G 2- Obits

Graveside services for Anthony Edward Gilstrap, infant son of Wesley and Barbara Gilstrap, were held Monday, March 12, 1984, at Grandview Cemetery. The infant was stillborn March 10, 1984.

He is survived by his father, Wesley, and mother, Barbara; brother and two sisters, Lynn, Larry and Ruth Anne; grandfather, Ed Gilstrap of St. Francis, Kansas; grandmother, Helen Passmore of Wray, Colorado, and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Paul Passmore, and his grandmother, Bonnell Gilstrap.

Ruth Anne Gilstrap was born April 26, 1982, in Wray, Colo., to Wesley and Barbara (Passmore) Gilstrap. She passed away in Brighton, Colo., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2002, after a short bout with pneumonia and rhabdomyolysis.

Ruth Anne is the third of four children. She attended and graduated with the Class of 2000 from Wray Schools.

After graduation she moved to Haxtun, Colo., then to Yuma, Colo., with her brother.

She enjoyed collecting dolphins and Eeyore. She loved looking for old and new friends to run around with and talking to them on the computer. She enjoyed taking care of the young and old alike.

She was a Certified Nurse Aide at Holyoke, Haxtun and a short time at Yuma Life Care.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Anthony; grandparents Paul and Helen Passmore and Bonnell Gilstrap.

She is survived by her parents, Wesley and Barbara, and sister Lynn and husband, Gene Riley, of Haigler, Neb.; brother Larry and special friends April and Tyler Hackett of Yuma; Granddad Ed Gilstrap of St. Francis, Kan.; nephew Justin Gilstrap and niece Natasha Riley of Haigler; uncle and aunts Bob and Kaye Passmore of Omaha, Neb., Pat Carmen of St. Francis, Margaret Sauer of Parker, Colo., and June Odell St. Francis, and a host of cousins and friends.

Services for Ruth Ann Gilstrap were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002, at the New Life Christian Center in Eckley, Colo., with Pastor Glen Kline officiating. Interment was in Grandview Cemetery in Wray. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray was in charge of arrangements.

BIRD CITY, Kan.--Ruth Evelyn Williams was born Dec. 1, 1933, on a farm southwest of St. Francis, Kan., to Dora (Arrants) and Jesse Williams. In this union, she joined her brother, Lyle Francis, and would later be joined by brothers Carl Leroy and Gene Duane and sister Doris Arlene.

She attended Highland School in the Lawn Ridge area of Cheyenne County, Kan., which is the school building now situated on the grounds of the Tri-State Antique Engine and Threshers Show in Bird City. She graduated from St. Francis Community High school in 1951 and just this past :month celebrated her 50th class reunion with her classmates.

On June 21, 1953, she married Louis Lee Gipe in St. Francis, and they just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. They lived in Bird City their entire married life where she worked as a homemaker, at the Bird City Cleaners, and later doing sewing and altering in her home. To this union two sons were born: Larry Alan in 1956 and Dwayne Lee in 1959.

She was an active member of :the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Bird City all of her married life. She derived great joy from spending time with her family, supporting church and community activities, communicating via e-mail with family and friends, traveling, reading and researching her family genealogy. She humbly gave of herself unselfishly for the good of the activities and people with whom she was involved.

She passed to God on Saturday, July 14, 2001, in Colorado Springs, Colo., in the presence of her family following heart surgery. While her heart was one of gold, it was also a heart of mystery due to its anatomical configuration.

She was preceded in death by her parents, nephew Kevin Williams, sister-in-law Ellen Hitchcock and brother-in-law Albert Cormack.

She leaves to celebrate her life: her husband, Louis, of Bird City; sons: Larry and wife, Jody, of North Platte, Neb., and Dwayne of James Creek, Pa.; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; brothers: Lyle and wife, Alvena, of Emporia, Kan., Carl and wife, Connie, of St. Francis and Gene and wife, Sherryl, of Grant, Neb.; sister Doris Meyeres of Great Bend, Kan., special family friend, Lana Krug, of Benkelman, Neb., and a host of relatives and friends.

Services were held at the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Bird City on Wednesday, July 18, 2001. Interment was in the Bird City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Steve Carpenter, Doug Flemming, Lee Amsberry, Leon Brethower, Alan Archer and Gary Leach. Honorary bearers were Florence Peacock, Shirley Brethower, Velda and Radean Wright and Mary and Norman Dorsch.

In her honor, memorials were established for the Immanuel United Methodist Church and the Bird City Public Library.

Harry Lee Gipe died Wednesday, December 20, 1989, at the Cheyenne County Hospital in St. Francis, Kansas, at the age of 88. He was born to Arthur and Maude (Cook) Gipe in Eagleville, Missouri, on February 22, 1901.

Harry spent most of his childhood around Alma, Nebraska. He came to Cheyenne County, Kansas, in 1919 and lived in and around Bird City the remainder of his life.

He married Mary Edna Burr on August 27, 1924, in St. Francis, Kansas. To this union six children were born.

Harry enjoyed sharing his turnip crop each year with those around him. He liked to fish, visit and run errands whenever he could. He especially loved his grandchildren and always enjoyed having them and their children around. He was never one to give up and continued to do his own farming even through this fall's wheat planting.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Hazel, and two great-grandsons.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Edna, of Bird City; five daughters: Lily Ruth Edmonston of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ellen Hitchcock and her husband, Merle, of Aguanga, California, Mildred Bangerter and her husband, Carter, of Bountiful, Utah, Verna Cormack and her husband, Albert, of Long Beach, California, and Leona Ross and her husband, Dean, of Clinton, Utah; one son: Louis and his wife, Ruth, of Bird City, Kansas; one brother. Lawrence Gipe and his wife, Agnes, of Norton, Kansas; three sisters: Mamie Kennedy of Oroville, Washington, Sylvia Breinig of Arapahoe. Nebraska, and Lucille Kennedy of Phillipsburg, Kansas; 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services were held at Kramer Chapel in St. Francis, Kansas, on Saturday, December 23, 1989, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Gene Eshleman of the Bird City Methodist Church officiating.

Pall bearers were Steve Carpenter, Gary Cooper, Troy James, Willard Moore, Lee Amsberry and Wayne Gerver.

Interment was in the Bird City Cemetery. Kramer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Viola M. Girt, pioneer Dundy county woman and highly respected citizen, passed away at the family home in Benkelman on last Friday evening after a brief but very severe illness with pneumonia. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. G. A. Schwabauer at the Methodist church Sunday afternoon immediately following the funeral of Eva DeWester Gilmore. The singers were Mabel Lewis, Nora M. Ratcliffe, Lloyd Boswell and R. D. Druliner with Florence Hopkins accompanying at the piano. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery.

Mrs. Girt came to Dundy county before the Burlington railroad and remained a citizen almost constantly for more than a half century. She was a woman of many loveable qualities and was respected and beloved by all who knew her and her sudden and unexpected death came as a terrific shock to the community.

Viola May Ostrom was born November 7, 1865 at Evans Center, Erie county, New York, When she was about four years of age her parents moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where they resided for eleven years. In 1880 they again decided to go west and moved to Dundy county where they homesteaded at what is now Max, Nebraska, her father later giving the land for the original town site of Max. Not many years prior to this it was the land of the Indians and the buffalo but at this time the cowboys and the big ranches held sway. Indianola was the nearest railroad station and Culbertson was a small inland town where the mail and supplies could be gotten. During the year 1880 the railroad made the survey thru Dundy county and the following year the railroad was built.

In January 1882 she was united in marriage to Charles J. Hickman. foreman of the Circle Ranch. To this union were born two children. Albert Leroy and Katye Elizabeth (Logan). Albert Leroy preceded her in death in September, 1908.

In 1898 she was married to Harry H. Wesley at Leadville, Colorado. She made her home at Leadville, Colorado for several years, returning to her former home about 1903.

For many years Mrs. Girt was postmistress at Max, finally resigning so that she might live on a homestead on which she had filed in Washington county, Colorado.

The ill health of her mother caused her to return to Max to care for her invalid mother which she did with utmost care and devotion.

Mrs. Girt was a member of the M. E. church at Max and when able to attend enjoyed very much to participating in the activities of the church and Sunday school. Ill health caused her to move to Benkelman in May 1934, so as to live with her brother, A. H. Ostrom and to be nearer her daughter, Mrs. Earl Logan and family.

Mrs. Girt loved flowers and beautiful things. A great many hours were spent. in making her home to blossom with beautiful flowers and shrubbery. Her greatest regret in leaving Max was that she could not take it all with her. Having lived as a pioneer thru the early history of the county and progressing with it thru the succeeding years gave her love and a sympathy of understanding for her friends and fellow men. No one who ever needed a friend could help but feel her desire to help them. Her cheery nod and smile were always the same.

She was taken ill with pneumonia the evening of April 18th and passed away about 10:20 a. m. April 24, 1936, aged 70 years, 5 months and 17 days. All that medical care and the devotion of loved ones could do were done for her but the Master had need of her and called her home. ;

She leaves to mourn her loss a brother, Katye E. Logan, three grandchildren, Blanche and Florence Logan and Alberta Foster, and two great grandchildren, besides other relatives and many friends.

Mina MayBelle Minton, daughter of Nellie and William Minton, was born January 30, 1920, and passed away March 15 at the hospital in Pueblo, Colorado, at the age of 65 years, 1 month and 18 days.

She leaves to mourn her husband, Roy Givins; her sons, Ronnie Keenan and James Keenan, daughters, Janice Walker, Lenora Jensen and Nancy Shelton, and their families; her mother, Nellie Snyder of Benkelman; sister, Wylene Brown of Benkelman; brother, Calvin Minton of Pittsburg, California; and her brother, Grant Minton of Wood River, Nebraska.

Services will be held in Castle Rock, Colorado, with burial in the Castle Rock Cemetery Thursday, March 21, at 2 p.m.

BENKELMAN—Harold Arthur Glasco, age 77, of Benkelman, Nebraska, died Thursday, August 26, 1993, at his son's home in rural Bayard, Nebraska.

He was born March 3, 1916, n Goodland, Kansas, to John W. and Fern (Miller) Glasco.

He was a dairy farmer and raised livestock and wheat in Cheyenne County, Kansas. After moving to Benkelman he was custodian at the Dundy County Courthouse and circulation manager for the Denver Post.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in Benkelman.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his first wife, Minnie Mae Glasco; a son, Alan; a grand son, Travis Glasco; a brother, John Glasco; a sister, Dorothy Kamla, and two brothers-in-law, Joseph Pancake and Forrest Lovelace.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Benkelman; three daughters: Jan and her husband, Jan King, of Twin Lakes, Michigan, Rosemary and her husband, Tom Blair, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and Ann and her husband, Michael Sullivan, of Rochester, Minnesota, and eight sons: Larry and his wife, Grace, of Roy, Utah, Tom and his wife, Laura, of Cody, Wyoming, Jim and his wife, Alice, of Bayard, Nebraska, Clair of Colorado Springs, Colorado, John and his wife, Debra, of Stratton, Nebraska, Robert of Benkelman, Paul and his wife, Heather, of Benkelman and Mark of Denver, Colorado.

He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; a brother, Glenn Glasco and his wife, Millie, of Bird City, Kansas; two sisters: Vada Pancake of Colby, Kansas, and Barbara Lovelace of Goodland, Kansas, many other relatives and friends.

Mass of the Christian Burial was Monday, August 30, 1993, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Mark Pfeiffer as celebrant.

Marjorie Redfield was the organist. Congregational musical selections were "Gift Of Finest Wheat," "I Am The Bread Of Life" and “The Strife Is O'er."

Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with arrangements by Jones Funeral Horne of Benkelman.

Correspondence will reach Mrs. Mary Glasco at PO Box 614, Benkelman, NE 69021-0614.

John William Glasco, son of William and Mary Glasco, was born March 5, 1896 at Clifton, Kansas, and passed away April 25, 1976, at Dundy County Hospital, Benkelman, Neb., at the age of 80 years, one month and 20 days.

He was married to Fern Miller, May 26, 1915 at Stockton, Kansas. To this union nine children were born. He was engaged in farming all of his life making his home most of those years in Cheyenne County, south of Bird City. During the time of raising a family, he attended the Center Church and after retiring and moving to Bird City, he attended the United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Fern and six children: Harold and wife Mary, Benkelman, Neb., Vada and husband Joseph Pancake, Atwood, Barbara Loveland, Goodland, Glenn and wife Millie, Bird City, Dorothy and husband Clarence Kamla, Bird City, Rex and wife Mary Ellen, Tucson, Ariz., a daughter-in-law, Lavaughn Glasco, Goodland, a brother George and wife Lydia of Denver, Colo., 22 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, his son, John A. Glasco, a son and a daughter who died in infancy and a grandson and a granddaughter.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.– Travis Ryan Glasco, the 18-year-old son of Clair Peter and Bonnie Jean (Fries) Glasco, died July 18, 1992, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born August 1, 1973, in Kearney, Nebraska.

He was a student at Doherty High School in Colorado Springs and a resident of that area since 1989 at the time of his death.

Travis was a member of the Holy Apostles Church, played hockey at Doherty High School and enjoyed the mountains, camping, biking and hiking.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Jake Fries, of Culbertson. Nebraska.

Survivors include his parents, Clair and Bonnie, one sister, Trishell, and one brother, Nicholas, all of Colorado Springs, and grandparents Harold and Mary Glasco of Benkelman, Nebraska, and Leila Fries of Culbertson.

Services were held Wednesday, July 22, at 9 a.m. at the Holy Apostles Catholic Church in Colorado Springs with the Rev. Mike Butler officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery with arrangements by the Evergreen Funeral Home.

Memorials in Travis' name may be mailed to Clair and Bonnie Glasco, 5640 Wilkerson Pass Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80917.

Philip A. Glassman, a teacher in the Benkelman Schools during the late 1970's, died unexpectedly on Saturday evening, November 8, 1986, at Topeka, Kansas.

Mr. Glassman was born September 29, 1951, in Hays, Kansas. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service at Topeka at the time of his death.

Phil taught at schools in Maywood, Benkelman, Hays and Salina before joining the postal service.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Kim, Kelly and Kendra; parents, Eugene and Marguerite Glassman; sisters, Mary Nething and Martha Lang, and a brother, Steve Glassman.

Mr. Glassman's wife, Linda, is originally from Benkelman. Her parents are Al (Bunt) and Irene Reining.

Wake services for Mr. Glassman were scheduled Tuesday evening, November 11, at Brocks Funeral Home in Hays, Kansas.

The Funeral Mass will be today (Wednesday, November 12) at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays, beginning at 11 a.m. (CST). Burial will be in Hays.

Memorials for Phil may be left at Farm & Home in Benkelman, or they may be mailed to the Glassman Family at the home address: 2110 Northwest 50th, Topeka, KS 66618.

ST. FRANCIS. Kan.– Junior Clarke "J.C." Gleason died Friday, September 18, 1992, at the Cheyenne County Hospital in St. Francis, Kansas.

J.C. was born October 8, 1925, to P.C. and Cora (Palmer) Gleason on the family farm south of Bird City, Kansas. He attended Mt. Pleasant School and graduated from Bird City Rural High School in 1943. He joined the U.S. Navy in November of that year and served until April 1946.

On August 22, 1946, he and Leila Crawford were married in Atwood, Kansas. In March 1966, their lives were brightened when Tim and Teresa came to make their home in Bird City.

After his graduation in 1954 from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, where he was a member of Kappa Psi and Rho Chi fraternities, J.C. returned to Bird City and worked at C.C. McMillen Rexall Drug until June 1958 when he purchased the store and it became J.C. Gleason Drug.

He worked at Reade's Rexall Drug in Benkelman, Nebraska, from August 1980 to November 1988. He continued working as a pharmacist until September 1989 when he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

In May 1969, J.C. entered Valley Hope Treatment Center at Norton, Kansas, and was active in AA as long as he was able.

J.C. was a member of the Immanuel United Methodist Church and served in several capacities, including administrative board, council on ministries and pastor parish relations committee. He was involved in the community as mayor, councilman, Bird City Hospital board member, on the housing commission and in the Community Club. He was active in the Everett L. Nelson American Legion Post No. 352 of Bird City.

J.C. was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Lloyd, Bill and Joseph, and his sister, Erma.

Survivors include his wife, Leila; his son, Timothy of Washington, D.C.: his daughter, Teresa and husband Kenneth Talkington of Lawrence, Kansas; his grandchildren. Timothy Talkington of Lawrence, Chad Gleason of Jennings, Kansas. Christine Nelsen. Tabi Talkington and Andrea Nelson, all of Lawrence; his sisters, Frances Gleason and Louise Sawyer and husband Howard: his brothers. Tom and wife Marvel, Claude and wife Betty and Clyde and wife Wilma; his in-laws. Ralph and Minnie Crawford; his sisters-in-law, Ida Gleason of Port Angeles, Washington, and Norma Molle of Mission, Kansas; brothers-in-law, Loyd Crawford and wife Pat of Overland Park, Kansas, and Ray Crawford and wife Jan of Blue Springs, Missouri, and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Services were held Monday, September 21, 1992, at 10:30 a.m. in the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Bird City. The Rev. Gene Eshleman officiated with Marlene Young providing the organ music.

