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Walter Einspahr
Walter Gustav Einspahr was born Dec. 23, 1910 to Gustav and Auguste (Koch) Einspahr in the family farm home near Enders, Neb.
He was the youngest son in the family of eight brothers and three sisters.
Walt was baptized in infancy at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on the South Divide. He was confirmed by Rev. Fred Elze at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial on March 28, 1926.
He attended grade school in Enders, graduated from Chase County High School in 1928 and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for one semester.
He worked on the family farm until the government purchased a part of the land for the construction of Enders Dam and Lake.
He was married
to Evelyn Marie Barraclough on June 18, 1931 in the bride's home north of Wauneta by Rev. David G. Wine. To this union were born three daughters, Joy, Rita and Marcia, and a still-born son.
Farm life in the early 1930's was difficult, so for extra income Walt trapped fur-bearing animals in the winter and sold the hides. He also worked with his horses on the new road being constructed to Benkelman.
The family moved to Imperial in 1934 where Walt accepted a position at Einspahr's Drug Store. He made all the ice cream that was used and sold during that time.
Walt took a correspondence course in accounting which resulted in keeping books for several businesses in Imperial.
In 1940 he accepted the bookkeeper position at Leech Chevrolet Company.
In February, 1942, he joined the staff of First National Bank where he worked until 1976, when he retired from the then Chase County Bank & Trust as Cashier and Vice President.
He was treasurer of the Imperial golf club and Zion Lutheran Church for many years and also a member of the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department.
Sports were always an important part of Walt's life, beginning with football and basketball at CCHS. He played summer baseball until 1952, but continued golfing, fishing and hunting until failing health interfered with these hobbies. A winter hobby was making fishing lures and fly-tying, and there was always a summer garden as space allowed. A variety of fruits and vegetables were shared with friends and neighbors as surplus came.
When health made it impossible to continue living in their home of 50 years, he and Evelyn retired to Imperial Heights in September, 1996.
He passed away at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial on Feb. 4, 2006, at the age of 95.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Evelyn, daughter Rita Ackermann, son-in-law Kenneth Rider, sisters Laura Cook and Minnie Knepper, and all seven brothers: Theodore, Edward, William, Ludwig (Lue), Frank, Martin and Lawrence.
Surviving are daughters Joy Smith and husband Harlan and Marcia Rider of Imperial; son-in-law Harvey Ackermann of McCook; sister Florence Weaver of Choteau, Mont.; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; two great, great grandsons; four step grandchildren and families and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. (MT) at the Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial with Pastor David Kahle officiating.
Interment followed at Mount Hope cemetery, Imperial.
A memorial has been established to Zion Lutheran Church of Imperial or donor's choice.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Betty DalPonte
Betty DalPonte was born September, 1923 in Wilcox, Neb. She died Jan. 23, 2006 in Greeley, Colo., where she resided.
She was married
to Ben DalPonte. They resided in Imperial for a short while from 1973-1974 where Ben managed the Trinidad Bean Co.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Foster and Ina Samuelson; husband, Ben; and brother, Foster Samuelson, Jr.
Survivors include two daughters, Pam Dengenhart and husband, Joe and Cheryl DalPonte both of Greeley, Colo.; grandsons, Curt Dengenhart of Boston, Mass. and Kevin Dengenhart of California; two sisters, Jackie Christensen and husband, Bob of Imperial and Donna Roper and husband, Maurice of Ukiah, Calif.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A private family service was held in Sterling, Colo. at Riverside cemetery on Jan. 30.
Ruth Ashmore
Ruth Louise (Winter) Ashmore, 88, died Saturday morning, Jan. 28, 2006, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home in Imperial, Neb.
She was born Feb. 28, 1917 in Clatonia, Neb. to William (Billy) and Anna (Struckmeyer) Winter.
She was baptized on July 22, 1917 and confirmed on Oct. 30, 2005 at Zion Lutheran Church, Imperial, Neb. by Rev. David Kahle.
