U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Ruby Ness
An incredible life came to a peaceful end when Ruby Ness, age 94, died Tuesday, Dec. 30 while in the care of the Hospice Unit of the North Colorado Medical Center.
Ruby started her journey at White House on May 22, 1909 in the English village of Hudswell, Richmond, Yorkshire England.
She was the second child of Emily Marsland Creery and Richard Whitby, a farmer and hauling contractor.
Her older brother Arthur, born 1908 was a fire fighter during WWII in London. Her younger brother, Richard Fitzgerald "Gerald," born 1911 was a jockey. Both preceded Ruby in death. Their families still reside in England.
When Ruby was 13 years old she met a young man named Guy Ness, who was soon to be leaving England for America.
Five years later, Guy returned to marry Ruby on Feb. 23, 1928. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary just this past year.
The family returned to the U.S. and settled in Nebraska in Big Springs, later moving to Imperial. They spent approximately 40 years farming in these areas.
In 1968, Ruby and Guy retired from farming and moved to Greeley, Colo. They continued to work, relax, meet and make new friends, and created yet another facet of their lives.
Ruby was a good teacher and had much wisdom to share. She taught embroidery, crocheting, knitting, sewing, "proper" etiquette and good manners.
She was a fantastic cook, kept a beautiful yard and house. Ruby was a woman of dignity and class.
Ruby leaves behind a son, Ray Ness of Ogallala, Neb.; a son-in-law, Eldon Grimes, husband to Joan, of Greeley, Colo.; and four grandchildren, Trudy Krien of Fort Collins, Colo., Beth Ness of Ogallala, Neb., Kerry Grimes of Windsor, Colo. and Kristy LeClair of Little Rock, Ark.; and six great grandchildren.
In the winter of 1998-1999, Ruby’s daughter, Joan Grimes, and her grandson, Scott Ness, preceded her in death. On Nov. 29th, 2003 her husband, Guy, passed away at the age of 98.
The memorial services were at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Northern Colorado or Humane Society of Weld County in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th Street, Greeley, Colo. 80634.
E. Wren Cravey
Ervin Wren Cravey was born in Rotan, Texas to Jack Vinson and Myrtle May (George) Cravey on Feb. 22, 1943. They made their home on the farm in this region.
They moved to Plains, Texas where Wren attended grade school. As he entered middle school, the family moved to Brownfield, Texas where he continued his schooling into the ninth grade. He left school to go to work for his family shortly after his father passed away to support his mother and younger brother.
While growing up, the family attended the Church of Christ and Sunday school.
He worked for Woody Collins Roofing Co. in Brownfield, Texas before joining the crew at Ross Irrigation in his later teens.
Soon after, Wren met and married Shirley Jean McQueen in the home of her parents, Jeff and Viola McQueen on Aug. 27, 1961. To this union, three children were born, Deborah Jean (Cravey) Schilke, Thomas William Cravey and Harmaleigh Annabelle (Cravey) Dubas.
They made their home in Brownfield and Wren continued to work for Ross Irrigation.
In 1975, the family was transferred to Imperial, Neb. where they continued the water well development in this area for Ross. One month after being moved in, Mack Ross, president of the company, was killed in his private plane.
The business was purchased by Roy F. Senior, Jr. from Colby, Kan. and was named Western Well & Pump of Nebraska, Inc. from 1975-1984.
The Hygro Group purchased the well service business from Roy F. Senior, Jr. under the current name from 1984-1985.
Wren and Shirley purchased the business in Nov. 1985. It became Wren’s Well Service, with the Incorporation added in 1993.
Wren was a certified member through the state of Nebraska with a Water Well Pump Installation/Contractor license. He also attained Business Education through correspondence courses totaling two years.
He was dedicated to his work where honesty, fairness, customer appreciation and attention to detail shaped the foundation of his business. Through loyalty to his customers and business associates, many friendships were formed.
