Dorothy Gayle Vculek
FAIRBURY - Dorothy Gayle Vculek, 51, Fairbury, died Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2000, at her home. She was born Feb. 2, 1949, at Belleville, Kan., and was a seamstress for a clothing manufacturer.
Survivors: husband, Earl; daughters, Sandra Kudritzki and husband Eric of Chetopa, Kan., Joan Davis and husband Gilbert of Fairbury; sons, Burton Vculek and wife Patricia of Fairbury, Michael Vculek and friend Becky Peterson of Lincoln; five grandchildren; brothers, Marvin Kolars and wife Carol of Malcom, Iowa, Elvin Kolars and wife Carolyn of Linn, Kan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Lillian (Kulhanek) Kolars.
Funeral: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, United Methodist Church, Fairbury, Pastor Sharee Kelly officiating. Burial: Fairbury Cemetery. Memorials to family choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home, Fairbury.

Edith Mary (Buttner) Tate
CRETE - Edith Mary (Buttner) Tate, 56, Crete, died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2000, at the Crete Manor. She was born Dec. 4, 1943, in Seneca, Kan. On May 19, 1959, she married Albert Larry Tate in Sabetha, Kan., where they lived until 1966 when they moved to Pawnee City. In 1976, they moved to Table Rock. She had been employed as a nurses's aid and enjoyed fishing, needlework, riding horses, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors: daughters, Roxanne Barnes and husband Leroy of Humboldt, Brenda Frank and husband Terry, all of Humboldt; sons, Chris Tate and wife Lori of Burchard, Andy Tate and wife Holly of Japan; grandchildren, Angelyn and Heather Frank, Ashley and Devon Tate, Logan Tate; mother, Dorothy Buttner of Wamego, Kan.; sisters, Velma McClintock and husband Dave of Pawnee City, Ruby Menhusen of Grand Island, Rosie Monagham and husband Gerald of Hiawatha, Kan., Marcia Buttner of Wamego, Kan.; brothers, Carl Buttner, Eddie Buttner and wife Christina, all of Seneca, Kan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; son, Lonnie; daughter, Penney; father, Adolph; one brother and one sister.
Funeral: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, Wherry Brothers Mortuary, Humboldt, Mary Ellen Gaither officiating. Private inurnment at a later date. Memorials to family choice. No visitation. Wherry Brothers Mortuary, Humboldt.

Meta M. Wallman
Meta M. Wallman, 85, Beatrice, died Friday, Oct. 27, 2000, at the Beatrice Manor. She was born May 13, 1915, at rural Beatrice and attended Logan Center Country School. She was married to John J. Wallman in March of 1935 at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Pickrell. They lived and farmed northwest of Filley until she moved into Beatrice in 1990. She was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church, rural Pickrell, and enjoyed being with her grandchildren and her hobby of growing flowers.
Survivors: daughter, Alnora Daubendiek and husband Edwin of Beatrice; son, Wayne Wallman and wife Laurie of Filley; grandchildren, Denise Work and husband Bob, Diane Daubendiek, Jeffrey Wallman; sister, Margaret Wallman of Filley; sisters-in-law, Tena Johnsen, Hannah Waltke and Frieda Wallman, all of Beatrice. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Alma (Rademacher) Cramer; husband, John (1953); daughter, Alvina Wallman; and a brother, Eilert Cramer.
Funeral: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, Zion Lutheran Church, rural Pickrell, Pastor Paul Petersen officiating. Burial: Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Beatrice. Family prayer service: 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, basement of the church. Memorial established with Arnold Buhr and Donald Dorn in charge. Visitation: until 9:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, and then at the church one hour preceding services on Tuesday. Fox Funeral Home, Beatrice.

Bertha D. Meints
Bertha D. Meints, 88, Beatrice, died Sunday evening, Oct. 29, 2000, at the Beatrice Manor.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Fox Funeral Home, Beatrice.

Larry R. Taylor
FAIRBURY - Larry R. Taylor, 59, Fairbury, died Sunday, Oct. 29, 2000.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home, Fairbury.

