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Bessie "Buzz" Dobry, 82
(Feb. 12) RUSHVILLE - Bessie "Buzz" Dobry, 82, of Rushville died Friday, Feb. 9, at Gordon Hospital. She was born Nov. 14, 1918, at Gordon. Her parents were Charles and Martha (Williams) Gerber.
She is survived by her husband, James Francis Dobry of Rushville; daughter Judy Bolek of Rushville; three granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren. She also is survived by her sister, Catherine Blevens of Oceanside, Calif.
Mrs. Dobry's graveside funeral was at 10:30 a.m. today, Feb. 12, at Fairview Cemetery, with Rev. Al Trucano officiating. Chamberlain Mortuary of Rushville was in charge of arrangements.
Myra Jean VanAuken, 50
(Feb. 12) FONTANA, Calif. - Myra Jean VanAuken, 50, lost her battle with cancer Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002. She has left to join her heavenly Father, and her brother Mark and son Jseph who preceded her in death. She was born Feb. 24, 1951, at Fontana. She was the loving daughter of Raymond and Molly Aldama.
She was a former resident of Alliance and was a member of the Alliance Berean Church at that time. She is survived by three daughters, Diane Ruiz and Frances Oropeza of Alliance and Sabrina Aldama of Fontana, formerly of Alliance; son Chuck Britt of Denver, Colo; step-sons, Jayson and Jaycob Van Auken of Westminster, Calif.; and 16 grandchildren. She also is survived by her parents, Raymond and Molly Aldama of San Bernadino, Calif.; two brothers Raymond and Salvador Aldama; and one sister Lisa Aldama. Memorials may be sent to the Family of Myra VanAuken, 18215 Foot Hill Blvd., Apt. 59, Fontana, CA 92235.
Mrs. VanAuken's memorial service will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 13, at the Hermosa Chapel at Colton, Calif. Burial will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 14, at Green Acres.
Vesta J. Ettle, 90
(Feb. 12) ALLIANCE - Vesta Junetta Matthews Ettle, 90, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, at Highland Park Care Center. She was born June 13, 1912, to William and Buepha Mae (Wyland) Matthews in Alliance.
When she was a small child the family moved to eastern Nebraska and she started school at Crete. After the death of her mother when she was thirteen, she moved to Edgemont, S.D. and made her home with her uncle, Russell Wyland. She graduated from high school in Edgemont in 1929. On Aug. 18, 1929, she was married to Alois (Louie) Ettle in Marysville, Kan. Their home was in Edgemont until 1976 when they moved to Alliance after she retired from the United States postal system after twenty-six years of employment. She was a fifty-year member of Eastern Star and a past worthy matron in Edgemont and in Alliance. She also was a member of the International Order of Rebeccas, the Eagles Auxiliary, hospital auxiliary, and St. Matthews Episcopal Church where she served on the altar guild. She is survived by her son, Dale Ettle of Alliance; daughters and sons-in-law, Sherrie and Larry Curtiss of Alliance and Linda and Tom Beiriger of Omaha; ten grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. She also is survived by two sisters, Nina Pofahl of Beatrice, and Doris Shaffer of Warren, Ore.; dear friend, John Woods of Alliance and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one brother, four sisters and one grandchild.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, with Fr. Paul Mottl officiating. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Highland Park Care Center, St. Matthews Episcopal Church or Prairie Haven Hospice. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Berry, 77
(Feb. 13) CHADRON - Ruth Berry, 77, of Chadron died Monday, Feb. 12, 2001, at Crest View Care Center in Chadron. She was born Dec. 6, 1923, at Hot Springs, S.D. Her parents were Lloyd A. and Irene (Waltz) Berry.
She was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and RSVP, and was the church reporter. She is survived by her brother, Bill Berry of Chadron.
Miss Berry's funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron, with Ilene Kubo officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Chadron. Memorials may be made to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements.
