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Obituaries

Leola M. Wittenberger, 89

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Leola M. Wittenberger of Cozad passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at Meadowlark Pointe Assisted Living at the age of 89. Leola was born September 23, 1932 at Belvidere, Nebraska to Perl Charles and Elsie Lottie (Polage) Arnold. She graduated from Belvidere High School. She met Gerald "Jerry" Wittenberger on Good Friday outside of the Congregational Church in Belvidere and were married there on March 22, 1953. Their union was blessed with two children, Kimberly and Benjamin. Leola was baptised into the Belvidere Congregational Church on April 1, 1932. Her faith and involvement in the church was always important. She was a devoted Christian, especially through music.

Elwyn Dwight Carlson, 79

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Elwyn Dwight Carlson of Cozad passed away Monday, May 16th, 2022 at Gothenburg Memorial Hospital at the age of 79. Elwyn was born March 14, 1943 in Monrovia, California to Arvid and Ruth (Johnson) Carlson. His family moved to Gothenburg, NE in 1955. Elwyn graduated from Gothenburg High School with the class of 1961 and entered the U.S. Army shortly after in 1964. In 1966 he married Phyllis Olson and they moved to Petaluma, California immediately after their wedding. Elwyn graduated from the prestigious U.C. Berkley with a degree in soil engineering in May of 1972. Elwyn’s family is proud to share that he personally was involved in the inspection of the first footings at the Alaskan Pipeline and the expansion of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Elwyn and Phyllis were blessed with two children, Joel and Mark. In 1976 the family moved to Cozad, Nebraska where he continued working as a general contractor in construction. He was always a hard worker, and hobbies included working on the farm after working! Elwyn and Phillis have been blessed with four grandchildren, Henry and Nora Carlson of Omaha (Mark and Leanne Carlson) and Braylee and Hadley of Cozad (Joel and Kate Carlson). He is known for being Popo and Grampy to his grandkids and he excelled exceptionally well at this role.

Gary Koch, 68

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Gary Koch, 68, of Dorchester, Nebraska, died May 8, 2022 in Gothenburg, NE. He was born June 27, 1953 in Elwood, NE, son of Lorenz and Elsie Koch (Weber) along with three sisters and three brothers.Gary married Renie Currier where he adopted Don, and Heather. To this union Jessica and Jeremy were born.Growing up Gary attended the Lutheran Church. Gary enjoyed outdoor activities such as horses, bareback horse riding, fishing, racing, as well as music and writing. Gary worked and retired from Valmont Industries in McCook, NE. He also moved ahouses with G-Movers.Survivors include two daughters, Jessica (Kevin) Bodfield of Milligan, NE, Heather Shultz of North Platte, NE; two sons, Jeremy (Raine) Koch of Gothenburg, NE, Don (Lori) Koch of Tobias, NE; three sisters, Shirley Tafoya of Gothenburg, NE, Sandy Babcock of Mt Blanchard, OH, Patty (Howard) Brown of Sidney, NE; brother, Dale Koch of Findlay, OH; special friend Cheryl Muilenburg of Stockville; along with grandchildren Ashton, Anika, Terrel, Nicole, Gabriel, Wyat, Brigit, Paige, Sean, Morgan, and many nieces and nephews.Gary loved to fish, spend time with family, write short stories and of course watching Yellow-Stone. He loved working with horses and cattle and race in his younger years and loved to watch NascarGary was preceded in death by two brothers, Mark and Roger; parents Lorenz and Elsie Koch; brother in law Steve Babcock; and nephew Michael Babcock.Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Friday, May 13, 2022, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm with family present from 4:00 - 6:00 pm.Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, May 14, 2022 at 12:00 pm. Memorials may be sent to Blase-Strauser in memory of Gary to help with expenses.To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com

