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Dundy County Obituaries
Bennett - Brinkerhoff Page 2 |
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Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1997 KUNA, Idaho--Gweneth E. Bennett, 82, of Kuna, Idaho, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 1997. She was born Dec. 18, 1914, to Charles Emory and Ruth Elizabeth (Hampton) Mathews at their home at Hiawatha, Dundy County, Neb. She married Charlie E. Bennett on April 29, 1939, moving to the Kuna area in 1942 where they since resided. Gweneth was an active and faithful member of the Kuna Baptist Church. She was also a member of Meridian Chapter #66, Order of the Eastern Star, and served as an election judge for the Kuna area for many years. She is survived by her husband; three sons and daughters-in-law, Lowell and Saundra Bennett, Chuck and Lea Ellen Bennett and Robert and Dianne Bennett; two daughters and sons-in-law, Gweneth and Sheryl Williams and Carolyn and Stan Young; seven granddaughters; four grandsons; a sister and brother-in-law, Bernsie and Delmar Mead of Champion, Neb.; a brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Eloise Mathews of Wyoming; a brother-in-law, Warren Beard of Imperial, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Willa "Babe" Beard; and a granddaughter, JoAnn Bennett. Services were Thursday, Feb. 27, 1997, in Meridian, Idaho, with the Rev. Barry Failor of the Kuna Baptist Church officiating. Burial was the Kuna Cemetery. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1971 Lee Helen Bennett died Tuesday morning at the Dundy County Hospital. She was born June 3, 1906 in Punxfutawney, Horatis County, Pa., the daughter of George and Mary Smoszky Morris. She was married May 17, 1966 to Charles Bennett in Los Angeles. Survivors are her husband, Charles; two sisters, Catherine and Ann Morris of Indian, Pa., two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Richard Cox of Wauneta and Mrs. Wayne Crow of Max, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and one sister. Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benkelman at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 24th, with the Rev. Edward A. Valasek officiating. The music by the St. Joseph's Choir accompanied by Mrs. Rosemary Arnold on the organ. Pallbearers are Eugene Crow, Howard C r o w, Budd Crow, Wayne Crow, Leslie Kirkman and John Baer. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1981 Services for Alta F. Bennett, 91, who died Thurs., March 5, 1981 in Kuna, Idaho, were conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. The Rev. Kurt J. Kremlick, Jr. of Southminister United Presbyterian Church officiated. She was born Sept. 21, 1889 in Atwood, KS., where she was reared and educated. She married Irvin L. Bennett on Oct. 30, 1912, in Atwood. They farmed in Kansas until moving to Benkelman, NE., in 1922. They moved to Kuna, ID in 1962. He died in 1964. Survivors include a son, Charlie E. of Kuna; a daughter, Berniece Keith of Boise; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by a son. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1996 LOVELAND, Colo.--John Andrew Bennett was born to Carm and Elizabeth (Walkup) Bennett in Ord, Neb., Jan. 7, 1906. His family moved to Lincoln, Neb., a year later, then to Milford, Neb., three years later. His father went into the Army where he was killed during World War I. His mother died two years later. He then lived with his grandmother, Olive Walkup, in Ord and worked on his uncle's farm until his grandmother died. He continued working on ranches in Nebraska and Montana until he ended up in Bird City, Kan., when he was hired by Gabe Wilkens. He worked for Gabe and Paul Wilkens at different times and continued pursuing different interests. He continued traveling by driving people around the central and western United States. He studied and graduated from Conn Radio School in Chicago. He was employed by Lewis Hardware in St. Francis, Kan., when he married Irene Wilkens May 26, 1937. There were two children born to this union, Roberta and Robert. John and Irene started farming, first renting a farm near Bird City. In 1947 they moved and rented a farm near Bethune, Colo., then in 1954 they purchased a dairy and dryland wheat farm near Byers, Colo., where they stayed until 1964 when they moved into Denver and he was employed at a service station. On Dec. 31, 1965, Irene died. He met Phyllis Cole of Albuquerque, N.M., in the spring of 1966 and they were married June 22, 1967. They made their home in Albuquerque. She had one son, Robert Cole. John lived and worked in New Mexico until Phyllis's death on July 21, 1995. At that time he moved to Longmont, Colo., to live with Bob Bennett. In November 1995 he moved to Sierra Vista Health Care Center in Loveland where he stayed until his death April 15, 1996. He was happiest when he was working and was busy. He was good at many things and throughout his life he worked as a ranch hand, horse trainer, farmer, dairyman, rancher, retail clerk, furnace installer, mechanic, carpenter, electrician, service station attendant, security guard and golf cart maintenance man. He also was employed until 1992. He is survived by a daughter, Roberta, and her husband, Jim Ford of Boise, Idaho; a son, Robert Bennett and his wife, Millie, of Longmont; a stepson, Robert Cole and his wife, Marsha, of Jackson Hole, Wyo., and five grandchildren, Joseph Ford of Idaho, Rabecca Ford of Lawrence, Kan., Robyn and her husband, Robert Figueroa and Karyn Bennett and Kyle Bennett of Longmont. Services were held Thursday, April 18, 1996, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bird City with the Rev. Daryl Olmstead officiating. Kathy Bannister was the organist. Selections included "Amazing Grace," "A Banquet Is Prepared," "Be Not Afraid" and "How Great Thou Art." Bearers were Kyle Bennett, Art Wilkens, Robert Figueroa,, Jim Wilkens, George Tomlinson and Alvin Loop. Interment was in the Bird, City Cemetery with Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman, Neb., in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post January 1978 Florence H. (Hutchinson) Bentley Florence H. Bentley was born July 13, 1917 at Trenton, Nebr., the daughter of Charley S. and Lola E. Riley Hutchinson. She was married to Ray Bentley Aug. 20, 1935 at Colby, Kans. To this union one son was born. Florence spent most of her life at Trenton until 1950 when she and her husband and son moved to Haigler where they worked for Forrest J. Scrivner. Florence was a dedicated homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother. Her hobbies were gardening, cooking, sewing and raising flowers, especially roses. She was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed her. Survivors are her husband Ray, one son Richard, his wife Cheryl; three grandchildren Julie Ann, Max Ray, and Carole Sue all of Haigler; two sisters Ada Jones of Denver, Colo. and Lola Dodge of Trenton, Nebr.; three brothers Frank and Charles of Trenton and Ernest Hutchinson of Los Angeles, Calif. Several cousins, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Myra and two brothers Ray and Earl. After a lengthy illness, Florence passed away at the Wray Community Hospital on Jan. 3, 1978. She will be sadly missed by her loved ones and friends. Services were held Thurs., Jan. 5, 1978 at 1:30 p.m. in the Haigler United Methodist Church. Rev. Tom LeClerc officiated. Florence Daniels was organist. Quartette Virginia Harford, Don Harford, Ray Harford and Helen Woods sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "In . The Garden." Bearers were Roy Walter, Don Webster, Everett Myer, Raymond Mann, Robert Smith, and Lyle Hoffman. Interment in Haigler Cemetery. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1990 HAIGLER--Ray Pember Bentley of Haigler, Nebraska, died Saturday, May 19. 1990, at the home of his brother, Reuel Bentley, in Shelton, Nebraska. He was born December 27, 1909, in Trenton, Nebraska, the son of Hope Pember Bentley and Earl Bentley. He grew up on the farm east of Trenton, and attended Trenton Public Schools. He engaged in farming and also worked at the Trenton elevator. Ray married Florence Hutchinson August 20, 1935, at Colby, Kansas. To this union one son, Richard Ray, was born on March 10, 1945, at Stratton, Nebraska. The family moved to the Haigler area in November 1949, residing on a ranch as farm manager for F. J. Scrivner. Ray's entire life was spent farming and feeding, grooming and showing cattle. Ray's wife, Florence, died in 1978. Later Ray moved to Haigler where he enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren. Though a man of few words, Ray was a man of great inner strength, compassion and extreme devotion to his family. During the past three years, Ray had health problems and spent the last year living with his brother, Reuel and wife, Barbara in Shelton. Survivors include his son, Richard Bentley and wife, Cheryl, of Haigler; three grandchildren, Julie Burrell and husband, Todd Burrell of Benkelman, Nebraska, Max, Ray and Carol of Haigler; one great-granddaughter, Leslie Burrell; one brother, Reuel Bentley of Shelton; three sisters: Irene Sorensen of Shelton, Barbara McConnell of Trenton and Phyllis Tomlinson of Mission Viejo, California; many nieces, nephews and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. Berta Bowen. Services were held Tuesday, May 22, 1990, at 10 a.m. at Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with the Rev. Lyle Chipperfield officiating. Musical selections were "Amazing Grace" and "Abide With Me." Interment was in the Haigler Cemetery with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1988 Anna Crowe Berger died June 17, 1988, at the Community Hospital, McCook, Nebraska, at the age of 71. She was born July 8, 1916, at Burchard, Nebraska, to Joseph and Mary (Dezart) Blecha. She started school near Burchard, Nebraska, moving to Platner, Colorado, in 1925. In 1928, the Blecha family moved north of Haigler, where she lived until she finished school. She was married to Crosby Crowe, July 28, 1935 to 1962, and to Wayne Berger 1968 to 1975. She was a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church and was past president of the Eagles Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands; four sisters, and one brother. Survivors include one son, Ron L. Crowe of McCook; three brothers, Joe Blecha of Haigler, R.J. Blecha of Ft. Morgan, and Harry Blecha of Wray, Colorado; two sisters, Rosie Himberg of St. Francis, Kansas, and Mable Spears of Benkelman; and one grandson, Kerry Crowe. Services were held June 20, 1988, at 2 p.m., at the Carpenter-Breland Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Trask officiating. Interment was in Memorial Park at McCook. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1991 IMPERIAL — Donald R. Berggren, 68, Imperial, died Thursday (Dec. 5, 1991) at Chase County Hospital in Imperial. He was born Jan. 8, 1923, in Wauneta, to Walter and Nattie (Litton) Berggren. He attended school in Wauneta. He married Donna Fox Aug. 16, 1944, in Atwood. He served in the U. S Navy during World War II and at his death was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Imperial. He was a farmer. Preceding him in death were his parents and a _sister, Ruth. Survivors include his wife of Imperial; one son, Dale and wife Kay of Corvallis, Ore.; one brother, Carl Breggren and wife Alta of Longmont, Colo.. one sister, Wilda Hays of Wauneta; and a grandson, Eric Breggren. Graveside services were to be 10:30 a.m. MST today at the Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta, with the Rev. Carrol Plisek officiating. Memorials may be given in his name and left at the Creveling Funeral Home in Imperial. Creveling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1987 Josephine E. Berk of Lincoln, Nebraska, died Thursday, August 20, 1987. She was born in Max and was a graduate of Benkelman High School with the Class of 1926. Survivors include her daughter, JoAnn, and husband, Harlan W. Loch of Alliance; sister, Marie, and husband, Robert Middleswart, of Lincoln; sister, Evelyn Foster of Benkelman; brothers, Leo Foster of Denver and Charles Foster of California; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services were held Monday, August 24, at the Roper and Sons Mortuary in Lincoln with the Rev. Volney Lofgren officiating. Interment was in Hickman Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Lincoln General Hospital Oncology Department or Southeast Medical Center. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1987 Josephine Emmaline (Foster) Berk Josephine Emmaline Foster passed away on August 20, 1987, at age 81 in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was born on November 14, 1905, on a homestead north of Max, Nebraska. Her parents., Chesney and Grace Foster, brother, Joe, and sister, Opal, preceded her in death; On May 2, 1936, she married John F. Berk in Lincoln. To this union one child was born. She leaves to mourn her passing her daughter, JoAnne Loch, and husband, Harlan, of Alliance, Nebraska; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters: Leo of Denver, Colorado, Charles of Anaheim, California, Evelyn of Benkelman and Marie Middleswart of Lincoln, and a host of relatives and friends. She attended summer school at Greeley, Colorado, and the University of Nebraska. She also taught in rural schools in Dundy County. She was a loving and caring person and could always be depended upon. She was loved and respected by all who were fortunate to know her. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1943 L. J. Bernard, pioneer and highly esteemed citizen of the Ough Divide, passed away at his home on Friday of last week. His death was not unexpected since he had been in failing health for several months and the extreme heat, along with complications and the infirmities of declining years, had weakened him rapidly during the past three weeks. Funeral services were held in the Benkelman Methodist church Wednesday afternoon and were conducted by Rev. J. C. Foster, assisted by Rev. Milo W. Rose. Singers were Elizabeth Ough and Lloyd Boswell, with Mrs. D. L. Ough at the piano. Pallbearers were Henry and Bob Bernard, sons of the deceased, and Cpl. Marvin and Pfc. Everett Steinbeck and Harold and Howard Bernard, grandsons of the deceased. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery. Mr. Bernard came to the Ough Divide as a young man, filing on the homestead which was still his home when the death angel called him. He was an energetic, hard working man, always interested in his community and its welfare and was optimistic at all times and cheerful and courageous in meeting all of the discouragements that were so generally a part of the early history of our county and he maintained that optimistic attitude until the last. Lewis Julius Bernard was born October 15, 1859, near Wellman, Iowa, to Louisa and Henry Bernard and passed away at his home on the Ough Divide on Friday, August 13, 1943, at the age of 83 years, 9 months and 28 days. He lived with his parents until the spring of 1885 when he emigrated to Nebraska and took a homestead where he has lived until the day he passed away. On November 3, 1897, he was united in marriage to Linnie J. Wall and to this union four children were born, namely, Henry, Mary, Bob and Verle. The first three survive him. Verle died in infancy and his wife seven years and one day before him. He leaves to mourn his passing the following children, Henry and Bob Bernard and Mary Steinbeck, all of Benkelman, two daughters-in-law, and one son-in-law, 14 grandchildren, one sister of Erickson. Nebraska and one brother, Hi Bernard of Enders, Nebraska, as well as a host of relatives and friends. Mr. Bernard was greatly devoted to his family, and was an esteemed neighbor and friends. During his three weeks of illness he was considerate of others, never complaining. His thoughts were always of his children and his grandchildren. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 2003 IMPERIAL—Mabel Viola (Leach) Bernard was born on April 18, 1907, at Dorchester, Neb., the first child of Andrew and Fern Leach. She grew up with six siblings: brothers Charles, Leland and Byron and sisters Vemace, Sue and Maxine. Her father was a carpenter by trade and the family moved wherever his work took them. On Jan. 2, 1926. at the age of 18, Mabel married George Bernard. They made their home on a farm near the Dundy/ Chase County line in Nebraska, which George's father, Hiram, had homesteaded in 1885. George and Mabel had been married 10 years when daughter Lois Ann joined the family, followed by Jeannine and Royce. Mabel was often heard to remark that her children made "four walls a home." Mabel learned to crochet at an early age and estimates are that she had "knotted up thread," as George called it, into more than 100 afghans. She also enjoyed crocheting doilies and making embroidered pillow tops and tea towels that were treasured gifts for all who have them. She also enjoyed decorating eggs and made in excess of 7,000 of them which have found their way to nearly all the states in the U.S. and to Europe. She passed her knowledge on to others and felt a special pride when they shared their creations with her. Mabel was a lifelong supporter of 4-H, starting as a member in 1917. She recently was part of an award given for four generations of 4-H members in her family. Mabel dearly loved to observe her grandchildren and great-grandchildren participating in 4-H events. Christmas was a special time for Mabel and her family. One of the favorite family traditions was receiving "Gram's homemade noodles." They were made one batch at a time, with her "special" rolling pin, special because it had only one handle. The noodles were always perfect and even. Her family, friends and the mailman were usually the beneficiaries. Spring was one of her favorite times of the year and she enjoyed planning, tending and harvesting her vegetables and sharing them as well as bouquets of flowers, with others. While many of her cherished friends either moved from the South Divide neighborhood or passed away, and many of the farmsteads that were landmarks to her vanished, Mabel continued to make her home on the family farm, the home she loved. In 1993, a tornadic storm hit Mabel's farm, destroying most of the outbuildings, including the garage. She watched through her sun porch window as 50-year-old trees were uprooted, all the while praying that her life would be spared. Her prayers were answered. Even though her farm no longer looked as it once did, she considered herself fortunate that she was blessed with good health and able to remain on the family farm until she became ill a few weeks ago. At the age of 95, Mabel died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003. at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial, Neb. Known as a caregiver during her life. Mabel cared for her father-in-law, her mother and her husband, George. who was blind for the last 10 years of his life. Her hands and heart were healing ones, where friends and family often turned for comfort. She was preceded in death by her parents: three brothers: her husband in 1973: daughter Lois Ann Langhofer in 1991. and three infant great-grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter. Jeannine, and husband. Arlyn Cox, of Champion. Neb.: her son. Royce Bernard, and wife, Cathy, of Imperial: 10 grandchildren: 20 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter: sisters Vernace Groff of Imperial and Sue Jackson and Maxine Matson and husband, Carl, of Cheyenne. Wyo.: son-in-law Ralph Langhofer: sisters-in-law Johnnie Leach and Mary Leach, and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services for Mabel Bernard were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Jan. 18, 2003. at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman. Neb.. with the Rev. Norman Prather and Burton Leach officiating. J. Gordon Christensen was the pianist and Don Norman sang "Old Rugged Cross" and "Hymn of Promise." Casket bearers were Clint, Ryan and Curtis Johnson, Aron Krautschun, Brody Nordhausen, Mark Shaylor, Tanner Bernard, Taylqr Cupp, Joseph and Gerald Anibrogpit, Linden Emery and Aaron and Zack Classen. Burial was in the Benkelman Cemetery at Benkelman. Arrangements were by Liewer Funeral Home of Imperial. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1990 IMPERIAL— Helen Lucille (Louch) Bernard was born on June 9, 1905, on the Ough Divide in Dundy County, Nebraska. She died April 28, 1990, at the Imperial Manor in Imperial, Nebraska, at the age of 84 years, 10 months and 19 days. She was the eldest of five children born to Albert and Elva (Mathews) Louch. On September 9, 1924, Helen was united in marriage to Henry Bernard at Holyoke, Colorado. Four children were born to this union. They lived in Dundy County on a farm all of their married life. On April 24, 1952, Henry was killed in a tractor accident. In 1954, Helen moved to Imperial where she cooked in restaurants. She was a very good cook, baking delicious pies, cakes and rolls. She did a lot of crocheting as a hobby. She was always willing to help her family, friends and neighbors. She was a member of the Broadway Church of Christ in Imperial. When her health began to fail in July 1985, she moved to the Imperial Manor. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; both of her parents; one brother, Edward (Buster) Louch; one sister, Edna (Louch) Williams, and two great-grandchildren. She is survived by her four children: daughter LaVeta Howard and husband Johnnie of Palisade; Nebraska; daughter Maxine Reynolds and husband Ralph of Grant, Nebraska; son Marlin Bernard and wife Pat of Osborne, Kansas, and daughter Arlene Sharp of Wray, Colorado; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred Bernard of Imperial and Lela Zehring of Lincoln, Nebraska, and one sister-in-law, Gladys Louch of Benkelman, Nebraska. The funeral services were held April 3d, 1990, at the Broadway Church of Christ in Imperial with Brother Bruce Word officiating. The congregation sang In “The Garden" and “The Old Rugged Cross." Bearers were her nephews: Leo Williams, Duane (Pete) Steinbeck, Roy (Bud) Stamm, Dale Zehring, Gary Bernard and Burton Beard. Honorary escorts were her grandsons: Darryl Howard, Jerry Reynolds, Danny Bernard, Dean Howard, Duane Reynolds, Kelly Bernard, Jimmie Howard, Kenny Bernard, Mickie Kier, Eldon Reynolds, Larry Bernard and Timothy Kier. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with Creveling Funeral Home of Imperial in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 2000 WAUNETA--At the age of 91 years and 9 months, Mildred Blanche Bernard passed away Wednesday evening, Dec. 13, 2000, at the Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home in Wauneta, Neb. Mildred was born Feb. 6, 1909, to Albert and Elva (Matthews) Louch on the Ough Divide in Dundy County, Neb. As a young girl she attended rural grade school. Mildred was united in marriage to Bob Bernard on Oct. 2, 1924. This union was blessed with two sons, Harold and Howard. Mildred and Bob lived their first 24 years on a farm in Dundy County, Hoover Precinct. In 1948, they moved to Imperial, Neb. There she helped her husband on their farm just outside of Imperial. In 1993, she moved into the Heritage of Wauneta. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Imperial. Her favorite pastimes were fishing and being with her family. During her later years she enjoyed playing cards with friends and helping at the senior center. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1998; her sons; a brother, Edward, and sisters Helen, Edna and Lela. She leaves to mourn her passing her daughters-in-law, Ethel Bernard of Benkelman, Neb., and Farris Bernard of Champion, Neb.; 4 grandchildren and their spouses: Sheryl and Larry Janousek and Gary and Peg Bernard, all of Benkelman, Vickie and Burton Beard of Champion and Elaine and Craig Nelson of Hayes Center, Neb.; 11 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services for Mildred Bernard were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 18, 2000, at the United Methodist Church in Imperial with Pastor Murray Schmechel and the Rev. Larry Porter officiating. Interment was in the Mount Hope Cemetery at Imperial. Liewer Funeral Home of Imperial was in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1968 Bob Bernard, son of Lewis and Melinda Bernard, was born in Dundy county on the Ough Divide on August 4, 1902, where he spent his childhood. He attended Dundy county schools, and was baptized in the Sleepy Hollow Methodist Church. He passed away suddenly while working in the field at his farm on Wednesday, March 27, at the age of 65 years, seven months and 23 days. He spent his entire adult life in the business of farming, at which he was very successful. His first thoughts were of his wife, family and home. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to his friends and neighbors. He was united in marriage to Mildred B. Louch on October 2, 1924. This union was blessed with two sons, Harold of Parks, Nebr., and Howard of Champion, Nebr. They spent the first 24 years of their married life on their farm in Dundy county, where his eldest son now resides. They then purchased a farm in Chase county on which Bob spent his remaining years. His greatest moments were spent flying, fishing and hunting in the great outdoors. He leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife, Mildred; sons, Harold and Howard; two daughters-in-law, Ethel and Farris; four grandchildren, Sheryl, Gary, Vickie and Elaine; one grandson-in-law, Larry Janousek of Benkelman; two great grandchildren, Tina and Bobby; one sister, Mary Steinbeck, of Wauneta; many other relatives and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Henry in 1952 and Vearle in infancy. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. Relatives and friends from away who attended the services in Imperial on Saturday, March 30, included: Mr. and Mrs. Dwaine Steinbeck of Kearney; Mr. and Mrs. Dale Steinbeck and sons of Aztec, New Mexico; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Woodside and Randall of Lexington; Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Zehring of Lincoln; Dale Zehring of Columbus; Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Bernard and sons of Osborne, Kansas; Bessie Wall, Nova Jash and Alice Andrews of Yuma, Colorado; Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Wall of Haigler; Mr. and Mrs. John Phifer of Loup City, Nebraska; Gordon Rammage and Charles Brenner of Holton, Kansas; Mary Lou Reed of McCook; Harold Connett and girls of Bird City, Kansas. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1973 On Saturday, June 30, 1973, George W. Bernard of the Enders community departed from this life at the age of 77 years, eight months. About eight years ago Mr. Bernard's vision began to fail and his health faltered. Hospitals periodically became his residence and it was at the Dundy County Hospital that his demise occurred.
Mr. Bernard was born October 1, 1895 on the farm which was homesteaded by his pioneer parents in 1885. It was his home for his entire life. His parents, Hiram Bernard and Elizabeth I. Ayres, are deceased. A brother, Lloyd, also preceded him in death in 1963. Mr. Bernard was united in marriage to Mabel Leach in Benkelman, January 2, 1926. This home was blessed with three children whom George loved so well. He was always happiest with his children and grandchildren near him. Patient, quiet and unassuming were the attributes of this pioneer farmer. His sickness never became the focal point in his life, but merely served to heighten his interest in people who took time to visit with him. His life was farm and family-centered. His decisions and actions were based on the welfare of each. I want to ask a favor of you Dear God, a favor that means more to me than the world. It's about my Grandpa. God could you do this for me, please take good care of him. It's so hard to understand why you took him away, but as each tear falls I pray that he will have no more pain. I remember all the times that we were together and how happy he'd be at Christmas when all of the family was laughing and enjoying each other. Even though he's not with us physically his spirit and memory will be with us always. Now God since he is with you the blackness has been taken away from his eyes and he can see us. Although he never complained it must have been hard not to be able to see your wife, kids or grandchildren. God, I know as you took away Grandpa's eyes you added something more important to his heart, patience and love. Grandpa seldom said much but what he did say was worth listening to. There wasn't much that he would ask of people but he would put everything in his possession out to someone who needed. Dear God, I want to thank you so much for this person you created and brought to our family. You have given him the best of care while he was on earth from his wife and my Grandma and now if you would, God, take good care of him for me.—Valrie Likens, a granddaughter. Surviving his departure are his faithful and devoted wife, Mabel; two daughters, Lois Ann and Jeannine; one son, Royce; son-in-law, Arlyn Cox; daughter-in-law, Cathy; eight grandchildren, Lynette, Valrie and Volanda Likens, Arlys and Tonya Cox and Tommy, Becky and Missy Bernard; two sisters, Alma Frasier and Zella Stamm. Funeral service was held Tuesday, July 3, 1973 at 10:00 A.M. at the Benkelman United Methodist Church with Rev. Allan Martin officiating. Singers were Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Bauerle accompanied by Oneta Silvester. Casket-bearers were John Knotwell, Mardell Dixon, Joe Cruise, Hap Stinnette, Joseph Greene and Ross Druliner. A memorial fund has been established for the Dundy County Hospital. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home. Those from away who attended the services of George Bernard were Glen Wahl and Grace Squire of Kalona, Iowa; Mrs. Sue Jackson, Mrs. Maxine Dayton, Byron Leach, Bcb Leach, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Leach, Kenny and Andrea, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Donnie Leach, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Cruise and Debbie, Jerry Groff, Fort Collins, Colorado; Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Lewis, Gothenburg; Mrs. Joanne Grantham, Linda and Roddy, Greeley, Colorado; Mrs. Marilyn Kilpatrick ark children, Santa Suzanna, Cali. fornia; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hayes, Cambridge; Mrs. Jack Allan, Denver, Colorado and Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Bricker of Sharon Springs, Kansas. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 1986 Harold Robert Bernard was born April 29, 1925, to Bob and Mildred Louch Bernard at Ough Divide. He passed away October 24, 1986, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska. Harold spent his younger days on his father's farm northwest of Benkelman. He attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Parks High School. On June 9, 1946, he married Ethel Zarecor. They then made their home on the family farm. To this union two children were born. Harold loved farming, fishing and hunting, but his favorite past time was doing things with his wife, children, grandchildren and other members of his family. They always came first. He retired from farming in 1979 due to health reasons. In 1980, they moved to Benkelman. Harold and Ethel celebrated their 40th anniversary on June 9, 1986. He was preceded in death by his father, Bob. Survivors include his wife, Ethel; daughter, Sheryl, and husband, Larry Janousek, of Stratton; his son, Gary, and wife, Peggy, of Benkelman; eight grandchildren: Tina, Robert, Carla, Tammy, Michele, Tonya, Chad and Travis; two great-grandchildren, Hollie and Laken; mother, Mildred of Imperial; brother, Howard, and wife, Farris, of Imperial; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Services were held Tuesday, October 28, 1986, at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman, with the Rev. Dr. John Kilgore officiating. The organist was Gwen Bauer. She accompanied soloist Susan Ladenburger with the selections "How Great Thou Art" and "The Old Rugged Cross." Bearers were Burdette Wilson, Roy Stamm, Frank Stute Jr., Burton Beard, Fred Schmidtt and Leo Williams. Honorary bearers were Leon Stamm, Johnnie Howard, Wayne Ham, Orval Johnson, Marvin Steinbeck and Boyd Blair, Jr. Committal service was given by the I.O.O. Lodge No. 361 of Benkelman. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery, Benkelman, Nebraska, with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1948 On Monday evening, June 7th, 1948 as the evening shadows were gathering, one of our dearly beloved neighbors and a highly respected citizen of our community, Mr. Hiram Bernard, answered his final call at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 20 days. Mr. Bernard, the last surviving child of Henry and Mary Bernard, was born on November 19, 1861 at Wellman, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth I. Ayres January 15, 1884. To this union four children were born, two sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. As a young man, full of the vigor of life, he decided to stake his lot with that of the pioneer and in 1885 came to Dundy county and filed on a homestead. In the spring of 1886 he returned with his wife and son, coming all the way from Washington county, Iowa, in a covered wagon. The covered wagon served as their home until a house could be erected. Here in this pioneer country, assisted by his wife, he labored diligently for a few years until stricken with a disease which eventually rendered him practically helpless. For three years after this attack he managed the activities of his farm from a wheel chair. September 3, 1903, he was forced to retire to his bed for the remaining years of his life. Mr. Bernard was an extensive reader and kept in touch with happenings of the neighborhood thru the weekly papers of Chase and Dundy counties. He was a good conversationalist and enjoyed visits from his friends to the last. He loved children and was happiest when they were near him. His faithful companion, who devoted her life to his care. preceded him in death July 9, 1923. Since then he was cared for by his son George and wife who stood by him constantly until the end came. He made the best of his handicap and was so patient and thoughtful at all times. He leaves to mourn his departure the following children: Lloyd of Imperial; Alma Frasier and Zella Stamm, both of Benkelman and George of Enders; eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren; numerous other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon. June 10, at the Mt. Zion Methodist Church. Rev. Roy Fogy, pastor of the Prairie Rote and Imperial Evangelical United Brethren Church gave the sermon. C. W. Pribbeno sang. accompanied by Mrs. Joe Sauer. Casket bearers were T. S. Stinnette, Joseph Greene. Ralph Hunt; Leland Leach, Charles Leach and Elwood Groff. Interment w a a made in the Ough cemetery beside hs. wife. Flower bearers were Mrs. Hansel Phipps, Mrs. Maurice Dixon, Mrs. Everett Stamm. Mrs. Jack Farmer, Mrs. Stone Dunham, Miss Joanne Leach. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1989 IMPERIAL — Nettie Bernard died Monday (April 3, 1989) at the Imperial Manor at the age of 92. She was born Sept. 12, 1896 at Colby, Kan. She married Jess Ernest Bernard on Dec. 26, 1918 at Imperial. Survivors include one son, Jess Bernard, of Imperial; one grandchild and one great-grandchild. Services will be Thursday at 30:30 a.m. MST at the United Methodist Church in Imperial with the Rev. Karl Lent officiating. Interment will be in the Wauneta Riverside Cemetery. Creveling Funeral. Home of Imperial is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be addressed in her name and left at the funeral home. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 2006 Nina Berry of Imperial, Neb., died Sunday, June 25, 2006, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home. She was 77 years old. Nina Clare (Artist) Berry was born on Oct. 21, 1928, to Earl Franklin Artist and Sarah Edna Collicott. She was the youngest of three children. Nina attended grade school and high school in Imperial. After high school she worked as a dental hygienist. She also worked during her high school years as a pin setter at the bowling alley her father owned. Her first part-time job was popping popcorn at the Star Theatre. Nina and Wayne Ronald Berry were married on Aug. 8, 1947. To this union four children were born: Bonnie, Ronald, Marlon and Starla. Nina lived for her family. She loved playing the piano, gardening, bowling, attending activities of her children and grandchildren, and playing bingo and cards. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, TOPS 209, Sewing Club, Birthday Club, VFW Auxiliary and Hospital Auxiliary. The Berrys farmed south of Imperial just over into Dundy County near the Hiawatha community. They moved into Imperial in 1983. She taught Sunday school and was a member of the E.U.B. Church and a member of the United Methodist Church when the churches joined. Nina also accompanied for choirs and played at the Methodist Church, Senior Center and the Imperial Manor. Nina was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; brothers Kenneth and Keith and a granddaughter, Karen Williams. She is survived by her children: Bonnie Williams and husband, Marty, of Alma, Kan., Ron Berry and wife, Becky, and Marlon Berry and wife, Vivian, all of Imperial, and Starla Berry of Hastings, Neb.; seven grandchildren: Tammy Lewis and Phil Cooper, Pamela Williams and Mike Mongold, Stacy and Dan Leibhart, Kevin and Heidi Berry, Jason and Vanessa Berry, Angela and John Goodell, and Brett Berry, and great-grandchildren Chelsea Lewis, Katelyn and Brock Leibhart and Taeya Berry. Services for Nina Berry were held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 29, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church in Imperial, with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating. Music was provided by Marcia Bauerle, organist, and Pat McNair, soloist. Casket bearers were Kevin Berry, Jason Berry Brett Berry, Dan Leibhart, John Goodell, Mike Mongold and Phil Cooper. Honorary bearers were Keith Wood, Robert Bartlett, Clarence Jaeger, Wes Cooley, Randy Bartlett, Jerry Groff and Greg Eskew. Interment was in the Mount Hope Cemetery at Imperial, with Liewer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1996 IMPERIAL, Neb.--Hazel I. Berry was born Sept. 17, 1920, near Atwood, Kan., to Earl J. and Anna C. (Roesch) Denny. As a young girl she grew up on a farm near Atwood where she attended rural country school to the eighth grade. She moved with her family to Benkelman, Neb., and continued her education, graduating from Benkelman High School in 1939. She went on to teach for a couple of years before marrying O. W, "Buck" Berry on Oct. 10, 1941, at Trenton, Neb., while Buck was on leave during World War II. She continued teaching in the Benkelman area for another year before moving to Washington state in 1943 to be near Buck who was stationed at Camp Murray, Tacoma, Wash. He was discharged in 1945 and they settled on a farm 15 miles west of Imperial, Neb., where they had resided since. Mrs. Berry was a member of the Lamar Trinity United Methodist Church and the Over the Hiller's Travel Club and a former member of the Rebekahs. She enjoyed growing flowers, gardening, fishing and target shooting. She
died Tuesday evening, March 19, 1996, at the Chase County Community
