Allan James Ratzlaff
Lincoln resident, 27
Allan James Ratzlaff, age 27 of Lincoln, died March 19, 2004 at Lincoln.
He was born January 22, 1977 at Omaha to Sanford and Pamela (Cross) Ratzlaff. Allan was a 1995 graduate of Benedict High School and attended Hastings College for 2 years. The last 2 1/2 years he has worked as a Correctional Officer at the Lincoln Correctional Center. He is a member of the Benedict United Methodist Church.
Allan is survived by his parents, Sandy & Pam Ratzlaff of Benedict; his twin sister Abby and her boyfriend Jeremy Phillips of Fremont; 2 brothers, Mick and his wife Jill Ratzlaff of Kansas City, MO and Travis and his fiance' Michelle Renquist of York; nieces Caitlin & Calley of York. Also surviving are his aunts & uncles; Ron & Jan Ratzlaff of York, Jackie Kaspari of Lincoln, Sonnie & Dick Vavrina of Edmond, OK and Lanny & Monica Cross of York and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at the Cross County Community School at Benedict on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. with the Rev. Richard Melano officiating.
Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Benedict. Memorials may be directed to the family. Visitation will begin Tuesday noon. Allan gave the greatest gift by being an organ donor. Metz Mortuary of York is handling arrangements.
Stanley E. Collingham
York resident, 45
Stanley E. Collingham, 45, of York, died Monday, March 22, 2004 at Lincoln.
He was born September 27, 1958 at Boise, ID, to Rollan D. and Evelyn (Lindbloom) Collingham. He was retired from the Champion Home Builders after 23 years of service. He graduated from York High School in 1976. Stan enjoyed many activities including being an extra in the motion picture "Dances with Wolves, " and was a member of the Pleasant Hill Muzzle Loading Rifle Association and was a former state champion tomahawk thrower. An active outdoorsman he also enjoyed storytelling. On May 23, 1977 he was married to Beverly Anderson of York.
He is survived by his wife Beverly of York, twin son and daughter Kenneth Collingham and Tamara Collingham both of York, daughters, Angela Collingham of York and Jessica and her husband Josh Holtgrewe also of York. A grandson Cameron Holtgrewe of York.
His parents Rollan and Evelyn Collingham of York, two brothers Allen and his wife Linda Collingham of Gretna, NE and Randy and his wife Melinda Collingham of Henderson.
Three sisters, Tracey and her husband Kevin Wallace of Pratt, KS, Darlene Myer and her friend Chuck Wetzel all of York. Sandra and her husband Kevin Marsh. Also surviving is his grandmother Clara Ervin of York. Many nieces, nephews and other relatives along with a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by one great nephew.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Thursday at the Metz Chapel with Bruce Goodwin officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family. Visitation will be from 1:00 - 9:00 Wednesday at the mortuary. Metz Mortuary in York is in charge of arrangements.
Karen E. Lewis
Karen E. Lewis, age 43, of York, Neb., passed away early on Wednesday morning, March 17, 2004 at York General Hospital after an eight-year battle with cancer.
Karen was born Dec. 3, 1960 at San Francisco, Calif., to Keith E. and Doris L. (Fry) DeTar. As a child she moved with her family to Terry, Mont., Kalamazoo, Mich., and Bethlehem, Penn., where she attended school and graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem in 1979. She then attended Northampton Community College in Bethlehem where she received an Associate of Arts Degree in Graphic Arts. She then attended Lehigh County Community College in Bethlehem, where she received an Associate of Arts Degree in Mechanical Technology. After graduation, Karen moved to Missouri Valley, Iowa in 1984 and was employed as a Computer Draftsman for Vickers Hydaulics in Omaha, Neb.
She was united in marriage to Terry G. Lewis on June 5, 1986 at Logan, Iowa. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Tekamah, Neb., where they resided until January of 1990, when they moved to Wymore, Neb. In April of 1995, they moved to York, where Karen was employed by Hamilton-Sundstrand in the Engineering Department. Karen's real passion was clay sculpture, which she started at an early age and continued until a brain aneurysm in 1998 prevented her from sculpting. Karen was a member of the York Artists Guild, the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs, York Drove #7 of the Benevolent and Pariotic Order of Does and a member of the First United Methodist Church in York.
Survivors include her husband, Terry Lewis of York; two sons: Ellery and Weston, both of York; her mother, Doris Bingham of York; one sister Sue (and her husband Dane) Wedergren of Bellevue, Neb.; two nephews, Stewart and Ryan Wedergren. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Keith DeTar.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 2004 at the First United Methodist Church in York with Pastor Art Phillips and Jeff Wulf officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery at York. Visitation will begin at noon Thursday at the Lewis Funeral Chapel in York. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the First United Methodist Church in York.
