Obituaries

Jan 12, 2025

James Crabb passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025, in Imperial, Nebraska. James was born on August 20, 1931, in Sutherland, Nebraska, to Joseph and Mary (Kennedy) Crabb. 

James enjoyed a varied career that included general labor and popcorn processing, but he was also proud of his service in the United States Army after graduating high school, serving his country until...

Jan 10, 2025

Margie Norman was born on Nov. 22, 1934 in Nebraska, to Mary and Jess Phillips. She attended grade school through eighth grade, then started working as kids did in the forties. At one point, a young man walked into the movie theater during one of Margie’s shifts – and as her story goes, she took one look at him and...

Jan 9, 2025

Jane Reynolds (McKibbin) Wilkinson passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 9, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 86. Born on September 27, 1938, in Imperial, Nebraska, to George and Thelma (Schmitt) Reynolds, Jane led a blessed and full life, marked by love for her family, service to others, and a passion for music, travel, and community...

Jan 9, 2025

Jan 5, 2025

Sheila Kay (Nordhausen) Pfeiffer was born August 20,1954 in Imperial, Nebraska to Vernon and Ramona (Kerchal) Nordhausen. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in rural southwest Nebraska. She grew up on the South Divide of Wauneta, Nebraska, attending Wauneta Public Schools and graduating in 1972. 

Around the ripe age of about two and a half years old,...

Jan 2, 2025

Cynthia Anne (Madron) Sandman of Wauneta departed this Earth for her heavenly body on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the Chase County Hospital in Imperial. She was 71 years old.

Cynthia was born on September 9, 1953, in McCook, Nebraska, to DeWitt Clinton (Clint) and Ruth (Huet) Madron, she was the youngest of six children. Cynthia “Cindy” married Kirk Sandman on...

Dec 21, 2024

Kathleen Ham passed away on December 21, 2024, at the age of 94 in Benkelman, Nebraska. Born on July 20, 1930, in Indianola, Nebraska, to Ferdinand and Rose (Schutte) Ostdiek. She married Paul Ham in Benkelman to which she had six children. Kathleen embodied a vibrant spirit that touched all who knew her.

Throughout her life, Kathleen exemplified the values of...

Dec 19, 2024

Raymond Greeley passed away peacefully on December 19, 2024, at the Imperial Manor in Imperial, Nebraska, at the age of 91. Raymond was born on January 12, 1933, in Hayes County, Nebraska, to Gordon and Ethel (Madison) Greeley.

Raymond lived a life richly interwoven with love for his family and dedication to his work in ranching and farming. A hardworking individual,...

Dec 17, 2024

Jeffrey Robert Andrews was born on May 8, 1981 in Dodge City, KS to Kenneth and Donna Andrews (Carroll). Jeff, as he was affectionally known by many, grew up in the St. Francis and Goodland Kansas areas until later moving to Imperial NE.

A handyman, Jeff spent his time helping friends and mainly fix cars, do odd jobs around the house...

Dec 14, 2024

Delbert Colby was the youngest son of David Dow (D.D) Colby and Lela Hayward Colby and was born on October 5, 1942. Delbert was born in the corner bedroom of the home located on the family farm South of Palisade, Nebraska.

Delbert started his career in farming at the age of 12 when his dad showed him how to run the...

Dec 7, 2024

Susan Jean Eskew (Browning), was born in Imperial, NE on April 17, 1955, to Jack and Donna (Case) Browning. After a short battle with lung cancer, she passed away peacefully on December 7, 2024, at the age of 69. 

Sue graduated high school in 1973. Sue met the love of her life, Bob Eskew, on a blind date which magically happened...

Dec 4, 2024

At approximately 1:00 A.M. on the morning of December 4, 2024 after nearly 98 years on earth, Edward Vapenik left his mortal body and the pain that accompanied it and went home. Home to meet his Lord and Savior, Home to be reconnected with his Father who raised him and his mother who passed when he was only 4 years...

Dec 1, 2024

Bethene Marie (Lunbery) Lines, age 91 of Imperial, went to her heavenly home on December 1, 2024 at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Nebraska with her three children by her side.

Bethene was born on December 9, 1932, to her parents, Melvin and Anna Lunbery, on their farmstead near Trenton, Nebraska. Bethene was the youngest of the family, having an...

Nov 30, 2024

Jeanie Oakley, age 86 (born Wilma Jean Downey) of Englewood, CO passed away November 30, 2024 in Littleton, CO after a long illness. She was born April 25, 1938 in Wray, CO to Jack & Sophie Downey as the youngest of 10 siblings, with 3 sisters and 6 brothers.

Jeanie grew up in Wray, and spent her teen years in the...

Nov 29, 2024

Jack Verle Wilson, passed away on November 29, 2024 in Imperial, Nebraska, at the age of 95 Jack was Born on September 8, 1929, in Benkelman, Nebraska the 2nd youngest of thirteen children, to Leo Orrin and Ethyl Belle (Smith) Wilson. Jack grew up in Benkelman attending school and graduated in 1949. 

Upon graduating, Jack married his high school sweetheart Ina...

Nov 23, 2024

Gerald Max McGarr, 85 passed away Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Eternal Springs in Gilbert, AZ. 

Max was born November 29, 1938. He was the son of Roy Odell McGarr and Stella May McRary McGarr. 

Max was a graduate of Statesville High School class of 1957. Max attended the university of Kentucky Bowling Green. Max worked for IBM Corporative. Max joined Lockheed...

Nov 22, 2024

Melinda (Mindy) Ann Einspahr resident of Benkelman NE. passed away Friday, November 22, 2024 at the Dundy County Hospital. Melinda was 72 yrs old. 

Melinda was born October 24, 1952 to Harold E and Carolyn F. (Cogdill) Rosenfelt at Fort Carson, CO. She graduated from John Jay High School, San Antonio, TX in 1970. She married Larry Einspahr on June 4,...

Nov 20, 2024

Rolland L. Fortkamp left this world to join his Savior on November 20, 2024 at McCook Community Hospital after a brief illness.

Rolland was born on June 15, 1930 on the family farm on the south divide of Wauneta, Nebraska to John and Anna (Frerichs) Fortkamp. He grew up on the family farm with his brother, Donald. He was married to...

Nov 16, 2024

David Robert Wareham, passed away on November 16, 2024 in Imperial, Nebraska, at the age of 94. David was Born on April 12, 1930, in Cozad, Nebraska to Samuel and Carrie (Boyd) Wareham. Dave grew up in Cozad attending school and graduated from Cozad High School class of 1948. After graduation, David attended college in Kearney. 

In 1949, David met his...

Oct 9, 2024

Kaye La Vonne Kamla was born on October 26, 1937 in Haigler, Nebraska to Melford and Ruth (Austin) Andres and departed this life peacefully on October 9, 2024 at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska.

Kaye’s youth was spent in Haigler where she attended school and later graduated from Haigler High School class of 1955. After graduating High School Kaye...