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Valerie J. Furman, 49
EATON, Colo. - Valerie Jane Furman, 49, died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005, at Poudre Valley Hospital at Fort Collins, Colo. She was born March 26, 1955, at Scottsbluff, to Phillip and Peggy (Wilson) Covalt. She grew up on the family ranch north of Broadwater, and graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1973. She graduated from Western Nebraska Community College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. On Dec. 10, 1989, she was married to Dave Furman at Steamboat Springs, Colo. They lived at Hemingford, raising children, horses and livestock, until they moved to a farm west of Eaton in 1988. She worked at Northern Colorado Medical Center at Greeley for ten years as an Operating Room nurse. She continued nursing in OR at Poudre Valley Hospital for the next six years.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 West Olive, Fort Collins. Memorial gifts and cards may be sent to the Funeral Chapel or the family at 12559 WCR #78m Eaton, CO 80615. Bohlender Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Arthur L. Ward, 81
ALLIANCE - Arthur Lee "Bub" Ward, 81, died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005, at his home. He was born June 8, 1943, at Alliance, to Benjamin and Olive (Benjamin) Ward. He married Mary Jane Strick Stick on July 6, 1947, at Alliance. He had worked for the Nebraska Fish and Wildlife Game Commission for many years. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W., the Elks and the Red Angus Association. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane of Alliance; daughters Sandra S. (George) Suhr of Minatare, Janet L. (Bill) Woodworth of Gillette, Wyo., Connie J. (Rick) Hilliker of Gordon, Thelma L. (Eldon) Muhr of Alliance and Linda J. (Denny) Heflin of Harlan, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to the Veterans Administration, or the Good Samaritan Health Care Center Alzheimer's Unit, P.O. Box 970, Alliance, NE 69301-0970. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Stan Shipp, 84
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - John Stanley Shipp, 84, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005. He was born Dec. 17, 1920, at hay Springs, to John and Etta (Peters) Shipp. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from hay Springs High School before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He was serving as a Pharmacist's Mate in a Navy hospital in Guam when World War Ii broke out. He was taken captive two days after the war began and spent the duration in a prison camp in Japan. He used his medical training to help save the lives of some of his comrades. He was honorable discharged from the Navy in April 1946, and awarded a Bronze Star.
His funeral was Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Pius Catholic Church. Burial was in the veterans' section of Forest Lawn Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to his family at 1922 N 12th St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.
Marvin Lawrence, 72
ALLIANCE - Marvin L. Lawrence, 72 died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, at his home. He was born March 26, 1932 in Alliance, to Tommy and Alta Jeanette (Hulshizer) Lawrence. He graduated from Alliance High School in 1950. Marvin began his lifelong employment with Safeway while he was in high school. He served as the meat department manager for 30 years before retiring in 2001 after 51 years of service. He was a member of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and the Eagles Club.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, with Rev. Paul Mottl and Rev. Cheryl Harris officiating. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4 at the funeral home. The family prefers memorials in lieu of flowers be given to the Alliance Senior Center, Prairie Haven Hospice or the Oldtimers Baseball program. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jean Behm, 85
LITTLETON, Colo. - Jean Behm, 85, died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005, at Golden Elders Residential Home. She was born April 22, 1919, at Alliance. She was married to Clarence Behm on Sept. 28, 1941. They farmed and ranched in Nebraska until April 1978 when they retired to Colorado Springs, Colo. In August 1998, they moved to Littleton.
There will be a graveside memorial service at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at the Alliance Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the Alzheimer's Association, Rocky Mountain Chapter, 789 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203. Gordon Funeral Service at Littleton is in charge of arrangements.
Vera G. Reed, 94
CHADRON - Vera Genevieve Reed, 94, died Sunday, Jan. 30, at Good Samaritan Village. She was born May 24, 1910, at Bassett to William Frederick and Ollie Jane (Biltoft) Spann. After high school graduation, she went to cosmetology school in Colorado. She worked as a beautician prior to her marriage to Edwin B. Otteman on Sept. 3, 1932, at Hot Springs S.D. He preceded her in death on July 16, 1965. She later was married to W. Dwight Reed of Chadron, on April 7, 1976.
Mrs. Reed's funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at First Congregational Church, with Pastor Russ Seger officiating. Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements.
