Columbus Telegram
June 1 – June 15, 2008

HUMPHREY – Larry J. LASKA, 53, of Humphrey, died May 29, 2008 at Columbus 
Community Hospital. Born Sept 13, 1954, Lindsay, to Lawrence P. Laska and 
R. Berdelle Shanle. Married Joan M. Wemhoff, Oct 10, 1981 at St Francis 
Catholic Church, Humphrey. Lived in Lindsay and Humphrey. Farmed with his 
family. Preceded by his father, Lawrence P. Laska; and stepfather, Mark Ludden. 
Services Monday at St Francis Catholic Church, Humphrey. Burial in St Francis 
Cemetery, Humphrey. Duesman Funeral Chapel, Humphrey, in charge.

ST. EDWARD – Bethyne Kay EVANS, 70, of St Edward, died May 31, 2008 at 
her home in St Edward. Born June 22, 1937, St Edward, to Vernon James and 
Priscilla (Lowe) Weldon. Married Jerry Evans, June 19, 1954. Farmed near 
St Edward until 2000 when they retired. Preceded by her parents; 
grandson, Ryan Evans; sister, Shirley Thompson; father- and mother-in-law, Fay 
and Ruth Evans; and brother-in-law, Ivan Maricle. Services June 4 at United 
Methodist-Presbyterian Church, St Edward. Burial in Evergreen 
Cemetery, St Edward. Miller-Levander Funeral Home, St Edward, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Charles FRANZ, 56, of Columbus, died May 30, 2008. 
Services Thursday at McKown Funeral Home Chapel, Columbus.

LINCOLN – Ethel Louise (Van Matre) PIFER, of Lincoln, originally from 
Rising City, died May 30, 2008, in Lincoln. Services Monday at Chermok 
Funeral Home, David City. Burial in Circle Mound Cemetery.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Lynette A. GOINS, 55, died May 29, 2008, after a 
three-year illness with cancer. Born Jan 12, 1953, Central City, to Robert 
and Alnetta (Kargas) Topinka. Married Richard “Rick” Goins, May 8, 1976, 
Columbus. Lived in Sioux Falls, S.D.; Edmond, Okla.; and in Omaha. Made 
their home in Sioux City in 1989. Preceded by her parents. Services 
Tuesday at St Joseph Catholic Church. Burial in Calvary Cemetery.

NEWMAN GROVE – Myrtle LONG, 91, of Newman Grove, died May 31, 2008
in Albion. Services June 4 at Zion Lutheran Church, Newman Grove. Burial 
in Hope Cemetery, Newman Grove. Newman Grove Memorial Funeral 
Home in charge.

COLUMBUS – Annette JOHANNES, 86, of Columbus, died June 2, 2008, Madison. 
Born Nov 23, 1921, Columbus, to William and Helena (Muth) Heins. Married Paul 
Johannes, June 17, 1942, Platte Center. Preceded by her parents; husband; one 
grandson; brother, Elmer Heins; and sisters, Ruth Siebler and Verla Siebler. 
Services June 5 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Burial in Roselawn Memorial 
Cemetery, Columbus. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Charles E. FRANZ, 56, of Columbus, died May 30, 2008. 
Born Nov 5, 1951, Lafayette, Ind., to Ernest and Patricia (Steiner) Franz. 
Served in the US Army from 1971-1974. Worked at Staley’s in Indiana 
prior to working at ADM in 1993. Married Debra J. (Frost) 
Love-Franz, July 3, 1997, Columbus. Preceded by his mother; 
grandparents; and nephew, Ryan Bible. Services June 5 at 
McKown Funeral Home Chapel, with military honors.

COLUMBUS – Leonard KREPEL, 82, of Columbus, died June 1, 2008, Schuyler. 
Born Nov 7, 1925, rural Leigh, to Henry and Josie Krepel. Drafted into the 
U. S. Army on Feb 22, 1944 and honorably discharged on June 24, 1946. 
Married Correnne “Corky” Moural, June 12, 1949, Schuyler. Was a foreman 
at Behlen Manufacturing for over 40 years. Also managed Columbus Place 
Apartments the last 18 years. Preceded by his parents; step-mother, Charlotte 
Krepel; daughter, Joyce Shockley; infant son, Jerry Krepel; and brother, Wayne 
Krepel. Services June 4 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Columbus. Burial in Schuyler 
Cemetery with military honors. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

