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Elaine M. Nielsen
OGALLALA — Elaine M. Nielsen, 68, of Ogallala, died Feb. 17, 1999, at the Ogallala Community Hospital.
She was born
Feb. 18, 1930, in Ogallala to Arnold and Elvina Berry McKeag of Arthur County. She grew up in Arthur County, attending a one-room country schoolhouse before attending the Ogallala High School, graduating in 1947. Following her graduation she attended the Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan. She was the society editor of the Keith County News until marrying Gene Nielsen at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ogallala on June 1, 1950. The couple made their home on the family ranch east of Ogallala.
In addition to being a ranch wife and mother, she was an author and historian. She wrote the book published for Ogallala’s centennial in 1984 titled “Ogallala: A Century on the Trail.” She edited the Hershey centennial book published in 1992. She also wrote for local newspapers, the Western Outlook and the North Platte Telegraph. She received several state and national awards for her work.
In 1994, she ran for the 47th district seat of the Nebraska Legislature on a platform of tax reform.
Mrs. Nielsen was a very active member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, serving as a church organist and teaching religious education classes as well as being a member of the Altar Society for many years.
She was a charter member of the Ogallala Regional Arts Council. She served on the Keith County Historical Society board and as Republican Party chairman for Keith County. She was a member of the Nebraska Press Women and the Nebraska Writer’s Guild.
She will be remembered for her devotion to her family and lifelong service to her community.
Survivors include her mother; her husband; three daughters, Melody (Kelly) McGowen of Columbus, Kristen (Tom) Macdissi of Fort Calhoun and Elsie (Kevin) Lockhart of Loveland, Colo.; two sons, Martin (Jackie) of Loveland and Matt (Laura) of Ogallala; four sisters, Dorothy and Dorinne McKeag of Ogallala, Gail (Jim) Anderson of Tensleep, Wyo., and Mary Ann (Harlan) Anderberg of Arthur; a brother, Delbert (Carolyn) McKeag of Ogallala; two aunts, Ruth (Stanley) Snyder of Sun Lakes, Ariz. and Hazel Geisbauer of Palmdale, Calif.; an uncle, John (Alice) Berry of Ogallala; 12 grandchildren, James McGowan of Omaha, Anthony McGowan of Columbus, Nicholas, Monica and Erica Nielsen of Loveland, Lucas and Jenny Nielsen of Ogallala, Adams, Anthony, Elena and Theresa Macdissi of Fort Calhoun and Phoebe Lockhart of Ogallala.
She was preceded in death by her father and an infant son, John.
A memorial has been established.
Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today at St. Luke’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Luke’s Catholic Church with Father John Schlaf as celebrant. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Gubser Funeral Home in Ogallala.
Charles L. Smith Sr.
Charles L. “Chuck” Smith, Sr., 69, of North Platte died Feb. 16, 1999, at his farm.
He was born
Aug. 27, 1929, to Ernest P. and Nola B. Wheeler Smith at North Platte. He grew up with his parents on the family farm and attended rural schools. He graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 1950. He married Karen Hornyak on Dec. 15, 1954, at Kearney. They made their home on the family farm south of North Platte. He worked for the State Dept. of Roads for 18 years along with farming and ranching. He loved Nebraska football and playing his guitar.
Survivors include his wife, Karen of North Platte; three daughters, Michelle Lannon, Valerie Smith and Joy Smith all of North Platte; a son, Charles L. (Shana) Smith, Jr. of North Platte; a sister, Betty (Robert) Griffiths of North Platte; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Cheryl; a sister, Phyllis Bonney; an infant brother and a grandson, Alex Lannon.
A memorial has been established.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Adams & Swanson Chapel with Pastor Larry Lang of the First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in the North Platte Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.
Mary L. Huffman
Mary L. Huffman, 78, of North Platte, died Feb. 16, 1999, at Centennial Park Retirement Village.
She was born
Nov. 22, 1920, in Stapleton to John and Margaret T. Beckius Becker. She graduated from high school in Stapleton in 1938 and taught school one year at Pinkerton School northwest of Tryon.
On Sept. 4, 1939, she married Elmer Huffman. The couple operated the Huffman Produce and Feed Store in Stapleton until 1947. They continued to make their home in Stapleton until they moved to North Platte in 1954. They owned and operated the House of Spirits Liquor Store for nine years. She was bookkeeper for several different businesses. Her husband preceded her in death on Jan. 18, 1984.
