U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Roy Dean Parker
Roy Dean Parker, formerly of Benkelman, Neb., died Monday, March 20, 2006, at his home in Imperial, Neb., at the age of 76.
He was born Feb. 23, 1930 to Leonard F. and Charlotte (Woods) Parker in Hayes County, Neb.
His family later moved to a farm north of Benkelman where he attended school.
He graduated from high school in 1947, and was baptized into the Church of Christ in 1950.
On Aug. 4, 1950, Roy Dean was united in marriage to Margaret Ann "Peg" Stroberg at Greeley, Colo., and to this union, four children were born: Linda, Daniel, Margie and Sally.
Roy Dean farmed north of Benkelman with his brother, Roger, and later with his son, Dan, and Rogers' sons, Spencer and Jeff.
He loved to fly, learning to pilot an airplane while he was in the 9th grade. His love of farming and ranching is reflected in his membership in the Nebraska Wheat Growers, The National Cattleman Association and the Nebraska Stock Growers. He also served on the board of the Upper Republican Natural Resource District for more than 20 years.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Leonard and Charlotte Parker; brothers-in-law, Bill Stroberg of Greeley, Colo. and Jim Williams of Bakersfield, Calif.; son-in-law, Daniel Keiser of Hildreth, Neb.; nephew, Jeff Parker; and great-niece, Kristi Parker, both of Benkelman, Neb.
Those left to mourn his passing are his wife, Peg Parker of Imperial, Neb.; children, Linda Black and husband, Dave of Holdrege, Neb., Dan Parker and wife, Mary of Benkelman, Neb., Marge Keiser of Hildreth, Neb., Sally Nichols and husband, Nick of Neosho, Mo.; sisters, Reta Williams of Bakersfield, Calif., and Patricia Dahna and husband Tom of Casper, Wyo.; brother, Roger Parker and wife, Florence of Max, Neb.; brother-in-law, Don Stroberg and wife Shirley of Eaton, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Thursday, March 23, 2006 at 2 p.m in the funeral home chapel with Evangelist, Glen Osburn, of Whispering Pines Church of Christ, officiating.
Vocalist was Richard Bartholomew.
Casketbearers were Dustin Black, Matthew Nichols, Katheryn Black, Nathaniel Parker, Jared Nichols, Joshua Parker, Beau Keiser, Blake Keiser, Bronson Keiser and Brooks Keiser.
Interment followed services at the Benkelman Cemetery.
Memorials may be given in Roy Dean's name to the McCook Community Hospital Foundation specifically for Hospice Care.
Arrangements were under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman.
Dorothy Fuehrer
Dorothy Fuehrer was born in Elsie, Neb. on Feb. 14, 1926, to Frank and Bertha Osler.
She grew up on the family farm south of Elsie, and was next to the youngest of six children.
She attended high school in Imperial, Neb., graduating with the class of 1943. She attended Denver University for two years, and then graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in education in 1947.
In 1945 she married
Edwin Fuehrer in Imperial. To this union were born four children: Paula, Mark, Linda and Kurt. Dorothy and Ed lived many years on their farm northwest of Imperial.
Dorothy taught English, Speech and History at Chase County High School in the 1950s and 60s. She loved teaching, reading, gardening, decorating, sewing, needlework, working crossword puzzles and traveling.
She was a member of the Imperial Methodist Church, Order of Eastern Star and Delta Kappa Gamma.
One of Dorothy's proudest accomplishments was helping to set up a Pilot Project through the local library in the early 1970s that brought large-print books and films to nursing homes and senior housing complexes on a weekly basis. She was thrilled to see elderly people renew their interest in literature when they discovered large print books designed for people with failing eyesight.
Almost 20 years ago, Dorothy was diagnosed with "Early-Onset Alzheimers' disease. She lived in Greeley for two years, from 1988-1990 near her daughter, Paula, and family when she was in the early stages. She moved back to Imperial and has lived at Imperial Manor since 1990. As the disease progressed, it took away her ability to do the things she liked to do, but she maintained a good disposition throughout her stay there.
Dorothy passed away Friday, March 24, 2006, at the Chase County Community Hospital.
She had just celebrated her 80th birthday on Feb. 14, 2006, with her close family in attendance at a celebration at Parkview Heights.
She is survived by her daughters, Paula Clifton (Terry) of Fort Collins, Colo. and Linda Straka of Aurora, Colo.; sons, Mark Fuehrer (Debbie) of Imperial and Kurt Fuehrer and Lisa Fuehrer of Imperial. She is also survived by her brothers, Frank and John Osler of Imperial; sisters, Katherine Horn of Hutchison, Kan. and Barbara Mann of Texas. She has 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; and her brother, Robert Osler.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 28, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Imperial, Neb., with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Pianist was Mrs. Joan Lantry and soloist was Mr. Patrick McNair.