Ruth married
Robert Ashmore on Jan. 22, 1942 in McCook, Neb. They made their home on the family farm near Lamar, Neb. To this union three sons were born: Lyle, Rodney and Glen.
Ruth enjoyed cooking and specialized in making homemade bread, pies and baked beans. Gardening and canning food for the family was one of her accomplishments. She was an avid reader and read anything she could get her hands on. She loved to shop for yarn and supplies to crochet blankets for her children and grandchildren.
Ruth is survived by her three sons: Lyle Ashmore of Dallas, Texas, Rodney and wife Rosie Ashmore of Vancouver, Wash., Glen and wife Janet Ashmore of Lamar, Neb.; 14 grandchildren: Terry Ashmore of Chesapeake, Va., Kimberly and husband Kent Raymond of Round Rock, Texas, Kelly Ashmore of Dallas Texas, Kyle and wife Bridgette Ashmore of Dallas, Texas, Julie and husband, Ivan Reece of Clockamae, Ore., Steve and wife Karen Ashmore of Vancouver, Wash., Randy Ashmore, Tom and wife Megan Ashmore and Adrian Ashmore, all of Imperial, Neb.; 11 great grandchildren: Cody and Alyssa Ashmore of Dallas, Texas, Stephanie and Samantha Green, Derick and Dylan Reece of Cockamae, Ore., Tylor, Chase, Catilin and Alexander Ashmore of Vancouver, Wash. and MaKenna Ashmore of Imperial, Neb.; one brother, Orval Winter and wife Esther of Hoquiam, Wash. and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Robert, one brother Elmer Winter, three sisters Irene Weers, Alice DeBolt and Velma Alexander.
Funeral services were held Feb. 1, 2006, at 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. David Kahle officiating. Music was by Zion's choral choir.
Interment was at Green Lawn cemetery in Lamar, Neb.
A memorial has been established in her memory.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Virginia Spady
Virginia Elaine Spady, age 82, of Ogallala, Neb., passed away on Monday, Jan. 30, 2006 at the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.
She was born Aug. 20, 1923 in Holyoke, Colo., the daughter of Roley W. and Ruby (Lock) Arterburn.
Virginia grew up on the Arterburn Lake Ranch south of Lamar, Neb.
She graduated from the Chase County High School in Imperial. Upon her graduation from high school Virginia took Normal Training and received a teacher's certificate. She taught in rural schools for two years before joining the war effort and began working at an aircraft manufacturing facility in Denver, Colo.
After several months as "Rosie the Riveter" Virginia moved to Omaha, Neb. where she attended telegrapher school. Before her graduation as a telegrapher her soldier-boy high school sweetheart returned from a long overseas tour of duty. On Sept. 5, 1945 Virginia married
Kenneth Spady at Imperial. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 5 of last year.
They made their home in Imperial until 1960 when Ken and Virginia moved themselves and their four children to Ogallala.
In Ogallala Virginia was a homemaker and worked in the family construction business with Ken as chief painter, varnisher and design coordinator. She had also been employed at the Coast to Coast store in downtown Ogallala from 1976 until 1989.
Virginia taught Sunday school for several years and was a 4-H leader for many years. She was also an active member of Band Boosters at the Ogallala High School. She was an avid flower gardener and displayed at the Keith County Fair for many years. Her yard and garden won "Yard of the Week" on several occasions. In addition to gardening she enjoyed cooking, sewing and other handicrafts. She enjoyed attending school events of both her children and grandchildren.
