Obituaries

Arline J. Lurz, 83, formerly of Beemer, died Monday, May 8, 2023 at Parson’s House in Omaha. Funeral service was Tuesday, May 16 at United Methodist Church in Wisner with Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. Private family interment will be at a later date at Harmony Cemetery, rural Valentine. Memorials may be made to the Beemer Senior Center and Beemer American Legion Auxiliary. Arrangements by Stokely Funeral Home.

Earlene ( Ruff) Kuhl, 100, of North Platte, formerly of Valentine, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Linden Court. Earlene was born on December 16, 1922 in North Bend, the daughter of Earl and Lula (Settles) Ruff.

Erma Gwen Tetherow, 88, passed away May 10, 2023 in Valentine. She was born January 3, 1935 to Henry and Irene (Petersen) Osterhoudt at Curtis. Erma grew up on her parents’ farms in Frontier County where she always had a love for the animals, especially the dogs and horses.

Meredith Duane “Punk” Worth was born on April 3, 1931, in Winner, SD to Elwood and Frances (McBride) Worth. Punk passed away in his ranch home surrounded by loved ones May 2, 2023, at the age of 92 years and 29 days. After Meredith was born, his mother took him home in a shoebox. He was so small (weighing just four pounds at birth), his mom called him her little “Pumpkin Seed”. It didn’t take long for “Pumpkin Seed” to become “Punk”, and to this day, many people do not know Punk’s given name on his birth certificate. Punk attended numerous grade schools in Keya Paha County and graduated from Keya Paha County High School in 1948. On May 18, 1952, Punk married Enid Lorraine Graham in Ainsworth. To this union, two children were born: son, Ronald Scott, and daughter, Lorraine Alice. May 18 of this year would have marked Punk and Enid’s 71st wedding anniversary.

Merle Wayne Weihe, 64, of Gordon, passed away peacefully at his home on November 28, 2022. Merle was born November 23, 1958, in Valentine, to Rudolph and Alice (Hoffman) Weihe.

James Edwin Wilson, 75, passed away on December 12, 2022, at Oak Hill Hospital, in Brooksville, FL after a brief unexpected illness. Jim, beloved husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather is well known for his love of family, outdoors and helping others. Jim and his wife, Eileen, were married and retired to Springhill, FL in 2009. There in Florida, they made a beautiful home to spend time with family, fishing, helping friends and neighbors and just enjoying retirement. He has left behind family and friends that will forever love and miss him.

Danny Duane Daniels was born on July 24, 1958, to Duane Dale Dan iels and Mary Elizabeth (Harris) Daniels in Ainsworth. He passed away suddenly on April 21, 2023, at the CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, with Teri by his side, at the age of 64. Dan lived his entire life in Ainsworth. Dan attended Lila McAndrew Grade School and Ainsworth High School, graduating in 1977.

Melba Evelyn Bejot was born August 30, 1934 to Rudolph M. and Nellie E. (Kackmeister) Waits. She passed away, Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth at the age of 88. Melba lived her entire life in Ainsworth.

Kay Connery, 73, of North Platte passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family following an extended illness. Kay was born on August 17, 1949 in Valentine, the daughter of Howard and Catherine (Doty) Hinton. Kay attended grades K-5 at District 46, and graduated from Cody-Kilgore High School in 1967. She attended Parks Business College in Denver, CO. She was a firm believer in higher education and attended classes and graduated from Mid Plains Community College in North Platte. She was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cody.

Joseph L. Hanson (84) of Valentine passed away April 22, 2023 at Cherry County Hospital. Joe was born December 25, 1938 to Clarence and Leona (Koenig) Hanson in Lynch. In the late 40’s, the family moved to Valentine. Joe graduated from Valentine High School in 1957. Upon graduation, Joe married E. (Mae) Keller in 1959. Joe entered the U.S. Navy and both him and Mae traveled to California where he was stationed. Joe served with high school classmate Neil Stoecker and many others that would remain lifelong friends. After four years, Joe and Mae returned to Valentine where they made their home and raised their four sons. Joe worked a variety of jobs initially, serving as a ranch hand, working on golf courses, and managing the vets club until he started his permanent career with UPS. Joe drove for UPS for over 30 years. Through this time he met many of the area ranchers and knew all of the short-cuts across trail roads in Cherry County. You might catch a glimpse of the brown truck cruising across a sandhill enroute to ensure an on-time delivery. The kids and grandkids would wait patiently on Christmas for the last package to be delivered so the family could enjoy their Christmas tradition of chili and oyster stew and opening gifts.