Obituaries

Deborah Anne (Dykes) Dawson was born in Rushville, on July 18, 1956 to Max and Marlene (DeWitt) Dykes. Deb passed away peacefully at age 65 in her home south of Kilgore on August 8, 2021.

Jerry L. “Doc” Colburn, 88, of Scottsbluff, died Sunday, August 8, 2021. His funeral service was held Friday, August 13, 2021, at First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Jeff Fiet officiating. Interment followed in the Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff with military honors provided by the United States Navy. Memorials may be given to Boy Scouts of America, Longs Peak Council or Western Nebraska Ducks Unlimited in Jerry’s name. Online condolences may be left at www.bridgmanfunealhome. com. Bridgman Funeral Home of Scottsbluff was entrusted with arrangements.

Edwin L. Assman was born on June 23, 1952, to Joe and Esther Assman of Mission, SD. He was the third eldest child of seven that included two older brothers,three younger brothers, and a younger sister. Ed grew up farming and ranching, deciding at an early age, that was not what he wanted to do for the remainder of his life. He attended a one room country school until ninth grade, and he was the only student at his grade level throughout. He attended Todd County High School in Mission, participating in band, wrestling, track, and graduating in 1970.

Ronald Gene Rodgers was born on November 2, 1942 in Royal to Wayne and Miriam (Maple) Rodgers. The family moved to a ranch south of Valentine on the Niobrara River in 1949. Ron proudly considered himself a “River Rat” and took great pride in Pine Canyon Ranch which operated in the family for almost 70 years.

Patricia “Pat” (Richardson) Pettigrew 80, passed away at the Cherry County Hospital surrounded by family on July 29, 2021. She was born in Parsons, KS on February 23,1941, to Earl Dewey and Helen Hannah (Ward) Richardson. Pat grew up in Valentine. She married Donald Pettigrew on November 19,1963, in Pierre, SD. Together they raised their family in Valentine.

Erma Ruth (Monroe) Todd was born to parents, Texas Jack Monroe and Grace Ella (Stephens) Monroe on March 29, 1927, at the Sandhills General Hospital at the corner of 2nd and Main Street in Valentine. Her life came to an end at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine when Erma entered Heaven, August 2, 2021, at the age of 94 years.

Theodore “Ted” John Sponem, 69, passed away at his home surrounded by family on August 1, 2021. He was born in Madison, WI on November 19, 1951 to George and Pearl (Regelein) Sponem. The family moved from Mount Horeb to Jefferson in 1955 where they farmed.

Steven N. Daniels was born to Noral and Shirley (Wrage) Daniels on March 3, 1948. He was welcomed home by two older sisters, Connie Lou and Shirley Ann. Later, they were joined by younger brother, Chuck.

Darrel W. Smith, 78, of Valentine, passed away Thursday, July 29, 2021 at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine.

Martha Mary (Raycher) Higgins was born in Richland, PA on January 18, 1919 to Andrew and Martha (Mock) Raycher. Before she was three years of age they moved to Monarch WY, then to Story, WY in the Spring of 1927. Times were tough and life was hard but good. Story was a town of between 200 to 300 people, gravel roads, no electricity, Model “T” Fords and a one-room school house. Martha’s memories centered around their grocery store, dance pavilion, water wheel to generate electricity, swimming pool, ice house, motorized ice saw to harvest ice from the swimming pool, hamburger business, soda fountain and numerous other things her father had built. At age 12 her mother died after a long illness. For high school and normal training Martha attended St. Agnes Academy in Alliance and graduated in 1936.