Marlene K. Jessen, 61, was called to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at the Hemingford Community Care Center following an extended illness.

She was born April 24, 1956 in Denver, Colorado, to Gottfried William and Ella (Korsmeyer) Mueller, the baby of the family of nine children.  All of the Mueller family were baptized, confirmed and married in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. They were a large close knit family and enjoyed growing up together and sharing in many family activities. All of the sisters worked together at various Denver area telephone companies.

She married Donald J. Jessen on August 9, 2002.  Together they spent most of their lives living in the central and western Nebraska area.

She is survived by her husband, Donald Jessen of Hemingford; her children, Angela Quinlan of Denver, CO and Karl Pohlenz of Mesa, AZ, her step-daughter, Jessica Ewert of David City, NE ; brothers, Don Mueller of Thornton, CO, Dennis Mueller of Yoder, WY and Del Mueller of O’Fallon, MO; sisters, Marjorie (George) Horgan of Thornton, CO, Maryln (Al) Tate of Denver, CO, Maxine (Tom) Nelson of Las Vegas, NV and Marcie Mueller of Oshkosh; and many grandchildren and cousins. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Rosella Jessen of Oshkosh, sister-in-law, Gwen Jessen of Lisco and brothers-in-law, Terry (Diana) Jessen of Scottsbluff and Brian (Kim) Epp of Lisco.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Dale, her sister, Millie (Karl) Haberman, her father-in-law, Leo Jessen, her brothers-in-law, Leo and Jim Jessen and a nephew, Stormy Jessen.

Memorial services will be held Monday, August 7, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s United Lutheran Church.  Pastor Tim Stadem will officiate.

Memorials may be sent in care of the family at, Donald Jessen, c/o HCCC, P.O. Box 307, Hemingford, Nebraska, 69348.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Caroline A. Grabher, 74, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Hemingford Community Care Center.

She was born in Alliance on June 19, 1942 to Earl and Laurine (Christensen) Herman.

On October 18, 1959 she was united in marriage to Derald Grabher.

Caroline was a lifelong area resident and farmed with her husband near Hemingford.  She was a member of the Hemingford United Methodist Church, Eagles Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Trisha) Grabher of Spearfish, SD, Michele (Richard) Halstead of Alliance and Rocky Grabher of Hemingford. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Carly Grabher of Phoenix, AZ, Sydney Grabher of Omaha, Chris and Kim Grabher of Rapid City, SD, Nicole and Cameron McClain of Phoenix, AZ, Ethan Halstead and Philip Halstead of Alliance and great-grandchild, Brielle Grabher of Rapid City, SD.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1991 and her parents.

Memorial services will be Friday, August 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel in Alliance with Pastor Esther Achi officiating.  Inurnment will follow in the Hemingford Cemetery.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to Regional West Medical Center Hospice or the Alliance Eagles Club.

Francisco Mateo Duran Castro, “Mike Duran”, 78, entered peacefully into heaven on Friday, August 4, 2017 surrounded by his wife and children.

He was born September 21, 1938 in Charcus San Luis Potosi, Mexico to Pedro Concepcion Duran and Maria Dolores Castro de Duran; the seventh of ten children.

Through the many stories Mateo shared with his children and grandchildren, he often recalled the days spent on the family sheep farm tending to the herd and occasionally riding burros into town for supplies and his favorite frozen treat.  He would also share the times of a young boy’s mischief ~ how he and his brothers would innocently find the opportunity to sneak honey from the family’s supply only find themselves covered in honey and in a whole lot of trouble.

Over the years, parts of his family had begun to immigrate to the United States, and in 1962, he too immigrated and joined his sister, Elena (Helen) and some extended family, in Alliance, Nebraska.  His sister, Helen, helped him find his first job in Alliance at The Drake Hotel Restaurant as a dishwasher.  Staying true to the family work ethic, he was soon being trained to cook and before too much longer became the head cook for the restaurant.

During his time at The Drake, he met a pretty new waitress, Adele Gerber.  The two hit it off immediately, and when he asked her on a first date, how could she resist the dapperly dressed man with jet black hair?  Mateo and Adele were married on February 15, 1968 in Rapid City, South Dakota and began their family.

