Lloyd Rouse

Lloyd Rouse, age 88, of O'Neill, passed away on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 17, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Center in Atkinson.

Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at the Assembly of God Church in O'Neill with Rev. Mike Durre officiating. Music was provided by organist, Deb Frederick and soloist, Pauletta Rouse.

Pallbearers were Wayne Rouse, Dale Rouse, Ronald Rouse, Darryl Rouse, Jared Evert and James Klostermeyer. 

Honorary pallbearers were Terry and Gloria Ruegge, Paul and Nancy Nelson, Austin and Gladys Searles, Harry Potter, Allen Walters, Gordy and Cathy Givens and Scott Vanderbeek.

Burial was in the Paddock Union Cemetery northeast of O'Neill.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill was in charge of arrangements.

Lloyd was born on July 21, 1923, to Howard and Addie (Hubby) Rouse on a farm north of O'Neill which was homesteaded by his late grandfather, Alphonzo Rouse in 1879. He attended school at the Meek School House through the eighth grade. He was an excellent student. Lloyd grew up and lived on the farm his entire life.

In 1979, Lloyd and his father and brother, Delbert, were honored by Ak-Sar-Ben for having a farming member still living on the farm for 100 years.

Lloyd had a great love for horses and raised and broke many colts. He was still breaking horses until his 70's. Lloyd and his brother Delbert raised cattle and eventually had a fine herd. They both also owned and operated Rouse Bros. Salvage for almost 40 years. 

He was a faithful member of the Assembly of God Church for over 50 years.

Lloyd is survived by one brother, Delbert Rouse and wife Lois of O'Neill; one niece, Ralene Klostermeyer and husband Jim of Lincoln; four nephews: Wayne Rouse and wife Wanda of Omaha, Ronald Rouse and wife Jennifer of Lincoln, Dale Rouse and wife Pauletta of Kansas and Darryl Rouse and wife Tracey of Lincoln; and many great nieces and nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Lawrence and sister-in-law, Celia Rouse.

Memorials may be made to the Paddock Union Cemetery or to the Assembly of God Church in O'Neill.

Sister M. Anne Hays

Sister M. Anne Hays

Sister M. Anne Hays, age 90, of Alliance, passed away Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at the Marian Residence in Alliance.

A wake service was held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at the Marian Chapel in Alliance.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at the Marian Chapel in Alliance with Father Lou Nollette officiating.

Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery.

Bates-Gould Funeral Home in Alliance was in charge of arrangements.

Sister Anne was born on Sept. 26, 1921, to Henry and Anna (Reinsch) Hays in Gillette, WY, and was named Mary Kathryn.

She entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity at Marycrest in Denver, CO, in 1938. She was professed as Sister Mary Anne on Aug. 20, 1940.

Sister Anne taught at St. Francis Mission in South Dakota from 1940 to 1947, then at Holy Rosary Mission until 1951. She also taught school in O'Neill in the early 1950's until returning to St. Francis and Holy Rosary Missions from 1953 to 1974. 

She received her BA degree from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, in 1961. From 1977 to 1989 she did missionary work in Mexico then returned to Marycrest in Denver. She would continue to make return missionary trips for extended periods until 2005 when she retired and moved to Alliance.

Sister Anne is survived by her brother Bill (Verna) Hays of Gillette, WY; and her sister, Joyce (Gary) Burrell of Bozeman, MT.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Robert and Jim.

A memorial for seminarians may be given to the Catholic Church Extension Society of the United State of America, 150 South Wacker Drive, 20th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606. Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.

Dorothy R. Fullerton

Dorothy R. Fullerton

Dorothy Ruth Fullerton, age 92, of Chambers, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, at her home in Chambers.

Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at the United Methodist Church in Chambers with Rev. Bill Stovall officiating. Music was provided by Fern Briggs, pianist and Mark Durre, soloist.

Pallbearers were Dale Fullerton, Randy Fullerton, Brad Skala, Eric Skala, George Fullerton and Rex Gribble.

Burial was in the Chambers Cemetery.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill was in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy was born on April 21, 1919, to Charles and Ruth (Swengel) Spath in Plainview. She spent her early years in Plainview. After moving to Amelia with her family at age eight, she attended country schools in the area.

She was married to George D. Fullerton in July 1935, in South Dakota. To this union, three children were born: Donald Martin, Phillis Jean and Dale Richard.

They ranched in Amelia for over 40 years raising Hereford cattle, working side-by-side through good times and the hardships, including the death of their 15-year old son, Dale, in 1958. She was a true pioneer, working in the hayfields, helping neighbors, raising chickens, milking cows, gardening and canning, feeding hired men, raising her children and being a loving wife.

Dorothy and George loved to go dancing and socializing with their many friends. She opened her heart and home to all friends and family, always making more food than anyone could actually eat (especially her famous fried chicken and apple pie). 

