Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1952
Eliza
(Boudrie) Earl
Mrs:
Eliza Boudrie Earl passed away quietly at her home in the early hours
of last Thursday morning, bringing to a close a long, useful and
inspiring life. Mrs. Earl would have reached her ninety-second year
in September and sixty-six years of that period were spent in Dundy
county. She was known and loved by people of all ages for she always
enjoyed a keen interest in people and affairs and was possessed with
a pleasant sense of humor which brought happiness to those with whom
she came in contact.
Mrs.
Earl came to Dundy county as a young matron with a five-year-old
daughter and with her husband she labored long and hard to help
conquer the trials of the new West. She was a lady of high
determination and her pioneer neighbors found inspiration in her
faith in the country. Even as the years passed and the family moved
to Benkelman upon the election of her husband, the late Milton Earl,
as county clerk, Mrs. Earl continued as the "good neighbor,"
spreading continued hope, optimism and inspiration.
The
last rites were held at St. Joseph's church at nine o'clock Saturday
morning with the Rev. Father R. R. Harr officiating. The high requiem
mass was rendered with Father Frank L. Sherman at the organ. Mass was
sung by Father Robert Colfer, Father Francis Bagan and Father Frank
L. Sherman. Pallbearers were Daniel and Joseph Owens, Joe Reining, A.
N. Sherbert, True Howard and F. R. Walker. Interment was in the
Benkelman cemetery. -The Laughlin Funeral Home was in charge of
arrangements.
Eliza
Boudrie Earl was born in Montreal, Canada, September 11, 1861. The
family moved to Indiana in 1869. Several years later the family went
to Rulo, Nebraska, where Mrs. Earl married Milton Earl in 1879. The
first child, Edna, was born in 1881 at Corning, Missouri. In 1886 the
Earl family homesteaded in Dundy county, Nebraska. Here three
daughters were born, Leta, Fern and Wilda.
Mr.
Earl was elected county clerk in 1905 so the family moved to
Benkelman in December of that year. Fern died on November 4, 1917. On
June 4, 1930, Mr. Earl passed away. Mrs. Earl died on July 3, 1962,
at her home in Benkelman.
She
is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Edna Brady, Imperial, Nebr.;
Mrs. Leta Billinger and Mrs. Wilda Rhodes, Benkelman, Nebr.: three
grandchildren. Kathryn Sandin, Tabor, Iowa, Vestal Charlton,
Imperial, Nebr., Jim Brady, Imperial, Nebr.; four nephews, Warren
Earl, Haigler, Neb., Vincent Boudrie and Earl Boudrie, San Diego,
Calif., Boudrie Kraxberger, Salisbury, Mo.; two nieces Vinta
Peterson, Medical Lake, Washington, and Emma Bartholomew, Burbank,
Calif.; one sister Mrs. Vestana Kraxberger, Salisbury, Missouri.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1970 Warren
Edmond Earl
Warren
Edmond Earl was born November 22, 1892, and passed away April 3,
1970, at the age of 77 years, four months and 12 days. He was the
second child of Bruce and Sarah Earl and was born on the Earl
homestead in Chase county. He ranched and farmed his father's
homestead all of his life.
He
was married to Clara Ida White on June 16, 1928, and to this union
were born two children. They were K. Z. and Betty Lee of Haigler,
Nebr.
His
wife, Clara, one son, K. Z., and two sisters, Vera and Emma, and one
brother, Robin, preceded him in death. Remaining to mourn his
departure are one daughter, Betty Lee, one sister, Vinta Peterson,
one grandson, five granddaughters, two step children, Clarence White
of Champion, Nebr., Mrs. Kenneth Brown of Parks, Nebr., two
sons-in-law, Jack Lee and Kenneth Brown, one daughter-in-law, Gloria
Earl, of Norfolk., Nebr., and a number of other relatives and a host
of friends.
Funeral
services were held Monday, April 6, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church,
Imperial, Nebraska, with Father Zyamund S. Rydz in charge. Honorary
escorts were George Harmon, Harold Stinnette, Reid Dickerson, Don
Cruise, Logan Brown and Carl Hill. Escorts were Gerald James Lee, Joe
Cruise, Jack Browning, Don Welch, Dick Goddard and Jerry Speck.
Interment was in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial, Nebraska, with
the Creveling Funeral Home in charge.
Printed
in the McCook, NE Daily Gazette, December 13, 2002
Georgia
Earnest
Friday,
December 13, 2002
BENKELMAN
-- Georgia Earnest, 87, died Wednesday (Dec. 11, 2002) at her home in
Benkelman.
She
was born Feb. 18, 1915 in Dundy County, to Elmer and Grace (King)
Cannon, and attended school in Benkelman where she was a member of
the graduating class of 1932.
On
Oct. 24, 1936, she married Maxwell Earnest at Benkelman. They owned
and operated Earnest's Market on Main Street in Benkelman for many
years before selling the business and retiring in 1970.
She
was a life-long resident of Dundy County, and a life-long member of
the Benkelman United Methodist Church.
Preceding
her in death are her parents, Elmer and Grace Cannon; husband,
Maxwell Earnest in 1995; one infant brother; five sisters; and one
brother.
Survivors
include her daughter, Marcia Earnest of Benkelman; son, Samuel
Earnest of Beatrice; and sister, Esther Grace (Susie) Kirkpatrick of
San Bernardino, Calif.
Graveside
services were today, at 2 p.m. (MST), at the Benkelman Cemetery with
Carol Coates officiating.
Arrangements
are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman. Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1937
George
Earnest
George
Earnest of Bird City died Wednesday morning at his home from a heart
attack.
Mr.
Earnest was a brother of the late S.C. Earnest of Benkelman and was
associated with him in a business way when they first came to
Benkelman. He later entered business at Bird City, McDonald and
Stratton and finally returned to Bird City a few months ago when he
purchased a café.
He
was in the neighborhood of 70 years of age when death called him.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1993
George
Alden Earnest
ENGLEWOOD.
Colo.--George Alden Earnest was born April 18, 1930, to George Henry
and Flossye (Alden) Earnest in Goodland, Kansas, and died Monday,
February 1, 1993, at a hospital in Denver, Colorado.
He
attended school in Stratton, Nebraska.
He
was married to Bula Sellens on August 5, 1950.
Those
who survive him are his wife, Bula; their children, Mark and his
wife, Marti, Christine and her husband, Mike Papajohn, and Ronald and
his wife, Jean, all of Denver; two grandchildren, Christy and Mike
Papajohn of Denver; one brother, Jim and Beverly Earnest of Stratton,
other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral
services were held Friday, February 5, 1993, at 10 a. m. at the
Olinger Mortuary in Englewood.
Correspondence
may be sent to the family in care of the mortuary, 2775 S. Broadway,
Englewood, CO 80123. Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, ?? ????
George
Henry Earnest
STRATTON
- George Henry Earnest died this morning at the Hester Home in
Benkelman. He was born Aug. 15, 1899 in Butte, Mont., to Mr. and Mrs.
George Earnest Sr.
He
was married to Flossie Alden in September, in Woodward, Okla., 1921
and two sons were born to them.
Survivors
are the two sons, George A, Earnest, Denver, and James Earnest,
Stratton; seven grandchildren, and other relatives. He was preceded
in death by his wife, his parents and a half-brother.
Services
will be at 2:30 p.m. (CST) Thursday at the Christian Union Church.
The Rev. Bob Kallem will officiate and burial will be in the Bird
City, Kan., Cemetery.
The
Jones Funeral Home of Stratton is in charge.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1982
Homer
Arthur Earnest
Homer
Arthur Earnest was born September 12, 1896, at Stratton, Nebraska, to
Edward and Lillie Earnest and passed away November 28, 1982, at the
El Dorado Manor at Trenton, Nebraska, at 86 years of age.
He
lived on a farm northeast of Stratton and later farmed in the area.
The
past seven years, he has been a resident of the El Dorado Manor at
Trenton, Nebraska.
His
parents, Edward and Lillie; a sister, Mae; brothers, Ellsworth,
Clarence, Harry,
Lloyd
and Floyd, preceded him.
His
survivors are Wilma Bowman, niece, of Lakewood, Colorado, and
children, Ron, Roxy and Margaret Henderson, as well as several
cousins.
Services
were held at the Jones Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m., December 1, 1982,
with Rev. Dale Coates of the Methodist Church officiating. The
organist, Beth Kollmorgen, played "How Great Thou Art" and
"In The Garden." Pallbearers were Roy Lewis, Richard
Hannah, Harold Baker, Leonard Dye, Kenneth Miller and Pat Lewis.
Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Stratton.
Printed
in the McCook, NE Daily Gazette, June 11, 2007
James
Cloyd Earnest
Monday,
June 11, 2007
July
16, 1963 - June 9, 2007
BENKELMAN
- James Cloyd Earnest, 43, died Saturday (June 9, 2007) at Benkelman
Hospital.
He
was born July 16, 1963, to James G. and Bev L. (Sailors) Earnest at
Cambridge. He attended Stratton Public Schools from kindergarten
through twelfth grade and graduated in 1981. After graduation, he
attended Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte studying
autobody.
He
was active in scouting and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout.
He
worked for Art Hawkinson Construction and assisted in bringing cable
TV to Stratton. On July 22, 1988, he was married to Kristine Boucher
in Salina, Kan. They moved to North Platte where he served as the
manager of the Spaceport Video Arcade.
They
moved to Grand Island where he worked for Nebraska Fire and Safety.
In 1992, they returned to Stratton where he owned and operated Kris's
Kitchen and Flossye's Café. After selling the two businesses he went
back into construction.
He
was preceeded in death by his father, James G., in 2004 and
grandparents, George and Flossye Earnest and Reverend and Mrs. C.A.
Sailors.
Survivors
include his wife, Kristine of Benkelman; children, Adam, Elizabeth
and Rebecca at home; his mother, Bev Earnest of Stratton; sisters,
Jeanie Earnest and Joy and husband, Bob Funk of Culbertson; aunts,
uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and numerous friends.
Funeral
services are Wednesday at 11 a.m. (MT) at Zion Lutheran Church in
Benkelman with the Rev. George Matthews officiating. Burial will be
in the Bird City Cemetery.
Visitation
will be Tuesday, 3 -7 p.m. at the Forch Funeral Home in Benkelman.
Memorials
may be given in his name.
Arrangements
are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman
Printed
in the McCook, NE Daily Gazette, January 30, 2004
James
G. Earnest
Friday,
January 30, 2004
BENKELMAN
-- James G. Earnest, 71, of Stratton died Thursday (Jan. 29, 2004) at
Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman.
He
was born Nov. 18, 1932, to George and Flossye (Alden) Earnest in
Stratton. He attended Stratton Schools.
On
July 3, 1957, he married BL "Bev" Sailors of McCook. He
worked construction for several years and returned to Stratton where
he worked for Wayne Rath at the Skelly Service Station from
1963-1970. In 1970, Jim gained employment at Miller Manufacturing
Co., in Stratton where he worked as a painter until the plant closed
in 1981. He then opened his own body shop.
