Search Archived Marriage Records
Dr. Edwin Nelson, 78
(Sept. 11) CHADRON - Dr. Edwin Nelson, president emeritus of Chadron State College and in recent years a champion for community revitalization in rural Nebraska, died at his home in Chadron Friday, Sept. 8. He was 78. Nelson had been recognized many times, both for his leadership in education and his work in keeping small towns alive in Nebraska.
Nelson was a top administrator at Chadron State for about 25 years and still maintained an office on campus. He was appointed dean of the college in 1961 and became president in 1967 without applying for either position. He retired as president on Sept. 1, 1986, serving a total of 18 years. After stepping down as president, he began presenting leadership development and community revitalization seminars throughout the state. He had spoken in more than 100 communities in the state and was frequently referred to as Nebraska's No. 1 cheerleader.
He conducted seminars on rural community survival in Australia in 1999. His survivors include his wife Avis; a daughter Judy Nelson; son Roger Nelson and wife Nancy; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of Chadron; and two brothers Don of Kansas City, Mo., and Jim of Greeley, Colo.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the United Methodist Church in Chadron. Chamberlain Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.
Alvina "Al" Skoda, 85
(Sept. 11) RUSHVILLE - Alvina "Al" Skoda, 85, died Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Gordon Memorial Hospital. She was born Nov. 22, 1914, in Billings, Mont. Her parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Rohn) Benner. She was afflicted with St. Paul's Lutheran Church and a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Her survivors include her husband, Clayton Skoda of Rushville; son, Robert B. Albee of Nevada, Calif.; a brother, Richard Brenner of Fargo, N.D.; five sisters, Margie Tyrel of Plantina, Calif., Josephine Krone of Billings, Mont., Freda Jones of Rushville, Eva Slonaker of Havre, Mont. and Dorothy Morasco of California; four grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the Chamberlain Mortuary in Rushville with Vicar Michael C. Wittrock officiating. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Rushville. A memorial has been established for St. Paul's Lutheran Church or the Rushville Ambulance and Fire Department. Chamberlain Mortuary of Rushville is in charge of the arrangements.
Fay L. Lantinen, 51
(Sept. 11) ALLIANCE - Fay L. Lantinen, 51, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, from injuries she received in an automobile accident south of Hay Springs. She was born Feb. 6, 1952, at Grand Rapids, Minn., to James and Bernadine Wagner.
On Oct. 24, 1970, she was married to Michael Lantinen at Grand Rapids. They moved to the Alliance area in 1976. Fay was manager of Amy's Fashions. She is survived by her husband Michael; daughters Bobbie Lantinen of Scottsbluff and Jennifer and her husband Jesse Agler of Hay Springs; and granddaughters Ashley and Katelin Agler She also is survived by her mother Bernadine Wagner of Grand Rapids, Minn.; brothers, Jim Wagner of Minneapolis, Minn., Allen Wagner of Grand Rapids, Roger Wagner of Hutchinson, Minn., sisters Brenda Smith and Ann Wagner of Grand Rapids. Her father preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at the Bates-Gould Chapel, with Pastor Don Ludwick officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Church of Christ (Christian Church), 998 E 6th Street, Chadron, NE 69337. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Agnes D. Straetker, 101
(Sept. 12) GERING - Agnes D. Straetker, 101, died Thursday, Sept. 7, at Northfield Villa Medical Center in Gering. She was born Dec. 18, 1898, in a sod house 10 miles southwest of Hay Springs.
Her parents were George P. and Mary (Knoflicek) Horn. She attended schools in Sheridan County and the Grand Island School of Business. She worked for telephone companies in Grand Island and surrounding towns and transferred from Omaha to Scottsbluff in September of 1927.
She was married to Hubert H. Straeker on Sept. 6, 1932, in Hay Springs. They resided in Scottsbluff where he was a Blacksmith. Hubert died in January of 1965 and she continued to live in Scottsbluff until May of 1993, when she moved to an apartment at Northfield Villa in Gering. She was a member of the Christ The King Catholic Church in Gering.
