U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Alan Roller
Alan Roller, age 59, of Champion, Neb. passed away Monday, Oct. 30, 2006 near Palisade, Neb. in an automobile accident.
Survivors include wife, Joyce, of rural Champion, Neb.; daughter, Gail Galloway, and husband, Ron, of Shelton, Neb.; son, Troy, of Aurora, Neb.; daughter, Emily Brooks, and husband, Greg, of Kimball, Neb.; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Nov. 3, 2006 at 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church of Imperial with Pastor David Kahle officiating.
Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial, Neb.
A memorial has been established in Alan's memory.
There will be no visitation.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Donna Goddard
Donna June Goddard was born in Imperial, Neb. on June 29, 1927 to Walter and Louva Gibb. She was the youngest of four children.
At age 10 her family moved from Imperial to a farm south of Champion. She and her brother Dale attended school at a small rural district there.
Later the family moved into Champion. Donna attended school there including two years at the high school.
At age 18 she married, "the boy next door," Burdette (Dick) Goddard, Sept. 24, 1945.
Donna always worked hard from the time she was young. She was employed at Mable's Cafe in Champion as a girl, after that she worked at the grocery and restaurant in Champion. In her later years she worked for her husband, Dick, helping and keeping books at the Champion Co-op.
Donna and Dick had two children, Dan, of Holyoke, Colo. and Diann, and husband, Larry Schilke, of rural Imperial.
Donna loved her three grandchildren as a passion, Jeff and J.D. Schilke and Christine and husband, Wayne Krausnick, all of rural Imperial. She was blessed to have four great-grandchildren. She adored seeing, Kile Schilke of Imperial, Andrew and Brooke Schilke of Hastings and Jesse Krausnick of Imperial.
Donna was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and good friend to many. Dinners at Grandma Donna's were always a treat, as she was known for her great "down home" cooking. Her many nieces and nephews were always dropping in for fun and food. It was easy to find a good joke at family gatherings.
Donna was baptized on Aug. 10, 1993 at Zion Lutheran Church, Imperial by Rev. Bruce Skelton.
Donna had been in failing health for sometime. She went to be with her Lord, after complications of hip surgery in Kearney, Neb. on Oct. 26, 2006.
Leaving to mourn her passing are sisters, Ruby Schrack of Idaho, Lois Avis of Madison, S.D. and one sister-in-law, Thelma Gibb of Holdrege.
Her family and friends who loved her will miss Donna.
Casketbearers were Raymond Gibb, Jeff Schilke, Bill Goddard, Wayne Krausnick, Kile Schilke and Kenny Schilke.
Douglas Kunnemann
Douglas Arthur Kunnemann was born Dec. 23, 1958, at Imperial, Neb. to Orville R. and Arleen G. (Bremer) Kunnemann.
As a youngster, Doug, was baptized on Feb. 8, 1959, and attended country school at District #22. He was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial on April 15, 1973, and attended Chase County High School, graduating in 1977.
Doug furthered his education by attending Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo. for two years. He returned from college to assist his family in the farming operation, before marrying Lee Ann McDonald, on Aug. 2, 1980 at Aurora, Colo. The couple settled on a farm northwest of Imperial and has engaged in farming to the present.
Doug passed away Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006, at his farm home northwest of Imperial. He was 47 years of age.
Doug was a charter member of the Young Farmers and Ranchers. He served on the Board of Directors of the Frenchman Valley Coop. and the Chase County Extension Board. He was currently serving on the FSA (Farm Service Agency) Board.
Doug was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and he and Lee received the Pioneer Farm Family Award in 2000.
Doug loved his girls and took great joy and pride watching and following their activities.
"Crash," as his friends knew him by, had one main hobby however, and that was farming, including raising cattle. He will be truly missed.
He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Karen, and a nephew, Jeffrey.
Survivors include wife, Lee, of Imperial, Neb.; parents, Orville and Arleen Kunnemann of Imperial, Neb.; father and mother-in-law, Robert Jr. and Sharon McDonald of Casa Grande, Ariz.; daughters, Karlee and Kaitlyn Kunnemann, of Imperial, Neb.; brother, Dan Kunnemann and wife, Sue, of Imperial, Neb.; sister, Deann Geertsema and husband, Dave, of Denver, Colo.; sister-in-law, Kyle McDonald, of Aurora, Colo.; sister-in-law, Arlyn McDonald of Tustin, Calif.; brother-in-law, Robert McDonald II, of Aurora, Colo.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held Thursday morning, Oct. 26, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church of Imperial with Pastor David Kahle officiating.
