* A memorial service for Carole M. Witt, 79, of Valentine, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 29, in Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth with inurnment in the Ainsworth Cemetery. Carole Witt died March 29 at Valentine. Survivors include her daughter Michelle Witt Moore and fiancé Gary Hostetler of Valentine; three grandchildren; sisters Barbara Fullerton of Gothenburg, and Jeanne Smith of Ainsworth; nieces, nephews and other family members. Memorials have been suggested to the family for future designation.

* A graveside memorial service for Annabelle Hale, 85, of Merriman, will be held at 2 p.m. MDT Saturday, April 27, at the Merriman Memorial Cemetery. Annabelle Hale died March 30 in the Regional West Medical Center at Scottsbluff. Survivors include her husband Gailund Valentine; daughters Cinda Olberding and husband Earl, Brenda Nelson and Carl Novotony, Peggy Graham and husband Steve, and Loretta Fish and Matt Ford; stepson Kevin Valentine and wife Trish; stepdaughter Tonya Valentine; 22 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister Karen Holeman; brother-in-law Leo Nelson; sister-in-law Phyllis Nelson; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Lorris C. “Larry” Rice, 86, of Ainsworth, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27, in Lila McAndrew Gymnasium with burial in the Ainsworth Cemetery. Larry Rice died Sunday, April 21, in his home. Visitation is scheduled from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday in Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth, and from 9:30 a.m. Saturday until the time of service in McAndrew Gymnasium. Survivors include his wife Linda Rice of Ainsworth; children Natalie Miles and husband Neil of Lincoln, Eric Rice and wife Amy of Gothenburg, Lorinda Connelly and husband Lonnie of Lincoln, and Kyle Rice and wife Mary of Parkersburg, Iowa; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Doug Keever and wife Caroline of Mayville, Mo.; nieces, nephews and other family members. Memorials have been suggested to the family for future designation.

* Funeral service for Roger Ritterbush, 75, of Mills, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27, in the Mills Community Church with burial in the Olive Branch Cemetery. Roger Ritterbush died Tuesday, April 16, in his home. Visitation is scheduled from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday in the Mills Community Church. Survivors include his children Lori Armitage and husband Cory, and Shawn Ritterbush; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers Bruce Ritterbush and Scott Ritterbush; and other family members.

* A private family graveside service for Richard Crooker, 71, of Newport, will be held Saturday morning, April 27, at the Giles Cemetery near Elsmere with a gathering of family and friends to follow from 1:30 until 3:30 p.m. in the Newport Fire Hall. Richard Crooker died March 21 in the Rock County Hospital. Survivors include his wife Marilyn Crooker of Newport; children Kelly Adkins and husband Jerry of Laurel, and Jerred Crooker and wife Melissa of Kearney; three grandchildren; sister Claudia Maxine Sailas of Sun City, Ariz.; nieces, nephews and other family members. Memorials have been suggested to the family for future designation.

* Funeral service for Teresa (Horner) Brauser, 69, of Fort Collins, Colo., formerly of Rose, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, at Wellington, Colo. Teresa Brauser died Saturday, April 20, at Fort Collins. Area survivors include her sister Carolyn Clark and husband Stan of Long Pine; and niece Bethany Clausen and husband Zach of Rose.

* Funeral service for Donald Bouska, 87, of Stuart, April 23, in the St. Boniface Catholic Church of Stuart with burial in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Donald Bouska died April 18 in his home. Survivors include his wife Pat Bouska of Stuart; children Dawn Timmerman and husband AJ of Stuart, Terri Shearer and husband Rick of Stuart, Scott Bouska and wife Denice of Stuart, Gerry Bouska and wife Shirley of Atkinson, and Christi Bouska of Orchard; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and brother Ron Bouska of Stuart.

* Funeral service for Donald Wedige, 86, of Atkinson, April 18, in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Atkinson with burial in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery with military rites provided by the Atkinson American Legion Post 86 and the Atkinson Fire and Rescue Department. Donald Wedige died April 10 in the Kearney Veterans Home. Survivors include his wife Brenda Wedige of Atkinson; children Alan Wedige and wife Colleen of Kearney, Steven Wedige and Charlotte Kloppenborg of Emmet, Todd Wedige and wife Marilyn of Lincoln, Michael Wedige and wife Marilyn of North Richlandhills, Texas, Jill Gettert and husband Larry of O’Neill, Darrin Wedige of Austin, Texas, and Troy Wedige and Kandi Karo of Fort Calhoun; 25 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister Patricia Bouska and husband Donald of Stuart; sister-in-law Gladys Cole of O’Neill; and other family members.

