Columbus Telegram July 1 – July 15, 2008 BEAUMONT, Calif. – Frank GEISER, 86, died June 24, 2008, at his home in Beaumont, Calif. Born Jan 15, 1922, Lincoln. Lived in Columbus half his life. Preceded by his mother, Anna; and brother, Earl. COLUMBUS – Leslie Carroll OLCOTT, 54, of Columbus, died June 29, 2008. Born Feb 7, 1954, Columbus, to Carroll and June (Dallegge) Olcott. Worked for Union Pacific Railroad, Gerhold Concrete Company, Johnson Trucking and currently Gehring Construction and Ready Mix Company. Preceded by his grandparents, Jesse and Clara (Ernst) Olcott and Fred and Alice (Winkleman) Dallegge. Services July 3 at St Luke’s UCC. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. ALBION – Deva H. VAN DE WALLE, 86, of Albion, died June 30, 2008, Grand Island. Born July 3, 1921, Shelby, to Austin and Susan Belle (McMillan) Davis. Grew up in the Belgrade area. Preceded by her parents; one daughter, Julie Gray; three brothers, Calvin “Duke” Davis, Eugene “Chic” Davis and Wallace “Brownie” Davis; one sister, Lola Belle Reiken. Services July 3 at Palmer Funeral Home, Fullerton. Private burial later. NEWMAN GROVE – Harlan “Bouncer” JOHNSON, 84, of Newman Grove, died July 1, 2008, Albion. Born Jan 4, 1924, rural Newman Grove, to John and Martha (Gavle) Johnson. Attended UNL for one and one half years before returning to help on the farm. Married Lorraine Gabrielson on April 3, 1946 at the Methodist church in Newman Grove. Preceded by his parents; and one brother. Services July 5 at United Methodist Church, Newman Grove. Burial in Hope Cemetery, Newman Grove. Newman Grove Memorial Funeral Home in charge. COLUMBUS – Ellen “Moosh” K. KOPETZKY, 90, of Columbus, died July 1, 2008. Born Jan 2, 1918, Columbus, to John Henry and Bertha (Glur) Tylle. Married Herbert P. Kopetzky, Sept 15, 1942, at St Bonaventure Church, Columbus. Lived in Columbus before moving to rural Shelby in 1955 where they farmed until 1976. Moved to Columbus in 2005. Preceded by her husband in 1976; parents; grandson, Mark Todd Kopetzky; brothers, Harry Tylle, Kenneth “Hoot” Tylle, John “June” Tylle, and William “Bill” Tylle; and sisters, Anna Eileen Tylle, Margaret Tylle, Lucille Wendt, Glenda Maddox, and Gladys Tonniges. Services July 5 at St Anthony Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in St Bonaveture Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. KIHEI, Hawaii – William Draeger HEDLUND, 25, of Kihei, Hawaii, died June 25, 2008 at Maui Memorial Hospital, Maui, Hawaii. Services June 28 in Maalaea, Hawaii, Saturday at Church of the Nazarene in Fremont, and planned for St Louis. Ballard Family Mortuary, Maui, in charge. SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Jacqueline Ann MARLER, 82, died June 17, 2008 at Milam Manor, Colton. Born Jan 26, 1926, Rising City, to John “Jack” and Gladys Stuefer. Attended parochial school in Columbus. In 1938 family moved to San Bernardino. Employed as a laboratory technician at St Bernardino Hospital for several years, then as a parking contract officer for the City of San Bernardino Engineering Department. Preceded by her parents; and her husband, Johnie Marler. Graveside services Wednesday at St Bonaventure Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. COLUMBUS – Gerald ROARK, 94, of Columbus, died July 4, 2008. Graveside services July 9 at Central City Cemetery. Solt Funeral Home, Central City, in charge. LITCHFIELD, Ariz. – Carl E. EWERT, 89, of Litchfield Park and Surprise, Ariz., died June 11, 2008 in Sun City West, Ariz. Born Apr 23, 1919, Columbus, to Carl F. and Minnie (Von Hake) Ewert. Married Willa Mae “Billie” Jacobs, 1937. Was a WWII veteran, serving in the Nebraska National Guard and Army Air Corp. Preceded by his wife in Dec 1955; his parents; three brothers, George, Walt and Oscar Ewert; and three sisters, Esther Honath, Margaret