Bearers were Martin Busse. Norman Dorsch. Lee Amsberry, Jack Maring, George Kruse and Hal Sager. Honorary bearers were pharmacist friends and relatives Jan Crawford, Kimberly Dinkl age, Dick Getty, Darrel Jones. Pat McCullough and Bill Reade.

Burial was in the Bird City Cemetery with Kramer Chapel in charge. Everett L. Nelson American Legion Post No. 352 conducted the military service.

OGALLALA (from the Keith County News)--Services for former Ogallala (Neb.) Mayor D.L. "Pudge" Glenn, 88, were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct, 15, 1999, from the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ray Norris officiating. Burial was in the Ogallala Cemetery. Arrangements were by Draucker Funeral Home.

He was born on Aug. 4, 1911, in Hildreth, Neb., the son of Berlin and Bessie (Currant) Glenn. He received his early education in Hildreth and graduated from the Curtis (Neb.) School of Agriculture in 1929. He then attended Hastings (Neb.) College, graduating in 1933.

Mr. Glenn began his coaching career in Haigler, Neb., and coached in Bloomington, Alliance, Culbertson and Columbus. He was a coach with the Ogallala Public Schools from 1953 to 1955.

He was elected to the Ogallala City Council in April 1962 and was appointed mayor the following year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Donald E. Lenker. In 1964, he was elected mayor, serving until 1966.

Mr. Glenn was the Human Resources director at TRW in Ogallala for 25 years, retiring in 1976. He served as secretary of the Ogallala Rotary Club for 37 years and had perfect attendance for 36 years. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge No. 174 of Culbertson and Masonic Lodge No. 323 at Columbus. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ogallala.

He was preceded in death by a brother, H.A. Glenn. Survivors include his wife, Florence, of Ogallala; a daughter, Marilyn Glenn, of Keystone, Neb.; a son, DeWayne Glenn, and wife Sharon, of Denver, Colo.; a sister-in-law, Etta Glenn, of Hildreth, and two grandchildren: Megan Glenn and Lisa Glenn, both of Boulder, Colo.

Robert Charles Glenn, a resident of the Haigler community. passed away at the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital on Sunday night of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on an icy overpass south of Gothenburg on Wednesday. He was 32 years of age.

Mr. Glenn was a passenger in one of the two automobiles involved in the accident which claimed two other lives. The two other victims were Pamela S. Armagost of Cozad and Robert Strickland, 24, of Gothenburg. They were passengers in a car driven by Irene Harvey, 19, of Cozad which was northbound on Highway 47 at the Interstate 80 interchange. The State Patrol said that the Harvey car apparently went out of control on the icy highway and slid into the car driven by Ralph G. Widlick, 34, of Farnum in whose vehicle Glenn was a passenger. Widlick was hospitalized in Kearney and Glenn. and Miss Harvey were hospitalized in Gothenburg.

Mr. Glenn is survived by his widow, Elizabeth (Wheaton) Glenn and three children, Paul, Richy and John of Haigler; his parents, Tom and Nellie Glenn of Haigler and his sister, Mrs. Verla Adamson of Laird, Colorado.

Funeral services were arranged by the Jones Funeral Home for Thursday afternoon at two o'clock at the United Methodist Church in Haigler with the Rev. Hiram Lilley officiating. Interment will be in the Haigler Cemetery.

Sylvia E. Sales Goddard was born in a dugout in Western Chase County on August 25, 1887. She was the daughter of Edwin and Ella Sales. Her father had come to Chase County, Nebraska, from the Eastern part of the state and had taken a homestead in 1886. Because of hard times, her parents decided to leave Chase County in May of 1894, as did many other pioneers. When they got as far as the Ozarks, the cows pulling the covered wagon became lame and they had to sell them. Her father became discouraged and they turned back and settled in South Sioux City, Nebraska, in July of 1894. In late 1899 the family returned to Chase County in a covered wagon.

Sylvia started to school at the age of four because her mother didn't want her six-year-old brother, Ray, to have to walk a mile and a half alone. Later she had a teaching certificate and was teaching school before she was 17 years old by attending institutes and passing tests.

She was married to Frank Goddard on October 20, 1907. They lived in Dundy County the first year and then they purchased a farm west of Champion where they lived and worked for 35 years. Five children were born: Pearl, Ross, Russell, Ralph (who died in infancy) and Roland. Helen joined the family by adoption in August, 1932, at the age of four.

Sylvia was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints December 20, 1914, on a blizzardy day. She was a diligent, faithful worker, teaching classes, directing plays, playing the piano, cleaning the church or whatever needed to be done.

Sylvia was a very gifted and talented woman. She played the harmonica, entertained her children and grandchildren with both serious and humorous songs. She created toys out of wood for Christmas presents. She was unequaled as a cook and she loved sewing.

She made her own white silk wedding gown and sewed for her mother, sisters, her children and grandchildren. She even upholstered couches and chairs. She loved people and her home was a haven because she made everyone feel so welcome.

In 1942 Sylvia and Frank moved to Imperial where they lived for 33 years until Frank's death December 30, 1974. While in Imperial, Sylvia served her church and the community. Several of her grandchildren lived in the Goddard home while attending high school. She helped them in their studies and supported their activities.

In June of 1975 Sylvia moved to Ogallala and lived with her daughter, Pearl, and son-in-law, Harold Fitzwater, for 10 years. Then Sylvia had to resort to a wheelchair so she moved to the Imperial Manor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, three sisters and an infant son.

She leaves to mourn her passing a daughter, Pearl Fitzwater, and husband, Harold, of Ogallala; sons: Ross and wife, Arlene, of Benkelman, Russell and wife, Ruth, of Champion and Roland and wife, Virginia, of Independence, Missouri; Helen Madden and husband, Clarence, of Indianola; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was a wonderful mother and a very loving grandmother. She had many, many friends. Had she lived 37 more days she would have attained the age of 100.

Services were held July 21, 1987, at the R.L.D.S. Church in Imperial with Elder Bernerd Buchanan officiating. Music was provided by Jean Newman. organist, and Jerry Goddard, soloist. Escorts were her grandsons. Interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery with Creveling Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Anthony Wayne Goddard came into this life on Aug. 12, 1975 at Holyoke, CO to Anita and Robert E. Goddard and was taken on July 1, 1980 at the tender age of 4 years, 10 months and 18 days at his home in Morrill, NE.

Anthony and family moved from Holyoke to Scottsbluff, NE on Sept. 2, 1979 and on to Morrill in October the same year.

Anthony was blessed as an infant in the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints in Imperial, NE.

Anthony leaves to mourn his passing his parents, Robert E. and Anita (Stagemeyer) Goddard and sister Samantha Marie of Morrill.

Grandparents Doris Pettit and step-grandfather Loyd Pettit of Benkelman; Roland and Virginia Goddard of Morrill; three great grandmothers, Mrs. Mable White of Oxford, NE, Mrs. Sylvia Goddard of Ogallala, NE and Mrs. Hazel Jones of Cour D'alene, Idaho.

Several aunts, uncles and cousins: Raedine and Stan Unruh and son Richard of Lakewood, CO; Patricia Stagemeyer and Tom Pettit of Benkelman; Don and Sherrie Goddard and son Tod and daughter Jammie of Kalispell, MT; Connie and Don Dike and

Great aunts and uncles: Chester White of Oxford, NE; Marg and Rhody Munsen of Bugly, MN; Ross and Arlene Goddard of Benkelman; Russ and Ruth Goddard of Imperial.

Services were held at the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Torrington, WY. on July 6, 1980. Interment was at Valley View Cemetery of Torrington, WY.

Officiating was Elder G. Merlin O'Haver. Soloist was Paggie Davis of Holyoke. Organist was Jean Newman of Ft. Collins, CO. Pallbearers were Tom Pettit of Benkelman, Don Dike, Morrill, Lanny Peckham of Holyoke, CO and Stan Unruh of Lakewood, CA.

Anthony fell into the irrigation ditch near his home on July 1, 1980 and was not found until July 4, at about 30 miles from where he fell in.

Frank Edward Goddard was born December 7, 1883 near Creston, Iowa. He was the son of Ira and Minerva Goddard.

Frank was three when his family came by train to Benkelman and then by wagon to their homestead located six miles west and two miles north of Champion. There he grew to manhood.

Frank was married to Sylvia Sales on October 20, 1907. To this union five children were born: Pearl, Ross, Russell, Ralph (who died in infancy), and Roland. Helen joined the family by adoption in August 1932 at the age of four.

Frank was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints January 27, 1924 and was ordained to the priesthood June 1926. His family and the church were uppermost in his life.

In 1942 Frank and Sylvia left their farm five miles west of Champion and moved to Imperial. There Frank worked for the Co-Op Oil Company until he was 72 and for the sale barn until he was 85.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Zeta Holmes, Iva Goddard, Arie Banks, and two brothers: Harry, Jeff and Earl.

He leaves to mourn his loving wife Sylvia, Pearl Fitzwater and husband Harold, Ross and wife Arlene, Russell and wife Ruth, Roland and wife Virginia, Helen Madden and husband Clarence; eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and many relatives.

Funeral services were held January 2 at the R. L. D. S. Church in Imperial with William McCurry and Bernard Buchanan officiating.

Music was provided by Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Bauerle accompanied by Mrs. William McCurry, organist.

Escorts were Darrell Fitzwater, Jerry Goddard, Robert Goddard, Collyn Goddard, Jan Newman and Terry Schleeman.

BENKELMAN—Frank Ross Goddard was born to Frank E. Goddard and Sylvia E. (Sales) Goddard on February 9, 1910, on a farm six miles west and south of Champion, Nebraska.

Ross died on Thursday, September 20, 1990, in the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska, following a long illness.

He started his education in the Crete Country School at the age of four and one-half years so he could go to school with his sister, Pearl.

He graduated from Chase County High School in 1928. He went to Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, and received his teaching certificate. He taught school in Chase County for several years.

He worked as a cashier in the bank in Imperial and also was assistant manager and buyer at the J. C. Penney store in Imperial.

On April 12. 1936, he was united in marriage to Arlene Comp at the United Methodist Church in Presho, South Dakota. Two children came to bless their home: a daughter, Cheryl, and a son, Collyn. They bought a farm south and west of Champion and lived there for 20 years.

In 1956. they moved to Lexington, Nebraska, where Ross was associated with the Lexington Livestock Commission. In July 1959, they moved to Benkelman where he had a partnership in the west Benkelman Sale Barn.

The partnership was dissolved in 1962. Ross worked for Sweet Lassie Feed Company for several years and then managed the Benkelman Co-Op Elevator until 1978 when he had a heart attack.

His wife, Arlene, worked at the Hester Memorial Nursing Home and Ross enjoyed going to the nursing home and visiting with the residents. He would push them around in their wheelchairs and play bingo and cards with them.

The last year and nine months of his life he spent in the Hester Memorial Nursing Home.

Ross was baptized and joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, where he was an active member and belonged to the Priest Hood.

Ross had a lot of hobbies--he liked to fish and do oil painting. When he was a young man he did chalk talks for different activities. He played softball with the Bumble Bees at Champion.

He was preceded in death by his parents. a daughter. Cheryl, and a brother, Ralph.

Survivors include his wife, Arlene, of Benkelman, and two sons, Collyn of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Marvin and his wife, Kim, of Las Vegas. Nevada.

Also surviving are four grandsons: one granddaughter and one great-grandson: two sisters, Pearl, and her husband. Harold Fitzwater, of Ogallala, Nebraska, and Helen and her husband, Clarence Maddam, of Indianola, Nebraska: two brothers, Russell and his wife. Ruth, of Champion, and Roland and his wife, Virginia, of Independence, Missouri, many other relatives and friends.

Services were held Monday, September 24, 1990, at 10 a.m. at the Jones Funeral Chapel with Elders Stanley Smith and Harold Fitzwater officiating.

Jean Newman was the organist and Jerry Goddard was the soloist. Selections included “The Lord's Prayer" and “There Will Be Peace In The Valley."

Bearers were Troy Morrell, Ryan Morrell. Roger Prideaux. Robert Prideaux. Rod Wiese and Keith Neville.

Interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery at Imperial. Nebraska. with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman.

ALVA, Okla.--Woodie Pine Goddard, the son of Samuel Fred and Nettie Maude (Steele) Goddard, was born April 29, 1920, at Benkelman, Neb., and passed away Monday, Nov. 2, 1998, at the Share Medical Center in Alva, Okla., at the age of 78 years, 6 months and 3 days.

Woodie attended rural school in Nebraska. On April 29, 1941, he was united in marriage to Janet E. Einspahr by Judge Adams at the county courthouse in Imperial, Neb. They lived in several places across the country until about 30 years ago when they moved to Alva.

During his lifetime, he engaged in farming, gasoline delivery, railroad work and concrete work and was a maintenance man. His favorite occupation was baking which he did until his health forced him to quit.

Woodie was a member of the Alva Church of God and the Moose Lodge. He was an avid fisherman.

Preceding him in death were his parents; three brothers: Joy, Graden and David; four sisters: Lorna Furr, Dortha Kay, Eva Shoemaker and Doris Messman, and two great-grandchildren.

Woodie is survived by his wife, Janet, of Alva; a son, Hank Damrow and his wife, Geri, of Cheney, Wash.; a daughter, Donna and husband, Jack Morgan, of Alva; and three sisters, Myrtle Fifield of Woodward, Okla., Greta and her husband, Floyd Morgan, of Ponca City, Okla., and Noma and her husband, Dick Files, of Duncan, Okla.

He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Terri and Richard Snyder of Oklahoma City, Okla., Felix Morgan of Pensacola, Fla., Vance and Robin Morgan of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., Janet and Brian Venosdel of Alva, Karen and Bob Foster of Belton, Mo., Dara and Clay Worth of Blue Springs, Mo., Dan and Lori Sue Damrow of Jacksonville, N.C., Maxine and Dale Ammons of Doyline, La., Tina and Ron James, Camille and Bob Watson, Valarie Aubuchon and Jeffery Thornton, all of Spokane, Wash.; 23 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and other relatives, and friends.

Final rites for Woodie Goddard were held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998, at the Alva Church of God with Pastor Bob Brown officiating. Debbie Brown was the organist and Mary Reynolds sang "In The Garden" and "How Great Thou Art." Casket bearers were Rick Baker, Dorsey Redd, Graden Fifield, Sam Booth, Bill Goddard and DeWayne Morgan.

Interment was in the Alva Municipal Cemetery with arrangements by Marshall Funeral Home of Alva.

Fred L. Golden was born August 14, 1903, in Denver, Colorado, to Will and Lily (Strobridge) Golden. He died August 28, 1989, at the Sierra Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, at the age of 86.

His early life and education were spent in the Denver area. His vocational expression found its fulfillment in the construction field which he pursued first in the Denver area and later on the West Coast.

He retired in the early '70s to the El Paso area where he could be near the family of Roy and Edna Mathews.

Throughout his life, Fred was active in the church and in his retirement found full expression as a member of Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of El Paso. He served as deacon, was active in the men's fellowship, as well as regional activities of the church which encompassed New Mexico and Texas. Fred was active in the denomination's regional ministry known as Tres-Rios (Three Rivers) which served as a retreat, conference and educational center.

In April of 1989, he was honored by Bethany Christian Church with the office of Deacon Emeritus.

He was preceded in death by his parents and is mourned by many cousins and friends. Edna (Mrs. Roy) Mathews of McCook and Mrs. Fern Rogens of Greensburg. Kansas, are his closest surviving cousins.

Services were held Thursday, August 31, at Bethany Christian Church in El Paso. A. graveside service was held Saturday, September 2, at 1 p.m. at the Benkelman (Nebraska) Cemetery with the Rev. Philip Ewert officiating.

Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with services conducted by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman.

Lena Belle Golding, daughter of Bert and Bertha Welch, was born December 13, 1900, near Stratton, Nebraska. She died October 13, 1987, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska, at the age of 86 years and 10 months following an extended illness.

She was united in marriage to Clarence Emery Golding on March 3, 1920, at Trenton, Nebraska. They attended the Christian Union Church for many years.

Emery and Lena farmed until their retirement in 1952 when they moved into Stratton.

They enjoyed fishing and gardening during their retirement years. Their roses and flowers were a joy not only for them but for the people who passed by their home.

Lena devoted herself to her family and her home. Her quilts and crocheted items were gifts of love to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband and one brother, Everett Welch.

She leaves to mourn her passing, two sons: Donalane and wife, June, and Burdette and wife, Zelpha; one daughter, Redonda Latta, and husband, Bert, all of Stratton; ten grandchildren: Dan and Cathy Golding of Fairfax, Iowa, Dick and Lode Golding of Fort Morgan, Colorado, Kathy McHugh and Galen of Alda, Nebraska, Jane Dadey and Ed of Marquette, Nebraska, Bob and Paula Golding, Scott and Betty Golding, Ann and Lynne Sutton, Jerry and Diana Latta, Lynn and Sandra Latta, and Todd and Janet Latta, all of Stratton; 21 great-grandchildren and one brother, Dale Welch of Pueblo, Colorado.

