- Date Posted: 2009-03-01
- Maiden Name: Hofferber
Irma "Ruth" Hofferber Klocke, 83, of New Bern, N.C., formerly of Lexington, died Sunday, March 1, 2009 at Britthaven of New Bern. The family honored Ruth's wishes her body be cremated.
Survivors include one daughter, Angela (Hugh) Smith of Chocowinity, N.C.; two brothers, Benton "Bud" (Freda) Hofferber of Florence, Ore., and Larry Hofferber of Prescott, Ariz.; two sisters, Peg (Eugene) Michel of Lexington and Sandra (Chuck) Gushue of Seal Beach, Calif., and two grandsons, Jason Smith of Wilmington, N.C. and Jarrod Smith of Chocowinity, N.C.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Blanche and Fred Hofferber of Lexington, and her husband, Jerry.
Ruth was born on March 26, 1925 on the Hofferber farm outside of Lexington. Ruth graduated from Lexington High School in 1942. She continued her education by attending Denver Business College. Ruth also spent time in New York City before returning to Lexington. She was united in marriage to Gerhard "Jerry" Klocke of Arapahoe on Oct. 20, 1946 at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington. After their marriage, Ruth and Jerry moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where they homesteaded five acres, built a house and raised their daughter, Angela. Before moving to New Bern, N.C., a year ago, Ruth had a home in Rio Rico, Ariz., where she cared for her parents for five years before their deaths.
- Date Posted: 2010-05-03
- Maiden Name: Snyder
Verna R. Allen, 86, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Monday, May 3, 2010, at her daughter's home in Lexington surrounded by her children. She was born February 1, 1924, at Lexington, Nebraska to Joseph and Alice (Gardner) Snyder. Verna was a graduate of Lexington High school with the class of 1942 and went on to further her education at Hastings College. Verna was united in marriage to Fred E. Allen on September 24, 1944, at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington. Four children were blessed to this marriage; Rick, Linda, Janet and Lori. The couple lived 4 miles north of the home place until Fred's father died and his mother moved to Cozad. Fred and Verna moved to the home place in 1951, where they lived until 2009, when failing health forced them to move to Park Avenue Estates in Lexington. Fred passed away on February 14, 2009.
Verna had so many interests throughout her life, most notably was her love of home and family and raising her children. She read her Bible daily and continued her prayers until she passed. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and being a member of a knitting club, bird watching, reading and music. She was the church organist for many, many years at Buffalo Grove and would share her talent by playing the organ at many funerals and weddings around the area.
She was baptized in the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington and transferred her membership to Buffalo Grove where she was a faithful member until her death. She was past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, Dawson Chapter #33, Guardian of Job's Daughters Bethel #44 and Grand Deputy. Verna was a member of the Mariner's Club, the Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church Women , Evening Circle and served as an Elder. She also served as a leader of the Farmer's Daughters 4-H club for many years.
Survivors include one son: Rick Allen of Lexington, Nebraska, Three daughters: Linda (Mike) Warner of Lexington, Nebraska; Janet (Joe) Olmstead of Lincoln, Nebraska and Lori (Dennis) Wallace of Lexington, Nebraska, Nine grandchildren: Amy (Adam) Cedarlind of Lincoln, Nebraska; Jennifer (Brian) Mikkelsen of Lincoln, Nebraska; Cassie (Derrick) Freshour of Villisca, Iowa; Joe (Rachelle) Warner of Minden, Nebraska; Kelli (Ben) Sander of Norfolk, Nebraska; Justin (Amanda) Olmstead of Belton, Missouri; Heather Olmstead and fiance' Brandon Panasiuk of Omaha, Nebraska; Josh (Georgette) Jordening of Gering, Nebraska and Katie (Mark) Cozad of Kearney, Nebraska. Five Step-grandchildren: Amber (Kirby) Novacek of Lincoln, Nebraska; Ashley (A.J.) Bowen of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sandy (Don) Wenburg of Dundee, Michigan; Roger (Tracie) Ballmer of Omaha, Nebraska; Marsha (John) Neill of Omaha, Nebraska. Nine great-grandchildren with one on the way; eight step-great-grandchildren and seven step-great-great-grandchildren with one on the way.
Verna was also preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Robert Snyder and three sisters, Florence Schmitt and twin infant sisters, Hilda & Josephine Snyder.
Funeral Services will be Monday, May 10, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church north of Lexington with Ethel Fox, C.L.P. officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be held Sunday, May 9, 2010, from 2-4 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to AsceraCare Hospice of Kearney, Nebraska or Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Expressions of Sympathy or Condolence may be shared with the family at: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
- Date Posted: 2011-09-09
- Maiden Name: Rowland
Helen Esther Rowland Johnson, formerly of Lexington, died Sept. 9, 2011, three days shy of her 87th birthday, in Fort Collins, Colo. There was a Celebration of Life held at Parkwood Estates in Fort Collins on Sept. 24, 2011. Cremation was completed.
Esther was born Sept. 12, 1924 in Davenport. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1942. She was employed by Union Pacific Railroad after completing telegrapher school and worked for the company for 27 years as a telegrapher, PBX operator and station agent in Colorado and Nebraska. In the 1950s, she was one of 11 women holding a telegrapher position.
