, died Dec 17, 2010 
at Central City Care Center, Central City. Services Monday at Palmer Funeral 
Home, Fullerton. Burial in Fullerton Cemetery.

COLUMBUS – Jeanne WHITING, 59, of Columbus, died Dec 17, 2010 in Lincoln. 
Services Tuesday at North Park Baptist Church, Columbus. McKown Funeral 
Home, Columbus, in charge.

December 20, 2010

COLUMBUS – Josephine U. BERNT, 98, died Dec 18, 2010. Born June 20, 1912, 
Duncan, to Barney and Anna (Balasa) Tomasevicz. Married Alfred Bernt, 
Aug 12, 1930 at St Andrews Catholic Church, rural Osceola. Lived on a farm 
in rural Shelby. Moved to Shelby in 1984; then to Columbus in 2002. Preceded 
by her husband on Feb 14, 1988; daughter, Maxine Iwanski on June 1, 2010; 
her parents; brothers and sisters, Eva Sayers, Leona Pacholski, Frank 
Tomasevicz, John Tomasevicz and Rich Tomasevicz. Services Tuesday at 
St Isidore Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in St Andrew Cemetery, rural 
Shelby. McKown Funereal Home in charge.

STROMSBURG – Richard “Pat” AUGUSTIN, 86, of Stromsburg, formerly of 
Shelby, died Dec 18, 2010 at Annie Jeffrey Memorial Hospital, Osceola. Born 
Mar 17, 1924, Shelby, to Charles J. and Paulina (Wondra) Augustin. Served 
in the US Navy during WWII. Married Mildred “Millie” Larson, May 15, 1945 
in Belleville, Kansas. Lived in Shelby where he farmed, owned A & A Trucking 
and operated a cattle feeding business. Retired in 1974 and moved to 
Tubac, AZ where he was involved in real estate. Moved back to Columbus 
in 2007. Preceded by his wife; parents; six brothers; three sisters. Services 
Tuesday at St Anthony Catholic Church, Columbus with military honors. 
Burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Shelby. McKown Funeral Home in 
Columbus in charge.

ALBION – Charles “Chuck” L. CROSBY, 76, of Albion, died Dec 18, 2010 at his 
home in Loretto. Services Wednesday at Loretto United Methodist Church in 
Loretto. Burial in Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion. Levander Funeral Home in Albion 
in charge.

NEWMAN GROVE – Diane JOHNSON, 73, died Dec 18, 2010. Born Dec 23, 1936 
in Platte County, to Edwin and Kathleen (Raemakers) Johnston. Taught in Lindsay 
in 1954-1955; Madison County in 1955-1956. Married Dwayne Johns on Mar 6, 1956 
at Holy Family Church, Lindsay. Moved to El Paso, Texas and Lawton, Oklahoma until 
her husband finished his military service. Then moved to a farm north of Newman 
Grove where they remained until moving in Newman Grove in 1981. Preceded by 
her parents; husband in 2001. Services Wednesday at Holy Family Catholic 
Church, Lindsay. Burial in Hope Cemetery, Newman Grove.

CRESTON – Esther Lucille KRINGS, 85, of Creston, died Dec 18, 2010. Born 
Nov 2, 1925, Cedar Rapids, to Henry and Leona (Matya) Hartman. Taught 
country school, worked in an ammo ordinance depot, then moved to Denver 
where she worked at a train station. Married Leonard Francis Krings, 
Mar 29, 1948 at O’Connor Church, near Greeley. Farmed near Cedar 
Rapids, then relocated to Creston in 1956 where they owned and 
managed Krings Tavern for 17 years. Preceded by her parents; 
brother, Jack; daughter, Rebecca Johnston; son, John L. Krings; 
brothers-in-law, Arnold Bjorklund and Marc Bertrand. Services 
Tuesday at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Leigh. Burial in Fairview 
Cemetery, Creston. Duesman’s Funeral Home of Humphrey 
in charge.

December 21, 2010

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Lucille Ida HAASE, 88, died Dec 14, 2010. Born 
Jan 8, 1922, Duncan, to John and Ida Engel. Retired in Flagstaff, Ariz.