He
was a member of the Community United Methodist Church in Stratton and
a former member of the Stratton Community Club, the Stratton
Volunteer Fire Department and the Fraternal Order of Eagles in
McCook.
He
was preceded in death by his parents, George and Flossye Earnest;
sister, Novalee; and brother, George Alden.
Survivors
include his wife, Bev Earnest of Stratton; daughters, Jeannette
Earnest, Joy Funk and husband, Bob, all of Culbertson; son, James
Earnest and wife, Kris of Stratton; and seven grandchildren.
Services
were today at Community United Methodist Church in Stratton with the
Rev. Norman Prather officiating. Interment was at the Bird City
Cemetery in Bird City.
Memorials
may be given in his name.
Forch
Funeral Chapel of Stratton is in charge of the arrangements.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1995
Maxwell
"Max" Adam Earnest
Maxwell
"Max" Adam Earnest, lifelong resident and businessman of
Benkelman, Neb., was born May 31, 1914, in Benkelman, the only child
of Samuel Clavin and Myrtle (Frazier) Earnest. He died Friday, Dec.
8, 1995, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman.
Max
attended the Benkelman Public Schools and graduated with the Class of
1931. During high school he joined his father in the grocery and meat
market business.
In
1936 he married Georgia Cannon. To this union two children were born:
Marcia D. and Samuel C. On Oct. 25 of this year, Max and Georgia
celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. The couple spent every one
of those anniversary days together.
While
in business he always contributed to and supported the growth of
Benkelman. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the City
Booster Club. Max was a lifetime member of the McCook Elks Club.
He
retired in 1970 from the grocery business, which gave him more time
for the things he enjoyed most—fishing, hunting and traveling. Poor
health the last six years forced him indoors where he still enjoyed
sports and TV, especially college football.
He
was preceded in death by his parents.
He
is survived by his wife and their children.
Services
were held Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Chapel in
Benkelman with the Rev. Art Phillips officiating. Violet “Tiny"
Williams was the organist. Richard Bartholomew, with guitar
accompaniment, sang "Whispering Hope" and "Beyond The
Sunset."
Bearers
were Bud Cline, James Owens, Dick McDonald, Pike Ellis, Roger Parker
and Jerry McDonald. Honorary bearers were Lawrence Campbell, Royce
Anderson, Ellis Gummere, Cecil Decker, Dale Osborn, Dale Bauer, Bill
Billington, Merle Wallace, Bob Hardwick, Leo Williams, Jim Powell and
John Ham.
Interment
was in the Benkelman Cemetery. Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman was in
charge of arrangements.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1937
Samuel
C. Earnest
Funeral
services for the late Samuel C. Earnest of this city were held
Friday, March 19, at the Methodist church, the Rev. Schwabauer
officiating. A large number of friends attended and many beautiful
flowers were sent in his memory. A quartet composed of Mrs. Jack
Hollinger, Mrs. Wilda Rhodes, Dan Ough and Maurice Boswell sang "How
Tedious and Tasteless," "When I Get to the End of the Way,"
and "We Are Going Down the Valley," with accompaniment by
Mrs. Dan Ough. Interment was made in the family plot in the Benkelman
cemetery. The pallbearers ,were Elmer Cannon, Charles Uphouse, Jesse
Benge, Reece Hardwick, George Hamburg and Henry DeLaMater, long-time
friends of the deceased. The arrangements were by the Benkelman
Funeral Home.
Practically
all Benkelman business houses were closed during the funeral hour so
that local business men could attend the funeral and pay their last
respects to the memory of the deceased who had so long been connected
with the business interests of our city.
Out
of town relatives attending were Mr. and Mrs. George Earnest of
Stratton, Nebraska; A. Frazier of Loveland, Colorado; Mrs. Lewis
Thompson and Mrs. C. A. Frazier, also of Loveland, Colorado and Mrs.
Florence Taylor of Los Angeles, California.
The
deceased was born March 25, 1860 at Bedford, Pennsylvania. When but a
very young man he came to Eldora, Iowa, later going to the mining
districts in Colorado where he spent several years mining. In 1905 he
settled at McDonald, Kansas, where he opened a meat market, remaining
there until 1912 when he came to Benkelman, Nebraska, where he has
made his home and was in business until the time of his death,
Wednesday, March 17 ,1937.
He
leaves to mourn his passing a wife Mrs. Myrtle Earnest; two sons,
Harry and Max of this city; a sister, Mrs. Emma Thurman of Littleton,
Colorado; a brother, Gilmore Earnest of Bird City, Kansas, one
grandson, Leonard Earnest and a host of relatives and friends.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 2007
Samuel
Cannon Earnest
Samuel
Cannon Earnest, the son of Max and Georgia Earnest, was born on March
15, 1940 ,and passed away on Sunday, May 27, 2007.
Sam
had made his home since 1948 at the Beatrice Developmental Center in
Beatrice, Neb.
A
private inurnment will be held at a later date.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, ?? ????
Winford
(Bud) Easton,
Winford
(Bud) Easton, 68, died today at a nursing home in Curtis. He was born
May 26, 1910 in Maywood.
Survivors
include: widow, Georgia of Curtis; two daughters, Eileen Merrihew of
Ashby and Mrs. Gloria Burke of North Platte; one son, Bob of Laramie,
Wyo.; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother,
George of Curtis and two sisters, Mrs. Hattie Moore of North Platte
and Mrs. Charolette Fritsche of Maywood.
Services
will be held Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Christian Church in Maywood
with Pastor Dale Heimer officiating.
Interment
in Maywood Cemetery under the direction of the Wetzel Funeral Home of
Curtis.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 2004
Opal
Lucille (Ireland) Eaton
Opal
Lucille (Ireland) Eaton was born on her Grandfather Ireland's farm
near St. Elmo, Ill. to Robert L. and Delilah Susan (Sides) Ireland on
May 23, 1909. Opal was the oldest of four children. Her family moved
to Colorado and homesteaded in 1911. Opal graduated from Julesburg
High School in 1928. After many dances and much persuasion from Paul
Eaton. they were married on Sept. 25, 1928, in Holyoke, Colo.
Paul
was a farmer with his parents. They moved to Nebraska in 1933. They
lived on farms in Dundy County in the Hiawatha and Rollwitz
communities for 35 years and moved to Imperial in 1976. Three
children were born: Betty in 1929, Richard Paul in 1933 and Darla in
1941.
During
her early married years, encounters with bed bugs, rats and drafty
farm houses were met. Opal always had a delicious meal on the table
for threshing crews, corn-shelling crews and any neighborhood
function. Her specialties were pot roast and chicken-fried steak and
everyone in the family has enjoyed jars of her delicious apple
butter.
Along
with the milking of cows, raising and dressing chickens, Opal always
made sure there was a new dress for Betty and Darla. Dresses for
special occasions were from feed sacks to a lace wedding dress. As
long as her vision permitted, grandchildren had new clothes and later
she crocheted everyone an afghan. Opal believed in clean kids and her
children and grandchildren can vouch for the many baths they received
at her home. She always fixed the grandchildren their favorite food
when they would stay with her.
After
moving to town, Opal and Paul enjoyed their home at 447 West 11th
until Paul entered the nursing home in 1990. Opal could always see
the funny side of things. Her giggling got her in trouble many times
from a youngster to an oldster. She enjoyed hearing about the funny
stunts the grandkids and great-grandkids did.
Opal
entered the Imperial Manor in 1999 and passed away Wednesday, Sept.
29. 2004. She was 95 years of age.
Survivors
include daughters Betty and Don Brown of Parks, Neb., and Darla and
Ben McAllister of Hastings. Neb., nine grandchildren, 27
great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Opal
was preceded in death by her parents: sister Nola: brothers Lloyd and
Glenn: husband Paul: son Richard Paul, "Dickie," and
great-granddaughter Jessica.
Funeral
services for Opal Eaton will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Oct. 6.
2004. at the Imperial Bible Church in Imperial with John Engbrecht
officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Imperial.
Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1992
Fredrick
Paul Eaton
IMPERIAL--Fredrick
Paul Eaton, son of Jesse and Nina (Beagle) Eaton, was born December
17, 1904, in Savannah, Missouri. He died November 24, 1992, at Villa
Grace in Hastings, Nebraska, where he was a resident for nearly three
years.
He
lived in Savannah until he was nine years old then moved with his
parents to a farm near Savannah. He was a farmer for the remainder of
his life.
Paul
joined the Methodist Church when he was a teenager. In the fall of
1924, he and his parents moved to a farm north of Sedgwick, Colorado.
He later moved to Haxtun, Colorado.
Paul
was married to Opal Ireland September 25, 1928, at Holyoke, Colorado.
To this union three children were born: Betty, Richard (Dicky) and
Darla.
They
moved to Nebraska in 1933 where he farmed and ranched until his
retirement at the age of 77. Paul and Opal moved to Imperial,
Nebraska, in March of 1975.
One
of his pet accomplishments was teaching his nine grandchildren how to
drive.
He
was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Dicky, and a
great-granddaughter, Jessica Kautz.
He
leaves to mourn: his wife, Opal; two daughters, Betty Brown and
husband, Don, of Parks, Nebraska, and Darla McAllister and husband,
Ben Jr., of Hastings; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; other
relatives and a host of friends.
Services
were held Friday, November 27, 1992, at the Imperial Bible Church
with Pastor Joe Buckley officiating. Organist was Linda Varilek and
music was provided by Irvin and Garneta Baurle, vocalists.
Bearers
were Larry Radcliffe, Lyle Nickerson, Don Welch, John Ferguson, Jim
Lutz and Deloyce Spady. Honorary bearers were Bob Brown, Ernest
Graham, Clarence Jaeger, Jake Welch and Don Roe.
Interment
was at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial with Liewer Funeral Home of
Imperial in charge of arrangements.
A
TRIBUTE TO GRAND DAD
The
treasures that you've given us,
Money
cannot buy
'Cause
memories are not for sale
Nor
do they ever die.
Your
faith in God, your love of life
Your
love for God's outdoors
Gave
you great pride in work well done
From
field to livestock chores.
When
friends would ask if you could help
You'd
say, "0, yes I can."
We
know that we could name you
A
real true friend to man.
You
believed in discipline.
You
were firm but fair
And,
Grand Dad, when we needed you
You
were always there.
Your
family was your pride and joy
With
love you did relate
From
both your aging parents
Down
to your youngest great.
When
prayers and tears couldn't bring you back
No
matter how we'd try,
We
say "We'll see you later,"
We'll
never say, "Goodbye."
by
OpalGo to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1964
Walter
Eckenberg
Walter
Eckenberg, well-known former Benkelman area resident, succumbed to a
heart attack at St. Francis, Kansas, on Saturday where he operated a
greenhouse. He was 72 years of age.
Mr.
