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Ruth Zersen
York resident, 83
Ruth S. Zersen, 83, of York, died Sunday, March 3, 2002, at York.
She was born in Lincoln on June 21, 1918, the daughter of Mathias and Susanna (Wurm) Segner. She was a 1936 graduate of Lincoln High School and attended business school in Lincoln.
She worked as a music librarian and religious director for KFAB radio in Lincoln. On Oct. 3, 1946, she was married
to Donald H. Zersen at Galva, Iowa, and they moved to a farm near Gresham. She was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Gresham, and was very active in church and community activities including helping to reorganize the Gresham Public Library. Retiring to town in 1964, Ruth began painting in watercolor and became a well-known local artist. She was a member of the Avenue Art Gallery of Lincoln and the York Artists Guild. She was an insulin-dependent diabetic for over 35 years.
She is survived by her husband, Don, of York; daughter, Donna Boye of Gresham; grandson, Brian, and his wife, Jodie Boye of Seward; granddaughter, Darlyn Boye of Gresham; and her sister, Marguerite Segner of Stromsburg.
Preceding her in death were her parents; brother, Calvin, and his wife, Ann.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., on Thursday, March 7, at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Gresham with the Rev. Timothy Prince. Burial will be in the Cedar Lawn cemetery in Gresham. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m., Tuesday.
Memorials may be directed to the Gresham Volunteer Fire and Rescue Unit.
Metz Mortuary of York is in charge of arrangements.
Emma Anderson
Stromsburg resident, 100
Emma Margaret Anderson, 100, of Stromsburg died April 20, 2003, at the Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg.
Emma was born Jan. 22, 1903, in Stromsburg to Victor and Emma (Wilson) Anderson. She attended Stromsburg schools, graduating from Stromsburg High School. She then attended Luther College for one year.
After college, Emma returned to Stromsburg where she lived with her parents. In 1957, she and her sister built a home and lived together until she entered the Midwest Covenant Home in 1988.
Emma enjoyed cooking, entertaining and making egg coffee. She was a member of the Stromsburg Baptist Church and the WCTU.
Survivors include a half-brother, Vernon Anderson of Lincoln; a half-sister, Jeanette Widen of St. Paul, Minn.; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by brothers, Edwin and Albert; a half-brother, Carleton; sister, Clara Anderson; and a half-sister Alvena Lind.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 24, at 10: 30 a.m. at Palmer Funeral Home in Stromsburg with Pastor Duane Tweeten officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 9 a.m. until the service. Interment will be in the Stromsburg cemetery.
Melburne Olson
Stromsburg resident, 84
Melburne Olson, 84, of Stromsburg died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, at Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg.
Services are Saturday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m., at the Stromsburg Baptist Church in Stromsburg. Pastor Charles Myers will officiate. Burial will be in the Stromsburg cemetery in Stromsburg. Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Palmer Funeral Home in Stromsburg, which is in charge of arrangements.
Elnore Hanson
Stromsburg resident, 86
Elnore Ardith Hanson, 86, of Stromsburg died Sunday, April 20, 2003, at the Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg.
Mrs. Hanson was born May 2, 1916, in Stromsburg to Eli and Isle (Seymour) Johnson. She grew up and attended Blue View country school and Union High School.
On March 20, 1935, she married
Dean Hanson at the Free Mission parsonage in Stromsburg. They farmed until 1993 when her husband died. She enjoyed working on the farm, driving the tractor, milking cows, baking and bowling. She was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church and the You Go I Go Club.
Survivors include one son, Lee (Pat) Hanson of Stromsburg; two daughters, Delores Nielsen of Stromsburg and Dorothy (Arvin) Ratcliff of Berwin, Ill.; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; six sisters, Merna Nowell and Blanche Schoefield, both of Anchorage, Alaska, Rogene (Robert) Dickson of Stromsburg, Shirley (Lee) Morris of Benedict, Coral (Morris) Boden and Wanda (Myron) Larson, both of Stromsburg.
She was preceded in death by her husband and three brothers, Clifton, Curtis and Rolland.
Services will be held Wednesday, April 23, at 2 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church with the Rev. Bob Johnson officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home in Stromsburg. Burial will be in the Stromsburg cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Helen Harrington
Oregon resident, 92
Helen B. (Doolittle) Harrington died Feb. 11, 2003, in Portland, Ore.
She was born in Lushton, Neb., to Charles and Isabella Burgess on Feb. 15, 1911. She graduated from Lushton High School in 1929 and Bryan Memorial School of Nursing in 1932. She married
Max E. Doolittle in 1936. He preceded her in death in 1969.
