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Elmer W. Collins
Elmer W. Collins, 92, of Youngtown, Ariz. died on Oct. 5, 2005 at Boswell Memorial Hospital in Sun City, Ariz. with his family at his side. Elmer was born in Arnett, Ellis County, Okla. on Dec. 9, 1912 to Elmer Warren and Amy (Terwilliger) Collins.
The family moved to Imperial, Neb. in 1916 where Elmer grew up and attended school. He was an outstanding football and basketball player. He was on some of the best teams Chase County High School has ever had. Elmer met the love of his life, Grace Pribbeno, while attending high school and they were married
in 1930. They had two children, Edward and Gloria, who grew up in Imperial and attended CCHS also. Elmer was a member of the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department and the Masons.
He worked for Leech Chevrolet in Imperial for many years before moving to Denver, Colo. in 1952 where he worked for Empire Oldsmobile until he retired in 1978. After his retirement, Elmer and Grace moved to Mesa, Ariz. to be near family. In 1995, they again moved to the Baptist Village Retirement Center in Youngtown, Ariz. Elmer was a dedicated volunteer at the Cooks Care Center. He lost his eye sight to Macular Degeneration, but continued visiting the Care Center until his death. Elmer loved helping others. He and Grace were members of the South Peoria Baptist Church.
Elmer was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Grace, in 2003, his parents Warren and Amy, brother Lloyd, sisters Bertha Bernard and Hilma Brewer.
He is survived by his son, Edward and wife Shirley of Sun City, Ariz.; daughter, Gloria and husband Richard Williams of Prescott, Ariz.; brother Glenn and wife of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandchildren Edward Collins, Christie Collins, Holly Drake, Debbie McCasland, Rick Williams and Julie Torfa; great grandchildren Richard, Angela, Laura, Nathan, Sarah, Alia, Zaid, Miles and Erin; great, great grandchildren Clayton and Ryleigh; and step grandchildren Coni, Thomas and Nicholas.
Elmer loved the Lord and his family more than anything. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. His family's lives are so much richer because of his love for them all.
A memorial service was held on Oct. 15 in the Chapel at the Baptist Village Retirement Center.
Memorials may be sent in Elmer's name to the Imperial Public Library, P.O. Box 728, Imperial, Neb. 69033.
Esther Harvey
Esther Florence (Miller) Harvey was born Aug. 21, 1917 in Chase County, Neb.
She died Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 at the Arbor Creek Rehab Unit in Albuquerque, N.M.
Esther was the sixth child of Locy N. and Anna C. (Wallin) Miller.
She grew up on a farm in Chase County and learned at an early age that helping others was important. Her task during the summer was to watch out for her Grandpa Wallin so he didn't wander away from the farmstead. At her mother's side, she learned early how to take care of a home.
Her parents were diligent in seeing that their children were reared in a Christian home. Sunday church was a special family time. At a young age Esther accepted Christ as her personal savior and had peace the rest of her life that she would spend eternity in Heaven.
At one of the church services a young farmer by the name of O. C. "Jim" Harvey saw Esther and decided that someday he was going to marry "that pretty little redheaded gal." His dream came true on June 13, 1935, when he and Esther were married
in Broken Bow, Neb. by Esther's uncle, Rev. Ralph Miller. Esther loved to tell that her wedding happened on that day because it had rained and Jim couldn't work in the field.
Their first home was on a farm in Chase County about two miles from her parents. While living there, their first daughter, Olive, was born. Five years later their second daughter, Arlene, arrived.
In 1944 they purchased a farm in Phillips County and lived there until 1954 when they sold the farm and moved to Holyoke, Colo. They purchased the Sweet Shop which they operated for 26 years.
After selling their business they were able to go see friends and relatives across the country. When Jim's health failed, Esther was his constant companion until he died. After his death she took care of friend's children while they worked. To many people she became known as Granny.
For the past two years Esther had been staying with her daughter, Arlene in N.M.
Esther and Jim loved people and opened their hearts to many people, but one special person was Donna (Spohn) Lutze, a friend of Arlene's. Through the years Donna became a third "daughter" to them and her children became their grandchildren.
Preceding Esther in death was her husband, her daughter Olive, granddaughter Christina Marie (Lutze) Bishop, grandson Thomas Edward Lutze, her parents, brothers Thornton and Fred and sister Clara.
She is survived by her daughters Arlene and husband Willie of Grants, N.M. and Donna and husband Leroy of Holyoke, Colo.; grandsons Don Lutze of Greeley, Colo. and Mark Lutze, wife Mendi and great granddaughters Josilyn and Janessa, all of Holyoke, Colo.; her brother Wilfred Miller and wife Helen of Imperial, Neb.; sister Inez Ball of Pleasant Hill, Ill.; sisters-in-law Ardith Wallin of Imperial, Neb., and Grace Blanke of Holyoke, Colo.; special family Mark, Laurie, Krystal, April and Kurtis Brown, all of Holyoke, Colo. and Gene and Nancy Fisher of Platteville, Colo.; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorial services were held at the Grace Baptist Church in Milan, N.M., Monday, Sept. 19, 2005 with Pastor Dale Thatcher officiating.
