Obituaries

Donna Jean (Jacobson) McNeal, 73, of Denver, CO passed away on March 18, 2020 in Denver, CO. Her burial was on March 25 in Hays, KS next to her son Scott and husband Roger. A memorial service will be held in Hays at a later date.

Donna was born July 2, 1946, to Max and Jessie (Dot) Jacobson. She was the oldest of eight children and became a mom to her many younger siblings at an early age. Donna began her schooling in kindergarten at the Verona Elementary School. She later attended Sutton High School and was a member of the United Methodist Church in rural Clay County near her home.

Eleanor Jeffries, 103, passed away Sunday, March 29, 2020, at Bethany at 42nd in Fargo, ND.

Eleanor, the daughter of Richard and Grace Norval, was born May 1, 1916, at Hermon, IL. She grew up in nearby Maquon, IL. After high school graduation she attended and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln where she majored in English and Music. She was voted Queen of the May her senior year at Nebraska Wesleyan. Following her graduation from Nebraska Wesleyan, she taught school at Goehner. While in college she met her future husband, Donald “Jeff” Jeffries, on a blind date. They were later married in 1940. Following World War II and Jeff’s discharge from the Army Air Corps in 1945, they lived in Hastings, Norfolk, and North Platte, where Jeff was manager of Gamble’s Stores.

Judith Ann Belva Timperley, the daughter of Everett and Sarah (Fredrickson) Anderson was born May 1, 1937 at Osceola. She departed this life on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at her home in Fairfield.

Judy attended Stomsburg High School and later received her teaching degree from Midland College. She taught in a one room schoolhouse in rural Monroe. She loved the children there and very much enjoyed the time she spent in the classroom. While teaching there, she met Melvin Engberg, who she would later marry in June of 1957. Together, they were blessed with three children, Scott, Chris, and Shawn. She was later married to Lee Timperley of Battle Creek.

Sutton resident Betty Ann Mertens, 84, passed away Wed., March 18, 2020, at the Blue Hill Care Center in Blue Hill.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a private Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sutton, with Father Michael Zimmer officiating. Services will be live-streamed from stmaryssutton.org beginning at 9:50 a.m., Wed., March 25, 2020. Private interment will follow at St. Martin-Loucky Cemetery near Deweese. Visitation will be Tues., from 1 p.m.–8 p.m., at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sutton.

Condolences may be left at www.suttonmemorial.com

Betty was born November 23, 1935, at home in Fairfield, to John and Christina (Petr) Hajny. Betty graduated from Fairfield High School in 1953.

Hastings resident Larene Jeanine “Jean” Dahlsten, 85, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society Perkins Pavilion in Hastings.

Memorial service was 10:30 a.m., ‘rues., March 10, 2020, at All Saints Chapel in Good Samaritan Society in Hastings. Burial was in the Clay Center Cemetery in Clay Center. DeWitt Funeral Home and Cremation Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to Crossroads Mission Avenue at www.crossroadsmission.com

Condolences may be left at www.dewittfuneral.com

Jeanine was born Dec. 29, 1934, in Hayland, to Mattie (Ocker) and Herman Bockerman, who farmed near Prosser. She had one sister, Elaine (Bockerman) Welch, who preceded her in death.

Sutton resident Olive Angela “Lynn” Leininger, 98, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at the Sutton Community Home in Sutton.

A Rosary was prayed at 10 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2020, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sutton. Mass of Christian Burial was conducted at 10:30 a.m., Monday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with Father Michael Zimmer officiating. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery in Sutton. No visitation, the casket was closed.

Memorial contributions may be directed for Masses.

Condolences may be left at www.suttonmemorial.com.

Olive Angela “Lynn” Leininger was born on a breezy night, August 31, 1921, in the prairie lands of Akron, CO. Lynn was the second oldest of 11 children born to Fred and Etta (Lohmeier) Leininger.

Harvard resident Merril Todd “Pud” DeLap, 68, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at his home.

Memorial service was 1 p.m. Monday, March 2, at Harvard United Church of Christ in Harvard, with Pastor Dave Johnson officiating. Burial was at First Evangelical Cemetery, north of Harvard. There was no viewing or visitation. Memorials may be given to Harvard Rod & Gun Club, PO Box 27, Harvard, NE 68944. Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com. Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center is serving the family.

Pud was born Sept. 17, 1951, in Lexington, to Donald C. and Fay A. (Cranford) DeLap. He graduated from Lexington High School and Central Community College. Pud was a tool and die maker for DeLap Machine & Manufacturing. He was an avid shooter.

Merril was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Former Hastings resident Judith A. Melvin, 78, passed away Friday, February 21, 2020, at Harvard Rest Haven in Harvard.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at the Church of Christ in Hastings, with Minister Russ Dudrey officiating. Viewing and visitation will begin 2 hours prior to the service at the church. Burial of both William and Judith Melvin will be 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at Edgar Cemetery in Edgar. DeWitt Funeral Home and Cremation Service is handling arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to her family for a later designation.

Condolences can be left at www.dewittfuneral.com.

Vera Hornbacher Romaine, 101, passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, in Irvington, VA. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Thurs

Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, at the Sutton Cemetery in Sutton, with Rev. Scott Henry officiating. A luncheon will follow the services at the Sutton American Legion. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 3-5 p.m., at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton.

Condolences may be left at www.suttonmemorial.com.

She was born Aug. 1, 1918, in Sutton, to Reinhold and Christina (Schmidt) Hornbacher. Vera moved to Portland, OR where she met and married Ralph in 1941.

Vera and Ralph shared a love of flying, sailing, gardening and golf, and traveled extensively around the world. Ralph taught her to fly in 1941, and she shared the controls with him for the next 64 years.

Frances C. “Leininger” Ambrose was born June 1, 1924, and departed this life Feb. 15, 2020.

Frances was the second of five children born to Irene (Sheedy) and George M. Leininger of Sutton. She was prededed in death by her parents; husband, Dr. Leo Ambrose; sisters, Eulalia Hansen and husband Carl, and Dr. Madeleine Leininger; and brother Paul Leininger.

Survivors include her children Mary T. Ambrose-Maystrick (David), Dr. Tim Ambrose, Michael Ambrose (Mary), Mark Ambrose, Gerald Ambrose (Susan), Anne Ambrose and several grandchildren. Brother Dr. Bernanrd Leininger (Pat), sister-in-law Johnine Leininger, and many nieces and nephews.