Hospital in She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Marie; a stepbrother, Harry Greene, who was killed in World War II; a daughter-in-law, Charla Berry, and two sisters-in-law, Betty and Patty Denny. She is survived by her husband, Buck, of Imperial; two sons, Mark Berry of Lamar, Neb., and Ron Berry of Imperial; her sister, Berniece and husband, Otto Nordhausen, of Benkelman; two brothers, Jessy "Ike" Denny of Benkelman and LeRoy "Pete" Denny and wife, Jeanne, of St. George, Utah; two grandchildren, Tammy and husband, Doug Weatherly, of McCook, Neb., and Kelly Berry of Lamar, and two great-grandchildren, Walker and Brittany Weatherly, both of McCook. Services were held Friday, March 22, 1996, at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Imperial with the Revs. David Rowe and Francis Baker officiating. Ava Rouze was the organist and Irvin and Garneta Bauerle the vocalists. Bearers were Kelly Berry, Doug Weatherly, Jim Smith, Pete Spady, Frank Clements and Scott Clements. Interment was in the Crete Cemetery at Champion, Neb., with Liewer Funeral Home of Imperial in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1972 Chester Lee Berry was born September 20, 1895, in Davis county, Missouri. He came to Nebraska with his family in the winter of 1938. They settled 14 miles south of Elsie, Nebraska on a farm in a tin roofed sod house. Chester went into the Army in 1917 and was discharged in 1919 after serving overseas during World War I. Chester was united in marriage to Phoebe Elma Troxel on May 22, 1920 at Imperial, Nebraska. Their home was blessed with six daughters and two sons. Chester and Elma made their home in Chase and Hayes counties during their married life. Chester was a loving father, working hard throughout his life, during depression years at various jobs. After moving to Wauneta in December of 1941, he worked on the railroad for many years. After being baptized into the Church of Christ, he actively supported his church by faithful attendance and by leading readings and discussions. Even after making his home at the Hester Home in Benkelman, he led Bible readings at their church services as long as his health permitted. He departed this life at the Hester Home on December 17, 1972 at the age of 77 years and 27 days. He leaves to mourn his passing, one son, Wayne Berry of Benkelman, Nebr.; six daughters, Pauline Koval of Paramount, Calif., Ila McMinn of Cabool, Mo.. Bonnie Ourada of Littleton, Colo., Beulah Rydquist of Cheyenne, Wyo., Ilene Armatage of Ayr, Nebr.. and Connie Mohlman of Ayr, Nebr.; also two grandchildren; five great grandchildren; four brothers; and two sisters. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elma; a son, Irvin; two grandchildren; his parents; a brother; and two sisters. Services were held Wednesday, December 20 at the Church of Christ in Wauneta at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Aaron Patterson officiating. Group singing was led by Kenneth Hicks, the songs were "In The Sweet Bye and Bye," "Further Along," "The Old Rugged Cross," and "Never Grow Old." Pallbearers were Kenneth Hicks, C. A. Ourada, Jack Mohlman, Albert Berry, James McMinn, and Gordon Prior. Interment was at Elmer Church Cemetery with Brunkhorst Funeral Home of Wauneta in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1993 IMPERIAL—Wayne Ronald Berry was born August 27, 1921, to Chester Lee and Phoebe Elma (Troxel) Berry. He was the oldest of eight children. He attended several rural schools in Chase County, Nebraska, graduating from the eighth grade. The summer after his graduation he made his home with the Eldredge Baker family, living with them until he went into the service on August 13, 1942. Wayne was in the Quarter Master Corps. During his tour of duty he served in the European Theater from December 1944 until August 1945. He was aboard one of the first trucks across the pontoon bridge over the Rhine River and was in the Battle of the Bulge. He also hauled gas at night to the tanks on the front lines. Some of his closest friends were from the service. He was honorably discharged November 1945. While in the service he earned a Bronze Star medal, Good Conduct medal and Rifle Sharpshooter award. Wayne and Nina Clare Artist were married August 8, 1947. To this union were born four children. Wayne lived for his family. He loved farming and horses, too. They farmed south of Imperial, Nebraska, just over into Dundy County. They moved into Imperial in 1983. Wayne became ill in 1985 but continued to help with the farming until the last couple of years. He died at his home early Saturday morning, January 23, 1993. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Irvin: his sister, Ilene Holliday, and granddaughter, Karen Williams. He is survived by his wife, Nina; his children: Bonnie and her husband, Marty Williams, of Alma, Kansas, Ron Berry and his wife, Becky, and Marlon and his wife, Vivian, all of Imperial, and Starla Berry of Hastings, Nebraska; seven grandchildren: Tamra and Pamela Williams, Stacy and Kevin Berry and Jason, Angela and Brett Berry. One of Wayne's best birthday presents came with the birth of Brett on his 63rd birthday. Other survivors include his sisters: Pauline Koval of Los Angeles, Ila and her husband, Claude McMinn, of Cabool, Missouri, Bonnie Ourada of Littleton, Colorado, Beulah and her husband, Arlie Rydquist, of Loveland, Colorado, and Connie and her husband, Jack Mohlman, of Ayr, Nebraska. The Baker children who were like brother and sisters to him include Arlene Bischoff of Phoenix, Arizona, Doris Johnson of North Platte, Nebraska, Joyce Christensen of Brainard, Nebraska, Shirley Armbruster of Taylor, Nebraska, and Gene Baker of Sutherland, Nebraska, and a host of relatives and friends. Services were held Tuesday, January 26, 1993, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Imperial with the Rev. Karl Lent officiating. Music was by Mrs. Ava Rouze, organist, and Patrick McNair, soloist. Bearers were Gene Baker, Jerry Groff, Rodney Markee, Randy Bartlett, LeRoy Gram and Bob Eskew. Honorary bearers were Keith Wood, Mike Kessler, Frank Clements, Robert Bartlett, Harry Grams, Clarence Jaeger, Leonard Eskew, Pleasant Harris and Bud Todd. Military rites were by Imperial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4688. Interment was in the Mount Hope Cemetery at Imperial with Liewer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Printed in the McCook, NE Daily Gazette, October 11, 2004 Monday, October 11, 2004 Aug. 20, 1937-Oct. 10, 2004 BENKELMAN -- Emanuel C. Beyer, M.D., died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004, at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was 67. He was born Aug. 20, 1937, in Highland Park, Mich., to Charles and Irene (Richer) Beyer and attended Gesu Elementary School in Detroit. He was a graduate of the University of Detroit High School and went on to attend Perdue University on a Fellowship. For a short time, Emanuel taught genetics at Mary's Girls College prior to entering med school. He graduated from Wayne State College with his degree in medicine in 1967. During the Vietnam War, Dr. Beyer was called to serve the National Institute of Health, in Maryland where he worked in the genetics research department at Johns Hopkins. He entered private practice in South Hill, Va., for several years before moving to McCook where he practiced medicine from 1978 to 1995. In 1995 he moved to Benkelman where he continued his life-long devotion of practicing medicine in the Benkelman and Stratton areas. On May 22, 1999, he was united in marriage to Kathy L. Ely and together they enjoyed life to its fullest. Doc, as he was often called, loved his practice and had many special patients who also became close friends. He delivered countless babies throughout the area and placed the well-being of his patients above his own. Dr. Beyer was the recipient of the 2004 Outstanding Rural Healthcare Practitioner award bestowed upon him by the Nebraska Rural Health Association. Anyone who knew Doc knew of his passion for duck hunting. It was clear to see that Fall was his favorite time of year. He looked forward to spending time in the duck blind with his friends on the lake. He was an active member of Ducks Unlimited for many years and served as President of the McCook Chapter. Doc was also an avid stamp collector and grew beautiful orchids. He and Kathy enjoyed traveling and taking trips to Mexico and throughout the United States. He was always ready to get away from it all, yet always ready to come home and resume the duties of being a caregiver. Dr. Beyer devoted his life to medicine. He helped countless patients recover from injury and illness, yet nothing could prepare him for the challenges he faced in recent years. Due to a chronic heart condition, Dr. Beyer received a mechanical heart that provided him with the ability to continue working in his practice until a new heart could be found. In 2003, he was the recipient of a successful heart transplant, and it was only a matter of a few weeks before he was found back at his office caring for his patients. He was a man of medicine, a man of science and a reliable man who genuinely cared for the well being of others. He will be deeply missed by not only his family and friends, but by his colleagues and an entire community. His parents, Charles and Irene Beyer precede him in death. Survivors including his loving wife, Kathy Beyer of Benkelman; children, Jon Beyer and wife, Shelley and their son, Nicholas of Portland, Ore., Brian Beyer of Superior, Colo., Faith Hansen and husband, Matthew of Lincoln, Jill Powell of Baton Rouge, La., Josh Beideck and wife, Lisa of McCook and Ashley Beideck of Lincoln; sister, Blanche Thompson of Knoxville, Tenn.; good friend and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Wayne and LaVerna of McCook; brother-in-law, Mark Ely and wife, Christy of Gainesville, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Dr. Beyer will lie in state for public visitation on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in his name to Dundy County Hospital, P.O. Box 626, Benkelman, NE 69021. Arrangements
are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1905 Anna Elizabeth Bieber, the daughter of George Harold Hanes and Alice M. Matney was born in Gilman, Iowa on February 12, 1905 and passed away at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska on August 27, 1973 at the age of 68 years, six months and 15 days. She had been in failing health for several months. Mrs. Bieber accompanied her parents and family to Dundy County at an early age and spent most of her life in the Parks community. She was married to Grover C. Binkey at St. Francis, Kansas on September 9, 1924. Five children were born to this union. Mr. Binkey passed away on January 9, 1968. She was married to Guy Bieber at Trenton, Nebraska on July 3, 1969. She took a great interest in church activities. Originally a member of the Benkelrnan Baptist Church, she transferred her affiliation to the Trinity Baptist Church, Southern Conference, in 1962. Mrs. Bieber was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Grover C. Binkey ; daughter, Berniece Stoddard; two sons Frank and George Binkey and brothers, Bert, Alfred, Henry and Jim Hanes. Survivors include her husband, Guy Bieber of Benkelman; one daughter, Mrs. Shirley Warning and husband Dale of Arvada, Colorado; one son, Earl Binkey and wife Hilga of Trenton, Nebraska; three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Kuhns of St. Joseph, Missouri, Mrs. Susie Burr of St. Francis, Kansas and Mrs. Modesta Sherbondy of Milford, Nebraska; four brothers, Wayne Hanes and wife Katherine of Advance, North Carolina, Carl Hanes and wife Maxine of Stratton, Nebraska, John Hanes and wife Dollie of Trenton, Nebraska and Elmer Hanes and wife Barbara of Benkelman. There are eleven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at the Trinity Baptist Church in Benkelman at ten o'clock a.m. Thursday, August 30, 1973 with the pastor James Tolbert officiating. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 2005 Louise P. Bier, 97, of Loveland, Colo., died of natural causes on Thursday, June 16, 2005, at the Sierra Vista Health Care in Loveland. She was born in St. Francis, Kan., on March 14, 1908, to Ernest C. and Augustina (Bredy) Lampe. Louise attended rural schools near St. Francis. She married Emanuel George Bier in St. Francis on Oct. 6, 1927, and they farmed in the St. Francis area. Upon retirement they moved into St. Francis and then in 1974 moved to Loveland. Louise was active in the Loveland community doing volunteer work for the Meals on Wheels program and Sierra Vista Health Care. She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in various organizations, singing in the choir and playing hand bells. Louise loved helping and being with people, quilting and crocheting. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband who died on April 24, 1985; a son, Loren Bier, who died on March 23, 1999, and three grandchildren. She is survived by daughters Almeda Norris and husband, Ronald, of Longmont, Colo., and Deloris Zuege of Haigler, Neb.; seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Louise Bier were held at 1:30 p.m on Monday, June 20, 2005, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Loveland with the Rev Schroeder officiating. Interment was in the Loveland Park. Kibbey Fishburn Funeral Home was in charge of arragements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1999 FORT COLLINS, Colo.--Loren Bier was born Sept. 2, 1931, in St. Francis, Kan., to Emanuel and Louise (Lampe) Bier. He died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, in Fort Collins. A memorial service was held Friday, March 26, in Fort Collins. He graduated from Haigler (Neb.) High School in 1950 and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He married Val Montgomery on May 29, 1955, in Wray, Colo. Mr. Bier was a journeyman plumber with Allen Plumbing and Heating in Fort Collins. Mr. Bier was a member of the American Legion, was very active in the community and enjoyed working with the handicapped. He became a member of Abyssinian Christian Church in April 1997, where he served in leadership as an Elder. He was a warm and loving person. Survivors include his wife and two sons, Corey and Cody, all of Fort Collins; two daughters, Antonia LaBadie of Loveland, Colo., and Lisa Bier of Fort Collins; his mother, Louise Bier, of Loveland; two sisters, Almeda Norris of Longmont, Colo., and Deloris Zuege of Haigler; four grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his father and two children, Cindy and Danny. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1980 Lonnie Biffar died Monday at the Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman, Nebraska. Mr. Biffar was born Feb. 6, 1983 at Blair Hiatt to N .T. Biffar and Elizabeth Goll. He was a World War I Veteran. Survivors include nieces and nephews. Those preceding Mr. Biffar in death were his parents, two sisters, Mary and Hazel, and four brothers: Frank, John, Clyde and George. Services were held Wed., Feb. 17, 1980 at 2 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman, Nebraska with Rev. Allan Martin in charge. Organist was Betty Erdman. Song selection was "Rock Of Ages". Bearers were David Warning, John Haines„ Edwin Pinkerton. Byron Ham, Bob Graham and Harold Barnes. Honorary Bearers were Thomas Ballard, Guy Billington, Harold Chipperfield, Ray Fletcher, Jesse Grigsby, Patrick Smith, Frank Walsh, August Warning, Frank Wendland and Wade Hoover. Interment was in the Blair Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska with committal by the American Legion Post of Blair. The funeral was conducted by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman, Nebraska. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1969 Mrs. Leta Billinger died at the Dundy County Hospital on Wednesday evening, November 19, following a long illness. She was the third daughter of Milton and Eliza Earl born on the family homestead in Thayer precinct on March 23, 1890. The family moved to Benkelman in 1905 when Mr. Earl was elected County Clerk. Leta worked with her father in the Court House for several years. She was married to Roy 0. Billinger at Benkelman on August 26, 1926. Mr. and Mrs. Billinger resided at McDonald, Kansas and later moved to Imperial where they operated a mercantile business. In 1936 they moved to Benkelman where Mr. Billinger conducted a business until shortly before his death in June 1946. Mrs. Billinger then resided with her mother and sister in the Earl family home. Her mother, Mrs. Eliza Earl, passed away in 1952 and her beloved sister, Wilda, died in 1960. Because of poor health, Leta lived with Mr: and Mrs. Murrel Thompson for the past two and one-half years: Survivors include two nieces, Mrs. Vestana Charlton, Imperial; Mrs. 0. J. Sandin, Lincoln; nephew, Jim Brady, Imperial; and cousin, Warren Earl, Champion. Funeral services were conducted at St. Joseph’s Church on Saturday, November 22 by Father Edward Szczech. Casket bearers were True Howard, M. D. Sailors, Harry Ough, Joe Owens, Ray Buffington and Ed Lingo. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1988 Chessie Ezelle (Morris) Billington Chessie Ezelle Morris, the fifth of 11 children, was born January 31, 1901, at Gilboa, Nickolas County, West Virginia, to George W. and Geneva A. Morris. The Morris family moved to Dundy County in 1909, homesteading southwest of Doane, Nebraska, and two years later homesteading the land and building the sod house on the farm where James Reisher and wife now live. Ezelle was quite active with the Red Cross during the First World War, and was voted Red Cross Queen of Dundy County. In 1920, while employed in St. Francis, Kansas, she met and married Guy Alden Billing-ton. To this union five children were born: Betty B. in 1923, Guy A. Jr. in 1925, Bill B. in 1927, Gene W. in 1929 and Violet R in 1933. Ezelle was very active in church work, helping her parents who were charter members of the First Baptist Church of Doane and later of Benkelman, the now Grace Memorial Chapel. She also helped organize the Baker Sunday School and Church on Big Timber Creek where her family resided in the 1930's and 40's. In 1949 the family moved to a farm east of Benkelman which became the sight of a great many Morris and Billington reunions. Relatives and friends from all over the country would come to these gatherings. These reunions were nearly always musical, of old, sung from memory, religious hymns. Ezelle loved to play the piano and violin. Her generous heart and hands are remembered by a great many relatives and friends. Ezelle suffered a stroke in 1983 from which she recovered. She was hospitalized in Benkelman the latter part of August, 1988, of a mild heart attack. While visiting at the home of her daughter, Betty, she suffered a second stroke, also contacted pneumonia, and died at the East Morgan County Colorado Memorial Hospital at Brush, Colorado, September 19, 1988, at the age of 87 years, 7 months and 19 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, George W. and Geneva A. Morris; sister, Bessie Dama Arrents; five brothers: Earl Emerson, Ray Bryan, Hulbert Lewis, George Craver and Burton Lester Morris; her husband, Guy Alden Billington, and one grandson, Jamie Brown, son of Curt and Susanne Brown. Ezelle leaves to mourn her five children and their spouses: Betty and Earnest Amsberry of Snyder, Colorado, Guy Jr. and Arlene Billington of Atwood, Kansas, Gene and Ruby Billington of Eugene, Oregon, Bill and Louise Billington of Benkelman, Nebraska, and Violet Williams of Benkelman; brothers: Cecil and Fred Morris; sisters: Dainty Young and June Wigham, all of Oregon; 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, a great many relatives and friends. Services were held Thursday, September 22, 1988, at 2:00 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with Pastor Lyle Chipperfield officiating. Organist was Betty Erdman. Robert Andrews, Robert Thomas, Paul Erdman, M.D. Sailors and Richard Bartholomew sang "Walk With Me" and “Will The Circle Be Unbroken." Bearers were Marlin Gunther, Jim Reisher, Norman Mears, Gene Mears, Al Reining and Byron Ham. Honorary bearers were Foster Gerdes, Howard Miller, Floyd Pettit, Jack Pursley and Cy Ketler. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery in Benkelman with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1985 Guy A. Billington was born to Louis E. and Elfie F. (Rutger) Billington at Geff, Illinois, on September 12, 1897, and departed this life on Tuesday, May 28, 1985, at the Dundy County Hospital at the age of 87. In 1906, he journeyed with his parents, two brothers and two sisters to Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska, finally making their home in St. Francis, Kansas. His father was a carpenter and made several homes and barns in that area. When World War I broke out, Guy joined the Army where he was sent overseas to serve in France. When he returned, he was married to C. Ezelle Morris on April 28, 1920, at St. Francis, Kansas. To this union were born five children—two daughters, Betty and Violet, and three sons, Guy Jr., Bill and Gene. He was a kind and loving husband and father and will be greatly missed by his family. Guy accepted the Lord early in life and he and his wife were members of the First Christian Church of St. Francis. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Roy, and one great-grandson, Jamie. Survivors include his wife, C. Ezelle of Benkelman; two daughters, Violet Williams of Benkelman and Mrs. Earnest (Betty) Amsberry of Snyder, Colorado; three sons, Gene of Salem, Oregon, Bill of Benkelman and Guy Jr. of Atwood: one brother, Carroll of Greeley, Colorado; two sisters, Valeria Jeffries of St. Francis and Mrs. Renard (Mary) Miller of Helena, Oklahoma; 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Services were held Friday, May 31, at the Jones Funeral Chapel of Benkelman. Rev. Robert Sander and Pastor Lyle Chipperfield officiated. Betty Erdman accompanied Richard Bartholomew, Paul Erdman, Robert Andrews, M.D. Sailors and Robert Thomas with selections "Life's Railway To Heaven" and "Haven Of Rest." Bearers were Leo Williams, Merle Wallace, Eddie Watt, Al Reining, Byron Ham and Foster Gerdes. Honorary bearers were Dr. Donald Hudson, Ray Fletcher, Marvin Haines, Gerald Pinkerton, H.L. Anderson, Floyd Pettit, Ed Stitt, Cy Ketler, Bus Krutsinger, Jack Pursley and Harold Chipperfield. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with American Legion and V.F.W . conducting Committal service. Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman was in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 2006 ATWOOD, Kan. — Guy Alden Billington, 8o, died Thursday (March 14, 2006) at the Rawlins County Health Center. He was born July 19, 1925, in Cheyenne County, St. Francis, to Guy and Chessie Ezelle Billington. On June 12, 1956, he married Arlene (Anderson) Billington on June 12, 1956, in Max in the United Methodist Church. Following their marriage, the couple moved to St. Francis and Benkelman for five years and moved to Atwood. While living in Atwood, Guy worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation in the shop until his retirement after 20 years. He accepted Christ as a young man and was a member of the Benkelman Baptist Church in his youth. He was a member of the United Methodist Church from 1975 to 2006, United Methodist Men, and the Imperial Valley Holiness Association. He was also a member of the Wilbur Sales Music Ministry and delivered meals for the Obert Senior Center for many years. He also volunteered at the Good Samaritan Center in Atwood, singing, playing bingo and visiting people. Survivors include his wife, Arlene; two sisters and two brothers, Betty Amsberry and husband, Ernest of Snyder, Colo., Violet Williams of Benkelman, Gene Billington and wife, Ruby of Eugene, Ore., and Bill Billington and wife, Louise of Benkelman. Funeral services are Friday, 1 p.m., at the United Methodist Church in Atwood, with the Rev. Terry McGuire and The Rev. Jim Brackett officiating. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Atwood. A memorial fund to Midwest Mission Ministry of Watertown, S.D., and the United Methodist Church Missions has been established in his name. Brantley Funeral Home of Atwood is in charge of the arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 1981 Debra Ann Wilkens Birkholtz passed away Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1981, at the age of 23 years. The daughter of Arthur L. and Mae Wilkens, Debra was born Aug. 3, 1958, in Wray, Colo. She attended elementary school at Benkelman, Neb., through the sixth grade. In June 1970, she moved with her family to Goodland, and completed her education, graduating with the Goodland High School Class of 1976. She was a 1980 cosmetology graduate of the Northwest Kansas Area Vo-Tech School. A member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Debra made a “Search Weekend" in April, 1980, with many other young people. Debra and Russell Birkholtz were united in marriage Oct. 25, 1980, in Goodland at the Catholic Church. They resided on a farm 12 miles north of Ruleton, until their deaths. Deb was a devoted wife and an enthusiastic homemaker. Playing her baritone ukulele and singing were hobbies that she greatly enjoyed. Survivors include her parents, Art and Mae Wilkens, brothers, Charles, Kent, Steven and Tony; sisters, Brenda and Lisa, all of Goodland, a grandmother, Jessie Wilkens, Colby, Kan., and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 1981 Russell Wayne Birkholtz passed away Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1981, at the age of 31 years. The son of Albert and Marie Birkhoitz, Russell was born Oct. 3, 1950. The youngest in a loving family of five children, Russell was the joy and delight of his parents, sisters and brother as a child. He attended Neville Methodist Church, where he was baptized. Attending local schools, he graduated from Goodland High School with the Class of 1968, the Northwest Kansas Vo-Tech School in Auto Mechanics, and Colby Community College. Russell and Debra Ann Wilkens were united in marriage Oct. 25, 1980, in Goodland, Kan., at the Catholic Church. They resided on a farm 12 miles north of Ruleton until their deaths. A man of the soil, his understanding of and respect for nature set him apart as a fine farmer and a good neighbor to all. Survivors include his parents, Albert and Maria Birkholtz, his brother, Gordon, all of the Ruleton community; a sister, Martha Carter, of Burlington, Colo.; sister, Diane Leeper Okeechobee, Fla.; a sister Elaine England, Newport Beach. Calif.; in addition to ten nieces and nephews, numerous other relatives and a host of friends. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September ???? Frank Birt, 77, of Prescott, Iowa, succumbed from a stroke and other complications at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. C. Bradley, in Benkelman on last Sunday evening. Mr. Birt had accompanied his son, Irwin, and wife of Creston, Iowa, to Benkelman on Friday to spend the Labor Day weekend. He took ill on Saturday morning and expired at 8:30 on Sunday evening. Mr. Birt had suffered a light stroke two years ago and was thought to be on the road to recovery. A retired farmer and auctioneer, Mr. Birt had visited his daughter and her family in Benkelman many times in previous years. Funeral services were scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in Prescott with interment at the Evergreen Cemetery there. He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Lucille Bradley, of Benkelman, and three sons, Irwin of Creston, Iowa, Joe of Owatonna, Minnesota, and Duane of Prescott, Iowa. Mrs. Bradley went to Prescott on Monday and Mr. Bradley left for the Iowa town on Tuesday evening. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1996 Roberta Lee (Merklin) Bischoff IMPERIAL — Roberta Lee Bischoff was born Dec. 14, 1928, at Benkelman to Robert H. and Rowena A. (Reighley) Merklin. She died Wednesday (June 19, 1996) at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial, at age 67. She graduated from Benkelman High School in 1947 and attended college for several years before becoming employed by Valley Farm Supply of Benkelman. She moved with her family to Wauneta in 1961 where she worked at the Farmer's Coop. She later became the Circuit Clerk for Peoria County in Peoria, Ill., where she resided until her retirement in 1993. She recently moved to Imperial to be near family. She was active in the United Presbyterian Church of Benkelman. Survivors include her daughter, Kathleen Ann McBride and husband, Thomas, of Lincoln; sons, Robert Thomas of Imperial and Rayburn Bischoff and wife, Diane, of Enders; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and sisters, Donavine Catron and husband, Kenneth, of Fort Collins, Colo., Deloris Spears of Springfield, Ill., and Norida Zink and husband, Ronald, of Dalles, Ore. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Opal Foster, Catherine Hardwick and Pearl Newman; and her brother, Robert Eugene Merklin. Funeral services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. MDT at Jones Funeral Home in Benkelman with the Rev. Douglas Allen officiating. Cremation will follow. A memorial has been established in her memory. Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman and Liewer Funeral Home of Imperial are in charge of arrangements. March 11, 2008 Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 2005 WAUNETA — Lorenz William Bischoff, 79, died Saturday (March 26, 2005) in Imperial. He was born Jan. 23, 1926, to Henry and Lydia (Beckmann) Bischoff near Wauneta. He was a farmer for many years. He was a resident of Imperial Manor in Imperial for the last 4 1/2 years. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lydia Bischoff; brother and sister-in-law, Elmer and Leatha Bischoff; sister, Esther and brother-in-law, William Keiser; niece-in-law, Sharon Keiser; and great-nephew, Joel Nordhausen. Survivors include sister, Arlene and husband, Vernon Shoemaker of Lincoln; and many nephews, nieces. Services are Tuesday, 2 p.m., at St. Paul's Lutheran Church near Wauneta with the Rev. Keith Wellman officiating. Interment is in St. Paul's Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta is in charge of the. arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1964 Carl Bischoff succumbed to a heart attack at his home in Salem, Oregon, Friday, December 4, the Imperial Republican reported last week. Mr. Bischoff was 61 years of age. Survivors include his wife, a daughter, son-in-law and grandchild. He and his family lived for many years on the North Divide. They moved to Benkelman in the late '40s and purchased the Liva O'Neall property east of the Youngson filling station in 1950, where they lived for several years before moving to Oregon. Mr. Bischoff sold the Benkelman property to Marvin Wilson in 1958. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1965 Ernest C. Bisgard, Sr., of 461 South High Street, Denver, Colorado, was born in Denver on May 15, 1902, and passed away on Sunday afternoon, May 23, 1965, following a short illness. Funeral services were held at the Olinger Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, May 26, with interment at Fairmount Cemetery. He was married to Daisy L. Edwards of Benkelman at Golden, Colorado, on September 26, 1925. Surviving in addition to his wife are his son, Ernest, Jr., and wife Barbara and their son Jerry; his daughter, Lorraine Helms, and husband Lynn and their four children, Loralyn, Jonee. Carole and Zachary Craig of Ann Arbor, Michigan; two brothers, Max M. Bisgard, wife and family and Andrew N. Bisgard and wife of Denver; one brother-in-law; two sisters-in-law and many nieces, nephews and friends. Mrs. Bisgard is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Edwards of Benkelman. She was a teacher in the Dundy county schools for a number of years before her marriage and has many friends still living in and near Benkelman. Among the friends and relatives attending the funeral services on Wednesday, May 26, were Mrs. Bisgard's sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Merrell L. Howard, and the Howard daughters and husbands, Mr. and Mrs. Harry P. Martin, all of Benkelman, and Mr. and Mrs. C. 0. Frasier, Jr., of Imperial, and Mrs. Etna Lingo of Benkelman. Mrs. Lingo was a longtime friend of the Bisgard family, having worked for Mr. Bisgard's sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Striker, when they owned and operated a bakery and restaurant in Benkelman in the early 1920's. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1998 Bessie Margaret (Bankson) Bishop Bessie Margaret (Bankson) Bishop was born in a sod house south of Wilsonville, Neb., on Nov. 15, 1905, to William and Ada Mabel (Hamilton) Sullivan Bankson. She was the youngest of seven children. At the age of 93 years and 26 days, she passed away on Friday, Dec. 11, 1998, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Neb. She attended schools in Wilsonville, graduating in 1925. Bessie attended her 60th class reunion at Wilsonville in May 1985. On Nov. 16, 1927, she married Orval Bishop at the courthouse in Oberlin, Kan. To this union one daughter was born, Margaret Ilene. Orval and Bessie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1977. Their first home as at Ludell, Kan., where Orval ran a barbershop. Later, they moved to a farm southwest of Beardsley, Kan. In 1943, they bought a house in McDonald, Kan., moving into it a year later. In 1951, they purchased two quarters of land north of McDonald which they farmed until retirement. Bessie loved golfing and gardening. She belonged to the 700 Club which was a card club and the Columbia Club which met to do quilting. Her biggest joy in life was her family, especially the birth of great-great-grandchildren and the joy in watching the "three little ones," as she would call them and who are now 16 years old. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Orval, in 1982; their daughter, Ilene, in 1983; her siblings, Henrietta Bankson, Belle (Bankson) Fisher, Ray Bankson, Mabel (Sullivan) Mays, Harold Bankson and Garnett Lyons. Survivors include her son-in-law, Eugene Miller, of Benkelman; granddaughters: Cindy and her husband, Richard Els, Peggy and her husband, Gary Bernard, and Becky Brown, all of Benkelman, and Jyl and her husband, Al Voge, of Lincoln, Neb.; great-grandchildren: David, Brian and April Els, Michele (Bernard) Sis, Tonya (Bernard) Fagot, Chad, Travis and Shawn Bernard, and Marc and Samantha Brown; great-great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Megan, Zachary and Bryant Els, Zachary, Alyssa and Tessa Sis and Trey Fagot. Final rites for Bessie Bishop were held at 11 a.m. CST on Monday, Dec. 14, at the Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Atwood, Kan., with the Rev. Michael Davis of Benkelman officiating. Phyllis Wingfield was the organist and Jerry Knapp sang "In The Garden" and "How Great Thou Art." Casket bearers were her great-grandsons: David and Brian Els, Marc Brown, Chad, Travis and Shawn Bernard, Jason Fagot and Bill Sis. Interment was in the Atwood Fairview Cemetery at Atwood. Williams Funeral Home of Atwood was in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1982 Orval Bishop was born Aug. 9, 1905, at Wilsonville, Neb., oldest child of Earl and Katie Mae (Turman) Bishop. He died April 12, 1982, at the Rawlins County Hospital, Atwood, Kan., at the age of 76. At the age of 1 1/2, he, his parents and brother moved to a farm south of Beardsley, Kan. He joined a church at Beardsley at an early age. He was a retired farmer, having farmed in the McDonald and Beardsley area all his life. He was an avid baseball player and fan, and a well-known golfer. He was married to Bessie Bankson of Wilsonville, Neb., Nov. 16, 1927. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1977. He is survived by his wife, Bessie, daughter, Ilene, and husband, Eugene Miller, of Benkelman, Neb.; four granddaughters, Cindy, and husband, Richard Els, of Benkelman, Peggy, and husband, Gary Bernard, of Parks, Neb., Becky, and husband, Mike Brown, of Mullen, Neb., and Jyl Miller of Lincoln, Neb.; nine great-grandchildren, David, Brian, and April Els, Michele, Tonya, Chad, and Travis Bernard, Marc and Samantha Brown; one brother, Arthur, and wife, Genevieve Bishop; one sister, Ruth, and husband, Raymond LaDuke; three nephews and numerous cousins and their families and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed having them all with him. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1999 Boyd E. Blair, Jr., 79, died Monday, Nov. 8, 1999, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Neb. He was born the fourth child of Boyd and Lacy (Smith) Blair, Sr., on May 31, 1920, in Cheyenne County, Kan., near Bird City. He and his family lived there until he was five years old and then moved to the Rollwitz community north of Parks, Dundy County, Neb. He received his education at country school and attended Parks High School for two years. Due to the depression, Boyd decided to leave school and help support his family of nine brothers and sisters. In April 1942, he was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served his country for 3 1/2 years. His tour of duty began in England and from there, as tank commander of the 4th Armored Artillery, he helped wage a victorious battle across Europe. He was honored with several awards including the Bronze Star, Presidential Citation of Valor and Good Conduct Medal. After receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to Dundy County. It was there he met Corrine E. Jessee, his future wife. They were united in marriage on Sept. 8, 1946, in Benkelman. In the following years they pursued a lifelong career in farming. Their marriage was blessed with four children: Larry, Tom, Don and Janet. Boyd enjoyed being involved in the community. He served as a Dundy County Commissioner for 16 years. He was a member of the Benkelman United Methodist Church. the Benkelman School Board. ASCS Committee. Justice Lodge No. 180 A.F. & A.M., Holly Chapter Order of Eastern Star, the Criminal Justice Board of Nebraska, the West Central Nebraska Area on Aging and the Southwest Nebraska Resource Conservation and Development. He refused to allow his limited education keep him from being an active and viable member of the community. He was awarded Admiral status in the Nebraska Navy and in 1995 he and Corrine received the Benkelman Area Chamber of Commerce "Good Guy" award for community service. As his health began to fail, he and Corrine moved to their home in Benkelman where he continued his interests in public affairs. He greatly enjoyed attending many sports events of the Dundy County Schools. Many of the students considered him their No. 1 fan and he was proud of their achievements. Those he leaves to rejoice his life include Corrine, his wife of 53 years; sons: Larry and wife, Lana, of San Antonio, Texas, Tom and wife. Rosemary, of Brighton. Colo., and Don and wife. Joyce, of Benkelman: a daughter, Janet Blair of Brighton: grandchildren: Drs. Jill and Rich Kesten, Janee Blair, Matthew Blair. Sheree Blair, Dr. Brandon Blair and wife. Holly, and Brian Blair; great-grandchildren: Jacob Kesten and Britan Blair; a brother. Lowell; sisters Helen Morris. Darlene Shaw. Guila Netzer and Betty Patterson; a sister-in-law, Hilda Blair, and many other relatives and friends. Though he will be greatly missed, his memory and spirit live on eternally. Funeral services for Boyd E. Blair, Jr., were held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, 1999, at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Michael Davis officiating. Diana Ham was the organist and Betty Erdman the pianist. Richard Bartholomew, with guitar accompaniment, sang "Beyond The Sunset." The church choir sang "Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” Casket bearers were Andy Mueller, Brian Naughton, Marlin Lutz, Bob and Dee Stamm. Bill Reade and Bill Hall. A committal service was conducted by the Masons of Justice Lodge No. 180. Burial was in the Benkelman Cemetery with military rites by the Benkelman American Legion Post No. 65, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4178 and the Sons of the American Legion. Arrangements were by Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1994 PENDLETON, Ore.—Thomas "Gene" Blair died Wednesday, August 24. 1994, at his home in Pendleton, Oregon. He was born August 29, 1921, at Bird City, Kansas, to Boyd and Lacy (Smith) Blair. He grew up in Nebraska and attended schools there. During his school years he was active in sports and excelled at football and basketball, On April 2, 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Army where he served In Company B, 18th Armored Infantry Battalion. He was released from military duty October 23, 1945, and was recipient of many service medals. On June 8, 1947, he married Hilda Elizabeth McDaniel at Medford, Oregon. His lifelong occupation as a carpenter led him to many areas throughout Oregon. He worked in Portland for the Paul B. Emerick Construction Co. and later transferred to McCormack Construction Company in Pendleton where he worked as a construction superintendent until his retirement in 1985. He was an active member of the First Church of God in Pendleton where he was involved as a board member and Sunday school teacher. He enjoyed gardening and sharing his bounty with neighbors and friends. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing. hunting and traveling. He was a member of Athena American Legion Post 130. Survivors include his wife, Hilda, at home; sons Douglas of Eatonton, New Jersey, and Gordon and Jeff, both of Pendleton; daughters Debara Cleaver of Hermiston, Oregon, and Elizabeth Groves and Sally Roy, both of Salem, Oregon; brothers Boyd Jr. of Benkelman, Nebraska, and Lowell of Columbus, Texas; sisters Helen Morris of Roseburg, Oregon, Darlene Shaw of Eagle Point, Oregon, Guila Netzer of Coos Bay, Oregon, and Betty Patterson of Grants Pass, Oregon, and 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Barbara, a brother, William, and two sisters, Margretta Hunt and Iola Blair. Services were held Friday, August 26, 1994, at 2 p.m. at the First Church of God in Pendleton. Interment was at Skyview Memorial Park in Pendleton. Bishop Funeral Chapel of Pendleton was in charge of arrangements. In Memory Even though we are here with heavy hearts today, we must celebrate and cherish our precious memories of this man who so deeply touched each and every one of us. As we say goodbye for now, let us always remembers his honesty and integrity, his laughter and sincerity, but most of all his total unconditional love given to all of us throughout his entire life. Our words cannot adequately express how grateful we are for his life with us--we have been truly blessed. And so my dear uncle ... In the rising of the sun and its going down - we shall remember you.In the blowing of the wind and the chill of winter - we shall remember you. In the opening of the buds and the rebirth of spring - we shall remember you. In the rustling of leaves and the beauty of autumn - we shall remember you. In the beginning of the year and when it ends - we shall remember you. When we are weary and in need of strength - we shall remember you. When we are lost and sick at heart - we shall remember you. When we have joys we yearn to share - we will remember you. So long as we live, you, too, shall live, for you are now a part of us - we will always remember you. Farewell
