OBITUARIES

Jeanne Wright

We are saddened to share the passing of Jeanne Wright.  Jeanne was the mother of Greg Wright; our NeFDA Messenger representative. 

Jeanne Ann Wright, born on December 22, 1936 in Sterling, Colorado to Ray and Doris Williams, passed away at age 87 on December 3, 2024, in Broomfield, Colorado. Never more than five feet tall, Jeanne was a powerhouse in a small package. She brought both determination and an always-caring attention to others in all aspects of her life. Jeanne’s early years were spent in Sterling and North Platte, Nebraska, with her high school years in Omaha. She graduated from North High and at Nebraska Wesleyan University, she noticed the young man who became the love of her life in 1956.

She asked friends from Omaha that were in the fraternity with Gerald “Gerry” Wright to make an introduction for her. Soon after their meeting, she earned a teaching certificate, and they were married on June 30, 1957. The young couple moved to Gerry’s hometown of Hebron, Nebraska. Jeanne took on a teaching job at a one-room schoolhouse east of town with students ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade.

The next year, her son Greg was born at the end of the summer break. Daughter Ann was born in 1961. After Jeanne and Gerry moved their young family to Colorado, daughter Jennifer was born in 1963. The family moved to Boulder after a year in Arvada. They loved to explore the mountains, and Jeanne used her sewing skills to make sleeping bags, downjackets and tents for backpack camping in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area.

Working alongside Gerry, they owned several different businesses in Boulder and Denver.  Jeanne took care of all the details in each of the ventures. As a mother of three, she took classes at University of Colorado to finish her bachelor’s degree.

Starting in 1987, Jeanne and Gerry traveled to represent The Messenger Company. As their offerings expanded to include more funeral service and memorialization products, Jeanne saw it as her mission to help funeral directors every day as they helped families through the grieving process. She viewed clients and coworkers as friends and built close relationships with many of them. They were the first wife and husband team to be honored on Messenger’s Wall of Fame when they officially retired in 2022.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and commitment to her immediate and extended family, survived by her husband Gerry and their children, her sister Sue, and four grandchildren: Katherine Aguirre, Christopher Aguirre, Schuyler Wright and Elizabeth Aguirre, along with dozens of nieces, nephews and their children.

Among the initial outpouring of love were comments like these: “She was truly one of the sweetest souls…” “She was such a wonderful light in my life!”

A memorial service will be held Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Grace Commons Church’s chapel 1820 15th St. Boulder, CO 80302, followed by a cookie reception.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska or an organization of your choice. 

Darlene Miller

Darlene Miller, 85, of Clarkson, Nebraska, died Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Clarkson Community Care Center. Darlene Miller was the wife of Frank Miller III; who owned Miller Funeral Home in Clarkson until his retirement in 1999.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 23, at 10:30 AM at   SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church with Father Dan Wittrock and Father Rodney Kneifl concelebrating the Mass. Visitation will be on Sunday, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM with a Vigil Service at 4:00 PM, all at the church. Visitation will continue on Monday, from 9:30 AM until service time, again at church. Interment will be in parish cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Notre Dame Mother House or those of the family's choice.   

Darlene Ann Belohrad Miller was born August 1, 1939, in Wayne, Nebraska, to Joseph and Matilda (Malasek) Belohrad.  After graduation from high school, Darlene worked for an insurance company in Clarkson and then went to work for BD Medical in Columbus. On August 13, 1959, Darlene married her childhood sweetheart and love of her life Frank Miller at Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Clarkson.  Darlene became a stay-at-home mom to Tracy, Lauri, and Kory before working as a paraprofessional in the special education department at Clarkson High School.  She then worked at the Miller’s Gift Store where she enjoyed helping people find the perfect gifts before her retirement. 

Darlene had a servant heart that was especially evident in all the baking she did for family, friends, and the wider community.  She had a love for nature and would watch for the first robin of spring to arrive and enjoyed watching for the wrens, mourning doves, finches, and hummingbirds. She enjoyed the soothing sound of soft thunder and the sound that the chimes would make in a light breeze. For over 20 years, she and Frankie volunteered at the Clarkson Community Care Center by helping with prayer services and building relationships with the residents and the staff. Darlene was an avid reader and faithfully prayed for other people. Darlene and Frankie have been members of Saints Cyril & Methodius Church in Clarkson for decades and sang in the choir for so many years 

For Darlene, she reached her last stop at Willoughby, walking through a beautiful gate and has promised to be waiting there.  Welcome home good and faithful servant, your tasks are now complete.

