Jen Wheelen, 43, of Norfolk NE


Jen Wheelen, 43, of Norfolk, NE died on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at a North Memorial Hospital in Robinsdale, MN. 

Funeral services for Jen are currently pending with Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE.

Dale O. Johnson, 88, of Oakland NE


Dale O. Johnson, 88 years, of Oakland, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2016 at Premier Estates in Fremont, Nebraska.

Funeral Service is pending at Pelan Funeral Services.

Casey Leah Beltz, 35, of Oakland NE


Casey Leah Beltz was born to Wesley Dean Beltz and Rebecca Sue (Jones) Beltz in Cambridge, Nebraska on December 17, 1980. She passed away at her home in Oakland, Nebraska on November 11, 2016, at the age of 35 years.

Casey started school in Cambridge. She attended several schools including Blair Elementary in Blair, Nebraska, country schools in Cozad and Gothenburg, Nebraska and Wakonda Elementary in Omaha, Nebraska. She began attending Oakland-Craig schools in the seventh grade, graduating from Oakland-Craig High School in 1999.

Casey’s greatest pride was being the mother of Piper Simone Beltz, age 9, and Garrison Lamone Woods, age 2. The three of them attended the Evangelical Free Church in Oakland, as a family.

Casey worked in retail clothing, becoming a manager at American Eagle Outfitters. Her caring and kindhearted personality drew her to healthcare. She earned an Associate’s Degree and became an LPN. She was employed at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center – Bergan Mercy in Omaha, Nebraska, working in the Cadiac Monitoring and EKG Department.

Casey returned to Oakland in 2010. She adored her children and kept active with them. She was a wonderful, attentive and loving mother. She was an avid reader, a creative decorator and enjoyed drawing. She had a fun-loving personality. She was a hard worker, and was rightly proud of her accomplishments. She was a good friend to many, but a best friend to her mother, Becky. She was so loved, and will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Kenneth and Mary Ellen (Johnson) Jones, Raymond and Mary Anne (Wagner) Beltz; step-grandparents, Joseph and Hazel (White) Bartley.

She is survived by her children, Piper and Garrison; father, Wesley D. Beltz of Norfolk, NE; step-father and mother, Tom and Becky (Jones/Beltz) Bartley of Oakland; brothers, Cole (Kristin) Beltz and Chase (Emilie) Beltz all of Omaha; step-brother, Kevin (Dionne) Bartley of Omaha; step-sister, Kimberly Bartley of Kearney, NE; nephews, Shane and Arlo; step-nephews Kain and Kael; step-niece, Ella; many friends who loved her dearly.

Visitation is Tues., Nov. 15th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland. Family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

The Funeral Service is Wed., Nov. 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Oakland.

Burial is in the Oakland Cemetery.

Memorials suggested to the family for later designation.

Casey Beltz

Casey Beltz

Casey L. Beltz, 35, of Oakland NE


Casey L. Beltz, 35 years, of Oakland, Nebraska, passed away at her home on Friday, November 11, 2016.

Services are pending with Pelan Funeral Services Oakland.

Merlin W. “Curly” Nelson, 92, of Oakland NE


Merlin W. “Curly” Nelson was born to Gust William and Julia Augusta (Anderson) Nelson on January 1, 1924, in Oakland, Nebraska. He passed away with his family by his side on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Oakland Heights Nursing Home, at the age of 92 years.

Curly graduated from Oakland High School in May, 1942 and served in the Army from 1942 to 1946. He drove a tank in the Philippines during World War II. Upon discharge, Curly worked in his Dad’s grocery business. He also drove ambulance and worked with Palmquist Funeral Home. He fell in love with the nurse who was riding in the ambulance while he was driving patients to Omaha, Sara Jane Weaver, and they married on January 7, 1951. Two daughters were born to this union, Marilee Sue and Julie Ann.

His dream of building a grocery store became a reality in 1961. In 1989, his daughter, Julie, bought the business when Curly retired. In 2006, Curly and Julie celebrated their 100th anniversary of their family business with a year-long celebration.

