Alma Wiltse, 98 of Lyons

Alma Wiltse

Alma Wiltse, a descendant of early settlers of the Oakland-Lyons area, was born on November 3, 1915 to Emil and Elizabeth (Schneider) Schlichting on the family farm northeast of Oakland, Nebraska.  She passed away Thursday, November 7, 2013, at Oakland Heights, in Oakland, at the age of 98 years.

She was baptized, December 5, 1915 by Pastor Kuehnert, and confirmed, July 21, 1929 by Pastor Lambrecht, at St. John’s Lutheran Church of rural Lyons.  She attended district 52 School, St. John’s Parochial School and graduated from Oakland High School in 1933.

On August 7, 1938, she married Clare L. Wiltse, the youngest son of Ernest and Ida Mae (Rowan) Wiltse at St. John’s Lutheran Church.  The couple farmed east of Lyons until 1978, when they moved to their home in Lyons.

Alma has been a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church; and participated in it’s Ladies Aid, Thursday morning Bible study, and LWML. She was also a member of the Better Homes Club, a home extension club, for over 50 years, and had been a member of the Lyons art club. She and her husband loved playing cards with their friends and family.  She also enjoyed making quilts and crocheting afghans, working in her garden, and baking.

Alma was preceded in death by her husband, Clare; her parents, Emil and Elizabeth Schlichting; brothers, Ernest Schlichting, Guido Schlichting, Rudolph Schlichting, and Walter Schlichting; sisters, Clara Nelson, Irene Nelson, and Ruth Gunkel; son-in-law, Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Krajewski.

She is survived by her three children, Nancy Krajewski O’Connor and her husband Martin of Stevensville, MD; Patricia Bruenger and her husband Pastor Alvin of Oakley, KS; and Clare Wiltse II and his wife Janet of Lyons; 9 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and her brother, Arthur Schlichting of Craig, NE.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, November 15, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church rural Lyons, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Thursday, November 14, 2013, with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Lyons. Visitation Friday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery

MEMORIALS: To the family

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

William “Bud” Marr, 87, of Lyons, formerly of Decatur

William “Bud” Marr.

William “Bud” Marr was born to Erwin and Nellie (Lytle) Marr, January 4, 1926 in Tekamah Nebraska. Bud passed away November 5, 2013 at Logan Valley Manor Nursing Home in Lyons, Nebraska.

He married Evelyn Tranmer and had one son, Ivan E. Marr. He divorced and married Ida Jane (Blankenbeckler) on January 13, 1954 in Dakota City, Nebraska. After brief stays in Los Angeles, California, Eugene, Oregon and Omaha Nebraska they made their home in Decatur.

Bud loved to hunt, fish, play cards and tell stories to anyone who would listen. He worked as a carpenter, bartender, truck driver, for the town of Decatur, and on the Bridge.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jay and Kay, sisters Ramona and Lucille, wife Ida Jane, and stepson John Small.

Survivors include one son, Ivan Marr of Decatur Ne, 1 stepson and 2 daughter-in-laws Dan & Konnie Small of Decatur Ne, June Small of Sioux City Ia, Grandchildren: Shawn Marr of Omaha Ne,  Danny & Melissa Small of Floresville, Tx, Tina & Shannon Kellogg of Decatur Ne, Amy & Chris Lee of McAllen Tx, Damon Schmidt of Onawa Ia, Jolene Reynolds of Floresville Tx, Krystal & Daymon Raue of Decatur Ne, Nicole Small Kampa of Decatur Ne, Jason Troutman of Decatur Ne, Karen & Ken Welch of Sioux City Ia, John & Kathy Retland of Onawa Ia, 20 Great Grand Children, and many, many friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, November 9, 2013, 10:00 am from the Decatur City Hall.

VISITATION: Saturday 9-10 am at the Decatur City Hall

BURIAL: Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur

MEMORIALS: To the family

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

William “Bud” Marr, 87 of Lyons, NE formerly of Decatur, NE

William “Bud” Marr, 87 years, of Lyons, NE, formerly of Decatur, NE, passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at the Logan Valley Manor, in Lyons.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, November 9, 2013, 10:00 am from the Decatur City Hall.

VISITATION: Saturday 9-10 am at the Decatur City Hall

BURIAL: Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur

MEMORIALS: To the family

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

William “Bud” Marr

William “Bud” Marr, 87 of Lyons, formerly of Decatur, NE

William “Bud” Marr, 87 years, of Lyons, NE, formerly of Decatur, NE, passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at the Logan Valley Manor, in Lyons.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Services are pending with Pelan Funeral Services

Dolores I. Colson, 91 of Oakland, NE

Dolores I. Colson, age 91, a long-time Oakland resident, passed away at the Oakland Heights Nursing Home on November 4, 2013. Memorial services will be held Thursday, November 7, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland with Rev. Mark Eldal officiating. Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery. Memorial Gathering will be on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, with the family receiving friends from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Oakland. Memorials may be directed towards the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oakland Public Library and the Cardiac Department at the Oakland Mercy Hospital. Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland are in charge of arrangements.

