Walter Joseph Jochum

Walter Joseph Jochum, 90, of Sutherland, died Nov. 30, 2009, at the Sutherland Care Center in Sutherland.

He was born on Nov. 18, 1919, at Raeville, Neb., to John Theodore and Katherine Anne (Pelster) Jochum where he grew up. In 1926, the family moved 8 miles south of Sutherland. He attended country school until the 8th grade then graduated from Sutherland High School in 1939.

He worked for farmers for 2 years before enlisting in the U.S. Navy on May 15, 1940. He served 20 years in the Medical Department. During WWII, he served with the 2nd Marine Division and participated in the battles of Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian Islands. He participated in the Korean War for a year and a half with the 1st Marine Division. In both wars, he was attached to the U.S. Marines as a medic corpsmen.

On Jan. 20, 1945, he married Myrl Faye Coates at Baltimore, MD, and they later made their home in Sutherland. Walt and Myrl Faye celebrated 64 years of marriage together before she passed away in March. He worked for John Deere for 2 years and then as head custodian at the Sutherland Public School from 1962-1982. After his retirement from the public schools, he worked as a groundskeeper at the golf course.

He has been a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church since 1926, served on the church council for 2 years and was the oldest member of the church. He was also a member of the Sutherland Legion Post #208 for over 50 years, Commander, Adjutant and Sgt. at Arms of the Sutherland Legion, the VFW and a member of the Sutherland Lions Club where he was president for 2 years. During his younger years, he played and coached softball for the Navy, then coached youth baseball for 10 years and played on a golf league for 10 years. He enjoyed gardening and yard work and was an avid Husker fan.

Survivors include his two daughters, Jeanette (Rex) Heckenlively of Imperial, and Terrie (Sam) Haworth of Sutherland; two sons, Doug (Kristy) Jochum of Sutherland and Don Jochum and friend Darryn Odbert of Overland Park, Kan.; seven grandchildren, Tim (Tracie) Heckenlively, Randy (Teri Jo) Heckenlively, Marc (Alyn) Taylor, Rick (Sarah) Heckenlively, Jeremy (Ashley) Miller, Justin Miller and Renee Fisk; eight great-grandchildren, Brenden, Zayne, Jace, Jadyn, Tanner, Wyatt, Reagan and Keaton; three step grandchildren, Tyne (Leo) Kreber, Jeremy Zona and Nicole White; five step great-grandchildren, Gavin, Haiden, Cruz, Bailey and Cash; a brother Harold ‘Hessie' (Colleen) Jochum of Sutherland; five sisters-in-law, Dora Ann (Lynn) McConnell of Washington, Iowa, Barbara (Elwin) Murray of Parker, Ariz., Arlene Jochum of Sutherland, Marie Jochum of Eugene, Ore., and Corinne Jochum of Kansas City, Kan.; his special friends, Father Tom Dillon and Pastor Del Cunningham; and other family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrl Faye; a son, Kent Jochum; his parents; an infant sister, Bernadette; four brothers, Joseph, Lawrence ‘Bud', Donald and John ‘Edward' Jochum; and a sister-in-law, Mary Jochum.

Kenneth William Schroder

Kenneth William Schroder, 69, of Hay Springs died Dec. 29, 2009, at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs after a courageous fight with cancer.

He was born April 20, 1940, in Ainsworth. He spent his early years in Rock and Loup counties, attending rural elementary schools. He graduated from Taylor High School in 1958.

He worked on a large cattle ranch in Grant County before going into the army in 1963. He spent a year of his military service in Vietnam, for which he received the Air Medal for flying 25 missions over enemy territory while serving as an Army machine gunner aboard a helicopter.

On March 4, 1967, he married Dorothy Kay Edelman in Hyannis. They later were joined by a son, Shane, and granddaughter, Jackie.

They spent the first three years in Minnesota, then returned to the Hyannis area and worked on cattle ranches for several years before moving to the Whitney-Crawford area. In 1983, they purchased a ranch near Hay Springs.

While pursuing a career as a rancher, he attended Chadron State College, earning a degree in agri-business. He then worked 13 years as a jailor at the Sheridan County Sheriff's Department.

He spent his later years doing the things he loved best – operating the ranch and sharing his love for horses and cattle with Kay and Jackie.

Survivors include his wife, Kay; son, Shane Shroder; a granddaughter, Jackie; sister, Ruby (Harry) Bishop of Scottsbluff; brother, Ed of Hyannis; and many nieces, nephews, and various other family members and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Ione Schroder and an infant nephew, Monte Schroder.

Mildred M. Anderson

Mildred M. Anderson, 96, of Grand Island, died Jan. 4, 2010, at Western Hall County Good Samaritan Center in Wood River.

She was born March 29, 1913, in Garrison, the daughter of Jacob and Emma (Dallege) Heins.

She married Kenneth Dale Anderson on June 3, 1933. They lived on various farms from Ulysses, Garrison, Dannebrog and Alda, moving to Grand Island in the 1960s and then buying the International Harvester business in Sargent. In 1975 they moved to Ainsworth and purchased the John Deere Dealership with two of their sons, Don and Ken. In 1985 they retired and moved to Grand Island.

She was a faithful wife and mother and her family was of highest importance to her throughout her life.

She enjoyed so many hobbies, from sewing, crafts, bowling, baking, playing cards, dancing and playing the organ. Her favorite hobby was quilting and she accomplished making one for each one of her grandchildren. Her biggest accomplishment during her life was writing the book “Memories of Home, the Heins family history.”

Survivors include four sons, Norman (Sonya) Anderson of Central City, Darrel (Connie) Anderson of Grand Island, Donnie (Pat) Anderson of Unionville, Mo., and Ken Anderson of North Platte; one daughter, Marlis (Tom) Key of Casper, Wyo.; daughter in law, Carol Anderson of Sydney; 13 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; one brother, Harold Heins of David City.

She was preceded in death by her parents,; her husband, Dale; three sons, Garry in 1961, Merle in 1972, and Lee in 2004.

Robert D. “Bob” Nelson

Robert D. “Bob” Nelson, 67, of Minden died Jan. 9, 2010, at St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney.

He was born Oct. 1, 1942, in Kearney to Leverne and Virginia (Juhl) Nelson.

He graduated from Axtell High School in 1960. He was self-employed as a machinist and did tool and die work.

He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Axtell and the American Legion.

Survivors include his brothers, Jim (Dora) Nelson of WaKeeney, Kan., Don (Mary) Nelson of Hildreth and Jerry (Bonnie) Nelson of Axtell; and sister, Jane Robinson of Kearney.