The Columbus Telegram
January 1 - 15, 2010

HUMPHREY – Helen C. CHLOPEK, 89, formerly of Humphrey, died Dec 30, 2009 
at Heritage of Bel Air in Norfolk. Born Nov 23, 1920, Genoa, to Michael Prososki 
and Valeria Zelasny. Married Francis “Frank” Chlopek, Feb 17, 1947, in Krakow 
at St Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Lived in Genoa, Tarnov and Humphrey 
community, and in Norfolk since Feb 2008. Preceded by her parents; husband; 
son-in-law, Mike Cerny; brothers, Eddie, Emil, Richard. Services Monday at 
St Francis Catholic Church, Humphrey. Burial in St Francis 
Cemetery, Humphrey. Duesman Funeral Chapel in charge.

PHARR, Texas – Mary Ann HADEN, 75, of Pharr, Texas, died Dec 30, 2009 
at Solora Short Term Care Center, Pharr. Services in Albion in summer of 
2010. Levander Funeral Home, Albion, in charge.

GARRISON – Laura J. SCHMIDT, 51, of Garrison, died Dec 30, 2009. Services 
Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Rising City. Chermok Funeral 
Home in charge.

ALBION – Gertie B. ORENDER, 89, of Albion, died Dec 31, 2009. Services 
Tuesday at Immanuel-Zion Lutheran Church. Burial in parish cemetery. 
Levander Funeral Home in Albion in charge.

OMAHA – Albin C. VALASEK, 84, of Omaha, formerly of Genoa, died 
Dec 31, 2009 in Omaha. Born July 26, 1925, Genoa, to Charles and 
Mary (Podroza) Valasek. Married Delores Kudron, May 10, 1952, at 
St Michaels Church, Tarnoff [sic]. Served as a paratrooper in the 
US Army during WWII. Was a grain farmer and cow-calf producer 
from 1948-1995. Preceded by his parents; sister, Eleanor Podraza. 
Services Jan 4 2010 at Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Krakow. 
Burial in Sts Peter & Paul Cemetery, Krakow. Rice Funeral Home 
in Genoa in charge.

COLUMBUS – Lawrence FRESE, 84, of Columbus, died Jan 1, 2010. 
Born Sept 5, 1925, Columbus, to Gerhard and Lucy (Loseke) Frese. 
Served in the US Army from Jan 1945 to Dec 1946. Married Elizabeth 
Brown, Nov 20, 1953 at Federated Church, Columbus. Farmed north 
of Columbus until retiring in 1995 when they moved to Columbus. 
Preceded by his parents; sister, Mabel Rickert; brother, Paul Frese. 
Services Jan 4 at St John’s Lutheran Church, north of Columbus. 
Burial in Columbus Cemetery with military honors. Gass Haney 
Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

DODGE – Wylma BAZATA, 93, of Dodge, formerly of Howells, died Dec 30, 2009 
at Alegent Health Memorial Hospital, Schuyler. Services Tuesday at St John 
Nepomucene Catholic Church, Howells. Burial in St John’s Catholic Cemetery.

COLUMBUS – Clarence Arno HILMER, 84, of Columbus, died Dec 30, 2009. 
Born May 22, 1925, rural Platte County, to Frank and Thiebe (Oltman) 
Hilmer. Served in the US Army during WWII from Apr 4, 1945 to 
Nov 15, 1946. Moved ot Oconee area where he farmed and raised cattle. 
Married Doris Buss, Jan 28, 1972, Bethany Baptist Church, Lincoln, Kansas. 
Preceded by his parents; brothers, Edward and Harvey Hilmer; sisters, 
Sadie Curtis, Pearl Catlett, Elsie Staub. Services Jan 4, 2010 at Shell 
Creek Baptist Church, rural Columbus. Burial in the parish cemetery 
with military rites. Gass Haney Funeral Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – John A. FAIRBAIRN, 57, of Columbus, died Jan 1, 2010. 
Born Apr 7, 1952, Mankato, Minn., to Ron and Betty (Davis) Fairbairn. 
Preceded by his mother. Services Saturday at Federated 
Church, Columbus. Burial in Columbus Cemetery with military 
honors. Gass Haney Funeral Home in charge.

DENVER, Colo. – Shirley Jean KOLM, 85, died Jan 1, 2010 of respiratory 
failure at Rose Medical Center, Denver, Colo.  Born Sept 29, 1924, Albion, 
to Otto and Anna (Hansen) Kolm, who farmed near Primrose. Services 
Saturday at McKown Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn 
Cemetery, Columbus.

CLARKSON – Evelyn VACHA, 76, of Clarkson, died Jan 2, 2010. Services 
Monday at SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Clarkson. Burial in 
Clarkson Catholic Cemetery. Miller Funeral Home of Clarkson in charge.

COLUMBUS – Palma FETTY, 83, died Jan 3, 2010 in David City. Born Nov 4, 1926
David City, to Alfonse and Irma (Wallaert) Brockevelt. Married Robert Fetty, 
June 7, 1947, David City. Preceded by her husband; brothers, Ernest, Morris, 
Hank and Raymond Brockevelt. Services Tuesday at St Anthony Catholic 
Church, Columbus. Burial in All Saints Cemetery, Columbus. McKown 
Funeral Home in charge.

OSCEOLA – Daryl Dean PINNEY, 53, of Osceola, died Jan 2, 2010 at Bryan LGH 
East, Lincoln. Services Wednesday at Osceola United Methodist Church, Osceola. 
Private family inurnment later. Dubas Funeral Home of Osceola and Stromsburg 
in charge.

DAVID CITY – Peter J. KING, 50, of David City, died Jan 1, 2010 at his residence 
in David City. Services Friday in David City. Chermok Funeral Home in charge.

