F - Obits

Boulder St for Harry tackler, 85, of 1820 W 50th Ave, Denver, burial at Crown Hill.

Fackler was employed by the CBQ more than 50 years before his retirement, died at his home Denver Feb 26th 1946.

Born in Illinois Dec. 22 1880, he was educated in Benkelman, Nebr. and went to Denver 1905.

Fackler married Jessie Tracy on Nov. 24, 1909 in Goodland, Kans. She died in 1937

He is survived by two daughters, Miss Frances Fackler of Denver and Mrs. Marguerite Williams of El Paso Texas.

Bernice Delores Faimon died Saturday, November 23, in the Presbyterian Hospital in Denver. She was born December 31, 1914, in Ellinwood, Kansas, to John and Ida Dorothy Mayer Thul. She was married August 10, 1949. in Ellinwood to John M Faimon.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella, William Egle Post Auxiliary No. 251, V.F.W. Auxiliary No 9155, the M.G.K. Extension Club and was a registered nurse

Survivors are her husband, John, of Stratton; one daughter. Mrs. Daniel (Susan) Ladenberger of Stratton; four grandchildren; four brothers, Norbert Thul of Dodge City, Kansas, Wilber Thul, Arthur Thul and Maurice Thul, all of Ellinwood; and one sister, Dorothy Chiles, of Dodge City, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Raynal, an infant son and an infant grandson..

Services were held Wednesday, November 27, at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Stratton, Fathers Peter Naughton, Conrad Marrama, John Lager, O.F.M. Cap , and Jim Moster, 0.F.M. Cap. officiated. Ed Faimon was lector,

Sue Sis accompanied Marian Faimon and Stanley Faimon with selections "The Old Rugged Cross,” "Amazing Grace,” “Great Thou Art,” “Peace Prayer of St. Francis” and "Only A Shadow/”

Bearers were Mark Thul, Marion Thul, Michael Faimon, Leo Micek, Gabriel Faimon. David Chiles and John Thul.

Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery of Stratton with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Stratton.

STRATTON– John Michael Faimon was born May 8, 1908, on the family farm 10 miles southeast of Stratton, Nebraska, to Joseph Frank and Mary Cecilia (Kopriva) Faimon.

He died January 4, 1992, at the Rawlins County Hospital in Atwood, Kansas, at the age of 83 .years.

John received his early education at the rural school south of Stratton and later graduated from the Stratton Public Schools on May 20, 1928.

He attended St. Regis College in Denver, Colorado, for one year. He then returned to farm in Nebraska.

On September 16, 1942, John entered the military service of his country during World War II in the Army Coast Guard Artillery.

On August 10, 1949, John was united in marriage to Bernice Thul in Ellinwood, Kansas. They returned to his farm 10 miles southwest of Stratton where they lived for 36 years before Bernice's death in 1985.

John continued to live on the farm until his death. One daughter was born to this union.

During his active years, John was a member and past trustee of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stratton, a charter member of three Knights of Columbus Councils in Herndon, Kansas, Atwood-Beardsley, Kansas, and Stratton-Benkelman, Nebraska, and gave 60 years to the organizations.

He was also a charter member of the 4th Degree Council in Atwood and later belonged to the council in McCook, Nebraska.

John was also active in the Stratton William Egle Post of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He served with pride as commander and chaplain for both organizations until his death.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife; four brothers, Joseph Jr., Stanley, Benedict and Edward; three sisters, Helen, Martha and Antionette; one son,

Survivors include one daughter, Susan. and husband, Daniel Ladenburger of Stratton; one brother, Richard of McDonald, Kansas; three sisters, Mary Micek of Atwood, Anna Musalek of Goodland, Kansas, and Lillian Sramek of Atwood, and four grandchildren, Lori, Bret, Dustin and Nickolas of Stratton.

Rosary was held Tuesday, January 7, 1992, at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church with the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus standing guard.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, January 8, 1992, at 10:30 a.m. with Fathers Steve Major and Conrad Marrama as co-celebrants.

Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton with committal rites by the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Stratton and the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.

Funeral services were held for Alma Rose Fallert on Wednesday morning at Jay's Funeral Home with the Rev. Jerry Elrod, Methodist pastor, officiating. Mrs. Fallert had passed away at the Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home on Monday at the age of 77 years.

Participating in the services were Mrs. Paul Erdman, organist; Mrs. Royce Anderson, soloist; and the bearers were L. C. Hines, Stanley Ham, M. D. Sailors, Howard Schrader, Bill Damrow and Burdette Wilson. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery.

Mrs. Fallert had been a resident of Benkelman for 55 years and was well known, respected and enjoyed by the residents of this area. She was in public life as a clerk in several Benkelman stores and was well known in the social life of the community in church, lodge and Woman's Club interests. She had been a resident of the Hester Home for nearly three years.

Alma Rose Fallert was born in Smithfield, Nebraska, on June 23, 1888. She was the eldest child of Jeter and Laura Toler. Her father died while she was a young girl and the family moved to Arapahoe. Alma was educated in the schools there and was graduated with honors.

On February 25, 1908, she was married to William F. Fallert in Arapahoe. In 1910, the young couple and baby Valeita moved to Benkelman where Mr. Fallert was first a clerk, and tailor and later a carpenter and contractor. Their other three children, Dale, Beryl and Bonnie, were born and reared in Benkelman.

Mrs. Fallert was active in civic affairs; a promoter of Benkelman as well as Nebraska. She clerked at several stores and was well known in the community. She had a great love and respect for books and education which she instilled in her children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Fallert died in the early morning hours on July 19, 1965 at the Sarah Hester Home when she spent the past 2 1/2 years of her widowhood.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1956; her son, Dale, in 1961; son-in-law, Neal Grant, in 1962 a daughter, Valieta Foster, in 1964; and a brother, Clifford Toler in 1964.

Those remaining to mourn her passing are four sisters, Lena Bayliff of Portland, Oregon, Vera Pickering of Vancouver, Washington, Elsie Ballard of Loveland, Colorado, and Buela Childress of Los Angeles. She has a remaining brother, Clyde, of Idaho Falls and a sister-in-law, Ida Toler of Benkelman.

Also surviving are her daughters, Beryl Russell of St. Francis, Kansas, and Bonnie Higbee of McCook: a son-in-law, Leo Foster, of Stratton; 12 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces and nephews and a community of friends.

William F. Fallert was born March 26, 1884, at Holbrook, Nebr., the son of Fidel and Louise Fallert. He grew to young manhood in Furnas county, Nebraska, and on February 25, 1908, he was married to Alma Toler at Arapahoe, Nebr., and moved to Holdrege, Nebraska, for a few months when he moved to Benkelman, Nebraska where he worked in a store for John Smith. After a few years he entered a partnership in the meat market with J. A. McDonald and continued for several years in that business. For the past 30 years he has engaged in the carpenter and cabinet making business and during that time he constructed many of the finest homes and buildings in the community.

Grandpa Bill, as he was affectionately known by multitudes of small children in the community, was at the time of his death on Thursday, January 19, 1956, at the age of 71, president of the Benkelman school board and found his greatest enjoyment in recent years in his work with that board and his association with the children of the community. He could be depended upon to provide a cheery note at any occasion and will be sadly missed in his community where he has been a popular and successful leader for so many years. Death came very suddenly and unexpectedly but his family has the consolation that during his lifetime he was a useful and revered citizen as well as a devoted father and husband.

Bill, as he was affectionately known to his multitude of friends, leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Alma Fallert; four children, Valeeta Foster, Dale Fallert, Beryl Russell and Bonnie Grant; eleven grandchildren, six great grand-children; his brother, Louis Fallert; of Arapahoe, Nebr.; his sisters, Carrie McCarty of Colorado, Anna Packwood of California and Lena Breining of Arapahoe, Nebr. He was preceded in death by two brothers, August Fallert and Oscar Fallert; a great granddaughter, Jeanie Foster, and his parents.

Lucy Angeline Fanning was born to Thomas T. and AnnaBelle Weakline Manning, April 30, 1898 on a homestead northeast of Max, Nebr. She passed away Dec. 11, 1977 at her home northwest of Wauneta, Nebr.

On Nov. 9, 1921 Lucy was united in marriage to Harry F. Fanning. To this union three children were born LaVerna, Frank and Arlene. Lucy lived with her husband Harry on a farm in this community all of her married life.

Lucy was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was always ready to lend a helping hand.

Lucy left to mourn her passing her daughter, LaVerna, her son Frank and his wife Dorothea, both of rural Wauneta and her daughter Arlene Peters of Kimball, Nebr.; grandchildren, DeWayne and wife Patti Fanning, Vickie Jussell, Craig Fanning, Denise Zornes, Bob and Gary Peters; great grandchildren Lisa Annette Zones., Stephanie Dee and Norman DeWayne Fanning, Danny Joe and Christophor, DeWayne Jussell. Her twin brother, Lute L. Manning of Benkelman, an older brother Edgar Manning and his wife Alice of Yuma, Colo. and one sister, Mary E. Thomas of Benkelman. Also one sister in law Eva Maddox and brother in law Walter Sheeler.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harry, one son-in-law Wayne Peters and one grandson Donald Wayne Peters, her mother Anna and father Tom, two brothers Willis and Leonard Manning in infancy, two sisters Maggie Green and Susie Manning.

She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. and many nieces and nephews who loved her very much.

Services for Lucy A. Fanning were held Wed., .Dec. 14, 1977 at the United Methodist Church in Wauneta with the Rev. Don Rollstin officiating. Music was by Mrs. Raymond Maxfield and Mrs. Bob Walgren.

Escorts were Bob Peters, Kenneth Tracy, Frank Tracy, DeWayne Fanning, Craig Fanning and Bob Fanning. Interment was in the Wauneta Riverside Cemetery with Creueling Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

There's an open gate
At the end of the road
Through which each must go alone
And there is a light we cannot see
Our Father claims His own;
Beyond the gate your loved one finds happiness and rest
And their is comfort in the thought
That a loving God knows best.

Relatives that attended Lucy A. Fanning's funeral Wednesday were Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Manning, Charles Manning, Mary Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Tracy and children, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Tracy and Mike, Donnie Tracy, Alice Christensen, Irene Gooder, Ardith and Maxine Tracy, Lute Manning, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Parker, Elizabeth Phillips, Doris Mathies, Mr. and Mrs. James Mathies and James II, Billy Mathies, Harry and Byrl Gree, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Jensen and Susan, Florence Priddy and Kimberly, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Manning, LaVerna Fanning, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fanning, Mr. and Mrs. Dewayne Fanning, Vickie Jussell, Craig Fanning, Arlene Petus, Bobby and Gary, and Denise Zones.

Chloe Ethel Fanning, daughter of Alonza J. and Mary Belle Van Buskirk was born near Mt. Erie, Illinois on June 16, 1878 and departed this life January 17, 1971, at the age of 92 years, seven months and one day.

At the age of three years, her parents came to Dundy County and homesteaded near Doane. Chloe was a true pioneer and recalled many experiences of the trip here in a covered wagon, the sod home, the early schooling, the storms and the hard life they endured.

She was married to Oliver Grant Adkinson on April 5, 1899. They established their home north of Benkelman. Five children were born to them: Gladys Marie, Francis Paul, LaVeta Pearl, Henry Julius and Ivan Boyd. After the death of her husband on December 31st, 1923, she carried on the farm activities with the help of her sons.

On November 2, 1927, she married Fred Fanning and moved to Benkelman where she lived the remainder of her life.