ELKHORN – Jeffrey James PODRAZA, 44, of Elkhorn, died Dec 18, 2010 along 
with his two daughters, Jordyn K. PODRAZA and Taylor K. PODRAZA, in a car 
accident near Ansley. Born Oct 5, 1966, Columbus, to Ambrose and Helen 
(Jensen) Podraza. Preceded by his daughters, Jordyn K. and Taylor K. 
Podraza; grandfather, Ted Jensen; grandparents, Frank and Victoria 
Podraza; uncle, Roland Jensen; aunt, Shirley Podraza. Services at 
St Bonaventure Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in Ss. Patrick/Joseph 
Cemetery, Platte Center. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

ST. EDWARD – Florence P. DAWSON, 81, of St Edward, died Dec 20, 2010 
at Columbus Community Hospital, Columbus. Services Thursday at United 
Methodist-Presbyterian Church, St Edward. Burial in Evergreen Cemetery. 
Levander Funeral Home in charge.

December 22, 2010

DECATUR – Grace Ardith ANDERSON, 99, died Dec 20, 2010, Onawa, IA. 
Born Feb 15, 1911, Nance Co., to Berton and Clara (Eisenhauer) Imus 
of Belgrade. Taught rural school one term. Married Wallace E. Anderson
Mar 11, 1931 in York. Farmed in Burt, Nance and Platte counties. Moved 
to Columbus in Feb 1967 where she worked in food preparation at the 
nursing home, retiring in 1981. Returned to Decatur in June 1981. Preceded 
by her parents; husband on April 22, 1971; son, Leon; great-grandson, 
Nicholas; three brothers; six sisters. Services Thursday at Trinity Lutheran 
Church, Decatur. Burial in Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur. Pelan Funeral Home 
in Tekamah in charge.

COLUMBUS – Allen C. BRANDT, 68, of Columbus, died Dec 20, 2010 at his home. 
Born July 16, 1942, Humphrey, to Anthony “Tony” and Josephine (Wemhoff) 
Brandt. Served in the Army National Guard. Married Susan Sand Apr 29, 1967 
at Lindsay Holy Family Church, Lindsay. Worked at Nielsen Chevrolet for several 
years as an auto mechanic; farmed until 1992, then worked at Schaben 
Industries until retiring in 2007. Preceded by his parents. Services at 
St Isidore Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in All Saints 
Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – Genevieve B. KONWINSKI, 86, died Dec 20, 2010. Born Feb 18, 1924
on the family farm in Polk County, to John and Dora (Hebda) Kantor. Married Thomas 
J. Konwinski, Oct 15, 1946 at St Mary’s Catholic Church-Pilsno. Worked at Dale 
Electronics, and retired from Becton-Dickinson after working over 25 years. 
Preceded by her husband; parents; sisters, Helen Bojanski and Florence 
Konwinski; brothers,  Clifford Kontor, Edmund Kontor, John Kantor, Louis 
Kontor and Raymond Kontor. Services at St Bonaventure Catholic 
Church, Columbus. Burial in St Bonaventure Cemetery. McKown 
Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

December 23, 2010

ALBION – Pearline I. HARTMAN, 88, of Albion, died Dec 21, 2010. Services at 
St Michaels Catholic Church, Albion. Burial in St Michaels Cemetery. Levander 
Funeral Home in Albion in charge.

December 24, 2010

COLUMBUS – Connie M. FYFE, 71, of Columbus, died Dec 22, 2010 at her home. 
Born Feb 14, 1939, Columbus. Her parents were Georgia and Leonard Parks 
and Ed and Bessie Liske. Married Robert L. Fyfe, Jan 4, 1957. Was a bookkeeper 
in the family business and helped babysit. Preceded by her parents; husband; 
son-in-law, Jeff; sister, Shirley Jean Parks; and great-grandson, Cooper. 
Services Tuesday at St Joseph Catholic Church, Platte Center. Burial in 
St Bonaventure Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

December 25, 2010
[no paper]

December 26, 2010

COLUMBUS – Mary C. TODD, of Columbus, died Dec 23, 2010 at her home. 
Born Feb 10, 1915, in Arden (Wheeler County) to Thomas M. and Edna (Ford) 
Carraher on the family homestead at the eastern end of the Allerton-Thomson 
Ranch. Family moved to Spalding to farm west of town in 1918. Married Del Todd. 
Accepted a civil service appointment in Baltimore and Washington, serving 35 
years in the Federal government, retiring in 1973 from the Department of Justice. 
Returned to Nebraska in 1992. Preceded by her parents; husband on Nov 1, 1985; 
brothers and sisters, Albert (Claudia) Carraher, Ernestine (Lloyd) Bumgardner, 
Michael (Bette) Carraher, James (Dortha) Carraher, Paul Carraher, Betty 
(Howard) Allen, and Dennis Carraher. Services Tuesday at St Isidore 
Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in St Michael’s Cemetery, Spalding. 