Mrs. Huffman was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the Eagles Auxiliary.
Survivors include nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; six sisters, Cecilia Oman, Thersia Pooschke, Catherine Fifield, Regina Walz and Margaret Gardens; an infant sister and two infant brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment Fund or the donor’s choice.
A prayer vigil will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Richard Piontkowski as celebrant. Burial will be in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.
Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge.
C. Howard Kennedy
LEXINGTON — C. Howard Kennedy, 90, of Johnson Lake, died Feb. 16, 1999, at the Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center in Broken Bow.
He was born
Feb. 22, 1908, at Broken Bow to Horace F. and Nancy R. Talbot Kennedy. He grew up in Broken Bow and graduated from Broken Bow High School with the class of 1926. He went on to attend college at Hastings College in Grinnell, Iowa. He married Bernie Pringle in 1929 at Lincoln. She preceded him in death in May of 1967.
Mr. Kennedy served his country as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater. He returned to Broken Bow, where he owned and operated the motion picture theater as well as a ranching operation outside of Broken Bow for 25 years. On March 17, 1968, he married Helen St. John in Omaha.
He was a member of St. Peter’s in the Valley Episcopal Church in Lexington, a charter member of the Elks Lodge, the American Legion, the VFW and the Masonic Lodge, where he was a 32nd Degree Mason with the Custer County Lodge No. 148 and Council No. 18.
Survivors include his wife of Johnson Lake; a son, Howard F. “Ken” (Beverly) of Broken Bow; a step daughter, Jenny St. John (Mischa) Semanitzky of Phoenix; seven grandchildren, Craig, Bert, Shelly, Benjamin, Amanda, Sarah and Susan; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife and a sister, Ruth Haeberle.
The body was cremated.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Peter’s in the Valley Episcopal Church.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter’s in Valley Episcopal Church with Father Bob Lambert officiating.
Interment of the ashes will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery.
There will be no visitation
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge.
Barbara Lee Pafford
Barbara Lee Pafford, 68, of Hershey, died Feb. 16, 1999, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
She was born
May 10, 1930, to Arthur and Alta Kail at Oberlin, Kan. At age 18 months, she was adopted by Hazel Riley “Andy” and Mary Mount Anderson. She grew up in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School.
She married, and she and her husband lived in Paxton and North Platte before moving to California in 1956.
On Oct. 30, 1971, she married Ray Lee Pafford Sr. at Greeley, Colo. They lived in many different states before moving back to Hershey in 1987. She worked at Butch’s Steakhouse for five years and helped take care of Jerry James for three years. She retired at age 62. She loved her plants and yard work.
Survivors include her husband of Hershey; a daughter, Mary Alexander of Hershey; two sons, Riley Banderet of Newport Beach, Calif. and Roger (Alyce) Banderet of Paxton; a step daughter, Robin (Kevin) Burns of San Francisco; two step sons, Ray Lee Jr. (Valerie) of Denver and Roger (Donella) of Phoenix; a sister, Helene (Robert) Gehrt of Topeka, Kan.; a brother, Alvin “Rusty” Kail of Hershey; a half sister, Frieda (Jack) McKinney of Denton, Texas; 20 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her adoptive parents; a sister, Virginia Taylor; a brother, Alfred Kail; and a half sister, Beverly Wong.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C and Sycamore with Pastor Wayne Fritzinger of the Hershey Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.
Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and before services Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C and Sycamore.
Ryland Saum
GRANT — Ryland Saum, 70, of Grant, died Feb. 14, 1999, at his home.
He was born
Dec. 1, 1928, at Maywood to Bernie and Zela Rote Saum. He attended school in Maywood and graduated with the senior class of 1947. After his graduation he joined the U.S. Air Force and served in various locations for the next 20 years. After his discharge in 1967 he worked in a clerical department in the Pentagon for the next two years. In 1969 he returned to Maywood and served as a postal clerk.
He married Velma Hill White on March 14, 1977, in Maywood. In 1978 he was transferred to the Grant post office, where he worked until he retired in 1989. His wife preceded him in death in September 1998.
Mr. Saum had been a previous member of the American Legion.