* A celebration of life service for Donald Schott, 94, of Silver Creek, April 13, in McKown Funeral Home of Columbus with interment in the St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery. Donald Schott died Jan. 10 in his home. Survivors include children Deborah Olson of Silver Creek, Gordon Schott and wife Janet of Silver Creek, Karen Muckel of Doniphan, and Jami Wichman and husband Chris of Crescent, Iowa; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Benjamin “Benj” Chester Fink, 72, of Elsmere, April 13, in the Elsmere Bible Church with burial in the Purdum Cemetery. Benj Fink died April 5 in the Kearney Regional Hospital. Survivors include his son Scott Fink and wife LaCaylla of Elsmere; daughter Amy Berggren and husband Chris of North Platte; five grandchildren; sister Kathryn Austin and husband Gary of Omaha; brothers Roger Fink and wife Sheila of Curtis, and Ray Fink and wife Kerry of Burwell; nieces, nephews, an aunt, cousins and other family members.

* Funeral service for Maynard E. Harr, 93, of Ainsworth, April 12, in the Ainsworth United Methodist Church with burial in the Ainsworth Cemetery with military rites provided by the American Legion Post 79. Maynard Harr died April 6 in his home. Survivors include his wife Twyla Harr of Ainsworth; daughters Sharon Vetter and husband Todd of Norfolk, and JoLynn Winkler and husband Shawn of Lincoln; four grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A private family service will be held at a later date for Kenneth Huston Jr., 63, of Emmet. Kenneth Huston Jr. died April 2, at Kearney. Survivors include his wife Joyce Huston of Emmet; parents Ken and Laurine Huston of Emmet; siblings Cindy Pribil and husband Mike of Atkinson, Kelly Huston and wife Marge of Emmet, and Jaime Reiser and husband Chris of Atkinson; step-children Jamie Deveno and husband Dan of Nevada, Iowa, Joe Downs and wife Nicole of Clarksville, Tenn., and Jennifer Cosaert and husband Dan of Atkinson; seven grandchildren; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Ron Holtgrew, 62, of Stuart, April 8, in the Atkinson Community Center with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Ron Holtgrew died April 2 at Norfolk. Survivors include his wife Kim Holtgrew of Stuart; children Kristin Bohling and husband Bob of Tecumseh, and Ashley Zeisler and husband Jon of Bonesteel, S.D.; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; siblings Bill Holtgrew and wife Sue of Hinton, Iowa, Bob Holtgrew and wife Catherine of Winside, Don Holtgrew and wife Sandra of Atkinson, Vickie McNamara and husband Joe of Sioux City, Iowa, and Linda Kreikemeier and husband Willy of West Point; mother-in-law Lila Kay of Wayne; brother-in-law Kevin Kay and wife Teresa of Wayne; sister-in-law Karla Moore and husband Bert of Holsclaw Hill, Ky.; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A celebration of life for Diane M. Thompson, 69, of Long Pine, April 6, in the Ainsworth Nazarene Church. Diane Thompson died Nov. 15, 2023.  Survivors include children Chris Thompson and wife Teana of North Platte, Rachel Thompson and significant other Ryan Bouy of Long Pine, and Ashley Johnson and husband Chris of Ainsworth; eight grandchildren; sisters Donna Shald of O’Neill, Debra Langan and husband Steve of Stuart; brother-in-law Donald Thompson and wife Shirley of Hoodsport, WA.; sister-in-law Debbie Stage of Lincoln City, OR; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Lew Johnson, 92, of Valentine, April 5, in the St. Nicholas Catholic Church of Valentine with burial in the Mount Hope Cemetery. Lew Johnson died March 27 at Burwell. Survivors include his wife Joan Johnson of Valentine; sons David Johnson of Blair, Bruce Johnson of Valentine, and Larry Johnson of Plymouth, Minn.; daughter Brenda Smyth of Sacramento, Calif.; sister Thelma Rockwell of Jonesboro, Ark.; stepchildren Kenneth Nollett of San Diego, Calif., and Melinda Sloan of Plantation, Fla.; and other family members.

* Word has been received of the death of Carol J. Berg, 87, of Springview and the Rock County Hospital Long Term Care. Carol Berg died March 29 in the Rock County Hospital. A family memorial service and inurnment will be held at a later date in Minnesota. Survivors include her children Cheryl Berg of St. Paul, Minn., Jeffrey Berg of Des Moines, Iowa, Sandra Lewis and husband David of Springview, and Carla Berg of Bolivar, Mo.; four grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Thomas O. Strand, 63, of Winner, S.D., formerly of Ainsworth, April 1, in Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth with burial in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. Tom Strand died March 24 in the Winner Regional Hospital. Survivors include his fiancé Vicki Condon of Winner, S.D., and her son Lane Hall of Sutherland; daughters Jessica Dye and husband Jason of Chadron, Ashly O’Keefe of North Platte, and Sheena Strand of Rapid City, S.D.; six grandchildren; mother Liz Strand of Ainsworth; mother of his children Patsy Strand of North Platte; siblings Rick Philbrick and wife Jana of Gillette, Wyo., Deb Assarsson and husband Bill of Bassett, Rob Strand and wife Lori of Ainsworth, and Shane Philbrick of Springview; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Mary E. Daniels, 91, of Ainsworth, March 29, in Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth with burial in the Ainsworth Cemetery. Mary Daniels died March 25 in the Rock County Hospital Long Term Care at Bassett. Survivors include her daughter Brenda LeMay of Ainsworth; daughter-in-law Teri Daniels of Ainsworth; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Evelyn Harris of Arkansas; extended family Becky Gustafson and husband Gary of Lincoln; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Jo Ann Brown, 88, of Atkinson, March 27, in Seger Funeral Home of Atkinson with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Jo Ann Brown died March 22 in her home. Survivors include her children Melodee Douglas of Atkinson, Rick Brown and wife Terry of South Elgin, Ill., and Kim Ziska and husband Ken of Atkinson; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; brother Dewey Joseph Sanders of Gillette, Wyo.; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Dale Caskey, 93, of Bassett, March 23, in the Bassett Methodist Church. Dale Caskey died March 17 in the Rock County Hospital. Survivors include his wife Audrey Caskey of Bassett; daughters Connie Wiley and husband Leighton of St. Libory, Carol Lowenstein of Garland, Texas, and Darcia Kovarik and husband Ray of Taylor; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sister Betty Gasseling of Rapid City, S.D.; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Richard Baker, 83, of Atkinson, March 23, in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Atkinson with burial in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Richard Baker died March 11 in the Atkinson Good Samaritan Center. Survivors include his daughters Mona Milbourn and husband George of Atkinson, Jacki Wilde and Tyree of Vancouver, Wash., Angelique Gray of LaVista, and Julie Hedges and Roger of Portland, Ore.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister Marian Lovitt of Lyman; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A private family graveside service will be held at a later date for Ayden Witte, 20, of Valentine. Ayden Witte died March 15 at Omaha. Survivors include parents Tyler and Laura Witte of Mount Holly, N.J.; sister Isabel Witte of Mount Holly; grandparents Duane and Deb Witte of Valentine; great-grandparents Gilbert and Virginia Witte of Crookston; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Nellie E. Johnson, 94, of Ainsworth, March 21, in Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth with burial in the Ainsworth Cemetery. Nellie Johnson died March 15 in the Sandhills Care Center. Survivors include daughter Beverly Painter and husband Dean of Ainsworth; son Mike Johnson and wife Wanda of Ainsworth; son-in-law Jerry Quadhamer of Hildreth; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A memorial service for Sally (Bailey) Maulis, 87, of Winner, S.D., formerly of Ainsworth, March 18, in the Ainsworth Congregational Church with a private family inurnment. Sally Maulis died Dec. 1, 2023. Survivors include her husband Ruben Maulis of Winner; brother Gene Bailey of Des Moines, Iowa; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Allen Adair, 66, of Amelia, March 12, in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Atkinson with burial in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.  Allen Adair died March 4 in O’Neill.  Survivors include his brother Dick Adair and wife Colleen of Atkinson; nephew Terry Adair and wife Laura of David City; nieces Danielle Brown and husband Jason of Gretna, Justina Earnest and husband Patrick of Newton, Illinois, and Shelby Frickel and husband Alex of Lincoln; and many great nieces and nephews.