Eckenberg was born in Illinois in 1892. His parents, the late Mr. and
Mrs. Chris Eckenberg, were Benkelman residents for many years.
Walter
spent most of his lifetime in the region and was well-known in
Benkelman. He leased the W.J. Bro ranch on the South Fork for many
years before purchasing a farm southwest of St. Francis. He moved to
St. Francis five years ago, where he and his wife owned and operated
a greenhouse.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1991
Cassandra"Cassie"
Leone Eckhoff
TRENTON--Cassandra"Cassie"
Leone Eckhoff was born to Larry and Sandra Eckhoff of Trenton,
Nebraska, on October 25, 1990, at North Platte, Nebraska, and died
September 19,1991, at the age of 10 months.
Cassandra
is survived by her parents and her sister, Desirae, of Trenton;
grandparents: Gary and Jeanne Hunkins and Clyde Draper of Trenton,
Carl and Judy Eckhoff of Haven, Kansas, and Eric and Bobbi Dittlinger
of:Sikeston, Missouri; great grand-parents: Nina Oakley of
Max,Nebraska, Blanche Draper of Benkelman, Nebraska, Laurence and
Marie Eckhoff and Ed and Helen Osenbaugh of Hutchinson, Kansas,
Lucille Adams of DeRidder, Louisiana, Al and Helen Dittlinger of Cape
Guardian, Missouri, and Clyde and Arletta Hunkins of Stratton,
Nebraska, and a great-great-grandmother, Alma Daugherty, of
Hutchinson.
Services
were held Saturday, September 21, 1991, at 3 p.m. at Jones Funeral
Chapel in Benkelman with the Rev. Larry Harvey officiating. Mark and
Joshua Harvey sang "Jesus Loves Me."
Interment
was in the Benkelman Cemetery with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home
of Benkelman.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1997
Eugene
Eldon Eden
SHREVEPORT,
La.--Eugene Eldon Eden was born on Dec. 20, 1927, at Elkhart, Kan. He
died on Feb. 9, 1997, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was one
of 13 children born to Oscar and Lillie Eden.
The
family moved to Baca County, Colo., when Gene was very small. He was
baptized into the First Baptist Church of Campo, Colo., in February
1942. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Basham, March 13,
1949.
Gene
started his career in transportation as a truck driver for Wright
Motor Lines of Rocky Ford, Colo., later moving to Cushing, Okla.,
where he was a dispatcher for Bray Lines Inc. In 1971 he joined
Melton Truck Lines, Shreveport, La., as a dispatcher of lumber
products in the western United States. He retired from Melton Truck
Lines as transportation salesman in July 1990. Gene was widely known
in the lumber and transportation industry.
Gene
was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Harold, James,
Birchell and Bruce Wayne; a baby brother and a great-granddaughter,
Margaret Ann Eden.
He
leaves to mourn: his wife, Betty, of Shreveport; three children and
their families: Larry Eugene and wife DeAnn of Stratton, Neb., Wayne
Eldon and wife Verna Sue of Glenwood, Ark., and Susan and husband
Chris Robinson of Abilene, Texas; three grandsons: Matthew Eden,
Brian Eden and James Robinson; two step-grandsons: Rick and Randy
Caldwell; two granddaughters: Angelia Eden Patrick and Elizabeth
Robinson; five brothers: Tom, Bob, Bill, Jack and Oscar Jr., all of
Springfield and Campo, Colo., and two sisters: Alice Dalton of
Springfield and Letha Riggs of Apache Junction, Ariz.
Funeral
services for Eugene Eden were held at the First Baptist Church of
Campo on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997. Arrangements were by Rich's
Funeral Home of Springfield.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 1981
Sidney
Edmisten
Mr.
Sidney Edmisten passed away in Denver September 30, 1981. He was a
one-time resident of Max, Neb.
He
leaves his wife, Weata, and three granddaughters and their families.
Mrs.
Edmisten is the sister to the late Mrs. Les Clark.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1970?
Harold
V. Edmonds
Harold
V. Edmonds, 59, died Monday morning at the Dundy County Hospital. He
had been in ill health for several years. He was born February 28,
1911, near Bird City, Kansas, and was a retired farmer. He was also
engaged in the hotel business in Benkelman for several years.
Survivors
are his widow. Ona; one daughter, Velda Lambert of Crow Agency,
Montana; two sons, Jim of McCook, and Floyd of Longmont, Colorado;
eight grandchildren; two sisters, Iris Case of Hermiston, Oregon and
Verta Smith of Grand Marais, Minnesota; one brother, Russell of
Pendleton. Oregon.
Harold
Edmonds was born February 28, 1911, in Cheyenne County, Kansas, near
Bird City, the son of Joe and Sarah Baker Edmonds, pioneer residents
of northwest Kansas. He succumbed to an illness of almost three years
on December 21. at the age of 59 years, nine months and 23 days.
He
grew to manhood on his parents' farm, where he learned the art of
farming which later in life gained the respect of all his friends and
neighbors. He was a very dedicated farmer and took great pride in his
work.
On
January 29, 1933, he was united in marriage to Ona Beeson. To this
union were born three children, all of whom survive.
His
parents and family moved to Oregon in the late thirties, but Harold
remained in northwest Kansas to continue in his chosen field of
agriculture.
In
October of 1955 he and his wife entered the business scene in
Benkelman as owners and operators of the Shamrock Hotel, later adding
the Shamrock Laundromat. He continued to operate both businesses,
along with farming interests, until early 1968, when sudden ill
health forced him into retirement. Even as his health failed, he
strived to remain as active as possible, doing all he could to make
life more pleasant for others.
He
was a member of the Benkelman Baptist Church, devoted to the works of
the church.
He
leaves to mourn the sadness of his passing his devoted wife, Ona;
three children, Floyd and wife, Carolyn. and two children of Longmont
Colo., Jim and wife, Barbara, and two children of McCook. Nebr., and
Velda Lambert and husband, Gene, and four children of Crow Agency,
Montana; two sisters. Iris Case and husband, Dwight, of Hermiston,
Oregon, and Verta Smith and husband, Orville, of Grand Marias,
Minnesota; one brother, Russell Edmonds, and family of Pendleton,
Oregon: as well as many other relatives and friends throughout
northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska.
He
was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Kenneth and Fred,
in infancy; and a sister, Berta. in infancy.
Funeral
services were held at Jay's Funeral Chapel in Benkelman at 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, December 23, with Rev. Schendel of Bird City, Kansas,
officiating. Singers were Mr. and Mrs. Don Egle.
Casket
bearers were Dan Owens. Jim Owens, Clinton Munn, Gay Bash, Loyd
Maranville and Johnny Magley. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery
with Jay's Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 1998
Amelia
Irvaleta (Adkinson) Edwards
Amelia
Irvaleta (Adkinson) Edwards was born Aug. 27, 1928, to Francis Paul
and Winifred R. (Nicholson) Adkinson of rural Benkelman, Neb. She
passed away Thursday, Oct. 22, 1998, at the Dundy County Hospital in
Benkelman.
Irvaleta
attended the Benkelman High School and graduated in May 1947 and then
from the Omaha Cosmetology school in 1948. She operated a beauty shop
for some time. She owned and operated the Yarn Room and served as the
director of the Dundy County Senior Center in Benkelman for several
years.
Irvaleta
married Marvin A. Edwards on Jan. 27, 1949. Four children blessed
their home: Paul Dee, Scott Mitchell, Mark Alan and Tena Marie.
She
was a member of the United Methodist Church for more than 50 years.
She was honored to be the first Honored Queen of Jobs Daughters and
was a devoted member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Holly Chapter
No. 233. She served as Worthy Matron for five terms and remained a
faithful member. She was a member of the McCook Chapter of the
Daughters of the Nile.
She
was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; an infant brother,
Glenn; her son, Paul Dee; a grandson, Jason Edwards, and a
son-in-law, James Stephens.
She
is survived by her brother, Gene Adkinson and his wife, Beverley, of
Sidney, Neb.; two sons, Scott and wife, Elizabeth, of Benkelman and
Mark and wife, Vickie, of Topeka, Kan.; a daughter, Tena Stephens, of
Madrid, Neb.; two granddaughters, Emily Rae Brainard and Alyson
Stephens; two grandsons, Aaron Edwards and wife, Dianne, and Josh
Stephens; two great-grandchildren, Lynette and Adam Edwards; a
step-grandson, Charles Hall; two sisters-in-law, Doris Edwards and
Gretchen Williams; several aunts; an uncle; nieces, nephews and
cousins, and a host of friends.
Final
rites for Mrs. Edwards were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at
the United Methodist Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Art Phillips
officiating. Jackie Wilson was the organist. The congregation sang
"Surely The Presence Of The Lord" and “On Eagle's Wings."
Bearers were Jim Powell, Mearl Richard, Dick Davis, Roger
Shillington, Jack Wilson and Urlin McCartney. Interment was in the
Benkelman Cemetery, with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of
Benkelman.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1999
Barbara
Ann (Bascue) Edwards
DENVER–
Barbara Ann (Bascue) Edwards of Denver, Colo., 60, died Tuesday,
Sept. 14, 1999, in Porter Hospice in Littleton, Colo. She was born at
home on Oct. 11, 1938, in Laird, Colo., to Wayne and Opal (Foster)
Bascue.
In
1944, the family moved to her grandparents' farm located six miles
north of Max, Neb. She lived there until she graduated from high
school as the valedictorian. She went on to McCook Junior College in
McCook, Neb., and then to her first teaching job at the age of 17.
After moving to Denver, she changed careers. Over the years, she
advanced herself in the accounting field. This was quite an
accomplishment, for she had no formal education in accounting. She
completed her career as a controller with Gold Bug Inc. She retired
in 1990.
Barbara
married Gary Cunningham on May 19, 1957, in Max. Children born to
this marriage include Diane, Gary Mark and Jill.
On
May 25, 1968, she married Dwayne Edwards in Broomfield, Colo. Brook
Ellen was born to this union.
She
loved to fish, bowl, watch baseball and travel. Dwayne and Barb
visited all but 3 of the 50 United States. Other travels included
England, Australia, Panama Canal and the Caribbean. She had a deep
passion for genealogy and left her loved ones a gift of the family's
history.
She
had a zest for life and a deep love for her family. She will be
dearly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors
include her husband, Dwayne, of Denver; children: Diane (Ken)
Manzanares of Denver, Gary Mark (Elizabeth) Cunningham of Longmont,
Colo., Jill (Mark) Lucero of Lakewood, Colo., and Brook (Shaun)
Montoya of Broomfield; siblings: Don (Margaret) Bascue of
Albuquerque, N.M., and Marilyn (Bill) Helton of Arvada, Colo., and
nine grandchildren.