Services were held Saturday, October 17, 1987, at 10:30 a.m. at the Christian Union Church in Stratton with Pastor Philip Sorensen officiating.

Beverly Henderson was the organist. Wallace Gummere sang the selections "Rock Of Ages" and "Beyond The Sunset."

Bearers were the grandsons: Bob Golding, Scott Golding, Lynn Latta, Dick Golding, Dan Golding, Jerry Latta, Todd Latta, Lynn Sutton, Ed Dadey and Galen McHugh.

Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton. The funeral was conducted by Jones Funeral Home, Inc. of Stratton.

Clarence Emery Golding was born June 17, 1900 near Nelson in Nuckols County, Nebr., the son of Clarence and Jennie Smith Golding. He entered into eternal life March 5, 1978 at the age of 77 years, 8 months and 18 days. In 1907 he moved to Harvard, Nebr. with his family where in 1915 he was baptized in the Christian Church. He came to the Stratton area in 1918 and was united in marriage to Lena B. Welch at Trenton, Nebr. on March 3, 1921. To this union three children were born.

Emery, as he was known to family and friends, was engaged in farming south of Stratton for many years.

In 1952 he and his wife moved into town where his main hobby was raising flowers and gardening. Emery was known to many for his beautiful red roses. He served as a board member of the Federal Land Bank Association for several years. He received an award tor fifteen years of outstanding service rendered to the Stratton Public Schools as custodian and bus driver.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lena, two sons, Donalane and wife June and Burdette and wife Zelpha. One daughter Redonda Latta and husband Bert all of Stratton, one sister, Mrs. Blanche Kramer of Tribune, Kans., one brother, Ira Golding of Greeley, Colo., 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother-in-law, Kenneth Buck of Tribune, Kans. and one sister-in-law, Mrs. Elsie Golding of Greeley, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Helen and one brother, Ivan.

Emery was a devoted and loving husband and father and he spent some of his happiest hours surrounded by his loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed very much the laughter and communications of the many school children whom he came to know and with his many relatives and friends.

STRATTON -- Donalane W. Golding, 78, of Stratton, died Wednesday (March 9, 2005) at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman.

He was born April 2, 1926, to Clarence Emery and Lena Belle (Welch) Golding in his grandparent's home southwest of Stratton. He attended country school near his home through the eighth grade. He then farmed and he eventually started to farm for himself in 1946.

He married June Marie Lawson of Benkelman on June 6, 1948 in Trenton. To this union three children were born, Don Emery, Dickie "Dick" Wayne and Kathy Jean. The couple bought the place his granddad and grandmother Welch built. They have lived in this home for over 53 years. In 2004, when farming became more and more difficult for him, the couple sold their farms.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emery and Lena Golding; his grandparents; in-laws; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Survivors include wife, June Golding of Stratton; his children, Dan Golding and wife, Cathie of Walker, Iowa, Dick Golding and wife, Lorie of Brush, Colo., and Kathy McHugh and fiancé, Harvey Hyde of Lincoln; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Redonda Latta and husband, Bert of Stratton; and brother Burdette "Stubb" Golding and wife, Zelpha, also of Stratton.

Funeral services are Monday, 2 p.m., at the Christian Union Church in Stratton with Rev. Steven Kellett and Johnny Walker officiating. Interment will follow services at Rose Hill Cemetery near Stratton.

FORT MORGAN, Colo.-- Wynona (Laumann) Goldsworth, 72, died Saturday evening, April 2, 1994, from injuries sustained in a two-car accident near Kersey, Colorado.

She was born March 7, 1922, in Cheyenne County, Kansas. The Laumann family moved from Kansas to Southwest Nebraska when she was a child and they lived in the communities of Benkelman, Trenton and Max.

In 1944 she was married to Vern Goldsworth in Nebraska. They made their home in Nebraska before moving to Fort Morgan, Colorado, in 1950. Her husband, Vern, died April 10, 1977.

She was employed for a short time at the El Rancho Motel and Ben Franklin stores and then as a cook for School District Re-3 until her retirement.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, past worthy matron of the Order of Eastern Star, a member of the Skirts and Shirts Square Dancers and had traveled to national square dance event.

For two years during the summer breaks at the schools, she had cooked at a youth camp near Estes Park, Colorado. After her retirement, she cooked for a short time at McDonald's and at the Eben Ezer Day Center. She had been active in the Meet and Eat program and the American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by one son, Eugene of Hebron, Kentucky, two grandchildren and a cousin, Elaine Blank of Benkelman.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 6, at 10:30 a. m. at the Jolliffe Chapel with the Rev. Pat Sailors Westlake officiating. Burial was in Memory Gardens.

Funeral services for Bridgeport businessman August P. Goltl, who spent more than a half century in the farm implement business were held Wednesday, March 28, 1984, at the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Nebraska.

Goltl, 82, died March 5, 1984, it West Nebraska General Hospital in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

He founded Bridgeport Equipment Co. in 1942 and served as president and chairman of the board for more than 40 years. He built the business from a two-employee shop into a firm that was among the 10 largest International Harvester dealers in the United States.

The company's sales area covers western Nebraska, western South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.

Born in Herndon, Kansas, Goltl graduated from an Omaha business college in 1924 and was an International Harvester dealer in Wauneta, Nebraska, before moving to Bridgeport.

Survivors include his wife, Glaydes; sons, Adrian and Stanley, and a daughter, Marlys Haden, all of Bridgeport; nine grandchildren, and a brother-in-law and his wife, Urlin and Lorraine McCartney of Benkelman.

AURORA, Colo.--Wanda Edna Ardella (Helfer) Gonzales, daughter of Ed and Mary Helfer, was born in Dundy County, Nebraska, March 6, 1923. She died at her home in Aurora, Colorado, December 19, 1992, of a massive heart attack.

Wanda grew up on a farm northwest of Benkelman. Nebraska, and attended school in District 22, as well as the Benkelman city schools.

She left Benkelman, physically, in the 1940s but her heart was never far from the sandhills where she grew up. She never tired of reminiscing and telling her children and grandchildren of her early days.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Edith, and two brothers, Clifford and Keith.

She is survived by her husband, Larry, her children and a host of relatives and friends.

Arilla Mae Goodell, long-time Cheyenne County and St. Francis, Kansas, resident died March 9, 1987, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska, after a short illness, at the age of 93 years. Mae, as she was called, was born May 21, 1893, in Cheyenne County, Kansas, to David S. Harvey and Almeda Ellen Harvey on the family homestead.

On December 20, 1916, Mae was united in marriage to Harold Ventis Goodell at Benkelman. To this union three children were born: Leslie, Aletha and Wayne.

They resided on a rented farm west of Haigler, Nebraska, for more than a year. In 1918 they purchased a farm in Cheyenne County, Kansas, in the South Fork community where they built a home. This home was a short distance from where Mae's parents lived.

Mae was converted and united with the Methodist Church in 1921. In July 1930 she became a Charter Member of the South Fork Friends Church, later joining the United Methodist Church in St. Francis.

After losing her husband, Harold, in 1934, Mae stayed on the farm raising her two teenagers and little five-year-old boy. She was very fortunate to have Galen Evans, Harold's cousin, who came to make his home with the family, and along with relatives, neighbors and friends, helped assist in the many chores and tasks involved in running the farm. The years of 1934 and 1935 were distressing years including the Dust Bowl, flood and scarlet fever.

Mae kept busy with gardening, canning, piecing and quilting quilts, crocheting and embroidering. She also served on the South Fork School Board, was treasurer for the P.T.A. and always enjoyed entertaining the South Fork Circle.

In October 1961, Mae moved to St. Francis. She enjoyed her retirement, her beautiful yard and flowers. She attended the United Methodist Church and enjoyed Mrs. Greene's Sunday School class. The Good Samaritan Village and Martha's Rooms in St. Francis and the Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman have been home to Mae since 1979 because of her failing health.

Those left to cherish her precious memories are her daughter, Aletha Murphy; son, Wayne Goodell and wife, Lila; daughter-in-law, Velma Goodell, all of St. Francis; one sister, Fairy Holmgrin of Sequim, Washington; one sister-in-law, Modesta Harvey, and a cousin, Galen Evans, and wife, Betsey of St. Francis; five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson and many other relatives and friends.

Mae was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Harold; son, Leslie; two brothers, Arnold and John, and one sister, Minnie Crabtree.

This poem is reminiscent of Mae Goodell:

I would rather have one little rose from the Garden of a friend
Than to have the choicest flowers when my stay on earth must end.
I would rather have the kindest words and a smile that I can see
Than flattery when my heart is still, and this life has ceased to be.
I would rather have a loving smile from friends I know are true,
Than tears shed 'round my casket when this world I bid adieu.
Then bring me all the flowers today, whether pink, white or red:
I'd rather have one blossom now—than a truckload when I'm dead.

Services were held March 12, 1987, at the United Methodist Church in St. Francis, Kansas, with the Rev. Jim Harrelson and the Rev. William Leach officiating.

Organist was Joan Wellman. Keith and Katherine Harvey sang the selections "Precious Memories" and "My God And I." A violin solo was performed by Letitia Petitjean, accompanied by Helen Love.

Casket bearers were Craig Goodell, Lee Goodell, Robert Owens, Pat Owens, Mark Piper and Gary Anderson.

Honorary pall bearers were Henry Krug, Gay Bash, John Ramsey, Marion Miller, Cecil Holliman and Hurlbut Graves.

Interment was in the St. Francis Cemetery at St. Francis with arrangements by Kramer Chapel of St. Francis.

MIDDLETON, Idaho– Louise (Wiggins) Goodell, 71, of Middleton went to be with the Lord Monday, June 5, 2000, following a short battle with lymphoma.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 9, at the Middleton United Methodist Church. Interment was in the Middleton Cemetery with arrangements by Flahiff Funeral Chapel of Caldwell, Idaho.

Memorials may be made to the Louise Goodell Memorial Fund at the Middleton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 387, Middleton, ID 83644 or the Hope House, 11461 Lone Star Rd., Nampa, ID 83651.

Louise was born Jan. 12, 1929, in Boise City, Okla., to James Lewis and Ila Mae Wiggins. The family moved to Clifton, Colo., where Louise graduated from high school in 1947. She moved with the family to Ontario, Ore., in 1948.

She met Robert Goodell at a local barn dance and they were married Feb. 13, 1949. Bob arid Louise moved to the Black Canyon project in the Caldwell area in the spring of 1949.

Louise was a homemaker and a helpmate on the farm. She was involved in many school and community activities. She was actively involved in her church and various Bible studies through the years. This was an important priority in her life. She was a member of the Middleton United Methodist Church.

She was always willing to help others, a friend and encourager to many. She was happiest when spending time with family and loved ones or working in her garden. Her granddaughters were a great source of joy in her life.

She is survived by her husband; her daughters, Twylia (Mrs. Bill) Mcllvanie and Nancy (Mrs. Tom) Bowser, of Boise; her son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Bonnie Goodell, and their daughters, Linnea, Nicole, Tiffani and Tasi, all of Caldwell; a sister, Roberta (Mrs. Mel) Henry, of Ontario; brothers: Russell Wiggins and his wife, Dolly, of Vale, Ore., and John Wiggins and his wife, Karen, of Adrian, Ore., and many nieces and nephews.

Charles Bertland Goodell was born February 11, 1893, at Haigler, Nebr., and died February 5, 1965, at Veteran's Hospital in Omaha at the age of 71 years, 11 months and 24 days.

He was one of a family of eight children, having had two sisters and five brothers, all of whom preceded him in death. Charles was the fourth son of his parents, Charles F. and Nancy Candace Goodell.

He received his education in the public schools of Haigler. He enlisted in the U. S. Army on May 25, 1918, at Carrollton, Mo., and was discharged January 8, 1919.

On December 31, 1925, he was united in marriage to Phoebe Jackson at Sidney, Iowa. To this union two children were born.

He was a member of the Williams-Jobe-Gibson Post 128 of the American Legion in Sidney for 36 years. He had been in charge of the flag-raising ceremonies at the Sidney Rodeo for more than a quarter of a century.

Mr. Goodell was a farmer all his life, having lived at different places within the Sidney-Randolph-Malvern area. He retired from the farm in 1962 and moved to Glenwood.

He was a member of the East Liberty Methodist Church near Malvern, having joined that church by transfer on June 8, 1958. He was a member of the official board of the church at the time of his death.

Surviving are his widow, Phoebe; one daughter, Mrs. Harvey (Betty) Vermillion of Shenandoah; one son, Charles B. Goodell, Jr., of Council Bluffs; and three grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday .afternoon from the Raynor Hamilton Funeral Chapel, conducted by the Rev. E. LeRoy Pullman, pastor of the East Liberty Methodist Church.

Music was by Mrs. Phillip Lenz and Mrs. Kenneth Scott. Mrs. Emmett Stephens was in charge of the memorial book. Flower ladies were Mrs. Claude Stephens, Mrs. Josie Stotts, Mrs. Hugh Hayes and Mrs. Homer Mayberry.

Pallbearers were Claude Stephens, Arch Clay, Ralph Jackson, Tom Bicknell, Hugh Hayes and Charles Alexander. Interment was made in Glenwood Cemetery.

Funeral services for Ethel Goodell, age 84 of Ontario, Ore. who died Tues., Sept. 26 at a Caldwell nursing home were conducted at 2:00 p.m. Fri., Sept. 29 at the Ontario Chapel of the Roses by the Rev. Thomas Tate, Ontario First United Methodist Church. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery.

She was born Nov. 30, 1893, at Hale, Mo. She married Leverett Goodell in February 1913 at Haigler, Nebr. They moved from Haigler to Ontario 40 years ago. He died in June 1944.

She is survived by six sons, Ercil of Haigler, Nebr., Leonard and Robert of Caldwell, Idaho, Chester of Sparks, Nev., Raymond of Lyle, Wash., and Neal of Independence, Ore.; two daughters, Mrs. Leonard (Leta) Duncan of Caldwell, and Mrs. Gordon (Dorothy) Mitchell of Prairie City, Ore.; two brothers, Harry of Smithville, Mo and Chester Foltz of Hale; a sister, Mrs. Gladys Spickard of Overland Park, Kans.; 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, a brother, a sister and four grandsons.

Leslie H. Goodell, son of Harold and Arilla Mae (Harvey) Goodell, was born November 28, 1917, in Haigler, Nebraska, and passed away April 15, 1985, in Dundy County Hospital of Benkelman, Nebraska.

Leslie was baptized in the South Fork Circuit Methodist Church. He later transferred his membership to the United Methodist Church of St. Francis.

He grew to manhood in the South Fork community in Cheyenne County. At the age of 16, his father passed away and Leslie took over the operation of the farm along with the help of Galen Evans. In November 1938, Leslie married Velma Eckenberg. To this union three children were born, Elaine, Thelma and Harold.

Due to Leslie's health, the family moved to St. Francis in January 1946 where he opened a welding shop. Les always missed farming, but couldn't return because of his health. He and Velma established the Goodell Greenhouse and Floral.

Leslie's greatest moments were when he was working with law enforcement. He started this work in the late '40s when he worked with Sheriff Lou Daum and Sheriff Frank Schneider. The past 13 years he had been undersheriff for Sheriff Ray Lee.

Les' presence in the community was felt not only in his work for the sheriff's department, but also in his work as a volunteer fireman, serving even as fire chief of the St. Francis Fire Department. He helped out with the ambulance and organized Cheyenne County's Stock Car Racing Association. Les was also a member of Masonic Lodge #404 and a Past Grand of Rising Star Lodge #325 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Leslie was preceded in death by his father, Harold. He leaves to mourn: his mother, Mae; his wife, Velma; daughter, Elaine, and husband, Robert Owens; daughter, Thelma, and husband, Gary Anderson; son, Harold; eight grandchildren; one sister, Aletha Murphy; one brother, Wayne, and wife, Lila; one niece; one nephew; a cousin, Galen Evans, and wife, Betsy; and a host of relatives and friends.

Leverett Ercil Goodell, born June 15, 1915 at Haigler, NE, son of the late Leveret Elzie Goodell and Lillian Ethel Foltz Goodell. At the age of one year old he moved with his parent to a farm four miles west of Haigler, NE. He received his education at the South District 67 School. In his early years he worked for W.H. Brown and surrounding neighbors. In 1938 he helped move his family to Ontario, Oregon where they established a home, after which he returned to the Haigler community where he remained until he was inducted into the United States Army on March 13, 1942 at Grand Island, NE.

After serving 46 months in the South Pacific during World War II, he was honorably discharged in October 1945. He returned to Nebraska and was united in marriage to Dorothy May Carlock on Dec. 20, 1946 at St. Francis, KS. To this union one son Lee Eugene was born on April 18, 1958.

Ercil was a lifetime resident of the Haigler community and enjoyed his family and host of friends. He was a loving husband and father, and always had time for friends and neighbors in need.