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Clarence Elmer “Buzz” JOHNSON, 79, died Dec 18, 2009 at his 
home in Pensacola, Florida. Born Feb 10, 1930, on a farm near Loup City. Served 
in the Navy. Married Emma Lou Daily. Moved to Forest Grove, Oregon where he 
obtained a Doctorate of Optometry. Moved to Denver, Colorado, where he had 
an optical practice for over 25 years; then moved to Franklin, N.C., for 10 years; 
then moved back to Pensacola, Fla. Preceded by his parents; brothers, Oscar 
and Gary. 

SCHUYLER – Kenneth Joseph KASSMEIER, 73, of Schuyler, died Jan 3, 2010 at 
his home. Services Monday at St Augustine Catholic Church, Schuyler. Burial in 
Schuyler Cemetery with military honors. Kracl Funeral Chapel in charge.

BATTLE CREEK – Willard T. KUCHAR, 90, died Jan 3, 2010. Born on a farm 
south of Meadow Grove, to Charles Kuchar and Elizabeth (Brosh) Kuchar. 
Married Lucille Kirby, Apr 30, 1942 at St Patrick’s Church, Battle Creek. 
Moved to a farm 10 miles south of Meadow Grove and farmed for 35 
years, then retired to Lazy River Acres near Niobrara. Preceded by his 
wife in 2006; parents; brother, Alvin; sister, Alice Beed; daughter, Beth 
in 1971; son-in-laws, Gary Champoux and Mike Carruthers; and several 
grandchildren. Services Saturday at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Norfolk. 
Burial in St Patricks Catholic Cemetery, Battle Creek. Brockhaus-Harlan 
Funeral Home in Tilden in charge.

FREMONT – Laura HULSEBUS, 96, of Fremont, formerly of Columbus, died 
Jan 3, 2010. Born Jan 4, 1913, rural Platte Center, to Leopold and Anna 
Elizabeth (Gehring) Siebler. Married Alvin Hulsebus, Feb 2, 1936, at Zion 
Lutheran Church Grand Prairie. Moved in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1965; 
then moved to Fremont in 2000. Preceded by her husband on Jan 12, 1970; 
parents; five brothers; three sisters; Services Saturday at Trinity Lutheran 
Church, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Columbus. 
McKown Funeral Home in charge.

DAVID CITY – Charles R. NOVACEK, 85, died Jan 4, 2010 at Lincoln. 
Services Saturday at St Mary’s Catholic Church, David City. Burial in 
David City Cemetery with military honors. Kracl Funeral Chapel in charge.

CEDAR RAPIDS – Ambrose Julius WLASCHIN, 95, of Cedar Rapids, died 
Jan 4, 2010 at Boone County Health Center, Albion. Born May 31, 1914, 
Bradish Community, rural Albion, to Julius and Emma (DeWulf) Wlaschin. 
Married Helen Homan, June 3, 1940, at St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Cedar 
Rapids. Lived and farmed northwest of Cedar Rapids. Preceded by his 
parents; brothers, Leo, Bernard, Charles and Joe; sisters, Mary Klassen, 
Patricia Zaruba, Margaret Leikhus. Services Saturday at St Anthony’s 
Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Burial in the parish cemetery Levander 
Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids in chare.

DAVID CITY – Sister Thomas Patrick DOOLEY, O.P., 82, of David City, died 
Jan 4, 2010. Services Friday at St Mary’s Church. Chermok Funeral 
Home in charge.

MADISON – Luella Jean JANSEN, 88, of Madison, formerly of Creston, died 
Jan 3, 2010 at Countryside Home, Madison. Born Dec 28, 1921, on the 
family farm west of Crston, to Otto H. and Rose (Gerken) Sander. 
Married H. DeForest Jansen, Sept 17, 1940, at St Peter’s Lutheran 
Church, Creston. Preceded by her parents; daughter-in-law, Shirley 
(Ruebling) Jansen; one great-grandchild. Services Jan 12 at St Peter’s 
Lutheran Church, Creston. Burial in Fairview Cemetery, Creston. 
Moser Memorial Chapel, Fremont, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Kathleen “Kathi” Kay NELSON, 65, died Jan 6, 2010, at her 
home. Born Aug 21, 1944, Norfolk, to Kenneth G and Leona (Gruhn) 
Alderman. Grew up in Stanton, Hastings and Ogallala. Married Paul N. 
Nelson, June 15, 1968, Ogallala. Taught in Hygiene, Colo., Sprague-Martell, 
Beatrice and St Luke’s outside of Columbus. Preceded by her parents; 
sister-in-law, Sally Alderman. Services Sunday at Federated 
Church, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

BELLEVUE – Evelyn SCHOLZ, 96, of Bellevue, died Jan 6, 2010, Papillion. 
Born Aug 22, 1913, Platte County, to Paul and Berta (Boss) Blaser. 
Married Clarence Scholz, in 1935. Preceded by her parents; husband; 
brother, Arthur (Frieda) Blaser; sister, Alma (John) Gerber. Services 
Feb 6 at Gass Haney Funeral Home. Burial later in Columbus 
Cemetery. Gass Haney Funeral Home in charge.

SHELBY – Romaine T. PESICKA, 82, of Shelby, died Jan 5, 2010, at Nebraska 
Heart Institute, Lincoln. Born Nov 22, 1927, Yankton, S.D., to Anton and Anna 
(Kreber) Pesicka. Began teaching career at Naper and continued at Niobrara 
and Tabor, S.D.; served as superintendent of schools at Tabor, S.D., Hordville; 
and retired after 24 years at Shelby. Married Carmen Karolevitz, May 28, 1953. 
Was a veteran of WWII. Preceded by his parents; sister, JoAnn Hlavac; 
step-brother, Kenneth Schneider. Services Saturday at Shelby Sacred Heart 
Catholic Church. Burial in Shelby Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery with military 
rites. Dubas Funeral Home of Osceola and Stromsburg in charge.

