February | 2017 | Kat Country Hub

Violet C. (Johnson) Robison, 95, of Pender

February 28, 2017 Leave a comment

Violet C. (Johnson) Robison, 95, passed away on February 26, 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2017 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender; with Pastor Beverly Rautenberg-Panko officiating. Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Pender. Burial will be in the Rosehill Cemetery in Pender. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church or the Pender Public Library. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

Vi was born on September 2, 192l at home on a farm near Pender, Nebraska to William and Frances (Brandt) Weddingfeld. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and later became a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran church.

She graduated from Pender High School. She earned a teaching degree at Wayne State College and began teaching near Walthill, Nebraska. During World War II, she worked at a defense plant in Omaha making crystals for walkie-talkie radios. Vi married Harry Johnson, Jr. on February 2, 1946.

Vi returned to teaching in the 1960s. She taught in several rural districts in the surrounding Pender area. She was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church where she enjoyed quilting and bible study with her Circle group. She was an active member of ESA for many years. Vi loved to dance and loved to tell the story that her first husband Johns learned to dance so he could date her. Vi loved to read and travel abroad. Her other love was gardening. Planting and weeding in her garden until she was 91 years old kept her young and active.
Vi is survived by her daughters, Melodye (Dale) Olson of Omaha, NE, Meridee (Alan) Richards of Chicago, IL, Marvalee (Art) Nakata of Thornton, CO; five grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; Cory (Catherine) Olson and their daughters, Sophia and Samantha; Ryan (Liza) Olson; Bret Olson and his daughters, Mackenzie and Josie; Kate (Mike) Wheeler and their daughters, Rose and Keira; Zachary Richards and his son Scott; and her only surviving sibling William Weddingfeld, Jr.
Preceding Vi in death were her parents; her first husband Harry Johnson, Jr. and her second husband Harry Robison; brothers, Wilbur and Merlyn Weddingfeld; sisters, Madeline Barker, Myra Watson, Betty Bressler, Genene Busch; an infant brother; grandson Bret Olson’s wife Sarah.

Filed under Obituaries Tagged with Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Violet Robison

John Edward Snyder, 63, of Rosalie NE

February 28, 2017 Leave a comment

John Edward Snyder, 63, of Rosalie, Nebraska died Sunday, February 26, 2017 in Omaha, NE. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Winnebago, NE; Father Mark Beran will be celebrating mass. Memorial visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Pender, NE. Burial will be at the cemetery in Walthill NE, with a dinner directly following in Rosalie NE at the town hall. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

John was born on March 31, 1953 to John and Lois (Ross) Snyder in Decatur, NE. John attended St. Augustine’s Indian Mission School from kindergarten through 8^th grade and graduated from Winnebago High School in 1972. John then attended a trade school in Omaha, NE to become a mechanic. He married Robin Woten in 1974, to this union, three children were born.

During John’s life he was a mechanic, drove school bus for Winnebago Schools, worked for Thurston County Roads Department and HCI. He spent many years of his life playing slowpitch softball, hosting many fish fry fund raisers and always involved in his community. In 1998, John and Robin opened Snyder’s Pub in Rosalie. Snyder’s Pub is a place where friends and family meet to enjoy watching Husker games. John was an avid Husker Sports, Duke Basketball, Bears Football and Yankee Baseball fan. He also enjoyed collecting things and going to flea markets all over the country including an annual trip to Rutledge, MO. John was kind hearted and would give the shirt off his back to anyone and spent his life helping others. John was known to many as “Papa” John, Brother, and “Daga”. The greatest love of his life was his family especially his children, grandchildren, friends, and extended family.

John is survived by his wife, Robin; sons, Chris (fiance Christine Cook) Snyder, Justin (Megan) Snyder; daughter, Brittnie (Sam) Dick; grandchildren, Christopher, Jr., Michael, Darwin, Isaiah, Colleen, JuRay, Brooklyn, Tavian, Kenyan, Kailynn, Jordan, Braylon, Donovan, Jaya, Samryn, Saigen, Corey, and Tobyn. He is also survived by a nephew, Darwin (Susan) Snyder and their children; Jason, Teisha and Keisha; and a niece, Jan (Monty) Hawk.

John was proceeded in death by his parents, John and Lois; brothers, Wendal “Butch”, Joseph, Lawarence “Punch”; sister, Mary Lou Neill; father-in-law, Richard Woten; brother-in-law, Richard Woten, Jr., brother-in-law Arlin E. Neill

John Snyder

Filed under Obituaries Tagged with Duke Basketball, John Snyder, Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home

News From Bancroft Senior Center

February 28, 2017 Leave a comment

Bancroft Senior Center News by Connie Bargmann

*If you are 60+ and need information on programs designed to help keep you stay in your home longer or if you need legal help, contact Connie at 402-648-3387 or in the evening at 402-648-7648. There are no membership fees or attendance requirements and new faces are always welcome.