Ercil was baptized and became a member of the Methodist Church on March 18, 1951. He has a great love for his church and his God. He was a 35-year member of the American. Legion Post No. 134 and a member of tfire Wray, Colorado VFW Lodge. He was a charter member of the Wray Elks Lodge No. 2409.

Ercil Is survived by his wife Dorothy and son Lee, five brothers and their wives, Leonard and Edna, Robert and Louise from Caldwell, Idaho; Chester and Hallie of Sparks, Nevada; Raymond and Beverly of Lyle, Washington; Neal and Madlyn of Independence, Oregon. Two sisters and their husbands, Leta and Leonard Duncan of Caldwell, Idaho; Dorothy May and Gordon Mitchell, of Prairie City, OR; two aunts Mae Goodell of St. Francis, KS and Phoebe Goodell of Glenwood, Iowa; many cousins, nephews and nieces.

(Researcher note: Leverett Ercil Goodell is buried in the Haigler, NE cemetery.)

Robert A. Goodell entered into rest on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005, after a brief illness. A graveside service for family was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Middleton Cemetery, Middleton, Idaho. A community memorial service followed at 11 a.m. at the Middleton United Methodist Church. Pastor Carolyn Bower and the Rev. Don Hardenbrook officiated.

Bob was born on July 29, 1924, at Haigler, Neb., a son of Leverett and Ethel Foltz Goodell, the fifth of nine children.

In 1938, the Dust Bowl and Depression caused the family to move west where they bought farm ground in the Lincoln Heights area near Ontario, Ore.

Though having to work on the farm, Bob managed to graduate from Ontario High School a year early at the age of 16. In 1944, Bob was about to enter World War II, like his two older brothers, when his father died. So at the age of 19, being the oldest son left at home, Bob took over the operation of the family farm.

Four years later, he met Louise Wiggins at a barn dance. They were married on Feb. 13, 1949, and moved to the Black Canyon Project north of Caldwell, Idaho, where they raised animals, crops and three children.

Bob was a meticulous irrigator, taking pride in his crops, especially sugar beets, and was able to expand his operation throughout his life. He often won awards for most tonnage per acre. Whether traveling near home or abroad, a good-looking field always earned his approval.

He served the community as board member of the Black Canyon Irrigation District for 27 years and was a board member of the Co-op Oil Association for many years as well. He was a lifelong Grange member and active in the Middleton United Methodist Church.

As a father, he inspired his children to hard work, integrity, loyalty, diplomacy and financial stewardship. He thoroughly enjoyed being "Papa" to his four granddaughters. In later years, he grew the best watermelons in the valley and enjoyed the companionship of his dear friend Alma Susan Young.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, three sisters and Louise, his wife of 51 years.

He is survived by his three children: Twylia (William) Mcllvanie, Nancy (Tom) Bowser and Mike (Bonnie) Goodell: brothers Chester Goodell of Meridian, Idaho, and Neal Goodell of Independence, Ore., and granddaughters Linnea, Nicole, Tiffani and Tasi Goodell.

Jennie H. Gooder, daughter of Lewis W. and Laura Marie Slayton Monk was born October 15, 1888 one mile south of the Nebraska line in Phillips County, Kansas. She received her formal education at the Griffin school.

On Nov. 7, 1906 she was united in marriage to Delbert J. Gooder and seven children were born to this union. With the exception of a year in Colorado, their entire married life was spent as farmers in Phillips County. Following the death of her husband on May 23, 1923, the family lived on the home place. She continued living there until her marriage to Bruce Francisco in 1936. After a number of years in Windsor, Colorado they came back to Kansas and located seven miles north of Agra, until they moved into the Justin property in Agra which was their home until his death at St. Francis following an extended illness.

On February 16, 1968 she was married to Allen Gooder and they made their home in Wilder, Idaho. During the illness of her daughter, Gladys, she came back to Agra and remained until Sunday, July 11, when she entered the Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska, where the end of her earthly life came at 2:30 a.m. on July 17, 1971 at the age of 82 years, seven months, and two days.

Of her children, she was preceded in death by one son, Ernest (Jack) Gooder in March 1940 and one daughter, Gladys Munyon in February 1971.

Survivors include three sons: Jay of Loveland, Colorado. Ray of Franklin, Nebraska and Bill of Benkelman, Nebraska: two daughters, Berneta Gower of Agra and Esther Burton of Phillipsburg; 13 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Minerva Skiles of Escalon, California and one brother, Lew Monk of Castle Rock, Colorado.

Funeral services were held at the 0liff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, Kansas on Monday, July 19, 1971 at 10:00 a.m. with the Revs. Michael Procter and Edgar Lawrence officiating. Roberta Gooder and Joy Armstrong sang "Beyond The Sunset" and "The Pearly Gates Will Open" accompanied by Leota Blackburn. Casket bearers were Leon and Raymond Burton, Dell, Billy, Larry, Delbert, Leon and Loren Gooder. Interment was in the Stone Cemetery, Smith Center, Kansas under the direction of Oliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel of Phillipsburg, Kansas.

BENKELMAN -- Irene Mae Williams Gooder, 86, died Monday (March 20, 2006) at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman.

She was born Nov. 10, 1919, in the Pleasant Valley Community in Dundy County, to Rollie and Lydia Luella (Little) Williams.

Irene was a homemaker, nurses aide, and a cook at the Hester Home in Benkelman. She also cooked at various restaurants in Benkelman.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; three brothers, Cecil, Glen and Orval Williams; and sisters, Inez Matthews, and Iola Joy Dalrimple.

She is survived by her children, Robert Dell Gooder and wife, Shirley of Alda, Larry Gooder and wife, Irene of Benkelman, Bill Gooder and wife, Norma of Topeka, Kan., June Magnani and husband, Jim of Benkelman, and Hattie Mae Shrieve and husband, Jim of Hastings; 13 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren

Funeral services will be Friday, 10:30 a.m. (MST) at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with the Rev. George Matthews officiating. Interment will follow at the Benkelman Cemetery.

Lewis William Gooder, son of Delbert J. and Jennie Harrison Gooder, was born October 15, 1919 at Kensington, Kan., and passed this life September 13, 1972, at the Dundy County Hospital, Benkelman, Nebr., at the age of 52 years and 11 months.

Bill, as he was better known, spent most of his childhood around Phillips county, Kansas, except for a time while working on the Hester ranch here in Dundy County. It was while working here that he met Irene Mae Williams and on July 8, 1941, they were united in marriage and to this union were born three sons and one daughter.

Just two days after their marriage, on July 10, 1941, Bill entered the United States Army and served well with the field artillery in Germany during World War II and was discharged honorably August 21, 1945 after serving his country for over four years.

During the year 1949 he moved his family to Benkelman, Nebraska, from Agra, Kansas, where he worked for sixteen years at the Youngson Service Station working both at the station and on the tank truck where he made so many wonderful friends. Illness finally forcing him into semi-retirement.

Bill's favorite pastime was bowling. He did very well at this sport and displayed many trophies as proof of his skill. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a member of the Martin F. Bowles Post No. 65 of the American Legion.

Bill's life was a continual display of friendliness and for those who were partakers of his friendship, he will live on and on in their memories and in their love.

During his last days in the hospital, he made a genuine commitment of his life to Jesus Christ and received Him as his own personal Saviour. It was in his new found faith that Bill found much peace and strength during his last hours, and his heart change was apparent to all who were at his bedside.

Preceding him in death wen his parents, one brother. Ernest Wayne, better known as Jack and one sister, Gladys Genevive Munyon.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Irene: three sons and their wives, Robert Dell and wife, Shirley of Yuma, Colo., Larry Lee and his wife, Irene and William Leo and his wife, Joyce, both of Grand Island, Nebraska; one daughter, June Elaine, at home and Hattie Mae Vapp, who made her home with Bill and Irene for over eight years and was like a daughter to them; two brothers and their wives, Ray and his wife, Wilma of Bloomington, Nebr., and Alfred and his wife, Mary Edna of Loveland, Colo.: two sisters. Mrs. Bernita Gower of Agra, Kansas, and Mrs. Esther Burton and her husband, Glen of Phillipsburg, Kansas, along with five grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted on Monday afternoon at the Jones Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Bob Sander officiating. Mrs. Betty Erdman was the organist and Edwina Roesener and Howard Ochsner the singers. Casket bearers were Gene Hansen. Larry Stute, Jim Smith, Mason Jones. Bill Wiggins and Gay Bash. Honorary bearers were Jim Kier, Mack Madison, Dennis Vapp, Harold Hall, Jim Peterson and Emanuel Brozek.

Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with the Martin F. Bowles Post No. 65 of the American Legion in charge.

WAUNETA--Beulah S. Goodman, 94, died Tuesday, July 27, 1999, at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial, Neb.

She was born March 16, 1905, at Riverton, Neb., to Frank and Addle (Douglas) Roach. She attended rural school and graduated from Palisade (Neb.) High School in 1926.

She married Lloyd Hudson in 1927 and together they operated the creamery in Palisade.

On June 20, 1936, she married Percy Goodman. They lived in the Palisade area for several years, moving to Wauneta, Neb., where they built their home in 1956. She worked at the Wauneta theater and at the Crossroads Cafe, and sold cards and Avon. She spent her last years at the Heritage of Wauneta nursing home.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Percy, in 1997, and a son, Leo Hudson.

Survivors include a son, Delmar Hudson, and wife, Lylas, of Wauneta, 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Services were held Friday, July 30, at the United Methodist Church in Palisade with the Rev. Richard Brian officiating. Interment was in the Palisade City Cemetery at Palisade. Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

IMPERIAL-- Percy Leroy Goodman was born Feb. 10, 1905, in Logan, Iowa, to Daniel and Nora Goodman. He died on Tuesday, May 27, 1997, at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial, Neb., at the age of 92.

He was four years old when his mother died and he was placed in an orphanage near Kansas City. When he was 14, he went to work as a chore boy for William and Margaret Vinton, whom he referred to as Mom and Dad Vinton for the rest of his life. He attended rural school. At the age of 20, he moved west to Nebraska.

Percy married Beulah S. (Roach) Scott Hudson on June 20, 1936, in Trenton, Neb. Beulah and her two sons, Leo Verneal and Delmer, settled with Percy on a ranch north of Palisade, Neb., where Percy worked as a ranch hand. Later they moved into Palisade where he learned the carpentry trade. Percy built and remodeled many

homes in the Palisade and Wauneta, Neb., areas. Since 1991, the Goodmans have been residents at the Heritage of Wauneta.

Percy was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), the Izaac Walton League and the Palisade United Methodist Church. For many years he served as an assistant Boy Scout leader. He dearly loved fishing, painting and his grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a stepson, Leo; a sister, Ester; two brothers, Earl and Paul, and infant siblings Louis and Nellie.

Survivors include his wife, Beulah; a stepson, Delmer Hudson, and his wife, Lylas, of Wauneta; 8 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 1997, at the United Methodist Church of Palisade with the Rev. Marvin Coffey officiating. Music was provided by Gary Malone, soloist, and Lisa Rotter, organist. Bearers were Paul Kitt, Bill Buffington, Bill Sturtevant, Eugene Rider. Cecil Steckman and Richard Baxter. Interment was in the Palisade City Cemetery with Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta in charge of arrangements. A memorial has been established in his name to the American Lung Association.

Ralph M. Gordon, 83, formerly of Loveland, died Thursday in Presbyterian Hospital in Aurora, Colo.

He was born Nov. 29, 1897, in Parks, Neb., to Robert Riley and Mary Elizabeth (McCrecry) Gordon. He marreid Verna J. Griffin September 15, 1923, in Benkelman, Neb.

The Gordon came to Loveland in 1935. They moved ) Shenadoah, Iowa, in 1940. In 1945, they moved back to Loveland, where Ralph was employed by the Great Western Sugar Company. The couple moved to Denver in 1979.

Survivors include son, Ralph J. Gordon, of Denver; daughter, Jean Grimes, of Denver; sister, Agnes Allphin of Council Bluffs, Iowa; stepson R. Vern Lant of Aurora; and step-daughter, Mrs. Paul H. (Lois) Veal, of Sylmar, Calif.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14 in Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Chapel, Loveland, Colo. The Rev. Donald Schmidt officiated. Interment was in Rest Haven Memory Gardens.

Mrs. Laura B. Gorthy, 88, passed away at the Morehouse hospital early Saturday morning after a lingering illness.

Funeral services were held Monday morning at 10 o'clock at the Laughlin Funeral Home in Benkelman, with Rev. J. William Woodworth of the United Presbyterian church conducting the services. Mrs. Dorothy Woodworth was the soloist and Mrs. Jo Anne Rath was the organist. Casket bearers were Dent Gallatin, Roy Davis, J. B. Jackson, Ray Buffington, John Ramsey and Paul Knecht. Burial was in the Benkelman cemetery.

Laura Belle Edmonds, the ninth child of Oren and Nancy Edmonds, was born on a farm near Biggsville in Henderson county, Illinois, on April 30, 1868, and departed this life at Benkelman, Nebraska, on June 23, 1956, at the age of 88 years, 1 month and 23 days.

The passing of this pioneer gentle lady marks the end of an era in the history of her beloved homeland, an era which began in the spring of 1886 when Mrs. Gorthy came west with her family and settled on a homestead in Cheyenne county, Kansas, one of the first families to settle on the South Fork. Life in the high plains was then at flood tide; each train brought long strings of immigrant cars bearing the belongings of hopeful homesteaders. God had blessed Mrs. Gorthy with a keen mind and perfect memory which served her until the end, and she wholeheartedly put her talents into the building of an empire through the education of its children. School books were a scarce commodity and money with which to buy them was non-existent. But the pupils of this gracious lady were instructed in the arts and sciences in a thorough manner which has served them well through life.

And then, as happens only to the most worthy, Laura Edmonds found the one great love that was to sustain her through all her life in the person of James Gorthy, an adventurous Scottish homesteader from New York. They were united in marriage on May 16, 1888, and amid the good wishes of their fellow pioneers, took up residence in a sod house on the South Fork which Mr. Gorthy had built for his bride. During the years of their residence there, Mrs. Gorthy became the mother of six children, three boys and three girls. The Gorthy home was a place of happiness and light, and one wherein an honest and practical religion was the way of life. Church services were held in the home until the settlers could build a church wherein to give thanks.

The lives of truly good people are always a model for those of us who remain, they by their living have made our lot easier. It is both fitting and proper that the obituary of this kindly lady should be interspersed with the word's of Temple Bailey's "A Parable for Mothers."

The young mother set her foot on the path of life, "Is the way long?" she asked.

And the Guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard. But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children and gathered flowers for them along the way; and the sun shone on them, and life was good, and the young mother said, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this." As husband and wife, James and Laura Gorthy spent 63 glorious years together, enduring the privations of pioneer life, breaking the sod, subduing a wild country, raising their family, enduring drouth, privation, pestilence and the discouragements which drove weaker people back to the more sheltered surroundings.

In 1895 life in the high plains had reached such an ebb that Mr. Gorthy was forced to take a job in a dairy in Denver to provide food for his family. His faithful wife kept the family holdings together until he could return. Mr. Gorthy's employer asked him to stay on in the city, but the challenge of the plains brought him back to fight on.

When the good years returned, the Gorthys' foresight in selecting a place to live proved itself to be right and their farm home became an outstanding example of what good husbandry could accomplish. In 1938 when James and Laura celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, Mr. Gorthy was asked why so many others had failed where he had succeeded. He smiled and nodded toward his beloved wife, and said, "They didn't have her."

The night came, and storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come," and the mother said, "This is better than the brightness of the day, for I have taught my children courage."

And the mornig came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary and the mother was weary, but at all times she said to the children, "A little patience, and we are there." So the children climbed, and when they had reached the top, they said, "We could not have done it without you, Mother." And the mother, when she lay down that night, looked up at the stars, and said: "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness."

In her home and in her work, Laura Gorthy was a Christian. A part of each day was devoted to the reading of scripture regardless of the press of work. In times of stress, her reading of her favorite chapter, the 23rd Psalm and her favorite verse, John 3:16, brought comfort and restored fortitude to her soul. In her last illness, she spoke of being anxious to go to her heavenly home. Mrs. Gorthy was a lifelong member of the United

Presbyterian church, and joined the Benkelman church in 1893. She was a charter and Life Member of the Women's Missionary Society over which she presided as president for a number of years. At the time of her death she was the oldest living member of the United Presbyterian church in Benkelman.

And the next day came strange clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said, "Look up. Lift your eyes to the Light." And the children looked and saw above the clouds an Everlasting Glory, and it guided them and brought them beyond the darkness. And that night the mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."

On May 5, 1950, the golden cord was severed and Laura was parted from her beloved husband. The strain and toil of her faithful and loving care of him in his last illness affected her health seriously. But in the face of her loss, she gathered up the scattered threads of her life and with Christian bravery and fortitude brought cheer and faith into the lives of others. In 1952 she herself was stricken with a broken hip, but her indomitable and hardy constitution triumphed and she recovered and continued to enjoy life.