* Funeral service for Catherine Steinhauser, 82, of Stuart, March 8, in the St. Boniface Catholic Church of Stuart with burial in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Catherine Steinhauser died March 1 in the Atkinson Good Samaritan Center. Survivors include sons Cliff Steinhauser and wife Kathy of Alma, Steve Steinhauser and wife Brenda of Grand Island, Dale Steinhauser and wife Kim of Stuart: 11 grandchildren: 10 great-grandchildren: brother George Schmit and wife Udonna of Atkinson: sister-in-law Eileen Schmit of O’Neill.

* Funeral service for Jim Troshynski, 75, of Atkinson, March 9, in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Atkinson with burial in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Jim Troshynski died Feb. 24 in the Faith Regional Health Services at Norfolk. Survivors include his wife Betti Troshynski of Atkinson; children Stacia Troshynski Brown and husband Greg of Kansas City, Mo., Bill Troshynski and wife Laura of North Platte, and Chritine Troshynski of Emmet; three grandchildren; and other family members.

* A graveside service for Pauline Schmidt, 96, of Bassett, March 5, at the Callahan Cemetery near Murdock. Pauline Schmidt died Feb. 26 in the Rock County Hospital Long Term Care. Survivors include nieces and nephews.

* Funeral service for Olive Simonton, 93, formerly of Purdum and Ainsworth, March 2, in the Purdum United Church of Christ with burial in the Purdum Cemetery. Olive Simonton died Feb. 26 in Linden Court at North Platte. Survivors include her children Mike Keller and wife Lucy of North Platte, Kathy Bennett and husband Danny of Ainsworth, and Patty Robinson and husband Scott of Unionville, Mo.; six grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Agnes Mae Dobias, 93, of the Amelia and Atkinson area, Feb. 28, in Seger Funeral Home of Atkinson with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Agnes Dobias died Feb. 23 in the Arbor Care Center at O’Neill. Survivors include brother Franklin Malena of O’Neill; niece Natalie Prewitt and husband Jerry of Atkinson; and other family members.

* Word has been received of the death of Gregory E. Bammerlin, 75, of Mills. Greg Bammerlin died Feb. 18 in his home. Per his wishes, no service will be held and his ashes will be buried on his ranch at a later date. Survivors include daughters Chera Sisson and husband Jeff of Ainsworth, Chana Orton and husband Jason of Mills, and Alicia Bammerlin and husband Robert Schieffer of Boelus; four grandchildren; partner Becky Fischer of Rapid City, S.D.; mother-in-law Kaye Carr of Springview; brother Dennis Bammerlin of Millboro, S.D.; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A memorial service for Lucy Forgey, 86, of Douglas, Wyo., formerly of Colome, S.D., Feb. 24, in the Winner Methodist Church. Lucy Forgey died Feb. 6 at Douglas. Survivors include sons Steve Forgey and wife Shirley of Casper, Wyo., Neil Forgey and wife Clarice of Lost Springs, Wyo., Dan Forgey and wife Lyn of Dallas, S.D., and Dale Forgey and wife Carla of Alliance; daughter Lisa Forgey of Colome, S.D.; 13 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

* A graveside memorial service for Dennis D. Pfister, 74, of Grand Island formerly of Bassett, Feb. 23, at the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. Dennis Pfister died Feb. 17 in the Grand Island Regional Medical Center. Survivors include his son Duane Pfister and wife Julie of Long Pine; daughter Tammy Pfister and partner Tony Bush of Milwaukie, Ore.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and other family members.

* A graveside service for Joyce A. Carr Colvin, 89, of Valentine, Feb. 9, at the Mount Hope Cemetery with a luncheon to follow in the Valentine Methodist Church. Joyce Carr Colvin died Jan. 31 in the Sandhills Care Center at Ainsworth. Survivors include her daughter Jan Epke of Springview; son J.D. Carr of Yankton, S.D.; and sister Pat Schubauer of Black Hawk, S.D.

