U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Hayes McGraw
BROKEN BOW -- Hayes S. McGraw, 77, of Broken Bow died Sunday, Dec. 7, 1997, at the Sargent Nursing Home.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. The Rev. Don Schauda will officiate. Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary.
Mr. McGraw was born on Aug. 25, 1920, on a farm near Gates to Charles and Emily (Bader) McGraw. He attended school at Gates and graduated at the age of 16. He began teaching in rural school that fall.
He received his bachelor's degree from Kearney State College in 1954 and his master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1957. He taught in rural and town schools in Nebraska and at Wayne State College, Kearney State College and Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa.
Mr. McGraw worked as the Custer County superintendent for 16 years. He dedicated 60 years to education.
He spoke at education conventions, was recognized as a Professional Penman and held a profession and teacher's certificate in manuscript and cursive writing. He enjoyed raising flowers, reading and watching sports, especially football and basketball.
He also participated as a clown at many county fairs and celebrations.
Survivors include a sister, Carol Swartz of Grand Island; and a brother, Myron McGraw of Gates.
Mildred Stewart
ALBION -- Mildred L. Stewart, 88, of Albion died Saturday, Dec. 6, 1997, at the Boone County Health Center in Albion.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the United Church of Christ in Albion. The Rev. Mary Avidano will officiate. Burial will be in Rose Hill cemetery in Albion.
Mrs. Stewart was born on Nov. 22, 1909, in Petersburg to Charles and Elsie May (Criss) Kinney. She was educated in Petersburg Public Schools and attended Wayne State College for a semester.
She married
George Stewart on April 29, 1932, at Stanton. They lived in the Norfolk area until moving to Albion in 1942.
She was a member of the United Church of Christ, where she sang in the choir for 38 years and served as treasurer of the Congregational Women's Fellowship for 30 years.
Mr. Stewart died in 1993. Mrs. Stewart had recently been residing at Harmony Homes in Albion.
Survivors include two sons, G. Lee of Lexington and Keith of Albion; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, two grandsons, three sisters and one brother.
Edna Sundberg
STROMSBURG -- Edna M. Sundberg, 96, of Stromsburg, formerly of Polk, died Sunday, Dec. 7, 1997, at Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg.
Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church in Polk. The Rev. Roger Burke will officiate. Burial will be in Lindale cemetery near Hordville.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Solt Funeral Home in Polk. Memorials are suggested to the family.
Mrs. Sundberg was born on July 17, 1901, in Hamilton County to John A. and Dora (Rydson) Jones. She attended rural school near Hordville.
She married
John R. Sundberg on Aug. 16, 1919, and they farmed in the Hamilton and Polk County areas for many years. He died on May 24, 1975.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church and a charter member of the Polk County Women's Club. She enjoyed quilting.
Survivors include one son, J. Harvey of Polk; two daughters, Delores (Mrs. Daniel) Graves of Stromsburg and Ramona (Mrs. Charles) Stromberg of Lincoln; 10 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one great-grandchild; two brothers, Wilbur Jones and an infant; and two sisters, Vernie Quick and an infant.
Nellie Zwiener
BURWELL -- Nellie I. Zwiener, 86, of Burwell died Sunday, Dec. 7, 1997, at Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burwell. The Rev. Bernard Berger will officiate. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Calvary cemetery in Spalding.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., with a rosary at 7 p.m., Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or the Burwell Fire Department Equipment Fund.
Eberle-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Burwell is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Zwiener was born on April 24, 1911, in Wheeler County to August and Stella (Payne) Woodley. She grew up and attended rural schools in Greeley and Wheeler counties.
She married
Ernest Zwiener on Sept. 4, 1930, in St. Paul. They later had their marriage blessed at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spalding. The couple farmed and then moved to the Burwell area in 1959. Mr. Zwiener died on March 1, 1975.
Mrs. Zwiener was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Walkie Talkie Club and Midvale Social Club. She enjoyed crocheting and traveling.
Survivors include one son, Donald of Bloomfield, N.M.; two daughters, Dorothy (Mrs. Carrol) Hopkins of Burwell and Elizabeth "Betty" (Mrs. K.E.) Barritt of Stuart; three stepdaughters, Elenora Bowers and Stella Smith, both of Clearlake, Calif., and Helen Lumpkins of Eldon, Colo.; 23 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and two sisters, Ruby Peterson of Madrid and Florence Tatum of Boulder, Colo.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Thomas; two brothers and three sisters.
Harold Joseph
Harold F. Joseph, 87, of Grand Island, formerly of Palmer, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. Ellen Campbell will officiate. Burial will be in Rose Hill cemetery at Palmer.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Greenway-Palmer Funeral Home in Palmer.
Mr. Joseph was born on Aug. 22, 1910, at Polk to Henry and Nellie (Schlapler) Joseph. He lived in Polk until 1920, when his family moved to Palmer. He attended Lutheran parochial schools.
He served in the Army from 1941 to 1945 in the South Pacific during World War II.
He married
Marie White on Aug. 15, 1942, at Petaluma, Calif. They returned to Palmer and farmed after his discharge from the service. He also was an assistant mail carrier and worked with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service officer from Central City.
After his retirement, they lived on an acreage outside Palmer until 1995, when ill health forced them to move to Grand Island.
He was a 50-year member of the First Presbyterian Church in St. Paul and a 50-year member of the Burton-Byer Post in Palmer. He served on the Merrick County ASCS Committee and was a 4-H leader for many years.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Nancy Joseph and Linda (Mrs. Floyd) Green, both of Grand Island, and LaNell (Mrs. Bob) Fuelberth of Central City; three grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lloyd and Herbert.
Ethel Buck
ST. EDWARD -- Ethel Viola Buck, 93, of St. Edward died Sunday, Jan. 11, 1998, at the Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Methodist-Presbyterian Church in St. Edward with the Rev. Mike McInnis officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery in St. Edward.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Miller-Levander Funeral Home in St. Edward.
Helmer Peterson
STROMSBURG -- Helmer "Lengthy" Alvin Peterson, 96, of Stromsburg died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998, at the Annie Jeffrey Hospital in Osceola.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Stromsburg Baptist Church. The Rev. Duane Tweeten will officiate. Burial will be in the Stromsburg Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Anderson-Dodds-Palmer Funeral Home in Stromsburg.
