Sharon K. Patras, 73, of Neligh, died on Monday, March 11, 2019 at the Neligh Care and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by family and friends.
Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the All Saints Cemetery, rural Clearwater, and a gathering after will be held at Neligh Housing community room. In lieu of any flowers, memorials are suggested to Neligh Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Huffman-Levander Funeral Home in Elgin, NE is serving the family. Sharon was the daughter of Ralph and Leora (Clark) Reutzel, was born September 5, 1945 at Tilden, NE. She attended Neligh High School through the 12th Grade. On August 15, 1964, Sharon married Donald Patras at Neligh, NE, where they made their home and were blessed with three children: Coy, Reah and Casey. Sharon and Don owned and operated an antique store and greenhouse for many years. Sharon was a long-time member of the Neligh Chamber of Commerce, serving as President for three years and board member for ten years. She also volunteered for many years as an EMT for Neligh Rescue and was a member of the Jaws of Life. Sharon was a member of the RLDS Church in Clearwater, NE. She spent many hours decorating, gardening, antiquing, but mostly enjoyed the presence of her family and friends. Sharon is survived by her children: Coy Patras of Schuyler, NE; Reah (Terry) Benes of Elgin, NE; Casey (Candi) Patras of Urbandale, IA; eight grandchildren: Allie, Maddie and Baylie Schiltmeyer, Karlie (Eric) Shoemaker, Kaylor and Kennadie Patras, Austin and Emily Burns, one great-granddaughter Violet Shoemaker; one half-sister Lois Gnuse of Blair, NE; dear friend Dave Schiltmeyer; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Patras; parents Ralph Reutzel and Leora Thompson; and brother Ralph “Butch” Reutzel. She was an inspiring and unapologetic soul that will be missed by many. Gregory A. Woodard, 65 of Elgin, NE passed away unexpectedly Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh, NE.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2019 at St. Boniface Church in Elgin, NE with Rev. Kevin Vogel officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the church, with a 7:00 p.m. wake service. Huffman-Levander Funeral Home of Elgin, NE is in charge of arrangements. Huffman-Levander Funeral Home of Elgin, NE is in charge of the arrangements. Celebration of Life Service for Russell D. "Russ" Bowker, 67, of Norfolk, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk, with Reverend Terry Buol officiating the service. Russ passed away on February 21, 2019 at his home. Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk is in charge of the arrangements.
Born May 16, 1951, in Omaha, he was the son of Glen and Elsie (Milbourn) Bowker. He graduated from Neligh-Oakdale High School in 1969 and then earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1973. Russ worked for Westinghouse Electric as a field engineer/startup engineer. Russ traveled around the United States, working on nuclear power plants. He started working at Northeast Community College in 1981, where he taught electronics technology, math and physics. Russ retired from Northeast Community College in August 2008. He was always known for his outstanding jokes and goofy humor. He enjoyed tinkering and fixing things, and he was a pet lover. Russ also spent time volunteering, tutoring students at Northeast. He married Kathy Bolinger in 1990. The couple divorced in 2003. He was a member of Mensa Society and the Nebraska State Education Association. Survivors include three stepchildren, Steven (Lisa) Bolinger of Omaha, Lisa Bolinger of Lincoln and Jennifer (Brandon) Bruckner of Wakefield; eight step grandchildren, Sam and Matthew Bolinger, Kayla Johnson, Harley Harlan, Allison, Jack, Jacob and Ava Bruckner; a brother, Tom (Lisa) Bowker of Mesa, Ariz.; two nieces; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Elsie Bowker. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com. Margaret M. Seier, 88, of Petersburg, NE, passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha, NE.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Petersburg, NE with Rev. Mark Tomasiewicz, and Deacon John Starman officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday at the church with a 7:00 p.m. Wake Service. Huffman-Levander Funeral Home of Elgin, NE is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.huffmanlevander.com. Margaret Mary Seier, daughter of John and Margaret (Grendler) Schmitz, was born on June 10, 1930 at Petersburg, NE. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, attended St. John’s Elementary School and graduated from St. John’s High School in 1948. She lost her mother at a young age, so following graduation, she stayed home to keep house for her father. Margaret was united in marriage to Anthony Frank Seier on August 18, 1952 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Petersburg. The couple made their home one mile north of Petersburg where they farmed and raised their family. They moved into Petersburg after retiring in 2000. Tony passed away in 2009, and Margaret entered the Good Samaritan Assisted Living at Albion, NE in February of 2016. She moved to Marquis Place at Elkhorn, NE in August of 2018. Margaret was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Margaret enjoyed quilting, gardening, playing cards, and roadtrips with her family. Most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by 9 children: Rosella “Sally” (Stanley) Draper of Hickman, NE; Richard Seier of Hoskins, NE; Judith (Dave) Frazier Greeley, CO; Paul (Shawn) Seier of Petersburg, NE; Charles (Patty) Seier of Greeley, CO; Roy (Lisa) Seier of Fremont, NE; Glen Seier of Bennington, NE; Dale (Maureen) Seier of Denver, CO; Jeff (Jill) Seier of Spencer, IA; 27 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and 3 on the way; her sister: Sister Gretta Schmitz of Milwaukee, WI; sister-in-law: Betty Schmitz of Albion, NE; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Rosie (Don) Pelster of Petersburg, NE; Mary Ann Borer of Albion, NE; Lorraine Seier of Petersburg, NE; Joe (Connie) Seier of Elgin, NE; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband Tony in 2009, brothers: Herman (Gertie), Leonard (Lilly), Albert (Melvina), Fr. Robert, and George; sisters: Theresa Scholl, Agnies (Reinie) Milner, and infant Margie Ann; brothers-in-law: Max and Delmer Seier, and Ervin Borer. Bernard M Wirges, 91, of Petersburg passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at his home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 22, 2019 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Petersburg, NE, with Rev. Mark Tomasiewicz officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery, with military rites by American Legion Post #334 of Petersburg, NE. Visitation will be 6-7 p.m. Thursday at the church, with a 7:00 p.m. wake service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Huffman-Levander Funeral Home of Elgin, NE is in charge of arrangements. Bernard Marion Wirges, the son of Joseph A. Sr. and Anna (Salber) Wirges was born on February 11, 1928 on the family farm near Petersburg, NE. He attended school at Boone County District 18 and then St. John’s Catholic School until the 8th grade. On January 25, 1951 Bernard entered the United States Army and was stationed in McCoy, WI until going to Germany. He was honorably discharged on December 23, 1952. He returned home and started farming. Bernard was united in marriage to RoseMary Temme on February 1, 1956 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Petersburg, NE. The couple farmed east of Petersburg until 1987. Bernard worked for Niewohner Brother’s and the Petersburg Locker. He later worked part time at Helena Fertilizer. Bernard was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, he also served for 8 years on the Petersburg Public School Board and was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #334 of Petersburg. He enjoyed coffee and cards with his friends, Sunday drives, going to the casinos, and watching wrestling and Molly B Polka on Saturday nights. He is survived by his three daughters: Connie (Paul) Beckman of Elgin, NE; Nancy (Roger) Bergman of Orchard, NE; Sandy (Jeff) Bode of Petersburg, NE; nine grandchildren: Anita (Kurt) Krohn of Petersburg, NE; Chris (Megan) Beckman of Elgin, NE; Eric (Anney) Beckman of Elgin, NE; Rodney (Alyssa) Bergman of Ewing, NE; Patrick (Mia) Bergman of Orchard, NE; Ryan (Ashley) Bergman of Ewing, NE; Cecily (Scott) Thiele of Clearwater, NE; Breanna (Justin) Robinette of Washington; and Ross Bode of Omaha, NE; 20 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; one sister Leona Brown of Wisconsin; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, wife RoseMary; two sons: Brian and Randy Wirges; two grandchildren: April Bergman and Brad Beckman; siblings: John (Mabel) Wirges, Joseph Jr. (Alleida) Wirges, Marcella (Eldore) Friese, Frances (Clem) Luettel, Helen (Ralph) Hood, Alvina (William) Reuth, brother-in-law Orin Brown; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Jerome and Betty Temme, Don and Wanda Temme, and Peggy Temme. Memorial service for LuAnn Eddy, 63, of Norfolk were held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 9, 2019 at the Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk with Rev. Larry Dohmen officiating. Private family burial will be held at a later date at the Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Norfolk. LuAnn died Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at the Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk. Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk is in charge of the arrangements.