Ahrens and Eleanor Berchtold. Memorial service July 11 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Columbus, Burial at Columbus Cemetery. HUMPHREY – Charli Elizabeth PODLISKA, newborn, died July 4, 2008. Born July 4, 2008 to Morgan Birchem and Nick Podliska at Columbus Community Hospital. Preceded by her grandmother, Sandra Podliska; and great-grandfather, Charles Boyle. Services Tuesday at McKown Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial in All Saints Cemetery, Columbus. CEDAR RAPIDS – Thomas J. FITZSIMMONS, 65, of Cedar Rapids, died July 6, 2008 at his home. Services July 9 at St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Burial in the parish cemetery. Levander Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, in charge. NEWMAN GROVE – William “Bill” KRALIK, 75, of Newman Grove, died July 6, 2008, at his home. Services July 10 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Newman Grove. Burial at Trinity Cemetery #1. Newman Grove Memorial Funeral Home in charge. COLUMBUS – Marcella THEILEN, 83, of Columbus, died July 5, 2008. Born Dec 19, 1924, Creston, to Reinhold and Martha (Loseke) Engelbart. Married Reinhardt Theilen, Sept 2, 1943, Creston. Lived on a farm south of Creston until 1979 when they moved to Columbus. Preceded by her parents; husband in 2004; three brothers-in-law, Paul Theilen, Albert Theilen, and Harold Theilen. Services July 10 at St John’s Lutheran Church, rural Columbus. Burial in St John’s Cemetery. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. FREMONT – Matthew D. HARTMANN, 23, of Fremont, died July 4, 2008, at Tofte, Minn. Preceded by his grandparents, Donald and Delores Hartmann and Darlene Hartmann. Services July 10 at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Fremont. Burial in Hooper Cemetery. Ludvigsen Mortuary, Fremont, in charge. MADISON – Brenton “Brent” Harris WESTFALL, 50, of Madison, died July 5, 2008 at his home. Born Apr 4, 1958, Albion, to Dr Robert and Lois (Johnson) Westfall. Working career was in auto and motorcycle mechanics. Lived in Omaha; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Austin, Texas; and Superior, Wis. Married Inkyung Park, 1977, Austin, Texas. Preceded by his father; and brother, Mike Westfall. Services July 10 at Historic Presbyterian Community Center, Madison. Burial in New Hope Cemetery, Platte Center. Resseguie Funeral Home, Madison, on charge. LEXINGTON – Howard D. WOOD, 79, of Lexington, died July 6, 2008. Born May 1, 1929 at Lexington, to Albert Harold and Gertrude Mary (Westbrook) Wood. Married Lila Hill, July 25, 1953, North Platte. Worked as the chef at Cornland Hotel and Parkway Café for 17 years. Retired from the Nebraska Department of Roads in May 1991. Preceded by his parents; daughter, Kerry Hunt; brothers, Harold, Lyle, Dale, Richard, Willard and Gene; two sisters, Thelma and Irene; and one great-grandson, Kaleb Dean Meridith. Services July 11 at Calvary Assembly of God Church. Inurnment in Evergreen Cemetery, Lexington. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home, Lexington, in charge. OVERLAND, Kan. – Robert E. “Bob” Zwiener, 47, of Overland, Kan., formerly of Spalding, died June 26, 2008 at Kansas City Hospice House in Missouri. Born Jan 12, 1961, Spalding, to Joseph A. and Mary (Reiter) Zwiener. Entered the Navy and deployed to the Indian Ocean area. Lived in Lincoln from 1985-2004 working for the Univ. of Nebr., and then lived in Lawrence and Kansas City driving for Swift. Preceded by his father. Services July 12 at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Spalding. Burial at St Michael’s Cemetery. Dolce-Scheef Mortuary, Spalding, in charge. DAVID CITY – Mary T. HUNT, 94, of David City, died July 8, 2008. Services July 11 at St Mary’s Catholic Church, David City. Burial at St Mary’s Cemetery. Chermok Funeral Home, David