Left to cherish Darlene’s memory: 
Husband – Frank Miller of Clarkson, NE; Daughter – Tracy Miller of Omaha, NE; Daughter – Lauri (Michael) Avignon of Houston, TX; Son – Kory (Julie) Delkamiller of Omaha, NE; Granddaughters – Maia, Lydia and Naomi Delkamiller; Sisters – Charlotte (Ray) Cada of Wahoo, NE; Carol Grant of Omaha, NE; Joanie Hanke of Omaha, NE; and Debbie (Butch) Nadrchal of Clarkson, NE as well as many nieces and nephews

Darlene was preceded in death by:
Parents – Joseph and Matilda Belohrad; Infant daughter – Theresa Miller; Sister – Betts Palmisano

James Jacobsen, III

James “Jimmy” P. Jacobsen, III, 79 of St. Paul, died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 1, 2024, in Hastings, Nebraska. 

Visitation will be from 4-8 P.M. on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul. 

Private Family Services will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Paul.  A Private Interment will be held at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Dannebrog.  Pastor George Mathews will officiate.  Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul is assisting Ruthie and her family with the services.  Memorials are suggested to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Jimmy was born to James P. Jacobsen, II and Wauneta (Metro) Jacobsen in St. Paul on August 18, 1945.  He grew up and received his education through 8th grade in Dannebrog. In 1959 his family moved to St. Paul, when his father purchased the McIntyre Funeral Home, which later became the Jacobsen Funeral Home, which had branches in Dannebrog and Wolbach.

Jimmy graduated from St. Paul High School in 1963 and then attended Dana College, graduating in 1967.  He went on to attend the Milwaukee Institute of Mortuary Science.

On January 28, 1968, he married Ruthann Knoell in Fremont, Nebraska.  The couple briefly made their home in Milwaukee, before returning in September of 1968 to St. Paul. .

Jimmy went into business with his father as a funeral director for the Jacobsen Funeral Home.  After his father’s retirement, he continued operating the funeral home. He was a licensed director for almost 40 years before he retired. 

He was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Danish Brotherhood, and a was a member and past Master of the former St. Paul’s Masonic Lodge.

In retirement Jim enjoyed traveling and attending his grandchildren’s activities as they grew up.  His grandchildren meant the world to him.  He was proud to be a new great-grandfather to baby, Ocean.  He also enjoyed yardwork, duck and goose hunting, fishing, reading, and helping the “girls” at the Hospital Thrift Store.

Jimmy is survived by his wife; Ruthie of St. Paul; daughters, Amanda Peterson of Brooks, Alberta, Canada, Melissa and husband, Paul Schwartz of Alexandria, Minnesota, Jenna Byabato of Lincoln; grandsons, Marvin Peterson, Marcus and wife, Kaitlyn Peterson, Matthew Peterson and finance, Kalie, all of Edmonton, Alberta, Canda, Paul Schwartz, IV and Olivia of Grand Forks, North Dakota, James Schwartz of Alexandria, Minnesota, Jayden Byabato and Amiya of Omaha; granddaughter, Madison Schwartz of Alexandria, Minnesota; great-granddaughter, Ocean Byabato; sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Gaylord Mickelsen of Mesquite, Nevada; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mark and Linda Knoell of Lincoln, and LaMond and Rosella Knoell of Fremont; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Wauneta Jacobsen.

Norman Lee (Norm) Christensen

Norman Lee (Norm) Christensen (81) of Bridgeport passed away peacefully on August 18, 2024, at Chimney Rock Nursing Home in Bayard, NE.

Visitation will be held at Bridgeport Memorial Chapel on Thursday, August 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. A rosary will be held on Friday, August 23, at 10:00 a.m. at All Souls Catholic Church, and a Mass of Christian burial will immediately follow at 10:30. Interment will be held at Lyons Cemetery in Lyons, NE.

