Don Mustard
Don Mustard, age 50, of Columbus, Nebraska died Sunday; May 4, 2003 at his home. Funeral Services 10: 30 a.m. Thursday May 8, 2003 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus. Burial will be in the All Saints Cemetery in Columbus. Visitation is after 5: 00 p.m. Wednesday at church. A Vigil Service will be held Wednesday 7: 00 pm at St. Bonaventure Church. Visitation will continue Thursday morning from 8: 00 a.m. - 10: 00 a.m. at McKown Funeral Home.
Donald D. Mustard was born July 24, 1952 in Columbus, Nebraska to Donald Z. and Grace Marie (Steger) Mustard. He grew up in Clarks, Nebraska and graduated from Clarks High School in 1970. Don served in the United States Air Force before returning to the Clarks area. He was married to Pamela Sue Wetovick on September 30, 1972 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Fullerton, Nebraska. They lived in Clarks, Nebraska for one year before moving to Central City where they lived until 1977 when they moved to Columbus. For nearly 30 years Don has worked in the propane industry. He most recently has worked at Sapp Brothers in Columbus. He enjoyed golfing, watching sports, playing with his grandsons, officiating basketball and softball games. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church.
Don is survived by:
Wife: Pam Mustard of Columbus, NE
Son: Chris (Janell) Mustard of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Candice Mustard of Springfield, VA
Son: Chad Mustard of Dusseldorf, Germany,
Daughter: Carrie Mustard of Lincoln, NE
Son: Craig Mustard of Lincoln, NE
Sister: Barbara (Andrew) Jarecki of Platte Center, NE
Sister: Sharon Mustard of Carrollton, TX
Sister: Marcia Anderson of Crystal, MN
2 - Grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Edgar "Chief" Rankin
Edgar D. "Chief" Rankin, age 87, of Columbus, Nebraska died Monday June 11, 2001 at his home. The family will receive friends on Friday June 15, 2001 from 3: 00 p.m. - 5: 00 p.m. at McKown Funeral Home. There will be a prayer service at 5: 00 p.m. Friday also at McKown Funeral Home. Mr. Rankin's ashes will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Edgar D. "Chief" Rankin was born August 19, 1913 in Elk Rapids, Michigan to Darrell and Lara (Miller) Rankin. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1930 and then attended Creighton University in Omaha. He then embarked upon a career in professional basketball and baseball. Part Ojibway Indian, Mr. Rankin, or "Chief" as he was affectionatelly called, achieved recongnition as one of Nebraska's greatest Native American athletes, playing basketball with such teams as the Harlem Globetrotters for 2 seasons, the New York Shamrocks, and Jessie Owen's All Stars. During those same years, he also barnstormed with baseball teams, including Grover Cleveland Alexander's House of Wizards, and the Minneola, Texas Black Spiders.
Mr. Rankin's athletic career was cut short by World War II. One of the first nine draftees from the Columbus area, Mr. Rankin spent five years in the infantry where he became a captain. He saw combat in the Italian and North African campaigns. In Italy, he led his platoon to safety from behind enemy lines against the Germans. For this, he recieved the Silver Star for gallantry in action. He also received two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. After the war, Mr. Rankin continued to be active in sports, playing golf and bowling. He was a past member of the V.F.W. #3704, Life member of the D.A.V. and a member of Hartman Post #84 American Legion.
He is survived by:
Vernell Rankin : Wife of Columbus, NE
Jim K Rankin : Son of Columbus, NE
Mike M Rankin: Son of Columbus, NE
Two Grandchildren and Five Great Grandchildren
He was preceded by:
Parents: Darrell and Lara (Miller) Rankin
Sister: Mildred LaGuardia
Memorials may be directed to Donors Choice
Delores E. "Dee" Miller
Delores E. Miller, age 71 of Columbus died Friday; March 12, 2004 at Beverly Health Care in Columbus. The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m. on Monday at the McKown Funeral Home.
Delores "Dee" Miller was born July 14, 1932 in Hayes County to Anton & Agnes (Vancura) Kisela. She graduated from Stratton High School in 1949. During her youth, Dee was voted Miss Stratton-Trenton Dam. She married Dell Miller on June 23, 1952. She owned Dee's Knit Shop and worked in several family businesses. She enjoyed crafting, knitting, country music and dancing.
Dee is survived by:
Son: Mike (Marsha) Miller of Lincoln, NE
Son: Tom (Lori) Miller of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Debra Creeach of Columbus, NE
Sister: Dorothy Baney of Sterling, CO
Brother: Victor Kisela of Stratton, NE
Sister: Judy McConnaughy of Nebraska City, NE
9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren
She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother: Raymond and 1 sister: Virginia Sieber.
Alfred Starostka
Alfred A. Starostka, age 85, of Columbus, died Thursday, April 26 at the Columbus Manor. Funeral services are 1: 00 p.m.; Monday April 30, 2001 at the McKown Funeral Home with Fr. John Starostka officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery in Columbus. Visitation in Sunday 3-8 p.m. with a 7: 00 p.m. prayer service all at the McKown Funeral Home.