As her eyesight and health failed, she moved to the Hester Home in September 1966, where she continued to be active until she fell last October.

During her busy life, she found time to help in the progress of her community. She has been a member of the Benkelman United Methodist Church for 73 years. She was a charter member of the Woman's Society of Christian Service and a Charter member of the Benkelman Woman's Club.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her daughter and son-in-law, Marie and Alfred Fugate, her daughter, LaVeta Jones, her son and daughter-in-law, Ivan and Irsel Adkinson, her daughter-in-law, Bulu Adkinson, 13 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren,1 brother, Walter Van Buskirk, Denver, Colo., a sister, Cleo Randall, Greeley, Colo., and several nieces and nephews,

Preceding her in death were her husband, Fred. on September 12, 1961, her sons, Francis, January 6, 1949, and Henry, January 12, 1970, four grandchildren, her parents, seven brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church on Wednesday afternoon, January 20th at two o'clock with the Rev. Allan W. Martin officiating. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery under the direction of Jay's Funeral Home.

WAUNETA — Annette Rose Fanning, daughter of Lowell and Sharon (Templeman) Fanning and sister of Christine and Lisa, was born Jan. 15,1961 in Ogallala. She died in the Community Hospital in McCook on May 12, 1980 at the age of 19 years, 3 months and 27 days. She lived in the Wauneta community most of her life and graduated from Wauneta High School May 14, 1979.

Leukemia was discovered eight years ago at Children's Hospital in Denver, Colo., and was in the chronic condition until Febr. 6, 1979 when she had a spleenectomy and her leukemia became acute. She was in remission until she had a relapse on May 7 of this year and was admitted to the hospital. She died peacefully at 6:05 a.m. May 12, 1980.

She worked at Burns Podiatric Lab, where she made many friends, from May 1979 until she became ill in December 1979. After her remission she returned to work for two weeks before she became ill and was admitted to the hospital.

She was always a warm and loving person who loved her family and friends. She liked to read and do needlepoint, but music was her one love.

Survivors include her father and mother, two sisters, Christine and Lisa at home, paternal grandparents, Virgil and Esther Fanning of Enders, maternal grandparents, Robert and Althea Templeman of Palisade and other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

IMPERIAL– LaVerna Neoma Fanning, age 77, passed away Monday evening, June 19, 2000, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home in Imperial, Neb. She was born Oct. 14, 1922, on the Fanning home place located eight miles northeast of Wauneta, Neb., to Harry and Lucy (Manning) Fanning.

She was educated in the Hayes and Chase County Schools. She received her Bachelor of Science and her master's degree in Elementary Education from Chadron (Neb.) State College.

Miss Fanning's retirement in 1989 ended a teaching career that spanned 49 years and 17 summers. Her dedication to children made her feel each child in her care had a place in her heart.

LaVerna was a member of the Westside Church of Christ where she was baptized in March 1970 and a member of the state and national teaching associations. Her other interests included farm and ranch activities, animals, gardening, cooking, sewing, reading and playing the piano. She especially loved her involvement with family members, relatives and friends of all ages.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Frank; a brother-in-law, Wayne Peters; nephews: Donald and Robert Peters; a great-nephew, Dustin Fanning, and a great-niece, Stephanie Fanning.

She is survived by a sister, Arlene and husband, Jim Prince, of Kimball, Neb.; a sister-in-law, Dorothea Fanning, of Wauneta; nephews: DeWayne Fanning and wife, Patty, and Craig Fanning and wife, Joe, of Wauneta and Gary Peters of Pine Bluff. Wyo.; nieces: Denise and husband, Reno Bingham, of Kimball and Vicki and husband, Bill Baker, of Wauneta: 11 great-nieces and nephews: Lisa and Richard Lemos, Daniel Jussel, Chris and Jamie Jussel. Norman Fanning, Dena Bingham, Bradley Peters. Kayla Bingham, Greg Bingham, Kimberley Peters, Cody Bo Fanning and Abbie Jo Fanning, and great-great-nieces and nephews: Ariel and Kyle Lemos, Jacob Arenz and Kristen Jussel.

Funeral services for LaVerna Fanning were held at 10 a. m. on Friday, June 23, 2000, at the Westside Church of Christ in Imperial with Pastor Bill Lewis officiating. Interment was in the Riverside Cemetery at Wauneta. Liewer Funeral Home of Imperial was in charge of arrangements.

(Copy of a typewritten letter, dated Benkelman Post Feby 10, 1928. This may be a typewritten copy of an obituary published in the Benkelman Post.)

Mrs. John Farley passed away at the home of her daughter Mrs J. E, Walters Feb 1, 1928 due to paralatic stroke.

Funeral services were held in the Catholic church Benkelman Friday 11 a.m., under Fr. K Haskamp. Interment in the Benkelman cemetery.

Mrs. Farley was a pioneer woman coming to McCook Nebraska before the railroad and her husband completed the first business house in that place. She was a resident of Dundy County the past twenty years.

Susan A. Craven was born in Illinois June 13, 1847 and passed away Feby 1 1928 at the age of 80 years, 7 months and 18 days.

Seven children vere born to this union, Thomas, Edward and Ross dying in infancy, Peter and John dying after manhood. Being now survived by her son William Farley and daughter Mrs. J. E. Walters, two grand children Thomas Walters and Eloise Farley and one brother W. T. Craven of Beudavis Mo....

Out of town relatives Mr & Mrs W Farley and dtr Eloise of Denver, Mr. and Mrs. John Kirchner of Herndon Kansas, Mr. and Mrs. X Morin and John Caffey of Orleans, Nebraska.

COEUR D' ALENE, Idaho— Clarke C. Farlin, 78, of Coeur D' Alene, Idaho, died Friday, March 24. 1995. at Kootenai Medical Center. He was born March 23, 1917, in Julesburg, Colorado, to Ross and Carrie Mae (Smith) Farlin.

He came to the Coeur D' Alene area in 1937 from Haigler, Nebraska. He married Velma R Phifer July 3, 1937, in St. Francis, Kansas. He worked at Potlatch Forest Mill for several years and bad his own barbershop and barbered in Coeur D' Alene for 50 years.

He was a member of the Coeur D' Alene Bible Church and Gideons International. He enjoyed collecting old clocks and watches, hunting and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, at home: a son, Walter Farlin, of Coeur D' Alene; grandchildren Nikole Thorne and Amber Drescheel of Coeur D' Alene and Chandra Hensley of Post Falls, Idaho; a niece, Betty Tophoj of Ogallala, Nebraska, and three great-grandchildren.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 28, at the English Funeral Chapel in Coeur D' Alene. Burial was in the Forest Cemetery.

Patricia "Pat" Velma Farnstrom, a Prineville, Ore., resident, formerly of Benkelman, Neb., passed away on Saturday, Oct. 14, .2006, at the Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville. She was 69 years old.

Memorial services for family and friends of Pat, gathering to honor her memory, were held from 1 to 4 p.m on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 471 SE 2nd in Prineville. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Pat was born on March 17,1937, in McCook, Neb., the youngest of three children born to McKinley and Virginia (Gilbert) Stay. She received her education at Danbury Consolidated School, graduating in 1955.

On Aug. 25, 1957, she married Dale Farnstrom of Gothenburg, Neb. They settled in Benkelman where Dale had a teaching position. While living in Benkelman, the couple adopted a son, Michael Paul. In 1969, the family moved to Oregon. Pat earned her certificate and became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1971. She worked in the Prineville area for many years.

Survivors include her husband, son and granddaughter, Shelly, all of Prineville; a sister, Lourie Johnson, of Holdrege, Neb., and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Gilbert Stay.

She was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Brown on April 12, 1908, on the family farm in Yuma County, Colorado (now the Ted Brunswig farm). She lived there until 1921 when her parents moved to Haigler, Neb., where George went into the drayage and transfer business. In 1917 George bought his father's farm in Cheyenne County, Kan., so he moved his family from Haigler to the farm northwest of St. Francis, to the Clough Valley area.

When Vinnette was ready for high school, her parents bought the Farmers Store in Haigler. Vinnette, her mother, Pearl, and brothers Leonard and Maxon moved back to town. Her father, George, stayed on the farm, but came to town whenever he could. The family lived in rooms over the store until they purchased a house.

At the age of 17, Vinnette married Harry Faylor in 1925.To this union two children were born: Joan in 1926 and Dale in 1928. Dale still resides on the ranch that Vinnette's father sold to them in 1940, known as the Faylor Red Angus Ranch.

Vinnette and Harry moved to California in the early 1950s and sold the ranch to their son, Dale, and his wife, Dode. They took care of a large rooming house at Stanford University until they retired in 1970.

They then moved to Boonville, Calif., to the Vista Ranch. They lived there in Anderson Valley until Harry passed away on Jan. 19, 1999.

Vinnette lived in a home close to her daughter until June 29, 2001, when she moved back to Kansas to live with her son and his wife.

Vinnette is survived by her two children: Joan Spears and husband, Bob, and Dale Faylor, and wife, Dode; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

Services were held at the Clough Valley Church and burial was in the Clough Valley Baptist Church Cemetery, Nov. 13. 2004.

Charley "Chuck" Burton Faylor of 5361 10th Avenue Southeast, Salem, Oregon, died January 25, 1989, in Salem Hospital. He was born August 26, 1903, on a farm near Mondamin, Iowa, to Burt and Frances Adams Faylor.

They moved to Haigler, Nebraska, March 1920 to a farm and near Benkelman, Nebraska, in 1928.

Chuck farmed with his father until he went into the restaurant business in St. Francis, Kansas, in 1930, selling out and going to Bird City, Kansas, where he bought the George Fisher Cafe.

Chuck was married to Macaline Hogate on April 12, 1931. To this union a son, Virgil

George Fisher wanted to buy back the cafe, so Chuck and Macaline moved back to St. Francis and were in the cafe business when the Flood of 1935, southeast of Benkelman, happened, taking his parents, a younger brother, Bud, and a sister, Merna. Chuck and Macaline moved to Sheridan, Oregon, in 1947 and Mill City, Oregon, in 1949, still operating cafe businesses.

He is survived by his wife, Velma; a niece, Sharon Freres, and her two daughters; his stepson, Arnold, and Arnold's two sisters, all of Oregon; one brother, Harry C. Faylor, and his wife, Vinnette, of Boonville, California; one sister, Jennie Workman of Loveland, Colorado; a sister-in-law, Lena Faylor of Menlo Park, California; four nieces; four nephews, a host of great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Burt Faylor; brother, Bud; sister, Merna, and brother George Faylor who died January 13, 1988, in California.

George M. Faylor was born April 20, 1907, on a farm near Mondamin, Iowa. He died January 13, 1988, at his home in Menlo Park, California.

He was married to Lena Rose at Haigler, Nebraska, and to this union was born Dwight Faylor of Oceanside, California, and Elaine Weldon of Menlo Park, California.

He is survived by his wife, Lena, of the home; his two children; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harry Faylor of Boonvile, California, and Charles Faylor of Salem, Oregon, and one sister, Jennie Workman of Loveland, Colorado.

Funeral services were held January 15, 1988, at the Menlo Colonial Chapel in Menlo Park, California. Interment was in the Skyline Cemetery.

BOONVILLE, Calif.— Harry C. Faylor passed away Jan. 19, 1999, a his home in Boonville.

