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Orla V. Lamb 1920-2002
Orla V. Lamb died Friday, April 5. She was born February 25, 1920 to Marie and Clare Gillespie. Following early education in a one-room school house in Dalton, she attended Hastings College and Nebraska State Teachers College at Chadron. After graduation from Hastings College she married Donald R. Lamb, also an alumnus of Hastings College. While he served in WWII Orla taught school in Potter.
In 1949, the family moved to Laramie where Orla raised her children, Dona, Linda, and Fredrick During that time, Don and Orla were foster parents for several years and through the church, sponsored a refugee couple from Hungary. She served as the foreman of the first all woman jury in Albany County.
In 1958, she began her 26-year teaching career at Nellie Isles and Slade Schools. Upon retirement she was awarded a lifetime membership in the PTA. She belonged to WEA and Delta Kappa Gamma, educational organization.
She was active in Beta Sigma Phi, PEO, 4-H, Campfire, Girl and Boy Scouts, Cowbelles, The Laramie Garden Club, supported The United Way, the Albany County Public Library, Ivinson Memorial Hospital, and the Wyoming Territorial Park.
As a member of The United Presbyterian Church she was active in numerous affiliated groups and served as moderator of local and state Presbyterian Women.
She was an energetic and involved grandmother of six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her interests included gardening, bird watching, traveling, reading and people.
Orla touched everyone she met with her kindness, generosity and positive attitude. She always had a kind word and a bright smile for everyone.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, their children and spouses, Dona Coffey of Laramie, Linda Kraft of Encampment, and Fred Lamb of Laramie, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, relatives and friends too numerous to count. She was preceded in death by infant son Kip Gordon.
Services were Thursday, April 19, at the United Presbyterian Church in Laramie. Memorials can be made to United Presbyterian Church.
Elmer (Roy) Adams 1917-2002
Elmer (Roy) Adams, 84 of Potter passed away Friday April 19, at the Memorial Health Center in Sidney.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., today at the Potter United Methodist Church with Pastor Mary Frohs officiating. Military graveside services will be in the Potter Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Roy’s name to the Potter United Methodist Church or to the donor’s choice. Holechek Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Elmer LeRoy Adams, the son of Adolph and Louise (Walker) Adams, was born on September 24, 1917 at Lenora, Kan. He moved to Norton, Kan. and later to Sidney where he graduated from Sidney High School in 1936. He joined the Navy in 1941 and was the first person to leave Cheyenne County after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Roy received his Honorable Discharge in November 1947, having served in Northern Africa, Europe the Pacific Theatre and was in the Tokyo Harbor at the signing of the treaty. He left the Navy as Chief Pharmacist’s Mate.
On August 24, 1944, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Marie Slama in Sidney. He began farming north of Potter in 1948. Roy worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, Juelf’s Grain Company, Potter Co-op and pumped oil wells.
Roy was a member of the Potter American Legion, Past Master of Masons and Past Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star. He was a member of the Potter Lion’s Club and served in the Potter Rural Fire Department. He enjoyed square dancing, bowling and particularly enjoyed following his grandsons in their school activities. Roy received an award of appreciation from the students and faculty of Potter Schools. He was a member of the Potter BBQ Club and enjoyed driving the team of horses in parades, at hayrides and in the Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration. He enjoyed raising cattle and horses and was a 50-Year member of the United Methodist Church in Potter.
Survivors include his wife Evelyn of Potter; sons Randy and his wife Barb of Torrington, Wyo. and Rex and his wife Bev of Potter; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Chet.
Tillie Mary (Hemmer) Billeter 1905-2002
Tillie Mary (Hemmer) Billeter, 97, a longtime Broadwater resident, died at Heritage of Bridgeport April 20. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today at St. Patrick’s Church in Sidney with Fr. Jim Novakowski officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney. Friends may call at the Gehrig Funeral Home from 8 a.m. to noon today. There will be no viewing at the church. Memorials are to the All Soul’s Church in Bridgeport or the donor’s choice.
Tillie Mary Billeter was born April 16, 1905 at Petersburg, Neb., the daughter of Mathias and Theresia (Batliner) Hemmer. She moved with her parents to Dresdon, Kan. when she was a small child then moved to Sidney in a covered wagon in 1908. She attended St. Patrick’s Academy and High School, graduating in 1924. Tillie taught school in Morrill and Cheyenne Counties. She married Floyd Billeter on July 2, 1929 in Sidney. They moved to Kimball in 1930. In 1932 they moved to Broadwater and since that time she had been a homemaker, Garden City clerk for a number of years and also worked for VanDruff & Klock Grain Elevator. She was a member of the Riverside Club for over 60 years, joining in 1937. She was also a member of All Soul’s Catholic Church and a member of the Altar Society. Tillie was an avid gardener, enjoying it until very late in life. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; four sisters, Ellen Hockerson, Mary Hemmer, Clara Bales and Frances Kaus; three brothers, John, William and Andrew Hemmer.
