U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Raymond Kunnemann
Raymond V. Kunnemann, 81, of Fort Wayne, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007 at Parkview Hospital and was born in Imperial, Neb.
He was a member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church.
He retired in 1983 from International Harvester after 23 years of service.
The U.S. Navy veteran who served in WWII, was a member of the American Legion Post 330.
Survivors are his wife of 60 years, Berdeen; sons, Lonney (Karen) Kunnemann of New Haven, Ind., Ritchie Kunnemann of Roosevelt, Utah, Steve (Karen) Kunnemann of Broomfield, Colo.; daughters, Patricia (Denny) Smith of New Haven, Ind., Debra Davis of Fort Wayne, Ind.; brothers, Orville Kunneman of Imperial, Neb., Delbert Kunnemann of Billings, Mont.; sister, Rosaline Peterson of Billings, Mont.; grandchildren, Julia, Sherry, Erich, Tamara, Joseph, Laura, Brady, Robin; and five great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by brothers, Elmer, Clarence and Arnold; and sisters, Irene and Bernice.
Services were held Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 800 Green St., New Haven, Ind.
Burial was in the church cemetery.
Memorials should be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church or Central Lutheran School.
E. Harper & Son Funeral Home of New Haven, Ind. was in charge of arrangements.
Gary Henderson
Our family has lost a piece of "our puzzle", a beloved father, husband and friend. Gary was called home at the age of 54 to be with the Lord after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
He enjoyed the outdoors-especially camping and moose watching.
He was a hard working man who enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was dearly loved by all he crossed paths with. He will be truly missed and graciously remembered.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia Henderson, of Fort Collins, Colo.; his daughter, Tasha (Richard) DePriest, of Fort Collins, Colo.; his three grandchildren Shaylee, 6, Austin, 4, and Brennen, 3, of Fort Collins, Colo.; his mother, Helen Henderson, of Houston, Minn.; his brothers, Arlan, (Doris) Henderson and Gene, (Anita) Henderson of Houston, Minn., as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Burton Henderson, of Houston, Minn.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in Houston, Minn.
Memorial contributions may be made in Gary's name in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 1530 Riverside Ave, Fort Collins, Colo. 80524.
Please visit www.allnutt.com to view Gary's online obituary, sign the family guestbook and send condolences.
Jan (Leibhart) Trupp
Janet Rae (Leibhart) Trupp was born July 9, 1949, at McCook, Neb., to William and Irene (Wilson) Klebel.
As a young girl she moved with her parents to Lexington, Neb., where she attended school.
Jan married
Ron Leibhart in July of 1964 and the couple settled in Lexington. To this union four children were born: Ronald, Cheryl, Michael and Daniel.
The family then moved to Imperial, Neb. in 1969.
Jan held various management and administrative positions through the years in Imperial including her many years with T-Junction.
Jan also married
Jim Trupp in 1997.
Jan passed away early Christmas morning, Dec. 25, 2006. at her home in Imperial. She was 57 years of age.
She was an avid sportswoman including fishing, hunting, bowling, crocheting, camping, country-western dancing and playing cards. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and a Charter Member of the Imperial Eagles.
Survivors include son, Ronald Leibhart, of Lexington, Neb.; daughter, Cheryl Brown and husband, James, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; son, Michael Leibhart and wife, Kristi, Hershey, Neb.; son, Daniel Leibhart and wife, Stacy, Imperial, Neb.; step-son, Jimmie Cook of Phoenix, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren: Jessica, Jennifer, James, Rachel, Kyle, Dalton, Zane, Chase, Cooper, Katelyn and Brock Leibhart, Aaron Cook; one great grandson, Jaxx Leibhart; many nieces and nephews; sister, Joan Teel, and husband, Marlon, Lexington, Neb.; brother, Larry French, and wife, Judy, Kansas City, Mo.; sister, Judy Danner, and husband, Harry, Plattsmouth, Neb.; sister, Jean Holbrook, and husband, Mickey, Lexington, Neb.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Irene; and husband, Jim Trupp.
Funeral services for Jan Trupp will be held Saturday morning, Dec. 30, 2006, at 10 a.m. (MT) at the United Methodist Church of Imperial with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Interment will follow (weather permitting) at 3 p.m. (CT) in Lexington, Neb.
