Columbus Telegram Mar 1, 2008 - Mar 15, 2008 OMAHA - Helen D. FLEMING, 89, of Omaha, died Feb 28, 2008, Omaha. Born Nov 12, 1918, in Wisner, to Otto and Agatha Westergard. Preceded by her husband, William H. Fleming. Services Mar 2 at West Center Chapel, Omaha. Burial at Calvary Cemetery. Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann- Dworak-Cutler in charge. STROMSBURG - Lester Orville WIDGA, 92, of Stromsburg, died Mar 1, 2008. Services Tuesday at United Methodist Church, Stromsburg. Burial in Stromsburg Cemetery. Dubas Funeral Home, Stromsburg, in charge. OMAHA - John E. RILEY Jr., 80, of Omaha, died before Mar 2, 2008. Preceded by his wife, LaVaun; and sister, Bonnie Nelson. Services Monday at Faith Covenant Church, Omaha. Burial in Evergreen Memorial Park. Roeder Mortuary, Omaha, in charge. GENOA - Mary Jo ELM, 76, of Genoa, died Feb. 29, 2008, at her home. Born Jan 16, 1932, Tecumseh, to William and Joy (Hill) Tagart. Graduated from Univ. of NE-Lincoln teachers college in 1953. Married Jack "Flick" Elm, Aug 19, 1957, Tecumseh. Taught homemaking at Genoa High School until retiring in 1979. Preceded by her husband; son, Sam Elm; brother, Robert Tagart; brother-in-law, Dean Elm; sisters-in-law, Patricia Tagart and Geraldine Elm. Services Tuesday at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Genoa. Burial at Valley View, Genoa. Patrick Funeral Chapel, Genoa, in charge. HARTINGTON - Rita STEVENS, 87, died Feb 28, 2008, Wahoo. Services Monday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, NE. Burial in St Michael's Cemetery, Hartington, NE. ST. EDWARD - Robert E. McCARTY, 77, of St Edward, died Feb 28, 2008, at his home. Born Apr 9, 1930, on a farm in the Skeedee-Plum Creek area in Nance County, to John Michael and Mattie Margie (Abts) McCarty. Enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard on June 18, 1949 and was honorably disharged June 17, 1953. Retired from the Coast Guard Reserve on Apr 9, 1990. Married Mary Ann Melito, Apr 20, 1952, Boston, Mass. Graduated from the Univ. of Arizona, Tucson in 1966. Married Heidi Probst of Wolfsburg, Germany on June 21, 1971, at United Methodist Church in Belt, Mont. Preceded by his parents; and sister, Eileen McCarty Sorensen. Services March 20 at United Methodist Presbyterian Church, St Edward. Levander Funeral Home in charge. GENOA - Dorothy Bernice ACKERMAN, 88, of Genoa, formerly of Petersburg, died Mar 2, 2008 at Genoa Long Term Care Center, Genoa. Born July 8, 1919, Belmar, to David and Hedwig "Hattie" (Reicks) McBride. Attended school in Wheeler County, graduating in 1937. Received her normal training at Wayne State College. Taught at District #46 in Boone County for several years. Married Joseph Ackerman on Nov 27, 1944 at St John's Catholic Church, Petersburg. Lived and farmed west of town. Preceded by her parents; her husband in 1984; four brothers, August, Vernon, Gilbert, and Clifford; and a sister, Ruth Ward. Services Saturday at Levander Funeral Home, Albion. Burial in St John's Catholic Cemetery, Petersburg. COLUMBUS - Merlyn D. HOUSER, 77, of Columbus, died Mar 2, 2008l. Born Mar 25, 1930, on a farm three miles south of Columbus to Albert and Roxie (Fouts) Houser. Lived in Columbus all his life where he farmed by Lakeview and worked as a welder for 32 years, retiring in 1985. Preceded by his parents; sister, Gaylene Graham; and brothers, Dennis Houser and Leland Houser. Services Wednesday at McKown Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Columbus. COLUMBUS - Barbara ARNDT, 89, of Columbus, died Mar 2, 2008. Born on a farm near Platte Center on Oct 21, 1918, to Edward and Martha (Ostenson) Reins. Married Ruben Arndt on Nov 18, 1936 at Immanuel Lutheran Parsonage, Columbus. Lived and farmed on the home place where she was born. Preceded by her parents; husband; and sons, Javan Arndt and Gilbert Arndt. Services Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Columbus. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. COLUMBUS - Richard L. DUBAS, 42, of Columbus, died Mar 2, 2008 in an ATV accident near Ainsworth. Born Apr 3, 1965, Fullerton, to Frank and Phyllis (McKenzie) Dubas. Served in the Army National Guard from 1982-1985. Then served in the U.S. Air Force from August 1985 to March 1990, returning to the Army National BGuard from 1990-1991. Married Suzette (Suzy) Janssen, May 24, 1985 in Council BLuffs, Iowa. Lived in Omaha and Italy before returning to Columbus in 1990. Employed at Richland Grain, Janssen Farms and D & L. Preceded by his maternal and paternal grandparents. Services Thursday at St Isidore Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in Columbus Cemetery with military honors. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. COLUMBUS - Lee Elmer HEGI, 93, of Columbus, died Mar 1, 2008. Born Jan 3, 1915, Platte County, to Paul and Elsie (Ernst) Hego. Lived and farmed on the home place in Polk County since 1917. Married Bernice Brock, May 27, 1940, Columbus. Preceded by his parents; brother, Merlean Hegi; sister, Wilma Oppliger; and brother, Glen Hegi. Services Wednesday at St Luke's United Church of Christ, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. ELKHORN - Perle Lorne SCHEFFLER, 93, of Elkhorn, died Feb 27, 2008, at Lakeside Hospital, Omaha. Private services Feb 29 at Reichmuth Funeral Home, Elkhorn. BRUNO - Beatrice M. POLACEK, 98, of Bruno, died Mar 3, 2008, David City. Services Thursday at St Anthony de Padua Church, Bruno. Burial in St Anthony's Cemetery, Bruno. Chermok Funeral Home, David City, in charge. SCHUYLER - Florence DeBOWER, 104, of Schuyler, died Mar 4, 2008, Lincoln where she resided since Oct, 2007. Born June 19, 1903, Colfax County, to Carl and Mary (Schindler) Kramer. Taught grades 1-8 for two years in Colfax County Dist. #44. Married Walter F. DeBower, Dec 31, 1924, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Schuyler. Lived in the Schuyler area until moving to Fremont in Nov of 2003. Preceded by her husband on Oct 2, 1971; son, Glen DeBower, Dec 5, 1999; sister, Hildegard DeBower; brothers, Leroy, Alfred, and Leonard Kramer. Services Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Schuyler. Burial in Schuyler Cemetery. Svoboda Funeral Home, Schuyler, in charge. LINWOOD - Ervin SCHMIDT, 53, of Linwood, died unexpectedly Mar 4, 2008, at his home in Butler County. Born Sept 23, 1954, Schuyler, to Glenn and Henrietta (Foust) Schmidt. Received his drafting degree from Southeast Community College in Milford. Preceded by his father. Services Friday at First Presbyterian Church. Svoboda Funeral Home, Schuyler, in charge. NEWMAN GROVE - Isabel BENSON, 90, of Newman Grove, died Mar 4, 2008, at Mid-Nebraska Lutheran Home, Newman Grove. Services Monday at Shell Creek Lutheran Church, Newman Grove with burial to follow at the parish cemetery. Newman Grove Memorial Funeral Home in charge. COLUMBUS - Pearl A. (Rabb) ST. CLAIR, 67, of Columbus, died Mar 4, 2008, in Columbus. Graveside services Saturday at David City Cemetery. Chermok Funeral Home, David City, in charge. BLAIR - Thomas "Tom" Roy COCHRAN, 69, of Blair, died Mar 5, 2008, at his home. Born Nov 6, 1938, Columbus, to Joseph and Ella Emma (Mueller) Cochran. Graduated from Mortuary College from the