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Keith Ralston
Keith Gene Ralston of Berthoud died Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at Longmont United Hospital due to respiratory failure. He was 52 years old.
Keith was born Aug. 21, 1951 in Ventura, Calif. to Oliver and Louise (Graham) Ralston.
He graduated from Nordhoff High School in Ojai, Calif. in 1969. He worked as a truck driver in the Ventura area for many years before moving to Pinewood Springs in 1989.
He married
Ralyn Statz on July 17, 1993 in Estes Park, Colo. The couple lived and raised their family in the Longmont, Colo. and Berthoud, Colo. area. He continued his career as a truck driver with Golden Concrete until health issues forced his retirement in the late 1990s.
Keith loved fishing, the outdoors, hanging out with his twin brother Ken and spending time with his children and his family.
Keith was preceded in death by his brother Rodney Wayne Ralston and a nephew, Cory Wayne Ralston.
He is survived by his wife Ralyn Ralston, son Joshua Casey Ralston and daughter Julia Noelle Ralston, all of Berthoud, Colo. He is also survived by daughter Jessica Rosenthal, her husband Blaise and their son Alexander of Capitola, Calif.; twin brother Kenneth Dean Ralston and his wife Andrea of Longmont, Colo.; sister Cheryl Ledbetter and her husband Artie of San Antonio, Texas; parents Oliver and Louise Ralston of Longmont, Colo.; father-in-law and mother-in-law Ralph and Linda Statz of Holyoke, Colo.; brother-in-law Chip Statz of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sister-in-law Robyn and her husband Sean Jamison of Mint Hill, NC; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Howe Mortuary in Longmont. Private memorial services were held at the Kenneth Ralston home in Longmont on March 20.
Memorials may be made to the Keith Ralston Memorial Fund, c/o Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman St., Longmont, Colo. 80501 or mailed to Ralyn Ralston, 820 Holmes Pl., Berthoud, Colo. 80513-1412.
Goldie Weiss
You are my sunshine
The sky was grey all day. The wind was blowing a bit, a little gusty at times . . . just another March day in Nebraska. But then there appeared just a little patch of blue in that grey sky and when I looked down at her, she breathed her last breath. God came and stole my sunshine away!
About 63 1/2 years ago I was riding in a beautiful car taking me to my new home in western Nebraska. It was a scary thing for a seven-year-old to meet new parents and aunts and uncles, but I was brave and tried my best. They were asking me all kinds of questions, I remember, like "Do you like fried chicken?," "Do you ride a horse?," "Can you sing?." "Yes," I replied, "I can sing." "Well then, sing something for us." I sang as lustily as I could, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are grey. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you. Please, don’t take my sunshine away."
I really feel that at that moment I was firmly taken into their hearts. But dumb old me, my next very profound words were as I looked up at my new mother, "Gee, you got a funny mouth." She handled that remark as good as possible. She didn’t throw me out of the car, they continued on down the road, it was pretty silent for a while there, and then she smiled at me and said, "And you got a funny nose."
It was just a few days later when she took me downtown to show me off and buy me some new clothes that we met a lady on the street who was curious to see me and this lady said, "Well, gosh, she looks a little like you. Especially around the mouth."
After traveling for what seems like all day that first day, we finally came to a farm and my new home. When I entered that house, I was absolutely astounded at what I saw. Like most farm homes, you go into the kitchen and there I saw a table with a red and white checkered oil cloth on it. Remember oil cloth? . . . the practical persons table cloth! There was a bay window in that kitchen that had dotted swiss curtains as white as snow and little red dots and not a speck of dust was anywhere. You could see through those windows as though they weren’t there! It was so clean and pretty, I knew I had died and come to heaven.
I had my own room with a beautiful matching bedspread and drapes made of rose colored damask. She must have worked days sewing it all. There was a little vanity with a skirt of the same material that had sides that opened up for my knees and also a padded chair made from an old one with the back cut off low. What a sight to behold!
I think one thing that made them pick me out at the orphanage was the fact that I could work and I kept my space neat. My mom and I worked all the time side by side. I didn’t sit down until she did. We washed, wiped, shined, waxed, painted, you name it, we did it together. We would talk and talk and sing and sing. She soon became my best friend!