Her survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Jean and Bud Pieper of Scottsbluff and Rita and Ken Lanz of Greenbank, Wash.; seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and three great great grandsons. Her parents, husband, three sisters and six brothers preceded her in death.
Funeral Mass was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, at Christ The King Catholic Church in Gering with Father Stephen Deaver officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park in Scottsbluff. A memorial has been established for the Northfield Villa Nurses Scholarship Fund or to Christ The King Catholic Church. The Jolliffe Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is in charge of the arrangements.
Lawrence L. Butzine, 89
(Sept. 12) HAY SPRINGS - Lawrence L. Butzine, 89, died Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, at Chadron Community Hospital. He was born Sept. 12, 1911.
He is survived by his wife, Leola of Hay Springs; son Larry Butzine of Alliance; daughter Lois Speer of Linwood; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He also is survived by three sisters, Doris Gaswick of Hay Springs, Wilma and Mary Lee Montgomery of Rapid City, S.D.
Mr. Butzine's funeral will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 13, at the United Methodist Church of Hay Springs with Rev. Eric Parker officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be at the Hay Springs Cemetery. A memorial has been established for Pioneer Manor. Donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Drabbels Mortuary, Hay Springs, NE 69347-0443. Chamberlain-Drabbels of Hay Springs is in charge of arrangements.
Cleo Ainslie, 77
(Sept. 12) HAY SPRINGS - Cleo Ainslie, 77, died Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, at Pioneer Manor. Mrs. Ainslie's funeral will be at 11 a.m., Sept. 14, at the United Methodist Church of Hay Springs, with Rev. Eric Parker officiating.
She was born June 18, 1924. She is survived by four sons, Dennis Ainslie of Mitchell, Tom Ainslie of Rushville, Wayne Ainslie of Lincoln, and Ivan Ainslie of Atwater, Calif.; daughter nancy Bowers of Fairview, Okla.; 18 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She also is survived by one sister Lila Gilliam of Gering; and one brother Duane Lockmon of Rushville. Burial will be at the Hay Springs Cemetery.
Memorials have been established for Pioneer Manor or the Hay Springs V.F.W. Auxiliary. Donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Drabbels Mortuary, hay Springs, NE 69347-0443. Chamberlain-Drabbels of Hay Springs is in charge of arrangements.
Gregory M. Keeley, 28
(Sept. 12) COLUMBUS, Ohio - Gregory Matthew Keeley, 28, passed from this earth on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, in Columbus, Ohio. He was born in Beirut, Lebanon on July 16, 1974. Greg was the son of Ted and Norine Keeley, formerly of Alliance, and who currently reside in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
He was educated at St. Agnes Academy of Alliance, South Lake Tahoe High School (Calif.), and the University of San Diego where he received a Bachelors degree in Business and Spanish. At the young age of 22, he was diagnosed with Leukemia (CML) and received a bone marrow transplant at the University of Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson, Arizona. Following a complete recovery he married his college sweetheart Celeste Anna Jacobson on May 28, 2000 in Tucson. The newly weds lived in Los Angeles, and in November 2001 they moved to Columbus, Ohio, where shortly thereafter, Greg contracted ARDS, which he battled for eight months at the Ohio State University Medical Hospital in Columbus. Greg is survived by his wife Celeste at their home in Columbus, his father and mother, his sister Allison of Villanova, Pa., his brother Brendan and wife Peggy of Hickham Airforce Base in Honolulu, and their children Ryan and Erin. His family and friends will remember Greg for his quick wit, his dry and subtle humor, and his generosity. He was an accomplished skier, soccer player, and surfboarder. During his 28 years of life he affected many. He was always the joker in the group, the most competitive one on the field. He was the best husband one could ask for, the best friend one could want. He loved his family and they loved him. His piercing blue eyes were a window into his soul and showed nothing but an honest, trustworthy, fun, and loving individual. All those who knew him will sorely miss his smile and laughter.