Following
cremation of remains, services were held on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 1999,
at the Christian Church of Broomfield with Pastor David McVey
officiating. Memorials may be sent to Porter Hospice, 2420 W. 26th
Ave., #200, Denver, CO 80211.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 2007
Ruth
Belle (Forbes) Edwards
Ruth
Belle Edwards, 88, of Newton, Kan., passed away on Sunday, Aug. 5,
2007, at the Newton Medical Center. She was born in Pat, Colo., on
Oct. 1, 1918, the daughter of Willard Augustus and Permelia Olive
(Ross) Forbes.
She
was a homemaker and a member of the Friends Church.
Ruth
married Herbert Edwards, a Quaker (Friends) preacher, and they were
married for 43 years upon his death on Nov. 23, 1979. She
subsequently married Herbert's brother, Merle Edwards, who also
preceded her in death.
In
addition to her husbands, Ruth was preceded in death by her parents;
an infant son, Bernard; brothers Lewis, Harold and Victor Forbes; a
sister, Viola France; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
She
is survived by daughters Eleanor "Dolly" Ruth Phillips of
Colorado Springs, Colo., Lela "Leigh" Arlene Rasmussen of
Strong City, Kan., and Mareldine "Deanie" Lucille Anderson
of Gilbert, Ariz.; a son, Larry Hugh Edwards, of Cedar Point, Kan.;
sisters Ida Whittenburg of Yuma, Colo., Lucille Edwards of Benkelman,
Neb., Iona Moberly of St. Francis, Kan., Laura Chapman of Brush,
Colo., and Velma Grant of DeSoto, Mo.; brothers Leonard Forbes of
Hallsville, Mo., and Delbert Forbes of Fort Morgan, Colo.; nine
grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral
services for Ruth Edwards were held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8,
2007, at the Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home in Salina, Kan., with
the Rev. Loran L. Forbes officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant
Valley Friends Cemetery in Nebraska at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9,
with the Rev. Terry W. Douglass officiating.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 2005
Jean
Marie (Ham) Edwards
Jean
Marie (Ham) Edwards was born in Benkelman, Neb., on Jan. 24, 1924, to
Earl and Mayme Ham and departed this life on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005,
in Tacoma, Wash.
She
worked as an x-ray technician in Tacoma until she retired in 1982.
She
was a 1941 graduate of the Benkelman High School.
She
married Donald Edwards
in 1979, and on his retirement
in 1986, spent those remaining years with Don "snow-birding"
in Arizona and traveling. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, family and
friends.
She
is survived by her hus -band, Don; daughters Kath -erine Oliver of
Fort Collins,
Colo.,
René Swanson of Seattle, Wash., Sheryl Althauser of Lacey, Wash.,
and Roberta Diamond of Sumner, Wash.; a son, Eugene Edwards, of
Tacoma; brothers Arden Ham of Benkelman and Norlin Ham of Altamonte
Springs, Fla.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and many
nieces and nephews.
A
memorial service to celebrate Jean's life was held at 1 p.m. on
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005, in the Mt. View Garden Chapel. Burial of
cremains will be in a cemetery in Tacoma.
Correspondence
will reach the family at: Don Edwards, 10626 18th Ave. South, #16,
Tacoma, WA 98444.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1981
Lena
Elizabeth (Hamburg) Edwards
Lena
Elizabeth Edwards born February 12, 1897, Ives, Nebraska, (now Parks,
Nebraska) in Dundy county to George and Elizabeth (Karl) Hamburg.
Her
early years were spent in and about Max, Nebraska, where her father
was the road foreman. The Hamburg family moved to Benkelman about
1903, and Lena attended school in Benkelman. Following her graduation
in 1915, she taught in rural schools.
In
the summer of 1920 Lena married Francis W . Edwards at the Hamburg
family home. She and her husband moved to a farm northwest of
Benkelman. They attended the Pleasant Valley Church and various
community activities. In August of 1937 the family Loved to
Benkelman.
Lena
was a member of the United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, a
charter member of the Women's Society of Christian Service, now
United Methodist Women, and, during the 1930's and 1940's she worked
at the telephone office as a switchboard operator. She was a member
of the Order of Eastern Star, Holly Chapter No. 233 for 62 years, and
was a Past Worthy Matron of this organization. She had recently made
her home at the Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman.
Lena
passed away at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman on November 9,
1981, at the age of 84 years, 8 months and 27 days, after a lingering
illness.
She
was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Francis, brothers
George and Jack Hamburg, sister Catherine (Hamburg) Ralph, two
nephews and one niece.
She
leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, Bonnie and husband George
Korkisch of Huntsville, Alabama; a son Eugene G. Edwards, and wife
Jackie of Lincoln, Neb.; three granddaughters, Pamela Edwards of
Dallas, Texas, and Patty and Mary Edwards, both of Lincoln.
Also
surviving are two sisters-in-law; one nephew, James Hamburg of San
Diego, Calif., and one niece Rita (Hamburg) Moore of Bakersfield,
Calif., as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Chapel
service was Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1981 at 10 a.m. at the Jones Chapel,
Benkelman, Nebraska. Pastor Gary Karoly officiated the service.
Organist was Betty Erdman playing "How Great Thou Art" and
"You'll Never Walk Alone".
Bearers
were Bill Jones, Ron Jones, Willard Raile, Dee Jones, Mason Jones and
Lee Gallatin. Interment was held in the Benkelman Cemetery, with
Committal Service by Chapter No. 233, O.E.S.
Funeral
arrangements by Jones Funeral Home, Benkelman, Nebraska.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 1950
Flora
(Madole) Edwards
Mrs.
Flora Edwards, a pioneer of Dundy county, passed away at her home at
Escalon, California, on last Thursday evening after a relapse during
an illness which had made her a semi-invalid in January of 1949. She
was eighty-six years of age and had been a Dundy county resident
since 1886 with the exception of the period of her California
residence which began in 1943 when she moved there with her son
Austin, and her daughter, Mrs. Nina Miller.
Funeral
services were conducted at the Laughlin Chapel on Tuesday afternoon
with Rev. Frank Woodward assisting Rev. H. T. Slagg. Singers were
Lloyd Boswell and Mrs. Beryl Maranville with Mrs. JoAnn Rath at the
organ. Pallbearers were Lee Hamilton, Harold Barnes, Reece Hardwick,
Lee Balderson, Carson Andrews and Frank Walsh. Interment was in the
Benkelman cemetery with grave side services by Holly Chapter, Order
of the Eastern Star.
Flora
Madole, daughter of James and Lois Madole, was born at Whitten, Iowa,
on the 26th day of January, 1862, and departed this life on Thursday,
October 19th, 1950, at her home in Escalon, California, at the age of
88 years, 8 months and 23 days.
She
was united in holy wedlock to Calvin B. Edwards at Union, Iowa, on
December 12th, 1878. To this union twelve children were born, four of
whom preceded her in death.
Mrs.
Edwards came to Dundy county in 1886 with her husband and five
children to join other pioneers in building new homes in the west.
They settled in Union precinct where they homesteaded near the
present site of the Pleasant Valley church. During all the hardships
which the pioneers endured to develop the west, Mrs. Edwards always
maintained an abiding faith in the land and was an inspiration to
others who became discouraged with the failures which plagued the
early settlers. She developed the art of practical nursing and served
the community in sickness when it was almost impossible to obtain the
assistance of a doctor. Even in her latter days on the farm it was
not uncommon for her to be helping in the homes of neighbors during,
illness and childbirth.
When
the Friends church at Pleasant Valley was organized in about 1890 she
took an active part in the organization work and was a charter
member. She remained faithful to the church during her residence
there. She was a member of Holly Chapter, Order of the. Eastern Star
and of the Benkelman Sheba Rebekah Lodge.
In
1920 she and her husband retired from farm life and moved to
Benkelman where Mr. Edwards passed away in 1937. In 1943, she was
induced by her daughter, Nina, and her son Austin, to move to
California with them. She found the California climate beneficial to
her health and remained there until her passing.
In
January, 1949, she was stricken with a malady which left her a
semi-invalid but never during her illness did she lose her optimism
for the future and she patiently awaited the day when she would walk
again. During her illness she kept in intimate contact with the
affairs of the world and was an ardent reader of the daily papers.
On
the evening of October 19th, she suffered a relapse and passed away
in the presence of her daughters, Nina, Sadie and Lois, and her sons,
John and Austin.
She
leaves to mourn her departure, eight children, Mrs. Sadie Laughlin of
Sacramento, Calif.; Mrs. Lois Case of Oakland, Calif.; Mrs. Nina
Miller, Escalon, Calif.; Austin Edwards, Escalon, Calif., Elmer
Edwards, Greeley, Colo; Walter Edwards, Benkelman, Nebr., Edward
Edwards, Fort Collins, Colo., and John Edwards of Hayward, Calif.;
two brothers, James Madole, Eldora, Iowa, and Albert Madole, Oklahoma
City, one sister, Mrs. Herb Weaver, Ellsworth, Iowa,; thirty-two
grandchildren, fifty great grandchildren, and seventeen great great
grandchildren. Her husband, four children, her father and mother,
two sisters and one brother preceded her in death.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1998
Carolyn
Kay (Mathews) Edwards
Carolyn
Kay Edwards was born Jan. 5, 1944, at Benkelman, Neb., the daughter
of Willard and Inez (Williams) Mathews.
She
married Robert Dugger at McCook, Neb., in 1961.
On
Feb. 17, 1969, she was united in marriage with Ron Edwards at Rapid
City, S.D.
A
resident of Benkelman since 1968, Carolyn was employed at the Jack &
Jill grocery store for 9 years and was a C.S.M. (care staff member)
at the Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Nursing Home, working there a total
of 20 years. She was also a Mary Kay Cosmetics representative for 15
years.
Carolyn
liked to travel. Her work at the Hester Home was very important to
her and she liked family get-togethers.
Carolyn
had been ill since March 1998. She died at North Colorado Medical
Center in Greeley on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1998, at the age of 54
years, 7 months and 14 days.
She
was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Loyal; an infant
brother, and two infant sisters.
She
is survived by her husband and her mother-in-law, Lucille Edwards,
both of Benkelman; two sons, Dennis Dugger and his wife, Joy, of
Giltner, Neb., and Troy Dugger and his wife, Sandy, of Torrington,
Wyo.; a daughter, Lynette (Edwards) and her husband, Bobbie Behlke,
of Benkelman, and five grandchildren: Jeromie Dugger, Brandon Dugger,
Jayde Behlke, Heather Wagner and Samantha Wagner.
She
also is survived by four brothers: Willard and his wife, Darlene, of
Sun City, Ariz., Gary and his wife, Carol, of Canon City, Colo.,
Jerry of Benkelman and John of Kearney, Neb.; two sisters, Dorene and
her husband, Gary Purdy, of Omaha, Neb., and Jackie Johnson of
Avondale, Ariz., and her sister-in-law, Sharon Mathews, of Grand
Junction, Colo.
Final
rites for Carolyn Edwards were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22,
1998, at Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with the Rev. Douglas
Allen officiating. Betty Erdman was the organist and Richard
Bartholomew, with guitar accompaniment, sang “The Old Rugged Cross"
and "Go Rest High On That Mountain."
