Michele Lee Kelch
Stromsburg resident, 38
Michele Lee Kelch, 38 years old of Stromsburg died Thursday, March 4, 2004 in Omaha.
She was born August 14, 1965 in Geneva, Nebraska. Survivors include sons Matheau Sieber of Fairmont and Mason Sieber of McCool Jct.; daughter Grace Murdoch of Stromsburg and one granddaughter; mother Katie Douglas of Norfolk; fiance Dwain Murdoch of Stromsburg; sister Susan Erickson of Norfolk; step-sister Tanja Richter of Sebeka, MN; step-brothers Rex Arnold of Belleville, KS and Michael Etherington of Apache Junction, AZ.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 8, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. at the Tibbetts-Fischer Chapel in Belleville, KS. Burial will be at Belleville Cemetery, Belleville, KS.
Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home of Belleville, KS is in charge of arrangements.
Verna L. Nelson
Clarks resident, 74
Verna L. Nelson, 74, of Clarks died Sunday, March 7, 2004 at the Litzenberg Hospital in Central City.
Services will be 10 a.m., March 11 at the Methodist Church in Clarks with the Rev. Richard Dimond officiating. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Methodist Church.
Burial will be in the Stromsburg Cemetery.
Palmer Funeral Home of Stromsburg is in charge of arrangements.
Gerald "Potts" Potter
Schuyler native, 62
Gerald D. "Potts" Potter, 62, was born in Schuyler on May 18, 1941, and died Feb. 28, 2004.
He was retired from the U.S. Navy, was a Vietnam veteran, and a lifelong member of the Vietnam Vet Motorcycle Group.
He was the husband of Bobbi Potter; the father of Dixie "Steve" Oltman, Mandy (Jerry) Mousseau, Dano (Ruth) Potter, Terri Lynn Potter (Cindy); the step-father of Robin Joplin; the son of Ralph and June Potter; the brother of Richard (Francis) Potter; the grandfather of Jennifer, Brandie, Tamicka, Josh, Amanda, DeeDee Lee, Scooter, Kenneth; and the great-grandfather of Mechaela, Brianna and two more soon to be born.
Memorials are pending.
Deloris J. Kroeker
Henderson resident, 69
Deloris J. Kroeker, 69, of Henderson, died Friday, Feb. 27, 2004 at Henderson.
She was born Sept 29, 1934 near Henderson to Jacob D. and Helena (Peters) Janzen. She was baptized upon confession of faith May 1951 by Rev. Arnold Nickel.
Deloris was a 1952 graduate of Henderson High School. She was married to Melvin H. Kroeker at Henderson on June 4, 1954. To this union were born two daughters, Gaylene and Brenda.
Deloris worked as a church secretary for a number of years and also as the school secretary for 25 years. She enjoyed her work, working with students and fellow staff members. She served as leader of young mission workers and also taught bible school and Sunday School. Deloris enjoyed attending her grandchildren's school and church activities through the years.
She is survived by her husband, Melvin of Henderson; her two daughters and their husbands, Brenda (Barry) Stauffer of Beaver Crossing, and Gaylene (Kent) Hoadley of Ceresco; three grandchildren, Ryan, Roxanne and Kristin. Also surviving are her two brothers, Henry (Jean) Janzen and Walter (Elva) Janzen, all of Henderson; four sisters, Anna (Dan C.) Goertzen, Olga (Albert H.) Friesen and Clara (Harry) Ratzlaff, all of Henderson and Doris (Homer) Graber of Pretty Prairie, Kan.; many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents; brother, Gustav Janzen; and sisters, Goldie (Harry) Wall and Tena (Fred) Friesen.
Memorial services will be held Monday, March 1, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson with the Revs. Weldon Martens and George Kaufman officiating. Burial will be at 10 a.m. at the Bethesda Cemetery near Henderson.
Memorials may be directed to the Bethesda Church.
Visitation will begin Saturday at 6 p.m. at Metz Mortuary in Henderson with family greeting relatives and friends on Sunday from 7-8 p.m.
Metz Mortuary of Henderson is handling arrangements.
Maxine Sellers
Colorado resident, 82
Maxine (Heidbreder) Sellers of Aurora, Colo., died Friday, Feb. 20, 2004, in Boulder, Colo., at the age of 82.
She was born May 21, 1921, to Ernest and Gertrude Heidbreder near Utica. She married David Sellers on July 23, 1953, in Denver, Colo.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dave, in May, 1995.
She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Wefer of Utica; nieces, Joan Wefer of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Rita Ritterling of Utica; great-nephew, Michael Richters of Boulder, Colo.; and a host of other nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as many friends.
A memorial service was held Monday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m., at Horan and McConaty Family Chapel in Aurora, Colo.
Mary Seidel
York resident, 89
Mary T. Seidel age 69 of York, Nebraska died Friday, Feb. 27, 2004 at York.
She was born Sept. 8, 1934 at Lushton in York County, to George and Blanche (Farmer) Sughrue. Mary's education began when she attended Maple Grove Country School south of York and then graduated from St. Joseph's High School. In 1951 she graduated from Sacred Heart School of Nursing at Yankton, S.D.
Mary was a longtime Registered Nurse at York General Hospital and along with her husband co-owned York Floral in York for many years. She was a member of St Joseph's Catholic Church and St. Joseph's Altar Society. Mary loved gardening and being at family gatherings and being with her grandchildren.
On Oct. 7, she was married to Bernard A. Seidel in York.