Phyllis A. Schroeder
DeWITT - Phyllis A. Schroeder, 66, rural DeWitt, died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000, at her home. She was born June 4, 1934, in Beatrice and lived in the DeWitt area her entire life. She attended Mount Hope District 41 and was a 1951 graduate of Beatrice High School. She attended Doane College and taught at Caldwell School near Hoag for two years. She was a part time employee at Tri County School until 1999. She married Harlan Schroeder on April 18, 1954, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, rural DeWitt. She was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, rural DeWitt, a member of the Workers for Christ Circle, the Senior Choir, and the Young at Heart Extension Club. She enjoyed working with and helping children and her family.
Survivors: husband, Harlan; daughters, Candace Heindryckx and husband Greg of Lincoln, Cindy Wiese and husband Rodney of DeWitt, and Jenise Straight and husband Doug of Shickley; grandchildren, Haley and Jason Heindryckx, Ryan and Cara Wiese, and Conley and Cody Straight; parents, Albert and Elsie Brinkmeyer of DeWitt; brother, Wayne Brinkmeyer and wife Marilee of DeWitt; sisters, Glennys Hieronymus of Clatonia and Cheryl Giles of Dumfries, Va.; brothers-in-law, Norman Stokebrand of DeWitt and Walter Wollenburg of Beatrice. She was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Stokebrand; brother-in-law, John Hieronymus; and a sister-in-law, Viola Wollenburg.
Funeral: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, rural DeWitt, the Rev. Neal Mather officiating. Burial: church cemetery. Visitation: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, Beatrice, and at the church one hour preceding the services. Family prayer service: 10:15 a.m. Saturday, parish hall of the church. Memorial established with Maurice Heist and Paul Niemeyer in charge. Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, Beatrice.

Mary Helen Foreman
Mary Helen Foreman, 92, Beatrice, died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000, at Beatrice Community Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Harman-Wright Mortuary, Beatrice.

William L. "Bill" Bruna
HANOVER, Kan. - William L. "Bill" Bruna, 67, Hanover, Kan., died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000, at the Hanover Hospital. He was born July 8, 1933, at Hanover and had served in the U.S. Army. He farmed south of Hanover for many years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Hanover American Legion, and the Barnes Lions Club.
Survivors: sons, Steve Bruna, Don Bruna and Gene Bruna, all of Barnes; daughter, Debra Kruse of Hanover; five grandchildren; mother, Emma (Koehler) Bruna of Hanover; brothers, Harold Bruna and James Bruna, both of Hanover; sisters, Alice Jueneman of Hanover and Mary Bevitt of Overland Park. He was preceded in death by his father, Tony Bruna.
Funeral: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, St. John's Catholic Church, Hanover. Burial: Hanover Cemetery. Visitation: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Hanover Mortuary, Hanover. Wake service: 6 p.m. Friday, at the church. Hanover Mortuary.

James Frederick Booth
PAWNEE CITY - James Frederick Booth, 84, Pawnee City, died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2001, at Pawnee City. He was born March 14, 1916, in Fairview, Kan., and graduated from Fairview High School in 1933. He attended Baker University and graduated from Kansas State University in 1940 with a degree in agricultural economics. While at Kansas State, he was a member of the Farmhouse fraternity. Following graduation, he worked in agriculture and was a county agriculture agent in Mitchell County, Kan., and served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1943-1945. On Sept. 7, 1947, he married Elva Mae Gish at Everest, Kan. He was also a country banker, working in banks in McClouth and Paola, Kan., and in 1952, purchased the Commercial State Bank, later renamed First Western State Bank, in Abilene, Kan. While in Abilene, he was instrumental in the development of Old Abilene Town. He sold the bank in 1966 and worked in banks in Burns and Troy, Kan., and Pawnee City, Beaver Crossing, and DuBois before retiring in 1993. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Pawnee City, the American Legion, and the VFW.
Survivors: wife, Elva Mae; daughters, Linda Nelson and husband John of Washington, Kan., Sara Williams and husband Dennis of Canton, Mich., Barbara Gronwald and husband Jim of Clovis, Calif.; sons, Charles Booth and wife Susan of Independence, Mo., Tim Booth and wife Shirena of Rockford, Minn.; 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, James H. and Sophia (Mellenbruch) Booth; five sisters and three brothers.
Memorial service: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3, United Presbyterian Church, Pawnee City, the Rev. Garry Timmons officiating. Private interment at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fairview, Kan., at a later date. Memorials to family choice. Wherry Brothers Mortuary, Pawnee City.

