U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Jack K. Powers, Tuscon, Ariz. April 5, 2009, age 84
John K. (Jack) Powers, Lt. Col. USAF Ret., died April 5, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Ann; daughter, Paulette (Robert) Robillard of Ludlow, Maine, son, John Powers of Tucson; three grandchildren, sister-in-law, Cecilia Powers of North Bend..
Jack was born in North Bend on Oct. 5, 1924, and was a 1942 graduate of North Bend High School. He attended the University of Nebraska for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Combat Engineers during World War II, flying 25 missions in B-24 liberator heavy bombers in Europe. After WWII, he returned to the University of Nebraska and earned his bachelor’s degree in petroleum geology.
He was recalled to active duty in the Air Force in 1951 and flew 30 missions in the B-29 Superfortress in the Korean War. During the Vietnam War, he served as the Chief of Surface to Air Missile and Electronic Intelligence Section at 7th Air Force headquarters in 1967. For eight years, Col. Powers flew worldwide reconnaissance missions in the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in RB-47 and RC-135 aircraft. He and Patricia retired in Tucson in 1974 after 33 years of service to his country, 6000 flying hours, combat tours in three wars and 33 different awards and decorations. Obit dated April 22, 2009.
Eva Bailey, Schuyler, March 19, 2009, age 88
Eva Bailey of Schuyler died March 19, 2009, at Morys Haven in Columbus. Funeral services were March 23 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Schuyler with Vicar Bill Mattfeld officiating. Burial was at Schuyler cemetery .
Eva M. was born March 20, 1920 at Hordsville to Adolph and Minnie (Harders) Kroger. She graduated from Schuyler High School in 1938.
On June 29, 1938, Eva was united in marriage to Thomas Bailey in Omaha. They lived in Schuyler and later moved to the family farm.
Eva was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid.
Eva is survived by her son Gordon (Carolyn) Bailey of Surprise, Ariz., daughters Janet (Paul) Schlautman of West Point, Linda (Eldon) Theilen of Schuyler; daughter-in-law Diann Svatora of Schuyler; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren. Obit dated March 25, 2009
Pauline (Ehrich) Hilbird, Laramie, Wyoming, March 8, 2009, age 91
Pauline E. (Ehrich) Hilbird died on March 8, 2009 in Laramie, Wyo. She was born on Sept. 6, 1917 in North Bend, Nebraska to John and Mabel (Westphalen) Ehrich. She was a 1936 graduate of North Bend High School.
Pauline married
Edward Roscoe Hilbird on Dec. 26, 1936 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He died in 1971.They lived in North Bend for three years before moving to western Nebraska, settling in Rock River. Pauline worked as a ranch cook and housekeeper for a local motel before going to work as a custodian and cook for the school district in Rock River in 1957. She was a mainstay as the school custodian and cook until retiring in 1986. She moved to Laramie in 2006.
Pauline was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, active bowler and snow machiner.
She is survived by her children James (Leslie) Hilbird of Douglas, Gerald Hilbird of Thermopolis, Sharon (Larry) Burgess of Thermopolis, and Karen (Bill) Benson of Wyoming; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; brother, Clyde Ehrich of North Bend.
Funeral services were March 11 at Montgomery Stryker Funeral Home with the Rev. Gary Wilken officiating. Interment followed in Greenhill Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the Rock River Senior Center at P.O. Box 277, Rock River, Wyoming 82083 Obit dated March 18, 2009
Elaine (Fencl) Klimet, Prague, March 8, 2009, age 63
Elaine M. Klimet died March 8, 2009 at the Butler County Healthcare Facility in David City.
The funeral is March 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Kracl Funeral Chapel, David City with Jerry L. Kracl speaking.
Visition is March 10 from 4-8 p.m. at Kracl Funeral Chapel and an hour before the funeral.
Commital will be at the Prague Presbyterian cemetery with lunch at Abie’s Place.
Elaine was born Jan. 20, 1945, in North Bend, Nebraska to George and Josephine (Kucera) Fencl.
On Feb. 27, 1968, she married
George Kliment at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Prague. They lived and farmed near Prague.
Elaine is survived by her husband, Chris Kliment, both of Prague, brother-in-law Tony (Henrietta) Kliment of Prague and several nieces and nephews. Obit dated March 11, 2009
Donald E. Mundy, Fremont, March 2, 2009, age 76
Donald E. Mundy died March 2, 2009, at his home in Fremont.