* Funeral service for Darline Blake, 91, of Bassett, Feb. 8, in the Bassett St. Peter Lutheran Church with burial in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. Darline Blake died Feb. 3 in her home. Survivors include daughters Connie Hollenbeck and Jim Hanna of Mullen, Linda Maas and husband Ray of Plattsburg, Mo., Vickie Walz and husband Paul of Valentine, and Yvonne “Corkie” Fox and husband Tony of Bassett; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sister Ellie Gartin of Omaha; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Roger H. Brede, 85, formerly of Ainsworth, Feb. 8, in the Ainsworth Evangelical Free Church. Roger Brede died Feb. 5 in the Hospice House at Omaha. Survivors include his wife Sharon Brede of Omaha; children Kent Brede and wife Melissa of Omaha, Jill Ganser and fiancé Dalan Urquhart of Omaha, Ann McConnaughay and husband Darren of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; and Patrick Brede of Fresno, Calif.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister Betty Olson of Houston, Texas; brother Bryan Brede of Gothenburg; brother-in-law Blair Williams and wife Marilyn of Ainsworth; sister-in-law Becky Williams of Bradley, Ill.; sister-in-law Corrine Dana of Mesa, Ariz.; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Lynn Schaefer, 96, of Valentine, Feb. 8, in the St. Nicholas Catholic Church of Valentine with burial in the Mount Hope Cemetery. Lynn Schaefer died Feb. 2 at Atkinson. Survivors include daughters Suzanne Baker of O’Neill, Reggie Bennett of Lincoln, and Denise Simons of Philip, S.D.; son Bob Schaefer of Lexington; sister Ruthie Ferris of Valentine; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Garry Lockmon, 85, of Stuart, Feb. 5, in the St. Boniface Catholic Church of Stuart with burial in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Garry Lockmon died Feb. 1 in the Good Samaritan Hospital at Kearney. Survivors include his wife Janice Lockmon of Stuart; daughter Kathie Ramm and husband Leonard of Stuart; son Bob Lockmon and wife Sonya of Stuart; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

* A private family service for Lorraine Lieswald, 87, of Atkinson, will be held at a later date with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Lorraine Leiswald died Feb. 1 in the Parkside Manor at Stuart. Survivors include her sons Jeff Lieswald and wife Laurie of Atkinson, and Scott Lieswald and wife Linda of Junction City, Kan.; daughter Becky Borer and husband Tim of Atkinson; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two brothers, a sister and other family members.

* Funeral service for Rich Flannery, 78, of Atkinson, Feb. 1, in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Atkinson with burial in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Rich Flannery died Jan. 27 in the Faith Regional Health Services at Norfolk. Survivors include his wife Hilda Flannery of Atkinson; children Scott Flannery and wife Samantha of Mission, S.D., T.J. Flannery of Atkinson, and Jeanne Laible and husband Mike of Atkinson; seven grandchildren; brother Jack Flannery and wife Sharie of Atkinson; and sisters Barbara Preusker of O’Neill, and Cathy Goeke and husband Jeff of Columbus.

* Funeral service for Carole Reber, 72, of Atkinson, Jan. 31, in the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Atkinson with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Carole Reber died Jan. 26 in the Plainview Manor. Survivors include her daughter Johnel Thies and husband Scott of Grand Island; sons Jory Reber of Wayne, and Gary Allen Reber and fiancé Pam of Gregory, S.D.; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; mother Ila Enger of Osmond; two sisters; five brothers; and other family members.

* Funeral service for Marvel M. Forgey, 86, of Springview, Jan. 27, in the Keya Paha County High School gymnasium with burial in the Mount Hope Cemetery. Marvel Forgey died Jan. 13 in the Rock County Hospital at Bassett. Survivors include children Teresa Luse and husband Dale of Lincoln and Springview, Dr. Dean Forgey and wife Debbie of Lincoln, and Debra Douglas and husband Doug of Valentine; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister Fern Sexton of Evansville, Ind.; brother-in-law Lyle Forgey of Springview; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Kurt Micheel, 51, of Atkinson, Jan. 27, in the Atkinson Community Center with burial in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Kurt Micheel died Jan. 19 in the West Holt Memorial Hospital. Survivors include his wife Lindsey Micheel of Atkinson; children Keyanna Fix and husband Blaine of Atkinson, Olivia Micheel of Newport, Tinzley Micheel of Atkinson, and Jack Janzing of Atkinson; parents Bill and Ruth Micheel of Ainsworth; brother Rex Micheel and wife Julie of Ainsworth; sister Roxanne Micheel of Norfolk; and parents-in-law Burt and Karen Straka of Stuart.