Harry was born June 23, 1901, near Mondamin, Iowa. When still a young man the Faylor family moved to western Nebraska where they farmed and ranched.

On July 2, 1925, he married Vinette Brown at the courthouse in Wray, Colo. They began their married life on a farm near Haigler, Neb. Two children were born to this union, Joan Spears of Boonville, and Dale Faylor of St. Francis, Kan.

Due to poor health, Harry and Vinette moved to Palo Alto, Calif. They retired at Vista Ranch in 1960. Before the Faylors left the Haigler area, Harry was a strong promotor in getting Highway 27 located where it is now between Haigler and St. Francis. He also found the well which now supplies the water for Haigler.

In Boonville he was active in the Methodist Church, the Grange and he promoted and helped get the Health Center and Senior Center established.

Due to declining health, the Faylors moved to Boonville in 1994 to be near the clinic and doctor.

Harry is survived by his wife, Vinette; daughter, Joan, and husband, Bob Spears; son, Dale and wife, Delores; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren, many relatives and friends.

Family and friends were an important part of his life. He was a loving husband and father and enjoyed his many grandchildren.

Memorial services were held at the Clough Valley Church, Cheyenne County, Kan., on Saturday, July 17, 1999, at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Bill Matney officiating.

TRENTON--Lois Mildred (Jones) Baca Felker, 73, of Trenton, Nebraska, died Wednesday, May 13, 1992, at Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska.

She was born August 15, 1918, in Trenton to Daniel John and Pearl Mae (Boyd) Jones. She grew up in Trenton and was a 1936 graduate of Trenton High. School.

After receiving secretarial training at McCook Junior College, she was employed by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service and became office manager for Bell United Bell during the construction of the Trenton reservoir. She retired from the Hitchcock County Sheriffs Department.

Preceding her in death were her parents; two brothers, Sam and Murray Jones, and two sisters, Ruby Viles and Gladys Falkowski.

Survivors include a son, Doug Baca, and his wife, Barbara, of Clinton, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Doug E. Baca, Bryan Baca, Scott Vowell and Canda Dupree; two great-grandchildren, Chelsei Vowell and Tayler Baca; sisters-in-law, Becky Felker, Ada Jones and MargaretJones, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Services were held at the United Methodist Church in Trenton on Saturday, May 16, at 2 p.m. w.th the Rev. Sherry Sklenar officiating.

Organist was Jan Williams and Jessica Hayward sang "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art."

Bearers were Bryan Baca, Doug E. Baca, Scott Vowell, Jim Mullanix, Dan Dennis and Darrel Jones.

Cora L. Felt, daughter of George and Lavina (Flickinger) Mader was born December 18, 1883 at Kent, Illinois. She departed this life at the Chase County Hospital, Imperial, Nebraska on December 6, 1973 at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 18 days.

As a young girl she moved to Nebraska with her folks. On September 3, 1905 she was united in marriage with Jim Felt. They began life together on a farm in Chase County. After several years they moved to Colorado where they took out a homestead. After 12 years in Colorado, they returned to Chase County where they remained until 1937 and then moved to Culbertson, Nebraska where again they lived on a farm.

To their union four children were born: Charley, Lillie, Glen and Arlene. She was a kind and loving mother and grandmother. After she had raised her family, the misfortune of death came to her son's wife leaving three small children. She and her husband took these grandsons into their home and cared for them until they were grown. She was a creative homemaker, constantly providing for the needs of her family. She was also a good neighbor always ready to help where needed.

When Cora lost her husband by his death, February 7, 1971, she sold her place at Culbertson and moved to Benkelman to make her home with her daughter, Arlene. Her industrious quality of life still kept her busy. She found fulfillment of life through piecing quilts. Her great-grandchildren also were a great joy to her.

When her health failed and she needed more care, she went to Imperial and took residence in The Manor where she lived the last ten months of her life.

Cora was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband, Jim, a daughter and a son who died in infancy.

Those who survive to mourn her death include a son, Glenn Felt of Benkelman, Nebr.; a daughter, Arlene, Mrs. Gilbert Reiman of Benkelman; two sisters, Mrs. John Smith of Imperial and Orphie Marsh of Ft. Morgan, Colorado. There are nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, other relatives and numerous friends who join the family now in sharing the loss of their loved one.

Funeral services were held at one o'clock Saturday afternoon, December 8, 1973 at the United Methodist Church in Imperial, Nebraska with the Rev. Melvin Koelling officiating. Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Bauerle were the singers, accompanied by Mrs. Arthur Silvester on the organ. Casket bearers were Harry P. Smith, Joseph A. Reiman, Roger Felt, Greydon Todd, Orville Gray and Clifford Yost. Interment was in the Crete Community Cemetery near Champion, Nebraska under the direction of the Creveling Funeral Home of Imperial.

Glen Edward Felt, age 74, died Saturday morning, March 1, 1986, at the Fritzer Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Nebraska, after a lengthy illness. He was born December 3, 1911, the son of James William and Cora (Mader) Felt, in Yuma County, Colorado.

Glen grew up in the Champion area and attended school in Chase County. He was married to Viola Edwina DeSelms on June 13, 1936. They made their home in Culbertson, Nebraska. To this union, three sons were born: Walter James of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Edward Eugene of Stratton, Nebraska, and Roger Gene of Arapahoe, Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola; brother, Charles; sister, Lily, and his parents.

In 1945 his wife passed away. Glen then moved to a farm north of Benkelman to live with his sister, Lily Fish, and husband, Virley, to help with the farming operation. He lived there for 39 years. For the past two years, Glen had been a resident of the C.A. Mues Rest Home in Arapahoe.

Glen is survived by his three sons; a sister, Arlene Reiman, and her husband, Gilbert of Benkelman; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives.

Services were held March 4, 1986, at 9:30 a.m. at the Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with interment in the Culbertson Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Terry Watters, Bill Smith, Aldin Kasten, Orville Pinn, Dennis Pinkerton and Bill Silvester. Organist was Oneita Silvester and singers were Irvin and Garnetta Bauerle. Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman was in charge of arrangements.

James (Jim) Felt, 88, of Culbertson di Saturday, February 27th at St. Catherine hospital in McCook. He was born February 7, 1883 at Shubert, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter Felt. He grew up in the Champion area and was married September 4, 1906 to Cora Mader at Imperial. They homesteaded in Yuma county, Colorado, and returned to Champion in 1917. In 1937, they moved to a farm near Culbertson until 1947 when they moved into Culbertson.

He is survived by his widow, Cora; one son, Glenn of Benkelman; one daughter, Mrs. Arlene Reiman of Benkelman; two sons-in-law, Virley Fish and Gilbert Reiman of Benkelman; nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Laura Bauerle and Mrs. Lena Todd, both of California.

Funeral services were held at ' the Herrmann.Chapel in Culbertson with the Rev. Ralph Miller officiating. Interment was in the Crete cemetery near Champion at four p.m. Monday afte-noon under the direction of the Herrmann Funeral Home of McCook.

Ward LeRoy Felzien, age 82 years, of McCook, Neb., passed away on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2006, at Sunset Manor in Brush, Colo. He was born at the farm home north of St. Francis, Kan., to Edward H. and Eva M. Burr Felzien, on Jan. 23, 1924.

He was baptized at the Cheyenne Valley Church and was confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in St. Francis. Ward was a longtime member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Benkelman, Neb.

He graduated from St. Francis High School and then helped his father with the farming until he was drafted into the Army in 1945. He received his boot camp training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and was assigned to the 32nd infantry, later transferring to Camp Roberts and Fort Ord in California. Enroute to Japan on the USS Broadwater, the war was declared over. The troops were sent on to Japan to serve in the occupation forces. Ward served as an M.P. in the 519 M.P.s until he received his honorable discharge as a T4 Sergeant on Nov. 20, 1946.

Ward married Eva Morrison in Benkelman on Feb. 22, 1948. They lived on a farm at St. Francis until moving to the Doane community in Dundy County, Nebraska, in 1950. Here their four daughters were born: Marla, Marcia, Myra and Murleen. In 1957 they moved to the District 66 community north of Benkelman. On March 4, 1974. they moved into Benkelman and enjoyed the following years with continued farming and the many trips in their motor home even if it was for a day or a month. Before health wouldn't allow more travel, Ward and Eva were able to visit 44 states, Canada and Mexico.

Ward was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother Robert and sister Myrna, brother Jim, brother-in-law Garfield Ochsner and granddaughter Cassie Bellinger.

He is survived by his wife, Eva; four daughters and husbands: Marla and John Wilkinson of Curtis, Neb., Marcia and Ken Mortensen of Junction City, Kan., Myra and Joey Large of Wauneta, Neb.. and Murleen and Dennis Bellinger of Waverly. Neb.; a special nephew, Steve Lovett, and wife Brenda. of Orlando. Fla.; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sisters Ilene Ochsner of Tribune. Kan., and Iva Lovett of Orlando; brothers Tom and Marie Ann of Marsing, Idaho, and Ned and Helen of Park City, Kan.; sisters-in-law Esther and Dean Erdman of Haigler, Neb., and Elva Markle of Centreville, Va., and numerous nieces and nephews and the special people from the Doane community and District 66 north of Benkelman.

A private graveside service will be held with inurnment in the St. Francis Cemetery at St. Francis, Kan.

Last rites were held at the Parks Methodist church last Friday afternoon for Mrs. J. H. Ferguson, long-time Dundy county resident. Floyd League of Stratton preached the sermon. Mr. and Mrs. Spiker of Holyoke, Colo., and Daryl Welch were the singers, accompanied by Mrs. Clifford Day of Eckley, Colo., as pianist. Pallbearers were Archie Hedges, Clifford Day, John Flynn, Rollie Haines, Howard Cline and Edward Friesen. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery. The services were under the direction of the Laughlin Funeral Home.

Lunetta Mae Bales Ferguson was born to Minnie and Edward C. Bales on July 26, 1896, at Marrowville, Kansas, where she spent her early girlhood.

She was united in marriage to John Henry Ferguson, August 29, 1912, at Marysville, Kansas. They made their home in Washington county, Kansas, until 1922 when with their five children moved to Dundy county, Nebraska. The family made their home fourteen miles north of Parks, Nebraska, until 1947 when they moved to their present home one mile east of Parks.

Mrs. Ferguson was the mother of seven children, Dorothy Minnie Burks of Parks; Alvin Clarkson of Greeley, Colorado; Edna Leila Criger of Parks; Evea Minerva. of Sweet Home, Oregon; John Melvin of Parks; Willis Henry of Parks; and Leitha Marion Miller of Loveland, Colorado. Also two step-children, Esther Mae Hobbs, and Ora Franklin Ferguson, both of Grand Ronde, Oregon.

After a long illness, this kind and loving wife and mother went to be with her Saviour on May 8, 1951, at 8:15 p. m. at her home.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, one brother, age three, and four grandchildren: Lois Genave Burks, age three; Alvin Marion Ferguson, 17 days; Leila Mae Griger, at birth; Shirley Ann Hobbs, age three.

She leaves to mourn her devoted husband, Henry, her children, thirty grandchildren, ten brothers and sisters, and many other relatives and friends.

Norma Jean Gottschalk of Suwanee, Ga., passed away on Thursday, Oct, 9, 2003, at the age of 49 following a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born on March 1, 1954, in Wray, Colo., to Ben and Vi Gottschalk. She grew up southeast of Benkelman, Neb., on the family farm.

She graduated in 1972 from McDonald (Kan.) High School. She received her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Nebraska and her master's degree in education from Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga.