* We have the following medical equipment to loan out on an as need basis, wheel chair, bath seats, toilet seat riser and portable toilet chair, crutches or walkers. Call 402-648-3387 during office hours.

Meals on Wheels

*Would you like to get Meals on Wheels? Anyone over the age of 60 years and lives within the city limits are eligible for these meals. You may sign up anytime for the Meals on Wheels program; you can get the meals delivered however many times you want them each week. You must call 402-687-2332 before 8:30 a.m. if you want a meal that day. The suggested donation for the meals is $4.00.

Weekly Activities:

Wed. March 1: No chime practice today. Coffee time at 10:00 a.m. Come and play any type of cards or board games at 1:30 p.m.

Thurs. March 2: Tai Chi Class at 9:30 a.m. We serve rolls/coffee from 9 – 11 a.m. Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Fri. March 3: Join us for coffee at 9:00 a.m. There will be a Hand & Foot tournament at 1:45 p.m.

Sat. March 4: The music jam will be this evening at 7:00 p.m. Come and listen to the music and visit with friends.

Mon. March 6: Join us for coffee. Bring a covered dish and join us for potluck dinner. Cards will be played after the meal.

Tues. March 7: Tai Chi class at 9:30 a.m. Coffee time at 10:00 a.m. Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Wed. March 8: Chime practice at 9:00 a.m. Coffee time is at 10:00 a.m. Fitness Chair Ex. at 1:00 p.m. Skip-Bo card game at 1:45 p.m.

Filed under Community Tagged with Bancroft Senior Center, music jam, pitch tournament

Nebraska to Celebrate 150 Years of Statehood Tomorrow!

February 28, 2017 Leave a comment

This week, Nebraska will celebrate 150 years of statehood on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 with a series of events at the Nebraska State Capitol and the Nebraska History Museum. All events are free and open to the public.

“This week, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the work of generations of Nebraskans in every community across our state,” said Governor Pete Ricketts. “Their persistence and hard work are what have made Nebraska the Good Life for 150 years. My wife Susanne, along with a group of other dedicated Nebraskans, have been working hard planning events and initiatives to help the entire state celebrate the sesquicentennial birthday throughout the year. I urge Nebraskans to check out the celebration plans by visiting www.ne150.org and to join the celebration this week!”

“As we celebrate this historic occasion, it’s only appropriate that we take a few moments to reflect on the accomplishments of the brave, innovative explorers who came before us,” said First Lady Susanne Shore. “In 150 years, we have gone from sod houses to skyscrapers, from pioneers to groundbreaking innovation and from feeding a few to feeding the world. We have so much of which we can be proud. I hope all Nebraskans will join the Governor and me in this yearlong celebration and commemoration of our heritage.”

Below is a schedule of events for March 1. Times are approximate. Seating at the State Capitol is open and limited. Early arrival is recommended. Overflow seating will be available in the Rotunda and Warner Chamber for the Official Ceremony at 2:00pm, which will be live streamed on NET2 and at netnebraska.org.

9:30-10:15 a.m.

Event: U. S. Postal Service Nebraska Statehood Forever® Stamp First-Day-of-Issue Dedication Ceremony

Location: Nebraska State Capitol (Rotunda – Second Floor), 1445 K Street, Lincoln

Participants include Governor Pete Ricketts, First Lady Susanne Shore, Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission Chairperson Dr. Sara Crook, Vice President of Information Technology for the U.S. Postal Service Jeffrey Johnson, Photographer Michael Forsberg. Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view streaming video of the event at facebook.com/USPS.

10:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.

Event: Actor Portrayals of Willa Cather, Chief Standing Bear & William “Buffalo Bill” Cody & Special Musical Performances by Nebraska Students

Location: Nebraska State Capitol (Rotunda – Second Floor), 1445 K Street, Lincoln

[if !supportLists]· [endif]10:30 a.m. – Willa Cather portrayal by Betty Jean Steinshouer

[if !supportLists]· [endif]11:10 a.m. – Performance by Lincoln’s Scott Middle School Select Choir, Directed by Paul Eschliman

[if !supportLists]· [endif]11:25 a.m. – Chief Standing Bear portrayal by Taylor Keen

[if !supportLists]· [endif]12:05 p.m. – Performance by the Waverly High School Singers, Directed by Rachel Kornfield

[if !supportLists]· [endif]12:20 p.m. – Buffalo Bill Cody portrayal by Terry Lane

[if !supportLists]· [endif]1:00 p.m. – Performance by the Millard North High School Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Directed by Debbie Martinez

1:15 p.m.

