Sue E. Houdesheldt, 71, of Kearney, Nebraska, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney.
She was born on December 1, 1951, in Denison, Iowa, to Donald and Betty (Noyes) Coad. They moved to Lexington when Sue was four. During high school, Sue worked as a candy striper at the local hospital. Sue graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1970. After high school, she continued to work for the Lexington Hospital as an aide before going to college at St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Omaha where she received her bachelor’s degree.
Sue was working in Omaha as a respiratory therapist and was a part of a mixed bowling league when she met her soulmate, George Houdesheldt. They were united in marriage on October 11, 1986. From Omaha, the couple moved to Kearney, and then to Columbus and where Sue worked in the David City Hospital and later the Columbus Hospital. The couple moved to North Platte where Sue continued her work as a respiratory therapist with Great Plains Regional Medical Center until she retired in 2012. George passed away on August 3, 2006.
Sue and George loved spending their vacations going camping and spending time with their beloved dogs. She had a big heart and always rescued dogs in need including three Brittany spaniels and two others. Sue was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Those left to honor her memory are her sister, Judy (Ron) Linden of Lexington; brother, Don Coad of Christiansburg, Virginia; nieces and nephews, Bev Lowell of Strasburg, Colorado, Barry (Diane) Linden of Overland Park, Kansas, and Travis (Jessica) Coad of Blacksburg, Virginia; stepson, Michael Toney; two step grandchildren, as well as numerous great nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 12, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at LexChristian Church with Pastor Dave Leraaen, officiating.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 3-5 p.m.
Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington.
Memorials in lieu of flowers are kindly suggested to your local animal shelter.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
Lyle Roger Hasselbring, 70, of Lexington, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on May 3, 1952, in Lexington, Nebraska to Harley and Evelyn (Snyder) Hasselbring. He graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1970 then continued to trade school for the next two years in Hastings.
Lyle began working for Fremont Nebraska Public Gas as a welder before returning to Lexington to work for Sperry New Holland. Afterwards, he moved on to Paulsen’s for a few years before finally landing at Kayton Electric, now called I.E.S Commercial Inc. where he stayed for the next 32 years and loved every minute of it.
Lyle belonged to many clubs including being a lifetime member of the NRA, the North American Hunting Club and was a former member of the Trapper’s Association.
He was an incredibly skilled welder and an avid hunter. Hunting was his greatest passion, and would often bring home deer, elk, antelope, and waterfowl. Lyle was known to have a green thumb and always maintained the most beautiful garden. There was rarely ever a time where you wouldn’t find Lyle enjoying the outdoors somehow. He was quite the animal lover as well and always had cats and dogs running around his land.
Those left to honor his memory are his loving wife, Diana Hasselbring of Lexington; sister, Julie (Mike) Bruijn of Waynesville, North Carolina; brother-in-law, Bill (Cathy) Cumming of Papillion, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Vickie Moran of Freeburg, Missouri; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Evelyn; brother, Lynn and brothers-in-law, Carl Cassmeyer and Hal Cumming.
There will be no visitation as the family is honoring Lyle’s wish for cremation.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to Aseracare Hospice Care, 6415 2nd Avenue Suite 3, Kearney, Nebraska 68847.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
Jim Boyd - Born June 30, 1952 in Lexington, NE to James Eugene Boyd and Wilma Vernell (Shuler) Boyd. He is survived by his wife Mary Boyd, of Pauls Valley, OK, son Jesse Boyd and Sierra Littrell of Scottsdale, AZ, daughter Jennifer & Jason Lauritzen of San Jose, CA, Sister Carolyn Jean Boyd of Casper, WY, Brother and sister in-law John and Carrie Boyd of Stilwell, KS, Brother and sister in-law Larry & Ruth Hoskins of Delta, CO, and Brother and sister in-law Bill & Sherry Redden of Gunnison, CO plus nieces, nephews, cousins and great nieces and great nephews.
