Obituaries

JoAnn (Holden) Jurgens was born to Dale and Ellyn (Villars) Holden on September 27, 1942 in Tecumseh, Nebraska. In her early years, JoAnn was a member of the United Methodist Church in Tecumseh where she was baptized on April 17, 1949 and confirmed May 24, 1953. She attended Tecumseh Public Schools and graduated from Tecumseh High School.

JoAnn was married to George Wusk in 1961 and they later divorced.

She married Alvin Jurgens in August of 1979. After their marriage, Alvin and JoAnn lived near Filley and JoAnn became a member of the American Lutheran Church. Alvin passed away July, 2016.

Linda Marie Wolken, 58, of Kansas City, MO, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born to Marion and Arlene (Buente) Wolken on September 28, 1960 in Tecumseh, Nebraska. Linda was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska. She remained in the Christian faith until her passing. Linda grew up on the family farm located near Johnson, Nebraska. She enjoyed the outdoors, helping with gardening and canning, raising lambs, pets, attending Teens for Christ Youth events, and being with family and friends. She attended Johnson Brock Public School from kindergarten through graduation in 1978. She continued her education at Northwest Missouri State University. Linda received her Bachelor of Science in Education, Home Economics in May of 1982. She completed her Masters Degree from Mid America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas in 1993.

Peggy Ann Black, 66, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, August 15, 2019.

She was born September 1, 1952, in Marysville, Kansas, the daughter of Clarence and Ila (Stanberry) Lempka. She graduated from Sterling High School and furthered her education be receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from Washburn University in psychology.

She was employed by the State Of Kansas working as a Veteran Representative.

She was a very active member at Temple Beth Sholom. She was involved on the Adult Education Committee and the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom. Repairing books at the Temple was something that she was passionate about as well as being a part of the Blintze Brunch. She was the Co-Chair for Adult Education and helped with the Mitzvah (caring) Committee.

Linda J. Baum, 60, of rural Tecumseh, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was born to Lewis and Betty (Roberts) Tillman on September 5, 1958 in Falls City, Nebraska. Linda was the youngest of four children born to this union. In her early days Linda enjoyed riding her horse Buster and participating in horse shows in Salem. Linda attended Dawson-Verdon Public Schools graduating with the Class of 1976.

She was united in marriage on September 23, 1978 to Michael “Mick” Kunzman at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska. To this union three sons were born, Shawn, Joseph and Jeremy. Mick and Linda lived in Tecumseh where they raised their family and Linda started working in retail for Wheelers and later worked for Orschelins. Mick passed away October 13, 2003.

Martin John Neukirch was born on the family farm north of St. Mary, Nebraska on April 28, 1931 to Paul and Anna (Kerner) Neukrich. He attended St. Mary’s Parochial School through the eighth grade and worked on the family farm along with his brothers.

He entered the Air Force on Nov 28, 1951 and served his country until his discharge on Nov. 4, 1955 during the Korean War. He was an airplane mechanic and spent his time in the service in England, France, Luxemburg, Germany, Sweden, North Africa and Tripoli.

Passed away in Omaha, Nebraska, Sunday, August 4, 2019 at the age of 88 years, 3 months and 6 days. Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2019 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Mary, Nebraska with Father Craig Clinch officiating. Rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska, Thursday, August 8, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Memorials may go to the family’s choice. Inurnment will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Mary, Nebraska with military rites by the Offutt Air Force Funeral Honors Team. Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com

Dorcas M. Pella, 77, of Beatrice died at her home surrounded by her husband and daughters on Monday, August 5, 2019. She was born June 12, 1942 in Tecumseh and attended and graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1960.

She married Robert “Bob” Pella on April 15, 1961 at the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church of Tecumseh and they lived in Lincoln where she worked at Bankers Life. They moved to Beatrice in July of 1961 and she worked as a secretary at Dempster Industries. She and Bob owned and operated Beatrice Marine and Auto from 1975 until 2001. She sold Avon for several years and in June of 1986, they purchased the Flower Shop in Beatrice which they owned until their retirement in 2016.

Evalyne Mae (Reutter) Walters, 88, of Sterling, died Saturday morning, August 3, 2019 at Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams. She was born on January 14, 1931 in Sterling to John and Emma (Casper) Reutter.

She was baptized on February 15, 1931 and confirmed on May 12, 1946 at St. John Lutheran Church of Sterling and graduated from Sterling High School.

She married Homer Walters on December 29, 1948 at St. John Lutheran Church and they were blessed with five children. They farmed in the Sterling, Burr, and Douglas areas before moving to Sterling in 1969. She worked at Campbell Soup in Tecumseh during this period.

Elaine Marie (Thies) Scott, 77, of Tecumseh, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Belle Terrace in Tecumseh, Nebraska. She was born to Raymond and Margaret (Schultz) Thies, Sr. on September 27, 1941 in Vesta, Nebraska. Elaine was the sixth of seven children born to this union.

She was united in marriage to Jack Schaffer. To this union were born Vince and Kristy. They resided in Lincoln where they raised their family. After they divorced, Elaine returned to the Sterling/Burr area to be closer to family.

Elaine was a homemaker and also worked for the DMV, Lincoln Drug Company and Hy-Gain in Lincoln and as a dishwasher at Frazier’s Cafe in Tecumseh until her retirement.

She enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, yard work, raising flowers and her cats over the years and especially loved her cat “Baby” and spending time with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

Glen F. Baum, 90, of rural Tecumseh, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2019 while resting in his favorite chair on the family farm. He was born on February 11, 1929 at the same family farm southwest of the Maple Grove Church.

He attended country school through 8th grade and then graduated with the 1946 class at Tecumseh Public School. After his high school graduation, Glen worked for his father on the farm for a year before attending the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agricultural Education.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War before returning home to teach agriculture education in DeWitt, Nebraska. Part of his teaching experience also included Adult VA School in Louisville and later, high school agricultural education classes at Lewiston, all while continuing to farm.