COLUMBUS – Nola DICKINSON, 87, died Jan 6, 2010. Born Apr 1, 1922, 
Comanche, Okla., to Sam and Anna (Odom) Medley. Moved to Columbus 
in 1960. Worked at Becton Dickinson and D & L. Married Clair Dickinson. 
Preceded by her husband; parents; son, Ronald Murphy; grandson, Todd 
Simpson; sisters, Opal Hurst, Jane Kolisek, Bobbie Joslyn, Bonnie Medley, 
Francis Marcum. Private family services later. Gass Haney Funeral 
Home in charge.

LINCOLN – Carolyn “Kay” (Gakle) MATHEWS, 76, Lincoln, died Jan 7, 2010. 
Born Dec 1, 1933, Pawnee City, to Robert E. and Elsie E. (Clark) Mathews. 
Career included director of nursing at Lincoln General Hospital, Beatrice 
Community Hospital; registered nurse at Valley Hope Treatment 
Center, O’Neill, Columbus Hospital; taught nursing at Platte Community 
College; interim director of nursing at Auburn Community Hospital. 
Services Jan 12 at Roper and Sons Chapel, Lincoln and Jan 13 at 
Gass-Haney Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial in Columbus Cemetery.

COLUMBUS – Esther TISTHAMMER, 91, of Columbus, formerly of Newman 
Grove, died Jan 9, 2010. Born Mar 28, 1918, Bradish, to William and Marie 
Fischer. Married Olaf Tisthammer, Oct 15, 1941, Central City. Farmed for a 
few years, then moved to Newman Grove. Worked at the Mid-Nebraska 
Lutheran Home. Preceded by her husband in 1986; daughter, Jackie 
Wiese; two brothers (one in infancy); and two sisters. Services 
Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Newman Grove. Burial at 
Hope Cemetery, Newman Grove. Newman Grove Memorial Funeral 
Home in charge.

ALBION – Kathryn “Katie” Sharon ANDERSON, 59, of Albion, died 
unexpectedly Jan 8, 2010 at her mother’s home in Albion. Services 
Jan 12, 2010 at Levander Funeral Home, Albion. Burial in Rose Hill 
Cemetery.

SPALDING – Patty “Pat” L. WISE, 79, of Primrose, died Jan 9, 2010. 
Services Jan 13 at First Presbyterian Church, Primrose. Burial in Dublin 
Cemetery, Primrose. Levander Funeral Home in Albion in charge.

COLUMBUS – Martin “Junior” “Ace” VALASEK Jr., 83, of rural 
Columbus, died Jan 9, 2010 at his home. Born Oct 4, 1926, rural 
Columbus, to Martin F. and Cecilia (Laska) Valasek Sr. Grew up 
on the family farm in Polk County. Served in the US Army during 
the Korean Conflict. Returned to rural Columbus, working for 
Behlen Manufacturing and farming. Preceded by his parents; 
brothers, Joe and Harry; sisters, Rose Valasek and Fran Ernst; 
brothers-in-law, Michael Sempek, Ray Nowak, Danny Starostka 
and John Bega; sisters-in-law, Irene Valasek and Wanda Valasek. 
Services Jan 13 at St Isidore Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in 
St Stanislaus Cemetery, Duncan, with military honors. McKown 
Funeral Home in charge.

HUMPHREY – Nancy L. HEESACKER, 69, died Jan 8, 2010 at University 
of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha. Born June 3, 1940, Columbus, to 
Joseph Kubicek and Elsie L. Plugge. Married Alvin L. Heesacker, 
Aug 29, 1959, Columbus. Lived with her grandparents Siegfred and 
Lillie Plugge on the family farm west of Humphrey after her marriage. 
Was head cook at St Francis Cafeteria and cooked for Klub 81. Preceded 
by her husband. Services Wednesday at St Francis Catholic Church, 
Humphrey. Burial in St Francis Cemetery, Humphrey. Duesman Funeral 
Chapel in charge.

KEARNEY – Meryl M. VEIT, 81, of Kearney, died Jan 8, 2010 at his home. 
Born Oct 6, 1928, Ravenna, to Max and Bess (Adam) Veit. Married Carol 
Feibig, Apr 15, 1950, Pleasanton. Farmed south of Ravenna with his 
father, retiring in 1963 due to health reasons. Preceded by his wife; 
son, Bert Veit; one infant daughter; two grandchildren. Services 
Wednesday at St James Catholic Church. Burial at Highland Park 
Cemetery, Ravenna. Horner Liesek McBride & Kuhl Funeral and 
Cremation Services of Kearney in charge.

NELIGH – Roy Wesley JENNINGS, 84, of Neligh, died Dec 18, 2009.  
Born Jan 1, 1925, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, to Glenn and Odetta (Betts) 
Jennings. Served in the US Army during WWII. Married Ruth Helena 
George, Oct 27, 1945, Sioux City, Iowa. Worked in the propane
industry for 35 years, retiring in 1980 due to severe arthritis. 
Entered Morys Haven in Columbus in 2009. Preceded by his 
parents; wife; and brother, Merle. Services Saturday at Beyer 
Funeral Home, Neligh. Inurnment in Laurel Hill 
Cemetery, Neligh, with military rites.

CLARKS – Louise C. HANNAPPEL, 93, died at Grand Island, Jan 10, 2010. 
Service Friday at St Peters Catholic Church, Clarks. Burial in Calvary 
Cemetery, near Clarks. Solt Funeral Home of Central City in charge.

DAVID CITY – Irene J. DILL, 92, of David City, died Jan 8, 2010. Services 
Friday at St Mary’s Catholic Church, David City. Burial in St Mary’s 
Cemetery. Kracl Funeral Chapel in charge.

