* A memorial service for Gary Wayne Stoeger, 65, of Quartzite, Ariz., formerly of Valentine, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7, in the Valentine Berean Bible Church with inurnment at a later date in the Harmony Cemetery. Gary Stoeger died Jan. 9 at Quartzite. Survivors include Kristi Benson of Valentine; daughter Tenille Sykes of Gretna; son Jared Stoeger of Lincoln; mother Norma Stoeger of Valentine; sister Karen Gill of Valentine; brothers Bob Stoeger of Valentine, Mark Stoeger of Valentine, Doug Stoeger of Valentine and David Stoeger of Valentine; and other family members.

* A celebration of life service will be held at a later date for Jackie Ferguson, 85, of Wood Lake. Jackie Ferguson died Tuesday, Feb. 24, in her home. Survivors include her husband Arch Ferguson of Wood Lake; children Bobbie Graff and husband Todd of Ainsworth, Jimmy Ferguson of Johnstown, Mike Ferguson and wife Sara of Wood Lake, and Kathy Hammond and husband Justin of Valentine; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister Judy Mecseji of Aberdeen, S.D.; brother Jon Huntley of Elkhorn; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Alan Wayne Straka, 61, of Stuart, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Atkinson with burial in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Alan Straka died Tuesday, Feb. 24, in the Parkside Manor at Stuart. Visitation is scheduled from 9 until 10 a.m. Saturday in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church followed by a Rosary at 10 a.m. prior to the service. Survivors include his parents Bert and Karen Straka of Stuart; sisters Suz Straka Heyden and husband Shannon of Stuart, Tracy Thompson and husband Doug of Atkinson, and Lindsey Micheel and Brent Giles of Atkinson; nieces, nephews and other family members. Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

* Funeral service for Gene Parkhurst, 74, of Valentine, Feb. 21, in the Valentine Methodist Church with burial in the Harmony Cemetery north of Valentine. Gene Parkhurst died Feb. 15 in the Cherry County Hospital. Survivors include his wife Joann Parkhurst of Valentine; daughters Tammy Parkhurst of Mission, S.D., Tonya Parkhurst of Fort Totten, N.D., and Teri Parkhurst of Hastings; brother Kenny Parkhurst of Valentine; sisters Sharon Herrmann of Mission, and Tena Wolf of Houston, Texas.

* A graveside memorial service for Darrel W. Steele Sr., 96, of Ainsworth, Feb. 18, at the Ainsworth Cemetery with organizational rites by the Bethany Chapter 113 Order of the Eastern Star, Masonic rites by the Silver Cord Lodge 224 and military rites by the Ainsworth American Legion Post 79. Darrel Steele Sr. died Dec. 18, 2025, in the Sandhills Care Center. Survivors include his wife Ruth Ann Steele of Ainsworth; son Darrel Steele Jr. of Ainsworth; daughter Ann Pfeiffer and significant other Daryl Sulzbach of Alliance; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren;  and other family members.

* Funeral service for Karla Luse, 72, of Wewela, S.D., Feb. 18, in the Zion Lutheran Church of Colome, S.D., with burial at in the Mount Hope Cemetery near Springview. Karla Luse died Feb. 13.

* A graveside service for Dale R. Steele, 100, of Pierce, Feb. 18, at the Ainsworth City Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Ainsworth American Legion Post 79 and the United States Army Honor Guard. Dale Steele died Feb. 11 in the University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha.

