Ashland Gazette Jan 2008 WAHOO - Irvin Edgar BURMESTER, 82, died Jan. 3, 2008 in Wahoo. Born Oct. 9, 1925, to Arthur and Emma (Williamson) Burmester in rural Lyons. Married Vera Stanek of Fremont on Sept. 3, 1950. Preceded in death by his parents, a twin brother who died at birth, his wife, and an infant son, David. Services are pending at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lyons. BRAINARD - Paul DVORAK, 91, of Brainard, died Dec. 27, 2007. Born April 26, 1916 to Peter and Frances (Divis) Dvorak at Brainard. On May 12, 1942 he married Christine Mach in Wahoo. Preceded in death by his parents, his wife, brothers, Gabriel and Daniel Dvorak; sisters, Hattie, Frances, Agnes and Antoinette; a step-grandson, Jeremy Lorenz; and great-granddaughter, Taylor Vogel. Funeral services held Jan. 2, 2008 at Holesovsky Mortuary in Brainard. Burial at the Brainard National Cemetery. ASHLAND - Harold "Chuck" GILLESPIE, 74, of Ashland, died Dec. 12, 2007 in Omaha. Born in Bergoo, W. V. on Dec. 16, 1932 to Harold and Gladys (Lane) Gillespie. Served in the U. S. Army as a paratrooper during the Korean War. Married Frances Dunagan on April 1, 1961 in Omaha. She preceded him death on Nov. 13, 1998. Funeral services were held Dec. 17 at Marcy Chapel in Ashland. Interment at Sloan Cemetery near Sloan, Iowa with Military Honors by American Legion Post 295, on Dec. 22, 2007. GREENWOOD - Connie Mae GRELL, 64, of Greenwood, died Dec. 20, 2007. Connie Mae Grell was born in Ashland on Sept. 30, 1943, to John R. and Edith (Williams) Vosler. She is survived by husband Robert; daughter Diane Rico; son Robert Grell; grandson Alan Grell; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister Lila Alley. Preceded in death by parents, one brother and three sisters. There will be no services. WAHOO - Hazel M. GROSS, 84, of Lincoln, formerly of Wahoo, died Dec. 31, 2007. Born on Jan. 19, 1923, to Leo and Bess (Polak) Fraley in Wahoo. On Oct. 18, 1946 married John F. Gross Jr. in Marysville, Kan. Preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, Jane Gross, a son-in-law, Stan Bartels, sisters, Dorothy Valdez and Leona Roach, and nephew, Bob Valdez. Mass of Christian Burial held Jan. 5, 2008 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo. Interment will be at St. Francis Cemetery in Wahoo. ASHLAND - Don E. JUELFS, 76, of Ashland, died Dec. 19, 2007 in Omaha. Born in Cushing, Iowa on Nov. 9, 1931 to Anson and Della (Walrod) Juelfs. Served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. On July 3, 1952, married Donna Leckband at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Preceded in death by parents and brothers Duane and Delbert Juelfs. Funeral services were held Dec. 21, 2007 at Marcy Chapel in Ashland. Interment followed at Voss-Mohr Cemetery in Omaha with military honors by American Legion Post 374. OMAHA - Patrick M. Kucera, 50, of Omaha, died Dec. 31, 2007. Born Aug. 11, 1956, to Dr. Paul (Milton) and JoAnn (Cartwell) Kucera in Omaha. His paternal grandparents were Louis Jr. and Helen (Svoboda) Kucera of Brainard. His great-grandparents were Cyril and Josie (Kirbey) Svoboda of Prague. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha. WAHOO - Allan Roy LARSEN, 76, of Wahoo, died Dec. 27, 2007. Born March 19, 1931, to Roy and Jennie (Larson) Larsen in Wahoo. His parents, and a brother, Harold, preceded him in death. Several cousins and other relatives survive him. Funeral services held Dec. 31, 2007 at the Pruss-Nabity Funeral Home. Interment at Sunrise Cemetery in Wahoo. OMAHA - Margaret E. LARSON, 77, of Omaha died Dec. 23, 2007 at her home in Omaha. Born on Nov. 4, 1930 in Ashland. Preceded in death by husband, Orvin L. Larson. She is survived by son, Michael Larson of Omaha. A private family service was held. Interment at the Ashland Cemetery in Ashland. LINCOLN - Darrell E. MORTON, 79, of Lincoln formerly of Wahoo and Grand Forks, N.D. died Dec. 28, 2007 in Lincoln. Preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Edna Morton and a sister, Dorothy Egr. Funeral services, Jan. 2, 2008 at Eastridge Presbyterian Church in Lincoln. Burial at the Wahoo Cemetery. BEATRICE - Anthony F. OTTIS, Jr., 59, of