Wren’s great love for his family was the cornerstone of his life. He was a kind, gentle, caring and supportive husband, father and grandfather to each one.
His hobbies include motorcycling and a member of ABATE in Imperial, Neb., hunting, reading, RVing, playing guitar and piano.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Imperial, Neb.; daughter Deborah and husband Steve, grandchildren Dale, Audra, Carisa and Erica of Imperial; son Thomas and wife Melissa, grandchildren Thomas Wayne, Bonnie Jean, Bre’Anna Brown, Steven and Nicole; daughter Harmaleigh and husband Kendall, grandchildren Cody Cravey and Hannaleigh; brothers, Robert Cravey of Goldsmith, Texas, Winston Cravey of Austin, Texas and Albert Cravey of Euless, Texas; many cousins, nephews, nieces, aunts and uncles.
Wren passed away on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003 at his home in Imperial, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Myrtle Cravey.
Funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial with Pastor Robert Frank officiating.
Organist and/or pianist was J. Gordon Christensen, guitarists Bobby Bullard, brother-in-law, Tony Bullard and, fiddle/violin Jeff McQueen, nephew and soloist was Janet Bullard Green, niece.
Casketbearers were Steve Schilke, Dale Schilke, Jeff McQueen, Jay McQueen, Tony Bullard and Roger Harmon, along with Thomas Cravey, Kendall Dubas, Robert Cravey, Winston Cravey, Albert Cravey, Oliver McQueen, Bobby Bullard, Thomas Wayne Cravey, Cody Cravey and Steven Brown Cravey.
Interment was at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial, Neb. following services.
A memorial fund has been established in Wren’s name.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
William ‘Bill’ DeHart
William Duane DeHart was born July 10, 1948, in Wauneta, Neb., to Mason and Beulah (Wickizer) DeHart.
As a young man he grew up and attended school in Wauneta.
Bill married Vicky Lee Weiss on May 9, 1968, at Holyoke, Colo., and soon after was inducted into the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam as a medic and returned to Wauneta after his discharge in April of 1970.
Bill became a licensed electrician and added plumbing in later years. He became self employed in 1980 and was the owner of DeHart Electric.
Bill passed away Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, in an accident at Enders Reservoir at Enders, Neb. He was 55 years of age.
He had many hobbies including: hunting, fishing, horses, spending time with the grandkids and in the mountains. He especially enjoyed hunting turkeys and geese.
He was preceded in death by his father, Mason; grandparents: Theo-dore and Jessie Wickizer and Floyd and Nellie DeHart; parents-in-law, Tunie and Jeanne Weiss and brother-in-law, Mike Weiss.
Survivors include: mother, Beulah DeHart of Wauneta; wife, Vicky of Wauneta; sons: Mac DeHart and wife, Jody, of Imperial, Neb., and Jim DeHart and wife, LaShon, of Laramie, Wyo.; daughters: Michelle DeHart and husband, Mike Juenemann and Traci DeHart of Wauneta; six grandsons: Nathan, Cutter, Reid, Seth, Justin and Dusken Juenemann; sisters: Genevieve and husband, Don Magee, of Atwood, Kan., and Margaret and husband, Bob Stamm, of Benkelman, Neb.; brother, Mason DeHart Jr. of Fort Collins, Colo.; and local uncle, Leland DeHart and wife, Glendene, of Wauneta.
Funeral Services were held Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. MT at the United Methodist Church of Wauneta with Pastor Michael Laing officiating.
Music was provided by organist, Mrs. Lucille McBride and soloist, Mrs. Melanie Miller. The solo selection was "How Great Thou Art." Tape selections were "If Tomorrow Never Comes" and "Because You Love Me."
Casketbearers were Frank Stamm, Ryan Stamm, Chad Magee, Kevin Weiss, Kody Weiss and Kelsey Weiss.