Jim and Mary met in Golden, CO and were married November 23, 1997. They celebrated 25 years of marriage, before his passing. He was a caring husband and father to his son Jesse and stepdaughter Jennifer. They always came first in his life. Although he did not attend church, he was a man who strongly believed in God and practiced this every day by what he said and did. He was always available to give a helping hand.
During high school, Jim played baseball, football, belonged to the FFA and 4-H club showing.
Jim graduated in 1970 from Lexington High School, Lexington NE.
He spent his life on the family farm outside of Lexington, NE. which is where he learned his hard work ethic. Along with going to school and playing sports, Jim worked part time at Deeter’s Welding and Machine shop after school and summers, both during high school and college.
After high school Jim attended Hasting Tech Community College then attended Mid-Plains Vocational College in North Platte, NE and graduated in 1972 with a AAS degree in Machine Shop Technology and Welding. After graduation, Jim worked at TRW in Ogallala, The Sugar Factory in Gering, NE and Bare Manufacturing in Mitchell, NE. In 1978 Jim moved to Colorado where he went to work at the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapon Plant as a machinist and departmental manager (1981-1989). He then went to work for the National Institute of Technology, (NIST) in Boulder, CO. During his career he held many different supervision positions. In 1997 Jim went back to school receiving his BA and MS in Organizational Management. This was a huge accomplishment that we were all very proud of. After 25 years of service with NIST Jim retired, due to health issues after being diagnosed with chronic Beryllium disease, which he incurred while working for Rocky Flats. He was never one to sit idle so he worked in his shop, at home, welding/machining different projects for others and also to maintain their horse property.
On February 2018, Jim had a double lung transplant. With suggestions from Doctors, Jim and Mary moved to Oklahoma where the weather and altitude were more suitable for his health. Unfortunately, Jim ran into many different complications after the transplant including stage 4 kidney failure. He was able to overcome these obstacles’ and did not let things stop him from enjoying life. Jim was required to have nurses 7 days a week but that did not slow him down. When COVID hit, Jim stayed in the house 24/7. He only went out to get blood draws and see Drs. We avoided this for over a year but, in the end, Jim caught COVID. He was unable to fight it off with his immune compromised body. Jim passed away peacefully February 25, 2022.
In his younger years Jim loved the outdoors, motorcycle riding, skiing with Jesse and Mary, and Mary got him involved in her passion with riding horses. With this he participated in a little mounted shooting and reining. Also, he enjoyed going riding with family members up in the mountains.
Timothy A.Taft, 70, of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at Bryan Medical Center-East Campus in Lincoln.
He was born on October 7, 1951 to Joe L. and Phyllis Joyce (Geistlinger) Taft. He received his education from Lexington Public Schools and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1970. He then pursued higher education at Hastings College.
Following graduation, Tim moved back to Lincoln where he met his wife, LouAnn on a blind date and were married in 1976. Two children were blessed to this union: Wade and Casey.
Tim was an avid Kansas City Royal baseball fan and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his children, Wade (Shirley) Taft of Lincoln and Casey (Rene) Taft; five grandchildren, Michael, Faith, Audrey, Braylon and Zoey; brother, Dale (Cheryl) Taft of Johnson Lake; nieces and nephews, Kim, Chris, Derek and Drew; as well as cousins, extended family and friends.
Besides his parents, Tim was preceded in death by his wife, LouAnn and siblings, Michael and Rebecca.
A Celebration Of Life Service will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington with Pastor Bill Ohlmann, officiating. The service will be live-streamed via the Reynolds Love Facebook page.
There will be no visitation, as the family is honoring Tim’s wish for cremation. Burial will be held in Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.
A memorial has been established in Tim’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
Gary Lee Smith, 68 of Gothenburg passed away Saturday, April 25, 2020 at his home.