City, in charge. DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. – Joan KAMMERER, 62, of Dakota Dunes, S.D., died June 25, 2008 in Sioux City, Iowa. Born May 22, 1946, Genoa, to Kenneth and Anna Jean (Lawson) Flaherty. Married Robert Peterson, 1967, divorcing in 1991. Married Gene Kammerer on Oct 3, 1999 in McCook Lake, S.D. Worked at Tri-State Graduate Center in 1990 until 2003. Worked at Anthon-Oto School District from 2006-2008. Preceded by her parents; an infant brother, Michael Flaherty; and special uncle, Edwin Lawson. Services June 28 at Morningside Lutheran Church. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, Sioux City, in charge. COLUMBUS – Elsie E. RANDLES, 89, of Columbus, formerly of Fullerton, died July 8, 2008 at Morys Haven in Columbus. Born Oct 27, 1918, St Edward, to Christ and Ida (Lutzke) Smolinski, who came to America from Germany. Married James A. Randles, Mar 20, 1939. Lived on a farm in the St Edward and Genoa area; moved to Iowa, then back to Genoa. Was a caregiver for elderly people. Preceded by her parents; her husband on Aug 12, 1978; an infant granddaughter, Sherri Randles; three brothers, Alfred Smolinski, Bill Smolinski and Everett Smolenski; five sisters, Minnie Smith, May Andreason, Carrie Kretz, Nettie Eller and Millie Steinman. Services July 11 at Palmer Funeral Home, Fullerton. Burial in Valley View Cemetery, Genoa. LINDSAY – Orvileen “Orma” C. KLASSEN, 83, of Lindsay died July 9, 2008, Albion. Born Oct 1, 1924, Columbus, to William and Mathilda (Engelbert) Euteneuer. Married Tony H. Klassen Sr., on Feb 10, 1947 at St Bonaventure Catholic Church, Columbus. Farmed with her husband, retiring to Lindsay in 1989. Preceded by her parents; brother, Paul; and two great grandson. Duesman Funeral Chapel, Humphrey, in charge. NORFOLK – Elsie R. BURESH, 75, of Norfolk, died July 10, 2008, Clarkson. Born July 25, 1932, rural Leigh, to Joseph and Mary (Rosa) Boubin. Married LeRoy F. Buresh on Apr 14, 1953 at New Zion Presbyterian Church, Clarkson. They farmed in Dodge County until 1961; then moved to Stanton County until moving to Norfolk in 1981. Worked for the Norfolk Veterans Home as a dietitian for 24 ¾ years. Preceded by her husband in Apr 2002; her parents; sister, Lillian Hradec; and brother, Joe Boubin, Jr. Services July 14 at New Zion Presbyterian Church, Clarkson. Burial in Clarkson National Cemetery. Home for Funerals, Norfolk, in charge. CORVALLIS, Ore. – Clifford Jerome HEIBEL, 85, of Corvallis, Ore., formerly of Columbus, died Nov 14, 2007 after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease. Born Aug 8, 1922, Columbus, to Walter and Hattie (Johnson) Heibel. Was a 2nd lieutenant in the Army Air Corp during WWII. Married Elizabeth Mohr, Feb 14, 1948, Lincoln. Worked as an electrician for Hoessel Electric before starting his own business, Cliff’s Electric. Moved to Corvallis, Ore., in 1969, where he worked as an electric foreman at Evanite for 15 years. Memorial graveside service on July 14, 2008 at Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Columbus with military honors. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Margaret Ann JOHANSEN, 84, of Springdale, Ark., died July 9, 2008 at her home. Born Sept 25, 1923, rural Pender, to Harold and Florence (Van Valin) Palmer. Later moved to Valley. Married Francis Edward Johansen on Aug 24, 1941, in Valley. Preceded by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Rex and Jim Palmer; one brother-in-law, Dick Hayden; and one great-granddaughter, Kristin Rowell. Services July 14 at St Raphael Catholic Church, Springdale, Ark. Burial in Fayetteville National Cemetery, Fayetteville, Ark. Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove, Ark., in charge. COLUMBUS – Donna J. BAKER, 65, of Columbus, died July 12, 2008. Services July 18 at Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial in Okay Cemetery, rural Monroe. OMAHA – Easton H. LOEWENSTEIN, 1, of Omaha, died before July 14, 2008. Born to Ryan and Michelle Loewenstein. Services Monday at Bethany Lutheran Church, Elkhorn. Burial at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Elkhorn. Roeder Mortuary, Inc., of Omaha, in charge. PORTLAND, Ore. – Anne BRIESE, 86, of Portland, Ore., formerly of Albion, died July 10, 2008 at Cascade Terrace Nursing Center, Portland, Ore. Services July 18 at Zion Lutheran Church, Albion. Burial at Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion. Levander Funeral Home, Albion, in charge. WEST POINT – Jeffrey G. STRATMAN, 41, of West Point, died July 13, 2008. Born June 16, 1967, West Point, to Gerald and Sara (Ellis) Stratman. Studied diesel mechanics. Married Cindy Meister, Dec 19, 1987 at St Boniface Catholic Church, Monterey. Worked at West Point Implement, then for M&M farms. Preceded by his father in April 1995; father-in-law, William in Nov 2001; and grandparents, Ed Stratman and Harvey and Pauline Ellis. Services July 16 at St Mary’s Catholic Church, West Point. Burial at St Michael’s Cemetery. Stokely Funeral Home of West Point in charge. CLARKSON – Milo J. VODEHNAL, 84, of Clarkson, died July 12, 2008, Stanton. Services July 17 at New Zion Presbyterian Church, Clarkson. Burial at Clarkson National Cemetery. Miller Funeral Home, Clarkson, in charge. OMAHA – Robert C. WALGREEN, 73, of Omaha, died July 13, 2008 at his residence. Services July 17 at St Paul Lutheran Church, Osceola. Inurnment in Osceola Cemetery. Dubas Funeral Home of Osceola and Stromsburg in charge. Columbus Telegram July 15 – July 31, 2008 PORTLAND, Ore. – Anne BRIESE, 86, of Portland, Ore., formerly of Albion, died July 10, 2008 Portland, Ore. Born Sept 30, 1921, at Aberdeen, S.D., to Chris and Martha (Schurer) Siamis. Served in the Women’s Army Corp from Sept 1, 1943 to Dec 19, 1945. Married Clarence Briese Feb 9, 1946 at Cicero, Ill. Lived and farmed at Boone, southeast of Albion. Later lived in Columbus and Albion until Dec 2002 when she moved to Portland, Ore. Preceded by her parents; son, Brian Briese; and two brothers, Chris and Lew Siamis. Services July 18 at Zion Lutheran Church, Albion. Burial at Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion. Levander Funeral Home, Albion, in charge. OSCEOLA – Norris G. LARSON, 80, of Osceola, died July 15, 2008 at his residence. Services July 18 at Evangelical Covenant Church, Stromsburg. Burial in Osceola Cemetery with military rites. Dubas Funeral Home in Osceola in charge. RENTON, Wash. – Neil McANDREWS, 69, died July 12, 2008 after a short battle with liver cancer. Born Nov 1, 1939 in Harlan, Iowa. Moved to Omaha at age 6 months, then to Renton, Wash. with his wife. Served four years 4 years in the Air Force before his marriage. Worked for Boeing for 28 years as a flight line mechanic and later as a manager. Services July 16, 2008 at St Anthony Church, Renton, Wash. COLUMBUS – Donna J. BAKER, 65, of Columbus, died July 12, 2008. Born May 15, 1943, Gary, Ind., to Donald and Betty (Owens) Wells. Married at an early age and was widowed a couple years later. Then married Ray Baker, Dec 29, 1965, Woodward, Okla. They did custom farming in Kansas, and she also managed a sale barn café. Preceded by her parents; first husband; second husband in 1991; and sister, Lorna Zeaman. Services July 18 at Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial in Okay Cemetery, rural Monroe. CLARKS – Harold “Turk” L. CHURCH, 71, of Clarks, died July 15, 2008 at his residence. Services July 19 at Evangelical Free Church, Stromsburg. Burial in Pierce Chapel Cemetery, near Clarks. Dubas Funeral Home, Osceola, in charge. ST. PETERS, Mo. – Carl ERNST, 85, of St Peters, Mo. died July 17, 2008 at Mount Carmel Senior Living, St Charles, Mo. Born