DUNCAN – Everette C. ESCHLIMAN, 75, of Duncan, died June 2, 2008. 
Born May 13, 1933, David City, to Louis and Sylvia (Meyers) Eschliman. 
Grew up in the Rising City area. Married Irene Boro on Oct 9, 1954 at 
St Bonaventure Church, Columbus. Lived in Butler County for many 
years before moving to Duncan about 11 years ago. Preceded by his 
parents; daughter, Barbara Deavers; son, Buddy J. Eschliman; 
son-in-law, Gary L. Davis; sister, Velma Elsner; and brother, Dale 
Eschliman. Services June 6 at St Bonaventure Church, Columbus. 
Burial at Sts Peter & Paul Cemetery-Krakow, rural Genoa. McKown 
Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

DENVER – Cynthia Diane CIUREJ, 57, of Denver, died May 25, 2008, in 
Osceola. Born June 25, 1950, Denver, Colo. to Ernest Neuman and 
Caroline Elizabeth (Sherouse) McGowen. Furthered her education at 
Community College of Denver and College of Lake County in 
Waukegan, Ill. Married Lawrence Edward Ciurej, Oct 22, 2006, Osceola. 
Worked for Rocky Mountain News until 2001 and the Polk County Sheriff’s 
office. Preceded by her father. Services June 9 at St Paul Lutheran 
Church, Osceola. Services and burial June 13 at Ft Logan National 
Cemetery. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

CREIGHTON – Services for Dale Bruce MORRILL, 83, and Carol 
MORRILL, 71, of Creighton, June 9 at United Methodist Church, Creighton. 
They died as a result of a semi/van accident south of Columbus. Dale was 
born Sept 20, 1924, southwest of Creighton, to Roy and Jessie (Holdreth) 
Morrill. Taught country school before enlisting in the army. Returned to 
Creighton, accepting position of Postmaster, started his own implement 
business, Morrill Tractor, Inc., and farmed. Married Carol Elaine 
Faith, Dec 24, 1955, at United Methodist Church, Creighton. 
Died May 24, 2008, Omaha. Carol was born Oct 10, 1936, on a farm 
southwest of Creighton to Levi and Maxiene Elaine (Pierce) Faith. 
Married Dale Bruce Morrill, Dec 24, 1955 at United Methodist 
Church, Creighton. Died May 15, 2008. Brockhaus Funeral 
Home, Creighton, in charge.

ST. LOUIS, MO. – Marjorie Irene VAN CLEAVE, 75, of St Louis, Mo, died 
May 6, 2008 at Parkwood Skilled Nursing Care, St Louis. Graveside services 
June 7 at Fullerton Cemetery, Fullerton. Palmer Funeral 
Home, Fullerton, in charge.

GRAND ISLAND – Raymond L. MOLCZYK, 78, of Grand Island, died June 2, 2008. 
Born Sept 3, 1929, Spalding, to Stanley and Dorothy (Kowalski) Molczyk. Married 
Adeline Adnell Sawicki, June 7, 1962, at St Francis Church, Ashton. Employed at 
Union Pacific Railroad as a Carmen for 45 years, retiring in 1990. He was a member 
of the National Guard in the 1950’s and a police officer and Sargent with the Grand 
Island Police Department in the 1970’s. Preceded by his parents; son, Ronald 
“Ronnie J”; two brothers, Clem and George; brother-in-law, Alvin Zelasney, and 
sister-in-law, Alice Molczyk. Services June 5 at St Mary’s Cathedral. Burial in 
Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Kleine Funeral Home in charge.

BATTLE CREEK – Paula WEMHOFF, 36, of Battle Creek, formerly of Humphrey, died 
June 4, 2008, in Omaha. Born Dec 23, 1971, Columbus, to Steen T. and Constance 
M. (Bender) Chaulk. Married Ronald T. Wemhoff, Oct 10, 1991, at St Francis Catholic 
Church, Humphrey. Preceded by her father; and her fraternal and maternal grandparents. 
Services June 9 at St. Francis Catholic Church, Humphrey. Burial in St Francis 
Cemetery, Humphrey. Duesman Funeral Home, Humphrey, in charge.

LAKELAND, Fla. – Harry “Bud” LAMBERT, 82, died Mar 25, 2008, after a year-long 
illness. Born Feb 22, 1926, Moline, Ill, to Mary and Orville Lambert. Married Clara 
Skinner, June 1947. Preceded by his parents; a son, David; and a sister, Helen 
Ellett. His body was cremated and interred at Florida National Veteran’s 
Cemetery, Bushnell.