Beulah Mae Busing
Beulah Mae Busing, 88, Beatrice, died Sunday evening, July 15, 2001, at the Beatrice Good Samaritan Center. She was born April 4, 1913, at Grainfield, Kan., and was the fourth child of Charles and Easter Yates Reid. She moved to Fairbury with her family in 1921, and she graduated from Fairbury High School in 1931. She taught country school for a time and then was married to Buford Busing on Nov. 23, 1935, at Otoe. they lived on a farm north of Fairbury until 1952 when they moved to Beatrice. She was employed by Van's Cleaners, Sears and Sieck Paint and Decorating and then owned and operated her own drapery business. She was a former member of the Helvey Methodist Church in Helvey. She was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice, was on the wedding committee, sang in the church choir and served on various women's organizations at the church. She was also a member of the Beatrice Ostomy Club. She loved her family and friends and had begun making quilts, both stitching and liquid embroidery.
Survivors: husband, Buford; daughter, Barbara Ann Cramer and husband Harvey of Beatrice; grandson, Lee Cramer and wife, Bobby Jo of Lewiston; great-granddaughters, Jessica, Danielle and Amanda Cramer; sister, June Bergstedt of San Diego, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Wilma Reid of Caldwell, Idaho, and Margaret Reid of Omaha; nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Easter Yates Reid; son, Neil; three brothers; and three sisters.
Funeral: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, Fox Funeral Home, Beatrice, the Rev. Tess Hufford officiating. Burial: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Fairbury Cemetery. Visitation: until time of services Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial: established to Alzheimer's Association, Fox Funeral Home in charge. Fox Funeral Home, Beatrice.

Wilma H. Waltz
GOLD CANYON, Ariz. -- Wilma H. Waltz, 81, Gold Canyon, Ariz., died Saturday, June 23, 2001. She was born July 16, 1919, in Loveland, Colo. She moved to Denver with her family at the age of 9 and attended high school there. In 1941, she married Carl Waltz Jr., and in 1952 they moved to Nebraska. Until her husband's death in 1983, they lived between their homes in Beatrice, Neb., and Palm Springs, Calif. She moved to Mission Viejo, Calif., in 1984 to be near her son. In 1987, they moved to Indian Wells, Calif., in 1989 to Tucson, and in 1997 to Gold Canyon. While in Nebraska she was a member of the Daughters of the Nile and BPO Does. She also belonged to several women's groups, University of Nebraska Extension groups and bridge clubs.
Survivors: son, Doug of Gold Canyon; sister, Norma of Tucson; brothers, Elmer of El Paso, Texas, Don of Wheatridge, Colo.; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Margaret Hoffoman; husband, Carl; brother, Ralph; sister Helen.
Funeral services have already taken place at Mesa. Burial: has taken place at Mariposa Gardens, Mesa.

Ludwig "Louie" Pralle
BREMEN, Kan. -- Ludwig "Louie" Pralle, 79, Bremen, Kan., died Monday, July 16, 2001, at Community Memorial Hospital, Marysville. He was born May 10, 1922, to Otto and Sophia Nee (Rippe) Pralle. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from October 1942 until February 1946. He received a good conduct medal, rifle marksman while serving as a member of the Military Police. He was also a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he held various offices on the church council. He was also on the Bremen Elevator Board. On Sept. 5, 1954, he married Verda Elaine Holle. He enjoyed farming, raising Charolais cattle, horses and spending time with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors: wife, Verda Elaine; daughter, Pam Goeckel and husband Jim of Hanover; sons, Dale Pralle and wife Jenny of Bremen, Galen Pralle and wife Ruth Ann of Marysville, Mark Pralle and wife Michelle of Lenexa; grandchildren, Mandy Klipp, Jessica and Nicole Goeckel, Sara and Raechel Pralle, Adam, Andrew and Cassie Pralle, Alex and Zachary Pralle; great-grandchildren, Allison and Garrett Klipp; brother, Walter Pralle of Lincoln; sister, Luella Loemker of Beatrice. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Sophia Pralle; brothers, Helmuth, William, Ed and Orgen; sisters, Rose Mulvany, Helen Lutjmeier; sisters-in-law, Ann Pralle, Blanche Pralle, Delores Pralle, Minnie Pralle; brothers-in-law, Harold Loemker, Paul Mulvany, Gerhard Lutjmeier; grandson, Eric Wayne Pralle; and a nephew, Donald Pralle.
Funeral: 10 a.m. Thursday, July 19, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bremen. Burial: church cemetery. Visitation: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday, Kinsley Mortuary, Marysville. Family will receive friends from 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial: established to the church with Don Minge, Armin Holle in charge. Kinsley Mortuary, Marysville.