Olga G. Bowman, 88
ALLIANCE - Olga Gertrude Bowman, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005, after a lengthy battle with emphysema. She stayed positively focused on her Lord's love and forgiveness for her as a brain tumor distorted her thinking the past few months, but she trusted the Lord to take her home in His own timing. She was born Feb. 21, 1916, in Cuming County near Wisner, to Johannes Christian Asmus and Emma Bernadine (Suhr) Leu. Her family moved to Bushnell in her youth and came to Alliance in 1933.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, with Revs. Martin T. Schnare and Richard C. Mueller officiating. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Berneice L. Todd, 74
ALLIANCE - Berneice L. Todd, 74, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Berneice was born June 11, 1930, at Hemingford, to Magnus and Mary (Roes) Christensen, the second of five children. She attended school at Hemingford, graduating in 1947. Berneice was married to Jack V. Todd on Nov. 23, 1950. She was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 7, was involved in many community activities and worked alongside her husband at Todd's body Shop.
A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, with Fr. Brian Ernest officiating. A Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at the church. There will be a private family burial at a later date. Memorials have been established to the Alliance Public Schools Foundation-Band Program, Holy Rosary Catholic Church or the donor's choice.
Peter Mortaro Sr., 84
HUBBARD, Ohio - Peter P. Mortaro Sr. 84, passed away Jan. 23, 2005, at Liberty Health Care Center. He was born Nov. 20, 1920, at Girard, Ohio, to Anthony and Grace (Labate) Mortaro. He was a lifelong area resident, and had lived at Hubbard for over 50 years. He married Lena Angelo on Oct. 13, 1950. He was a steel worker at Republic Steel, Youngstown, Ohio, for 30 years until his retirement in 1983.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at St. Patrick Church. There are no calling hours. Stewart-Kyle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
'Kitty' Gentry, 76
HYANNIS - Catherine L. "Kitty" Gentry, 76, died Tuesday, March 1, 2005, at the Regional West Medical Center at Scottsbluff from complications of emphysema. She was born Nov. 6, 1928, at her parents' ranch southwest of Whitman. Kitty was the daughter of John L. and Grace A. (Wright) Buchfinck, pioneer Sandhills ranch families. She had two brothers, Lloyd L. and Sherman A. Buchfinck. Kitty was married to John M. Gentry Oct. 27, 1946, at Hyannis. To this union were born two sons, Victor Bruce and Stephen Anthony Gentry. Kitty Lou worked tirelessly on the ranch and gave numerous piano lessons for sixty years sharing her talents with three generations of area youth.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 4, at the Whitman Community Church at Whitman, with President Jim Thomlinson officiating. Burial will be in the Whitman Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Hyannis Volunteer Fire Department. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
David B. Brunkow, 84
ALLIANCE - David B. Brunkow, 84, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005, at Box Butte General Hospital. He was born Dec. 12, 1920, at Wamego, Kan., to Herman and Viola (Bluthardt) Brunkow. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 serving in England, France, Germany and Belgium. On Sep. 12, 1948, he married Vivian Mann at Alliance. To this union two children, Mike and Patty, were born. David worked as a mechanic and service manager for the General Motors dealership in Alliance. He then worked as a mechanic for the City of Alliance until his retirement in 1984. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, American Legion and the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 4, at the United Methodist Church, with Rev. Doug Griger officiating. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department or to Box Butte General Hospital Dialysis Unit. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Florine I. Custer, 82
HAY SPRINGS - Florine I. Custer, 82, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, at the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home. She was born Jan. 15, 1923, at Wagner, S.D. Florine was a cook at Hemingford for many years and later became a beautician.
Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery at Wheat Ridge, Colo., at noon Friday, March 4.
Mary Loretta Kennedy,89
ALEXANDRIA, Minn - Mary Loretta Kennedy, 89, passed away February 23, 2005 in Alexandria, Minnesota. She was born in Alliance on January 12, 1916 to Dr. Herbert A. and Maybelle (O'Brien) Copsey. She attended St. Agnes Academy in Alliance, and graduated from the College of Saint Teresa in Winona, Minnesota in 1937. She taught in Howells, Nebraska for one year before marrying Dr. James F. Kennedy in November, 1938. She was very active in the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Altar Society, and taught speech at St. Agnes Academy in Alliance. She was involved in many civic causes.
A visitation will be held at Petermeier's funeral Home in Alexandria, Minnesota Thursday, March 3 from 5 to 7PM. Memorial and mass of Christian burial will be held in Alliance, Nebraska at Holy Rosary Catholic Church Saturday, March 12 at 10:30 with a Rosary at 9:30.
