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.
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