Hastings Alumni Obituaries 2012

These are only obituaries that appeared in the Hastings Tribune during 2012 and they are in the order in which they appeared in the paper.

• Diane Krull Carlson, a 1963 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Tuesday, December 18, 2012. Prior to retiring from an active nursing administration career in November of 2012, Diane had obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master’s of Science in Nursing from St. Louis University.

• Mike Snyder, a 1963 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Tuesday, December 18, 2012. Following high school, he worked for the family business, Snyder Packing Company in Hastings. In 1967, Mike served in the Army National Guard with honorable discharge in 1972. Mike continued to work for his family’s business, Third City Meats and made his home in Grand Island. After attending an Outfitter and Guide School in Montana, Mike moved to Carefree, Arizona in 1986. While in Arizona, Mike worked various jobs. He worked as an Outfitter and Guide for Carefree Stables, Rainbow Hot Air Balloon Company, auto mechanic and miscellaneous landscaping jobs. Mike had an interest in the Arizona desert, the Native American culture of Arizona, and in general a great love of the land, nature and wilderness.

• Gregory Benker, a 1970 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Saturday, December 15, 2012. He attended UNMC at Omaha in the Bachelor's program of radiology and completed the training in the United States Army. He served in the Army from July 31, 1972, until July 30, 1975, during the Vietnam War. Gregory managed ten Hospe's Music Stores in Nebraska and Iowa and taught organ music classes. He also worked at Ron's Music and was an x-ray technologist at the VA Hospital, both in Grand Island. When he moved back to Hastings, he worked as an ultrasound technologist at Mary Lanning Healthcare. He started the Greg Benker Band when he was 16 years old and retired from the band three years ago.

• Everette Korgan, a 1951 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2012. He worked for 30 years at Dalton's Café and nine years with AAL now Thrivent Financial for Lutherans when he retired. He also worked at Uncle Neal's on East 2nd Street. Everette had been involved in Hastings Community Theatre. He enjoyed traveling and camping, going to Branson, Silver Dollar City, West Colorado Springs, and Estes Park, CO. Everette also enjoyed caping at Mormom Island near Grand Island.

• Patricia Nolda Hansen, a 1949 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Monday, December 3, 2012. She worked at Hested's and Montgomery Ward before retiring from Woolworths.

• Courtney J. Hanson, a 1966 Hastings High School alum, passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2012 after a courageous battle with colon-rectal cancer. After graduating from HHS, he joined the Navy where he served as an air traffic controller during Vietnam. Courtney worked in the steel business for 30 years, holding multiple patents in his trade. He most recently retired from Nucon Steel of Denton, TX, where he was a Marketing and Product Development Manager. Courtney married wife, Sue Hanson in 1979, and they had one son, Tyler Hanson. Prior to his death, Courtney was able to meet and love his first grandchild, Harper, who is 3 months old. Courtney enjoyed driving and restoring classic cars, gardening, fly fishing, woodworking, and spending time at his lake house at Johnson Lake, NE. He will be remembered for his big heart, strong work ethic, love for his family and friends, and always reminding everyone “life is good.”

• Angela Brown Langenberg, a 2000 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Saturday November 24, 2012, after a long battle with leukemia. On May 20, 2006, she married her high school sweetheart, Josh Langenberg of Prosser, NE. Angie worked at US Bank before working at Ellerbrock Norris Financial. They have two children Kaitlyn, 5, and Landon, 3. Angie will be remembered for her big personality and making everyone around her laugh. Angie enjoyed animals (mainly cats) and reading, but mostly spending time with her family. Angela was diagnosed in June 2011 with Lukemia and underwent 2 stem cell transplants.

• Shirley Bowers Lukas, a Hastings High School graduate, passed away on Friday, November 23, 2012. She was a member of the First Christian Church and was an active member of Hastings China Belles for many years. In addition to China painting, Shirley enjoyed doing crafts, sewing, oil painting, and playing with her little dog Sugar. During her life, Shirley worked at Bert's Drugstore, Brach Thompson Department Store, Allen's, J.M. McDonald's, and as a realtor for Gateway Realty. During the latter years of her life, she was a full-time homemaker.