Mrs. Gorthy leaves to mourn passing three daughters, Anna Benge and Hazel Sutton of Benkelman and Mildred Smith of Pasadena, California; one son, Walter, of Cheyenne county, Kansas; six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Two sons, Harold and Paul, preceded her in death.

"And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years and the mother grew old, and she was tired and weary. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was hard, they helped their mother; and when the way was rough, they lifted her and carried her; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide.

And the mother said: “I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know that the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them.” And the children said, “You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.”

Vera Mae Monahan Gorthy, a pioneer lady, was born September 24, 1897, in Faragut, Iowa, and died at 2:30 a.m. Friday, November 15, 1985, in Benkelman, Nebraska, at the Dundy County Hospital. She was 88 years, one month and 23 days of age.

Vera was the middle child of Willis Mall and Elizabeth Jane White Holliman, who hornesteaded in Cheyenne County, Kansas, in 1887. In 1895, they went by covered wagon to Faragut, Iowa, where Vera was born. In 1900, they returned by immigrant car to Ives (Parks), Nebraska.

Vera attended Prairie View country school, District 20. After graduation, she was determined to further her education, so she enrolled in the Cheyenne County High School at St. Francis, Kansas. She worked for her room and board by doing housework and ironing. She graduated with honors in 1918.

She taught school in the Freemeyer district located three miles west of her home. Vera remarked, "I rode my horse three miles through all kinds of weather and broke large chunks of coal to build my own fires every morning."

On June 18, 1919, Paul Gorthy Sr. and Vera were married in Craig, Colorado, where her two older sisters lived. The Gorthys began their married life together on the homestead of his father, James Gorthy. To this union two children were born, Anna Daurene and Paul Valden Jr. Vera's husband died in 1940, leaving her with many debts on the land and machinery and two children to finish raising. So, with faith in God and three devoted hired men, she continued to farm successfully. For seven long, hard years, God gave her good crops and she finished paying for the land and raised the children. In December 1946 she moved to her present home.

Because of the lingering influence of Vera's great-grandfather, Uriah Trogden, who was a Methodist minister in Arkansas, Vera chose to become a member of the St. Francis Methodist Church during her high school days. She attended the South Fork Methodist Church and later the Benkelman United Methodist Church, where she received recognition for 50 years of membership on November 5, 1978. Vera was a lifelong member of the U.M.W.

Vera was active in community affairs and was a charter member of the Plainview Homemakers Extension Club, organized in 1929, and the first president. She later belonged to the South Fork Extension Club.

Also, she enjoyed working with youth. In 1934, she was chosen to teach one of the first sewing clubs for 4-H girls in the Riverside Boosters, and later the Cheyenne Sunflowers of Cheyenne County, Kansas. She taught for eight years.

She was a member of the Cheyenne County Agriculture Stabilization Committee and a school board member.

In 1931, Vera was initiated into the Order of Eastern Star, Doric Chapter, St. Francis, Kansas, and was honored with a 50-year pin in Holly Chapter, Benkelman, Nebraska, in 1981. She served in various offices in the organization.

For a hobby, Vera loved to work with horticulture and flower arranging. She was a charter member of the Benkelman Garden Club and the second president. She attended 27 schools to become a National Accredited Federated Garden Club Judge. During one of her terms as president, her club received the Sears, Roebuck & Co. "Beautification Citation" for its work on the "Open Bible Memorial" and the evergreen trees that border the Benkelman Cemetery.

In 1979, the Tri-State Antique Thresher Association selected Vera as "Queen." She was chosen for this honor because of her former experiences with her husband', Paul, who did custom threshing and corn shelling over the Tri-State area in the 1920s and 1930s. Vera did the cooking in a cook shack pulled from farm to farm during the harvest season.

In the book entitled "Petticoat Pioneer of the Midwest" by the Kansas Federation of Woman's Clubs," Vera was questioned about her philosophy of life. She responded, "Always keep love, honesty, faith and truth as your guidelines through life. Love to your God, family, country and fellowman; honesty to yourself, country and in every deed, faith in country and in God above all. These will lead to a happy, useful life. Your place in life will be judged well done, and a better place for all mankind."

Mrs. Gorthy was preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Elizabeth Holliman; two sisters, Orah Cathey and Dollie Carmichael; one brother, Chester Holliman; and son, Paul Valden Jr. In her departure, she leaves to mourn a sister. Sylvia Updike of Craig, Colorado; three sisters-in-law, Anna L Benge of Benkelman, Lillian Gorthy of Bird City and Noreen Hallman of St. Francis, Kansas; one brother-in-law, Everett Sutton of Greeley, Colorado; a daughter, Ann Maring, and husband, Jack of Bird City, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Berniece Gorthy of St. Francis, Kansas; five granddaughters and seven great-grandchildren, Jeanne Dunbar and husband, Dennis, and children, Annie and Courtney of Overbrook, Kansas, JoAnne Jones and husband, Darrel, and children, Jeremy and Jill of Sheridan, Wyoming, Debbie Grace and husband, Robert of St. Francis, Kansas, Cindy Ham and husband, Ron, and children, Shane and Shannon of Benkelman, and Sue Zimbelman and husband, Mark, and daughter, Dennon of St. Francis, Kansas; and many friends and relatives.

Services were held Monday, November 18, 1985, at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman with Rev. Dan Waters and Rev. John Kilgore officiating. Neala Carmichael sang "Precious Memories" and "In The Garden" accompanied by Betty Erdman.

Pallbearers were grandsons Dennis Dunbar, Darrel Jones, Robert Grace, Ron Ham and Mark Zirnbelman, and a friend of the family, Franklin Bolin. Honorary bearers were Jim Barnhart, Lee Beeson, Don Kehlbeck, Douglas McDowell, Albert Nelson, Laverne Nelson, John Ramsey and Dr. Kenneth Stout. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with Eastern Star services by Holly and Doric chapters. Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman was in charge of arrangements.

James Gorthy departed this life at around 7:30 Friday night after leaving been in a coma for two or three days. The end had been known to be inevitable for several days as it became known each day that the closing days and hours of his earthly journey were nearing the close and members of the family, along with Doctor David Wright, were at his bedside when the final summons came.

With the passing of James Gorthy the number of pioneer settlers of the days of the middle eighties, who carried on thru the dark days that were to follow the sensational and promising opening of a new country to new people, was reduced by one more, leaving but a few to tell the story of what it took in courage and suffering to bring this little section of this great nation of ours to the point of the importance that it now occupies. Jim, as everybody knew and liked to call him, knew not alone the trials and tribulations of what it required to carry on during the dark days but he knew what the value of progress and development all along the way meant too and few men in our community's history tried to do more to the end of ,greater economical and cultural development than he did. It seemed that his ambitions and greatest desires were all built around the word progress. He was one of the first to turn to the one-time new , system of summer fallowing on his South Fork farm and. he made it pay. And in making it pay, he likewise developed his fine farm to the point where it was outstanding in his community. He believed that the homesteaders were entitled to the best the times had to offer. He loved good horses, good cattle, good farm equipment and everything he thought tended to the general good. He was among the first in the entire section to buy an automobile, trucks, tractors , and everything that pointed to things modern for despite the fact that he was once a poverty-stricken homesteader, he never entertained poverty-stricken ideas in his daily contribution to the onward march of progress. He loved his neighbors and his neighbors loved him, and to have known and mingled with men like James Gorthy for more than a half a century and to have observed him in everyday life and have noted his kindly consideration and tolerance of his neighbors and friends, as we, like others, have been privileged to do, we know that it could have not been otherwise.

And when the day came when Mr. Gorthy felt himself unequal to the task of carrying on physically in the management of his farm, he retired to buv a home in Benkelman which he soon replaced with a new one, which, by the way, is one of the finest in the city, and with this accomplished, he turned to the purchase of other properties, whether residential or on the business street and everybody who knows Benkelman knows what a splendid job he accomplished to the general good of the town. Another outstanding characteristic of Mr. Gorthy was his tendency to the public development and though he was perhaps the heaviest individual taxpayers within our city, he always stood for progress and advancement and he could be counted on to take that stand in all community activities tending to the public good without regard to the additional taxes that would thus be personally charged to himself. When it was for a better town and better things for the community, money did not count with him. His long and active life taught him early that things worth while called for worth while effort and those were the things that he liked.

At the time of his retirement from the farm many of our people expected that he would choose St. Francis rather than Benkelman in which to locate which was a natural conclusion, but how fortunate indeed was Benkelman when he concluded that Benkelman would not alone be his home but the scene of his future efforts. And now today our little city joins members of the bereaved family and hundreds of friends in a sense of deep sorrow that he has been called from our midst for he was indeed a fine and exemplary citizen, measured from whatever angle you care to choose.

Funeral services were held at the Laughlin Funeral chapel Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. J. William Woodworth officiated at the service. Mrs. Dorothy Woodworth sang and Miss JoAnn Laughlin presided at the Hammond organ. Pallbearers were A. N. Sherbert, Earl Ballard, Claude Leech, Lou Daum, Clarence Oakley and Dent Gallatin. Interment was in the Benkelman cemeery.

James, the son of Peter and Miriam Gorthy was born on a farm near Broudalbin, New York, November 12, 1865, and departed this life at his home in Benkelman, Nebraska, on May 5, 1950 at the age of 84 years, five months and 23 days.

His early life followed the pattern of the usual life of a farm boy. He helped his parents, attended country school in New York, and, as he grew in age and stature, he industriously applied himself to such work as was available to him in that eastern community.

As he neared manhood, he heard that vast opportunities awaited a young man in the West. The blood of his Scotch ancestors gave him the exploring spirit of the pioneer, the determination to withstand hardships and privations, a rugged honest character and the desire to win for himself the admiration and respect of the other men of his day. Fired by this ambition, he with his brother Tom and two other boys came west in search of a homestead in Kansas or Nebraska. They finally settled on the fertile wheat land of Cheyenne county, Kansas, where Mr. Gorthy settled on a homestead, and laid the foundation of the extensive , ranch holdings which, to the day of his death, he thought of as "home".

On May 16, 1888, he was married to Laura Edmonds, the daughter of another pioneer family. As husband and wife they spent 62 years together, enduring the privations of pioneer life, breaking sod, subduing a wild country, rearing their family, enduring drouth, pestilence and the discouragements which drove weaker people back to the more sheltered surroundings. There are only a few who now recall from firsthand knowledge the drouth of the early nineties, the clouds of grasshoppers coming up from the south, the financial panic of 1894, all of which combined to a state of adversity which made the acquistion of the daily food a matter of prime concern. The better years came to the country. Mr. Gorthy's foresight in selecting,a place to live proved itself to be right; he became one of the outstanding wheat producers of his community and his farm became an outstanding example of what good husbandry could accomplish.

In 1914 Mr. and Mrs. Gorthy moved to Benkelman leaving his son Paul in charge of the ranch. He maintained his interest there however but gradually left the work and responsibility to the younger folks. In Benkelman he was interested in civic affairs serving faithfully and efficiently on the City Council and School Board. His good judgment and experience were sought and respected.

In August of 1947, Mr. Gorthy suffered a fall which broke his hip and very little hope was held for his recovery at that time, His sturdy determination to walk again gave him courage to live but he never completely recovered from this injury and all that the loving hands of his faithful wife, children, friends and medical science could do was of no avail.

Mr. Gorthy leaves to mourn his departure his ever loving and faithful wife Laura, his three daughters Anne Benge and Hazel Sutton of Benkelman, Mildred Smith of Pasadena, California, and one son Walter of Cheyenne county, Kansas. He also leaves six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was the last surviving member of his family. His father, mother, four brothers, two sisters and two sons, Harold and Paul having preceded him in death.

To his wife he leaves a memory of an ever faithful husband, companion and partner. His children remember him as a loving and generous father. To his family and to the world he leaves the example of a successful man, rugged in principle, honest and upright in his dealings, a friendly, witty fellow traveler whose thrift and perseverance brought to him material independence, universal respect and the eternal love of his family and neighbors.

The sudden passing of Paul Gorthy at the St. Francis hospital Saturday night was a crushing blow to his family and to his hundreds of friends in Cheyenne and Dundy counties as well, for it was so unexpected. Paul had been in charge of harvest operations on his wheat lands in Southern Cheyenne county for several days. The last two days of his stay there were marked thru the fact that he didn't seem to be feeling well so he discontinued work himself but remained to oversee it. He finished Friday evening and returned home. Saturday he seemed to be worse and a St. Francis physician was called and he was taken to the hospital. His condition continued to grow worse and late Saturday night he passed away. The attending physician had not definitely diagnosed his ailment, according to reports available, but was of the belief that it was either due to typhoid fever or gall bladder infection. He ran a very high fever.

Paul had grown up in the South Fork section and was well known in Benkelman, and was highly respected too. He was a young man of great energy and his greatest pleasure was in accomplishment. He was happiest when busy and for that reason he was seldom seen in town save on a business mission.

This section of the West has produced few finer, more honorable, more conscientious and more worth-while young men than Paul Gorthy and his sudden departure was as shocking to the people of Dundy county as it was crushing to his family and relatives to whom the tenderest sympathies of all go out today.

Paul Gorthy, son of James and Laura Gorthy, was born in Cheyenne county, Kansas, on May 3. 1893. and passed into the Eternal Kingdom on August 3, 1940. at St. Francis. Kansas, at the age of 47 years, two months.

His childhood was spent in Cheyenne county, and he grew to manhood on the farm where he was living at the time of his death.

On June 18, 1919. he was united in marriage to Miss Vera Holliman at Craig, Colorado. To this union was born a daughter, Anna Daurene and a son, Paul Velden.

Paul was baptized in the United Presbyterian church at Benkelman when an infant. Later in life he became a member of the South Fork Methodist Church, where he and his family have been constant and diligent workers for both the betterment of the church and of the community. He passed through the successive degrees of Masonry, and was elevated to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in the St. Francis Lodge Number 404 or Ancient. Free and Accepted Masons February 11, 1931. at St. Francis, Kansas. Through his interest and love of the order and its ideals, he worked constantly, and in 1938 was rewarded by election to the post of Worshipful Master. The ideals of Masonry became his own, and it was in this work that his soul found its greatest expression.

In 1914 his parents moved to Benkelman, and Paul assumed the management of their large ranching interests in Cheyenne county. Since that time he has operated these holdings extensively and successfully. He was interested in modern farming methods, studied them closely, conducted experiments and became well known for his success in wheat culture and other agricultural activities.

During the past ten years the A. C. A. Committee has rated his average wheat yield as the highest in that township.

He had commenced harvesting his 1940 wheat crop about the 15th of June and had been continuously engaged in that work until Friday evening, when he became ill. Neither he nor those who were with him realized the seriousness of the illness. Saturday evening he was taken to the hospital at St. Francis, where his condition became suddenly worse, and about 10:30 that night God mercifully called him to his eternal reward.

Paul leaves to mourn his passing his wife. Vera, his daughter Anna Daurene and his son. Paul, his parents, Mt. and Mrs. James Gorthy: his brother and associate. Walter Gorthy: three sisters, Miss Anne. of Benkelman. Mrs. Hazel Sutton of Max and Mrs. Mildred Smith of Pasadena, California, and a host of friends.

To his family he leaves the memory of a fond and indulgent husband and father. To his parents, that of a dutiful son. To his brother and sisters, that of his sympathy and comradeship. To his church that of a devout and willing servant. To his brothers in Masonry, an example of reverent diligence and obedience to the teachings of the order. To his friends and associates the memory of a kind neighbor and a good man.

The remains were brought to Benkelman where funeral services were held in the Methodist church Wednesday afternoon, in charge of Reverend B. M. Thomas of St. Francis, Kansas. assisted by Reverend J. C. Foster of Benkelman. Burial services were conducted by the members of his own Masonic Lodge of St. Francis. Kansas.

Paul Valden Gorthy, son of Paul and Vera Gorthy, was born June 22, 1929, on his family's farm in Cheyenne County, KS and died at his home June 24, 1980 at the age of 51 years.

Paul attended rural elementary school in Cheyenne County and high school in St. Francis, KS. On Aug. 31, 1950, he was united in marriage to Berniece Esther Druliner at Benkelman, NE. To this union three daughters were born: Deborah, Cynthia and Sue.

Paul and his wife made their home on the family farm in Cheyenne County until Paul's induction into the Air Force during the Korean conflict. Following his honorable discharge in 1952, they returned to the family farm where they made their home since.

Paul was engaged in cattle and farming operations throughout his life time and was one of the first irrigators of this area. He especially enjoyed raising quarter horses.

