Obituaries

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.

of Callaway, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Callaway Good Life Center surrounded by her loving family. Nadia was born in Kearney on Sept.

97, passed away on Feb. 1, 2025. Gene was born on Oct. 8, 1927, in Oconto, to Daisy Klein and Edd Klein. He grew up on a farm during the Great Depression, a time that shaped his resilience and hardworking spirit. Towards the end of World War II, Gene served with pride in the United States Navy. After his service, he returned to Nebraska, where he met and fell in love with LeEtta Johnson. The two married, building a life together filled with love and companionship.

age 83 of O’Neill, died Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Her family graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Callaway Rose Hill Cemetery. Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dr. Perry Ray Griffith, 81 of Huntington Beach, California, formerly of Callaway, passed away on Feb. 25, 2025. Perry was born on Jan. 17, 1944, to Clark “Ted” Theodore and Sadie Joyce (Moore) Griffith in Callaway. Perry intended to stay and help his dad on the farm after graduating from Callaway High school in 1962, but his parents strongly encouraged him to study for a year at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, and he was welcome to return home after that. Perry studied at UNL for two years and married his high school love and FFA Sweetheart, Mary Lynn Bridges, on June 11, 1964, in Lincoln. They both continued their studies at Kansas State University in Manhattan and graduated from KSU in 1970 while parenting two young kids, Clark Theodore II and Mary Joyce. Perry received a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and Mary Lynn earned a bachelor’s in education and American Literature.