Todd Vern Allen Wink
Grand Island resident, 37
Todd Vern Allen Wink, 37, of Grand Island died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003, at Clarkson Medical Center in Omaha.
He was born Oct. 10, 1965, at Lincoln, son of Charles and Sandra (Benner) Wink. He grew up in Lincoln and attended Lincoln Schools, graduating from Lincoln East.
He was married to Betty Matlock, Sept. 2, 1989, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York. The couple resided in Grand Island where he was employed by the Hall County Department of Corrections for 13 years. He recently began working for Cabelas.
He was a member of Evangelical Free Church, the Oregon Trail Bass Club, and a member of B.A.S.S. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping and especially enjoyed competing in fishing tournaments. He started the Grand Island Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society.
Survivors include his wife, Betty of Grand Island; parents, Charles and Sandra Wink; sisters Tania Aguilar of Lincoln, Tricia Anderson of Topeka, Tamara Wink of Topeka; sister-in-law, Leann (Gene) Brown of Ellsinore, Mo.; seven nieces and nephews; grandmother, Ruth Wragge; many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his infant sister, Tara; his father and mother-in-law, Delbert and Caroline Matlock; his grandparents; a sister-in-law, Kelly Matlock.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, at Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Curtis Holzworth officiating. Burial will be in grand Island Cemetery, Grand Island. Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Apfel-Butler-Geddes Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the family.
Richard "Pete" Cradick
Utica resident, 93
Richard "Pete" Cradick, 93, of Utica died Friday, Feb. 14, 2003.
He was born Dec. 28, 1909, and worked as a farmer south of Utica his entire life. He was an associate member of the Utica Jaycees.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; parents, Nicholas and Mary Cradick; brothers, Tom, Bob, John, Harry, Ivan and Oren; grandson, Terry Miller; and great-granddaughter, Sydney Cradick.
Survivors include his son, Ivan (Janice) Cradick of Utica; daughters, Janice (Blaine) Miller of Surprise, Betty (Ronn) Dorsey of Lincoln; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; brother, George "Jiggs" (Darlene) Cradick of Utica; sister-in-law, Inez Cradick Griffin of Guthrie Center, Iowa; nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Sunday, and will continue between 9 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., on Monday, at Wood-Zabka Funeral Home in Seward. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to services at the United Methodist Church in Utica.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, at the Methodist Church in Utica, with Rev. David Masten officiating. Burial will be at the Utica Cemetery.
Memorials made be made to the donor's choice, or directed to the family.
Harriet Watson
Fremont resident
Harriet Watson of Fremont, mother of Dean (Jeanette) Richardson of York, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003.
Surviving grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Wayne Richardson, Pamela (Boyd) Tietmeyer and Bobbie Richardson of York, Sheila (Ed) Beins, Jon and Mike of Seward, David (Mary) Richardson, Jimi and Brittany of Kansas.
The funeral is today, Friday, Feb. 14, in Fremont with burial in Pender.
Wendell Terry
York resident, 90
Wendell Terry, age 90, of York, died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in York. Services are pending at Metz Mortuary of York.
Neal Harlan
Valley resident, 71
Neal Harlan, 71, of Valley, Neb., and Rio Verde, Ariz., died Friday, Feb. 14, in Rio Verde.
Harlan and his wife Leone lived in York from 1956 to 1961 at which time he was running the York office of the West Central Coop Grain Co. From 1983 to 1989 he was president and chief executive officer of the Omaha-based Scoular Company.
A service was held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Rio Verde Community Church in Rio Verde, Ariz. A second service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Cross in Omaha.
Memorials to the Neal Harlan Vice Chancellorship of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation, P.O. Box 82555, in Lincoln.
Doris Johnson
Waco resident, 90
Doris M. (Schultz) Johnson, 90, of Waco died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003, at Fairmont.
She was born March 12, 1912, in western York County to William A. and Anna (Melchow) Rayls. She was a York High School graduate and a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Waco. She was employed at the Utica Care Center for numerous years as a cook and a nurse's aide. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church Ladies' Aid, enjoyed dancing, ceramics, gardening and cooking.
On May 24, 1932, she was married to Orville Schultz at Fremont. After his death she was married to Van E. Johnson on Nov. 13, 1976, at Waco.