Honorary casketbearers were Ryan Jones, Bob Jones, Art Stapleton, Joe Ford, Ted Travis, Dennis Kennedy, Cecil Johnson, Scott Neal, Roger Rowley, Ron Cox, Rex Walgren, Pat Madden and John Schneider.
Interment was at Riverside Ceme-tery at Wauneta with military rites conducted by American Legion Post #304, Wauneta.
A memorial has been established to the EMT Unit and Volunteer Fire Department of Imperial and the Dive and Rescue Units of Sutherland and Ogallala.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Laura ‘Mac’ Garber
Laura Adilene Garber was born April 9, 1909 in Logan County, Colo. near the small community of Laura, to Harry and Hazel (Metzer) McKibbin.
Laura graduated from Culbertson High School in 1927 and was appointed as a mail clerk there.
On July 29, 1928, she married Clifford R. McNeil. They saw great opportunity to move to Salida, Colo. and purchased a wholesale coal yard.
After closing their business in Salida during the Dust Bowl days, Mac and Cliff moved to Hayes Center to assist with the newspaper in Hayes Center in which her parents purchased. Their son, Clifford Jr. was born there in 1932.
The family then moved to McCook where her husband found employment. It was there, in 1936, that their daughter, Marilyn was born.
After her husband Clifford was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1937, Laura entered nurses training at Omaha Methodist Hospital. She graduated on Sept. 27, 1941.
Dr. Fay Smith had made a house call to her in-laws and he saw a picture of "Mac," which she became known as, and found out she had just graduated. He then traveled to Omaha and hired her, which started a long nursing career in Imperial.
She worked as a nurse until Dorothy Chandler retired as director of nurses and Mac took over her duties which she carried out until her retirement in 1981.
While her career was growing, Mac married Harry Garber in May of 1945, and the two enjoyed life together for many years.
Mac passed away Friday morning, Jan. 2, 2004, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home, Imperial, Neb. She was 94 years of age.
Mac was a member of the United Methodist Church of Imperial, a board member of the Imperial Manor for 20 years and after retirement she enjoyed playing golf and traveling.
Survivors include son Clifford McNeil and wife Joan of Riverside, Calif.; daughter Marilyn Anderson and husband Charles of Imperial, Neb.; five grandchildren including locally Peggy Smith, Betty Lee and Ronald Anderson, all of Imperial; seven great grandchildren; two great, great grandchildren; sisters Mona Shoop of Portland, Ore. and Leona Johnston of Sunnyvale, Calif.
Mac was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Clifford and Harry, one sister Vonda Payne and brother Lyndell McKibbin.
Funeral services for Mac were held Monday morning, Jan. 5, 2004, 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Imperial with Pastor Murray Schmechel officiating.
Pianist was Mrs. Marcia Bauerle and singers were Mr. and Mrs. Irvin and Garneta Bauerle.
Casketbearers were Ronald Anderson, Steve Smith, Ed Lee, Jarod Smith, Chris Jussel and Jeff Lempke.
Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Imperial Manor Nursing Home.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Andrew J. Sandman
Andrew Jared Sandman was born on Aug. 18, 1986, to Kirk and Cindy (Madron) Sandman of Wauneta, Neb., and departed this life on Dec. 31, 2003. Andrew was a junior at Wauneta-Palisade High School.
Andrew loved the Lord, family, hunting, sports, farming and being an uncle. He had a creative mind and always thought of ideas on how to improve things. He enjoyed life and the people he shared it with. His smile was contagious and always present. Andrew had a way to light up any room. He was raised on a farm east of Wauneta where the pigeons were dead and the ducks were scared.
Andrew was actively involved in many sports activities including football, basketball and track. He earned Honorable Mention All-Conference basketball team 2002-2003 honors. He was recently named to the D-I All District football team 2003. Andrew was the Bronco’s leading rusher despite the fact he missed several games due to an ankle injury. He had 259 yards on 20 catches during the regular season, making him the eighth all-time receiver at Wauneta-Palisade High School.