Mary K. Elliott, 59
(Feb. 13) MORGANTOWN, W.V. - Mary Kathryn Elliott, 59, died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, at Ruby Memorial Hospital. She was born at Lincoln, Nebraska on Jan. 19, 1944, the eldest daughter of the late Chauncey and Vera Hofmann.
She grew up and attended school in Alliance and earned her bachelors and masters degree from Chadron State College. She earned two more master's degrees and a doctorate from West Virginia University. She taught for ten years in eastern Nebraska before moving to Morgantown. Dr. Elliott was a teacher at Morgantown High School and active in the Trinity Episcopal Church. She is survived by two children and their spouses Kirstin and Stephen English of Pennsylvania, John and Gena Elliott of Morgantown; and three grandchildren, Hannah and Josiah English, and Nicholas Bell. She also is survived by two brothers, Wayne Hofmann of Arizona and Dr. George Hofmann of Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband John A. Elliott and one sister Betty Grace.
Mrs. Elliott's funeral will 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Bayard Memorial Chapel, with Fr. Paul Mottl officiating. Interment will be in Chimney Rock Cemetery near Bayard. Memorials have been established to West Virginians for Life, 427 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV 26505; or Rosenbaum Family House, P.O. Box 8228, Morgantown, WV 26506. Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Gretel Irene Brice, 88
(Feb. 14) CAPISTRANO BEACH, Calif. - Gretel Irene Brice, 88, former Alliance resident, died Saturday, Feb. 10, at Capistrano Beach, Calif. She was born Jan. 9, 1913, at Brownlee, Neb. Her parents were Guy and Myrtle (Lowe) Dentler.
She graduated from Alliance High School in 1931. She was married to Clifford Earl Brice on Sept. 3, 1931. Mr. Brice, a retired engineer for Burlington Northern Railroad, preceded her in death. In the early 1930s, the couple was issued the last homestead in Nebraska, located near Lakeside. They moved to Alliance in the late 1930s, and resided there until Mr. Brice's retirement in 1975, when they moved to Southern California. She was active in the Masons and Elks organizations.
She is survived by three sons, Tom Brice of Wilton, Ariz., Ron Brice of Kimberling City, Mo., and Rev. Bill Brice of Superior, Ariz.; two daughters, Rhea Thompson of Denver and Rita Goodwin of Capistrano Beach, Calif.; eight grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She also is survived by her sister Mary Harden of Alliance.
Her family memorial service will be held later at Capistrano Beach, Calif. Memorials may be made, in care of Rita Goodwin, 27021 Camino de Estrella, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.
Patricia L. Seeley, 75
(Feb. 14) HALSEY - Patricia L. Seeley, 75, died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002, at Heritage hall at Broken Bow. She was born Oct. 12, 1926, on the family homestead at Merna. Her parents were Floyd A. and A. Opal (Small) Johnson.
She graduated from Merna Public School in 1944. She was married to Burdell Seeley Dec. 7, 1945 at Lincoln. They lived on a ranch west of Halsey. She is survived by her children, Margaret Ann Thompson and Patricia Rae Andersen of Alliance, Marilyn Louise Anderson of Dunning, Johna Kae Eaton and John Burdell Seeley of Halsey; 15 grandchildren; and five great-grqndchildren. She also is survived by two brothers, Douglas Johnson of Long View, Wash., and Bud Johnson of Mesa, Ariz. She was a member of the United Church of Christ at Halsey and a charter member of Merna Chapter of Eastern Star. She also was a 4-H leader and worked more than 20 years for the U.S. Forest Service office at Halsey until her retirement in 1977.
Mrs. Seeley's funeral was Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Govier Brothers Mortuary at Broken Bow, with Rev. Linda Martin officiating. A memorial has been established to the Halsey United Church of Christ or the donor's choice.
Lemoine Trout, 58
(Feb. 14) RAPID CITY - Lemoine Trout, 58, a native of Alliance, died Thursday, Feb. 7, at Rapid City, S.D. Until his recent retirement, he had been a teacher and the track and field coach for Rapid City's Stevens High School. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Trout; and three sons, Greg Trout of Casper, Wyo., Jeff Trout of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Tim Trout of Waltham, Mass.
