Donald A. Pedersen
Deshler resident, 82
Donald Albert Pedersen, 82, died Feb. 20, 2004 at Bryan LGH Medical Center East in Lincoln.
He was born on a farm northeast of Hardy, Neb., to John and Vera (Morton) Pedersen on June 7, 1921. He was the seventh child of ten and his mother died when he was very young. Donald attended grade school at Riber District #91 and went to Hardy for high school
He was inducted into the Army in 1942 where he served until 1946. Much of that time was spent in the Aleutian Islands near Alaska. He was united in marriage to Eula Boylan on August 4, 1943. They lived for awhile in Seattle, Wash., when he was stationed there.
After the war, the couple moved to a farm northeast of Hardy where their four children were born. In 1959 they moved to farm irrigated land near Davenport, Neb., where they lived until retirement in 1992 and then moved to Deshler, Neb.
Donald was baptized in infancy at Bethany Lutheran Church in rural Ruskin on July 16, 1927 by Pastor Andrew Hansen. He was confirmed in the same church on June 19, 1949 by Pastor Immanuel Petersen. Donald served on several church boards throughout the years. In addition to farming, Donald owned and operated Davenport Building and Supply for several years.
Donald and Eula spent 20 winters in south Texas where they enjoyed many new friendships and activities. They provided musical entertainment for local rest homes, group homes for the developmentally disabled both here and in Texas. Donald also loved to attend auctions.
He enjoyed making things to give away, particularly over 200 ribbon crosses. He gave many to Blue Valley Lutheran Care Home residents where he and Eula often provided musical entertainment.
In recent years, Donald attended the Nazarene Church when possible and Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Deshler.
He is survived by his wife, Eula of Deshler; sons, David (Rowena) Pedersen of Deltona, Fla., Berdon Petersen of Davenport, John Pedersen of York; daughter, Susan (Dennis) Harms of Davenport; sisters, Ellen Lanham of Nora, Ethel Lee, Wilma Osbun and Margaret (Richard) Haynie, all of Ohio; sisters-in-law, Betty Pedersen of Riverton, Wyo., and Enola Boylan of Scandia, Kan.; 8 grandchildren, Elaine (Matt) Goldschmidt of Lake Mary, Fla., Charity Kucera of Narragansett, R.I., Joshua (Stephanie) Pedersen of Orlando, Fla., Jamon Harms of Deshler, Jordan Harms of Deshler, and Justus Harms of Davenport, Jed Pedersen and Sara Pedersen of Lincoln; 5 great-grandchildren, Corryn, Gareth and Shay Goldschmidt and Katelyn and Jarryd Kucera; cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, John Barnes; brother, Ray Pedersen; sisters: Mabel (Earl) Crandell, Clara (Hugh) Copas, Christina Pedersen and infant sister, Dora; brothers-in-law, LaVerne Lee, Howard Osbun, Ralph Lanham and Cheslie Boylan.
Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 23, 2004 at 2 p.m. at the Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Deshler, with the Rev. Alex Lissow officiating.
Interment was in the Spring Creek Cemetery at Ruskin. Memorials have been established in the family's choice.
Ahrendts Funeral Home of Deshler was in charge of arrangements.
Russell F. Kreis
Stromsburg resident, 98
Russell F. Kreis, 98, of Stromsburg died Friday, Feb. 20, 2004 at the Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg.
He was born in Stromsburg Oct. 14, 1905 to Thomas L. and Grace (Newcomer) Kreis. He grew up in the Stromsburg area attending county schools.
On Sept. 1, 1927 he married Edna P. Myers at the Methodist Parsonage in Stromsburg. They farmed southeast and then northwest of Stromsburg. They retired in 1971 and moved into town. His wife, End, died Oct. 24, 1982. Russell remained in his own home until January of 2004.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Stromsburg and the Stromsburg Coop Association. He enjoyed bowling, traveling and fishing.
He is survived by four sons, Ralph (Virginia) Kreis of Surprise, Ariz., Lyle Kreis of Phoenix, Ariz., Tom Kreis of Stromsburg and Bob Kreis of Lincoln; one daughter, Emily Hoyt of Salina, Kan.; 9 grandchildren; 1 step-granddaughter and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna; one brother, Charles and two sisters, Mildred Nelson and Myrle Anderson.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Stromsburg Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Melano officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 - 7 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home in Stromsburg. Burial will be in the Stromsburg Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.