Virginia was a loving, caring mother and grandmother and thoroughly enjoyed her family and friends.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth E. Spady of Ogallala; three sons, C. Kenneth and wife Jerolyn Spady of Issoquah, WA, Steve and wife Elaine Spady of York, NE, Phil and wife Toni Spady of Bellevue, WA; one daughter, Jan and husband Roy Conway of Ogallala; grandchildren, Tara (Dave) Daly of Richmond, VA, Chad (Kerry) Spady of Omaha, NE, Karri Upton of Seattle, WA, Stephanie Spady of New York NY, Andrew Spady of Lincoln, NE, Alex Spady of Bellevue, WA, Jamie Dickenson of Ogallala, Alissa Conway of Ogallala, Nicole Conway of Rockford, IL, David Conway of Senecca, MO; great-grandchildren, Logan Spady, Taylor Upton, Trace Daly, Lilianna Spady; sister, Barbara Banks of Imperial, NE; brothers, Roley E. Arterburn of Imperial, NE, Keith (Hazel) Arterburn of McCook, NE, Kermit (Charlene) Arterburn of McCook, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; mother- and father-in-law, George and Jennie Spady; brother-in-law, Herman Banks; and sister-in-law, Alyce Arterburn.
Funeral services for Virginia Spady will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2006 at the First Congregational, United Church of Christ in Ogallala with Pastor Laurie Heidenreich officiating.
Cremation will take place following the services with inurnment at a later date. A memorial has been established in her memory.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Gubser Funeral Home and prior to the services at the church on Friday.
Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Irene Kruse
Irene Kruse of Selden, Kan., mother of Mary Deyle, passed away on Friday, Jan. 27, 2006.
Services were held on Jan. 31 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Ella Winkelmann
Ella Wilhelmina Bertha (Bischoff) Winkelmann, age 96, passed away on Jan. 25, 2006 at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home.
Ella was born on Nov. 26, 1909, the youngest of nine children of John H. and Minnie (Kastens) Bischoff, who emigrated from Germany to America in 1893. They settled south of Enders on the South Divide where Ella was born.
She was baptized on Dec. 25, 1909 and confirmed on May 25, 1923 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. As a child, Ella first attended the German school affiliated with St. Paul's Lutheran Church, but because her father wanted her to learn English, she transferred to Lincoln School, located on the South Divide where she graduated from the eighth grade.
After her father's retirement from farming in 1927, Ella moved with her parents to Culbertson where she became reacquainted with Alfred Winkelmann. They were married
at the Culbertson Lutheran Church on Sept. 2, 1930.
She loved flowers and was delighted to have a large basket adorning the church for their wedding.
Wink was a Ford dealer and the couple lived in Culbertson, Palisade and Benkelman before finally settling in Imperial in 1941.
Wink and Ella had four children: Don, Jean, Jim and David. From the time their oldest son was born until the youngest son left for college 42 years had elapsed.
Ella was a homemaker who, along with her love of flowers, enjoyed changing the decor of their home. She was an avid reader. A great listener, she took joy in spending time with her family and encouraging them in their endeavors.
She had a wonderful sense of humor and could easily laugh at herself. After her family was grown she worked as a clerk in several stores in Imperial.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wink, in 1994; and her brothers and sisters, Henry Bischoff, Minnie Denker, Bill Bischoff, Fred Bischoff, John Bischoff, Bertha Denker, Carl Bischoff and Sophia Nordhausen.
Ella is survived by her children, Don of Santa Fe, N.M., Jean and her husband, Bob Hardy, of McCook, Jim and his wife, Sara, of Waukesha, Wisc. and David and his wife, Katherine, of Athens, Ohio. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Jan. 28 at the Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. David Kahle officiating. Music was provided by the Senior Choral Choir.
Pallbearers were Don Winkelmann, Jim Winkelmann, David Winkelmann, Bob Hardy, Steven Hardy and Steve Vrana.
Interment followed the services at Mount Hope cemetery in Imperial.
Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Thelma Wallin
Thelma Marguerite (Eskew) Wallin of Longmont, Colo. was born Jan. 7, 1917 in Champion, Neb. to Jesse "Jack" and Grace (Fulk) Eskew.
Thelma graduated from Chase County High School in 1935.
She was united in marriage to Leon Wallin on Sept. 6, 1935 in Grant, Neb.
