Yvonne D. Kirchner, 81, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, October 28, 2012 after an extended illness.  She was born December 2, 1930, in Alliance, Nebraska, the youngest child of Ebenezer and Dora (Curry) Garrett. 

A lifetime Alliance resident; she graduated from Alliance High School in 1948.  She received her teaching certificate from Nebraska State Normal School at Chadron.  She then worked in area rural schools for short time. 

Yvonne married Carroll J. Kirchner on June 25, 1951 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, in Alliance Nebraska.  They were married for 20 years, when Carroll was called home on November 19, 1971.  After his death, she was employed as secretary/bookkeeper at the Conoco Bulk Plant for many years. She was also employed by Copsey Clinic and Bates-Gould Funeral Home until her health declined.

She is survived by her son, Tom (Kathy) Kirchner of Alliance, their children Chris (Maridee) Kirchner and children Caleb, Eli and Declan of Lincoln, NE.; Matt (Melissa) Kirchner and children, Kennedy and Beckett of Olathe, KS; her daughter, Debbie (Brad) Gering of Alliance, their children Ryan (Morgan) Gering, children, Savannah and Caroline of Wichita, KS; Raime (Justin) Misko, children, Kixten, Cacen and Eizlee of Lincoln, NE; her daughter Pam (Dave) Lawrence of Alliance, their children Dustin Lawrence of Lincoln, NE;  Josh (Amity) Lawrence, children, Mykenah and Gracen of Omaha, NE; Courtney Lawrence of Alliance, NE, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll, her parents, 3 sisters and 4 brothers.

Her grandchildren were her greatest joy. She enjoyed following their many activities, rarely missing one of their events.   She initiated the bingo program at Holy Rosary, overseeing it for more than 30 years.  She enjoyed the many friendships she was blessed with through bingo, as well as lunches with the girls from the class of 1948.  She was known for her giving spirit, and cookie and pie making skills.  She loved to shop, as long as it was shopping for her family or for bingo.  Christmas was always her favorite time of year with presents for everyone and decorating of her “Better Homes and Garden” Christmas tree. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday November 3rd with Father Lou Nollette officiating.  Burial will with follow at Calvary Cemetery.  A wake service will be Friday November 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday November 2nd  at Bates Gould Funeral Home.

Memorials can be designated to St. Agnes Foundation or Prairie Haven Hospice.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.  Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Irvin Rushall, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away October 27, 2012 in Denver, Colorado after a brief illness. A celebration of Irvin’s life will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 1, 2012 at the Gering Civic Center with Rev. Karen Anderson officiating. Cremation was held at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Oregon Trail Community Foundation in honor of Irvin’s love of community, or to the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation in honor of his recognition of the importance of education. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com

Irvin was born on September 4, 1938 to Harry and Josephine (Nathan) Rushall in Scottsbluff. He was raised in Scottsbluff, graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1956 and from the University of Southern California in 1964 with a degree in finance. He returned to Scottsbluff where he raised his family with his former wife Pat Carlson and worked with his father, Harry Rushall, at Scottsbluff at Scottsbluff Pipe and Supply Company. In 1978, he married Marianne Heilbrun. In 1984, he refocused his interests in the area of development.

Irvin loved his community and had a vision for how to contribute to its growth by developing properties. He enjoyed collaborating with contractors, landscapers, and architects in designing buildings and took pride in quality workmanship. He valued what was good and what was right, and lived his life inspired by the guiding principles of integrity, honesty, and fairness. He loved his family more than anything, and strived to provide them with a sense of roots for stability, wings for adventure, and a soft place to land when needed. His grandchildren loved their “Zadie,” and were his deepest source of joy and pride. Those who were dear to Irvin were blessed with a role model, mentor, and friend who shared his gifts of love, support, wit, and humor. Irvin’s closest friends shared a lifetime of experiences and a rare and special bond of friendship that meant the world to him. Irvin had a unique way of viewing life, often sharing thought provoking stories, and always making others laugh.

Survivors include his wife and best friend of 34 years, Marianne Rushall, children Lessie and David Martin, Judy Amoo, Jeff and Amy Rushall, David and Leah Rushall and Brandy and Chris Herron; grandchildren Gannon, Macy, Griffin, Josie, Brooke, Avery, Alex, Evelyn, Isabel, and Elenor; sister Marilynn and Larry Heitman; mother-in-law Florence Weber; former wife Pat Moore; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Josephine Rushall and sister Rosalind Hanna.

Jesper Percy Jensen, 78, went to be with our Lord on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Highland Park Care Center.

 Jesper was born on the family farm in Box Butte County, Nebraska on April 5, 1934 to Chris B. Jensen and Esther M. (Jespersen) Jensen.  Jesper graduated from Hemingford High School and continued to farm the family farm until he was inducted into the Army.  He spent nearly two years on active duty in Korea and was later transferred to the Army Reserve, serving a total of six additional years.   Upon completion of his active duty status he returned to the farm. 

 In 1958 he met the love of his life, Norma Jean Wright, whom he later married on July 13, 1959.  They were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Alliance.

 Jess, as he liked his friends to call him, enjoyed raising cattle and farming.  He tried to spend as much time as he could outside.  He also enjoyed visiting with people and talking about the stories about the old country (Denmark), as his dad always called it.  His guidance and persevering attitude will be missed by all who knew him. 

 He was a member of the First Christian Church, having served as elder for many years.  He was also a member of the Alliance Cooperative Association, having served on its board of directors.                        

 Jess is survived by his wife, Norma Jean of Alliance; his children, Thomas (Denise) Jensen of Hemingford, and Lisa Ann (Todd) Culp of Omaha; his grandchildren, Gabe and Zach Culp, and Ashli (Eric) Waters; brothers, Arnold of Hayward WI., and Doyle of Apache Junction AZ.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Arandel and Jens Allen, and his precious grandson Luke Jesse Jensen. 

 A private prayer gathering was held at his bedside.   

 In lieu of holding memorial services, the family requests a card shower service and all condolences or memorials be sent to Norma Jensen at Crossroads Assisted Living, 150 24th Street, Suite 101, Alliance, Nebraska, 69301.

 Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.  Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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Richard M. Babbitt, 72, lifelong resident of Scottsbluff, died Saturday, October 27,

2012 at the Hemingford Community Care Center in Hemingford, Nebraska.

 He was born July 19, 1940 to Emil and Hattie Babbitt at Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

 He is survived by his guardian, Dick Kuxhausen and his wife Marlene. He became a part of Dick’s and Marlene’s family and was loved by their children and grandchildren. He will be missed and remembered.  Richard was born mentally handicapped but had learned to do many things.  Richard’s favorite word was “friend”.  Whether he knew someone for ten minutes or ten years, they were his friend.  He was also well known for riding his bicycle all over Scottsbluff and Gering.  He loved the Tuesday night auction and garage sales.  He had a fantastic memory and remembered where things were for a long time. Richard was a member of the Moose Lodge and known as a champion potato peeler and dishwasher. I am proud that he was my friend.

 Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Hattie Babbitt, his brothers Vernon, Eugene, and Melvin and his sister Alma.

 Cremation has taken place and private memorial services will be held at a later date.

 Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.