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Judith Ann Soth, 59
(Jan. 22) TORRINGTON, Wyo. - Judith Ann Soth, 59, died Wednesday, July 17, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. She was born Feb. 16, 1941, at Webb City, Mo. Her parents were Woody and Roberta (Bolls) Fields.
Early on, the family moved to Sallisaw, Okla., where she grew up and graduated from high school. She then attended Colorado Women's College for one year. She was married to Merl Soth on Feb. 10, 1968, at Denver. The couple resided in Brighton, Colo., from 1970 until 1997, when they moved to Torrington.
She is survived by her husband, Merl Soth of the home at Torrington; her mother and step-father, Roberta and William Sageser of Aztec, N.Mex.; and her son Warren Soth of Colorado. She also is survived by a half-brother, William Hernry Sageser IV of Denver.
Mrs. Soth's funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Colyer Funeral Home Chapel in Torrington. Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until noon Tuesday at Colyer Funeral Home, and the casket will be opened after the service.
William "Bill" Rothwell, 72
(Jan. 22) KEARNEY - William "Bill" Rothwell, 72, lifetime rancher in Arthur and Grant counties, died Jan. 19, 2001, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He was born March 2, 1928, at Hyannis. His parents were George W. Glaydis Crough Rothwell.
He graduated from Curtis High School in 1945, and then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for a year and a half. He married Shirley Jean Coleman on Nov. 6, 1945, at Alliance Methodist Church. The couple moved to the family ranch, established by his grandfather in 1888. The couple ranch there from 1949 until the early 1990's when they moved to Arthur. They continued to ranch until his health failed. He also sold Moorman Feed in the Arthur area for 26 years, retiring four years ago. He was a member of United Church of Christ of Hyannis, Masonic Lodge of Hyannis, Kappa Sigma fraternity and Elks Lodge of Alliance.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Jean Rothwell of the home in Arthur; three daughters, Pamela Sue Arrants of Alliance, Polly Ann Gunther of Bloomfield, and Peggy Theresa Jolovich of Torrington, Wyo.; his son Robert D. Rothwell of Hyannis; 17 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He also is survived by two sisters, Phyllis Knoflicek and Martha Warday, both of Alliance; and three brothers, Robert Rothwell of Lincoln, Max Rothwell of Tryon, and Gene Rothwell of Monument, Colo.
Mr. Rothwell's funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan.23, at Arthur Baptist Church, with Rev. Glendon Epp officiating. Burial will be in Hyannis Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. today, Jan. 22, at Draucker Funeral Home in Ogallala. Memorials may be made to Arthur Baptist Church. Draucker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Helen E. Girard, 97
(Jan. 22) ALLIANCE - Helen Elizabeth Girard, 97, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, at Good Samaritan Health Care Center. She was born May 6, 1904, in Alliance to Chenia A. and Ellen M. "Nellie" (Brennan) Newberry.
She was an Alliance resident all of her life. Following her graduation in 1921 from St. Agnes Academy she attended University of Nebraska where she met the love of her life, Bernard Girard. They were married July 2, 1925, at Holy Rosary Church in Alliance. Her survivors include her sons and wives, Joseph and Mary Girard, 400 Shelby Ave., Powell, OH 43065; Bernard and Betty Girard, 1004 Toluca, Alliance; James Girard, 1023 Sweetwater, Alliance; Thomas Girard, 2227 Florence, Kingman, AZ 86401; Helen Knapp, 1623 W. Smith Road, Riverton, WY 82501; special friend Barb Bignell of Alliance; 17 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. Her husband Bernie; parents, brothers Norman Newberry and Bill Newberry, sisters Agnes Beal and Mae Abegg, one grandson and one great grandson preceded her in death. She was a member of Holy Rosary Church and Altar Society.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 25, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, with Fr. Vince Parsons officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. A wake service will be at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24, at Bates-Gould Chapel. Memorials may be given to the Knight Museum or to Holy Rosary Church. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Elizabeth Leistritz, 80
(Jan. 22) NORTH PLATTE - Elizabeth "Betty" Leistritz, 80, died Friday, Jan. 19, at Centennial Park Retirement Village. She was born May 31, 1921 at Northampton, Mass. Her parents were Marcus and Anna May Gleason.
In 1943, she entered the U.S. Navy and attained the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class. She was married to Wayne Leistritz June 28, 1947. They moved to the family ranch near Lakeside. In 1956, they moved to their ranch near North Platte, and in 1969, they moved to North Platte. She was a member of numerous organizations and served on the election board for many years. She is survived by her husband; son, Dale Leistritz of North Platte; daughter, Pat Martin of Aurora, Colo.; and two grandchildren. She also is survived by two nephews.
Memorials have been established to the 20th Century Veterans Memorial and the American Red Cross. Graveside memorial services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell.
Eleanor Alice Brennan, 85
(Jan. 22) RUSHVILLE - Eleanor Alice Brennan, 85, died Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, at Gordon Memorial Hospital. She was born May 28, 1916, near Litchfield, to Guy and Alice Sweley.