COLUMBUS – Lorraine GEHRING, 88, of Columbus, died Dec 22, 2010. 
Born May 2, 1922, rural Platte County, to Gerhard and Anna (Deken) 
Fittje. Married Julius Gehring in 1947 at St Paul’s Lutheran 
Church, Omaha. Farmed until 1979 when they moved near 
Columbus. Preceded by her parents; eight brothers; two sisters. 
Services Monday at Zion Lutheran Church Grand Prairie. Burial in 
the parish cemetery. Gass Haney Funeral Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – Floyd ADAMS, 88, of Columbus, died Dec 23, 2010. 
Born Oct 24, 1922, Norton, Kansas, to John G. and Sarah S. (Allman) 
Adams. Married Hazel Smith, Dec 28, 1942 in Hastings. Served in the 
US Army from Feb 3, 1943 to Nov 8, 1945. Worked as a truck driver 
for Rapid Film for many years, and later for Bruce Gilmore. Preceded 
by his parents; and sister, Alda Warren. Services Wednesday at Gass 
Haney Funeral Home. Burial in Fort McPherson National 
Cemetery, Maxwell.

CLARKS – Franklin D. WILSON, 74, of Clarks, died Dec 24, 2010, Genoa. 
Born Aug 9, 1936, Alanthus Grove, MO, to Beldon and Georgie Marie (Smith) 
Wilson. Grew up in Stanberry, MO. Served in the US Missouri Army National 
Guard from Sept 30, 1957 to Dec 15, 1965. Married Patricia I. (Molt) Qualls, 
Aug 19, 1966 in St Joseph, MO. Lived on the family farm near Stanberry, MO 
where he farmed for 18 years, then moved to Maryville, MO in 1973, working
in manufacturing as a supervisor. Moved to Columbus in 1979, continuing to 
work in manufacturing until retiring in 1997; then moved to Clarks. Preceded 
by his parents; and brother, Kennith E. Wilson. Services Tuesday at Wagner 
Funeral Home, Central City. Burial later.

December 27, 2010

DAVID CITY – Daniel D. HOOK, 84, of David City, died Dec 25, 2010 at his 
residence in David City. Born Aug 26, 1926, Omaha. Adopted by Louis 
and Caroline (Mysenburg) Kreizinger. Married Elanore Janky, Aug 6, 1946. 
Married Zita Birkel, June 5, 1982. Served as clerk of the Butler County 
District Court; and later as an independent carpet installer. Preceded by 
his parents; wife Eleanore in 1981; brothers, Art and L. Robert Kreizinger; 
sister, Josephine Hille; and son-in-law, Gilbert Rehder. Services Wednesday 
at St Mary’s Church, David City. Burial in St Mary’s Cemetery. Chermok 
Funeral Home in charge.

DAVID CITY – Loretta A. VOICHOSKIE, 86, of David City, died Dec 25, 2010. 
Born Dec 14, 1924, Spalding, to Edward and Josephine (Langer) Glaser. 
Married Andrew Voichoskie, Nov 5, 1947 in Spalding. Moved to Columbus 
in 1966. Preceded by her husband; daughter, Laurie Kowalski; infant 
son, Paul Voichoskie; brother, Ambrose Glaser; sister, Irene McKay; 
son-in-law, Doug French; and great-grandchildren, Keelan and 
Chenoa Eads. Services Wednesday at St Isidore Catholic 
Church, Columbus. Burial in St Bonaventure 
Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

December 28, 2010

COLUMBUS – Russell F. REZAC, 62, of Columbus, died Dec 25, 2010, Omaha. 
Born Mar 24, 1948, in rural Newman Grove, to Leonard and June (Anderson) 
Rezac. Married Wanda Sack on July 25, 1977, Columbus. Made their home in 
Columbus, but also lived in Scottsbluff, Neligh and Pickstown, S.D. After 
serving in the US military he made his career as a salesman, working the 
last 22 years at Consumers Supply Distributing Company. Preceded by his 
parents; and grandparents. Services Friday at First United Methodist 
Church, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Timothy D. DeLarm RODEKOHR, 51, died Dec 23, 2010. 
Born Mar 20, 1959, Columbus, to Robert and Donna DeLarm. Moved with 
his parents, John “Bud” and Donna Rodekohr to the family farm at age six. 
Worked for Battle Creek Builders after graduation. Married Nance Freeman 
of Meadow Grove at age 38. Later moved to Tennessee; then to Phoenix 
in 2005. Worked as a mechanic for many years. Preceded by Robert 
DeLarm; and grandparents. Services Thursday at St John Lutheran 
Church. Burial in St John Lutheran Cemetery. Steffen Mortuary in charge.