Carl E. Christensen, 60
SCOTTSBLUFF - Carl Eugene Christensen, 60, of Scottsbluff, formerly of Broadwater, died of natural causes Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005 at Regional West Medical Center. He was born June 27, 1944 at Martin, S.D. to Melvin E. and Viola Pauline (Cooley) Christensen. He lived in the Nebraska area for most of his life. He married Phyllis J. Weber on Aug. 24, 1962. To that union were born three daughters, Corinna, Chrystal and Michal. Phyllis passed away Dec. 13, 2000, and on May 24, 2003, he married Dianne (Senteney) Fisher. He was an active minister as one of Jehovah's Witnesses the majority of his life. He was an accomplished carpenter and furniture refinisher, loved to hunt and fish, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 28, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Scottsbluff, with Brother Antonio Rafaelli officiating. In keeping with Carl's wishes, his remains were cremated at the Jolliffe Funeral Home and Crematory in Scottsbluff. Online condolences may be e-mailed to the family at sympathy@jolliffefuneralhome.com. Jolliffe Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Roy Pedersen, 87
ALLIANCE - Roy E. Pedersen, 87, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005 at Highland Park Care Center. He was born Aug. 23, 1917, west of Marsland in Sioux County to John and Lydia (Oxford) Pedersen. On Oct. 12, 1948 he married Oella Nicholson. Roy was a lifelong area resident and mechanic. He worked as a machinist in the shipyards in California during WWII. He then returned to area and worked with his brothers in Pedersen Brothers, an automotive repair shop at Hemingford. His family moved to Alliance in 1956 and Roy worked in area shops including many years at Dobson Dodge at Alliance. Following his retirement from Dobson's, he operated his own mechanics shop, Roy's Repair.
As per his wishes, cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Hemingford Cemetery, with Pastor Doug Griger officiating. The family would prefer memorials in lieu of flowers be given the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Community Health Plaza, 7101 Newport Avenue, Suite 304, Omaha, NE 68152 or to a charity of the donor's choice. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hugo F. Smith, 76
STERLING, Colo. - Hugo F. "Smitty" Smith, 76, died Wednesday, March 30, at Fort Collins, Colo. He was born Jan. 1, 1929, at Savannah, Ga., to Andrew Francis and Mildred (Johnson) Smith. He served in the U.S. Army, Air Force and National Guard. He married Elaine Klipfel on April 12, 1955, at Sterling. She preceded him in death. He married Helen R. Duvall Sutler on Aug. 17, 1992, at Sterling. He was the co-founder of O & S Electronics at Sterling. After he sold the business, he worked for Xerox as a senior customer service engineer for 26 years. He was a past president of Miss Colorado Pageant, Jaycees, Past Worthy Patron of Eastern Star, Masonic Lodge No. 54, Scottish Rite, York Rite, El-Bel Shrine Club, Morgan County shrine Club, The American Legion, BPO Elks Lodge No. 1336 life member, Family Camper and R.V.ers Camping Club, Millennium Mavericks and the Good Times Chapter.
His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 4, at Christ United Methodist Church, with Rev. Derek DeToni-Hall officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at Chaney-Raeger Funeral Home. A memorial has been established to the Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 54 AF & AM.
Earl D. Huston, 93
ALLIANCE - Earl D. Huston, 93, died Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Health Care Center. Earl was born Jan. 26, 1912, at Rockwell City, Iowa, to Hugh and Nola M. (Sturm) Huston. He married Lela Green on April 18, 1936, at Blair.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 1, at the Bates-Gould Chapel, with Norma Jensen, Chaplain of Good Samaritan Communities, officiating. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Memorials may be given to a charity of the donor's choice. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Wilsie V. Rasmussen, 86
DAVID CITY - Wilsie V. Rasmussen, 86, died Friday, March 25, 2005, at St. Joseph's Villa. He was born March 21, 1919, at Sweetwater, to Carl and Cora (Smith) Rasmussen. He attended rural schools near Sweetwater. He married Irene A. Jaynes on March 11, 1943, at Tacoma, Wash. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1944, and was qualified to fly B17s and B29s. He was discharged in 1947. He also served with the Army engineers and spent a year living in a tent in Alaska while surveying for the Alaska Highway. He farmed for nine years near Litchfield and then near Surprise from 1956 until his retirement in 1994. He moved to David City two years ago.
His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, at Kracl Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Jack McDonald officiating. Burial will be in the Blue Valley Cemetery with military rites by V.F.W. Post 5814 and American Legion Post 125. A memorial has been established to the Rising City Fire Department.
Alyce A. Taylor, 90
ALLIANCE - Alyce A. Taylor, 90, died March 26, 2005, at Good Samaritan Health Care Center with her children and family at her side. She was born May 25, 1914, at Lincoln, to William E. and Frankie M. (Pethoud) Phillips. Alyce graduated from Lincoln High School in January 1931, at 16 years of age, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She had a love for sports and played basketball and baseball. She graduated from the Lincoln School of Commerce, worked at Graingers, and attended classes at the University of Nebraska for one year. On March 6, 1937, she was united in marriage to Donald N. Taylor at Rockport, Mo.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at the United Methodist Church, with Rev. Doug Griger officiating. Burial will be at the Alliance Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Alliance United Methodist Church elevator fund or the Good Samaritan Village. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
