Obituaries

Elaine Marie Rothell, 92, of Orange, California, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2019.  She was born in the small town of Heron Lake, Minnesota on August 6, 1927.  She was the third of five children to Earl and Magdalena “Lena” (Schad) Jones. Elaine loved Heron Lake but was looking for more out of life so she headed to southern California after graduation in 1945.  Once she was settled, Elaine started working for Bank of America which she loved.  She soon met another banker and eventually married George Rothell on September 26, 1964 in San Diego, California.  George and Elaine had one daughter named Leslie.  Elaine loved banking but soon found her family moving to London, England for her husband’s job.  After several wonderful years abroad, the time came to return to the U.S.  Elaine continued to support her husband in business and their daughter in all areas a mother supports.

Darlene Mae (Grove) Johnson, 78, of Tecumseh, passed away Saturday, November 30, 2019 at the Johnson County Hospital in Tecumseh, Nebraska. She was born to Francis A. and Esther (Haynes) Grove Sr. in Elk Creek, Nebraska. Darlene attended Elk Creek Public Schools.

Darlene met her future husband, Richard Dean Johnson, in home ec class in Elk Creek. They were united in marriage on November 15, 1959 at the Pawnee County Courthouse in Pawnee City, Nebraska. To this union three children were born, Dale, Ken and Brenda. Richard and Darlene lived near Elk Creek until moving to Tecumseh in 1970. Richard and Darlene enjoyed square dancing and gardening and raising her family. Her husband Richard passed away June 25, 2016.

Darlene worked for the Tecumseh Care Center as well as the Good Samaritan Center in Auburn in the cleaning department.

Shirley Margaret (Badberg) Knople was born on September 15, 1934 near Talmage Nebraska. She passed away on November 23, 2019 at the age of 85 at Belle Terrace in Tecumseh. Shirley lived her whole life in southeast Nebraska and for 62 years lived just west of Syracuse.

At age 16, right after high school, Shirley began her teaching career at a rural school near Dunbar. She retired in 1997 from Elk Creek Public School, after a career spanning more than 46 years. Shirley loved teaching school but also worked part time at the bowling alley, the veterinary’s office, and B&J in Syracuse through the years.

Shirley married Robert Knople on May 30, 1953 at Lutheran Memorial Church in Syracuse and had four children, Patti, Ricky, Lorri and Kelli. Her best days were spent spending time with her girls and her grandsons, sons-in law too.

Frances Margaret (Grof) Schmidt passed away on November 22, 2019 at the Johnson County Hospital. Frances was born September 30, 1927 on a farm near Tecumseh to Thomas J. and Josephine C. (Farley) Grof. She was united in marriage to George F. Schmidt at the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church on September 26, 1959. Her life was spent in Johnson County except for a time spent in San Diego and in Adams. She attended school at Brush Hill #16, Tecumseh High School, and Business College in Lincoln.

Jack Dean Yates was born to John and Goldie (Mitchell) Yates on May 22, 1938 at Tecumseh, Nebraska. He grew up in Johnson County and attended Tecumseh Public Schools.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy July 11, 1955 at the age of 17 years and 2 months and served on eight different naval destroyers until his honorable discharge on August 6, 1963. Jack served during the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was one of a group known as the Tin Can Sailors.

Rosalyn J. Grundman, 89 of Syracuse, passed away on November 15th, 2019 at The Greene Place in Seward. She was born on November 29, 1929 to Earl & Ethel (Powell) Rowe on the family farm near Sterling.

Rosalyn attended district 24 and graduated from Cook High School in 1947. She married Darold A. Grundman on June 4th, 1950 at the United Methodist Church in Cook. Rosalyn worked on the farm with Darold. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Goldenrod Extension Club and served as treasurer for 12 years for the women’s fellowship. She also served as a board member of district 41 and was a 4-H leader.

Rosalyn enjoyed genealogy research, photography and spent many hours crocheting and embroidering. Most of all she loved her family.

John William Wilmes was born March 15, 1927 near Creighton, Nebraska.  Jack grew up on his parents’ farm west of Creighton, Nebraska, with two brothers and two sisters.  He attended a country school through the 8th grade and then graduated in 1944 from St. Ludgers High School in Creighton, Nebraska.  Jack was active in 4-H and farmed with his father. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska where he received his Bachelor of Science degree.  

Jack was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Maly on August 16, 1951 at St. Ludgers Catholic Church in Creighton, Nebraska.  To this union four children were born, John J., Patricia Ann, Michael James and Barbara Jean.  

Jack was a Vocational Agriculture teacher and farmer in Knox County, County Extension Agent in Merrick, Pierce and Johnson counties, Johnson County Assessor and was a part time employee at Brinkman’s in Tecumseh.  

Gerald D. “Jerry” Stitt, 87, of Lincoln, (formerly Tecumseh), died November 8, 2019.  He was born April 29, 1932 in Pawnee City, Nebraska.  

He was preceded in death by his mother, Eva Caron, and his grandparents, Melvin and Mabel Stitt of Pawnee City.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Marjorie; daughter, Jane Stuart, and husband, Scott, of Lincoln, NE; son, Robert Stitt, and wife, Joan, and grandsons, Joe and Sam Stitt of New Braunfels, TX, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

In 1951, Jerry attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for two years.  He joined the Air Force and served from 1953 to 1957, being stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He was aide to the Commanding General, William M. Canterbury.

Steven G. Wehmer, 63, of Beatrice, NE passed away Sunday, November 10, 2019 at Beatrice Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Beatrice, NE on December 1, 1955 to Gaylord and Beverly (McCoy) Wehmer. Steve graduated from Lewiston Consolidated High School in 1974. After high school Steve attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and played football. He enjoyed farming just as much as he loved football. He farmed with his Dad, near Lewiston, where they raised hay and pigs. Steve eventually retired and moved to Beatrice. He enjoyed cars, music, animals, kids and of course Husker sports. In his younger years he enjoyed traveling with friends, especially to Colorado and the mountains. Steve was a past member of the FFA, 4-H, and the Pork Producers and a current member of the Eagles Club Aerie #531 in Beatrice.

Virginia “Ginny” Lee Mittelberg, 90, of Bridgman, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at Woodland Terrace in Bridgman.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, November 16, 2019, at The Chapel, 4250 Washington Avenue, St. Joseph, MI with Reverend Phil Bubar officiating.

The burial will be in St. Paul Osage Cemetery in Cook, Nebraska.

Memorial gifts may be given to either The Chapel in St. Joseph, MI (www.yourplacetobelong.com) or Five Pines Ministries in Berrien Center, MI (www.fivepines.org).

Online condolences can be posted at www.PikeFH.com.