In 2013, Curly was named Swedish King at the Oakland Swedish Festival. Curly was a member of First Covenant Church, now used as the Swedish Heritage Center. Upon its closing in 1985, he moved his membership to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Curly is survived by his daughters, Marilee (Jim) Groth and Julie (Terry) Johnson of Oakland. He has four grandchildren, Elisabeth (Chad) Linder and Dillon (Kelli) Johnson of Oakland, Tyler Groth of Lincoln, and Emilee Groth of Omaha. He has six great- grandchildren, Zoe, Mia and Gabi Linder and Ava, Landon and Scarlett Johnson of Oakland. His special friend, Arlene Carper of Oakland, has been his companion for over 20 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Sara Jane in 1986.

Memorial Visitation will be Mon., Nov. 14th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland. Family will be receiving friends during this time.

Memorial Service will be Tues., Nov. 15th at 10:30 a.m. at the Swedish Heritage Center. Burial is at the Oakland Cemetery with Military Honors.

Memorials suggested to the Swedish Heritage Center, P.O. Box 146, Oakland NE 68045.

Merlin "Curly" Nelson

Merlin “Curly” Nelson

Kai Myron Brand, 88, of Fontanelle NE


Kai Myron Brand age 88, of Fontanelle passed away Monday November 7, 2016 at the Hooper Care Center.

The funeral service will be 10:30am Friday at Salem Lutheran Church, Fontanelle.  Burial will follow in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitation will be in Fremont at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel on Thursday from 3pm to 8pm with the family present from 6pm to 8pm.  Memorials are suggested to Salem Lutheran Fontanelle, Hooper Care Center or the Dodge County 4-H foundation.

Myron, lifelong resident of Dodge and Washington Counties was born on August 2, 1928 in rural Dodge County, baptized on April 2, 1929 at First Lutheran Church in Fremont, and raised in rural Dodge County by his parents Oscar and Vernie Brand. He attended rural school, was confirmed on March 29, 1942 at Salem Lutheran in Fremont and graduated from Fremont High School in 1947.  He was crowned 4-H King at the Fremont 4-H fair in 1947.  He was a lifetime supporter of the 4-H program.  During Myron’s working years he farmed northwest of Fremont, hauled milk and livestock and was a cattle buyer for area youth and for his own family.    He married Anita Ritzen on August 2, 1949 at Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle.  Myron enjoyed many years of bowling and softball for church and town leagues and was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle.

Survivors:

Wife – Anita of Fontanelle

Son – Douglas (Gail) Brand of Seward

Daughters – Nancy (Rev. Joel) Schroeder of Hooper

Jan (Galen) Madsen of Lincoln

9 grandchildren – Eric (Natalie) Schilling, Kylie (Jason) Penke, Krissy (Russ) Ozenbaugh, Ben Schroeder, Jacob (Morgan) Schroeder, Seth (Kiley) Schroeder, JoHanna (Scott) Buchholz, Marta (Jason) Klug, Hans (Kelsey Bohling) Madsen

8 great grandchildren – Luke & Lincoln Schilling, Tate & Tye Penke, Riggins and Rustin Ozenbaugh, Adaya Klug, and Lydia Buchholz.

Brothers – Duane (Elaine) Brand of Fremont, Darold (Kathy) Brand of Fremont, Steven (Paula) Brand of Longmont, CO.; Randy (Peggy) Brand of Fremont, Sister Marilyn Taylor of California, sister-in-law Connie Brand of Fremont

Myron was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth and great granddaughter Allison Penke.

Kai Brand

Kai Brand

Duane “Pete” R. Thomsen, 81, of Pender NE


Duane “Pete” R. Thomsen, 81, of Pender, NE died on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, IA.  Funeral services for Pete are currently pending with Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Pender.

Dennis Carl Schleusener, 67, of Pender NE


Dennis Carl Schleusener, 67, of Pender, Nebraska passed away on Monday, October 31, 2016.  As per Dennis’ wishes, no services will be held at this time.  Burial will be held at a later date.  Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Pender, Nebraska.