Alfred was born November 28, 1915 in Silver CReek, Nebraska to John & Mary (Czarnick) Starostka. He married Lee Johnson-Conger on May 4 1963 in Madison, Nebraska. He received his education in Merrick County rural Schools. He grew up in the SIlver Creek area. Alfred worked for over 22 years at Husker Steel as a welder until his retirement in 1980. He was a member of the Eagles Aerie #1834 in Columbus where he worked bingo. He enjoyed gardening and fishing in Minnesota.
Alfred is survived by:
Lee Starostka, Wife, Columbus, NE
Fr. John Starostka, Brother, Omaha, NE
Helen Kula, Sister Columbus, NE
Virginia (Ray) Paczosa, Sister, Silver Creek, NE
Larry (Gayle) Conger, Step-Son, LeMars, IA
Connie (Ronald) Falk, Step Daughter, Columbus, NE
and 4 step grandchildren
He was preceded in death by:
Father: John Starostka
Mother: Mary Starostka
Son: Alfred Starostka Jr.
Brother: Joesph Starostka
Janet Sobieszyk
Janet Sobieszyk, 64, of Columbus died Monday April 23 at Morys Haven in Columbus. Funeral services are 10: 00 am Thursday April 26 at St. Isidore Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph A. Miksch officiating. Visitation will begin on Wednesday after 3 pm with a Vigil at 7: 30 pm at McKown Funeral Home. Visitation continues from 8-9: 30 am Thursday at McKown Funeral Home.
Burial is at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Shelby.
Janet was born May 3, 2001 in Shelby, NE to Raymond & Eliza (Mynsberghe) DeBaets. She married Edward Sobieszyk on June 5, 1959 in Belleville, KS. She lived in Shelby until 1986. In 1993 she moved to Columbus where she has lived since. In March of 2000 she retired from Vishay (Dale Electronic). She was a member of the VFW, Eagles Club, American Legion Auxillary, St. Isidore Catholic Church, and belonged to the Christian Mothers.
She is survived by:
Daughter: Geri Ann (Rick) Ebel of Columbus
Daughter: Thersa (Bill) Bos of Columbus
Sister: Sara Louden of Blair
Sister: Martha Smith of David City
Sister: Bertha Smith of Osceola
Sister: Alliene Krumbach of Shelby
Sister: Ramona Wendell of Stromsburg
6 Grandchildren: Jesse, Ashley, & Whitney Ebel; Aaron, Allison, & Jacob Bos
She is preceded by:
Her parents, Husband Edward, Brother Emil DeBaets, and Sister Josephine White.
Memorials may be made to St. Isidore Catholic Church or Donors Choice
Cecilia A. Schmid
Cecilia A. Schmid, age 95, of Columbus, Ne. died Sunday February 18, 2001 at the Columbus Community Hospital.
Funeral Services will be held 10: 30 a.m. Wednesday February 21, 2001 at St. Isidore Catholic Church with Fr. Joseph A. Miksch officiating. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will begin after 4: 00 p.m. Tuesday at McKown Funeral Home. A Vigil Service will be held at 7: 00 p.m. Tuesday at McKown Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 8: 00 a.m. until 10: 00 a.m. also at the funeral home.
Cecilia A. Schmid was born November 21, 1905 near Humphrey, Nebraska to August and Anna (Ripp) Hamling. She attended school at St. Mary's near Humphrey. She married Herman Schmid on September 15, 1925 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The couple lived on a farm near Humphrey until moving to Columbus in 1927. Cecilia was a homemaker and enjoyed doing volunteer work. She was a member of St. Isidore Catholic Church and the Christian Women.
She is survived by:
Rita (Raymond) Berger, Daughter, Columbus, NE
Lorraine Gallo: Daughter, Columbus, NE
Arthur (Shirley) Schmid, Son, Columbus, NE
Robert (Joyce) Schmid, Son, Columbus, NE
Elizabeth Greisen, Sister, Albion, NE
11 Grandchildren
21 Great Grandchildren
She was preceded by:
Parents: August and Anna Hamling
Son: Don Schmid
Son: Gerald Schmid
Sister: Anna Gleason
3 Infant Brothers
Memorial may be directed to the donors choice.
Eleanor Thomas
Eleanor Anna Thomas, 88, of Fremont died Tuesday March 13, 2001 at Merrick Manor in Fremont, NE. Funeral Services are 10: 00 am Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Platte Center with Fr. Rod Kneifl and Fr. Joseph Miksch officiating. Visitation is after 4 pm Thursday at St. Joseph Church with a 7: 00 pm Vigil. Visitation continues after 9: 00 am Friday at the Church. Burial is at Ss. Patrick/Joseph Cemetery in rural Platte Center.