Visitation will be held Friday afternoon, Dec. 29, 2006, at 2-6 p.m. (MT) at the funeral home in Imperial.
A memorial has been established in Jan's memory.
Liewer Funeral Home of Imperial is in charge of arrangements.
Alice Hayes
Alice Gerturde Hayes, eldest of three children born to Troy and Edna (Beck) McFadden, entered this life on May 12, 1915, at Elmwood, Neb.
The young family moved to the Imperial area when Alice was approximately one year old and Chase County remained her home until her death on Dec. 20, 2006, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home at the age of 91.
She recieved her elementary education in a one room rural school, her high school diploma at Chase County High School in 1933, her college degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and post graduate work from Kearney State Teachers College.
Alice started teaching upon high school graduation and taught in Chase County schools for 47 years. These years were divided almost equally between rural schools and the fourth grade at Imperial Grade School.
She did private tutoring during many of these summers and taught in the Summer Migrant Program during its' entire existence.
After retirement, Alice did volunteer work in grades one and four at Imperial Grade School for 13 years.
On Aug. 17, 1943, Alice was united in marriage to John P. Hayes, in New Orleans, La. One daughter, Sheila Beth, came to bless this union.
Alice was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, in January of 1941, and remained a faithful member the rest of her life.
She enjoyed teaching Sunday School for many years and participating in the various church organizations.
Upon John's discharge from military service, the young couple moved to a farm north of Imperial, which remained their home for over 20 years.
In 1969 they built a house in Imperial which was home for the rest of their lives.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Ruth Molzahn and family, and her brother David.
She leaves to mourn her loss, her daughter, Beth and husband, Bernie, of Tallahassee, Fla.; two nieces; one nephew; sister-in-law, Lucile Weiss; one brother-in-law, Glen Hayes; members of her extended family and a host of friends.
Alice enjoyed working with children, reading, gardening, tending her flower beds, visiting with friends and doing volunteer work for her community and her Lord.
Funeral services were held Tuesday morning, Dec. 26, 2006, 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church of Imperial, with Pastor David Kahle officiating.
Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
A memorial has been established to the Hayes Scholarship Fund.
Pallbearers were Jack Claney, Greg Hayes, Darty Schilke, Don Banks, Art Wagner and Ken Weiss.
Kevin Wilson
Kevin Dale Wilson (Heavy) was born on Nov. 8, 1959. He was the first of three children born to Willis and Lynne Wilson in McCook, Neb.
He attended school in Maywood, Neb. and graduated from Maywood High School in 1978.
Kevin was married
to Marilyn Smith, his high school sweetheart, in 1980. Kevin and Marilyn celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary on Dec. 13, 2006.
They spent most of their years living on a farm west of Maywood with their two children, Jared Allen and Jamie Lynne.
Kevin passed away at McCook Community Hospital Friday evening Dec. 22, 2006. He had reached the age 47.
Kevin loved all aspects of farming and working with cattle. He could do any maintenance needed to run the farm. Heavy could do almost anything he made up his mind to do. He loved people and always lent a helping hand to anyone and everyone that needed him.
Kevin also enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating with family and friends. He was also a huge Husker fan. Children were either afraid of him or loved him. Heavy would tackle and tickle them, or wrestle with them until they couldn't take it any longer. Kids always knew they would be entertained when Kevin arrived.
Kevin loved all kinds of sports. He played football, basketball and wrestled for the Maywood Tigers. Following his senior year he was chosen as a member of the All State eight-man football team. He was the catcher with the Curwood baseball team. You could also find him on the golf course whenever there was time to play.
Kevin was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walt and Mabel Wilson, George and Hope Wiseman and father-in-law, Don Smith.
Kevin was survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Jared and Jamie Lynne; parents, Willis and Lynne Wilson of Maywood; brother, Kirk and Mary Wilson of Imperial; brother, Kris and Michelle Wilson of McCook; brother-like cousin, Russ Wilson of Lincoln, who grew up in the Wilson household; mother-in-law, Mary Smith; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Kevin will always be remembered as the life of the party. He could always find a way to make each and every person around him laugh. When you met him you could never forget him.