• Brett Reed, a 1990 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Monday, November 19, 2012. After graduating from UNL in 1995 with a degree in Actuarial Science, Brett worked for Price Waterhouse Coopers in Chicago, IL and then Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company in Milwaukee, WI.

• Blanche Dewey Fischer, a 1937 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Friday, November 16, 2012. She was a homemaker and a member of Zion Lutheran Church and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Blanche lived in South Dakota for 13 years.

• Allen Boudreau, a Hastings High School alum, passed away on Wednesday, November 7, 2012. Allen made Hastings his home for 63 years. He worked at Weyerhauser Box Factory until he was drafted inthe Army on August 1, 1956. He served as a medic in Korea until his discharge on July 14, 1958, and returned to work at Weyerhauser until 1964. He then joined the Hastings Fire Department and retired in 1990 after 26 years of service. During that time he became a real estate broker and had his own office in Hastings from 1960 until 1982 when a fire destroyed the business. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and took many trips to North America, Canada, and Africa for big game hunting. He and his wife, Rosalie, enjoyed traveling together and went on numerous trips. Allen was a member of the American Legion of Naponee, V.F.W. and Eagles Clubs of Hastings, and President of the Harlan County Board for the Senior Center in Alma. He also was a volunteer for the Republican City Fire Department. Allen enjoyed his daily walks with his dog “Ice” around the lake.

• Jeffrey Craft, a 1992 alum of Hastings High School, passed away on Thursday, November 1, 2012. He worked in the painting department for Case New Holland in Grand Island. Jeffrey was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and Cottonwood Archery Club. He enjoyed spending time with his boys, hunting, and fishing.

• Adeline Magner Knephoff, a 1938 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Sunday, October 28, 2012. She was a member of the First Christian Church and the Burlington Northern Railroad Retired Association. Her life revolved around her family and they spent many summer vacations traveling so her children could receive the experience and joy of learning about different places.

• Roger S. Parks, a 1985 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. He worked in the fabrication, refrigeration, and maintenance departments for Ag Processing Inc. (AGP).

• Donald E. Plum, a 1960 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Saturday, October 13, 2012. He was a lifelong farmer and stared riding a farm tractor at nine years old. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Hastings, a former member of the Hastings Masonic bodies, was on the board at Crossroads was a member of the FFA and the Rural Ranchers and was active in 4-H.

• Betty J. Carmichael Hamburger, a 1943 alum of Hastings High School, passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2012. Betty married Bernard "Bud" Dale Hamburger Sr. on Dec. 5, 1948; he preceded her in death on Dec. 17, 1989. She was a homemaker; a member of First United Methodist Church, former member of Hastings Women’s Bowling Association, and many bridge clubs. Betty loved spending time with her family and animals and liked bowling and playing bridge.

• Linda Carpenter Wilson, a Hastings High graduate, passed away on Tuesday, September 25, 2012, after battling a long illness. Linda worked for the Sandy Creek School District for 23 years. Linda loved being around her family. She loved scrap booking as a hobby from her children and grandchildren’s activities. Linda loved going on bus trips with her husband, Joe. Linda was active in the church at Immanuel Lutheran in Glenvil. Linda’s life-long goal was to be a loving wife, mother, and grand-mother which she succeeded in doing so.

• Cliff Hopp, a graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Monday, September 24, 2012. He was involved in ROTC during college, and played football at both the University of Georgia and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. His military service led him to serve in the Army during the Korean Conflict. On June 8, 1950, he was united in marriage to Jane Marsh at the Presbyterian Church in Hastings. The couple settled in Columbus, and Cliff started his career with the Columbus Public School system, where he served as industrial arts teacher, assistant football coach, head boys basketball coach, boys golf coach, and athletic director. Cliff was a member of the Federated Church, the American Legion, enjoyed golfing and was active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

• Suzanne Knight Farris, a 1968 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on September 22, 2012. She worked as a court reporter at Nebraska Reporters Service and was the past Vice President of Farris Construction. Suzanne was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral, PEO Chapter GK, Alpha Phi Sorority, Vestry of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral, Education for Ministry, and she belonged to many prayer groups.