Univ. of Minn. Married Janice Peterson, June 3, 1967, Blair. Served in teh U.S. Army from August 1960 until July of 1963. Lived in Blair, Seward, York, Grand Island and Columbus where he was a licensed funeral director. Preceded by his parents; and wife, Jan. Services Saturday at St Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair. Burial in Blair Cemetery. Campbell-Aman Funeral Home, Blair, in charge. COLUMBUS - George GIANNOU, 83, of Columbus, died Mar 6, 2008, Stromsburg. Born Oct 30, 1924, in Omaha, to Greek immigrants Michael and Stella (Papajohn) Giannou. The family owned various restaurants and a candy store in Omaha. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany during WWII. Asked Helen "Elaine" Giannou to marry him on their first date. Married on Nov 26, 1961 at St John's Greek Orthodox Church in Omaha. Preceded by his parents; wife; sister, Penny (Vlassie); and brother, John Giannou. Services Monday at McKown Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn Cemetery with military honors. MONROE - Christine "Chris" M. JENKINSON, 52, of Monroe, died Mar 5, 2008, Stromsburg. Born June 27, 1955, Columbus, to Paul and Jackie (Mustard) Schmid. Married Dave Jenkinson on May 26, 1973 at Monroe United Methodist Church. Farmed in the Monroe area and worked in the lab at Columbus Community Hospital for over 25 years. Preceded by her daughter, Trisha Jenkinson; mother; and father and mother-in-law, Ed and Eva Jenkinson. Services Monday at Monroe United Methodist Church, Monroe. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Columbus. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. NORFOLK - Randy L. "Red" BARTON, 55, of Norfolk, died Mar 5, 2008, at his home. Born Mar 4, 1953, Norfolk, to Lyle and Donna (Blair) Barton. Worked at the Norfolk Daily News mailroom since 1975. Also worked part-time at Lynn & Sons Grocery Store until they closed; then Lou's Thrifty Way as night manager for nine years. Preceded by his grandparents. Services Saturday at Johnson-Stonacek Funeral Chapel, Norfolk. Burial in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Norfolk. LINCOLN - Janie Louise AGEE, 53, of Lincoln, died Mar 5, 2008. Born Nov 23, 1954, Norfolk, to Deryl and Jane (Johannes) Turner. Preceded by her father. Services Monday at Chrit Lutheran Church, Lincoln. Burial in Wyuka Cemetery. Butherus, Maser, and Love Funeral Home, Lincoln, in charge. AURORA, Ill. - Marian Beth ROCKFORD, 89, of Aurora, Ill., died Mar 6, 2008. Born Feb 4, 1919, in Sacramento, Calif. to William and May (Gilbert) Rainey. Worked 42 years as a nurse's aide in hospitals in Sacramento and Long Beach, Calif. Preceded by her husband, Chester Dale Rockford; her parents; and one brother, William Rainey. Graveside services Monday at Jackson Cemetery, Duncan. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. SCHUYLER - Lavern "Boone" HARBISON, 62, of Schuyler, died Mar 6, 2008. Born Sept 2, 1945, at Creighton, to Clarence and Dorothy (Larkin) Harbison. Inducted into the U.S. Navy on Oct 14, 1965 and served in Vietnam. Was honorably discharged on Oct 9, 1968 in San Francisco. Married Barbara Foster on July 17, 1970 in South Sioux City. Lived in Schuyler since 1970, working at Cargill Meat Solutions for the last 37 years. Preceded by his parents. Services Monday at Kracl Funeral Chapel, Schuyler. Burial in Schuyler Cemetery with military honors. ULYSSES - Olga Anna KOBZA, 96, of Ulysses, died Mar 5, 2008, in David City. Born Oct 8, 1911, to Joseph and Mary Anna (Simanek) Shalon. Married Emil E. Vachal, their union being blessed with 3 children. Married Joseph J. Kobza, Sept 