Obituaries

Wendy Elaine Way was born on November 15, 1970, in Washtenaw County, Ypsilanti, MI, to Claudia Jean Syrell and Alburn Phillip Way. She passed away on November 8, 2025, at her home in Valentine, NE at the age of 54.

Norman J. Peterson of Bassett, NE was born April 14, 1944 and passed from this world, November 11, 2025.

Geneva Darlene Thomas was born September 5, 1936 in Colome, SD to Meredith and Edna Lampitt Stone. Most of her childhood was spent growing up in Milboro, SD.

William (Bill) Ren Kramer, 49, of Valentine, NE, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Robert and Katherine Kramer, and is survived by his three sisters, Patricia Sherman, Dorothy Gallino, and Roberta Whalen-Lomax. He also had numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

Virginia Cress Vaughn Witte passed away at the Cherry County Hospital on November 1, 2025 at the age of 90. Virginia, better known as Ginny, was born to Victor Clair and Joy Stillwell Vaughn on June 30, 1935. Ginny married Gilbert J. Witte on July 19, 1952. They were blessed with four children, Vicky Cumbow, Duane Witte, Gordon Witte and Gina Keller. Gilbert and Ginny settled in the German Settlement. Ginny was a homemaker and helpmate to Gilbert on their ranching and farming operation.

Darlene (Steele) Huddle, 93, passed away October 31, 2025, in Yankton, SD. Darlene was born in Winner, SD on April 21, 1932, and spent her childhood years in Clearfield, SD. Some of her best childhood memories were of working alongside her father in the towns’ one grocery store, which her family owned and operated.

Jerry Lee Knispel passed away on October 18, 2025 in hospice in Rapid City SD after a long illness. He was born to Marcella (Newsom) Knispel and James M.

Dennis Dean Heermann was born in Burke, SD, April 19, 1938. He was born to Alnard and Hilda Heermann (Ludemann). Dennis lived his early life on a farm by Jamison. His family then moved to a farm near Naper, NE. Dennis walked to country school a half a mile from his family farm and then graduated from Naper High School in 1956.

Loren Dean Elliott, age 79, of Valentine, NE, passed away October 25, 2025, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE. Loren was born August 2, 1946, in Thedford, NE, to Harry and Tracy Elliott. He attended Antelope Valley and Thedford Elementary Schools and graduated from Thedford High School in 1965.

Steven Keith Lurz was born September 13, 1963, in Valentine, NE. He passed away on October 17, 2025, at his sister’s home in Lyons, NE.