There is not another woman on this planet who could work like she did. Her day was filled with things to do. Washing on the board, churning butter with a hand churn, milking cows, separating the cream, feeding the chickens and slopping the hogs, driving the horses—and team that were named Goldie and Dick, she did it all. Around the yard there was a hedge of something green, probably elms, but she trimmed that hedge with a hand clipper and trained that stuff to go up and over two gates. She painted the barns and sheds red trimmed in white. I remember the day when it stormed and she ran out to put the car away and backed over old ‘Ring.’ Ring was a shepherd dog who was trained to hear Dad shake the cobs down in the stove in the morning which was his signal to bring in the milk cows. She cried for days that she ran over that dog. We never had another one.
I wanted a kitten so bad when I was little. Finally she relented and got me one, a white angora named Snowball . . . but said, "You can’t bring that cat inside." Well! It was my job to peel potatoes for supper when I got home from school and one day when I knew she was in town shopping, the cat came in. And so did mom. To find the cat not only inside but on the table where I sat peeling potatoes. Well! The cat went out and I got another spanking.
At a critical time of her life, she went to the doctor who prescribed sunshine for her. He said, "Get some shorts and get some sun." My dad hated shorts on women and would not allow it so she found a pair of overalls with straps in the back and built up in front. She was very modest and very well formed, I might add, and looked pretty cute in them. She wore them outside to clean out the brooder house and one day who should come driving into the yard but the banker. Now he had an unsavory reputation and mom flew into the house for a shirt. She wore those overalls outside again but a shirt was always close by.
Goldie was a very good cookie baker. Just ask any kid that the Weiss boys drug home after school. Her country home was in between the school and the Weiss farm so it was very convenient to stop over for cookies and milk on the way home. For a woman who couldn’t wait to have grandchildren, she certainly got her wish. Ten grandchildren in the space of 14 years is pretty fast. She never played partiality. If she got one a teddy bear for Christmas, they all got a teddy bear.
I never heard her say a bad thing about anyone. She was an angel to me. And to all those around her. When she went to the Manor, she appreciated the good food, the clean room, having her bed made, her clothes washed, and such good care. One time, when she was put in the wrong wheelchair, the male aide just lifted her out in his arms and danced around the hall with her. She loved it! The folks at the Manor had become her second family.
When her son, Don died not long ago, I went to tell her. And do you know what? She comforted me! She reached out her arms to me and said, "Don’t be sad." In her last days, she still wanted her arms around me and she still wanted kisses.
Her house was always full of company. She loved to cook. Dad loved to entertain. They made a good pair, whether it was family or friends, the door was always open. Company was so special to them for all their married
years, which was 72. They did some traveling, not much, mostly to see family and friends. One time they went to Georgia because it was warm down ther
e, they thought and it snowed and she said it was so cold and icy they nearly froze. They had been to California and Washington but not too far east. Back East meant Plattsmouth, Neb. to them. . . where more family was. When family came, the house rocked with music. TV wasn’t even there. Mom played the accordian and the piano and always some relative had a violin or fiddle or guitar. Their favorite songs were "Smile Awhile" and "Mockingbird Hill."
And . . . "You are my sunshine."
Oh, please, God don’t take my sunshine away.
I love you, Amy
Goldie Geneva Weiss was born April 11, 1906 at Plattsmouth, Neb. to Frank and Clara (Beil) Sitzman.
As a youngster, Goldie attended school to the eighth grade.
Goldie married
George Lee Weiss on Dec. 20, 1922 in Holyoke, Colo. and to this union Don Weiss Sr. was born in 1923 and adopted Amy Jo Weiss in 1940.
Goldie and George farmed all their married
lives.
She entered the Imperial Manor in January of 1994, where she passed away Wednesday afternoon, March 10, 2004. Goldie was 97 years of age. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
Goldie was a member of St. Patrick’s Church of Imperial. Goldie had many hobbies including gardening, raising flowers, sewing, canning, scrapbooking and playing cards. She especially loved to bake for her grandchildren and their friends.
Survivors include daughter Amy Jo Monasmith and husband Don of Imperial, Neb.; daughter-in-law Ann Weiss of Imperial, Neb.; 10 grandchildren; six step grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 12 step great grandchildren; 11 great, great grandchildren; brother Richard Sitzman of Lincoln, Neb.; sister-in-law Lucille Weiss of Imperial, Neb.; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Goldie was preceded in death by her husband George in 1993; son Don in 2003; nine brothers and sisters and their spouses and one son-in-law Richard Bonner.
A Rosary was received Sunday evening, March 14, 2004, at 7 p.m. at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Imperial.
A Funeral Mass followed Monday morning, March 15, 2004, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father Greg Pawloski officiating both.
Organist was Mrs. Marcy Nesbitt and singers were Mr. Thomas Huckabee and Mrs. Paulette Dillan.
