James A. Dugan passed from this life on to his eternal home on March 22, 2018 in McKinney, Texas. James was born on December 2, 1929 to his parents, Alfred Dugan and Caroline S. Maxwell in Spalding, Nebraska. James was the second eldest of four children sharing his childhood with brother, John (1st), and his sisters, Virginia (3rd), and Karen (4th) growing up in Omaha, Nebraska.

James graduated from Pratt School of Education in Omaha, Nebraska in 1947. He went on to be a tavern owner for 35 years and a farmer for 28 years. James was known as being patriotic. He served in the army for three years and ranked as a Sargent 1st Class. He was an usher at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in O’Neill, Nebraska and was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in McKinney, Texas. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

James married Jeanne Petersen in 1952 in Omaha, Nebraska. Together, they had six children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. James will be remembered as a jokester who was stubborn but always willing to help others. He had a favorite saying, “If you live with the lame, you learn to limp.” He enjoyed fishing, hunting, reading, and tinkering in his yard. His favorite color was green and his favorite movie was Hachi. He loved to listen to oldies, country western music including Slim Whitman, Statler Brothers, and Nat King Cole. He could be found sitting in his recliner, sitting outside on the deck, porch, or patio, or sitting at the local bar. He loved to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the fact that he was Irish.

James was preceded in death and has joined his parents, Alfred and Caroline Dugan; his brother, John Dugan; his son, Daniel; his grandchild, Michael; and great grandchild, Carter and his dog, Dixie.
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James’s legacy will live on through his wife, Jeanne Dugan of McKinney, Texas; his children, Diane Dugan Fritton and her husband, Ted, of Omaha, Nebraska, Tim Dugan and his wife, Kathy, of New Caney, Texas, Tom Dugan and his wife, Carrie, of Houston, Texas, Theresa Dugan Dusatko and her husband, Doran, of Doniphan, Nebraska, and Denise Dugan Burkey and her husband, Mike, of Prosper, Texas; his nine grandchildren, Meghan, Casey, Kelly, Julie, Emily, Joseph, Kelsey, Kimberly, and Patrick; his nine great-grandchildren; his siblings, Virginia Kube and her husband, Jerry, of Omaha, Nebraska, Karen Stock and her husband, Joe, of Omaha, Nebraska; and the pet that he loved, Murphy.

Burial will be held at a later date in the Omaha National Cemetery. 

Funeral Services for Don “Shorty” Gruhn, age 80, of Inman, NE will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at Christ Lutheran Church in O’Neill. Burial will follow in the O’Neill Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 5-7 PM at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill. He passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at the O’Neill Care and Rehabilitation Center. Memorials may be given to the Christ Lutheran Church.

Donald Herbert Gruhn was born on April 17, 1937 in Hemingford, NE to Emil and Elsie (Retke) Gruhn. He grew up northwest of Alliance, NE and attended District Schools #17 and #9 before attending Alliance High School. In May of 1954 his family moved to Inman, NE and Don graduated from O’Neill High School in 1955.

He married Erma Elaine Luben on March 21, 1969 at Christ Lutheran Church in O’Neill. They made their home southwest of Inman where he farmed and ranched for many years.

Don was a very hardworking man who enjoyed taking care of his cattle, pheasant hunting and going fishing.

He was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in O’Neill, and What’s Trump Card Club.

Don is survived by his children, Nancy Shook and husband, Mark, of Lincoln, NE, Dr. Nadine Gruhn and partner, Beckie Copeland, of Morristown, NJ, and Garret Gruhn and wife, Cindy, of Inman, NE; seven grandchildren, Jared, Lara, Annie, Joy, Lindsay, Brady “Hoppy” and Carter; seven great grandchildren, Jacqueline, Calvin, Ruth, Halle, Hannah, Kobe, and Kaden; brothers-in-law, Roy Boshart, of O’Neill, NE and Raymond Luben and wife Iva, of Fremont, NE, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Elsie (Retke) Gruhn, wife, Erma Gruhn, brother, Lyle Gruhn and sister, Karen Boshart.

Funeral Services for Dorral “Dean” Stevens, age 90, of rural Chambers, NE, will be 10:30 A.M., Friday, March 16, 2018, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chambers. Burial will follow in the Chambers Cemetery with Military Honors by the Chambers American Legion Post #320.  Visitation will be from 6-8 P.M., Thursday, March 15, 2018, at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill, NE with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service. Dean passed away Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the Mitchell County Hospital Special Care Unit in Beloit, KS.  Memorials may be given to the Chambers American Legion or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Dean is survived by his three children, Cole Stevens and wife Deb, Noel Stevens, and Kendra Stevens, all of Chambers, NE; five grandchildren, Colin Stevens, Alisha Luebbe and husband Shaun, Katelyn Stevens, all of Lincoln, NE, Tanner Friedrichsen and Austen Friedrichsen, both of Chambers, NE five great grandchildren, one sister in law, Karlie Koinzan and husband Jerry of Bartlett, NE.
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He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Margaret (Larson) Stevens, wife, Elaine “Mick” Stevens, and infant twin sisters, Mildred and Margaret Stevens.