Paul was a member of St. Francis Lodge No. 404, AF&AM, Isis Temple of Saline, KS, the Saline Consistory, Atwood Chapter No. 84 of the Royal Arch Masons of Kansas, Goodland Elks Lodge No. 1528, Cheyenne Shrine Club, the Cheyenne Mounted Patrol, Doric Chapter No. 404, Order of the Eastern Star. Paul served as a member of the Bird City Board of Education for several years and was also a member of the Cheyenne County Fair Board. He was active in the Kansas Quarter Horse Association, serving on the Board of Directors for the past several years. He was also active as a leader for the 4-H horse project at th local, district, and state level.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul. He is survived by his mother, Vera Gorthy; his wife, Berniece; three daughters, Deborah Manhattan, KS; Sue of St. Francis, KS; Cynthia and her husband, Ron Ham of Benkelman; two grandchildren, Shane and Shannon Ham one sister, Ann and husband, Jack Maring of Bird City, KS as well many other relatives and friends.

Services were held Fri., June 2, 1980 at the United Methodist Church in Bird City, KS. Interment was in Benkelman (Nebraska) Cemetery Committal service was held by St. Francis Lodge No. 404, AF&AM.

Funeral services for Walter L. Gorthy were held at the Kramer Chapel in St. Francis, KS on April 19, 1976 at 2:30 p.m. with Reverend Wm. Leach officating.

Reverend King David sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Beautiful Isle" accompanied by Eunice Burnham.

Pall bearers were Paul Gorthy, Jack Maring, Melvin Carmen, Keith Carmen, Jim Barnhart and Jerdene Barnhart.

Honorary pall bearers were Ernest Bressler, W. D. McDowell, Herb Lawpe, Fred Magely St., Louie Ross, George Houtman and Guy Lewis.

Walter Lawrence Gorthy, first child of Laura Bell (Edmonds) and James Gorthy was born in a sod house in Cheyenne County, Kansas, on March 20, 1889, and passed into the Eternal Kingdom on April 17 in the Northwest Kansas Medical Center, Goodland, Kansas at the age of 87 years and 28 days, with his passing ended another era of a senior citizen who was born before the turn of the century to a pioneer family. His childhood was spent in Cheyenne County where he grew to manhood on the Gorthy homestead in the Southfork Community where he attended the rural school and church.

As he grew in age and stature, he became interested in seeking adventure and employment. In 1906, when Walter was seventeen years of age, he traveled by horseback to Chug Water, Wyoming to visit a friend. After deciding to remain there, his first endeavor was to work as a cowboy for the Swan Land and Cattle Company, later the Colonel Toms M. Ranch, and the Z. 0. Z. Cattle Company. As the years passed, he took great pride in his job, as a jerk line driver of a twenty horse team hauling freight for Burt Austin of Casper, Wyoming.

In 1916 Walter was united to Effie Franklin, in Casper. To this union one son, Walter Dewayne, was born, and departed his life at the age of one year. Between the years of 1922 and 1932, Mr. and Mrs. Gorthy owned and operated the Merchant Ware House and Transfer Co. of Casper.

He returned to Cheyenne County to enter the business of farming and ranching with his brother, Paul, in 1938.

Walter was united in marriage to Lillian (Boyd) Nelson on November 10, 1942 in Goodland, Kansas. They continued to live on the farm until his health began to fail, and in the fall of 1972, they retired to their present home in Bird City, Kansas.

Mr. Gorthy was baptized as an infant and was a member of the United Methodist Church.

He passed through the successive degrees of Masonry in the Casper, Wyoming Masonic Lodge No. 15 AF&AM and later transferred his membership to the St. Francis, Masonic Lodge No. 404. He was also honored by the Grand Lodge of Kansas on his fifty years of interest, love, and faithful membership in the Masonic order. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge.

One of the highlights of his wedded life was celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with relatives and friends in 1967.

Mr. Gorthy leaves to mourn, his wife Lillian; one step daughter and family, Wanda Walkey of Loveland, Colo., four step sons and families, Neil Nelson of Demarest, New Jersey, Don Nelson of Grand Island, Nebr., Marvin and Jim Nelson of Greeley, Colo., Jean, wife of the late Leonard Nelson of Aurora, Colo.; two sisters Hazel Sutton and Anne L. Benge of Benkelman, Nebr, three nieces, four nephews, nineteen step grandchildren, and six step great grandchildren and other relatives.

Preceding him in death are his son Walter Dewayne, his parents Mr. and Mrs. James Gorthy, one step son Leonard Nelson, two brothers Paul and Harold, and one sister Mildred Smith.

Ophia Mae Gosney, only daughter of William L. and Lydia J. Pryor, was born at Bethany, Mo. on August 8th, 1894, and departed this life January 16, 1973.

She was united in marriage to Clarence H. Gosney on November 5, 1918 at McCook, Nebraska.

Her younger years were spent with her grandmother at Leon, Iowa. After the death of her grandmother, she came to Hayes County to make her home with her mother and stepfather, and her uncle, Lebert Davenport.

Mae was a great lover of home and greatly devoted to her husband. They had no children, their chief interest being in each other; she was a loving and compatible wife, a kind and loyal friend to the poor and underprivileged, always ready and willing to lend a hand to help at times of sickness.

No personal sacrifice was too great for her to make, when considering friends and loved ones.

She was a great lover of nature and pets, flowers was one of her hobbies. Her home contains many beautiful and rare plants from different states, another hobby was her Pen Pals from different states and foreign lands, and the exchange of gifts and view cards meant much to her and added to her foreign collection.

Prior to her marriage, she was employed for a number of years in the Cox Mercantile Store at Wauneta, Nebraska, also sales lady for two years in "ready to wear" department of H. G. Hughes and Co. at Syracuse, Nebraska, and from both firms held treasured recommendations as sales lady, capable and conscientious in her performance of duty. She also held another treasured recommendation from a doctor whom she worked under as a practical nurse.

Mae and her husband helped to educate her half-brother and sister. It will be remembered by some how she manifested her loyalty and devotion, in untiring and loving care of her invalid mother, who was bed-ridden for seven years. Never neglecting her duty to this invalid mother and aged stepfather until the end came.

Always through the darker periods of life or when things would go wrong, she always managed to think of the brighter things of life and say it might have been worse.

It was while attending school at the Franklin Academy at an early age, at a meeting held there, Mae heard the Savior's call and accepted Jesus as her personal Savior.

Mae was a member of "Willing Worker's Club" of the south divide for twelve years. She was their secretary and treasurer for four years.

Mr. and Mrs. Gosney celebrated their silver wedding anniversary on November 5, 1943. The club furnished the dinner for this occasion, thirty-one being present. A poem composed and read on this day by a club member, bespeaks the high moral standing of this couple in their community.

Mrs. Gosney is an old member of Triple Link Rebekah Lodge No. 124 of Wauneta, having joined in 1913. She was presented a jewel pin in 1956 by the lodge for her years of long standing. Five other members received jewels at the same time.

She and her husband lived a quiet, peaceful, happy life. A marriage partnership lasting 55 years was broken by her death. She leaves to mourn her passing a loving and devoted husband, two half brothers and one half sister, two nieces and four nephews, many friends and relatives.

Funeral services at the United Methodist Church in Wauneta on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. were officiated by Rev. Robert Linder. Mrs. T. J. Fraser, on the organ. accompanied the Rebekah quartette singing, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "No Disappointment In Heaven." Honorary pallbearers were Forest Hanna,Wayne Anderson, Leland DeHart, Kenneth Kitt, Elmer Schermerhorn and Edwin Kano. Pallbearers were Robert McBride, Sr., Harlan Stock, Walter Fox, Don Berggren, Russell Polly and Bill Buffington. Interment was at Riverside cemetery in Wauneta with Brunkhorst Funeral Home in charge.

Clarence H. Gosney, only son of James H. and Ell Gosney, was born October 14, 1896 and departed this life at his home May 6, 1973.

He was united in marriage to Ophia Mae Pryor on November 5, 1918, at McCook, Nebraska.

His mother, father and wife have preceded him to the great beyond. Clarence was a great lover of the home and greatly devoted to his wife. They had no children, their chief interest being in each other.

He was a loving and companionable husband, a loyal friend and always ready and willing to lend a hand to help a neighbor or in sickness.

Clarence was a native son of Dundy County, born in sod house to pioneer parents, who filed on homestead land in Ough precinct in Dundy County.

He was a true son of the soil, and was never happier than when he was busy tilling the soil, planting and reaping the golden harvest.

When drouth and bad years would strike, he was never disheartened and when planting time came around he was always ready at the wheel with new vigor and vim for the new year ahead, always looking to better years. He took great pride in the planting of his crops, that every row must be perfect.

With his great love for the place of his birth it seemed he could not leave the farm and retire or go to town as he was born and raised on this same farm, married and still living there. So it had always been home to him.

Clarence and his wife lived a very quiet, peaceful happy life. Mr. and Mrs Gosney celebrated their silver wedding anniversary of November 5, 1943. The club they belonged to furnished the dinner for this occasion. There was thirty-one present.

A poem was composed and read on this day by the club members and bespeak of the high moral standing of this couple in their community.

He leaves to mourn his passing three brothers-in law, two nieces, and four nephews, many cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held at the First United Methdist Church in Wauneta Friday afternoon, May 11, 1973 at two o'clock with the Rev. T. J. Fraser officiating. The Rebekah trio, accompanied by Mrs. Virginia Fraser on the organ sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "In The Garden." Pallbearers were Robert McBride, Walter Fox. Kenneth Kitt, Don Berggren, Bill Buffington and Elmer Schermerhorn. Interment was in the Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta with the Brunkhorst Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

James Gosney, a former resident of the Ough Divide, passed away at his home in Wauneta on December 19th, 1939.

He is survived by his wife, Ella, and son, Clarence, besides his brother and several sisters and other relatives.

Benjamin E. Gottschalk, 87, died Tuesday (July 2, 2002) at Community Hospital in McCook.

He was born Oct. 17, 1914, to Herbert and Elizabeth (Deyle) Gottschalk at the family home seven miles south of Max, in Dundy County. As a child, he attended country school - District #52, near his home through the eighth grade. He is a 1933 graduate of Benkelman High School.

After high school he farmed until 1943 when he entered the United States Army as a member of the signal corps during World War II. After receiving his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned home where he farmed until he retired in the late 1970's.

Survivors include his wife, Viola Gottschalk of McCook; four daughters, Barbara Gottschalk and husband, Cemil Ulus of Detroit, Mich., Norma Jean Gottschalk and husband, Glen Ferguson of Suwanee, Ga., Kathy Andrews and husband, Tom also of Suwanne and Janet Gottschalk of Dallas, Texas; one sister, Louise Larrick of Englewood, Colo.; and three grandsons.

Services were Saturday, 10:30 a.m. (MDT) at Forch Funeral Chapel with Rev. Bruce Lester officiating. Interment followed services at the Benkelman Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in his name to the American Cancer Society or to Hester Memorial Home of Benkelman.

Mrs. Herbert Gottschalk passed away at the family home south of Max on Thursday of last week. Her death was not unexpected since she had been in failing health for several months and had declined rapidly during the past few weeks. During her illness she was treated at a hospital in Denver but it seemed that there was little that could be done for her.

Mrs. Gottschalk was a life-long resident of this community and was a woman of high ideals and of great devotion to her family and to her community. She was not alone a splendid wife and mother but a kind and highly esteemed neighbor as well and she will be greatly missed by all those who came to know her so well and to appreciate her unselfish, kindly spirit.

The funeral was held at the Methodist church in Benkelman Sunday afternoon with Rev. Paul E. Boyles .officiating and the Laughlin Funeral Home in charge of the services. Singers were Lloyd Boswell, R. D. Druliner, Mrs. C. A. Ratcliffe and Mrs. Mable Lewis, and Mrs. D. L. Ough presided at the piano. Pall bearers were Fred and Charlie Deyle, Arthur Burk, John Burk, jr., John Burk, sr., and Glenn Fish. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery.

Elizabeth Margaret Deyle, daughter of George F. and Anna Deyle, was born in Cheyenne county, Kansas, on October 20, 1890. She departed this life at her home south of Max on December 23, 1943, at the age of 53 years, 2 months and 3 days.

On November 26, 1913, she was united in marriage to Herbert Gottschalk. They established their home on the home place south of Max and have lived there ever since. To this union three children were born, Benjamin, Louise, and Robert.

She joined the Methodist Church at Benkelman and transferred to the Methodist Church of Max in 1915. She was active in church work until her health failed about two years ago.

She leaves to mourn her departure. her husband Herbert Gottschalk and the three children, Benjamin, who is stationed at Camp Murphy, Florida; Louise, who is teaching in North Platte, and Dr. Robert of Denver, also one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Robe Gottschalk, two sisters, Mrs. Glenn Fish and Mrs. John Burk, three brothers, George F. Jr., Charley, and Joseph, also four nieces and eight nephews and a host of friends.

DENVER— Elizabeth "Betty" J. (Maxwell) Gottschalk, 74, of Denver, a fiber artist and miniaturist, died December 18, 1994, at Porter Memorial Hospital.

She was born August 14, 1920, in Omaha. On June 28, 1942, she married Dr. Robert Herbert Gottschalk, now deceased.

Mrs. Gottschalk was past president of the Denver chapter of Embroiderers Guild of America and was the stitchery artist for “Women's Gold," a tapestry hanging in the state Capitol that was created to celebrate Colorado's bicentennial.

She also was instrumental in the creation of the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys.

She is survived by two daughters, Julia L. Scott and Elizabeth A. Gottschalk; a brother, Robert Maxwell; a sister, Dorothy. McMeekin, and two grandchildren.

Private services were held December 23, 1994, and memorial services were held January 7, 1995, in Denver.

Robert Herbert Gottschalk, a Denver physician, died Monday April 18, 1988, in Denver, Colorado.

In 1942, he was married to Elizabeth Jean Maxwell and in 1943 he was graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School.

Dr. Gottschalk was in private practice in obstetrics and gynecology in Denver until his retirement in 1983. He was on the staffs of Mercy, General Rose, St. Luke's, St. Joseph's and Swedish hospitals. He was on the faculty of the University of Colorado Medical School.

He was a founding fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a member of the Colorado Gynecological and Obstetrical Society and the Denver, Colorado, and American Medical associations.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Colorado Consistory 1, and El Jebel Shrine. He was on the board of the Georgetown Historical Society.

He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Gottschalk, Jr., and his parents, Herbert and Lizzie Gottschalk.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Julia Scott, Englewood, and Elizabeth of, Denver; a sister, Louis Larrick of Englewood; a brother, Ben of Benkelman, and two grandchildren.

James Grady, well known in his ,day and time in Dundy county and especially in Haigler, died at Brush Colo., on Saturday, August 8th, at the age of 76 years.

Mr. Grady settled in Haigler in 1885, coming there from Columbus, Nebraska. He was actively identified in Haigler business circles and as a ranchman and cattle grower until 1908 when he moved with his family to Brush which had since been his home.

He was a man of high ideals and character and was highly esteemed and respected during the years that he lived here. He and his family were very active in church work in the Catholic faith at Brush and in other branches of community life.

Mildred Irene Bushong Ditch Graham was born Nov. 2, 1904 in Rockbridge, Ozark County, Missouri to Lander and Nellie Bushong and departed this life on March 9, 1980 at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, NE, at the age of 75 years 4 months and 5 days.

She spent her young life in Macksville, KS where she came to live with her grandmother at the age of 4 years, after the death of her mother.

She married Oscar Ditch on April 23, 1920. To this union were born five daughters and one son who died in infancy. Irene Fitzwater, who preceded her in death in October 1978, Edith Langham of Memphis, TN, Irma Cline of Benkelman, NE, Betty Tillotson of Towanda, KS and Georgia Zimmerman of Hutchinson, KS. She spent most of her married life in Dodge City, KS raising her family.

Her second marriage to Lester Graham on July 3, 1956 when she moved to Beaver, OK, where she spent the remainder of her married life until the passing of her second husband in October 1977. She lived on a farm near relatives here.

LaVona Faye Cecil Graham, daughter of Charley and Loretta Faye Cecil, was born November 4, 1930, in Cheyenne County, Kansas, just a few miles west of St. Francis. She departed from this life on Monday, November 21, 1983, at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial.

LaVona grew up on a farm southwest of St. Francis, Kansas, and graduated from St. Francis High School.

On February 16, 1952, she was united in marriage to Ernest Francis Graham of Parks, Nebraska. To this union were born three sons: Royce Warren, Curtis Dean and Alan Douglas.

Ernest and LaVona spent their lives together on their farm northwest of Parks. LaVona was baptized unto the Lord in 1956 and lived her life based on Christian principles found in God's Word. She was a member of the Westside Church of Christ in Imperial.

LaVona was a loving wife and mother. She gave her husband and family the warm attention and loving care that a dedicated wife and mother can give; each one in her family was very special to her.

LaVona was preceded in death by her father, Charley Cecil, and her brother, Billy Cecil.

Survivors include her husband, Ernest, of Parks; her mother, Faye Cecil Cline, of Victorville, California; her three sons, Royce, Curtis and Alan, of Parks; her three sisters, Nova Whisenhunt of Victorville, California, Norma and her husband, Bob Wilson, of Victorville, California, and Juanita (Nita) Kerkendall of Portland, Oregon; her two brothers, Martin Cecil and his wife, Rose, of Granger, Wyoming, and Galen Cline and his wife, Linda, of Victorville, California; one sister-in-law, Shirley Cecil Amack, of St. Francis, Kansas; a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held at the Jones Funeral Home in Benkelman, Wednesday, November 23, at 1:30 p.m. with Randy Hayes of Imperial officiating. Music was provided by members of the Westside Church of Christ in Imperial.