Richard G. Lindeman, 75

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Richard G. Lindeman of Cozad passed away Sunday, May 15, 2022 at Meadowlark Pointe Assisted Living at the age of 75. Rich was born November 19, 1946 at Lexington, Nebraska to Lewis and Evelyn (Bunde) Lindeman. He grew up in Cozad, Nebraska and graduated from Cozad High School with the class of 1965. He married Nancy Clark in April of 1967 at the Lexington Presbyterian Church. Rich was drafted into the U.S. Army in September of 1967 during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. Following his honorable discharge, Rich returned to his family in Cozad. He drove truck for Rainbow Bread and worked at F & S Sausage until it closed. He then went on to work for Kenny Gerdes Concrete and as custodian and bus driver for Cozad City Schools until his retirement. Rich enjoyed trapping and fishing with his children, horse races in Grand Island and trips to Deadwood, South Dakota to play the slot machines. His pride and joy was his family. He wanted to be together with them all the time. He loved when they all gathered at holidays and made sure Christmas was extra special. Rich was a man of few words, but when he did speak, you had better be listening because it was going to be funny and worth hearing. Rich was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Nancy; and son in law, Chris McCurdy. Survivors include his son, Steve (Lori) Lindeman of Bennet, NE; daughters, Jacque (Matt) Yocom of Cozad and Jennifer (Beau) Robertson of Cozad; grandchildren, Lukas and Lauren Lindeman, Jorja and Jax Yocom, Ally and Kelsey Shotkoski and Maisey and Mack Robertson; sister, Jolene (Don) Kemp of Cozad; and many other extended family and friends. Special thank you to his Central Plains Home Health and Hospice Team for their amazing care. Memorials are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome. com. Services will be Friday, May 20, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Berryman Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kathy Gundell officiating. Burial will follow at Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. with family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home.

Joseph “Joe” Hernandez, 87

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Joseph “Joe” Hernandez, 87, of Lexington passed away on Friday, May 6, 2022 at the Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington.

Lyle Kermit Barnes, Jr. , 75

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Lyle Kermit Barnes, Jr. age 75 of Broken Bow, NE passed away May 2, 2022, at the Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center in Broken Bow.

Nancy Lee Parmenter, 78

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Nancy Lee Parmenter, age 78, died Thursday, April 14, 2022 at Gothenburg Health.Nancy born December 22, 1943 to John and Pearl (Diehl-LaFountain) Brien in Havre, MT. Her parents divorced and Pearl married Rolland Shoop and the family moved to Spearfish, SD, then to Navada Gluch around the age of 5 years, then to Trojan where Nancy attended school. Later the family moved to the Gordon-Rushville, NE area where Nancy graduated High School. Nancy had her first daughter, Michele, in May of 1965. Nancy married James R. Parmenter on December 29. 1966. To the family of three they added a son, Slugger. The family moved to Gothenburg in 1970. They divorced in 1984.Nancy moved around in South Dakota and Nebraska, but always landed back in Gothenburg.Nancy later married Randy L. Brown on March 25, 2013 at Gothenburg, NE.Nancy was a fun loving and hard working person who enjoyed BINGO, slot machines, yard work, boat rides (but could not swim a stroke) and afternoon cruises just to see the sites. She loved playing cards, watching Wheel of Fortune and Days of Our Lives. The apples of her eyes were her grandchildren, but what made those apples sparkle was her great-granddaughter, that shared the same birthday, Miss Ariel Jo.Nancy had an in-home daycare for several years, worked at, managed and owned several eating establishments in the Gothenburg area. She truly loved being around people.Nancy is survived by her daughter, Michele Jo (Bradford) Lewis, Cambridge, NE; sisters, Ivy Avis and Cindy (Scott) Kelley, Rushville,NE; brother Bob (Tonie) Shoop, Gordon,NE; Grandchildren, Trevor Fleischer, Mesa, AZ, Torey (Dalton) Miller, McCook, NE, Ryann Lewis, Kearney, NE, Brady Lewis, Taylor (Jordan) Lewis, Cambridge, NE, Jericca Lewis (Johnathan Brougham), Wauneta, NE and Taron (Jenae), Hickman, NE. Great Granddaughters Ariel Morgan and Nellie Lewis, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Floyd and Dorothy Smith. Lots of cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, John, Pearl and Rolland; husband Randy L. Brown, ex-husband James R. Parmenter, sister and brother-in-law Carol and Elroy Wieting; brother and sister-inlaw Phillip and Bonnie; brothers, Larry and Rolland “Joe”; sons, Donald T. and Roger W. Shepard, James L. “Slugger” Parmenter; brother-in-law, Clarence Avis; brotherin-laws and sister-inlaws Marlyn and Gladys, Pete and Mary, Kenny Parmenter, Dan and Mary Jane Grosz, Tom and Phyllis Forgey, Junior and Joyce Schultz, niece, LaRee (Avis) Simants; nephews, Steve and Troy Schopen.Graveside services will be held Friday, April 22,2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gothenburg Cemetery with Doug Viter officiating.Memorials may be directed to the Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department.To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel & Monuments 620 10th Street 317 Center Ave Gothenburg, NE 69138 Curtis, NE 69025 (308)537-2313 (308) 367-4177 www.blasestrauser.com

