Search Archived Marriage Records
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 Ogallala High School, graduating in 1947. Following her graduation she attended the Ottawa (Kan.) University.
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, 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 husband; three daughters, Melody (Kelly) McGowen of Columbus, Kirsten (Tom) Macdissi of Fort Calhoun and Elise (Kevin) Lockhart of Loveland, Colo.; two sons, Martin (Jackie) of Loveland and Matt (Laura) of Ogallala; her mother; 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.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Luke’s Catholic Church with the Rev. John Schlaf as celebrant. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Gubser Funeral Home in Ogallala is in charge.
Etta Mae Sterner
CALLAWAY — Etta Mae Sterner., 91, of Callaway, died Feb. 18, 1999, at the Callaway District Hospital in Callaway.
She was born
June 22, 1907, at Upper Spring Creek near Callaway to Charles W. and Emma May Beckwith Sterner. She was a graduate of Callaway High School with the Class of 1925 and graduated from Sacramento State College, Sacramento, Calif. in 1957. She also attended college at Kearney, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and one year at LeMars, Iowa.
She taught in the rural schools of Custer County for 11 years and in Logan County for five years. She also taught in Merna, Gothenburg and Callaway. She then went to Maryland at Lanham for four years and spent eight years at Davis, Calif. and 11 years at Martinez, Calif. She retired in June 1972. She then taught two years as a teacher’s assistant at Tallin Table with Judy Bonde, a total of 47 years.
She was very active in the United Methodist Church, having been superintendent and Sunday school teacher, vacation Bible teacher, an active member of the United Women’s Circle, a participant in two Bible studies and a member of the Woman’s Club. She was also a member of the Alhambra Rebekah Lodge No. 292 at Martinez, Calif., a life member of the California Teacher’s Association and belonged to the LLL Club and the Busy Bee Extension Club.
During World War II she made fabricated gas tanks for P38s at Firestone Rubber Co. at Los Angeles in 1943, worked at Rome Creations two summers at Denver, at the Kress Co. one summer at Omaha and at Neisner’s Dollar Store in Washington, D.C. When she retired from teaching, she baby-sat for several years.
She was baptized in the Christian church at Broken Bow at age 12 and joined the Evangelical Church at Callaway in January 1921.
Survivors include a sister, Dorothy Bonde of Callaway; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many, many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Bly, Amelia and Hazel.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church in Callaway with the Rev. Fred Andersen officiating.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway.
Milton L. Tobey
Milton L. Tobey, 78, of North Platte, died Feb. 19, 1999, at his home.
He was born
south of Maxwell on April 14, 1920, to Arthur Leroy and Mamie Spradlin Tobey. He attended school district No. 118.
On Oct. 24, 1941, he entered the United States Army and attained the rank of staff sergeant. During his military time, he served in Sicily, Salerno, the Anzio beachhead invasion and in southern France. He received the military Good Conduct Ribbon, the ADS Ribbon, the EAME Theater Ribbon, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, one service stripe and two overseas service bars. After he left the service, he returned to Maxwell and farmed with his family.
On Aug. 17, 1947, he married Carolyn Joy Rasmussen. They moved to a farm south of North Platte, where he continued to own and operate Springtree Farms.
Mr. Tobey was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served on the church council as an usher and was on the board of directors of North Platte Non-Stock Co-Op. He enjoyed traveling in his later years.
Survivors include two daughters, Linda (Paul) Wiegman of Estherville, Iowa and Gail (Jerry) Jensen of North Platte; two brothers, Delbert (Jenevieve) and Dale (Sandra) of North Platte; three grandsons, David Wiegman, Joel and Justin Jensen.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and a brother, Donald.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the First Lutheran Church, the American Cancer Society or Great Plains Regional Medical Center Hospice Program.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.
Harold Neil “Tuff” Bruce
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Harold Neil “Tuff” Bruce, former resident of Hershey, died Feb. 13, 1999, in Bermuda Dunes, Calif. He was 84.
