Obituaries

Audrey Grace Kreycik, 93, passed away February 12, 2024. She was born August 6, 1930 to Harold and Eva (Carpenter) Barnes in Neligh. She was one of two daughters and four sons. When Audrey turned nine the Barnes family moved to Valentine where Harold was the manager of the Standard Service Station. Audrey attended public schools and graduated from Valentine High School in 1948. She excelled in drama, winning awards for humorous readings.

Hastings resident Brian Bernard Nollette, 63, passed away Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at his home. Services were held Monday, February 19, 2024, at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings with Pastor Joel Remmers and Father Lou Nollette officiating. Burial followed at Parkview Cemetery.

Carolyn J. (West) Grooms, age 74, of Centennial, CO, passed away February 3, 2024. She was born April 21, 1949, in Stuart. Carolyn was a beautiful, selfless, dedicated, hardworking, and loving individual. She possessed strength and tenacity that inspired those around her. Carolyn had a passion for golf, music, and above all, her family. She was known for her phenomenal cooking skills, creative decorating, and being a gracious host.

Marian F. Patterson, age 88, of Valentine, passed away, at Ogallala Community Hospital in Ogallala Monday, February 5, 2024. Marian was born November 24, 1935, in Gothenburg, to Hiddie and Edna (Feis) Kuhlman. She grew up on the family farm three miles outside of Gothenburg.

Lynn Mark Schaefer, born April 26, 1927, in Valentine, peacefully journeyed to his eternal rest February 3, 2024. Lynn was the third of six children born to Ted and Kathryn (Howe) Schaefer.

Barbara Florence ( Hahn) Colburn was born March 19, 1934 to Florence Emma and Otis DeWit Hahn. Barb was born in her family’s place north of Valentine. She peacefully passed away on February 2, 2024 in her own home.

Donna Schroeder was born in Meadow Grove, NE March 5, 1938, to Raymond and Ella Mae O’Banion. She passed away January 29, 2024, at the age of 85 at the Parkside Manor in Stuart.

JoAnn June Williams, 73, of Kearney, passed away January 26, 2024. She was born February 7, 1950 in York, NE to Robert and June (Stahr) Knipfel. JoAnn was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Kearney.

Joyce Ann Engel was born on August 17, 1934, at the Engel Ranch south of Valentine. Her parents were Joseph and Mary (Boltz) Engel. Joyce passed away January 31, 2024, at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth.

Rich Flannery, 78, was born August 4, 1945 in Pasadena, CA. Rich died January 27, 2024 with Hilda, the love of his life by his side. Rich lived a full life and will be forever remembered by his family and friends as a hardworking man. He learned from an early age the importance of a hard day’s work and strong family values. He believed that sleeping past 7:00 a.m. was a sin. He spent his childhood on the family farm south of Atkinson working in the family hog operation. He attended country school south of Atkinson and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic High School graduating in 1963. During high school he was an avid basketball player and track star. He was also known for getting in some trouble here and there during his high school days.