* A celebration of life service for Valerie Lynn (DeBolt) Herron, 53, of Ord, Jan. 27, in the Ord Heartland Assembly of God Church. Valerie Herron died Jan. 16. Survivors include her husband Elwood Herron of Ord; children Rickale Glover and husband Logan of Haslet, Texas, Nicholas Herron and special friend Teresa Mohr of Grand Island, Hannah Herron and special friend Carter Hasemann of Norfolk, and Hadassah Herron of Ord; five grandchildren; step-daughter Kristina Worth of Springview; siblings Bob DeBolt of Bassett, Mary Ann Hartgrave and husband John of Long Pine, Carol Lowe and husband Duskin of Rapid City, S.D., Bill DeBolt of Long Pine, Jim DeBolt and wife Angie of Long Pine, Judy Lear and husband Allan of Bassett, and Gary DeBolt and special friend Debi Wittmayer of Sioux Falls, S.D.; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Barbara Ann (Patton) Huelle, 76, of Franklin, Jan. 26, in the Grace Lutheran Church of Franklin. Barbara Huelle died Jan. 22 in Franklin. A memorial graveside service is scheduled for noon Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Ainsworth Cemetery. Barbara is the widow of Dwayne Huelle. Memorials can be made to the American Diabetes Association in care of Hutchins Funeral Home. 

* Funeral service for Marilyn Schaaf, 90, of Atkinson, Jan. 26, in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Atkinson with burial in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Marilyn Schaaf died Jan. 21 in the Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital at O’Neill. Survivors include children Sheryl Winkler and husband Jerry of Atkinson, Sandra Finley and husband Dennis of Ewing, Vicky Johnson and husband Mark of Atkinson, and Duane “Rocky” Schaaf and wife America of Seattle, Wash.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law Darlene Schaaf of Atkinson.

* Funeral service for Darlene Gantt, 80, of Stuart, Jan. 24, in the Stuart Community Church with burial in the Stuart Community Cemetery. Darlene Gantt died Jan. 20 in her home. Survivors include daughter Storm Miller and husband Jim of Omaha; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers Alex Vanderbeek of Stuart, and Duane Vanderbeek of Arizona; sister Velma Seger of Atkinson; and friend John Shald of Stuart.

* Funeral service for Madeline K. “Lynn” Strelow, 81, of Bassett, Jan. 23, in the Bassett Methodist Church with burial in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. Lynn Strelow died Jan. 19 in the Rock County Hospital. Survivors include children Monte Strelow and wife Stacy of Bassett, Regina Beck and husband Tory of Bassett, Lynette Qualley and husband Ed of Valentine, and Connie Olson and husband Jack of Volin, S.D.; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother Dennis Cook and wife Susan of Plattsmouth; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Norma Porath, 88, of Valentine, Jan. 18, in the Grace Lutheran Church of Valentine with burial in the Mount Hope Cemetery. Norma Porath died Jan. 8 at Lincoln. Survivors include daughters Cheryl Bennett of Valentine, and Deb O’Connor of Lincoln; and son Brent Porath of Valentine.

* Word has been received of the death of Richard E. Burdick, 83, of Ainsworth. Richard Burdick died Jan. 11 in the Sandhills Care Center. Per his wishes, no service will be held. Survivors include his sons Troy Burdick of Valentine, and Sean Burdick of Knoxville, Iowa; two granddaughters; stepsons Brent Sobotka of Buffalo, Wyo., and Brian Sobotka of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sister Shirley Lentz of Ainsworth; sisters-in-law Rose Burdick of Arlington, Ore., and Mary Ann Burdick of Lakewood, Colo.; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Word has been received of the death of Helen Lois Jones, 92, of Ainsworth. Helen Jones died Jan. 10 in the Brown County Hospital. A private family service will be held at a later date. Survivors include her daughters Annette Hubbell and husband Butch of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Rayetta Zibell and husband Steve of Lead, S.D.; seven grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Dell Pedersen of Farmington, N.M.; brother-in-law Wayne Petersen of Overton; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Word has been received of the death of George W. Botsford, 95, of Ainsworth. George Botsford died Jan. 6 in his home. A private service will be held at a later date. Survivors include his sister Doris Leach of Ainsworth; brother Lewis Botsford of Ainsworth; six nephews and other family members.