In 1976 Mateo and Adele signed on to manage The Iron Horse Diner; together the two ran the iconic steakhouse in Alliance until 1982.

Having a lifelong love of gardening, carried over from working strawberry fields as a teenager in Mexico, Mateo set his sights on doing work closer to his heart and established his own complete lawn care service, Mike’s Lawn Service.  He successfully ran his own business until his retirement in 2002.

Although retired, he continued on with his love for gardening, raising vegetables, flowers, and topical plants, creating an oasis in his own back yard over the course of many years.  He also spent a lot of time perfecting his role as master “tinkerer” with an innate ability to fix almost anything.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Adele Duran of Alliance, Nebraska; his children, Michelle Schefcik, Omaha, Nebraska; Michael (Kara) Duran, Omaha, Nebraska; Deborah (Chris) Herrmann, Omaha, Nebraska; and Melody Gahona (fiancé Carl Stewart), Alliance, Nebraska; grandchildren, Jessica (Bobby), Todd, Veronica, Mason, Dylan, Matthew, Dakota, and Elizabeth; as well as three great grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He will forever hold a very special place in all our hearts.

Memorial services will be held Monday, August 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church with Pastor Jim Nichols officiating.

Memorials may be given to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Online condolences can be left at www.batesgould.com.  Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Funeral services for Zane Lipps of Axtell, Nebraska formerly of Hay Springs, Nebraska will be held on Friday, August 11, 2017 at 2:00 PM at United Methodist Church in Hay Springs, Nebraska with Pastor Paul Smith officiating.  Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Hay Springs, Nebraska.  A VISITATION will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the United Methodist Church.

Mr. Lipps passed away on August 8, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska.

Zane was born on January 2, 1993 in Chadron, Nebraska.  He was 24.

Survivors include his father, Walter (Wally) Lipps; brother, Christopher Speirs and Bradley Lipps and sisters, Mandy McName and Brianna Lipps.

A memorial has been established to Mosaic in Axtell, Nebraska.  Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Drabbels Mortuary, PO Box 443, Hay Springs, NE 69347.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

Chamberlain-Drabbels Mortuary of Hay Springs, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.

Shirley F. Butler was born September 29, 1935 in the family home of Ralph Sr. and Nan Heaton Strotheide of Hay Springs, NE. She attended grade school in rural Sheridan County near the family ranch.

After graduating from high school in 1952, she attended Chadron State College and began teaching at age 16. After three years of teaching, she was married to James B. (Bud) Johnson of Hay Springs, NE. To this union, three sons were born – Larry Butler, Jerry Johnson and Gene Johnson. After the death of Bud in 1959, she returned to college and received her degree in 1965.  She taught one year in Hyannis, NE, then married Gary L. Butler, of Chadron, NE. To this union were born twins – Tim and Tara.

Teaching was a driving force in her life and she worked as a substitute teacher for many years in Kansas while the children were small. In 1978, she and the twins moved to McCook, Neb, and lived there for six years before moving to Chadron in 1984 to be near her elderly mother. She, then, taught in rural Dawes County schools for many years.

She was a member of Eastern Star of Hay Springs and NEA.

She is survived by her five children: Larry Butler (Gail) of Colorado Springs, Jerry Johnson of McPherson, KS, Gene Johnson (Danette) of Andover, KS, Tara Butler of Sheridan, WY and Tim Butler (Amy) of Madison, GA, 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

She volunteered at the library, participated in multiple books clubs, card clubs and Bunko.  She enjoyed her dogs and horses over the years, including her current dog Mister.

Funeral arrangements will be in Hay Springs, NE on Saturday, August 19^th at 10 am. A Celebration of Life will be in Rapid City, SD at 5:30 pm on Friday, August 18th at the Canyon Lake Senior Center.

Louis A. Sanchez, 68, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at his home in Alliance.

He was born on November 26, 1948 in Alliance to Paul and Verna (Boyer) Sanchez.

He entered the U.S. Army on May 21, 1968 and was honorably discharged on May 12, 1971.