He was born
Aug. 25, 1914, in Hershey.
Mr. Bruce was a veteran of World War II, where he wrote the initial first aid booklet used in the field.
On June 25, 1933, he married Faye Bedker in North Platte. The couple moved to Connecticut in 1935. They lived in the Bay Area from 1935 to 1952, where he worked for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. In 1954, they moved to San Luis Obispo, Calif. where he was active in many organizations, including the Elks Lodge, Al Malaikah Shrine, King Davids Lodge and Scottish Rite Masons. He also had a perfect attendance while a Rotarian.
He and his wife opened the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company in 1954, which he operated until its sale in 1970. In addition, in 1964 he and a group of local businessmen and professionals were granted a federal charter, originating the First National Bank of San Luis Obispo. As CEO and manager, he negotiated the buyout of the bank by Wells Fargo in 1979 and then retired at the age of 65.
He had desert property from 1976 to the time of his death and for several years he raised thoroughbred horses in that area.
He was a man worthy of respect and will be missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include a daughter, Judy B. Haas of Payson, Ariz.; a son, Truman of Hemet, Calif.; six grandchildren, David of Corvallis, Ore., Stephen of Los Angeles; Mark of Summit, N.J., Bruce Pierce of Bonney Lake, Wash., Ron Pierce of Phoenix and Don Pierce of Moscow, Idaho; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years; a sister and two brothers.
Memorials are suggested to King David Lodge No. 209 F&AM, 859 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, Calif. 93401.
He will be interred with his wife in Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Calif.
Palm Springs Mortuary of Cathedral, Calif. is in charge.
Leo Richard Hill
OGALLALA — Leo Richard Hill, 61, of Ogallala, died Feb. 15, 1999, at the Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo.
Survivors include two sons, Donald (Carol) of Sedgwick, Colo. and Lawrence Ray (Peggy) of Boelus; a step son, Rick of Ovid, Colo.; two sisters, Violet (Paul) Gomez of Savannah, Ga. and Caroline Fox of Grand Island; two brothers, Larry (Christina) and Frank, both of Ovid, Colo.; three grandchildren and two step grandchildren.
A memorial has been established.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. MT Saturday at the Draucker Funeral Chapel. Interment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. today at the Draucker Funeral Home in Ogallala.
May Burns
ARNOLD — May Burns, 87, of Arnold died April 16, 1999, at the Callaway Hospital.
She was born
Oct. 6, 1911, near Arnold to Mathias and Cora Morrison Beyer. She attended Yucca Valley Rural Dist. 64, four miles south of Arnold, until 1926. Two years later, she married Glen M. Burns in North Platte on May 29, 1928.
They were married for 56 years, six of the eight siblings in the Beyer family to celebrate more than 50 years of marriage.
The couple moved to California, later opening a meat store in Long Beach. They returned to Arnold in 1951 to the ranch north of town. Together they raised cattle and horses, along with their Dalmatians.
Survivors include her brother, George (Polly) Beyer of Cozad; a granddaughter, Barbara (Harvey) Foran of Arnold; a great-granddaughter, Christi (Scott) Winfield of Arnold; and three great-great-grandchildren, Brent, Amanda and Eric Winfield.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Betty, and her husband Bob Turner; her parents; a great-grandson, Clint Foran; four sisters; and two brothers.
A memorial has been established.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at the United Methodist Church in Arnold with the Rev. Doug Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Arnold Cemetery.
Arnold Funeral Home is in charge.
Ronald D. ‘Ron’ Beeson
BOISE, Idaho — Ronald D. “Ron” Beeson, 55, a native of North Platte, died April 17, 1999, at Boise.
He was born
May 4, 1943, at North Platte to O.E. “Pete” and Neola Davison Beeson. He attended North Platte schools and Northwest Nazarene College. He graduated from Southern Nazarene University, where he prepared to teach math. He earned his master’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa.
During his 32 years as a teacher, Mr. Beeson taught his students to make the most of whatever life might bring.