LINCOLN – Debra Ann HEIDEN, 55, of Lincoln, died Dec 23, 2010. 
Born Nov 13, 1955, York, to Raymond and Ethel (Joy) Heiden. 
Was an assembly employee at Square D Manufacturing Plant. 
Preceded by her parents; and sister, Jeri Mason. Services 
Wednesday at Messiah Lutheran Church. Burial at St Paul 
Lutheran Cemetery, York. Roper and Sons Funeral Services 
in charge.

PLATTE CENTER – Glen MELCHER, 67, of Platte Center, died Dec 24, 2010 
at Nebraska Heart Hospital, Lincoln. Born May 31, 1943, Platte Center, to 
Gilbert F. and Leota C. (Meuting) Melcher. Served three years in the US 
Army National Guard. Worked as an over-the-road truck driver, helped 
farm, and retired from the Platte County Highway Department. Preceded 
by his parents; brother, Dennis Melcher; brother-in-law, Louie Herchenbach. 
Services Thursday at St Joseph Catholic Church, Platte Center. Burial in 
Ss. Patrick/Joseph Cemetery, Platte Center. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

ALBION – Herold “Bud” E. ZABKA, 76, of Albion, died Dec 27, 2010. 
Services Thursday at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Albion. Burial in 
St Michael’s Cemetery with military rites. Levander Funeral Home 
in charge.

SCHUYLER – Anna Marie COUFAL, 94, of Schuyler, died Dec 24, 2010. 
Born May 16, 1916, Schuyler, to August and Anna (Mayer) Koudele. 
Married Eldred Coufal, Nov 17, 1936. Was a life-long resident. 
Preceded by her husband on June 5, 2004; son-in-law, William 
Cox; brothers, Ed, Gus and Charles Koudele; sisters, Irene Janda 
and Sylvia Kucera. Services Thursday at St Augustine’s Catholic 
Church. Burial in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Svoboda Funeral 
Home in charge.

December 29, 2010

COLUMBUS – Maxine M. TOMASIEWICZ, 72, of Columbus, died Dec 26, 2010
in Lincoln. Born Sept 24, 1938, Polk County, to Edward and Frances (Bialas) 
Zelazny. Married Felix Tomasiewicz, Apr 15, 1961 at St Lawrence Catholic 
Church, Silver Creek. Lived and farmed on the family farm until 2004. 
Moved to Columbus upon retiring. Services Thursday at St Bonaventure 
Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in All Saints Cemetery, Columbus. 
McKown Funeral Home in charge.

December 30, 2010

COLUMBUS – James F. PALMER, 72, of Columbus, died Dec 27, 2010. 
Born Apr 11, 1938, Albion, to Guy and Dorothy (Short) Palmer. Served 
in the US Army from Jan 19, 1956 to Dec 22, 1958. Married Maxine 
Ardell Morris, July 3, 1959, in Rapid City, South Dakota. Lived in Albion 
where he worked as a meat cutter for Safeway; then drove truck for 
Rainbow Bread Company. Later lived in various communities where 
he drove trucks for numerous companies including Werner Trucking 
in St Edward and Columbus Steel. Worked as a welder for Behlen 
Manufacturing in Columbus for many years. Retired in 2005 due to 
his health. Preceded by his wife; daughter-in-law, April; 
sister-in-law, Susan Palmer; and niece, Rochelle. Services 
Friday at Zion Lutheran Church, Albion. Burial in Rose Hill 
Cemetery, with military rites. Levander Funeral Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – Cecilia SZELAG, 82, of Columbus, died Dec 27, 2010 at 
Clarkson Hospital, Omaha. Born Mar 4, 1928, Duncan, to Joseph and 
Pauline (Mostek) Zywiec. Married John S. Szelag, May 24, 1948 at 
Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church – Krakow, near Genoa. Worked for 
Becton-Dickinson for 23 years, retiring in 1991. Preceded by her 
husband; parents; son-in-law, John Christopher; brothers, Frank 
Zywiec, Louis Zywiec, Leo Zywiec, John Zywiec; sisters, Dorothy 
Fendrick, Stella Kowalski; and two great-grandchildren, Alex Reed 
and Shelby Prososki. Services Friday at St Anthony Catholic 
Church, Columbus. Burial in St Bonaventure 
Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

December 31, 2010
[notice only]

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