Obituaries

James E. Shamis passed away unexpectedly on November 28, 2022. Jim was born in Valentine, to Eddie and Retha (Spain) Shamis on July 24, 1941. On September 3, 1960, Jim was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, and best friend, Kay Gipe and from this union, their two sons, Chris and Mark were born. Jim and Kay’s love and commitment to one another through good times and sad times provided a great example for their sons and their families.

Leo Robert Linabery, 90, of Valentine passed away on January 12, 2023. Leo was born on March 25, 1932 to Mervin and Kate (Brinda) Linabery on his grandparents homestead in rural Cherry County, five miles north of Valentine. Leo was named after his uncle Leo Brinda that was killed in France during WWI. Leo grew up in the Midway/ Olsonville community in southern Todd County, SD on the ranch with his parents. Most of his family and friends called him Sonny when he was growing up. Leo graduated from Valentine High School in 1950. Leo stayed with his parents on the ranch until he was drafted into the army during the Korean War in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1955. After the Army, he moved back to the ranch.

Byron Lloyd Olsen, Sr. passed away December 17, 2022 at his home in Bellevue. He was born to Lloyd and Marie Olsen of Kilgore on October 30, 1937. He grew up on his dad's ranch in Kilgore caring for registered Hereford cattle and riding horses. His family was active in 4-H, and he showed calves and steers at the Cherry County Fair. At one of the fair competitions, he received first place for his driving ability which he said that he was just killing time. He received Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized in the Kilgore Baptist church. He attended school at Kilgore School District from Kindergarten to 12th grade. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, especially basketball and his teammates. He graduated in 1955 as the class President and salutatorian of his class. He attended college for one year in Sioux Falls, SD before joining the Air Force in 1956. He married his high school sweetheart on July 5, 1958 at the Kilgore Baptist Church. They returned to Castle AFB in California where he worked on the electronics for the F102's and F101's. After he left the service in 1960, he returned to the ranch in Kilgore for six years. He moved his family to Chadron where he and Carol attended Chadron State College and earned their bachelor degrees in 1970. In 1970, he moved his family to Bellevue. He did several jobs before starting as a Custodian in 1978 for Bellevue Public Schools, and he retired from BPS in 2007 after 26 years. He loved joking around with many people. Carolyn especially loved telling jokes with him. He always said I O LEE (which means I Love You). He always had a smile to give and loved his family very much. He and his wife served several years as Presidents of Twin Ridge PTA.

Morris Arthur Johnson was born in Omaha to Dr. Chester and Marthena (Morris) Johnson. He died on December 30, 2022, survived by his wife, Maureen, and son, Andrew, both of Valentine, and his nephew, Dr. Jeffery M. Benson and family of Phoenix, AZ.

Bob Mi chael “Fuzzy” Stillwell, 71 of Brady passed away January 7, 2023 at Great Plains Health. Fuzzy was born on December 22, 1951 in Valentine to Donald Earl and Frances Ellen (Nollette) Stillwell.

Donald Floyd Marshall passed away January 6, 2023, at Gordon Countryside Care. Don was born March 10, 1931, in Hyannis.

Dorothy Cassidy Glenn (Dottie) made her debut on October 10, 1951, the seventh of twelve children of Pat and Dorothy Glenn and was a force to be reckoned with from birth until her bright light dimmed and went dark on Thanksgiving evening, November 24 at 9:04 p.m.

Memorial Service for Betty L Vackiner, age 97, formerly of Ewing, will be held later in the spring. Betty passed away at Arbor Care Center in O'Neill on January 6, 2023. Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater, will be handling the arrangements. Condolence may be sent to the family at www.snidermemorialfh. com Per her wishes, her cremains will be joined with Ed's and laid to rest in Snyder in the Spring. Memorials are requested to the Ewing American Legion Auxiliary and Ewing Fire and Rescue.

Frances Faye Cozad Schubert was born in Ainsworth, on April 1, 1939 and passed away at Highlands Health & Rehabilitation Center in Bella Vista, AR on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the age of 83. Frances was born the third of three children to Ronald and Freeda (Lovejoy) Cozad.

Kip Lane Eickhoff, 65, of Pierre, SD passed away at his home of natural causes on Saturday, December 24, 2022. Memorial service was held Monday, January 2, 2022 at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre. Burial of cremated remains will be in Mount Hope Cemetery at Valentine, at a later date. Kip's family extends and invitation for everyone to join them at the Legion following the service.