Casketbearers were Bill Weiss, Tommy Weiss, Donny Weiss, Joe Weiss, Dick Bonner and Dale Bonner.
Interment was at Mount Hope cemetery in Imperial.
A memorial has been established to the Imperial Manor Nursing Home.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Alta Mae Pedersen
93, Lincoln, formerly Hardy, widow of Glen, died Friday (9/24/04).
Visitation: 2-8 p.m. Monday; 8-10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Service: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, (9/28/04) at Metcalf Funeral Home Chapel, 245 N. 27th St.
Family Gathering: Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at funeral home.
cemetery: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Spring Creek cemetery, Ruskin.
Memorials: Tabitha Healthcare Center; St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hardy; or Christ Lutheran Church, Pickrell.
Marjorie P. Walvoord
86, Lincoln, formerly Firth, widow of Leo, died Saturday (9/25/04). Born, Firth (7/10/18), to Oral and Iva (Kleckner) Young. Homemaker. Member: Firth Reformed Church.
Visitation: 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, at Metcalf Funeral Home, Firth, Nebraka.
Service: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, (9/30/04) at Firth Reformed Church, Firth, Nebraska.
cemetery: Holland cemetery
Memorials: Firth Reformed Church-Missions.
Family includes: grandchildren, spouses, Troy and Renae Walvoord, Chad Walvoord and fiance, Theresa Robinson, Amber and Joshua Rumbaugh, Lincoln; great-grandson, Tyler Walvoord. Preceded in death by: parents; husband; son, Jack; infant daughter.
Mercedes Annette Schell
62, Malcolm, died Sunday (9/26/04) in Lincoln. Born, Shubert(10/18/41), to Eugene and Olive (Weddle)Allemand. Retired personnel manager with Ace Hardware. Member: First Christian Church; American Quarterhorse Association; American Paint and Pinto Association. She was a much-loved mother, sister and friend. She was a very giving and special grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved horses, dancing, snowmobiling and traveling. She was a former dance teacher at Arthur Murray in Lincoln and a teacher's aide and preschool grandma at Arnold Elementary School.
Visitation: 2-9 p.m. Tuesday at Metcalf Funeral Home, 245 N. 27th St., Lincoln.
Service: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, (9/30/04) at Metcalf Funeral Home Chapel, 245 N. 27th Street, Lincoln.
Family includes: son, daughter-in-law, Keith and Lisa Schell, Davey; daughter, Fanchon Schell, Malcolm; sisters, brothers-in-law, Audree and Roger Boveia, Crystal and Larry McCarthy, all of Lincoln; grandchildren, Alicia, Shawna, Benjamin, Jacob, Matthew; great-grandson, Dekin; close friend, Joanie Clemens, Omaha; nieces; and nephews; always and forever Ray Schell. Preceded in death by: parents, Eugene and Olive; daughter, Brenda Annette; sisters, Cecile, Abbie and Leonnise.
Sharon K. Seefeld
55, Lincoln, died Thursday (9/30/04), Lincoln, born (6/4/49) in Shenandoah, IA to Woodrow & Clara (Snyder) Fulmer. Homemaker. Member Calvary Community Church and Eastern Star Matthews Chapter 242, Ashland, NE.
Visitation: One hour prior to service at the church.
Service: 1:30 p.m. Monday, (10/4/04) at Calvary Community Church, 4400 N. First St., Lincoln.
cemetery: Greenwood cemetery.
Memorials: Calvary Community Church, 4400 N 1st., Lincoln, Nebraska 68521.
Family includes: husband, Randy; son, David; daughter, Brenda Seefeld; grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Trevor Seefeld; all of Lincoln; mother, Clara Fulmer; mother-in-law & father-in-law, Hazel & Johnny Seefeld. Preceded in death by father, Woodrow.
Helen V. Schaefer
85, Firth, formerly Lincoln, died Sunday (10/10/04).Born, Sioux City, Iowa. Retired waitress.
Service: Graveside services: noon Saturday, (10/16/04) at Graceland Park cemetery, Sioux City.
Family includes: three great-nieces; four great-nephews.
Calvin Alfred Horstman
75, Lincoln, died (10/15/04), Lincoln, born (6/30/29) in Sterling to Alfred & Ruby (Nealy) Horstman. Retired Accountant. Member Bethany Christian Church.
Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Monday, at Metcalf Funeral Home, 245 N. 27th Street, Lincoln.
Service: Graveside Service: 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, (10/19/04) at Sterling cemetery, Sterling, Nebraska.
