Laird Lyle Hengelfelt
Stromsburg resident, 76
Laird Lyle Hengelfelt, 76, of Stromsburg died Sunday, April 27, 2003, at his residence in Stromsburg.
He was born Jan. 27, 1927, at Princeton, Neb., to Louie and Lula Ethel (Nelson) Hengelfelt. He attended Stromsburg schools, graduating from Stromsburg High School in 1943.
After high school Laird worked at Stromsburg High School as a custodian. He then worked at the Farmers Coop Service Station in Stromsburg, prior to joining the United States Marien Corps where he served from March 25, 1952, until March 24, 1954.
On June 12, 1949, Laird was united in marriage to Delores Marie Harless at Salem Lutheran Church in Stromsburg. Rodney and June joined them in 1961.
Laird later was a milk carrier for Roberts Dairy. In the early 1960s, he worked at Champion Homes in York as a welder. He then began working for the Polk County Department of Roads where he worked for 21 years until his retirement.
He was a member of the Stromsburg Legion Post #132 and Salem Lutheran Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, breaking horses, welding, carpentry work, overhauling engines, card playing, playing the guitar, feeding cattle and spending time at Morningstar Lake.
Survivors include one son Rod (Kathy) Hengelfelt of Stromsburg; one daughter June (Dave) Baumgartner of Lincoln; three grandchildren, Erica and Amy Hengelfelt of Stromsburg and Matt Baumgartner of Lincoln; one brother, Marvin (Jeanette) Hengelfelt of Stromsburg; two brothers-in-law, Dr. Jim Harless (DeEtt) of Omaha and Bud Stanton of Stromsburg.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Dot who died on May 23, 1997; and his twin sister, Lola Mae Stanton.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Stromsburg with Pastor Keith Brozek officiating. Visitation will be prior to service at the church. Interment will be in the Stromsburg Cemetery.
Robert Sullivan
York resident, 78
Robert L. Sullivan, 78, of York died Saturday, April 26, 2003, at York.
He was born June 21, 1924, near Utica to Daniel J. and Wilhelmina "Minnie" (Cuda) Sullivan. Robert was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of York. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a former member of the VFW and the York Elks Lodge #1024 in York. He was a current member of the American Legion Post #19 in York. Bob enjoyed woodworking, crafts, gardening and was especially proud of his registered Landrace hogs.
He was married July 28, 1948, at Utica to Wanda Lee Underwood and they lived and farmed east of York until his retirement 15 years ago.
Survivors include his wife Wanda of York; son Robert Jr. of Lake George, Colo., and his daughter Janet and her husband Faron Hines of Thayer; four grandchildren, Travis Sullivan and Grant Sullivan of Lake George, Colo, Rachel Hines of Lincoln and Jane Hines of Thayer.
Also surviving are his brothers, Daniel (Elsie) Sullivan of Waco and Jim (Donna) Sullivan of Waco; his sisters, Carmen (Gerald) Beaver of York and Dorothy (Dan) Kirkpatrick of York; a brother-in-law, Ernest Kozisek of Grand Island; a sister-in-law, Rita Sullivan of Waco; nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his brother Raymond and a sister Delores.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in York with Father Leo Sieker officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery. A rosary will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Metz Chapel in York. Memorials may be directed to the church or the donor's favorite charity. Visitation begins after 5 p.m. Monday.
Metz Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Leona M. "Lee" Merches
York resident, 82
Leona M. "Lee" Merches, 82, of York died on Friday evening, April 25, 2003, at The Hearthstone Care Center in York after a period of declining health.
Lee was born on July 21, 1920, at Arkansaw, Wis., to Raymond and Helen (Busby) Martin. She graduated from high school at White Bear Lake, Minn., in 1939, and then attended the former Minnesota Bible College at Minneapolis, Minn., for one year.
Lee was united in marriage to Howard J. Merches on March 26, 1942, at Minneapolis, Minn., and she moved with her husband while he served Churches of Christ in Edmunton, Alberta, Canada; Minneapolis, Pine City, and Hibbing, Minn.; Miles City, Mont.; Minot, N.D.; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Fort Hayes and Marysville, Kan.; Mason City, Iowa; Albion, Neb.; Washington, Iowa; Evanston, Wyo., and Alliance, Neb.
The couple moved to York in March of 1991 following Howard's retirement from the ministry. Lee was a member of the East Hill Church of Christ in York, where she served as church historian and also served on the meal committee and one year on the planning committee. Her hobbies included reading, macrame', knitting, crocheting, counted cross-stitch, and various other crafts (having served four years in a care center as a volunteer helping with crafts).