SCHUYLER – Evelyn C. SHALON, 87, of Schuyler, died Jan 11, 2010. 
Born Jan 12, 1922, Snyder, to George and Mary (Kruger) Yosten. 
Married Rudolph Shalon Dec 27, 1945, Madison. Lived in Butler 
County. Preceded by her husband on Apr 15, 1965; six sisters; 
two brothers. Services Thursday at St Mary’s Catholic Church, 
Schuyler. Svoboda Funeral Home in charge.

YORK – Margaret A. BURGESON, 90, of York, died Jan 9, 2010. 
Born Dec 17, 1919, Holdrege, to Charles and Ella (Carlson) Berggren. 
Married Everett L. Burgeson, Sept 4, 1938, Phillipsburg, Kansas. 
Preceded by her parents; husband; two brothers; one sister; one 
grandson. Services Thursday at Wilcox Community Church and 
Saturday at York General Hearthstone, York. Burial at Wilcox 
Cemetery.  

SCHUYLER – Helen Mae SKARDA, 80, of Schuyler, died Jan 11, 2010 at 
Birchwood Manor in North Bend after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. 
Born Sept 19, 1929, Schuyler, to Emil “Bo” and Christine (Sladek) Schmid. 
Married Marvin Skarda, Aug 16, 1950, First Presbyterian Church, Schuyler. 
Lived on a farm north of Schuyler for 19 years, before moving to Schuyler. 
Worked at Consumers Public Power District in Columbus, and later at 
Schuyler High School Cafeteria and Deputy City Clerk for the City of 
Schuyler. Services Friday at First Presbyterian Church. Kracl Funeral 
Chapel of Schuyler in charge.

COLUMBUS – John A. MOHRMAN Jr., 86, died Jan 12, 2010. Born Dec 17, 1923, 
Platte County, to John Sr and Sara (Seefeld) Mohrman. Married Katherine 
Smith, Sept 21, 1947 at First Baptist Church, Columbus. Farmed and worked 
as a salesman for many years. Preceded by his parents; sister, Dorothy Bailey; 
brothers, Edward Mohrman and Wilbert Mohrman. Services Friday at McKown 
Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn Cemetery, Columbus. 

HANNAPPEL, Louise Caroline, 93: b Oct 8, 1916, Burrows Township, to Nicolas 
and Caroline (Gronenthal) Schroeder. Married John Hannappel, 1940. Preceded 
by her husband in 1977; son, Gerald; daughter-in-law, Lila Hannappel; 
grandson, Doug Hannappel; great-grandson, Lawson Hannappel; 
brothers, Alfred and Harold; sisters, Evelyn, Mary, Audrey and Helen. 
Services Friday at St Peters Catholic Church, Clarks. Burial in Calvary 
Cemetery, near Clarks. Solt Funeral Home of Central City in charge.

ST. EDWARD – Rita A. LABENZ, 79, died Jan 12, 2010. Services Friday at 
St Edward Catholic Church, St Edward. Burial in Genoa. Miller Levander 
Funeral Home in St Edward in charge.

LEIGH – Hilda FRANZEN, 93, of Leigh, died Jan 11, 2010 at Stanton Health 
Center, Stanton. Born Oct 14, 1916, Platte County, to Herman and Ella 
(Kumpf) Wurdeman. Married Albert J. Franzen, Feb 23, 1941, Pomeroy, Iowa. 
Preceded by her husband; sister, Lulu Mauch; son-in-law, George Johnson. 
Services Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church, Leigh. Burial in Zion Lutheran 
Cemetery, Leigh. Kracl-Leigh Memorial Chapel in charge.

COLUMBUS – Darleen Ann DOUGLASS, 91, died Jan 13, 2010. Born 
July 28, 1918, Columbus, to George and Anna (Hembd) Michaelsen. 
Married James W. Douglass, Mar 6, 1943, at Camp Crowder, Mo. 
Preceded by her husband; parents; brothers, Walter, Julius and 
Melvin Michaelsen; sisters, Emma Michaelsen, Elsie (Mrs. Louis) 
Henggeler; grandson, Luke McNeil. Services Saturday at 
St Bonaventure Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in 
St Bonaventure Cemetery. Gass Haney Funeral 
Home in charge.

LINCOLN – Cecelia “Sally” SHOTKOSKI, 77, of Lincoln, formerly of 
Fullerton, died Jan 12, 2010. Born Nov 19, 1932, rural Palmer to 
John and Mary Dubas, the youngest of six children. Married Walter 
D. Shotkoski, Feb 10, 1953. Farmed in the Fullerton area for more 
than 20 years. Employed by Fullerton hospital, then had a long 
career in retail management, eventually owning her own shoe 
boutique in Lincoln. Preceded by her parents; sisters, Eleanor 
Wozniak, Angeline Rice; brother, Raymond Dubas. Services 
Friday at Cathedral of the Risen Christ, Lincoln. Burial in 
Fullerton Catholic Cemetery. Palmer Funeral Home in 
Fullerton in charge.

COLUMBUS – David L. SENFTEN, 73, of Columbus, died Jan 14, 2010 at 
Nebraska Veterans Home, Norfolk. Gass Haney Funeral Home in charge.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Bryan TIMMS, 49, formerly of Columbus, died 
Jan 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, Calif. Born Nov 20, 1960 to Joe and 
Joan Timms. Preceded by his father. No services planned.

SCHUYLER – Angela “Angie” KRUGER, 80, died Jan 14, 2010. Services 
Tuesday at St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Schuyler. Burial in Holy 
Cross Cemetery. Kracl Funeral Chapel of Schuyler in charge.