Gary was born August 28, 1951 in Lexington to Vernon and Luella (Becker) Smith. Gary attended school in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1970. After graduation he enlisted in the United State Army and served his country from 1971 until 1976. When in the service he was united in marriage to Kim Sun Kim and two daughters were born to this union: Cinda and Mikki. The couple would later divorce.
Gary lived in Grand Island, Lexington and then moved to Gothenburg where he was employed by Frito Lay until his retirement.
Gary enjoyed playing pool in a pool league, spending time on his computer and meeting his friends for a soda at the bar.
Gary is survived by his daughter, Mikki and husband Clint Wright of Bellevue, four grandchildren: Brett, Nathan, Alyssa and Austen and one sister, Karen and husband Bob McNeff of Palmer.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Cinda.
Graveside services with military honors will be held Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hewitt Cemetery north of Lexington with Pastor Daniel Sauer, officiating.
Visitation will be held two hours prior to the graveside service at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, we will adhere to the limitation of 10 or less at public gatherings.
Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visting:reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
- Maiden Name: Rath
Deborah Lee “Debbie” Smith, 66, most recently of Willow Street, PA, passed away peacefully Monday, December 31, 2018 at Hospice and Community Care of Mount Joy, PA. Memorial services will be on Monday, April 15, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney, NE. Graveside services will follow at the Kearney Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of final arrangements.
Born Saturday, February 16, 1952 in Fort Belvoir, VA, she was the daughter of Hugh J. Rath of Lexington, NE and the late Delores R. Rath.
Debbie worked in a variety of roles for some notable retail brands including J.C. Penney, Waldenbooks, Robert Scott & David Brooks and Bass Pro Shops. While working for Bass Pro Shops in Denver, Colorado she became an avid Denver Broncos fan. Through both her work and personal interests she enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends from coast to coast and never missed an opportunity to get her favorite drink at the local Starbucks.
Debbie is survived by sons, Greg Smith and wife Becky of Smithsburg, MD and Matthew Smith and wife Laura of San Diego, CA; daughter, Amanda Hollida and husband Steven of Malvern, PA. She was “Mom Mom” to nine grandchildren, Jordan, Ian, Anthony, Reagan, Emma, Ella, Spencer, Connor and Samantha and two great-grandchildren, Hailie and Harper; She is also survived by her father, Hugh Rath of Lexington, NE, brothers, Steven Rath of Elwood, NE and Michael Rath of Whitman, NE and her aunt, Barbara Krigbaum of Falls Church, VA; many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by brother, Ronald of Martinsburg, WV and sister, Beverly of Kearney, NE.
- Date Posted: 2014-02-22
- Maiden Name: Woehrle
Cathy J. Carpenter
Jan, 25, 1952 - Feb, 22, 2014
Of LaVista
Born and Raised in Lexington, graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1970.
Preceded in death by father: Harry Woehrle, Twin Sons: Ricky & Rodger , and their father Gordon Rupe.
Survived by Husband: Greg. Children & Spouses: Diana & George Bender, Omaha. Meagan & Craig Nelson, Omaha. Phillip & Keri Carpenter, Fayetteville, NC. Grandchildren: Xander, Bryanna, Sierra, Caleb. Mother: June Woehrle, Lexington, NE. Sister & Brother in Law: Vicki & Hal Lux, Lexington, NE. Brother & Sister in Law: Brad & Rael Woehrle, Elwood, NE Many Nieces, Nephews and other family and friends.
Funeral Services Thursday 10:00 am First Lutheran Church, Papillion. Interment: Cedar Dale Cemetery, Papillion. Visitation: Wed 1-8 pm. At mortuary. Memorials directed to the Church.
Arrangements under the direction of Kahler Dolce Mortuary, Papillion, NE.
- Date Posted: 2012-08-05
Larry Jean Carroll, 60, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, August 5, 2012, at Lexington Regional Health Center.
He was born November 10, 1951, in Lexington, Nebraska to Jean L. and Alice (Meyer) Carroll. He attended primary school in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1970. He then went onto further his education at Hastings Technical College until he enlisted in the United States Air Force on April 5, 1971. He served his country until his discharge on May 26, 1972.