Soloist was Gentry Oliver.
Casketbearers were Kurt Bernhardt, Kevin Kunnemann, Randy Oliver, Jim Haarberg, Kerry Bernhardt, Ken Peppler, Dale Large, Paul Kunnemann, Justin Briggs, Ron Johnson, Ryan Oliver, Bart Stromberger, Jeff Schuman, J.D. Anderson, Tim Leibbrandt, Jerry Bremer and Dennis Kunnemann.
Interment followed at the Chase Cemetery, rural Imperial, Neb.
A memorial has been established to the Chase County FFA (Livestock Team) in care of Chase County Schools.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Harold Speicher
Harold Vernon Speicher, the son of Jesse Clay and Mary Viola (Saville) Speicher was born Dec. 15, 1912 in Nance County, Neb. near Fullerton. He was the oldest of six children born to this union: four sons and two daughters: Harold, Bernard, Esther, Gordon, Lloyd and Irma. Harold attended several rural Yuma County schools.
On April 10, 1933 Harold was united in marriage to Velma Day. This union was blessed with the birth of five children: Colleen, Cleta, Verlene, Delwyn and Venetta. The family lived on several dryland farms in Yuma County over the span of 28 years and the children attended rural schools.
In January 1961, Harold and his family left the farm and moved into the town of Wray, Colo.
In the fall they moved to Idalia, Colo. where Harold was employed by Yuma County School District RJ-2. He worked at the Idalia School for 20 years as Director of Maintenance and Custodian.
He also served as a volunteer fireman for Idalia. Harold lived an exemplary Christian life and faithfully attended and supported the Wray Church of the Nazarene.
In 1981, Harold retired and moved back to Wray. In these retirement years he worked for several different farmers, drove the bus for the Senior Center and delivered "Meals on Wheels."
On Aug. 14, 1996 Harold married
Ruth Smith and moved to Wauneta, Neb. where they lived happily for the following 10 years. This union included Ruth's four children: Sylvia, Frank, Joyce and Mildred, whom Harold lovingly accepted as his own.
During these years he did volunteer work for the Senior Center, delivered "Meals on Wheels" and deliverd cars for Harchelroad Motors of Wauneta.
Harold and his wife, Ruth, have been faithful attenders of the Wauneta Methodist Church. He served as President of the Imperial Valley Holiness camp for several years as well as an association member for over 50 years.
On Oct. 18, 2006, Harold completed his life's journey on earth very peacefully in his home in the company of family members at age 93 years, 10 months and four days.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Velma; his parents; two grandsons, Tommy and Ronnie Speicher and one step-granddaughter, Shauna Smith.
Surviving members of his family include his wife, Ruth, of Wauneta, Neb.; children, Colleen James of Valparaiso, Fla., Cleta Sloan (Bob) of Wray, Colo., Verlene Boden (Gary) of Frederick, Colo., Delwyn Speicher (Becky) of Greeley, Colo. and Venetta Shelden (Tom) of Trenton, Neb. and step-children Sylvia Huskey (Charles) of Omaha, Neb., Frank Smith (Pam) of Wauneta, Neb., Joyce Bley (Ron) of Wauneta, Neb. and Mildred Cruetzberg (John) of Central City, Neb.; two sisters, Esther Winter of Hoquiam, Wash. and Irma Sloniker (Jack) of Wray, Colo.; three brothers, Bernard (Ilene) of Holyoke, Colo., Gordon (Kathy) of Berthoud, Colo. and Lloyd of North Platte, Neb.; 11 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; 17 step great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.
Harold will be solely missed by all his family and his many friends.
C.J. Sutherland
C. J. "Cal" Sutherland, 93, of Kearney died Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church in Kearney with the Rev. Dr. Marvin Koelling and Rev. Matt Fowler officiating.
Masonic Rites were conducted by Rob Morris Lodge #46.
Interment followed in the Kearney Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church in Kearney. Online condolences or personal reflections can be submitted at osafh.com. O'Brien Straatmann Apfel Funeral Home of Kearney was in charge of arrangements.
He was born Aug. 15, 1913 in Elm Creek, Neb. to James McCullough and Emma (Larson) Sutherland.
He grew up on a farm north of Elm Creek and graduated from Overton High School.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Kearney State Teachers College and his Masters degree from Northern Colorado University at Greeley, Colo.