She was director of nurses at the Fillmore County Hospital from its inception until her retirement in 1975. In 1984 she married
Glen Harrington and moved to Bakersfield, Calif. He died in 1989. In 1997 she moved to Portland, Ore.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; sister, Ruth Mallder; and a grandson.
Survivors include Wayne (Jean) Doolittle of Bakersfield, Calif.; daughter, Ella Jane (Jim) Smith of Boring, Ore.; four granddaughters; seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may make a donation in her name to their favorite charity.
Ashes will be interred in Lushton cemetery at a later date.
Bernice Geis
Benedict resident, 87
Bernice Geis, 87, of Benedict died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003, at Aurora.
She was born April 1, 1915, in rural Geneva to Frank and Edith (Klein) Ritchey and graduated from Fairmont High School in 1933. She attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church in York and was an avid nature lover. She had an owl and doll collection of which she was very proud and enjoyed her family as well.
On Aug. 23, 1933, she was married
to Raymond McMahon at York. After his death she was married
to Lawrence "Short" Geis at Hebron on March 8, 1952.
She is survived by three sons, Richard (Barb) McMahon of Omaha, Steve (Jeannie) Geis of York and Doug (Nancy) Geis of Henderson; one daughter, Donetta (Larry) Nye of Dannebrog; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Merlin (Gloria) Ritchey of Valentine; and a sister, Merna (Dick) Price of York; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, three brothers, four sisters, three grandsons, one great-grandson and two nieces.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10: 30 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in York with Father Craig Doty officiating. Following a luncheon at the church, graveside services will be held at 1: 30 p.m. at the Fairmont Catholic cemetery. A Rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the Metz Chapel. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Friday. Memorials may be directed to the family. Metz Mortuary in York is in charge of arrangements.
Goldie Blender
Polk resident, 77
Goldie I. Blender, 77, of Polk died Feb. 14, 2003, at her home near Polk.
She was born Aug. 20, 1925, at Bradshaw to Orlie and Viola (Gilbert) Van Ostrand. She was a 1943 graduate of Polk High School. Goldie married
William L. Blender on Sept. 29, 1954, at the Methodist Church in Bradshaw. She was a homemaker and operated the Cozy Corner Cafe in Polk for several years. She was a member of the Arborville Congregational Church and the Quilting Club at Hordville.
Survivors include her husband, William Blender Sr. of Polk; daughter, Connie (Scott) Dahlin of Holdrege; sons, William (Sandy) Blender Jr. of Grand Island and Paul (Jeanne) Blender of Farnam, Neb.; eight grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Arborville Congregational Church near Polk. Burial will be in the Arborville cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church or the Polk Rescue Squad. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday. Metz Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Margaret Kelman
Kansas resident, 92
Margaret R. Kelman, 92, died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, at her home in Arlington, Kan.
She was born on May 14, 1910, at Lehigh, Kan., the daughter of Peter C. and Susie G. (Regheir) Janzen.
She graduated from Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kan. On May 2, 1937, she married
Samuel Calvin Kelman at Hutchinson.
A resident of Reno County, Kan., since 1985, she moved from York. She was a member of the Sylvia Nazarene Church in Sylvia.
She is survived by her husband; a son, Marvin Clark Kelman Sr. of Rolla, Mo.; a daughter, Elva Joyce Camp of Baldwin, Ill.; three brothers, John R. Janzen of Inman, Kan., Herman R. Janzen of Montana, Theodore R. Janzen of Aurora; three sisters, Esther Fisher of Hillboro, Susie Buller of Henderson, Ruby Sundgreen of McPherson, Kan.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Peter R., Sam R., Jackie R. Janzen, and two sisters, Annie Janzen and Kathryn Fast.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be at 2: 30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 2, at the Arlington United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Reno County or the Gideons in care of Johnson and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 300 East 30th Ave., Hutchinson, Kan. 67502.
Earl Drapal
York resident, 78
Earl J. Drapal, 78, of York, passed away on Friday afternoon, Jan. 3, 2003 at the York General Hospital in York after a sudden illness.
Earl was born on Sept. 8, 1924 at Fairfield, Nebraska to John and Mary (Zikmund) Drapal. He graduated from Edgar High School in 1943, and soon after joined the Army Air Corps, where he was a member of the 8th Air Corps 379th Bomb Group. He was honorably discharged in May of 1945.
He was united in marriage to B. Coleene Crandell on June 16, 1946 at Jewel, Kan. The couple lived in Hastings for three years, where Earl became affiliated with the Losee & Cornelius Body Shop in Hastings. Earl spent over 38 years in the auto body repair business, moving from Hastings to Edgar for four years, and then to Superior for 12 years, and Lincoln for ten years, prior to moving to York in 1976.