Bearers
were Rick and Randy Purdy, Marty and Royce Edwards and Jason and Kris
Mathews. Honorary bearers were the nurses of the Hester Memorial
Home.
Interment
was in the Benkelman Cemetery with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home
of Benkelman.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1981
Pearl
(Paul) Edwards
Pearl
Edwards, daughter of William Fred and Emiline Paul, was born Oct. 20,
1891 at Dundy County, Nebraska, and passed away Tuesday, Dec. 22,
1981 at the Dundy County Hospital at the age of 90 years, 2 months,
and 2 days. Pearl spent her early years in Dundy County and on Oct.
7, 1909, she was united in marriage to Elmer Y. Edwards at Benkelman.
To this union four children were born: two daughters, Ida and Mable;
and two sons: Everett "Pete" and Jim.
They
farmed in Dundy County until 1946 and then moved to Greeley, Colo.,
where they farmed until turning their farm into a subdivision.
In
1961 Pearl's husband, Elmer, passed away. She continued living in
Greeley until moving back to Benkelman approximately nine years ago
where she made her home with her daughter and her husband, Tom and
Mabel Hansen.
After
approximately five years, Pearl moved to the rest home in Loveland,
Colo., and later transferred to the Hester Memorial Home here in
Benkelman where she was a resident at the time of her passing.
Pearl
loved the Lord and was a member of the Benkelman Friends Church. She
was
a
hard worker all during her lifetime and her family always came first.
She
was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one daughter, Ida,
one son, Everett "Pete", one sister, Ida Scheider, five
brothers, Fred, John, Joe, Grover and Edward, one grandson, and one
great grandson.
She
is survived by one daughter, Mabel and her husband, Tom Hansen of
Benkelman; one son, Jim and his wife, Donna Edwards of Loveland,
Colo., 12 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren along with a host
of other relatives and friends.
Services
were held Saturday, Dec. 26, 1981 at the Jones Funeral Chapel in
Benkelman, Neb. The Rev. Robert Sander officiated. The organist was
Mary Baney, and duets, sung by Carol and Robert Sander, were
"Whispering Hope" and "It Is Well With My Soul."
Bearers
were Johnny Edwards, Mack McCoy, Tom Hansen, Stanley Hansen, Keith
Hansen and Guy Hansen.
Interment
was in the Linn Grove Cemetery, Greeley, Colo.
Funeral
services were conducted by Jones Funeral Home, Inc., Benkelman,
Nebraska.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, October 1988
Ada
A. (Richardson) Edwards
Ada
A. Edwards was born May 1, 1898, in a covered wagon in Flat Head
County, Montana, She died October 21, 1988, in McCook Community
Hospital, McCook, Nebraska.
Her
parents, Charles H. Richardson and Elizabeth Courtright Richardson,
were pioneers who helped settle our great country. Growing up within
a frontier setting early taught Ada valued work and she thrived on
the responsibility that accompanied their life style.
Ada
was well-known for her early work with horses where the family often
would break horses and train them for use. Her father built a stable
in Benkelman and is presently the house of the Jones Funeral Home.
Ada
is also remembered for her love of hand work. For years she took high
honors and ribbons with her embroidery at fair. Another interest was
music. Early she learned to play the fiddle and mouth harp and later
she became proficient on the piano. She enjoyed cooking and was
active in the Pleasant Valley Church Community. She was a member of
Conifer Community Church, Conifer, Colorado.
She
was preceded in death by her parents and two husbands, Jess C.
Edwards and Ted Kuntz. Also preceding her were five sons, Richard,
Kenneth, Boyd, James and Glenn; a brother, Mackinley Richardson, and
two sisters, Cora and Ethel.
Ada
is survived by her children, Carl and wife, Elizabeth Edwards, of
Littleton, Colorado, Albert and wife, Maxine Edwards, of Republic,
Washington, and Edith E. Peck of Canon City, Colorado; 16
grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Those
who know her will miss the great stories she would tell of the early
days. She was loved by all and will be remembered for the lives she
touched.
Services
were held Monday, October 24, 1988, at 10 a.m. at Jones Funeral
Chapel, Benkelman, Nebraska. Officiating was the Rev. James Brackett.
Mary
Baney was the organist, while Joleen Hansen sang "The Old Rugged
Cross" and "Face To Face."
Bearers
were Carl Edwards, Roy Edwards, Merle Edwards, Bruce Edwards, Willie
Wall and Malvin Hendrickson.
Interment
was in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Dundy County.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1931
Boyd
Edwards
Dundy
County experienced the first blizzard of the season last Thursday.
Few people realized the ferocity of the blizzard until the news was
broadcast to the effect that 6year-old Boyd Edwards was lost in the
storm near his home north of Max, having been separated from his
brothers after an early school dismissal. Many braved the storm to
take part in the search, but tragedy stalked in our presence and left
its trail vividly marked in Dundy County's history.
Little
Boyd Edwards lost his life in the blizzard. It was the first death to
our knowledge in Dundy County directly chargeable to a blizzard and
it combined public suspense, heroism, sacrifice, daring, sorrow and
physical and mental suffering to an extent possibly never before
approached in the history of Nebraska.
On
Friday there had not been much organization and everyone followed his
own ideas in the search. On Saturday considerable organization was
effected and the search was carried on in a more orderly and thorough
manner and on Sunday organization was fully effected, the men being
in groups of from 50 to 75 and followed out a studied plan.
The
body of the little boy, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse C.
Edwards, was recovered on Sunday.
Funeral
services were conducted by the Rev. J.C. Foster at the Pleasant
Valley Church on Tuesday.
(Researcher
note: Cemetery records show a date of birth as 5-14-1924 and a date
of death as 3-26-1931.)
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1976
Brenda,
Rick, Brad and Renee Edwards
Medical
and family reports tell us they entered life with a lusty cry and
witnesses tell us they departed this life with a song. Each with
individual personalities and characters, brought the blended joys and
anxieties common to most homes with multiple children.
Brenda,
Rick, Brad and Renee were no exception to such—and yet they were.
Against the backdrop of living in several communities across several
states, these children reflected unusual qualities of mutual love,
respect and appreciation for all that is embodied in the "ideal"
home. There was a particular fondness for each other, for mom and
dad, and for other close relatives and friends. They had been
unusually happy with the church, community, and school fellowships
which developed so rapidly following their recent move to the
Homestead community.
Brenda
was born August 23, 1961 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Nearly 15,
she early developed the quiet, pleasant, never complaining kind of
maturity which enable her to
accept
responsibilities beyond her age in a support role to her mother, who
for a time needed to work to help provide for the children.
Rick
entered this life in California on October 15, 1962. Nearing 14, he
was ambitious but not reflective. He loved sports, camp, and lots of
friends.
Brad
was born at Beaver, Oklahoma, on August 17, 1964. He was gifted with
a burning curiosity and loved to explore and experiment to help
satisfy an inquisitive mind.
Renee
was born in Hammond, Indiana, and was the youngest of the six
children. She celebrated her seventh birthday on June 3. Always
radiant and smiling, she was a typical tease who just oozed love.
These
four have two surviving brothers, Todd and Tommy. Last August 22 new
joys came into the lives of all six when they stood with Mom and Dad,
Becky and Larry, who exchanged with new meaning their marriage vows.
In this reunited home, love blossomed because the love of Christ was
revealed and responded to by each member of the home, where
family-centered activity—especially bike riding with Dad—was
important to one and all.
In
addition to Todd and Tommy, they are survived by their parents, Larry
and Becky Edwards; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Edwards of St.
Francis, Kans., and Dr. and Mrs. John Robinson of Wichita, Kans.;
great grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Forbes, Yuma, Colo.; and a
great grandmother, Mrs. Louis Haardt, Friendswood, Tex.; many other
relatives and a host of friends.
If
there is weeping today it is not for them, because the ultimate
dreams for Brenda, Rick, Brad and Renee have been fulfilled. The
tears are for us who remain and will miss their loving ways, their
beautiful lives, and their empty places.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1988
Brian
Edwards
Brian
Edwards of Stratton, Nebraska, was born on March 13, 1973. He died at
the age of fifteen on Sunday, August 21, 1988, of injuries incurred
in a one-vehicle accident near Cambridge.
Brian
is survived by his mother, Cynthia (Cindy), his stepfather, Dennis
Dahnke, and his brother Chris Edwards. Brian's grandparents include
Stanley (Diggs) and Patrica (Pat) Kotschwar of Stratton. His
step-grandparents are Bob and Mary Ellen Dahnke of Stratton. His
great-grandmother is Wilma Schleeman of McCook, Nebraska. His aunt,
Rhonda Glinsmann, lives in Ravenna, Nebraska. Other aunts, uncles and
cousins mourn his passing.
Brian
was preceded in death by his great-grandfather, George Schleeman of
McCook, and his step-great-grandmother, Florence West of Stratton.
Brian
grew up in the Stratton community, where he was involved in many
activities. At the Church of Christ he participated in Bible classes,
youth activities and summer camp. As a freshman last year at Stratton
Public High School, Brian was an "A" student and
participated in the academic bowl and band. He represented his class
on the student council. He was a member of the "S-Club" and
participated in football, basketball and track.
Brian's
love for baseball took him to baseball camp the past two years at the
University in Lincoln. This summer he was on the Legion baseball team
in McCook, which won its district and went to the state playoff at
Wayne, Nebraska. He had set his sights on playing professional
baseball.
Fishing
and hunting were two of Brian's favorite activities.
Brian
was an active member of Scout Troop #219 for four years. Having
advanced to "Life" rank, he was working on his Eagle
advancement and had his Eagle project plans approved on August 3. His
project involved improvements at the Stratton Public Library, which
he used a great deal. Having been scheduled to begin on Tuesday,
August 23, the project is presently being carried out by scouts of
Troop 219. As a "Star" rank. scout, Chris Edwards is
coordinating the project completion in honor of his brother.
Brian's
desire to "do his best" is a challenge to all who knew and
loved him.
Services
were held Wednesday, August 24, at 10 a.m. in the Stratton High
School Gymnasium at Stratton, Nebraska. The Rev. Duane Egle
officiated. Organist was Marjorie Redfield and Larry Forch Jr. sang
"Amazing Grace" and "Alleluia He Is Coining."
Bearers
were Brent Williamson, Kenneth Brennan, Don Merrill, Kerry
Krutsinger, Dennis Renfro and John Hardy.
Honorary
bearers were Steve Pollman, Brian Brennan, John Philo, Greg Brennan,
Mark Merrill, John Glasco and Pat Glasco.
Interment
was at Memorial Park Cemetery at McCook, Nebraska. Jones Funeral
Home, Inc., of Stratton, Nebraska, handled the arrangements.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1937
Calvin
B. Edwards
Calvin
B. Edwards, son of John an Permelia Edwards, was born at Union, Iowa,
on the 29th day of February, 1856, and departed this life March 31,
1937, at his home in Benkelman. at the age of 81 years, one month and
two days.