In years past Lee also was a Girl Scout leader for two years, was a volunteer story reader at a library for one year, did calligraphy for several businesses, churches, and Senior Centers; organized ladies' all-day lectureships, Bible Teachers Workshops, young people's Fun Days, and Singles Retreats; sang with the Harmony, Inc. (a ladies' barbershop chorus group, where she was public relations chairman for one year and was the group's bulletin editor for one year); taught Bible classes for over 30 years for ages ranging from five years old to the elderly; published a children's paper for six years; worked with puppets; and could be billed as an "international speaker, " having spoken for Dale Carnegie Classes in Kuala Lumpur (where she thoroughly enjoyed foreign culture). After moving to York Lee was active in Senior projects, having served on the York County Council on Aging for several years. She also served on the General Advisory Board and the Fiscal Board on Aging in Lincoln for several years representing York County. Lee was also a longtime members of York Writers' Guild, and was very active with the York Area Senior Center Developers in the past few years until declining health prevented her involvement.
Survivors include her husband, Howard J. Merches of York; three children; Susanne (and her husband, Arthur) Keller of York, Mark (and his wife, Carol) Merches of Davenport, Iowa, and Kathy (and her husband, Bruce) McGee of Columbus, Mont.; seven grandchildren: Ivan (and his wife, Vickie) Keller of York, Stephanie (and her husband, Gary) Yeager of Grand Junction, Colo., Dan (and his wife, Lori) Keller of York, Chris Merches of Davenport, Iowa, Clay (and his wife, Jennifer) Merches of Searcey, Ark., and A. Bryce McGee and Keaton McGee, both of Columbus, Mont.; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Raymond Martin of No. St. Paul, Minn., and two sisters: Mary (and her husband, Earl) Thompson of Roberts, Wis., and Alice (and her husband, Charles) Tharp of Esparto, Calif.; several nieces and nephews. Lee was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, David Lyle Martin.
Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at the East Hill Church of Christ in York. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery at York. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday at the Lewis Funeral Chapel in York with the family receiving friends from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Memorials may be directed to the House of Compassion (830 W. Center St., Rochester, MN 55901), the York Area Senior Center, or Larsen Christian Academy at York. Lewis Funeral Chapel of York is in charge of arrangements.
Ruben K. Epp
Henderson resident, 86
Ruben K. Epp, age 86 of Henderson, NE, died Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at Henderson.
He was born December 16, 1917 in rural Henderson, NE, to Gerhard and Katherina (Friesen) Epp. He was a longtime VoAg instructor having taught in Shelton, NE from, 1948-1954, he then taught in Henderson from 1954 till his retirement in 1982. After his retirement he was a part time substitute teacher for the next ten years.
He was a member of Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson. Ruben completed his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, his Master's degree at Colorado State at Fort Collins, CO. Ruben served as a CPS in World War II and was a member of the Henderson Commercial Club, served on the Henderson Park Board, enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles and was a very active volunteer in the Henderson Community and his church. He enjoyed camping and Christmas trips to see his family and friends. A special place for him was the Aurora Youth Leadership Center where he served as a secretary/treasurer for many years.
On July 12, 1945 he was married to Freda Huebert at Winnebago, WI.
He is survived by his wife Freda of Henderson, one son Doran Ray Epp of Henderson, one daughter, Rhonda Kay Epp of Hillsboro, KS.
7 grandchildren: Craig, Kiley and Kimberly Epp all of Lincoln, Scott Neufeld and Kevin Neufeld of McPherson, KS, and Laura Neufeld and Amy Neufleld of Hillsboro, KS.
Also surviving is one brother, Alfred and his wife Vera Epp of Henderson and one sister Elizabeth Friesen also of Henderson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Abel Epp and Roland Epp and one sister Esther Epp.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Friday at the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson with the Rev.'s Weldon Martens and George Kaufman officiating. Burial will be in the Friesen Cemetery west of Henderson. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Mennonite Central Committee or to the Mennonite Church USA Peace and Justice Network.
Visitation begins after 6 p.m., Wednesday at Metz Mortuary in Henderson.
Metz Mortuary in Henderson is in charge of arrangements.
Michael Stuhr
Houston, TX resident, 37
Michael Ray Stuhr, 37, of Houston, Texas, formerly of York, passed away Saturday, April 24, 2004, in Houston.
Michael was born May 14, 1966, to Marvin and Vera (Krehbiel) Stuhr in York. He was a 1984 graduate of York High School and a graduate of Dog's Day Out School of Grooming, Humble, TX, 1985; San Jacinto Central College, Pasadena, Texas 1991; and Champions School of Real Estate 1994.
He married Loree Townsley in Tomball, Texas, April 24, 1999.
Surviving are his wife, Loree, their son, Michael (Mickey), their daughter, Julie, all of Houston; mother, Vera (Wheeler) French of Paso Robles, California; brother, Richard (Jeanne) Stuhr, nieces Wendi and Chelsi, all of Houston; nephew Codi of Lubbock, Texas; friends Matt and Janet Sanford and Mark and Shirley Lind all of Houston; and a wonderful family of in-laws -- Eddie and Neva Townsley, Spring, TX; sisters-in-law, Liz (Billy) Boran, Spring, TX; Sharon (Danny) Ingram, Arlington, TX; Tina (Manuel) Weeks, Magnolia, TX; brothers-in-law, Ed (Susie) Townsley, McCook, NE and John (Cheryl) Townsley, Conroe, TX, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. at Klein Funeral Home, Tomball, TX; the service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 30 at Klein Funeral Home, Tomball with the Rev. Dr. Michael Ramey officiating. Burial will be at Klein Memorial Cemetery, Magnolia, TX. Condolences and memorials may be directed to Mrs. Loree Stuhr, c/o Klein Funeral Home, 1400 W. Main, Tomball, TX, 77375.
