Obituaries

~ Dec. 1, 2023 ~

Shirley Ann (Overturf) Eckhardt passed away Dec. 1, 2023. Born and raised on the family farm in Sutton to Nellie (Knudsen) and Harry Overturf, she met her high school sweetheart, Bill Eckhardt, while attending Sutton High School. Their marriage spanned 61 years until Bill’s passing in 2012. Together, they raised five sons: Bruce, Jeff, Craig, David and Jay Eckhardt and were blessed with eleven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren who were the source of great pride and joy in Shirley’s life. Following her dedication to raising her family, Shirley pursued her passion for interior design, earning an Associate’s degree from Scottsdale Community College. Her talent blossomed as she worked as a designer for Calico Corners in Scottsdale and ran her own design consultancy, Sundown Interiors.

April 10, 1925 ~ Dec. 7, 2023

Frances Winifred (O’Brien) Fessler was born to George Lawrence O’Brien and Sara Theresa (Britt) O’Brien on April 10, 1925, in the same home her father was born in, in Bennett Township, Grafton, NE. She passed away at Heritage Crossings Nursing Home in Geneva on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at the age of 98 years, 7 months, and 27 days.

Nov. 12, 1952 ~ Nov. 20, 2023

Rural Fairfield resident Dennis L. “Doc” Washburn, 71, passed away Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings.

A Rosary was said at 10 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial followed at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Deweese, with Father Adam Sparling officiating. Burial took place at St. Martin’s (Loucky) Cemetery near Deweese.

April 18, 1961 ~ Oct. 26, 2023

Monica Hull of Goodyear, AZ, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 26, 2023, at the age of 62. She was born April 18, 1961, in Superior, to Arlen and Adalene (Freitag) Schlueter. She was preceded in death by her mother, Adalee Schlueter, and her grandparents, Fritz and Emma Schlueter and William and Ella Freitag.

Jan. 5, 1953 ~ Oct. 25, 2023

Deweese resident Bernard “Bud” E. Sykora,70, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, at Brodstone Memorial Hospital in Superior.

~ Oct. 8, 2023 ~

Hastings resident Marilyn Beth Gerritsen passed away Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings.

Marilyn requests there be no funeral or memorial services.

Her remains were cremated. She wishes her memory to be honored by taking a stroll around Heartwell Park, visiting a lonely person, offering a needed service to a neighbor, reacquainting with an old friend, volunteering, and, above all, being forgiving. Memorials may be sent to Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home for a memorial at Heartwell Park.

Marilyn was born in Hastings, the fifth daughter of Ed and Ella (Markwardt) Albers.

She married Richard Gerritsen; he preceded her in death in 2004. Marilyn graduated high school at Platte Valley Academy in Shelton, received a BSN from Union College in Lincoln, and an M.A. in Education from UNK at Kearney. She also graduated from Reich College of Auctioneering, Mason City, IA.

Aug. 3, 2023 ~ Sept. 27, 2023

Harvard resident, Kiele Kuleana Rae Leichleiter-Moe died in her home on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. She was 55 days old.

Jan. 15, 1935 ~ Oct. 4, 2023

Mary Ann Nuss, age 88, of Hastings, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, at Mary Lanning Healthcare.

July 15, 1944 ~ Sept. 20, 2023

Russell Raymond Knutzen was born at the Lawrence and Emilie (Christenson) Knutzen family farm west of Ong on July 15,1944. The doctor was paid for in dimes that Emilie had saved for nine months. He departed this life on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Fairview Manor in Fairmont.

Russell attended Ong grade school. Russ also attended Ong Jr/Sr High where he honed and showcased his basketball skills before graduating in the spring of 1962. In the fall of 1962, he packed his basketball skills to play for The Little Blue at Fairbury Junior College in Fairbury where he received his business degree in the spring of 1964.

Feb. 24, 1946 ~ Sept. 25, 2023

Sutton resident Stephen John Leininger, 77, passed away Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Legacy Square in Henderson after a long battle with brain cancer.

A Rosary was prayed at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sutton. Mass of Christian Burial was conducted at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at the church with Father Michael Zimmer officiating. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery in Sutton.