Andrew was a standout in junior high track with school records in the 400 and 800-meter dash. In high school, he was the anchor in the 4 x 800 meter relay which placed third in the 2003 state track meet. The relay team holds the school record at 8:22.2. He was also involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FFA and Lettermen’s Club.
Andrew attended Hamlet Union Church where he was active in the High School Youth Group and recently traveled to Mexico on a short-term mission trip.
Andrew is preceded in death by one grandfather, D.C. Madron. He is survived by his grandmother, Ruth Madron of McCook; grandparents, Virgil and Eda Marie Sandman of Wauneta; parents, Kirk and Cindy Sandman of Wauneta; one brother, Derek Sandman and wife, Allison, of Wauneta; three sisters: Seri and husband, Jesse Neal, of Lincoln, Neb.; Ane Sandman and Tami Sandman, both of Lewisville, Texas; nieces: Haylee and Alexa Sandman of Wauneta; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the Wauneta High School gymnasium with Pastor Kevin Fink officiating. Jesse Neal read the tribute. Accompanist Delores Flaming and soloist Sarah Behrends provided music.
Casketbearers were Seth Alberts, Grant Dixon, Shawn Flaig, Matt Klima, Cory Flaig and Josh Skelton.
Honorary casketbearers were Rick Einspahr, Charles Isom, Frank Padilla, Dave Kuhlen, Scott Norris, Aaron Behrends, Dan Andrews and the Wauneta-Palisade football and basketball teams.
Interment was in Riverside Cemetery at Wauneta with Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta in charge of arrangements.
Wren Cravey
Wren Cravey, age 60, passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 28, 2003, at his home in Imperial, Neb.
Survivors include his wife Shirley of Imperial, Neb.; daughter Deborah Schilke and husband Steve of Imperial, Neb.; son Thomas Cravey and wife Melissa of Imperial, Neb.; daughter Harmaleigh Dubas and husband Kendall of Imperial, Neb; 11 grandchildren; brothers Robert Cravey of Goldsmith, Texas, Winston Cravey of Austin, Texas and Albert Cravey and wife Debbie of Euless, Texas.
Funeral services for Wren Cravey will be held Friday morning, Jan. 2, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church of Imperial with Pastor Robert Frank officiating.
Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
Visitation will be held Thursday afternoon, Jan. 1, 2004, from 2-6 p.m. at the funeral home in Imperial.
A memorial has been established in Wren’s memory.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A. Clyde Hogsett
A. Clyde Hogsett, 81, of Haxtun, Colo. died Dec. 23, 2003 at Holyoke, Colo.
He was born Nov. 20, 1922 at Lamar, Neb. to Ray Hogsett and Dora North Hogsett.
Clyde married Bonnie L. Chandler on Nov. 20, 1942 in McCook, Neb.
He joined the U.S. Army in 1945 and was discharged in 1946.
Clyde farmed and was a butcher and meat cutter.
He was also a state meat inspector and state weights and measures. Clyde retired in 1987.
He was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion, Elks, Haxtun Fire Department and the Haxtun Gun Club and Velda Coffee Shop Liars Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and cooking for family get togethers, golfing and playing games.
He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Janice R. Kaiser, brother Clifford, Oliver, Edward and Marvin, brother-in-law Clarence Morse and sister-in-law Dorothy Hogsett.
Survivors include his wife Bonnie L. Hogsett of Haxtun, Colo.; sons Gary W. Hogsett and wife Gwen and Arlan C. Hogsett and wife Barb; brother Vernon Hogsett; sisters Vallie Fern Morse and Twila Mae Schilke and husband Bob; nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Haxtun, Colo. with Reverend Keith Hudiburgh officiating.
Burial was at the Haxtun Cemetery, Haxtun, Colo.
Tennant Funeral Home of Haxtun was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Clyde Hogsett memorial fund, c/o Tennant Funeral Home, P.O. Box 486, Haxtun, Colo. 80731.
