Patricia J. Dreifurst
Funeral service for Patricia J. Dreifurst, age 64, of Platte Center will be 10: 00 a.m. Tuesday; February 19, 2002 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Platte Center. The Rev. Rodney Kneifl will officiate. Burial will be in the Ss. Patrick/Joseph Cemetery in rural Platte Center. Visitation will be Monday 3-5 p.m. at the McKown Funeral Home in Columbus and after 6: 00 p.m at the church in Platte Center. A vigil will be held at 7: 00 p.m. Monday evening also at the church. Visitation will continue Tuesday morning from 9: 00 a.m. until service time at the church.
Patricia J. Dreifurst was born June 1, 1937 in Meadow Grove, Nebraska to Roy and Lucile (Cassellman) Ashby. She graduated from from Newman Grove High School in 1955. On October 5, 1957 she married Harold F. Dreifurst at Lindsay Holy Family Church in Lindsay, Nebraska. She was a long time Platte Center resident. Patricia retired from Becton-Dickinson in 1999. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Platte Center. She was a member of St. Ann's Sodality and the Rosary Crusaders. She enjoyed playing cards, bowling, crocheting and spending time with her family.
Patricia is survived by:
Husband: Harold Dreifurst Platte Center, NE
Mother: Lucile Ashby Newman Grove, NE
Daughter: Renee (Scott) Ernst Platte Center, NE
Daughter: Cheryl (Dan) Shemek Platte Center, NE
Daughter: Keri Asche Columbus, NE
Son: Brad Dreifurst Platte Center, NE
Son: Gregg Dreifurst Columbus, NE
Son: Neal (Shelli) Dreifurst Columbus, NE
Son: Troy (Jessica) Dreifurst Platte Center, NE
Sister: Velma (Elwin) Shupe Columbus, NE
Sister: Linda (Jim) Sheffler St. Edward, NE
Brother: Gary Ashby Newman Grove, NE
Brother: Larry (Lorraine) Ashby Newman Grove, NE
Brother: Lyle (Lucy) Ashby Hooper, NE
10 Grandchildren, 2 Step grandchildren, 1 Great Grandchild
She was preceded in death by her Father Roy Ashby
Gary Ferris
Gary Ferris, 57, of Silver Creek died Friday February 22, 2002 at St. Francis Memorial Health Center in Grand Island. Services are at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Lawrence Church in Silver Creek and officiated by Reverend Bev Minor. Military services following at Silver Creek Cemetery will be by American Legion Post 263. Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. on Wednesday at McKown Funeral Home in Columbus.
Gary was born June 11, 1944 in Littleton, CO to Bernard and Lillian (Nightingale) Ferris. He graduated in 1962 from Central High School in Pueblo, CO and worked various jobs in California and Wyoming until he joined the US Army in 1966. He was stationed in Germany until 1968 when he reported for duty in Vietnam. While serving as a tank commander in the 2nd Battalion of the 34th Armored Division, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Upon his discharge in 1969, he began a 33-year career in banking and insurance at Farmers State Bank and Tereco Insurance Co. in Silver Creek. He became President and CEO of the bank in 1986 and served on the Board of Directors. He remained in this position of 15 years while also serving on the Board of Directors at the Bank of Clarks.
He married Eugenia Kula, September 5, 1970 at Krakow.
In his years in Silver Creek he volunteered his time to various community organizations including the Jaycees, Silver Creek School Board, the American Legion and the ABC Club. He was a member of Osceola Lodge #65 A.F. and A.M.
He loved golf, traveling, motorcycles, and playing with his grandchildren
Survivors include his wife Eugenia; two sons, Ron (Cindy) Ferris of Omaha and Ryan (Carolyn) Ferris of Silver Creek; one daughter, Kasey Ferris of Lincoln; and four grandchildren; two brothers, Gene (Barbara) Ferris of Reno, Nevada and Jim (Rena) Ferris of Paoli, OK; two sisters, Bette Stephens of Denver, CO and Susan (Rick) Jones of Wewoka, OK.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ron Ferris.