On October 22, 1971 he was united in marriage to Verna D. Whirlwind Horse in Harrisburg, NE.

Louis worked as a dispatcher and driver retiring from Bauer Pre-Mix after 30 years of service. Louie had many hobbies, but his favorite was Bingo.  He also loved to hunt and fish and go camping and watch old westerns on TV.  One of his favorite things to do was to work on his lawn and tinker with vehicles. He spent a lot of time on scratch cards and it didn’t matter if all he won back was what he spent on them. He had a really great sense of humor with a twist of sarcasm.  Louis was loved by many as to know him was to love him.  He was always willing to help out any way he could whether it be family or friends.  He had a very loving heart.  He loved his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Verna, his children, Sandra (Alejandro) Leal of North Platte, Louis R. (Cynthia) Sanchez and Nicholas (Maria) Sanchez of Alliance, his grandchildren, Kody Jordan, Kameron Jordan, Louis D. Sanchez, Eathan Sanchez, Tyson Sanchez, Alesandro Leal, Xavier Sanchez, Bentley Sanchez and Ryder Sanchez, his one great-granddaughter, Miley Jordan, his step-grandchildren, Adriana Hickson, Lexi Leal and Waylon Cash and his one step-great-grandchild, Oliver Leal.  He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Arthur (Priscilla) Sanchez of Carson, CA, Manuel (Tina) Sanchez of Alliance, Joe (Angie) Sanchez of Sacramento, CA, Yvonne (Mark) Robertson of Alliance, Maria Nelle of Fort Dodge, IA and Lisa (Bruce) Kittelmann of Alliance and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, John D. Whirlwind Horse of Allen, SD, Michael Whirlwind Horse of Alliance, sisters-in-law, Maria Whirlwind Horse of Alliance and Cheryl Hudelson of Hanibal, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers, Paul, Michael and Angelo.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 15 beginning at 1:00 p.m. with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Father Tim Stoner officiating.  Cremation will take place following the service and interment will be Friday, August 18 at 1:00 p.m. at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.

Bob Yorges, 75, of Hyannis, died Aug. 10, 2017, at Great Plains Health.

He was born on June 19, 1942, in Torrington, Wyoming, to Kenneth and Berneice (Woodard) Yorges. Bob graduated from high school in Yoder, Wyoming. He married Sandy Splinter on Feb. 28, 1965, in Torrington, Wyoming.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials are suggested to Service of the Sandhills, in care of Sandhills State Bank of Hyannis, or Grant County Fire and Rescue.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Hyannis. Inurnment will be at the Hyannis Cemetery.

Mullen Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Courtesy The North Platte Telegraph

Wyoma Hobbs, age 95, of Alliance, Nebraska, passed away on August 11th, in her home.

Wyoma was born, August 15th, 1921 to Carl and Olive (Weaver) Wollesen in Cody, Wyoming. Wyoma grew up on a farm outside of Chadron, Nebraska. Wyoma was the youngest of five siblings, she had two brothers and three sisters. During her childhood, Wyoma enjoyed riding horses and helping take care of her family’s farm.

Wyoma met her husband Kenneth, his parents ran the local movie theater and he would bring her and her friends popcorn as they sat outside the theater. Kenneth married Wyoma on February 14th 1939 and they started their life together and moved to Alliance. They became the parents to three children, Donald, Charlene, and Cheryl. Wyoma and her family enjoyed camping together at Jackson Hole every year for many years.  She shared this tradition with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Wyoma was also a wonderful cook. Wyoma baked bread every week from most of her life. She also tended a beautiful garden and canned fruits and vegetables at the end of every summer. Wyoma enjoyed teaching these things to her children and grandchildren.

Wyoma enjoyed taking care of other people and dedicated her life to it. Wyoma was a wonderful mother to her three children. She also spent her time babysitting for many young children. She opened her home and boarded young women who attended nursing school. When Wyoma wasn’t taking care of other people she was a long term member of RSVP and spent time volunteering at the art center and many other places in Alliance.

Wyoma enjoyed spending time with all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She told many stories of her youth during the great depression. Wyoma was also a wonderful friend and enjoyed spending time with her friends playing pinochle at card club and often fixed her friend’s hair in her kitchen.