• Kenneth R. Lightner Sr., a 1958 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Friday, August 24, 2012. Ken and his wife Lynne Joy shared their home and their love of animals, over the years, with many dogs they rescued. They also have a natural bird and wildlife habitat on their land. Ken loved to share the message about his Lord Jesus Christ to those that shopped at his store. He even ministered to the nurses and nurses’ aides during his last two weeks in the hospital. Ken was a loving and generous man who will be missed by many. His family takes comfort in knowing they will be with him again. Ken was a walking miracle after be-ing diagnosed with congestive heart failure, almost 12 years ago, and only had 20% of his heart functioning. His Lord blessed Ken’s family with an extra 11 years than what the doctors predicted. At the end, 11 days before he was received by his Lord, he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, which ultimately took his life. He was chair bound the last five years of his life and is now free of pain and dancing at the feet of his Lord.

• Betty Borrell Stone, a 1941 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Friday, August 31, 2012. Betty worked at Dutton-Lainson Company in the factory before she retired. She was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary.

• Gerald Gary Melvin, a 1972 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. He went to work at Johnson Imperial Homes as a draftsman and project manager for Imperial Villages and worked in the carpets department for Johnson Cashway. In 1994, he moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., and went on the road for Shaw Industries until his health went bad. He went back to school at Southeast Technical Institute and received a degree for Associate of Applied Sciencein construction management and Associate of Applied Science in architectural/con-struction engineering technology. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He was a big Nebraska Husker football fan, going to as many games as he could. He was a member of Sertoma Club and volunteered with Senior Community Service.

• Edward Debus, a Hastings High alum, passed away on Monday, August 27, 2012. He went to work in the family business, Debus Baking Company, before graduating due to the war. While at the bakery, he held the position of maintenance supervisor, fleet and sales manager, treasurer, general manager and president. He was treasurer of Hastings Corporation, Board of Directors of Hastings Chamber of Commerce, president of Nebraska Bakers Association, and alternate governor to American Bakers Association for Nebraska. Ed was also a former member of the Nebraska Civil Air Patrol as a pilot. After the bakery was sold in 1964, he was employed by Hastings Irrigation Pipe Company and the Big G Auto Center. After his retirement, he and his wife Marie built a home at El Charman Lake near Gibbon, Neb. They moved back to Hastings in 1991. Ed moved to Lincoln in 2006. He was a member of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings.

• Bernice Blomenkamp Smith, a Hastings High School graduate, passed away on Friday, August 24, 2012. She graduated from the Nebraska College of Commerce. She married Harold Smith on May 10, 1936; Harold passed away in 1978. She worked as an individual and business accountant book keeper for many years for Brand-Wilson Funeral Home, Dr. John Coover, Hastings Plumbing and Heating, and Warehouse Carpeting, all in Hastings, Neb. She was a member of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, in Hastings. She was a former member of the Nebraska State Board of Public Accountancy and the National Society of Public Accountants.

• Danny G. Matley, a 1962 HHS alum, passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Danny served in the U.S. Army from Jan. 7, 1963, to Dec. 28, 1965. He worked for NASA on the "man on the moon" project from 1968-1969. He helped his parents manage the Tower Lounge and Tower Motel in Holdrege, Neb., then attended and graduated from Kearney State College. He went back into the Army Nov. 21, 1972, until Dec. 18, 1978. Danny served in Germany and Greenland and was a First Lieutenant. He helped his parents operate the X-L Motel; was in telecommunications; and was a self-employed residential real estate appraiser. Danny was a member of the National Real Estate Appraisers and the National Realtors Association.

• Anita Frye Petersen, a 1960 alum of Hastings High School, passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2012. Anita worked as a baker in the cafeteria at Central Community College. She enjoyed bowling, going to the Eagles Club, and traveling to Las Vegas.