Lois Ann Fraley
LITTLETON, Colo. -- Lois Ann Fraley, 76, Littleton, Colo., died Sunday, June 17, 2001, in Littleton. She was born Aug. 4, 1924, in Edgar, Neb., the daughter of Benjamin and Anna Schneller. She was raised in Hastings, Neb., where she lived until 1940, at which time her family moved to Beatrice, Neb. She was a 1942 graduate of Beatrice High School and worked as children's librarian at Beatrice Public Library and later as a dental hygienist. She married Larry Fraley on Feb. 24, 1951, at the Methodist Church in Beatrice, Neb. She then resided in Littleton until her death. She belonged to the Littleton United Methodist Church for 50 years and was a 50-year member of Manzanita Chapter 85 of Eastern Star and a member of the Vagabond Sunday School class.
Survivors: husband, Larry; son, Les Fraley and wife Valorie of Brighton; daughter, Linda Graves and husband Bill of Leadville; stepson, Larry Leroy Fraley and wife Judy of California; grandchildren, Nathan Fraley and wife Sonia of Westminster, Vanessa Graves of Boulder; stepgrandchildren, Shari Gillette and husband Bill of California, Michelle Devlin and husband Shawn, all of California, Marc Fraley and wife Caroline of Washington; eight stepgreat-grandchildren; sisters, Jean Schneller of Beatrice, Neb., Phyllis Polak and husband Larry of Norfolk, Neb.; brother, Ben Schneller and wife Sandy of Grand Lake, Colo. She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Anna Schneller; a brother; and a step-grandson.
Funeral services were held Thursday, June 21, at the Littleton United Methodist Church. Burial at the Littleton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: Lois Fraley Memorial Fund, in care of Wells Fargo Bank, 15 South Main, Brighton, CO 80601.

Frank Yurka
Frank Yurka, 91, Beatrice, died Monday, July 16, 2001.
Services are pending with Harman-Wright Mortuary, Beatrice.

Clayton L. Bybee
Clayton L. Bybee, 79, Beatrice, died Monday afternoon, July 16, 2001, at Parkview Center.
Services are pending with Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, Beatrice.

Leonard W. Buchmeier, 80, Fairbury. Funeral: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, United Methodist Church, Fairbury. Burial: Fairbury Cemetery. Memorials to family choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home, Fairbury.

Carol E. Parks, 74, Wymore. Graveside service: noon, Thursday, July 19, Oketo Cemetery, Oketo, Kan., with Robert Cunningham officiating. Memorial established to the Beatrice Humane Society with the funeral home in charge. There will be no public visitation. Fox Funeral Home, Beatrice.

Christian Glenn Paul
DAYKIN -- Christian Glenn Paul, infant son of Ryan and Lisa (Brandt) Paul of Daykin, died on the day of his birth, Friday, Aug. 27, 2001, at Seward Memorial Hospital in Seward.
Survivors: parents, Ryan and Lisa (Brandt) Paul of Daykin; brother, Connor Morgan Paul; grandparents, Bill and Glenda Wolf of Miles City, Mont., Mike and Joyce Paul of Daykin.
Funeral: 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Daykin, Pastor Keith Burk officiating. Burial: church cemetery. Memorials to family choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home, Fairbury.