27, 1988. They resided in Ulysses all their married life. Was employed with B & D in Columbus and as a cook at Ulysses Public School. Preceded by her parents; husband Emil Vachal in 1974; husband Joseph Kobza in 1999; her son, Richard Vachal; and brother, Nick Shalon. COLUMBUS - Carl AERNI, 88, of Columbus, died Mar 6, 2008 at his home. Born Sept 20, 1919, rural Platte County to Albert and Louise (Mueller) Aerni. Served in the U.S. Navy from Feb 26, 1942 until May 9, 1945. Returned to Columbus and married Lois Kuklish on Feb 14, 1946 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Owned and operated Aerni Construction, doing earth moving, leveling, and dam building. Preceded by his parents; brothers, Fred Aerni and Albert Aerni; and sister-in-law, Lucille Aerni. Services Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, with military honors. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. COLUMBUS - Kerry Dean SMITH, 55, of Columbus, died Mar 6, 2008 at his home in Columbus. Born Aug 7, 1952, Augusta, Ga., to Harold and Betty (Hasselbalch) Smith. Served in the U.S. Amry from Dec 27, 1973 to Dec 10, 1976. Was a disabled veteran. Preceded by his father; one infant brother; and his paternal and maternal grandparents. Services Wednesday at Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus. Private interment. VERDIGRE - Marvin KEMNITZ, 87, of Verdel, died Mar 5, 2008 in Verdigre. Services Monday at Presbyterian Church, Niobrara. Burial in L' Eau Qui Court Cemetery, Niobrara. Brockhaus Funeral Home, Niobrara, in charge. HERMANN, Mo. - Rev. Fr. Ambrose GERMAN, OFM, 81, of Hermann, Mo., died Mar 6, 2008. Born Aug 12, 1926 on the Old English Place north of Humphrey to Albert and Ella (Herchenbach) German. Lived on the family farm in rural Humphrey and received his education in St Francis parish school. Entered St Joseph Franciscan Seminary, Westmont, Ill, in 1940. Pronounced his first vows on July 5, 1946. Sent to be associate pastor at St Francis in Humphrey in 1977. Preceded by his parenets; sisters, Flora Mae Frick, Shirley Monaghan; and brother-in-law, Don Frick. Services Tuesday at St. George Church, Hermann. Burial at St George Cemetery. CRESTON - Annemarrie HAMMONS, 85, of Creston, died Mar 7, 2008 in Madison. Born Sept 18, 1922 in Rheinhausen, Germany to Ludwig and Maria (Bender) Hepp. Received her education in Germany. Married Charles Hammons on Mar 12, 1949 in Grossauheim, Germany. Came to the U.S. shortly after their marriage and settled in Columbus during the 1980s. Preceded by her parents; her husband; and one sister. Private services in Fairview Cemetery, Creston. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. CLARKSON - Agnes NECHVATAL, 96, of Clarkson, died Mar 8, 2008. Born Sept 26, 1911, Lidgerwood, N.D., to Anton and Minerva (Isper) Stepan. Moved to Clarkson area. Married Bohumil J. Nechvatal on Sept 27, 1932, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Heun (rural Clarkson). They farmed north of Schuyler until 1982, then moved to Schuyler. Preceded by her husband on Dec 28, 1999; grandson, Keith Urbanek; one sister, Antonia Stepan; and four brothers, Anton, Frank, Joe and Jim Stepan. Services Tuesday at SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Clarkson. Burial in Schuyler Cemetery. Svoboda Funeral Home, Schuyler, in charge. COLUMBUS - Emory "Knobby" WELSH, 86, of Columbus, died Mar 8, 2008, at his home in Columbus. Born Aug 31, 1921, Johannesburg, Mich. to Floyd and Cecile (Pearsall) Welsh. Moved to Gaylord Mich. when 11 years old and helped his father run a meat market and grocery store. Moved to Detroit in 