• Shirley Schnase Hatfield, a 1952 alum of Hastings High School, passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2012. Shirley enjoyed many activities such as gardening, playing bridge, cuddling her dogs, watching Nebraska football games and spending quality time with her immediate and extended family. Shirley and Ken enjoyed hosting BBQs, playing washers, and listening to country music with their many Bolivar friends. Shirley participated in the local sorority chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Nu Chi. She attended a weekly Monday morning breakfast with her friends as well as a weekly dinner with friends. Her family will fondly remember her and are grateful that she enjoyed a good life with lots of adventure and an abundance of blessings.

• Harry Goodrich, a 1945 alum of Hastings High School, passed away on Thursday, August 2, 2012. He served as mayor of Oakland for eight years and also served on numerous boards in Oakland. He worked tirelessly for the betterment of Oakland. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyons, where he held many offices. He enjoyed playing cards, carpentry, craft shows and helping Bonnie with her pottery.

• Sallie J. Dahlheim Holliday, a 1975 Hastings High graduate, passed away on Monday, July 30, 2012, as a result of cancer. Sallie owned and operated East Side Pet Grooming and attended St. Cecilia Catholic Church.

• Gene Young, a Hastings High School graduate, passed away on July 26, 2012. After high school, he attended Hastings College. Gene served in the Navy from Aug. 13, 1942, until Oct. 22, 1945, when he was honorably discharged. He flew SS missions in an F 6 F Drummond Hellcat from the USS Bunker Hill during WWII. Gene was a fire-fighter and served as acting Chief. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling all 50 states.

• Helene 'Betty' Burchess White, a Hastings High graduate, passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2012. She was the perfect mother for three sons because of her love of sports. She also loved music, and instilled in all of them a love and appreciation for all things musical. She grew up not only singing in the choir and performing solos for many occasions, but she also loved to play softball growing up,and was a good tennis player and a city champion golfer during her adult years. She taught tennis during the summers for the YMCA for many years to many young women in Hastings. She loved watching her sons and later her grandchildren compete in sports. When she became a grandmother, Grandma Betty went to every athletic event, school performance, dance recital and community playhouse play that every grandchild was ever in.

• Susan Helms Henrickson, a 1965 alum of Hastings High School, passed away on July 19, 2012. She worked at Armour Foods in Hastings, Neb., doing payroll. She had lived in Hastings all her life. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hastings, Neb., and was active in 4-H.

• Dorothy Krieger Heil, a 1939 alum of Hastings High School, passed away on July 18, 2012. She was a member of the Acacia Chapter # 39 of the Order of the Eastern Star and past Matron, member of the Daughters of the Nile, NAAMAH chapter and past Queen, and member of the Tehama Shrine Auxiliary. She was also a member of First United Methodist Church, Hastings Retired Teachers’ Association and Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. Dorothy enjoyed going fishing at Johnson’s Lake on weekends.

• Howard 'Roy' Lahr, a 1944 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2012. Roy's career included a number of positions; paperboy for Hastings Tribune, soda fountain clerk at Bert's Drugstore, Uncle’s Foundry in Denver, Colo., and Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph. Roy sold encyclopedias and he was a credit manager for Hastings Typewriter until moving to Cozad, where he became the manager of the business side of Swanda Pharmacy. He then opened Lahr Clothiers and operated it until 1986, when they moved back to Hastings. He became a salesman for Hastings Advertising, assistant manager of the Front Porch Restaurant, Children's Ark kitchen manager, Janitor at Grace Church and production for Marshall Town Industries. Roy spent the last few years as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and delivering newspapers to patients at Mary Lanning Hospital. Roy belonged to Rotary, Noon Lions Club, president of Cozad Toastmasters, past Master of Cozad Mason's Lodge #188 and a member of Lodge #317 Hastings, Scottish Rite and Shrine driver in motor unit, member of Cozad Chamber of Commerce, member of Cozad Country Club and Southern Hills of Hastings. He spent many enjoyable years singing with the Chorus of the Plains. He was a longtime member of the Methodist Church, both in Hastings and Cozad. He served as a Sunday school teacher and sang in the choirs; also, a member of the Christian Builders Sunday school class.