Funeral services will be Monday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance. Father Vince Parsons will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. A wake service will be Sunday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church. The family prefers memorials to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, N.Y. 10605, St. Agnes Foundation, 1104 Cheyenne Ave., Alliance or to a charity of the donor's choice. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Martin H. Conner, 85
(Sept. 12) GORDON - Martin Harris Conner, 85, died Sept. 5, 2002, at Gordon Memorial Hospital. He was born Aug. 26, 1917, the fourth of ten children born to Orville and Carrie Belle (Tillson) Conner of Gordon.
He attended Gordon Public Schools until 1935, when he went to work for Bud and Lottie Secrest, then later he moved to the Saults Ranch. On July 3, 1941, he married Dorothy Johns, then was inducted into the Army Air Corps in February 1942, serving as a P-38 Fighter mechanic. He spent a year and a half in the China-India-Burma Theater. In 1946, he returned to the Saults Ranch, where he remained until 1970 when he and Dorothy moved to Gordon. Here he worked for Swede Kime, Rudy Stanko and evenings for Dick Louks at Bowl-Mor Lanes. He was a loving husband, caring father and WWII Veteran who was known to help anyone in need. He was a member of the American Legion at Gordon and was an original member of the Old-Time Cowboys Association. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; two sons, James and Dottie of Cape Coral, Fla., and Dan and Kathy of Ellsworth; seven grandchildren, Clifford and Liann of Forest, Va., James of Ft. Myers, Fla., Alice, with the U.S. Army in Germany, Suzanne of Baton Rouge, La., and Joshua, Alisha and Kaci of Ellsworth; and three great grandchildren, Kelsey, Sydney and Ryan of Forest, Va. He also is survived by four sisters, Mildred Fish of Ellensburg, Wash., Theodora Mills of Litchfield, Martha Boyer of Mullen and Joan Kime of Nenzel; two sisters-in-law, Reta Conner of Valentine, and Ruth Conner of San Mateo, Calif.; and a host of nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Andy, Orville and Alfred; and two sisters; Avis Bateman and Betty Shelbourne. He will be missed in the close knit rural community of Gordon.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, Sept. 9, at the United Methodist Church at Gordon, with Pastor Corey Jenkins officiating. Burial was in the Gordon Cemetery with military rites performed by the local American Legion Post. Pallbearers were nephews, Duane Kime, Dennis Kime, Gary Conner, Keith Conner, Roy Johns and Cecil Johns. The family suggests memorials to the Gordon Memorial Hospital or the donor's choice. Cicmanec-Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sophie Iversen, 86
(Sept. 12) ALLIANCE - Sophie Iversen, 86, died Wednesday evening, Sept. 10, 2003, at her home. She was born April 22, 1917, at Dix, to Fritz and Matilda Retke.
She completed two years of High School at Hemingford. She was married to Alfred M. Iversen on Sept. 3, 1938, at Alliance. Sophie was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Except for approximately one year she lived and worked in and around Hemingford or Alliance. She worked as a cook and housekeeper for a number of families in the area and also worked for various farmers in the area picking potatoes, shocking grain or driving grain trucks. She was never without work because she was an excellent worker and could out work most men picking potatoes or shocking grain. She also worked in the laundry department at St. Joseph's Hospital and various other laundry/dry cleaning facilities throughout Alliance. It was not uncommon for her to have two jobs at the same time. She might work at a laundry facility during the day and wash dishes at a restaurant in the evening. Even through all this work she always managed to complete her work as a full-time mother and housewife. Her children always had clean clothing and regular meals even if it required an extra trip home for her, or extra long nights after work. She also seemed to find time to help anyone in need even if they were not part of her immediate family. What little spare time she had she would spend in her very large garden which was as near to weed-less as you could find anywhere. She became a Christian in 1967 and was a long-time member of the Church of Christ in Alliance. She is survived by her son Walter Iversen and wife Sonoko of Scottsbluff; daughters Linda Ferguson and husband Don of Elbert Colorado and Beverly Stinnette of Alliance; 15 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; four sisters; her husband Alfred; son-in-law Richard Stinnette; and grandson, James Iversen.