for now. We pray that we may live by your fine example so that
someday we will With love, your niece, Janet. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1974 Mabel Minnie (Bowers) Blanchard Mabel Minnie (Bowers) Blanchard, the oldest child of Johnston and Minnie Bowers, was born in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska on May 9th, 1893 and passed away August 19th, 1974 in Phoenix, Arizona, where she had made her home for the past four years. Her childhood days were spent on a farm north of Holbrook, Nebraska which had been homesteaded by her parents. She was united in marriage with Louis Fred Blanchard on September 14, 1910 at Holbrook, Nebraska. They made their home on a farm for about a year. Mr. Blanchard had a desire to become a veterinarian so they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he enrolled in veterinarian college. After his graduation in 1917, they returned to Nebraska. They chose Benkelman, Nebraska, to be their home and place of his professional venture. Here they lived with their family for many years until Dr. Blanchard's retirement in 1960. During their many years in Benkelman, Mrs. Blanchard was an active member of the Methodist Church, the Benkelman Women's Club and the Royal Neighbor Lodge. Nothing pleased her more than to help with one of the projects which might have been in progress by one of the organizations of which she was a part. She was loved by many friends who appreciated her helpfulness, kindness, wit and quick sense of humor. Some one once said she possessed a classic quality which was always prominent in her appearance. The last few years of her life were rife with illness and fatigue. After the death of her husband a year ago, she failed rapidly. She was preceded in death by both parents, two younger brothers, one grandson and her husband of sixty three years. She will be missed by her two daughters, Birdeena Boswell, Phoenix, Arizona and Marquietta Woods, Fort Collins, Colorado; one son, Birdell Blanchard, Spokane, Washington; three younger sisters, Mrs. Nora Alstot, McCook, Nebraska, Mrs. George Rakow, Venice, Florida and Mrs. Nellie Moir, Omaha, Nebraska; one brother, Louis Bowers, Oxford, Nebraska; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren as well as other close relatives and friends in Nebraska and Arizona. The memorial service was conducted at the Memory Lawn Chapel on August 23, 1974 at 2:00 p.m. by the Rev. John Judkins of the Central United Methodist Church of Phoenix, Arizona. Burial was in the Memory Lawn Cemetery located at 719 North 27th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1973 Dr. L. F. Blanchard “Louis Fredrick” Dr. L. F. Blanchard, who served this area as a veterinarian for 43 years, expired at Phoenix, Arizona on March 1st at the age of 90 years. He has been a resident of Phoenix for three years after residing in Wyoming and Colorado after his retirement and sale of his practice to Dr. Don Hudson in 1960. Dr. Blanchard began his practice in Benkelman after graduating from the Kansas City, Missouri, Veterinarian College and he was highly regarded both as a professional man and as a citizen. He served many terms on both the City Council and the Board of Education and could always be counted among the progressive and forward looking citizens. Louis Fredrick Blanchard was born in Larville, Indiana, November 17, 1882 to Sarah M. and Charles M. Blanchard. He was one of a family of four brothers and two sisters. His childhood days were spent around Holbrook, Nebraska. There he met Mabel M. Bowers and on September 14, 1910 were united in marriage. They established their home on a farm near Holbrook, Nebraska. His love for animals and a desire to become a veterinarian prompted him to sell his farm and enroll in the Kansas City, Mo. Veterinarian College from which he graduated in 1917. He then returned to Nebraska and chose Benkelman to be his home. It was there where he became known to many as "Doc” and where he earned and enjoyed the respect and esteem of many friends as he served them in the community for forty three years. After his retirement in 1960 at the age of seventy-eight years, he resided in Wyoming and Colorado until he moved to Phoenix, Arizona three years ago. He had the misfortune to fall and break his hip January 20. He seemed to gradually lose the old fight and on March the first died in his sleep. His sense of humor, kindness, and devotion will be missed by his surviving wife Mabel, Phoenix, Arizona; daughters Birdeena M. Boswell, Phoenix, Arizona; Marquietta Woods, Fort Collins, Colorado; a son Birdell Blanchard, Spokane, Washington; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; as well as a brother C. F. Blanchard, Omaha, Nebraska, and a sister Mrs. W. S. Snyder, Bandon, Oregon; other relatives and friends. The memorial service was conducted at the Memory Lawn Chapel on March 5th, at 1:00 p.m. by Rev. Ralph Wetherell, who had been a close friend and neighbor during the time Doc resided in Laramie, Wyoming. Pallbearers were Paul Powell, Jerry Calkins, Jake Raile, Waldo Baney, Duane Christiansen and Carroll Woodworth. They were all former Benkelman residents and were friends of the deceased or his family. They are all residents of Phoenix at the present time. Burial was in the Memory Lawn Cemetery located at 719I N. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 2000 SPOKANE, Wash.--Neil B. 'Doc" Blanchard, age 79, a longtime resident of Spokane, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2000. Doc has born on Oct. 1, 1920, to Louis F. and Mable M. (Bowers) Blanchard in Benkelman, Neb. He served in the Air Force during World War II from 1940-45. He came to live in the Spokane area in the early '60s, and worked in construction for more than 45 years. He was a member of the Construction Workers Union Local #238. He married Irene Gragg in 1989 who preceded him in death in February 2000. Survivors include his sister, Marquietta Robinson, of Fort Collins, Colo.; three nephews: Steve and Roger Woods of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Ron Woods of Mesa, Ariz., and a niece, Carlene Woods, of St. George, Utah. He was preceded in death by his wife Irene in February. No services are to be held at his request. Private interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery with The Neptune Society of Washington, 1821 E. Sprague, Spokane, WA 99202, in charge of arrangements and the cremation. Printed in the Benkelman, NE, Post, December 1987 Vica Belle Harrington was born to Philip and Sarah Harrington on September 2, 1895, at Humboldt, Nebraska, and passed away at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, December 3, 1987, at the age of 92 years, 3 months and 3 days. On February 27, 1916, she was united in marriage to Frank Andres. To this union were born seven children: Glenn, now deceased, Lyle, Velma, Junior, Bob, Betty and Wayne. The family made their home in Superior, Nebraska, area for a number of years. In 1937 they moved to Parks, Nebraska. Frank was killed in a farm-related accident in 1939. Vica continued to make her home in Parks. In 1946 she married Charlie Blank and they lived in Parks where he was a rural mail carrier. They moved to Benkelman, Nebraska, in 1967 and Charlie passed away in August 1969. Vica continued to live by herself until poor health forced her to move to the Hester Memorial Home. At an early age she accepted Christ and she and her sisters sang for church and social gatherings. Music and song had a special meaning in her life. Those preceding her in death were her parents, both husbands, two sisters, one brother and one son. Survivors include: Lyle and wife, Connie, of Iola, Kansas; Velma Roberts and husband, Ernest, of Olney Springs, Colorado; Junior and wife, Leta, of Benkelman; Bob and wife, Leanna, of Paso Robles, California; Betty Ellis and husband, Glenn, of Benkelman; Wayne and wife, Simone, of Newport News, Virginia; three stepchildren: Elaine Greenhoe and husband, Ken of Ionia, Michigan, Augusta Smith of Benkelman, and Dudley and wife, Elaine, of Parks; a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, one sister, three sisters-in-law, other relatives and friends. She was loved and will be missed by all. Services were held Tuesday, December 8, 1987, at 10:30 a.m. at the Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with the Rev. Vernon Whetstone officiating. Organist was Mary Baney. Doris Tecker sang the selections "Peace In The Valley" and "Haven Of Rest." Honorary bearers were Junior Andres, Wayne Andres, Ernest Roberts, Lyle Andres, Glenn Ellis, Bob Andres, Dudley Blank, Royce Smith and Ken Greenhoe. Committal was December 9, 1987, at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Vernon Whetstone presiding. Interment was in the Guide Rock Cemetery in Guide Rock, Nebraska. Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman was in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1996 Charles William "Dudley" Blank Charles William "Dudley" Blank, the only son of Charlie A. and Dorothea (Steinke) Blank, was born July 13, 1925, at the family farm near Trenton, Neb. He died on Thursday, July 18, 1996, at the Heritage Home in Wauneta, Neb., after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. When he was a young boy, Dudley's mother died. His aunt, Lillian Blank, filled that void until Charlie and Dudley moved to a farm west of Parks, Neb., in 1935. During his school years at Parks, Dudley participated in all sports. Sports continued to be an important source of enjoyment throughout his active life. After his graduation from Parks High School in 1943, he joined the Navy and served his country during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Elaine Ballard in 1946 and they established their home at the Rock Creek Fish Hatchery at Parks. They were blessed with three daughters: Janice, Gayle and Jill. Dudley and Elaine's 50th wedding anniversary was observed by their girls in April 1996. His career of 42 years and 10 months at the hatchery came to an end in February 1989. During that time, he received advanced training at Cortland, N.Y., and graduated from Coldwater Fish School at Spearfish, S.D. Dudley was honored twice with the title of Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. The first was presented to him in 1977 by then Gov. J.J. Exon, and the second by then Gov. Kay Orr in 1987. He was a member and elder of the Benkelman (Neb.) United Presbyterian Church, the American Legion Post No. 65 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4178. Preceding him in death were his parents: his stepmother, Vica Blank, and a stepbrother, Glen Andres. Survivors include his wife Elaine, of Benkelman; three daughters, Janice and husband James Buffington of Terre Haute, Ind., Gayle and husband Wayne Lutz of Benkelman and Jill and husband Dwayne Hibbs of Kearney, Neb.; two sisters, Elaine and husband Kenneth Greenhoe of Ionia, Mich., and Augusta Smith of Sargent, Neb.; two stepsisters. Betty and husband Glen Ellis of Benkelman and Velma Roberts of Colorado; four stepbrothers, Junior Andres and wife Leta of Benkelman, Bob Andres and wife Leanna of California, Lyle Andres and wife Connie of Kansas. and Wayne Andres and wife Simone of Virginia; six grandchildren: Stephen Buffington and wife Tammy of Benkelman, Brittany Buffington of Loveland, Colo., Anita and husband Jeff Krejdl of Oxford, Neb., Michael Lutz and wife Ginger of Benkelman and Keith Van Vleet and Morgan Hibbs of Kearney; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. A memorial service was held Monday, July 22. 1996, at 10 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Church in Benkelman with Marcine Farmer, P.M.A., officiating. Carol Peterson was the organist. Audrey Brueggeman the soloist and Jeff Krejdl provided accordian music. Selections included "Surely The Presence Of The Lord," "One Day At Calvary," "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow" and "Battle Hymn Of The Republic." Bearers were Hal Tecker, Junior Andres, Garry Krutsinger. Carl Seabolt, Rod VanVelson and Tom Ellis. Honorary bearers were Ike Denny, Marvin Colson, C.J. Sutherland, Ron Krutsinger, Ed Carroll and Wayne Andres. Presentation of the flag was by the American Legion Post No. 65 and VFW Post No. 4178. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery prior to the memorial service. Arrangements were by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1969 Charlie Andreas Blank, son of Karl and Emma Blank, both deceased, was born March 15, 1890 on a farm south of Trenton, Nebraska and passed away at the age of 79 years, six months and 13 days at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman on Thursday. August 28, 1969. He was united in marriage to Dorothea Steinke on August 14, 1913, and to this union three children were born: Augusta Smith, Taylor, Nebraska; Elaine Greenhoe, Ionia, Mich.; and Charles Blank of Parks, Nebr. His wife, Dorothea, passed away in 1929. Charlie moved to Parks in 1936 and spent several years working near Parks before he became the Star Route mail carrier in 1945. He continued to carry the mail until ill health forced his retirement in 1966. On May 29, 1946, he married Vica Andres and became a devoted father to the seven Andres children: Glen Andres, Fairbury, Nebr.; Lyle Andres, La Harpe, Kans.; Velma Roberts, Navato, Calif.; Junior Andres, Benkelman, Nebr.; Bob Andres, Paso Robles, Calif., Betty Ellis, Parks, and Wayne Andres of Aberdeen, Maryland. He-leaves his faithful companign, Vica; -the ten children and their spouses; 29 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; two sisters; nieces and nephews; and many neighbors and friends. Funeral services were held at Jay's Funeral Chapel on Saturday, August 30, with Rev. Eric Talla and Rev. Hiram Lilley officiating. Organist was Mrs. Paul Erdman, with Elmer Case the soloist. Honorary bearers were Paul Eaton, Frank Weiss, Bill Morrison, Tom Ballard, W. G. Gunderman and Luke Stafford. Bearers were John Dunn, Max Cline, Alfred Lutz, John McClain, Milton Singley and Martin Lutz. Interment was in the Trenton, Nebraska Cemetery, under the direction of Jay's Funeral Home. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1984 Herman Blank, son of Carl and Frieda Blank, was a lifelong resident of the Trenton community. Herman was born on February 16, 1900, on the family homestead which was about seven miles south of Trenton. In later years the family moved to a farmstead west of Trenton. Much of this farm is now part of Lake Swanson. Herman has been a guest of El Dorado Manor for many years. He passed away at El Dorado Manor on Friday, November 23, 1984. He was preceded in death by his half-brothers, Julius, Albert, Ernest and Charles. His sister, Eda, passed away in 1904. He is survived by his two half-sisters, Mrs. Mathilda Dreezen of Burr, Nebraska, and Mrs. Francis Selly of Cambridge, and a nephew, Dudley Blank of Parks. Services were held Monday, November 26, at the Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman. Rev. W .W . DeBolt officiated the service. Elaine Blank served as organist. Honorary bearers were the residents of El Dorado Manor Home. ' Interment was in the Trenton Cemetery with arrangements by the Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1992 BENKELMAN--Fred Blanke , 85, died Thursday, February 27, 1992, at the Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman, Nebraska. He was born May 19, 1906, in Chase County, Nebraska. He was a farmer in the Chase County area, near Lamar and Venango, and had lived in Benkelman for several years. Services were held Saturday, February 29, at 10 a.m. at Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with the Rev. Vernon Whetstone officiating. Bearers were Lawrence Campbell, Merle Wallace, Eddie Watt, Mearl Richard, Everett Stamm and Leo Williams. Interment was in the Lamar Cemetery at Lamar, Nebraska. Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1995 GOODLAND, Kan.--Jean Blecha was born October 3, 1930, in Chase County, two miles north of Enders, Nebraska, and was given the name Margaret Jean by her parents, Alva and Helen (Boening) Howard. In infancy she was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial, Nebraska. She was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Benkelman, Nebraska, on March 21, 1948. She graduated from the Max High School with the Class of 1948, and attended a summer session at Kearney State Teachers' College. For two years she taught school at the District 18 school of Dundy County. On November 23, 1949, she was united in marriage with Walter Blecha in a service at Zion Lutheran Church in Benkelman. Three children were born to their marriage: Alan, Larry and Cynthia. The couple lived in Benkelman until 1953 and then moved to the Twin Lakes Farm north of Benkelman where they spent most of their married life. In addition to farming, Walter also did some construction work. In 1979 Walter retired and the Blechas moved into Benkelman. Mrs. Blecha entered the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Goodland, Kansas, in April 1981. She was hospitalized at Northwest Kansas Regional Medical Center in Goodland on July 1995, and died on July 22, at the age of 64 years, 9 months and 19 days. She was preceded in death by her husband on September 2, 1981; her father in 1979; her mother in 1987, and a brother, Tom, in 1984. She is survived by her sons Alan of Holdrege, Nebraska, and Larry and his wife, Debra, of Mitchell, Nebraska; her daughter, Cynthia, and her husband, Jerry Fries, of Benkelman; 10 grandchildren; a brother, George, of Chino, California, and sisters, Janet and her husband, John Haines, and Joyce and her husband, Arden Ham, all of Benkelman, and Doris and her husband, Phillip Albert, of Mesa. Arizona. Mrs. Blecha was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Benkelman since her youth. She was a dedicated mother and she always took a special interest in her grandchildren. Funeral services for Margaret Jean Blecha were held Tuesday, July 25, 1995, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Douglas Allen officiating. Organist was Helen Lutz and Steven Stroup sang "In The Garden" and "How Great Thou Art." The congregational hymn was "Jesus Loves Me." Bearers were Brian Fries, Jake Blecha, Joseph Blecha, Eugene Ham, Ben Blecha, Justin Blecha, Jeffery Blecha, J.D. Ham and Stanley Haines. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1997 HAIGLER--Dale Mike Blecha was born March 25, 1927, to Albert and Hattie (Wilkinson) Blecha at the family home in Dundy County, Neb. He died while on the golf course at Benkelman, Neb., on July 4, 1997, at the age of 70. He attended country school and graduated from Benkelman High School in 1944. He served in the United States Army from July 1944 to October 1946, where he earned the rank of corporal. He was a heavy machine gunner with the 78th Infantry Division and was part of the occupational forces in Berlin, Germany. He-was-united in marriage to Jeannie Marie Spaulding on Nov. 21, 1949, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benkelman. They resided in Haigler, Neb., where he farmed and worked for Victor Stasser for 20 years. Four children were born to this union: Theresa, Michael, Timothy and Gerald. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the Haigler Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Haigler American Legion. Through the years, he coached Little League baseball and was a 4-H leader. He was known for his ability to fix almost anything. One of his greatest joys in life came from his children and his 11 grandchildren, Survivors include his wife, Jeannie, of Haigler; their daughter, Theresa and her husband, Steve Yost, of Haigler; three sons: Michael and his wife, Kathy, of Haigler, Dr. Timothy and his wife, LaVeta, of Superior, Neb., and Gerald and his wife, Judi, of Benkelman; 11 grandchildren; three sisters: Virginia Blecha of Omaha, Neb., Lila Manley of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Ila and her husband Roy League, of Stratton, Neb. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Walter, and a sister, Mary Helen Gladiken. A memorial has been established in Dale's memory to purchase a new emergency room guerney for the hospital in Benkelman. Memorials may be sent to the Dundy County Hospital, P.O. Box 626, Benkelman, NE 69021 or to Mrs. Jeannie Blecha, P.O. Box 100, Haigler, NE 69030. Mass of the Resurrection was at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 1997, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Mark Pfeiffer as celebrant. Remarks were by Dr. Tim Blecha and lector was Steve Barenberg. Marjorie Redfield was the church organist and Florence Daniels was the organist for singers Linda Morris, Cindy Haskell, Jann Clark and Dana Webster. A recitation was by Marcella Samler. Selections included "I'm The Bread Of Life," "There's Something About That Name," "On Eagle's Wings" and "River Of Glory." Bearers were Mark McVey, Ted Harford, Craig Kamla, Joe DeLorme, Scott Olson and Rick Morris. Honorary bearers were Don Webster, Melvin Crouse, Clifford Olson, Marvin Kamla, Vic Stasser, Ron Akey, Dale Smith and Eddie Brunswig. Committal was by the American Legion Post No. 134 and VFW Post No. 8009 with interment in the Haigler Cemetery. Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman was in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1938 George Blecha, 18-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Blecha, who reside north of Haigler, took his own life Monday morning at near nine o'clock after completing his chores in the barn. His body was discovered by a sister who was sent to look for him when he did not return to the house at the usual time. He was found lying in an alleyway in the barn with a twenty-two caliber rifle between his knees and a bullet hole in his forehead. Investigation by County Attorney Victor Westermark and Deputy Sheriff Garnett Hoover revealed that the young man had finished his milking chores, let the cows out of the barn, hung up the milk bucket and then placing the against his forehead, discharged the bullet into his brain. No reason could be found for the rash act, the youth having attended a movie in Wray the night before with several neighborhood boys and seemed to be in his usual good spirits. He was an industrious, good natured lad and everybody liked him. The Blecha family are well known and highly respected farmers of the section about 12 miles north of Haigler and the sympathies of hundreds of friends go out to them in their hour of deep sorrow and loss. (Researcher note: Burial was in the Haigler, NE cemetery. Dates shown are October 16, 1920 and December 26, 1938). Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 1996 HAIGLER--Joseph Frank "Joe" Blecha was born March 14, 1906, at Burchard, Neb., to Joseph F. and Mary (Dezort) Blecha. He was the oldest in the family of 11 children. He died at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Neb., on Oct. 7, 1996, at the age of 90. In 1925 the family moved from eastern Nebraska to Colorado by train where they lived for three years. Not having good crops, they traded the place for one north of Haigler, Neb., in 1928. Joe was drafted into the Army on March 13, 1942, and he served during World War II until his discharge in 1945. After he returned from the service, his father died in 1946. Joe and Jack Himberg bought the ranch and farmed until they sold the ranch to Steve and Terry Yost and Joe and Jack retired in Haigler in 1976. He was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters: Rosie Himberg, Mary Carlock, Anna Crowe Berger, Clara Coe and two baby sisters; two brothers: Rudolph J. "Dutch" and George. He is survived by one sister, Mable, and her husband, Lester Spears, of Benkelman and one brother, Harry, and his wife, Dorothy, of Wray, Colo.; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Final rites for Joe Blecha Jr. were held Friday, Oct. 11, 1996, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Haigler with the Rev. Michael Davis officiating. Pianist was Carol Peterson. Galena Webster, Don Harford, Helen Woods and Dale Faylor sang "Amazing Grace" and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Bearers were Ron Crowe, Gary Blecha, Stuart Blecha, James Blecha, Steve Yost and Paul Blecha. Honorary pallbearers were Vic Stasser, Tom Buxman, Marion Blecha, Bill Wolford, Dale Blecha, Earl Erdman, Dean Erdman and Dave Yost. Committal was by American Legion Post No. 134 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8009. Interment was in the Haigler Cemetery with Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1934 Mike Blecha, oldest son of Albert and Mary Blecha, was born in Chicago, Illinois. on February 7, 1866 and died in Benkelman, Nebraska, on December 20, 1934, aged 68 years, 10 months and 13 days. Mr. Blecha moved in the year 1874, with his parents. from Chicago to Humboldt, Nebraska, in the vicinity of which place he grew up to young manhood. He was married on February 14, 1393, to Mary Horalek, of Pawnee county, Nebraska. To this union were born three children, Albert Blecha of Benkelman, Louis Blecha who died in infancy, and Mrs. Bessie Blecha Edwards, of Benkelman, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Blecha and family came to Benkelman in February, 1915, where they have since then made their home, Mr. Blecha following the trade of a blacksmith as his father did before him. In the capacity of craftsman and citizen he has won an honored place among us, leading an honest, industrious and useful life. He was baptized in the Catholic church in his infancy. Mr. Blecha leaves to mourn his departure from the scenes of earth, besides his immediate family, 10 grandchildren and a number of more distant relatives and friends. Funeral services begun at the home on Friday afternoon under the ministry of Rev. G. A. Schwabauer, pastor of the Methodist church of Benkelman and were completed on Sunday in Richardson county where in a large country cemetery there is the family plot where rest the remains of his parents and other immediate relatives. Here the remains of Mr. Blecha, whose spirit has ascended to meet his God and Father, were finally laid to rest. Music for the funeral service in Benkelman was furnished by Hervey Porter, Mrs. Roy Craig, Mrs. John Hollinger and Mr. R. D. Druliner. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1992 Rudolph James "Dutch" Blecha, 82, a retired farmer, died Friday evening, June 12, 1992, at the North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colorado. He was born March 28, 1910, to Joseph and Mary (Dezart) Blecha at Burchard, Nebraska, where he was raised and attended schools. He moved to north of Haigler, Nebraska, in 1928. He married Velma Maxine Carlock on April 22, 1933, in St. Francis, Kansas, moving to the Fort Morgan, Colorado, area in 1937 where he worked for several area farmers before farming for himself north of Fort Morgan. In 1946, they moved to their own farm on Road W where they farmed until his retirement in 1975. They lived there until ill health forced them to move to Hillcrest Apartments in Fort Morgan. He was a former member of the Colorado National Guard. He is survived by his wife, Velma; four daughters, Barbara Holloway of Wray, Colorado, Phyllis Warthen of San Diego, California, Loretta Blasier of Denver, Colorado, and Jo Spotts of San Diego; ...eight sons, James of Aurora, Colorado, Harry of Carmichael, California, Marion of Longmont, Colorado, Raleigh of San Diego, Paul of Littleton; Colorado, Edward of Sacramento, California, and Donald and George, both of Fort Morgan; ...two sisters, Rosie Himberg of St. Francis and Mabel Spears of Benkelman, Nebraska; two brothers, Harry of Wray and Joe of Haigler; 34 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 16, 1992, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church with the Rev. Don Beal officiating. Bearers were his eight sons. Burial was in Memory Gardens in Fort Morgan with Jolliffe Mortuary in charge of the arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1981 Walter Marion Blecha was born July 17, 1925, on the family farm northwest of Benkelman, the second child of Albert and Hattie (Wilkinson) Blecha, and passed away September 3, 1981 at his home in Benkelman. Walt attended grade school at District 8 and graduated from Benkelman High School in 1943. He entered the United States Army on July 24, 1944, and received an honorable discharge on July 2, 1946. While in the service, Walt served in the Rhineland in Central Europe where he was wounded on February 2, 1945. Walt's decorations included: the Army of Occupation Medal-Germany, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, American Theater Service Medal, and European Middle-Eastern Theater Service Medal. On November 23, 1949, Walt was united in marriage to Margaret Jean Howard. To this union three children were born: Alan Wayne, Larry LeRoy and Cynthia Sue. Walt enjoyed a lifetime career in farming at Twin Lakes. He was also a carpenter having worked on various buildings and projects. Walt was active in 4-H as a member and a leader. He was active in the American Legion serving as Post Commander of the Martin F. Bowles Post 65. Walt was also a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Benkelman. Walter Blecha was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Margaret Jean, sons Alan and wife Ellen, grandchildren Ben and Charlene, Larry and wife Barbara Jean and grandson Jake, and daughter Cindy and husband Jerry Fries and grandchildren, Amy, Brian, and Stephanie. He is also survived by his brother Dale and wife Jean Marie of Haigler; sisters Ila and husband Roy League of Stratton; Lilly Manley of Yuma, Arizona; Virginia Blecha of Omaha, Nebraska; Mary Helen Gadeken and husband Howard of Spokane, Washington; 24 nephews and nieces; and a host of other relatives and many friends. Services were held Monday, September 7, 1981, at 10:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Benkelman with Pastor Lynn Parsons officiating. Organist was Jackie Wilson. Selections were "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art" sung by Gerald and Kelly Hayward. Bearers were Charlie Sandman, Jim Kier, Ward Felzien, Stanley Ham, Jim Owens and Tom Maranville. Honorary bearers were Eldon Hendrickson, Wayne Clark, Dick Beck, Leo Williams, Stanley Jones and Dick Davis. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with committal service by Martin F. Bowles Post No. 65. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1970 Katie Duhm Bley, daughter of Elizabeth Frerichs and Harm Duhm, was born May 28, 1898, at Hanover, Nebraska, in Gage County. She was married to Jacob Bley May 2, 1921, at Trenton,Nebraska. They moved to their home on a farm south of Wauneta, in the Eden community, where they spent their 49 years of married life. This union was blessed with five sons, Herman and Ervin of Palisade, Nebr., Alvin and Raymond of Wauneta, Nebr., and a son who died in infancy. She accepted the Lord Jesus as her personal Savior on October 24, 1933. She was baptized and became a member of the Eden Missionary Church on November 12, 1933, under the ministry of Rev. William Egle, where she remained a faithful member until her death. She departed this life March 14, 1970, in the Hitchcock County Hospital at Stratton, Nebraska, at the age of 71 years, nine months and 14 days. Kate leaves to mourn her death, her loving husband, Jacob, four sons and daughters-in-law, Herman and Bonnie, Alvin and Nadine, Raymond and Lois, and Ervin and Elaine, four sisters, Reka Martin of Van Nuys, California, Fanny Maris and Grace Potthoff of Wauneta, Irene Lee of Logan, Kansas, and two brothers, Fred Duhm of Stratton and Carl Duhm of Turlock, California, thirteen grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Mary Maris, a brother, Henry, a baby brother and sister and one grandson. She was indeed a loving wife and mother, a wonderful grandmother and a good neighbor, who will be missed greatly by her many relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at the Eden Missionary Church on Monday, March 16th, with the Rev. Olen Schlatter officiating. Interment was in the Eden Missionary Church cemetery under the direction of the Brunkhorst Funeral Home of Wauneta. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1994 WAUNETA--Jacob John Bley, son of Benjamin and Jacobina (Kruse) Bley, was born in Hayes County at Rains, Nebraska, in a sod house about 12 miles north of Wauneta, Nebraska, on July 15, 1895, and died in Wauneta March 19, 1994, at the age of 98 years, 8 months and 4 days. Bley lived on a farm and attended school in a sod schoolhouse. In 1901 the family moved to a farm northeast of Palisade, Nebraska. He helped his dad on the farm until he was drafted into the U.S. Army on October 17, 1917, and was sent to France. January 14, 1919, Bley was discharged from the Army and bought a farm one-half mile west of the Eden Church, Wauneta. After "batching" for a couple of years, he married a neighbor girl, Katie Duhm, on May 2, 1921. The couple farmed and raised four sons: Herman, Alvin, Raymond and Ervin. Bley enjoyed farm life and carpentry work. As ayoung man, Bley received the Lord as his personal Saviour and was a faithful member of the Eden Missionary Church for more than 60 years. He helped with the custodial work and was a trustee-treasurer for many years. In 1974 he moved to Wauneta. He was known as a loving father and grandfather and was appreciative of visits from family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Katie, on March 16, 1970; a son, Alvin; an infant son; a grandson, Lauren; his parents; his brothers, Louie and Adolph, and sisters, Bertina and Anna. Surviving him are three sons: Herman and his wife, Bonnie, of North Platte, Nebraska, and Raymond and his wife, Lois, and Ervin and his wife, Elaine, of Wauneta; a daughter-in-law, Nadene, of Palisade; three sisters-in-law: Grace Potthoff of Wauneta, Reka Martin of Van Nuys, California, and Bula Bley of Wayland, Michigan; a brother-in-law, Carl Duhm, and his wife, Fern, of Turlock, California; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; a host of other relatives and friends. Services were held Tuesday, March 22, 1994, at 11 a.m. at the Eden Missionary Church with the Revs. Manny Parks, Matt Hoffman and Lloyd Bley officiating. Pianist was Lynetta Wine. Arlan Wine and Bonnie and Lois Bley sang "Rock Of Ages," “What A Friend We Have In Jesus" and "In The Sweet By And By." Military rites were by the American Legion Post 304 and Veterans of Foreign Wars of Wauneta. Bearers were Leroy Bley, Lavern Bley, Gilbert Bley, Robert Bley, Ronald Bley and Larry Bley. Interment was in the Eden Missionary Church Cemetery with Liewer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1971? Louie Bley, 77, well-known Calvert precinct farmer, died Friday, January 21st at the Hitchcock county hospital in Stratton. He was born May 29, 1894. He is survived by one sister, Miss Bertina Bley of Stratton; two brothers„ Jacob Bley of Wauneta, and Adolph Bley of Fort Wayne, many nieces and nephews. Services were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, January 23rd at the Eden Missionary Church with the Rev. Olen Schlatter officiating. Interment was in the Eden cemetery under the direction of the Brunkhorst Funeral Home of Wauneta. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1989 George H. "Shorty" Blobaum died Wednesday, February 15, 1989, at his home in rural Wauneta. He was born April 20, 1913, at Wauneta, Nebraska, to Louis and Emma (Claussen) Blobaum. He died at the age of 75 years, 9 months and 26 days. He married Elinor Branum at St. Francis, Kansas, on August 31, 1945. They made their home in Wauneta since that time. He was a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church. He was baptized on May 12, 1913, by candidate Henry Scheperle at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Wauneta. He was confirmed on May15, 1927, by Victor Hoffman of St. Paul's Church. He later transferred to the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Wauneta in 1945. He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew. Survivors include his wife, Elinor; one brother, Clarence Blobaum and his wife, Roberta, of North Platte; three sisters, Helen Brown and her husband, Clark, of Palisade, Hazel Self and her husband, Paul, of Denver, Dorothy Benscoter of Omaha; many nieces, nephews and friends. Services were held Saturday, February 18, 1989, at 11 a.m. at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta with the Rev..James Lucas officiating. The organist was Mrs. Bernard Steinert. Mrs. Wayne Roschewski sang "Beyond The Sunset" while the congregation sang “You Are The Way." Bearers were LeRoy Haarberg, Kenny Denker, Randy Acton, Gene Harchelroad, Le Roy Jussel and Kent Buffington. Interment took place at the Riverside Cemetery at Wauneta Nebraska, with Creveling Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1916 Caroline (Grandma) Bloom, one of Dundy County's pioneer women, passed away at her home in Benkelman Sunday after an illness of only a few days. She was born in Sweden, December 25, 1836, and died September 10, 1916. She came to America when nine years of age. She was married to Frank Bloom in April 1862. To this union were born seven children. Three of the children and her husband have preceded her in death. The four surviving ones are Frank and Albert of Akron, Colorado, Mrs. Albert Wilson of Haigler, Nebraska, and Mrs. George Huss of Omaha, Nebraska. (Researcher note:) Caroline Bloom is buried in the Benkelman, NE cemetery. Printed in the McCook, NE Daily Gazette, November 16, 2004 Tuesday, November 16, 2004 Feb. 26, 1917-Nov. 15, 2004 TRENTON -- Frances Elenora "Fuzzy" Blue, 87, died Monday ( Nov. 15, 2004) at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. She was born Feb. 26, 1917, to Enos Taylor and Katherine (Waters) Blue in Broughton, Kan. As a child, her family moved to Trenton, where she grew up and attended Trenton High School. In 1942, she moved to Denver, Colo., returning to Oxford in 1968 where she was employed by Becton-Dickinson Medical Supply in Holdrege. She retired in 1982 and moved to Trenton where she has spent the remainder of her life. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Patrick Blue and Tom Blue; and six sisters, Florence Chapman, Edna Robb, Henrietta Kemp, Elsie Hedke, Velma Reiser and Cassie Seybold. Survivors include two brothers, Roy Blue of Las Vegas, Nev., and Andy Blue and wife, Carol of Oxford. Mass of Christian burial is Thursday, 10:30 a.m., at St. James Catholic Church in Trenton with the Rev. Patrick Murphy officiating. Interment will be in the St. James Cemetery in Trenton. The rosary will be Wednesday, 7 p.m., at Herrmann Funeral Chapel in Trenton. Memorials may be in her name and friends may call at Herrmann Chapel in Trenton. Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1973? Purl M. Blue, a one-time Dundy County resident, expired at Goodland, Kansas on February 8th, at the age of 54 years. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Blue and he was born on a farm north of Benkelman which is now owned by August Warning. He lived there until the age of ten years when the family moved to a farm southwest of St. Francis in the Jaqua community. He was married to Lydia Dymond of Denver on July 17, 1940 and to this union two daughters were born, Marie, Mrs. Gary Hevner of Denver, and Shirley, Mrs. Maurice Barnhart of Goodland. His wife, daughters and seven grandchildren and two brothers are the survivors. Leonard Blue resides in Goodland and Faye Blue lives at St. Francis. Most of Mr. Blue's married life was spent in Goodland where he and his brother, Leonard were engaged in trucking and farming. During World War II he served in the Sea Bees in Okinawa in 1945 and 1946. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 1950 Christina Blumer, daughter of Jacob and Dora Roemmich, was born at Sutton, Nebr., on September 13, 1877 and died at Vancouver, Washington, October 10, 1950, at the age of 73 years and 27 days. She was united in marriage to Esias Blumer on October 21, 1894 at Sutton, Nebraska. To this union eleven children were born. Eight children survive. Mr. and Mrs. Blumer celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on October 21, 1944 with their children in California. After their marriage they lived in Nebraska until 1900 when they moved to South Dakota and took up a homestead, living in South Dakota until 1921 when they moved to Benkelman, Nebraska, and lived there until 1943 when they moved to Vancouver, Washington, which had been their home for the last seven years. Mrs. Blumer had been ill a long time. Being in the hospital for seven months before her death. She leaves to mourn her passing. the husband, Esias Blumer, and children: Roy Blumer, Republic, Mo., Gladys Haakinson, Mound City, S. D.; Blanche Litz, Sheboygan, Wis.; Edward Blumer, Lynwood, Calif.; Edna Layton, Kohler, Wis.; Maud Eckenberg, Sheboygan, Wis.; Albert Blumer, Rivera, Calif.; Robert Blumer, Oakland, Calif.; five son-in-laws, five daughter-in-laws; 18 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. William Boyer, Long Beach, Calif., two nieces, two nephews. Two daughters, one son, one grandson, her parents, two sisters and one brother proceeded her in death. Mrs. Blumer was laid to rest in the Park Hill cemetery in Vancouver, Washington, on October 13, 1950. The pastor, Theordore Hartig of St. Paul's Lutheran church, officiating at the funeral service. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1965? Benkelman relatives were informed of the death of Albert Blumer, one-time Benkelman and Dundy county resident, on last Thursday morning. Mr. Blamer died on Tuesday, November 16, and services were held at the Rose Hill Mortuary in Whittier, California, on Friday, November 19. Mr. Blumer was a cousin of Drury Schillinger and Lorine Hendrix of Benkelman. He was in his late 50's and was stricken with cancer. Albert was one of ten children of Mr. and Mrs. Sye Blumer and accompanied his parents to Dundy county while a small boy and was reared to manhood here. They resided on several farms in and around Benkelman, then bought a farm in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood near the Friends Church. After Albert had grown to manhood, he went to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and married Emma Litz. They returned to Benkelman to live and during their residence here a son, Raymond, was born. They lived near Benkelman for several years, then returned to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to live, and from there to Pico Rivera, California, where he had employment and they made their home. Survivors include his wife Emma; a son, Raymond, his wife and two grandchildren; three sisters and three brothers, and many other relatives and friends. Those preceding him in death were his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sye Blumer. two sisters, and one brother. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1975 Services for Mark D. Bock, 72, 1402 Elm Ave., Norfolk, Nebraska, retired state rehabilitation counselor and former school superintendent and businessman were held Thursday, January 30, 1975, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Norfolk, Nebraska. The Rev. Harold Mitchell officiated and burial was at Central City Cemetery with Dr. Melvin Zichek holding grave side services. Mr. Bock died of an apparent heart attack Monday morning, January 27, 1975. He was born February 18, 1903 at David City to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bock and was graduated from the former Cotner College at Lincoln. For five years, he served as coach of the Red Cloud school. He did graduate work in the field of counseling at Colorado State University at Ft. Collins. During World War II, he served as a field director of the Service to the Armed Forces branch of the American Red Cross. He later served as school superintendent at Silver Creek, Oxford, and Blue Hill, then owned and operated the Gamble's Store at Benkelman. He served as president of the Nebraska State School Boards Association in 1952-53 and during that time received a state award for distinguished service to, education. Mr. Bock was on our board in Benkelman when our High School was built. He moved to Norfolk in 1957 as a rehabilitation counselor and continued until retirement in 1971. He had been a member of the Norfolk Rotary Club since 1958 and at the time of his death was serving as treasurer. Mr. Bock married Marie Dinges on August 14, 1929 at Central City. They had two sons, Judson and Donald. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1993 Linnie Bell (McCarty) Boedecker FEDERAL WAY, Wash.--Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 14, for Linnie Bell (McCarty) Boedecker of Federal Way, Washington, who died Saturday, December 11, 1993. Mrs. Boedecker, born April 6, 1917, in Max, Nebraska, was the stepdaughter of Harry McCoy of Max. She graduated from Max High School in 1935. She is survived by a sister, Francis Andrews of Ocean Shores, Washington, who is a sister-in-law of Robert and Nina Andrews of Benkelman, Nebraska. Private interment was in Washington Memorial Park in SeaTac, Washington. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1975 Lawrence H. Bohlke was born February 27, 1903 to Henry Boehlke and his wife Amalie at Campbell, Nebraska. He was baptized on March 29, 1975 at. the Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Holstein, Nebraska. He died on September 15, 1975 at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska. He is survived by Rodney Petsch of Wauneta, Nebraska, Ray Bohlke of Carpel, California and Mildred Maris of Wauneta, Nebraska and many nieces and nephews. Services were held Tuesday, September 16, 1975 at 1:30 p.m. at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church rural Wauneta, Nebraska. Burial was at the Eden Missionary Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Virgil Robertson, Verlon Dinnel, Harry Huston, Crandall Taylor, Ray Flory, Ross Flory. Active pallbearers were Ed Denker, Alfred Bartels, Reinheld Bartels, Otto Becker, Darrell Taylor and Jim Pflum. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1944? Will Bohrer, who came to Dundy county with T. C. Kimsey in 1880 to help him locate a homestead on Indian Creek which was later known as the Rosenfelt farm and now owned by Cliff Ham, died recently at Juniper Springs, Colorado. After his marriage to Francis Lilia Kimsey in 1881, Mr. Bohrer filed on a homestead in what is known as Rock Canyon which is at present owned by Sanford Stoneberg. They left Dundy county in 1894 to return to Red Cloud, Nebraska, coming back here in 1896 but only remained until that fall. Concerning Mr. Bohrer's life, the Craig Empire-Courrier said in part last week: "Will Bohrer, for several years a resident of the Juniper Springs district, died last Friday afternoon. He had been in ailing health for some time. Friday morning, he seemed in , unusually good health when he awoke, and at noon ate a hearty dinner. His wife, who has been not too well herself, went to lie down after dinner when she heard Mr. Bohrer fall in the other room. He. had been stricken with a heart attack and died within a few minutes. William Tremble Bohrer was born at Chillicothe, Pike county, Ohio, on September 15, 1862. His father died during the Civil war when William, or Will as he was called, was 18 months old. His mother and stepfather moved to White Rock, Kansas, when Will was about eight years old, and the family lived there for a short time before moving to Red Cloud, Nebraska, where he grew to manhood. William Bohrer and Lilia Frances Kimsey were married December 3, 1881 at Culbertson, Nebraska. To this union were born four children, two sons and two daughters. Three of the children survive, one daughter having died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Bohrer came to Moffat county in 1920 and homesteaded four miles west of Juniper Springs, where they have lived since that time. Survivors are the widow, three children, Mrs. Gertrude Koch of Denver, and Walter Lewis Bohrer and Thomas Merle Bohrer; four half brothers and two half half sisters; nine grandchildren, of whom three grandsons are in the service; seven great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Koch and husband came to Craig from Denver for the funeral." Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1972 Emma Caroline Bolio died Thursday evening, March 30th at the Dundy County Hospital at the age of 89 years. She was born November 10, 1882 at Millstadt, Illinois, and came with her parents, Fred and Caroline Stock to the Benkelman community in 1929 where she has lived since that time. She was a member of the Garden Club, superintendent of the Presbyterian Church and a member of the Rebekah Lodge. Her husband, Ambrose, preceded her in death in 1930. Survivors include several cousins. Services were held at the Presbyterian church at 10:30 Saturday morning, April 1st with Rev. Allan Martin officiating. The Presbyterian choir rendered two hymns accompanied by Mrs. Anna Benge at the organ. Pallbearers were Ray Buffington, Merle Wallace, Ralph Stroup, Floyd Pettit, Roy Davis and Melvin Spears. Commital services were conducted by the Rebekah Lodge. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1943 Little Eileen Lamae, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bolio, died shortly after noon Wednesday at a local hospital. She had undergone a tonsil operation five hours before, had apparently fully recovered from the anesthetic and seemed to be feeling fine when the nurse in attendance noted a marked change in her condition which was practically instantaneous. She called the doctor who was in his office only a few steps away, and he hurried to her bedside but she had died before he reached her. It was one of the most unusual deaths in the hospital's history, and was due to a heart attack. Eileen Lamae was 3 years, 4 months and 19 days of age when death called her. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1970 Alpha 0. Bolles was born March 5, 1909, at McCook, Nebraska, to Charles M. and Emily (Burton) Bolles, and passed away April 8, 1970, at McCook. He grew to manhood on his parents farm northeast of McCook. and spent his entire life in Red Willow County. In 1928, he graduated from McCook High School and from McCook Junior College in 1930. He attended the University of Nebraska one year. In 1942, he was united in marriage to Miss Della Ventling of Bartley. She preceded him in death. In 1950, he united in marriage to Mrs. Olive (Hedges) Speakman of Parks, Nebraska. Alpha engaged in farming. but his main occupation was an electronics technician. He operated his own repair business in McCook from 1954 to 1969, at which time illness forced him to retire. He is survived by his wife, Olive; two sons, Meredith of McCook, and Mervyn at home; two daughters, Shirley Irwin of Hastings, and Judy Suda of Palisade; one grandchild. Schauna Bolles. Four sisters and one brother also survive him: Helen Lytle of McCook, Elsie Cassell of Gardena, California; Velma Hanneman of Beaumont, California, and Maxine Shouse of Gardena: and Robert of Long Beach. Alpha was converted as a young man and has remained faithful throughout his life. His last public testimony was "I Love Jesus." He attended the Church of the Nazarene. in McCook. Services were held April 10, in the Church of the Nazarene of McCook with the Reverend H. C. Zerbe conducting the service. Interment was in the Chase Cemetery northwest of Imperial, Nebraska.. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1936 Marcus Herman Bomberger was born near Polo in Ogle county, Illinois, March 10, 1872 and departed this world of care August 24, 1936, at the age of 64 years, 5 months and 14 days. With his parents, J. S. and Elizabeth Bomberger, he moved at an early age to Gowrie, Iowa, and after receiving his education at Gowrie high school and later Tobin College at Ft. Dodge. Iowa, he and his brother Edd, in 1890 began a partnership of business interests under the name of Bomberger Brothers. This partnership had existed from that date until the time of his passing. He was an active member of the Congregational Church at Gowrie, Iowa. His interest was particularly in music. Singing was an inspiration to him, and thus drew him into a leading part in choir, quartette and solo work of the church and community. Since 1902 he has made his home at the ranch on Rock Creek, Dundy county, Nebraska. Here too he was faithful to the church and community activities. He was an active member of Justice Lodge No. 180, A. F. & A. M., and had taken active part in Holly Chapter No. 233, 0. E. S., Benkelman, Nebraska. On April 23, 1907 he was united in marriage to Olive Dowd, Lanyon, Iowa. Three daughters were born to them, Doris Fay, Marjorie June and Dorothy Jean. His wife, Olive, preceded him in death on July 12, 1936, and daughter, Dorothy Jean, in infancy. He leaves two daughters and. their husbands, Mr. and Mrs. R. Hervey Porter of McCook, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Carter of Clinton, Iowa; two grandchildren, Robert and Phyllis Porter, McCook; his brother. W. E. Bomberger, and his sister, Mrs. Ella Smythe, both of Gowrie, Iowa; and many other relatives; two sisters and his parents preceding him in death. Life was his treasure which he dearly loved. He constantly fought to achieve higher and better things. When ill winds blew he smiled and resolutely set his chin to accomplish the things his heart was set upon. His many friends knew him as a determined, faithful worker, striving to make his world a better place to live. Even when he faced death's door, he so loved life that it was hard for him to submit; but when he found that his life must be o'er, he slept peacefully. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1939 The funeral of Sarah C. Bond was held at the M. E. church in Benkelman Sunday afternoon and interment was in the Benkelman cemetery. The services at the church were in charge of Rev. G. A. Schwabauer and the Eastern Star Chapter conducted services at the grave. Singers were Mabel Lewis, Mrs. G. A. ,Schwabauer, Lloyd Boswell and R. D. Druliner with Mrs. D. L. Ough at the piano. Pall bearers were Richard Zieke, Gifford Baney, Gerald Russell, Merle Borchert, Wayne Ketler. and Harold Mosier. Mrs. Bond was not alone one of the oldest surviving persons in Dundy county but she was likewise one of the earliest settlers, locating here with her husband in 1881, and she remained active in community life until recently when illness prevented her from continuing the active life that she had always known, both in the home and in the community. One cannot 'be the parent of twelve children and live to attain Mrs. Bond's age without having to cross the path of deep sorrow and loss and be cast into the atmosphere of the bereavement that comes with the passing of loved ones, but it seemed that her pathway of life brought her into the shadows to an extent that was even more than most people suffer in the span of 86 years of life. There were twelve children in the family and she lived to see all save four of them pass thru the line into the other life. Seven of these passed away during the lifetime of Mr. Bond when she had the comfort and solace of his presence to help sustain her in her sorrow but when her son Herman, youngest of the family was called to make the greatest of all sacrifices on the battle fields of France, she was required to bear that burden alone because her husband had joined the silent majority five years before. Two of her other children had suffered tragic deaths in train accidents and the others had died from diseases such as are now controlled by inoculations. Folks born in the years now gone no doubt had their joys and moments of peace and contentment but they lived without the protection that this age holds from the diseases that are still prevalent but which can now be controlled and the parents of today need not live in fear of every disease epidemic as they did in the days of yesteryear. Mrs. Bond was a member of a very progressive, honorable and far-seeing family. Her brothers. W. Z., J. C. and Ed Taylor first located in Culbertson, in both the real estate and retail merchandising fields and with John K. King. likewise a prominent business man in the early history of this county, opened the first store in Benkelman before the coming of the railroads. Mrs. King was the sister of Mrs.Bond and passed away in the closing years of the 1890's. She was the mother of Mrs. C. C. Barr of Whittier, California: James King of LaJunta, Colorado; Ralph King of Cleveland, Ohio. and Mrs. Grace Cannon of Benkelman. Of the original Taylor family, J. C. Taylor of Huntington, California, is the only one to survive Mrs. Bond and he was present at the funeral. Sarah C. Bond was born at Marian, Kentucky, on March 3rd. 1853, and departed this life on April 12th, 1939, at the age of 86 years, one month and nine days. She moved with her parents to Kansas in the year of 1870 and was married to William H. Bond on April 2nd, 1872, at Bellville, Kansas, where they resided until 1881 when they moved to Dundy county. Mr. Bond passed away on July 3, 1913, since which time Mrs. Bond continued to make her home in Benkelman. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bond, four of whom survive, namely John W. Bond of Oakland, California; Josie Borchert and Mayme Ham of Benkelman and Lela Wagner of San Francisco, California. There are also 18 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Mrs. Bond was an active and interested citizen of her community all thru the years that she lived here. She had been a member of the Benkelman Methodist church since 1889 and member of the local Eastern Star Chapter since 1914 and greatly enjoyed the association of both the church and Chapter as well as her contacts with her friends and neighbors who had meant so much to her for so many years of her life. Although the loss of loved ones, and the sorrows and disappointments that life brings to all had greatly shadowed her declining days, her sunny and kindly nature reflected itself until the end came to one of the most useful and inspiring lives from the day that Dundy county became her home until she passed away from us to join her children and loved ones on the eternal shore. Mrs. Bond was the only gold star mother in Dundy county and local American Legion members attended the funeral in a body. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Posst, July 1921 Hundreds of people gathered together in Benkelman last Sunday afternoon to pay their last tribute to the memory of Herman L. Bond, native son, patriot, and hero in the world’s greatest conflict who gave his life in a battlefield in far-away France on the night of September 10th, 1918, that the principles for which America stood might prevail. The body reached Benkelman on Train No. 3 Friday and resting in the metallic casket was held at the home of the mother Mrs. W. H. Bond until Sunday afternoon when the funeral was held from the home in charge of his comrades in battle and the boys of the American Legion. It was the first purely military funeral ever held in Benkelman and under direction of the American Legion boys was carried out in a most impressive manner and in a way that will linger in the memory of the hundreds of admiring friends who came from all directions and many miles to pay a loving and deserved tribute to him whose life had been so gallantly and willingly given to the defense and honor of his country. Music was furnished by a specially organized band which had been formed for the occasion and in which the Arlington show band members loaned appreciated cooperation. A double choir rendered several beautiful selections and Miss Marie Gallagher aided much in the vocal program by the rendition of a beautiful selection. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Richard Gibb whose text was “But they shall die like men and fall like one of the princes.” And from this text Rev. Gibb delivered a masterly address, leading one’s vision over a line of deep thought and dwelling strong in the material and worth while phases of life. The love of home, of life and country he portrayed as the noblest of the natural traits of man. Much as man does love life, still deeper than life itself lives the love of right and home. In the heart of Herman L. Bond was found all of the finer traits of life. At home a peaceful, industrious, fair-minded young man and in the home a dutiful, loveable indulgent son. When the call of his country was heard, he answered that call, not questioning, not doubtful, not hesitating but whole-heartedly, ready and anxious to give his life if necessary for the things he loved – home and country. And when he was on foreign shores, despite the fact that he had but a few weeks actual training, despite the fact he had less experience both in point of years or in point of service than thousands of his fellow comrades, yet he did enjoy the confidence of his officers to the point where he was chosen among a squad of tried and trustful soldiers to do information and scout service two nights previous to one of the biggest drives in the history of the great war. It was a precarious undertaking. It required that should these boys be discovered in the act of their mission death would be preferable to capture and that they should fight even unto the end. Comrades of the deceased tell of this duty being assigned to him and his prompt acceptance of the trust and honor thus bestowed upon him. He followed the order to the letter as his commander knew he would. But an exploding shell from the German lines left he and the comrades who made up the entire squad lifeless upon no man’s land to tell the sad but truthful story. Then early the next morning when Archie L. Moores in whose keeping the lifeless body found its way, told the captain that the dead hero was one of his home boys, the captain, whose heart was deeply touched and saddened by the loss of a tried and true soldier, told Mr. Moores to take the body back to the burying ground in the rear and to see personally to its care and interment, adding that though this permission was against the rules, he would grant it even though it should mean court martial for him. It was a solemn order but it portrayed in words in which man could find no greater expression for the high standing that Herman L. Bond had won in the hearts and lives of his superiors. This is but one incident recited of the life of the deceased by his comrades. There are many and all have but one tone – that of truthfulness, trust, heroism and honor in the life of him who is gone, whether at the training camp or on the battle front and though the mother has suffered the loss of her beloved and dutiful son, the brothers and sisters a loving brother and the nation a gallant soldier and a splendid citizen, still all as one may cherish his memory as a precious legacy, one who in life was found willing to aid the suffering, cheer the despondent, sustain the weak and lend his aid in throwing over the frailties of our race the mantle of Christian charity, willing to go and die that right and not might would prevail. Could he have given more? At the conclusion of the services at the home, the remains were placed on an army wagon and midst a covering of heavy drapery of the national colors and beautiful and elaborate floral wreaths, the procession was formed for the march to the cemetery. Following closely in the line of march came the long string of uniformed comrades. The funeral wagon was hauled by six massive white horses following the band playing the strains of a funeral march. The K. of P. lodge of which the deceased was a member, attended in a body. The procession reached from the home to the burial grounds and many cars laden with people had reached the cemetery ahead of the procession. Services at the cemetery were strictly along military – marching columns, firing squad, salute and bugle taps and echo. And then the remains of Herman L. Bond were lowered to their last resting place in the family lot, in the Benkelman cemetery following a humble and virtuous life in Benkelman where he was born and grown to manhood and a stormy and strenuous, thrilling and brilliant ending in Flanders fields where he won the right to live in the memory of the nations’ heroic dead and where he had dedicated his life blood to the cause of his country and to world freedom. (Archie L. Moores is mentioned as taking care of the remains of Herman L. Bond, which would indicate that he was a member of Company G, 355th Infantry. Other information shows Archie L. Moores as being a member of Company B, 355th Infantry, the company in which Martin F. Bowles was an officer. I have no way of knowing if this information is correct, but he could have been a member of each company at one time or another.) I have read that the flag which covered his casket from the time it left France until Herman Bond was buried in the Benkelman cemetery was given to his mother, Mrs. Sarah Bond, after the funeral. After Mrs. Bond’s death, the family gave the flag to Boyd Benge, the commander of the Martin F. Bowles American Legion Post #65 in Benkelman where the flag was displayed in 1948. In 1956 it was felt that it was best to remove the flag because of its condition and historic value. It was returned to Boyd Benge for safekeeping, and he presented the flag to the Dundy county museum on July 19, 1970. That 65-year old flag was again flown over the grave of the Unknown Soldier for the last time at the Benkelman cemetery on Memorial Day, 1983, during a memorial tribute to Herman Bond. After the memorial services that day, the flag was retired to the Dundy county museum for the final time for anyone to see. It is still there. At the memorial services in 1983, the poem “In Flander’s Field” was recited by Mrs. Anna Benge. In 2001, Kelly Hayward, a member of the Sons of The American Legion, Post #65, wrote music for that poem and sang his version at the Memorial Day services at the Benkelman cemetery. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1927 Many a head in Dundy county was bowed in sorrow when it became known that John W. Bond had passed away at his home in Oakland, California, last Friday and then the community was again saddened when news reached here that the husband of Berniece, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bond, had likewise succumbed Tuesday night after a long illness. There was plenty of reason for bowed heads in Dundy county when Mr. Bond's death was announced for during the long years that John spent in Benkelman there were few people who ever did more or tried harder to do more for his fellow man, especially when sickness or death entered in, and when things were peaceful with no signs of trouble ahead, John still tried to make their path brighter. He was ever present when needed to help in sickness and he was there again when death entered in and there were things to be done. If no one was available to arrange funeral services, to notify relatives and to prepare the grave, John could always be depended on. And the same thing applied to civic and community affairs and his time was as freely given in that respect as in all others. His family came to Benkelman in 1882 and John was born at Bellville, Kansas, on April 15, 1877, and from that time on he was a citizen of Dundy county with the exception of short periods of employment in the west during the excessively hard times of the 1890's. There were twelve children in the Bond family and the only ones now surviving are his sisters, Mrs. H. J. Borchert and Mrs. Mamie Ham in Benkelman and youngest sister, Mrs. Lela Johnston, now living in San Francisco. John and Miss Mabel Hundley, also a member of a pioneer family, were married in Benkelman on April 9th, 1902. Previous to that time John had spent much of his time farming but before their marriage had gone into the dray business in Benkelman in which he continued until the fall of 1918 when they moved to Denver, leaving there in 1922 for Tacoma, Washington, where the family lived for one year and then moved to Los Angeles which was their home for a year and then they went to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where they lived for another year and then moved to Oakland, California, which had since been their home. Two children were born to them during the time they lived in Benkelman, they being Ward and Berniece, and Ward has long since risen to moving picture fame, being considered one of the finest actors in the business and he has had a big part in many a major production. Ward's love and devotion for his parents was beautiful, almost to the point of being pathetic and he never forgot the hard times they had gone thru and the brilliant battle they had put up against adversity when it called for courage and moral fortitude. A brief note from Mrs. Bond Thursday morning just before The Post went to press gave details of Mr. Bond's passing, as follows: "He passed away at 7:30 a.m. Friday, January 27. He had gone to bed on Monday, or rather did not get up. Didn't seem to suffer much. I had the doctor Tuesday morning and he said his heart condition was very bad and that he was just worn out. He passed away without a struggle - just stopped breathing. He had a very nice funeral and was laid to rest in a beautiful spot. He looked twenty years younger-looked just like he was asleep. Poor soul! He is so much better off as his mind has been very bad for two years. I have taken care and looked after him just like a child for the many years since his health broke down. Bernice's husband is very low with cancer and we expect him to go at any time. He is only 36 years old and such a grand fellow. "Ward came up Friday and stayed until Tuesday. Had some business that he had to take care of. He will fly up when we need him. Believe me it is wonderful for both Bea and I to have such a wonderful man to lean on and whom we can depend upon when we need him so bad. "The funeral services were held Monday, January 30 at 12 o'clock noon at the Clarence N. Cooper mortuary, 1580 Fruitvale, Ave., with interment in Mountain View cemetery." Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1974 Mabel L. Bond, a pioneer resident of Benkelman, and mother of the late Ward Bond, famed movie and television star, passed away at her home at 1205 Alta Vista Drive, Vista, California on Sunday, March 10th at the age of 90 years. She had been a resident of California for some 50 years. She is survived by a daughter, Bernice B. Moser of Vista, California, with whom she lived. Her death occurred in her sleep. Funeral services were held on March 13th at the Eternal Hills Memorial Park, Oceanside, California with Dr. J. Paul Featherstone of the First Church of Religious Science officiating. Mrs. Bond was born in Benkelman, Nebraska on June 29th, 1883, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Hundley. A brother, Harry Hundley of Honolulu and Sam Hundley of Medford, Oregon survive her. On April 9, 1902 she was married to John Bond, who was, likewise a pioneer of the community, being one of a family of 12 children who came to Dundy county with their parents in 1882. Two children were born to Mabel and John Bond while they resided in Benkelman. They were Ward and Bernice. The Bonds moved to Denver in 1918 when their son was 15 years of age. After four years residence there, they moved to Tacoma, Washington where they lived a year, moving to Los Angeles where they resided a year, then moving to Klamath Falls, Oregon for a year before moving to Oakland, California which became their permanent home and it was there that John Bond passed away on January 27, 1950. Ward Bond expired on November, 1960. Mrs. Bond last visited Benkelman in 1951 in company of her daughter, Mrs. Bernice Moser. Mr. Bond visited Benkelman a year previous to his demise. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1960 April 9, 1903-November 5, 1960 Actor Ward Bond, the celebrated wagonmaster of television's "Wagon Train" series, made his final trip to California Sunday. His body was flown into International Airport from Dallas where he was stricken by a fatal heart attack Saturday. At the airport to meet his grieving widow, the former Mary Lou May, was a group of friends including actor John Wayne, a longtime friend of the 57-year-old Bond; actors Terry Wilson and Frank McGrath; Bond's sister, Bee Moser, and Navy Capt. Mark Armistead. Direcor John Ford, another close friend of Bond, accompanied Mrs. Bond on the flight. Ford quoted the widow as saying, "he went out like he wanted—at the top of his career." The white - haired, gruff-voiced Bond had gone to Dallas for a holiday, which was to have been highlighted by the football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys Sunday. He collapsed in his Dallas motel room while taking a shower. Mrs. Bond summoned an ambulance, but her husband was dead when it arrived. The actor's funeral is scheduled today at 11 a.m. in the Field Photo Home in Reseda, a rest home for Purple Heart veterans of World War II and his favorite charity. Interment will be private. Officiating at the services will be the Rev. Kermit Castellanos, pastor of All Saints Episcopal Church, Beverly Hills. Kenneth Curtis and Harry Carey Jr., son of the late actor, will be soloists and will serve as pallbearers. Other pallbearers will be Ford, Wayne, Wilson, McGrath, Armistead, Avery Rennick, Benjamin Harrold, Robert Thompson, Martin Berkley, Dr. Maynard Brandsma, Gordon McLendon, Dudley Ramsden, Richard Danielson, Ray Kellogg and Dean Banks. Spokesmen for NBC announced nine segments of "Wagon Train," already filmed, will be aired as scheduled. One of them, to be shown November 23, represents the first joint effort of Bond, Wayne and Ford in several years. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1913 W.H. Bond. one of Dundy County's earliest settlers, died at his home in Benkelman on Thursday, July 3, at 12:45 p.m. from an attack of chronic gastritis. Mr. Bond was a sufferer from stomach trouble for several years and at different times was close to death, but his wonderful vitality always brought him around even after the doctors had given up hope. But each attack had its effect and left him in a more weakened condition, until he could no longer withstand the ravages of the disease and had to answer the call of the Master. William H. Bond was born in Randolph County, Illinois, on February 5, 1844, and died July 3, 1913, aged 69 years, 4 months and 28 days. He moved to Republic County, Kansas, in 1870 and was married to Sarah C. Taylor April 2, 1872. To this union 12 children were born, six of whom survive him. They are Mrs. Joseph Benjamin of Superior, Nebraska; John W. Bond, Mrs. H.J. Borchert, Mrs. E.D. Ham, Herman and Lela Bond, all of Benkelman. Printed in the McCook, NE Daily Gazette, March 8, 2004 Monday, March 8, 2004 July 8, 1943-March 5, 2004 BENKELMAN -- Carol I. Boon, 60, of Benkelman, Nebraska, died Friday (March 5, 2004) at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. She was born July 8, 1943, to Earnest and Ardell (Stone) Wickizer in Benkelman. She grew up in Stratton and attended school there. On Dec. 10, 1966, she married Ralph M. Boon in Ogallala. She was employed at Dundy County Hospital for many years and later helped with the family's trucking business and caring for their cattle. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Shirley Cassidy and Alice Tosatto; and brother, Bob Wickizer. Survivors include her husband, Ralph Boon of Benkelman; daughter, Becky Klippert and husband, Jeff of Colby, Kan.; son, Richard Boon and wife, Shana of Benkelman; two sisters, Doria Cleveland and husband, Jim of Finley, Calif., and Judy Coe and husband, Bill of Max; two brothers, Donald Wickizer and wife, Ruth of Loop City and Jack Wickizer and wife, Julie of Fremont; and six grandchildren. Services are Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman. Interment will be in Benkelman Cemetery. Visitation is today, until 7 p.m., at the funeral chapel. Memorials may be given in her name. Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman is in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Josephine Anna Borchert expired at the Sarah Ann Hester' Memorial Home on Wednesday morning at the age of 86 years., She had been in failing health for many months after having suffered a heart attack. Death came to her in her sleep. She is survived by her faithful husband, Herman J. Borchert, who resided with her at the Hester Home for the past year; two sons, Merle of Lincoln and Wilbur of Evans, Colorado; four daughters, Mrs. Vera Baney, Mrs. Irene Ketler, Benkelman, Mrs.. Helen Bedford, Goodland, Kansas, and Mrs. Opal Zieke of Phoenix, Arizona; a sister, Mrs. Mayme Ham; and a cousin, Mrs. Grace Cannon. Mrs. Borchert belonged to the group of pioneer and lifelong residents of Dundy county. She was born in Benkelman on July 3, 1882, the daughter of pioneer parents, William. and Sarah Bond. She was a member of the first graduating class from Benkelman High School and had spent her entire lifetime in Dundy county. She and her husband homesteaded north of Parks and years later moved to the property west of Benkelman which was their home until their retirement when they moved to Benkelman. She was an industrious person, a fine manager, a devoted wife and mother, with a high regard and concern for the welfare and happiness of her family and her friends. Funeral services were arranged by Jay's Funeral Home for 2:00 p.m Friday afternoon at the United Methodist Church. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 1968 Josephine Anna (Bond) Borchert Funeral services were held for Mrs. Herman J. Borchert at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman on Friday afternoon with the Rev. William E. Whittaker in charge. Mrs. Dale Bauer was the organist and Mrs. Royce. Anderson the soloist. Bearers were Miles Jones, H. L. Anderson, Harry Cantin, Roy Miller, Frank Weiss and Harold Barnes. Graveside services were in charge of the Rebekah Lodge. Arrangements were by Jay's Funeral Home. Out-of-town relatives attending the services were Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Bedford of Goodland, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. William Powell, Lona and Mike and Mrs. Kathy Stroh and husband Paul, all of Fort Morgan, Colorado; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Borchert of Evans, Colorado, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Borchert of Sidney, Nebraska; Mr. and Mrs. Merle Borchert and sons David and Ewing and Marshall Borchert and wife of Lincoln; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hardwick, Debra and Chana of Lincoln; Mrs. Opal Zieke and Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Zieke of Phoenix, Arizona; and Darwin and Tyra Ann Porter and Del Ray of Parks. Josephine Anna Bond was born in Benkelman, Nebraska, on July 3, 1883, the daughter of pioneer parents, William H. and Sarah Bond, and lived her entire life in Dandy county. She passed away at the Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman on October 2, 1968, at the age of 85 years. On September 22, 1902, she was married to Herman J. Borchert and to this union eight children were born, two of whom died in infancy. She is survived by her husband and six children: Vera Baney, Helen Bedford, Wilhur Borchert, Merle Borchert, Irene Ketler and Opal Zieke. Other survivors include her sister, Mrs. Mayme Ham; a cousin and lifelong friend, Mrs. Grace Cannon; 13 grandchildren. 24 great grandchildren and one great, great grandson; daughters-in-Iaw, Hattie Borchert and Gladys Borchert; sons-in-law, Gifford Baney, Lyle Bedford and Wayne Ketler, all of whom Mrs. Borchert held dear to her heart. She was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Patty Lou Borchert and Dorothy Benge; and a son-in-law, Richard Zieke. Mr. and Mrs. Borchert began their 66 years of happy wedded life on the homestead of his parents on the headwaters of Indian Creek and then moved to their own Kinkaid homestead 13 1/2 miles north of Parks in 1904, where they overcame the hardships of pioneer life, and by hard work, thrift. and good management, developed their resources so they could move to a farm west of Benkelman im 1919 to improve the educational opportunities for their children. They remained on the farm until their retirement in 1944, when they moved to Benkelman. When failing health overtook them 16 months ago they took residence in the Hester Home where they made many new friends. Mrs. Borchert was baptized in the Methodist Church and was recently honored as a 50-year member. She was a member of the first graduating class of Benkelman High School and was a loyal member of the Rebekah Lodge for many years and served as a Noble Grand and was a member of the Past Noble Grand Club. She was a charter member of the WSCS. Mrs. Borchert was a woman with strength of character. She was a good manager in the home and was always helpful to her husband in affairs of business. She was a good wife and a devoted mother and in her last days her most cherished memories were concerned with the reunion of family members. She shall always be remembered for her love of family and her goodness of purpose. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1998 LINCOLN--Gladys A. (Ewing) Borchert, daughter of Samuel and Addie Ewing, was born March 17, 1911, at Parks in Dundy County, Neb. At the age of 87, she died Saturday, Nov. 14, 1998, in Lincoln, Neb. Gladys attended the Benkelman, Neb., schools and graduated from Benkelman High School in 1929. Although the Depression years were hard, Gladys was eager to obtain further education and make her contribution back to society. She attended Chadron (Neb.) State Normal school where she earned her teaching certificate. Gladys then taught for nine years in various schools in Dundy County. Gladys and Merle Borchert were married Aug. 15, 1937. One daughter and three sons were born to this union: Annette, Merle, David and Marshall. Gladys' first love was being a wife, mother and friend to her family. She also had a lifelong love of books and young people. From 1965 to 1976, while she and Merle lived in Lincoln, Gladys was a librarian for the Lincoln Public Library system. In 1976, when they moved to Benkelman, she continued her service as a volunteer librarian at the Benkelman library. Gladys was a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, a former member of the Benkelman United Methodist Church and the Benkelman chapter of PEO. In 1994, to be close to family for her remaining years, Gladys moved back to Lincoln. Gladys is survived by her children: Annette and Joe Penna of Simi Valley, Calif., Merle E. of Port Hueneme, Calif., Marshall and Jennie of Lincoln, and David R. of Filmore, Calif.; her grandchildren: Debra and Ron Leonard of Denver, Colo., Chana and Kelly Guy, and Amy and Loren Hensley of Lincoln, Elisa and Andrew Davies of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Taylor Borchert of Lincoln; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a brother, Robert Ewing, of Benkelman, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and six sisters, her husband and a great-grandson. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln with the Revs. Dr. C. Rex Bevins, K. Roy Bailey and Homer Clements officiating. John Friesen was the organist and congregational hymns were "He Leadeth Me" and "Hymn Of Promise." Another memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Naomi Hull officiating. Mary Margaret Powell was the organist. Burial of cremains was in the Benkelman Cemetery. Arrangements were by Roper and Sons Inc. of Lincoln. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 2000 SIMI VALLEY, Calif.--David Robert Borchert, age 54, of Simi Valley, died Tuesday, May 30, 2000, at his home after a brief battle with cancer. David was born Sept. 24, 1945, in Benkelman, Neb., the fourth child of Merle and Gladys Borchert. He graduated from high school in Kearney, Neb., in 1963 and attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. David served in the U.S. Navy, with his brother, Marshall, aboard the USS Suribachi. David's career as a finish carpenter and cabinetmaker spanned 30 years in Lincoln, Neb., Denver, Colo., and southern California. After moving to California in the mid-1970s, David enjoyed deep-sea fishing and the California climate, but continued to be an avid Huskers football fan. David is survived by his sister, Annette, and her husband, Joe Penna, of Simi Valley, Calif.; a brother, Marshall, and wife, Jennie, of Lincoln, and many nieces and nephews. David's parents, a brother, Merle, and a nephew, Andy, preceded him in death. David will be missed by many relatives and friends. David's wishes were for his cremains to be scattered over the sea that he loved so much. Cards may be sent to Annette Perna, 3358 Corpus Christi Ave., Simi Valley, CA 93063. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1990 BENKELMAN— Earnest Clayton Borchert was born in a sod house at a place northwest of Benkelman which was once the town of Sandwich, Nebraska, founded by his grandparents. He enlisted in the army during peacetime on April 22, 1941. and asked for service on Corregidor where he was stationed at Ft. Mills and was a searchlight operator with the Coast Guard. No word was received from him after Christmas of 1941 through the final fall of Corregidor on May 7, 1942. His mother finally received a telegram February 19, 1943, saying that he was a prisoner of war of the Japanese government in the Philippine Islands. Earnest was discharged on February 13, 1946. He married Maxine Earley on September 7, 1950. Earnest studied as a commercial artist and then was a painter in and around Stratton where he lived nearly all his life. He was preceded in death by his mother, Grace and father, Frank; an infant brother: an infant sister, Beulah; brothers, Carl and Harold (Curly), and his sister, Hazel. Surviving are his daughters, Loretta Redfield and Kathy Lollman (and husband Mike); his brother, Marvin (Bill); grandsons, Kelly and Chuck; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and his faithful companion Tippy. Services were held Thursday, March 29, 1990, at 1:30 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Chapel of Stratton, Nebraska, with the Reverend Randall Goeke officiating. Organist was Marjorie Redfield. A quartet of Daniel Rife, Richard Stahly, Arthur Hawkinson and Wallace Gummere performed "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." Bearers were Calvin Wilkinson, Elmer McDonald, Albert Latta, Cliff Richardson, Victor Kisela and Roy League. Committal services were performed by V.F.W. No. 9155. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton, Nebraska. Arrangements were made by Jones Funeral Home, Inc., of Stratton. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1990 CRAIG, Colorado— Harold L. "Curley" Borchert was born September 5, 1909, to Frank and Grace (Parsons) Borchert in Benkelman, Nebraska, and died January 13, 1990, at Memorial Hospital in Craig, Colorado, at the age of 80 years, 4 months and 8 days. After returning home from World War II, "Curley" became an auctioneer. He sang his song for more than 40 years and operated two successful livestock auction markets in Steamboat Springs and Craig. In 1960 he moved to Steamboat Springs from Kansas and in 1966 he moved to Craig. "Curley" was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and Veteran of Foreign Wars. He loved his family, people and especially children and animals. "Curley" helped his daughter, Diane, run the Bargain Barn. Survivors include one son, Dennis Borchert of Craig; two daughters, Diane Brannan of Craig and Kerry Godfrey of Vernal, Utah; two brothers, Ernest Borchert of Stratton, Nebraska, and Bill Borchert of Denver, Colorado; and five grandchildren. Services were held January 17, 1990, at 2 p.m. at Grant Mortuary in Craig with Gary Neptune officiating. Prelude and postlude was by Wanda Curry. Vocalist Wanda Curry sang "Why Me" and "Daddy's Hands." Bearers were Forrest Warren, Leon Fedinec, Clyde Craig, Hugh Seely, Earl VanTassel and John Hillewaert. Interment was in Craig Cemetery and arrangements were made by Grant Mortuary. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1972 Funeral services for Herman J. Borchert were held at the Jones Funeral Chapel on Friday morning with the Rev. Allan Martin officiating. Barbara O'Dea and LaNeta Anderson were the singers accompanied by Betty Erdman. Casket bearers were family members, Bill Gallagher, Bill Hardwick, Bill Powell, David Borchert, Douglas Hoschouer and Richard Borchert. Honorary bearers were H. L. Anderson, Frank Weiss, Roy Miller, William E. Greene and Harold Barnes. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery. Herman Julius Borchert was born at Osterlinka, Germany on February 21, 1880, the son of Julius and Augusta Borchert and passed away at the Dundy County Hospital on March 7, 1972 at the age of 92 years and 16 days. He was the surviving member of a family of eight children. Mr. Borchert came to America with his parents at the age of three years arriving in Culbertson to take a homestead north of that town. After a short residency there his father sold the homestead and the family moved by covered wagon to another homestead on the headwaters of Indian Creek near what is now known as Arrowhead Lake. He was married to Josephine Anna Bond in Benkelman on September 22, 1902 and to this union were born eight children, two of whom died in infancy. He and his wife resided on the Indian Creek homestead until 1904 then filed on a new homestead 13 1/2 miles north of Parks under the Kincaid Act. This was to be their home until 1919 when they moved to a farmstead on the west edge of Benkelman to improve the educational opportunities for their children. After successfully operating a cattle feed yard there for many years they retired in 1944 and moved into Benkelman. In 1967 the couple entered the Saran Ann Hester Memorial Home where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Borchert expired on October 2, 1968. He is survived by sons. Wilbur of Evans, Colorado, and Merle of Lincoln; daughters, Vera Baney and Irene Ketler of Benkelman, Helen Bedford of Goodland and Opal Zieke of Phoenix, Arizona; sons-in-law, Gifford Baney, Lyle Bedford and Wayne Ketler; daughters-in-law, Hattie Borchert and Gladys Borchert; sister-in-law, Mrs. Mayme Ham, 13 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and four great great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sisters, two infant children, his wife, Josephine, granddaughters Dorothy Jean Benge and Patty Lou Borchert, great great granddaughter, Angela Stroh and one son-in-law, Richard Zieke. Mr. Borchert's life exemplifies the triumph of the pioneer spirit of the men and women who conquered the prairies. As a child he was trained in the hardest school of economics, the family struggle for survival. His first job involved walking four miles early in the morning to light the fire in the country school house. Later he provided meager funds to supply the family table with food by hunting and selling dressed game to Benkelman merchants. He roamed the length of Indian Creek for quail, ducks and rabbits, and in the cold winters kept dressed game hanging on the norrth side of their sod house to provide meat for the family larder. At the age of 16 Herman became the head of the household when his father, a watchmaker, lost his life at Braggs, Indian Territory, where he was attacked by Indians while on a trading mission. His principal income was from tending cattle herds which grazed their land from employment elsewhere in the neighborhood. He accepted his responsibilities and discharged them proudly. His early experience gave him an understanding of values, economic and social and he developed into a man beautiful attributes—kind of nature, given to warmth and understanding and constant in the belief that all good things would be accomplished. He was loyal to friends and never a critic. He was without guile or device to deceive and was regarded as a thoroughly honest man. Even as he was tested by the loss of his helpmate and his health he remained kind and faithful to his character and he bore his burdens with dignity and understanding. Herman had been baptized in the Lutheran faith and was a member of the I.O.O.F. He had received his 50 year pin. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1977 Merle Bond Borchert, the son of Herman J. and Josephine Bond Borchert, was born Feb. 5, 1910, on the Borchert Ranch in Dundy County, Nebraska, and died, after many years of failing health, in Benkelman on Aug. 31, 1977, in the sixty-seventh year of his life. Merle attended the Benkelman Schools and graduated from the Benkelman High School in 1929. Although the Depression years were hard, Merle was eager to obtain further education and he attended Denver University, Denver, Colo., and Peru State College in Peru, Nebr. He carried his love of learning with him throughout his life, always studying and reading, the better to serve his family, his work, his community, and his church. On Aug. 15, 1937, Merle and Gladys Ewing were married. One daughter and three sons were born to this union: Annette Hardwick, Ewing and David Borchert, all of whom now reside in Los Angeles, Calif., and Marshall Borchert of Portland, Ore. Merle's chosen field of endeavor was life insurance which he sold through the Guarantee Mutual Life Insurance Company for most of his working life. Because he knew the value of such coverage, he studied constantly and worked to the end that people understood the insurance programs he offered and were able, through him and his concern, to select that program of most benefit to them. Merle's concern did not end with his selling job - he kept in touch with his clients and offered his help in all ways in their times of stress or need. Helping people was one of Merle's most endearing and enduring qualities; he will long be remembered not only by his wife and children, but also by the many people he has helped through the years. Merle was president of the Toastmaster's Club while he and his family lived in Kearney, Nebr., as well as being an active member of the Insurance Underwriters Association and other insurance organizations during the years he worked in Kearney and Lincoln. For many years he was on Guarantee Mutual's "President's List" of the ten top salesmen in the United States. Merle and Gladys were members of the United Methodist Church and raised their children in the Church way. Merle leaves to mourn him his wife, Gladys, and his children, Annette, Ewing, Marshall and his wife Jennie, and David, also four granddaughters, Debbie Hardwick, Chana Hardwick Guy, Amy and Elisa Borchert; and great-grandson Michael Paul Guy. Merle's parents, Herman and Josephine Borchert, preceded him in death. He leaves his sisters Mrs. Vera Baney and Mrs. Irene Ketler of Benkelman, Mrs. Helen Bedford and husband Lyle of Goodland, Kans.; Mrs. Opal Zieke of Phoenix, Ariz.; one brother. Mr. Wilber Borchert and his wife Hattie of Evans, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews. Merle was predeceased by his brothers-in-law Mr. Gifford Baney. Mr. Wayne Ketler, and Mr. Dick Zieke, and a brother and sister who died in infancy. Those who came from out of town to attend the funeral of Merle B. Borchert were his children, Mrs. Annette Hardwick, Ewing and David Borchert, all of Los Angeles, Calif., Marshall borchert of Portland, Ore; and Merle’s granddaughter Mrs Chana Guy and son of Denver, Colo. Others were Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Bedford and Mr. and Mrs. Keith Lillich of Goodland, Kans., and Mr. Wilber Borchert of Evans, Colo. Also Mr. Wilber Cooley of Lincoln, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Merle Ketler, Greeley, Colo.; Mr. Bill Hardwick, Washington, D.C.; Mr. Glen Foster and Mr. and Mrs. John Foster, Lincoln, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Jack McEvoy, Hays Kans.; Mr. and Mrs. Robert McEvoy, Burwell, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. O. V. Sailors and Mr. and Mrs. Kerry Edwards of Denver, Colo.; Miss Claire. Purdy, Greeley, Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. Miles Shurtleff, Gothenberg, Nebr.: and Mr. and Mrs. Lee Albin of Norton, Kans. Funeral services were held at 10:30 Saturday morning, Sept. 3 at the United Methodist Church with the Revs. Allan W. Martin and Fred Coin officiating. A quartette comprising Melvin Sailors, Harold Ferguson, Paul Erdman and Robert Andrews sang “How Great Thou Art" and “Be Still My Soul." The group was accompanied by Betty Erdman on the organ. Pallbearers were Keith Lillich John Foster, Tom Jones, Douglas Hoschouer, Bill Ketler and Bill Hardwick. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1999 PORT HUENAME, Calif.--Merle Ewing Borchert, 59, of Port Huename died Friday, Dec. 31, 1999, at the home of his sister, after a brief battle with cancer. Merle was born on Oct. 13, 1940, in Benkelman, Neb., the second child of Merle and Gladys Borchert. He graduated from high school in Kearney, Neb., in 1958 and attended college at Kearney State Teachers College, now known as the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Merle served in the U.S. Army Reserves. Merle's professional career as a bank examiner spanned more than 30 years and included 10 years as a Nebraska State examiner and 20 years as a Federal Reserve examiner. He retired in 1994 as a vice president for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. After moving to California in the 1970s, Merle enjoyed many interests such as buying, renovating and selling homes, tennis, traveling, the arts, his group of Nebraskans-in-California friends and the California climate both in Los Angeles and the Bay area. Five years of Merle's professional career also included many trips to China conducting seminars on the American Banking Systems. From these trips he also fell in love with Thailand. Merle was a very diplomatic and generous person to friends and family alike. He sponsored and financed several foreign students seeking higher education in the United States. Merle is survived by a sister, Annette, and her husband, Joe Penna, of Simi Valley, Calif., and two brothers: Marshall Borchert and wife, Jennie, of Lincoln, Neb., and David Borchert of Simi Valley; four nieces and a nephew; three great-nieces and two great-nephews, and a great-great-niece and a great-great-nephew. Merle's parents and a great-nephew preceded him in death. Merle will be missed by his many relatives and friends from around the world. Graveside services will be held in Benkelman at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Cards will reach the family c/o Annette Penna, 3358 Corpus Christi Ave., Simi Valley, CA 93063. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1986 Catherine Bores, 64, of Emmett, Idaho, died Monday, December 1, 1986, in a Caldwell hospital. Funeral services were held on Friday, December 5, 1986, at the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett, with the Rev. Don Hardenbrook of the Emmett First Christian Church officiating. Interment was in the Emmett Cemetery. Mrs. Bores was born on September 17, 1922, in Dundy County, Nebraska. She moved to Horseshoe Bend in 1938. She married John Bores on February 10, 1941, at Mountain Home, Idaho. They lived at Emmett, operated the Ideal Meat Packers at Eagle and a cattle feedlot at Emmett. She then sold real estate, worked at the Coast to Coast store, Emmett Sales Yard and Treasure Valley Livestock Auction. Mr. Bores died April 4, 1978. Catherine was a member of the Idaho Real Estate Commission, B.P.O.E. No. 1690 of Ontario, Emmett First Christian Church, Payette River Cattlemen's Association, Idaho Cattlemen's Association, the B.P.W. and was a 4-H co-leader. Surviving are two sons, Gary Bores of Payette, Idaho, and John Bores of Kennewick, Washington; two brothers, Charlie Rose of Greeley, Colorado, and Fred Rose of Potlatch, Idaho; two sisters, Juanita Stamm of Benkelman, Nebraska, and Ruby Timson of Boise, Idaho; four granddaughters and one grandson. She was preceded in death by a son, James Vernon Boyes, two brothers and a sister. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1984 Billie B. Borland, 67, of Market Street, Beatrice, Nebraska, was found dead at his home on Tuesday, January 3, 1984. Mr. Borland was born August 16, 1916, at Inez, Nebraska. He lived in Beatrice for most of his life working for Dempster Industries for 10 years before his retirement in 1979. He was a member of Labor Union 1147 at Dempster. Preceding him in death were his wife, , two brothers and one sister. Survivors are his daughter, Barbara Borland of Lincoln, and brothers Harold B. of Pawnee City, Nebraska, and Hiram of Benkelman, Nebraska. Services were held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, January 6, 1984, at Fox Funeral Home. Chaplain Harold W. Butler officiated. Burial was in the Evergreen Home Cemetery. Memorials may be sent, to the Salvation Army or Beatrice Community Hospital in his name. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1991 BENKELMAN--Eric L. Bose died Thursday, July 4, 1991, near Benkelman, Nebraska, at the age of 27. He was born March 20, 1964, in McCook, Nebraska, to Eric L. and Sandy E. (Alberts) Bose. He was a 1982 graduate of Stratton (Nebraska) High School and a 1984 graduate of the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska. He lived in Benkelman for the past two years and was a member of the ABATE Motorcycle Club. Preceding him in death were three grandfathers, Calvin Alberts, Goodwin Fenney and Floyd Bose. Survivors include his mother, Sandy Stevens, of McCook; four brothers, Dale of Oceanside, California, David of Oberlin, Kansas, and Ronnie and Greg, both of McCook; three grandmothers, Doris Fenney of Sturgis, South Dakota, and Margaret Stevens and Iris Bose, both of Cambridge, Nebraska. Services were held Tuesday, July 9, at 9:30 a.m. at Carpenter-Breland Funeral Home of McCook, with the Rev. Douglas Delph officiating. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery at McCook. Carpenter-Breland Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1983 Joel Adam Bose entered into this life July 5, 1977, and entered into eternal life February 9, 1983. He is survived by his father, Eric, and mother, Rita Bose, of Stratton, Nebraska and six older brothers, Rickie, Dale, David, Ronnie, Chris and Damon. Also surviving are his grandparents, Floyd and Iris Bose of Stratton and Charles and Dorothy Ankenman of Cambridge and his great-grandmother, Ethel Mananlet of Arapahoe. He was a special little guy! When asked what he learned in Sunday School, his reply was, "We had a re-round on Moses." He was his Daddy's sweetie pie. He was alert and responsive. With his hands on his hips, he would remark, "Hey, Dad." He missed by one day being known as a firecracker baby, which he certainly was. Funeral services were held at the Christian Union Church in Stratton and interment was in the Wilsonville Cemetery in Wilsonville, Nebraska on February 14, 1983. The Reverend Arnold Knickerbocker was the presiding minister. The organist, Pamela Penner and the pianist, Tally Case, presented the songs, "Oh How He Loves You and Me" and "Jesus Loves Me." Poem Our Savior walked on hills of greenMore beautiful than we have seen He walks beside a river where The fruit trees are beyond compare A city fair doth stand near-by Where gates of pearl delight the eye The living colors all about Would make one with angels shout And music rings continously To love and praise His majesty And everywhere the light doth shine On all who've said "Lord," I am thine And as the master strolls toward me A precious sight, now I do see A boy named Joel does hold his hand And smiles to see the promised land. Paula J. Furry Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1997 McCOOK--Jean D. Bosley died Saturday. May 24, 1997, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. Neb., at the age of 64. She was born Sept 16, 1932, at Bird City, Kan., the daughter of Emil and Ethel (Silvey) Malm. Jean grew up at Max, Neb., and graduated from high school at Seibert, Colo. She was married to Lee Pursley who preceded her in death. She became a legal secretary and spent her life to that vocation. On Sept. 8. 1971, Jean married Robert Bosley at Fort Collins, Colo., and joined him in his law practice until they retired and moved to McCook, Neb., in 1994. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Emil "Swede" Malm Jr. in 1993; a sister. Edie Strough on May 23. 1997, and a step-daughter, Rene, on March 24. 1996 Jean is survived by her husband. Robert. Bosley of McCook: a son, James Pursley. of Brighton, Colo . 2 grandchildren, Michael and Adrienne Pursley: 5 step-daughters, Claudia, Trish, Beth, Paula and Jerri; 16 step-grandchildren: 6 step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Raymond Malm of Brighton; 2 sisters, Betty Berleue of Corning. N.Y.. and Marilyn Kent of Brighton; other relatives and friends. Memorial services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 31, 1997. at the Herrmann Memorial Chapel in McCook with Ben Hormel officiating. Herrmann Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1969 PALISADE — Charles Merrill Bosley, son of Agustus and Effie Bosley, was born March 17, 1899 at Burlington Junction, Mo., and died Nov. 8, 1969 at the age of 70. He moved with his family from Missouri to Iowa and later to Burchard, Neb. He graduated from Pawnee City High School in 1915. In May 1919 he moved to Palisade and Jan. 1, 1920, was married to Verna K. Gruver. Three children were born to this union, Warren, Robert and Nadine. Mr. Bosley practiced law in Palisade from 1927 to the time of his unexpected death. He was admitted to the Bar in Nebraska in January 1927 and to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1953. He was a charter member of Palisade American Legion Post No. 318; a Past Department Commander of the American Legion in Nebraska; a 50-year member of the American Legion; a 50-year member of the Methodist Church; a member of the Palisade Lodge No. 318 AF&AM; a member of Tehama Shrine of Hastings and of the Tehama Western Shrine Club of McCook; a member of B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 1434 of McCook; a member of Palisade I.O.O.F. Lodge; and a member of the Nebraska Bar Association. He was a trustee of Iliff College in Denver. He served in the United States Navy during World War I. He is survived by his widow, Verna; daughter, Nadine McCreary of Hastings; sons, Dr. Warren of Grand Island, and Robert of Trenton; eight granddaughters; five grandsons; one great grandson; one sister, Mrs. Edith Wach of Suttonl two brothers. Dr. Harold of New York City, and the Rev. Orville Rochester, N. Y. His parents, three brothers and two sisters preceded him in death. Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gordon Heiberg and the Rev. Alva H. Clark officating. Military committal was in the Palisade Cemetery. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1998 Birdeena M. (Blanchard) Boswell PHOENIX, Ariz.--Birdeena M. Boswell, 86, of Phoenix, Ariz., died Tuesday, May 12, 1998, at the Beatitudes Campus of Care in Phoenix. She was born Feb. 15, 1912, in Holbrook, Neb., the first child of Fred and Mabel Blanchard. She attended grade and high school in Benkelman, Neb., the University of Nebraska and Greeley (Colo.) Teacher's College where she received her teaching certificate. She taught for several years in Dundy County, Neb. She was married to Maurice R. Boswell on May 19, 1932. They were involved in farming in Nebraska. They moved to Wyoming in the early 1940s where they owned and operated businesses in Bosler and Laramie until they moved to Phoenix in 1969. There they owned and managed motels until their retirement in 1981. Mrs. Boswell played an active role in the Methodist Church and the women's groups. She was known for her love of people and enjoyed her many friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Louis F. Blanchard: her mother, Mabel Blanchard, and an infant son, Kenneth L. Boswell. She is survived by her husband, Maurice Boswell, who is residing in the skilled care dementia unit at the Beatitudes Campus of Care in Phoenix; two sons, Linn Boswell of Phoenix and D. Kent Boswell and his wife, Ann, of Las Vegas, Nev.; three grandchildren, Gregory L. Boswell and his wife, Robin, of Fountain Valley, Calif., Jeffery K. Boswell of Grass Valley, Calif., and Jacqueline A.. Boswell of Boca Raton, Fla.; a great-grandson, Tyler; a sister, Marquietta Robinson of Fort Collins, Colo.; a brother, Birdell Blanchard, of Spokane, Wash.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial services were held Thursday, May 14, 1998, at the Green Acres Mortuary in Scottsdale, Ariz., with the Rev. Gary Prichard officiating. A memorial fund has been established in her name for the Calvary United Methodist Church Building Fund, 7949 W. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ 85033. The family may be contacted through D. Kent Boswell, 2105 Madagascar Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89117. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1993 Nancy Daree (Matchett) Boswell PHOENIX, Ariz.--Former Albany, Oregon, resident Nancy Daree Boswell, 81, of Phoenix, Arizona, died Wednesday, May 26, 1993, at Del Webb Hospital in Phoenix. Mrs. Boswell was born in Cisne, Illinois, the daughter of Francis and Veola Matchett. She married Lawrence R. Boswell in 1933 in Benkelman, Nebraska. He preceded her in death. They lived in Benkelman, Olney, Illinois, and Vincennes, Indiana, before moving to Albany in 1960. They retired to Phoenix in 1986. Surviving are daughters Gwen Mulheron of Albany and Phyllis Prichard of Phoenix; sister Alberta Cooley of Albany; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held Tuesday, June 8, 1993, at Calvary United Methodist Church in Phoenix with the Rev. Gary Prichard, her son-in-law, officiating. Greer Wilson Funeral Home of Phoenix was in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, ?? 1972 Allan D. Boswell, a one-time Benkelman resident, passed away Friday at Lincoln at the age of 66 years. He had been a resident of Lincoln since 1927 when he graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University. He graduated from the Benkelman high school in 1922. He is survived by his wife, Della, 16451 Lake Street, Lincoln, son, Richand Allan Boswell of Lincoln, brothers, Lloyd E. of Lincoln, Maurice of Phoenix, John of Los Angeles, Lawrence of Bend, Oregon and two grandchildren. Mr. Boswell entered the employee of the men's department of Magees store in Lincoln in 1927 and was in their employ when he died. Mr. Boswell was the son of the late Ethel Pearson and Fletcher Boswell, pioneer residents of the Benkelman community. He was born in Benkelman. At Wesleyan University Mr. Boswell was a member of the Everett Fraternity, Chanters and Grieg Male Chorus. He was an elder of Westminister United Presbyterian Church. Funeral services were conducted at the Westminister United Presbyterian Church on Monday with the Rev. William VanAuken officiating. Interment was in the Lincoln Memorial Park. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1972 John Shellman Boswell, 81, a former Falls Cityan, died August 21, 1972 in Los Angeles, California after an illness of six weeks. Mr. Boswell was a son of Fletcher M. and Mary Olmsted Boswell who, as early pioneers, settled in Benkelman, Nebraska in 1885. He was married to Ada Miller August 4, 1914, who died early in their marriage. He married Ethel A. Lockard on December 17, 1919 and had two sons by this marriage, Harold Eugene and Donald Dean. He was a graduate of Peru State College and did postgraduate work at the University of Nebraska. He worked as a geologist during the First World War. Most of his life was spent teaching, beginning at age seventeen. He served as a principal or superintendent of various schools in Colorado and Nebraska. He came to Falls City in 1923 and served as a science instructor in the local high school until 1947. The success of his former students was of great interest to him. After retirement, he moved to Los Angeles in November 1962. He was an active member of the Methodist Church from childhood. Over the years he served as treasurer, chairman of the membership and evangelism commission, on the official board, and in many other capacities. He and his wife were honored with a reception on their Golden Wedding anniversary, December 17, 1959. The funeral service was held at the Chapel of the Chimes on August 24, 1972 with Rev. Richard D. Haddon and Rev. D. Dewitt Turpeau, Jr. officiating. Interment took place in Inglewood Memorial Park Cemetery with Pierce-Hamrock Mortuary in charge of arrangements. He is survived by his widow, Ethel; two sons, Harold of Los Angeles, California and Donald of Granada Hills, California; two grandchildren, Steven L. Boswell and Susan L. Lea of Denham Springs, Louisiana; three brothers, Lloyd E., Lincoln, Nebraska, Maurice R., Phoenix, Arizona, and Lawrence R., Bend, Oregon. Preceding him in death were two brothers, Fletcher W. and Allen D.; two sisters, Alice Boswell and Leland Passmore. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1986 Services for Lawrence R. Boswell, 75, of Mesa, Arizona, were September 25, 1986, at Falconer Funeral Home in Gilbert, Arizona. Mr. Boswell died at a nursing home in Mesa on Sunday evening. He was born in Benkelman, Nebraska, and moved to Arizona 10 months ago from Albany, Oregon. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Indiana and a member of the Gilbert Methodist Church in Gilbert, Arizona. He was a manager for wholesale grocery houses and also managed motels for a number of years. He is survived by his wife, Nancy of Mesa, and two daughters: Gwen Mulheron of Albany, Oregon, and Phyllis Prichard of Gilbert; and two brothers: Lloyd Boswell of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Morris Boswell of Mesa, Arizona; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Family request memorial contributions to be made to the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc., 6122 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 or the Gilbert Methodist Church, 202 S. Gilbert Rd. in Gilbert, 85234. Mrs. Nancy Boswell, the widow, is the sister of Mrs. Harry Cooley of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1992 LINCOLN— Lloyd E. Boswell of 1800 Connie Road in Lincoln, Nebraska, died Monday, December 28, 1992, at the age of 91. He was a graduate of the Benkelman (Nebraska) High School with the Class of 1920 and attended the University of Nebraska. He farmed near Benkelman for 25 years and was also the Dundy County Treasurer for 12 years. Boswell was a shoe salesman employed for 25 years with the Wells & Frost company. He was a member of Trinity Methodist Church in Lincoln, Craftsmann Lodge #314 A.F. & A.M. and Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #307 and was a lifelong Methodist Church member and a Past Master. He is survived by his wife, Caroline A. Boswell, of Lincoln; a daughter, Mrs. Paul (C.G.) Sleek, of Lincoln; a son-in-law, Dale Flowerday, of Lincoln; a brother, Maurice Boswell, of Mesa, Arizona; 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Services were held Thursday, December 31, 1992, at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home with the Rev. Loren Ekdahl officiating. Pall bearers were Steve Sieck, Charles Flowerday, Stan Flowerday, Ken Flowerday, Rich Flowerday, Ed Sieck and Dan Sieck. Interment was in Lincoln Memorial Park with arrangements by Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1997 BIRD CITY, Kan.