Beatrice, died Dec. 27, 2007 in Lincoln. Born Aug. 24, 1948, to Anthony F. Sr. and Johanna (Purchal) Ottis in Norfolk. Preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Ann Purchal and Killian and Frances Ottis, infant brother, William Dale Ottis and nephew, Eric Ottis. Funeral Mass Dec. 31, 2007 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo, NE. Interment will be at St. Francis Cemetery in Wahoo. ASHLAND - Abraham Joseph PRUITT, infant son of Ted and Melissa Pruitt of Ashland, born at rest Dec. 28, 2007 at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha. A funeral service was held Jan. 3, at 11 a.m. at Riverview Community Church in Ashland. Interment will follow at the Ashland Cemetery. Arrangements by Marcy Mortuary, Ashland. ASHLAND - Earl L. ROLL, 72, died Dec. 23, 2007. Born on July 30, 1935 in Chalco to Henry and Esther M. (Johnson) Roll. He grew up in the Chalco area. Entered the U. S. Army on Dec. 3, 1954. Preceded in death by his parents and brothers Marvin, Henry and Ted Roll. Services all at Marcy Mortuary Chapel in Ashland. Military Honors will follow the service provided by the Yutan American Legion Post 282. FREMONT - Lynn W. SETTLES, 88, of Fremont, formerly of Cedar Bluffs, died Dec. 31, 2007 at his home. Born Jan. 21, 1919 to Thomas and Malinda (Nick) Settles in Cedar Bluffs. He served during WWII. He attained the rank of Captain during his active duty in the 812th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Married Ida Marie Newsom on May 4, 1943 in North Bend. Funeral services were held Jan. 4, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Bluffs. Burial was at Maple Grove Cemetery at Cedar Bluffs with full military honors. LINCOLN - Leonard Joseph TROUBA, 77, of Lincoln, formerly of Dwight, died Dec. 27, 2007 in Wahoo. Born June 17, 1930 to Joseph and Mary (Kunasek) Trouba at Garland. Was a U. S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict. Preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Richard Trouba; and a sister, Mary Ann Cecava. Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 31, 2007 at Assumption Catholic Church in Dwight. Burial was at the Assumption Catholic Cemetery with full military honors provided by Dwight American Legion 110. ELKHORN - Richard Allan BARRY, 51, of Elkhorn, died Dec. 24, 2007 at his home in Elkhorn. Born on Feb. 4, 1956 to Wayne and Norma (Wesely) Barry in Wahoo. Married Joni Schultz on May 1, 1982 in Malmo. They divorced. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Dale. Funeral services were held Dec. 29, 2007 at Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church in Elkhorn. Burial was at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Elkhorn. LINCOLN - Donald Eugene "Peannie" COTTON, 71, of Lincoln, died peacefully at home Jan. 9, 2008. Born June 1, 1936 to William and Ella (Tazler) Cotton. He attended Lincoln Northeast High School, Class of 1954. Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dale and Ronald Cotton; brother and sister-in-law, William and Beverly Cotton. Funeral services were held Jan. 14, 2008 at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Burial followed at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery. Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, in Lincoln was in charge of arrangements. WAHOO - Helen L. DIVIS, 87, of Wahoo, died Jan. 7, 2008 in Sun City, Ariz. Born on Aug. 16, 1920, to Albert and Mayme (Hajek) Havel at the Chicago Burlington Railroad Depot living quarters in Edholm. Her father was the stationmaster there at the time. Married William E. Divis on May 6, 1941 in Schuyler. Preceded in death by her husband, a grandson Scott Jardee and great-grandson, Peter Divis. Mass of Christian Burial held Jan. 14, 2008 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Interment will be at St. Francis Cemetery in Wahoo. Svoboda Funeral Home of Wahoo is in charge of the arrangements. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Virginia Eileen GELWICK, 87, died on Jan. 6, 2008 at the home of her daughter. Born July 5, 1920, to Inez Mary (Platfoot) and Frank Almon White in Omaha. On Nov. 5, 1951, she married Dr. Richard Gruver Gelwick of Fall City. Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a brother, Roland Vincent White of Cincinnati, Ohio. A celebration of life was held, Jan. 19 at St. Marks Methodist Chapel at 8550 Pioneers Blvd. in Lincoln. Interment held at Sunrise Cemetery in Wahoo. ASHLAND - Hazel R. HOWARD, 87, of Ashland died Jan 13, 2008 in Lincoln. Hazel R. Howard was born in Mission Creek on Feb. 18, 1920 to Harvey and Hattie (Knowles) Thompson. On Jan. 19, 1947, married Jack Howard in Pawnee City. Preceded in death by husband Jack; parents; brothers, Dorance and Galen Thompson; sisters Donna Thompson Straub and Marguerite Thompson. Funeral Service held at the First Christian Church in Ashland with interment following at the Ashland Cemetery. WAHOO - Valentine C. MEDUNA, 80, of Wahoo, died Jan. 8, 2008 in Ashland, NE. Born in rural Ithaca, to Frank and Gustie (Brabec) Styskal. Married Leonard Meduna on June 17, 1947 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo. Preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers, Frank and Edward Styskal; sisters, Rose Kubik, Tillie Koranda and Stella Root. Mass of Christian Burial held Jan. 12, 2008 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo. Interment will be at St. Francis Cemetery in Wahoo. GOODLAND, Kan. - Lois V. PETERSON, 85, of Goodland, Kan., died Jan. 13, 2008. Born April 27, 1922, to Clyde and Oma (Packwood) Vandruff on a farm in Gosper Co., NE. On June 26, 1949, married Clarence Peterson at the Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two brothers Wayne Vandruff and Dwight Vandruff. Funeral service Jan. 18, 2008 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Goodland. Inurnment will be Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. at Arapahoe Cemetery in Arapahoe, NE. Koons Funeral Home of Goodland, Kan. is in charge of the arrangements. ASHLAND - Emil C. "Bud" STURZENEGGER, 61 of Ashland died Jan. 11, 2008 at his home. Emil, known as Bud by everyone, was born in Omaha on Jan. 6, 1947 to Emil and Vivian (Scholting) Sturzenegger. On Oct. 10, 1970, married Kathy Gilbert at the First Christian Church in Ashland. Preceded in death by his wife Kathy "Chat" Sturzenegger and father Emil Carl Sturzenegger. Services held Jan. 16, 2008, at Marcy Chapel in Ashland. Military honors by American Legion Post 129. WAHOO - George F. BENES, 92, of Wahoo, died Jan. 14, 2008 in Lincoln. Born to John and Barbara (Vysocan) Benes on a farm near Ceresco. Married Betty Komenda on Oct 6, 1945 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Brainard. Preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and four sisters. Mass of Christian Burial was held Jan. 18, 2008 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo. Interment was at St. Francis Cemetery in Wahoo. WAHOO - Don BRODAHL, 87, of Wahoo, died on Jan. 19, 2008. Born June 13, 1920, to Alfred and Ruth (Erickson) Brodahl in Omaha. Enlisted in the U. S. Navy the day after Pearl Harbor, attending midshipmen's school at Columbia University. Married Eunice Olson on Aug. 29, 1947 at Grace Lutheran Church in Swedeburg. Memorial services Jan. 25, 2008 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wahoo, NE. Committal services at Sunrise Cemetery with military graveside honors conducted by Wahoo American Legion Post 82 and Wahoo V.F.W. Post 4502. ASHLAND - Myrtle Sophie FOLSOM, 94, of Ashland, died on Jan. 16, 2008 in Lincoln. Born in Ashland on Sept. 27, 1913 to Herman and Clara (Detsauer) Scheel. Married Clarence Folsom in Mar. 1931. Preceded in death by her husband; brothers Walt, Carl and Emil and sisters Lula and Millie. Services were held Jan. 19, 2008 at Marcy Mortuary Chapel in Ashland. Interment followed at the Ashland Cemetery. FARGO, N.D. - Matthew W. GISVOLD, 47, of Fargo, ND died Jan. 13, 2008. He was born April 6, 1960 to Marvin and Joyce (Stordahl) Gisvold. Preceded in death by his parents and his son Brady Gisvold. Services were held Jan. 15, 2008 at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, N.D. DAVID CITY - Richard H. GRUBAUGH, 90, of David City, died Jan. 19, 2008. Born Nov. 18, 1917 to Roy and Anna (Havel) Grubaugh in Linwood. Married Carol Rolofson on Aug 20, 1940 in