Larry Patterson, 81

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Larry Patterson, 81, of San Diego passed away peacefully at his Point Loma home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Larry was born in Fremont, NE, on September 7, 1940, to Luther and Faye Patterson. He graduated from Cozad High School in Cozad, NE (when his father, Luther Patterson, was Superintendent) where he excelled both academically and in sports. As a freshman, Larry ran on the varsity state record-setting mile relay team. During his senior year, he was first team all- conference in basketball and set records in track (including running the halfmile in just under two minutes), helping to lead the Cozad Haymakers to the NE state track title. Larry received track and Regent’s scholarships to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Honors. Larry married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Hanna, in 1962 and they had two daughters, Lisa and Lyn, who both made him very proud. His second marriage to Nancy Dorman in 1978 included his move from Freeport, IL, to Los Angeles and then San Diego, CA. In 1993 Larry married Sandra “Sandi” Kaplan, and they enjoyed the rest of his years together. Larry was stepdad to Sandi’s two sons, Jeff and Josh Kaplan. Being grandpa to Lyn’s daughter Hanna and to Josh’s son Ethan and daughter Elena was a source of great joy for him. Larry served as a U.S. Army Officer during the Vietnam War in 1967 as an Artillery Forward Observer and Artillery Liaison Officer. He received two Air Medals and two Bronze Stars, one for his heroism during an intense overnight battle. Many of his fellow soldiers credit Larry with saving their lives that night.

Carol Neil, 83

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Carol Neil, 83, of Cozad, Nebraska, died Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Meridian Gardens in Columbus, Nebraska. No services will be held at this time. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or the donor’s choice. Carol Jean Neil was born on July 27, 1938, to Ernest and Naomi (Smith) Hartman in Cozad. On December 22, 1957, she was united in marriage to Paul Neil. Carol was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. Carol is survived by: Husband: Paul Neil Son: Mark (Julie) Neil Daughter: Terri Cully Son: Scott (Diedra) Neil Six Grandchildren Brother: Darrel Hartman Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com

Nancy Lee Parmenter,78

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Nancy Lee Parmenter, age 78, died Thursday, April 14, 2022 at Gothenburg Health. Nancy was born December 22, 1943 to John and Pearl (Diehl-LaFountain) Brien in Havre, MT. Her parents divorced and Pearl married Rolland Shoop and the family moved to Spearfish, SD, then to Navada Gluch around the age of 5 years, then to Trojan where Nancy attended school. Later the family moved to the Gordon-Rushville, NE area where Nancy graduated High School. Nancy had her first daughter, Michele, in May of 1965. Nancy married James R. Parmenter on December 29. 1966. To the family of three they added a son, Slugger. The family moved to Gothenburg in 1970. They divorced in 1984.Nancy moved around in South Dakota and Nebraska, but always landed back in Gothenburg.Nancy later married Randy L. Brown on March 25, 2013 at Gothenburg, NE.Nancy was a fun loving and hard working person who enjoyed BINGO, slot machines, yard work, boat rides (but could not swim a stroke) and afternoon cruises just to see the sites. She loved playing cards, watching Wheel of Fortune and Days of Our Lives. The apples of her eyes were her grandchildren, but what made those apples sparkle was her great-granddaughter, that shared the same birthday, Miss Ariel Jo.Nancy had an inhome daycare for several years, worked at, managed and owned several eating establishments in the Gothenburg area. She truly loved being around people.Nancy is survived by her daughter, Michele Jo (Bradford) Lewis, Cambridge, NE; sisters, Ivy Avis and Cindy (Scott) Kelley, Rushville,NE; brother Bob (Tonie) Shoop, Gordon,NE; Grandchildren, Trevor Fleischer, Mesa, AZ, Torey (Dalton) Miller, McCook, NE, Ryann Lewis, Kearney, NE, Brady Lewis, Taylor (Jordan) Lewis, Cambridge, NE, Jericca Lewis (Johnathan Brougham), Wauneta, NE and Taron (Jenae), Hickman, NE. Great Granddaughters Ariel Morgan and Nellie Lewis, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Floyd and Dorothy Smith. Lots of cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, John, Pearl and Rolland; husband Randy L. Brown, ex-husband James R. Parmenter, sister and brother-in-law Carol and Elroy Wieting; brother and sister-in-law Phillip and Bonnie; brothers, Larry and Rolland “Joe”; sons, Donald T. and Roger W. Shepard, James L. “Slugger” Parmenter; brother-in-law, Clarence Avis; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Marlyn and Gladys, Pete and Mary, Kenny Parmenter, Dan and Mary Jane Grosz, Tom and Phyllis Forgey, Junior and Joyce Schultz, niece, LaRee (Avis) Simants; nephews, Steve and Troy Schopen. Graveside services will be held Friday, April 22,2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gothenburg Cemetery with Doug Viter officiating.Memorials may be directed to the Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department.To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser. com.