Marie Rhoades
York resident, 90
Marie Frances Rhoades, age 90, of York, died Wednesday, April 21, 2004 at Stromsburg. She was born June 15, 1913 at Dallas, SD to George W. and Frances (Tlustos) Campain. She was a 1931 graduate of High Prairie Country School near Swedehome. Marie was married to Ralph "Pete" Rhoades at York on March 17, 1932 and they farmed northeast of Benedict until retiring to York in 1974. She was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at York and a lifetime member of the Happy Hour Club.
Marie is survived by her sons; Eugene Rhoades of York and Larry (Donna) Rhoades of Gresham; her daughters; Frances Lemburg of Grand Island and Betty (Merle) Heiden of York; 16 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, infant daughter Joyce JoAnn and infant sister Georgia Campain, son-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Metz Chapel in York with the Rev. Tim Marshall. Burial will be in the Bethel Cemetery east of Benedict. Memorials may be directed to the Bethel Cemetery or Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
Visitation will begin at noon on Friday.
Metz Mortuary of York is handling arrangements.
George D. Meixel, 85 Wanda M. Meixel, 83
Glen Arm, Maryland residents
Memorial services for George D. and Wanda M. Meixel of Glen Arm, Maryland, will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 25, 2004 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thayer, Neb., with inurnment at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
George was born on Oct. 30, 1918 in Thayer to Jesse LaVerne and Martha (Reetz) Meixel. Wanda was born Feb. 3, 1921 in Lincoln, Neb., to Jacob and Mathilde (Boldebuck) Rosenstock. The couple was married Oct. 9, 1941 in Aberdeen, MD.
George graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1941 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He then served in the U.S. Army during WWII and rose to the rank of Major. He then worked for Ingersoll-Rand Co. until his retirement in 1983.
After the war, the couple settled in Massachusetts where George served as sales engineer until 1965 when he transferred to New York City to head salary administration for his company until 1969. He then became plant manager for his company in Phillipsburg, NJ. From 1973 until his retirement in 1983, George served as Corporate Representative for Ingersoll-Rand in Washington, DC. During part of that time he served as President of the National Metric Council.
George and Wanda moved to Glen Meadows Retirement Community in Glen Arm in 1997. George died April 3, 2001 and Wanda died July 3, 2002.
They are survived by sons, George D. Meixel Jr., Steven A. Meixel and John F. Meixel.
Pauline Gray
Waco resident, 83
Pauline Opal Gray, 83, of Waco, died Tuesday, April 20, 2004 at York. She was born March 18, 1921 at Waco to John C. and Bertha K. (Wilksen) Bredehoft. She grew up in the Waco area and attended grade school at District 51, graduating from Waco High School in 1938. She attended York College, Concordia College at Seward, and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to attain a certificate in elementary education. Pauline taught at rural schools in York County in the early 1940's and later at Utica Public School.
She was a member at Peace Lutheran Church, Waco, and was also the church's organist for a number of years. She was married to Leslie W. Gray on November 18, 1945 at Peace Lutheran in Waco. They lived in Seward, Nebraska for 55 years before returning to the Waco area in April of 1998. She was currently a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Seward.
While a resident of Seward, Pauline spent many years employed as a bookkeeper at Protective Fire Insurance Company, Lester Motors Ford Dealership, Herpolsheimers, Den Mar Equipment and Interstate Implement. After returning to Waco, she worked part time for Nebraska Lutheran High School.
Pauline is survived by her husband, Leslie of Waco; sister, Juanita (Wilbur) Buck of Waco; sister-in-law Gertrude Bredehoft of York, sister-in-law, Lucille Mosley of Linden, Michigan, and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Roland Bredehoft, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Vernon and Verna Gray and a nephew, John Buck.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2004 at Peace Lutheran Church, Waco. Interment will be at the Waco Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Fund. Condolences may be emailed to metz@metzmortuary.com. Metz Mortuary in York is handling the arrangements.
Henry J. Haberman
York resident, 95
Henry J. Haberman, 95, of York died April 18, 2003. He was born Aug. 19, 1907, to Jacob and Mollie (Miller) Haberman.
Henry worked for Harrison Nurseries in York and also was a painting contractor in Lincoln. He entered the armed services Nov. 2, 1942, where he commanded an amphibian tank in three first wave landings in Leyte, Camotes and Okinawa in the Pacific Theatre. During Henry's three years in the service he was awarded the bronze service arrowhead, the Asiatic Pacific service medal, the Philippine Liberation ribbon with two bronze service stars, the Purple Heart, and the Good Conduct medal.