LuAnn Eddy passed away on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk surrounded by people who loved her. LuAnn was born November 5, 1955 in Osmond, Nebraska to Clifford Erb and Shirley (Dempster) Erb. LuAnn grew up in Orchard, Nebraska with great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins nearby. She attended Orchard Public School, played the trumpet in the band and sang in the chorus. Following graduation from Orchard High School in 1974, LuAnn attended Kearney State and completed her bachelor's degree in Speech Therapy. After college she lived in Grand Island for 9 years and worked with the developmentally disabled. She began work at the Regional Center as a Human Services Treatment Specialists on January 16, 1990. LuAnn married Karl Eddy on September 22, 2001 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Norfolk. She and Karl were married until his death on June 17, 2014. Karl's two children, Jennifer and Kenny, became her family and she became grandma to five grandchildren whom she loved dearly. LuAnn was a person of great faith and she lived that faith her entire life. She loved her God and she loved those in her life unconditionally. She demonstrated great strength and gracefully dealt with declining health in last few years. LuAnn (Erb) Eddy is survived by her parents, Clifford and Shirley Erb, sister Lorinda (Sandy), brothers Todd (Leah) and Jeffrey (Nancy), step daughter Jennifer Jaraz (Geraldo), step son Kenny, grandchildren Bradley, Chester, Arielle, Azariah, and Nathan, mother-in-law Karen Eddy and multiple nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. LuAnn was preceded in death by her husband Karl Eddy; grandparents Arthur and Agnes Erb and Oliver and Esther Dempster; Aunt Neva (Dempster) Pearson, and nephew Eric Jeffrey Erb. Organist for the service was Trudy Dannelly. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com. Lee Koinzan, 89, of Elgin, NE, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2019 at his home in Elgin, NE.
Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 1, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Elgin, NE, with Rev. Glenn Loy officiating. Inurnment will follow in the West Cedar Valley Cemetery with military rites conducted by American Legion Post #229, VFW Post #5816 of Elgin, NE and American Legion Riders. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Thursday at Huffman-Levander Funeral Home, Elgin, NE. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church in Elgin. Walter Lee Koinzan, the son of Walter John and Eunice (Wells) Koinzan, was born on May 27, 1929 in Elgin, NE. Lee graduated from Elgin Public Schools in 1947. At age 16 he received his pilot’s license and during the blizzard of 1948/49 he flew nearly every day delivering food, mail, and transporting people who would otherwise be homebound. On September 26, 1950 Lee was inducted into the U.S. Air Force where he served as a draftsman in the Korean War and was honorable discharged on September 25, 1954. On July 5, 1951, Lee was united in marriage to Norma Jean Kelly at the Church of Christ in Neligh, NE. During the early years of their marriage the couple lived in various places including Empire Michigan and Fort Wayne, IN where he attended Indiana Institute of Technology, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in mechanical engineering. Immediately after graduating, Lee worked for Case Tractor in Burlington, IA where his accomplishments included designing a hydraulic valve that would run two cylinders with one lever and a backhoe bucket for digging graves that is still used today. In 1958, Lee and Norma returned to Elgin where he rejoined his father in the Koinzan Seed and Flying Service business. He was a crop duster for 35 years and has flown over 30,000 hours. He loved to design and build airplanes. He built an amphibian aircraft from a set of plans for which he won numerous national awards. When he wasn’t flying he designed and manufactured a center pivot irrigation system, gate closers, cattle oilers, and mineral feeders and started