Memorial services will be held in Colorado at the First Baptist Church in Holyoke, Colo. on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005 at 3 p.m. with Pastor Gary Jones officiating.
Interment will be at Pleasant Valley cemetery in Phillips County.
Myrl Cranwell
Myrl Cranwell, longtime resident of the Lamar and Champion areas, passed away Monday evening, Oct. 10, 2005, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home. He was 87 years of age.
Survivors include: wife, Dorothy of Champion, Neb.; sons, Bill and wife, Molly of Ft. Lupton, Colo. and Robert and wife, Debra, Albuquerque, N.M.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, LeRoy Cranwell and wife, Jeri, Greeley, Colo.; former wife, Ruth Crothers of Colorado Springs, Colo.; former daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Cranwell; numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Thursday afternoon, Oct. 13, 2-6 p.m. at the funeral home in Imperial.
Funeral services will be held Friday morning, Oct. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Imperial with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Interment will follow at Mount Hope cemetery, Imperial.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Rainbow Promise Preschool.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Herbert 'Hoot' Minick
Graveside inurnment services for Herbert "Hoot" Minick will be Monday morning, Oct. 10, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Mount Hope cemetery with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Hoot's memory.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Doris Martin
Doris Elaine Martin was born on Sept. 29, 1918 in Lincoln, Neb., the second child of four.
Doris completed her schooling and graduated from Chase County High School in 1938. She earned her teaching degree and taught school for several years.
On August 20, 1941 she was united in marriage to Joe E. Martin of Lamar, Neb. They made their home on the family farm until 1977.
Two children Phil Kent and Sondra Jo blessed her life with love and happiness. Doris was very family oriented and cared for her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews all her life.
She was a beautiful seamstress, wonderful cook and an avid baseball fan.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; son, Phil; daughter, Sondra; one brother, Earl and one sister, Melva.
The extended family that remains, one brother, Don; Phil's girls, DeeDee, Dawn and Diann. Sondra's children, Toni, Troy and Toby; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and special friends. Doris entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Oct. 1, 2005 at the age of 87.
Services were held Oct. 4 at the Jeffers-Baucke Funeral Home Chapel, Holyoke, Colo.
Ola Bartlett
Ola Marie (Roper) Bartlett was born June 13, 1917 on Taylor River Ranch above Almont, near Gunnison, Colo. to Albert P. and Mabel E. (Wilson) Roper, and passed away in her sleep, Sept. 30, 2005 in Imperial, Neb. at the age of 88.
Ola attended grade school and graduated high school in Gunnison, Colo. She was united in marriage to Robert "Bob" Bartlett in 1941. They lived on a ranch near Gunnison for a short time before moving to Max, Neb. where her husband's parents lived. That same year Bob was drafted into the army, so Ola stayed with one of her older sisters for a part of his absence. Upon her husband's return, they eventually settled in southwest Nebraska.
To this union three sons were born: Richard Alan, James Edward and Randy Lynn. Ola was a dedicated and loving wife and mother. She enjoyed gardening, playing cards and taking their annual winter trip to Mission, Texas.
Ola is preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Aline, Lorena, Gladys, Carol and Noella. She is survived by her husband, Bob; three children, Richard of Salt Lake City, Utah, James and Jennifer of Brighton, Colo., Randy and Deb of Imperial, Neb.; six grandchildren, Magen Bartlett, Krystal Bartlett, both of Salt Lake City, Utah, Tarah Bartlett and Shane Sable of Dacona, Colo., Shannon and Dru Jaeger of Kearney, Neb., Amanda Bartlett and Rick Head of Aspen, Colo. and Tammy and Dennis Aulston of Sterling, Colo.; five great-grandchildren and five siblings, Helen Hassell, Evelyn Duncan, J.C. and Dorothy Roper, Bob and Lucile Roper, Anna Mae Wall and many nieces and nephews.
Ola was loved by all and will be missed deeply.
Services were held on Oct. 4 at the United Methodist Church in Imperial with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Music was provided by Marcia Bauerle and Kim Silvester.
Casketbearers were Randy Bartlett, James Bartlett, Richard Bartlett, Dru Jaeger, Dennis Aulston and Ron Berry.
Interment was at Mount Hope cemetery.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Alyce Arterburn
Alyce Louise Arterburn, 80, long-time Chase County resident, registered nurse and community volunteer, died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005, at Chase County Community Hospital, where she had spent most of her nursing career.
Alyce, also known as Shorty, was born to John and Louise (Nitler) Erthum at Sutton, Neb., on June 11, 1925.
She grew up in Ravenna, Neb., and graduated from Ravenna High School before attending St. Francis School of Nursing in Grand Island, where she received her diploma as a registered nurse, an educational path she often encouraged others to take.
She worked as a registered nurse in Grand Island before moving with her friend, Lee Porter, to Imperial where she and Lee met Roley E. Arterburn and Gene Moreland.