Dolores was born at Bancroft, Nebraska, on March 4, 1922, the daughter of Gottlieb and Leona (Krueger) Buchholz. She was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Bancroft on April 9, 1922, and confirmed there on May 31, 1936. Dolores graduated from Bancroft High School in 1940. After graduation, Dolores lived in Omaha and worked as a private maid and a hospital kitchen supervisor. By 1944, she was working in Oakland at a grocery store.

On September 8, 1946, Dolores married Eugene E. Colson at First Lutheran Church in Oakland, Nebraska, and began married life on the Colson farm north of Oakland. During their 35 years on the farm Dolores and Gene raised three children. Dolores also worked for many years in Oakland at Al Backstrom’s grocery and at Al’s Super Saver. As a result, during those years she became well-known to many in the Oakland community. Dolores and Gene moved into Oakland in 1981.

Dolores was an active and faithful member of First Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday School and Bible School, participated in LCW and Dorcas, and volunteered for many other activities over the years and especially enjoyed helping assemble the monthly Spire newsletter. Dolores loved her church family, was a daily Bible reader, and lived out a Christian life.

Dolores was a member of the Oakland Hospital Auxiliary and served as the historian for several years. She was a long-time member of “The Busy Twelve” club and helped her children in 4-H Club activities. Dolores was an avid reader and loved to go to the Oakland Library where she participated in a book club.

Dolores was a loyal fan of Creighton Blue Jay basketball and at age 89 attended her first Blue Jay game at the Century Link Center in Omaha, an event that she described as “awesome”! She was a devoted fan of Nebraska women’s volleyball and enjoyed watching their games on TV. Dolores also attended sports activities of her son and grandchildren and attended many Oakland-Craig High School sports activities. She enjoyed fishing with her husband and upon her retirement learned to play golf.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 58 years, Eugene, and a daughter, Cynthia.

She is survived by a brother, Gordon, of Columbus, NE; a daughter, Pam Kieckhafer and husband Marv of Council Bluffs, IA; son Tim Colson and wife Donna of West Point, NE; son-in-law Burdette Greeny II of Port Angeles, WA; four grandchildren: Chad Colson and wife Wendy of Palmyra, NE; James Colson of West Point NE; Burdette Greeny lll and wife Jennifer of Pullman, WA; Karena Owen and husband, Dustin, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; granddaughter-in-law, Erica Paus of West Point, NE.; seven great-grandchildren: Makena Colson, Kaiah Colson, Cooper Colson, Lauren Greeny.

Kelly Dale French, 74 of Lyons

KELLY DALE FRENCH, 74 years, of Lyons, Nebraska passed away Friday, November 1, 2013, at his home in Lyons.

Kelly Dale French was born May 20, 1939, on his parent’s farm in rural Decatur, Nebraska. He attended the Ball Country School in rural Decatur from 1st through 8th grades and then graduated from Decatur High School in 1956. He took classes at Wayne State College for two years before going to work for the Co-op in Tekamah, Nebraska.

Kelly met his “Special Angel” Bonnie Fritts in 1957 and they were married October 24, 1959. They lived in Tekamah and Craig, Nebraska, the first two years of their marriage and then moved to Lyons where they have resided for over fifty years.

Kelly was involved with sales most of his life which included the Lyons Creamery, the Logan Valley Fertilizer plant, Regional Manager for Na-Churs Fertilizer, and car salesman for Lubkers Ford and Paus Motors in West Point, Nebraska, until he retired in 2005. Upon retiring, Kelly enjoyed working for the Lyons-Decatur Public Schools as a bus driver. He often told his family that the kids he transported brought gre

Kelly French

at joy to his day and he was heartbroken that he had to stop due to his illness.

Kelly was active in his community by serving on the city council for several terms, owning and operating the Lyons Theatre for several years, and volunteering for various community and church projects including helping with the Bluegrass Festival held annually in Lyons. He was devoted to his church by serving on the Parish Council for several terms. He helped teach the religious education for junior and senior high students at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He also played the organ and sang in the church choir for over 45 years. Kelly was very committed to the Christian Encounter Christ movement for over 25 years. One of Kelly’s deepest passions was his involvement with the Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church reaching the level of 4th degree Knight. He served as Grand Knight for several years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford “Tuffy” and Myrtle (Ball) French of Walthill, NE; brother, Don French of South Sioux City, NE; nephew, Daryl French of Pender, NE.