As a young girl she helped her parents and younger brother with the family farm and attended Litchfield Schools. She took Normal Training in Kearney and received a teaching certificate for the rural Nebraska School System. She moved to the Sandhills to teach in the rural schools of Sheridan County. She was married to Francis Richard "Dick" Brennan Nov. 22, 1940, at Broken Bow. They ranched 18 miles north of Lakeside. She was an active part of the ranch with the cattle and other livestock, gardening, and home. They had one daughter, Shirley, who was born in 1943 in the old Rushville Hospital. Subsequent to leasing their land to a neighbor, and retirement from ranching, Eleanor and Dick moved to their home one mile south of Rushville in 1980. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially birds and flowers, gardening, animals, and cooking. She was an avid reader, having read almost every book of interest in the Rushville Public Library at least once. She was dearly loved by her family and devoted all of her life to them. Up to the point of her death, she communicated with them all, even those at a long distance, nearly daily. She is survived by her daughter, Shirley (Don) Larson of Rushville; grandchildren, Christine (Stan) Haithcock of St. Augustine, Fla. and Ken (Tracy) Larson of Loveland, Colo.; and great-grandchildren Brielle, Brenna, Justin, Jaden, Kyle, Collin, and Blake; She also is survived by one brother, Ivan (Mary) Sweley of Marysville, Calif. Preceding her in death were her husband Dick, who died in April of 1985, and her parents, Guy and Alice Sweley.
Funeral services were held at the Cicmanec-Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan.22, with Pastor Al Trucano officiating. Burial followed at Fairview Cemetery in Rushville, Nebraska. A memorial has been established for the Rushville Rescue Unit. Cicmanec-Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ida Lewis, 98
(Jan. 23) ROGERS, Ark. - Ida Lewis, 98, former Alliance resident, died Friday, Dec, 29, at Heritage Park Nursing Home where she had resided since September 1998. She was born Jan. 14, 1902, at Walnut, Iowa. Her parents were John and Frances Christie.
The family moved to western Nebraska and homesteaded near Whitman. She graduated from high school in Whitman and, after earning her teaching certificate from Chadron Teachers College, she taught country school for two years. She was married to Howard Lewis on March 24, 1925.
Mr. Lewis preceded her in death. The couple lived on the Monahan Ranch until 1943, when they moved to Alliance. In 1977, she moved to St. Francis, Kan., to be near her son Roger Lewis and wife Dotty. Then, she moved to Rogers, Ark., after her son and wife had moved to Bella Vista, Ark.
She is survived by her son Roger Lewis of Bella Vista; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Cremation arrangements were by Bella Vista Funeral Home. Inurnment will be in Alliance.
Arthur H. Hudson, 82
(Jan. 23) BILLINGS, Mont. - Arthur H. Hudson, 82, former Alliance resident, died Dec. 22, 2000, at Billings, Mont. He was born Dec. 22, 1918, at Alliance. His parents were Albert and Lucy Hudson.
After graduating from Alliance High School in 1937, he was employed by CB&Q Railroad. He joined the U.S. Amy Air Corps during World War II, and flew 30 missions over Germany in a B-24. Upon returning home, he married Etta Stone on Dec. 13, 1944. The couple then moved to Nebraska where he was employed by Great Western Sugar Company. During his 36 years with the company, he worked in Wyoming, Nebraska, Ohio and Montana.
He is survived by his wife, Etta; daughter Betty Kukowski; two sons, Jerry Lee Hudson and John Alan Hudson; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. Hudson's funeral was Wednesday, Dec. 24, at Tree of Life Wesleyan Church in Billings, Mont. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Billings or Tree of Life Wesleyan Church.
Margaret Ann Householder, 85
(Jan. 23) ALLIANCE - Margaret Ann Householder, 85, died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, at Good Samaritan Health Care Center She was born July 28,1917, at Broken Bow to Robert and Zillah (Stewart) Hunter.
She spent her earlier childhood growing up on the Hunter Ranch north of Hemingford. She attended St. Agnes Academy, later graduating from Alliance High School. She also attended Chadron State College and Barnes Business School in Denver. She worked at Montgomery Wards, the Alliance Air Base during WWII, Nebraska Stock Growers Association, and ended her career working for the Nebraska Job Service for 28 years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Eastern Star. In 1984 she was commissioned by Governor Bob Kerry as an Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. She was married to Richard "Dick" Householder at the Hunter Ranch on Feb. 14, 1938, and they have lived in Alliance ever since. They were looking forward to celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary next month. She is survived by her husband, Richard; and sons, Richard F. (Sheilagh) Householder of Windsor, Ont., and Dale (Susan) Householder of rural Minatare; grandchildren, Robert (Heather) Householder of London, Ont.; Douglas Householder of Toronto, Ont., and Amanda (Bill) DeWitt of Minatare; and great-grandson Corbin DeWitt She also is survived by one sister-in-law, Dorothy Hunter of Hemingford; and eight nieces and nephews. Her parents and four brothers preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at the First United Methodist Church at Alliance, with the Rev. Jerry Mercer officiating. Graveside services will follow at the Hemingford Cemetery. Memorials may be given to United Methodist Church, 704 Box Butte Ave., Alliance, NE 69301; to the Nebraska Children's Home, 3549 Fontenelle Blvd., Omaha, NE, 68104; or to a charity of the donor's choice. Bates-Gould Funeral Home of Alliance is in charge of arrangements.
