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Wilma I. (Eckert) Saathoff 1921-2004
Wilma I. (Eckert) Saathoff, 83, of Dalton, died Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at Heritage of Bridgeport Care Center in Bridgeport.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 28, in Trinity Lutheran Church in Dalton with Pastor H. Eldin Wells and Leon “Bud” Gillespie, C.L.P. officiating. Interment will be in the Dalton Cemetery.
Friends may call on Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. at Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dalton Fire Department, Dalton Trinity Lutheran Church, or Prairie Haven Hospice.
Holechek Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Wilma I. Watchorn was born on April 5, 1921 in North Bend, Neb., the daughter of John and Hertha (Winkelman) Watchorn. She moved to Dalton at a very young age following the death of her father. A few years later her mother also passed away and she was raised with other relatives. In 1938 she graduated from Dalton High School, and later attended Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Neb.
In April of 1941 she was united in marriage to Charlie Eckert at the parsonage in Gurley. They lived on a farm west of Dalton and she taught school at various locations within the area. She later spent many years as a nurse’s aid at the Dalton Hospital. In the mid 1950’s they moved into Dalton and ran the local café for several years.
In September of 1984 she was united in marriage to Harmie Saathoff. They operated several Gas a Mats in the Colorado and western Nebraska area until retiring in 1986. She moved back to Dalton and resided there until moving to the rest home in Bridgeport.
Survivors include her sons, Jerry Eckert and his wife Sherry of Reno, Nev., and Thomas Eckert and his wife Joyce of Scottsbluff; stepdaughter, Frances Elliott and her husband Lyle of Longmont, Colo.; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two step grandchildren, and two step great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son Byron, both husbands, great-grandson Alex Eckert, and brother John Watchorn.
Erna A. Lessman 1912-2004
Erna A. Lessman, 91, a resident of Broadwater, died at Heritage of Bridgeport on Monday, June 21, 2004. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 28 at the Salem Lutheran Church in Gurley with Pastor Ted Bourret officiating. Burial will be in the Dalton Cemetery. Friends can call at the funeral home on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Memorials may be given to either the Salem Lutheran Church or the Lutheran Hour.
Erna was born on Sept. 15, 1912 at Byron, Neb. the daughter of William and Caroline (Rahe) Ewert. She was raised and attended school at Salem Parochial in Gurley. She was married to Alvin Lessman on Nov. 27, 1935 at the Salem Lutheran Church in Gurley. To this union four children were born, Gary, LaMond, Nancy and Cheryl. She was a lifetime member of the Salem Lutheran Church in Gurley. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She will be remembered by her ever present smile.
Survivors include one son, LaMond and wife Ellen Lessman of Broadwater; two daughters, Nancy Wilson of Wichita, Kan. and Cheryl and husband Bill Borges of Dalton; four grandchildren, Tonya Stichka, Konn and Kory Wilson and Kylee Stupka; eight great-grandchildren, Randi and Tanner Stichka, Zac and Audrey Wilson, Brigdon and Brock Stupka and Kaden and Kamden Wilson; three sisters, Ruth Heine, Ida Hadwiger and Anita Haase.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin, infant son Gary, son-in-law Don Wilson, six brothers, one sister and many nieces and nephews.
Gehrig Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
LeRoy Ernest ‘June’ Childers 1926-2004
LeRoy Ernest ‘June’ Childers, 78, a longtime Cheyenne County and Panhandle resident, died Wednesday, June 23, 2004 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m today at the First United Methodist Church in Sidney with Rev. Roger Gillming of Kimball officiating. Burial will follow in the Kimball Cemetery with Military Graveside Honors.
The family has designated the Sidney Public Library Audio Book Program or Building Fund or the American Heart Association as the memorials.
LeRoy Ernest Childers was born Jan. 26, 1926 at Nelson, Neb., the son of Roy and Lillie Mae (Statz) Childers. He grew up on a ranch north of Potter and was raised by his mother and step-father John I. Filer. He attended school in Kimball and received his Honorary High School Diploma in May, 2000 from Kimball High School as part of the United States Department of Education’s Honorary Degree Program.
June enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Sept. 4, 1943 and served in WWII on LST 461 during the Philippine Liberation and received the following decorations; Asiatic-Pacific Theatre with 4 Stars, Victory Medal, American Campaign and Good Conduct medal. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 8, 1947.
Upon returning to Kimball, he met and married Ioan E. Vavra on June 5, 1949. LeRoy and Ioan made their home in the Sidney Draw area raising crops, cattle and kids. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on June 5, 2004. LeRoy was a lifetime member of VFW Post #610. He was also was a member of Sidney Elks Lodge #1894, Lodgepole Valley Saddle Club and served on School District 36 Board of Education for several terms and was always available to assist with 4-H horse projects. He was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church.