William "Willie" Groteluschen
William "Willie" Groteluschen, 65, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at his home in Columbus.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 28, at 11:00 AM at Peace Lutheran Church with Rev. Michael Klatt and Rev. Cory Burma officiating. Private family interment will be in the Columbus Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Saturday from 10:00 AM until service time at the church. Memorials are those of the family choice.
Willie Groteluschen was born January 4, 1951, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Melvin and Helen (Kucera) Grotelueschen. He graduated from Leigh High School, Leigh, Nebraska, and earned his associate degree from Milford Tech, Milford, Nebraska. Willie went to work for HDR Architects in Omaha, Nebraska. On June 14, 1975, Willie married Marlene Wietfeld at St. Marys Catholic Church in Leigh. In 1976 Willie and Marlene moved to Columbus where Willie went to work for Nebraska Public Power District. He retired from NPPD after over 25 years. Willie had several part time jobs after his retirement, but driving the school bus for Lakeview Public Schools was his favorite.
Willie was a member of Peace Lutheran Church. As Willie approached his 50th birthday, he came into his second youth and purchased his first Harley which he enjoyed riding. He enjoyed camping, but his greatest joy in life was his time with his sweetheart of over 40 years Marlene, his children, grandchildren, and friends.
Willie is survived by:
Wife Marlene Groteluschen of Columbus, NE
Son Michael Grotelueschen of Salt Lake City, UT
Daughter Kristin (Justin) Harsh of Lincoln, NE
Granddaughter Olivia Harsh
Grandson Graham Harsh
Daughter Tiffany (Trevor) Wilke of Omaha, NE
Mother Helen Grotelueschen of Columbus, NE
Sister Doreen (Jim) Linnan of Playa del Rey, CA
Willie was preceded in death by:
Father Melvin Grotelueschen
Private Family Interment
Columbus Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska
Emily Gronenthal & Delaney Engel
Emily Gronenthal, 39, of Humphrey, Nebraska, died Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at the Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk, Nebraska. Emily's newborn daughter, Delaney died Friday, May 20, 2016, at Children's Hospital in Omaha.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 23 at 10:00 AM at St. Francis Catholic Church in Humphrey with Father Wayne Pavela celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be on Sunday from 3:00 7:00 PM with a Christian Mothers Rosary at 3:00 PM and a Scripture Service at 7:00 PM all at the church. Visitation will continue on Monday beginning at 9:00 AM at the church. Interment will be in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are to be directed to the family.
Emily was born November 3, 1976, in Norfolk, Nebraska, to William and Carolyn (Trybus) Gronenthal. She grew up in Humphrey and graduated from Humphrey High School in 1996. After high school, Emily spent some time traveling before returning to Humphrey, working as a cashier at Goodwill in Columbus and currently as a cook at Countryside Homes in Madison. She enjoyed collecting angels, spending time with her family, and always enjoyed a good laugh. Emily was an organ and tissue donor and with her donation helped to save the lives of over 30 people.
Delaney Ann Engel was born Monday, May 16, 2016, to Bill Engel and Emily Gronenthal in Norfolk, Nebraska. Delaney was an organ donor like her mother.
Emily is survived by:
Son: Evan Alderson of Humphrey, NE
Fianc้: Bill Engel of Humphrey, NE
Step-Son: Drew Engel of Humphrey, NE
Mother: Carolyn Gronenthal of Norfolk, NE
Brother: Chris Gronenthal of Columbus, NE
Brother: Kevin (Pam) Gronenthal of Platte Center, NE
Brother: Tim (Kara) Gronenthal of Humphrey, NE
Brother: Dave (Melinda) Gronenthal of Platte Center, NE
Sister: Tina Gronenthal of Norfolk, NE
Sister: Meghan Gronenthal of Norfolk, NE
Step Children - Nikki Alderson and Charles Alderson III
Many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles
Emily was preceded in death by:
Son: Cory Gronenthal
Father: William Bill Gronenthal
Brother: Jeff Gronenthal
Sister: Jennifer Gronenthal
Grandparents
Delaney is survived by:
Father Bill Engel of Humphrey, NE
Brothers Evan Alderson and Drew Engel of Humphrey, NE
Grandmother Carolyn Gronenthal of Norfolk, NE
Aunts, Uncles, and cousins
Delaney was preceded in death by:
Mother: Emily Gronenthal
Brother: Cory Gronenthal
Grandfather: William Bill Gronenthal
Grandparents: Jerry and Mary Ann Engel
Interment:
St. Francis Catholic Cemetery
Humphrey, Nebraska