Pallbearers were Robert Graham, Dale Lingo, Boyd Blair, Jr., Glen Mullanix, Don Brown and John Ferguson. Interment was at Benkelman Cemetery with Jones Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

NEW RAYMER, Colo.--Alice Krager Graham, 61, died at her home in New Raymer on Sunday, May 24, 1992.

She was born to Harry and Lena Lindsey on their farm, the Somers place, north of New Raymer on January 30, 1931.

She married Clyde Krager on September 23, 1948. They operated the Raymer Pool Hall for a few years, later farming and ranching in the New Raymer area. Krager died March 31, 1988.

Mrs. Krager married Ernest Graham on October 6, 1991. She was a member of the Christian Evangelical Free Church in New Raymer.

She is survived by her husband, Ernest Graham; two sons, Wayne and Jim Krager, both of New Raymer; one daughter, Janet Aikens of New Raymer; her mother, Lena Lindsey of New Raymer; three stepsons, Royce and Curtis Graham, both of Parks, Nebraska, and Alan Graham, stationed in Hawaii with the U.S. Air Force; three sisters, Florence Hays and Helen Wilson, both of Fort Morgan, Colorado, and Vera Fiscus of New Raymer; two brothers, George Lindsey and Benny Lindsey, both of Fort Morgan; five grandchildren and two stepgrandchildren.

Services were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 28, at the Christian Evangelical Free Church in New Raymer with the Rev. Ron Lewis and Pastor Jay Littlefield officiating. Interment was in the New Raymer Cemetery.

In the past week, tragedy struck the Rollwitz and Benkelman communities and took the lives of Mrs. Earl Graham and her daughter, Emma Graham.

Miss Emma, who lived in Sacramento, Calif., spent her fall vacation among her relatives and friends in Dundy county. When she left for her home, her mother accompanied her to California to visit with some of the other children living there.

On October 10, while driving from Sacramento to Stockton, California, the car went out of control and went over an embankment. There were no witnesses to the accident. Since Mrs. Graham was killed instantly, she was taken to the mortuary in Lodi. Miss Emma and Ralph Ridgeway, driver of the car, were removed to the San Joaquin General hospital in Stock ton. Emma lived about six hours but never regained consciousness. .

The bodies, accompanied by daughters, Fern and Leola, were brought to Benkelman, arriving Sunday night about midnight.

One son, Edgar; son-in-law, J. D. Tucker, and his sister, Jean, drove thru in the car. They came to Denver Saturday night and waited to accompany other members of the _ family to Benkelman.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church in Benkelman on Monday afternoon, October 15, at 2:30 with Reverends Earl W. Conley and J. Wm. Woodworth

officiating. The soloist, Mrs. J. . Wm. Woodworth, was accompanied by Mrs. JoAnn Rath. The pallbearers were John Brown, Archie Hedges, Bill Shrum, Lee West, Lloyd Collins, Grant Allen, Bob Brown, Bruce Singley, John Allen, Milton Singley, Johnnie Ferguson and Oliver Gapen.

Arrangements were by the Laughlin Funeral Home and interment was in the Benkelman cemetery.

Sadie Charlotte, daughter of Levi and Melissa McNaught Phillips, was born in Hendley, Nebraska, June 19, 1891, and departed this life October 10th, 1951, aged 60 years, 3 months and 10 days.

infancy; Melissa Emeline, Fern Arlene, Leola Amelia, Ernest Francis, Edgar Charles and twins, Pauline Charlotte and Paul Earl. Mrs. Graham lived a Christian life and always worked in the Rollwitz church while living there. When she moved to Benkelman, she united with the Baptist church there.

Emma, the eldest daughter, was born near Parks on January 27, 1914. She grew up in the Rollwitz community and was active in school, church and social activities until she went to Colorado and then to California a few years ago. In Stockton she was affiliated with the Presbyterian church. Her engagement to Ralph Ridgeway was announced on Sunday, October 7, in Sacramento. She departed this life October 10, 1951.

Mrs. Graham and Emma leave to mourn their loss: Fern Tucker of Stockton, Calif., Leola Trillingham of Long Beach, Calif., Ernest of Benkelman, Edgar of Stockton, Calif., Paul of Denver, Colo., Pauline Brekhisen of Denver, Colo.; one granddaughter and niece, Joyce Tucker; one grandson and nephew, Gary Lee Graham; three sons-in-law or three brothers-in-law; three brothers of Mrs. Graham, Francis Phillips of Albany, Ore., Perl Phillips of Seattle, Wash., and Charlie Phillips of Englewood, Colo.; one half-sister of Bellingham, Wash., and several nephews nieces and many friends.

Ottie Bell (Perkins) Graham, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Perkins was born Oct. 15, 1890, at North Madison, Indiana, and died June 14, 1979 at the Dundy County Hospital at the age of 88 years, 7 months, and 29 days.

In 1893 at the age of three, she came to Harlan County, NE, by covered wagon. She lived most of her childhood near Ragan, NE, where at the age of 13, she was baptized and joined the Baptist Church. Later she transferred her membership to the Hamlet Union Church and was an active member of the Dorcus Circle. Later she joined the Community United Methodist Church at Stratton.

Ottie married Clarence Graham Mar. 10, 1908 at Holdrege, NE. They came to Hitchcock County as newlyweds and lived in a sod house. In 1910 they homesteaded in Hayes County near Hamlet, NE. Later she moved to Stratton. The last 11 years she resided at the Hester Home in Benkelman. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and a member for 33 years of Ola Chapter 317 of the Eastern Star.

Ottie leaves to mourn two daughters: Pearl Myers, Wauneta and Verna Burks and her husband, Paul, Stratton, and one son, William Graham and his wife, Bertha, of Montrose, CO; one sister, Mae Vansyoc, Sable Nursing Center, Aurora, CO; 13 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Grace Clausen, and one brother, Adelza.

The death angel visited the Rollwitz section Monday and called from its midst one of Dundy county's most upright and esteemed citizens in the person of Earl Graham, pioneer farmer,' community builder and esteemed and respected citizen. Earl was well known all over the county and especially the west half and he enjoyed a degree of public esteem not always attained by everyone in the course of a life time.

Funeral services were held in the. United Presbyterian church in Benkelman Wednesday afternoon, being conducted by Rev. J. C. Foster. Singers were D. L. Ough, Lloyd Boswell, Don Hein and Roy Mathews with Mrs. D. L. Ough presided at the piano. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery.

Earl Graham, son of Robert Forrester and Emmaline Warner Graham, was born in Plain City, Ohio, on July 30, 1877, and passed away at his home on August 25, 1941, aged 64 years, and 26 days.

The community was saddened by the sudden passing of Earl Graham on Monday evening. He began feeling bad in the night Sunday, but exercising his usual thoughtfulness for his family, he did not call them. In the morning he complained of a headache and a pain in his chest but did not feel alarmed. About supper time he fell in the yard in an unconscious state. Paul carried him in but he never regained consciousness, and passed away about an hour later.

The family, church and community will sorely miss him. In all his dealings with his fellow man he practiced the Golden Rule. He was an upright Christian man who was highly respected by all with whom he came in contact. His word was as good as his bond. He had a cheerful disposition, which overcame all obstacles. He had the spirit of a true pioneer. He was energetic and ambitious—a perfect example for his children to follow.

As a boy Earl moved with his parents and family from Ohio, in 1869, to a home near Lincoln, Nebraska.

When Earl was about 9 years old his father passed away. In 1886 his mother brought the children and took up a homestead in Allston precinct. There he grew to manhood. He homesteaded in the Rollwitz section in 1901 and lived there continuously.

He married a neighbor girl, Sadie Phillips, on November 21, 1911. To this union were born eight children. The first born, Albert Levi, passed away in infancy. Soon after his marriage he was converted and he, with his wife, united with the Christian church at Rollwitz. He carried this church affiliation all of his life.

He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Sadie and seven children; Emma, Fern, Leola, Ernest, Edgar, Paul and Pauline; one brother, Frank, of Parks; a sister, Mrs. Laura Edwards of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and two sisters in Salida, Colorado. Mrs. Amy Gilbrech and Miss Eunice Graham; several nieces and nephews and many friends. He was a good man and just.

(Researcher note: Burial records show a date of birth as 7-29-1878 and a date of death as 8-25-1941.)

Edgar Charles Graham, 83, of Stockton, Calif., passed away Sunday, July 4, 2004, at a convalescent care facility.

Born Feb. 6, 1921, in Parks, he lived in Stockton for 56 years. He was in the building trade and was a member of the Carpenters Union for 54 years.

Edgar is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kirsti (Kay) Graham of Stockton; son, Karl David Graham and wife, Tammy of Seattle, Wash.; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, John Graham. He is also survived by his sister, Pauline Blut of Colorado; brother Ernest Graham of Parks and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions to the Vinewood Community Church, 1900 West Vine Street, Lodi, CA 95242.

Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home of Lodi, Calif., was in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Emeline Graham, one of Dundy County's pioneer and most respected women, died at the home of her son, Earl Graham, in Rollwitz neighborhood, Sunday evening, February 18, at 9:00 following an illness of five months with yellow jaundice. She was 67 years and a few days old and came to this county with her family in 1887, settling in Allston precinct on a homestead which she owned at the time of her death.

Seven children survive her, all of whom were present at the funeral, they being Albert Graham of Carlyle, Nebraska; Robert F. of Marshalltown, Iowa; Frank and Earl Graham of Rollwitz district; Mrs. W. S. Edwards of Union precinct; Mrs. Anna Gilbreth and Miss Eunice Graham of Salida, Colorado.

(Researcher note: Mrs Graham is buried in the Pleasant Valley cemetery, Dundy county, NE. Burial records show a birth date of 1-25-1845 and a death date of 2-13-1912. Her maiden name was Warner and she was the wife of Robert F. Graham.)

In the past week, tragedy struck the Rollwitz and Benkelman communities and took the lives of Mrs. Earl Graham and her daughter, Emma Graham.

The bodies, accompanied by daughters, Fern and Leola, were brought to Benkelman, arriving Sunday night about midnight.

One son, Edgar; son-in-law, J. D. Tucker, and his sister, Jean, drove thru in the car. They came to Denver Saturday night and waited to accompany other members of the family to Benkelman.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church in Benkelman on Monday afternoon, October 15, at 2:30 with Reverends Earl W. Conley and J. Wm. Woodworth officiating. The soloist, Mrs. J. . Wm. Woodworth, was accompanied by Mrs. JoAnn Rath. The pallbearers were John Brown, Archie Hedges, Bill Shrum, Lee West, Lloyd Collins, Grant Allen, Bob Brown, Bruce Singley, John Allen, Milton Singley, Johnnie Ferguson and Oliver Gapen.

Arrangements were by the Laughlin Funeral Home and interment was in the Benkelman cemetery.

Sadie Charlotte, daughter of Levi and Melissa McNaught Phillips, was born in Hendley, Nebraska, June 19, 1891, and departed this life October 10th, 1951, aged 60 years, 3 months and 10 days.

With her parents, she lived in Western Kansas, then they moved to Dundy county in 1904, settling in the Rollwitz community. On November 21, 1911, she was married to a neighbor, Earl Graham. To this union eight children were born: Albert Levi, who died in infancy; Melissa Emeline, Fern Arlene, Leola Amelia, Ernest Francis, Edgar Charles and twins, Pauline Charlotte and Paul Earl. Mrs. Graham lived a Christian life and always worked in the Rollwitz church while living there. When she moved to Benkelman, she united with the Baptist church there.

PARKS -- Ernest F. Graham, 85, died Saturday (June 11, 2005), at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

He was born Dec. 19, 1919 on his family's farm north of Parks to Earl and Sadie (Phillips) Graham. He attended country school near his family's home in District 48 through the eighth grade, then engaged in farming with his father.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 3, 1942 and received his initial training at Robins Field in Georgia before becoming an NCO in the 78th Medical Supply Platoon. He served in the Army Air Corp. in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, including India and Burma. After receiving his honorable discharge on Feb. 18, 1946, Ernest returned to the farm in Dundy County.

After his wife's death Nov. 21, 1983, he married Alice L. Krager on Oct. 6, 1991, in New Raymer, Colo.

Preceding him in death are his parents; wives, LaVona and Alice; sisters, Leola, Fern, and Emma; and brothers, Paul, Edgar, and Albert.

Survivors include his sons, Royce Graham, Curtis Graham and special friend, Rhonda Seybolt, and Alan Graham, all of Parks; step-children, Wayne Krager, and wife, Gale, Janet Aikens, and husband, Harold, Jim Krager, and wife, Shelly, all of New Raymer, Colo.; sister, Pauline Blut of Golden, Colo.; grandson, Cody, and granddaughter, Cierra.

Services will be Thursday at 11 a.m., in the funeral chapel with the Rev. Randy Hayes officiating. Interment with military honors will follow services at the Benkelman Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 1-7 p.m. (MDT) at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to the Benkelman VFW.

LAKEWOOD, Colo.--Paul Earl Graham was born on June 24, 1924, in Rollwitz, Neb., to Earl and Sadie (Phillips) Graham. He and his twin sister, Pauline, were the youngest of eight children.

He attended school in District 48 at Rollwitz. Paul grew up and worked on the family farm until he went into the U.S. Army in 1945. He served in the Quartermaster Corps in Japan through 1946.

In 1948, Paul took up residence in Denver, Colo. He married Betty McCoy of Denver on May 1, 1949. To this union three sons and a daughter were born.

Paul worked as a mechanic in the transportation department of Denver Public Schools until his retirement. He was a great history buff and loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and many foreign places. Other interests included metal detecting and helping out at the family farm in Nebraska. He loved to reminisce about his experiences growing up in sandhill country, and wrote about many of these memories. A devout Christian, he was a member of Green Mountain Christian Church for more than 32 years.

At the age of 73 years, Paul died on Saturday, Jan. 10, 1998, in Lakewood, Colo., due to congestive heart failure.

Survivors include his wife, Betty, of Lakewood; sisters Fern of Eureka, Calif., and Pauline of Denver; brothers Ernest of Parks, Neb., and Edgar of Stockton, Calif.; sons Gary and Steven of Denver, and David of Duluth, Minn.; daughter Tami McGaha of Great Lakes, Ill.; six grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Paul was a very strong, yet kind and gentle man. He was a loving father and grandfather. He leaves his friends and loved ones with many wonderful memories.

Services were held Wednesday, Jan. 10, 1998, in Lakewood. Interment was at Morrison Cemetery in Morrison, Colo.

The great European conflict has been in progress for many months now and while our people realize the terrible slaughter of men on the battlefield and of the sufferings and sacrifices of those on the sidelines and in the German-occupied countries, it seems far away and we do not realize the full extent of tragedy at a great distance as we do when it is brought home to us.

But there was one home in Dundy County where the realization of the vast struggle was brought close to the family fireside when Louis Grams received notification last Saturday that his brother, Henry. with the German invasion forces in Russia, was killed in an offensive action on September 29. He was 41 years of age, had seen 12 years of service and was a reserve officer. He leaves a wife but Louis did not know for sure whether there were children or not.

Louis has another brother, William, who likely will soon be in the conflict but not on the side of Germany. He is a naturalized Canadian, has been in training in Montreal, Canada, for several months and expects to go overseas with the Canadian forces soon.

Thus it is that the fingers of war reach out in many directions from the actual scene of conflict and affect many families and in many ways.

IMPERIAL— Vada Ethel Grams was born on April 22, 1915, in the Hiawatha community of Dundy County, Neb., to Frederick and Addie (Faris) Alsbury .

As a young girl she attended country school and assisted her parents on the farm.

Vada married Harry Andrew Grams on July 1, 1939, at Canon City, Colo., and to this union two sons were born. Leroy and Robert.

They lived on the Earl Artist place in Dundy County for nine years from the date of their marriage. The couple then moved to the present house 13 miles south of Imperial where they farmed and ranched until retirement.

Vada entered the Imperial Manor Nursing Home at Imperial, Neb., in 1989. She passed away at the Manor on Saturday evening, Dec. 7, 2002. She was 87 years of age.

Vada was one of the founding members of the Westside Church of Christ. She was baptized and was a faithful follower of Christ and his message.

Vada was also a 4-H leader when her boys were young. She had many hobbies including crocheting, knitting, gardening and raising chickens. She loved to cook and was well-known for her chicken and noodles, cinnamon rolls and homemade ice cream.

Vada was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1993; brothers Carl, Floyd, Frederick, Jr., and Kenneth, and sisters Mary, Edith Trembley and Bessie Mulder.