--Claude Morris Bowen, 102, died May 14, 1997. He was born June 2, 1894, in Georgetown, Ill. His twin sister, Effie Henderson, died in 1994 at the age of 99. Mr. Bowen lived independently until the age of 98, then lived two years with his sister's granddaughter. Mrs. Paul Neider, and family in Rocky River, Ohio. He spent the last two years with his granddaughter, Mrs. Roland Callies, and family in Bird City, Kan. Mr. Bowen was the son of David Hall and Annie Laura (Morris) Bowen, Quakers of Georgetown, Ill., where he graduated from high school, in his words, "13th in my class on June 13, 1913--my sister was first!" He attended Earlham College, in Richmond, Ind., where he met his future wife, Sibyl Loofbourrow, a pianist. Before graduation, he went to Chicago and enlisted in the Army Air Force to join the Great War (Aug. 31, 1917). At Ellington Field in Houston, he underwent flight training and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant Feb. 20, 1918. On Oct. 6, 1918, he boarded the RMS Adriatic along with many other soldiers headed for France where he was trained in bombardment in the Breguet and DH-4 airplanes. On Dec. 20, he was assigned to the 96th Airborne (Bombardment) Squadron at Ligny-Maulan in time to see the Armistice signed. He returned to the United States with a World War I Victory Medal and was discharged Feb. 17, 1919. He was a Master Mason for 62 years of Russell Lodge No. 154 of Georgetown and a member of Scottish Rite of Valley Danville of Cleveland, Ohio. He maintained his lively interest in the natural sciences and economics until his death and was a fine gentleman of the "old school." Everyone who knew him will remember him fondly. Mr. Bowen was preceded in death by his wife. Sybil, and their only daughter, Anna Kathryn Stefan. He is survived by three granddaughters, Claudia Stefan of Fairfield. Conn.. Deborah Stefan of Portland, Maine, and Melinda Callies of Bird City: and his great-granddaughters. Kathryn and Jennifer Wagoner. of Bird City. Graveside rites will be held Thursday, May 22, 1997, at 11 a.m. EDT at the Sunset Memorial Park in Cleveland. Local arrangements were by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman, Neb. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 2004 Hilda Lydia (Brueggemann) Bowers Hilda Lydia Bowers of Montrose, Colo., died Wednesday morning, Oct. 27, 2004, at the Valley Manor Care Center in Montrose at the age of 91. Hilda was born in Osmond, Neb., on Dec. 11, 1912, the daughter of the Rev. A. William and Lydia (Noack) Brueggemann. As a young girl, Hilda moved with her family to Fremont, Neb., where she spent the remainder of her childhood, graduated from Fremont High School in 1930 and grew to adulthood. She continued to pursue her education in nurse training at the Immanuel Hospital School of Nursing in Omaha, Neb. Hilda graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1938. After receiving her nursing degree, she received her certificate in Public Health Nursing at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Hilda then moved to Benkelman, Neb., and served as the Dundy County Public Health Nurse for five years from 1940 through 1944. She then met H. Lee Bowers and they were united in marriage on Oct. 1, 1944, in Fremont. Hilda raised her children before returning to work at the Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman as director of nursing, where she worked for 16 years prior to her retirement in 1980. Following their retirement, Hilda and Lee relocated to Montrose where they made their home until the time of their deaths. Lee preceded Hilda in death on Jan. 29, 2004, in Montrose. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in both Benkelman and Montrose. Hilda was active and enjoyed her church. She was a Gold Star member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was a charter and lifetime member as well. She served as a 4-H leader, Blue Bird and Campfire Girls leader and Junior Legion Auxiliary leader. Her favorite pastimes were sewing, reading, gardening and cooking. Hilda especially loved spending time with her family. Surviving family members who were blessed and honored to share Hilda's life include three daughters: twins Karen Ann and husband, Tom Crumal, of San Antonio, Texas, and Kay Marie and husband, Jim Richardson, of Rockdale, Texas, and Connie Lee Trosper of Montrose; four grandchildren: Kari Bersano of Chandler, Texas, Lance Clark of Anchorage, Alaska, Dana Young of Montrose and Chris Trosper of Norwood, Colo.; three sisters: Ruth Moritz of Stanton, Neb., Lydia Stuenkel of Fremont and Esther Hokamp of St. Louis, Mo., and two sisters-in-law: Lillian Brueggemann of Long Island, N.Y., and Martha Bowers of Benkelman. Along with her parents and husband, Hilda was also preceded in death by a grandson. Brent Lee Trosper: three brothers: twins Richard and Robert Brueggemann, and Carl Brueggemann. A celebration of Hilda's life was officiated by Pastor John Mocko on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004, at 10 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Montrose. Interment was at 1 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado in Grand Junction. Arrangements were under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home and Crematory of Montrose. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1982 A massive heart attack took the life of Florence Irene Clark Bowers on December 11, 1982, at the Ft. Morgan Community Hospital in Ft. Morgan, Colorado. She was born in Benkelman on July 21, 1913, to Leslie James and Hannah Underhill Clark. Florence was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Benkelman. She was united in marriage to Willard Cecil Bowers there on December 24, 1930. To this union were born two children, a daughter, Bonnie Irene, and a son, Willard Dale Bowers. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Willard Cecil Bowers on July 11, 1971, and a darling grandson, Don Edward Nutt, on July 28, 1971, her parents, and a brother, Ralph Clark. She leaves to mourn her passing, children, Bonnie Nutt of Ft. Morgan, Colorado, and Willard Dale of Manchester, Washington; her son-in-law, Jamie Nutt, daughter-in-law, Carol Bowers; one grandson, Paul Scott Bowers; three granddaughters, Sherry Kay, Terri Sue and Sheila Ann Nutt, and one sister, Pearl Clark Panker of Puyallup, Washington. Brothers-in-law, Lee and Raymond Bowers, and (Cy) Leon Ketler; sisters-in-law, Lucille Clark, Hilda and Martha Bowers, Ella Wilson, Blanche Ketler and Evelyn Bowers Vig; Aunt Weata Edmisten of Denver, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was a member of ARP's since 1973 and was manager at the Ft. Morgan Goodwill Industries for four years. Funeral services were held Friday, December 17, 1982 at the Jolliffe Mortuary in Ft. Morgan, Colorado. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1976 Zetta Armelda (Cowden) Bowers was born at Columbus, IN on January 23, 1887 to Henry B. and Rebecca Jane Cowden. At the age of five, she came with her parents to Bartley, Nebraska and later to Benkelman. She was married to Homer S. Bowers at Benkelman on June 11, 1911. They made their home on a farm in Cheyenne County, Kansas until 1929 when they moved to Benkelman. Zetta Bowers was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and three brothers: Charley, Jody and Henry; and by two sisters, Stella and Ida; and two sons Willard and Byron; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Benkelman, Nebraska. She was 89 years, one month and 14 days of age, having passed away Monday, March 8, 1976. She is survived by her sons, Lee and wife Hilda, Raymond and wife Martha; by her daughters, Mrs. Blanche Ketler and husband Cy of Benkelman, Ella Wilson and husband Clarence, Gretta Wilkens and husband George; by a daughter-in-law, Florence Bowers of Fort Morgan, CO. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1984 Effie Jane Potter was born into this life February 7, 1905, to Steve and Nancy Jane Potter. She had a full and happy life and brought joy to everyone who knew her. On January 31, 1922, she was united in marriage to Jesse (Jess) Franklin Rowe. Together they were blessed with eight children. At the age of 33 years, Effie was saved at the Gentry Methodist Church and from thereon maintained a Christian atmosphere with her family and friends. Some of her greatest joys in life were attending church and greeting friends at her home in Seymour, Missouri. After the death of her husband, Jesse, in 1956, Effie found companionship with Lester Bowers from May, 1965, to June, 1969. Effie found eternal reward on June 3, 1984. Preceding her in death were her parents; husbands, Jesse and Lester, and two children, Ethel Marie and Joseph George Rowe. Those left to mourn her death are: two daughters, Josephine Schrader of Benkelman and Cleta Upton of Las Vegas, Nevada; four sons, Calvin, of Burleson, Texas, Marian, of Joplin, Missouri, Dean of Seymour, Missouri and Ival, of Springfield, Missouri; one stepdaughter, Hazel Pierce, of Kansas City, Missouri; 17 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Marian Potter of Girard, Kansas; one sister, Bertha Swearengin of Fordland, Missouri; and a host of friends and relatives. Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 5, 1984, at First Baptist Church in Seymour, Missouri. Interment was in the Gentry Community Cemetery. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 2004 H. Lee Bowers. a resident of Montrose, Colo., since 1981. died early Thursday morning. Jan. 29, 2004, at his home in Montrose. H. Lee Bowers, the son of Homer Scott and Zetta (Cowden) Bowers, was born on July 19, 1912, in Cheyenne County, Kan., where he grew up and received his education. During World War II, Lee proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945. On Oct. 1. 1944, Lee entered into marriage and a lifetime partnership with Hilda Lydia Brueggemann. Lee and Hilda would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this year. Following his military discharge, Lee worked as a deputy sheriff and part-time policeman in Benkelman, Neb. In 1946, he began working as a game warden with the Nebraska Game Commission, retiring after 34 years of service with the commission. In 1981, Lee and Hilda moved to Montrose after their retirement where they made their home until the time of Lee's death. He was a member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the Peace Officers Association and the Nebraska Sheriffs Association. Lee was very well known in the Benkelman area. He loved to hunt and fish and always had a big garden and flowers. He especially enjoyed being outdoors. Surviving family members who were blessed and honored to share Lee's life include his wife, Hilda, of Montrose; three daughters: Connie Lee Trosper of Montrose, Karen Ann and husband, Tom Crumal, of San Antonio, Texas, and Kay Marie and husband. Jim Richardson. of Austin. Texas; four grandchildren: Kari and husband Brian Bersano. Lance Clark and wife, Cheryl (Creelman), Dana and husband, Michael Young, and Chris Trosper and wife, Kerri (Andrews); five great-grandchildren: Lauren Bersano, Andrew A. Bersano, Miranda Young, Brett Marshal Trosper and Rylan Revoir, and a sister-in-law, Martha Bowers. of Benkelman. Lee was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Gladys Bowers, Ella Wilson, Greeta Wilkens and Blanche Ketler; brothers Willard, Byron and Raymond Bowers, and a grandson, Brent Trosper. A memorial service in celebration of Lee's life was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Montrose with Pastor John Mocko officiating. Cremation has taken place and inurnment was in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado on Monday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m. in Grand Junction. Arrangements were handled by Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory of Montrose. Memorials are suggested to the Montrose Hospice, P.O. Box 1804. Montrose, CO 814021804.
Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1961 See also: Job Hunting in the Gay Ninties, as told by Homer Bowers Published in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1958 Jack Bowers, pioneer resident of the Big Timber section, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Wilkins on Big Timber at about three o'clock Monday. Funeral services were held at the Laughlin funeral home Tuesday afternoon, being conducted by Rev. H. F. Meyers, and the body was sent to Centerville, Iowa, that night for burial. Jack Bowers was a brother of Homer S. Bowers of Benkelman. Both were members of a pioneer family, their people settling in the Big Timber district in the middle eighties. Most of the family save Jack and Homer and their mother remained here until about fifteen years ago when Jack and his mother returned to the old home at Centreville. Iowa, the mother and son living together until her death some time afterwards. Then Jack made his home with two sisters, alternating his time between them. He had been in ill health for several years and had been in the hospital for a month just previous to coming to Benkelman last Saturday to visit, thinking perhaps the change in climate might help. His trouble was largely due to a heart condition. He visited with the Bowers family here until Monday morning and then asked to be taken back to his old country home to visit with his niece and family and to look over the familiar spots, the scenes of so many happy boyhood days. He seemed to be feeling as well as usual and was out in the yard visiting with the men folks when he was overcome with an attack of apoplexy. He was taken to the house, said a few words before sinking into a sound sleep and he passed away about thirty minutes later. Although deeply shocked, his sudden passing occasioned but little surprise to, the family since he had suffered several less violent strokes before and he was very feeble, perhaps realizing himself that the end was not for off and that if he wished to see relatives and friends in this section and to once more view the scene of boyhood days, it was necessary to act now. John Bowers was born on March 28. 1868, at Freeport, Illinois. He came to Cheyenne county, Kansas, with his parents in 1887 and took up a homestead in the Big Timber section. Here he lived until 1923 when he moved to Centerville. Iowa. to make his home with relatives. He died Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock. apoplexy being the cause. He was 70 years, two months and ten days of age. He is survived by four sisters and two brothers, and a number of other relatives, and many friends. His sisters. Mrs. Ida Speake and Mrs. Ada Hansen of Centerville, Iowa. Mrs. Maud Stalcup, Fairfield, Iowa and Mrs. Era Wetherly, Des Moines, Iowa, his brothers. Homer Bowers, Benkelman, Nebraska and Wm. Bowers, Centerville, Iowa. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1998 Raymond Benjamin Bowers, 73, a resident of Benkelman, Neb., died Saturday, Aug. 29, 1998, at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Hospital in Denver, Colo. He was born July 7, 1925, in Cheyenne County, Kan., to Homer S. and Zetta A. (Cowden) Bowers. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart. He worked at a Texaco station in Brush, Colo.; for the Dundy County (Neb.) Road Department; in the service department of Harold Knoles Ford in Benkelman and assisted in his son-in-law's drugstore in Imperial, Neb. He was a member of the Brush (Colo.) Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Bowers was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Greeta Wilkens, Ella Wilson and Blanche Ketler; two brothers: Byron and Willard, and a step-daughter, Sharon Lowe. Survivors include his wife, Martha, of Benkelman; a daughter, Pam, and her husband, Jim Hanes, of Imperial and a step-daughter, Donna, and her husband, Dave Dennis, of Vacaville, Calif.; a brother, Lee Bowers, and his wife, Hilda, of Montrose, Colo.; a brother-in-law, Cy Ketler, of Benkelman and grandchildren: Kris and her husband, Mark Cox, of Rising City, Neb., Julie Hanes and Jamie Hanes of Lincoln, Neb., and Lindsay Hanes of Imperial; two great-grandchildren: Venessa and Lana Cox; step-grandchildren: Brenda, Brian and Brad Hardwick of Vacaville, Carey Lowe and wife, Renee, of San Diego, Calif., and Jason, Korey, and Justin Lowe of Lincoln; two step-great-great-grandchildren: Danica and Collin Hardwick of Vacavine, and nieces and nephews. Final rites for Raymond Bowers were held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998, at Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with the Revs. Douglas Dietrich and Michael Davis officiating. Betty Erdman was the organist and Richard Bartholomew, with guitar accompaniment, sang "Amazing Grace" and "Please Release Me." The organ selection was "Peace In The Valley." Bearers were Keith Neville, Gene Miller, Rod Wiese, Jerry McDonald. Tim Hanes and Bud Cline. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Ewing, Bob Hardwick, Clair Duysen, Alva Shaw, Bill McNair, Mac McConnell, Eldon Gager, Lee Ohrman, Rocky Sander, Everett Stamm, Dr. Robert Rhoades, Mark Hanes, Dr. Rajesh Bhola, Bridget Kasper and the Benkelman EMT members. Members of the American Legion Post No. 65 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4178 of Benkelman were in charge of the committal service. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery. with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1971 Willard Cecil Bowers was born, December 3, 1906 in Bird City, Kansas and passed away in Brush, Colorado July 11, 1971 at the age of 64 years, seven months and eight days. He was the oldest son of the late Homer Bowers. Willard attended school and grew to manhood in the Big Timber community in Cheyenne, county, Kansas. He had been a resident of Colorado for 37 years and had worked for the Great Western Sugar Beet Company and the Morgan county highway department. He was married to Florence Clark December 24, 1930. To this union two children were born. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Florence of Fort Morgan; daughter, Bonnie Nutt of Gering, Nebraska; his son, Willard Dale of Tacoma, Washington; a daughter-in-law, Carol Bowers; son-in-law, Jamie Nutt, and five grandchildren; Paul Scott Bowers of Tacoma, Washington, Don Serry, Terri and Shila Nutt of Gering, Nebraska. His mother, Mrs. Zetta Bowers; brothers, Lee and Raymond, sisters, Ella Wilson, Greeta Wilkens and Blanche Ketler, a brother-in-law, Ralph Clark, sisters-in-law, Hilda Bowers and Martha Bowers. all of Benkelman, Pearl Clark Parker of Yorkville, California and Evelyn Bowers Vig of Casper, Wyoming, and many nieces and nephews. Willard was a man of few, words, but was loved by all who knew him. He had been in ill health for several years and succumbed to a heart attack. Funeral services were held at the Jolliffe Chapel in Fort Morgan at 2:30 p.m. July 13, 1971, with the Rev. Harry Knnedy of the Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Melvin Meekins, the soloist, sang the "Old Rugged Cross" and "Going Down The Valley". The organist was Mrs. Kenneth Montel. Casketbearers were Dave Graff, Archie White, Robert Enfante, Leon Washburn, William Burback and Clayton Summers. Interment was in the Riverside cemetery in Fort Morgan under the direction of the Jolliffe Funeral Home. Out of town relatives attending the service were his mothe,. Mm. Zetta A. Bowers, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Bowers, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Bowers, Ella Wilson, Greeta Wilkens, Mr. and Mrs. L. E. "Cy" Ketler, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Clark, Mrs. Wayne Clark, Mrs. Glenn Clark, Mrs. Bob Clark, Marguerite Morehouse, and Mrs. Jim Wilkens of Benkelman; Mrs. John Hardwick and Brenda, and Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Oakley and son, Rex Wonderly of McCook. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1994 TACOMA, Wash.--Lloyd Richard Bowker was born November 10, 1918, in Haigler, Nebraska, to Floyd Elmer and Rose Elmira (Breese) Bowker. He died May 22, 1994, in Tacoma, Washington, at the age of 75. He married Rosetta Mae Smith May 12, 1939. In 1989, on their 50th anniversary, they renewed their vows at the Assembly of God Church in Julesburg, Colorado. He and Rosetta celebrated 55 years together in May. He served in World War II from 1942-1945 and was awarded several medals for serving his country, including the Bronze Star in 1989. He was a truck driver, farmer and a volunteer fireman for many years. He also was a bus driver for handicapped students. As an EMT instructor, he was awarded the first certificate for EMT instructors in the State of Nebraska, presented by Gov. J. James Exon. He loved the outdoors and spent much of his time fishing and being with his family. Most of his adult life was spent in and around Big Springs, Nebraska, and the surrounding communities. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Darlene, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was dearly loved by family and friends and will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife, Rosetta; six children, Shirley Smotherman, Richard Bowker, Robert Bowker and Karen Wessel, all of Tacoma, Lloyd Jr. of Sterling, Colorado, Marjorie Freeman of Chappell, Nebraska, and Mildred Williamson, a niece they raised, of Chappell. He also is survived by 28 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Beryl of Julesburg, Warren of Orville, California, Gary of Salem, Oregon, and Merlyn of Duluth, Minnesota, and one sister, Wynona Grandel of North Platte, Nebraska. Services were held Friday, May 27, 1994, at 2 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Big Springs with the Rev. C.E. Rohde officiating. Music was by Mary Krems and James Palser. Bearers were Max Krems, Larry Luft, Dean Lakey, Harold Kues, James Smotherman and Ivan Palser. Honorary bearers were Lanny Scott, Jeff Nichols, Ivan Beal, John Palser and John Jimenez. Interment was in the Big Springs Cemetery with services by the American Legion George S. Johnson Post No. 275 of Big Springs. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1983 Nile Eri Bowker was born in Dundy County, Nebraska, on July 4, 1893, and passed away at the Medical Center Hospital at Oroville, California, on June 1, 1983, at the age of 89 years, 10 months and 27 days. He was united in marriage to Ethel Pennell on August 23, 1917, at Wray, Colorado. He spent many years around Haigler, Nebraska, and in 1942 moved to Oroville, California, where he was self-employed doing carpenter work. His wife and children remember him as a dear, devoted husband and father. He loved to fish and play horseshoes. He was at the height of his glory when any of his family came to visit, and when any new members were added to his family, he welcomed them with open arms. He is survived by his wife, Ethel; one son, LeVoine, and wife, Berneice, of Hawthorne, Nevada, and one daughter, Dortha Putnam, and husband, Wallace, of Oroville, California. Also surviving him are five grandchildren. nine great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, one brother and one sister. Graveside services were held June 6 with interment in Memorial Park Cemetery in Oroville, California. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1965 Walter A. Bowland, 67, of Akron, died Wednesday morning, June 23, at 7:30 o'clock in Beth Israel Hospital in Denver. Mr. Bowland had been in ill health for a number of years. He had entered the Denver hospital on May 25 and had undergone surgery several days ago. Funeral services for Walter Bowland were held at the Akron Methodist Church at two o'clock Saturday, June 26, with the Rev. Paul Hood officiating. Mrs. Ralph Severin, organist, accompanied a mixed quartet composed of Mrs. George Severin, Mrs. Richard Severin, Jack Duncan and Eldred Foutz, as they sang. "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Precious Memories." Pallbearers were Sam Roys, A. K. Fender, Ray Wahl, Sr., Vern Lockard, Roscoe Cline and Allen Dickson. Interment was in the Akron cemetery with Yeamans and Gordon in charge of arrangements. Walter Asa Bowland, the eldest son of James David and Celia (Rummel) Bowland, was born September 14, 1897, at McDonald, Kansas, and departed this life at Beth Israel Hospital in Denver, Colo., following a lingering illness, on June 23, 1965, at the age of 67 years, nine months and nine days. He grew to manhood in the Mayflower community north of McDonald. He was united in marriage to Phoebe DeGarmo on November 17, 1920. Born to this union were five sons and three daughters: Norris Nile, Lyle Leslie, Norma Marie Cannady, Loyd Marshall, Norval Kent, Norman Dwight, Margie Ann Steadman and Ellen Delores Kraich. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phoebe, and two sons, Lyle and Loyd, his parents, one brother and one sister. He and his family moved to the Burdett community northeast of Akron, Colo., in the spring of 1942 from Haigler, Nebraska. where they continued farming and ranching and made their home until the fall of 1946 at which time they moved to Akron where he resided until his death. He is survived by three sons, three daughters, three sons-in-law and 34 grandchildren. Also surviving are four brothers: Oscar of Glenwood Springs, Colo., Edgar of Jordan, Mont., James of Akron and Arthur of Torrance, Calif.; five sisters: Edith DeGarmo of Lebanon, Ore., Ella Hurtt of McDonald, Kansas, Cora Ford of Sacramento, Calif., Clara Welch of Bird City, Kansas, and Mabel Moles of Garden City, Kansas; many nieces and nephews and other relatives and a host of friends and neighbors. Those attending the services from out-of-town were: Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Bowland and Mrs. Melvin Pretti and daughter of Glenwood Springs; Edgar Bowland of Jordan, Mont., Arthur Bowland of Torrance, Calif., Mrs. Ella Hurtt of McDonald, Kan., Mrs. Clara Welch of Bird City, Kan.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ford of Sacramento, Calif., Mrs. Mabel Moles, Mrs. Leona Meadors, Mrs. Lyle Pickett of Garden City, Kan., Mrs. Iva DeGarmo of Haigler, Nebr., Mrs. Catherine DeGarmo of Trenton, Nebr.. Mrs. Mabel Stephenson, Mrs. Leatha Bischoff and Lillie Ruby of Wauneta, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Ray DeGarmo, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Cedar, Larry and Valarie of Denver, Colo.. Mrs. Frank Gray of Sioux City. Iowa, Charles Louthan of Arvada, Colo., Mr. and Mrs. Dean Bowland and family of Greeley, Colo., Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Rummel of Benkelman and Mrs. John Ferguson and Jean of Parks.—Akron (Colo.) News-Reporter. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1983 Helen Maud Boyce died April 6, 1983, at the age of 76 years at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in Littleton, Colorado. Helen was born February 15, 1907, in Max, the daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Kimsey) Parsons. She was united in marriage to Marion A. Boyce July 24, 1922, in Benkelman, Nebraska. To this union was born one daughter, Lela. Marion and Helen were farmers in Dundy County from 1922 until 1968, and at that time retired and moved to Wauneta, Marion died in March of 1978. Helen moved to Littleton, Colorado, in August of 1979 to make her home with her daughter, Lela, and son-in-law, Lyle Francis. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Josie Parsons and her husband, Marion. She is survived by her daughter, Lela Francis and son-in-law, Lyle Francis; her granddaughter, Connie Warner, and husband, Paul, her great-granddaughter, Melissa, all of Colorado; two sisters, Mable Lancaster of Wauneta, and Jeannie Hall of North Platte. To review her life by saying she was simply a good farm wife, mother and grandmother is a gross understatement. She was a generous, loving mother to her daughter. Her granddaughter, Connie, was the sunshine of her life and this love and joy was reciprocated. She suffered from Parkinson's Disease the last three and one-half years of her life. The last three months she was totally immobile, only able to move her eyes and experienced a great deal of pain and discomfort during this time, The greatest source of joy in her life was her great-granddaughter, Melissa. Her son-in-law, Lyle, helped care for her the last years of her life. She was an active member of Eden Missionary Church for many years. Helen enjoyed playing the piano and singing the songs she loved. Her devotion to her belief in Christ was unwavering. Funeral services were held April 9 at Eden Missionary Church in Wauneta, Nebraska, with Pastor Steve Werdal officiating. Orpha Maris accompanied Elaine Bley and Mary Emma Maris as they sang "Beyond the Sunset," "Whispering Hope" and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee." Escorts were Ed Nichols, Terry Nichols, Kelly Nichols, Michael Nichols, Leland Petsch and Paul Warner. Interment was in the Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta. Creveling Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1965 Mrs. Maggie Boyce, pioneer resident of Wauneta, died unexpectedly Sunday, December 5, at the Chase County Hospital. She was 83 years old. Mrs. Boyce had been hospitalized earlier in the week, but was thought to be recovering, until she was stricken again Sunday. Immediate survivors are two sons, Everett of North Platte and Marion of Wauneta. She had been a resident of the Barnes Rest Home for some time. Funeral services were held on Wednesday at the Eden Church, Rev. John Brooks officiating at the 2 p.m. rites. Singers were Mrs. Duane Burham and Mrs. Bob Walgren, accompanied by Mrs. Claire Voorhees. Pallbearers were Herman Bley, Ellis Carpenter, D o n Egle, Ervin Bley, Alvin Bley, Dale Maris. Ben Gauger and Henry Wicke. Interment was in Ash Grove Cemetery, the V. B. Johnston Mortuary in charge of arrangements.—Wauneta Breeze. Sally Margaret Boyce was born in Silver Creek, Nebraska. June 29, 1882, the daughter of Amos Wooden Rowley and Sarah Jane Leper. Her parents had come from Hamilton County, Indiana, and homesteaded on Indian Creek in Dundy county. Sally Margaret grew to womanhood on the South Divide and was united in marriage to Clarence Albert Boyce in May of 1903. To this union were born two sons, Marion Albert and Clifford Everett. Following the death of her husband, she spent her remaining years in and near Wauneta. She enjoyed to the fullest extent the close association of her many friends and relatives and also spent many happy hours out-of-doors for she was deeply appreciative of nature in all its seasons and pleasures. The Lord's word brought many hours of comfort to her and she accepted the Lord as her personal Saviour many years ago. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Albert, in December of 1941; two sisters, Stella May Ellison and Alma Stock, and a brother, Cecil Rowley. She is survived by her sons, Marion and wife Helen of Wauneta, and Clifford and wife Betty of North Platte; granddaughter Lela Francis and great granddaughter Connie of Denver, and granddaughter Paige Martin and great grandsons Gen, Shawn and Craig of Detroit, Michigan. Three brothers also survive, Mayne Rowley of Mulino, Oregon, Sam of Wauneta and Clifford of Enders, and many nieces and nephews. Out-of-town relatives attending the funeral were as follows: Lela Francis, Mr. and Mrs. Willis Selby, Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Updike, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Marks, Mrs. C. E. Tavenner, all of Denver; Mrs. T. Brethower of Wray, Colo.; Mrs. Maurice Reeves. Ward Rowley, Clair Rowley and Rodney Rowley. all of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Albert Rowley of Sidney, Nebr.; Wayne Rowley, just recently arriving stateside from Viet Nam aboard the aircraft carrier Coral Sea; Mrs. Lee Dinnel, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Mapes, Mr. and Mrs. Don Burham of McCook, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Boyce of North Platte and Mrs. James Martin of Detroit, Michigan. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1941 Clarence Albert Boyce passed away at his home in the Ash Grove community northeast of Max on December 19th, following an illness covering several years from diabetes. Mr. Boyce was a pioneer of Nebraska and Dundy county. He was born at Aurora, Nebraska, in 1873, and was 68 years, 2 months and 3 days of age when death called him. He moved to Dundy county with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Boyce at the age of 12 years and had been a constant resident here since. When he was twenty-nine years of age he was united in marriage with Sally Margaret Rowley, daughter of a pioneer family living north of Max and to this union was born two sons, Marion Albert and Clifford Everett Boyce, who survive him, the sons living in the vicinity of Wauneta and Stratton. He is likewise survived by two sisters, Mrs. Roxie Selby of Denver and Mrs. Nora Burham of McCook, and one brother, Charley E. of Denver, and o n e granddaughter, twelve nieces and nephews and other relatives. In the year of 1925 he was united with the Church of Christ of Wauneta, and remained a faithful follower of its teachings until the end. During the many years of his life spent in Dundy county Mr. Boyce, by act and deed, established himself as a fine neighbor, a valued citizen, and a kind and loving husband and father and he will be greatly missed, both in the home and in his end of the county generally. Relatives in attendance at the funeral from a distance were his sisters Mrs. Roxie Selby of Denver and Mrs. Nora Burham of McCook, his niece Mrs. Elmer Mapes and husband of McCook, one niece, Mrs. Nellie Pate of Culbertson and her husband, and a niece, Mrs. Viva Updike, husband and children of Stratton and various other relatives who knew and loved Mr. Boyce so much. Mrs. Selby remained with Mrs. Boyce and Everett for a few days. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1936 The community was saddened last Thursday when the news came of the passing of Mrs. Ella Boyce at Wray, Colorado. Mrs. Boyce was taken with poor health in March. By the first of May she had become bedfast and continued to suffer intensely until September 3 when her spirit returned to its maker. Mrs. Boyce was always solicitous of any who were sick or in trouble. Her loving husband children have the deepest sympathy of all in their sorrow. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Hodgkin Saturday afternoon at the M. E. Church. Singers were Messers Todd and Gallatin and Mesdames Georgia and Julia Crow and a beautiful solo sung by her cousin Gilbert Carver, with Mrs. Orville Chapin at the piano. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1978 Marion A. Boyce, age 74, retired South Divide farmer, passed away at the Chase County Hospital at 1:00 a.m. Sun., March 19. He was born Feb. 20, 1904 on the South Divide in Dundy County, the son of Clarence A. and Sally Margaret Boyce. He was united in marriage to Helen M. Parsons at Benkelman, Nebr. on July 24, 1922. To this union was born one daughter, Lela M. Francis of Littleton. Colo. He is survived by his wife Helen, daughter Lela, granddaughter, Connie Warner of Commerce City, Colo., his brother Clifford Boyce of North Platte and many other relatives. Marion was a man who enjoyed all manner of sports. He particularity reveled in hunting, fishing and baseball. His tastes were simple, his nature generous and his heart forgiving. Funeral services were conducted at the Eden Church on Tues., March 21 at 11:00 a.m. M.S.T. by Rev. Neufeld. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta under the direction of the Creveling Funeral Home of Wauneta and Imperial. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 2001 SANTA CLARA, Calif.--Verna J. Boyd passed away at her home in Santa Clara on Sunday, March 25, 2001. She was born Sept. 22, 1927, to Roy and Pearl (Huffman) Crook in Dundy County near Benkelman, Neb. She grew up on the family farm five miles northwest of Benkelman, attended the country school District II-8 for her elementary education and graduated from Benkelman High School in May 1945. On June 30, 1946, Verna was united in marriage to Richard Toler. To this union two sons, Michael and Douglas, were born. The family lived in Greeley, Colo., where Richard was employed as an architect on the construction of the Weld County Hospital. He was fatally injured in an accident at the hospital in May 1952. In February 1960, Verna married Alan Boyd in Englewood, Colo. A daughter, Susan, was born to this union. In 1964 they moved to Santa Clara where she was employed as an executive secretary for many years. Her great interest in antiques led her to become a dealer of collectibles. Her only grandchild, Cameron Toler, was the delight of her life. In addition to her first husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Alvin and Basil, and an infant sister, Hazel. Surviving her are her loving husband, Alan, of the home; daughter Susan of Mountain View, Calif.; sons Michael of Vacaville, Calif., and Douglas and his son, Cameron, of Watsonville, Calif.; her mother-in-law, Pauline Bennett, of Santa Clara; a sister, Norma Hardwick, of Benkelman; two sisters-in-law, Virginia Crook of Englewood, Colo., and Bernice Crook of Shelby, Neb., and many nieces, nephews and friends. Services were held Thursday, March 29, 2001, at Almeda Family Saratoga Cupertino Funeral Home in Saratoga, Calif., with the Rev. John Kessel officiating. Interment was in the Mission City Memorial Park at San Jose, Calif. Correspondence will reach the family at: Alan Boyd, 2939 Miles Dr., Santa Clara. CA 95051. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1970 George J. Boyd, son of Jesse Bill Boyd, was born at Merickvine, Ontario, Canada, on January 1, 1880. He passed away August 8, 1970, at the Ainsworth Hospital at the age of 90 years, seven months and seven days. At the age of five years he and his parents and family moved to Cheyenne County Kansas. Here the family homesteaded and made their home. Mr. Boyd grew to manhood and received his education at this home site where he farmed and ranched. In 1935 he moved to Ainsworth, Nebraska, where he was engaged in ranching until 1943 when he retired. George was an Odd Fellow and had received his 50 year pin: He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Rudolph and Joe, and sister, Ida Gorman. Left to mourn him are one niece and seven nephews and their families. Funeral services were conducted at the Wicda Funeral Home Monday, August 10. with Rev. Allen Magill officiating. Interment was in Ainsworth cemetery. Pearl Boyd Laid to Rest Here Wednesday
Pearl G. Boyd, a lifelong resident of Dundy county, passed away on Monday at the age of 65 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver after a long illness. During her active years, she took part in community affairs in both her home Lutz precinct and various organizations in Benkelman. Funeral services were held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the United Methodist Church with the Rev. William E. Whittaker and Evangelist James Parker officiating. The soloist was Mrs. Royce Anderson, accompanied by Mrs. Paul Erdman at the organ. Casketbearers were Mardelle and Maurice Dixon, Merle Frasier, Don Harford, Bernard Nelson and Everett Alsbury. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery under the direction of Jay’s Funeral Home. Pearl Gladys Boyd, daughter of Forest and Peachie Lines, was born June 13, 1903, and departed this life on May 25, 1969. On November 28, 1923, she was married to Grant Boyd, and to this union was born one daughter, Melba. Pearl was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and lived her entire life in the Hiawatha community. She is survived by her husband, Grant, of Benkelman; her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. And Mrs. Ray Harford, of Haigler; four grandchildren, Linda, Glenda, Ted and Tona (should be Tom) one great grandson, Bobby; three sisters, Ruby Groves of Redondo Beach, Calif., Jewell Barnett of Stratton, Nebr., and Garnet Clare of Gilbert, Arizona; two brothers, Emery Lines of Sanger, Calif., and Carno Lines of Redondo Beach, Calif.; a number of nieces and nephews and other relatives and a host of friends. Preceding her in death were her parents and a sister, Opal.
Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1986 William G. Boyd was born at Clarinda, Iowa, July 24, 1908, to Gertrude and Rudolph Boyd, and departed this life August 6, 1986, at Marysville, Kansas. He received his first eight years of education at Haigler, Nebraska, and graduated from high school in the class of 1927. He then attended the University of Nebraska. After completing school he moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he met and married his wife, Dorothy Dempster. To this union three sons were born. During the war he taught instrument flying to Navy cadets and later was ferry pilot for the Air Force. Flying planes was a very important part of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Max, one sister, Iris, and wife, Dorothy. He leaves to mourn his passing one brother, Don Boyd, and wife, Edith, of Wray, Colorado; three sons: Billy and wife, Linda, of San Jose, California, R. David of Seattle, Washington, and James and wife, Cindy, of Gig Harbor, Washington; five grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, two nieces and grandnieces. Services were held Saturday, August 9, 1986, at the United Methodist Church in Haigler, Nebraska, with Pastor John Kilgore officiating. Organist was Florence Daniels. A quartette composed of Virginia Harford, Helen Woods, Don Harford and Ray Harford sang the selections "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" and "The Beautiful Garden Of Prayer." Bearers were Royce Stute, Rex Daniels, Ward Wonder, R.M. Wingfield, Ted Harford and Leslie White. Interment was in the Haigler Cemetery at Haigler, Nebraska, with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman, Nebraska. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1980 William Grant Boyd was born Sept. 1, 1901, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the son of Hugh Peel and Mary (Cowan) Boyd. He attended the city school, but always had enjoyed the farm life and spent slot of time at his Uncle Billy’s farm. When Grant was 16, his older brother Harold joined the army. Grant joined also, hoping to serve in the First World War. His father told the officials that Grant was underage, so he was unable to serve. During the next year Grant went from Hamilton, to Moosejaw, Sasketchewan; to Vancouver, British Columbia, and on to Alaska, where he worked in lumber and pulp mills. He then went onto California, where he helped tear down a military camp, the First World War being over. If there would have been a ship sailing south from California, Grant would have worked his way south on it, but no ships were leaving for quite some time. He went to Idaho, working in a carnival, onto Utah and was employed with a surveying crew, onto Omaha, Nebraska, by being a server for a train dining car; to Bridgeport, Nebraska, helping build a railroad bridge, then helping put up hay in Sterling, Colorado, and helping with harvest around McCook and Wauneta. Among these farmers he helped were Claude Frasier and Forest Lines. Grant liked the country and asked these two men if he could stay permanently to help them. On Nov. 28, 1923, he married the daughter of Forest and Peachie Lines, Pearl Gladys. In 1925 they moved to a farm they rented and later bought from Harry Dixon, and Grant spent the rest of his life farming there. In December he had surgery and never fully recovered. He passed away April 3, 1980, att he Great Plains Medical Center in North Platte at the age of 78 years. Preceding Grant in death were his wife, Pearl, his parents and one brother Harold. Surviving are his daughter Melba, and husband Ray Harford; his sister Irene of Hamilton, Ontario; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Jones, Bob and Deb Neville; Mr. and Mrs. B.K. Brown, Claricy and Ami; Mr. and Mrs. Ted Harford, Dixie, Kris and Nikki Gelvin; and Tom Harford; other relatives and friends. Grant was a member of the Benkelman United Methodist Church and of the I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 361 of Benkelman. Services were held Sat., April 5, 1980 at 2:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman, NE with the Rev. Allan Martin officiating. Organist was Gwen Bauer and pianist was Betty Erdman. Special selection was "The Green Cathedral". Bearers were Ted Harford, Tom Harford, Bernie Brown, Bob Neville, Gail Harford and Brad Dixon. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery at Benkelman, NE. Funeral arrangements were conducted by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1985 Ida May (Mrs. Ralph) Boyington, a former Benkelman resident, died Sunday morning, January 27, at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, where she had been a patient the past two weeks. She was 59. Services were held January 30, 1985, at the Goodland First United Methodist Church with burial in the Goodland Cemetery. Mrs. Boyington was born November 5, 1925, at Max, Nebraska, the daughter of Harry A. and Ida B. McCoy. She and Bob Morris were united in marriage in 1946 and they operated the Morris Hatchery in Benkelman. Mr. Morris passed away in 1963 and on December 14, 1967, she and Ralph Boyington were married. Mrs. Boyington was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Elks Does and the Sugar Hills Country Club. She and Ralph particularly enjoyed their travels together, although she always looked forward to returning home. She enjoyed Goodland and taking part in the many social activities it provided. Mrs. Boyington was noted for her expertise in cooking and enjoyed having guests in to partake of her culinary talents. After the death of her first husband, she opened the Style Shoppe at St. Francis and continued to actively manage it until her marriage to Mr. Boyington. She is survived by her husband, Ralph, of the home at 302 Poplar Drive; a son, Phillip, of Lawrence; stepchildren, Jane Moore of Enid, Oklahoma, Betsy Boyington of Alameda, California, and William Boyington of Jakarta, Indonesia; seven grandchildren; two sisters, Frances A. Andrews of Ocean Shores, Washington, and Linnie B. Boedecker of Gigharbor, Washington; and one brother, W.V. McCoy of San Marino, California. She was preceded in death by a son, Mike. Memorials may be made to the Northwest Kansas Area Medical Center Foundation and left at either the Sage and Smith Chapel or the hospital. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1998 (Editor's Note: The obituary which follows was received from Patrice Nielsen Gustafson of Milwaukie, Ore., who writes: "My uncle, Ken Brace, passed away on April 8, 1998, in Portland, Ore. He made a lot of friends in Benkelman when he and my Aunt Dorothy came back to visit my Grandparents Nielsen while they still lived on the farm north of Doane and when attending alumni.") PORTLAND, Ore.--Kenneth Brace was born Oct. 25, 1918, in Plymouth, Perm., to Thomas and Mary Jane Brace. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1936 and soon after joined the CCCs for four years. In March 1942, Ken joined the Army Air Corps and was honorably discharged in December 1945. On Aug. 8, 1942, Ken married Dorothy Nielsen of Benkelman, Neb., and they had more than 55 happy years together. They moved to Portland, Ore., in January 1946. Ken worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for more than 25 years and retired in 1982. He was past Commander of Milwaukie American Legion Post #180 and past Commander of the Clackamas County Federated Veterans Council. He volunteered for more than 50 years at the Veterans Hospital in Portland. He was a member of the Bryn Seion Welsh Church of Beaver Creek, Ore. Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Hannah; brothers John, Bill, Tommy and Walter, and his parents-in-law, Engward and Elin Nielsen. Those surviving him include his wife, 17 nieces and nephews, 4 sisters-in-law, 3 brothers-in-law, other relatives and friends. He was laid to rest in the Willamette National Cemetery on April 13, 1998. Printed in the McCook, NE Daily Gazette, March 2008 BENKELMAN -- Lucille Ora Bradley, 95, died Friday (March 7, 2008) at the Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman. She was born Aug. 27, 1912, in Greenfield, Iowa to Frank and Wynona (Hoop) Birt and attended elementary school in Williamson, Iowa. She graduated from high school in Prescott, Iowa. She went on to further her education at Business School in Grand Island and attended Lawrence Welk Dance Academy. She married William C. Bradley on Aug. 29, 1936. She was a member of the United Methodist Church. She was a leader in the Women's Club, the UMW and the Rebekahs, being a 50-year member of both. In addition to being a homemaker, she was an Avon representative for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Wynona Birt; her husband, William Bradley; brothers, Irwin and Joe; and daughter, Carol. Survivors include her daughters, Jeanine Wallace and husband, Norman and Charlene Fanning and husband, Lynn, all of Centennial, Colo.; seven grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be Tuesday, at 2 p.m. at Forch Funeral Home Chapel in Benkelman with the Rev. Brian Fong officiating. Interment will follow services at the Benkelman Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 3 to 6 p.m, MT. at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1976 Services for Cecil Emery Bradley, 64 of Lakeside, will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Coos Bay Chapel of Campbell Watkins Funeral Homes with the Rev. Mickey Moffitt of Lakeside Community Church officiating. Private concluding services will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Mr. Bradley was born in Portland, August 13, 1912 and come to Dundy County at the age of three. He grew up in Dundy County and moved to Oregon in 1940. He died in LaGrande, November 10, 1976. He had been a resident of Lakeside for 38 years and had lived in LaGrande for the past six months. He had worked at the Lakeside Lumber Company for 15 years and prior to that had worked in the woods. Survivors include his wife Iris of Lakeside; and a daughter Mrs. Clarence (Linda) Fain of Cove, Oregon; and a son Jim and wife Donna Bradley of Lakeside, Oregon; one brother, Virgil Bradley of San Diego; two sisters, Mildred Anderson of Lakeside; Viola Brown of Benkelman; four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, ???? Private family services for Virgil G. Bradley, 70, of 4459 Pivte Place, will be at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow in El Camino Morutary Chapel. Burial will be in El Camino Memorial Park. Mr. Bradley, a self-employed house painter for 15 years died Friday in a hospital. A native of Kansas, he was a county resident for 25 years and was past member of the Painting and Decorating Contractors' Association. He is survived by his wife Irma, and one daughter Beverly and husband Robert Patch, two sons Bradford Bradley and wife Helen, Ronnie Bradley and wife Lynn, and eight grandchildren and two sisters; Viola Brown of Benkelman and Mildred Anderson of Lakeside, Oregon; his niece Doris Brown Hagerstron, of San Diego, California. She made her home with her uncle and aunt for some time before she was married. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1993 BENKELMAN--William C. "Bill" Bradley, son of Earnest and Florence (Castleberry) Bradley, was born March 20, 1908, in Oconto, Nebraska, and died at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska on May 31, 1993, at the age of 85 years. On August 29, 1936, he married Lucille 0. Birt at Prescott, Iowa. To this union three daughters were born: Carol, Jeanine and Charlene. Bill was employed by Burlington Northern Railroad as a signal maintainer for 40 years. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. After his retirement he kept busy working with Gene Jones of Jones Funeral Home, enjoying several trips to Minnesota, Kansas and Iowa to pick up granite. He also enjoyed bowling and playing cards at the Odd Fellows Lodge and other places. Bill was a member of the Benkelman United Methodist Church and a member of I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 361 of Benkelman. He was past Noble Grand and chaplain of the lodge and had been a member of the Methodist choir. Preceding him in death were his parents, three sisters, Lena, Elsie and Cory, and one brother, George. Survivors
include his wife, Lucille of Benkelman; three daughters, Carol and
husband, Dale Larsen, of McCook, Nebraska, Jeanine and husband,
Norman Wallace, of St. Simone Island, Georgia, and Charlene and
husband, Lynn Fanning, of Dallas, Texas; seven grandchildren; seven
great-grandchildren, and a host of friends and relatives. Funeral services were held Thursday, June 3, 1993, at 2 p.m. at the Benkelman United Methodist Church with the Rev. Art Phillips officiating. Gwen Bauer was the organist and Betty Erdman the pianist. Soloist and guitarist was Richard Bartholomew. Vocal selections were "In The Garden" and “The Lord's Prayer." Bearers were Tony Larsen, Rodney Larsen, Robert Nock, Mark Wallace, Todd Wallace and Thomas Josephs. Honorary bearers were members of I.0.0.F. Lodge No. 361 of Benkelman. Committal was by I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 361 with interment at the Benkelman Cemetery. Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman was in charge of arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1977 William Leo Bradley, youngest son of 12 children of William Bradley and Mary Augusta Parkins, was born Oct. 23, 1897, north of Agra, Kans., in the Pleasant Green Community. He passed away Sept. 29, 1977, at the Phillips County Home, Phillipsburg, Kans., after a short illness, at the age of 79 years, 11 months and six days. Bill attended Simmons school. While still a young man, he helped make a home for his mother, sister, Lil, and her two sons, and a niece, Eva Landreth. Bill's life was spent north of Agra, Kans., where he engaged in farming. He dearly enjoyed working the soil as long as he was able. On July 1, 1926, he was united in marriage to Kate Donovan. They spent 44 years together before Katie passed away. To this union was born four children: Delmer, Lyle, Dorothy and Harvey. In 1958 Bill suffered a severe heart attack. He and Kate moved to Agra in 1959 and here he made his home until failing health sent him to the Phillips County Home. Bill was a devoted husband and father. One of his main delights were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, his wife, Kate, stepson Wayne, six brothers and four sisters and several grandchildren. He is survived and will be sadly missed by his sister, Edna Gorocke, his three sons and their spouses, Delmer and wife, Leath L. and Lyle and wife, Doris, Naponee, Nebr., Harvey and wife, Margaret of Ravenna, Nebr., and one daughter, Dorothy and husband, Arnold Zillinger of Logan, Kans.: one stepson Mark Donovan and Kathleen of Stanberry, Mo., two stepdaughters, Blanche Westenhaver of Speed, Kans., and Madge Ackels and husband, Delbert of Seattle, Wash., 29 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews and friends. Mr. Bradley was an uncle of Mrs. Viola Brown, Mrs. Glen Osborn and Mrs. Carl Gunther. Memorial services were held Mon., Oct. 3, at 2:00 p.m. in the 0lliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel with the Rev. J.O. Rosenberg officiating. Furnishing special music was Philip Zillinger with Ann Bushnell as accompanist. Casketbearers were Bill Bushnell, Steven Zillinger, Wayne Lutjeharms, Rick Bradley, Frank Donovan and Wendell Bradley. Interment was in the Germantown Cemetery at Kensington, Kans. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1985 Ronald Dean Bradney, son of Jonas N. and Addie M. (Friend) Bradney, was born May 3, 1930, at Akron, Colorado, and departed this life Sunday, December 30, 1984, at the age of 54. Dean grew up south of Akron. He was a veteran of the Korean War and a member of the American Legion and VFW in Benkelman and the Eagles of McCook. He was united in marriage to Mary Louise Ebbers on April 9, 1952, in St. Peter's Church at Fleming, Colorado. Together they farmed west of Akron for five years. They then moved to Otis, Colorado, and Dean worked for the County Roads Department for six years. In 1965, Dean went to meat cutting school in Toledo, Ohio, and was in the meat cutting business before he bought the meat processing plants at Benkelman and Curtis. Survivors include his wife, Mary; three sons and one daughter, Gary and wife, Barb, of Curtis, David and wife, Betty, of Benkelman, Chris and husband, Steve Berry of McCook, and Brian at home; six grandchildren, Todd, Traci, Heather, Shane, Becky and Jenny; his mother, Addie Bradney of Akron, Colorado; two brothers, Forrest and wife, Aldean, of Akron, Colorado, and Harry and wife, Dogney, of Cheyenne, Wyoming; two sisters, Louise and husband, Raymond Drum, of Akron, Colorado, and Shirley and husband, Dean Ison, of Platner, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his father, Jonas, an infant grandson, two nephews and one niece. In recent years, Dean and Mary enjoyed traveling in their motor home and spending the winter months in Arizona. His most fulfilling times were spent with his children, grandchildren and friends. Services were held Wednesday, January 2, at the Jones Funeral Chapel of Benkelman. Fathers Naughton and Marrama officiated. Betty Erdman accompanied Casey and Kelly Hayward with selections "Walk With Me" and "Life's Railway To Heaven." Bearers were Everett Stute, Wilbur Reiman, Richard Beck, Duaine Todd, Gene Rosenfelt, Bill Bratt, Kenny McDonald, Larry Stute, Clinton Munn, Eldon Hardwick, Wayne Stroup, Eddie Watt, Tom Richards and Loren Becker. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with Committal service by the Martin F. Bowles Post No. 65. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1980 Lloyd R. (Whittie) Bragg was born July 2, 1905 at Grant, Nebraska to Lewis and Florence Bragg and passed away April 17, 1980 at the age of 74 years, 9 months and 15 days in the Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke, Colorado. Whittie was raised at Wauneta, Nebraska, and educated in the Wauneta schools where he was an avid football and basketball player. He was a member of the school's first football team and of the basketball team that went to Lincoln to play in the State Championships. As a young man he moved near Parks to the Pringle Ranch where he began what was a life time of ditch irrigating. While there he met and married Mildred Workman on April 19, 193o in Wray, Colorado. This beautiful relationship lasted 50 years. To this union one child, Fauniel, was born. Whittie and Millie stayed on the Pringle Ranch until they bought a farm of their own west of Haigler where they farmed and raised hogs for 40 years. In 1976 they retired and moved to Haigler where he resided until his death. Survivors are his wife, Millie, his daughter, Fauniel Kramer and husband Sam, two sisters, Opal Kimsey, husband Kim of Geneva, Nebraska, Ellen Mason,. of Denver, a brother Max Fowler and wife Dorothy of Oseda, Michigan, a grandson Bruce Kramer, wife Kathy, a granddaughter Jana Gallegos, husband Ron, 5 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his mother and father, a brother Homer, sisters Grace and Eva and three infant brothers and sisters. Whittle was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed fishing and being with his family. He enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren very much. He was a man who never met a stranger and all who were fortunate enough to know him will carry fond memories of him forever. Services were held Mon., April 21, 1980 at 2:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Haigler, Nebraska with the Rev. Harold Urton officiating. Organist was Kaye Kamla and soloist was Dale Faylor singing "In The Garden" and "One Day At A Time". Bearers were Max O'Dell, Glenn Workman, Neil Peacock, Richard King, Gene Anderson and Ron Akey. Interment was in the Haigler Cemetery, Haigler, Nebraska. Funeral arrangements were conducted by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman, Nebraska. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1951 Mrs. Oscar Crowe returned Sunday from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to which point she had been called on July 26th, to be at the bedside of her aunt, Mrs. Henry Brandner, who passed away at the Byrns hospital in Tulsa after having been a patient there for a week. Funeral services were held in Moore's chapel in Tulsa on Monday and the body was then taken to Atchison, Kansas, where the second service was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday with burial in Mt. Vernon cemetery, services being in charge of the Rev. C. Raymond Buck. Mrs. Brandner was born February 3, 1868, at Halla, Germany, and came to this country when about 15 years of age. She and Henry Brandner were united in marriage July 9, 1893, and lived in Benkelman until 1907, when they moved to Tulsa in the year that Oklahoma gained its statehood. Mrs. Brandner was in her 83rd year when called by death. She had suffered poor health for several years and had undergone numerous operations during that time and had regained her health to the point where she was able to be around and was enjoying reasonably good health until her last illness overcame her. Mrs. Brandner was a sister of Mrs. August Schultz, who with her husband were pioneer residents of Dundy county but who have been deceased for several years, and it was to visit the Schultz family that she first came to Benkelman and where she met her future husband and they married after a short courtship and like her husband, soon became popular with Benkelman people which popularity continued during the years that they lived here and she still held a high place in the esteem of the older generation who knew her in her youth thru the years after they left Benkelman. So far as surviving relatives are concerned, there may still be a niece living in Germany and other than this her only surviving immediate relatives are her nieces, Mrs. Adolph Kutz, Mrs. Haven Hatch, Mrs. Elmer Cannon and Mrs. Oscar Crowe, the latter of whom was with her when the end came. In addition to Mrs. Schultz, Mrs. Brandner had one sister and cne brother, both of whom had. preceded her in death. One surviving niece of Mr. Brandner, Mrs. Katherine Dunn of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was also present at the funeral. Mrs. Brandner was a member of the Eastern Star lodge and attended the Unitarian church. She and Mr. Brandner celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on July 9th of this year. They owned apartment house properties in Tulsa which was the only business enterprise in which they were engaged at the time of her death. Concerning Mr. Brandner, the Atchison Globe said: "Mr. Brandner was born in Atchison, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Brandner, pioneer settlers here. His father at one time owned a large portion of the business buildings on the north side of the 700 block on Commercial Street. The family home was at Seventeenth and Kearney Streets. Mr. Brandner left Atchison in 1887 and lived at Benkelman, Nebraska, until he and Mrs. Brandner moved to Tulsa where their home has been since 1907." The Post is bringing you a picture of Mrs. Brandner during the years that she lived in Benkelman but not in the way we had planned since when "Down Thru the Years" was first planned, Mr. Brandner gave us some interesting data concerning Benkelman in the early days, along with pictures of both he and Mrs. Brandner during, their earlier married life in Benkelman. The "Down Thru the Years" idea came to us in 1940 and it was then that we began gathering such data as we felt would interest our readers and then came the great war and all it involved and we were forced to forego our history for seven years and so much of the data we gathered in the earlier years has never been used up to this time and we were saving it for later installments. And as with the case of Mrs. Brandner, so many have passed out of the worldy picture since then. However, we still have Mr. Brandner's story and his picture and they will become a part of an installment in a later chapter of our historical review. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 2005 Alice (Seitz) Downing Brannan passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005, at the Prairie Senior Living Complex in Colby, Kan. She was 81 years, 2 months and 5 days old. Born on June 26, 1924, in a sod house at Big Timber, Cheyenne County, Kansas, Alice Eva and her twin sister, Anne Veva, joined two single birth children, Rosie and Dorothy, and twins Robert and Violet (Dell) and Bessie and Jessie. Alice was a housewife and mother for many years, living in and around Bird City, Kan. When she joined the employment world, she worked at TRW in Ogallala, Neb., and the hospital in North Platte, Neb. She returned to her beloved state of Kansas and lived in Gem and Colby. She was devoted to her family, enjoyed writing and receiving letters, and adored her cats and kittens. She was a devout Catholic and spent mornings and evenings reading her Bible. Alice was preceded in death by her son, David Downing II; her father and mother, George and Grace (Amsberry) Seitz; sisters Rosie Pettit, Dorothy Johnson, Dell Ditton, Jessie Stroup and Anne Ketler, and a brother, Bob Seitz. She is survived by daughter Cynthia Boling of Goodland, Kan.; sister Bessie Hendrix of Benkelman, Neb.; grandchildren Katie Stark and husband, Ron, who is stationed in Alabama, Misty Tittle and husband, B.J., of Colby, Karla Meissenger and husband, Stan, and Kayla Tatman of Goodland; David Downing III and wife, Krystal, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Keela Becker and husband, Daryl, of Grand Junction, Colo.; 15 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside service was held at Evergreen Cemetery in Kansas on Sept. 2, 2005. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1967 Gale Troy Brannan was born on April 7, 1965, at Yuma, Colorado, to Janet and Gary Brannan. (Gary passed away on October 31, 1967.) Gale went to kindergarten in Yuma. At this time, his mother married Edward E. Felt and Ed became the only father Gale ever knew. The family lived in Aurora, Colorado, for two years. In 1973, just prior to school starting, the family moved to Stratton, Nebraska. Gale was involved in summer baseball, Boy Scouts and enjoyed hunting and fishing. As a teenager, he became a member of the Stratton Methodist Church. In school he was involved in sports, S Club, music, Honor Society, Mock Trial, Boys' State and Voice of Democracy. On Saturdays and all summer he worked at League Builders Supply. After he graduated, he went to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. for two years to become a registered radiology technician. He worked for a group of orthopedic surgeons for almost a year before he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. He worked for the University of Nebraska Student Health Services until the time of his death on Saturday. August 5, 1989. Gale is predeceased by his father, Gary Eldon Brannan, and his grandparents, Martin and Gracie Brannan, Raymond and Marie Brinkmann and Glen Felt. Survivors include his parents, Edward E. and Janet L. Felt; a brother, Gordon Thomas Brannan, all of Stratton; aunts and uncles: Roger and Barbara Felt of Arapahoe, Nebraska, Walter Felt of Hillsdale, Oklahoma, Kenneth Brinkmann of Damascus, Arkansas, Sarah and George Severin of Akron, Colorado, Wendell and Pamela Brinkmann of Castle Rock, Colorado, Caralynn and Dan Appenzeller of Brookville, Ohio, Marilyn Brinkmann of Denver, Colorado, Josephine and Carl Spencer of Gering, Nebraska, Earnest Franklin of Denver. Colorado, Ruth and Allen Dickson of Akron, Colorado, Violet and Calvin Darby of Sterling. Colorado, Glen and Dorothy Brannan of Safford, Arizona, Oliver and Novella Brannan of Miami, Florida, and Marilyn Kelley of Grand Junction, Colorado, and many cousins. He will be sadly missed by the three families he had and many friends. Gale quoted Christopher Morley in his valedictory address saying, “There is only one success: to be able to live your life in your own way." He did just that. A memorial service was held Tuesday, August 8, 1989, at 2 p.m. at the Community United , Methodist Church in Stratton with the Rev. Randy Goeke officiating. Organist was Marjorie Redfield. Wallace Gummere sang "Never Alone" and "Beyond The Sunset." The congregation sang "Children Of The Heavenly Father." Inurnment was in the Akron Cemetery at Akron, Colorado, with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home, Inc., of Stratton. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 2002 GALVESTON, Texas--Gordon Thomas Brannan, 40, formerly of Stratton, Neb., died Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, at the University of Texas Medical Center in Galveston. He was born on Oct. 9, 1961, to Gary E. and Janet L. (Brinkmann) Brannan at Akron, Colo., and attended school in Yuma, Colo., through the third grade. The family moved to Aurora, Colo., where his mother married Edward Felt. In the fall of 1973, when Gordon was in the sixth grade, the family moved to Stratton. He graduated from Stratton High School in 1980. On Dec. 19, 1992, Gordon was united in marriage to Jean Pflum at Kearney, Neb. He worked in the construction trades in Nebraska, Arizona and New Mexico. After his divorce, Gordon continued working in construction, and later worked on a shrimp boat in the Gulf of Mexico region. He was preceded in death by his father, Gary, in 1967; a brother, Gale, in 1989, and his grandparents, Raymond and Marie Brinkmann, Ellsworth and Gracie Brannan and Glen Felt. Those who survive him include parents Edward and Janet Felt of Stratton and aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002, at the Community United Methodist Church in Stratton with the Rev. Norman Prather officiating. Marjorie Redfield was the organist and Carl Philo sang "Beyond The Sunset" and "Whispering Hope." A private inurnment will take place at the Akron Cemetery in Akron. Arrangements were by Forch Funeral Chapel of Stratton. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1987 William Willis Brannan died Tuesday, May 26, 1987, at the Rawlins County Hospital in Atwood, Kansas, at the age of 78 years. He was born near Stratton, Nebraska, on July 14, 1909, to Willis A. and Mary J. Schluckebier Brannan. He was the only son. He was married to Helen J. Stubblefield on August 18, 1938, at Madrid, Nebraska. They made their home on the family farm where he had lived all of his life until retirement in 1973. He and his wife, Helen, moved to Stratton following retirement. Willis was a member of the Community Methodist Church. He was interested in agriculture and was associated with the agriculture program for 42 years, of which he was an officer for several years. Preceding him in death are his parents; one son, James S., and two sisters, Freda M. Reed and Lela C. Burk. Survivors are his wife, Helen of Stratton; daughter, Jeanette, and husband, Terry Ehrisman, of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister, Helen Sharp of Kirwin, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Karen Brannan of Thornton, Colorado; four grandchildren, Sam and Kristy Brannan of Thornton and Annette and Jennifer Carlson of Lincoln; two nieces and two nephews. Services were held Friday, May 29, 1987, at 10:30 a.m. in the Community United Methodist Church in Stratton with the Rev. Dr. John Kilgore officiating. Organist was Marjorie Redfield. Larry Forch Jr. sang the selections "In The Garden" and "Now The Day Is Over." Bearers were Gene Kleinschmidt, Morrison Sutton, Frank Stehno, Robert Forch Jr., James Dailey and Richard Stahly. Honorary bearers were Robert Forch Sr., Paul Clark, Floyd Rath, Wayne Cushing, Reginald Stahly and Wayne Rath. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton. Service was conducted by Jones Funeral Home, Inc. of Stratton, Nebraska. . Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 2003 A memorial mass for Martin Richard "Dick" Brasel, 61, of Ogallala, Neb., was held Monday, Oct. 27, 2003, at St. Luke's Catholic Church with the Rev. John Schlaf officiating. Mr. Brasel died Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at his home. The body was cremated. The Gubser Funeral Home of Ogallala was in charge of the arrangements. The son of Samuel and Lois (Dwine) Brasel, he was born on June 2, 1942, at the family home in Dow City, Iowa. He graduated from Dow City High School in 1960. He moved to Omaha, Neb., and attended business school and, while working at Clarkson Hospital, he met student nurse Beverly Teeple. They were married on Feb. 8, 1964. In 1965, the couple moved to Denver, Colo., and he taught computer classes at the Parks School of Business. Mr. Brasel held several jobs in the 29 years he lived in Denver, working for the Rio Grande Railroad, EMS, Lear Siegler and the Green Mountain Bowling Center. Mr. Brasel was an active member of the Elks Lodge 1777 in Lakewood, Colo. He served as exalted ruler in 1984 and received many awards for his ritual work which included state and district high-point honors two years in a row. He dedicated much time to charities, including Laradon Hall and the Elks National Foundation. He was a board member for Big Brothers and Big Sisters and formed his own charity, Special Needs Foundation. In 1994, he purchased Armstrong's Bait and Gas in Ogallala, running the business with his wife and daughter for four years. He then managed Cornhusker Lanes for three years, continuing his charity work through the bowling alley, sponsoring Big Brothers and Big Sisters bowling tournaments. He also worked for Packard's Power, Odenbaugh's Farms and TAI in Denver. Survivors include his wife, Beverly; a son, Mark, and wife, Maria, and their children, Luke and Laura, of Brighton, Colo.; a daughter, Anne Brasel, of Keystone, Neb.; his mother, Lois Brasel, of Dow City; three brothers: Bryce and wife, Jetty, of Omaha, Jim of Saudi Arabia and Bill and wife, Norma, of Anthon, Iowa; a sister, Barbara, and husband, Don Ross, of Louisville, Neb.; a sister-in-law, Mary, and husband, Gary Bloomgren, of Bayard, Neb.; a brother-in-law, Jim Hardwick, and wife, Janet, of Parks, Neb.; his mother-in-law, Izetta Hardwick, and his father-in-law, Robert Hardwick, both of Benkelman, Neb., and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Brasel. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1997 WHEAT RIDGE, Colo.-- Helen (Hanson) Bratt of Wheat Ridge, Colo., died April 10, 1997, in Lakewood, Colo. She was born July 5, 1905, at Holbrook, Neb., the daughter of William C. and Grace (Clute) Hanson. In 1930, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Bratt at Arapahoe, Neb. In 1970, she retired as an accountant at Gunnison Savings & Loan. She was a volunteer teacher's aide at Pennington Elementary School in Wheat Ridge until she retired in 1994 at the age of 89. She was bestowed the honor of Volunteer of the Year by the state of Colorado in 1987. Mrs. Bratt was a member of St. John Chrysostom Episcopal Church and the Eastern Star. Preceding her in death were her husband and her parents. She is survived by three sisters: Virginia H. Heck of Wheat Ridge, Wilma Grace Powell of North Platte, Neb., and Carol L. Hanson of El Paso, Texas. Berkeley Park Funeral Chapel was in charge of cremation arrangements. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1988 Angela (Reiman) Braun-Linenberger Angela (Reiman) Linenberger Braun was born December 24, 1908, at St. Stephens, Nebraska, to Charles and Katherine (Bolte) Reiman, and died Tuesday, December 13, 1988, at St. Anthony Hospital in Hays, Kansas, at the age of 79. She lived north of Benkelman. Nebraska, during the 1930s. Angie, as she was known to her family and friends, was united in marriage to Alfred Linenberger on August 16. 1929, in Benkelman. Three children were born to this union: Alfred Berdal, Harold C. and Howard W. Her husband died in 1967. On May 5, 1973, she married Dan Braun at Hays, Kansas. She