Lewis Funeral Chapel of York is in charge of arrangements.
Florence H. Kohtz
Grand Island resident, 91
Florence H. Kohtz, 91, of Grand Island died Monday, March 15, 2004 at Riverside Lodge in Grand Island.
She was born in Platte County on June 13, 1912 to Otto H. and Ida (Hake) Krumland. Sh was raised in Platte County and graduated from Columbus High School. She became a registered nurse after attending nursing school in York and worked at Cook County Hospital in Chicago for a year and at a Julesburg, Colo. hospital. After retirement she worked for Upholstery by Jan. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ruth Society and LWML.
She was married to the Rev. A. L. Kohtz May 10, 1934 at Columbus. They served churches in Central City, Eagle, Culbertson, Daykin, St. Paul and Julesburg, Colo. They moved to Grand Island in 1972. The Rev. Kohtz died July 31, 1990.
Survivors include daughters, Virginia Kohtz of Seward, Marilyn (Earl) Svoboda of St. Paul, Sandra (Marvin) Kunze of Lincoln and Pam (Mark) Johnson of Omaha; sons, Roger (June) Kohtz of Dearborn, Mich. and Warren (Jane) Kohtz of Hays, Kan.; brother, Ted Krumland of Olympia, Wash.; grandchildren, Frank Kohtz, Kathy Kohtz, Joel Kohtz, Kurt Kohtz, Kent (Katy) Kohtz, Eric Kohtz, Kristian Kohtz, David Kohtz, Timothy Kohtz, Todd Svoboda and fiance, Cindy Wilson, Tim (Linda) Svoboda, Kelly (Chip) Thompson, Wayne (Rebecca) Kunze, Erin Scott Kunze, Sean Johnson and Michaela Johnson; great-grandchildren, Aaron, Adam, Zachery and Isabella Svoboda, Tanner Thompson, Megan, Joseph, Jeremy, Adam and Noah Kohtz and Ethan Kunze.
Preceding her were her husband, A. L.; brothers, Raymond and Eugene Krumland and sister, Mildred Kohtz.
Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand island with the Rev. Martin Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in the Grand Island Cemetery.
Visitation is 3 to 8 p.m. Friday with family greeting friends from 3-6 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island.
Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation, Nebraska District Scholarship Fund or American Heart Association.
Kimberley Ray
Aurora resident, 46
Kimberley Ray, age 46, died Friday afternoon, March 12, 2004. Kimberley Renee Ray, the daughter of Loring and Anne Rohr, was born in Grinnell, Iowa on April 7, 1957.
She graduated from Grinnell High School in 1975 and went on to graduate from William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Kimberley worked at Bonnavilla in Aurora. She loved hunting morel mushrooms in the spring and fishing. But most of all, she loved her son, Gerry Ryne Ray.
Kimberley was a member of the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Loring and Anne Rohr, and one brother, Dale Rohr.
She is survived by her son Gerry Ryne Ray and ex-husband, Gerry Ray both of York and special friend, Troy Roller of Aurora.
Hazelle Ione Lutz
Beatrice resident, 84
Hazelle Ione Lutz, 84, of Beatrice, died Saturday, March 13, 2004 at Bryan LGH Medical Center-East in Lincoln.
She was born at McCool Junction May 16, 1919 the fifth of 11 children. She taught one year at a country school then finished college at York College.
She married Rex Lutz on Dec. 31, 1938. In 1952 she moved to Beatrice. She worked for Formfit for the entire 28 years of its operation, first as a machine operator, then as a supervisor. She enjoyed designing and knitting sweaters, working puzzles and was an avid reader.
Survivors are daughter-in-law, Janet Lutz of San Bernardino, Calif.; three granddaughters, Natalie (Ralph) Figueroa of Albuquerque, N.M., Shawn Riggs and Justin Riggs-Ramage of San Bernardino, Calif.; great-grandson, Riley Riggs-Ramage of San Bernardino, Calif.; three sisters, Cora Cotner of York, Maxine Kopcho of Nampa, Idaho, Verna Jean Schaldecker of York; three brothers-in-law, Ed Rhoads of York, Jake Schaldecker of Grafton and Malcom Rice of Dixon, Ill.; 22 nieces and nephews and 24 great-nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by parents, George H. and Clarica Blanche (Ankeny) McGregor; son, Gary Dean Lutz; 3 brothers, Allen, Robert and George McGregor; 4 sisters, Lucille Rhoades, Betty Schaldecker, Lura Lee Rice and Delma McGregor.
