Obituaries

Rodney Ray Longmore, 70 of Callaway, passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at the Callaway Good Life Center in Callaway. He was born on July 9, 1953, in Sutherland to Clarence Lewis and Ruby May (Matson) Longmore.

of Callaway, passed away on May 15, 2024, surrounded by family. Norman was born on March 14, 1941, to Carl and Wilma Johnson of Callaway. He was the oldest of six siblings. Norman graduated from Callaway High School in 1959. He married Wanda Pracht on Dec. 5, 1961. They lived in Callaway where they farmed and raised four children – three sons and one daughter. Norman was a simple man. He enjoyed the outdoors and camping- it was a love that was passed on to his children. When it rained, Norman would load the family up to go camping and fishing. Fishing became a passion and resulted in a few master angler awards. Norman’s other hobbies included shooting pool and playing cards.

of Callaway, died on May 17, 2024, at the Callaway District Hospital. She was born on Jan. 15, 1943, to Marion and Lucille (Cool) Cantrell. Nancy was born at her Grandpa Hiram and Grandma Hazel Cool’s home in Callaway. Nancy started school at Upper Lodi School, east of Callaway. She attended this country school through the 6th grade and then attended and graduated from the Callaway Public Schools with the Class of 1961. Following graduation, Nancy began working for Dr. Tom Lucas in Broken Bow. She continued to work in the medical field as she worked for Dr. M.L. Chaloupka and Dr. Ron Sheppard at the Callaway Hospital and Medical Clinic. She was office manager at the Arnold Medical Clinic for 30 years, retiring in 2013.

John Ira Pitkin, age 72 of Cody, Nebraska passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the Callaway Good Life Center in Callaway. John was born on Dec. 29, 1951, in Arnold to Ira and Georgia (Hansen) Pitkin.

of Arnold, died May 3, 2024, at the Callaway Good Life Center on her 95th birthday. What a great gift for her to see her Lord and Savior and her husband Al.

The Callaway Courier has received word of the passing of John Pitkin of Cody, Nebraska, who passed away at Callaway on May 1, 2024. A full obituary will follow in next week's paper..

DeWayne L. Thorell, 85, formerly of Ashland, passed away on April 17, 2024, in Lincoln. DeWayne was born in Holdrege to Raymond and Ruth (Burklund) Thorell on Oct. 11, 1938. He spent his life as an educator for many years including 25 in Ashland, five in Callaway, and two in Huntley. He served in the US Army from 1956-1958.

of Lincoln, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Lincoln on April 7, 2024. Kaylea was born on July 19, 2007, in Phoenix, Arizona to Whitney Neale and James N. W. Thompson. She spent her early years with her mother and grandmother in Phoenix. Kaylea came to live with Timothy and Barbara Thompson in 2017. She joined her sister, Payton, and brother, James (JJ). She was adopted by Timothy and Barbara Thompson in 2018. Kaylea attended AWANA, youth group, the Callaway Community Church, and also attended Callaway Public Schools. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 7-years-old. It was challenging for her to learn how to navigate controlling her blood sugar. She enjoyed being with her friends, playing games, shooting baskets, swimming, listening to music, and drawing. She also enjoyed the time she had learning about horses, riding, and going to bible study. Kaylea was preceded in death by her grandfather, Timothy Thompson; maternal great-grandmother, Shirley Steele; and paternal great-grandparents, Leona Lugenbyhland and Bill and Anna Belle Zoerb. Those left to mourn Kaylea are Whitney Neale of Phoenix; James N.W. Thompson of Lincoln; sister, Payton Loewenstein of Kearney; brother, James (Miranda Phaby) Thompson of Cozad; niece, Hadley Thompson-Phaby of Cozad; maternal grandmother, Sandra Steele of Phoenix and paternal grandmother, Barbara Thompson of Callaway; maternal aunts, Lindsay (Adam) Albelo and Ami Steele; maternal uncle, Kyle Steele, all from Phoenix; paternal aunts and uncles, Josh (Griselda) Key Beiber of Maricopa, Arizona, Chrissy Key and Carolina Cudd of Phoenix, Arizona, Jennifer (Mark) Pollock of Glendale, Arizona, Beverly (Jerry) Witthuhn of Omaha, Sandra (Ray) Thompson of Gentry, Arkansas, Elaine (Paul) Howsden of Lincoln, as well as many cousins and friends.