When
a small child he moved with his parents to Indianapolis, Indiana. At
the age of 18, he moved back to Iowa.
He
was united in marriage to Flora Madole at Union, Iowa. on the 12th
day of December, 1878. To this union 12 children were born, three of
whom preceded him in death.
He
came to Dundy county, Nebraska, in the spring of 1886 and settled on
a homestead in Union precinct where they experienced the trials and
hardships of those pioneer days.
About
1890 he joined the Friends Church at Pleasant Valley and remained an
active worker in that organization during his residence there. In
1920 he moved to Benkelman to retire from active farm life.
About
seven years ago he was stricken with paralysis which left him a
semi-invalid. He always looked forward, however, to getting the
morning paper and took a great interest in the news.
On
the morning of March 30 he suffered another stroke and passed
peacefully away March 31, 1937 at 7:30 p. m.
He
leaves to mourn his departure his wife and nine children: Lois of
Alliance. Canada; Sadies of Los Angeles, California; John of Denver,
Colorado; Edward of Fort Collins. Colorado; Austin, Elmer, Walter,
Francis and Nina of Benkelman, besides 32 grandchildren and 29 great
grandchildren, one sister of University Park, Iowa; one sister of
Great. Falls, Montana; one sister of Strong City, Kansas and a
brother of Council Bluffs, Iowa. His father and mother, three sisters
and five brothers preceded him in death.
Funeral
services were held Friday afternoon at 2 p. m. with Rev. Woodward
officiating, assisted by Rev. Schwabauer. Burial was in the Benkelman
cemetery.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, May1964?
Clarence
L. Edwards
Clarence
L. Edwards, 81, a resident of Corvallis, Oregon, for the past 39
years, died in a Corvallis hospital on Saturday, May 22, following an
extended illness.
The
son of Daniel and Alice Jordan Edwards, he was born, September 3,
1883, at Moulton, Iowa. At the age of five he moved with his parents
to Benkelman, Nebraska. He was employed as a carpenter for the
railroad in Nebraska and Colorado where he was married to Della M.
Lepin at Golden, Colorado, on April 13, 1914. The couple made their
home in several different towns in Colorado prior to moving to the
west coast in 1922 and going to Corvallis in 1926.
Mr.
Edwards farmed on Kiger Island until 1932 when they moved to
Corvallis and Mr. Edwards worked again as a carpenter. He was a
life-member of the Corvallis Moose Lodge and the Beaver Legion.
Besides
his wife, he is survived by two sons, Marlin L. of Albany. Lloyd R.
of Gold Beach one daughter, Mrs. Beulah Hunter, of Corvallis; one
brother, S. P. Newman, of Benkelman; one sister, Mrs. Hazel Hundley
of Tulelake, California; eight grandchildren, eight great
grandchildren. one great great-grandchild. Two sons, Harold and
Charles, are deceased.
Funeral
services were held on Tuesday, May 25. at 2 p.m. in the McHenry
Funeral Home with burial in the Oaklawn Memorial Park Cemetery in
Corvallis.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, October1974
Eric
U. Edwards
Eric
U. Edwards passed away in St. Luke's Hospital on Tuesday, October
15th and was laid to rest in Fairmont Cemetery on Friday, October 18,
1974. He was born in Dundy County in the Rollwitz area and was reared
in Benkelman. Although he had lived in Denver for many years, he
still has many friends and relatives living in and around Benkelman.
He loved to visit here as long as his health permitted, especially
during the hunting season. He started setting poles for Mountain Bell
Telephone Company and advanced to an executive position in this firm
in the 43 years that he worked for them. A large group of the men he
had trained and worked with attended his services as a group. He
retired five years ago.
Eric
U. Edwards of 645 South Race, Denver, Colorado was born on March 28,
1904 to Emma Z. and Walter L. Edwards and passed away on October 15,
1974. He was married to Margaret Bruce on October 9, 1930. One
daughter, Sharon Lee, was born to this union. He is survived by his
daughter, Sharon and husband Joe Sveboda of Evergreen, Colorado; two
brothers, L. A. (Dick) Edwards and wife Margaret of Cheyenne, Wyoming
and Lewis D. Edwards and wife of Boise, Idaho; two sisters, Daisy L.
Bisgard of Arvada, Colorado and Maude E. Howard and husband Merrel of
Benkelman; one brother-in-law, Axel Bruce and wife of Denver, eight
nieces and nephews and families. He was preceded in death by his
wife, his father and mother, his youngest brother, Gerald, and his
parents-in-law. Eric was an uncle of Mrs. Harry P. Martin of
Benkelman and Mrs. C. 0. Frasier of Imperial.
Benkelman
relatives attending the service were Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Howard and
Mrs. Harry Martin.
Printed
in the Benkelman Post, November, 1938
Francis
W. Edwards
Funeral
services for Francis W. Edwards were held at the M. E. Church in
Benkelman last Friday afternoon, the pastor conducting the services.
It was attended by one of the largest funeral crowds to assemble in
Benkelman for a long time. All available space was utilized,
including the large church basement and yet there were many standing
on the outside and setting in cars who were unable to get inside.
The Masonic and Eastern Star lodges attended in a group as did the
members of the American Legion. Legionairres from various
surrounding towns were likewise in attendance. Singers were Mrs. J.
S. Hollinger, Mrs. C. D. Mason, John Baer and Maurice Boswell with
Mrs. D. L. Ough at the piano.
The
Masonic brethren were in charge of the services at the grave, which
were most impressive. Dan Funk of Wray put the work on.
Among
relatives present at the funeral from a distance were Mr. and Mrs.
Glen Ralph of Lincoln, Mr. and Mrs. George Hamburg from Maryville,
Kansas, and Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Hamburg of Beloit, Kansas. Mrs. Ralph
and George and J. C. Hamburg are sister and brother of Mrs. Edwards.
John Edwards, of Denver, youngest brother of the deceased, was
likewise present as were other relatives and friends from more
distant points.
The
tragic death of Francis W. Edwards was not alone a terrific shock to
the family and loved ones but to the community as well. Francis was
reared in the Benkelman community and was outstanding in many ways.
As a lad he was a thrifty, popular and promising young farmer. During
the World war he was among the first Dundy county lads to join the
colors overseas and when the armistice came he was still in the front
trenches in foreign soil. Here he distinguished himself for bravery
in action and as a soldier of the highest type in the service of his
country. And how inconceivable and unreasonable then did it seem
that after facing all of the dangers that the greatest of all wars
involved that he should be shot down from the back in his home town
in an alley scarcely a block from his own home in a community where
he enjoyed the respect and esteem of practically every man, woman and
child in the county which had been his home from infancy.
He
had served his community in many ways, first as a splendid and
devoted husband and father, as a good citizen, a true and respected
friend and in industry and business where he had always enjoyed a
most honorable record in his dealings, in his lodge where he had
passed thru all of the chairs, in the organization and development of
the American Legion in Dundy County, in the church and in practically
every avenue of community life. It was only Monday preceding his
death that he had assumed the important part of Worshipful Master in
the Masonic funeral rites for the late Judge W. F. Wood, and the
masterful manner in which he executed the part commanded much
favorable comment on the part of all those who witnessed the
ceremony. But Francis was thorough in everything he undertook
because he was a man of ambition and vision and to do things well
characterized his entire life.
If
his popularity was great, it was well earned and while the wife and
children have lost a splendid and loving husband and father and the
relatives an outstanding member of the family, the community had
likewise lost one of its most esteemed citizens and their sorrow and
loss are blended into one in the knowledge that he has departed from
us.
Francis
W. Edwards, son of Calvin B. and Flora Edwards, was born in Dundy
county, Nebraska, on September 16, 1894, and died in Benkelman,
Nebraska, on November 16, 1938, at the age of 44 years and 2 months.
Francis
grew up in the Pleasant Valley community where he attended school and
also lived the most of his life.
He
enlisted in the service of his country on October of the year 1917 in
the 89th Infantry and served for the rest of the duration of the
World war in the A. E. F., when he returned to take up farming and
establish a home in the old home community.
On
September 1, 1920, he was united in marriage to Lena Elizabeth
Hamburg of Benkelman, Nebraska. To this union were born two
children, Bonnie Elizabeth and Eugene Glenn.
Brought
up in a Christian home he was naturally inclined to faith in God but
was led publicly to confess his faith in a revival meeting held in
Benkelman some years ago and from then on during his residence in
Pleasant Valley was an active worker in the Friends church.
Mr.
Edwards was also a very active member of the lodge of A. F. & A.
M. in Benkelman, Nebraska, to the life of which he contributed a very
fine fraternal spirit.
His
great interest was his family. He never could do enough to make them
comfortable and happy. He was a good neighbor, helpful where
helpfulness was needed, always open hearted and open handed. He gave
many a person the necessary lift that would make the pathway of life
pleasanter for him.
Mr.
Edwards was preceded in death by his father, Calvin B. Edwards; two
sisters, Mrs. Dora Buffington and Mrs. Alva Edwards, and one brother,
Albert.
He
is survived, outside of his immediate family, by his mother, five
brothers, Austin, Elmer, Walter, all of Benkelman; Edward of Ft.
Collins, Colorado and John of Denver, Colorado and three sisters,
Mrs. Sadie Laughlin of Lynwood, California, Mrs. Lois Case, Alliance,
Canada, and Mrs. Nina Miller of Benkelman; numerous nephews, nieces,
cousins and other more distant relatives and a host of friends.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1981
Glen
Charles Edwards
BENKELMAN
— Glen Charles Edwards died Friday at the Dundy County Hospital.
Mr,
Edwards was born Nov. 9, 1914 in Dundy County to Jess C. Edwards and
Ada A. . Richardson. He was preceded in death by his father, and four
brothers, Richard, Kenneth, Boyd and James.
Survivors
are his mother, Ada of Benkelman; one sister, Mrs. Fletcher (Edith)
Peck of Canon City, Colo.; and two brothers, Carl of Littleton, Colo.
and Albert of Republic, Wash.
Committal
services will be Monday at 11 a.m. MST in the Pleasant Valley
Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Sander officiating. The Jones Funeral
Home of Benkelman is in charge of arrangements.
(Researcher
note: Cemetery records show a date of birth as 11-9-1914 and a date
of death as 1-16-1981.)
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1979
Herbert
Leonard Edwards
Herbert
L. Edwards, Cedar Point, KS, a former Dundy County resident,
succumbed to a heart attack while hunting with relatives in Cheyenne
County, KS on Fri., Nov. 23, 1979.
Funeral
services were conducted at the Jones Funeral Chapel, Benkelman, NE on
Sun., Nov. 26, with the Rev. John L. Robinson officiating.
Organist
was Mrs. Mary Baney. Singers were Johnnie and Dixie Magley who sang
"I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone" and "Take Up The
Cross and Follow Me."