was a homemaker and a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic
Church She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alfred; seven brothers, Willie, Joseph, William, Charles, Henry, Aloyous "Dick" and Bernard; two sisters, Kathryn and Marie Reining; a daughter-in-law, Mildred Linenberger, and a grandson, Joseph Linenberger. Survivors include her husband who lives at 504 E. 20th in Hays; three sons, Alfred Berdal Linenberger and Harold C. Linenberger, both of Hays, and Howard W. Linenberger of Aurora, Colorado; two stepsons, Gerald and Don Braun, both of Hays; a stepdaughter, Delores McMillin of Hays; four sisters, Elizabeth Lemke and Caroline Kitten, both of Hastings, Nebraska, Dorothy Stearn of Holbrook, Nebraska, and Leona Gestring of Red Cloud, Nebraska; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Thursday, December 15, 1988, at 10:30 a.m. in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hays with Father Carl Kramer officiating. Burial was in St. Fidelis Cemetery at Victoria, Kansas. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 2005 Cameron Gregory Brecka, 2, rural Staplehurst, Neb., died Jan. 6, 2005, at home. He was born on March 11, 2002, in Lincoln, Neb., to Gregory Alan and Casey Jo (Schaefer) Brecka. Cameron loved his family life with his older sister, Addie, and his baby brother, Trevin. Cameron's life was full of joy, play, activity, smiles, laughter, learning and love. He was being raised in the Christian faith at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church in Seward, Neb., and Dwight Assumption Catholic Church. Survivors include his parents, Greg and Casey Brecka, of Staplehurst, Neb.; his sister, Adeline "Addie," and brother, Trevin; grandparents Dana and Tom Schaefer of Garland, Neb., JayDee and Karen Ham of Garden City, Kan., and Elaine and Tony Brecka of Brainard, Neb.; great-grandparents Art and Margaret Schaefer of Garland, Arden and Joyce Ham of Benkelman, Neb., Orville and Carol Jones of Seward and Della Novak of Brainard, and aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral services were held Jan. 10, 2005, at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church in Seward with the Rev. Rand Langhorst officiating. A private family graveside service was at the Seward Cemetery with the Rev. Joe Nemec officiating. Casket bearers were Seth Schaefer, Todd Wilkenson, Phil Shirley, Scott Jelinek, Dan Brecka and Matt Mottl. Honorary casket bearers were Monte Stava and Dr. Tony Monares. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1973 Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 4th for August Breitling at Peace Lutheran Church in McCook with Pastor John Raess officiating. Mrs. Jean Sehnert was the organist and Ronald Carlson, the soloist. Bearers were George Brown, Roy Lewis, Earl Binkey, Don Potthoff, Harold Potthoff and John Isaac. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery. August Breitling was born November 22, 1893 in Kit Carson County, Colorado near Burlington, the son of Phillip Breitling and Caroline Stroble Breitling. At the age of five he accompanied his family to Hagen, South Dakota by covered wagon. At the age of fifteen he accompanied his family to McCook where he grew to manhood. On December 29, 1915 he was united in marriage to Clara Baumbach in Red Willow County, Nebraska. To this union were born two daughters, Ethel Margaret Ball and Ophal Jane Riggs. He is survived by his wife, Clara and daughters, Ethel and Ophal and their husbands, Kenneth of Bertrand and Robert of Stratton; ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; one brother, Jake Breitling of New Plymouth, Idaho, other relatives and a host of friends, He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, John, Gothelf, Fred, Philip, Emanuel and Arndt; sisters, Katherine, Tilly, Christanna, Elizabeth and Pauline. August was a farmer, first farming in Red Willow County until 1928 and then in Hitchcock County until his retirement in 1962. He was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Layman League. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1982 Anna Mae Brennan, a resident of Stratton, Neb., died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 1982, at her home. She was born January 4, 1927, at Akron, Colo., to Jacob W. and Anna M. (Reese) Randall. On May 9, 1947, she was married to John Brennan in St. Francis, Kan. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Altar Society in Stratton. Survivors include her husband, John; eight sons, Bill, Bob, Joe, Buckley and Jake, all of Stratton, Paul of Trenton, and Frank and Kenneth, at home; two daughters, Carol of McCook and Mary Jane at home; her mother, Anna O'Brien of Akron, Colo.; sisters, Mary Homgrim of Salem, Ore., Mrs. Ben (Nadine) Johnson of Riverton, Wyo., Betty Dannar of Akron, Colo., Mrs. Larry (Alice Jean) Webb of Riverton, Wyo., Evelyn Pribble of Salem Ore., and brothers, Bill Randall of Riverton, Wyo., Harry Randall of Riverton, Wyo., Bob Randall of Akron, Colo., Tom Randall of Brooks, Okla., and eight grandchildren. A family rosary was held Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Chapel. Funeral mass was Saturday, Feb. 6, 1982, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stratton, Neb., with the Rev. Conrad Marrama officiating. Organist was Sue Sis and soloist was Larry Hubl with the selections: "How Great Thou Art," "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Amazing Grace." Bearers were John O'Byrne, Dennis Dahnke, Lynn Sutton, James O'Byrne, Robert Roney, Morrison Sutton, Edmund Stehho and Frank Stehno. Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Stratton, Neb., with funeral arrangements by Jones Funeral Home, Inc. of Stratton. Printed in the McCook, NE Daily Gazette, December 16, 2003 Tuesday, December 16, 2003 STRATTON -- Joseph M. Brennan, 53, died Monday (Dec. 15, 2003) at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. He was born April 10, 1950, in Akron, Colo., to John E. and Anna May (Randall) Brennan. He later moved with his family to Stratton where he lived until his passing. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna May Brennan. Survivors include his father, John E. Brennan of Stratton; two sisters, Carol Hanes and husband, Nolen of Trenton and Mary Brennan of McCook; seven brothers, Bill Brennan and wife, Cheryl, Bob Brennan and wife, Linda, all of Stratton, Buck Brennan and wife, Cookie of Cheyenne, Wyo., Paul Brennan and wife, Betty of Grand Junction, Colo., Jake Brennan and wife, Gloria of Culbertson, Frank Brennan and wife, Kristy of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Kenny Brennan of Stratton. Services are Thursday, 10 a.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stratton with Rev. Bernard Lorenz officiating. Inurnment will follow services at Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton. The rosary will be recited Wednesday, 7 p.m. at the church. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be given in his name. Arrangements are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Stratton. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1976 Funeral services were held Monday, July 5, 1976, from the First Christian church in Holyoke, for Nellie Blanche Brethouwer, 80, who passed away July 1, at Sheridan Manor nursing home in Holyoke. Rev. Bob Jackson officiated the services. Interment was in Holyoke Memorial park. The Thompson Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. Nellie Blanche Kimsey was born at Max, Nebr., on June 12, 1896, to Walter and Katie Kimsey. Her childhood was spent in the Max area. April 11, 1914, she was united in marriage to Everett Brethouwer, who had a homestead 14 miles southeast of Holyoke. Four children were born to this union. August 1945, they moved to their retirement home in Holyoke, where they resided until his death on April 1, 1947. Nellie continued to live there until February 1968, when she moved to Sheridan Manor. She was a member of the Assembly of God church. Nellie was the fifth daughter of nine children. She is survived by her four children, a daughter, Wilda Speicher, Holyoke; three sons, Kenneth, Ogden, Utah, Melvin, Imperial, Nebr., Warren, Grand Junction; a sister, Maltilda Powell, Benkelman, Nebr., a brother, George Kimsey, Denver; 12 grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April ???? Everett J. Brethouwer passed away at his home in Holyoke, Colorado, on April 1st and funeral services were held for him on Thursday with interment in the Holyoke cemetery. Mr. Brethouwer was well known to many Dundy county people in his boyhood, coming here with his parents from University Place, Nebraska, in 1908. He was married to Nellie Blanche Kimsey on April 14, 1914, at which time they moved to a homestead near Holyoke where they resided until August, 1945, when they moved to Holyqke which continued to be their home until his death. There were ten children in the original Brethouwer family of which Everett was the eldest. All of his brothers and sisters survive him as do his widow and four children. He was 60 years of age and had been in failing health for some time. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1966 Otto Brethouwer, 77, w ell known retired Holyoke businessman and former mayor, passed away at about 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, December 7, at Melissa Memorial Hospital. Mr. Brethouwer had been in failing health for some time but remained active until a short time before entering the hospital on November 26. Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 10, at the Holyoke Christian Church, with James Dobyns, minister of the church, officiating. Interment was at Holyoke Memorial Park. — Holyoke (Colo.) Enterprise. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1941 Katie Jelsma, daughter of Otto and Ella Jelsma, was born at Pella, Iowa, July 9, 1864 and departed this life at the home of her son, Otto, in Holyoke, Colorado, on Sunday, April 20, at the age of 76 years, 9 months and 11 days. When a young girl she moved with her parents to Holland, Nebraska. She was united in marriage to John B. Brethower, March 4, 1886. To this union 11 children were born. The family moved to Benkelman, Nebraska, in 1909, later moving to Max. Nebraska, in 1913, where she made her home till one month preceding her death, when she moved to Holyoke and where she received loving care. She was preceded in death by her husband, one infant daughter, her parents, two brothers and two sisters. She leaves to mourn her loss six sons and four daughters, namely, Everett and Otto of Holyoke, Colorado; Martin of Denver. Colorado; Tony of Wray, Colorado; John of Imperial, Nebraska; Howard of Benkelman, Nebraska; Ella Main of Benkelman, Nebraska; Lena Rousselle of Max, Nebraska; Sara Rousselle of Benkelman, Nebraska and Esther Brethower of Hastings, Nebraska; twenty-two grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; two brothers, Luke Jelsma of Adams, Nebraska and H. P. Jelsma of Vancouver, Washington. A number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Early in her life she became a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, later transferring her membership to the Methodist church at Max, Nebraska. She was a charter member of the Woman's Missionary Society, and for years she taught the women's Sunday school class. She was a faithful worker in all church activities as long as her health and strength permitted. She was a kind and loving wife and mother, a kind friend and neighbor to all about her and loved by all who knew her. Funeral services were held at Max at 2 p. m. on Wednesday by Rev. Nelson, and interment was in the Benkelman cemetery. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1999 Girda Frances (Woolard) Brethower SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--Girda Frances (Woolard) Brethower, 90, of Springfield died Sunday, July 18, 1999, at the Maranatha Manor in Springfield where she had resided since 1995 following a stroke. She was born Dec. 24, 1908, in Sarcoxie, Mo., to Stephen Lonzo and Sarah Ellen (Hickey) Woolard. At the age of seven, she moved with her family to a homestead in eastern Colorado. She grew up on this homestead and attended country school south of Holyoke. Girda was married to Howard Marvin Brethower on April 21, 1926, in Holyoke. They lived on a farm north of Max, Neb., until 1936, then moved to a ranch eight miles north of Bird City, Kan., where they resided and raised their family of three sons: Leon Arden, Verle Dean and Dale Marvin. In the spring of 1954 they sold their farming equipment, rented the ranch and moved to Nevis, Minn., and purchased the Nevis Hotel. They made a move to Missouri for a time in the 1960s then returned to Nevis. Howard died Sept. 25, 1972. Girda continued to operate the hotel for a short time, then moved to Haxtun, Colo., later moving to Cleveland, Ohio, to care for the children of her son, Dale. She made another move to Kalamazoo. Mich., with Dale and family. In 1983 Girda bought a home in Iola, Kan., and resided there until 1988 after which she relocated to Springfield to be near her son, Dean, and family. Girda loved the outdoors and enjoyed the days of fishing she and Howard had on the lakes in Minnesota. She was a hard worker and enjoyed raising a garden and growing beautiful flowers. She was a good cook and a loving and caring mother and grandmother. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Arda Ann. Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Leon and Shirley, of Bird City, Dean and Lorraine, of Buffalo, Mo., and Dale and Karolyn, of Ada, Mich.; her sisters: Blanche Rouselle of Loveland, Colo., and Pauline Krieger of Greeley, Colo.; a brother, Ahmed Woolard, of Loveland; grandchildren: Janice Brethower of Portland, Ore., Marlin and Jean Brethower and sons, Morgan and Ryan, of Yamhill, Ore., Phil Brethower of Phoenix, Ariz., Larry and Paula Brethower and sons, Logan, Luke and Lee. of Salem, Ore., Rodney and Dorcus Brethower, Hannah, Kyle and Stuart of Lincoln, Mo., Douglas and Ann Brethower, Ashley, Madison and Nate of Elkland. Mo., Russel and Chris Brethower and Jeff of Gig Harbor, Wash., Michelle and Andy Bensky, Alexis and Issac of Scotts Valley, Calif., and Mark and Sandy Brethower and Kristofer of North Salem, N.Y., and many nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial service was held in Springfield on Aug. 1, 1999, for the immediate family and a graveside service was held on Aug. 7 for cremation remains in the Benkelman (Neb.) Cemetery in the Brethower family plot. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1972 Funeral services were held for Howard Marvin Brethower, 69, at the Jones Funeral Home in Benkelman on Saturday afternoon, September 30th at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Allan Marin officiating. LaNeta Anderson was the soloist accompanied by Betty Erdman on the organ. Casket bearers were Guy Main, Daune Rouselle, Mike Pike, Jerry Brethower, Harold Himer and Bernard Speicher. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home. Mr. Brethower spent his youth in Dundy county. He farmed north of Max until 1936 when he purchased a farm in the Big Timber community in Cheyenne county, Kansas, 13 miles south of Benkelman where he, his wife and three sons lived for 18 years. An avid hunter and fisherman, he embarked on a new avocation when he purchased a hotel near Nevis, Minnesota in 1954, and where he lived until his death in Fargo, North Dakota on September 25. His son, Leon succeeded him in the operation of the home place in the Big Timber community. Howard Marvin Brethower was born to John Benjamin and Katrina Jelsma Brethower on October 8, 1902 at Firth, Nebraska and passed away September 25, 1972 at Fargo, North Dakota at the age of 69 years 11 months and 17 days. He attended school in Benkelman and was baptized in the Max United Methodist Church. He was married to Girda Woolard April 21, 1926 at Holyoke, Colorado. Howard Brethower was a man who loved and appreciated his family, his wife and sons, the grandchildren and his sons' wives. He was a man who enjoyed the activities of his family and also loved to hunt and fish. His family will remember him for his interest and love for the family and for his philosophy of life. He enjoyed the hotel business and found great satisfaction in this work. He was preceded in death by his parents, by an infant daughter, Arta Ann and by four brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his wife, Girda: sons Leon and wife, Shirley of Bird City. Kansas, Verle Dean and wife, Lorraine of Buffalo, Missouri, Dale and wife, Karen of Cleveland, Ohio: his grandchildren Janice, Marlin. Philip, Larry, Doug, Rodney, Russell, Mark and Michelle: a brother Tony Brethower of Wray, Colorado. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1930 John Benjamin Brethower was born n Oosberg. Wisconsin on November 10, 1864, and departed this life on May 30, 1930 at his home in Max, Nebraska, at the age of 65 years. 6 months and 20 days. At the age of seven years he moved with his parents to Holland, Nebraska. He was married to Katie Jelsma on March 4th, 1886. To this union eleven children were born, one daughter dying in infancy. He is survived by his wife, six sons, four daughters, one brother, Dr. C. G. Brethower of Montrose, Colorado. fifteen grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. They resided in Lancaster County until 1909. then they moved to Dundy county where they have resided ever since. It was about three years ago when his health began to fail. For the past two months his strength has been gradually failing until death relieved him of his suffering. He was united with the Free Baptist church at the age of twenty-five years. He transferred his membership to the M. E. church of Max, Nebraska in 1914. He delighted in going to church as long as his health permitted. It is sad to part, but now we know your suffering is over, and one by one we will meet you on the other shore. It is hard to part with those we love so dear. but its God's will; so we will not say goodbye. but in that higher clime, bid you good morning. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1977 Shirley Ann Brewer was killed Friday evening February 4, 1977 while riding with a friend. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Ted Brewer of Imperial. She was born January 29, 1961. She spent five months in 1976 living on a farm in Dundy County with her foster parents Mr. and Mrs. Dale Lingo. She attended Benkelman High School. Funeral services were held Monday, February 7, 1977 at 10:30 at the Methodist Church in Imperial. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1957 Mrs. Anna D. Bricker, a resident of this area for a half-century, passed away at her home in Benkelman on Wednesday after an illness of several months during which time it was known by loved ones that recovery was doubtful. She was 82 years of age and .had been a Nebraska resident since childhood. Mrs. Bricker had resided in Benkelman for the past 38 years, having moved here with her husband in 1919 when they had retired from the operation of their farm near Enders. Funeral services were conducted at the Methodist church in Benkelman with Rev. Raymond Sandsted and Rev. Vernon Goff, officiants. Singers were Mrs. Clara McBride and Mrs. Mary McBride with Mrs. Vernon Goff at the organ. Casket bearers were Ronald Bricker, Donald Hoover, Joseph Greene, Jr., Glenard Greene, Carroll Greene and Billy .Pribbeno. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery under the direction of Luhrs & Reynolds. Anna Dora Leach, eldest daughter of Daniel W. and Mary E. Leach, was born August 26, 1874, in New Rutland, La Salle county, Illinois, and passed away at her home in Benkelman, Nebraska, on March 20, 1957, at age of 82 years, six months and 22 days. She moved with her parents to Saline county, Nebraska, and grew to womanhood on a farm near Dorchester. She was married on March 14, 1894, to George W. Bricker of Crete, Nebraska. To this union were born Irvin M. Bricker of Sharon Springs, Kans.; Valma F. Pribbeno, Enders, Nebr.; Vera M. Greene, Imperial, Nebr., and Melba M. Connor, Sacramento, Calif. In 1907 Mrs. Bricker with her husband and family moved to their farm near Enders, Nebr. Here she spent the most aggressive years of her life rearing her family and serving her community. She supported all constructive efforts and was active in organizing the Prairie Rose Union Sunday school in her own community. She became its first superintendent and worked diligently to have every family in attendance every Sunday. She joined the Benkelman Methodist church in 1927 and remained active as long as her health and strength would permit. She was also a fifty-year member of the Royal Neighbors of America. On December 18, 1919, Mr. and Mrs. Bricker retired to Benkelman, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her husband and since that time her greatest interest became the growing of roses. Her devotion to her family, her loyal service to her community and her joy in sharing her possessions with others are the emphatic attributes of her life. She leaves to mourn her departure four children, nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Clara Orton, Minneapolis, Minn., and Mrs. Inez Lindeman, Hastings, Nebr., and one brother, Daniel W. Leach, Hastings, Nebr., a host of devoted friends and other relatives. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1937 George Bricker passed away at five o'clock Wednesday morning at the Imperial hospital following a long illness which developed following a second stroke of paralysis several weeks ago which continued to weaken him until the last. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. G. A. Schwabauer at the M. E. church at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon and burial will be in the Benkelman cemetery. Mr. Bricker was one of the county's most forward-looking and highly esteemed citizens. He was a man of splendid qualities which endeared him to everyone with whom he came in contact and the community mourns with loved ones his departure from among us now. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1991 CHEYENNE WELLS, Colo.--Irvin Monroe Bricker, 94, was born September 15, 1896, at Crete, Nebraska, to George and Anna Dora (Leach) Bricker and died Tuesday, February 12, 1991, at Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. At age 11, his family moved to Wauneta, Nebraska, where he graduated from high school. Irvin was quite a baseball pitcher and many Saturday afternoons were spent playing baseball. In the spring of 1919, Irvin moved to Wallace County with a group of prospective land buyers. He purchased a section of land for $15 an acre. Irvin and Laura Frasier were married on December 24, 1919. They lived on the Bricker home place near Wauneta where Ronald LaVern was born on July 11, 1922. In the spring of 1923, the young Bricker family moved to Wallace County. A daughter, Ileene Marie, was born to them on June 4, 1926. Irvin began converting prairie sod to cultivated land and rented more farmland whenever possible. Laura died August 4, 1927, of appendicitis after giving birth to a son, LaRue, who died at birth. Irvin married Evelyn Stetler, a school teacher, on February 19, 1930. Evelyn assumed the duties as a mother and farmer's wife wonderfully. Irvin was engaged in an extensive farming operation, with additional land purchases throughout the years. He was one of five men who was instrumental in the birth of the Wallace County Co-op and served as a board member and the secretary for 33 years. He served on the Triple A Board, now known as the ASCS, was on the school board, a promoter of the local Farm Bureau, helped Vic Weed to establish the Eastern Colorado Bank and he and Evelyn both helped organize and were the first community leaders of the 4-H Club. Irvin served for 10 years as a board of director for Kansas Farmers' Service of Hutchinson. From 1953 to 1961, he was the Mayor of Sharon Springs. The winter of 1953. the city had its first Christmas lights. During these eight years, the curb and gutter work was done, the first streets were paved and the first mercury lights were installed. Preceding him in death were his parents, George and Anna Dora, his wife, Laura, his son, LaRue, his son-in-law, Don Hoover, and his daughter-in-law, Amelia Bricker. Leaving to mourn his death are his wife, Evelyn; his son, Ronald, his daughter, Ileene; 6 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren; his sisters, Valma Pribbeno, Vera Greene and Melba Conner, many nieces and nephews and many friends. Irvin will always be remembered for his leadership and love for his family and friends. Funeral services were held Friday, February 15, at the United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Wretling officiating and the Rev. Paul McNall assisting. Interment was in the Sharon Springs Cemetery. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1930 Anna Martha (Behlke) Brinkerhoff Mrs. C. W. Brinkerhoff passed away at the family home last Friday morning after an illness covering many months and involving a complication of diseases. The funeral services were held Sunday, being in charge of Rev. H. F. Meyer of the Lutheran church. Short services were held at the home and the funeral service at the Lutheran church in Benkelman. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery. Mrs. Brinkerhoff will be remembered by the older residents of the Benkelman community, having been reared in Union precinct. After living in Colorado for many years, Mrs. Brinkerhoff returned to Benkelman a few years ago and lived here for a time, later moving to Haigler with the family. She was a member of the Behlke family, one of the pioneer and highly respected families of Union precinct. Her girlhood was spent here and from her girlhood days' until the end, she enjoyed the friendship of all who knew her intimately and the highest esteem of the public as a whole and the bereaved husband and children have the tenderest sympathies of hundreds of friends over the county in their great sorrow and loss. Anna Martha Behlke was born at Hyland Park, Illinois, March 1st, 1876, and died at her home in Haigler, Nebraska, June 20th, 1930, age 54 years, 2 months and 19 days. She moved with her parents to Benkelman, Nebraska, during the year 1899 where she met and was united in marriage to Charles W. Brinkerhoff on July 4th, 1900. To this union were born two children both of whom reside in Haigler. Mrs. Brinkerhoff was a kind and loving mother and wife, always very considerate of her, family and at peace in her home. She was always ready to help the sick and needy, and her ready smile and kindly acts to friends and neighbors were proverbial. She leaves to mourn her death, her husband, Charles W. Brinkerhoff; one daughter, Mrs. Elsie M. Drake; and one son, Louis K. Brinkerhoff, all of Haigler; Nebraska; besides one sister and three brothers; and a host of friends. To know her was to love her. She was confirmed in the Lutheran Church in 1897 at Denver, Colorado, and she has continued to believe, in God and to uphold the tenants of the church ever since. During the long months of her illness she had borne up with unusual fortitude, and while loving hands did for her everything possible to ease her pain, it was God's will that she should find relief from her suffering in this, the Eternal rest. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1963 Charles Wesley Brinkerhoff, pioneer Dundy county resident, passed away at the Hester Memorial Home on Friday at the age of 83. He had been a resident of the county since 1890 and for many years served the community as a public official, for a number of years as a deputy sheriff and for 12 years as a county commissioner of District No. 2. He was a resident of Parks for many years and was known for 30 years as one of the outstanding and popular auctioneers of the area. During his long life in the county, he operated grocery stores in both Benkelman and Parks, and was postmaster at Parks for four years. He was a very pleasant man to know and one who continually expressed confidence in the country altho he lived through many of the most trying years this area has known. Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church in Benkelman on Monday, December 23. at 10:00 a.m., with the Rev. Lowell Gaither and Glenn Koons officiating. Carol Lee Wall was the organist and the quartette consisted of Don Harford, Ray Harford, Glenn Kuhns and Dale Faylor. Casket bearers were Malvin Hendrickson, W. H. Brown, Glenard Phelps, Harley Howard, Russell Uphouse and Ted Maranville. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery under the direction of Jay's Funeral Home. Charles Wesley Brinkerhoff was born at St. Joseph, Missouri. on February 24, 1875, and passed away at the Hester Memorial Home, Benkelman, on December 20, 1963, at the age of 88 years, nine months and 26 days. He came to Benkelman and stayed with his grandparents in 1890. His mother and step-father moved here in 1891. Since that time he had lived most of his life in Dundy county. He was married to Anna Behlke July 4, 1900. To this union two children were born, Elsie and Louis. She preceded him in death in 1930. He was married to Retta Dixon in 1931. He was postmaster at Parks, Nebr., from 1915 to 1919. He also ran a grocery store in Benkelman and Parks for a number of years. He spent thirty years of his life as an auctioneer. He served in the office of County Commissioner of Dundy county for 12 years, from 1939 to 1951, and was also deputy sheriff of this county for a number of years. He was a member of the Methodist Church at Parks, Nebraska. His parents, bne sister, one brother and wife Anna preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Retta; two daughters, Irene Van Lieu, Lebbell, Mo., and Elsie Richardson, Wetmore, Colo,: one son, Louis K. Brinkerhoff, Parks, Nebr.; two step-daughters, Lily White, Haigler, Nebr., and Lucille Herring, Galt, Calif.; three grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one half-sister, Pearl Behm, Hoquiam, Wash.; one half-brother, Harrison Weatherman, Hoquiam, Wash., and many other relatives and friends. Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1970 Louis K. Brinkerhoff expired at Joseph's Hospital in Denver on Thursday at the termina- on of an illness which befell him in 1966. He had been hospitalized since October, 1969. He was 65 years of age. Louie was a Parks resident and was dedicated to its institutions and to its history. He had a great interest in the Parks Methodist Church and the fellowship of the Parks Community Club and he enjoyed the recollections and stories associated with the developing of the Dundy County Historical Society. Funeral services were held at Jay's Funeral Home on Saturday morning with Rev. Hiram Lilley officiating. Betty Erdman was the organist and Ray Balderson and Phyllis Kirkman the singers. Casket bearers were Ned Tecker, Rex Roundtree, Max Cline, Marlin Phifer, Gerry Krutsinger and Bob Sidell. Interment was in the Benelman cemetery. Louis Kenneth Brinkerhoff was born at the home of his parents in Indian Creek precinct, Dundy County, Nebraska, on August 13th, 1904. He passed away on June 4, 1970, at St. Joseph's Hospital. Denver. Colorado. Louis was the second child, and the only son, born to Charles W. and Anna Behlke Brinkerhoff. He was baptised at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William F. Behlke, on April 17, 1905, by the Rev. G. A. Spring, Pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Church. Sponsors were Miss Martha Werth, Mrs. John Roemmich and Mrs. Joseph Paul. He was married to Edna Holcomb Melton on December 30th, 1940, at St. Francis, Kansas. His wife passed away on June 5th, 1963. He was preceded in death by his mother, his father, wife and a brother-in-law. He is survived by his sister, Elsie Richardson, Pueblo, Colo.; a half-sister, Irene Van Liew. Quincy. Illinois; his step-mother, Retta Brinkerhoff, Haigler, Nebr.: two step-sisters, Mrs. Herman White and husband, Herman, Haigler, Nebr.; and Lucille Hering, Galt, Calif.: an aunt, Pearl Behm, Hoquiam. Wash.; step-daughter, Verona Rornell, Scottsbluff, Nebraska; step-son. James Melton: two sisters-in-law and husbands. Mr. and Mrs. Floyd E. Griffith. Fort Morgan, Colo.: Mr. and Mrs. Harold Garner, Fort Collins, Colo.; one brother-law and wife, Mr and Mrs. Albert Holcomb, Urbana, Mo.; eleven cousins. nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Louie, as he was always fondIy known, lived for a few years during his youth on a farm near Kirk, Colo. The remainder of his life was spent in Dundy County, Nebr., where he attended school. He was an employee of the Burlington Railroad for many years and had received the 24 year service award pin of which he was very proud. He was forced to retire in 1966 because of ill health. He led a fairly active life until October 31st, 1969, when he entered the hospital and became steadily worse until his death. |
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