• LaVern McWhirter, a Hastings High alum, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2012. LaVern served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946. He was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, and the American Legion in Grand Island.

• Verlene Buss True, a 1951 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Tuesday, July 10, 2012. Upon graduation from HHS, she began her 40+ year career at the Hastings Regional Center, where she held a number of positions before retiring as the payroll department administrator. She attended Zion Lutheran Church in Hastings and enjoyed traveling to historical places, watching all types of sports on TV, and gardening.

• Dennis 'Denny' Barker, a 1961 Hastings High alum, passed away on Monday, July 9, 2012. Denny owned and operated the Flamingo Lounge in Grand Island and was a salesman for Jerry Spady. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, and raising Brittany Spaniels. He was an avid University of Nebraska football fan. Denny played in the American Legion Little League World Series. He participated in track and won many medals, once beating Gayle Sayers. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, past Exalted Ruler Elks Lodge #159, Eagles, American Legion, and Hastings American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame.

• Jeffrey 'Dubba' Hanzel, a 1977 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Saturday, June 30, 2012. Jeff worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad and he retired there.

• Michael Bigley, a 1985 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Monday, June 18, 2012. He worked as a regional building engineer in Marina del Rey, California and Fort Worth, Texas.

• Matt Trobaugh, a 1974 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Monday, June 18, 2012. He was a contractor by trade, and most recently a caregiver for the disabled with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. He was a monumental force in the powerlifting and strength fitness realm. He developed many lasting friendships, and pioneered teams who will continue to train strong in his memory. He and his wife Deb had voluntarily coached the Hastings area Special Olympics power lifting team for the past 20 years, including Cornhusker State Games, and national and world competitions.

• Bobbie Hopp, a 1963 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Friday, June 15, 2012. Bobbie was a long-time member of the Fremont Golf Club and past president of the Fremont Ladies Golf Association. She was involved in the Nebraska Women’s Amateur Golf Association, serving as president for three years and as tournament director. She was a Trans-National Representative for many years, served on the USGA Regional Affairs Committee and currently served as a television escort for NBC Sports at the Women’s U.S. Open. On Oct. 2, 2012, Bobbie will be inducted into the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame. Wally and Bobbie Hopp will be the first father and daughter recipients in Nebraska history to receive this prestigious award.

• Wayne 'Gus" Guthrie, a 1944 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Friday, June 15, 2012. He enjoyed shooting his guns and bow and arrows and hunting and fishing with his brother-in-law Tony and father-in-law Erle. Weekends and vacations would find the family enjoying camping out with their trailer. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather who loved to tease, and he will be greatly missed.

• Rod Breckner, a 1973 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Friday, June 15, 2012. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and involved with Stephens Ministries. Rod has worked for Pedersen Mobile, Halloran Battery and Electric, Farris Construction, Welton Woodworks, Harvs Farm Supply in Giltner and Husker Power Products, where he recently retired. He was the owner of Brenda & Co. Floral in Hastings.

• Berdena Brenneman Gidley, a Hastings High graduate, passed away on Tuesday, May 8, 2012. She was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hastings and Colorado Springs, a member of the Order of Eastern Star Acacia Chapter #39 in Hastings, and a member and past queen of Daughters of the Nile, Naamah Temple No. 108 in Hastings.

• Sandra 'Sandi' Portlock Pray, a 1962 alum of Hastings High School, passed away on Thursday, June 7, 2012, as a result of breast cancer. Sandi dedicated her life to helping others, and she enjoyed mentoring nurses and nursing students, gardening, reading, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.

• Scott Stramel, a 1987 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Thursday, June 7, 2012 as a result of a motorcycle accident. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Smitty's Electric for twenty-five years.

• Martha Anderson Delgado, a 1959 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Thursday, June 7, 2012. She moved back to Hastings in 1984 from Pennsylvania, and was employed at Great Plains Packaging from 1984-2005. She married Richard Delgado in 1992. She was a member of the YMCA Silver Sneakers and the DAV Auxiliary both in Hastings.