* Word has been received of the death of Merlin E. Sweeney, 88, of Bassett. Merlin Sweeney died Jan. 4, in the Rock County Hospital. Per his wishes, no service will be held. Survivors include his wife Vivian Sweeney of Bassett; children David Spier of Platte, S.D., Daniel Spier and wife Patti of Ainsworth, Valynda Sukup and husband Pat of Norfolk, and Timothy Sweeney of Stanton; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother Robert Sweeney and wife Imelda of Crestview, Fla.; sister Mary Van Sickle and husband Jim of Ainsworth; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for David Frost, 82, of Stuart, Jan. 10, in Seger Funeral Home of Stuart with burial in the Stuart Community Cemetery. David Frost died Jan. 3 in the Parkside Manor. Survivors include his brothers Samuel Frost and wife Sharon of Russell, Kan., Omer Frost and wife Linda of Kearney, and Zane Frost of Atkinson; sister Ellen Tunender of O’Neill; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Larry L. Fischer, 91, of Bassett, Jan. 8, in the Bassett St. Peter Lutheran Church with burial in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. Larry Fischer died Jan. 3 in the Rock County Hospital Long Term Care. Survivors include children Nickie Buell and husband Larry of Long Pine, Allen “Butch” Fischer and wife Deb of Bassett, and Ben “Russell” Fischer and wife Lisa of Bassett; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sister Marlene Johnson and husband Ted of Rapid City, S.D.; sister-in-law Ione Fischer of Bassett; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* A celebration of life service for Abigail “Abby” Joy Petty, 14, of Long Pine, Jan. 6, in the Ainsworth United Methodist Church. Abby Petty died Jan. 2 in the Children’s Hospital at Omaha following a sudden illness. Survivors include her parents Doug and Jessica Petty of Long Pine; brothers Jonathan Petty of Long Pine, and Nathan Petty and fiancée Neveah Bowie of Broken Arrow, Okla.; sister Gracie Petty of Broken Arrow; grandparents John and Teresa Petty of Red Oak, Iowa, Terry and Linda Dudley of Long Pine, and Stephen and Ginger Pierce of Vernal, Utah; uncles, aunts, cousins and other family members.

* Funeral service for Patricia L. “Patty” Swanson, 90, of Bassett, Jan. 5, in the Bassett Methodist Church with burial in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. Patty Swanson died Jan. 1 in the Rock County Hospital Long Term Care. Survivors include her husband Duane Swanson of Bassett and O’Neill; children Dennis Swanson and wife Terri of Bassett, Don Swanson and wife Therese of Papillion, Cathy Ewoldt of Grand Island, and Debbie Morrison and husband Daniel of Bassett; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sister Ilow Meinecke and husband Rich of O’Neill; nieces, nephews and other family members.

* Funeral service for Edna “Frannie” Gardner, 76, of Atkinson, Jan. 4, in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Atkinson with burial in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Frannie Gardner died Dec. 27 in the Atkinson Good Samaritan Center. Survivors include her sister Carol Obermire and husband Dean of Atkinson.

* Word has been received of the death of Elsie Leigh Acord, 90, of Ainsworth. Leigh Acord died Dec. 26 in Cottonwood Villa. A funeral service and burial will be held at a later date at Yampa, Colo. Survivors include daughters Dana Acord of Ainsworth, and Francine Acord-Brown of Parachute, Colo.; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; sister Lois Udema of Strasburg, Colo.; nieces, nephews including locally Gary Morris and wife Cathy of Wood Lake, and other family members.

* Funeral service for Lois Alder Henderson, 91, of Stuart, Jan. 2, in the Stuart Community Church with burial in the Stuart Community Cemetery. Lois Henderson died Dec. 28 in the Arbor Care Center at O’Neill. Survivors include children Rick Alder and wife Sheryl of Stuart, Rodney Alder and wife Jane of Vine Grove, Ken., Randy Alder of Newman Grove, Reggie Alder and wife April of Stuart, Rosalyn Alder of Norfolk, and Renee Alder of Tulsa, Okla.; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.