COLUMBUS – Jeremy David ELLER, 26, of Columbus, died June 4, 2008. 
Born May 13, 1982, Columbus, to David and Anita (Konz) Eller. Worked 
for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut and Wal-Mart. Preceded by his 
grandmother, Helen Eller; grandparents, Rudolph and Helen Konz; uncle 
and godfather, Roger Konz. Services June 9 at St Peter’s Catholic 
Church, Bellwood. Burial in Ss Peter & Mary’s/Presentation 
Cemetery, Bellwood. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Maxine SHELTON, 85, of Columbus, formerly of Central 
City, died at her home in Columbus on June 2, 2008. Born Aug 28, 1922, Central 
City, to Edson and Gladys (Leamons) Chandler. Married Max H. Shelton, Jr on 
Sept 18, 1940, in Aurora. Farmed in Merrick County in the years of their 
marriage. Preceded by her parents; her husband on Feb 14, 1991;  her 
grandson, David Forbis; and two brothers, Don and Charles Chandler. 
Services and burial at Central City Cemetery. Solt Funeral 
Home, Central City, in charge.

OSCEOLA – LeMoyne M. ANDERSON, 90, of Osceola, died June 6, 2008. 
Services Tuesday at St Paul Lutheran Church, Osceola. Burial in Osceola 
Cemetery with military rites. Dubas Funeral Home, Osceola, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Sylvia OLSON, 92, of Columbus, died June 6, 2008, the last 
survivor of 13 children. Born Dec 27, 1915, Leigh, to John and Emma (Stejskal) 
Barta, who came to America from Czechoslovakia. Married Arnold (A.T.) 
Olson, Jan 2, 1936, Columbus. They lived on Arnold’s family farm, farming jointly 
with his parents. Preceded by her parents; her husband in 2002; son, Arnold 
Olson, Jr.; infant son, Richard Olson; son-in-law, William Hamernik; 
son-in-law, Don Barr; daughter-in-law, Donna Olson; grandson, David Barr; 
infant granddaughter, Kristine Fuhr; seven brothers; and five sisters. 
Services Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church, Leigh. Burial in Zion Lutheran 
Cemetery, Leigh. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Melvin E. SCHUMACHER, 63, of Columbus, died June 7, 2008. 
Born Apr 1, 1945, Plainview, to Robert and Leona (Buccholz) Schumacher. 
Entered the US Air Force on Sept 14, 1965. Married Shirley Roberts on 
Dec 27, 1968 in Abilene, Texas. Worked for Aquila/Peoples Natural Gas in 
Columbus where he retired as utilities manager. Preceded by his parents; 
brothers, Alan Schumacher and Larry Schumacher; and his aunt, Iva 
Buccholz. Services June 10 at Gass Haney Funeral Home. Burial at Fort 
McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, with military honors.

FREMONT – Margaret A. GRESER, 75, of Fremont, died June 7, 2008. 
Services June 10 at Moser Memorial Chapel, Fremont.

FULLERTON – Wilma E. DODDS, 81, of Fullerton, died June 9, 2008, Grand Island. 
Born Mar 12, 1927, Nance County, to Herman and Martha (Hellbusch) Schweitz. 
Taught District #9 school in Nance County for several years. Married Harold 
Dodds, June 3, 1947, at Peace Lutheran Church [Belgrade?] Farmed in Boone 
County for 12 years. Moved to her family home in Timber Creek area near 
Belgrade in 1970. Farmed there until 1994; moved to Fullerton in 1999. 
Preceded by her parents; her husband on May 31, 2005; one brother 
Raymond Schweitz killed in Korea on May 23, 1951; and one sister, Edna 
Gallo. Services Friday at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Fullerton. Burial in 
Peace Lutheran Cemetery, near Belgrade. Palmer Funeral Home, Fullerton, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Henry H. CAMPAIN, 89, of Columbus, died June 9, 2008 at 
Nebraska Veterans Home, Norfolk. Born Sept 26, 1918, Genoa, to Henry O. 
and Lillie (Simpson) Campain. Worked at Reece’s Wooden Shoe Factory, Columbus. 
Entered the US Army Air Corp on Jan 31, 1942. May 10, 1947, married Helen Pollard 
in Columbus. Later went to work for Behlen Manufacturing as a mechanical 
engineer, retiring after 28 years of service. Preceded by his parents; wife on 
May 24, 2007; and two sisters. Services June 13 at The Word Of Life 
Church, Columbus. Burial in Okay Cemetery, rural Monroe, with military honors. 
Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Doris CRECELIUS, 94, of Columbus, died June 10, 2008 at her 
home at Cottonwood Assisted Living in Columbus. Born July 9, 1913, Yankton, S.D., 
to Tom and Emma (Kurtz) Inch. Her father died when she was 8 years old, and her 
mother then married Edwin West who adopted Doris and her brother Kurtz. Married 
Harry “HG” Crecelius in 1939 in Yankton. They moved to Phoenix, Ariz. In 1949. 
Preceded by her parents; husband; and brother, Kurtz West. Private services later. 
Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Bernard David WEINSTEIN, 85, of San Antonio, Texas, died 
May 27, 2008. Services May 30 at Porte Loring Mortuary. Burial at Beth El Memorial Park.

