Obituaries

Martha Joann was born to John and Rose Marie (Langer) Simons in Valentine on June 5, 1939. Martha was the youngest of nine children and the only one born in a hospital.

And now these three remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Hope Delores Kalblinger, age 95 of Valentine, passed away December 3, 2021 at North Platte Care Center. Hope was born on March 6, 1926 in Valentine to Lawrence and Georgia (Taylor) Engles. She grew up in the area and graduated from Valentine High School.

Florence Grace Breuklander was born in Sharon, OH on April 30, 1931, to Everett and Ocie (Cunningham) Spear. She came to Nebraska by train at the age of three with her father and two older sisters, Jessie and Mary. Mrs. Sarah Davis received her and cared for her as a second mother. She attended Cornell and Burge Rural Schools and at the age of ten entered into the Valentine public schools graduating in the Class of 1950. During her high school years, she was a Candy Striper at the Sandhills Hospital and cared for newborn babies in the hospital while also caring for Mrs. Davis in the evening. She loved babysitting her nieces and nephews. Florence was in Glee Club, Job’s Daughters, Rebekah 100A.F.B., and Cherry County Ladies Extension Club. She was a member of the Valentine Presbyterian Church where she started attending at a very young age and served as a Sunday school teacher during her high school years. She attended Chadron State Teacher’s College for two years and earned her teaching degree in 1952. While teaching, Florence met Roy in 1953 at the Smith Falls school house and they were married on June 28, 1955, at the Presbyterian Church in Valentine. They made their home on their ranch near Sparks, and their union was blessed with four children; Shirley, Twyla, Rhonda, and Steve. Together, Roy and Florence ranched and operated Sunny Brook Camp, their outfitting business, on the Niobrara River. Florence was a devoted mother and wife, an incredible homemaker, and a proud rancher’s wife.

Margaret Ann Nielsen, 86, of Greeley passed away on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at her home in Greeley. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m.

Isla Dawn (Hamit) Drinkwalter was born December 11, 1933 in Cody to Wallace and Isabell Hamit. She died November 15, 2021 in Cody at the age of 87. Isla loved her family and drew strength from her faith in God.

Johnny Dean Cline was born on February 1, 1944 in Broken Bow to John W. and Laura H. (Lehn) Cline. He grew up on the ranch at Goose Creek where he resided his entire life. He attended Cherry County school district 102 until the eighth grade then he attended Thedford High School, graduating with the class of 1963. During his school years he enjoyed playing football and running track.

Gwenda LeAnn Nieuwehuis Jackson passed away Monday, November 15, 2021 at her home in Lakeview, SD. Gwenda was born March 7, 1957 at the Sandhills General Hospital in Valentine to Burnell “Bud” Nieuwenhuis Sr.

Mitchel Troy McIntyre (Mitch), 60, of Thedford, passed away on November 22, 2021, at Bergan Mercy in Omaha surrounded by his brothers. Mitch was the youngest of three boys, born on September 5, 1961, to the late Lloyd Lyle McIntyre and Marlys Rae McIntyre (Barnason) at Melham Memorial Medical Center in Broken Bow.

Otto M Frauen was born on June 8, 1923 as the third child of Jacob and Bertrice Fern Rector Frauen on the ranch he called home for 98 years, 10 miles north west of Norden in Keya Paha County. Otto passed away on November 23, 2021 at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth.