Ashland Gazette
Dec 2008

WAHOO - Bonnie Jean BARSELL, 77, of Wahoo, died Nov. 27 in Wahoo. 
Born Dec. 22, 1930 to Harry and Mildred (Bodifield) Smith at Panama. 
She grew up in Lincoln and attended Lincoln High School. She married 
Walt Barsell on April 24, 1960 in David City. She was preceded in death 
by her parents, mother and father-in-law, Walter and Hazel Barsell; 
sisters, Rosamond Lindsey, Ruth Rowe, Edna Rowe, Fern Bowens and 
Blanche Burgett; and brother-in-law, Bill Barsell. Funeral services were 
held Dec. 1 at First United Methodist Church in Wahoo. Interment was 
at Sunrise Cemetery. 

GREENWOOD - Boyd H. CLAYCOMB, 93, died Nov. 27, 2008. 
He was born on Jan. 19, 1915 to Paul and Ella (Crosby) Claycomb in Blair. 
Married Marie O'Hare on June 15, 1941 in Omaha. She preceded him in 
death on Oct. 7, 1996 after 55 years of marriage. He was preceded in 
death by his parents; wife, Marie; son, Wayne Claycomb; grandson, Bobby 
Claycomb and sister, Ruth Knelfkamp. Funeral services Dec. 2 at Marcy 
Mortuary in Ashland. Interment will be at the Greenwood 
Memorial Cemetery. 
 
ASHLAND - Laureen R. GIBSON, 59, died Nov. 29 at her home near Ashland. 
Laureen was born on Aug. 10, 1949, to Theodore and Laura (Cain) Pelzer in 
Omaha. On Aug. 10, 1968 she married Louis Gibson at Trinity Lutheran Church 
in Papillion. She worked as a hairdresser in Omaha and later in Ashland. Her 
parents; and a brother-in-law, John Latham, preceded her in death. Funeral 
service was held Dec. 2 at American Lutheran Church in Ashland. Inurnment 
at a later date at Springfield Cemetery at Springfield. Marcy Mortuary of 
Ashland was in charge of the arrangements.  
 
MESA, Ariz. - Joseph Thomas LEESLEY, 88, died Nov. 23, 2008. 
He was born Nov. 1, 1920 in Greenwood, to Harry and Margaret Leesley. 
He had two brothers, Bob and William; and five sisters, Catherine, Mabel, 
Elizabeth, Alice and Margaret. Only one of the sisters is still living, in Nebraska. 
He married Virginia Meisinger in 1942. She passed away in 1993. He later 
married Nora Hollar. Funeral services held Dec. 5, at Good Shepherd 
Chapel in Mesa, Ariz. 

ASHLAND - E. Maybelle HIGHTSHOE, 92, of Ashland died Dec. 4, 2008. 
She was born in Springfield, Neb. on Nov. 30, 1916 to Willis H. and 
Helen (Addleman) Alley. She was married to Archie Hightshoe on 
Feb. 21, 1934. She was preceded in death by her husband, Archie; 
parents; brothers, Marvin and Ivan; sister, Edith Vosler; one 
granddaughter, three grandsons, and sons-in-law, David Massa 
and Steve Clark. Funeral services Dec. 8, at the First Christian Church 
in Ashland. Interment at the Ashland Cemetery. Arrangements by 
Marcy Mortuary, Ashland.  
 
LINCOLN - Bernice Darlene LOWREY, 86, died on Dec. 9, 2008. 
She was born on Jan. 12, 1922 to Martin and Grace Peterson in 
Fontana, Kan. In addition to her parents and her stepmother, Lillian 
Peterson, she was predeceased by her brothers, Lyle and Carl 
Peterson, son, Roger Gustafson, son-in-law, Francis Ravet, and her 
first husband of 20 years, Charles Gustafson. A Celebration of Life 
Service Dec. 13, 2008 at Svoboda Funeral Home in Wahoo. 
Interment at Sunrise North Cemetery. 
 
Funeral services for Gladys PECKHAM of Lincoln were held Dec. 8, 2008 at Roper 
and Sons Chapel in Lincoln. Peckham died Dec. 4, 2008 in Lincoln at the age of 94. 
She was born on Jan. 2, 1914 on a farm near Waverly to Hubert and Vera 
(Otley) Williss. Her mother passed away in 1948 and she lived with her 
father on their farm and later in an apartment in Lincoln until she married 
Harry Peckham in 1978. Her parents and her brother Glen preceded her 
in death. Burial was at Rosehill Cemetery in Waverly. 
 
ITHACA - Clara J. TREPTOW, 95, of Ithaca, died Dec. 4, 2008 in Wahoo. 
Treptow was born during a tornado on Mar 24, 1913 to Charles and 
Emma (Schmidt) Hageman on the family farm near Ithaca. She married 
Werner F. Treptow on April 23, 1945 at Ithaca United Methodist Church. 
She was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Ray C. Hageman
and sister, Fay Schiefelbein. Funeral services were held Dec. 8 at Ithaca 
United Methodist Church. Interment was at Indian Mound Cemetery. 
 
JOURDANTON, Texas - Alvin Lawrence WALLA, 52, died Dec. 3, 2008. 
Walla was born on Nov. 7, 1956 to John and Adeline Walla. He was 
preceded in death by his parents and by a niece, Thersa Walla. 
Funeral services were held on Dec. 8, 2008 also at St. Matthews 
with interment following at Mission Burial Park South. Mission Park 
Funeral Chapels South of San Antonio, Texas was in charge 
of arrangements.  
 
WAHOO - Orlan Dean "Berk" BERKLAND, 78, of Wahoo died Dec. 10, 2008. 
Born to Alfred Emil Berkland and Josephine Lee. He was a veteran of 
the United States Navy, serving in the Korean War. He is survived by 
his wife, Betty Berkland; sons, Dan Berkland Sr., Mark Berkland and 
Tim Berkland; 19 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one 
brother, Wayne Berkland.  
 
WAHOO - Otto F. BOESEL, Jr., 81, of Wahoo, died Dec. 9, 2008. 
Boesel was born to Otto and Elsie (Peglow) Boesel in Wahoo. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Emery 
Boesel; a sister, Bernice Johnson; and niece, Lorna Hart-sook. 
A memorial service will be held Dec. 19 at Svoboda Funeral 
Home in Wahoo. Inurnment will be at Indian Mound Cemetery 
at Ithaca. 

LINCOLN - Dale E. TALBERT, 90, of Lincoln, died Dec. 4, 2008 
after a long battle with cancer. Dale was born to Roy Dee and 
Nellie Marie (Baker) Talbert in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He is survived 
by his brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Carol Talbert of 
Springfield, Ill. No funeral service was held. Burial following 
cremation will be in Thayer. 
 
WAHOO - Douwe "Rex" BLEEKER, 61, died Dec. 12, 2008 in Wahoo. 
Born Aug. 21, 1947 to Thomas R. and Nellie (Coster) Bleeker in 
White Plains, N.Y. He spent his childhood in Mahwah, N.J. 
He married Paula Jackson on July 24, 1976 in Lincoln. 
Upon completion of service in the U S Army, he returned to Nebraska 
and received his Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from 
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His parents preceded him in death. 
At his request, Rex was cremated and was an organ donor. 
Pruss-Nabity Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  
 
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - James G. COCHRANE, 52, died Sept. 13, 2008. 
James was born Aug. 26, 1956 to Milo and Phyllis (Joy) Cochrane in Omaha.  
He served in the U S Army from 1974 to 1983. He lived in Ralston and Fremont. 
He married Jessica Sterup on June 13, 1989. The couple divorced in 2003. 
He was preceded in death by his father and his former wife. Funeral services  
were held in Bellevue and interment was at the Osceola Cemetery in Osceola. 

SOUTH BEND - Marie L. DILL, 94, of South Bend, died Dec. 14, 2008 in Louisville. 
She was born June 21, 1914, in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Jens and Fannie (Graham)  
Christensen. She married Bernard Dill in Central City on July 11, 1937. She was  
preceded in death by her husband, sister and brother-in-law Grace and Lester  
Watland, brother and sister-in-law Carl and Margaret Christensen, all formerly  
of Taylor, and brother-in-law Vernon Dill. Private family services are to be held  
with inurnment at South Bend Cemetery. 
 
Funeral services for Tommy Joe FILIPI of Davey were held Dec. 16 at  
the Seward County Ag Pavilion. Tommy died Dec. 12 at the age of 46. 
Tommy was born Dec. 30, 1961 in Fairbury to Jerry Joe and Clarice Marie 
(Bouwens) Filipi. On Apr. 16, 1988, he married Sonya Ann Tucker at Grand 
Junction, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Andrew and Nathan. 
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Richard and Ethel Bouwens and 
Jerry and Olga Filipi; Sonya's grandparents, Melvin and Thelma Tucker and 
Noah and Ruth Thompson. Graveside service and interment was held at 
Tothill Cemetery near Davey. 
 
GARLAND, Utah - Donald Elvin SANDERSON, 72, died Nov. 15. 
Donald was born May 2, 1936 to Robert D. and Elga R. (Roman) 
Sanderson in Fremont. He served his country by enlisting in the U S Army. 
He married Marianne Everly. They later divorced. He married Darlene Dragon 
on Aug. 4, 1989 in Wahoo. His parents; one sister, Roberta; and one 
nephew, Bo, preceded him in death. A memorial service was held Nov. 22 
at Rogers and Taylor Funeral Home in Tremonton, Utah. 

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Gerald P. "Jerry" NEU, 84, of Sioux City, Iowa, died 
Dec. 11 at his home. Born on Nov. 13, 1924 to Pete and Mary (Dalton) Neu
in Waterloo. He served in the US Army during WWII. He married Lorraine 
Woita on Feb. 18, 1950 in Weston. His parents; a brother, Bill Neu; and a 
sister, Margaret Cox, preceded him in death. Funeral Mass was held Dec. 15 
at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Father Merlin Schrad officiating. 
Interment was at Calvary Cemetery with Military graveside honors 
conducted by the United States Army. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel 
was in charge of the arrangements. 
 
MALMO - Kenneth NORDAHL, 86, of Malmo, died Dec. 20 in Fremont. 
Born Oct. 4, 1922 in Fairfax, Mo. He married Irene Krcmarik on 
Dec. 28, 1943 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo. 
He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Nordahl, mother, Lena 
(Gubser) Dake and grandson, Larry Dean Cejka. Mass of Christian 
Burial Dec. 23 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo. Burial 
at Sunrise North Cemetery. 

ASHLAND - Richard L. POINTER, 69, of Ashland, died Dec. 22, at his 
home with his family by his side. He was preceded in death by his 
parents, Phimis and Margie (Phelps) Pointer; son, Shawn Pointer; 
brother, Robert Pointer; sister, Alvina Bohling and father-in-law, 
Gerald W. Pfund. A memorial service was held Dec. 24, 2008
at the American Lutheran Church in Ashland. There will be a 
private inurnment at Pohocco Lutheran Cemetery in Fremont. 
Arrangements by Marcy Mortuary, Ashland.  
 
ALVO - Blanche A. ROOT, 81, of Alvo, died Dec. 19, 2008 at her 
home in Alvo. She was born in rural Gretna, on April 25, 1927 to 
Willis and Katharin (Fleck) Martin. She taught at a country school 
for a few years until her marriage to Melvin H. Root in 1948. She 
was preceded in death by her husband and son, Rodney Root. 
Funeral services held Dec. 23, at Marcy Chapel, Ashland. 
Interment will be in Ashland Cemetery. 

WAHOO - Jerome A. BREUNIG, 90, of Wahoo, died Dec. 29, 2008. 
Jerome was born on July 26, 1918 to Charles and Marie (McMahon) Breunig 
at Arlington. He entered the U S Army on Dec. 27, 1943 and served in New 
Guinea and the Philippines. He received the Meritorious Service Unit 
Plaque, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star, the Asiatic Pacific 
Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was 
preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joe Breunig; sister, Margaret 
Lapour; sister-in-law, Norma Breunig; brothers-in-law, Jack David and 
Leonard Coufal; and son-in-law, Bruce Anderson. Mass of Christian Burial 
held Jan. 2 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo. Interment at 
St. Francis Cemetery with military honors. 
 
WEEPING WATER - Frank DOWLING, 56, of Avoca died Dec. 21, 2008 at 
his residence. He was born in Onawa, Iowa on Aug. 9, 1952 to Leonard 
and Phyllis (Hayworth) Dowling. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1970 
to 1976. He was preceded in death by his father. Memorial service held 
Dec. 29, at First Congregational Church, Weeping Water. Military honors 
provided by the American Legion Post #237. 
 
FREMONT - Roger EICHMEIER, 86, of Fremont, formerly of the 
Swedeburg, Wahoo and Malmo areas, died Dec. 29 in Fremont. 
Services are pending at Moser Funeral Home, in Fremont.  
 
WAHOO - Signa IIAMS, 91, of Wahoo, formerly of Columbus, died Dec. 18, 2008. 
Signa was born Sept. 26, 1917, to Eno and Minda (Hestikind) Saathoff, on a farm 
near Loretto in Boone County. She married Chester Iiams on June 4, 1942 at the 
Zion Lutheran Church in Albion. She was preceded in death by her parents; her 
husband; a son, Patrick Iiams; a grandson, Steve Iiams, her stepmother, Tina 
Saathoff; four brothers and four sisters. The funeral service was held Dec. 26 at 
Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus. Interment was in the Columbus Cemetery. 
 
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Reynold A. "Ray" KUCERA, 87, of Anaheim, Calif., formally 
of Omaha died Dec. 22. His wife, Beulah; and a brother, Robert Kucera, preceded 
him in death. Funeral service will be held Jan. 5, 2009 at Braman Mortuary, in Omaha. 
Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Military Honors by American Legion 
Post 374. Braman Mortuary of Omaha is in charge of the arrangements.  
 
WAVERLY - Jerald C. LILJA, 61, of Waverly, died Dec. 25 in Lincoln. 
Lilja was born Mar 1, 1947, to Elving and Ruth (Olson) Lilja in Omaha. 
He served in the Nebraska National Guard. He married Jody L. Schooley 
on Oct. 11, 1970 in Lincoln. His father preceded him in death. Funeral 
services were held Dec. 29 at Wyuka Funeral Home in Lincoln. Burial 
was at Fridhem Cemetery at Swedeburg. 
 
WAVERLY - Funeral services for James E. MARTIN, 59, held Dec. 31 at 
St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lincoln. James died Dec. 27. He was 
born July 7, 1949 to Helen (Kautz) and Harry Martin in Tilden. Father, 
Harry Martin and nephew, Eddy Martin, preceded him in death. 

WANN - Raymond D. POPISH Sr., 66, died Dec. 26, 2008 at his home in Wann. 
He was born Mar 26, 1942 in Portage, Pa. to Raymond John and Tillie (Weaver) 
Popish. He served in the U.S. Navy. He was preceded in death by his father 
and a daughter, Monica Popish. 
 
WAHOO - Donna L. RUHE, 78, of Wahoo, formerly of Mead, died Dec. 26, 2008. 
Donna was born on June 26, 1930 to Carl and Sadie (Johnson) Schwartz in Boelus. 
In 1962, she in married Melvin Ruhe in Grand Island. She was preceded in death by 
her husband; her parents; a sister, Viola Meyer and grandson, Joseph Montanez. 
Service was held Dec. 29 at the Mead Covenant Church. Interment was at 
Westlawn Cemetery in Grand Island. 
 
CRESCENT CITY, Calif. - John Stanley SMITH, 82, of Crescent City, Calif. died 
on Dec. 23 at his home. John was born on Mar 3, 1926 to Clarence and Julia 
Smith in Ceresco. He left his father's farm in 1944 to join the Navy at the age 
of 18. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Janette Smith in 1947. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and daughter, Lynea. 
Graveside committal services Jan. 3, 2009 at the I.O.O.F. Memorial Cemetery 
in Crescent City, Calif. Memorial services will be held at the Fort Dick Bible 
Church. Wier's Mortuary Chapel of Crescent City is in charge of the 
arrangements. 
 
LINCOLN - Arlene B. SUDIK, 85, of Lincoln, formerly of Wahoo, died Dec. 24. 
Arlene was born on Aug. 19, 1923 to Frank and Josephine (Simanek) Holub 
at Malmo. She took classes at Luther College in Wahoo and obtained a 
teaching certificate. She then taught at country schools in the Yutan and 
Ceresco areas. She was united in marriage to John Sudik on Dec. 27, 1945 
at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Colon. She was preceded in death by her 
husband; son, Terrance "Terry" Sudik; granddaughter, Nichole "Niki" Sudik; 
one sister. Private family services will be held. 
 
GALLATIN, Mo. - Paula J. ZICAFOOSE, 64, of Gallatin, Mo., died on Dec. 23 
on the Zicafoose family farm in Mead, after a brief battle with cancer. 
She was born on July 1, 1944, to Marjorie Lemire Jacoby and Bernard J. 
Jacoby in Vancouver, Wash. She moved to Nebraska in 1978 to marry 
Gary Zicafoose of Mead. The couple divorced. She was preceded in death 
by her son, Zachary Jay Zicafoose; brother, Robert Jacoby; and her parents. 
Services were held Dec. 28 in the YMCA Community Center in Valley with 
family friend Rev. Kyoki Roberts from Deep Spring Temple Zen Center of 
Sewickley, Penn. officiating. 


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