A Memorial Fund Has Been Set Up At Farmers State Bank In Silver Creek In Memory of Gary Ferris
George Allen Duncan
George A. Duncan, age 91, of Columbus, Nebraska died Tuesday February 12, 2002 at the Columbus Community Hospital. Funeral Services are 10: 00 a.m. Thursday February 14, 2002 at McKown Funeral Home Chapel in Columbus with Reverend Adrian Atkins officiating. Burial will be in the Ulysses Township Cemetery in Ulysses, Nebraska. Visitation is from 9: 00 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home.
George Allen Duncan was born August 23, 1910 in rural Flush, Kansas to James B. and Elsie R. (Marts) Duncan. He grew up in the Westmoreland and Havensville, Kansas area where he attended high school. He then attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. After college he returned to farm with his father in Howards Ridge, Missouri. On November 20, 1949 he married Marjorie Sealy, They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2000. The couple moved to Nebraska in 1952.They adopted their son Lester Gary Duncan from Korea in 1956. During the following years George worked as a hospital orderly at Clarkson, University and Methodist Hospitals in Omaha. He continued his work at the St. Vincent Nursing Home in Omaha until his retirement. He retired to Ulysses, Nebraska in 1976 and resided there until moving to Columbus in 1997. He served as an elder in the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Columbus and Seward.
He is survived by:
Wife: Marjorie Duncan of Columbus, NE
Daughter-In-Law: Debbie Duncan of Lenox, IA
Brother: Joseph (Faye) Duncan of Georgetown, TX
Sister: Ruth Shockey of Riverside, CA
Granddaughter: Christine Duncan
Grandson: Gene Allen Duncan
Niece: Dixie Voss of North Bend, NE
Several other Nieces and Nephews
He was preceded by:
Father: James B. Duncan
Mother: Elsie R. Duncan
Son: Gary Duncan
Brother: Orville Duncan
Brother: Theodore Duncan
Memorials may be directed to the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Nancy A. Beck
Nancy A. Beck, age 51, of Columbus, Nebraska died Thursday February 14, 2002 at Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Funeral Services are 10: 00 a.m. Saturday February 16, 2002 at Highland Park Evangelical Free Church with Reverend Mike Neely officiating. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery - rural Bellwood, Nebraska. Visitation is 3: 00 p.m. - 8: 00 p.m. Friday at McKown Funeral Home and from 9: 00 a.m. until service time Saturday at Church.
Nancy was born September 28, 1950 in Columbus, to LeRoy and Ellen (Brockman) Poeffel. At the age of 15 she worked as a nurses aid at St. Mary's Hospital. She graduated from Columbus High School in 1968. Nancy married Eugene Beck on January 4, 1969 in Columbus, Nebraska. She continued her education at Central Community College Platte Campus graduating in 1971 with her nursing degree. She then graduated Summa Cum Laude and received Sigma Tau National Nursing Society Honors with her bachelors degree in 1992 from Midland Lutheran College. Nancy was currently working towards her masters degree. She was previously employed as RN Director of Nursing at Osceola Good Samaritan Center and Director of Nursing at St. Jospeh Villa in David City. She was a member of the Nebraska Foster Care Review Board. Nancy was currently employed at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont as a clinical instructor in the nursing department. She was a lifetime resident of Columbus and also was a member of the Highland Park Evangelical Free Church in Columbus.
She is Survived By:
Husband: Eugene Beck of Columbus, NE
Mother: Ellen Brockmanof Rockport, TX
Daughter: Amy (Dave) Mazankowski of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Erin Beck of Denver, CO
Brother: Duane (Chris) Poeffel of Columbus, NE
Sister: Cheryl (Tom) Smith of Columbus, NE
Grandchildren: Ashley & Amber Mazankowski of Columbus, NE
Preceded By: Father: LeRoy H. Poeffel
Maternal Grandparents
Paternal Grandparents
Memorials are directed to the Donors Choice
Clara Brandenburger
Clara Brandenburger, age 98, of rural Silver Creek, Nebraska died Wednesday January 9, 2002 at the Genoa Hospital in Genoa, Nebraska. Funeral Services are 10: 00 a.m. Saturday January 12, 2002 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Clarks, Nebraska with Fr. Don Cleary officiating. Burial is in the Clarks Cemetery. Visitation is after 5: 00 p.m. Friday with a Vigil Service at 7: 00 p.m. Friday at the St. Peter's Catholic Church in Clarks. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 9: 00 a.m. until service time also at the church.
