Obituaries

Betty Jean Osburn Copeland, 97 passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, at her daughter’s home surrounded by family and her special puppies Joy and Mae (affectionately called Sweet Pea by Grammy). She was born on April 12, 1929, in Sparks, NE on the family homestead.

Della Gibson went to heaven April 21, 2026. She was born in Valentine, Nebraska July 31, 1938 to Warren and Josephine Rhoades.

Norma Jean (McCabe) New, 84, of Winner, SD passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Facility in Winner, SD. Funeral service was held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. A visitation was held one hour prior to funeral service.

Rev. James J. Janovec, 88, of Grand Island, NE died Monday, April 27, 2026, at CHI Health – St. Francis in Grand Island, NE. Fr. James was born March 26, 1938 in Chapman, NE the son of Francis and Loretta (Evers) Janovec. He was Baptized and Confirmed at St. Libory Catholic Church in St. Libory, NE. The family farmed north of Chapman until his parents tragically died in an automobile accident in 1951. James then lived with his grandmother in Merrick County. He attended District 29 in Merrick County, NE graduating from St. Mary’s Cathedral High School in Grand Island in 1956.

Lyle Harvey McMindes, 93, of Grand Island, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Memorial service and a celebration of Lyle’s life will be held at All Faiths Funeral Home in the near future.

Letitia Angeline Naprstek, 78, of Ord, Nebraska, formerly of Valentine, passed away on April 25, 2026, at Quality Senior Villages in Broken Bow, surrounded by her family. She entered the world in Lincoln, Nebraska on November 9, 1947, as eldest child to James and Dorothy (Koca) Bunker.

Patricia Ann Young, 76, of Lincoln, passed away on April 14, 2026. Services will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Edward “Mike” Arnold, born March 4, 1949, in Valentine, NE, passed away March 25, 2026 in Omaha, NE. Mike was pre‑ceded in death by his par‑ents, Ed‑ward and Patricia Arnold; siblings, Mary Kay Lessert, Tom, Pa‑tricia Arnold, Eileen Angell, Peggy Hall, and Duffy; and eldest grand‑son, Wyatt Arnold.

Growing up in Valentine, Rich‑ard thrived in 4‑H, earning several awards as a youth. He graduated from Valentine High School in 1988. Whether he was camping, fishing, four‑wheeling, hunting, or shooting, Richard felt most at home under an open sky. He was happiest when surrounded by na‑ture and the people he loved.