Survivors include her sons: Leroy and wife, Sue, of Benkelman, Neb., and Robert and wife, Jacquie, of Imperial; four grandchildren: Scott Grams and wife, Amye, of Kearney,

Neb., Melisa and husband, Jim Salter, of Grand Island, Neb., Steven Grams and wife, Laura, of Imperial and Jamie and husband, Jeff Oliver, of Superior, Colo.; six great-grandchildren: Ashley, Alexandra, Elliott, Seth, Cameron and Brittney; a sister, Grace Whiteley, of Benkelman, and a sister-in-law, Wilda Alsbury, also of Benkelman.

Funeral services for Vada Grams were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2002, at the Westside Church of Christ in Imperial with Bill Lewis officiating. Music was by the Westside Church of Christ Singers.

Casket bearers were Randy Bartlett, Jack Pump, Ron Berry, Don Hamm, Steve Grams and Jerry Groff. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery at Benkelman. Liewer Funeral Home of Imperial was in charge of arrangements.

IMPERIAL— Harry Andrew Grams was born on the family farm in Dundy County. Nebraska. on April 5, 1916. to Andy and Grace Grams. and died at the Imperial Manor in Imperial. Nebraska. on March 30. 1993. at the age of 76. His death was attributed to ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrigs disease.

Harry attended country grade school in rural Dundy County and then attended high school in Benkelman. Nebraska. for one year. At this time the depression struck so Harry had to quit school and help on the family farm. He remembered the depression years and once told the story of how the bank never opened one day and all the money his father had was $3 in his pocket. Harry recalled working for an area farmer during this time for 25 cents a day.

In 1930, Harry started a trucking business with his father hauling fruit, vegetables, corn, salt and coal. In 1936, with his own truck, Harry helped to build Highway 6 from Wauneta, Nebraska, west to the Colorado state line, hauling dirt and gravel.

July 1, 1939, in Canon City, Colorado, Harry married Vada Alsbury and to this union were born two sons, Leroy and Robert. They lived on the Earl Artist place in Dundy County for nine years from the day of their marriage. They then moved to the present house 13 miles south on the dump road where Harry continued trucking with Lyle Mendenhall.

War was declared in the early '40s and even though Harry did not serve in the Armed Forces, he did collect and haul iron for the war effort. He continued trucking for nine years while still helping his dad during the summertime on the farm.

In 1942, Harry discovered another interest in life—flying. His first airplane was a 1928 American Eagle biplane. He loved and enjoyed flying until his health deteriorated.

In 1947 Harry started farming full time and also shelling corn for the community. He received 1 1/2 cents per bushel to begin with, which later increased to 2 1/2 cents per bushel. Corn was about 75 cents per bushel at this time. Harry said he wore out four corn shellers during this time.

In 1948. he bought a travel trailer and took Vada and the boys on a tour of the United States.

The mid-'50s saw a very important event in Harry's life. He was baptized into Christ for the remission of his sins in a horse-watering tank north of Wauneta_ That same day he watched both of his sons immersed in the same tank. Thus began a lifelong journey of faithfulness to God in his Son's body, the church and Christ

Harry was a pioneer in irrigation. In 1956, he drilled the first irrigation well in Dundy County and he drilled the second irrigation well in Chase County. He also put up the first center pivot in Dundy County and the second center pivot in Chase County. He worked together many times during this time with the University of Nebraska on new farming practices and fertilizer testing.

Harry spent the latter years of his life farming and ranching. He moved to the Imperial Manor following a car accident in 1991 and remained there until his death.

Among the pleasures of life, Harry enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and collecting. One of his more memorable hunting trips was with Gen. Cooper whose son became an astronaut and traveled to the moon. Another highlight in his life was that he could speak proudly of a relative who was a pallbearer at the funeral of Gen. George Washington.

Harry worked at the Champion (Nebraska) Mill in early life. He loved history and often shared moments of history in stories told to his grandchildren.

Harry served on the Hiawatha school and cemetery boards. as secretary of the rural telephone company and on the Enders Coop board for many years.

He made many contributions to the Church of Christ He was instrumental in the building of the Westside Church of Christ in Imperial of which he was a member at the time of his death. He served as an elder in the church in the 70s. Harry was largely responsible for the preacher's home located behind the church building. He was also instrumental in the establishment of what then was known as the Cornhusker Christian Childrens Home of rural Culbertson, Nebraska, which is now the Family Life Center.

Surviving him are his wife, Vada, a resident of the Imperial Manor: his two sons, Leroy and his wife, Sue, and Robert and his wife, Jacquie, all of Imperial: one sister. Edna Steier, of Heritage of Wauneta and her husband, Harry, of rural Dundy County; one brother-in-law, Dale Lingo, of Benkelman: four grandchildren: Scott Grams and his wife. Amye, of Lexington. Nebraska. Melisa Grams of Grand Island, Nebraska, and Steve Grams and Jami Grams, both of Imperial, a host of relatives and friends.

Services were held Friday, April 2, 1993, at 10 a.m. at the Westside Church of Christ with David Rozelle. Lloyd Overby and Jlm Cox officiating. The Westside Church of Christ Singers sang "Sing Me To Heaven," “The Old Rugged Cross" and “This World Is Not My Home.”

Bearers were Steve Grams, Ron Berr,. Jack Pump, Don Ham, Marlon Berry and Randy Bartlett. Honorary bearers were Harry Steier, Dale Lingo, Keith Wood, Claude Wood, Clarence Jaeger, Herman Banks, Gene Moreland, Bill McNair and Rudy Brandt.

Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with arrangements by Liewer Funeral Home of Imperial.

BENKELMAN Bonnie Jean Grant (Fallert) of Benkelman died Monday (June 18, 2007) in Lakewood, Colo., at the age of 89.

Daughter of William F. and Alma Rose Fallert, Bonnie was born July 27, 1917, in Benkelman. She was the youngest of four children, her siblings included; Valieta (Foster), Beryl (Russell) and William "Dale" Fallert.

She grew up and attended school in Benkelman. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church and the Women's Auxiliary and took great joy in being part of the community.

She worked at Jackson's Variety Store, Moses Drug Store, the Dundy County Assay office, and later for Bill Hines in his law office.

Bonnie married her high school sweetheart, Neal Grant on Feb 26, 1938. Together they had four children, Gary, Roger, Lana and Tammy. Bonnie had two grandsons, Mark and Todd.

Even though she moved from Benkelman in 1965, Bonnie always considered Benkelman her home and returned year after year for school reunions and to keep in touch with dear friends. Bonnie always kept her Benkelman friends and those memories close to her heart no matter where she moved.

Bonnie survived Neal who passed away in 1962. She married David Higbee in 1965, and he passed away in 2004.

Memorial services will be Saturday, 11 a.m. (MST) at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman, with Rev. Kay Alnor officiating. Services will conclude at the church with a private inurnment being at a later time.

Grace E. Grant was born at Grant, Iowa, January 13, 1897, the daughter of Bert and Elizabeth Porter and died Thursday, November 24, 1977 at the Dundy County Hospital, Benkelman, Nebraska at the age of 80 years, 10 months and 11 days.

Those who honor her memory are her husband, Floyd, Trenton; a son, Bill, of Denver; eight grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and a half brother, Boyd Porter, Des Moines, Iowa.

Funeral Services were conducted at the Trenton Congregational Church Saturday, November 26 with the Rev. W. W. DeBolt officiating with interment in the Benkelman Cemetery.

Marsha A. Grant was born to Marvin and Louise (Miller) Turman on February 2, 1942, in St. Francis, Kansas. She died February 24, 1987, at the Axtell Christian Hospital in Newton, Kansas, at the age of 45 years and 22 days.

Marsha married Dr. Roger D. Grant in Boston, Massachusetts, April 26, 1962. They are parents of one son, Todd. Marsha was a mother, homemaker and businesswoman.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. Roger D. Gránt of Newton, Kansas; one son, Todd Grant of the home, and two brothers, Marlin Turman of Weeping Water, Nebraska, and Fred Turman of Wilbur, Nebraska.

Services were held Thursday, February 26, 1987, at the Trinity Heights Methodist Church in Newton, Kansas, with the Rev. Mel Short officiating.

Organist was Mrs. John Bevan. Mr. Dudley Dodgion-Toevs sang the selections "The Lord's Prayer" and "The Old Rugged Cross."

Casket bearers were Mr. Ed Harms, Mr. Elden Buss, Mr. Gene Freeman, Dr. Rick McKinney, Mr. Richard Williams and Mr. Dudley Dodgion-Toevs.

Graveside services were held at the Benkelman Cemetery in Benkelman, Nebraska, on Friday, February 27, 1987. The Rev. Dr. John Kilgore presided.

The remains of Percival Judson Graves, who died at Los Angeles, California, September 12, arrived in Benkelman Monday afternoon and interment was made in Benkelman Cemetery the same day.

The young man was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Graves of Calhoun precinct, Cheyenne County, Kansas, and was born at Aurora, Nebraska, July 15, 1881. With his parents he came to Cheyenne County in 1887, residing there until about nine years ago, since then he had been living in different parts of the west.

Besides his parents, there survive him two brothers, Lawrence and Charles, and a sister, Grace Graves, the latter two residing in Cheyenne County.

The deceased was well-known in this vicinity, where he had many friends who entertained a deep affection for him.

(Researcher note: Burial records for the Benkelman cemetery show a death date of September 12, 1932.)

Rev. Woodward was called to preach the funeral sermon of Grandpa Graves on Monday.

Mr. Graves was a grand old man of 80 years, an old pioneer of the Riverside community. He has been very frail for several years and has lived with his son, Charley, at Wheeler, Kan., the past three years. He always had a ringing testimony of the goodness of God and would say I am just waiting for the Master's call.

(Researcher note: Burial records show a birth date of 3-16-1852 and a death date of 9-18-1932. He was the husband of Lydia Hurlbert.)

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Gadeken (Blecha), Mary Helen	Gilstrap, Anthony Edward	Gray (Merklin), Phyllis
Gaines (Gilbert), Edna Alice	Girt (Ostrom), Viloa May	Gray (Schwartz), Ada Irene
Gallagher (Monvoisin), Mary Addie	Gilstrap, Ruth Anne	Gray, Donald C.
Gallagher, J. J. 'Jeff'	Gipe (Williams), Ruth Evelyn	Gray, James 'Uncle Jimmy'
Gallagher, Lauren Burr	Gipe, Harry Lee	Gray, Laury Kent
Gallatin (Maxwell), Opal J.	Givens (Minton), Mina MayBelle	Gray, Ozro James
Gallatin, Dent Eugene	Glasco, Harold Arthur	Greeley, Edward H.
Gallay (Deak), Ilona Rev.	Glasco, John William	Green (Foster), Florence
Gallington (Foster), Carrie Ann	Glasco, Travis Tyan	Green (Stumbaugh), Lora Emma
Gangnon (Nuding), Anna Elizabeth	Glassman, Philip A.	Green, Earl D.
Gangnon, Treff	Gleason, Junior Clarke 'J.C.'	Green, Edgar R.
Gapen, Frances Oliver	Glenn, D. L. 'Pudge'	Green, John Gilbert
Gardner (Lathrop), Lila L.	Glenn, Robert Charles	Green, John Robert
Gardner (Reeve), Florence Ruth	Goddard (Sales), Sylvia E.	Green, John Wiley
Gardner, (Weigel), Mary Emma	Goddard, Anthony Wayne	Greene (Bricker), Vera Mae
Gardner, Charles G.	Goddard, Frank Edward	Greene (Nicholson), Helen J.
Gardner, Frank M.	Goddard, Frank Ross	Grene, Alonzo Harry
Gardner, John Raphael	Goddard, Woodie Pine	Greene, Donald E.
Gardner, Richard Reeve	Golden, Fred L.	Greene, Edward
Gardner, Roy H.	Golding (Welch), Lena Belle	Greene, Joseph Henry
Gardner, William Allen	Golding, Clarence emery	Greene, Joseph J.
Garey (Cameron), Mary Ellen	Golding, Donalane W.	Greene, Ralph W.
Garner (Soule) Lenice M.	Goldworth (Laumann), wynona	Greene, William Edward
Garner (Teeter), Emmaline Lela Cora	Goltl, August P.	Gregory, Samuel David 'Dave'
Garner (Wick), Amy M.	Gonzales (Helfer), Wanda	Gregory, William Richard 'Rich'
Garner, Demar Wesley	Goodell (Harvey), Arilla Mae	Grenier (Roach), Margaret
Garner, Francis Gale	Goodell (Wiggins), Louise	Grenier, James Coleman
Garner, Harry Thomas	Goodell, Charles Bertland	Brenier, Ralph A.
Garner, Marlin K.	Goodell, Ethel	Griffin (Piester), Eva May
Garner, Patrick James	Goodell, Leslie H.	Griffin , Lyle Y.
Gattshall, Wayne Alfred	Goodell, Leverett Ercil	Griffith (Holcomb), Mary Emma 'Mayme'
Gauger (Haarberg), Marlies Sophia	Goodell, Robert A.	Griffith, Delbert
Gauger (McBride), Mary Virginia	Gooder (Monk), Jennie H.	Grigsby (Smith), Jessie
Gauger, Ben	Gooder (Williams), Irene M.	Grigsby, Jesse Wellman 'Rusty'
Gauger, Frank	Gooder, Lewis William	Grigsby, Joseph
Gauger, Leonard R. 'Shorty'	Goodman (Roach), Beulah W.	Grim, Melvin J.
Gauger, Samuel	Goodman, Percy Leroy	Grimes (Brown), Lorene Essell
Gauger, William**	Gordon, Ralph M.	Grimmeiss, Andrew J. 'Dutch'
Gaum (Roemmich), Caroline M.	Gorthy (Edmonds), Laura Belle	Groff, Larry Elwood
Gehrig (Smith), Bessie May	Gorthy (Holliman), Vera Mae	Groff, William F. 'Elwwod'
Gehrig, George Andrew	Gorthy, James	Grose (Morrison), Alice Flora
Geihsler, Harlan Edward	Gorthy, Paul	Grose (Williams), Ulah Pearl
Geihsler, Harold W.	Gorthy, Paul Valden	Grose, Richard Emery
George, Lucy	Gorthy Walter Lawrence	Grose, William Robert
Gerdes (Draper), Abigail Marion	Gosney (Pryor), Ophia Mae	Gueck, (Stute) (Hofer), Lena
Gerdes (Gunther), Annie Marie	Gosney, Clarence H.	Guernsey, C. Max
Gerdes (Tavenner), Helen Mae	Gosney, James	Guerrero (Dexter), Joyce Ann
Gerdes, Archie L.	Gottscalk, Benjamin E.	Guinn, Lester Pershing
Gerdes, Christopher 'Chris'	Gottschalk (Deyle), Elizabeth Margaret	Gummere (Brown), May Ellen
Gerdes, Ellis Elroy 'Eli'	Gottschalk (Maxwell), Elizabeth J. 'Betty'	Gummere (Diehl), Nancy
Gerdes, Everett Glen	Gottschalk, Robert Herbert Dr.	Gummere (Royal), Cleobells
Gerdes, Foster Finley	Grady, James	Gummere (Walters), Hazel I.
Gerdes, Fredrick Foster	Graham (Bushong) (Ditch), Mildred Irene	Gummere, Clarence E.
Gerdes, Gary	Graham (Cecil), LaVona Faye	Gummere, Ed
Gerdes, L. Dwayne	Graham (Lindsey), Alice Krager	Gummere, Ellis C.
Gerdes, Lee A.	Graham (McNaught), Sadie Charlotte	Gummere, Ralph
Gerdes, Lyle Denby	Graham (Perkins), Ottie Bell	Gumrukeu (Hamburg), Patricia Eugenia
Gerdes, Norman I.	Graham, Earl	Gunderman (Warnock), Blanche Marguerite
Gerdes, Rex Verle	Graham, Edgar Charles	Gunderman, Katherine M. 'Kathy'
Gerdes, Rieke	Graham, Emeline	Gunderman, Lawrence Raymond 'Tuff'
Gerdes, Rieke Kenneth	Graham, Emma	Gunderman, William G. 'Bill'
Gerih, Howard 'Joe'	Graham, Ernest F.	Gunther (Bradley), Delna L.
Gerih, Mike	Graham, Paul Earl	Gunther (Carter), Linda L.
Gerver, Reul M.	Grams, Henry	Gunther (Martin), Bertha Hazel
Gestring (Reiman), Leona Regina	Grams (Alsbury), Vada Ethel	Gunther (Pettit), Wilma Faye
Gibb, Robert S. Gibb	Grams, Harry Andrew	Gunther, Carl l.
Gies (Caldwell), Margaret A. 'Peggy'	Grant (Fallert), Bonnie Jean	gunther, Fred August
Gies, Harry LeRoy	Grant (Porter), Grace E.	Gunther, Harry F.
Giese, Johnnie	Grant (Turman), Marsha A.	Gunther, Marlin Eugene
Gilbert (Artist), Elizabeth	Graves, Percival Judson	Gurnsey (Chartier), Everna May 'Tude'
Gilbert (Hardy), Georgia Alice	Graves, Thomas 'Grandpa'	Gutzman (Hofenstine), D. Darlene
Gilbert (Thompson), Sarah		Gwin, E. Merle
Gilmore, William L.