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Plains Edition Obituaries

, 99, of Atkinson died June 24, 2007.

He was born June 29, 1907 five miles east of Atkinson to George and Emma Ries. He grew up in the Atkinson area and attended rural school until the 8th grade.

His first job was checking doors as a night watchman in Chicago and later he worked at Curtis Candy Co. which makes Baby Ruth candy bars. After a year he returned back to Atkinson and started farming on the home place four miles east of Atkinson.

He married Cecelia Bruder on June 9, 1934 and together they had six children. He purchased his first piece of land in 1947, an 8,000 acre ranch in Cherry County which is still in the family today. They moved back to Atkinson permanently in 1987.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

His love was visiting, reading newspapers, playing cards, keeping track of his family, going to church and growing the best garden in town.

Survivors include his wife, Cecelia of Atkinson; children, Walter Jr. (Arlene) of Wood Lake, Robert (Kay) Ries of Hershey, Jo Ann Valley of Arlington, Wash., Richard Ries of Lincoln, Roger (Beverly) Ries of Borrego Springs, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one brother, Roy (Lois) of Carthage, Mo.; one brother-in-law, Hans Bogue of Atkinson, and one sister-in-law, Mary Shald of Stuart.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant son; three sisters; three brothers and a son-in-law, Larry Valley.

, 70, of Scottsbluff, died June 25, 2007, at his home surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Sept. 23, 1936, in Bayard to George and Molly (Schwartz) Bauer. He attended Red Willow Vacation Bible School. He received his early education at the East 73 School northeast of Bayard and attended Bayard High School graduating with the Class of 1954.

On Feb. 23, 1958 he was united in marriage to Betty V. Loose at the Lutheran Evangelical Church in Bayard.

He worked with his brother Don driving truck. He also farmed for a number of years. He worked other employments after farming which included Great Western Sugar; Western Sugar during rehaul, hauling gravel as well as worked as a van driver with Human Development transporting handicapped clients to and from High Plains Workshop. He fully retired when he became ill in September of 2005.

His favorite pastimes were bowling, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family. He was a devoted Christian and member of Zion Evangelical Church in Scottsbluff. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. His daughter Kim held a special place in his heart. All who knew him will sadly miss him.

Survivors include Betty his wife and companion of 49 years; daughters, Cheryl Lawson of Plano, Texas; Laurie Bauer of Bayard and Kimberly Bauer of Scottsbluff; grandsons, Michael and Corwin Lawson both of Plano, Texas; brother, Don (Elsie) Bauer of Scottsbluff, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

His parents preceded him in death.

, 80, of Hastings died June 27, 2007, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.

She was born April 4, 1927, at Grand Island to Otto and Alma (Neid) Kraske.

A premature twin, she grasped onto life and enjoyed her family, friends, and faith. She graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Grand Island, attended Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Omaha for a short time, and graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in Grand Island. She practiced her profession as a registered nurse until 2000.

She married her high school sweetheart, James L. McCoy, in 1951 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. They had six children and owned McCoy’s Community Pharmacy in David City until Jim’s death in 1988.

She never stopped learning. She obtained her driver’s license in her 40s and drove to Colorado the next week; she started downhill skiing in her 50s, and learned to play the piano in her 60s. She was an active member of the Owl’s Book Club in David City, Cathedral of the Risen Christ parish nurse program and Matt Talbot Kitchen volunteers in Lincoln.

Survivors include her children, Gretchen McCoy of Bangkok, Thailand, Jim (Belinda) McCoy of Omaha, Pat McCoy of Hastings, Mike (Terry) McCoy of Sacramento, Calif., Brian McCoy and Becky Masterson of Fremont and Mark McCoy of Lincoln, and a sister, Betty Kraske of Sunnyvale, Calif.; additional survivors include, Brandon McCoy, Bethany McCoy, Andy Graff, Scott Graff, Lara McCoy-Rolofson, Riley McCoy, Dallas Masterson, John McCoy and Megan McCoy, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James McCoy; her parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Jack Bolsta; a grandson, Scott Graff; and twin sister, Mary Leona Kraske.

, 79, a longtime Sidney resident, died June 26, 2007, at the Memorial Health Center.

He was born Dec. 8, 1927, the son of Erich H. and Anna Marie (Nienhuser) Brauer in Cheyenne County. He attended country schools and Trinity Lutheran South Divide Parochial School prior to graduating from Sidney High School in 1945.

He worked on the family farm before he entered the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following military service he returned to Sidney.

On Oct. 28, 1955, he was united in marriage to Marcella M. Olson at Columbia, S.D. They made their home on the farm and continued caring for the land until their retirement and move into Sidney.

He was active in his church and served in many of the church positions. He was also very active in the Farmer’s Union.

Survivors include his wife, Marcella; daughters, Barb (Bryce) Landen of Chadron, Carolyn (Larry) Stoll of Lodgepole, and Sharon (John) Riley of Sidney; son, Roger (Roberta) Brauer of Sidney; brothers, Ralph Brauer of Sidney, Allen Brauer of Lincoln, and Martin Brauer of St. Louis, Mo. and grandchildren, Stephanie (Tim) Hruby, Erich (Mary) Landen, Danielle Landen, Emily Landen, BrenDee and Colby Brauer, and Hannah, Lane and Vanessa Riley.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Brandon Stoll and sister, Fern Karg.


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