Obituaries

Delbert Frank Kudrna “Smiley” was born June 28, 1943 to Frank and Christine Kudrna of rural Dawes county Nebraska. He went to the Lord on July 13, 2024 at age 81. Smiley graduated from Hay Springs High School in 1961. He served in the Army before moving to Valentine in the early 1970’s. In November 1973, he married Betty Lou Brotherson. To this union one daughter, Kayla was born. Smiley enjoyed his many years in Valentine before moving back to Hay Springs in 2020, to be closer to his grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing/waterskiing, vintage tractors, and watching his grandkids grow and play.

Our Dear Mother, Katherine Ann Kramer passed away June 26, 2024, at the Cherry County Hospital at the age 74. She was born July 26, 1949 to Leona and Herman Tappe in Dubuque, IA.

Maedeane ( Neumeyer) Rodgers was born October 23, 1943 in rural Garfield County near Burwell/Sargent, to Vernon “ Tude” Neumeyer and Treva L. (Ballard) Neumeyer. The middle of three children, she moved from Sargent to Valentine in 1953 where she was raised and graduated from Valentine High School in May of 1962.

Terry Lee Snyder was born, March 22, 1946, in Valentine, to Ronald and Mary (Linenbrink) Snyder. He passed away July 5, 2024, at his home in Valentine at the age of 78.

Lifelong cattlewoman and rancher, Lila Churchill, of Valentine, passed away at home on June 26, 2024. Born August 15, 1932, to Wilbur and Celia Drybread, and married to Kenneth Churchill, Lila raised two sons of her own, Brad and Linn. There were countless other “children” that passed through her life on the ranch; she played an integral role in their upbringing too. Some went on their way, many kept in touch through the years, and a few are considered family.

Patricia E. Preble, age 79, passed away July 2, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family. Pat was born March 10, 1945 at Ainsworth, to Maynard Edward Jones and Dorothy Marie (Naylor) Jones. She was the second child of three siblings.

Janet died at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln on July 3,2024. Janet was born in Valentine.

Robert Duane Brown was born August 12, 1952, in Valentine, NE to Robert William Brown and Frances Irene Adams. He passed away on June 28, 2024, at his home in Valentine.

Darrel Leroy “Lee” Kramer, 78, of Valentine, passed away at Bryan East in Lincoln June 23, 2024. A graveside memorial service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine July 3, at 11:00 a.m., with lunch and celebration of life to follow at the Veterans Club.

George Allen Allard was born September 17, 1951, to Donald and Ruth (Overman) Allard in Valentine. He was the third sibling with two brothers and two sisters. He attended grade school in Crookston, and graduated from Valentine High School in 1969. He worked for the Texaco gas station and for his family at their bar in Crookston during high school.