Thelma passed away Jan. 25, 2006, at Hospice Care of Boulder and Broomfield Counties Care Center in Louisville, Colo. at the age of 89 years.
Thelma was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, and later worked as Deputy County Assessor for Chase County, Neb. She was of the Methodist Faith and a member of the Chase County Extension Club.
Her hobbies included crocheting and quilting, making quilts for all her grandchildren and baby blankets for her great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Leon Wallin; a brother, Jesse Don Eskew; a daughter, Gweneth Naugle and her parents, Jack and Grace Eskew.
She is survived by three sons, Jack Wallin and wife Mary of Johnstown, Colo., Leroy Wallin and wife Sharon of Morrison, Colo. and Ivan Wallin and wife Roe Ann of Greeley, Colo.; a son-in-law Jerome Naugle of Boulder, Colo.; 10 grandchildren, Dian Arnold and husband Wayne, Randy Naugle, Eric Wallin and wife Tracey, Dawn Rine and husband Malin, Brad Wallin and wife Rita, Brian Wallin and wife Stephanie, Todd Wallin and Dawn Wrede, Kimberley Wallin and Ole Gehring, Terra Zimmerman and Tosha Zimmerman. She was the proud great grandmother of 13 great grandchildren, Kevin and Ryan Arnold, Terra and Grant Naugle, TaRissa and Evan Wallin, Cierra and Kyler Rine, Emma and Elani Wallin, Lucas Wallin, Teagan Wallin and Brett Geisking.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, at the Methodist Church with Pastor Kay Alnor officiating.
Music was provided by pianist, Mrs. Joan Lantry, and singers, Irvin and Garneta Bauerle.
Casketbearers were Randy Naugle, Brad Wallin, Eric Wallin, Brian Wallin, Todd Wallin and Malin Rine.
Burial was at Mount Hope cemetery with Liewer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 2825 Marine Street, Boulder, Colo. 80303.
Vinton Jones
Vinton Jones was born on June 14, 1921, at his parents' home in southwest Chase County, Neb. He was the second son of Arda and Grace (Williams) Jones.
He departed this life on Jan. 20, 2006, in North Platte, Neb., at the age of 84.
Vinton was baptized at an early age at the Crete Church in Chase County. He became a member of the United Methodist Church of Benkelman and transferred this membership as they moved to McCook and North Platte.
Vinton and his brother, Irvin, grew up in a small two room house located on property that their parents had homesteaded.
He spent many hours with his dog and horse hunting for game to bring home for the table.
His early education was at District 55, a country one room school, which was a six mile horseback ride.
His eighth grade year he purchased a Ford model-T for $25 which allowed him to drive and give fellow students rides to school. The first year of high school he traded his model-T for a Harley Davidson motorcycle. He attended high school in Imperial where he graduated in 1939.
After high school he attended flying school in Lincoln, Neb. where he graduated in the fall of 1939. In December he purchased his first airplane; an Aeronica K-40 hp which became the first airplane owned in Chase County. This was just the first of many airplanes that Vinton enjoyed over the years, whether working or playing. He was an early entrepreneur when it came to doing something with an airplane.
Unable to find a good instructor's position in the U.S.; he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. On that fateful day in December, 1941 (Pearl Harbor Day) he struck out for Omaha to take a check ride. Upon arrival he was told all planes were grounded, and his talents could best be used in the U.S. to train young pilots.
In July, 1942 he was sent to Thunderbird Field near Phoenix, Ariz. as an Army Air Corps Flight Instructor. At 21 he was the youngest instructor in the West Coast Command where he taught Army Air Corps pilots. He, also, instructed several Chinese who became leaders in the Chinese Air Force.
During this time he met Mildred (Millie) Yancy of Glendale, Arizona, and they were married
on Dec. 25, 1942. Their first son, Ronald Vinton was born in 1944.