COLUMBUS – Gary WITZEL, 63, of Columbus, died at his home on 
June 10, 2008, following a lengthy illness. Born near Madison on Jan 18, 1945, to 
Dorsey and Pearl (Henry) Witzel. Served six years in the Nebraska National guard. 
Married Susan M. Summers on May 1, 1966, at Forster. Worked in construction, mailing 
in plumbing. Owned Witzel Plumbing & Heating in Fremont for several years before returning 
to farm in Pierce County. Later moved to Columbus. Preceded by his parents; his 
daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy” Timm, and two brothers, Larry Witzel and Duane Witzel. 
Services Saturday at Home for Funerals, Norfolk. Inurnment later.

GRAND ISLAND – Jerry E. THORNE, 77, of Grand Island, died June 10, 2008. 
Born Sept 27, 1930, Grand Island, to Hans and Katherine (Geseking) Thorne. 
Raised in Ottumwa, Iowa, Lexington and Hastings. Served in the US Army 
during the Korean War. Married Beverly Connole on July 2, 1955 at Grand Island. 
Lived in Grand Island, then Lexington where they owned and operated a motel 
for two years before moving to Hastings where he was a realtor with his brother. 
Moved to Grand Island in 1974 where he worked for Sam Huston Realty; then 
Thompson Company where he retired in 1992. Preceded by his parents; and a 
brother, Jack Thorne. Services Saturday in the chapel of All Faiths Funeral 
Home, Grand Island with military honors. 

GARRISON – Lyle D. KOPKE, 63, of Garrison, formerly of Rising City, died 
June 12, 2008 at his residence. Services Monday at Immanuel Lutheran 
Church, rural Rising City. Burial in the church cemetery. Chermok Funeral 
Home in charge.

FREMONT – Services for Rose KNEPPER, 87, of Fremont, formerly of Schuyler 
Tuesday (June 17) at First Lutheran Church, Fremont. Had worked at Dale 
Electronics (Vishay), in Columbus. Preceded by her parents; her 
husband, Burton; two sisters; and four brothers. Private family burial in 
Schuyler Cemetery. Ludvigsen Mortuary, Fremont, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Charles WILLETS, of Columbus, died June 14, 2008 
at his home. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

Columbus Telegram
June 16 – June 30, 2008

COLUMBUS – Charles “Chuck” WILLETS, 68, of Columbus, died June 14, 2008 
at his home. Born Aug 16, 1939, Lexington, to Charles and Katherine (Kumpf) 
Willets. Served in the US Navy from 1961 until 1965. Graduated from Univ. of 
California-Riverside in 1969. Married Bonnie Michener, Mar 18, 1972, Columbus. 
Preceded by his father; and sister, Carolyn Witthuhn. Services Wed., at Trinity 
Lutheran Church, Columbus. Burial in Columbus Cemetery with military honors. 
McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

SCHUYLER – Leonard ENGEL, 89, of Schuyler, died May 18, 2008. Services 
Thursday [June 19] at First Presbyterian Church, Schuyler. Burial at Schuyler 
Cemetery. Svoboda Funeral Home in charge.