• Sally Ochsner Whitcomb, a 1963 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, as a result of brain cancer. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, BPO Does, PEO Chapter GZ, Eastern Star, and birthday club with her best girlfriends. Sally's greatest joy of life was spending time with her family and friends.

• Ken Classen, a 1963 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Friday, May 25, 2012. Ken enjoyed woodworking, building things, working on his 1967 Chevy stepside, and NASCAR with his favorite drives, Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

• Lois Engel Johnson, a 1949 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Friday, May 11, 2012. Lois worked in the Hastings area until her marriage to Harold V. Beahm in 1951. She was a full-time mother of five sons, along with helping her husband with their drywall business. Her husband was killed in a car accident in 1963. In 1966, she married Melvin J. Johnson and they had one daughter together (in addition to the son he already had). She worked at the Hastings Regional Center in Admissions/Medical Records and PBX operator. She was a member of First St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

• Robert L. Nimrod, a 1968 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Thursday, April 26, 2012. Bob attended Kearney State College and Central Community College and served in the U.S. Navy from 1968-1972. He worked for Hastings Utilities as a plant operator.

• Shirley Patterson Price, a 1948 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2012. After graduation, Shirley worked at Mode O'Day until the plant closed. She then worked at the Hastings Regional Center cafeteria until her retirement in 1998. She was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary.

• Marybelle Rants Bird, a 1939 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Friday, April 6, 2012. She was a music teacher providing private piano and organ lessons. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Church Circle, and Bell Choir. She was also a member of the Central Music Association, WSCS, Phi Sigma Alpha Sorority, and Organ Society AGO.

• Raymond Lipsack, a 1937 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2012. Raymond farmed the family farmstead until 1948 and then worked for Timberlock and Debus Bakery. He retired in 1984 from Metz Bakery after 33 years as Chief Maintenance Engineer. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, his neighbors, and most of all spending time with his family. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, and The Burker King Coffee Club.

• Geraldine 'Jerry' Hinrichs Petersen, a 1950 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Monday, March 26, 2012. She was the owner of Clip-N-Yip, was a life-long member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church outside of Glenvil, was a member of the B.P.O.E Does, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Eagles Auxiliary. Jerry enjoyed her grandchildren and the activities, flower gardening, Nebraska football, bowling, and going golfing with her family.

• Irma Stulken Eigenberg, a 1936 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Sunday, March 25, 2012. Irma and her husband Christian lived on a farm and were associated with agriculture for nearly 50 years. She was a homemaker and involved in church and community activities for many years. Irma had a love for people that was evidenced by family, church, community and club involvments.

• Raymond Grothen, a 1938 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2012. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from Nov. 4, 1942, until Nov. 7, 1945, during World War II. Raymond was a retired farmer and a part-time substitute rural mail carrier. He was a lifelong member of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he was on the Church Council, Choir, Foundation Board, Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. He and his wife Helen enjoyed Mr. and Mrs. Club, Middle Mixers and Westernaires Square Dancers. Raymond served on the Tri View School Board, West Blue Township Board, Adams Central Founding School Board, and ASCS Committee.

• Raymond Van Patten, a 1943 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2012. He enjoyed going to dances with his wife, playing cards with friends, camping and spending time with family. He was a long time member of the Hastings First Christian Church.

• Kenneth Fitzke, a 1958 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2012. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served with honor.

• Roman E. Hines, a 1942 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2012. He farmed for 43 years and was a member of the Kenesaw Legion #268, VFW #1346, the Order of Cootie, the Elks #159 and the Senior Center in Kenesaw. He loved fishing and hunting.

• Alice Sultzer Barnes, a 1937 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2012. Alice was a lifelong member of First St. Paul's Luterhan Church, as well as a longtime member of the Eagles, Elks and V.F.W. Auxiliaries. She was a homemaker who enjoyed gardnening, canning and cooking. She spent various periods of her life employed by Mary Lanning Hospital, Big G Ace Hardware and Hastings Senior High School (in the cafeteria). In her earlier years, Alice enjoyed golfing and in later years, preferred bingo, card playing and watching TV sports programs.