Since moving to York, Earl worked for A-1 Auto Body, Moses Ford, and Geis Motors prior to his retirement in 1980.
Earl was an avid World War II buff, collecting WWII and Air Force memorabilia at every opportunity. He also enjoyed collecting automobiles and wood carving (particularly airplanes). He also enjoyed reading and genealogy. Earl was a member of Arbor Drive Baptist Church in York and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include his wife, B. Coleene Drapal of York; five sons: Gary (and his wife, Nancy) Drapal of San Antonio, Texas; Rick (and his wife, Kate) Drapal of Lincoln, Craig (and his wife, Kim) Drapal of Lincoln, Todd (and his wife, Piper) Drapal of Gratin, and Jan (and his wife, Barb) Drapal of Lincoln; 12 grandchildren; two brothers, Roy (and his wife, Bonnie) Drapal of Superior and Ed (and his wife, Sara) Drapal of Gratin.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers (Mil in infancy, and Albert and Junior).
It was Mr. Drape's wishes that his body be cremated following his death. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003 at the Arbor Drive Baptist Church in York with Pastor Keith Bateman officiating. There will be no viewing or visitation. Memorials may be directed to Missionary Efforts at Arbor Drive Baptist Church. Lewis Funeral Chapel of York is in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Jean Appleton
York resident, 50
Barbara Jean Appleton, 50, of York died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at Central City.
She was born June 1, 1952, at Osceola to Ralph and Irene (Stoki) Appleton. She was educated at the Lark School in Lincoln, Opportunity Center in Columbus and at the David City and York Region V.
Barbara is survived by her mother, Irene Appleton of Stromsburg; sister, Teresa Jano of York; two brothers, Derrell Appleton of Centerville, Ohio, and Dale Appleton of Garden City, Kan. Also surviving are her nieces and nephews, Shana and Jessica Appleton and Brenda, Effrin and Eric Jano.
Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Metz Chapel in York with the Rev. Lester Anderson. Burial will be at the Stromsburg cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 6. Metz Mortuary of York is in charge of arrangements.
Wendell Terry
York resident, 90
Wendell Terry, 90, of York died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, at York.
He was born Aug. 18, 1912, at Meadow Grove, Neb., to Frank and Anna (Kinne) Terry. He was a longtime farmer and after his retirement he was employed by Pioneer Seeds as a seed corn delivery driver and was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York.
Wendell was a proud veteran of World War II and was a member of the American Legion Post in York where he served on the Honor Guard and was also a 50-year member of the Petersburg, Neb., Legion Post. He was a member of the Visually Impaired Persons group, the V.F.W. Post, and the A.M., and P.M., Coffee Club. He enjoyed gardening and had a great love for his family and many friends.
On April 2, 1942, he was married
to LoGene Osborne at Pierce, Neb. After her death he was married
to Evelyn Kinnaman on April 17, 1971, at York. She passed away in 1983.
He is survived by two sons, Dick Terry and Bob (Carol) Terry, both of Columbus; two daughters, Barbara (Dennis) Ward of Lincoln and Betty (Roger) Hirschfeld of Benedict; a stepdaughter, Sandy (Merle) Bethune of York; a step son-in-law, Byron Lawrence of York; ten grandchildren; four step grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a brother, Tim (Eileen) Terry of Columbus; five sisters, Theola Hunton of Lakewood, Colo., Margaret (Dale) Blythe of Lincoln, Mary Jane Brown of Broomfield, Colo., Hertha (Jack) Herwig of Fort Worth, Texas, Clarabelle (Gordon) Volk of Meadow Grove, Neb.; a brother-in-law, Bill Hunter and Carl Arndt, both of Omaha; three sisters-in-law, Millie Terry of Anchorage, Alaska, Francis Terry of Grandbury, Texas, and Miriam Terry of Grand Island; a special friend, Mildred Strong of York.
He was preceded in death by his parents, both wives, a daughter-in-law, a stepdaughter, one granddaughter, three great-grandsons, one step great-grandson, three sisters, and five brothers.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York with the Rev. Tim Marshall officiating. Graveside services will then be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Battle Creek Lutheran cemetery at Battle Creek. Memorials may be directed to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York or to the family. Visitation begins after 5 p.m. Saturday at Metz Mortuary in York.
Robert J. Behrns
Stromsburg resident, 77
Robert J. Behrns, 77, of Stromsburg died Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, at Bryan LGH East Hospital in Lincoln. Services are pending. Palmer Funeral Home in Stromsburg is in charge of arrangements.