Eleanor was born February 19, 1913 in Pierce, NE to Ignats & Johanna (Hoffmann) Zach. She grew up in Pierce and attended schools at St. Joseph School in Pierce. Following her education she helped out her folks at home and worked as a maid in Omaha. On November 7, 1939 she married Joseph Thomas at St. Joseph's Church in Pierce. Following her marriage she lived in the Columbus area for 6 years before moving to Platte Center where she lived until 1985. In 1986 she moved to the Columbus Place Apartments where she lived until 1996 when she moved to the Merrick Manor in Fremont. She worked at Dale Electronics for 15 years and did clothing alterations. She had been a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Platte Center and St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus. She was involved in St. Ann's Sodality, St. Joseph's Mission Group, Mission Sewing Group, and also St. Theresa's Sodality.
Eleanor is survived by:
JoAnn (Lewis) Morgan, Daughter, of Fremont, NE
Gerald Thomas, Son, of Fremont, NE
Alfred (Judy) Thomas, Son, of York, NE
Leona (David) Feiner, Daughter, of Rocky Mount, NC
William (Rose Marie) Thomas, Son, of Macomb, MI
Edward (Connie Brewster) Thomas, Son, of Columbus, NE
David (Connie) Thomas, Son, of Columbus, NE
Carolyn (Erwin Sr.) Lichtenfeld, Daughter, of Platte Center, NE
Joseph (Tracy) Thomas, Son, of Columbus, NE
Daniel Thomas, Son, of Columbus, NE
Richard (Kathy) Thomas, Son, of Columbus, NE
Lucy Heller, Sister, of Lincoln, NE
Ann (Wally) Schnoor, Sister, of Norfolk, NE
Bernard (Jeanne) Zach, Brother, of Omaha, NE
Florents (Josephine) Zach, Brother, of Jamestown, NY
Joseph (Kathryn) Zach, Brother, of Salem, OR
Gerald (Lucerne) Zach, Brother, of Omaha, NE
Hilda Zach, Sister-in-law, of Pierce, NE
Gertrude Zach, Sister-in-law, of Genoa, NE
Preceded in death by:
Husband: Joseph Thomas
Father: Ignats Zach
Mother: Johanna Zach
Brother: Henry Zach
Brother: Mark Zach
Brother: Raymond Zach
Brother: Wilbert Zach
Loretta C. Sokol
Loretta C. Sokol, age 86 of Louisville, Colorado formerly of Duncan, Nebraska died Saturday July 27, 2002 at the Balfour Retirement Community in Louisville, Colorado. Funeral Services are 10: 00 a.m. Thursday August 1, 2002 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Duncan, Nebraska with Reverend Dave Korth officiating. Burial will be in the St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Visitation is after 4: 00 p.m. Wednesday with a 7: 00 p.m. Vigil Service at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Duncan. Visitation will continue Thursday morning from 9: 00 a.m. until service time also at the church.
Loretta C. Sokol was born August 14, 1915 in Platte County Southwest of Lindsay, Nebraska to John and Kathryn (Pytel) Gavlik. She attended St. Stanislaus School in Duncan, Nebraska. On September 27, 1938 she married Clarence D. Sokol at St. Edward Catholic Church in St. Edward, Nebraska. Loretta lived most of her life in Duncan where she worked at the J.C. Penney Store in Columbus for 26 1/2 years until retiring in 1980. She was a member of St. Stanislaus Church, St. Ann's Sodality and the Duncan Lions Club.
She is survived by:
Daughter: Kathleen Keffeler of Longmont, CO
Son: Gary (Mary) Sokol of Longmont, CO
Sister: Josie Drog of Duncan, NE
Sister: Mary Mostek of Genoa, NE
Five Grandchildren: Tammy (Tom Lemcke) Keffeler, Mike (Robin) Keffeler, Jeff (Kelly) Sokol, Matt Sokol and Lindsay Sokol
Three Great Grandchildren: Taylor and Darby Keffeler and Megan Lemcke
She was preceded by:
Husband: Clarence Sokol
Father: John Gavlik
Mother: Kathryn Gavlik
One Sister
Three Brothers
Memorials may be directed to St. Stanislaus Church % Fr. Dave Korth, Duncan, NE 68634
Judy E. Martinez
Judy E. Martinez, age 57, of Columbus, Nebraska died Tuesday August 3, 2004 at her home. Private Family Graveside Services will be held at Roselawn Cemetery in Columbus.
Judy E. Martinez was born October 24, 1946 in Winfield, Kansas to William E. and Dorothy E. "Dottie" (Martin) Gayer.
She attended school in Corpus Christie, Texas where she was active in Bluebirds and Campfire Girls. She married Pedro C. Martinez in Corpus Christie. Judy lived in Texas and Kansas before moving to Columbus 16 years ago. She was a homemaker and worked at nursing homes and cafes. She was a charter member of the Meadowlarks Club in Pittsburgh, Kansas. Judy enjoyed painting and raising flowers.
She is survived by:
Mother: Dorothy E. "Dottie" Gayer of Columbus, NE
Brother: Mark (Cindy) Gayer of Gower, MO
Special Friend: Jessie Mendoza of Columbus, NE
She was preceded by:
Father: William E. Gayer
Daughter: Brenda Rene'
1 Aunt
2 Uncles
Maternal Grandparents
Paternal Grandparents