Norm was born to Paul and Hazel Christensen in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 8, 1943. The family later moved to Lyons, Nebraska, where Norm grew up working at the family redi-mix plant and lumber yard. Never one to shy away from excitement and adventure, Norm’s first time being pulled over by law enforcement was while driving a semi through Kansas at the age of 12. He was returning from Texas with a new drag line for the redi-mix plant while his father caught up on his sleep in the passenger seat. Paul assured the officer that Norm was as good a driver as he was and the two were sent on their way. When the dragline failed to operate as advertised, the Texas plant sent a mechanic up to fix the equipment, but instead, he found 12-year-old Norm running the dragline, having figured out how to rethread the pulley system himself. The mechanic subsequently offered Norm his pay.

Later when the redi-mix plant won the contract to construct the footings of the Decatur toll bridge, multiple trucks were dispatched from Lyons to Decatur, but none of the operators were willing to risk backing the large trucks out over the planks to the opposite side of the river. Not surprisingly, the now 14-year-old Norm agreed to back the trucks across the planks spanning the river while the other drivers kept the mud coming from the Lyons plant.

After a high school career of football, basketball, track and a few nighttime pranks (including carrying the principal’s VW Beetle up the three flights of stairs of the high school only to be found the next morning in the center of the school library), Norm began his education at the University of Nebraska where he made extra money as a tutor. He eventually completed his mortuary science degree at the University of Minnesota. While in Minnesota, he met and married Rosella (`Zell) Aubert and moved to Kearney where he worked in a local funeral home. The couple then moved to Bridgeport, Nebraska, where he purchased the local funeral home. In February of 1971, Norm and `Zell added to their family with the birth of their son, Mike, and three years later, they welcomed their daughter, Joey. While raising a family, Norm opened two additional funeral homes in Bayard and Dalton, operating all three businesses for many years.

A serial entrepreneur, Norm started other successful business endeavors including Norm’s TV
Repair, Heritage Homes, Christensen Construction Company, the Oasis Restaurant, Blackout and Sandbox video arcades, and later on, he worked for Jacobs Corp as a salesman of feed mill pellet dies in the midwest. He also worked for ACE Rent to Own as an inventory control manager throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. After retirement, he moved back to Bridgeport.
 
Norm was a talented musician, playing piano, guitar, and the trombone, as well as singing in the local cantata. He loved travel, the Huskers, and having coffee at the Trading Post in the morning to catch up on the local news. He was a member of All Souls Catholic Church, and he served as Worshipful Master at Camp Clarke Masonic Lodge #285. Norm also holds the distinction of being the longest running consecutive mayor in the history of the State of Nebraska having served the community of Bridgeport for years. He was a loving father, grandfather, and friend.

Norm is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Hazel Christensen; his sister, Peg Landham; and his nephew, Christopher Geck. He is survived by his children, son Mike (Joan) Christensen of Carroll, IA; daughter Joey (Leland) Dohse of Bridgeport, NE; and grandchildren Bodhi and Emma Dohse and Sophie, Ruth, Martha, and George Christensen; siblings Terri (John) Geck, Ree (Robert) Benson, Marlin (Yon) Christensen, and special friend Karlene Johnson.

A memorial will be determined by the family at a later time.

Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.bridgeportmemorialchapel.com.

Colleen Dolan

Colleen J. Dolan, 78, of Gibbon went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney, Nebraska.

Colleen was born March 19, 1946, in Plattsmouth, Nebraska to Frank and Gladys (Sheldon) Denson; the youngest of 6 children.

She grew up in Overton graduating with the class of 1964. She married Bob Dolan on January 21, 1966, in Overton, Nebraska and were married for 49 years. This union was blessed with 3 children: Christi, Mark, and Chad.

Collie worked at Plectron Corporation in Overton, Superior Engineering in Kearney, Ammunition Depot in Grand Island, and Tri County Hospital in Lexington where she retired. While at Tri County Hospital she was the recipient of the Caring Kind Award.