LeRoy was a loved and respected son, husband, father, uncle and friend. He enjoyed his horses, woodworking and learned to fix and repair almost everything. He loved his farm and family and rejoiced in every occasion for family celebration from holidays, anniversaries, weddings and the birth of new babies, both two and four legged. June also enjoyed gardening, reading, hot tubbing, fishing and spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. From their first dance to his last long ride home ‘June and Onie’ created a legacy of love, honor and commitment. June was a quiet man who led by example and could always be counted on to do the right thing. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, give a word of praise and offer a hug for those in need. He believed a man’s word was good and a handshake sealed the deal.
He will be greatly missed by his wife Ioan; his children, Kenneth and Jeri Childers of Sidney, Korla and Tom Keller of Bassett, Neb., James and Kris Childers of Alliance, Michael and Julie Childers of Lakewood, Colo., Brian Childers of Cheyenne, Wyo., Phillip and Wendy Childers of Gurley, and Coleda and Steven Schwaller of Lincoln; his grandchildren Jeff and Donna Maddox, Jarrod and Kelli Maddox, Tom and Lisa Keller, Todd and Kerry Keller, Crystal and Alan Stegall, Amy and Brandon Sodon, James and Katie Childers, Casey Childers, Jordy Childers, Jacob Childers, Cody Childers and Max Childers; 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Irene Nelson and husband Leland of Bushnell, Neb.; brothers-in-law Larry Vavra and wife Toni of Kimball, and James Taylor; many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lillie and John I. Filer, brothers, Max and Keith Childers, sister Maxine Taylor, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ed and Betty Robinson.
Gehrig Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Ethel Oliverius 1917-2004
Ethel Oliverius, 86, Chappell, died May 31, 2004. Memorial graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 1 in the Czechoslovakian Rural Cemetery, six miles south and one mile east of Sunol.
Memorials have been established to the Nebraska Boy’s Ranch at Alliance or in care of her daughter, Suzann Shaw, at 3717 South Taft Hill Road, Lot 18, Ft. Collins, CO 80526.
The Holechek Funeral Home in Sidney is in charge of arrangements.
Ethel Eva Oliverius, the daughter of E.M. and Viola (Orvis) Shirley, was born Feb. 13, 1917 in Alliance. Her parents divorced, and she moved to Lodgepole with her mother and stepfather, Adolph Schmidt.
She attended school in Lodgepole, graduating from Lodgepole High School in 1935.
On March 21, 1939, Ethel was united in marriage to Charles Oliverius at Harrisburg, Neb. They made their home on a farm south of Sunol until 1966 when they moved to Chappell where Ethel lived in her own home before entering the Miller Memorial Care Center.
She enjoyed gardening, flowers, quilting and embroidery. Her family and friends meant a lot to her.
Survivors include one daughter, Suzann Shaw and husband Harry of Ft. Collins, Colo.; one sister, Ruth Brown of Denver, Colo.; half-sister, Lela Matson of Rapid City, S.D.; one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; husband and one son, Chuck.
Delmar Zalesky 1928-2004
Delmar Zalesky, 75, Lodgepole, died Thursday, June 24, 2004 at his home in Lodgepole.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today in the Lodgepole United Methodist Church with Rev. Alan Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery with military graveside services provided by the Frances DeBrunner American Legion Post #286.
A memorial has been established.
Delmar D. Zalesky, the son of John J. and Anna Belle (Emanuelson) Zalesky, was born Sept. 3, 1928 in Sunol, Neb. He graduated from Sunol High School in 1946. He traveled with the Wes Berry harvest crew for several summers.
On March 21, 1951, Delmar was inducted into the U.S. Army where he served 14 months in the Korean War. After his discharge, he drove grain truck for Clinton and LaVerne Gade. He also worked for Kripals, Inc. in Lodgepole.
On September 5, 1954, Delmar married Jane Brown at the Lodgepole United Methodist Church. After their marriage, they moved to the Zalesky family farm south of Sunol where they lived for five years.
The couple purchased the Frontier Filling Station and Bulk truck services in 1961. They ran the business for 32 years before retiring in 1993.
Delmar served on the Sunol Board of Education for five years and on the Lodgepole Board of Education for twenty years.
He was a member of the Lodgepole United Methodist Church, the Lodgepole Lion’s Club and the Frances DeBrunner Post #286 Lodgepole American Legion, and was a retired member of the Lodgepole Fire Department.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Zalesky of Lodgepole; two sons, Doug and wife Leesa Zalesky of Durango, Colo. and Tim and wife Karen of Gilbert, Ariz.; two daughters, Rita and husband Mark Bartling of Lodgepole and Dena and fiancé Jeff Hetrick of Brush, Colo.; three grandsons, Adam and Jason Bartling of Lodgepole and James Zalesky of Durango, Colo.; one sister, Charlotte Booth of Sidney and numerous nieces and nephews.