Wyoma is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Baas and Charlene Fitzgerald; son-in-law Bill Baas; her grandchildren,  Kenneth (Leslie) Fitzgerald, Dave Fitzgerald, Lori (Doc) Murray, Chris Baas, Joe (Jeanie) Baas, Debi Baas, Michelle (Matt) Herrmann, Ashley (Xavier) Kling, Brittney Fitzgerald; her great-grandchildren,  Rebecca Fitzgerald, James Fitzgerald, Cierra Herrmann, Colton Berndt, Levi Berndt, Savannah Baas, Parker Baas, Nevaeh Herrmann and her great-great grandchildren, Raine Sesta  and Tripp Kling, and many nieces and nephews.

Wyoma was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, her son Don, her son-in-law Vern Fitzgerald, her great grandson Davon Fitzgerald and her parents and all of her siblings.

Memorial services will be Thursday, August 24, at 2:00 p.m., at Immanuel Ev.  Lutheran Church with Reverend Martin T. Schnare officiating. Inurnment will be in the Alliance Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent in care of the family to Bates-Gould Funeral Home, P.O. Box 574, Alliance, NE  69301.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.

Dorine Lee (Dietel) Lewin died August 17, 2017. Funeral services will be held at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron, Nebraska on Tuesday, August 22, 2017  at 2:30 PM with Pastor Paul Smith officiating. Burial will be at Beaver Valley Cemetery.

Dorine was born on October 5, 1922, in northwest Sheridan County at her grandparents (Chalupa) homestead in Beaver Valley.

She was the first child and only daughter born to the Walter and Wilma (Chalupa) Dietel. She grew up on the Dietel homestead and attended Beaver Valley Elementary School at district 69.

She graduated from Chadron High school with the class of 1939.  The following year, she attended Chadron State College and obtained the one-year teachers’ certificate. She spent a very enjoyable year (1940-1941) teaching North Beaver School – district #61.

On May 24, 1941 she and Bob Lewin were married in Chadron. Following the ceremony, her mother and grandmother served a delicious wedding dinner to family and friends.

Dorine and Bob made their home in Thurston County for four years.

In March of 1945, they are their 2 year old son, John, moved to grandfather Boose Chalupa’s farm and ranch in Beaver Valley.  Two daughters, Leanne and Linda were added to their family.

Dorine was a helpmate to her husband in farming and ranching, the logging and lumber business (Nebraska Wood Products), and Lewin Grain and Feed.

After Bob’s death in 1991, she kept busy with her life in Hay Springs working at the Methodist Church playing cards and traveling with her lady friends.

Due to illness in 2007, she was forced to move to Crossroads Assisted Living in Alliance on March 15 2008. In April 2017 she moved to Prairie Pines in Chadron, where she remained there until her death.

Preceding her in death were her parents, brother Don and Wilbur, her husband in 1991, and daughter Linda Evans in 2009.

Survivors include her son John (Carol) Lewin, daughter Leanne (Gary) Binger, and son-in-law Jim Evans all of Hay Springs. Six grandsons, Bob Lewin and Todd Lewin of Chadron, Jack Lewin, Honolulu, Hawaii; Scott Lewin, Seattle, Washington; Brant Binger and Travis Binger of Hay Springs. Two granddaughters Krista Evans and Amy Bond of Hay Springs; and twelve great grandchildren.

She will be laid to rest in Beaver Valley Cemetery, five miles from her birthplace.

Graveside services for Linda Ann Witt, 75 of Rushville, Nebraska will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Fairview Cemetery in Rushville, Nebraska with Reverend Marsha Stauss officiating.

Mrs. Witt passed away on August 16, 2017 at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota.

She was born on June 4, 1942 in Rushville, Nebraska. She was 75.

Survivors include her brother, Bentley Witt.

A memorial has been established. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain-Drabbels Mortuary, PO Box 443, Hay Springs, NE 69347

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com

Chamberlain Drabbels Mortuary in Hay Springs is in charge of arrangements.