Dr. William J. "Bill" Simic
Dr. William J. "Bill" Simic, 94, Beatrice, died Tuesday morning, Aug. 28, 2001, at the Good Samaritan Center in Beatrice. He was born Sept. 15, 1906, at Oak and graduated from Edgar High School. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and the Scabbard and Blade Honorary ROTC organization. He married Hazel Johnson on Feb. 12, 1937, at Republican City, Neb. He worked for Phillips Petroleum Company for one year and farmed for 10 years at Superior. He then attended the School of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, graduating in 1943, and moved to Beatrice, where he set up his veterinary practice in Beatrice, the first small animal hospital in southeast Nebraska. He retired in 1973. He served as a Boy Scout leader, a Gage County Fair Board member for 12 years, was a member and past president of the Gage County Historical Society, member of the National Veterinary Medical Association, and was a past president of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. He was appointed by then Gov. Victor E. Anderson to the Grade A Milk Board for the purpose of organizing a permanent Grade A Milk Board, and he is listed in "A Century of Veterinary Medicine in Nebraska." He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, had served as Sunday School teacher, past chairman of the board of trustees and was a lay leader of the church. He enjoyed gardening, collecting antiques and refinishing antique furniture.
Survivors: wife, Hazel; son, Dr. William J. Simic Jr. and wife Barbara of Woodruff, Wis.; daughter, Margaret J. Langdale of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Karrie Sherick of Renton, Wash., Jennifer More of Mission Vejo, Calif., Cynthia Dietz of Eagen, Minn., Paul Langdale of Tucson, Ariz.; four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Antone and Katheryn (Jirovec) Simic; four brothers and three sisters.
Funeral: 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, Centenary United Methodist Church, Beatrice, the Rev. Nancy Kaye-Skinner officiating. Burial: Evergreen Home Cemetery, Beatrice. Family prayer service: 10:45 a.m. Thursday, parlor of the church. Memorial established to the Beatrice Good Samaritan Center Alzheimer's Unit with Fox Funeral Home, Beatrice, in charge. Visitation: until 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home, and one hour preceding services on Thursday. Fox Funeral Home, Beatrice.

Waldon H. Wiegers
WESTERN -- Waldon H. Wiegers, 87, Western, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2001. He was born April 22, 1914, on a farm northwest of Western, attended Star School and farmed with his father. On March 2, 1933, he married Mamie Sasek at Western. He had hauled milk for 15 years and enjoyed auctions and bingo.
Survivors: wife, Mamie; daughters, Nancye Vanoumy and husband Stanley of Lincoln, Nona Herfurth of Denver, Colo.; grandchildren, Tammy Vega and husband Ysidro Vega Jr. of Denver, Colo., Renae Vanderslice and husband James of Lincoln, Todd Vicenec of Denver, Colo.; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Kerr and husband Floyd of Denver, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Tillie Slepicka of Wilber, Arlene Sasek of Beatrice; brother-in-law, Kenneth Sasek and wife Ruby of St. Louis, Mo.; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Martha (Butt) Wiegers; son-in-law, Billy Herfurth; brothers-in-law, Norbert Slepicka and Clarence Sasek.
Funeral: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, Zajicek Funeral Home, Wilber, Pastor Michael Flury officiating. Burial: Plainview Cemetery, Western. Visitation: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to the Western Rescue Squad. Zajicek Funeral Home, Wilber.

Marvin Gaston
HEBRON -- Marvin Gaston, 70, Hebron, died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2001, at Hebron. He was born Dec. 10, 1930, at Alexandria and had been employed as an auto mechanic.
Survivors: sister, Betty Vostrez and husband Weldon of Alexandria; brothers, Gerald Gaston of Daykin, Robert Gaston and wife Luann of Lincoln. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan Cecil and Helen Minnie (Strodtman) Gaston; sisters, Nellie Walsh, Luetta Cecrle; and a brother, Alvin.
Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, Pastor William Thornton officiating. Burial: Alexandria Cemetery. Memorials to family's choice. No viewing. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home, Fairbury.

Hilda R. Gottula, 79, Adams. Funeral: 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, Beatrice, Wendell Hillers officiating. Burial: Highland Cemetery, Adams. Visitation: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday at Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Adams, and 9 a.m. Thursday until time of service at Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, Beatrice. Memorial established with Jim and Eina Aden of Adams in charge. Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, Adams.

Gloria B. Peek, 67, Beatrice. Memorial service: 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, First Baptist Church, Beatrice, the Rev. Dan Osborn officiating. Inurnment will be held later in the Tecumseh Cemetery, Tecumseh. No public viewing. The register book will be available for signatures: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, Beatrice. Memorial established with mortuary in charge. (Date of death: Aug. 17, 2001). Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, Beatrice.

Clifford Ray Mason, 69, Aransas Pass, Texas, a Beatrice, Neb., native. The body has been cremated. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, Fox Funeral Home, Beatrice. Burial of cremains at a later date. Memorial established to the family's choice with the funeral home in charge. A register book will be available for signatures: 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, and 8 a.m. until of service Wednesday, Sept. 5, at the funeral home. Fox Funeral Home, Beatrice. (Date of death: Aug. 9, 2001.)