She is survived by two sons, Orville (Sue) Schultz of Dublin, Ga., and Mike (Carmen) Schultz of West Bloomfield, Mich.; two daughters, Bonnie (Milton) Klepper of Waco and Beverly (Merlyn) Atkinson of Dubuque, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one brother, William (Gloria) Rayls of Onyx, Calif.; two sisters, Ruby Mason of Gardena, Calif., and Verna Bunderson of Blackwater, Wis.
She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, four brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Metz Chapel with the Rev. Harold E. Malotky officiating. Burial will be in the Waco Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association or to Lutheran Family Services. Visitation has begun at Metz Mortuary in York.
Donald Watt
York resident, 92
Donald Watt, 92, of York died Friday, Feb. 21, at York. Services are pending at Metz Mortuary.
Marian Spahn
Utica resident, 73
Marian E. Spahn, 73, of rural Utica, died Feb. 22, 2003.
She was born Sept. 10, 1929, the daughter of Albert and Mary Haas. She was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Altar Society in Utica, National Right to Life, Nebraska Right to Live, and Voice of the Retarded. She was also a sponsor of children in the Philippines through the Christian Fund for Children and Aging.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Anthony Haas.
She is survived by her husband, Paul, of rural Utica; sons, Paul of Beatrice and Bradley of Beaver Crossing; daughter, Suzan (Thomas) Yearley of Goehner; grandchildren, Peter, Emily and Paul Yearley of Goehner; sisters, Patricia (Robert) Kahle of Maumee, Ohio, Charlotte (Dr. William) Donovan of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Shirley (John) Tiranti of Escondido, Calif., Suzanne Kemp of Attica, N.Y., Angela (Roy) Carroll of Perrysburg, Ohio, Judy Haas of Escondido, Carol (Dan) Warniment, Crows Nest Point, Va., Bernadette (David) Hammond, Cave Creek, Ariz., Mary Jo (Rod) Clay of Howell, Mich.; brothers, C.J. "Casey" Haas of Alta, Calif., and Samuel (Carol) Haas of Fairbanks, Alaska; nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 24, at Wood-Zabka Funeral Home in Seward and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. A Rosary will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Utica. The funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., at the church, on Tuesday with Father Maurice Current officiating. Burial will be at the Mound Prairie Cemetery in Goehner.
Memorials may be made to the National Right to Life or the donors choice in care of the Spahn family.
Bernard V. Veteto
York resident, 81
Bernard V. Veteto, 81, of York, passed away at The Hearthstone Care Center in York early on Sunday morning, Feb. 23, 2003.
Bernard was born on Dec. 3, 1921, at Amity, Ark., to James Garfield and Tinie May (Robertson) Veteto. He was united in marriage to Inez Agusta Hayes on Aug. 8, 1947, at Harding University in Searcy, Ark. Affectionately known as "Cap, " he worked for the Campbell's Soup Company in Omaha for about ten years prior to moving to York in 1960.
After moving to York, Bernard operated the Print Shop at York College for many years, and also was a bus driver for many years for York College and the York Public Schools. In later years, he drove for Busy Wheels in York. Bernard joined the East Hill Church of Christ upon moving to York, and worked as custodian for the church, usually being the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. He was also song leader at the church for many years, with hundreds of songs and hymns in his repertoire. Bernard was also a longtime member of the 0630 Toastmasters Club of York.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Inez A. Veteto of York; three daughters: Anita (and her husband, Max) Clark of Searcy, Ark., Carmen (and her husband, David) Aufrecht of Kearney, and Kristine (and her husband, Tom) Haddox of Van Alstyne, Texas; five grandchildren: Natalie Clark Hagan (and her husband, David) of Louisville, Ky., Melisa Clark of Lyon, France, Harold Clark (and his wife, Jana) of Conway, Ark., Ashley Haddox Veatch (and her husband, Jed) of Searcy, Ark., and Jessica Haddox of Van Alstyne, Texas.
Bernard was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Vincent Francis Veteto in 1971; one brother (Richard Veteto); and two sisters (Lenora Roberts and Vivian Shuffield).
Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, at the East Hill Church of Christ in York. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery at York. Visitation will begin at noon on Tuesday at the Lewis Funeral Chapel in York. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Hospice Care of Nebraska, or The Hearthstone Care Center in York. Lewis Funeral Chapel of York is in charge of arrangements.
Jane M. Opitz
David City resident, 59
Jane Margaret Opitz, age 59 years, of David City, and formerly of York, passed away at her home in David City on Monday morning, Feb. 24, 2003.