She taught first grade and kindergarten for 25 years in various schools in Nebraska, Texas, Florida and, finally, Georgia. She taught in the classroom as well as through her writings of educational computer books. She loved children, but her three nephews, Ben, Jake and Levi, were the most important young people in her life with whom she spent countless hours.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ben Gottschalk of Benkelman. Suriving her are her husband, Clen. Ferguson, of Suwanee; mother Vi Gottschalk of McCook, Neb.; sister Barbara Gotschalk and husband, Cemil Ulus, of Detroit, Mich.; sister Kathy Andrews and husband, Tom, of Suwanee; sister Janet Gottschalk of Dallas, Texas, and nephews Ben, Jake and Levi Andrews of Suwanee.

A Celebration of Life reception in honor of Norma Jean was held Monday, Oct. 13, in Suwanee. Norma Jean's family and many other friends shared their memoies of her. The highlight of the evening was when monarch butterflies, which she so loved, were set free in her memory. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

SWEET HOME, Ore.--Alvin C. Ferguson, 76, of Sweet Home, Oregon, died November 8, 1991, at his home.

He was born December 27, 1914, in. Washington County, Kansas, to John Henry and Lewetta Mae (Bales) Ferguson.

He moved to Colorado in 1936. He lived in Estes Park, Loveland and Greeley for many years. In the 1950s, he moved to the Parks/Benkelman (Nebraska) area, where he lived until 1983 and then moved to Sweet Home to reside with his sister, Evea Karns, and her husband, Harold.

He is survived by his daughters, Florene Craggs and her husband, Calvin, of Lakewood, Colorado, and Gweneth Baca and her husband, Frank, of Greeley; sons, Lowell of Greeley and Melvin and his wife, Sheila, of The Philippines; sisters, Esther Hobbs of Portland, Oregon, Dorothy Burks of Lebanon, Oregon, Edna Criger of Benkelman, Nebraska, Evea Karns of Sweet Home, and Letha Christensen of Lebanon; brothers, John of Parks, Nebraska, and Willis of Shawnee, Kansas; 11 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; many nephews and nieces and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; a son, Marion; one grandchild and a brother, Ora Ferguson.

Services were held in Sweet Home on Monday, November 11, with Steckly Tracewell Funeral Home in charge. Services were held in Loveland on Wednesday, November 13, by Kibbey Fishburn Funeral Home. Burial was in the Loveland Cemetery.

Harold D. Ferguson, 68, succumbed at the Dundy County Hospital on Sunday afternoon after a short illness. Mr. Ferguson became ill on Saturday evening and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Mr. Ferguson spent his active years in the mercantile business. He served the J. C. Penney Company as an employee and manager in Gothenburg, Fremont, North Platte and Paullina, Iowa, before opening his own store, a Skogmo affiliate in Benkelman in the early 1960s. He and his wife, Maxine, operated the store until their retirement from the mercantile field in 1976.

Mr. Ferguson was active in community affairs, holding several offices in the Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the United Methodist Church, a member of Benkelman Country Music and the Kem Tones quartette in which he took a great interest.

Mr. Ferguson was born to William and Mary Honey Ferguson in Webster, NE on May 30, 1911 and passed away at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, NE on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 11, 1979.

He was married to Maxine Burt in Logan, Iowa, on March 25, 1934. Three children were born to this union, two sons, Harold David, who died in infancy, Bill, and a daughter Sandra.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine, of Benkelman; one daughter, Sandra Kershaw and husband Dr. Vince Kershaw of Omaha ; one son Bill and wife Carol of North Ridgeview, Ohio, and five grandchildren. Family members preceding him in death included his infant son, Harold David; his parents; two sisters, Mildred and Gertrude, and two brothers, Glen and Leslie.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wed., Nov. 14, 1979 at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman with Pastor Rev. Allan W. Martin officiating. Further services were held at 10 a.m. CST Thurs., Nov. 15 at the Lattin-Dugan Chambers Funeral Chapel in Fremont, NE. Interment will be in the Memorial Cemetery in Fremont.

PARKS--Nathan Wayne Ferguson was born November 30, 1979, at Wray, Colorado. He died Tuesday, October 5, 1993, at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska, at the age of 13 years, 10 months and 5 days. He was a seventh-grader at Dundy County Middle School in Benkelman.

Nathan loved his family, the farm, his four-wheeler and working in the shop. He spent many hours building with wood and leather, making gifts for family and friends. They admired his patience and attention to detail in working with his hands.

Nathan was very affectionate to his family. He recently told them that there was only one person that he loved more than them and that was God. Two weekends ago he assured them his sins were forgiven.

He had a close relationship with his father. They spent many hours doing things together. They built a tree house, a trailer and patio furniture and were rebuilding a bicycle. He also helped work cattle and liked to drive the tractor.

Nathan loved having a friend over to ride, or play Nintendo. He was the best buddy to many friends. His friends loved his sense of humor and his laugh. His classmates have many memories of him. They considered him a best friend, didn't think he cheated, liked to hear him play the drums and thought he would never hurt anyone. He was a representative of his class on the Student Council.

Surviving are his parents, Wayne and Marlyn Ferguson, and sister, Carla, of Parks. Nebraska; grandparents, John and Wilma Ferguson of Parks and Darlene Day of Yuma, Colorado; great-grandparents, Iva DeGarrno of Benkelman and Pearl Hink of Wauneta, Nebraska; uncles. Mark Ferguson of Parks, Don Day of Prescott, Arizona, Bryce Day and his wife, Lynetta, of Yuma and Arlon Day and his wife, Pam, of Okarche, Oklahoma; aunts. Jean and her husband, Bob Beck. of Benkelman, Charlotte and her husband, Scott Chapman, of Cottonwood, Arizona, and Charlene and her husband. Chuck Huwa, of Brighton, Colorado; cousins, Derek and Matthew, Chad and Melissa, Brian, Brandon, Brent and Brad, and Joshua and Jordan, many other relatives and friends.

Services were held Saturday, October 9, 1993, at 10:30 a.m. at the Friends Church in Benkelman with the Revs. Lloyd Lehrke, Keith Haisch and Rod Thelander officiating. Organist was Mary Baney and soloist was the Rev. Thelander. Selections included the recitations "Jesus, I Heard You Had A Big House" and "No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus," the songs “Thank You For Giving To The Lord" and the congregational singing of "Jesus Loves Me," reading of a poem by Chad Day and the musical postlude "Friends."

Bearers were Bill Ferguson. Ben Ferguson, Mikey Hansen, Duane Dodsworth, Keith Chapman and Dorey Hansen.

The Honor Group was Nathan's seventh-grade classmates of the l993-94 school year:

Billy Aeby, Nicholas Baney, Audrey Bartholomew, Nathan Behlke, Sabrina Birge, Heather Case, Kendall David, Scott Dorothy, Josh Fanning, Amanda Fries, Stephanie Fries, Nathan Hale, Tricia Henderson, Beth Henry, Valerie Horobik, Melissa Kimble, Crystal Larsen, Destiny Lorance, Jenni Olsen, Lannie Robbins, Justin Schorzman, Holly Smith, Jared Stamm, Larry Steinbeck, Kristy Steward, Zachariah Stroup. Leann Wiese, Sandi Wiese and Megan Wobig.

Interment was in the Crete Cemetery, Chase County. Nebraska. with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--Willis H. Ferguson, the son of John Henry and Lunetta Mae (Bales) Ferguson, was born July 29, 1925. He passed away on Tuesday, April 13, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, Mo., following an extended illness. He was 73 years, 8 months and 15 days of age.

He was born in Parks, Neb., and lived in the Kansas City area from 1970 to 1992, moving to the Walnut Grove, Mo., area. He was a clerk with Associated Grocery of Kansas City, retiring in 1986. He was a member of The Church of God, Eudora, and had served on the mission field with two different tours in Africa.

Willis and Maria F. Baldonado were united in marriage on Sept. 8, 1948. To this union five children were born. Together they were privileged to share 45 years. Maria preceded him in death on Feb. 5, 1994. Also, preceding him were his parents; a son, Bobby, on July 31, 1983; a brother, Alvin C. Ferguson; a half-brother, Ora Ferguson, and a half-sister, Esther Hobbs.

He is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Billy and Sandi and Benny Ferguson, all of Walnut Grove; two daughters and sons-in-law, Bonny and Eugene Fleming of Bois D Arc, Mo., and Betty and Alan Durkee of Parker, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Wilma Ferguson, of Parks; four sisters, Dorothy Burks and Eva Karnes, both of Sweet Home, Ore., Leitha Christensen of Lebanon, Ore., and Edna Criger of Benkelman, Neb.

Services for Willis Ferguson were held at the Wilson Brim Daniel Chapel in Walnut Grove on Saturday, April 17, 1999, at 9:30 a.m. with Bob Bergmann officiating. Graveside services were the same day at 3 p.m. in Shawnee Missions (Kan.) Memorial Gardens with Mark Avery officiating.

Among those attending the services were Edna Criger, Cindy (Criger) Preston and Jean (Ferguson) Beck, all of Benkelman; John and Wilma Ferguson and Wayne, Marlyn and Carla Ferguson, all of Parks, and Mark and Julie Ferguson of Imperial, Neb.

James H. Ferman, Civil War veteran and Dundy county pioneer and business man, passed away at the family home in this city last Thursday. Mr. Ferman's passing meant more than the passing of a pioneer resident—it marked the end of that great organization, the Grand Army of the Republic, so far as Dundy county was concerned. He was the last of that gallant organization which was at one time strong in membership in Dundy county and active in keeping the principles of patriotism alive and in the foreground during the life time of the "Boys of '61—'65." Residents of the Benkelman section a quarter of a century ago will remember the fife and drum corps, the marching and the parades of the "boys in blue" especially on Memorial days when they assembled to march to the cemetery to decorate the graves of their comrades, gone on before. It was a gallant organization—a gallant crew and Mr. Ferman was active in the organization during his lifetime and followed his comrades, one after the other, to the last resting place until he was the last and then awaited calmly and patiently the time when he too would join his loved ones and comrades on the other side.

He was a good soldier, a pioneer of hope and courage, a public spirited citizen and a worthy friend during his long life and his memory will linger long in the minds of those who knew him best.

James H. Ferman was born August 15, 1837 on a farm near Springfield, Illinois. He was the eldest son of Issac and Berthena Dawson. When a small boy he moved with his parents to Albia, Iowa, where he grew to young manhood. He was a teacher of penmanship in the Albia school. At the age of 21 he enlisted in Company H, 1st Iowa Cavalry of the Civil war and served three years and three months. After the war he returned home and was united in marriage to Anna Rigdon of Albia, Iowa. To this union two daughters were born, Anna Elizabeth of Hollywood, California and Edith Beatrice of Los Angeles. After the death of his wife he moved to Red. Cloud, Nebraska. He taught penmanship in the Red Cloud schools.

In 1875 he was married to Ella M. Posey. To this union five children were born, Levena, Harry, William, Lloyd and Ethel. The four eldest died in infancy.

In 1880 he entered the mercantile business at Red Cloud, and continued in this until 1883 when he pioneered to Benkelman. Nebraska, operating a furniture and undertaking establishment. In 1899 he was appointed postmaster at Benkelman. In 1903 to 1905 he was manager of a general mercantile store at Max, Nebraska. In 1905 he moved back to Benkelman and engaged in a general merchandise store in which he continued until 1912 when both their home and store were burned. Since that time they retired in Benkelman and have lived here with the exception of one year 1929-1930 when they lived in Imperial with their only daughter, Mrs. John Hollinger whose husband was in business there during that time.

