Mitchell – Dorothy Nadine Eskam died peacefully in her sleep at her home on Wednesday, October 18, 2012. Her family, many friends, and members of the community will sincerely miss her.

Funeral services will be held at the Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff on Friday October 26th, at 10:00 A.M. with Chaplin Edward Hunzeker officiating. Visitation will be available from 9:00 A.M. thru 8:00 P.M. on Thursday October 25 at the Dugan-Kramer Chapel. A celebration of her life will be held immediately following the services at the Farm and Ranch Museum located 1 mile west of Gering on the way to Scotts Bluff National Monument. A memorial gift may be made to the Farm and Ranch Museum in her honor. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com

Dorothy was born March 18th, 1933 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to James Edward Haddix and Nata (Senteney) Haddix. She grew up in Mitchell, Nebraska where she attended school, graduating from Mitchell High School in 1951. While in high school, she was a lead drum majorette and a champion swimmer and lifeguard. She married Ernest F. Eskam December 11th, 1955.

Dorothy and Ernest lived for a short time in Aurora Colorado where their first child Sharon was born. Shortly after this, they moved back to Mitchell to start farming and Dorothy took a position at the Mitchell Sugar Factory, where she honed her top-notch bookkeeping skills.

Dorothy and Ernest began their farming career in 1957, and have continuously farmed and ranched since that time. They worked together to build a very successful farm and ranching operation producing mainly sugar beets, corn, beans, alfalfa, and cattle. The Great Western Sugar Company honored Ernest and Dorothy multiple times as high ten sugar producers and they were also honored as the sugar company high producers, producing over three million pounds of sugar in a single year.

Dorothy was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She always enjoyed spending time with her family and she and her sisters enjoyed a special closeness. Dorothy was an accomplished seamstress, and crafter. For many years, Dorothy held a position as State Treasurer of The Nebraska Women’s Club. She also enjoyed taking an occasional day trip to Prairie Winds.

Survivors include her husband Ernest, daughter Sharon of Cheyenne Wyoming and her husband Bud with their sons; Jonathan, Dylan, Buddy and Tucker. Dorothy is also survived by sons Kent of Carlsbad California, his wife Laurie, and their children; Chace, Chance, and Molly and also by her son Fred of San Diego California, and his husband Ray. Additional survivors include her sisters, Barbara Blanco and family of Mitchell, Charlene Needham and family of Arvada; and Anita Fey, and family of Scottsbluff as well as sisters-in-law Ellie Forcade and family and Renata Svanda and family both of Gering Nebraska. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Richard Schledewitz and his family. She was preceded in death by her parents James Edward Haddix, Nata (Senteney) Haddix, her sister Cheryl Schledewitz, and her in-laws Frederick and Eva Elizabeth Eskam.

John Luft, 45, died Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care Services in Grand Island, NE.

 John David Luft was born on Oct. 11 1966 in Grand Island to Melra and Caroline Luft.  He graduated from Alliance High School in 1984 then attended Chadron State College studying pre-med.  He joined the Army and was a combat medic and served in the National Guard until he was diagnosed with MS.  John worked as a welder for Behlen Manufacturing in Columbus NE.

 John loved NASCAR, going to concerts, hunting, and fishing.  He also loved spending time with his nephews, nieces, and his many friends.

 John’s dogs Sydney and Oreo were his children because John didn’t want to take a chance of passing on MS.

 John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Emma and Lyle Enyeart and Ray and Mabel Luft and his nephew Joseph Buresh.

 He is survived by father, Melra (Lana) Luft, mother,  Caroline (Don) O’Berg , brother, Rick Luft (Jennifer Milosich), his sisters,  Heidi Evans and Carmel Lowry (Jeff), He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Iana Luft, Beth Ellis, Tyler Evans, Chaz Buresh, Trevor Evans, Austin Klug-Luft, Dakota Andreasen, Bailey Klug-Luft, Cassina Klug-Luft, Jeffrey Wheelock, Stevie Andreasen, Kayla Milosich, Tate Luft and great Nieces Addison Reed and Aurora Ellis.

 Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 17 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel with Reverend Tom Lucas officiating.  Burial will be in the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 3-7 at the funeral home.

 A memorial has been established for the VA Hospice Unit and may be sent in care of VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care Systems, Attn. Heidi Swenson, 2201 N. Broadwell, Grand Island, NE  68803 or the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance, P.O. Box 718, Alliance, NE  69301.

 Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com

Steven Michael Dykes, 62, went home to the Lord on Oct. 9, following a heroic battle with cancer.

 Steve was born on Aug. 6, 1950 to Leroy and Leota (Keane)  Dykes at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Alliance. He attended Alliance High School, graduating in 1968. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during the Vietnam War, from 1968 until 1972.

 He then attended Sidney Vo-Tech College, graduating with a degree in Electronics. He was later employed by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad as an electrician for 31 years, before retiring in 2010.

 He met the love of his life Theresa Louise Vinton in 1977 and the two were married on Nov. 11, 1978 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance, Nebraska.

 Steve was highly involved with the Knights of Columbus, where he earned his Fourth Degree. He was also active with the Holy Rosary RCIA program, Marriage Encounter, Funeral Committee, Calvary Cemetery upkeep, Black Diamond Rail Club, Alliance Eagles, Habitat for Humanity, and as a driver for the Sisters at Marian Residence.

 Some of his favorite pastime activities included reading Science Fiction novels, watching Nascar races, which he referred to as “roundy-rounds”,  and rooting for his Alliance Bulldogs, Chadron State Eagles, Nebraska Cornhuskers and, of course, “Da Bears.”

 He also enjoyed spending time in his garage “just dinking around”, and taking his dog Chocolate for morning walks to pick up his daily copy of USA Today for the crossword puzzle. One of Steve’s greatest pleasures was bring joy to others through his impromptu jokes and storytelling. His greatest joy was his family and grandchildren.

 He is survived by his wife and children John and Amanda Dykes of Lingle, Wyo., Dan Dykes and Christine Thom of Seattle, Wash., and Mark and Louise Dykes of Alliance. He is also survived by grandchildren Abigail and Andrea Dykes of Lingle, Matthew Thom of Seattle, and Michael Dykes of Alliance and his sister Lynn and nephew Tony of Alliance, uncle Bruce Keane of Tucson, Ariz., and numerous brother- and sister-in-laws, nephews, nieces and cousins.

 He was preceded in death by his father Leroy Dykes, mother Leota Hardy, brother Richard Hardy and his dog Jerry.

 A wake is scheduled for 7p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14 at Holy Rosary Church, with fellowship to follow. Memorial services will be Monday, Oct. 15 at Holy Rosary with Father Lou Nollette officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites.

 Those planning to attend the wake or funeral services are requested to wear their best Bears or Huskers attire.

 Memorials may be given to Jane’s Closet.

 Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com

Vivian M. Lojka, 94, of Scottsbluff, passed away Sunday, October 14, 2012 at The Residency. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 20, 2012 at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff with Rev. Ralph Morris officiating. The family will be receiving guests beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Lunch will be served before the service. Cremation has taken place at Jolliffe Funeral Home in Scottsbluff. The family respectfully requests for there to be no flowers. Memorials may be made in care of the family or to the church. Online condolences may be viewed by visiting www.jolliffefuneralhome.com. Jolliffe Funeral Home of Scottsbluff is assisting the family.

Vivian was born November 13, 1917 in Cambridge, Nebraska to John and Anna Inez (Haggerty) Brown. The family moved to Broadwater when she was very young. Vivian’s schooling was in or around Broadwater.

Vivian married David Wagoner on April 21, 1936 in Sidney. To this union four children were born. The couple divorced in June of 1947. Vivian married Henry Lojka on May 15, 1948 in Kimball. This marriage added Henry’s four children to the family. They moved to Scottsbluff in 1954.

