Johnene Gutzmann, 52, of Emerson NE


Johnene “Beanie” Mary (Schunneman) Gutzmann, 52, of Emerson, NE, passed away October 31, 2015 at Unity Point Health in Sioux City, IA with her family and friends by her side. A Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson, NE; Father Paul Ortmeier will be celebrating the service. A visitation will be Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the church with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at a later date at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City, IA. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE.

Johnene was born December 31, 1962 to Robert and Elizabeth (Deprato) Schunneman in Sioux City, Iowa. She attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from Bishop Heelan High School. She then graduated from The University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing in 1993. Johnene was a registered nurse since 1993. She spent the next year receiving her Associates of Arts degree.
Johnene began her nursing career in Sioux City at Marion Health Center. She then worked in home health care for many years. Her health condition prevented her from doing what she loved to do full time, but she pursued other areas in health care as her health condition allowed. This was mainly education, which she loved dearly. She volunteered for the American Red Cross instructing CPR, teaching, and first aid. Her main passion was with teaching young adults CPR, and babysitting classes at Mercy Medical Center. She also dedicated her time volunteering with the first aid team at the Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, all the while rooting on her Cornhuskers of course. She also took the time to obtain her EMT certification. All though in poor health she continued with her passion to teach others.

Johnene was united in marriage to Dan Gutzmann on April 28, 1984. She was a loving wife and mother as well as a caring daughter, sister and friend. She remained strong and hopeful through all the challenges she has faced with over the past several years.

She loved spending time with family doing all sorts of activities, especially Boy Scout activities, watching college football, fishing and playing video games. Johnene adored the Three Stooges and also had an annual tradition of watching the Wizard of Oz. She enjoyed playing guitar, singing and her time as a member of a band. Johnene loved to touch people through the power of music and anything that would bring a smile to someone’s face, all the while doing what she loved the most of all, spending time with family. Johnene was very strong with her faith until the very end.

The family would like to thank all the health care professionals who helped take care of Johnene during her illness and at the time of her passing, especially the Siouxland Dialysis Center nurses, doctors and staff.

Johnene is survived by her husband, Daniel Gutzmann of Emerson, NE; her son, Daniel John (DJ) Gutzmann of Emerson, NE; mother, Elizabeth Schunneman of Sioux City, IA; sisters, Marcie (Tim) Talbott of Eau Claire, WI, Robin (Tim) Sandage of Minneapolis, MN, and brother, Richard (Jennifer) Schunneman of Sioux City, IA.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Schunneman and brother, Charles “Charlie” Schunneman.

Johnene Gutzmann

Johnene Gutzmann

Lakynn Elizabeth Rief, infant daughter of Courtney Doht of Lyons NE and Adam Rief of Bancroft NE


Lakynn Elizabeth Rief, infant daughter of Courtney Doht of Lyons, NE and Adam Rief of Bancroft, NE was born Sunday, November 1, 2015 in Omaha, NE, and passed away later that day. Private family graveside services will be held in the Bancroft Cemetery in Bancroft, NE with Rev. Robert Schilling officiating. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft, NE.

Lakynn is survived by her grandparents, Scott and Beth Doht of Lyons, NE, Steve and Sarah Rief of Bancroft, NE; great grandparents, Marlin and Delores Doht of West Point, NE, Rev. Donald and Dorothy Levenhagen of Fremont, NE; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Lakynn is preceded in death by her great grandparents, Robert and Christina Rief, and Ambrose and Kathleen Ernesti, and family members Matthew Doht, Jacob Levenhagen and Jeremy Hobson.

Norman Emory Wickstrom, 76, of Oakland NE


Norman Emory Wickstrom was born to Norman and Dorothy (Miller) Wickstrom on October 6, 1939 in Oakland, Nebraska.  He passed away on Saturday, October 31st 2015 at his home in Oakland.

Emory grew up on a farm outside of Oakland, graduating from Oakland High School in 1957.  On January 22nd, 1960, he was married to VerLee Greenfield in Elk Point, South Dakota.  They lived in Oakland, where they raised their four children.

Emory was employed in West Point, Nebraska at Nielson Oil and Propane, at the Farmer’s Coop in Oakland, and by other area businesses.  He enjoyed ham radio, shooting, and motorcycling.

Emory was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Prudence (Myron) Nissen, and his beloved wife.

He is survived by his son, Nick (Suzie) Wickstrom, of Ann Arbor, MI; daughter, Linda (Joel) Williamsen, of Huntsville, AL; son, Tom (Michelle) Wickstrom, of Omaha, NE; son, Darin Wickstrom, of Lincoln, NE; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

MEMORIAL GATHERING: Thursday, November 5, 2015, 1-3 pm with family receiving friends and a Prayer Services at 3 pm, all at Pelan Funeral Services Oakland.

BURIAL: Private family burial at a later date

MEMORIALS: To the family for designation at a later time.

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

 

Terry C. Anderson, 69, of Oakland NE


TERRY C. ANDERSON, 69 years, of Oakland, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2015, at his home in rural Oakland.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Thursday, November 5, 2015, 1:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Tekamah, Nebraska.