1941, then joined the U.S. Army on Oct 19, 1942. Served in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged Dec 27, 1945. Married Marie Drude on June 14, 1947. Worked for D&L at the Detroit plant in 1964, moving to Columbus in 1969. Retired from D&L as Assistant Plant Manager in 1986. Preceded by his wife; son, Kevin Welsh; brother, Donald Welsh; and parents. Services Wednesday at Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial in Fairview Cemetery, Gaylord, Mich., at a later date. SCHUYLER - Ruth LADEHOFF, 71, of Schuyler, died Mar 9, 2008 at Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha. Services Wedneday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Schuyler. Burial in Schuyler Cemetery. Svoboda Funeral Home, Schuyler, in charge. SCHUYLER - Lloyd SVATORA, 80, of Schuyler, died Mar 9, 2008. Born Jan 5, 1928, Colfax County, to Peter and Anna (Kasik) Svatora. Served in the Sea Bee's in Alaska during WWII and in the Navy Reserves following his discharge. Married Lorene Shonka, June 12, 1951, at St Mary's Catholic Church, Schuyler. Was a building contractor and a partner in Saalfeld and Svatora Construction. Preceded by two brothers, Elmer and Elden Svatora. Services Tuesday at St Mary's Catholic Church. Burial in Schuyler Cemetery. Svoboda Funeral Home, Schuyler, in charge. COLUMBUS - Martha M. SCHREIBER, 98, of Columbus, died Mar 9, 2008. Born Mar 6, 1910, Platte County, to William and Ella (Schley) Benning. Married Paul H. Schreiber, Feb 24, 1932. Lived on her family farm northeast of Columbus for 42 years, helping milk cows and taking care of chickens. Retired from the farm in 1975. Preceded by her parents; husband on July 14, 1994; sisters, Elizabeth and Robert Newman and Clara and Oscar Schreiber. Services Thursday at St John's Lutheran Church-Shell Creek. Burial in Roselawn Memorial cemetery, Columbus. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. COLUMBUS - Kate SCHAFER, 94, of Columbus, died Mar 11, 2008 at her home in rural Columbus. Born Aug 4, 1913, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to John and Gertrude (Cook) Baldwin. Married Joseph Schafer, July 31, 1934, Stanton. Preceded by her parents; husband; sons, Joseph Schafer, Jr and Herbert Schafer; five infant children; sister, Faye Valak; brother, Herbert Baldwin; and granddaughters, Kimberly Schafer and Jennifer Lovell. Graveside services at a later date in Schuyler Cemetery. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. LONGMONT, Colo. - Lucille R. SIMANEK, 83, of Longmont, Colo., formerly of Columbus, died Mar 9, 2008, at Applewood Living Center, Longmont, Colo. Born Nov 15, 1924, on a farm near David City, to Louis J. and Emma (Pospichal) Dvorak. Married Leonard Simanek, June 18, 1946, at Assumption Catholic Church, Appleton. Moved to Longmont in 2006 from Columbus. Preceded by her parents; and her husband. Services Friday at St Isidore Catholic Church, Columbus. Graveside services at St Mary's Cemetery, David City. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. GRAND ISLAND - William L. EWING, 62, of Grand Island, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Mar 10, 2008, at the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island. Graveside and military services Thursday at Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion. Levander Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, in charge. WEST POINT - Camilla Ann WESTERMANN, 80, of West Point, died Mar 10, 2008 at her home. Born Aug 9, 1927, on the family farm north of Snyder, Cuming Co., to Harry and Gertrude Lennemann Hoetfelker. Taught school at Dist. #29 