YOUR AD HERE »

Obituaries for Plains Edition 3-14-09

Kenneth D. Greenlee, 80, of North Platte, died Feb. 23, 2009, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center.

He was born to Alva W. and Velma (Masters) Greenlee in McCook, Neb., on Feb. 21, 1929. He grew up on a farm south of Curtis. He attended school and graduated from Curtis High School in 1947. He entered the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge he came back to North Platte.

He married Leona “Onie” Mae Arent on Dece. 13, 1954, in Fayetteville, Ark.

He worked in McCook at an electrical shop. The couple moved to Pueblo, Colo., where he trained to be a telegrapher for the Denver Rio Grande Railroad. He worked in Denver for the Rio Grande Railroad as a telegrapher. They moved to North Platte and he was a salesman. He also worked for Best Laundry; and sold insurance for Shelter Insurance.

After retirement in 1985 he worked part time selling Kirby Vacuum Cleaners until 1992.

He loved to ride motorcycles with Onie, and enjoyed camping; fishing; boating; hunting and playing golf.

He was a past member of the Elks Club; the Eagles Club and a member of the American Legion Club.

Survivors include his wife, Onie of North Platte; brothers and sisters, Ralph L.(Erma) Greenlee of Spearfish, S.D., Nita J. (Kenny) Malleck of McCook, Karen (Marion) Tatum of Lincoln, Tim (Lael) Greenlee of Gothenburg, Jim (Vi) Greenlee of Columbia, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Lyn Greenlee of North Platte; brother-in-law, Rodney “Swede” (Marilyn) Swanson of Cozad; grandchildren, Joshua Eskew of North Platte, Ashley (Brandon Ehlers) Griesfeller of North Platte, Alisha Griesfeller of North Platte, and April (Jim) Puhl of Omaha; great-grandson Jahven Reyes; and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, William; a sister, Doris Swanson.

Cleo “Lea” Irene Wheeler-Cease, 76, of North Platte died at her home.

She was born on July 5, 1932, in North Platte to Kermit and Ruby Wheeler. She attended North Platte Public Schools.

She moved to Wheatridge, Colo., where she married Nicholas Cease.

After her retirement in August of 2008 she moved back to North Platte. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in North Platte.

Survivors include her son, Randall Neeman of Blue Rock, Ohio; two sisters, Marjorie (Bill) Hesson of Tacoma, Wash., and Linda (Larry) Hobbs of North Platte; two brothers, Delbert Wheeler of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Lowell (Bud) Wheeler of Morrow, Neb.; a sister-in-law, Roxye (Joe) Santorno of Wheatridge, Colo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Sandra Vencill and a brother, Vernon Wheeler.

Wilma “Lucille” Herman, 74, of North Platte died March 1, 2009, at Centennial Park Retirement Village after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born Nov. 13, 1934, in Loveland, Colo., to Edgar and Roberta Hyatt. As a child she attended Estes Park, Colo., schools and then attended college at Colorado A&M in Fort Collins, Colo.

She married Richard “Dick” Bryant of Loveland, Colo., in 1956 and had two children, Julie and Marta.

On Jan. 19, 1983, she married Roger Herman of Eckley, Colo., in Estes Park. They spent the last 26 years living in five Western states, working in the cattle business.

She held a real estate license in several states, selling both residential, and farm and ranch real estate. She was active in several local charities including Teammates Mentoring Program and various activities through the First Presbyterian Church of North Platte.

Survivors include her husband, Roger; sister, Irene (Charles) Thomas; two daughters, Julie (Javan) Ottoson of Denver, Colo., and Marta (Shawn) Leonard of Littleton, Colo.; two granddaughters, Hannah Ottoson and Paige Ottoson of Denver, Colo.; three step-daughters, Crystal (Joel) Nelson of Sterling, Colo., Terri (Randy) Mekelburg of Yuma, Colo., and Lisa (Steve) Shinn of Sterling, Colo.; and numerous nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren.

Elda Laura Shears, 93, of Mullen died Feb. 28, 2009, at Linden Court in North Platte.

She was born on the family homestead in Cherry County, Nebraska, on March 22, 1915, to Peter and Dorsa (Knipe) Morrison.

She was joined in marriage to Verl Shears on June 2, 1933, in Mullen, Neb. To this union were born three children – Doris Elda, Vernon Verl and Bernard Woodrow.

She attended a country grade school and attended Mullen High School. As a young rancher’s wife she helped with all the ranch work and being an excellent cook served many great meals to the ranch hands and all salesmen knew there would be a great noon meal at the Shears’ home. For a short period of years she and her husband owned and operated a cafe in Mullen.

She was a 4-H leader and worked on the election board for several years. She was active in the Rebecca Lodge until they merged with the one in Tryon and the distance kept her from attending. As a child she attended the Dry Valley Church and later transferred to the Methodist Church in Mullen. After many years of ranching she and Verl retired to their home in Mullen where their door was always open to family and friends. Her grandchildren and their visits were her delight. She was so excited over the twin girls that blessed her number of great-great grandchildren when they arrived in October 2008.

Survivors include a sister, Pauline Rector of Belleview, Flor.; a daughter, Doris (Robert) Gartrell of North Platte; two sons, Vernon (Marian) Shears of Mullen, and Bernard (Jan) Shears of Holdrege and a long list of grand, great-grand and great- great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Verl, four sisters and one brother.


[placeholder]