Survivors include her sister Dora Frahm of Sidney and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gehrig and Son Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Helen A. McKinley 1918-2002
Torrington, Wyo.—Helen A. McKinley, 84, Torrington, Wyo., died Saturday, April 20 at the Torrington Community Hospital. Graveside services will be conducted Thursday at 11 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney with Rev. Bob Dahlgren officiating.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney.
Those who wish may direct memorial contributions in Helen’s memory to either the Presbyterian Church in Sidney or to a local animal shelter of the donor’s choice.
Helen A. McKinley was born June 8, 1918 at the family homestead 10 miles south of Lisco and 11 miles east of Dalton, the daughter of August and Minnie (Feldman) Hennig. She attended Lisco High School while boarding with local families in exchange for housekeeping and child care. Helen graduated in 1937. She then worked many various jobs for businesses in the area, including the Lisco grocery store, as well as area farms and ranches doing housekeeping, child care and preparing meals for farm and ranch hands. Helen returned to the family farm in 1942 where along with her father and youngest brother, Richard, she maintained the farm until her older brother, Fred, returned home from serving in WWII.
Helen met Elmer McKinley in 1947 at a community dance in Lisco and the couple were married on August 6, 1949 in Bridgeport. They then worked on numerous ranches from 1949 to 1956, including the Rushcreek and Hay Valley ranches. Helen and Elmer then moved to Laramie, Wyo. in 1957 where Elmer started his career with the Union Pacific Railroad. They then moved to Sidney in 1961, residing here until 1972, before relocating to Cheyenne, Wyo. Elmer retired in 1992, and they moved to Torrington, Wyo.
Helen was a homemaker, loved reading, discussing politics and keeping abreast of local, national and world events. She enjoyed family gatherings and spirited discussions around the kitchen table. She remained close to her rural upbringing, enjoying country rides, especially during harvest. Helen was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Sidney and in Cheyenne and Torrington as well. She took pride in her grandchildren and her great-grandson. Helen was an avid Cornhusker football fan and enjoyed listening to games on the radio.
Survivors include her husband, Elmer of Torrington; daughter and fiancé, Melanie Hughes and Dale Schmidt of Torrington; son, Monte McKinley and Sherri Moore of Cheyenne, Wyo.; three sisters, Ada Sharman and Wilma Larson, both of Sidney and Arlene Christensen of RimRock, Ariz.; one brother, Richard Hennig of Lisco; four grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and one brother.
Nancy Gail Benzel 1947-2002
Nancy G. Benzel, 54, Sidney, died at her home Friday, April 19. Her funeral was Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Sidney. Rev. Allen Davis officiated. Burial followed in Greenwood Cemetery. Gehrig & Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be given to the family’s choice.
Nancy Gail Benzel was born Nov. 17, 1947 in Sidney, the daughter of Adolph and Mary (Hammer) Benzel. She was raised in Sidney and attended Sidney Public Schools and then graduated from Manuel High School in Denver, Colo. in 1967. Nancy worked at the Yendis Cafe, Memorial Health Center in the dietary department and at the Country Kettle. She enjoyed visiting and spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include one brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Karen Benzel of Sidney; one niece and nephew; a grand-nephew and many cousins.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Franklin.
Theodore R. Houser 1931-2002
Theodore R. Houser, 71, Sidney, died Tuesday, April 16 at Memorial Health Center in Sidney. Memorial services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Gehrig & Son Funeral Home in Sidney. Cremation has taken place.
Friends may sign the register book at the funeral home today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday morning until the service time. Memorials may be given to the Sidney Memorial Gardens.
Theodore Raymond Houser was born on the family farm south of Sunol on Feb. 18, 1931, the son of James and Karolena (Schroeder) Houser. He was raised on the farm, which was established in the early 1900’s and attended Sunol schools, graduating as Salutatorian from the Sunol High School in 1948.
Theodore was a member of the basketball and track teams and coached women’s softball.
He fell in love with Esther Bartel and they were married in Sidney on April 2, 1949. They lived south of Sunol. Family, farming and ranching were his life and he lived it fully.
Flying was one of Theodore’s hobbies. He was involved with and served on numerous boards including 4-H, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Elks and other civic programs in the community. In 1960 he helped pioneer irrigation on the south farming table. Theodore was also committed to the advancement and preservation of agriculture, and in 1986, TESSS Farms, Inc. received the Soil Conservation Award.