Donald was born May 19, 1932, in North Bend and was a 1950 graduated of North Bend High School. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. After completing a course in Engineering he was employed by the Nebraska Dept. of Roads. In the Early 1960s he began employment with Hydro Conduit and moved to Scottsbluff in 1965. In 1971 he returned to Fremont working for Lyman Richey Sand and Gravel until retiring in 1995.
On Oct. 19, 1957, Donald married
Verlaine Ruff at St. Charles Catholic Church in North Bend.
Donald was a member of St.Patrick’s Catholic Church serving as a lector and extra-ordinary minister of the Eucharist. He was a former member of the North Bend Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his wife, sons Marty (Deb Grant) Mundy of Bellevue, Wash., Dale Mundy of West Des Moines, Iowa, Jim Mundy of Fremont; daughters June (Greg) Andriano of St. Joseph, Mo., Annette Mundy of Bellevue; brothers-in-law Derold Ruff of Scribner, Dick Houser of Fremont; four grandchildren.
The funeral was March 6 at St. Patrick’s Catholic church with Rev. Ron Battiato officiating. Military graveside services were conducted by members of VFW Post 8223, Amvets Post 20, both of North Bend, and American Legion Post 340 of Morse Bluff. Burial was at St. Patrick’s Catholic cemetery at Clyde, northwest of North Bend. Memorials are suggested for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or donor’s favorite charity. Obit dated March 11, 2009
Walter H. Johnson, Fremont, Feb. 27, 2009, age 86
Walter H. Johnson of Fremont died Feb. 27, 2009, in the Fremont Area Medical Center.
Walter was born to Thomas and Anna (Rodewald) Johnson on May 25, 1922, at the family farm near North Bend. He grew up on the farm, and graduated from high school in North Bend in 1940. He farmed the family farm for 40 years, moving into Fremont in 1980. He began working for Gene Steffy’s car dealership in Fremont in 1979, and was with them until Nov. 2008.
On Dec. 18, 1942 Walter was married
to Donna Stubbert in North Bend in the United Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife; daughter, Karen Dunn of Snyder; son Keith Johnson of Omaha; four grandchildren; two great grandsons and sister Gertrude Lechtenberger of Fremont.
The funeral service was March 3 in the United Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Maetta Snyder officiating. Burial was at Memorial cemetery in Fremont. A memorial fund will be established later.
Obit dated March 4, 2009
Richard Agress
Robert H. Agress of North Bend, formerly of Fremont, died March 2, at Arbor Manor in Fremont. Robert was born June 30, 1927, in Louisville, Ky., to Benjamin and Edith (Sherman)Agress. He lived in Chicago, Ill., and was a graduate of South Shore High School. Robert graduated from the University of Louisville with an accounting degree. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves.
Robert moved to Fremont in the 1970s. He married
Sharon Farris Prinz on April 16, 1982, in Lincoln. Robert had been employed at Parker Livestock, Aaron Corporation and Darling International as a CPA and retired as a controller in 1997.
Robert was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church in North Bend and the Knights of Columbus. He was a former member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fremont where he served as an EME. He was a member of the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy, American Contract Bridge League and League Life Master, and American Legion Post #20 of Fremont. He was a volunteer tax preparer for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon; step-son Kevin (Paula) Prinz of Fremont; step-daughters Pam (Kelly) Lehmann of Eustis, Ann (Jim) Mathes of Omaha, Deb (Dave) Campbell of Fremont; mother-in-law, Evelyn Farris of Fremont; in-laws, Gary (Terri) Farris of Pensacola, Fla., Mag (Larry) Meier of South Sioux City, Bill (Kris) Farris of Marshalltown, Iowa, Nancy Farris of Omaha; numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. March 7, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fremont where the Rev. David Belt will officiate. Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont and is open to the public. Visitation with family receiving friends will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home, with visitation on Thursday at church on hour prior to service. Military grave side service conducted by the Fremont Honor Guard of V.F.W. Post #854 and American Legion Post #20. Burial will be at Calvary cemetery in Fremont. Memorials may be directed to the family or to an organization of your choice.
Daniel Frank Cleary of Kansas City, Mo., passed away unexpectedly on Feb 26. Dan was born on Dec 9, 1944, in Atkinson to W. Alexander and Eleanor (Mlinar) Cleary. In 1958 the family moved to Elgin, where Dan graduated from St. Boniface High School in 1963.
He moved to Kansas City and lived with his brother Frank and his family, attending Rockhurst University. In 1965 Dan started working at the General Motors Leeds plant in Kansas City.
On June 5, 1971, Dan married
Barbara Ann Wayman, and they resided in Independence, Mo. In 1987 GM shut down the Leeds car plant. In 1988 Dan was transferred to the GM assembly plant in Janesville, Wis., working there until his retirement in 2000. Dan and Barb returned to Kansas City in April of 2001.