John W. Bahr 1919-2004
John W. Bahr, a longtime Sidney resident, was escorted into heaven June 25, 2004 at Western Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Scottsbluff, Neb. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 30 at the First Christian Church in Sidney with Pastor Lynn Schleicher officiating. Inurnment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.
Gehrig and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family has designated the cemetery index at Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney, the Sidney Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans and the First Christian Church as memorials.
John William Bahr was born October 15, 1919 in Manning, Iowa, the son of John and Bertha M. (Gottsch) Bahr. His family moved to the Sunol area when he was three years old. He attended Sunol Schools.
John was baptized as a child, and accepted the Lord and immersed May 15, 1983 at the First Christian Church and reaffirmed his faith in Scottsbluff on June 24, 2004.
John enlisted in the U.S. Army on Nov. 9, 1942 and served in World War II in the 15th Infantry Regiment of the famous Third Infantry Division. He was engaged in campaigns in Tunisic, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, North Appenines and Po Valley.
John was awarded the Silver Star decoration for gallantry in action. The citation read, “Private Bahr voluntarily and alone, dragged a heavy machine gun into position and manned and fired the gun for four hours to support troops crossing the river.” He was then promoted to Corporal. He also received the Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster for wounds received while in action.
Other decorations he received included eight Campaign medals, Expert Bayonet Badge, Sharp Shooter’s Badge, Combat Infantry Badge and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on June 2, 1945.
Upon returning to Lodgepole, John operated the Frontier gas station. He then worked in the oil fields for several years before starting his own business, Bahr Roofing and Painting. He was also a member of the VFW and DAV.
John married Leona M. Hart on Oct. 4, 1947 in Sidney. To this union five children were born.
Survivors include his wife, Lee; children, Cynthia and Ron Balsom of Casper, Wyo., Donna Bahr, Jodene and Greg Houser, Lori and Michael Borchert of Sidney and John Bahr of Chappell; grandchildren, Phillip and Shanna Grabowski, Sherry and Paul Tocco, Jody Elkins, Shauna and Kurt Faessler, Misty Mason, Lisa and John Soto, Jaime and Jason Rogers, Michael and Megan Palmer, Stephanie and Kevin Camara, Brooke Bahr, Lindsey Borchert, Christina Borchert, Chrissy and Simon Salas, Amy Houser, Haellie Houser, Randy Balsom, and Ronda Sundquist; 17 great-grandchildren and one sister, Florence Selchert of Sterling, Colo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bertha Bahr; brother, Henry Bahr; sisters, Alta Jacobs, Eldora Bahr, Elsie DeMers, Edna Gentry and great-grandson, Paul Ernest.
Velma Jean Williams 1912-2004
OGDEN, Utah — Velma Jean Williams, 92, passed away Friday, June 25, 2004 at the Crestwood Care Center.
Funeral services were Monday, June 28, at the Lindquist’s Clearfield Chapel. Interment was at Clearfield City Cemetery. You may e-mail condolences to the family at llm@lindquistmortuary.com
Velma Jean Williams was born April 24, 1912 in McCook, Neb. to Edward Blaine and Ella Rankin Bower. She married Pensword Charles Williams in 1940 in Denver, Colo. He passed away October 23, 1979.
Jean was a homemaker. She was the light of our lives. She took pride in her bibliography, her Bible and her poetry, but her most special joy was being with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her sons, Charles Edward Williams, Brigham City, Utah and Wayne and wife Linda Williams, Ogden; daughters Penny Jean and husband Jim Hassell, Fruita, Colo. and Debbie Williams, Ogden; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Cleona Henderson, Englewood, Colo. and Dorothy (Rueben) Stroh, Boise, Idaho.
She was preceded in death by her husband Pensword Charles; son Gary, and brothers, Floyd and Arlos and Clyde.
Estella M. Mintken 1911-2004
Estella M. Mintken, 92, of Cheyenne, Wyo., died Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at the Cheyenne Health Center.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Friday July 2, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Dalton with Rev. Eldon Wells officiating. Internment will be in the Dalton Cemetery.
Friends who wish, may contribute to the COMEA Shelter or a charity of their choice.
Estella was born September 25, 1911 to Thomas W. and Olive (Stallings) Smith in Wray, Colo. and lived in Cheyenne for 20 years. On July 6, 1931 she married Forrest Mintken in Sterling, Colo.
Estella was a homemaker and had worked with her husband in the operation of gas stations, restaurants and automotive repair businesses in Grand Island, and Albin, Wyo. Her husband had also farmed near Pine Bluffs for many years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was affiliated with the Lutheran Church.
Estella is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Dean “Doc” Schroeder of Cheyenne, two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother Thomas Smith and a sister, Jere Knott both of California.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Mintken on December 8, 1985; her parents; brother, Ralph Smith; sister, Ethel “Peggy” Perry and an infant sister, Faye Smith.
Services are under the direction of Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes in Cheyenne.