Mrs. Iversen's funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Bates-Gould Chapel, with Daniel Guy of the Alliance Church of Christ officiating. Burial will follow at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery north of Berea.
Velma M. Scheer, 91
(Sept. 12) HEMINGFORD - Velma M. Scheer, 91, died Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, at Chino, Calif. She was born July 24, 1912, at Oral, S.D., to Carl and Emma (Fredrick) Schleve.
She lived most of her life in western South Dakota and Nebraska except for 20 years that she and her late husband, Edward Scheer lived in California. She is survived by her grandsons, Norman Coffman of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Danny Coffman of Sylmar, Calif., and David Porter of Chino. Her husbands, Charles Granger and Edward Scheer, daughter Joan Porter preceded her in death.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at the Evergreen Cemetery at Hot Springs, S.D., with Pastor Morris Nelson officiating. Memorials may be given to a charity of the donor's choice. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Emil Hoerler, Jr, 89
(Sept. 13) BRIDGEPORT - Emil Hoerler, Jr., 89, died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, at the Morrill County Community Hospital. He was born Jan. 17, 1912, at Speicher, Switzerland. His parents were Emil, Sr. and Ida (Dudli) Hoerler.
At the age of two, the family moved to the U.S. and settled in the Bridgeport area. He married Dorothy Thomas on March 8, 1937. They farmed near Bridgeport all their married lives. She preceded her in death. He was a 50-year member of the Bridgeport Rural Fire Department, a charter member of Bridgeport Eagles Aerie No. 2813, and belonged to the First Presbyterian Church. He was a former member of the ASCS board, Northport Irrigation District Board, Morrill County Fair Board and 4-H leader.
He is survived by his daughters, Donna Hansen of Bridgeport, and Loretta Adams of Nebraska; sons Ronnie Hoerler of Bridgeport and Tom Hoerler of Alliance; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. He also is survived by one brother Walt Hoerler of Fr. Collins, Colo.
Mr. Hoerler's funeral will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 15, at the First Presbyterian Church at Bridgeport, with Rev. James Leslie Kidd officiating. Burial will be in the Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery at Bridgeport. Memorials have been established to the Bridgeport Rural Fire Department or the church. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 14, and 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Sept. 16, at Jolliffe Funeral Home at Bridgeport.
Rita N. Dubs, 45
(Sept. 15) VALENTINE - Rita N. Dubs, 45, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine. She was born March 5, 1955, in Alliance. Her parents are Donald (Sandy) and Mary Patton Hooper.
She graduated from Hyannis High School in 1973. She attended the Grand Island School of Business. While living in Alliance she was employed by Woolrich and Box Butte Hospital. She was married to Dwyane Dubs on May 26, 1984. Her survivors include her husband, Dwyane; son, Wade and daughter Amanda, all of home. She is also survived by her parents; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sharon and Jerry Woods, Theresa and Jack Woods, both of Alliance, and Evelyn and Lee Rice of Hemingford; a brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Tara Hooper of Merriman; numerous nieces and nephew's extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by all four grandparents and an infant son, Lewis Henry Dubs. A trust fund has been established for her children at the First National Bank in Alliance or memorials may be sent to HC 13 Box 27, Valentine, NE 69201. Memorial services will be held Monday morning at 10 a.m. Central Time at the Methodist Church in Valentine. Funeral services will be at the Swede Valley Lutheran Church south of Ashby at 3 p.m. Monday Mountain Time. The Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. -
Betty H. Dunlap, 82
(Sept. 15) CHADRON - Betty H. Dunlap, 82, died Wednesday, Sept. 13, at her home. She was born March 31, 1918, in Valentine. Her parents were Ora and Gussie (Graeff) Hoaglund.
Her survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Linda West of Chadron; four grandchildren; one great-grandson and one sister, Peggy McDaniel of Rising Star, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Hay Springs Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Chadron Hospice Unit in care of Chadron Community Hospital. Donations may be sent to the Chamberlain Chapel, P.O. Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337. Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of the arrangements.