COLUMBUS – Agnes Mary PRUCHA, 91, died Jan 13, 2010. Born Apr 13, 1918, 
Humphrey, to Frank and Walburga (Hoffman) Zach. Moved to Chicago. Married 
James Prucha, July 18, 1942 at St Leonard Catholic Church, Berwyn, Illinois. 
Did factory work while living in Chicago; moved to Tennessee in 1975; then 
to Columbus in 1997. Preceded by her husband; daughter, Christine on 
July 8, 1948; parents; sister, Gertrude (Mrs. Henry) Wiehn. Services 
Saturday at St Bonaventure Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in 
St Bonaventure Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home 
in charge.

MONROE – Fern NANSEL, 90, of Monroe, died Jan 14, 2010 at Genoa 
Long Term Care Facility. Patrick’s Funeral Chapel in Genoa in charge.

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The Columbus Telegram
January 16 - 31, 2010

MONROE – Fern NANSEL, 90, of Monroe, died Jan 14, 2010 at Genoa Long 
Term Care Facility. Born Apr 16, 1919, Clarks to William and Emma (Lambertus) 
Warner. Married Mike Nansel, Oct 14, 1944, Columbus. Was a long-time resident 
of Monroe. Preceded by her husband; daughter, Joyce Pratt. Services Monday at 
United Methodist Church, Monroe. Burial in New Hope Cemetery, rural Monroe. 
Patrick’s Funeral Chapel in Genoa in charge.

COLUMBUS – Don L BEERBOHM, 71, of Columbus, died Thursday [Jan 14, 2010] 
at Bergan Mercy Hospital, Omaha. Born Aug 24, 1938, Wisner, to Lester and 
Laura (Schmidt) Beerbohm. Married Celine Ortmeier, Oct 18, 1948, at Holy 
Cross Catholic Church, Beemer. Moved to Columbus in 1958. Worked for 
Becton-Dickinson for 21 years; one of the original partners in Westbrook Lanes; 
later worked for Moorman Mfg., Rainsoft Water Systems and Hy-Vee. Preceded 
by his parents. Services Jan 18 at St Isidore Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial 
in All Saints Cemetery, Columbus, with military honors. McKown Funeral 
Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – David L. SENFTEN, 73, of Columbus, died Jan 14, 2010 at Nebraska 
Veterans Home, Norfolk. Born Nov 19, 1936, Genoa, to Wilhelm “Jerry” and Edith 
(Nott) Senften. Served in the US Air Force from June 6, 1955 to Dec 9, 1957. 
Started Signcrafters Neon Sign Design and Building upon his return. Marred 
Karen Behlen, Jan 24, 1963, Columbus. Purchased Metalcrafters/Lennox 
Heating and Air Conditioning Company in 1971, retiring in 1995. Preceded 
by his parents; sister, Dorothy Elm; father-in-law, HP “Mike” Behlen; 
brother-in-law, Jim Behlen. Services Wednesday at Federated 
Church, Columbus. Burial in Columbus Cemetery. Gass Haney 
Funeral Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – Richard Crary PORTMAN, 62, died Jan 15, 2010 at Immanuel 
Medical Center, Omaha. Born June 7, 1947, Nelson, to Richard Sr and Berneta 
(Walburn) Portman. Married Chris Williamson, July 1970. Married Patty (Hladik) 
Shunk, June 11, 1988. Moved to Columbus in 1984 to be a recruiter for the 
Army National Guard, retiring in 1994; worked in sales until 2004, then 
became a self-employed contractor. Services Wednesday at 1C Mission 
Church, Columbus. Burial in Columbus Cemetery with military honors. 
McKown Funeral Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – Dwayne L “Shorty” DRUM, 78, died Jan 16, 2010. 
Born Oct 13, 1931, Oconee, to Neal and Anna (Kuck) Drum Sr. 
Served in the US Army. Married Adeline “Addie” Wozny, 
Apr 11, 1953, at St Bonaventure Church, Columbus. Worked for 
Union Pacific Railroad, sold insurance; managed KC Hall; and 
served as a rural mail carrier until retiring in 1997. Preceded 
by his wife; son, Patrick Drum of Norfolk; daughter, Becky (DJ) 
Brandenburg, of Columbus; granddaughter, Mackenzie 
Brandenburg, of Columbus. Services Tuesday at 
St Bonaventure Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in 
All Saints Cemetery, Columbus, with military honors. 
McKown Funeral Home in charge.

SCHUYLER – Clinton Leroy FISCHER, 51, of Schuyler, died. Born 
July 15, 1958, Norfolk, to Leroy and Janelle (Rahl) Fischer. Married 
Misti Mossman, July 7, 1994, Madison. Lived in Crawfordsville, IN 
where he worked in construction as a crane operator. Lived in 
Schuyler since a car accident five years ago. Services Jan 20, 2010
at Trinity Lutheran Church, Schuyler Svoboda Funeral Home in 
Schuyler in charge.

ALBION – George Otto WILLARD, 65, of Albion, died Jan 6, 2010 at 
Bryan LGH East Medical Center, Lincoln, from complications of lung 
cancer. Born Sept 8, 1944, Albion, to George H and Dolores (Wieland) 
Willard. Served in the Marines. Married Gay Guffee, Feb 12, 1971 at 
United Methodist Church, Phoenix, Arizona. Preceded by his father. 
Services Thursday at United Methodist Church, Albion. Burial in 
Evergreen Cemetery, St Edward. Levander Funeral 
Home, Albion, in charge.

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. – Larry John SCHWEIZER, 68, died Dec 18, 2009 
at his residence in Lake Elsinore, Calif. Son of Walter and Maxine 
Schweizer of Albion. Burial of cremains later at Duncan 
Cemetery, Duncan. Evans Brown Mortuary, Lake 
Elsinore, Calif. In charge.