Bearers
were Robert Ditmar, Stanley Ham, Gene Hansen, Rusty Forbes, Theron
Culwell and Tom Hansen.
Interment
was in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
Herbert
Leonard Edwards was born in Benkelman, NE July 11, 1913 to Ardella
(Cain) and Otis Edwards. He departed his earthy abode Nov. 23, 1979
while hunting with his son, son-in-law and grandson.
He
was known by friends far and wide as Herb or Herbie. He had unlimited
talents and abilities but was best known for his insights and
understanding of people, and a depth of wisdom. He was a recorded
(ordained) minister in the Friends Church.
He
was married to Ruth Belle Forbes on May 10, 1936. This union was
blessed by two sons and three daughters. A son, Bernard James, went
to be with Jesus in infancy.
Those
who were blessed by his life and who cherish his memory are his wife
and companion of 43 years, Ruth, of Cedar Point, KS; his son Larry
and his wife, Becky, of Cedar Point; his daughters, Eleanore and her
husband Rick Rickard of St Francis, KS; Leigh and her husband, Wayne
Rasmussen of St Francis; Deanie and her husband, Jim Anderson of
Colorado Springs, CO; four brothers, Malvin, of Benkelman, Merle of
Burlington, Colorado, Bruce of Benkelman, and Roy of St Francis; 10
wonderful grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.
A
glad welcome in heaven awaited him by his mother and daddy; his son
and four grandchildren. Helen Steiner Rice said what we all feel: "We
give our loved ones back to God. And just as He first Gave them to us
and did not lose them in the giving, so we have not lost them in
returning them to Him . . . for life is eternal, love is immortal,
death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing but the limit of
our earthly sight."
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1994
Jason
Gene Edwards
KELLER,
Wash.--Jason Gene Edwards was born March 20, 1975, at McCook,
Nebraska, the son of Scott and Judy (Bliven) Edwards.
He
was baptized as an infant at the United Methodist Church in
Benkelman, Nebraska. He attended schools in Nebraska, Colorado, New
Mexico and Washington.
He
was artistic and had an aptitude for mechanical work and repairing
things. He moved to Keller, Washington, in 1990 where he had worked
in the lumber industry and, at the time of his death, was employed by
Keller Ferry Marina.
He
drowned as the result of a tubing accident in Roosevelt Lake near
Grand Coulee Dam in Washington July 5, 1994, at the age of 19 years.
He
was preceded in death by his grandfather, Marvin Edwards, and one
uncle, Paul Edwards.
He
is survived by his father, Scott Edwards, of Benkelman; his mother,
Judy, and her husband, Sonny Moses, of Keller; his brother, Aaron
Edwards, and his wife, Diane, and their daughter, Lynette Marie, of
Albuquerque, New Mexico; a step-brother, Daniel Moses of Keller; his
uncle, Mark Edwards, of Topeka, Kansas; his aunt, Tena Stephens, of
Benkelman, and his grandparents, Irvaleta Edwards of Benkelman and
Jim and Wauneta Bliven of Fremont, Nebraska.
He
will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Funeral
services were held in the Keller Community Center in Keller with Kent
Cremeen officiating. Burial was in the Keller Cemetery with Strate
Funeral Home of Grand Coulee in charge of arrangements.
A
memorial service was held Thursday, July 14, 1994, at 7 p.m. at the
United Methodist Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Douglas Allen
officiating.
Betty
Erdman was the organist and Kelly Hayward the soloist. Selections
included "On The Wings Of A Dove" and "He Touched Me."
Jones
Funeral Home of Benkelman was in charge of arrangements for the
memorial service.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1981
Lawrence
A. (Dick) Edwards
Lawrence
A. (Dick) Edwards, 81, of 1402 E. 23rd St. died Wednesday at Memorial
Hospital. Born Jan. 12, 1900 in Nebraska. he was a resident of
Cheyenne, Wyo., since 1937.
He
married Margaret Edwards on August 3, 1973 in Cheyenne.
A
lineman supervisor for Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power for 28 years,
Edwards was a member of the Rocky Mountain Lodge No. 40 A.F. and
A.M., the IBEW Electrical Union, Wyoming Consistory No. 1, Loyal
Order of Moose, Order of Amaranth and attended the Berean Fundamental
Church.
He
was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Eric Ulric
Edwards and Gerald Regnold Edwards.
He
leaves to mourn his passing his daughter, Fern Shumann of Bremerton,
Wash.; his stepdaughter, Irene Flohr of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and
step-son, Taylor Belt of Alameda, California. Two grandchildren,
Vienna (Shuman) McCurdy and husband of El Paso, Texas and David
Shuman of El Paso, Texas; one step-granddaughter, Rayenne (Flohr)
Groathouse and husband of Laramie, Wyoming; one brother, Lewis Donald
Edwards and wife Mildred of Boise, Idaho; two sisters, Daisy Lucile
Bisgard of Denver, Colo., and Maude E. Howard and husband Merrel of
Benkelman, Nebr. Also a number of nieces and nephews which include
Merrella Martin and husband Harry of Benkelman and Elaine Frasier and
husband C.O. of Champion, Nebr. He loved his nieces and nephews and
their families very much and managed to attend almost all their
graduation exercises and weddings.
He
loved to hunt and came many times with his brothers and nephew Ernie
Bisgard to hunt m this area.
He
will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
(Dick)
Edwards, as he was commonly known in Benkelman, was born in the
Rollwitz area to Walter Louis and Emma (Kirkpatrick) Edwards on Jan.
12, 1900. He passed away March 18, 1981. The family moved from
Rollwitz to Kansas, then to Benkelman, Nebr., about 1909. He attended
the Benkelman schools, then worked on a wheat farm south of Benkelman
for a number of years. He had pneumonia when his call came to go to
World War I, so was in the service only a few days when the war
ended. He then attained extra education in the electrical field and
spent one year in South America helping to build electric lines in
that country. After returning home, he drove a truck and worked at
the Independent Elevator during the depression years. He was married
to Lillie (Crookshank) Euel in 1936. They took Lilies granddaughter,
Fern Clack, to raise at her birth as her mother died when she was
born.
They
moved to Denver where he worked for an electrical company for awhile;
then to Cheyenne Wyo., where he was employed with the Cheyenne Light,
Fuel and Power Co. for 28 years after which he retired.
His
wife, Lillie, passed away in 1952. He married Margaret Belt on August
3, 1973. She passed away on May 12, 1977.
Interment
was in Lake View Cemetery. Friends who prefer may contribute to the
Moose Heart Fund and the Moose Lodge.
Services
were held March 21 at the Schrader Chapel with the Rev. Ron Smithgall
officiating. Pallbearers were Jack Long; Dick Atkins, Arleigh Bee,
Sandy Akes, Bob Wallace and Don Wittrup.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1994
Merle
Otis Edwards
BURLINGTON,
Colo. --Merle Otis Edwards was born to Otis and Della (Cain) Edwards
in Benkelman, Nebraska, on May 4, 1916, and died May 22, 1994, at his
home in Burlington, Colorado.
He
graduated from Benkelman High School in 1935.
He
served in the United States Army in the South Pacific on the island
of Guam as a radar specialist from March 1942 to December 1945. He
was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Edwards
was united in marriage to Alberta Neitzel at St. Francis, Kansas, on
October 22, 1946. To this union God provided four children and their
families: Steve Edwards of Burlington, Lisa and Allen Kaercher and
their children, Brittany and Chad, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Nancy and
Ken Lipe of Las Vegas and Timothy Edwards of Seattle, Washington.
Alberta
preceded him in death in 1974.
Merle
farmed in Arriba, Colorado, later moving to Burlington and was
employed by the Colorado State Highway Department for 26 years,
retiring in 1981.
He
was married to Ruth (Forbes) Edwards at Wichita, Kansas, on June 20,
1983, adding to his family these children: Dolly Rickard of Colorado
Springs, Colorado, Larry and Becky Edwards of Cedar Point, Kansas,
Leigh Rasmussen of Goodland, Kansas, and Deanie and Jim Anderson of
Gilbert, Arizona.
Cherishing
his memory are his three brothers, Bruce Edwards of Benkelman, Roy
Edwards of St. Francis and Malvin Hendrickson of Benkelman, and a
host of other relatives and friends.
One
brother, Herbert Edwards, and his parents. Otis and Della, preceded
him in death.
He
is remembered for his quiet and loving spirit and the things he loved
most: his family, friends, music and his Lord.
Services
were held Wednesday, May 25,1994, at 10 a.m. at the Christian Worship
Center in Burlington with Pastor Don Cave officiating. Pianist was
Becky Edwards who also sang “There's A New Star In Heaven" and
Delbert and Marion Forbes sang "Beyond The Sunset" and
"Come Home, It's Suppertime."
Bearers
were Alvin Nelson, Ron Hartley. James Duffield, Elmer Renzelman,
Percy Salvador and Calvin Zimbelman.
Interment
was in the Fairview Cemetery at Burlington with arrangements by Love
Funeral Home of Burlington.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1985
Orrin
Thomas Edwards
Orrin
Thomas Edwards, son of Alvin and Doris (Wilson) Edwards, was born on
July 31, 1941, on his Grandfather Wilson's farm northwest of
Benkelman, Nebraska, and died on Saturday, August 3, 1985, as the
result of a fatal car accident at the age of 44.
Tom
attended elementary school in the Hoover precinct in the former
District 14. In 1952, his parents moved to a farm southeast of Max,
Nebraska, where he attended Max Elementary School. Tom was active in
sports while he attended Max Rural High School and was graduated in
1959.
He
was united in marriage on January 15, 1961, to Geraldine Reiman of
Benkelman. To this union, three children were born: Connie, Michael
and Kathy.
Tom
spent most of his married life on the family farm southeast of Max
where he raised cattle and hogs. He worked for Farmers Livestock
Company of Benkelman for many years. He was employed as weigh master
at the Imperial sale barn and was a school bus driver for the
District 1-A Schools for 15 years. He also served on the Dundy County
Extension Board for a number of years and served on the Dundy County
Weed Control board. Presently, he was serving as a community
committeeman for the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation. He was
a member of Justice Lodge 180 AF & AM.
As
a young boy, Tom was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Lutheran
Church in Benkelman. In later years he attended church with his
family at the Benkelman Friends Church.
Tom
was preceded in death by his grandparents, Orrin and Bell Wilson and
Tom and Bertha Edwards: his father-in-law, Dick Reiman, and a
brother-in-law, Wallace Kinney.
Survivors
are his wife, Geraldine; their three children, Connie and husband,
Terry Akeson, and granddaughter, Megan Kay of Oshkosh, Nebraska;
Michael and Kathy at home; his parents, Alvin and Doris Edwards: one
sister, Arlene, and husband, Doyle Criger, their children, Jimmy
Doyle and Todd; his mother-in-law, Mrs. Lena Reiman; sisters-in-law,
Ed and Velma Reiman, Bitha Kinney, Richard Reiman, Marge and Bill
Bradley, Roger and Neva Shillington, Hazel Reiman. Chester and Laurie
Reiman; numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Tom
was a loving husband and father. He will be sorely missed by his
family and many friends.