Casketbearers were Trevor Fuehrer, Bryan Banks, Michael Banks, Douglas Osler, Scott Osler and William "Bill" Osler.
Interment was at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Newth
Dorothy Eloise (Cox) Newth was born in Grant, Neb. on Dec. 9, 1924 to Elmer and Nettie (Francis) Cox. She was one of seven children. Dorothy died March 24, 2006 in Haxtun, Colo.
Dorothy attended school in Grant, Neb., where she graduated.
She worked as a teenager at the movie theater until she married
Henry Newth Oct. 2l, 1942. They made their home on a farm 16 miles north of Holyoke, Colo., where they lived until 1968. At that time they moved three miles west of Holyoke and then to Haxtun in August of 1996, where she resided until her death.
Dorothy was a member of the Methodist Church, the American Auxiliary in Venango, Neb., the Farmers Union and the Farmerettes Club.
In 1966 Dorothy went to work at Shop All in Holyoke until she retired.
Dorothy loved people and enjoyed "gabbing." Henry and Dorothy spent many enjoyable times dancing and traveling. Dorothy loved all the school activities, especially the plays and sports. The Cornhuskers football team was her favorite.
Dorothy is survived by her children Byron and Janet Newth of Evans, Tamma Newth of Ashland, Neb., Nancy and Charlie Zwirn of Sterling and Bill and Claudia Newth of Holyoke; grandchildren Darla, Jason, Jennifer, Michael, Adrienne, Devin, Kim and Kathy; step-grandchildren Tammy, Renee, Melissa and Brad; 13 great-grandchildren; dear friend Sierra Gartin of Texas; one brother, Burdette Cox; and sisters Jane Nyberg and Shirley Henthorn.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Newth; her parents; two brothers, Eugene and Floyd; and two sisters, Kathryn Ivers and Lorrie Cox.
Memorial contributions may be given in memory of Dorothy to the Haxtun United Methodist Church or the Haxtun Hospital Nursing Staff c/o Bill Newth, 749 E. Jules, Holyoke, Colo. 80734.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, March 28, 2006 in the Haxtun United Methodist Church, with Pastor Keith Hudiburgh officiating. Dorothy's final resting place will be in the arms of her loving family.
Gerk Funeral Home of Haxtun were in charge of arrangements.
Maxine Gerhardt
Maxine (Poe) Gerhardt, 81, of Holyoke, Colo. died March 13, 2006 at the Holyoke Carriage House of natural causes.
She was born June 1, 1924 in Windsor, Colo., and moved to Holyoke in 1928 where her father, Rex, purchased a half section of land southeast of Holyoke. They moved a house onto the property where the family resided until Rex's death in 1945.
Maxine attended Pleasant Valley School and Holyoke High School. She then went on to the University of Northern Colorado College in Greeley, Colo.
In 1945, Maxine met and married
Harold A. Gerhardt of Denver, Colo.
They moved onto the family farm after her mother, Rosa Poe moved to Oregon, Mo.
Harold and Maxine farmed the land and raised livestock while also raising a family that grew to four daughters and a son.
Maxine obtained a teaching certificate and taught at a rural school for a year. She was an avid gardener, involved in the community and church and sold Avon for 30 years; and in 2003, Maxine retired from her Avon business.
Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Harold and a daughter, Charla Berry.
She is survived by her four children, Gloria Kester of Milwaukie, Ore., Sandy Russell or Upper Marlboro, Md., Deb Vaughan of Cheyenne, Wyo., Rex Gerhardt of Centennial, Colo.; eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Services were held March 17 at the First United Methodist Church in Holyoke, Colo. with interment at the Holyoke Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Charla Berry Memorial Scholarship Fund, administered by The Foundation-Phillips County Healthcare.
Jeffers-Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of the service.
Marguerite Heller
Marguerite Joella Heller was born July 21, 1920 at Holyoke, Colo., the daughter of Pearl and Pauline Saunier Heller.
She passed away March 9, 2006, at Black Canyon City, Ariz.
She married
Durward Tropf on Jan. 16, 1948.
Duke and Maggie spent many winters in Arizona hunting "thunderheads" and many stones which they made into jewelry to sell to the summer tourists at their Burns, Okla. rock shop.
On their last trip to Nebraska to visit Duke's brother, Gordon Tropf and families, Maggie had enjoyed the Imperial Class Act antique shop.
She is survived by her husband, daughter Barbara, son Arnold and their families.
Condolences may be sent to Durward Tropf, Box 181, Ardrian, OR 97901.
