Obituaries

of North Platte, passed away July 11, 2025. He was “Ken” to most but “Kenny” to those who knew his ornery and charming sides.

of Mullen, died at the age of 45, following a two-and-ahalf- year battle with brain cancer. Trent was born Jan. 29, 1980, in Macon, Missouri to Paul and Vickie (Blake) Walz. The Walz family moved back to Nebraska in 1984. Trent attended several country schools in the Ainsworth and Bassett area and graduated from Rock County High School with the class of 1998. During his time in high school, Trent found a love for running and pushed himself to be faster and more confident than the next competitor. He was a member of the 1998 Class C State Champion 3200M relay team and placed 5th in the mile at state that year.

age 107 of Broken Bow, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025. In her own words, Edna wrote: “Born Nov. 29, 1917, to Franklin Homer and Theresa (Tracy) Augusta Keim on a farm near Bruning in Thayer County. I was the second oldest of eight children - four boys and four girls. At age 4, my parents moved to Franklin County where we lived on farms near Franklin and Bloomington.

Mary Ellen (Smith) Cooley passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Nov. 5, 2024, in Melbourne Beach, Florida at the age of 99.

Lane R. Nansel, 89 of Kearney, passed away Friday, May 30, 2025, at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney. Memorial services were held on Tuesday, June 3, at the First Lutheran Church in Kearney. The burial followed the service at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Callaway. Lane was born April 7, 1936, in Arnold, to Charles Godfrey Nansel and Mildred “Kitty” Irene (Mason) Nansel. He was united in marriage to Karen M. Keilig in Ravenna. After Karen’s passing, he was united in marriage to Barbara (Mote) Dietrich in Alliance. He began his career in banking at the Seven Valleys State Bank in Callaway. In 1991 he joined the Nebraska State Banking Department as an examiner. In 1966 he joined the Abbott Banks of Western Nebraska in Alliance, where he remained until retiring to Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.

age 84 of Broken Bow, passed away on May 10, 2025, at Bergan Mercy Hospital. Kay Janice (Robertson) Nelsen was born to William and V. Irene (Overgard) Robertson at her grandparents’, George Robertson’s home near Callaway, on July 5, 1940. Kay grew up on Redfern Table near Callaway. Growing up with her three brothers she was always outdoors and learned the love of sports, especially playing softball. It was fun to hear stories about how Kay could play ball as good as any of the boys on the field. She attended grade school through the 8th grade at the Redfern school house. Kay then attended Callaway High School where she excelled in sports and graduated as valedictorian in 1958.

Joyce Augusta (Haring) Bonde, 94, joined her Lord and Savior on March 5, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Clarence Wesley and Clara Lucetia (Monie) Haring gave birth to Joyce on Nov. 22, 1930, on a farm near Riverton. Joyce graduated from Franklin High School, attended Normal School in Kearney, and obtained her secondary teaching degree from Kearney Teacher’s College (UNK). She taught for 41 years; first in country schools in Franklin County and Custer County, one year at Callaway Public Schools in 19521953, then at Oconto Public Schools until the high school closed in 1978, and finally at McCool Junction Public Schools.

Shirley Ann Schoenrock, 92 of Wahoo, formerly of Callaway, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Saunders Medical Center and Long Care surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born Dec. 4, 1932, and was raised by Lester and Malinda Hummel with four siblings: Horace (Ruth) Hummel, Roslyn (Sam) Nietfeldt, Rachel (Stan) Peters, and Kent (Joanie) Hummel of Daykin.

Mona M. "Mickey" Gavin, 85 of Callaway, peacefully passed away on April 22, 2025, after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by family in her room filled with love and prayer. Mona was born on Jan. 2, 1940, in the town of Huron, South Dakota to Eugene William Van Doren and Marjorie Ruth Gilchrist. Mona was raised in Huron, along with her brother Stanley and graduated high school at age 16 in Huron. Upon graduation she moved to southern California where she went to work for the phone company as a switchboard operator.