He was always active in all activities that pertained to the betterment of Benkelman, having lived here when Benkelman was Collinsville, when there was community building to do. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the G. A. R. and Odd Fellow Lodge, and until his health failed, took an active interest in all.

Last year, August 15th, on his 95th birthday he suffered a slight stroke of paralysis and again a second stroke on March 2nd this year; from which he gradually weakened. He was only bedfast nine days before his death and on March 31st passed to the great reward. His wife preceded him in death December 31, 1930.

He leaves to mourn his loss one . sister of Foreaker. Oklahoma: three daughters, Mrs. J. S. Hollinger of Benkelman, Mrs. Anna Bush of Hollywood and Mrs. Edith Lord of Los Angeles; six grandchildren. Robert, John, Bonnie Jeanne and Richard of Benkelman and Lucille and Everett of Denver.

Funeral services were held at the M. E. church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, G. A. Schwabauer in charge. Miss Tena Jorgensen, Mrs. C. A. Ratcliffe, R. D. Druliner and Lloyd Boswell sang three favorite selections. Mrs. Hopkins was the piano accompanist. Military commital at the cemetery was in charge of the American Legion.

Funeral services for Victor H. Fette will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Herrmann Funeral Home with the Rev. Arthur Wetzel officiating. Burial, with a military guard of honor, will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Victor Fette Memorial Fund and left at the funeral home.

Mr. Fette died Tuesday night at St. Catherine Hospital. He was born Feb. 14, 1901 in Dorchester where he grew to manhood. He was married to Mazie Mills June 21, 1930 and she preceded him in death. He moved to Wauneta in 1925 and to McCook in 1939 where he was engaged in house moving. He was married to Grace Weskamp Dec. 24, 1941 at Phillipsburg, Kan. He had spent most of his life in the McCook area. He was a World War II Veteran and was a member of the American Legion.

Long time Grant resident Helen Fidler passed from this life Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 at the age of 87.

Helen Cora (Cappel) Fidler was born March 31, 1921 at McCook, Neb. She was the sixth of 8 children born to August and Julia (West) Cappel who resided one mile west of Perry, Neb. in the lush Republican River valley. She grew up on the farm doing the chores and attended the Perry school. Her father raised hay and subsistence crops. Helen would gather eggs, help milk the cows and care for the draft horses. She helped her mother with household chores and lived an uneventful life, until the third week of May, 1935 when the devastating Flood of 1935 roared through their land. The flood was accompanied by a tornado and the family barely escaped with their lives. Helen wrote a harrowing account of the tragedy which she published in limited quantities in 2000.

While attending McCook High, she was sought out by and began dating the school's quarterback, star basketball guard and lefty pitching phenom, Clarence (Babe) Fidler. Helen graduated from McCook High on May 25, 1939. She then attended Hastings Beauty College and returned to work in her home town.

The courtship with Babe blossomed but was interrupted by WWII when Babe joined the United States Navy to became an aviator.

The couple married April 11, 1943 at a base in Norman, Okla. Four sons were born to this union. The family lived in McCook where, after the war, Babe worked as an apprentice plumber. They moved to Hayes Center in 1948 where Babe and Helen opened Fidler Plumbing and Heating. The family moved the business to Grant in 1957. Helen often was the public face of the business while Babe was out working. She would gather parts and offer assistance to do-it-yourselfers and performed all the book work.

Helen was a long time Mary Kay beauty consultant. She worked tirelessly to keep the family's landmark 15 room home on Grant's main street in top shape. The Fidlers would open their home to people wanting a room. Harvest crews, baseball teams and businessmen all called 615 Central Ave. home when in Grant.

Babe and Helen sold the business in 1982 and bought a smaller home in Grant where they enjoyed their retirement years until Babe's death Nov. 28, 2001. Helen then moved to Westview Retirement Complex. In 2006 she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and moved to Park Ridge Assisted Living. She moved to Golden Ours Convalescent home in September.

Helen was a member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church and attended Zion Lutheran Church regularly until very recently.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, Randy in 1951; husband Babe; her parents; two brothers Charles and Glenn Cappel and three sisters, Dorothy Harris, Anne Greeley and Gladys Shepherd.

Helen is survived by son Keith and wife Virginia, granddaughter Tiffany, great-grandchildren Taylor, Lauren, Lindsay and Jocelyn, all of Omaha; son Mike and wife Janet, McCook; son Chris of Imperial, sisters Rosa Bearden, Amarillo, TX; Nora Lewis, McCook; sister-in-law Bettie Fidler of McCook; many nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Tue., Oct 14, 2008 at the Grant Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Ron Krause officiating. Committal services and burial was at 2:30 p.m. CT at McCook Memorial Park Cemetery. Bullock-Long funeral home is in charge of arrangements.

Benkelman's eldest citizen, Nannie M. Finch, passed away at the Hester Memorial Home on Thursday at the age of 101 years. She had been a resident of the Home since 1963.

Mrs. Finch will be well remembered as the lady of the house at the café operated by her and her late husband, William A. Finch. It was called the "lunch wagon" and was located at the site of the office of Dr. Schreiner. In her relations with the public there she won hundreds of friends as a very kind and thoughtful person. The nature of her personality continued to her last days and she will be long remembered and highly regarded.

Funeral services were held at Jay's Funeral Chapel on Saturday morning at ten o'clock with the Rev. William E. Whittaker officiating. Mrs. Paul Erdman was the organist and the singers were Mrs. Lowell Gilliland and Mrs. Dale Bauer. Casket bearers were Lewis Selley, Billy Selley, Harold Grey, Jack Rudisill, Van Carruthers and Lester Mort. Graveside services at the Benkelman Cemetery were in charge of Holly Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.

Nannie Mildred Rudisill was born December 17, 1866, in Lucas County, Iowa, to John A. and Elishaba Rudisill. She grew to womanhood in Iowa.

After teaching school for a number of years, she was united in marriage with William A. Finch on May 23, 1892. They lived in Iowa until 1899, then moved to Boone County, Nebraska. In 1905 they came to Dundy county and lived on a farm in Ough precinct for four years. They lived northwest of Benkelman for another five years and in 1914 moved into Benkelman.

In March of 1922, Mr. and Mrs. Finch opened their lunch wagon on the main street of Benkelman and operated it continuously for over 20 years, until his death in 1942.

In 1955, at the age of 89, Mrs. Finch sold her home and moved to the Good Samaritan Village in St. Francis, Kansas. She returned to Benkelman in 1963 and had resided at the Hester Memorial Home since that time.

Mr. and Mrs. Finch were the parents of five children: a son who died in infancy, Alice A. Miller, John Rex, Frances M. Porter, and Lewis Arthur.

Mrs. Finch was a member oi the Royal Neighbors of America and of the Order of The Eastern Star. She served as Worthy Matron of Holly Chapter in 1924. She received her 50-year membership pin from the Eastern Star in 1966.

She is survived by her daughter, Frances M. Porter, of Page City, Kansas; son-in-law, Wallace E. Miller, of Los Angeles, California; seven grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

WRAY, Colo.--Anna Margaret (McGinnis) Fincher was born Aug. 30, 1903, in a dugout on the McGinnis farm south and east of Laird, Colo., to George Washington and Mary Elizabeth (Edward) McGinnis. She passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2000.

Anna attended the country schools near her home, Union Ridge being one of the schools. She completed her education at Wray High School, then attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley where she studied education. She graduated with a teaching certificate in 1920.

Anna then began teaching in small country schools in the tristate area of Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska. She finished her education in Greeley in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in Education.

Some of the schools she taught in were Delnora, south of Akron; Alvin, north of Laird; Vernon; Parks, Neb.; North Haigler; Fred Earl; Frank Wilson; Rosencran Ranch by Laird; Reed-Wages; North Laird; Sunny Sloop, Neb.; North Willow; Cement, north of Wray; Laird High School; Lohman, south of Vernon; Vanhorn, Kan.; Fisher, and Grossclose.

During the early part of the '20s and '30s Anna helped her parents make ends meet by sending her wages earned from teaching to keep the family farm going. While teaching in the Cement School, Anna met Oval Bryan Fincher. They were married Jan. 1, 1939, in Burlington, Colo.

For a while Anna and Ob lived between Holyoke and Laird, Colo. They finally moved to Laird and bought a place south of Anna's birthplace in 1941. Ob and Anna helped Anna's mother farm after the death of Anna's father.

Anna continued to teach until 1963 when she retired with 43 1/2 years of teaching in the tri-state area. Oval and Anna had no children but had a hand in the upbringing of many nephews, nieces and schoolchildren. They all were treated as their own.

After retirement Anna helped her husband and brother manage the family farm as well as her own farm. She continued to live in her home until her health no longer permitted it. In October 1999, at the age of 96, she moved to Renotta Health Care Center in Wray.

Some of Anna's memories told to her niece Edith were: As a child she loved to take her father a drink of water while he worked in the field with the horses; Anna had her money lost when the Drovers and Traders Bank of Haigler, Neb., closed its doors in the 1930s.

Having to find a new place to live from the morning to evening hours of one day, Anna went to teach school in the morning and the people she boarded with were the Paul Wages family. One day Paul came down sick with cerebral meningitis. When she returned home that evening she found the home quarantined. She had to leave all her belongings and find a new place to live.

One March, Anna was caught in a blizzard at a country school for the night with four children with no food nor blankets. She said the children came to school that morning in shirtsleeves and by afternoon couldn't get home. They kept the fire stoked all night.

There was a Christmas party at school one year and Anna couldn't figure out who Santa Claus was. She found out some time later that it was her husband.

Anna's interests in life were reading, gardening, raising cattle and reading the history of people who came to this area to live. She tried to keep up with current events and loved taking car trips to see the countryside.

Her most prized memento was a lifetime teaching certificate she received for having taught 43 1/2 years in the area.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Joseph Howard, George Bryan and Samuel William McGinnis; her husband; a sister-in-law, Clara B. McGinnis, and nephews Robert Franklin McGinnis and George "Ike" W. McGinnis.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Lillie C. McGinnis; nephews: Howard Vern McGinnis and wife, Edith, of Laird, Larry Keith McGinnis and wife, Naomi, of Akron, Colo.; Herbert Dean McGinnis and wife, Loretta, of Wray, Donald G. McGinnis and wife. Connie, of Lincoln, Neb., and Ronald D. McGinnis and wife, Connie; nieces-in-law Joann McGinnis of California, Margaret and husband, Clyde Chandler, of Mesa, Ariz., Janet and husband, Jack Simmering, of Arizona, and Phyllis and husband, Howard Shafer, of Florida; many great-nephews and nieces, and great-great-nephews and nieces.

Funeral services for Anna Margaret Fincher were held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2000, at the Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray with Pastor Jim Hoganson officiating.

Elaine Ford was the organist and Irma Sloniker the soloist. Escorts were Dean and Niels Lieuranee, Calvin Freehling, Jon Harouff, Dick Bentley and Lurie Love.

Interment was in the Grandview Cemetery at Wray. Arrangements were by Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home of Wray.

Funeral services for Mrs. Frances Caroline Finkbeiner were held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Loveland, Colorado, at two o'clock Tuesday afternoon, March 30. The pastor, Arthur W. Miller, officated at the service which was under the direction of Kibbey's Funeral Home. Interment was in the Rest Haven Memory Garden, north of Loveland.