He is survived by his brother Harold (Marge) Haberman of Oshkosh and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two wives, Pearl and Mae; three sisters, Pauline Wilson, Edith Green and Kathryn Rasmussen; and three brothers, Jake, Herman and Bill.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Virginia Tomasevicz
Shelby resident, 90
Virginia Tomasevicz, age 90, of Shelby, died Monday, April 19, 2004 at Bryan LGH East in Lincoln. Funeral services were held Friday, April 23, 2004 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelby with Father John Rooney officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 22 from 3-6 p.m. at Roberts-Dubas Funeral Home in Osceola with a Rosary following at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelby. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Shelby.
Virginia was born May 2, 1913 on a farm north of Osceola, Neb. to Frank and Anna (Kropatsch) Bernt. She was the fifth of seven children and attended District 68 country school near Osceola.
She married John S. Tomasevicz of Duncan, Neb., on July 16, 1936 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Lincoln, Neb. To this union, three children were born: Donna Jean Tomasevicz Wehunt of Atlanta, Ga., Richard of Omaha and Dennis, who still resides in Shelby.
Virginia worked as a cook at the Sacred Heart Elementary School and at the Osceola Good Samaritan Center. She was an accomplished seamstress which included alterations and making clothing from patterns and drapery.
Virginia enjoyed traveling, visiting her children, gardening, taking care of her flower beds, playing cards with her friends and cooking for her family.
Virginia was a member of St. Andrews Parish and later Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelby. She was also a member of St. Anne's Guild and had served as president.
Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and two sisters-in-law, Josephine (Alfred) Bernt and Ina Mae (Walter) Bernt. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and siblings Agnes Dworak, Helen Gabriel, Matilda Gabriel, Elsie Abbott, Alfred Bernt and Walter Bernt.
Roberts-Dubas Funeral Home in Osceola is in charge of arrangements.
Dennis L. Wood
California resident, 71
Dennis L. Wood, age 71 of Moorpark, CA, died Friday, April 16, 2004 at his home in California. He was born August 24, 1932 at Carthage, NY to Leroy A. and Mary G. (Adner) Wood. Dennis was a graduate of Syracuse University and was a biblical scholar and a devote Christian. He was a brilliant and honest man and a beloved father and brother. He is survived by his son Bruce of Oxnard; step daughter Dawn Houser of Post Falls, Idaho and step-son Michael Newlun of Beatrice, NE; his brothers Paul, Melvin & Alfred and his sister Ruth; five grandchildren. Also surviving is his mother-in-law Helen Shaw of York, NE. Preceding him in death were his parents and his wife Jeannine.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, April 26th at 11:00 a.m. at the Exeter Cemetery, Exeter, NE. No visitation. Metz Mortuary of York, NE is handling arrangements.
Lorena H. Cotner
York resident, 92
Lorena H. Cotner, 92, of York died Wednesday, April 23, 2003, in York. She was born Oct. 30, 1910, in York County to Joseph and Magdalene (Jokerst) Samson.
She graduated from St. Joseph's High School in 1930. Lorena was a homemaker and also worked as a sales clerk for Dale's Western Wear in York. She was a member of East Avenue United Methodist Church in York and was former member, secretary and treasurer for the York Trail Riders Saddle Club.
She is survived by one son, Dale (Ramona) Cotner of York; grandchildren, Randy Cotner of Provo, Utah, and Debbie (Richard) Watson of McGregor, Texas; great-granddaughter, Katie Watson; step- grandchildren, Mary (Jim) Perkins of Gunnison, Colo., and Travis Ford of Mt. Vernon, Texas; three step-great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents; one son, Wayne; four brothers and one sister.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Metz Chapel in York. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery of York. Memorials in care of the family. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Friday at Metz Mortuary in York which is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Emma Flowerday
Seward resident, 86
Dorothy Emma Flowerday, 86, of Seward, formerly of Beaver Crossing, died Saturday, April 24, 2004 in Seward.
She was born Jan. 26, 1918 near Seward to William and Nellie (Francies) Zillig. She graduated from Seward High School in 1935.