Vivian worked for Lichter Duo Rest until the factory closed and then began working for Trim Line Draperies. She was a member of the St. James Lutheran Church, Navy Mothers, and Joy of Living Bible Study. She enjoyed playing cards, games, and dominos with children, grandchildren, and friends. Vivian also liked to make cross-stitch gifts.

Survivors include her daughter, Jean Zuidema of Kansas City; daughters-in-law, Karon Wagoner of Albequerque, N.M. and Verlie Wagoner of Gering; son, Everett (Shirleen) Lojka of Cheyenne, WY; daughters, Marcella Shaw and Evelyn Hollis of McCrealy, WA; sisters, Lois Bennett of Shoshone ID, Hazel Ostrom of Springfield, OR; brother, B.V. Brown of Mitchell; sister-in-law, Myrul Brown of North Platte; 20 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; several great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Vivian in death were her parents; husband, Henry; four sons, Tom Wagoner, Stanley Wagoner, Eddie Wagoner, and Harold Lojka; and brothers, Merle Brown and Donald Brown.

Keith O. Wheeler, 85, died Monday, October 15, 2012 at his rural Sioux County home surrounded by his family.

He was born May 1, 1927 in Crawford, NE to Calvin Merrill and Alice Pearl (Malone) Wheeler.

On August 8, 1948 he was united in marriage to Aloha Anna Morgenstern in Lincoln, NE.

After receiving his B.A. degree in 1948 he began his career in education. He worked as a teacher in Denver Colorado from 1948 to 1950, and as a school administrator and teacher in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada from 1953 to 1962 and then at Monterey Bay Academy in La Selva Beach, CA until 1990. Following his retirement he and his wife returned to the Wheeler family ranch in Sioux County.

Keith served as an Elder in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hemingford and a school board member of Sioux County District 43 and had been a member of Kiwanis Club in Watsonville, CA.

He is survived by his wife, Aloha, his daughters, Tamara (Vern) Hansen of Grand Terrace, CA, Kathleen (Gary) Baker of Brighton, CO and Laurie Wheeler of Angwin, CA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Keith Hansen, Laurel Hansen of Grand Terrace, CA, Kirk (Cheria) Baker, Stacy Baker and Haley Baker of Brighton, CO, his brothers, Karl (Blanche) Wheeler and Glenn (Virginia) Wheeler of Marsland, his sisters, Merilyn Rainbolt of Marsland and Mary Alice Goree of Camarillo, CA.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela and his brother Gaylord.

Funeral services will be Friday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hemingford. Pastor Rodney Bieber will officiate. Burial will be in the Crawford Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Keith Wheeler memorial scholarship fund at Monterey Bay Academy,
783 San Andreas Road, La Selva Beach, CA 95076.

Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com

Mary Genevieve Landrigan, (known to most as Genevieve), of Bridgeport died peacefully at the age of 91 years, 8 months, on October 13, 2012, surrounded by her family. Her Funeral Mass, will be held at 10am on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at the All Souls Catholic Church in Bridgeport with Father Dave Rykwalder as Celebrant. The inurnment will be held at the Oregon Trail Cemetery in Bridgeport. Visitation will be from 2pm til 5pm at Jolliffe Funeral Home in Bridgeport on Tuesday, with a Rosary/Vigil service beginning at 6pm at All Soul’s Catholic Church; at which time family and friends are welcome to celebrate Mary’s life and offer brief eulogies and memories. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the All Souls Catholic Church in care of Father Dave Rykwalder. Online condolences may be left and a memorial candle may be lit in Mary’s memory at www.jolliffefuneralhome.com. Jolliffe Funeral Home in Bridgeport is in charge of arrangements.
She was born to Harold and Margaret Jeffryes on February 13, 1921 in Bassett, Nebraska, the oldest of four sisters. She lived with her family in Alliance, NE during her elementary-school and high-school years, graduating from Alliance High School in 1939. The harsh economic times of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl Days conditioned her life and prepared her for a lifetime of hard work. While working as head cook at the Everett Eldred Ranch in 1939, she met her husband, Joseph D. Landrigan. They were married on March 30, 1940, and over the next 10-years they had five children.
Mary and Joe moved from Gering, Nebraska to their farm northeast of Bridgeport in early December 1947. To make ends meet and to provide for the needs of her growing family, Mary actively engaged in all the labor-intensive tasks associated with farming and caring for the livestock, selling eggs, cream, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, wool and other farm produce.
Her jobs off the farm included cooking positions at the Northport Elementary School and the first Morrill County Hospital. Around 1956, Mary also worked for Jack Edwards at the Bulldog Drive-in. She then worked a total of 10-years with the ASCS/Soil Conservation offices. In 1968, she purchased the R & W Drive-in, and about 1970, she purchased Ann and Joe’s Drive-In, renaming it the Kar-ette Drive-in, operating the two drive-ins until the beginning of 1976. She continued to work at both drive-ins between 1976 and 1999, and additionally at the Cottonwood Drive-in/Oasis Restaurant between 1978 and 1982. She completed her restaurant career at the Subway, still going strong at the age of 81, as a Subway Sandwich artist.
Mary was unwavering in her devotion to her family, her children and grandchildren, and as a long-time member of the Catholic Church and the women’s Altar Society, she dedicated much of her time and energy toward supporting the church building fund by baking many, many delicious apple pies, preparing food served during Harvest Dinners, and making many afghans that were raffled or auctioned. Mary followed her father’s example of providing food to the poor during the Great Depression era by generously providing food baskets, in her own time, to struggling families within our community, and very frequently prepared meals for families who had just lost loved ones. It is important to mention Mary’s participation in serving Meals on Wheels for several years, and in preparing Soup Luncheons, the proceeds of which provided funds to the larger Bridgeport Ecumenical Ministerial Association in assisting travelers, in need of assistance, who were passing through town. In her own words, Mary worked hard and gave a lot, “hoping in return that somebody would do the same for other people. I couldn’t stand to see people go hungry.” She knew the wisdom of “Pay It Forward” long before the movie became popular.
Survivors include one sister, Velma Reed of Flower Mound, TX, four children, Patricia (Ron) McCloud of Dunsmuir, CA, Mike (Lynn) Landrigan of Albuquerque, NM, Donald (Charlotte) Landrigan of Bridgeport, NE, and Robert (Donna) Landrigan of Bridgeport, NE; 12 Grandchildren, 2 Step-Grandchildren, 20 Great-Grandchildren, 5 Step-Great-Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren.
Preceding Mary in death are her parents, her husband, Joseph D. Landrigan, two sisters, Lucille Provencher of Danielson, CT, and Betty Shubert of Gering, NE, her oldest son, Richard J. Landrigan of Scottsbluff, NE, Baby Granddaughter Mary Margaret Landrigan of Chicago, Step-Grandson, Larry Sanders of Bridgeport, and Grandson, Michael Dennis Landrigan of Chicago.

Mom, we are proud that you were our Mother. We are proud of your hard work ethic, your strength and stamina and resiliency in facing and overcoming difficult times. We are grateful for all that you taught us and for all of your loving, motherly sacrifices for us. We will miss you Mom. Godspeed to your Heavenly reward.

Louise A. Lichty Callahan passed away early Thursday morning, October 11, 2012 in Gering, NE. Louise lived an active and healthy 93 years.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Big Springs Cemetery in Big Springs, NE with Pastor Jonathan Seng officiating. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.geringchapel.com. Gering Memorial Chapel assisted the family with arrangements.
She was born on June 7, 1919 in Sutherland, Iowa to William and Edyth (Cook) Burgess. She had nine brothers and sisters. When she was a young girl, her family moved to Scottsbluff, NE. She married Darrell Lichty on February 27, 1938 and they made their home in Big Springs, NE. They had three children, Bruce, Bonnie and Shirley. Louise worked for Goodalls in Ogallala, NE from 1957 until Darrell’s death and her retirement in 1980. She moved to Gering, NE in 1981 and worked for West Nebr General Hospital in Housekeeping. She could work circles around the younger girls thus was deemed “The Roadrunner.” Louise enjoyed golfing, walking, swimming, watching sports and politics, and playing games with her family. She even learned how to water ski at the age of 67. She met Edward Callahan and they were married in October of 1985. They enjoyed many years of traveling before his death in January 1997.
Survivors include her daughters Bonnie Dancer and Shirley White of Gering; daughter-in-law Janice Lichty of Gering, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren and sisters Maxine Sanders and Eunice Corbin of California.
Preceding Louise in death were her husbands Darrell Lichty and Ed Callahan, son Bruce Lichty and grandsons Ray Dancer and Roy Dancer, four brothers and three sisters.