OMAHA – Ruth A. BOYD, 94, of Omaha, formerly of Columbus, died June 15, 2008 
at her home. Born July 10, 1913, Humboldt, to Gus and Laura (Sandfort) Herr. 
Received her nursing degree from Nebraska Methodist Hospital School of 
Nursing, Omaha, in 1939; practicing in Atlantic, Iowa, Columbus, Fargo, N.D., 
Britton, S.D., and North Platte, returning to Columbus where she remained until 
retiring in 1968. Married D. Merwin Boyd in 1962. Preceded by her parents; 
husband; and brothers, Milton Herr, Raymond Herr and Donald Herr. Services 
Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn 
Memorial Cemetery, Columbus. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Joseph H. BAUMERT, 78, of Columbus, died June 15, 2008, at 
his home. Born May 11, 1930, Howells, to Joseph F. and Theresa (Shanle) 
Baumert. Married Karla Speckmann, Jan 23, 1960, Columbus. Worked at 
Behlen Manufacturing for 30 years in the purchasing department. Also 
served in the National Guard for 23 years. Preceded by his parents. 
Services Thursday at St Bonaventure Catholic Church, Columbus. 
McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

SCHUYLER – Anna M. HORAK, 98, formerly of Schuyler, died June 14, 2008
at her daughter’s home in Hickman. Services June 20 at First Presbyterian 
Church, Schuyler. Burial in Schuyler Cemetery.

STANTON – Lucille Teresa PODANY, 80, of Stanton, died June 13, 2008 at 
her home in Stanton. Born July 14, 1927, West Point, to Anton and Amelia 
(Schmidt) Hunke. Married Kenneth Podany, Feb 13, 1947 at St Henry’s 
Catholic Church. Farmed south of Stanton for 45 years. Preceded by her 
parents; husband on Sept 24, 2002; one daughter, Shelly; one 
son-in-law, Scott Weatherholt; and three brothers, Alfred, Gerhardt and 
Alphonse. Services Tuesday at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Stanton. Burial 
in Stanton Cemetery. Shultz-Vogel-Johnson Mortuary, Stanton, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Evelyn WEBER, 88, of Columbus, died June 15, 2008, at her home. 
Born Oct 27, 1919 at her home near Platte Center to Edward and Anna (Miksch) 
Waldman. Married Victor Weber, Oct 3, 1939. They farmed until 1947. Worked 
at Night and Day Restaurant; then Becton Dickinson for 20 years, retiring in 1983. 
Preceded by her husband; parents; great-grandson, Nickolaus Chisholm; and 
brothers, Lloyd, Walter, and Ray Waldman. Services Wednesday at First United 
Methodist Church, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn Cemetery, Columbus. McKown 
Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Erma SCHNEIDER, 94, of Columbus, died June 16, 2008, Madison. 
Born Sept 22, 1913, rural Creston, to John and Minnie (Jansen) Barrett. Moved 
to Chicago Heights, Ill where she worked for 8 years at Lion Metal and Hot Point; 
then moved to Glendale, Calif. where she married Bill Schneider. Worked 24 years 
at Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, then retired and moved to Sedona, Ariz. and later 
to Columbus. Resided at Countryside Home in Madison for three and a half years. 
Preceded by her parents; brother, Ralph Barrett; infant brother, Archie Lee Barrett; 
and sister, Nola Moran. Private family services to be held later. Gass Haney 
Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

OGALLALA – Marjorie J. MILLER, 69, of Ogallala, died June 16, 2008, in Lincoln. 
Born Oct 18, 1938, Ord. Received her master’s degree at Ashbury College, Ashbury 
Seminary, KY. Married Jim B. Miller, Dec 28, 1968, in Burwell. Was a former teacher 
in Kentucky and Nebraska; and a former resident of Burwell, Bartlett, Clatonia, 
Clarks, Harvard, O’Neil, Columbus, Ord and Milford. Preceded by her parents; 
brother, Floyd Goff; and nephew, Jim Goff. Services June 20 at United Methodist 
Church, Ord, and June 24 at Ogallala United Methodist Church. 

CASPER, WY – Velva Katherine FERRIS, 90, of Casper, Wyo., died June 11, 2008 
at her home in Casper. Born Dec 13, 1917, to Otto C. and Katherine K. Mueller, in 
Columbus. Married Earl Edwin Ferris on Sept 14, 1938, Fullerton. Moved to Wyoming 
in 1941. Preceded by her husband; parents; and two brothers. Services June 16 at 
Sunrise Baptist Church. Burial at Highland Cemetery [Casper, WY?]

NORFOLK – Stella (Ottis) VAN DYKE died on June 17, 2008. Born July 15, 1913, rural 
Lindsay, the second child of Killian and Frances (Olmer) Ottis. Married Solanus (Cap) 
Van Dyke on Feb 6, 1945 at St Bernard. They farmed southwest of Cornlea from 1934 
until 1948; then resided in Cornlea from 1948 until 1965 when they moved to Norfolk. 
Preceded by infants Germaine and Eugene Ottis; her parents, Killian (1962) and Frances 
(1973); brothers, Leonard Ottis (1970) and Alvin Ottis (2005); Sister Clara McGill (1999); 
daughters, Joan (1944) and Darlene Kieckhafter (1977) and her husband Solanus (Cap) (1984).