Kelly is survived by his wife Bonnie French of Lyons; his 5 children: son, Joe French and his wife, Sandi, of Marysville, MI, son, Jim French and his wife, Lori, of Olathe, KS, daughter, Kristine Munderloh and her husband, Dwight, of Raymond, NE, son, Jerry French and his wife, Becky, of Lincoln, NE, daughter, Michelle Williams and her husband, Gary, of Lincoln; 20 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; numerous relatives and friends.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, November 6, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyons, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Tuesday, November 5, 2013, with the family receiving friends from 4 – 7 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. VIGIL SERVICE all at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Visitation Wednesday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery

MEMORIALS: To the Family

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

Kelly D. French, 74, Lyons

KELLY D. FRENCH, 74 years, of Lyons, Nebraska passed away Friday, November 1, 2013, at his home in Lyons.

Kelly French

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, November 6, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyons, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Tuesday, November 5, 2013, with the family receiving friends from 4 – 7 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. VIGIL SERVICE all at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Visitation Wednesday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery

MEMORIALS: To the Family

Pelan Funeral Services
Lynn, Karen and Jim Pelan
www.pelanfuneralservices.com

• Oakland PO Box 51, 68045 (402) 685-5673
• Lyons PO Box 235, 68038 (402) 687-2644
• Tekamah PO Box 203, 68061 (402) 374-1551

Kelly French, 74, of Lyons

KELLY FRENCH, 74 years, of Lyons, Nebraska passed away Friday, November 1, 2013, at his home in Lyons.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Services are pending with Pelan Funeral Services Lyons

Pelan Funeral Services
Lynn, Karen and Jim Pelan
www.pelanfuneralservices.com

Michael G. Nelson Sr., “Mick”, 74 years of Oakland, NE

Michael G. Nelson Sr., “Mick”.

MICHAEL G. NELSON SR., “MICK”, 74 years, of Oakland, Nebraska, passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at Oakland-Mercy Hospital in Oakland.

Mick was born May 21, 1939, in Omaha, Nebraska, the first child of C. Gordon and Elaine (Engdahl) Nelson. He attended country school through the eighth grade at District No. 52 and graduated from Oakland-Craig High School in 1957.

On March 25, 1962, twenty-two year old Mick met and married the love of his life, Susie Reich. They are the parents of three children, Mike Jr., Marty and Mindy. Mick farmed three miles east of Oakland on the homestead established by his great grandfather. He and his dad fed cattle and hogs, along with planting crops.

Mick was an active member of Masonic Lodge #91, A.F. & A.M., Eastern Star and Shriners. He played Taps for 45 years for Veteran Military Honors and on Memorial Day.  Mick also served on the Oakland-Craig School board for eight years, was a member of the Oakland Jaycee’s and Oakland Community Players, where he built sets, set up sound systems and lighting.

Mick was an avid carpenter and wood worker. He crafted everything from custom made memory boxes and a rocking horse for the grandchildren to cabinetry and furniture. He also built stock cars, the Jaycee jumper car and numerous pieces of farm equipment.

He loved spending time with his family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, C Gordon and Elaine Nelson; maternal and paternal grandparents; father- and mother-in-law, Julius and Velore Reich.

Survivors include his wife, Susie Nelson of Oakland; sons and daughter-in-law, Mike Jr. and Mattie Nelson, Marty Nelson all of Oakland; daughter, Mindy Nelson of Orland, FL; grand-children, Asa and Jordan Mattson, Ethan Caban, James Hutzell, Brandi and Jesse Cady; step grandchildren, Ginny and Austin Crane, Victoria Hutzell, Morgan Swanson; four great grandsons and two great granddaughters; sister, Petra Nelson of Champaign, IL, brother, Dave Randall of Mankato, MN; one nephew and one niece and a host of friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, October 26, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland.

VISITATION: The Family will receive friends Friday, October 25, 2013, from 5 – 8 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m.MASONIC SERVICE by Masonic Lodge #91, A.F. & A.M. all at Pelan Funeral Home in Oakland. Visitation Saturday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Mount Hope Cemetery, West Point, Nebraska, at a later date.

MEMORIALS: To the Family

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

Michael G. Nelson Sr., (Mick), 74, of Oakland, NE

MICHAEL G. NELSON SR., “MICK”, 74 years, of Oakland, Nebraska, passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at Oakland-Mercy Hospital in Oakland.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, October 26, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland.

VISITATION: The Family will receive friends Friday, October 25, 2013, from 5 – 8 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m.MASONIC SERVICE all at Pelan Funeral Home in Oakland. Visitation Saturday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Mount Hope Cemetery, West Point, Nebraska, at a later date.

MEMORIALS: To the Family

Michael G. Nelson Sr. (Mick).