Jim L. McMurtry, 82, of Scottsbluff, died Thursday, October 11, 2012, at his home.
His memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff with Pastor Ron Nuss-Warren officiating. Cremation was at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory. Military Honors will be provided by the Nebraska Army National Guard. The family has requested you wear casual attire in honor of Jim.
A memorial has been established in care of the family for designation to a charity at a later date. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com
James L. McMurtry was born March 27, 1930, at Sweetwater, Nebraska to Claude and Ferne (Fellows) McMurtry. He attended Hastings High School. Jim married Bessie Pomplun on January 1, 1950. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1954. He worked for Scotts Bluff County as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic and for Cornhusker Tractor and Equipment Company as a mechanic and later as a salesman.
Jim was a member of Presbyterian Church and a life member of the VFW.
Survivors include his wife, Bessie McMurtry; son, Monte (Melody) McMurtry of Madison, North Carolina; daughter, Peggy (Rocky) Robinson of Scottsbluff; grandchildren, Dustin (Elizabeth) McMurtry of Holly Springs, North Carolina, Tobin McMurtry of Summerfield, North Carolina, Clinton McMurtry and Haley McMurtry of Sargent; Elisa (Cody) Garton of Scottsbluff; Kelli (Robert) French of Morrill; and Melinda (John) Macias of North Platte; great-grandchildren, Caden, Caleb and Carter Garton of Scottsbluff, Reegan and Bailee French of Morrill, and Anthony, Alicia and Austin Macias of North Platte; brother, Gary (Judy) McMurtry of Scottsbluff; sisters, Ruth Hauschild of Ravenna and Mellie McKinney of Alliance; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Pete and Barb Pomplun of Oconto; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Howard.

Lois Lye, 87, passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at Highland Park Care Center at Alliance, Ne after being there for two months. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 15, 2012 at First United Methodist Church in Gering with Pastor Lauren Ekdahl officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call at Gering Memorial Chapel between 1-6:00 p.m. Sunday. The family will gather at 1600 Gentry Blvd. in Gering this weekend to celebrate her life. A memorial has been established to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the donor’s choice.
Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.geringchapel.com.
Lois was born August 6, 1925 at Sedgwick, CO to William and Addie (Lee) Cleary. She was the 7th of 10 children. She attended Sedgwick County Schools and was baptized in 1938 at the Methodist Episcopal Church at Sedgwick.
Lois was married to Edward Lye on January 20, 1946 at Sidney, Ne. They worked side by side on farms in the Sidney, Alliance, and McGrew areas. To this union three daughters were born. Lois worked from 1971 to 1980 at the McGrew School as a cook. She also cooked at Northfield Villa and the Scottsbluff Public School system retiring in 2006.
Lois enjoyed quilting, playing cards, sewing, baking and her family. She also enjoyed watching the Huskers, Broncos and Rockies.
She is survived by her daughters Linda(Don) Seckinger, Eaton, CO, Christine (Sid) Dubs, Alliance, NE and Pamela (Charles) Richter of Gering, NE, two sisters Eileen Klein, Arvada, CO and Mozelle Lechman, of Elizabeth, CO, two sisters-in-law Lucille Stanley, Saratoga, WY and Evelyn Cleary, of Ft. Morgan, CO, 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Edward, parents, six sisters and one brother.