Family includes: sister, Jeanette Armes, Springfield, MO; sister & brother-in-law, Sherry & Bill Lambert, Rogers, AR; 5 nieces & nephews.
Jewel Allen
59, Lincoln, died Friday (11/12/04). Born, Newcastle (5/19/45), to Perry and Eleanor (Blatchford) Millie. Homemaker. Manager of convenience stores, 20 years
Visitation: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, funeral home.
Service: 10:00 a.m. Monday, (11/15/04) at Metcalf Funeral Home Chapel, 245 N. 27th St., with The Rev. John R. Sullivan.
Memorials: To the family.
Family includes: husband, Larry; children, spouses, Colleen and Ed Doyle, Bloomingdale, Ill., Jonathon Jr. and Samara Boothe, Fremont, Clint and Theresa Boothe, Lincoln; seven grandchildren; siblings, spouses, Shirley and Carl Hansen, South Sioux City, Marianne and Royce Kollbaum, Ponca, Clayton Millie, David and Leatta Millie, John and Sue Millie, Randy and Robin Millie, all Fremont, James and Lynn Millie, Cedar Bluffs, Joy Millie, Omaha, Ed and Judy Rezac, Wahoo, Janet and Larry Ranslem, Hooper, Marsha and Larry Gutz, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Molly and Mike Anderson, Indianola, Iowa; multitude of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceded in death by parents and one infant brother.
Amy L. Philpot
94, Lincoln, widow of Robert, died Friday (11/19/04) in Lincoln.
Visitation: 2-8 p.m. Monday at Metcalf Funeral Home, 245 N. 27th St.
Service: Graveside Services: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, (11/23/04) at Lincoln Memorial Park, 6700 S. 14th St.
Memorials: To the family.
Kenneth V. Pearson
73, Ceresco, died Monday (11/22/04) in Lincoln. Retired, hog producer. Born, near Ceresco (6/27/31), to Victor and Olga (Ecklund) Pearson. Member: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ceresco.
Visitation: 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at Metcalf Funeral Home, 245 N. 27th Street in Lincoln and 2-8 p.m. Friday, at Nelson Funeral Home, Ceresco; one hour prior to services at the church.
Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, (11/27/04) at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2001 South 11th Street, Lincoln.
Memorials: Nebraska Stroke Foundatiion.
Survivors: wife, Marlene; daughters, sons-in-law, Shelly and James Husbands, York, Janice and Michael Lawrence, Underwood, Iowa; stepchildren, Heather Weers, Portsmouth, Va., Heidi Miele, Las Vegas, Keith Freadhoff, Celebration,Fla., Beth Yearly, Kevin Freadhoff, both Tucson, Ariz.; six grandchildren; sister, brother-in-law, Helen and Ralph Carlson, Glendale,Ariz. Preceded in death by: parents; wives, Viola, Sharon; twin sister, Keryl Gerdts; sister, Marjorie Martinson.
Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lincoln. Visitation: 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, Metcalf Funeral Home, 245 N. 27th St.; 2-8 p.m. Friday, Nelson Funeral Home, Ceresco; one hour prior to services, church. Memorials to the Nebraska Stroke Foundation.
Troy D. Thierstein
37, Omaha, died Wednesday (11/24/04) in Lincoln. Born, Lincoln. Computer consultant for Hewlett Packard.
Visitation: One hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Service: 10:00 a.m. Monday, (11/29/04) at Metcalf Funeral Home Chapel, 245 N. 27th St.
Memorials: To the family.
Family includes: wife, Margie; son, Cole; brother, Travis Thierstein, Omaha; father, Karl Thierstein, Missouri; mother, Phyllis, Omaha; grandmother, Lucile Laughlin, Elmwood; nieces; nephews.
Bobby J. Ogden
63, Lincoln, died (11/29/04). Born (5/27/41) in Rhinebeck, New York to Lawrence & Medeline (Augustinivich) Ogden. Retired General Laborer, Goodyear. Member of the Eagles.
Visitation: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Service: 10:00 a.m. Friday, (12/3/04) at Metcalf Funeral Home Chapel, 245 N. 27th St., Lincoln.
Family Gathering: Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.
Memorials: To the family.
Family includes: son, Michael Ogden, Raymond; daughter, Michelle Ogden, Lincoln; 7 grandchildren; mother, Madeline Ogden, Highlands, NY; brothers, Richard Ogden, New Mexico, Larry Ogden, Lincoln, Bernie Ogden, Elizaville, NY; nieces, nephews. Preceded in death by father.