Funeral services for William "Willie" Hansen, age 91, of Spencer, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the Community Hall in Lynch, Nebraska. Reverend Grant H. Graff will officiate, with burial in Union Cemetery in Spencer.

Military Honors will be provided by Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brockhaus Funeral Home in Spencer.

William G. Hansen was born November 20, 1926, and died March 5, 2018, at Butte Healthcare Center in Butte, Nebraska. Willie was raised in Holt County. On August 30, 1952, he married Norma Sharp. They made their home in Holt County from 1952 until 1969. From 1969, until October 6, 2016, they lived in rural Boyd County. Willie moved to the assisted living in Butte in 2016.

Willie served in the United States Army from October 20, 1945, until May 14, 1947. He was a member of Bristow American Legion Post in Bristow, Nebraska.

Willie will be greatly missed by his four children, Dan (Deb) Hansen of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Bob (Laura) Hansen of Bristow, Nebraska, Sharon (Dean) Reynolds of Wahoo, Nebraska, and John (Area) Hansen of Wynot, Nebraska; 11 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Ray Sharp of Helena, Montana; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and family.
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He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma in October of 2012; his parents, Daniel and Hester; one brother; and four sisters.

Funeral Services for Faye Smith, age 101, of Inman, will be 10:30 AM Friday, March 9. 2018, at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill. Pastor Randy Schmeichel will officiate.  Burial will follow in the Inman Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5-7 PM at Biglin’s Mortuary. Faye passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the O’Neill Care and Rehabilitation Center. Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the family for future designation.

Faye Alma Smith was born on December 7, 1916 on a farm near Osmond to Earnest and Ella (Fuelberth) Brunckhorst.  In 1919, she and her family moved to a farm, northeast of Page.  She went to a country school there.  In the spring of 1931, they moved to a farm at Bedford, Iowa.  In 1936, they moved to a farm south west of Inman.  Later her folks moved to Inman, while she and her brother, John, run the ranch. 

On August 19, 1955, Faye married Kenneth Smith.  Faye gained four step children; Deritha Moore, Yvonne Teets, Beverly Cadwallader, and Bert Smith. 

She Loved the outdoors and raised a big garden with lots of flowers.  Many friends and family enjoyed the fruit of her work. 

Faye is survived by three step children; Dee Moore of O’Neill, Yvonne Teets and husband Ray of Aurora, CO, Beverly Cadwallader of Grand Island, NE, 14 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; 22 great great grandchildren; two sisters, Bertha Colman of Inman, NE, and Jenny Mossman of Norfolk, NE, many nieces and nephews. 
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Faye was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth in 2001; her brother, John Brunckhorst; two sisters, Audrey Hanson, Barbara Brunckhorst, and step son, Bert Smith.

Funeral Services for Rex Thomas Drueke, age 4, of O’Neill will be 10:30 am Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Christ Lutheran Church in O’Neill with burial in the O’Neill Cemetery. Rev. John Nelson will officiate.   

Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill with a 7 pm prayer service.  

Rex passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018.  

Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill is in charge of arrangements. ​

Funeral Services for Lela Turpin, age 63, of O’Neill will be 11:00 am Monday, March 5, 2018 at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill.  

Burial will be at 1:30 pm Monday in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery in Bassett, Nebraska.  

Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 am Monday before the service at the funeral home in O’Neill.  

Lela passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill. 

Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill is in charge of arrangements. 

Lela Jo Turpin was born on May 7, 1954 in Bassett to John Sr. and Josephine (Koening) Turpin.  She attended Bassett Public Schools, then moved with her family to Valentine and graduated from Valentine High School in 1973.  She married Tom Hysell and the couple had four children, Wes, Tom, Chris, and Heath.  Lela later married Hoyt “Dewey” Miller and they had one child, April Miller.

Lela attended Northeast Community College in Norfolk and graduated with a Degree in Business and a minor in Criminal Justice.  She had several jobs in Norfolk, but her favorite was running the Norfolk Inn.  She retired in 2002 due to her failing health. 

Lela loved to fish, even though she was allergic to fish.  She was an avid gardener and was very proud of her roses.  Lela was also big John Wayne fan and liked to crochet.  Lela’s favorite thing to do was spending time with her grandkids.