COLUMBUS – Geraldine SAALFELD, 93, of Columbus, died Jan 18, 2010. 
Born Sept 18, 1916, Columbus, to Albert and Nellie (Michner) Ernst. 
Married Elwin Saalfeld, Aug 6, 1937, Columbus. Moved to Santa 
Ana, California after her marriage; Geyser, Montana in 1957; Columbus 
in 1988. Preceded by her husband in 1978; twin brother, Gerald 
Ernst; three brothers, Paul, Jack and Carl Ernst. Services Friday at 
Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial in Columbus Cemetery.

COLUMBUS – Verna E JENSEN, 83, of Columbus, formerly of 
Plainview, died Jan 18, 2010 at Columbus Community Hospital. 
Services Friday at Ashburn Funeral Home, Plainview. Burial in 
Pleasant View Cemetery, Plainview.

ALBION – Ray Dean SUP, 62, of Albion, died unexpectedly of natural 
causes Jan 18, 2010, at his mother’s home in Albion. Services Saturday 
at United Church of Christ, Albion. Burial in Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion
with military rites. Levander Funeral Home, Albion, in charge.

SCHUYLER – Urban P IMHOLTE, 82, of Schuyler, died Jan 19, 2010. 
Born Nov 17, 1927, Crawford, to Urban and Frieda (Wullschleger) Imholte. 
Served in the US Army from 1950 to 1952. Married Alice Ternus, Aug 22, 1950 
at St Francis Catholic Church, Humphrey. Farmed and operated a dairy farm 
near Leigh until 1990; then became Colfax County Veterans Service Officer 
until 2002. Preceded by his parents; grandson, Paul Hollatz. Services 
Monday at St Mary’s Catholic Church of Divine Mercy Parish, Schuyler. 
Burial in St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Leigh, with military honors. 
Svoboda Funeral Home in charge.

CANYON COUNTRY, Calif. – Martha “Patty” STARR, 58, of Canyon Country, Calif., 
died Jan 14, 2010, at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, Valencia, California. 
Born Aug 17, 1950, Genoa, to Theodore and Leona (Wolf) Bokelmann. Was a 
nurse who devoted her time to caring for disabled and abused children and 
their families. Preceded by her parents; sister, Barbara Bokelmann. Services 
Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church [Columbus]. Burial in Roselawn Memorial 
Cemetery [Columbus].Gass Haney Funeral Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – Ruth ZAVODSKY, 72, of Columbus, died Jan 20, 2010 at her home. 
Born June 23, 1937, Enola, to Cory and Hattie (Hide) Hartford. Married Lordell 
Zavodsky, Sept  5, 1953, Madison. Lived in Colorado Springs during Lordell’s 
service in the US Army; then Missouri, Omaha, Lincoln, Fremont and Columbus 
where she worked at Anderson Greenhouse, Art Printery and R & L RV Center. 
Preceded by her parents; husband; son-in-law, David Janky. Services Monday 
at First United Methodist Church, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn Memorial 
Cemetery, Columbus. Gass Haney Funeral Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – Mildred “Millie” L. CONDREAY, 79, formerly of St Edward, died 
Jan 19, 2010 at Omaha Nursing Home, Omaha. Born Nov 14, 1930, Franklin, 
to Winifred and Nell (Rorabaugh) Hall. Married Dale Steinkruger, June 4, 1950. 
Lived in rural Macon and Upland area, working as a farmwife and at Pioneer 
Village in Minden; then later at Bethage Mission in Axtell. Married Jerome L 
Condreay on Nov 29, 1976, making her home in Columbus. Preceded by her 
parents; son, Timothy R Steinkruger; grandson, Lee G. Hunter; two brothers; 
two sisters. Services Saturday at United Methodist Presbyterian, St Edward. 
Burial in Evergreen Cemetery, St Edward. Miller-Levander Funeral 
Home, St Edward, in charge.

ST EDWARD – Elva Zelda Mary MATCHETT, 99, died Jan 20, 2010. Born 
Sept 4, 1910, on a farm near Loretto, to Horace W. and Maude E. 
Cunningham Lawrence. Married Darrel Dann Matchett, Aug 12, 1931 
at Bartlett. Lived in Primrose, Loretto and Albion areas. Worked at 
JCPenney for 25 years and Mode O’Day. Preceded by her parents; 
husband; son, Marwin Matchett; infant son, Donavon Darrel Matchett; 
brothers, Loris, LaVern, infant Alvin Lawrence; sister, Velna Matchett; 
infant great-great grandson, Cade Wiederin. Services Monday at 
United Methodist Church, Albion. Burial in Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion. 
Levander Funeral Home in Albion in charge.

COLUMBUS – Grace E. BRAND, 86, died Jan 22, 2010, after a long battle 
with Parkinson’s disease. Born Nov 6, 1923, Red Wing, Minn., to Emil 
and Catherine (Toner) Benson. Married Willis Brand, June 14, 1947. 
Worked at Federated Insurance from 1970 until retirement. Then 
moved to Loveland, Colo., Tucson, Ariz., then Bartlesville, Okla., 
Lawrence, Kan., and to Columbus in 2000. Preceded by her 
parents; husband; sister, Frances Stolzenberg. Services 
Wednesday at St Bonaventure Catholic Church, Columbus. 
Private burial later in Minnesota. Gass Haney Funeral 
Home in charge.

BOYERTOWN, Pa. – Marianna ZACH, 59, died Jan 21, 2010 after a battle 
with stomach cancer. Born Dec 12, 1950, Brooklyn, N.Y., to Adam Galazin 
and Isabella Park. Married William D Zach. Worked at Lehigh Valley Hospital 
Department of Psychiatry for 20 years. Preceded by son, Zephyr Zach; 
brother, Donald Stewart. Burial private. Catagnus Funeral Home & 
Cremation Center, Inc., Gilbertsville, Pa., in charge.