Prominent Hemingford area farmer/rancher Michael T. Manning, 92, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at Highland Park Care Center in Alliance. He was born September 23, 1924 in Alliance, Nebraska to Michael Manning and Mary A. (Griffin) Manning. He was a graduate of St. Agnes Academy. Mike married Elizabeth “Betty” O’Connor on June 21, 1949 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance. She preceded him in death on December 4, 2013. They made their home west of Hemingford operating a farming / ranching / cattle feeding operation. Mike was a member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church and was a 4^th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.  Mike and Betty had eight children and were devoted to their family. Two sons preceded them in death, Terry and Jim. Mike was also preceded in death by his parents, his brother John Manning, sisters Maryann Vinton and Joan Montague, a grandson Thomas John Manning and his great-grandson Elijah John Stout.

He is survived by his sons, Jack (Rhonda) Manning of Hemingford, Tom (Ellen) Manning of Casper, WY and his daughters, Maureen Manning and Susan (Brian) Wacker of Hemingford, Eileen (Rich) Zochol and Ginny (Bob) Stout of Alliance and daughter-in-law Michelle Manning (Joe Loudon) of Lincoln. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, his sister Nora Casey of Tulsa, OK, sister-in-law Pat Manning of Hemingford, brothers and sisters-in-law Frank & Nellie O’Connor of Lincoln and Bruce & Sally Rockey of Hastings and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  Father Tim Stoner will officiate.  A Rosary will be held Sunday, August 27 at 5:00 p.m. at the church.  Burial will be in the Hemingford Cemetery.  Visitation will be at the church on Sunday prior to the rosary from 2-4:30 p.m.  Memorials may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice or sent to the family at 1211 CR 86, Hemingford, Nebraska, 69348 with a charity to be named at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.  Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Marcos A. Alvarado, 20, passed away Monday, August 21, 2017 from injuries received in an automobile accident near Valentine, NE.

He was born on January 2, 1997 in Scottsbluff, NE.  Marcos graduated from Alliance High School in 2015.  He began working in construction in July 2015 and was currently working on a project in Valentine.

Marcos loved being with his family and friends and playing basketball and softball.

Marcos is survived by his mother, Mary Alvarado, his sister, Liliana Cuevas of Alliance, his grandmother, Virginia Garcia of Alliance, his aunts and uncles, Abel and Laura Garcia, Anita and Abel Olvera and Ruben Garcia and numerous cousins and great-aunts and great-uncles.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Fred and Sara Alvarado, and cousins, Tony Campos, Billy Alvarado and Isiah Garcia.

Funeral services will be Saturday, August 26 at 10:00 a.m. Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Father Tim Stoner officiating.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.  Wake services will be Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the church.  Visitation will be Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home and continue at the wake service.

The Marcos Alvarado Memorial has been established and may be sent in care of Consumers Cooperative Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 836, Alliance, NE  69301.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.

Robert “Bob” Knag was born in Alliance, Nebraska on November 19, 1924 to parents Emil and Ellen (Bichel) Knag. He grew up 23 miles northeast of Alliance on a farm where, alongside his father, he learned how to cultivate the land.

Shortly after graduating from Alliance High School, Bob joined the Merchant Marines during WWII. Upon his return, he met and married Margaret “Marge” Arkfeld, his wife of 63 years, They built a home and took over the family farm, later expanding into the ranching business, raising Polled Herefords and range cattle.

Bob and Marge had three children, Kathleen Keeley, of Alexandria, LA, Karen Russell (husband Eric) of Columbia, SC, and Diana (husband Fred Weiner) of Omaha, NE.

The couple retired from farm/ranch living and in 1976, built a new home in Alliance. Bob then obtained his real estate license and became active in several social groups, including the local order of Elks.

Bob always enjoyed a good puzzle, whether it was jigsaw, crossword, or sudoku, as well as a good round of golf and a fine single malt scotch. The melodies of the big bands were often heard around his home and dancing was always one of his pleasures. He was an avid fan of the University of Nebraska and his greatest enjoyments came from watching and cheering on the NU football, volleyball, basketball and baseball teams. Win or lose, he was always a fan.