Esther married fellow railroader Fred William Johnson on Sept. 18, 1954. He preceded her in death on Aug. 5, 1994. After her marriage, Esther lived in Grand Island, Arnold, Cozad, Hershey and North Platte. She moved to Fort Collins in 2008 to be close to her daughter and family.
Esther was a long time member of the Hershey United Methodist Church and past president of the United Methodist Women. After retirement, she and Fred loved to travel. For many years they enjoyed spending their winters at Casa Grande, Ariz., and made many friends there. Esther continued to winter there until 2008. She was a dyed in the wool Nebraska Cornhusker fan, though she favored watching volleyball over football. She was intensely proud of the Nebraska volleyball team. Her one regret on moving to Fort Collins was the lack of television coverage of the Lady Huskers.
She enjoyed playing Scrabble and cribbage, teaching her grandson, Alex, the finer points of the games, Alex felt a sense of accomplishment if he could beat Grandma at cribbage as she didn't give him any breaks. Given the choice of cribbage partners, Alex would choose his Grandma over his parents.
Esther is survived by her daughter, Cristi (Chris) MacWaters; a grandson, Alex MacWaters, all of Fort Collins, and a brother, Jay (Lona) Rowland of Elm Creek.
In addition to her husband, Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Hay Rowland and Anna Elsie (Rathsach) Rowland; a brother, Robert Rowland and a sister, Jean Darlene Ginsberg.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be direction to the charity of the donor's choice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collns, CO 80524.Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.
Bohlender Funeral Chapel in Fort Collins was entrusted with the arrangements.
- Date Posted: 2012-06-29
Kenneth A. Hodgson, 88, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Friday, June 29, 2012, at Lexington Regional Health Center.
Ken was born February 27, 1924, at Lexington, Nebraska to Oliver and Essie (McClamrock) Hodgson. He attended school in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1942. He was united in marriage to Gladys Clements on May 14, 1944, in Norton, Kansas. Two children were blessed to this marriage; Ronnie & Beth.
Ken spent over 50 years as a building contractor and owned and operated Hodgson Installation Company. Following his retirement he drove the Handi-Bus for 8 years, but continued his love of woodworking until his health forced him to stop.
He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served on many committees and held several board positions throughout the years. He is very proud of the wooden cross he constructed which still holds a special place at the front of the church.
Ken was a quiet, kind man who will be so very missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 70 years: Gladys of Lexington, NE, One son: Ronnie (Prime) Hodgson of Seattle, WA, One daughter: Beth Hodgson of Lexington, NE, One Foster daughter: Mila Adams of Council Bluffs, IA, Ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Don and one sister, LoRee Timmerman.
Funeral Services will be Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with Reverend Caroline Vickery and Reverend James Watson Co-Officiating.
Burial will be in the Robb Cemetery south of Lexington. Visitation will be held Monday, July 2, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please forward online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.
- Date Posted: 2014-07-22
Donald Eugene Hanson, 90, of Smithfield, died Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, July 25, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield with Father Thomas Lux officiating.
Interment followed the services in the Robb Cemetery in rural Gosper, Nebraska with Military Honors provided by the Elwood American Legion Post #290 in conjunction with the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard.
Visitation held at the St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield, Thursday, July 24, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Rosary was recited at 7:30 p.m. all at the church.
He was born June 13, 1924 on the family farm north of Smithfield in Gosper County, the second of three sons born to George William and Mary Ann (Fox) Hanson. Don received his primary education from a rural school near his family farm through the eighth grade and then graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1942.Following his education, he was inducted in the Army Air Corps on January 18, 1945 and served his country during WW II. Following his honorable discharge on December 4, 1946, Don returned home to the family farm and engaged in farming with his father and brother, Robert.
On October 14, 1948, Don was united in marriage to Phyllis May Olson at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Nebraska. The couple made their home on the family farm north of Smithfield, where they were blessed with seven children: Karren, Lois, Sharlyn, Mary Lee, Christine, Gordon, and Charles. Don continued his passion for farming until his retirement at the age of 70.
Don was a lifetime member of St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield, where he was active in many capacities including being a lector and was instrumental in the building plans of the new church following a lightning storm. He also served on the District #4 School Board, member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, the V.F.W., and he was also active with the Okinawa Survivors Association. Don loved to socialize with his friends over a cup of coffee and later in the afternoon with a beer. He also enjoyed long drives through the countryside with family as he would reminisce like a historian about what has changed in his lifetime. He was loved and will be remembered fondly by his grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends of the family. Their visits always left fond memories and a loving impression from the Hanson farm.
Besides his parents and his daughter, Lois; Don was preceded in death by his two brothers: Lawrence Hanson and his wife, Ruth and Robert Hanson and his wife, Mary.
He leaves to mourn his passing; his loving wife of 65 years, Phyllis of Smithfield; his six surviving children: Karren Jerry) Whitney of Hastings, Sharlyn Bogner and her husband, John Noyes of Kansas City, Mo., Mary Lee (Lyle) Whitney of Hastings, Christine Hanson of Smithfield, Gordon (Donna) Hanson of Elwood, and Chuck Hanson of Lincoln; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in Don'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.