Mildred Mae Walker, 86
(Jan. 24) BAYARD - Mildred Mae Walker, 86, died Friday, Jan. 19, at Clark Hospital in Omaha. She was born Oct. 6, 1914, at Bayard. Her parents were Wilbur and Pearla (Jones) Butler.
She grew up on the family farm near Bayard, attending school at Bayard District No. Hill 44. She was married to Richard Lewis Walker of South Dakota on Sept. 4, 1930. The couple resided in Bingham for many years. Mr. Lewis died in 1977. She was a homemaker, and moved to Park Homes in Ainsworth four years ago.
She is survived by four daughters, Connie Knuth of Ainsworth, Lila Lotspeich of Bingham, Doris Novotny of Minatare and Dorothy Hatfield of Chillicothe, Mo.; her son Vernon Walker of Elizabeth, Colo.; 22 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren; and 20 great-great-grandchildren. Three brothers and three sisters also survive her.
Mrs. Walker's funeral services were Monday, Jan. 22, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Ainsworth and Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Bingham Lutheran Church, with Rev. John Finster officiating. Burial was in Bingham Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Ainsworth Congregational UCC, 236 West Third St., Ainsworth, NE 69210. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth was in charge of arrangements.
Robert (Bob) Eugene Naylor, 75
(Jan. 24) CORONA, Calif. - Robert (Bob) Eugene Naylor, 75, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2002. He was born July 7, 1926, to Orval Robert and Edith Mae (Hamilton) Naylor on the Naylor homestead, now the Monte Joe McFate place.
The family moved to the Harlen Van Cleave place then the Young Ranch, the Log Ranch and later to the Ben Beshaler farm. He attended the Callaway Schools through his sophomore year then attended the Curtis Nebraska School of Agriculture his Junior and Senior year, graduating in 1944. He married Betty Ruth Shipley June 1, 1949. She preceded him in death Feb. 3, 2001. He worked for Roy Taylor selling televisions, and also for lumberyards in Callaway and Broken Bow. He worked as a custodian for the Callaway Public Schools for nine years and then returned to farming south of Callaway. He and his wife moved to California in 1983 where he worked for Kirkhill Rubber Company for six years and then Silvercrest Western Homes as head security guard, retiring in April 2001. He never knew a stranger, always having a friendly smile and most often a joke to tell. He loved talking with old friends and family, especially spending time (and teasing) his children and grandchildren.
He enjoyed working with his hands including woodworking, construction and farming. His greatest pleasure was growing beautiful roses at his home in California. He lived with his son Kevin and his family, and greatly enjoyed helping take care of his three grandsons. He recently spent four months in Nebraska visiting his children and granddaughter in Alliance plus friends and family in Callaway, Cozad and North Platte. He also attended two family reunions and his 57th high school reunion. He is survived by one daughter, Becky Mitchell and husband Dave of Alliance; sons Kent Naylor and wife Machell of Alliance, and Kevin Naylor and wife Olga of Corona, Calif.; grandchildren Ethan, Austin and Caleb Naylor and Crysta Naylor. He also is survived by Mary (Olga's sister) and Marcus, Jr. Rocha and children Marcus, Madelina and Macaela who adopted him as their father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his parents and infant brother Mitchell.
Memorial services were held Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Sierra Memorial Chapel in Riverside, Calif. Funeral services will held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Callaway United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Schutt and Rev. Gerald Schwarz officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Callaway. Memorials may be sent in care of the family to Becky Mitchell, 6181 Valley Road, Alliance, NE 69301. The Bates-Gould Funeral Home of Alliance is in charge of the arrangements.
June R. Brake, 85
(Jan. 24) KANSAS CITY, Mo. - June Rose Brake, 85, formerly of Alliance, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, at the Blue River Care Center. She was born May 17, 1916. Her parents were Arthur and Inez (Waggoner) Stafford.
She was married to Raymond Brake. He preceded her in death in 1979. She worked for Dobson car dealership as an accountant. She is survived by one son Jack Brake of Overland Park, Kan.; three grandchildren, Jeff Brake, Kristi Brake and Janna Brake; and two great-grandchildren, Jeremy and Erica. She was preceded in death by one brother, Stanley Stafford.
Mrs. Brake's funeral will be at 3 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24, at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Chapel. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Alliance City Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the Alzheimer's Association, 3846 West 75th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208 Mt. Moriah & Freeman Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