Bob passed away on August 23, 2017, still looking forward to the beginning of another football season. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two sisters, Betty Kiester and Claudia Bestol. He is survived by his three daughters.

Memorial services will be Saturday, August 26 at 1:30 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel with Father Tim Stoner officiating.  A private family interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation P.O. Box 515 Northampton MA  01061-0515.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.

Memorial service Brian “Roso” Cisneros of Chadron, Nebraska will be held on Saturday, 2, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron with Father Todd Philipsen officiating.

Brian passed away on August 24, 2017 at the Chadron Community Hospital.

Brian was born on April 10, 1979.

He was 38.

A memorial has been established for College funds for his boys or for medical expenses.  Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE  69337

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com

Chamberlain Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial service Bob Rising of Crawford, Nebraska will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Crawford Community Building with Pastor Matt Parker officiating.  Burial will be at the Marsland Cemetery.

Bob passed away on August 24, 2017 at his home in Crawford, Nebraska.

Bob was born on June 30, 1947 in Alliance, Nebraska.

He was 70.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com

Chamberlain Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral Services for Geraldene “Gerry” Green will be held at a later date.

Geraldene “Gerry” Green, born July17, 1940, passed away August 20, 2017.

She is preceded in death by her father Evert Green, mother Lorraine K. Green, brother Foster Green, and her son Douglas W. Shannon.

She is survived by her four siblings, Raydene Cline, Deeann Jardon, Steve Green, Kelly Green, and two daughters Cheryl L. Shannon and Lorie L. Mavity.  She was a kind woman that spoke her mind.  She enjoyed her coffee and lemon cookies.  She loved her family, and is greatly missed.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com

Chamberlain Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Jane Nelson passed away August 25, 2017 at Swedish Medical Center, Denver, CO, at the age of 87. She was born January 27, 1930 to Ernest and Dorothy (Tegeler) Schmohr at DeWitt, Nebraska and resided there through her high school years.

After teaching in a rural school for two years at DeWitt, she attended Peru State College and then taught school at Superior, NE.

On June 7, 1953 she married Glenn Nelson. They both taught school at Ashland, NE. In 1955, they moved to Mitchell, NE where she also taught elementary school at Mitchell Public Schools, Mitchell Valley and Dutch Flats Rural Schools.

In 1970, she and her husband and three sons moved to Alliance, NE where she and her husband relocated Nelson Irrigation, later named Nelson Wells Inc. She worked as secretary and bookkeeper for the firm until retiring.

She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and served as Sunday School Superintendent there for a number of years. She was a member of the church quilting crew and WELCA. She was also a Cub Scout Den Mother while her three sons were in Scouts. She loved her home, family, the outdoors, nature and liked to read.

Betty is survived by her three sons, Kirk (Deb) Nelson and daughters Bethany and Paige of Columbus NE, Rick Nelson and sons Derek and Devin (Bailee) of Scottsbluff, NE and Mark (Shardel) Nelson and children Zachary, Kelby (Ashley) and Kaelia of Alliance. She is also survived by two great grandsons Mason and Ryker, sister-in-law, Yvonne Nelson, nieces Janet (Greg) Johnson and family, Jill Nelson and Donna McCullion and family, nephews Chad Nelson and Russell Wetherbee and family.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Glenn Nelson, her parents, sister, Shirley and brother-in-law, Cecil Stutzman and sister-in-law, Elaine Wetherbee.

Cremation will take place with memorial services to be held Monday, September 11, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Tim Stadem officiating.  After the memorial service, there will be a family burial in the St. John’s Columbarium Garden.

Memorials may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church or to the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.

Audrey LaVone Munger, 82, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at Box Butte General Hospital.

Audrey was born to Albert and Alice (Keane) Adamson on January 9, 1935 in Nonpareil, Nebraska northwest of Hemingford.

Her early life was spent on her grandfather’s farm with her extended family.  She graduated from Crawford High School in 1948 and attended business school in Denver from 1950-1952.  After school, she moved to Chadron and worked as a nurse’s aide.  This is where she fell in love with Thomas “Wes” Munger.  They married September 7, 1955 in Alliance, Nebraska.  Audrey and Wes had three sons; Mark, David, and Paul.  In 1972, Audrey went to work for the Electric Hose Company in Alliance.  She would move on to be a Supervisor and retired in 2000.  After retirement, she loved to spend time on her small farm working on her garden.  She was also a regular for lunch at the Alliance Senior Center for many years.