She was born on April 24, 1943 at York to Frank Opitz (a farmer) and Eva Jane (Worman) Opitz (a schoolteacher). Jane resided in York County at her parents' home during her early years, and attended rural grade school for eight years. She also attended school in Cozad for a short time. In 1966, Jane entered the Martin Luther Home in Beatrice and resided there until March of 1967. She then entered the Beatrice State Developmental Home in Beatrice in June of 1967, and lived there until July of 1977, when she moved to David City.
After moving to David City, Jane began receiving vocational and residential services from Region V Services. She lived in a variety of residential settings, and participated in several different work training activities there. Jane actively accessed the community in David City, participated in many social activities, and attended church services regularly. She particularly enjoyed going to the Butler County Senior Center in David City for recreation and social interaction.
Jane was preceded in death by her mother, Eva Jane Opitz in 1972 and her father, Frank Opitz, who passed away in 1989.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Feb. 28, 2003 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in David City with Pastor David Palomaki officiating. Graveside Committal Services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Friday at Council Cemetery southwest of York. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m., on Thursday at Lewis Funeral Chapel in York. Lewis Funeral Chapel in York is in charge of arrangements.
Leo Larson
Stromsburg resident, 88
Leo W. Larson, 88, of Stromsburg, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2003, at Bryan LGH East Memorial Hospital in Lincoln.
He was born May 13, 1914, in Stromsburg, to Arthur E. and Edythe L. (Johnson) Larson.
Preceding him in death was a brother, Irving, of Stromsburg; two sisters, Lila Gehre of Yucca Valley, Calif., and Imo Jean Stebbins of Alta Loma, Calif.; and brothers-in-law, Harold Gehre and George Stebbins.
Survivors include his sister-in-law, Marilyn Larson of Stromsburg; nephews, Jan (Connie) Larson of Cedar Park, Texas, Tab Larson of Stromsburg, and a niece, Kari Larson of Denver, Colo. Also surviving are nephews Dale (Shirley) Gehre of Atascadero, Calif., Larry (Ginny) Gehre of Fillmore, Utah, Gary (Diane) Stebbins of Cypress, Texas; and nieces, Twila (Jim) Couzens of Yucca Valley, Calif., Susan (Steve) Williston of Medford, Ore., and Julie Clark of Alta Loma, Calif.
Also surviving was a special friend, Keith Reed, of Lakewood, Wash.
Private services will be held. Visitation was held yesterday at Palmer Funeral Home in Stromsburg. Interment will be in the Stromsburg Cemetery.
Paul C. Geis
Beaver Crossing resident, 79
Paul C. Geis of Beaver Crossing died Friday, Feb. 28, 2003, at Memorial Hospital in Seward at the age of 79.
He was born May 7, 1923, near Beaver Crossing to Louis and Matilda (Orth) Geis. He graduated from Beaver Crossing High School in 1939. He served in the Navy from 1941 through 1945 and in the Navy Reserve until 1977. He was awarded five battle stars.
He married Betty Rhodes on Jan. 15, 1949. Paul worked for the post office for 39 years.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Beaver Crossing. He served with the Volunteer Fire Dept., the Home State Bank Board, and Board of Education. He was a member of the American Legion and involved with the Beaver Crossing Development Corporation.
Survivors include his wife, Betty; daughters, Mary Lou (Yogi) Buss of Lincoln, Carol (Chuck) Varland of Gregory, S.D.; sons, Mike (Ginny) of Omaha, Dave (Deb) of Beaver Crossing, James (Connie) of Odessa, Chris (Melinda) of Lincoln; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Neil (Pat) Geis of San Diego, Calif.; sister, RoseElla Rerucha of Littleton, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Adeline Geis of Seward, Shirley (Daryl) Taylor of Cordova; brothers-in-law, Stanley (Pearle) Rhodes of Exeter, and Ray Naber of Utica.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Julie Geis; sisters, Mary and Rita Geis; a brother, Carl; brother-in-law, Louis Rerucha, and a sister-in-law, Mary Naber.
Services are at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2002, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Beaver Crossing, with Father Maurice Current officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery with military services conducted by the American Legion. Visitation is 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home in Beaver Crossing and one hour prior to services at the church. A Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorials have been established to the Julie Geis Memorial Scholarship Fund, or may be directed in care of the family. Lauber-Moore Funeral Home of Beaver Crossing is in charge of arrangements.