Survivors include two step sons, Jeff Hill of Valley Mills, Texas and Rick White of Grant; two sisters, Thelma Chase of Lemoyne and Twyla Bates of Evansville, Ind.; a brother, Warren of Mesa, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers.
Committal of his cremains will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with John Long officiating.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge.
William L. ‘Bill’ Douty
William L. “Bill” Douty, 80, formerly of North Platte, died Feb. 19, 1999, at Southview Manor Care Center in Cozad.
He was born
Sept. 13, 1918, in Albion to Thomas Jefferson and Anna May Welch Douty. In 1940, he graduated from Palmer High School. On Feb. 11, 1942, he entered the U.S. Army and served until his honorable discharge on Nov. 28, 1945. In 1953, he moved to North Platte.
On Dec. 30, 1967, he married Mildred Hartford Blain in North Platte. She preceded him in death on Feb. 18, 1992.
Mr. Douty was a residential and commercial painter. He especially enjoyed spending time with his dog and companion Gigi.
He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post 163.
Survivors include four nieces, Charlotte (Bill) Hamilton of Des Moines, Iowa, Nancy (Don) Titus, Connie (Ray) Cluisman, Donna (Larry) Small and Wilma Douty, all of North Platte; five nephews, Robert (Rojean) Douty of Kansas City, Mo., and Larry (Janice) Douty, both of Kansas City, David (Kathy) Dowty of York, Dennis (Carol) Douty of Milford and Michael Douty of North Platte; in-laws Evelyn Douty and W.R. Bob Forrey, both of North Platte, and Alberta Kinney of Grand Island; and other relatives.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Roberta Forrey; and three brothers, Lyle, Clarence and a twin, Willard.
Memorials may be made to Southview Manor in Cozad or to the donor’s choice.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Dennis Olsen of Valley Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors graveside
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to service time Monday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.
James Farmer
BROKEN BOW — James Farmer, 83, of Broken Bow died Feb. 18, 1999, at Sandhills Manor Nursing Home.
He was born
April 22, 1915, to Arthur and Louisa Weinman Farmer in Custer County. He graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1933.
On Jan. 30, 1948, he married Lucille Allen Welsh. They farmed in the Rose Valley Community until moving to Broken Bow six years ago.
Mr. Farmer was a member of the United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife; three children, James Jr. of Red Cloud, Elaine (Doug) Calkins of Cumberland, Iowa, and Dwight of Kearney; two grandchildren; Jamie (Mandi) Calkins and Andrea (Corey) Yearington, both of Corning, Iowa; a great-grandson, Spencer Calkins; four sisters; Virginia Cline of East Lansing, Mich., Eugenia (Duane) Vannice of Halsey, Florence Pichier of Adrian, Mich., and Frances (Glen) Govier of Broken Bow; and three brothers, George Farmer of Apache Junction, Ariz., Ted (Louise) Farmer of Utica, Ohio, and Garland (Margaret) Farmer of Portland, Ore.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Gyneth and Fern; and a grandson, Marc Calkins.
A memorial has been established to the United Methodist Church.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Govier Brothers Chapel with the Rev. Cliff Reynolds officiating. Burial will be in the Custer Center Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Govier Brothers Mortuary.
Mary Ann Finnell
COZAD — Mary Ann Finnell, 52, of Cozad, died Feb. 18, 1999, at her home.
She was born
on July 19, 1946, at Yankton, S. D. to David and Ruth Simpson Tobin. She graduated from Crestland High School at Early, Iowa in 1964. On March 27, 1966, she married Stanley Finnell.
She attended beauty college in Storm Lake, Iowa, where she worked as a beautician. The couple lived in Montana for 10 years before returning to Iowa. They had made their home in Cozad since 1993, where she was employed at the former Jack & Jill store.
Mrs. Finnell was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir.
Survivors include her husband, Stanley of Cozad; a daughter, Jerilyn (Bobby) Johnson of Cozad; a son, Jay of Panora, Iowa; two brothers, Larry (Kay) Tobin of Pine, Ariz. and Al (Loretta) Tobin of Mesa, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Ashlie and Amber Cleghorn, Jayce Stone-Finnell and Jade and Hunter Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Dennis.
Memorials are suggested to the Mary Ann Finnell Memorial.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Cozad with the Rev. Bob Neben and Pastor Roger Daum officiating. Burial will be in the Cozad Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad.
