Obituaries

Wanda “Bonnie” Eggleston, age 94 of Oconto, passed away Aug. 6, 2025, at her home in Oconto. Wanda Marie Eggleston was born one mile east of Oconto, on March 3, 1931, to Clifford Alvin and Leota Lucille (Flint) Martin. She was the fifth of 10 children. At an early age she was nicknamed “Bonnie” by a family friend, and it has stayed with her all her life. She moved to the Sumner area in 1936. In 1937, Bonnie started school south of Sumner at Bacon Country School. In 1938, the family moved to a farm five miles northwest of Eddyville. Bonnie then attended school at Lomax District 65, where she graduated from the 8th grade in May of 1945. In the fall she enrolled in Oconto High School and graduated as Salutatorian in 1949. During high school she was a cheerleader for the “Tigers” for three years, and a class officer all four years. Bonnie always loved school. She had several favorite teachers, including Mrs. McDermott and Emmett Gannon. After graduation, Bonnie and her sister Beulah attended college in Kearney for the summer. After college, Bonnie taught south of Oconto at District 217 for two years.

Beloved husband, dad, grand-dad, brother and friend, Norman Lee Bonde, age 85, joined his Lord and Savior and reunited with his wife in his heavenly home peacefully on July 28, 2025, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Henry Bonde and Rachel (Spangler) Bonde gave birth to Norman on Aug. 27, 1939, at the hospital in Gothenburg.

of Callaway, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 22, 2025, at his home. Gary was born on Aug. 15, 1953, in Arnold, to Wylie and Joan (Pearson) Eastwood. He received his education from Callaway Public Schools, graduating from Callaway High School with the class of 1972.

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.