SUN CITY, ARIZ. – Omer R. LATHAM, 77, of Sun City, Ariz., formerly of Columbus, died 
June 19, 2008, in Sun City. Born Feb 24, 1931, Superior, to Dennis C. and Anna Marie 
Latham. Served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. Married Patricia R. 
Grossman, July 3, 1952. Worked for Champlin Petroleum in Superior, Rock Rapids, Iowa, 
Oklahoma City, Okla., and was manager of the terminal in Columbus, retiring in 1983. 
Married Betty M. Schmidt, July 14, 1984. Preceded by his parents; wife, Patricia; and 
daughter, Sharon Latham. Services June 30, 2008 at Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus. 
Burial in Columbus Cemetery with military honors.

STANTON – Frank G. FISCHER, Jr., 80, of Stanton, died June 19, 2008, Norfolk. 
Born Sept 7, 1927, Humphrey, to Frank and Mary (Miller) Fischer Sr. Worked as 
a mechanic for Greyhound Bus Line in Omaha for a few years; then moved back 
to farm with his father near Humphrey, also periodically working for Ball 
Construction in Norfolk. Married Verna Kurpgeweit, Mar 26, 1951, at Council Bluffs, IA. 
Moved to a farm near Genoa in 1952, then moved to Stanton County in 1953. Preceded 
by his parents; four sisters, Betty (in infancy), Delores, Mary Ann and Frances; two 
brothers, Paul (in infancy) and Leo. Services June 23 at St Peter’s Catholic 
Church, Stanton. Burial in Stanton Cemetery. Shultz-Vogel-Johnson 
Mortuary, Stanton, in charge.

FULLERTON – Stella C. GONSIOR, 88, of Fullerton, formerly of Central City, died 
June 19, 2008, at Litzenberg Memorial County Hospital, Central City. Born Nov 4, 1919
to Metro and Mary (Drybala) Beck in Clarks. Married Frank J. Gonsior, June 15, 1946, Clarks. 
Lived and farmed in Nance, Polk and Merrick counties. Preceded by her parents; her 
husband on June 24, 1999; one infant son, James; an infant brother, Frank; four 
brothers, Eddie Beck, Charles Beck, Walter Beck and Albin Beck; three sisters, Anna 
Starostka, Catherine Konwinski, and Josephine Beck; and a daughter-in-law, Lana Gonsior. 
Services Monday at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Clarks. Burial in St Peter’s Catholic Calvary 
Cemetery, Clarks. Wagner Funeral Home, Central City, in charge.

COLUMBUS – William DURKOP, 92, died June 20, 2008. Born Jan 22, 1916 on the 
family farm in Platte County, to William F. and Marie (Mathis) Durkop. In the US 
Army Air Corp from Apr 2, 1942 until Dec 8, 1945, serving during WWII. Farmed 
with his father and brother for several years. Married Mabel Dicke on May 2, 1954 
at St John’s Lutheran Church, Shell Creek. Farmed and worked at Behlen 
Manufacturing for 20 years. Preceded by his parents; wife on Feb 19, 2008; brothers 
Henry Durkop and Elno Durkop; and sister, Melinda Luchsinger. Services Tuesday at 
Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery with military honors. 
Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

ALBION – Nickela Nicole HADDIX-TECH, 22, died June 21, 2008 as a result of 
an automobile accident near Albion. Born Dec 18, 1985, Norfolk, to Clinton 
and Patricia (Taylor) Haddix. Married Matthew Tech, May 7, 2005, Columbus. 
Preceded by son, Damien Haddix; daughter, Natalie Tech; grandparents, Clyde Sr. 
and Doris Haddix and Don and Iris Taylor; and great grandparents. Services June 26
at United Methodist Church, Albion. Burial at Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion. McKown 
Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

ALBION – Damien Xavier Cole HADDIX, 5, died June 21, 2008 as a result of an 
automobile accident near Albion. Born Aug 26, 2002 in Albion to Nickela Haddix. 
Services June 26, at United Methodist Church, Albion. Burial at Rose Hill 
Cemetery, Albion. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

ALBION – Natalie Rae Marie TECH, infant, died June 21, 2008 as a result of 
an automobile accident near Albion. To be born Aug 10, 2008 to Nickela and 
Matthew Tech. Services June 26, at United Methodist Church, Albion. Burial 
at Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

DILLER – Margaret J. JONES, 90, of Diller, died June 20, 2008, in Fairbury. 
Born to LaForest and Bertha (Long) Barber at Diller. Preceded by her 
parents; four brothers; two sisters; and two daughters, Barbara Hamel 
and June Lyons. Graveside services of cremains June 25 at Prairie Home 
Cemetery, Diller. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home, Fairbury, in charge.