• Phyllis DeMars Micek, a 1921 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2012. She was a homemaker and member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, Altar Society, the Saints Quilting Group, and Catholic Daughters of America. She did volunteer work for the American Red Cross, Mary Lanning Memorial HealthCare Auxiliary, and Catholic Social Services.

• James Dutton, a 1958 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2012. He worked all of his life as an optician. He was a lifelong baseball player and was a member of hte Nebraska Legion Hall of Fame. He loved woodcarving and enjoyed hunting. He loved all animals, especially his pets.

• Sandra Kailey Merlin, a 1960 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Actively involved in Girl Scouts for over 30 years, she was a troop leader for her daughter’s troop, member of the board of the Tres Condados Girl Scout Council and received the Girl Scout’s second highest award for adults. Her commitment to her faith and church was reflected in her roles on the Altar Guild, Church Council, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League in her church life in California. Retiring to Arkansas, Sandra served on the Altar Guild, was a wedding coordinator, a Stephen minister, WELCA Circle leader, and eventually President of the Arkansas/Oklahoma Synod Women of the ELCA. She loved to sew and her numerous church banners still hang in the churches she attended. The many quilts she made as gifts are warm reminders of her generosity. She will be remembered for her faith in God, her servant leadership, her warm smile, her contagious laughter, and her passion for life, adventure and people.

• Dorothy Ruhter Hoffmann, a 1937 graduate of Hastings High, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2012. After high school she attended business college in Hastings and then took the civil service examination and was requested to report to Washington, D.C. for a position in the head office of the US Air Corp. It was the first office to open at the Pentagon in WWII. After the war, she returned to Hastings and worked as a ward secretary at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital. She worked at Hogans Sporting Goods for 20 plus years as the secretary/bookkeeper until her retirement. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church near Prosser.

• Budd C. Edgington, a Hastings High graduate, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2012. He lived in Hastings until 2004 and owned Edgington Realty and worked for various other realtors until retiring. When he retired he lived in Grand Island and then Kearney. He was a member of First St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hastings and was a member of the R.E. Board of Realtors.

• Betty Merkel DeBoer, a 1949 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2012. She was a member of the Modern Homemakers Extension Club, Red Hat Society, the Betty's Club, book club and Bible study. Sewing and crocheting were among some of her many enjoyments.

• Irene Bierman Garrett, a Hastings High alum, passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2012. Irene and her husband Wilson owned and operated Garrett Dry Cleaning in Hastings. In 1960, they moved the business to Grand Island, and Irene worked at Skagway, Green Stamp Store, and as a secretary in the City Building. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Grand Isalnd and liked to work out at the YMCA.

• Vernabelle Daum Uhrmacher, a 1939 graduate of Hastings High, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. She was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church and V.F.W. Auxiliary.

• Cheri Hartzell Curtis, a 1965 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2012. Her most cherished moments were spending time with her family and her dog Charlie. She loved gambling at the boats, watching football, and shopping with her daughter and granddaughter.

• Robert L. Newman Sr., a 1941 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on January 30, 2012. He had his wife Bessie owned and operated The Hobby Shop in Hastings. In 1948, they built and operated Norway Ridge Resort and Supper Club on Kimbal Lake at Pequot Lakes, Minn. They lived in Omaha for several years before settling in Coon Rapids, Minn. He retired from over-the-road truck driving in 1985. Robert loved fishing, hunting, carving, reading and laughing with family and friends at their cabin in Longville, Minn.

• Cindi Pelowski Brennfoerder, a Hastings High graduate, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2012. She enjoyed playing cards, dancing, and spending time with both friends and family. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, ELCA, the Eagles Auxiliary and the XI Alpha Pi Sorority, where she was mistress of ceremonies at the Christmas party for the developmentally disabled.

• Ruby Hartford Wilbur, a 1958 graduate of Hastings High School, passed away on February 15, 2012. During her early years, she cleaned houses and raised her family. She worked at Dana Perfect Circle as an inspector from 1980-2000. She enjoyed crafts and making scrapbooks. She also enjoyed keeping in touch with relatives and friends on Facebook.