DAVID CITY – Frank OSTDIEK, 54, of David City, died Jan 21, 2010, in Omaha. 
Born Aug 25, 1955, Superior, to Herman and Irene (Schroer) Ostdiek. Married 
Helen Tillemans, Nov 24, 1979 at St Michaels Catholic Church, Hastings. Was 
a maintenance mechanic at Cargill Meat Solution in Schuyler. Moved to David 
City in 1996 from Mankato, Kan. Preceded by his parents; brother, Vern Ostdiek. 
Services Jan 26, 2010 at St Mary’s Catholic Church, David City. Burial in St Mary’s 
Cemetery, David City. Chermok Funeral Home in charge.

BELLWOOD – Everette F. HOUGH, 83, of Bellwood, died Jan 22, 2010 at Butler 
County Hospital, David City. Born June 13, 1926, Bellwood, to William and 
Margaret (Klein) Hough. Remained on the family farm his entire life. Married 
Helen Rerucha, Jan 19, 1949 at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Bellwood. Was a 
resident at davids place from Oct 2002 to Jan 2010. Preceded by his parents; 
brothers, Francis Hough, Raymond Hough; grandchildren, Christopher Hough, 
Tammy Jo Hough. Services Wednesday at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Bellwood. 
Burial in St Peter and Mary-Presentation  Cemetery, Bellwood. McKown Funeral 
Home, Columbus, in charge.

WISNER – Joe SATEREN, 96, of Wisner, died Jan 21, 2010. Services Jan 24 at 
Pilger United Methodist Church. Burial in Pilger Cemetery with military honors. 
Kuzelda-Minnick Funeral Homes in charge.

NORFOLK – Clara M. BELLER, 96, formerly of Humphrey, died Jan 22, 2010. 
Born Sept 7, 1913, to Andrew and Caroline (Albracht) Boesch. Married Stanley 
C. Beller Jan 29, 1935. Was a caregiver at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Norfolk. 
Preceded by her husband; sons, Thomas, Joseph; brothers, Jerome, Joseph, 
Leonard, Urban, Victor, Gerald, Harold, Edward; sisters, Stella Backas, Romaine 
Morris. Services Tuesday at St Francis Catholic Church, Humphrey. Burial in 
St Francis Cemetery, Humphrey. Duesman Funeral Chapel, Humphrey, in charge.

GENOA – Adolph ZOUCHA, 98, of Genoa, died Jan 23, 2010. Services Thursday 
at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Genoa. Patrick’s Chapel in Genoa in charge.

CLARKSON – Frank TOMAN, 89, of Clarkson, died Jan 24, 2010 at Parkview 
Nursing Home, Dodge. Services Wednesday at St John’s Lutheran 
Church, Leigh. Burial in Clarkson National Cemetery with military honors. 
Miller Funeral Home of Clarkson in charge.

OSHKOSH – Rita Marie PHARES, 91, of Oshkosh, formerly of Palisade, died 
Jan 7, 2010. Born July 31, 1918 in Hot Springs, Ark. To Daniel P. and Frances 
J. (Zimmer) McKillip. Taught in rural Hayes County from 1936-1938; worked 
with the US Department of Agriculture in Hayes Center from 1938-1942 and 
again for the USDA from 1960-1973. Married Philip Phares on June 18, 1942 
at St Ann Catholic Church, Frontier County. Spent her married life on a farm 
four miles east of Palisade until moving to Ogallala in 2003. Preceded by her 
parents; sisters, Ruth McKillip, Mary Ann (McKillip) Chambers. Services Friday 
at St Luke’s Catholic Church, Ogallala. Inurnment at Palisade Cemetery, Palisade.

NORFOLK – Lynn A. BLENNERT-KOHLES, 56, died Jan 22, 2010. Born Sept 1, 1953 
in Wisconsin to John and Jeannette (Willett) Blennert. Married Jerry Kohles, 
Dec 28, 1970, Lincoln. Lived in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus areas; then Norfolk. 
Instrumental in organizing the soup kitchen and the Life-Chain in Northeast 
Nebraska. Preceded by her parents; sisters, Mary, Nancy; mother-in-law, 
Loretta; brother-in-law, Larry. Services Wednesday at Stonacek Funeral 
Chapel. Inurnment later.

NORTH PLATTE – Jewel A. NELSON, 85, of North Platte, died Jan 21, 2010. 
Born July 9, 1924, Newman Grove, to Anton and Ina (Johnson) Nelson. 
Married Elaine Gustafson, Feb 3, 1946, Newman Grove. Lived and farmed 
outside Newman Grove and had a dairy farm. Moved to Newman Grove in 
1974; then to Linden Estate in North Platte in 2005. Preceded by his 
parents; wife; sister, Avis Linden. Services Jan 23 in North Platte. 
Burial service later in Newman Grove. Carpenter Memorial Chapel 
[North Platte] in charge.

COLUMBUS – Lorene KNAPP, 87, of Columbus, died Jan 26, 2010 at Faith 
Regional Medical Center, Norfolk. Born Dec 3, 1922, rural Leigh, to Emil J. 
and Anna Clara (Wilke) Wurdeman. Married Walter Hollman, Apr 4, 1943, Leigh. 
Farmed in rural Platte County. Married Otto Knapp, Sr. on Aug 9, 1975 at Christ 
Lutheran Church. Preceded by her parents; husband Walter Hollman on 
Apr 28, 1966; husband Otto Knapp Sr on Mar 17, 1976; infant son, Keith 
Hollman; brothers, Edgar and Leroy Wurdeman; sister, Agnes Hayes. 
Services Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church, rural Columbus. Burial in 
Christ Lutheran Cemetery. Gass Haney Funeral Home in charge.