He had been an active member of Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene since moving to Idaho in 1979.
Surviving him is his wife of 34 years, Jamelyn; a daughter, Michelle (Kermit) Murray and son, Matthew, of Atlanta; a son, Lance (Donna) of Salt Lake City; his parents of Boise; a sister, Coni Gibson of Denver; nieces, nephews and many loving relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene building fund, 831 E. First, Meridian, ID 83642.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the church in Meridian with burial in Kohlerlawn Cemetery at Nampa, Idaho.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Chapel of the Chimes in Meridian.
Leona Foster
BROKEN BOW — Leona Foster, 87, died April 17, 1999, at her home in Broken Bow.
She was born
May 22, 1911, to John Harrison and Eva Adell Cobly Bryan in the Clear Creek Community between Ansley and Mason City. She grew up in the Clear Creek Community and attended Banner School.
On Jan. 29, 1932, she married Leonard Foster at Aurora. The couple made their home on a farm east of Berwyn. They retired from farming in 1975 and in November 1980, they moved to Broken Bow.
Mrs. Foster was a member of the assembly of God Church in Broken Bow.
Survivors include a daughter, LeaDell (Fred) Jones of Broken Bow; two sons, Larry (Ruth) of Dubois, Wyo., and Lynn (Ruth) of Berwyn; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister.
She was preceded in death by her husband in May 1992; two brothers; and three grandsons.
Memorials may be given to the Assembly of God Church.
Services will at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Govier Brothers Mortuary with the Rev. Bill Jay officiating. Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery.
Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. today at Govier Brothers Mortuary.
Leona E. G’Schwind
CALLAWAY — Leona Ellen G’Schwind died April 17, 1999, at Fillmore County Hospital, Long Term Care at Geneva. She was 80.
She was born
on Aug. 9, 1918, to William E. and Mabel E. Morris Zoerb near Milldale.
She was baptized into the Christian faith and was a member of the Lutheran Church through the rite of confirmation. She remained a faithful member of the church throughout her life.
On Dec. 4, 1935, she married Paul A. G’Schwind. They farmed in the Callaway area until 1941, when they moved to Seattle, where they were both employed for a number of years. They later moved back to the Callaway area and resumed farming until their retirement in 1976. She moved to Geneva in 1992.
Three children were born
to them: a son, Paul Dean, who was born
Jan. 3, 1937, and died in infancy; Paulette Lee (Albert) Wise of Geneva and Collette Lynn (Brent) Bills of Seattle.
Survivors include a daughter, Paulette (Albert “Bud”) Wise of Geneva, granddaughter, Tina M. (Scott) Schmidt and great-grandchildren, Samantha, Caitlin and Jennifer of Stuttgart, Germany, and a grandson, Shane A. (Ann) Wise and great-grandchildren, Amanda and Dakota of Fort Drum, N.Y.; a daughter, Collette (Brent) Bills of Seattle, grandsons, Eric and Jeremy Perkins of Lincoln, Lance (Amy) Chesley of Davey, granddaughter Leisha Perkins and great-grandchildren, Dallas and Destiney of Hastings; a sister, Adeline (Gale) McMath of Jackson, Mich.; two brothers, Leonard (Wilma) Zoerb and William “Bill” (Annabelle) Zoerb, both of Callaway; sisters-in-law, Norma Zoerb of Gothenburg, Loraine G’Schwind of Callaway; brothers-in-law, John G’Schwind of Brady and Francis G’Schwind of Callaway; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband; an infant son, Paul Dean; her parents; sisters, Anna Foglesong, Nellie Strong, Edna Estergard and Mable Ward; a brother, Melvin Zoerb; a sister-in-law, Dorothy G’Schwind; and brothers-in-law, Karl and Herbert G’Schwind.
Memorials are suggested to the family.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Callaway. Burial will be in the Waldheim Cemetery at Callaway.
There will be no public visitation.
Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home is in charge.