Gail F. Hebbert, 66
(Feb. 14) HYANNIS - Gail Fay Hebbert, 66, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Box Butte General Hospital at Alliance. She was borm Oct. 17, 1936, at Marmarth, N.D., to Louis E. and Ethel V. (Williams) Michel.
She grew up on the family farm with six brothers and three sisters. They all attended school at Marmarth. She moved to Alliance in her late teens to live and work. In 1957 she was married to Randall (Gene) Hebbert. They moved to Ashby where she spent several years raising her children and working at various jobs in the Hyannis and Ashby area. In the mid-1980's she moved to Hyannis to manage Hebbert's Ranchland Motel. In January 1992, she began driving the U.S. Postal Service highway contract between Alliance and Whitman. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren who always liked visiting Grandma Gail's because she had fun projects and toys. She is survived by her children Pat Hebbert of Hyannis, Betty Jo (Jim) Leapley of Coleridge, Clint (Suzy) Hebbert of Ashby, and Sid Hebbert of Fairbanks, Alaska; six grandchildren, Billy Michel, Gail and Katie Jo Leapley, and Eddy and Joe Hebbert. She also is survived by three brothers Robert Michel of Spokane, Wash., Jack Michel of Mexico, and Lester Michel of Reedsburg, Wis.; three sisters, Dorothy Baron of Moorcroft, Wyo., Gloria Michel of Las Vegas, Nev., and Karen Allerdings of Baker, Mont.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Charles, Louis and Richard.
Mrs. Hebbert's funeral will be at 2 p.m. MST, Saturday, Feb. 15, at the United Congregational Church of Ashby, with Rev. William DeLisle officiating. Cremation will follow the service with burial of ashes at a later date. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the church. Memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 251, Hyannis, NE 69350-0251. Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ethel L. Engel, 100
(Feb. 15) ALLIANCE - Ethel L. Engel died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001, at Highland Park Care Center. She was 100 years old. She was born Dec. 31, 1900, at Eureka, Kan., to Charles and Rica (Mannschreck) Kuhns.
She is survived by her daughters, Marlene Pedersen of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Phyllis Runge of Sidney; sister Blanche Stringfellow of Seattle, Wash.; four grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Elmer Thomsen and William Engel, three sisters, one brother, and an infant son.
Graveside services will be Friday, Feb. 16, 2001, at the Hay Springs Cemetery at Hay Springs with Reverend Darrel Knote officiating. Memorials may be given to the Highland Park Care Center or to Prairie Haven Hospice. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Kenneth R. Dunn, 45
(Feb. 15) GILLETTE, Wyo. - Kenneth R. Dunn, 45, died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2002, at his home of an apparent heart attack. He was born July 19, 1956, at Lusk, Wyo. His parents were Donald and Margaret (Hourt) Dunn.
He spent his childhood at Harrison, where he attended school. He married Rita Teten July 30, 1983, at Harrison. They lived at Denver for three years, then moved to Gillette where they started their family. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time with his family and attending his daughters' basketball games. He worked for Intermountain Laboratories for the past 15 years. He is survived by his wife, Rita, and two daughters, Samantha Dunn and Jessica Dunn of Gillette. He also is survived by his parents of Harrison; one brother, Skip Dunn of Aurora, Colo.; and two sisters, Peggy Dunn of Chadron and Sandy Marsteller of Alliance. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, an uncle, a nephew and a cousin.
Mr. Dunn's memorial service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Family Life Church, with Rev. Marty Crump officiating. A memorial has been established for his daughters. Donations may be sent in care of Wilson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 734, Gillette, WY 82717.
Steven D. Thomas, 38
(Feb. 17) ALLIANCE - Steven D. Thomas, 38, died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, at Scottsbluff. He was born March 25, 1964 at O'Neill, to Ray H. and Jean A. (Anderson) Thomas.