Clara was born January 15, 1903 in Alba, Nebraska to Charles and Sophia (Czarnick) Duster. She received her education in country schools in Howard County. On May 25, 1920 she married Frank Brandenburger. In that same year she moved with her husband to the family farm in Nance County. Frank died on March 22, 1980. Clara continued to live on the home place. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting and raising chickens. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Clarks.
She is survived by:
Son: Lawrence (Marjorie) Brandenburger of Silver Creek, NE
Son: Edward Brandenburger of Genoa, NE
Son: Raymond (Charlotte) Brandenburger of Morrison, CO
Daughter: Genevieve (Dominic) Borowiak of Grand Island, NE
24 Grandchildren
66 Great Grandchildren
17 Great Great Granchildren
She was preceded by:
Husband: Frank Brandenburger
Father: Charles Duster
Mother: Sophia Duster
Daughter: Laura Tarnick
3 Sisters
6 Brothers
Infant Son: Lloyd Brandenburger
Irene M. Chinn - Frizzell
Irene M. Chinn - Frizzell, age 84, of Silver Creek, Nebraska died Wednesday March 13, 2002 at the Columbus Community Hospital. Services are 10: 00 a.m. Saturday March 16, 2002 at the United Methodist Church in Silver Creek, Nebraska with Reverend Bev Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Silver Creek Cemetery. Visitation is 4: 00 p.m. - 8: 00 p.m. Friday at McKown Funeral Home in Silver Creek. Visitation continues on Saturday from 9: 00 a.m. until service time at the Church.
Irene was born October 9, 1917 in Silver Creek, Nebraska to Carl and Anna (Peterson) Thurstonson. She grew up and received her education in Silver Creek graduating from Silver Creek High School in 1936. After graduation she worked a few years at the Silver Creek Lumber Yard before being transferred and moving to Kearney where she worked a few more years at the Kearney Lumber Yard. She later moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho and worked there at the Military Air Force Base. She married Leonard Chinn on March 12, 1946 in Idaho Falls. The couple lived in Idaho Falls, Salt Lake City, Utah and Fort Lewis, Washington. When her husband was sent on military duty, overseas, Irene moved with their two children back to Silver Creek in 1951. She later received word that her husband had died overseas in the Korean War. Irene worked at the Farmers State Bank in Silver Creek for 17 years. She married Floyd Frizzell on December 31, 1965 at the United Methodist Church in Silver Creek. She worked at Agroservice, Inc. in Silver Creek for 15 years until retiring in 1984. Irene was a member of the Silver Creek American Legion Auxiliary, Silver Creek Alumni Association, and past president and member of Silver Creek Senior Citizens. She enjoyed gardening, ballroom dancing, crossword puzzles, playing cards, bingo and photographing buildings in Silver Creek.
Irene is survived by:
Son: Rodney (Helena) Chinn of Silver Creek, NE
Son: Randy (Gay) Chinn of Columbus, NE
Sister: Ruth Jacobsen of Seattle, WA
Sister: Marlene (Willis) Schreiber of Columbus, NE
Brother: Eugene Thurstonson of Portland, OR
Step-Son: Bruce (Karen) Frizzell of Silver Creek, NE
Step-Son: Larry (Karol) Frizzell of Littleton, CO
Seven Grandchildren and Three Great Grandchildren
She was preceded in death by:
First Husband: Leonard Chinn
Second Husband: Floyd K. Frizzell
Father: Carl Thurstonson
Mother: Anna Thurstonson
Sister: Mildred Cannon
Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church in Silver Creek.
Marilyn Noonan - Harsh
Marilyn Noonan - Harsh, age 67, of Columbus, Nebraska died Sunday March 31, 2002 at her home. Funeral Services are 10: 30 a.m. Wednesday April 3, 2002 at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus with Reverend Joseph A. Miksch officiating. Burial will be at Sts. Patrick/Joseph Cemetery near Platte Center, Nebraska. Visitation will be 4: 00 p.m. - 8: 00 p.m. Tuesday with a Vigil Service at 7: 00 p.m. at McKown Funeral Home in Columbus. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning from 8: 00 a.m. - 10: 00 a.m. also at the funeral home.