Event: Delivery of the Original Statehood Proclamation to Governor Pete Ricketts by the National Pony Express Association – Nebraska Division

Location: Nebraska State Capitol (West Side – Lincoln Statue), 1445 K Street, Lincoln

2:00pm-3:00pm

Event: Official Statehood Day Ceremony

Location: Nebraska State Capitol (George W. Norris Legislative Chamber), 1445 K Street, Lincoln

The ceremony will feature former “The Voice” finalist and Grand Island native Hannah Huston singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America The Beautiful.” Governor Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Heavican, Secretary of State John Gale, and Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer are scheduled to speak. Additionally, Lincoln’s Everett Elementary Chorus, comprised of 18 third through fifth grade students, will lead a statewide sing-along of “Happy Birthday Nebraska” at approximately 2:20 p.m. under the direction of Nebraska Music Teacher of the Year Sue Springer.

6:00pm-8:00pm

Event: “Legacy of Nebraska” Exhibit Grand Opening

Location: Nebraska History Museum ~ 131 Centennial Mall North

A breathtaking exhibit of original oil paintings featuring significant historic locations and aesthetic scenes relevant to each of Nebraska’s 93 counties, illustrating the state’s 150-year history. The exhibit is the culmination of a multi-year project by award-winning artist Todd Williams, a Central City native, whose work as been featured in some of the most renowned galleries in the United States.

Additional information about the Nebraska150 Celebration is available at www.ne150.org on Facebook at facebook.com/nebraska150 and Twitter @ne150.

Filed under News Tagged with 150 years of statehood, Governor Pete Ricketts, Nebraska State Capitol, U.S. Postal Service

Letter to the Editor

February 25, 2017 Leave a comment

Nebraska has a bright future in renewable energy

By Lu Nelsen, lucasn@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

Dear Editor,

Nebraska has a bright future in renewable energy. This cheap and clean energy can serve as a new driver for our local rural economies. When it comes to wind energy potential, Nebraska is fourth in the U.S. – in fact, the state could produce enough energy from wind to meet our needs 118 times over, or enough to power 511,000 average homes.

Despite this great potential, Nebraska continues to lag behind neighboring states in developing our wind energy resources. We are currently ranked 20th for installed wind energy. While Nebraskans work to catch up, local officials and developers should work to identify and address concerns that surround new projects and form standards that will work best for their communities. This local control over zoning has proven to work for many kinds of development, and maintaining it is the best way to ensure communities have a say.

But new legislation in the Nebraska Unicameral would strip some communities of their local control over wind energy. LB 504 would place a two-year moratorium on wind development in the entire Sandhills region, removing the ability of landowners and communities to responsibly develop wind in a large part of our state.

Communities stand to gain a lot from the development of wind energy: development provides new sources of income for landowners through land-lease payments; new temporary and permanent jobs are created to construct or service projects; and wind development adds new tax revenue to small towns and counties. However, to capture these benefits, developers and local officials need to work with community members to determine the best way to build projects to fit local needs.

By working together, Nebraskans can find a way to work toward reaching our renewable energy potential and realize the benefits that renewables like wind can bring to small towns and rural communities across the state.

Sincerely,

Lu Nelsen, Center for Rural Affairs

Filed under Letter to the Editor Tagged with Letter to the editor, renewable energy, Wind energy

Visitation for Robert Watson Rescheduled

February 25, 2017 Leave a comment

MUNDERLOH-SMITH FUNERAL HOME – PENDER,NE

Event Rescheduled Saturday – Visitation for Robert D. Watson has been rescheduled to Saturday at 12:30pm at the church.

Filed under Obituaries Tagged with event rescheduled, Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home, Robert Watson

Winter Weather Advisory

February 24, 2017 Leave a comment

Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 6 PM CST this
evening... 
... Winter Storm Warning is cancelled... 

The National Weather Service in Omaha/valley has issued a Winter
Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow, which is in effect 
until 6 PM CST this evening. The Winter Storm Warning has been 
cancelled. 

* Timing... light snow will continue to taper off this afternoon.

* Snow accumulations... additional snow accumulations this
  afternoon will be mainly less than two inches.

* Impact... reduced visibilities due to blowing snow will make
  travel difficult. 

Precautionary/preparedness actions... 

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow means that
periods of snow with blowing snow will cause primarily travel
difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited
visibilities, and use extra caution while driving.

Filed under News Tagged with blowing snow, reduced visibilities, Winter Weather Advisory