Services
were held Tuesday, August 6, 1985, at 10:30 a.m. at the Friends
Church in Benkelman with Rev. Robert Sander officiating. Organist was
Mary Raney and Carol and Robert Sander sang "Jesus Will Walk
With Me" and "Beyond The Sunset." The congregation
sang "When We All Get To Heaven."
Bearers
were David Reiman, Robby Reiman, Dick Kinney, Mike Kinney, Allen
Reiman, Tim Reiman, Billy Bradley, Bobby Bradley, Alan Shillington,
Stan Shillington, Scott Shillington. Matt Reiman, Jimmy Criger and
Todd Criger.
Honorary
bearers were Orval Johnson, John McDonald, Glen Reiman, Shawn
McDonald, Verle Raichart, Jim Russell, Kelly Raichart. Loren Miller,
Lloyd Wilson, Jerdene Barnhart, Marlon Kunnemann, Lloyd Foster,
Derald Rickard, Bob Ellis, Doran Jessee, Lee Gallatin, Merrill
Humphreys. Bob Johnson, LeVoine Humphreys. Frank Tracy and Lonny
Stahlecker.
Interment
was in the Benkelman Cemetery with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home
of Benkelman.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1971
Paul
D. Edwards
Two
graduate geology students from the University of Nebraska were killed
Friday evening when their compact station wagon slammed head-on into
a Salvation Army bus on a weekend excursion.
Killed
were Paul D. Edwards, 26, and Daniel A. Yatkola, 28, both of Lincoln,
NE.
The
driver of the bus, Franklin T. Hutchens, 23, Leavenworth, and one
passenger, Keith A. Walton, 13, Leavenworth, suffered minor injuries
and were treated at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
A
third passenger, Walter J. Gorski, 24, Leavenworth, was not hurt.
Highway
Patrol Trooper Robert Leahew said the accident occurred about 7:00
p.m. at U.S. 24 and Midland, about three miles northwest of Lawrence.
The eastbound Edwards car apparently crossed the center line as it
rounded the Midland curve and hit the westbound bus head-on.
Leahew
said the bus was transporting its passengers to a camp out at Lake
Perry. It sustained $900 in damage.
Mr.
Edwards was killed on the impact of the collision. Leahew said his
body was pinned inside the wreckage for several minutes while rescue
crews worked to remove it.
Mr.
Yatkola was alive when ambulance workers arrived, Leahew said, but
died enroute to LMH. Both men had suffered massive head and chest
injuries, Leahew said.
Mr.
Edwards and Mr. Yatkola were on their way to Lawrence to consult with
Larry Martin, the Kansas University Natural History Museum curator,
on a paleontology project.
Leahew
said they carried numerous fossil rocks and bones that were damaged
in the crash.
James
Gunnerson, director of the University of Nebraska State Museum, which
owns the property, said no monetary value can be assigned to the
items. He said the two men were bringing the artifacts to Martin to
seek his help in identifying them.
Because
fossils frequently are fragmented when they are found, Gunnerson
said, he believes it will be possible to restore any damaged
material.
Mr.
Edwards is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Edwards,
Benkelman, Nebraska. Mr. Yatkola is survived by his mother, Mrs.
Ellen Yatkola, Templeton, Mass. Services were held for Paul on
Tuesday, March 16 from the Benkelman United Methodist Church.
Go to Top
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1947
Perry
Jess Edwards
Perry
J. Edwards was laid at rest in the Pleasant Valley cemetery on
December 29th, following funeral services at the Pleasant Valley
church in charge of Rev. Carl Patrick. Singers were Mr. and Mrs. Roy
Mathews, Mrs. Melvin Hendrickson and Carson Andrews with Miss
Marjorie Hansen at the piano. Pall hearers were John and Merle
Teeter, Bill Jones, Malvin Hendrickson, Art Little and Ellsworth
Wilson. Services were in charge of the Laughlin Funeral Home.
Interment was in the Pleasant Valley cemetery which was part of the
homestead land which was Mr. Edwards' first home in Nebraska when he
came here with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Edwards in 1886.
Perry
Jess Edwards was born at Union, Iowa, May 25, 1880 and departed this
life at Denver, Colorado, December 26, 1946, at the age of 66 years,
7 months and 1 day. His death was due to heart trouble and
complications and he passed away after a short illness of three or
four days.
At
the age of six years he came to Dundy county, Nebraska, with his
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Edwards who located on a homestead
northwest of Benkelman.
In
1917 he returned to Iowa where he engaged in farming until 1926,
after which time he returned to Benkelman where he made his home
until two years ago when he went to Denver to work.
He
was alone in the world, yet willing to befriend others, and had a
kind and generous disposition. He was fond of children and a lover of
good music. One of his favorite songs was the well known and beloved
hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross." During the times he
endeavored to live a Christian life he was very diligent in reading
and studying the Bible. He liked this western country and was always
glad to be in Dundy county and among his friends here.
Perry,
or Jack as he was commonly called, was among the early settlers and
pioneers in this county and was familiar with the hardships of the
early days. When Perry was just a child of three years of age, his
father was called by death; his only brother preceded him in 1938 and
his mother passed away in 1940.
He
is survived by three half brothers and two half sisters, who with
their families reside in eastern Iowa. He also has a number of
cousins living in Dundy county and elsewhere.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 2002
Roy
Lyle Edwards
Roy
Lyle Edwards was born April 8, 1925, in Dundy County, Neb., and died
Tuesday, July 9, 2002, in Memorial Hospital at Colorado Springs,
Colo. He was 77 years of age and the youngest son of James Otis and
Ardalla (Cain) Edwards.
As
a child he attended Pleasant Valley Church located outside of
Benkelman, Neb., and went to a one-room school through the eighth
grade.
As
a teenager, he liked to catch a ride to St. Francis, Kan., where he
eventually met and fell in love with Mildred Lorine Neitzel. They
dated for a year and as soon as she graduated from high school they
were married Aug. 10, 1945, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Goodland,
Kan. Born to this union were two daughters: Sheron Lorine and Shirley
Luellen. They remained married for 57 years until his death.
Roy
was a mechanic for 35 years. He could take a piece of junk and make
it run like a top and did that many times in his life. At age 55 he
switched to hay baling as a livelihood. Eventually, emphysema and a
heart condition forced him to retire. Retirement was hard but as he
adjusted he found that if he always kept busy with a project or two
he was more content. During the course of his retirement, Roy learned
to do many new things. He learned to play the fiddle, tool leather,
design and make aggravation boards which he sold and to use the
computer. Last year he won a purple grand champion ribbon at the fair
for his string art. Most lately he was learning how to work with
stained glass with his daughter Shirley.
In
1987, Roy had a quadruple bypass. At that time the doctors gave him
up to five years to live. That was 15 years ago. He had a tracheotomy
to increase his oxygen.
Roy
loved to laugh. The family credits his keen sense of humor for his
ability to hang on long after doctors thought otherwise. He loved to
make wise cracks and tell jokes. He seemed to see the humor in most
situations. Once he had pneumonia and was hospitalized. During his
stay he made many friends because of his joking around and his
lighthearted attitude. Whether he was watching movies like Maw and
Paw Kettle or comedy acts like Red Skelton or Abbott and Costello, he
always had time for laughter.
Music
was a big part of Roy's life. From the time he was a youngster he
played the guitar and piano. Although he never learned to read music,
he could play almost any song he wanted to. Roy had a mellow and
melodious vice and a style that could not be duplicated. When he was
younger he could yodel with the best of them. In his young adulthood
he loved to get together with his brothers and play and sing late
into the night. He sometimes played at dances. After his retirement
he joined a band with his brothers and music buddies and went to
retirement homes to entertain the residents. Music was always his
pleasure. Sometime he would start playing that special song on the
piano for Mildred. It pleased him when she would stop her work and
come to sit and listen as he played their special song.
Roy
was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Church 35 years ago. For
a while he went to church with Mildred. But as his health worsened,
it became more difficult to be around candles, groups and perfumes.
It became obvious that he would have to change his method. He adapted
to watching the video tapes of the church services, sometimes
watching the tapes repeatedly. In the last 15 years one could notice
definite changes in attitudes and thinking, which the family believes
was evidence of his spiritual growth.
Since
his retirement, Mildred and Roy have connected in a way that they may
never have. They did almost everything together including going to
appointments, visiting family and even cooking. They got so connected
at the end that each one could almost know what the other one was
thinking.
Roy
was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Herbert, Bruce
and Merle Edwards and most recently Malvin Hendrickson; and a
grandson, David Michael Penn.
He
is survived by his wife, Mildred; daughters Sheron Penn and Shirley
Ridens; a son-in-law, Danny Penn; five grandchildren: Dawn Marie,
Gregory Scott, Tina Rae, Katrina Lynn and Shaun Ray; a granddaughter
by marriage, Aki Yoshida; a grandson by marriage Tim Schmid, and 12
great-grandchildren: Jami, Daniele, Casey, Samantha, Michael, Braden,
Demetrius, Ian, Katie, Tia Dawn, Tyler Renee and Mason.
Funeral
services for Roy Edwards were held at 10:30 a.m. at the Peace
Lutheran Church in St. Francis with Pastor David Rossbach
officiating. Darlene Feikert was the organist. Congregational hymns
were "Nearer My God To Thee," "I Was There To Hear
Your Borning Cry" and "On Eagle's Wings." Art Krueger
and Keith Dankenbring sang "On The Wings of a Snow White Dove"
and "Peace In The Valley."
Casket
bearers were Marty Edwards, Kenneth Knorr, Junior Knorr, Larry
Edwards, Ron Edwards and Leslie Doggett.
Interment
was in the St. Francis Cemetery at St. Francis, with arrangements by
Knodel Funeral Home of St. Francis.
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Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1961
Walter
C. Edwards
Walter
C. Edwards passed away at the Pringle Memorial Hospital in Benkelman
on Saturday at the age of 69 years. He had been in ill health for the
past year.
Funeral
services were held on Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist Church with
the Rev. W. W. Israel officiating.
Graveside
services at the Benkelman cemetery were in charge of WB Ward
McGlashan and Justice Lodge No. 180 AF&AM. Mrs. Dale Bauer was
the organist and the quartette consisted of Harry Ough, Ross D.
Druliner, Jr., Lee Gallatin and Ray Balderson.
Casket
bearers were Masonic brethren, Joe Haley, Charles Carpenter, Clifford
Ham, Malvin Hendrickson, Robert Hardwick and Kenneth Brown. Honorary
bearers were Tom Ballard, Frank Walsh, Elmer Barger, Guy Barger, D.
E. Gallatin, Boyd Benge and a group from Martin F. Bowles Post of the
American Legion.
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