The soloist, Curtis Sprenger, accompanied by Mrs. Carl Swanson at the organ, sang "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" and "There is a Green Hill Far Away." Casket bearers were Fred Grunwald, Fred Harms, Richard Merklein, Gus Nelson, Ed and Fred Sprenger.

Frances Caroline Damrow Finkbeiner was horn to the late Louis and Emma Damrow on May 29, 1907, in Gage county near Firth, Nebraska, and departed her earthly existence on Friday evening, March 26, 1965, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman at the age of 57 years, nine months and 27 days. She entered the hospital on Wednesday, March 17. The cause of her death was a severe heart condition after a long illness.

Frances Finkbeiner was baptized in infancy at the Lutheran Church near Firth, Nebraska, and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the age of fifteen and became a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church on the Ough Divide. She grew to womanhood on the Ough Divide north of Benkelman, Nebraska.

She was united in marriage to Paul Finkbeiner on November 5, 1925. They resided on a farm on the Ough Divide north of Benkelman for five years, later moving to Stratton, Nebraska, where their son Nathan was born March 31, 1931. They moved to Loveland, Colorado, in 1934 where she and her family were living at the time of her death.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband Paul; one son, Nathan, and daughter-in-law, Marjie; two grandchildren, David 12, and Deborah 8, all of Loveland, Colorado; three brothers, Louis J. Damrow of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Bill and Raymond Damrow of Benkelman; five sisters, Helen Damrow, Benkelman, Ida Bartels and Anna Brunkhorst, Wauneta, Nebraska, Fern Keiser, Omaha, and Erma Harder, McCook; three sisters-in-law, four brothers-in-law, and a host of nieces and nephews and friends.

Olga Fischer was born on May 30, 1919, and was received into the Kingdom of God through the washing of holy baptism on June 15, 1919, at Auburn, Nebr., by Rev. Shreng.

She was confirmed in her faith on March 20, 1932, at Wauneta, Nebraska, and ten years later married Henry Fischer on February 6, 1942. She was taken to the Lord on July 31, 1975.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Gustav Fred Lunzman and Freida Emma Oestman; by one brother, Loyd; and by one son, Jerome.

She is survived by her husband; by her three sisters, Alma Hohner of Colorado Springs, Wilma Chem, of McCook and Clara Reynolds of Goodland; two brothers, Elmer and Reinhardt Lunzmann; and by two sons; Allan and Gordon. She received Christian burial on August 4, 1975, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and her bodily remains were placed in the St. Paul Cemetery.

WAUNETA — Henry J. Fischer died Thursday (Dec. 8, 1988) at the Chase County Hospital in Imperial at the age of 85. He was born Aug. 19, 1903, in Eissa, West Germany, to Heinrich and Catharine (Lindemann) Fischer.

Survivors include two sons, Allan L. of Trenton, and Gordon R. of Wauneta; brothers and sisters in Germany; and three grandchildren.

Services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. (MST) at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wauneta with the Rev. LaVern Brack officiating. Interment will be in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Wauneta. A memorial has been established in his name and can be left at the Creveling Funeral Home of Wauneta.

BENKELMAN--Freda Pauline Fish, daughter of George F. Deyle Sr. and Anna Marie (Geigle) was born June 12, 1902, on her father's homestead in Cheyenne County, Kansas, near the Kansas-Nebraska state line. She died August 10, 1992, at the age of 90 years, 1 month and 29 days at the Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman, Nebraska.

Freda was baptized in the Lutheran faith and Mrs. Reike Gerdes was her sponsor. She received her education in the Canyon and White Eagle rural schools Cheyenne County. She was privileged to receive music lessons and became an excellent pianist. She received her nurses training at the Steward Hospital in Stratton, Nebraska, and did nursing in various hospitals.

After her mother's death in 1933, she and her father moved to Benkelman where she took care of him until his death in 1939.

Freda was united in marriage to Glenn William Fish on December 25, 1940. They made their home on his father's homestead northeast of Benkelman in two-story cement block house which was built in 1907 by his mother and family. Freda loved farm, raising a big garden and chickens.

She and Glenn spent 44 years together on the farm. They received the Pioneer Family Farm Award for 100 years of ownership by the Fish family. This presentation was made to her at the Dundy County Fair in 1986, which was after Glenn's death.

She moved into an apartment in Benkelman when her husband entered the Hester Memorial Home. In 1987 she purchased a home where she lived until entering the Hester Home in 1989.

Freda loved to play the piano. The residents at the Home enjoyed her music at chapel and at other times. She was a 57-year member of the Sheba Rebekah Lodge No. 321 and their musician for many years. She was a member of the Benkelman United Methodist Church.

She celebrated her 90th birthday in June with a reception hosted by her nieces and nephews at the Home.

She was preceded in death by her husband in January 1985: her parents; six brothers, George F. Jr., Charley, Walter, Joseph and twins in infancy, and two sisters, Elizabeth Gottschalk and Helena Burk.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Alice Barnes of Benkelman; nieces and nephews, Ben Gottschalk of Benkelman, Louise Larrick of Englewood, Colorado, Gertrude Winslow of Oceanside, California, Elmer and John Burk of McDonald, Kansas, Ted Deyle of Kearney, Nebraska, Rudy Deyle of Englewood, Vada Wiltse of Woodbine, Iowa, Charles Deyle of Millville, California, Beverly Rogers of Lakewood, Colorado, Larry Fish of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Herbert Fish of California, Val Fiore of Englewood and a very dear young friend, Dustin Novotny of Benkelman.

Services were held Friday, August 14, 1992, at 10:30 a. m. at the Benkelman United Methodist Church with the Rev. Vernon Whetstone officiating.

Gwen Bauer was the organist and Betty Erdman as the pianist accompanied Richard Bartholomew as he sang “The Lord's Prayer" and "Until Then."

Bearers were Elmer Burk, Johnnie Burk. Ben Gottschalk, Ike Denny, Rudy Deyle and Roger Parker.

Committal was by Sheba Rebekah Lodge No. 321 with interment at the Benkelman Cemetery. Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman was in charge of arrangements.

Margaret Fish was born in Claremont, Illinois, on April 15, 1893, the daughter of John C. and Kathryn (Conner) Mosser, and passed away at Swedish Hospital in Englewood, Colorado, on June 26, 1986, at the age of 93.

She received her education in Illinois and moved to Dundy County with her family in 1914. She was married to Guy C. Fish of Indian Creek Precinct and they lived on a farm in Muddy Precinct until 1939, when they moved to Denver, Colorado. They bought a small apartment house which Margaret managed until poor health forced her to give it up in 1973.

Margaret became a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Clay City, Illinois, on January 13, 1912. She was Worthy Past Matron of the Holly Chapter 233 in Benkelman.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Guy, baby daughter, Marjorie; sons: Guy Ward and Merrill; brother, John Mosser; and sister, Noma Duff.

Surviving her are her daughter, Valeria Fiore; son, Herbert, and his wife, Georgia; sisters: Melissa Mosser and Phyllis Micke, both of Denver; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Harold Barnes; sister-in-law, Freda Fish of Benkelman, and several nieces and nephews.

Services were held on June 30, 1986, at Olinger's Mortuary in Englewood, Colorado, with interment in Crown Hill Cemetery. Fraternal services were by Courtesy Board No. 1 as a courtesy to Holly Chapter 233 of Benkelman.

Our entire community was greatly saddened and deeply mourn the passing of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Fish, youngest daughter of William and Ellendar Raney, who passed away Saturday evening following a long illness. She was born near Memphis, Missouri, on May 23rd, 1857, and departed this life at 7 p. m. Saturday evening, December 17th, 1938, age 81 years, 6 months and 24 days, at her home near Benkelman, Nebraska. Mrs. Fish was one of Dundy county's grand old pioneers, coming to Sandwich, Dundy county, Nebraska, on July 30, 1886. She filed on her homestead as she came thru McCook, thus realizing the fulfillment of a long cherished dream, then bravely faced and conquered the disadvantages and hardships of those early pioneer years, always doing her utmost to make her world a better and more beautiful place to live in. She was a wonderful friend, always so understanding and considerate of others, always ready to help in time of grief or loss and she enjoyed meeting socially with young and old alike, beloved by all fortunate enough to know her. This grand woman leaves a rich heritage of memories and fine principles to those she leaves behind.

Mrs. Fish united with the Lawn Ridge Union church of Missouri in her childhood. She taught several terms of school in Missouri before coming to Nebraska and taking up her homestead on July 30, 1886, later following her profession in Dundy county. She was the first teacher in District No. 66.

After making the final proof on her land she was united in marriage to Herbert W. Fish on November 22, 1891. The ceremony took place in the bride's home; performed by the Rev. E. J. Vivian of Ough, Nebraska, and witnessed by her surrounding neighbors who later helped prepare a sumptuous wedding supper. Mr. and Mrs. Fish then made their home on Mr. Fish's homestead which has always been the family home on Indian Creek. Mr. Fish came to Nebraska from Neenah, Wiscousin, and lived. on his homestead land, adding to its acreage from time to time until his death on June 10^th, 1906, after which Mrs. Fish and the four children continued to improve and build up their home until it is one of the most beautiful places along Indian Creek.

Mrs. Fish leaves to mourn her departure her four children, Virley, Guy, and Glenn Fish and Mrs. Alice Barnes, all of Benkelman. Nebraska, and an adopted son Ray Ambrose of Winslow, Arizona, and a brother-Henry Raney of Grigston, Kansas, along with eight grandchildren and a large number of other relatives and a host of friends who extend their deepest sympathy to the family in their sad hour of grief.

Mrs. Fish had been in more or less ill health for several months previous to her last illness. So great was her love for her old home that she did not care to leave it, even for a few weeks to come to a hospital and the devotion and consideration of the family was shown in the fact that they provided a hospital cot and other hospital conveniences, along with a trained nurse so that she would have hospital benefits so far as possible without having to leave the farm which had been her home most of her lifetime. She had apparently overcome her first long illness and appeared to be making a marked improvement when overcome by her last violent illness about two weeks ago and this time she failed to survive, despite her wonderful courage and determination.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Benkelman at 12:30 Monday afternoon, being conducted by Rev. G. A. Schwabauer. The singers were Mrs. C. D. Mason, Mrs. J. S. Hollinger. Lloyd Boswell and John Baer, with Mrs. Cecil Stilgebouer at the piano. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery.

Glenn William Fish, a lifelong resident of Dundy County, passed away on January 1, 1985, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska. He was the son of Herbert W . and Sarah (Raney) Fish. He was born on February 25, 1897, at his father's homestead.

He was united in marriage to Freda Pauline Deyle on December 25, 1940. They made their home on his farm. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Odd Fellow Lodge No. 361 for many years.

Glenn was a farmer and rancher. He experienced the changes of farming with horses to tractors. He remained at home helping his mother on the farm until her death. Glenn had been in failing health for over six years and was forced to retire. He entered the Hester Memorial Home in November of 1981 and remained a resident there. He will always be remembered for his warm winsome personality; his friendly smile for everyone and his sense of humor. He loved to visit with his friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Virley and Guy; sister-in-law Lillie Fish; and two nephews, Merrell Fish and Guy Ward Fish.