While in Overton, Collie was a member of the Overton Christian Church for over 50 years where she served as Sunday School Teacher and on the Church board for several years. She was also active on the Overton Housing Authority and Overton School Board. Following retirement Bob and Collie moved to Gibbon. While in Gibbon she was a member and active in the Gibbon United Methodist Church.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter Christi and husband David Sines of Gibbon; Son Chad and wife Jamie Dolan of Gibbon; granddaughter Kati Snider of Henderson; Grandsons Matthew Dolan of Gibbon, and Mitch Dolan of Gibbon; Sister Joyce Shatters of Kearney; special son Barry and wife Gena Carpenter and their family of Overton; Daughter-In-Law Amy and Lance Guigler of Kearney. Along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was met at heaven’s gate by husband Bob; Son Mark Dolan; her parents; Brothers Bill and his wife Alice Denson, Ralph and wife Micky Denson; Sisters Milred and husband Frances William, Mary Sikyta, and Brother-in-Law Russ Shatters.

It was Collie’s wish for cremation. Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, August 23rd, at 10:30 am at the Gibbon United Methodist Church in Gibbon with Chad Dolan and Pastor Jean Mark-Mutwale officiating. A luncheon will be served following the service at the church. Graveside Burial services will be at 2:30 P.M. at the Overton Cemetery in Overton.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the Gibbon United Methodist Church or Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department.

Reynolds Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.

Vern C. Gibson Jr.

Vern C Gibson Jr.- a caring husband, father and proud veteran and community activist passed away on August 8th, 2024, at 82.  His heroic battle with cancer and medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile and a story. 

Vern was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky in 1942, and grew up and graduated in Santa Ana, California.  He was lucky to have multiple different ‘careers’ in his life.  He was a sergeant in the 6th infantry division of the US Army, serving tours in Berlin during the Cold War.  Once honorably discharged, Vern went on to have a distinguished airline career for 31 years for National, Pam Am, Western, and Delta Airlines in both Los Angeles and Omaha.  After retiring, Vern decided to start over and received a degree in Mortuary Science to become a Funeral Director.   He has faithfully served the Fremont community with Dugan Funeral Chapel. 

Vern absolutely loved serving his community and veterans.  Vern has been the President of the Education Service Unit for Northeast Nebraska for nearly 30 years.  He was Past President of the Fremont and International Cosmopolitan Club organizations.  Vern served multiple terms as President of the Berlin US Military Veterans association and commander of the Fremont American Legion Post #20.  He’s been a Shriner since 1983.  Serving as President.  He is a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and was Lodge Master in 1989.  Vern is a 30-year member of Kiwanis, serving as local President and board member.  He was also two-time lieutenant governor of the Iowa/Nebraska Kiwanis district.  He also served on the board of Directors of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce.  He was an early board member of JC Fremont Days. He was the chairmen of Dodge Country Red Cross for 20 years.  He was the founder and co-chairman of Fremont’s Avenue of Flags and Veterans Park.  Vern served in multiple city committee’s and was elected to the Fremont City Council in 2020.  He helped organize and was the first chairman of Leadership Fremont.  The list goes on and on and he still found time to guest teach at Fremont H.S.

Vern was an avid traveler and ensured his children were able to experience different regions and cultures during their childhood.   As a father, his children would tell you that, despite his long work hours, he always was there for them and supported every sport and activity and occasionally to fill a tire or bring them gas.  Vern never knew a stranger, sparking conversations with any random person whether they wanted to or not.  He made everyone feel like they were his best friend.

Vern is survived by his wife Jane, his son John and Kristin (Mack) Gibson and daughter, Sarah Gibson Meyer and her husband, James and four grandchildren, Grant, Annabelle, Zach and Maddie. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister.

Funeral Service is scheduled, 11:00 AM on Friday, August 16th, 2024, at Saint James Episcopal Church in Fremont.  Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Thursday, at Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont. Burial with military honors will be at Memorial Cemetery in Fremont.

In lieu of flowers, Vern would love if you would donate to the Fremont Avenue of Flags/Veterans Park to continue the tradition of service to veterans.  Another designation of memorials can be made to St. James Episcopal Church in Fremont.

Online condolences may be left at www.mosermemorialchapels.com