She married Raymond Flowerday Feb. 6, 1938 in Seward and they farmed near Beaver Crossing and moved to Seward in 1981. They lived in Seward during the summer and wintered in Weslaco, Texas.
Surviving are son, James (Laurie) Flowerday of Englewood, Fla.; 3 daughters, Sharon (Robert) Carr of Buena Vista, Colo., Kathleen (Thomas) Tyrrell of Spanish Fort, Al., Beth (Maurice) Hoffschneider of Waco; two brothers, Mervin (Myrna) Zillig of Seward and Rev. Leo (Joyce) Zillig of Seward; two sisters, Erna Flowerday and Mabel Lyon, both of Seward; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren. Preceded by parents; husband, Raymond; sister, Leona Westerhoff and brother, Clifford Zillig.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 29 at Seward United Methodist Church with the Rev. Eric Ford officiating. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday with family meeting relatives and friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Volzke Mortuary in Seward.
Burial will be at Seward Cemetery. Casketbearers are Michael Carr, Douglas Carr, Patrick Carr, Scott Tyrrell, Steven Tyrrell, Brian Flowerday, Adam Flowerday, Drew Flowerday, Ryan Hoffschneider and Kelly Hoffschneider.
Donna Jean Warner
California resident, 71
News has been received of the death on April 22, 2003, of Donna Jean Warner of Greenfield, Calif., following a short struggle with cancer.
She was born Sept. 24, 1932, in York to Gene and Lillian Lucille (Gocke) Murray. When Donna was four months old, her mother received burns from a tragic accident caused by clothing touching a heating stove. She died one month later of complications. Her father then decided to move his little family west to California where Donna was reared. Her father remarried and Donna grew up in a family who adored her, but she always wondered about the family she never knew.
Donna was united in marriage to William (Bill) Albert Warner on Jan. 13, 1948. Two sons were born to this union: David Allen and William Albert, Jr. Donna was a full time homemaker and Bill worked for Paul Masson vineyards.
In the summer of 1997, Bill and Donna were planning a vacation to Yellowstone National Park, when on a whim, Donna asked if instead could they drive to Nebraska and locate and visit her mother's gravesite at Greenwood Cemetery. On June 2, they arrived in York and with the assistance of the cemetery caretaker were directed to the long awaited site. This experience prompted a question -- do any of her mother's relatives still live here? Thinking she would be content to find just one relative, she was overjoyed to meet dozens of Gocke relatives she never knew she had. The Warners continued to maintain a close connection to their new found family and were able to return to a Gocke family reunion in 1999.
A Christian burial is being held today Saturday, April 26, 2003. Condolences may be directed to Bill Warner, 45318 Carmel Valley Road, Greenfield CA, 93927.
Shirley A. Purdy
York resident, 78
Shirley A. Purdy, 78 of York, died Sunday, April 25, 2004 in Lincoln. She was born December 13, 1925 in Seward, NE to Walter and Anita (Bolte) Stovick. Shirley was a 1944 graduate of Seward High School. She married James c. Purdy on November 7, 1948 in Beatrice. Shirley worked for over 21 years as a nurse's assistant at several nursing homes including the I.O.O.F. Home and the Hearthstone in York. She was also a volunteer for the Senior Companion Program in York.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol (Roger) Williams of Lincoln; grandchildren, Julie (Dale) Rolf, James (Kay) Williams and Jason Williams; four great-grandchildren; special nephew, Don (Bonnie) Johnson of North Platte and their four children and ten grandchildren; brother-in-law, Elmer Bean of Seward.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband and sister, Donna Bean.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Metz Chapel in York. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, York. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Metz Mortuary in York. Memorials are suggested to Adopt-A-Pet. Condolences may be emailed to metz@metzmortuary.com. Metz Mortuary of York is handling arrangements.
Sara Friesen
Henderson resident, 96
Sara Friesen, 96, of Henderson died Saturday, April 26, 2003, in Henderson. She was born May 2, 1906, near Lushton to John and Susie (Friesen) Huebert. She married William P. Friesen on July 12, 1925, at Henderson. William died in December of 1997. Sara was a member of Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson.
She is survived by one son, Willis E. (Lena) Friesen of Henderson; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, one sister and three brothers.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Bethesda Mennonite Cemetery near Henderson followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson. Memorials are suggested to the Henderson Nursing Home. Metz Mortuary in Henderson is in charge of arrangements.