MEMORIAL VISITATION: Wednesday 6-8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland, Nebraska.

PRIVATE FAMILY BURIAL: at a later date

MEMORIALS: To the family for designation at a later time.

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

Emory Wickstrom, 76, of Oakland NE


EMORY WICKSTROM, 76 years, of Oakland, Nebraska, passed away Saturday October 31, 2015 at his home in Oakland.

MEMORIAL GATHERING: Thursday, November 5, 2015, 1-3 pm with family receiving friends and a Prayer Services at 3 pm, all at Pelan Funeral Services Oakland.

BURIAL: Private family burial at a later date

MEMORIALS: To the family for designation at a later time.

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

 

Consolidation Options Being Discussed


By Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

In March, the Board of Education hired Jerry McCall, with Education Consulting Services, and his decades of experience to assist board members in narrowing a focus to improve our facilities for our students. Through the work with Jerry, the recommendation was made to pursue a consolidated effort first and gauge the interest of other school districts, specifically Oakland-Craig and Lyons-Decatur Northeast. Since reaching out to those districts, it has been relatively quiet over the past several months. Lyons-Decatur Northeast indicated that they were not interested in further conversations at this time, stating that they had a relationship with Bancroft-Rosalie for activities with which they were pleased. Oakland-Craig expressed some interest, but felt they needed to evaluate all of their options.

Last week, committee representatives from Tekamah-Herman, Oakland-Craig, and Jerry McCall met to further discuss the potential of a consolidated effort between the two districts. The specific items discussed, in general terms, were the internal organization of grade levels in a proposed district, the potential site of a new high school, and the size of the building being to be built. These conversations are preliminary, with both Boards seeking additional definitive data from Education Consulting Services before making a commitment.

The committees asked for further clarification from Mr. McCall on potential educational programming for the proposed district and ideas of participation from Northeast Community College with career education and certification opportunities in a district of the proposed size. The committees are supportive of doing what is in the best interest of students. If education can be enhanced and facilities improved through consolidation, Tekamah-Herman representatives would certainly be interested in such an effort. The facility issues in our district are not improving and must be addressed in the near future. The Board members are attempting to make the best decision possible to address as many needs as possible.

The Board of Education at Tekamah-Herman wishes to be as transparent as possible with any potential election for the use of tax dollars. The members have spent countless hours interviewing, researching, and evaluating options. While this isn’t the only option available for the district, this is clearly the best option that must be investigated to its fullest, in the minds of the Board and representatives hired to guide the Board. Please feel free to communicate with your representatives about this and future issues.

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Welcome Eli Thomas Peterson


Clint and Brooke Peterson of Craig are happy to announce the birth of  their son, Eli Thomas Peterson. Eli was born on October 16th 2015 at Methodist Women’s Hospital and was welcomed home by big sisters Paisley and Hadley.

He was 8 pounds 8 ounces and 21 inches long.

Grandparents are Kevin & Dawn Anderson of Craig and Brent and Sue Peterson of Oakland.

Eli Thomas Peterson

Eli Thomas Peterson

Great Grandparents are Ronnie & Nonie Rogers of Craig, and Iva Anderson and Del and Joanne Peterson of Oakland.

 

Johnene Mary (Schunneman) Gutzmann, 52, of Emerson NE


Johnene Mary (Schunneman) Gutzmann, 52, of Emerson, NE, passed away October 31, 2015 at Unity Point Health in Sioux City, IA with her family and friends by her side. A Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson, NE; Father Paul Ortmeier will be celebrating the service.

A visitation will be Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the church with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at a later date at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City, IA. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE.

Don’t Forget to Fall Behind this Weekend


katcountryhub's avatarKat Country Hub

Reminder: Be sure to set your clocks back an hour when going to bed Saturday night. The time officially changes at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, November 1st. 

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Burt County Brass Quintet Performs Tommorrow


The Burt County Brass Quintet has on it’s 2015 concert season the Decatur Trolley “Artplace” Station Dedication, Sunday, November 1 at 3pm, the Bancroft Neihardt Center Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 13 at 2pm, the Oakland Swedish Heritage Center Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 13 at 5pm and the Lyons Library Christmas Concert, Saturday, December 19 at 1pm.
For more information about the Burt County Brass Quintet, including booking the Quintet for events, visit on facebook “Burt County Brass Quintet” or call Rev. Gary Fugman at 402-349-1953.

Members are, left to right, Rev. Gary Fugman, Trumpet, Dr. Lisa Mutzenberger, French Horn, Jess Watson, Trombone, Jim Groth, Trumpet and Viktor Sundleaf, Tuba.  The Quintet welcomes Lisa to the 2015 ensemble and anticipates an even more creative year with the addition of her fine musical abilities. Photo courtesy of Gary Fugman.

Members are, left to right, Rev. Gary Fugman, Trumpet, Dr. Lisa Mutzenberger, French Horn, Jess Watson, Trombone, Jim Groth, Trumpet and Viktor Sundleaf, Tuba. The Quintet welcomes Lisa to the 2015 ensemble and anticipates an even more creative year with the addition of her fine musical abilities. Photo courtesy of Gary Fugman.