Wahoo. Preceded in death by his parents, his wife; daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy and George Romshek, Jr.; grandsons, Dennis Romshek and Kevin Svoboda; great-grandson, Blake Svoboda; and great-great-grandson, Max Seager; brother, Marv Grubaugh; brother and sister-in-law, Al and Bess Grubaugh and sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Florence "Oz" Georlinger. Funeral services Jan. 25, 2008 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in David City with Christian burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in David City. ASHLAND - Hazel R. HOWARD, 87, of Ashland died Jan 13, 2008 in Lincoln. Hazel R. Howard was born in Mission Creek on Feb. 18, 1920 to Harvey and Hattie (Knowles) Thompson. On Jan. 19, 1947, married Jack Howard in Pawnee City. Preceded in death by husband Jack; parents; brothers, Dorance and Galen Thompson; sisters Donna Thompson Straub and Marguerite Thompson. Funeral Service at the First Christian Church in Ashland with interment following at the Ashland Cemetery. WAZATA, Minn. - Sharon Lee REXROTH, 68, of Wazata, Minn., died Jan. 6, 2008 at her home. Born May 16, 1939 to Thomas and Hazel (Kruce) Shanahan in Wahoo. Married Lynn Rexroth on Aug. 28, 1960. Preceded in death by her father. A memorial service was held Jan. 6, 2008 at the Mayflower Church in Minneapolis, Minn. JOPLIN, Mo - Frank E. CHMELKA, 89, died Jan. 24, 2008 in Joplin, Mo. Born Dec. 27, 1918 to Frank J. and Christina (Mach) Chmelka on a farm southwest of Prague. In 1941 he was inducted into the army and served in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor was bombed. He later served in the Philippines and Okinawa. He retired from the army in 1963 but later re-enlisted and served in Viet Nam. After his tour in Viet Nam, he officially retired with the rank of Master Sergeant and 25 years of service. Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond and Richard Chmelka; and sister, Clara Warner. Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home of Seneca, Mo, was in charge of the arrangements. Memorial services for Barbara Dorothy (Dottie) CLAASSEN of Beatrice were held Jan. 21, 2008 at the Beatrice Mennonite Church. Barbara, 78, passed away Jan. 18, 2008 at BryanLGH Medical Center West in Lincoln. Born on Aug. 26, 1929 at Beatrice to Gerhard and Barbara (Jantzen) Ensz. Married to Waldo F. Claassen on Sept.22, 1950 and they lived happily together for over 40 years. Burial preceded the memorial services at the First Mennonite Cemetery of rural Beatrice. WAHOO - Jennie M. FILBRANDT, 84, of Wahoo, died Jan. 27, 2008. Born to John and Barbara (Weiss) Leitgeb in Wahoo. Married Raymond Filbrandt on Aug. 17, 1940 in Wahoo. Preceded in death by her husband; sons, Robert and James Filbrandt; daughter and son-in-law, Rose Ann and Edward Prohaska; five brothers and three sisters. Funeral service, Jan. 31, 2008 at Svoboda Funeral Home in Wahoo. Interment will be at Sunrise Cemetery in Wahoo. CEDAR BLUFFS - Audrey E. MAY, 92, of Cedar Bluffs, died Jan. 31, 2008 in Fremont. Born Feb. 4, 1915 to Davis and Maude (Corson) Jackson in Lynch. Married Arthur E. May on Oct. 31, 1936 at Elk Point, S.D. Preceded in death by her husband on Oct. 1, 2004; her parents; her stepmother, Mary Bishop Jackson; four sisters, Leara Curfman, Vava Jackson, Phyllis Pigg and Grace Jackson; and a step-grandchild, Keith Polen. Funeral services were held Feb. 5, 2008 at Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont. Burial was at Ridge Cemetery in Fremont. ASHLAND - Lois WHITEAKER, 74, of Ashland, died Jan. 26, 2008 at her home. Lois Whiteaker was born in Watson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 1933 to Raymond and Elsie (Herrmann) Oslin. On July 14, 1951 she married William Keith Case. On Sept. 20, 1975, she married Otto Whiteaker. Preceded in death by her parents; sons Raymond Oslin and Rick Case; first husband William Keith Case and second husband Otto Whiteaker; three brothers and seven sisters. Memorial service held, Feb. 2, 2008 at Marcy Mortuary Chapel in Ashland. Inurnment will be at the Ashland Cemetery. ====== Copyright © 2008 Nebraska Obituary Abstracts NEGenWeb Project