Lela is survived by her husband, Dewey Miller of O’Neill; five children, Wes (Sandy) Hysell of Madison, Tom (Sherry) Hysell of O’Neill, Chris (Nicole Reagen) Hysell of O’Neill, Heath (Mara) Hysell of Madison, April Miller of Colorado Springs, CO; 17 grandchildren, Shellie Hysell, Jake Hysell, Dalton Hysell, Brittney Lawless, Allen Lawless, Ryan Hysell, Cole Hysell, Hunter Hysell, Isaac Hysell, Cattibrie Hysell, Autumn Hysell, Malchi Hysell, Ember Hysell, Gambit Hysell, Sryus Miller, Jayde Miller, Titus Miller; six great grandchildren; her mother, Jospehine Turpin of O’Neill; three brothers, John Turpin of O’Neill, Joel Turpin of Norfolk, Jeff (Nancy) Turpin of O’Neill; one sister-in-law, Bonnie Turpin of O’Neill; many nieces and nephews. 
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Lela was preceded in death by her father; one great granddaughter, Aurora Lawless; and one brother, Jerry Turpin.

Funeral Services for Evelyn McClanahan, age 91, of O’Neill, will be 10:30 A.M., Saturday, February 24, 2018, at First Christian Church in O’Neill.  Burial will be in the O’Neill Cemetery.  

Visitation will be 5-8 P.M., Friday, February 23, 2018 at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill, with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service.  Pastor David Martinez will officiate.  

Evelyn passed away February 19, 2018, at her home in O’Neill, NE.  Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.  

Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill is in charge of arrangements. 

Evelyn is survived by her four children, Ira (Ellen) McClanahan of O’Neill, Irwin (Paula) McClanahan of O’Neill, Gary (JoAnn) McClanahan of Atkinson, Joan Claussen of O’Neill; seven grandchildren, Christina (Corey) Simonson, Bethany (Steven) Rowlee, Brian (Brandi) McClanahan, Angela (Brian) Capps, Greg (Jackie) McClanahan, Ross (Sarah) McClanahan, Amanda (Aaron) Hughes; 15 great grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Storjohann of Loveland, CO, Adelyn Dohnal of Inman; two brothers, Eldon (LaJean) Dohnal of Coalville, UT, Elvin Dohnal of LaGrande, OR; several nieces and nephews.
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She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl McClanahan in 1974; brother, William (Nora) Dohnal; two sisters, Agnes (Art) Horton, Rosie (Leonard) Parshall; one brother-in-law, Bill Storjohann; sister-in-law, Marge Dohnal.

Funeral Services for George Frank Holm, age 58, of O’Neill, will be 10:30 A.M. Friday, February 16, 2018, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in O’Neill. Burial will be at 3:30 P.M. at the Wakefield Cemetery in Wakefield, NE.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 4-8 P.M. at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill.  George F. Holm passed away Sunday, February 11, 2018, at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill. 

Memorial contributions may be sent to the family (Karen Holm), who plan to establish a college scholarship for young people in foster care to honor George’s memory.  Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill is in charge of arrangements.

George F. Holm of O’Neill, Nebraska passed away Sunday, February 11, 2018, at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill. He was born in Huntsville, Alabama on May 5th, 1959.

Growing up in Alabama, George graduated from J.O. Johnson high school. At age 19, he rode his bicycle from Huntsville to Moscow Idaho, stopping in Northeast Nebraska where he briefly worked on a relative’s farm. After his trip, he returned to the state and married Karen Krueger of Emerson in 1983 and raised three children.

George took a few classes at Wayne State College, but most of his education was “on the job.” He started his first business, “Leather by George,” when he was fifteen. In 1992 he and his wife opened a dry-cleaning business in Wakefield, eventually moving the business to Wayne, Nebraska. After briefly managing a Dairy Queen business there in 2005, they bought the O’Neill Dairy Queen and ran it for eleven years.

George lived a life of service and was active in Rotary International. He spent countless hours volunteering, from working with skate boarding youth in Wayne to build a skate park, to supporting Leprechaun Youth Sports and the Irish Walk of Fame in O’Neill. He was a true kid at heart who never met a stranger in his life.
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George is survived by his wife of 34 years, Karen of O’Neill, children; Frank Holm of Lincoln, NE, Charles Holm of Austin, TX, and Jennifer Holm of New York, NY, his parents, Frank and Becky Holm of Huntsville, AL, sisters; Susan Holm Maynard of Phoenix, AZ, Phyllis Wood and husband Jake of Tuscaloosa, AL, brother, John Holm and wife Mary of Huntsville, AL, Dan Maynard of Phoenix, AZ,  mother-in-law, Patricia Krueger of Emerson, NE, 6 brothers-in-law, 7 sisters in law, numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, an infant brother, his wife’s father LeRoy Krueger and her brothers Leon and Patrick Krueger.