OBITUARIES

Dec 6, 2024

Wilma Eileen Sternhagen Eaton, age 88, died peacefully at her home surround by family on December 6, 2024. She was born on October 7, 1936, the daughter of Elmer and Jennie Sternhagen, in Crawford, NE at the home of her grandparents.

She married Gordon “Skip” Eaton on March 18, 1956 at the United Methodist Church in Chadron. They had one son...

Dec 5, 2024

Funeral services for Harold L Andrews who died at his rural Sioux County, Nebraska home December 5, 2024, it will be held December 12 at the Methodist Church in Harrison, NE. John Dinsley will conduct the services.

Born at his family’s rural Weld County, Colorado home, April 25, 1934, Harold was the son of Jacob and Lottie Andrews, (the family name,...

Dec 5, 2024

On April 24, 1943, Louie and Priscilla Matthesen and daughter, Virginia were blessed with baby Larry Dean Matthesen. He was later joined by his brother, Craig Reid Matthesen. From elementary school to obtaining a Masters degree, Larry attended school in Chadron, Nebraska. Larry served as his class president from seventh to tenth grade. He also earned his Eagle Scout honor...

Nov 27, 2024

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Toby Thomas Phillips on November 27th at 27 years of age. Born on July 10, 1997, Toby was a rambunctious child who grew up loving fast cars and street bikes. He lived a free-spirited and fast-paced life and continued to do so until his final day. Toby adored his...

Nov 25, 2024

Wallace (Wally) Lavern Goff was born September 27, 1934 in Chadron, NE to Waldo and Irene Goff.

 Wally grow up in Western Nebraska with distinct memories of helping his parents work Chadron State Park where they lived for a few years. In his early teens, his father passed away, making Wally the “man of the family.” He fulfilled this responsibility faithfully...

Nov 22, 2024

Marguerite Ellen Widtfeldt

December 6, 1936 - November 22, 2024

Marguerite began her next journey in search of old friends and family members who had passed before her, stating recently that she would reunite with her second daughter, Susan, soon. While holding her hand and talking to Susan’s oldest daughter, Marguerite took her last breath Friday morning in Stanton where she has...

Nov 21, 2024

John Schultz Jr passed away on November 21, 2024 at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs. He was born March 29, 1933 in York Nebraska, the son of John Schultz Sr and Dollie (Marsden) Schultz.

John graduated from Gresham High School, the class of 1950. Following graduation, he worked at the Hasting Navel Ammunition Depot and began farming for his father in...

Nov 18, 2024

William "Bill" Wigington Jr.

 Bill Wigington of Chadron, Nebraska passed away November 18, 2024.

 Bill was born July 28th, 1936, in Huron, South Dakota to William and Elva Wigington. He was raised in Huron and attended high school there, while there he met his future bride, Rita Justus. 

 Immediately after graduating high school in 1955 Bill joined the US Air Force where, after...

Nov 16, 2024

Nov 13, 2024

Chadron – Larry D. Redfern, 89, passed away November 13, 2024 after a short bout with pneumonia. He was born February 3, 1935 in Hay Springs, NE, the son of Carl H and Grace M (Snook) Redfern. His family lived just outside of Hay Springs on a farm a few miles from where his future wife Marilyn’s family lived. The...

Nov 12, 2024

Nguyet M. (Moon) Stivers (nee Nguyen) was born in Sóc Trăng, French Indochina (South Vietnam) on February 25, 1936. Moon grew up in Saigon, where she received Catholic schooling from primary through post-graduate school. She earned a law degree and was a practicing attorney in the 1960's.

Moon was married to Willard “Bill” Stivers until his death in 1980. Bill was...

Nov 12, 2024

LaVerna Rae Keller Paul passed away November 12, 2024, in Kearney, NE. She was born February 19, 1951, in Mullen, NE to Ray and Callona Keller. She was the third of 4 children and was raised on the family ranch northeast of Mullen. She attended country schools in Cherry County through 5th grade. In September 1962 the family moved to...

Nov 12, 2024

A celebration of the life of Cleone Ann Hoyda will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Christ Community Church in Crawford with Pastor Steve Mallery officiating. Burial will be at the Crawford Cemetery. 

Cleone was born October 24, 1935, in Hay Springs, Nebraska, to her parents, George and Oleta (Waldron) Hoyda. She went home to be...

Nov 10, 2024

Carol Ann Koehn (nee Butcher) was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 13, 1936, as the first child of William and Anna Butcher (nee Koletty). Carol grew up in Queens, New York. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and a master’s degree from Columbia University. She worked for Time magazine in the 1960s as a researcher.

Carol was...

Nov 9, 2024

Rhiannon Rae Martin More commonly known as “Rhi” Passed away, November 9th 2024 at her home in Rushville Nebraska. She was born October 2nd, 1982 In Chadron Nebraska, Father Michael Martin and Mother Fern Martin(Mesteth) Rhi spent most of her school years in Chadron then finishing high school in Crawford. She was married in 2004 to Dustin bagneschi and they...

Nov 7, 2024

John Landreth was born April 22, 1968, to Vern and Velma Earline (Post) Landreth in Rushville, Nebraska. He died November 7, 2024, after a long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 56.

John grew up in the country with his parents and two siblings, Donald and Janet. His love for animals and farming started at an early age....

Nov 6, 2024

On November 6, 2024, Joseph Patrick Messinio, passed away at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center after battling cancer for fifteen years. Joe was a man with a servant's heart. Never letting anything stop him from being there for those who needed help, Joe was always there to lend a hand regardless if you were a friend or a stranger....

Nov 6, 2024

Eleanor Elaine (Burleigh) Strasburger was born on March 16, 1929, to Louis and Gertrude Burleigh in Gordon, Nebraska, and passed away peacefully at the Gordon Countryside Care Nursing Home on November 6, 2024, at the age of 95.

Growing up on the family farm southwest of Gordon, she shared many happy memories with her siblings. She attended grade school at Meadow...

Nov 4, 2024

Susan Lee (Moore) Vastine, 81, a longtime resident of Dawes County, passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on November 4th, 2024.

Susan was the oldest of four children born to Gordon and Frances Moore in Crawford, Nebraska. After graduating from Crawford High at the age of 17, she enrolled in Santa Ana Junior College in California, living there...

Nov 1, 2024

 Wayne Eric Van Natter aged 75 years, 7 months, and 26 days passed away peacefully at 6:50 P.M at the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home of Hay Springs, NE with his devoted sister Ruthie by his side. He was welcomed into the loving embrace of Jesus who His Lord and Savior.

 Wayne was born on April 6, 1949 at the Chadron Community...