in Dodge Co. and Dist. #51 in Cuming County. Married Denis Westermann on Aug 17, 1949 at St Leo's Catholic Church, Snyder. Farmed south of Snyder, retiring to West Point in Nov of 1996. Preceded by her parents; and a brother, Leigh Hoetfelker. Services Thursday at St Mary's Catholic Church. Burial in St Michael's Cemetery. Stokely Funeral Home, West Point, in charge. LINCOLN - Pamela Sue NELSON, 47, died Mar 6, 2008 from cancer. Born Dec 4, 1960, in Grand Island, to Elmer and Bonnie (Strayer) Nelson. Moved to North Platte in 1978 and worked for WaldenBooks. Moved to Lincoln in 1988 and worked at Nebraska Book Store and later Facts Management. Services Saturday at Unitarian Church, Lincoln. Ashes will be scattered at the Flying Fish Farm in Lincoln. Aspen Aftercare in charge. SANTA ANA, Calif. - Irene "Ginger" KNOLL, 92, died Mar 3, 2008 from pancreatic cancer. Preceded by her husband, Ralph Knoll in 1990. Services Mar 9 at Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona Del Mar, Calif. COLUMBUS - Jeanne Kay GEHRING, 48, of Columbus, died Mar 11, 2008 at her home after a three year struggle with Alzheimer's. Born Apr 12, 1959, Columbus, to Walter and Grace (Kruse) Gehring. Despite having Downs Syndrome, she had an exceptional memory. Resided with her parents until their deaths, then lived with her sister and brother-in-law from June of 2002 until her death. Preceded by her parents; and two nieces, Charlene Gehring and Joan Griesman. Services Friday at Bible Baptist Church, Columbus. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. COLUMBUS - Wilbert BEHLE, 93, of Columbus, died Mar 11, 2008. Born Aug 30, 1914, Platte County, to Louis and Anna (Durkop) Behle. Worked in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska on farms before working at the U.S. Government Ordinance Plant in Mead. Served in the U.S. Army from June 10, 1942 to Nov 16, 1945, then returned to the family farm near Columbus. Married Gloria Maurer, Dec 26, 1954 at St John's Lutheran Church, north of Columbus. Farmed until 1990 and worked many years as a crop adjuster. Preceded by his parents; brothers, Carl, Fred, Walter, and Herman Behle; sisters, Mary Behle, Pauline Heins, and Joanetta "Nettie" Behle; one brother in infancy; and one sister in infancy. Services Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Columbus. Burial in Columbus Cemetery with military honors. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. COLUMBUS - Patricia GREGORIUS, 87, of Columbus, died Mar 12, 2008. Born Jan 20, 1921, Columbus. Married James F. Gregorius in 1940. Worked over 20 years as a receptionist at the admissions department at St Mary's Hospital and then Behlen Community Hospital. Preceded by her husband in 1980; and her parents, Lawrence and Effie Drawbaugh Herrod. Services Saturday at St Bonaventure Catholic Church, Columbus. Burial in St Bonaventure Cemetery, Columbus. McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. OMAHA - Jasmine VOGELTANZ, infant daughter of James and Wendy (Brock) Vogeltanz was stillborn Mar 12, 2008 at Methodist Hospital, Omaha. Services Saturday at St Paul's Lutheran Church, rural Leigh. Burial in the parish cemetery. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. COLUMBUS - Marvin WURDEMAN, 78, of Columbus, died Mar 13, 2008. Gass Haney Funeral Home, Columbus, in charge. COLUMBUS - Maxine A. PALMER, 69, of Columbus, died Mar 13, 2008 at her home. Services Monday at Zion Lutheran Church, Albion. Burial in Rose Hill cemetery, Albion. Levander Funeral Home, Albion, in charge. ====== Copyright © 2008 Nebraska Obituary Abstracts NEGenWeb Project