Survivors include his wife, Esther of Sidney; three daughters, Sandra Robnett of Greeley, Colo., Sharon Stutzman of Lodgepole and Susan LeRoy of Newport News, Va; three brothers, Wilbur Houser of Crook, Colo. and Joe Houser and Galen Houser both of Rawlins, Wyo.; three sisters, Betty Wittrock of Cheyenne, Wyo., Shirley French of Sidney and Charlotte Chadwick of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two sons–in-law, Roger Stutzman of Lodgepole and Bill LeRoy of Pittsburg, Pa.; two grandsons; and friend, Kent Porter of Kansas City, Kan.
Theodore was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and five sisters.
Evan C. “Pete” Petroff 1923-2002
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Pete Petroff, 78 of Sidney, Nebraska died Sunday evening, April 14 at the Memorial Health Center in Sidney. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 18 in the First United Methodist Church in Sidney with the Rev. Alan Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorials have been established to the City of Sidney Golf Development Fund for the construction of a new clubhouse or the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney.
Evan Carl Petroff, the son of George and Mary (Riskosky) Petroff was born July 9, 1923 in Denver, Colo. He attended school in Denver, graduating from Manual High School. He then attended Colorado State College in Greeley, Colo. majoring in physical education. He then performed as a dancer with the Central City Ballet, before serving in the Army as a First Mate Merchant Marine aboard a transport ship. During that time he also served in a calvary unit in Japan in 1948 and 1949. After his discharge, he went to work for Westinghouse as a service repairman and salesman. It was at this time he married Elain Kilham. He and his mother bought and operated “Sonny’s” bar and grill. His mother continued to operate the business and Pete got involved in selling real estate.
In the early 1970’s they moved to Sidney where he was the manager of the Elk’s Lodge. His wife preceded him in death and on May 21, 1983 he was united in marriage to Jean Schlegel-Holbrook at the First United Methodist Church in Sidney. Pete and Jean managed the Elk’s Lodge for a number of years and Pete became very involved with the City of Sidney, serving on the City Council for many years, including three terms as Mayor of Sidney.
As well as his civic involvement, Pete had many other interests. In his earlier years he flew planes and played the piano. He was an avid fan of the Denver sports clubs and enjoyed golf and taking his wife Jean to the casinos. He also served on the 4-H Board, the Assisted Living Board and had served as the president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Petroff of Sidney; five step-children: Candy Holbrook of Naples, Fla., Connie and husband Charlie Tibbetts of Cheyenne, Wyo., Cathy Holbrook of Athens, Ga., Ken and wife Rhonda Holbrook of Cheyenne, Wyo. and Jonnie and wife Sharon Holbrook of Fairbanks, Alaska; 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two step-sons: Cal Holbrook and Randy McGee; his sister Helen Marie and his first wife Elain.
Marjorie S. Radel 1919-2002
Marjorie S. Radel, 82, Sidney, died Saturday, April 13 at Beverly Healthcare Center in Sidney. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m Friday, April 19 at the Sidney Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Doug Birky officiating. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Morningview Cemetery at Wallace.
Holechek Funeral Home is handling local arrangements with Long’s Funeral Home handling arrangements at Wallace.
Visitation will be held on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home in Sidney.
At Marj’s request, memorial contributions should be made instead of flowers. Contributions may be made in her name to the Evangelical Free Church, 2763 11th Avenue, Sidney, NE 69162.
Marjorie Susanna Radel, the daughter of John Frank and Genevieve (Wood) Pilkington, was born on December 23, 1919 northwest of Wallace, Neb. She was the second of four children. Marjorie grew up in several different communites in Nebraska, returning to Wallace where she graduated in 1938.
On June 19, 1941, Marjorie was united in marriage to Lawrence Radel in Goodland, Kan.
They made their farm home north of Grainton until 1970 when they moved to Englewood, Colo.
While in Englewood she worked in maintenance in a hospital laboratory. Lawrence died in 1979 and Marjorie moved to Sidney in 1980 to be closer to her family.
She spent a brief time in Wallace in the early eighties caring for her father before his death.
Marjorie was a member of the American Legion and the V.F.W. Auxiliaries.
She was a member of the Sidney Evangelical Free Church and had participated in the foster grandparent program with the Sidney Schools from 1992 until 1996.
Marj is survived by two sons: Loren Radel and wife Edith of Parachute, Colo. and Martin Radel and Paige Sorenson of Moapa, Nev.; two daughters: Connie McVay and husband Marvin of Littleton, Colo. and Luella Heilbrun and husband Rod of Lodgepole, two sisters: Frances Hughes of Brule and Helen Gibson and husband Jim of Loveland, Colo., sixteen grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and the many people that she touched during her time here.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one brother: Jesse.