WEST POINT – Newell “Newt” KOLLATH, 72, of West Point, died 
June 19, 2008 at Jefferson County Hospital in Maquoketa, Iowa. 
Born Feb 21, 1936, Norfolk, to Ernest and Ida Brummels Kollath. 
Attended Officers Candidate School in New Port, R.I. Served active 
duty June 1959 until June 1962, stationed in Albuquerque, N.M. Retired 
as Commander after 16 years in the Navy Reserve. Married Sandra Lockhart 
on Aug 11, 1962 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Albuquerque. Preceded by 
his parents; and brother Wilbur (John) Kollath. Services Tuesday at St Paul 
Lutheran Church, West Pont. Burial at Hill Crest Cemetery, Norfolk, with 
military honors. Stokely Funeral Home, West Point, in charge.

VALENTINE – Gene SHIPLEY, 86, of Valentine died June 21, 2008. 
Services June 6 at Zion Lutheran Church, Valentine. Burial at Mount 
Hope Cemetery, Valentine. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines, Valentine, in charge.

FULLERTON – Milo William SONDERUP, 74, of Fullerton, died June 23, 2008, Central City. 
Born Oct 8, 1933 in Howard County, to Chris T. and Dora (Schow) Sonderup. Served in 
the US Army from 1954-1956 during the Korean War. Married Wanda Keyes, 
June 12, 1955, at Fullerton. Was a rancher and farmer near Fullerton. Preceded by his 
parents; three brothers, Norman Sonderup, Larry Sonderup and Lee Sonderup; and two 
brothers-in-law, Paul Smith and Lee Bisel. Services June 26 at Presbyterian Church, Fullerton. 
Burial in Fullerton Cemetery. Palmer Funeral Home of Fullerton in charge.

COLUMBUS – Nevaeh Kae TOMKA, newborn daughter of Kenneth and Lori 
(Granger) Tomka of Columbus was born on June 22, 2008 and died the same 
day at Columbus Community Hospital. Graveside services June 26 at St John’s 
Catholic Cemetery, rural Howells. Preceded by a sister, Mariah Kae; and 
great-grandparents Don and Mary Duhacek, Harry and Alice Granger, Joe and 
Elizabeth Kaup and Jerome Tomka. Humlicek Funeral Home in Dodge in charge.

COLUMBUS – Merna Joan JENKINSON, 73, of Columbus, died June 24, 2008 at her home. 
Born Nov 23, 1934 in Powers County, Colo. to Andy and Maude (Rife) Osborn. Married 
Clyde Jenkinson, Sept 13, 1953 at Pleasant Heights Church in rural Lamar, Colo. Moved 
to rural Columbus in 1960 where they farmed until 1970, then moved to Columbus where 
they operated Jenkinson & Son Trucking. She also operated the Columbus Truck Plaza 
Café until 1993. Preceded by son, Arthur; two sisters, Linda Balmer and Doris Smith; 
and twin brother, Joe. Services June 26 at Bible Baptist Church, Columbus. Burial in 
Roselawn Cemetery, Columbus

STROMSBURG – Dorothy M. KONTOR, 86, of Stromsburg, died June 24, 2008. 
Born Apr 5, 1922, Duncan, to Tony and Agnes (Stopak) Starostka. Married 
Edmund Kontor, June, 1942, in Silver Creek. Was a farm wife and worked at 
Becton Dickinson for several years. Preceded by her parents; husband; and 
brother, Louis Starostka in WWII. Services June 28 at St Lawrence Catholic 
Church, Silver Creek. Burial in St Lawrence Catholic Cemetery, Silver Creek. 
McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Shirley M. DIXON, 81, of Columbus, died June 26, 2008. 
Born Oct 28, 1926, in Belvidere, Ill., to Leon and Lillian (Graham) Britton. 
Married H. Elwood Martenson, Jan 20, 1945. They farmed in Belvidere. 
In 1945 she contracted bulbar polio. Married Harold Berkheimer, 
Feb 18, 1956. They lived in Durand, Ill. She returned to Belvidere in 
1958, moving to Omaha in 1961, and later to Carter Lake, Iowa. 
Married Bill Dixon on June 16, 1973. They lived in Pawnee City. 
After Bill’s death one year later, she returned to Belvidere to care 
for her mother and brother and work at the hospital, moving to 
Columbus in 1990. Preceded by her husbands Harold (Dec 26, 1964) 
and Bill; parents; brother, Dale Graham; and granddaughter, Katrina 
McClintock. Services Tuesday at Bible Baptist Church, Columbus. 
Burial in Roselawn Memorial cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral 
Home, Columbus, in charge.