a lawn irrigation business. Lee was always busy designing or tinkering with something. He completely restored his 1957 Volkswagen and built a three wheel “Trike” which was often seen driving around Elgin. He was well known for his “I can make or fix anything” skills. Some of his other projects, which the community benefited from, include a four-at-once pancake batter dispenser which was used at the annual fly-in breakfasts he hosted at the Koinzan airport, water aerator and motorized canoe irrigation system for the Neligh Golf course and a newspaper shredder for the humane society. He was a former member of the Elgin city council, Elgin Public School board president for 12 years, and a member of EAA Chapter 804. Lee loved aviation but also enjoyed golfing and fishing. He planted and maintained his own professional putting green in his backyard, enjoyed many trips to Canada to go fishing in the wilderness, and also taught himself how to upholster furniture for his home, airplanes and vehicles he built and restored. Most of all Lee enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Lee is survived by his wife: Norma Jean Koinzan of Elgin, NE; three children: Leigh Jean (John L. Sullivan) Koinzan of Plattsmouth, NE; Lynn Dale Koinzan of Elgin, NE; Alyssa Ann Koinzan of Gardner, KS; two grandchildren: Tonya Lee (Kylee) Funk of Clearwater, NE; Stephanie Lynn (significant other Jeremy Pernicek) Koinzan of Omaha, NE; two great-grandchildren: Carson Michael Funk of Clearwater, NE; Sloane Olivia Pernicek of Omaha, NE; and one sister: Delpha Wheelock of Santa Rosa, CA and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother: Duane Koinzan. Wayne Warren Sawyer, 87 of Grand Island died Friday, January 25, 2019 at Central Nebraska Veterans Home, Kearney.
Memorial services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at the Central Nebraska Veteran’s Home Chapel with Pastor John Gosswein officiating. Private inurnment of the ashes will be at a later date in the Lutheran Cemetery, Orchard, Nebraska. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimers Association of Nebraska. Apfel Funeral Home of Grand Island is in charge of arrangements. Wayne Warren Sawyer was born, September 7, 1931, at Orchard, Nebraska the son of Alonso & Francis (Bach) Sawyer. Wayne was the oldest of three boys. He grew up in Orchard and was involved in sports while in high school. After graduating from high school in 1949 he joined the United States Army the next year. He completed his basic training and infantry training at Ft. Riley, Kansas. He met the love of his life, Edith M. Helmricks, while in high school and they married on May 13, 1951. He was home on leave and shipped out to the Korean War a few days later. After his one-year deployment to Korea, Wayne was stationed at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky. After Wayne’s discharge from the Army they moved back to Orchard, and shortly after, they moved to Norfolk where they lived for 13 years while raising their five sons. In 1966, the couple moved to Grand Island where Wayne worked as a service manager at Meyer’s Farm Equipment for 30 years. Following his retirement from Meyer’s Farm Equipment, Edith and Wayne began to travel the United States, Mexico and made several trips to Europe. Wayne is survived his brother, Wilfred Sawyer of Ludlow, Mass.; his sons, Randall of Kearney, Roger of La Vista, Rodney and wife Linda of Ft. Collins, CO., Russell and wife Janet of Ewing, and Ronald of Grand Island; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Edith; one brother Willis; five sisters-in-law, Maureen, Joyce, Katherine, Laura, and Lynette; brothers-in-law, Eugene and Tom; and one daughter-in-law, Janice. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.co Memorial services for Jean Montgomery, age 88, of Creighton, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 28, 2019, at Zion Lutheran Church in Creighton. Reverend Kip Tyler and Reverend Donna Fonner will officiate, with burial at a later date in Hope Enterprise Cemetery in rural Orchard, Nebraska.
Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brockhaus Funeral Home in Creighton. Jean died Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at CHI Health Plainview in Plainview, Nebraska. Norma Jean Montgomery, daughter of Howard and Nellie (Finke) Tyler, was born September 6, 1930, at Rushville, Nebraska. Jean was born and raised on the family farm. She graduated from Creighton High School in 1947. She worked at American National Bank in Creighton from 1947 until 1953. On November 6, 1949, Jean was united in marriage to Francis Montgomery at Zion Lutheran Church in Creighton. They were blessed with three sons, Warren, Van, and Craig. In 1953, Jean and Francis moved to the family farm west of Creighton. She worked on the farm with her husband. They moved to Creighton in 2014. Jean loved having coffee and playing cards with her family, neighbors, and friends. She enjoyed fishing with Francis and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jean was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, and was secretary of Red Angus Association. Jean is survived by her husband, Francis of Creighton, Nebraska; sons, Warren (Dawn) Montgomery of Orchard, Nebraska, Van (Vickie) Montgomery of Crofton, Nebraska, and Craig (Sandy) Montgomery of Kalispell, Montana; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Richard) McKinsey, Wade Montgomery, Travis (Lisa) Montgomery, Trent (Cindy) Montgomery; and eight great-grandchildren, Morgan McKinsey, Grant McKinsey, Trever Montgomery, Payton Montgomery, Harper Montgomery, Collin Montgomery, Connor Montgomery, and Ryann Montgomery. She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Charles Tyler and Max Tyler. Jeanette Engelhorn's children announce the passing of their mother on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Linden Court in North Platte, NE. Jeanette, 89, left in the most peaceful manner following a short illness while visiting her daughter Sue over the Christmas holidays.
Jeanette Baehr was born October 3,1929 to Paul and Erma Baehr in Wisner, NE. Jeanette was an only child, and spent her entire youth growing up in Wisner. Paul Baehr was a baker, and Jeanette spent many hours as a child and young adult helping her father's business by wrapping bread and taking care of various other duties. She admitted later in life that she somewhat resented the amount of time she had to spend at the bakery in those early days — but those of us lucky enough to have enjoyed her wonderful baked goods are certainly happy about her heritage. At age 18, Jeanette met Bliss (Morlyn) Engelhorn, a combat veteran with quite a bit more worldly experience than Jeanette. They married in 1949, began to have children, and moved to Neligh in 1953. As a homemaker, Jeanette honed her skills sewing clothing for her kids, and cooking for the family. She began working outside of the home in the 1960s, first at the Neligh Bakery, and then as a dental assistant for Dr. George Strassler. Though Jeanette was denied the chance to continue her formal education beyond high school, she possessed a keen intellect, and she truly enjoyed learning during her many years as a dental assistant. Jeanette was a talented cook, seamstress, baker, and oil painter. Later in life she enjoyed a good visit, the mayhem of great-grandchildren playing, and dancing at her grandchildren's weddings. Bliss and Jeanette lived on 3rd St. in Neligh from the 1960s until Bliss passed away in 2002. Jeanette remained in her home until 2017 when she moved to The Willow's Assisted Living Center in Neligh. Jeanette is survived by her daughters, Sue Darling(Randy) of North Platte, Nebraska, Jana Howe (Rod) of Omaha, Nebraska, her son Craig Engelhorn of Lyons, Colorado, grandchildren, Emily (Chris) Bessette, Jessica (Riley) Hughes, Rylan (April) Howe, Ashley Howe, Gretchen (Alex) Engelhorn, Derek and Heidi Engelhorn, great-grandchildren Ethan, Jack, Grey, Georgia, Alexander, and Lucas and daughter-in-law Sandi (Schrunk) Rickert. Services for Jeanette will be held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Neligh at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 26. There will be a memorial book signing with family receiving friends at the church one hour prior to the service. A memorial has been established in Jeanette’s name. Carpenter Memorial Chapel of North Platte and Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home of Neligh are in charge of arrangements. |
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