Dan is survived by his wife Barb; children Mike and Kim; twin brother Rev. Don Cleary of North Bend; sister Ruth (Jim) Hausmann; brother Tom (Helen) Cleary; sisters-in-law Ellen Cleary and Jeanne Cleary; and extended family.
The funeral was at Holy Family Catholic Church, Kansas City, on March 2.
Wilma Bolte
Wilma E. Bolte of Schuyler, formerly of Cedar Bluffs, died Feb. 23 at Golden Living Center in Schuyler.
Wilma was born May 29, 1929, in Howells to Joseph and Pauline (Hajek) Vacha. She moved to Dodge at the age of 10, where she attended school. Wilma married
John F. Bolte on Feb. 22, 1949, in Clyde. He died Nov. 23, 1987.
Wilma was a telephone operator at the Webster Store and then moved to Fremont in 1950 where she worked for Hipke Cleaners for 23 years. In 1983 she and John purchased J.B.’s Trading Post in Cedar Bluffs and moved there in 1987. Wilma operated J.B.’s Trading Post until retiring in 1994. She was active in the community for many years.
Wilma was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cedar Bluffs and the Altar Society. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 158 in Cedar Bluffs and former member of St. Charles Catholic Church in North Bend and Divine Mercy in Schuyler.
Survivors include daughters Marilyn Bailey of Jacksonville, Fla. and Karen (Ivan) Reeb of Schuyler; sister Agnes Brabec of Clarkson; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at St. Charles Catholic Church in North Bend. Visitation will be Wednesday 4-8 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 6 p.m. at Moser Memorial Chapel in North Bend. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church Thursday.
Memorials may be directed to Group B Strep International.
Obit dated Feb. 27, 2013
Robert Thompson
Robert C. Thompson of Ames died Sunday, Feb. 17 at his home in Ames.
Robert was born Dec. 19, 1927, in St. Paul, Minn. to Fred and Mildred (Olson) Thompson. He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, and served for over 30 years, retiring in 1974. He moved to Fremont in 1964 and then to Ames in 1969.
Robert married
Constance M. “Connie” Vulgamore Dec. 4, 1964, in Fremont. She died Jan. 27, 2005.
He was a life member of V.F.W. Post 8223 of North Bend and a member of the Masonic Lodge 78, A.F. & A.M. of Waukegan, Ill. for over 50 years. Robert was also a member of the North Bend Golf Course.
Survivors include daughter Barb (Ryan Collins) Thompson-Collins of Ames; step-son Dennis (Debbie) Bailey of Wichita, Kan.; step-daughter Sharon (Gary) Strong of Fremont; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services with military honors conducted by the Fremont Honor Guard of V.F.W. Post 854 and American Legion Post 20 were Feb. 21. Burial will be at Ridge cemetery in Fremont on Saturday, March 2.
Memorials may be directed to the Masonic Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont.
Obit dated Feb. 27, 2013
Wilma Mares
Wilma A. Mares of Fremont passed away Feb. 13 at Nye Pointe Health & Rehab. Wilma was born April 8, 1915, in Linwood to Rudolph E. and Emma (Hines) Kavan.
She moved to rural North Bend from Linwood at the age of 14. Wilma graduated from North Bend High School in 1931 and from Midland Lutheran College in 1965. She taught school for 11 years.
Wilma married
Adolph Mares Oct. 17, 1942, in Grand Island. Adolph passed away Jan. 8, 1981.
After marriage they lived in North Bend where they farmed. They moved to Fremont in 1960. Wilma resumed teaching in 1957 and taught at rural schools until receiving her degree. She taught in elementary schools for Fremont Public Schools until retiring in 1981.
Wilma was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Fremont, United Presbyterian Women, taught adult Sunday school and had served as a deacon in the church. She was a member of Fremont Area Medical Center Auxiliary, Retired Teacher’s Association, locally and at the state level, member of Delta Kappa Gamma and American Association of University Women.
Survivors include daughters Judy (Ken) Von Seggern and Joan Mares, all of Omaha, Carlene (Bruce) Keim of Syracuse; brother Arnold (Lorraine) Kavan of North Bend; sister Vlasta Kavan of Fremont; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Feb. 18 at the Presbyterian Church in Fremont with the Rev. Jon Ashley officiating. Memorials may be given to the Presbyterian Church and to Odyssey-Gentiva Hospice in Fremont.
Burial will be at Memorial cemetery in Fremont.
Obit dated Feb. 20, 2013