She is survived by three sisters, Kathleen and her husband Bob Neugebauer of Lincoln, Blanche and her husband Walt Clymer of York and Rose and her husband John Wilkinson of Stillwater, Okla.; three grandchildren, Caitlin, Patrick and Ryan Cleary of Louisville. Also surviving is a former son-in-law Bob and his wife Susie Cleary of Louisville; one brother-in-law, George Hengen of Nebraska City and a sister-in-law, Christine Sughrue of Bakersfield, Calif.; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bernard, a daughter Colleen, one brother, an infant brother and a sister.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Monday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in York with Father Leo Seiker officiating. Burial will be in St Joseph's Cemetery near York. A Rosary Service was held at 7 p.m., Sunday evening at the Metz Chapel. Visitation began Sunday afternoon.
Memorials may be directed to St. Joseph's Catholic Church or to the donor's choice.
Maratha Edna Haymart
Aurora resident, 84
Maratha Edna Haymart, 84, of Aurora, died Sunday night, March 7, 2004 at Memorial Hospital in Aurora.
She was born on a farm south of Utica Nov. 27, 1919 to Harrison and Ethel (Deidel) Dickey. She grew up south of Utica and graduated from Waco High School in 1937. Edna lived in Waco for several years.
Edna was united in marriage to Charles Laurel "Chief" Haymart on April 20, 1940 at Central City. They lived in the York and Seward area before moving to Hastings in 1952. In 1958 they moved to Giltner where Edna ran Edna's Cafe. They moved to Aurora in1970. Chief died on Jan. 25, 1985.
Edna was a member of the United Methodist Church in Giltner.
Survivors include her son, Don (Dawn) Haymart of Aurora; granddaughter, Taylor Haymart and grandson, Clay Haymart, both of Aurora; a sister, Elsie Sullivan and a sister-in-law, Madge Haymart.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, and four brothers, Walter, Ray, Orville and Lawrence Dickey and a sister, Dorothy Nicholaus.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 10 at the United Methodist Church in Giltner with the Rev. Nora Mendyk officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary.
Interment will be in the Phillips Cemetery.
LeNora E. Coffey
Exeter resident, 81
LeNora E. Coffey, 81, of Exeter, died Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at Geneva.
She was born on Oct. 8, 1922 at Utica to William and Mary (Wertheim) Leif.
Surviving are three sons, William (Kay) Coffey of Lincoln, Albert Jr. (Mary Beth) Coffey of McCool Junction and Paul (LuAnn) Coffey of McCool Junction; six daughters, Joan (Dennis) Clark of McCool Junction, Carolyn (Kim) Christiansen of York, Joyce (Daniel) Neville of Columbus, Mary (Bradley) Gloystein of York, Maggie (Larry) Kopsa of York and Rose (Gene) Ruhl of Exeter; brother, Clarence "Bud" (Mildred) Leif of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Elizabeth "Bessie" Leif of Seward; 48 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Preceding her was her husband, Albert J. Coffey Sr.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Exeter with Father Kenneth Borowiak officiating. Rosary service will be at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Exeter.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday, at Farmer Funeral Home in Exeter. Viewing will be at the church one hour prior to a Rosary.
Graveside services will be held at Exeter Cemetery at Exeter.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph's School in York.
Michael A. Shaffer
Lincoln resident, 23
Michael A. Shaffer, 23 of Lincoln, died Friday, Feb. 27, 2004 in Lincoln.
He was born Feb. 2, 1981 at Monmouth, Ill., to Ronald D. and Barbara K. (Kimm) Shaffer. Michael was a 1999 graduate of Nebraska Christian High School at Central City. On Sept. 15, 2001, he was married to Amanda Lee Ross in Stockham, NE. They attended the Shepherd's Heart Wesleyn Church in Lincoln and Michael volunteered as a football and basketball coach at Parkview Christian School in Lincoln.
Survivors include his wife Amanda of Lincoln; parents, Ronald and Barbara Shaffer of Henderson; sister Michelle Ward and niece Sydney Ward both of Lincoln; father- and mother-in-law Kevin and Donna Ross; sister-in-law Sarah Ross and brother-in-law Seth Ross, all of Aurora. Also surviving are his grandparents Karol and Kathleen Kimm of Numa, Iowa; many aunts and uncles and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at 2 p.m. at the Faith Evangelical Bible Church in Henderson. Burial will at the Stockham Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family. Visitation will be held at the Faith Evangelical Bible Church with family greeting relatives and friends from 6-9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday until services. Condolences may be emailed to metz@metzmortuary.com.
Metz Mortuary of Henderson is handling arrangements.
Doris Schall
Arizona resident, 86
Doris (Frances) A. (Price) Schall, 86, of Tucson, Ariz., died Feb. 25, 2004, at Tucson.
She was born Feb. 23, 1918, in Des Moines, Iowa. Her career was as an LPN.
Survivors include her daughter, Ida Nielsen of Tucson; sons, David Price of White City, Ore., and Danny Price of Corrales, N.M.; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.
No funeral services are planned at this time.
Raymond R. Stevens
Colorado resident
Funeral services were held Thursday, Feb. 19 at Fairmount Mortuary Chapel in Denver, Colo., for Raymond Stevenss.
Surviving are his wife, Margaret; daughters, Teri (Rich) Babcock and Sue (Steve) Cummings; step-children, Bonnie Meerkatz, Dwaine Shaw, Jay Shaw, Susan Shaw and Danny Shaw; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister, Gwen Lindburg and brother, Spike Stevens.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Denver Rescue Mission, 1130 Park Avenue West, Denver, CO., 80205.
