All Obituaries

L. Donald Wanek, M.D., 88 years of age, of Wilber, Nebraska passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2021. He was born on January 22, 1933 in Western, Nebraska to Leon and Lillian (Vesely) Wanek. Donald graduated from Wilber High School in Wilber, Nebraska and earned his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1958. Donald served his country in the United States Air Force from September 11, 1959 to September 10, 1961. He married Christine (Weisenburger) Lind on May...

Robert “Bob” D. Koenig, 66 years of age, of Beatrice passed away Monday, November 15, 2021 at CHI Health Lakeside in Omaha. He was born on April 17, 1955 in Lynch to Alphonse and Millicent (Fischer) Koenig. Bob served his country in the United States Navy. He married Kathy Mohling on June 4, 1988. Bob owned and operated Bob’s Garage Door Service for 20 years. He was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he served as an acolyte and as a Fourth Degree member of...

Brenda Ann Haynes, 52 years of age, of Beatrice passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at Beatrice Health and Rehabilitation. She was born in Beatrice on March 17, 1969 to Harold and Ruth (Leaper) Haynes. She was a life long resident of Beatrice, worked as a CNA and also drove for Yellow Cab. Brenda enjoyed movies, sudoku, bingo, cooking, keno, coloring and taking care of family. Her love for music included songs by Journey, Stevie Nicks, and Cindy Lauper. Brenda is survived by her two...

Joyce A. (Birkin) Frantz, 93 years of age, of Lincoln, formerly of Beatrice passed away Monday, November 8, 2021 in Lincoln. She was born on July 19, 1928 at Wiley, Colorado (Prowers County), and was the oldest of three children born to Rev. Leonard and Mabel Mae (Hoffman) Birkin. As a child Joyce lived in Wiley, Colorado, Lincoln, Nebraska, Bakersfield, California and Independence, Kansas.  She graduated from Summerfield High School in Summerfield, Kansas with the class of...

Robert B. Bowers, age 95, of Lincoln, formerly of Filley, passed away suddenly on October 24, 2020 at Bryan Medical Center East in Lincoln. He was born on August 17, 1925 at Filley to Ben and Agnes (Pedersen) Bowers. Robert was a life long farmer, raising mostly livestock and grain crops.  He was also a life long member of the Gage County Agricultural Society and served many years as a Board Member.  Robert participated in and enjoyed baseball, softball, bowling, and church...

Jeanette (Petko) White, 68 years of age, of Fairbury passed away on Friday, October 29, 2021. She was born on May 5, 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri to Robert and Shirley (Hanson) Petko. Jeanette worked several jobs including at Mermaids Cleaning Service, BSDC and Godfather’s Pizza. She enjoyed her dog Holly, family and spending time with her grandchildren. Jeanette is survived by her husband, Bruce; sons, Steve Arena and wife Nicole, Duaine Arena and significant other Amy Woita, Tony...

Alma Deloris (LaBeau) Tucker, 95 years of age, of Beatrice passed away Thursday, October 28, 2021 at Bryan Medical Center West in Lincoln. She was born on June 24, 1926 in Eagle Butte, South Dakota to Nelson and Ella (Prettybear) LaBeau. Alma was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Alma is survived by her husband, John Tucker, Sr.; children, Harriet Stonearrow of Minnesota, John Tucker, Jr. of Diller; Jim Tucker and wife Alba of Hawthorne, California, Vickie Tucker-Hunnicutt of...

Neva Lou (Champ) Jantzen, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister of Beatrice passed from our world to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at Beatrice Health and Rehabilitation in Beatrice at the age of 79. She was born on August 4, 1942 in Odell to Lewis and Bonnie (Kechely) Champ. At only two years old, she contracted Polio and spent much of her childhood in leg braces. Neva spent her young childhood surrounded by the Kechely family as her father was in the...

Ella Mae J. (Kuster) Boone, 82 years of age, of Beatrice, formerly of Salem, Oregon passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center in Beatrice. She was born on February 19, 1939 to Albert and Luella (Wilson) Kuster. Ella Mae graduated from Logan Magnolia High School in Logan, Iowa in 1957. She married Milton Boone on January 31, 1958 in Woodbine, Iowa. Ella Mae worked as an administrative assistant in insurance and title companies...

DATE CHANGE Ralph Merklinger passed away on October 14, 2021 in his Rocky Ford, Colorado home of 50 years.  Ralph was born March 18, 1926 in the small farming town of Plymouth to Henry and Anna Merklinger.  He was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Plymouth, where his grandparents where original members at its founding in 1880.  In Plymouth, he attended parochial school through 8th grade and graduated from Plymouth public high school.  As a...