Alyce married
Roley on Feb. 1, 1950, in Imperial.
She worked as an RN at the old Chase County Community Hospital, as well as the current hospital facility. She served as nursing director from 1981 until retiring in 1990.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Opal Gray and Eunice Biggs; as well as her only brother, Tommy, who was killed in action in Italy during World War II.
Survivors include her husband, Roley E.; daughter Mary Wintz of Denver, Colo.; and sons, Roley W. of Lamar; John and Cindy of Imperial; and Joe and Cathy of Sidney, Neb.; nine grandchildren, Adam Wintz of Costa Mesa, Calif.; Kate Wintz of San Francisco, Calif.; Carly Arterburn of Hastings; Pete and Lindsey Arterburn of Lake Bluff, Ill.; Paul Arterburn of Topeka, Kan.; Tom Arterburn of Imperial, and Hunter, Jack and Sam Arterburn of Sidney; two sisters, Doris Stubbs of Ravenna and LaVonne Johnson of The Dalles, Ore.
Alyce spent her life helping others-family, friends and patients. She touched thousands of people through her friendship, pervading sense of humor and through her work as an RN, to which she brought professionalism and caring in times of birth, illness and death.
A community volunteer, she served on the Imperial Manor Board of Directors during the planning and construction of Imperial Heights, an achievement for which she was particularly proud.
Her love for her husband, children and grandchildren held first place in her heart.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3, at the First United Methodist Church in Imperial with Rev. Murray Schmechel and Rev. Kay Alnor officiating.
Organist was Mrs. Marcia Bauerle and soloists were Mr. Ron Moritz and Mrs. Lenore Weatherly.
Casketbearers were Pete Arterburn, Paul Arterburn, Tom Arterburn, Hunter Arterburn, Jack Arterburn, Samuel Arterburn, Carly Arterburn, Adam Wintz and Kate Wintz.
Honorary casketbearers were Gene Moreland, Bob Rolfe, Don Banks, Jack Claney, Averill Hudnall and John Osler.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Alyce Arterburn Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund.
Interment was at Mount Hope cemetery, Imperial, Neb.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Irvin Beard
Irvin (Toots as he was known) Beard of Champion passed away in the Chase County Hospital Oct. 2, 2005. He was born in Champion June 1, 1909 to Verastus E. and Vera Beard. His mother passed away when he was very young.
V.E. Beard and sons did quite a lot of truck gardening and trapping and served as fur dealers in the 1900's. Toots talked of the many adventures he took with his family in their homemade motor home that they made and lived in while they traveled down through Texas and out to California in the 1920's.
Toots loved the out of doors, and hunting and fishing and trapping were just a few of the things he passed down to his children and grandchildren. Hard work was his middle name, and when he retired from farming you still never would see him without his hoe ready to wreak havoc on any weed that he would pass.
He had many friends that would come from all over and he would take them hunting and then they would eat and play cards late into the night at the Beard cabin on their reservoir west of Champion. Many good times with friends and family were held at the reservoir.
Toots recalled very clearly the year he won the most perfect ear of corn at the Chase County Fair. The Wauneta Falls Bank awarded him 25 dollars, which to him seemed like a fortune. This was at a time when a ranch hand made 10 to 12 dollars a month. The ear was taken to the Wauneta Falls Bank and put on display for several years. Toots told stories of how at fair time they always slept in the hay at the Perry Drapers Livery Barn in Imperial, although most of the nights before the judging was spent guarding the exhibit hall to prevent the stealing of the prize winning watermelons.
Toots talked of how he and a few friends went to Lincoln and met with the Governor and came back to Champion with the Charter to the Champion Men's Club, which is still going strong today and there are only one or two charters left open in the state of Nebraska.
It is written in the Imperial Republican in the 1960's by Harry Andrews just before his death about how the Community of Champion decided to get the road paved from Champion to Highway No. 6. Well according to Harry this job was impossible, so it was given to "the invincible Toots Beard". Long story short, Toots got the job done, the road was completed and Champion put on another of its famed celebrations attended by a huge crowd.
On March 27, 1942, in Ogallala, Toots married
his sweetheart, Helen Josephine Loeffler and the two of them have had 63 happy years together.
Toots was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Irene; brothers, Warren (Coonie) and Leo and a granddaughter, Jennifer Hedgpeth.
Survivors are his wife, Helen; son, Ben and wife, Teri of Champion; daughter, Carole Hedgpeth and husband, Alan of Albuquerque, N.M.; grandson, Brandon of Champion; granddaughters, Shannon and husband, Richard Branting of Lincoln, Melissa and husband, Gregg Farris of Denver, Colo.; three great-granddaughters, two great-grandsons; two nephews, Burton Beard and wife, Vickie of Champion and Floyd Stuteit of Idaho and many friends.
Toots is now where the fishing is always good and all the good ole boys have been holding a chair at the pitch table for him.
Graveside services were held on Oct. 5 at the Lakeside cemetery in Champion with Rev. Francis Baker officiating.
Music was provided by Kim Silvester.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
