Obituaries

Wilma J. Watts, the daughter of Herbert and Anna Marie Jensen Ferebee, was born Nov. 27, 1921, near Nelson. She passed away on Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, at her home near Fairfield, at the age of 98.

Wilma was united in marriage to Donald Watts on May 11, 1943, at the Hebron, NE courthouse. Three days later Donald went into the US Army. When Don returned from serving his country in World War II, the couple moved to their farm near Fairfield where they remained their entire married life. After Don's passing in December 2006, Wilma was blessed to continue to live in their home for the rest of her life.

Wilma is preceded in death by her parents; husband Donald; brothers Bud and Wayne Ferebee; sisters Theda Jackson and Lorrayne West. Survivors include her children Tom Watts and wife Ruth; Vanessa Walters and Dena Woodman; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and two more on the way. Mom's message to us: "Tell them I have gone over the hill!"

Sutton resident, Don C. Griess, 77, after a long battle with cancer, passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019.

A funeral service was conducted at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019, at the Hope Reformed Church in Sutton; Rev. Scott Henry presided. Interment was held following the funeral service at the Sutton Cemetery in Sutton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are to be directed to the family to be designated at a later date.

Don C. Griess was born Sept. 14, 1942, in Sutton, to Minnie (Korb) and Calvin Griess.

He farmed his whole life until retirement. Upon retirement, Don and his wife, Luella, built a home in Sutton and moved to town in January 2009.

His passion was golfing with his buddies.

Hastings resident Judith A. “Judy” Hultine, 74, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at her home.

Memorial service is 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at Butler Volland Chapel in Hastings, with Pastor Joel Remmers officiating. Private family burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Bart Hultine Altruism Fund, 101 South Hastings Avenue, Hastings, NE 68901. There will be no viewing or visitation. Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com.Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center is serving the family.

Former Clay Center resident Carol G. Hayes, 84, passed away Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings, NE.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the United Church of Christ in Clay Center, with Rev. Del Klover officiating. The family requests red be worn to the service in honor of Carol’s favorite color. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. In honoring her wish to be cremated there won’t be viewing or visitation.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated later.

Condolences may be left at www.mclaughlinchapel.com.

William Emerson (Bill) Bush of Edgar, passed away at his home on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. Bill was born to William and Jean (Marks) Bush on April 10, 1953 in Topeka, KS. As military families do, Bill’s family moved many times during his childhood. In 1965, the family moved to Edgar, where Bill attended Edgar Elementary School and later graduated from Sandy Creek High School in 1972.

Debra Rae Buerer, 65, of Fairfield died Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, at Bryan Medical Center West in Lincoln. Deb was born on Oct. 23, 1954, in Henderson, the daughter of Delbert and Delores (Hicks) Mohnike. She graduated from Sutton High School with the class of 1973. On May 21, 1976, she united in marriage to Richard (Dick) Buerer in Grand Island and to this union three children were blessed, Diana, Danielle, and Denise.

She was a farmwife until her husband passed away in 1990. She was also employed at Bethesda nursing home, Beck’s Farm Equipment in Edgar, and a varied of other jobs over the years.

Her greatest joy, besides her children, were her 10 grandchildren which kept her busy with all their events, which she attended as many as she could. She also enjoyed researching genealogy, helping with harvest, and family get togethers.

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Fairfield resident Delilah Bea Tibben, 88, passed away after a short illness of cancer on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at the Harvard Rest Haven in Harvard.

Funeral Services were at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Shickley, with Pastor James Moll presiding. Interment followed the funeral service at the Fairfield Cemetery in Fairfield. Visitation was one hour prior to the funeral service at the Zion Lutheran Church in Shickley.

Memorials may be directed to Mission Central–40755 Co HWY E16, Mapleton, IA 51034, American Cancer Society or donor’s choice.

Condolences may be left at www.suttonmemorial.com.

Delilah Bea Tibben was born on Jan. 6, 1931, to Wallace and Nellie (Ziegler) Carter and passed away after a short illness of cancer on Nov. 30, 2019, at the Harvard Rest Haven in Harvard, at the age of 88 years old.

Glenvil resident Nita M. Snow, 71, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings, after a year-long battle with cancer.

Private family services were at Butler Volland Chapel in Hastings. Private family burial will be at a later date. Book signing was Friday, Nov. 15, from 1– 5 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society. Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com. Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center is serving the family.

Nita was born Aug. 30, 1948, in Rawlins, WY, to David C. and Juanita (Clark) Danford. She graduated from Rawlins High School and attended college. Nita married Larry D. Snow on May 9, 1969, in Hastings; he preceded her in death on July 11, 1996.