to Albert and Nellie Ernst. Married Virginia Ann. Employed in Sheet Metal at Food Equipment Corp. Preceded by brothers Paul, Jack and Gerald. Services Tuesday at All Saints Catholic Church, St Peters, Mo. Burial at St Charles Memorial Gardens, St Charles, Mo. Baue Funeral and Memorial Center, St Charles, Mo., in charge. BELLWOOD – Martha M. KMENT, 88, of Bellwood, died July 17, 2008, Schuyler. Born Mar 26, 1920, Columbus, to Joseph and Mary (Votova) Viglicky. Married Joseph T Kment on Apr 25, 1930 at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Schuyler. Preceded by her parents; husband; infant son Joey Kment; and one brother, Joseph Viglicky. Services Monday at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Schuyler. Burial in Schuyler Cemetery, Kracl Funeral Chapel, Schuyler, in charge. BELLWOOD – Robert C. MERRICK, 73, of Bellwood, died July 18, 2008 at Bellwood. Born July 8, 1935, Osceola, to Charles Richard and Helen Margaret (Cerny) Merrick. Married Nellie Raye Cox, Nov 2, 1957, Shelby. Served in the US Army in 1958. Was a propane manager for rural cooperatives; worked for Farmland Industries as a manager; worked in maintenance at Lakeview Nursing Home. Lived in Wahoo, Stromsburg, Bancroft, Columbus, Grand Island, retiring to Bellwood in 2005. Preceded by his parents. Services Tuesday at United Methodist Church, Osceola. Burial in Osceola Cemetery. Dubas Funeral Home, Osceola, in charge. COLUMBUS – Betty JOHNSON, 79, of Columbus, died July 19, 2008. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. CLARKS – Walter David JOHNSTON, 88, of Clarks, died at Grand Island, July 18, 2008. Born July 1, 1920, Macon, Mich., to Elmer P. and Daisy B. (Brightbill) Johnston. Entered the US Air Force on Jan 8, 1942, serving in Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, France, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. Worked for Tecumseh Manufacturing Plant in Michigan. Married Viola (Tyler) Beck on May 31, 1986, at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church, near Clarks. Preceded by two brothers; and two sisters. Services Tuesday at Solt Funeral Home, Central City. Burial in Bureau Cemetery by Pierce Chapel, near Clarks. COLUMBUS – B. Lavina “Kit” SMITH, 84, of Columbus, died July 18, 2008. Born Nov 8, 1923, rural Maxwell, to Jerry and Laura (Siegal) Bockus. Married Kenneth E Smith, July 3, 1943, Madison, Wis. Preceded by her parents; husband; daughter, Sherry Manak; brothers, Clarence, Wayne, Lloyd, James, and Ralph Bockus; and sisters, Dora Hansen, and Faye Bockus. Services Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Columbus. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. GENOA – Ann F. TWOREK, 91, residing the last 8 years at Good Samaritan Center, Osceola, died July 19, 2008. Born Oct 12, 1916, rural Nance County, to Joseph and Catherine “Katie” (Czuba) Kula. Married Joseph B. Tworek, Feb 16, 1942 at Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Krakow. Preceded by her parents; husband in 2000; brothers, Alex, Frank and Pete Kula; sisters, Rose Sumovich and Theresa Kula. Services Tuesday at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church of Genoa. Burial in Valley View Cemetery, Genoa. FREMONT – Hazel J. BITTINGER, 89, of Fremont, died July 18, 2008, at her home. Services Tuesday at Moser Memorial Chapel, Fremont. Burial in Memorial Cemetery, Fremont. COLUMBUS – Betty L. JOHNSON, 79, of Columbus, died July 19, 2008. Born Apr 9, 1929, Columbus, to Ralph and Irene (Anderson) Hasselbalch. Married Harold Smith, 1950. Moved numerous times with her husband’s job. Married Daryl Johnson, Jan 22, 1978. Involved in the restaurant business at Holiday Inn, Johnnies Steakhouse and Elks Country Club. Preceded by her parents; first husband; son, Kerry Smith; and one infant son. Services July 28 at Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus. CRETE – Helen Johanna KAUFMANN, 94, of Crete, died July 17, 2008. Born Apr 8, 1914 on the family farm near Genoa, to James and Clara (Engstrom) Arney. Married Jacob Kaufmann, Apr 4, 1934, at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, near St Edward. Farmed near St Edward, later took jobs as head cook at nursing homes in Albion and Fullerton. Moved to Lincoln in 1994. Preceded by her parents, husband in 1993; sister, Mildred Schwartz; and brother, Edwin Arney. Services Wednesday at Miller-Levander Funeral Home, St Edward. COLUMBUS – Betty Lou GARWOOD, 86, of Columbus, formerly of Aurora, died July 20, 2008, Golden Living Center, Columbus. Born Jan 15, 1922, Ansley, to Edmund and Edith (Rhodes) King. Married Doyle M Garwood, Sept 14, 1940 in the Baptist parsonage, Gibbon. Farmed near Ansley and worked at Hanley’s Grocery Store; then moved to Aurora in 1952. Became Executive Director of Crossroads Court in Aurora in 1967. Resigned in 1975 to keep books for the cemetery. Retired in 1988 and moved into Aurora. Moved to Columbus in 2001. Preceded by her parents; husband on Sept 15, 2000; an infant grandchild; and two brothers-in-law. Services July 23 at Aurora United Methodist Church. Burial in Aurora Cemetery. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in charge. SCHUYLER – Andrew Michael MUHLE, 21, of Schuyler, died July 21, 2008 in an auto accident four miles south of Schuyler. Born July 8, 1987, Schuyler, to Mike and Deb (Blum) Muhle. Was a junior at Univ. of Nebr, Omaha, studying Construction Management.Preceded by his grandfather, Walter Blum. Services Thursday at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Schuyler. Burial in Schuyler Cemetery. Kracl Funeral Chapel, Schuyler, in charge. HUMPHREY – Edwin R. OLMER, 86, of Humphrey, died July 21, 2008 at Creighton Medical Center, Omaha. Born July 5, 1922, Columbus, to John and Stella (Eisenmenger) Olmer. Served in the Army Air Force during WWII from 1942 to 1945. Lifetime Humphrey area resident where he was a dairy and grain farmer. Preceded by parents; son, Joseph in infancy; granddaughters, Jody Olmer, Angel Rose Fehringer, Bridget Lynn Sonderman; sisters, Marie (Sister Marina Olmer) and Dolores (Olmer) McPhillips. Services Thursday at St Francis Catholic Church, Humphrey. Burial in St Francis Cemetery, Humphrey. Duesman Funeral Chapel, Humphrey, in charge. HUMPHREY – Mark A. WERNER, 83, of Humphrey, died July 21, 2008 at Countryside Home, Madison. Born July 4, 1925, Humphrey, to Thomas and Margaret (Smith) Werner. Married Leona T. Schmitz, July 30, 1951, Lincoln. Served in the Army Air Force During WWII from Apr 19, 1946 to Sept 26, 1947. Lifetime resident of Humphrey; owned and operated Werner Transfer for 40 years. Preceded by his parents; wife on Jan 16, 1993; brothers, George, Martin, Marion and Jerome; sisters, Gertrude Witrock, Marcella Lee and Agnes Bruck; and son-in-law, Jeffrey Rodgers. Services Friday at St Francis Catholic Church, Humphrey. Burial at St Francis Cemetery, Humphrey. Duesman Funeral Chapel, Humphrey, in charge. DAVID CITY – Shirley B. SNYDER, of David City, formerly of Rising City, died July 21, 2008. Services Saturday at Rising City United Methodist Church. Burial in Circle Mound Cemetery, Rising City. Chermok Funeral Home, David City, in charge. LINCOLN – Melvin Theodore BOYD, Sr, 81, of Lincoln, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died July 23, 2008, at St Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Lincoln. Born Apr 8, 1927, at the family farm between Cedar Rapids and Belgrade, to Russell A. and Lillian (Dieke) Boyd. Served in the US Army Aug 24, 1951 to May 20, 1953. Married Mary Lou Berger, March 1957, at Burwell. Lived in Cedar Rapids where he helped his brother on the farm. Later worked for Douthit Construction, then for Boone County Department of Roads, retiring in 1981. Moved to Lincoln in 2007. Preceded by his parents; his wife in 1980; and his brother, John. Services July 28 at St John’s Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids. Burial at Sunset Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, with military rites. Levander Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, in charge. COLUMBUS – Guadalupe OLIVAS-DOMNGUEZ, 53, of Columbus, died July 24, 2008. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. LAKELAND, Fla. – Werner Carl ENGEL, 90, died July 16, 2008, from heart failure. Born Oct 20, 1917, Duncan. Married Betty. Service Aug 10 at Sheedy Center at Resurrection Catholic Church, Lakeland, Fla. Interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home in charge. COLUMBUS – Leona L. SMEJKAL, 96, died July 25, 2008. Born Oct 9, 1911 in rural Stanton County, to Charles and Alice (Severa) Malena. Married Frank Smejkal, Oct 21, 1931. Farmed in the Leigh area for over 41 years. Moved to Columbus after Frank’s death. Preceded by her parents; husband; brother, Edward Malena; sister, Evelyn Ramalia; sister, Blanche Spanhake. Private services Tuesday at Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial in Leigh City Cemetery, Leigh. ANSLEY – Gary L. IBACH, Sr, 68, of Ansley, died July 23, 2008 after a year-long battle with glioblastoma multiforme IV brain cancer. Born Dec 30, 1939, near Cumro, to Lee and Helen (Knajdl) Ibach. Worked for Culligan. Married Karen. Services July 28 at Ansley United Methodist Church. Burial in Mason City Cemetery. Govier Brothers Mortuary, Broken Bow, in charge. MESA, Ariz. – Milton FITTJE, 85, formerly of Boulder and Longmont, Colo., died July 20, 2008 in Phoenix, Ariz. Born Dec 4, 1922, in Platte County, to Herman and Emilie (Brakenhoff) Fittje. Married Martha Bokelman, May 27, 1945 at Peace Lutheran, Belgrade. Moved to Boulder, Colo. in 1963 from Omaha; then to Longmont, Colo. in 1984, and finally to Mesa, Ariz. in the mid-90s. Was self-employed as a carpenter. Preceded by his wife; parents; one daughter, Susan Frazee; two brothers; and three sisters. Services Aug 20 at First Lutheran Church, Longmont. Ahlberg Funeral Chapel in charge. KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Lu Cele Eugenia WOOTEN, 91, of Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Columbus, died July 26, 2008, in Liberty, Mo. Born June 2, 1917, rural Platte County, to James and Lulu (Russell) Shaneyfelt. Preceded by her husbands; one sister; two half brothers; and five grandchildren. Services July 29 at the Stine & McClue Funeral Home, Kansas City, Mo. Burial at Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Columbus. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. WATERLOO, Iowa – Mildred “Millie” BEDARD, 91, of Waterloo, Iowa, died July 15, 2008. Born May 6, 1917, Lindsay, to John and Mary Korth Kleffner; raised by her Uncle Bill and Aunt Margaret Berg. Married Robert James Bedard, Oct 5, 1940 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Waterloo, Iowa. Preceded by an infant brother; husband on July 1, 2002; older sister, Lauretta Dittrick, and almost all original Berg family members in Humphrey. Services July 19 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Waterloo, IA. Burial in Mt Olivet Cemetery, Waterloo, Iowa. Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service in charge. THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Larry DINEEN, 62, of The Woodlands, Texas, died July 24, 2008 at the Memorial Hermann Hospital, The Woodlands. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. CEDAR RAPIDS – Henrietta “Etta” Agatha KLEFFNER, 89, of Cedar Rapids, died July 26, 2008, at Boone County Health Center, Albion. Born Mar 14, 1919, on a farm west of Cedar Rapids, to Henry and Anna (Schmidtz) Boesch. Married Alouis (White) Kleffner, Mar 9, 1940, at St Anthony’s Catholic church. Lived and farmer in the Cedar Rapids area. Ran a Gift and Ceramic Shop in Cedar Rapids in the early ‘80’s. Preceded by her parents; husband; sisters, Rose Micek and Catherine Ritzdorf; brothers, Conrad, Joe, Tony, Lawrence, and Leo Boesch. Services July 29 at St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Burial in the parish cemetery. Levander Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, in charge. NELIGH – Mary E. OLSON, 93, of Neligh, formerly of Newman Grove, died July 25, 2008, Norfolk. Services July 28 at Looking Glass United Methodist Church, rural Lindsay. Burial in the parish cemetery. Beyer Funeral Home, Neligh, in charge. PASCO, Wash. – Keith Henry SIEMS, 83, of Pasco, Wash., died July 25, 2008, in Pasco, Wash. Born Apr 8, 1925, in Platte Center. Lived in the Tri-Cities area 45 years. Was a Radiation Monitor for Battelle. Preceded by sisters, Rita Launer and Ruth Rodman. Services July 29 at Christ the King Church. Burial with military honors at Resthaven Cemetery. Einans Funeral Home in charge. WOLBACH – Howard J. STOFFEL, 82, of Wolbach, died July 25, 2008 at the Nebraska Veterans Hospital, Omaha. Born Mar 24, 1926 on a farm east of Wolbach in Nance County to Frank and Maria (Benz) Stoffel. Married Ella Ostrander. Served in the US Army from Apr 25, 1951 to June 17, 1953. Married Georgia M. Baldwin, Sept 29, 1956, in Wolbach. Lived on the family farm near Wolbach; and later moved into town. Worked at Grossarts Propane, owned a grocery store in Wolbach, worked at the Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant in Grand Island, pumped gravel for Christensen Gravel, then worked at Monforts in Grand Island for seven years. Preceded by his parents; wife, Georgia on Jan 5, 1999; one son-in-law, Gordon Zulkoski; two sisters, Velda Greek and Freida Foster; and three brothers, Bud, Andrew and Reynard Stoffel. Services July 29 at United Methodist Church, Wolbach. Burial in Hillside Cemetery, Wolbach, with military honors. Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home, Wolbach, in charge. COLUMBUS – Betty JOHNSON, 79, of Columbus, died July 19, 2008. Service Monday at Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus. SHELBY – Eileen Mae SCHAF, 87, of Shelby, died July 28, 2008 in Fremont. Born Aug 6, 1920, Platte County, to Daniel and Louise (Schultz) Nauenburg. Married Emil Kubicek, Jan 28, 1942, at St Bonaventure Catholic Church, Columbus. Lived on a farm north of Shelby. Married Edward Schaf Feb 12, 1966 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shelby. Lived in Shelby. Worked as a grocery checker in Shelby for many years. Preceded by her parents; husband Emil Kubicek in Jan of 1964; husband Edward Schaf on Dec 31, 2002; son, David Kubicek; six brothers and three sisters. Services Aug 1, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shelby. Burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Shelby. Dubas Funearl Home of Osceola and Stromsburg in charge. COLUMBUS – Charlene VETICK, 71, of Columbus, died July 29, 2008 at Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa. Born May 17, 1937, Silver Creek, to Frank and Mabel (Brand) Carman. Moved to Grand Island in 1981 where she worked as a nurse’s aid and CSM at the Veterans Home for 12 years. Moved to Columbus in July 2000. Preceded by her parents. Services Aug 2 at St Anthony Catholic church, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. SCHUYLER – Colton Matthew WOEHL, 5 months, died July 19, 2008 at Sanford Children’s Hospital, Sioux Fall, S.D. Born Feb 6, 2008, Omaha, to Ryan and Brandy (Lynch) Woehl. Services Aug 2 at Salem Lutheran Church, Fremont. Burial in Memorial Cemetery, Fremont. Moser Memorial Chapel, Fremont, in charge. ====== Copyright © 2008 Nebraska Obituary Abstracts NEGenWeb Project