On Aug. 4, 1938, he married
Violette F. Robinson in Franklin, Neb. They lived in Parks, Neb., where he worked for the Parks Public Schools. He also lived in Sumner, Neb., Republic, Kan., Wauneta, Neb. and Valentine, Neb., where he served as an administrator in the public schools. He was also employed by Kearney State College and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Nebraska Education Association and the Nebraska School Masters Association. He enjoyed golf, Nebraska football, Cubs baseball, Atlanta Braves baseball, all sports and his grandchildren.
Survivors include sons, Jim and wife, Veleta, of Battle Lake, Minn., Terry and wife, Sue, of Green Valley, Ariz., Tom and wife, Nye, of Las Vegas, Nev., Jerry and wife Debra of Westerly, RI, and Tim and wife, Rhonda, of Imperial, Neb.; brothers, Delmar and wife Joyce of St. Joseph, Mo. and Donald and wife, Nola, of Seward, Neb.; sisters, Neva Brindle and husband, Ted, of Hagerstown, Md. and Marilyn Kreutz of Hastings; 13 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Violette; his parents; one granddaughter; two sisters; and three brothers.
O'Brien-Straatmann-Apfel Funeral Home of Kearney, Neb. was in charge of arrangements.
Doug Kunnemann
Doug Kunnemann, age 47, passed away Sunday afternoon, Oct. 22, 2006, at his home in rural Imperial.
Survivors include: wife, Lee, of Imperial; parents, Orville and Arleen Kunnemann of Imperial; father and mother-in-law, Robert Jr. and Sharon McDonald, Casa Grande, Ariz.; daughters, Karlee and Kaitlyn Kunnemann of Imperial; brother, Dan Kunnemann and wife, Sue, of Imperial; sister, Deann Geertsema, and husband, Dave, of Denver, Colo.
Funeral services will be held today, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006, 10:30 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church of Imperial with Pastor David Kahle officiating.
Interment will follow at the Chase Cemetery, Imperial.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Chase County FFA (Livestock Team) in care of Chase County High School.
No visitation.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Natalie Berry
Natalie Mae Berry was born Aug. 15, 1999, at Hebron, Neb., to Kelly D. Berry and Arlyce J. Chrisman. She attended Rainbow Promise Preschool and First Grade in Imperial.
Natalie had many interests as a little girl including reading, riding her horse, hunting coyotes with Grandpa, playing t-ball, riding in the tractor with Dad, clothes shopping with Mom, her aunts and Grandma. Natalie loved to try on everything she could while clothes shopping and modeling those clothes for everyone.
She loved music, singing and dancing and playing her guitar. She enjoyed coloring pictures for her family and had the chance to show a bucket calf at the past fair. Natalie was a very outgoing person and seemed to know no strangers. She will be truly missed.
Natalie passed away in an auto accident Thursday night, Oct. 19, 2006 near Imperial, Neb. She was seven years of age.
Survivors include parents, Kelly Berry and Arlyce Chrisman of Imperial, Neb.; sister, Emma Berry of Imperial, Neb.; grandparents, Mark and Marge Berry of Lamar, Neb., Greg Chrisman of Wallace, Neb. and Maria Chrisman of Fort Morgan, Colo.; great grandmother, Ruth Jardin of Medford, Ore.; local aunts and uncles, Erin Chrisman (Aunt "Bee") of Wallace, Neb., Uncle Manny and Aunt Deb Chrisman of Wallace, Neb., Aunt Tammy Weatherly-Kastler and Uncle Marty of Lincoln, Neb.; great uncle, Ronnie Berry of Imperial, Neb.; great uncle, Rick Chrisman and great aunt, Sandy, of Wallace, Neb.; great aunt, Sheri Grint, and great uncle, John of Chadron, Neb.
A rosary was recited Sunday evening, Oct. 22, 2006, 7 p.m. (MT) at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Imperial, Neb. with a Funeral Mass following Monday afternoon, Oct. 23, 2006, 2 p.m. (MT) also at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Father Mark Seiker officiating.
Organist was Mrs. Marcy Nesbitt and soloist was Mr. Bob Cummings.
Casketbearers were Kevin Weiss, Shawn Bigham, Mike Weatherly, Kody Weiss, Doug Weatherly, Bill Greeley, Trent Greeley and Dan Kuhlmann.
Interment was held at the Morning View Cemetery, Wallace, Neb.
A memorial has been established to the Chase County Grade School for the purchase of reading books and a fund has been established at First State Bank for the family to help defray expenses. Condolences may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 1115, Imperial, Neb. 69033.
Liewer Funeral Home of Imperial was in charge of arrangements.