* A celebration of life service for Janice Mitchell, 89, of Ainsworth formerly of O’Neill, Feb. 16, in Biglin’s Mortuary of O’Neill with burial in the Mount Hope Cemetery near Scotia. Janice Mitchell died Feb. 13 in the Brown County Hospital. Survivors include her children Stuart Mitchell, Bruce Mitchell and wife Lesa of Ainsworth, and Audra Mitchell; three grandchildren; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Beverly J. Stahl, 81, of Ainsworth, Feb. 16, in the Ainsworth Free Church with burial in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. Beverly Stahl died Feb. 12 in the Brown County Hospital. Survivors include her husband John Stahl of Ainsworth; daughter Dr. Kendra Sibbernsen and husband Michael of Papillion; two grandsons; siblings Barbara Mintle and husband Gordon of Harrison, Ark., Paul Gustafson and wife Dona of Coweta, Okla., Jay Gustafson and wife Christie of Long Pine, Susan Pickens of Ardmore, Okla., Roxanne Anthony of Green Forest, Ark., Rebecca Parrish and husband Tom of Leavenworth, Kan., Russell Gustafson of Harrison, Doug Gustafson and wife Kay of Alpena, Ark., and Terry Gustafson of Harrison; sisters-in-law Connie Emerson of Bassett, and Joyce Stahl of Bassett; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A memorial service for Shirley Barbara Anderson, 90, of Long Pine, Feb. 16, in the Horner, Lieski, McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home at Kearney with burial in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Axtell. Shirley Anderson died Feb. 10 in her home. Survivors include her children Janell Jorgensen and husband Brad of Elkhorn, Keven Anderson and wife Sara of Jacksonville, Fla., and Renee Tucker and husband Tracy of Long Pine; son-in-law Don Sands of Lincoln; 14 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brother Marvin Aulner and wife LaVonne; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A memorial service for Steven Johnson, 67, of Atkinson, Feb. 14, in Seger Funeral Home of Atkinson with burial in the Stuart Community Cemetery at a later date. Steven Johnson died Feb. 8 in the Atkinson Good Samaritan Center. Survivors include his sisters Linda Anson and husband Rod of Atkinson, Jolene Emme of O’Neill, and Sharon Homes and husband Tom of Scribner; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A memorial service for Susan M. Blattner, 79, of Bassett, will be held at a later date. Susan Blattner died Feb. 10 in the Rock County Hospital. Survivors include her sons Jeff Maloun and wife Kathy of Bassett, Jim Maloun and wife Brenda of Rapid City, S.D., and Jason Maloun and wife Melanie of O’Neill and Neligh; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister Erva Peirsol and husband Barton of Stuart; brother-in-law Don Murphy of Ainsworth; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Word has been received of the death of Cleo Annette (Hood) Cooper, 85, of Modesto, Calif., formerly of Springview. Cleo Cooper died February 3. Per her wishes, no formal service will be held. Survivors include her daughter Kimberly Strobridge and husband Kevin; son Russ Faultner; five grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A memorial service for Ernie Van Horn, 87, of Newport, Feb. 7, in Seger Funeral Home of Atkinson with military rites provided by the Atkinson American Legion Post. Burial will be held at a later date in the Hope Enterprise Cemetery near Orchard. Ernie Van Horn died Jan. 29 in the Parkside Manor at Stuart. Survivors include his children Jerry Doke and wife Dee Dee of Clearwater, Larry Doke and wife Cathy of Ainsworth, Dan Doke and wife Teresa of Ranchester, Wyo., and Tammy Cline of Newport; 13 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Bryan Wolcott, 71, of Atkinson, Feb. 7, in the Atkinson Methodist Church with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Bryan Wolcott died Feb. 3 in his home. Survivors include his sisters Billi Jo Hurford and husband Tom of Anita, Iowa, Barbra Jean Kracl and husband Bob of O’Neill, and Becki Herrington and husband Bill of Bassett; special friend Kati Papke of Chambers; an aunt, nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Loretta Joy McGill, 86, of Blair formerly of Ainsworth, Jan. 31, in Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth with burial in the Ainsworth Cemetery. Joy McGill died Jan. 25 in the Carter Place Senior Living at Blair. Survivors include her children Terry McGill and wife LaVada of Ainsworth, Tom McGill and wife Dortha of Ainsworth, Tim McGill and wife Ann of Oakland, Iowa, Trevor McGill and wife Jamie of Blair, and Tamara Jarnagin and husband Forest of Albuquerque, N.M.; 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers Jim Edwards of Valentine, and Bill Edwards and wife Carolyn of Kearney; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Carroll D. Marcellus, 93, of Stuart, Jan. 31, in the Atkinson Presbyterian Church with burial in the Stuart Community Cemetery and military rites provided by the Stuart American Legion Post. Carroll Marcellus died Jan. 23 in the Providence Medical Center at Wayne. Survivors include his daughter Stephanie Marcellus and husband Shawn Smith of Wayne; numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service is pending for Ronaele Hunnel Berry, 75, of Elk Grove, Calif., formerly of Brown County. Ronaele Berry died Jan. 17 in her home. Survivors include her husband Russell Berry of Elk Grove; children Katherine Van Nortwick and husband Pete of Washington, Anne Vorsatz of California, Margaret Comparan and husband Paul of Tennessee, Emily Morton and husband Philip of North Carolina, Russell Berry Jr. and wife Lacy of California, and Charlotte Scharfer and husband Curtis of North Carolina; 20 grandchildren; siblings Donna Sigward and husband Richard of Cheyenne, Wyo., Laurel Appleman and husband Loren of Johnstown, Bart Hunnel and wife Jan of Cheyenne, and Barry Hunnel and wife Michele of Phoenix, Ariz.; and other family members.