Upon Larry’s return to Lexington he did odd jobs around town, as he was permanently disabled. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Marcia Jodeen Black in Lexington. Larry loved muscle cars, attending antique toy auctions, history, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed watching the Discover Channel. Family was very important to Larry and teasing his nieces and nephews was a favorite pastime. He had a wonderful sense of humor and had the “Meyer gift of gab”.
Larry was baptized and confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran Church at Lexington.
Survivors include his wife: Marcia Jodeen of Lexington.
One brother: Randy (Tootie) Carroll of Darr, Nebraska along with their children; Heidi Houser and her children, Riley & Morgan Houser; Brenda (Jeff) Colborn and their children, Grady & Wes Colborn; Melissa (Josh) Hergenrader and their children, Addy, Sam, Jackson, Ashton and one on the way; Lucas (Tory) Carroll and their son, Kamryn.
One uncle: Delbert (Doris) Carroll of Lexington, Ne.
Two aunts: Marge (Jim) Burnett of Lexington, NE and Carolyn (Dick) Dorwart of Arizona.
Special friends and neighbors: Paul, Lauri, Monica, Karrie & Tara Liess of Lexington, NE.
Larry is also survived by many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents and one baby sister, Cindy Lou.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 11, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington with Pastor Rob Kuefner officiating.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 10, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home and prior to the funeral service from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church.
Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church, the Multiple Sclerosis Society or the American Cancer Society.
Cremation will follow the funeral service and scattering of ashes will be held at a later date.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please forward online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
- Date Posted: 2016-05-19
Pedro Felix “Pete” Araujo, 64, of Oxford, died Thursday, May 19, 2016 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center – Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, May, 25, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Father Jose Chavez as celebrant.
Rosary will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska. Interment will follow at St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery in Lexington.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.
He was born Nov. 20, 1951 in Lexington, the youngest of five children born to Cruz Araujo, Sr. and Consuello “Connie” (Ceballos) Araujo. He received his education from Lexington High School, graduating with the class of 1970.
On Nov. 16, 1979, he was united in marriage to Linda Hilker at the Christian Church in Edison. Pete worked hard to provide for his family.
Throughout his life, Pete was employed by Paulsen’s Construction, the Oxford Cheese Factory, as a part-time Furnas County Deputy Sheriff, at Mid-America Dairymen, and Becton-Dickenson for the last 21 years.
Pete enjoyed playing pool with the Oxford and Holdrege Pool Leagues and golfing. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoyed camping with his family. He enjoyed attending concerts and Husker Football games. Family was of utmost importance to Pete.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Cruz Araujo, Jr. and Richard (Dick) Araujo; sister-in-law, Carol Sorenson; and two nephews: Eddie Sorenson and Shane Little.
He leaves to mourn his passing; his wife, Linda of Oxford; three sons: Joe Araujo of Holdrege, Richard Araujo and his girlfriend, Laura Ward of Minden, Shane (Michelle) Araujo of Oxford; two daughters, Dana (Gene) Johnson of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Joy (Larry) Voet of Ravenna; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Marcus (Sharon) Araujo of Lexington; sister, Susie (Charles) Engel of Grand Island; brother-in-law, Rodney (Beverly) Hilker of Arapahoe; two sisters-in-law: Mary Araujo of Lexington and Debbie Little of Washington state; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in Pete’s honor and will be designated at a later date.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.
- Date Posted: 2018-07-11
- Maiden Name: Jessen
Linda Irene Jessen-Mathes, 70, of Lexington, died Saturday, July 7, 2018 at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington with Pastor John Shield, officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington. A reception and light meal will follow at the Park View Baptist Church.