Vinton was inducted into the Army Air Corps Reserve and transferred to Air Transport Command in Kansas City, Mo. (1945) where he served as a pilot for Trans Continental & Western Air (TWA-Trans World Airlines when WWII ended).
In February, 1946, Vinton leased the airport in Phillipsburg, Kan., training students, flying charter and repairing aircraft. Times were tough and to make ends meet he contracted with area ranchers to hunt coyotes. Here their second son, Stanley Arden, was born in 1947.
In August, 1947 he started a GI flying school which was the first one in western Kansas authorized to give commercial flight training courses. Phillipsburg is where he did his first aerial spraying in 1948 with a 65 hp J-3 Cub. He started flying at air shows as an aerobatic pilot and developed a clown act. This act was performed at an air show in Benkelman in September, 1948, which was attended by a crowd of 12,000 spectators according to the newspaper article of the event.
In 1950 Vinton and Millie moved their sons and aerial spraying business to the airport on Balderson property north of Benkelman.
In 1950-1951, during the Korean War, Vinton returned to the service as a civilian flying instructor in Greenville, Miss. He was instructing in T-6's which became his favorite airplane. Before Millie could join him their daughter, Jana Kay, was born at Benkelman in 1951.
Upon his return in 1951 Vinton formed Top Hat Flying Service and the "top hat" logo was born. In 1953 after a fire burned his main hangar, Vinton purchased the Grigsby land northwest of Benkelman, moved two hangars and built an airport that is still at the present location.
Vinton taught both boys to fly, and they followed him in the aerial spraying business. It was a proud time for him when the three of them were spraying a field together, one following the other.
He started farming and ranching his parents' home place in Chase County developing irrigated farm land. He was proud of his Hereford cow herd and enjoyed working them with a good horse. He always had horses (and once a herd of ponies) and started the kids riding as soon as they could hang on. Vinton's love of horses and dogs has been passed down to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He continued to fly and ranch until 1980, then his health forced him to retire from the spraying business. His sons took over the business, Stan at the Benkelman airport and Ron at Imperial. In retirement years Vinton loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed those special times when he was able to share these hobbies with a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild.
A strong supporter of gun rights he became passionate about the 2nd Amendment and his gun collection.
During retirement he and Millie lived in McCook, Neb.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and North Platte, Neb. Vinton could always find a good coffee place to trade stories and make friends.
His beliefs led him to become a member in many organizations: Lifetime Member of National Rifle Association, Member and Charter Founder of 2nd Amendment Task Force, Lifetime Member of North American Hunting Club, Lifetime Member of Harley Davidson Owners, 50 yr. member of Masonic Lodge #180, 50 yr. member of Order of Eastern Star, Holly Chapter 233, 32nd Degree Scottish rite, member of Tehama Shrine Club, Lifetime Member of American Legion, Lifetime Member of Elks Club, Honorary Life Member of the NATA-Nebraska Aviation Trades Association, Past Vice President of National Aerial Applicator Association.
An honor that Vinton appreciated and enjoyed most was the Smoky Bear Award given to him for his efforts as a Pioneer of Fire Fighting by air. Their 1st award of this kind.
Vinton was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Irvin Jones and wife, Georgia.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Millie of North Platte; two sons, Ron Jones and wife, Donna, of Harrison; Stan Jones and wife, Phyllis, of Benkelman; a daughter Jana Mintling and husband, Riley, of Wauneta; six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and numerous family and friends.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. (MST) at the Benkelman United Methodist Church with Rev. Brian Fong officiating.
Pianist was Betty Erdman and vocalist was Kelly Hayward.
Casketbearers were Shawn Jones, Ryan Mintling, Scott Sheldon, Mardell Duvel, Mike Fanning and Mark Fanning.
Honorary casketbearers were all of Vinton's friends and coffee buddies.
Interment with military honors was by American Legions Post No. 65, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4178 and Sons of the American Legion, Benkelman, followed services at the Benkelman cemetery.
Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman was in charge of arrangements.