MONROE – William “Bill” PARRY, 79, died Jan 25, 2010 at his home in rural 
Monroe. Born Oct 17, 1930, Platte County, to Owen and Elva (Albers) Parry. 
Was in the Coast Guard from 1951-1954. Married Ginny Winkel, Mar 27, 1954 
at Willow Glen, Calif. Lived in Platte County. Was a retired farmer and blacksmith. 
Preceded by his parents; two nieces. Services Friday at Augustana Lutheran 
Church, Genoa. Burial in Valley View Cemetery. Patrick’s Funeral Chapel in charge.

MADISON – Margaret T. PFEIFER, 96, formerly of Humphrey, died Jan 27, 2010. 
Born June 10, 1913, Humphrey, to Damian “Tom” and Mary M. (Sueper) Zuerlein; 
married Albert B. Pfeifer, May 1, 1934, at St Francis Catholic Church, Humphrey. 
Lifetime Humphrey community resident. Preceded by her parents; husband; 
son-in-law, Dennis Fendrick; brothers, Anthony, Victor, Mark, Sylvester; and 
two grandchildren. Services Saturday at St Francis Catholic Church, Humphrey. 
Burial in St Francis Cemetery, Humphrey. Duesman Funeral Chapel in 
Humphrey in charge.

GENOA – Glen KAUP, 74, of Genoa, died Jan 27, 2010. 
Patrick Funeral Chapel in charge.

COLUMBUS – Lois LOOMIS, 88, of Columbus, died Jan 26, 2010. Born Alliance 
to Fred and Wilma (Bruce) Carlson. Lived in Alliance, southern Calif., and 
Omaha before moving to Columbus in 1937. Taught home economics for 
one year; then worked for the US government in Oak Ridge, Tennessee 
in 1943 and 1944. Married Laird H. Loomis, Jan 29, 1945 at Grace 
Episcopal Church, Columbus. Preceded by her parents; husband on 
June 13, 2006; brother, Bruce Clarkson. Services Mar 18, 2010 at 
Grace Episcopal Church, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn Memorial 
Cemetery, Columbus. Gass Haney Funeral Home in charge.

MONROE – Esther HUESCHEN, 92, of Monroe, died Jan 24, 2010. 
Born June 24, 1917, rural Platte Center, to John and Elsie (Wetgen) 
Goering. Married Melvin Hueschen, Apr 17, 1940 at Zion Lutheran 
Church, Grand Prairie [Platte County]. Moved to rural Platte Center 
where they lived for 62 years. Preceded by her husband; parents; 
brothers, Clarence Goering, Alan Goering; grandson, Kent Hueschen. 
Services Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Columbus. Burial in Zion 
Lutheran Cemetery, Grand Prairie [Platte County]. Gass Haney Funeral 
Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – Phyllis G. BOSAK, 82, of Columbus, died Jan 26, 2010 at her 
home. Born Feb 13, 1927, Nance County, to Frank S. and Elizabeth (Bugay) 
Nowak. Taught school for 3 years. Married Pete Volnek, Feb 5, 1947. Later 
married Frank C. Bosak, 1981. Worked for Becton-Dickinson, retiring in 1989. 
Preceded by her husband, Frank Bosak; parents; sister, Eleanor Chereck; 
grandson, Cyrus Thornton; step-grandson, David Lilienthal; 
step-great-grandson, Preston Peterson. Services Saturday at 
St Anthony Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in St Bonaventure 
Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home in charge.

GRAND ISLAND – Erlene Monette JOHNSON, 89, died Jan 28, 2010. 
Born Oct 3, 1920, Havelock, to Harry and Myrtle (Wisman) Sparrow. 
Married Wesley L. Johnson, Sept 18, 1945. Preceded by her husband; 
parents; sister, Maxine Sparrow; brother, Harry L. Sparrow, Jr.

MADISON – Barbara Amelia ZESSIN, 92, died Jan 26, 2010. Born Apr 8, 1917
to Samuel and Ida (Marks) Hoesly. Married Ruben Zessin, Feb 16, 1939. Farmed 
near Creston; then moved southwest of Madison where they farmed until 1970; 
then moved into Madison. Preceded by her parents; stepfather, Fred Luedtke; 
husband; brothers, Arnold Luedtke, Ralph Luedtke, Ernest Hoesly; brother-in-law, 
Willard Zessin. Services Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Madison. Burial in 
Crown Hill Cemetery. Resseguie Funeral Home in Madision in charge.

VALLEY – Ruth Helen BERGLUND, 85, of Valley, died Jan 29, 2010. 
Born Oct 9, 1924, near Mount Vernon, South Dakota, to Andrew and 
Lillie (Frahm) Miller. Worked at an egg candling factory after graduation. 
Married William “Bill” Devern Berglund, son of Oscar and Ella Berglund, 
Mar 21, 1946 at Methodist Church, Mount Vernon. Made their home in 
Schuyler area when they farmed. Moved to Albion in 1965. Preceded 
by her parents; husband; infant daughter, Patricia; sister, Dorothy 
Herbst; grandson, Tyler Services Monday at United Methodist 
Church, Albion. Burial in Schuyler Cemetery. Levander Funeral 
Home in charge.

DAVID CITY – Margaret R. “Peg” BYERS, 81, formerly of Columbus, died 
Jan 29, 2010 at David Place [David City]. Born Jan 16, 1929, Osceola, to 
John M. and Victoria (Micek) Staroscik. Married Don R. Byers, Jr on 
Dec 30, 1948, in Osceola. Moved to Columbus; worked at City Water 
Office for five years; Bircker Office Supply; Dr. Conrad’s office for six 
years. Preceded by her husband; parents; sister, Suzanna Staroscik; 
grandson, Troy Beller. Services Tuesday at St Bonaventure Catholic 
Church [Columbus]. Burial at Osceola Cemetery. McKown Funeral 
Home in charge.


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