Dale George Oltman
Dale George Oltman was born on Oct. 17, 1929, at Enders, Neb. He was the son of George L. Oltman and Lois Wine Oltman.
He died at his home in Tallahassee, Fla., on March 10, 2006, at the age of the age of 76.
Dale was a graduate of Chase County High School, Imperial, Neb. and McPherson College, McPherson, Kan. He received a Master's degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.
On Sept. 20, 1958, Dale was united in marriage to Suzanne Bromert at Indianapolis, Ind. They became the parents of four daughters and a son.
Dale began his career as a social worker at the Sussex County Welfare Department in Georgetown, Del. Other places of employment include the Marion County Juvenile Court in Indianapolis, Ind.; the Probation Office in Birmingham, Ala.; and the National Council on Crime & Delinquency in Baltimore, Md.
After moving his family to Florida, Dale took a position as Grant Administrator for the Okaloosa Guidance Clinic in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.
They moved to Tallahassee in 1974, and Dale worked for the state Division of Aging. His last 17 years of employment were spent commuting to Chatthoochee, Fla. to work for the Quality Assurance Unit in Florida State Hospital.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents and by a daughter, Lisa Jane.
He is survived by three daughters: Lori (Mrs. Mike) Cooper of Tallahassee, Amy (Mrs. Brad) Mitchhart of Austin, Texas, and Alice (Mrs. Kevin) Miller, Camino, Calif.; a son, Thomas, Panama City, Fla.; 11 grandchildren: Carrie, Jason and Ashley Cooper; Whitney, Keith and Gesenna Mitchhart; Sydney and Hope Miller; and Jasmine, Dominic, and Ethian Oltman; four brothers: Berwyn, Ocoee, Fla.; Marlo, Buhler, Kan.; Dwight, Strongsville, Ohio; and David, Salina, Kan.; and three sisters: Eileen (Mrs. Sid) Smith, Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.; Betty (Mrs. Arlo) Bowen, Granbury, Texas; and Karen (Mrs. Harry) Pickering, Kent, England.
A funeral service was held on Monday, March 13, at the Chaires United Methodist Church in Tallahassee, with Pastor Bill Ingram and the Rev. Berwyn Oltman officiating.
Harold Hughes
Harold Hughes was born on June 25, 1915 at Gretna, Neb. He was the youngest of three children born to Cornelius James and Mary Coleman Hughes.
The family moved to Chase County south of Brandon, Neb., when Harold was 10 years old.
He attended rural school and later attended high school at St. Patrick's in Sidney, Neb., and Imperial, Neb.
Harold was married
to Marie Pump on March 27, 1940 in Grant, Neb. Eight children were born to this union.
They lived south of Brandon and Harold continued to maintain the farm after Marie died in 1975.
He was married
to Eloise Voorhies Jervis on Sept. 26, 1981 at Hopkinsville, Ky. They lived on the Hughes farm until 1987 when they retired into Grant.
Harold had moved to the Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant in January of this year, where he died Monday night, Feb. 27, 2006. He had reached the age of 90 years.
He was a member of the Grant Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church.
While living on the farm, he was a longtime member of the Venango School Board and the Venango Lions Club. He served on the Chase County Hospital Board and was serving as the president when the new hospital was built.
Harold and Eloise enjoyed traveling and he was able to visit all 50 states and 44 foreign countries.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marie; one daughter, Betty Real; one sister, Frances Ourada; and one brother, Herb Hughes.
Harold is survived by his wife, Eloise of Grant; two sons, Mike Hughes of Denver, Colo. and Dan and his wife Josie Hughes of Grant; five daughters, Barbara and her husband Harry Botkin of New Braunfels, Texas, Kathi and her husband Dan Keck of Yakima, Wash., Karen Hughes of Belen, N.M. and special friend Donna Crockett, Mary Lou Wade of Crosby, Texas, and Susan and her husband Barry Samsula of Plano, Texas; one stepson, Daniel and his wife Mimi Jervis of Carbondale, Colo.; one stepdaughter, Judy and her husband Joe Swain of Anderson, S.C.; son-in-law, Marvin Real of rural Venango; 22 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
A vigil service was held on Friday, March 3, at the Grant Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, March 4, at the Mother of Sorrows Church with Father Bill Grant officiating.
Music was provided by Connie Cohen and the congregation.
Casketbearers were Matt Tines, Devren Hansen, Lee Roy Becker, Dave Schmitt, Bob Tatum and Don Softley.
Honorary escorts were Burle Newth, Barney Lair, Leonard Schmitt and Bob Tishendorf.
Burial was in the Mount Hope cemetery in Imperial.
A memorial to the Hastings Memorial Library in Grant has been established.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