Those left to mourn his departure are his loving wife, Freda Pauline; sister, Alice Barnes and husband, Harold; sister-in-law, Margaret Fish; nieces, Beverly Rogers, and husband, Tom, and Valeria Foria; nephews, Larry Fish and wife, Gail, and Herbert Fish and wife, Georgia; and other relatives and friends.

Services were held Saturday, January 5, at the United Methodist Church of Benkelman with Rev. John Kilgore officiating.

Gwen Bauer, organist, and Vicki Powell, pianist, accompanied Kelly Hayward with selections "How Great Thou Art," "The Lord's Prayer" and "Until Then."

Bearers were Clyde Watters, Byron Ham, Doran Jessee, Roger Parker, Robert Andrews and Ray Balderson.

Honorary Bearers were Gerald Hayward, True Howard, Richard Gardner, Floyd Rickard. H. L Anderson and Torsten Anderson.

Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery. Committal service was conducted by IOOF Lodge No. 361. Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman was in charge of arrangements.

COLUMBUS, Texas – Herbert Mosser Fish was born April 29, 1922, in Dundy County, Neb., to Guy and Margaret (Mosser) Fish and died Monday, Jan. 29, 1996, in Columbus, Texas, at the age of 73.

He married Georgia Marie Wallace in May of 1941 and she preceded him in death in August 1990.

He joined the Marine Corps on Nov. 5, 1942, and fought in the Pacific with the 2nd Marine Division. He saw action in Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. He earned two Presidential Citations and the Purple Heart. He was discharged on Nov. 5, 1945.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Georgia; his parents; two brothers: Ward and Merrill, and a sister, Margie.

He is survived by three sons: Dennis and his wife, Connie, of Charleston, S.C., Darryl and his wife, Allison, of London, England, and Merel Herb and his wife Peggy, of Columbus; a daughter, JoAnn and her husband, Bob Iizzard, of Hessel, Mich.; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Val Fiori, of Tucson, Ariz., other relatives and friends.

Final rites were held Saturday, Feb. 3, 1996, at 10 a.m. at Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman, Neb., with the Rev. Art Phillips officiating. Natalie Fish sang "Amazing Grace." Committal was offered by the American Legion Post No. 65 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4178 of Benkelman with inurnment in the Benkelman Cemetery. Arrangements were by Jones Funeral Home.

Merrill E. Fish of 135 W. 1st Ave, Denver, CO, passed away at Wheatland, Wyoming, Sept. 6, 1979.

Merrill was the husband of Mary G. Fish and the son of the late Guy C. Fish and Margaret M. Fish. Knights Templar services by Highland Commandery No. 80 were held in the Drawing Room of the Olinger Mortuary Sept. 10. Masonic Committal, Ft. Logan National Cemetery, by Henry M. Teller Lodge No. 144 AF& AM. Military honors by the US Army.

Merrill was preceded in death by his father Guy C. Fish, his brother Guy Ward and his twin sister Marjorie E.

He leaves to mourn in passing his wife Mary Fish, his mother Margaret Fish, a brother Herbert Fish, a sister Valeria Fiorl, a sister-in-law Georgia Fish, his aunt and uncle Alice and Harold Barnes, his uncle and aunt Glenn and Freda Fish, two aunts Melissa Mosser and Phyllis Micek, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and many friends.

Merrill was a member of the Shrine Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar, Véteran of Foreign Wars and Highlands Teller Masonic Lodge. 144.

Virley Ward Fish, the son of Herbert Washington and Sarah (Raney) Fish, was born November 26, 1892 on his father's homestead in Dundy County, Nebraska and passed away Sunday, November 25, 1973 at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska at the age of 80 years.

After his father's death in 1905 he left school to assume the responsibilities of his mother's farm now occupied by Glenn Fish. Later he became the then largest producer of certified sudan grass in Nebraska from his farm in the Muddy Precinct and was a member of the Nebraska Certified Seed Grower's Association.

On April 27, 1940, he was united in marriage with Lillie Mae Felt at North Platte, Nebraska. Their only child, Larry, was born December 27, 1943.

He was a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge No. 361, A.S.C.S. committee, the cemetery board and the county weed control board.

Left to mourn his passing are his son, Larry; wife, Gayle (Hedke) of Vancouver, B. C.; sister, Alice and husband Harold Barnes; brother, Glenn and wife Freda; brother-in-law, Glen Felt; sister-in-law, Arlene Reiman, all of Benkelman; sister-in-law, Margaret Fish; two nieces, two nephews, all of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren Michele and Michael.

Services were held at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman, Nebraska on Wednesday, November 28, 1973 at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Allan Martin officiating. Music was furnished by the organist, Betty Erdman, and a quartet of John Baer, Ray Balderson, Wilbur Case and Harold Ferguson.

Bearers were Torsten Anderson, Ray Buffington, Lawrence Campbell, Glen Felt, Dale Lingo and Ed Stitt.

Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with the Benkelman IOOF Lodge No. 361 in charge of committal.

Leon Walter Fisk, son of Freeman and Mabelle Smith Fisk, was born on a farm near Haigler, Nebraska, Nov. 28, 1907. He was one of six children born to this marriage.

He attended grade school and graduated from high school at Benkelman, Nebraska, and went on to Chicago Tech to become a civil engineer.

The early years of their marriage they lived at Ogalalla and North Platte. In 1950 they moved to Auburn where he was maintenance superintendent over this area of the state with the Nebraska Department of Roads. After his retirement in 1973 they continued to live at 1114 23rd Street in Auburn.

Leon was a long-time member of the Methodist Church and was a member of the Engineer's Society.

He had been in failing health the past six years. Last November he suffered a .stroke and was hospitalized until December 15 when he returned home to be cared for by his wife, Hildred. Early Sunday morning, March 16, 1980, he suffered a severe heart attack and was rushed to the Nemaha County Hospital by the rescue squad. It was there he passed away. He had reached the age of 72 years, three months and twenty days.

Surviving are his wife, Hildred, of Auburn; daughter, Carole, and son-in-law, Gene Spurlin, and five grandchildren, Richard L, Gail and David Milstead, and Jeffrey and James Spurlin, all of Greenwell Springs, Louisiana; four brothers and sisters, Charles Fisk of Kansas City, Mrs. Mildred Chambers, Mrs. Irma Bradly and Neil Fisk, all of San Diego, California; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Services were held Thurs., March 20, 1980 at 11 a.m. at the Casey-Witzenburg Funeral Chapel in Auburn, NE with the Rev. J. B. Choate officiating.

Songs featuring the voice of Merrill Womach were "In The Garden", "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" and "It Is Well With My Soul".

Casket bearers were Jack Peters, Wayne Flies, Lloyd Gerdes, Merle Umland, Charles Gerdes and Harlan Behrends.

Neil Arden Fisk passed away on June 19, 1983, in the Clairmont General Hospital in San Diego, California, after a short illness.

A private family service was held in the chapel of the El Camino Mortuary with the Rev. Dr. Davis presiding.

Neil leaves his sisters, Irma Bradley and Mildred Chambers, both of San Diego, California, and a brother, Charles Fisk, of Leawood, Kansas, three nephews and one niece to mourn his passing.

IMPERIAL -- John Fitzgerald, 86, died Monday (Feb. 4, 2002) at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home in Imperial.

Survivors include his wife, Hope of Imperial; two daughters, Martha and husband, Steve Chartier of Paonia, Colo. and Cathy and husband, George Hoff of Imperial; one sister, Marie Sailors of Benkelman; and five grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be Friday, 10:30 a.m., at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Imperial with the Rev. Greg Pawloski and Joe Mroczkowski con-celebrating. Inurnment will be Monday, 10 a.m., at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell.

The rosary will be said Thursday, 7 p.m., at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Imperial.

Sylvia Rose (Elley) Flemming was born in a part dug-out and part sod house on August 22, 1896, in Franklin, Nebraska. She passed away October 18, 1988, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska. Her parents were John and Florence (White) Elley. Her father came from England, where he owned a stone quarry and he cut and sold stone for a living. He also was trained for the bakery trade. When he came to America, he settled in Franklin, Nebraska, where he and Florence White were married. They ran a bakery in Franklin. Sylvia's father, John, died in 1906. In 1907 Florence and her four children came to Cheyenne County, Kansas, to claim a homestead. They brought the cows, horses, chickens and furniture in a railroad box car while they rode in the coach.

Not long after they were settled they had a fire in their home which burned the house down. The Elleys moved back t0 Franklin, Nebraska,. where Florence was a cook for the Academy. Sylvia herded cattle all summer then attended school through the winter. After completing the eighth grade Sylvia attended the Academy for two years with a concentration In music.

In 1910 Florence and her four children, Roy, Mae, Ann and Sylvia, returned to Cheyenne County and Florence and Sylvia worked for Albert Weaver, cooking for the threshers in their cook shack. Sylvia also worked for other neighbors.

John Flemming and Sylvia knew each other for years, so after Della's death, they started visiting, but never "dated." John and Sylvia were married August 30, 1937, at the Cheyenne County Courthouse in St. Francis. Sylvia was a good wife and mother to Jo and Delbert. Most of the family's time was spent at home working, milking cows, farming and shucking corn with a wagon and horses. In 1941 they bought their first tractor.

In the fall it wasn't unusual to see the family in the field--John on the tractor and Sylvia running the binder to bind their feed.

Her husband, John, preceded her in death on July 25, 1984. Also preceding her in death were her parents, her brother, Roy, and sisters. Mae and Ann.

Since 1984 Sylvia resided at the Hester Memorial Home. She passed away at the Dundy County Hospital on October 18, 1988, at the age of 92.

She leaves to mourn her passing her sons: Jo and wife. Nadine, of Bird City. Kansas, and Delbert and wife, Janice, of Denver. Colorado, 11 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services were held Friday. October 21, 1988, at 11 a.m. CDT at the Jones Funeral Chapel in Benkelman. Nebraska. Officiating were Burlin Raymond and Charles Middleswarth.

Organist was Ethel Harper, while Bonita Cleeb and Carol Jean Geroux sang "In Jesus' Hands" and “The Old Rugged Cross."

Bearers were Larry Flemming, Dale Flemming, Raymond McNabb, Roger Brennur, Don Creason, Douglas Flemming, Dave Flemming, Douglas Waters, Robert Bellls, Lon Sulley and Larry Hubbard.

Interment was in the Bird City Cemetery with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home, Benkelman.

Albert August Flemming, son of Wilhem and Sophia Flemming, was born January 31, 1899, at Chalco, Nebraska, and passed away at St. Luke's Hospital of Denver, Colorado, at the age of 86.

Albert moved to Cheyenne County, Kansas, with his family in 1910 where he spent his youth and attended school.

He worked and helped several family members and neighbors wherever needed. He farmed in the Big Timber community for several years.

In December 1973 he moved to the Hester Memorial Home where he lived for 11 years, two months and two days.

Survivors are his two sisters, Hulda Peters of Bird City, Kansas, and Olga Zielke of Elgin, North Dakota; one brother, Han Flemming of Oberlin, Kansas; one sister-in-law, Sylvia Flemming; and several nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Alma, Anna and Clara, and two brothers, Pete and John.

He will be sadly missed by his relatives and the staff and friends of the Hester Home.

Services were held Friday, February 22, at the Jones Funeral Chapel of Benkelman. Rev. Donovan Merklin officiated.

Betty Erdman accompanied Velma and Wilbur Case with selections "In The Garden" and "The Old Rugged Cross."

Bearers were Dale Peters, Delbert Flemming, William Zielke, Ernest Hammon, Arnold Zielke, Joe Flemming, Irvin Flemming, Tom Kyle, Howard Jennings and Melvin Peters.

Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman.

DOWNS, Kan.--Hans W. Flemming, 88, died Saturday, Dec. 16, 1995, at Downs Nursing Center in Downs, Kan.

He was born Oct. 8, 1907, at Millard, Neb., to Wilhelm and Sophia (Landschof) Flemming.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters: Alma, Clara, Emma, Olga and Hulda, and three brothers: Pete, John and Albert.

A graveside service with interment was held Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 1 p.m. at the Benkelman (Neb.) Cemetery. Bearers were Larry Flemming, Doug Flemming, Dave Flemming, Ervin Peters, Dale Peters and Clint Munn.

BIRD CITY, Kan.--Jo Eugene Flemming, son of John and Della Mae (Duncan) Flemming, was born December 30, 1930, at the family homestead in Cheyenne County, north of Bird City, Kansas.

In 1934, he and his younger brother, Delbert, went to live with their Uncle Henry and Aunt Olga Zielke after the loss of their mother. In August 1937, his father married Sylvia Rose Elley. The family continued to live on the Flemming homestead.

Flemming attended Porter country school, one year of high school in Benkelman, Nebraska, and graduated from high school in Bird City in 1948.

In April 1949, he married Grace Nadine Boyington, and this union was blessed with five children: Larry Dean, Sherrie Jo, Connie Jean, Douglas John and David Glen.

In 1959, Jo and Nadine purchased the Glen Boyington homestead where they lived and raised their family. He was a dedicated farmer and always enjoyed raising livestock, working the land and harvesting crops.

Flemming was active in several community organizations including the Boy Scouts, Bird City Jaycees and Elks Club. He was elected and served two terms on the Bird City Board of Education and was a member of the United Methodist Church.

He was honored to receive the 1994 Kansas Bankers Award; served on the Advisory and Endowment Board of the Northwest Kansas Area Vo-Tech School and was recognized by his grandson for his assistance in helping him achieve his Eagle Scout Award.

Jo and Nadine were fortunate to enjoy their travels to several countries before his illness. He died February 18, 1995, at the Hays (Kansas) Medical Center at the age of 64.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Alvin John; a sister, Loretta Mae, and a great-grandchild, Danae.

Surviving him are his wife, Nadine; his children, Larry and his wife, Christie, Sherrie Antholz, Connie and her husband, Roger Brenner, Doug and his wife, Karen, and David and his wife, Deb; 14 grandchildren; a brother, Delbert and his wife, Janice, and many other relatives and friends.

Services were held Monday, February 20, 1995, at 11 a. m. at the United Methodist Church in Bird City with the Rev. Billy Pope Duncan officiating. Organist was Joan Wellman. The congregation sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "How Great Thou Art."

Bearers were Eugene Marrs, Louis Gipe, Leon Brethower, Ward Cassidy, Ed Carson and Tom Kyle. Honorary bearers were Jake Eggem, LeRoy Welch, Cecil Nelsen, Martin Busse, Clinton Munn and Dr. James Holmes.

Interment was in the Bird City Cemetery with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman.

(Typewritten note found in files. Submitted by Jo and Nadine Flemming, February 1987, M. C. Magley, typist.)

John Fredrick Flemming, son of Wilhem and Sophia Flemming, was born 28 January 1903 at Millard, NE. He came to Cheyenne County with his parents in 1910, where he spent his youth and attended Porter School through the eighth grade.

In 1927, John married to Della Mae Dungan. They owned and farmed his father's homestead. To their union were born four children: Loretta Mac (1928-1928) died in infancy, Alvin John (1929-1930) passed away at seven months; Jo Eugene (b. 30 December 1930) and Delbert Dale (b. 30 August 1932). Della's health kept failing and she passed away in 1934. John then bached and the little boys lived with the Henry Zieikes until John married to Sylvia.

Sylvia Rose Elley was born in a sod house on 22 August 1896. Her parents were John and Florence Elley. They ran a bakery in Franklin, NE. John Elley had been trained for the baker trade while he was in England. He was some 30 years older than Florence. They lived five miles south of Franklin. John Elley died in 1906.

In 1907, Florence brought her four children with her to a Cheyenne County homestead (N 1/2 3-2-38). They brought the cows, horses, chickens and furniture all in one box car, while they rode in the coach. There was a fire in the family's home and their homestead house burned down, so the Elleys returned to Franklin, where Florence was a cook at the Academy. Sylvia attended school through the eighth grade there. She herded cattle in the summer and went to school in the winter. Then she attended the Academy for two years, with a concentration in Music.

In 1910, Florence, Roy, Mae, Ann and Sylvia moved back to Cheyenne County. Florence and Sylvia were cooks for Albert Weaver, cooking for threshers in Weaver's cook shack. Sylvia worked for Myrtle Harris. Florence was also a midwife. She delivered John and Della Flemming's four children .and others.

John Flemming and Sylvia knew each other, so after Della's death, they started visiting, but never dated. They married on 30 August 1937 at the Cheyenne County Courthouse in St. Francis.

Most of their time was spent at home working. They got up early to milk the cows and begin the farming chores. The boys hardly ever went to town; usually only at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter vacations. They helped John shuck corn, milk, and till the soil with horses. In 1941, John bought their first tractor. He always raised a large garden and a lot of pretty flowers. They did their own canning of fruits, vegetables and meats; and Sylvia made their soap.

John and Sylvia lived on his father's homestead and worked the land for 50 years, adding r additional ground. In 1977, they moved to Bird City, buying the Mose Maring house. John still had his garden and flowers. His health started failing in December 1983 and he passed away on 25 July 1984. Sylvia then moved into the Hester Home in Benkelman, NE, at the age of 88. Today, she still enjoys playing the piano and is going strong at the age of 90 years.

Delbert married first to Barbara Boyd, who gave him four children: Delbert Dale, Debbie Jean, Deanna and Doreen. He married second to Mrs. Janice Sailors McNabb, the mother of Raymond and Wanda McNabb. Delbert and Janice make their home in Denver, CO.

(Typewritten note found in files. Submitted by Jo and Nadine Flemming, February 1987, M. C. Magley, typist.)

Wilhem Flemming was born in Wech, Holstein, Germany on 25 October 1872. As a young man, he was conscripted into the German Army and served for two years.

On 4 August 1894, he was united to Sophia J. Landschof in marriage. Sophia was born in Schrevendorf, Germany on 17 March 1874.

Wilhem came to America in the spring of 1897. He journeyed west immediately and settled at Millard, NE. Sophia came to America one year later with their son Peter (b. 1895). She left their two year old daughter Alma,(b. 1896) in Germany with loved ones. Alma did not make the United States her home until 1929. In Millard, NE, Wilhem and Sophia added to their family with Albert (b. 1899), Clara (b. 1900), Hulda (b. 1902), John (b. 1903), Olga (b. 1904 Emma (b. 1905) and Hans (b. 1907).

Wilhem came to Cheyenne County, KS about 1905 to visit a cousin, Mr. August Sump, who had homesteaded in the county in 1896 (E 1/2 of the SW 1/4 and W 1/2 of the SE 1/4 2-2-38). Wilhem bought this land from Mr. Sump and then homesteaded an additional 80 acres (W 1/2 of the SE 1/4 27-1-38).

In 1910, he moved his family to the county and they lived in a sod house for a while. Albert and John slept in the granary on top of the wheat at night. In the evening they drove the cattle down into the canyon and hoped the stock would lay down for the night; until the morning, when it would be time to milk the cows.

Before 1917, the Flemming family built their new house, where Wilhem and Sophia remained until their deaths. Their home was a place of many happy family gatherings. Mr. and Mrs. Munn were neighbors and were usually a part of the gatherings. At Christmas time, Mrs. Munn played the organ and the rest would sing. Mr. Munn was Santa Claus and passed out the treats.

In 1944, Wilhem and Sophia observed their Golden Wedding Anniversary, the Zion Lutheran congregation in Benkelman, NE taking recognition of the event by observing it in a fitting way. On this day, the belfry chimes system was dedicated, which had been given by the Flemings as a tribute of love to God, who so graciously permitted them to observe 50 years together.

In May 1947, Albert took his father, Wilhem, to Denver to see a specialist. He remained there only a few days and then checked himself out of the hospital, got on a bus and came home. He was home a few days; before entering the Dundy County Hospital at Benkelman, NE. There, he passed away a short time later, on 25 May 1947.

Sophia had been in failing health for about one year before Wilhem's death. In March 1947, she was confined to her bed. In April, she was taken to the hospital in Benkelman,where she passed away on the night of Wilhem's funeral, 29 May 1947.

Peter, the eldest child, never married. He died in 1961. Alma married to Bill Haman. Their children were William and Ernest. She died in 1959. Albert never married. He died in 1985. Clara married to Herman Zielke and had one son, William. She died in 1982.

Hulda married to Carl Peters. Children born to them were: Edna, Ervin, Edith, Melvin and Dale. She is still living. John married first to Della Dungan who gave him four children before her death: Loretta, Alvin John, Jo Eugene and Delbert Dale. His story appears elsewhere in this volume.

Olga married to Henry Zielke and gave birth to three children: Lorena, Delores and Arnold. Her home is in South Dakota. Emma married to Carl Richerson and had two children: Frank and Betty. She died in 1938. Hans never married. He makes his home at Downs, KS.

Wilhem Flemming had two brothers, Bernard and Claus, who also came to the United States. Claus was a Cheyenne County resident. Sophia left two sisters and one brother in Germany.

In the early 1920's, Wilhem sponsored Elsie DeVries and Ben Lage to this country from Germany.

CAMBRIDGE— Donald Fletcher, 73, of Cambridge, died Friday (Oct. 23, 1998) at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

He was born Feb. 2, 1925, at Wauneta to Ray and Hazel (Barns) Fletcher. He attended rural school in Chase and Hayes counties and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1943.

He joined the U.S. Army March 14, 1944, and served in the European Theater in AntiTank Company 423. He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and was held in various prisoner of war camps for 106 days. After his discharge Oct. 16, 1945, he returned to the Wauneta area.

In June 1947 he married Doris tenBensel of Cambridge. He has lived in Cambridge since 1972 and worked for the Farmers Co-op for 20 years.

Survivors include his wife, Doris of Cambridge; two sons, Herman Ray Fletcher of Paxton, James and wife, Brenda Fletcher of Shelton; three daughters, Jolene and husband, R.G. Brown of Cambridge, Donna and husband, Eric Hjort of Cambridge, and Christine and husband, Caroll McAfoos of Parks; one brother, Irvin Fletcher of Taylor; three sisters, Lila Gradisar of Pueblo, Colo., Minnie Smith of St. Angelo, Texas, Sharon Abott of Washington, D.C.; 19 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services are today, 1 p.m., at Lockenour Jones Funeral Home in Cambridge, with Art Phillips officiating. Burial will be at Fort McPherson, Maxwell, Tuesday at 11 a.m.

LONG BEACH, Calif.--Ray Fletcher of Long Beach, California, died April 10, 1991.

Ray was born in Mount Pulaski, Illinois, in 1895. A veteran of World War II, he was self-employed prior to retirement.

Survivors include his son, Raymond of Long Beach, two daughters, Twila Bonar and Marian Babicky, seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Services were held Monday, April 15, 1991, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Roger Lautzenhiser of Dilday-Mottell's Chapel officiating.

Interment was in Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California, three days after his 96th birthday.