"Do it right the first time and you won't have to do it again."
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., today, Thursday, Dec. 28 at the Maywood High School in Maywood.
The family requests memorials to the Maywood Community Hall in lieu of flowers.
Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel of Curtis is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blases trauser.com
Vesta Fuller
Vesta Marie Fuller was born Oct. 8, 1933, to Carl and Pearl (Pierce) Hill on a ranch south of Lamar, Neb.
As a young lady, she attended grammar school at Rural District #53. Vesta then attended Chase County High School, graduating in 1953 and attended college at Kearney, Neb., for one year.
Vesta married
Lyle Fuller in November of 1954 at the Crete Church west of Champion, Neb. Lyle and Vesta settled south of Ogallala until 1957. They then moved to California and raised their family until 1979 when they returned to Champion.
Vesta was a full time mother and wife. She was also considered "THE BLOCK MOM" to all the neighborhood children whose parents worked.
She loved puzzles, reading, bird watching, arrowhead hunting, gardening and animals. She also enjoyed traveling with her family. Vesta was a member of the Chase County Historical Society and the Champion Community Church.
Vesta passed away Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at the Chase County Community Hospital, Imperial. She was 73 years of age.
Survivors include daughters, Debra Bopp and husband, Jody, of Imperial and Carla Soares and husband, John, of Arroyo Grande, Calif.; step-son, Dalton Fuller and wife, Gini, of Rapid City, S.D.; step-daughter, Alona Hewitt of Bellewood, Neb.; three grandchildren, David Bopp and wife, Crystal, Johnny Soares and wife, Kelli and Jessica Soares; seven step-grandchildren, Kevin, Patti, Angie, Michael, Echo, Barb and DeWayne; numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Ann Thompson and husband, Harold, of Coulpeper, Va.; brother, Ray Hill and wife, Jacque, of Moloki, Hawaii; and sister, Carol Hoffman and husband, Dave, of Effie, Minn.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m. (MT) at the Crete Cemetery, Champion, with Martin Harmon officiating.
As per Vesta's wishes, there was no public visitation.
A memorial has been established in her memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Henrietta Thompson
Henrietta Elaine Osmera 'Hattie' Thompson was born March 4, 1910, to Ludvick and Frances (Ondrak) Osmera in the Elmer Community of Hayes County, Neb.
She attended the Elmer School through the eighth grade. In 1929, Hattie and her mother moved to Wauneta.
On April 12, 1934, Hattie married
Kenneth 'Ted' Thompson in McCook, Neb. They enjoyed 63 years of married
life, until Ted passed away in 1997.
Hattie enjoyed being a homemaker and mother. Her baked goods were sought after for bake sales and potluck suppers. She was an accomplished seamstress and could crochet anything, with or without a pattern. Hattie had a full and enriched life despite the total loss of her hearing at the age of 10. She was the last child of a family who homesteaded in the Wauneta area, in 1893.
Hattie passed away Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, at the Sutherland Care Center, Sutherland, Neb. She was 96 years of age.
Survivors include: daughter Jean Leibbrandt of North Platte, Neb.; two grandchildren: Lindis and husband, Craig Russell, of North Platte and Bill Leibbrandt and wife Christy of Thornton, Colo.; three great grandchildren: Dustin Russell, Desiree Russell and Megan McDonald; six nieces and nephews.
Hattie was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers: Emil Novacek, Joe Novacek, Frank Novacek and Ed Novacek; sisters: Eva Osmera, Mary Novacek, Tonnie Lantz, Anna O'Neil, Christina Phillips, Emma Johnston and Rose Smoots.
Mass of the Christian Burial was held Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, at 10 a.m. MT at St. John's Catholic Church in Wauneta, Neb., with Father Mark Seiker officiating.
Organist was Mrs. Barbara Smith.
Casketbearers were Bill Leib-brandt, Craig Russell, Glen Lemon, Dale Wicke, Hank Wicke Jr. and Jim Widger.
Interment was at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta.
A memorial has been established to The Dogs for the Deaf, an organization that rescues dogs and trains them to alert the hearing impaired when needed. Hattie always had her own dogs she trained to bark when someone came to the door or drove into the yard.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