SILVER CREEK – Elsie M. MARTIN, 95, of Silver Creek, died June 25, 2008, Genoa. 
Born June 20, 1913, Marshall, Minn., to Ivar and Hilda (Gustafson) Carlson. Moved 
with her family to Polk County in 1916 and grew up on a farm near Havens. Married 
Harold E. Martin, Sept 1, 1938 in a double ceremony with her sister in Grand Island. 
Resided in Silver Creek all her married years. Preceded by her husband; parents; 
infant son, Roger; son-in-law, Dewey Urbauer; sisters, Lillie Carlson, Lucy Holm and 
Martha Hoffer; brothers, Gus Carlson and Rags Carlson. Services Monday at United 
Methodist Church, Silver Creek. Burial in Valley View Cemetery, Genoa. McKown 
Funeral Home, Silver Creek, in charge.

COLUMBUS – Elaine C. STRONGIN, 73, died Nov 29, 2007 in Albuquerque, N.M. 
Memorial service June 28, 2008 at American Red Cross Building, Columbus.

DODGE – Vlasta Marie CAKL, 99, of Dodge, formerly of Howells, died 
June 26, 2008. Services Tuesday at St John Nepomucene Catholic 
Church, Howells. Burial in St John’s Catholic Cemetery. Svoboda 
Funeral Home, Schuyler, in charge.

LITCHFIELD PARK, 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 Jacobs in 1937. Was a WWII veteran, serving in 
the Nebraska National Guard and Army Air Corp. Preceded by his wife 
“Billie” in Dec 1955; parents; three brothers, George, Walt and Oscar 
Ewert; and three sisters, Esther Honath, Margaret Ahrens and Eleanor 
Berchtold. Services June 18 at Sun City West Christian Church, Sun 
City West, Ariz. and a memorial service to be held July 11 at Immanuel 
Lutheran Church, Columbus Burial in Columbus Cemetery.

HOWELLS – Joseph TULLY, 86, of Howells, died June 27, 2008, Dodge. 
Services July 2 at St John’s Catholic Church, Howells. Burial in St John’s 
Catholic Cemetery. Svoboda Funeral Home in charge.

OVERLAND, Kan. – Bob ZWIENER, 47, of Overland, Kan., formerly of 
Spalding, died June 26, 2008 at Kansas City Hospice House. Memorial 
service planned for July 12, Spalding. Dolce Scheef 
Mortuary, Spalding, in charge.

PRAGUE – Stephen F. ALBERS, 64, of Prague, died June 25, 2008, at 
St Elizabeth Hospital, Lincoln. Born Dec 15, 1943, Omaha, to William 
and Mary (Johns) Albers. Served two tours of duty with the US Air Force. 
Married Sharon Monaghan on May 22, 1980 in Bellevue. Worked as a rural 
mail carrier for the US Postal Service in Wahoo for 26 years. Preceded by 
his parents; one sister, Loretta; and three brothers, William, Donald and 
Charles. Services Monday at Kucera-Kracl Funeral Home, Prague. Burial 
in Prague National Cemetery with military honors.

VIENNA, Va. – Zita M. HOLZBACH, of Vienna, Va., and originally of 
Columbus, died June 28, 2008 at her home. Born to Louis and Helen 
Euteneuer. Married Robert J. Holzbach. Services July 2 at Our Lady 
of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Vienna, Va. Burial is private.

COLUMBUS – Leslie OLCOTT, 54, of Columbus, died June 29, 2008. 
Services July 3 at St Luke’s UCC. Burial in Roselawn Memorial 
Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge.

LINDSAY – Alta STONE, 93, of rural Lindsay, died June 27, 2008, Albion. 
Services July 1 at Looking Glass United Methodist Church, rural Lindsay. 
Burial in the parish cemetery. Newman Grove Memorial Funeral 
Home in charge.

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Nebraska Obituary Abstracts 
NEGenWeb Project