Palmer Funeral Home in Stromsburg is in charge of arrangements.
Russell Kreis
Stromsburg resident, 98
Russell F. Kreis, 98, of Stromsburg, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2004, at the Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, at the Stromsburg Methodist Church. Rev. Richard Melano will officiate. Burial will be in the Stromsburg Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, 5-9 p.m., at the Palmer Funeral Home in Stromsburg.
More details will appear at a later time.
Steven E. Betka
Fairmont resident, 49
Steven E. Betka, 49, of Fairmont died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004 in Geneva.
He was born at York Aug. 4, 1954 to Eugene and Betty (Christiancy) Betka.
Surviving are his wife, Audrey Betka of Fairmont; sons, Derek A. and Ryan G. Betka of Fairmont; and mother, Betty Betka of Geneva.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday at United Church of Christ in Geneva with Rev. Lynn Strandt and Rev. Bharat Surender officiating. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva.
Memorials are directed to Geneva or Exeter United Churches of Christ or the Exeter Rescue Unit in lieu of flowers.
Graveside services will be at the Geneva Public Cemetery in Geneva.
Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva is in charge of arrangements.
Donald D. Stutzman
Beaver Crossing resident, 60
Donald Duane Stutzman of Beaver Crossing died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004 at Homestead Healthcare Center in Lincoln at the age of 60 years, 2 months and 19 days.
He was born on a farm near Beaver Crossing Nov. 26, 1943 to Lester and Velma Irene (Martin) Stutzman, the youngest of four children.
In his youth, he attended West Fairview Mennonite Church where he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour at the age of 12. He attended Seward County Walnut Creek School District #16 through the seventh grade. He then transferred to Beaver Crossing Public Schools where he later became a 1962 graduate. After graduation he was employed at Rediger Chevrolet in Milford.
On Nov. 15, 1963, he married Judith Ann Carr and to this union three sons were born, Craig Donald, Thomas Wade and Kirk Allen. In March of 1964, Don started farming the family farm of three generations. He continued farming until March of 1984. After leaving the farm, he worked briefly for Lincoln Electric System. In 1991, he began work at Southeast Community College - Milford Campus as a maintenance mechanic until June of 2002, when he had to retire due to poor health.
He was a member of Friend Christian Assembly in Friend and a very active member of the Beaver Crossing community where he served on the Farmers Coop Elevator Board, City Council, Volunteer Firemen, Emergency Medical Technician and 4-H leader, all of Beaver Crossing, and was active on various church boards. He often lent a helping hand when needed for his father-in-law and brother-in-law, Dale and Bob Carr, with their new home construction business. He was always eager to lend a helping hand with his many hours of volunteer work maintaining the municipal pool in Beaver Crossing. He was also known to many for filling gas tanks, doing mechanic work or buying tires for strangers he met during his travels. He enjoyed pro and college football, especially Nebraska, and loved to listen to country gospel quartet music. He especially enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports and special events. He loved to go hunting and enjoyed spending time outdoors.
Survivors include his wife, Judith of Beaver Crossing; sons and daughters-in-law, Craig and Christina of Newport News, Va., Thomas Stutzman and Sommer Kinnett of Beaver Crossing, Kirk and Laurie of Greeley, Colo.; grandchildren, Amanda, Justin, Makaylee, Austin, Jadeyn and Brody Stutzman; his parents, Lester and Velma Stutzman of Milford; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Thelma Stutzman of Beaver Crossing; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Paul Stutzman of Wood River; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Sherry Carr of Buena Vista, Colo.; many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sanford and Lizze Stutzman, Peter and Maggie Martin and an infant brother.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18 at Friend Christian Assembly, Friend with Pastor Phil Tuttle officiating. Visitation is 3-9 p.m., Monday; 9 - 9 p.m. Tuesday at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Beaver Crossing.
Memorials may be directed in care of the family. Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Beaver Crossing, is in charge of arrangements. Interment is in Beaver Crossing Cemetery.
Naomi A. Francies
York resident, 88
Naomi A. Francies, 88, of York, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004 at York.