She was involved with the Methodist Church (both in Amelia and Chambers), including the WSCS (Women's Society of Christian Service). She was a member of 4-H, the Cowbelle's (Nebraska Cattlewomen), two extension clubs (Merry Matrons and Happy Homemakers), pinochle and bridge clubs and the bowling league.

Through the years, Dorothy decorated cakes for weddings and various celebrations. She demonstrated her expertise on how to spin wool on her spinning wheel at schools across the state of Nebraska, the state fair, museums and other events. She also taught each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren the art of spinning wool.

After the death of her husband in 1979, Dorothy lived on the family ranch in Amelia for a few more years, and then moved to Chambers where she has lived for the last 25 years.

She enjoyed spending time with her friends, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and recently, her great-great-grandchild. Dorothy will be remembered for her generous heart, quick wit, adventurous spirit, abundant love and her devotion to family. She leaves a legacy of love and will be dearly missed by all.

Dorothy is survived by one son, Donald Fullerton, Apple Valley, CA; one daughter, Phillis Skala and husband Gene of Riverside, CA; six grandchildren: Kelly (Fredo) Casillas, Riverside, CA; Dale (Kimberley) Fullerton, Warner Springs, CA; Randy (Cris) Fullerton, Havana, FL; Brad (Kelley) Skala, Riverside, CA; Shari (Bee) Gribble, Chambers; Eric (Rebecca) Skala, Riverside, CA; 14 great-grandchildren: Brandon (Jennelle), Stephen and Cameron Casillas; Cara and George Fullerton; Clayton, Maddie and Hallie Skala; Halie, Rex, Kacie and Ross Gribble; Caitlyn and Gavin Skala; one great-great-grandchild, Kennedy Casillas; one sister, Angie (Mick) McMillen, Riverside, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, one brother, Frank Spath; one sister, Mary Lou Moore.

Memorials may be made to the Chambers Methodist Church. 

William H. Crawford

William "Bill" Henry Crawford, age 95, of O'Neill, passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 14, 2011, at the Golden LivingCenter in O'Neill.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at the United Methodist Church in O'Neill with Rev. Craig Collins officiating. Music was provided by organist, Norma Heath and soloist, Marsha Kopecky. Visitation was held one hour before the funeral service at the church.

Pallbearers were Kevin Crawford, Ervin Crawford, Rob Crawford, Kenny Krieger, Bobby Krieger and Rick Smith.  Honorary pallbearers were VFW members.

Burial was in the Paddock Union Cemetery northeast of O'Neill.  Military graveside rites were conducted by the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post #93 and the VFW Post #926.

Services were under the direction of Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Bill was born on Nov. 23, 1916, to Horace and Anna Lucretia (Smith) Crawford in Lambert, MT.

In 1936, William met Bessie (Betty) Mitchell and they were married on Nov. 2, 1942. In 1941, Bill joined the Army and was a Tec Sergeant during WWII and received a purple heart while in Germany. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 22, 1946.

Bill drove a tank truck and did appliance repair for Dankert Service Station in Chambers.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Atkinson, Chambers, Inman and O'Neill; O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post #93 and O'Neill VFW Post #926ºΩ; and DAV.

Bill is survived by two daughters: Ardith Howard and husband Joe of Needles, CA; Carla Peters and husband Larry of O'Neill; one son: Arloe Crawford and wife Mary of O'Neill; 11 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Bessie in 2005, five sisters, four brothers and one grandson.

Memorials may be made to VFW Post #96 in O'Neill.

Janet M. Groelz

Janet Marie Groelz, age 62, formerly of O'Neill and Phillips, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha.

Graveside services were held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at the Phillips Cemetery in Phillips directly off Highway 34 with Cory Maughan officiating. 

A luncheon was provided by the Methodist Church women following at the United Methodist Church in Phillips.

Higby-McQuiston Mortuary of Aurora, was in charge of arrangements.

Janet was born on April 5, 1949, the eldest daughter of Byron and Jeanie (Carter) Groelz in Aurora.

She grew up in Giltner and Phillips. She graduated from Phillips High School and went on to attend BYU in Provo, Utah. 

Janet worked in childcare, as a housekeeper and a laborer in a tile production plant in Grand Island. For a short time she made wedding cakes. Janet was also a caregiver to John Ernstmeier. She worked for nearly 13 years as a flagger on a road construction crew for Werner Construction of Hastings. She lived where the crew worked on job sites in Nebraska and Kansas. Janet's favorite place was O'Neill.

She was active in the O'Neill branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She also enjoyed 4-H, spinning wool, knitting, horses, dog rescue and storytelling.

Those left to cherish her memory are her four brothers: Phillip (Barbara) Groelz of Canby, OR, Jay (Linda) Groelz of Phillips, Ross (Doris) Groelz of South Lake Tahoe, CA, and Ned (Brenda) Groelz of Syracuse, Utah; one sister, Jean Groelz of Kalispell, MT, and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, paternal grandparents, William and Jessie Carter; and maternal grandparents, Philip and Jessie Carter.

Condolences may be emailed to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.coml.