Linda was born on June 2, 1948 in Lexington. She was the oldest child of Nis & Irene (Kirkegaard) Jessen and lived in Lexington most of her life. After graduating from Lexington High School with the class of 1970, she worked at Frankie’s Care Home in Lexington. She then moved to North Platte and attended Mid Plains Community College and earned a medical secretarial, an administrative secretarial diplomas as well as her Associate of Arts Degree in 1982. After graduation she became a nurse’s aide at the North Platte Care Center this is where she met her future husband, Dennis Mathes. After dating just three months they married on January 31, 1986. She was a pianist and vocalist with the Junior Choir at the Messiah Lutheran Church in North Platte.
Linda and Dennis enjoyed camping, music, and visiting with family. Linda helped manage her aunt Dorothy’s apartments in North Platte. By 2010 they were both living at Park Avenue Estates (Brookdale), which Linda called home until she went to be with the Lord. She cheerfully became the ‘Door Greeter’ at Brookdale and welcomed everyone with a big smile and wave as her eyes lit up with joy. The caregivers and residents showed Linda such deep love, care, and friendship, which provided her family with great peace of mind.
A strong support group surrounded Linda, helping her travel to dialysis, church, and various errands. We cannot adequately thank the village of friends that helped to make Linda’s life more comfortable and fulfilled.
Linda loved to play piano, sing, do crafts, and write thoughts about God and His grace. Linda’s warm, loving heart, bright smile and sparkling eyes will be dearly missed but we are all at peace that she is now with her Lord.
Linda is survived by two brothers, Nis (Wendy) Jessen of Roseburg, Ore., and Cliff (Karen) Jessen of Apple Valley, Calif.; one sister, Karen (Larry) Schneider of Yuma, Colo., as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, uncles, aunts and many cousins.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Nis and Irene Jessen, infant brother John Frederick and husband Dennis.
Memorials are suggested to the Fresenius Kidney Care Overland Trails in Kearney or The donor’s choice.
- Date Posted: 2017-07-28
- Maiden Name: Norseen
Karen Rosalie (Norseen) Hying died Friday, July 28, 2017 at Lincoln, from complications following pancreatic cancer surgery. She was born July 26, 1952 in Grand Island to Dean A and Eldene R (Hybl) Norseen. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1970, attended North Platte Junior College and was a 1974 graduate of Kearney State College.
In 1975 she was united in marriage to David Hying at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington, and they resided in North Platte until moving to York in 1977.
Karen was a 39 year employee of the City of York Water Department. She put in many hours as a volunteer for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, quilt groups, the Yorkshire Playhouse, and TeamMates. She was an avid soccer mom, t-ball and baseball coach, and an integral part of the York Mom’s information network. For 11 years, Karen was chairperson of the annual Troop 174 Boy Scout Auction, a major fundraiser for the troop. In 2008, she and her mother won first place in the first annual Czechfest dumpling cook-off. Karen was well-known in the local quilting community for the many creative quilts she made and displayed, as well as machine quilting for others. Karen also worked as a quilt restorer.
She is survived by her mother, Eldene Norseen of Lexington; her husband of 42 years, David and four sons, Karl (Laura Scott) and Gavin of Kansas City, Mo., Kirk (Michelle) and Abigail and Logan of Gulfport, Miss., Joel (Brittany), Molly, Miles, Marcy and Micah of Lincoln, and Brian (Claire) of Raleigh, N.C.; brother, Ken (Mary) Norseen of Seward; sisters, Konnie (Gary) Mouw of Le Mars, Iowa and Kathy Norseen of Kearney; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Dean.
A Rosary will be held at the Metz Mortuary Chapel at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017. The family will greet family and friends following the Rosary service.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St Joseph Catholic Church, 5th and East Avenue in York, with the Reverend Monsignor James Reinert officiating. Inurnment will follow services at St Joseph Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Boy Scouts Troop 174, St. Joseph School, the York TeamMates Mentoring Program, or the York Community Foundation where a York High School Scholarship will be established in her name.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.metzmortuary.com. Metz Mortuary, York is handling arrangements.