Dennis was born March 18, 1949 to Arthur and Hertha (Lorenzen) Schleusener in West Point, Nebraska.  Dennis attended and graduated from Pender High School in 1967.  On September 11, 1976, he married Nancy Mikes in Pender.  Together the couple lived and farmed south of Pender.  He had a great love for the farm and the farm animals.  Dennis also enjoyed collecting and talking about his vintage cars. 

Dennis is survived by his wife, Nancy of Pender, NE; and a nephew, Ray (Colleen) Schleusener of Dakota City, NE.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; a sister; and his in-laws.

Jeffrey Allan Ahlers, 49, of Sioux City IA


Jeffrey Allan Ahlers, 49, of Sioux City, Iowa, passed away Friday, October 28, 2016 at his home. A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rosalie, NE. The burial will be in the Bancroft Cemetery in Bancroft, NE. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft, NE.

Jeff was born in Omaha, NE on May 12, 1967 the son of Duane and Norma (Kinning) Ahlers. He graduated from Bancroft-Rosalie High School in 1985.  Following graduation he attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he earned his Bachelors of Science in Accounting. Jeff moved to California where he worked for the Department of Defense as an accountant.  Later spending two years at Johnston Atoll Island. He later returned home. For the past several years Jeff worked at Menards, Ace Hardware, and most recently at Lowes.

Jeff is survived by his mother, Norma (Boyd) Hightree of Pender, NE; sister, Jami (Richard) Mohl of Bancroft, NE; nephews, Stuart Mohl of Thorton, CO and Ryley Mohl of Bancroft, NE; step brother, Alan Hightree of Sioux Falls, SD; his father’s companion, Carmen Russman and her family; step nephews and nieces; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father Duane, his grandparents, step sister Lisa Gritten, uncle Don Kinning and a cousin Shelly Kinning.

Jeffrey Ahlers

Jeffrey Ahlers

Janice F. Nuzum, 77, of Hooper NE


Janice F. Nuzum, age 77, of Hooper, Nebraska passed away Monday October 31, 2016 at the Hooper Care Center.  Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Elim Lutheran Church at Swaburg.  The Rev. Judith Johnson will officiate.  Burial will be in the Baptist Cemetery south of Uehling.  Visitation will be on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ludvigsen’s Hooper Funeral Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Hooper Care Center.  Online guestbook can be accessed at http://www.hooper-scribner.com.  Ludvigsen’s Hooper Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.

Janice was born April 25, 1939 in Los Angeles, CA. to Willis and Ruth ‘Stewart’ Wheatley. The family moved back to Nebraska when she was 3 weeks old. She was raised in several different communities until settling down in Uehling. Janice graduated from Uehling High School in 1956 and enrolled in beauty school. She married Norman Petersen in 1958 and together they had 3 children. Janice operated a beauty salon for a few years, then was a stay at home mom until the early 1970’s when she went to work at Logan View High School. Janice married Hershel Nuzum on June 13, 1980. The coupled moved to western Nebraska for a short time, returning to live in Hooper. Janice worked at the Dodge County Courthouse as a custodian then for the Fremont Public Schools as a bus aid, retiring in 2014.

Janice had many hobbies, among them was collecting dolls and making clothes for them. She also loved crafts, antiques, quilting and was very involved with genealogy.

Survivors:

Husband – Hershel of Hooper

Daughter – Brenda (husband Gary) Wheeler of Hooper

Sons – Bradley (wife MaryAnn) Petersen of Herman

Barry Petersen of Uehling

Step-daughters – Cindy (husband Delwin) Gustafson of Waukee, IA.

Vicky Nuzum of Houston, TX.

Step-son – Rodney (wife Monique) Nuzum of Vancouver, WA.

Many grand and great grandchildren

Sister – Mona (husband Lyle) Thielfoldt of Mission, TX.

Brothers – Willis C. (wife Jean) Wheatley of Apache Junction, AZ.

Joe (wife Debbie) Wheatley of Allyn, WA.

Janice was preceded in death by a sister Betty Strand and brother Leo Wheatley.

Janice Nuzum

Janice Nuzum