Memorial services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at Harman-Wright Mortuary Chapel, 7th and Elk Street, Beatrice with Pastor Kelly Karges officiating. No public visitation. A book will be available for signatures Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Harman-Wright Mortuary. Burial will be at Crawford Cemetery, Crawford, at a later date. Memorial established with the Mortuary in charge. Messages of condolence may be emailed to vaughn@harmanwrightmortuary.com and they will be forwarded to the family. Harman-Wright Mortuary, Beatrice, in charge of arrangements.
Winifred Shepherd
Aurora resident, 89
Winifred Shepherd, age 89, of Aurora, died Friday afternoon, March 12, 2004. She was born on September 20, 1914 at Panama, NE to Joseph and Ama Amanda (Craig) Genuchi.
She grew up in Panama and graduated from Panama High School. Winifred taught at several country schools and attended classes at York College and Nebraska Wesleyan College in Lincoln.
Winifred was united in marriage to Keith Allen Shepherd on August 24, 1937 at Chadron, NE. They served churches in Nebraska, Georgia and Indiana before moving back to Nebraska in 1951. In Nebraska they served churches in Sterling, Ord, Lincoln, Cozad and York. They retired in 1977 and moved to Aurora. Keith passed away on August 20, 1986.
Winifred was a member of the Aurora United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, Dorcas Circle and Conference of United Methodist Women. She led the School of Missions in Lincoln, taught Bible Studies and Youth Groups, and was involved in the choir. Winifred was involved in Cub Scouts and helped in schools, while her children were attending. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and P.E.O., where she received her 50-year pin.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother, Kenneth Genuchi.
Those left to cherish her memory are her two children, Dell Allen (Janet) Shepherd of North Platte and Reta Jo (Howard) Wolf of Gilbert, Arizona; 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 15 at the United Methodist Church in Aurora. Rev. Seth Leypoldt and Rev. Jay Funk will officiate. Interment will be at 1:00 p.m. in the Panama Cemetery at Panama, NE.
Ralph DeLand
Osceola resident, 88
Ralph Evan DeLand, age 88, of Osceola died Thursday, March 18, 2004 at the Osceola Good Samaritan Center.
Ralph was born Dec. 7, 1915 to George and Amaila (Johnson) DeLand in Osceola, Neb. He attended Osceola schools, graduating from Osceola High School in 1934. After high school, Ralph began working at Malek's Bakery in Osceola until 1943. Ralph then served in the United States Army until 1945. After returning from the Army, he worked at Jack & Jill in Osceola until 1962 when he purchased the grocery store which he owned until 1975. He then worked part time for another five years at the grocery store.
On Dec. 7, 1981, Ralph was united in marriage to Norma Johnson at the United Methodist parsonage in Osceola.
Ralph was active in Osceola American Legion William Wolfe Post #91, was a charter member of the Polk County Wildlife Association, was an avid gardener and enjoyed hunting, fishing and outdoors. He was also a football fan.
Survivors include his wife, Norma of Osceola; one son, Brad (Barbara) Johnson of Lincoln; one daughter, Demaris Jacobson of York; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Glen DeLand.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 22, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. at Roberts-Dubas Funeral Home in Osceola with the Rev. Richard Dimond officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Roberts-Dubas Funeral Home in Osceola.
Interment will be in the Osceola Cemetery with military rites by William Wolfe Post #91, Osceola.
Roberts-Dubas Funeral Home in Osceola is in charge of arrangements.
Mildred M. Teegerstrom
Stromsburg resident, 95
Mildred M. Teegerstrom, 95, of Stromsburg died Saturday, March 6, 2004 at the home of her daughter in Youngtown, Ariz.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 13, at the Stromsburg Methodist Church in Stromsburg with the Rev. Richard Milano officiating.
Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home in Stromsburg.
Burial will be in the Hoffer Cemetery in Gresham.
Palmer Funeral Home in Stromsburg is in charge of arrangements.
Marion B. Hall
Lincoln resident, 88
Marion B. Hall, 88, of Lincoln, died on Sunday, March 14, 2004 at Lincoln.
She was born on April 29, 1915, in York to Harry and Ethel (Kirwan) Hall. She was a York native, having graduated from York High School in 1933. Marion worked for many years as a sales clerk in the Lincoln and Omaha area.
She was a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Lincoln. She loved meeting and visiting with people and enjoyed her hobbies of boating, fishing and walking.
Marion is survived by her sister, Imogene Steingard of York; brother, Elroy K. Hall of Durham, NC; nieces, Karren Samson of York, Sharon Jordal of Lincoln, Nancy Tripp of Greenville, NC, and Linda Hall of Richmond, VA. Also surviving are many other relatives and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents and a niece, Debbie Friesen.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church in York with the Rev. Ron Johnson officiating.
Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in York. Memorials may be directed to the AA Central Office, Lincoln, Neb.
Metz Mortuary of York is handling the arrangements.