She was born April 1, 1915 at York to Archie and Isabelle (Mannon) Wagner. Naomi graduated from York High School in 1933. On March 4, 1939, she was married to Wayne L. Francies. She taught rural school in York County for four years and later worked as an LPN at the IOOF Home in York. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church at York and the UMW, past Rebecca (Waco Lodge), D.O.E.S, Red Cross Bloodmobile Volunteer and Election Board (New York Township).
Naomi is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Phyllis and Gordon Bryant of Medina, Ohio, Jayne and Rod Nielsen of Omaha and Janyce and Richard Wildman of Bella Vista, Ark.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; her brother Dale and Fran Wagner of Lawrence, Kan.; and her sister-in-law Lucille Steinheider of Seward.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Wayne, and her grandson Christopher Bryant.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Feb. 16, 2004 at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of York. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at York. Memorials may be directed to the Church. Visitation will be Saturday and Sunday from 1-9 p.m.
Metz Mortuary in York is handling arrangements.
Marie T. Green
Fairmont resident, 89
Marie T. Green, 89, of Fairmont, formerly of McCool Junction, died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004, at Fairmont.
She was born July 27, 1914, at Grafton, to John and Edna (Sommers) Hildebrand. Marie married Donald E. Green on March 5, 1940, and the couple farmed near McCool until they retired to McCool in 1980. Donald died in February of 1994. She was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in McCool.
Marie is survived by her daughter, Norma (Babe) Starr of Fairmont; grandchildren, Vickie Starr of Lincoln and Troy Starr of Clay Center.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, a granddaughter, one brother and three sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in McCool with Rev. Michelle Olson officiating. Burial will be at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery near McCool. Visitation will begin Wednesday, at 5 p.m., at Metz Mortuary in York.
Memorials may be made in care of the family.
Metz Mortuary in York is handling arrangements.
Imogene E. Smith
Lincoln resident, 77
Imogene E. Smith, 77, of Lincoln, died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004, at Lincoln.
She was born to Eugene and Estella (Reamer) Bowersock on Jan. 24, 1927, on a farm northwest of McCool Junction. Imogene was an only child. She moved with her parents in 1932 to a farm south of McCool, where she attended and graduated from McCool High School. She was baptized at the E.U.B. Church in McCool. She also taught for several years in rural schools in York County.
Imogene was married to Harold F. Smith Jr., at Fairmont, on Aug. 18, 1946. To this union, three daughters were born -- Linda, Sharon and Marcia. She was a member of the Fairmont Community Church where she was an active choir member and taught Sunday School for many years. She and her husband resided in Fairmont until moving to York in 1991. After moving to Lincoln in 2001, Imogene became a member of the Christ United Methodist Church and belonged to the DAR, David Bryan Chapter.
Imogene valued simplicity and chose to live her life as a homemaker, always appreciative of her family. People were important to her and she treasured their friendship.
She is survived by her husband, Harold of Lincoln; three daughters, Linda (Stephen) Miles of Lincoln, Sharon (Michael) Olson of McCool Junction and Marcia Smith and her lifetime friend Susan Shepherd of Lincoln; two granddaughters, Monica (Carl) Steffens and Amber (Michael) Gibson, all of Lincoln; one grandson, Jerod (Sara) Olson of Seward; and a sister-in-law, Patricia Smith of San Diego, Calif.; and a nephew, Greg Smith of San Diego, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, 2004, at the Metz Chapel in York with the Rev. Jay Vetter officiating. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in York. Visitation will begin at noon, Thursday. Memorials may be directed to the family. Condolences may be emailed to metz@metzmortuary.com.
Metz Mortuary in York is in charge of arrangements.
Dietrich Peters
Florida resident, 94
Dietrich A. Peters, 94, of Boynton Beach, Fla., died Feb. 11, 2004, at Palm Beach, Fla.
He was born in Henderson to Abraham and Sarah (Wall) Peters. Dietrich lived in California from 1948-2001, and the last three years lived with his son in Boynton Beach.
He is survived by his two sons, Jay D. Peters, of Boynton Beach and Jon K. Peters of Carson City, Nev.; five grandsons; three great-granddaughters and four great-grandsons.
Preceding him in death were his parents and brothers, Herb, Issac, George and his sister, Eva.
Burial will be at the EMB cemetery near Henderson. Metz Mortuary of Henderson is handling arrangements.