Marilyn (Noonan) Harsh was born August 10, 1934 in Cornlea, NE. Her parents are Einar and Agnes (Schostak) Sorensen. She received her early education at St. Bonaventure School and graduated from St. Bonaventure High School. On June 28, 1954 she married Kenneth "Skip" Harsh. She most recently worked at the Columbus Public Library. She was a member of St. Isidore Church, the Eagles Auxiliary, St. Isidore Prayer Group Line, and was previously involved with the YMCA Y-Care program.
She is survived by:
Father: Einar Sorensen of Columbus, NE
Son: Dale (Jenice) Harsh of Columbus, NE
Son: Kris (Anne) Harsh of Omaha, NE
Brother: Don (Dee) Noonan of Omaha, NE
Brother: Joe (Alice) Noonan of Columbus, NE
7 grandchildren
She was preceded in death by:
Husband: Kenneth (Skip) Harsh
Mother: Agnes Sorensen
Brother: Tom Noonan
Verna Blessen
Verna Blessen, 97, of Columbus died Tuesday November 20, 2001 at Beverly Healthcare. Services are 11: 00 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 at McKown Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Adams officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday morning from 9 am until service time at McKown Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Baptist Cemetery in rural Platte Center.
Verna Blessen was born July 7, 1904 to Peter Henry and Katherine (Reese) Albers. She attended rural schools in Platte County. She lived with her mother until 1939 when she married William Blessen on May 11. Her and her husband farmed in Platte County near Platte Center. William died on July 11, 1967. She lived in Columbus from 1967 until 1978 where she was a member of the First Baptist Church. In 1978 Verna moved to Springfield, MO to be with her daughter until returning to Columbus in February of 2000. She was a member of the Platte Center Women's Club, Baptist Church in Platte Center where she played piano, taught Sunday school, and was a member of the Ladies Aid. Verna was also a 4-H Club leader and a member of the extension club. Memorials are suggested to the Baptist Cemetery in care of the Platte Center Bank.
She is survived by 3 daughters; Karen Blessen of Springfield, MO, Mary (David) McKinney of Fresno, CA, and Kathy (Robert) O'Hare of Sacremento, CA, 2 grandchildren; Robert O'Hare and Leslie Sorenson, and 2 great-grandchildren; Kaitlin O'Hare and Kayla O'Hare.
She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, 4 brothers, and 6 sisters.
HELEN BOROWIAK
Helen J. Borowiak, 83, died Thursday October 25 at Genoa Long Term Care. Services are 10: 30 am on Monday October 29 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Krakow. Visitation begins at 4: 00 pm on Sunday at McKown Funeral Home in Silver Creek. There will be a Ss. Peter and Paul Altar Society rosary at 4: 00 pm and a Vigil service at 7: 00 pm at the funeral home in Silver Creek. Visitation will continue Monday morning at the church from 9: 30 am until service time. Burial will be in the Ss. Peter and Paul cemetery.
Helen was born April 4, 1918 in Spalding, Nebraska to Andrew and Anna (Konwinski) Kurek. She received her education at Ss. Peter and Paul Parochial School in Krakow. On April 7, 1937 she married Frank Borowiak in Krakow. She lived in the Silver Creek area before moving to Chicago from 1956-1962. She returned to Columbus where she worked at Becton-Dickinson for 6 years. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and St. Theresa Sodality. She also belonged to the Altar Society at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church-Krakow.
She is survived by:
Son: Don (Gladys) Borowiak of Silver Creek, NE
Daughter: Irene (Marion) Tarnick of Columbus, NE
Sister: Clementine Chalupka of Schaumburg, IL
16 Grandchildren and 25 Great Grandchildren
She is preceded in death by:
Husband: Frank Borowiak
Father: Andrew Kurek
Mother: Anna Kurek
Daughter: Adeline Matuszek
Brother: Frank Kurek
Sister: Lucille Govern
Sister: Victoria Gunchick
Sister: Dora Para
Sister: Leona Shotkoski
Brother: Edmond Kurek
Brother: Lawrence Kurek
Three Grandchildren; One Great Grandchild