She is survived by 1 brother; Lawrence Adamson of Torrington, Wyoming; her three sons; Mark Munger of Kiowa, Colorado, David Munger of Wellington, Colorado, and Paul Munger of Kiowa, Colorado; five grandchildren; Heather (Grimes) Munger of McCook, Tiffany Munger of Alliance, Jarrod Munger of Denver, Colorado, Amanda Munger of Alliance, Nebraska, and Nathan Munger of LaVista, Nebraska; 8 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and even more cousins.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel in Alliance.  Burial will be in the Hemingford Cemetery.  Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday, September 4 from 4-7 p.m.

Memorials may be given to the Alliance Senior Center.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.  Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Anna Grace Forsstrom, 97, passed away Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Good Samaritan Evergreen Vista.  She was born March 11, 1920 in Alliance, the fourth child, to Carl and Margaret (Weinel) Kohrman.  Anna went to school at Box Butte County District 55 and attended Alliance High School.

She met Ingvald (Chub) Forsstrom at a country dance.  They were united in marriage on March 11, 1939.  Chub and Anna lived in and around Hemingford for 12 years.  Then the family moved north of Alliance in 1951 residing there until 1969 when they moved into Alliance.  Anna and Chub celebrated 43 years and were blessed with three children, Larry, Sharon, and Mark.

Anna was a longtime member of the Methodist Church.  She loved country music and was proud to belong to the Panhandle Country Music Association attending their dances every month.  She enjoyed volunteering and spent a lot of time actively involved with RSVP.  Anna was also a member of the Eagles Auxiliary.

Anna is survived by her son, Larry and Susan Forsstrom; daughter, Sharon Griffith and Jeff Cole, all of Alliance; and son, Mark and Julie Forsstrom, of Osceola, IA.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Anna and Glen Schild of Rapid, City, SD; Lori and Ken Rein of Alliance; Eric and Courtney Wallace of Davis City, IA; Katie and Brian Phillips of Osceola, IA; and Jeff and Misty Cole of Eaton, CO; her great-grandchildren, Nathan and Jacob Schild; Tyson and Tiffany Rein; Kolbee Rein; Noah, Gabriel, and Kaeding Phillips; Kynlee Wallace; Sheldon and Trace Cole; and a great-great granddaughter, Ariana, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Chub; her son-in-law, Jerry Griffith; her brother, John Kohrman; her sisters, Rose Swanson, Lillian Morgan, and Margaret Ridgley.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 on Friday, Sept. 8, at the United Methodist Church.  In honor of Anna’s love of the Huskers, please wear Red or casual dress.

Memorials may be given to Regional West Hospice or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.

Carol Lois (Kohler) Penaluna, 77, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, NE.

She was born on October 20, 1939 in Rushville, NE to Frederick and Florence (Putnam) Kohler.  Her family moved to Alliance when Carol was the age of 3 where she attended the local schools graduating from Alliance High School.

Carol then moved to the San Francisco Bay area in California where she would meet her future husband. They met while working for the same corporation.  She worked as a switchboard operator and he as a mechanical engineer.  They married approximately a year later and lived in Pinole, CA and raised their sons.  Carol was a fantastic cook and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her husband operated a mechanical engineering consulting business out of their home.  They would later retire and sold their business and property and purchased a motorhome where they toured the western United States for 5 years spending time in Palm Springs and the western high country.  They then settled back to Alliance where Carol enjoyed her hobbies of cooking, quilting and enjoying her family.

She is survived by her husband, William, her son, Jeffrey of Rodeo, CA, her grandchildren, Travis, Ryan, Cody and Levi Penaluna and her great-granddaughter, Katy.  She is also survived by her sisters, Winnie Rust of Alliance and Shirley Hanoch of Bayard, NE and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant son and 2 other sons, George and Corey and a brother.

A private family celebration of her life was held.