* A memorial service for Roy Ellis Appelt, 80, of Springview, Jan. 24, in Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth with inurnment at a later date in the Mount Hope Cemetery near Springview. Roy Appelt died Jan. 15 in the Atkinson Good Samaritan Society. Survivors include his sister Sharon Appelt of Atkinson; sister-in-law Ann Appelt of Ainsworth; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A memorial service for Donald D. Davison, 86, of Ainsworth, will be held at a later date. Donald Davison died Jan 9 in the Sandhills Care Center. Survivors include his son Mike Davison of Orlando, Fla.; daughter Julie Davison and husband Dennis Ferris of Milwaukie, Ore.; three grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for LaNita Maurer, 87, of Columbus, Mont., formerly of Bassett, Jan. 17, in Smith Funeral Home of Columbus with interment at a later date in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. LaNita Maurer died Jan. 10. Survivors include her husband Bob Maurer of Columbus; children Lisa Fischer and husband Ben of Bassett, Tressa Lemmon of Columbus, Mont., Jaci Maurer of Brewster, N.Y., and Todd Maurer of Virginia Beach, Va.; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sister-in-law Reenie Turpin of Lincoln; brother-in-law Jerry Maurer and wife Cheryl of Henderson, Nev.; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Ruby Dobias, 91, of Atkinson, Jan. 17, in the Faith Wesleyan Church of Atkinson with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Ruby Dobias died Jan. 12 in the Atkinson Good Samaritan Center. Survivors include her children Barbara Buller and husband Myron of Atkinson, Debra Leininger and husband Chuck of Atkinson, Calvin Dobias and wife Catherine of Atkinson, Michael Dobias and wife Brenda of Atkinson, Marsha Meyer of Omaha, Nancy Sich and husband Michael of Omaha, and Becky Lindgren and husband James of Albion; 24 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; brothers Herman Meyer and wife Ruth of Olathe, Kan., and Kenny Meyer and wife Elly of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; sister Beverly Ehrenberg of Holdrege; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Chris Andersen, 64, of Atkinson, Jan. 14, in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Atkinson with burial in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Chris Andersen died Jan. 8 in the St. Francis Hospital at Grand Island. Survivors include son Ethan Andersen and wife Alecia of Grand Island; two granddaughters; siblings John Skrdla and wife Rhonda of Stuart, Shirley Musich of Detroit, Mich., and Jeanne Cleary of Denver, Colo.; and other family members.

* A memorial service for Jakob Palomo, 33, of Bassett, Jan. 10, in the Bassett Community Center with burial at a later date. Jakob Palomo died Dec. 8 in his home. Survivors include his wife Sadie Palomo of Bassett; children Damon, Jiralya and Alice; mother Jama Palomo; father Ramon Palomo and wife Robin ; sisters Erika Olson and husband Logan, and Julia Jayne and husband Alex; brother Michael Ray and wife Nicole; grandmother Rosa Palomo; parents-in-law Robert and Joyce Weekley; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A memorial service for Maxine A. Schoettger, 89, of Springview and Ainsworth, Jan. 10, in the Burton Assembly of God Church with inurnment at a later date in the Mount Hope Cemetery. Maxine Schoettger died Dec. 29 in the Sandhills Care Center. Survivors include her husband Kevin Schoettger of Springview and Ainsworth; children Connie Higginson and husband Chuck of Crete, Rodney Schoettger and wife Darla of Springview, and David Schoettger and wife Dawn of Kearney; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters Judy Lerdahl and husband Jim of Lincoln, and Carol Lawrence and husband Willie of Sparks; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A memorial service for Thomas R. Newtson, 68, of Springview, Jan. 9, in the Springview New Hope Community Church. Tom Newtson died Dec. 31 in the Brown County Hospital. Survivors include his wife Aleta Newtson of Springview; children Ray Newtson and wife Amanda of Ashby, Dana Dolch and husband Matt of Lincoln, and Cody Newtson of Wellfleet; four grandchildren; brother James Newtson and wife Diana of North Platte; sister Laura Hammond and husband Bill of Spearfish, S.D.; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Word has been received of the death of Michael Irving Kelley, 77, of Ainsworth. Michael Kelley died Jan. 3 in his home. Per his wishes, no service will be held. Survivors include his wife Connie Kelley of Ainsworth; children Michael Kelley Jr. of Sacramento, Calif., and Michelle Arellano and husband Martin of Council Bluffs, Iowa; stepchildren Levi Lucht of Ainsworth, Zachary Gillis of Ainsworth, Christopher Gillis of Ainsworth, Cheyenne Gillis of Ainsworth, and Kasandra Gilbert of Ainsworth; eight step-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Freddie “Cook” D. Lentz, 92, of Lincoln formerly of Long Pine, Jan. 3, in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Elkhorn with burial in the Grandview Cemetery near Long Pine. Cook Lentz died Friday, Dec. 26. Survivors include his wife Lois Lentz of Lincoln; son Tim Lentz and wife Charyl of Lincoln; five grandchildren; and other family members.