In 1982 he graduated from Ainsworth High School. He then attended college at McCook and Chadron State College. On June 1, 1985 he married Brenda I. Powell at Alliance. They lived in Chadron where he worked for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in Crawford before transferring to Lincoln. They moved to Alliance in 1994 and he began working for Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad. He is survived by his wife Brenda; son Brent and daughter Sarah; his parents Ray and Jean Thomas of Ainsworth; brother Stanley and wife Lana Thomas of Grand Island; sister Sandra Thomas and husband Bob Marquardt of St. Augustine Beach, Fla.; brother Stuart Thomas and sister Sarah Thomas of Lincoln. He also is survived by his wife's family, parents Ralph and Dorothy Powell of Alliance, brother Dennis and his wife Christal Powell of Alliance, sister Sue and husband Bill Braunsroth of Loveland, Colo.; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Sindy.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the United Methodist Church, with Revs. Jerry Mercer and Jeff Rogers officiating. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. A memorial scholarship fund for his children has been established. Donations may be sent in care of Western Heritage Credit Union, P.O. Box 697, Alliance, NE 69301-0697. Bates-Gould Funeral Home of Alliance is in charge of arrangements.
Emily Bowker, 85
(Feb. 18) GERING - Emily Gertrude Gladson Bowker, beloved wife of George Pershing Bowker, Sr., for 61 years, of Gering, passed away Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, at Northfield Villa Medical Center in Gering.
She was surrounded by her family at the time her passing. Emily was born April 13, 1917, at Alliance, to Raymond C. (Blondie) and Elsie Marie (Betebenner) Gladson. She and George were married April 2, 1942 in San Francisco, Calif. She was a resident of Scottsbluff for 59 years, and a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church where she was an active member of the Altar Guild. She was a telephone operator at The Alliance Air Force Base during World War Two, a beautician, and part owner/business manager at Bowker Plumbing and Heating. She and her husband enjoyed years of square dancing and round dancing. She loved playing cards (pinochle and bridge) regularly with her friends. She is well known for her intricate needlepoint, which can be found on Altar Kneeling Pads at St. Andrew's. She delighted in creating crocheted blankets for all her grandchildren, knitting, and was an accomplished seamstress sewing for herself and her children (creating Halloween costumes along with wedding gowns) and was an avid crafter. She also was known for her tasty apple and cherry pies in addition to her weekly loaves of wheat bread and baking Christmas cookies and candies to share with her family, friends and neighbors. She also loved flower and vegetable gardening acquiring the title of "Pickle Queen" from her friends. Emily was also an enthusiastic Cornhusker fan always sharing words of encouragement for her team! She is survived by her husband, a son, George P. Bowker, Jr., of Gering, and daughters and sons in law Lynda and Gordon Specht of Covington, Va., and Nancy and George Meyer of Douglas, Wyo.; eight grandchildren; Tracy Butler and spouse Shorty of Cody, Wyo.; Heather Specht of Zanesville, Ohio; Sara Bowker of Scottsbluff; Shannon Fincher and spouse Jill of Rapid City, S.D.; Brad Bowker of Lincoln; Jason Specht of Morgantown W.V., Allison Bowker of Kearney, and Kristen Meyer of Douglas Wyo. She also is survived by her cousin, Matt Wolfe of Green Valley, Ariz.; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and Annabelle Bowker of Hesperia, Calif.; sisters-in-law Angie Gladson of Durango, Colo., and Jean Bowker of Long Beach, Calif.; two nieces and six nephews. Her parents, an infant son, Daniel Harvey Bowker, a sister Elizabeth (Betty) Jane Enright and a brother, Arnold Lloyd Gladson preceded her in death.
A private family Eucharist will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Scottsbluff, with Fr. Bob Spencer officiating. Private committal will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Pallbearers will be her son, sons-in-law and grandsons. A public Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. that same day at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Memorials in her name may be made to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Altar Guild, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Foundation, Prairie Haven Hospice, the Salvation Army or to the donor's choice. Friends who wish may call at the Jolliffe Funeral Home Wednesday from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m.
