Donna May (Weddell) Kizzire

Donna May (Weddell) Kizzire, 80, of Bayard died Nov. 11, 2009, at her home.

She was born Jan. 19, 1929, in Bridgeport, to Sadie (Meglemre) Weddell and Jesse Weddell. She graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1947.

She married Charles Kizzire on June 15, 1947, in Bridgeport.

They were married for 62 years and enjoyed square dancing and they made many friends traveling to area dances. She was an avid fan of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and often traveled miles to watch them participate in their various activities.

She farmed with her husband Charles east of Bayard for many years. She worked as a chemist for Western Sugar Company during harvest for several years and was a tear lab supervisor for the Nebraska Sugar Beet Growers Association before retiring.

She loved gardening and sewing and was talented in both of these pursuits. She was a loving mother and grandmother who will be missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include her son, Doug Kizzire (Lorraine) of Bayard; daughter, Deborah (Mark) Briese of Bradshaw; grandsons, Gene (Janelle) Kizzire of Scottsbluff, Jim (Melany) Kizzire of Bayard, Brent (Chasity) Briese of Seward, Jeff Kizzire of Bayard; granddaughters, Dawn (Tim) McIlvary of York, Tracy (Joe) Rasmussen of Bradshaw; great grandchildren, Nicholas, Lane, Kyle, Kaitlyn, Courtney, Sierra, Jacqueline, Chelsea; sister, Mary Smith of Scottsbluff; sister-in-law, Betty Weddell of Gering and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles; her parents; and brothers, Bill Ellis and Douglas Weddell.

Lawrence Roy Ham

Lawrence Roy Ham, 86, of Benkelman died Nov. 10, 2009, at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colo.

He was born June 7, 1923, in Dundy County, Neb., the youngest of nine children born to Roy A. and Jennie M. (Roberts) Ham. He was born on his maternal grandparents' farm south of Republican River, and grew up on the family farm north of the river.

He attended school in Benkelman and was a member of the graduating class of 1941 – the largest graduating class from Benkelman High School.

During World War II, he lived and worked in California making prism lenses for binoculars used during the war. He talked about his time in California and of all the people. He wasted no time returning to Southwest Nebraska to work the family farm where his grandparents, J.O. and Martha Emelline had homesteaded. In recent years, he received the century plaque marking the time when the Ham family had owned and resided on the original homestead for 100 years.

He married LaVerne Vella Mann on Dec. 24, 1945, and to this union three children were born – Nancy Jane, Vicki Linn, and George Allen. They continued to reside at the Ham homestead until they built a home in 1978, at which time George moved his family to the farm.

In 1992, he was divorced from LaVerne and moved back to the Ham homestead north of Benkelman. In 1992, his best friend and companion, Darlene Kirby became a part of the family.

Survivors include children, Nancy (Calvin) Semler of Bird City, Kan., Tonia (Steve) Vallejo, Cary (Eric) Migchelbrink, Vicki (Jay) Marquis of Brighton, Colo., Jaysen (Carrie) Marquis, George (Janet) Ham of Hartford, S.D., Brian (Natalie) Ham, and Amber Ham; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his special friend, Darlene Kirby; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Jennie Ham; siblings, Clifford, Vernelle, Ernestine, Lyle, Byron, Stanley, Donald, and Paul; son-in-law, Gaylord Lynn Wright; and grandson, Kevin Allen Wright.

Evan Robert Garwood

Evan Robert Garwood, 84, of Atkinson died Nov. 15, 2009, at Parkside Manor in Stuart, Neb.

He was born Aug. 10, 1925, at Tonawanda, Neb., the son of Bert and Celia (Williams) Garwood. He attended Holt County one-room country schools through the 8th grade and Atkinson High School where he was considered a standout on the football field.

He was united in marriage on May 19, 1950, to Maxine Mitchell at the bride's parent's home south of Atkinson. To this union eight children were born.

His greatest love was his family. Many times he would come to the house and ask Maxine which kid was causing the most problems and take him or her out with him as he went about his day. He was famous for “sorting off” one of his kids to take along checking cattle when in reality those trips to the pasture were more about life lessons than cattle. The grandkids enjoyed spending time with grandpa; whether it was driving lessons, out to check cattle, working in the hayfield, eating ice cream or just going for a drive.

He was a rancher all of his life. His love of cattle was evident as on more than one occasion he would lead a set of cattle by just talking to them through the open window of a pickup.

He loved to travel. Family vacations usually involved a stop or two to look at bulls or a week spent at the Holt County Fair. There were a few other trips that didn't however, as they were able to see a lot of this country and several others.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine; children Bonnie (Bill) Howard of Hiawatha, Kan., Sharon (Steve) Thompson of Moore, Okal., Linda Garwood of O'Neill, Dennis (Sandra) Garwood of Atkinson, Diane (Warren) Hull of Hastings, Arden (Lynn) Garwood of Atkinson and Trudie (Alan) Van Horn of Page; 17 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Helen (Blaine) Garwood; many nieces and nephews and a foreign exchange daughter, Regina of Stuttgart, Germany.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Joan; his parents, Bert and Celia; five brothers and sisters-in-law, Glen (Laura) Garwood, Ford (Edna) Garwood, Raymond (Dorothy) Garwood, Blaine (Viola) Garwood, and Ralph (Arlene) Garwood and one sister, Helen (Dean) Rowse.

Margaret L. Baumgartner

Margaret L. Baumgartner, 82, of Stapleton, died Nov. 19, 2009, at Premier Estates at North Platte.

She was born Dec. 14, 1926, in North Platte to Elizabeth Millen. She lived with her family on the Garfield Table, attending the Whittier School, five miles from the home place. She graduated from the Logan County High School with the Class of 1946.

In the spring of 1956, she met Ted Baumgartner. They were married Aug. 25, 1959, at St. John's Catholic Church in Stapleton. To this marriage three children were born – Peter Joseph, Richard Allen and Anna Marie.

She worked at various jobs throughout her life, retiring in 1994.

She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Logan County Farm Bureau, Lone Valley Club and the Senior Friendship Club. Margaret received two awards - the Knights of AK-SAR-BEN Good Neighbor award, and the Good Neighbor Award from Arnold.

She enjoyed her grandchildren and children, her dog Mitzi, her visits from family and friends and most will remember her for her love of chickens. She was a friend to all.

Survivors include her children, Pete (Diane) Baumgartner, Dick Baumgartner and special friend Loretta Tucker and children all of Stapleton, and Ann (David) Murphy of North Platte; grandchildren, Brady and Benjamin Baumgartner, Mark, Sam and Elizabeth Baumgartner, Tyler, Justin and Tanner Barnum; step-grandchildren, Cody, Krystyna and Amber Murphy; sister-in-law, Mary Baumgartner, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, mother, and several aunts and uncles.