Obits for Apr. 2, 2012

Springhill Group

Floyd Filbert

Hazel Sarah Musfelt

Hazel Sarah (Perreten) Musfelt, 96, formerly of Rushville, passed away March 29, 2012 at the heritage Nursing Home in Bridgeport. She was a resident of Sheridan County most of her life and also resided in Cherry County for twenty years.The eldest of eight children, Hazel was born December 30, 1915 to the parents of William and Lulu Perreten at the home of her grandmother Sarah Spittler in Hay Springs. She was baptized February 14, 1927 at Clinton with the Rev A.E. Richardson.While at home, Hazel worked in the fields alongside her father and spoke very admirably of him. Growing up she rode her horse four miles to District 14 School and also back and forth to town to take music lessons from Mrs. Roland Fairhead, tying her horse to the hitching post, east of where the bank offices used to be, now the Chamberlain Garage. Later she drove the horse and buggy to pick up the neighbor children and the teacher. In high school her father got her a Model T Ford to go to school during the winter months and recalls she would have to drain the radiator so it wouldn’t freeze then got into the boiler room in the school to heat up water before heading back home. After graduating from Rushville High School in 1935, Hazel cooked for the Sandoz Ranches.She married Edward Musfelt, a ranch hand from the Sand Hills. Their union was blessed with one child, daughter Bonnie Mae.They worked at different ranches before Edward went to work at the Dept of Defense at Sidney, Harvard, Alliance and Crawford.

They leased the Hanchett Ranch for 16 years in Cherry County on share basis (half calf crop.) She worked side by side with her husband putting up hay; mowing, sweeping, raking and also fixing fences. She also raised 500 chickens, and her cellar was full of canned meat, vegetables, fruits, jellies and she made her own soap. They then ranched south of Eli for 9 years for Stan and Ada Mae Boltz.In 1965, Hazel and Edward purchased and operated the Hills Motel in Gordon for eleven years before retiring in Rushville to be near her folks.During her married life she and her husband traveled a lot. They went different places in their airplane while sharing many memorable times. Her hobbies included sewing, crocheting, fishing, rock hunting and traveling in her mini home.She was a member of the United Methodist Church since 1946, Does for 19 years, Historical Society and Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for 15 years.Preceding Hazel in death were her parents William and Lulu Perreten, husband: Edward; siblings: Helen Moss, Ruth Musfelt, LaVerna Cleveland, William Jr., (Sonny) Perreten and Norma Jean Johnson.She is survived by daughter Bonnie (Dick) Bolin of Gering, grandchildren: Denise Thompson and Danna Ladely of Scottsbluff; Darla Ladely of Broadwater; Doug Ladely of Gering; Dori (Brad) Huck of Bridgeport; 9 great-grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.A memorial has been established for the Rushville rescue Squad and donations may be sent to: Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home; PO Box 366; Gordon, NE 69343.

Roger EvansDec. 9, 1928-Dec. 27, 2011A memorial service for Roger Evans of Pendleton, Ind., formerly of Chadron, will be Thursday, April 5 at 2 p.m. at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron with Paris Fisher officiating. Inurnment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Chadron.Mr. Evans passed away Dec. 27, 2011 in Indiana. Roger Evans was born, Dec 9, 1928, in Whitman, the first child of Adolph and Grace (Phillips) Evans, in a country house with a doctor. He attended school in Ashby and graduated from Ashby High School in 1947.He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950 and served in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1952 and then moved to Chadron, where he worked at various jobs, including was working for Melvin Zuver and operating the crane in construction at Chadron State College.He married to Mary Ann Anglin in 1968 in Oral, S.D. She passed away in 1996.On Sept. 13, 1996 he married Joanne Hulseman of Chadron, in Hungry Horse, Mont.In 2005, they moved to Indianapolis, Ind. to be closer to Joanne's children. Survivors include: his wife Joanne; sister Debbie Sunderman of Lyons; brother David Evans of Kalispell, Mont; daughters-Dixie Anglin and Dori Mathews of Chadron; Clare (Hulseman) McCullah of Farmington, Ark.,; Ralph Hulseman of Greenville , S.C.; Mary Lou Hulseman of Indianapolis, Ind. and Gary Hulseman of Fishers, Ind. and their families; step-brothers and sister Wayne Benzen of Denver, Colo.; Tom Benzen of Ark., Arvid Benzen of Wyo. and Elaine Kloche of Ark.; Russell Evans, Nedra Evans Higgins of Alliance; LeRoy Evans of Neb.; and 14 step-grandchildren. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Thelma Evans.A memorial has been established. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.Online condolences can be made at http://www.chamberlainchapel.com" www.chamberlainchapel.comChamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements

Oscar Paul Cope

Jan. 7, 1920-March 29, 2012Oscar Paul Cope, age 92, a lifelong resident of Oelrichs, S.D., passed away at his home March 29.Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, April 2, at Prairie View Methodist Church, near Smithwick, S.D., with Pastor Paul Smith and Pastor J. Edwin Coates officiating. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery with military honors.Visitation will be April 1, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Prairie View United Church.Oscar Paul Cope was born January 7, 1920, in Hot Springs to Paul S. and Anna D. (Hoopes) Cope. His early years were spent on the family farm and attending Lithia and Lennon schools. He attended Oelrichs High School three years and graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1937.He joined the Army in 1942. He served in North Africa, where he first saw heavy combat action, and two years in Italy. He was discharged in 1945.Oscar married Laura Lucille Hussong, on Jan. 7, 1947. They built a ranch on Shirk Creek, where they built a home and raised three children. In 1987, they sold the ranch to their sons and built a house in Oelrichs

Oscar enjoyed giving cribbage “lessons” to his family, reading, woodworking, and building wishing wells. He was very proud of the antique buggy he restored. Laura passed away in 2000, after 53 years of marriage.Oscar served on the Election Board, Township Board, Pettigrew Telephone Line Company, and was a member of the Oelrichs United Methodist Church and American Legion Forney-Swigert Post.He is survived by: his sons, Wayne (LouAnn) Cope of Oelrichs; Leslie Cope of Oelrichs; daughter, Anita Cope of Hot Springs; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and sister-in-law Jean Cope.Oscar was preceded in death by his wife, Laura Lucille; parents; sisters, Dorothy Arminta, Martha Lucile, Agnes Louise, Helen Irene and brother, Wilbert Virgil.Memorials may be directed to the Oelrichs Rodeo Association and Oelrichs Ambulance Service.Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley’s Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.

Michael Alan Gold

April 23, 1960-March 30, 2012Michael Alan Gold, 51 of Chadron, passed away Friday, March 30 at his home in Chadron.Services will be Friday April 6, at 2 p.m. at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron.Michael was born on April 23, 1960 in Omaha, to Barbara Jean Gold. He grew up southeast of Hay Springs where he went to country school until the family moved to town and he attended Hay Springs High School.In 1976 they moved to Sterling, Colo., where he graduated with perfect attendance honors in 1978.After graduation he moved back to Chadron where he became known for his culinary skills. He first worked at the Chuck Wagon Café and then the Chadron Elks Lodge for several years. He expanded his knowledge of cooking and worked with the Pine Ridge Job Corps where he taught students in the culinary arts program, which he enjoyed tremendously.He gave up his cooking career in 1999 and became a member of the Wal Mart team. Shortly after he also took a part-time job at KCSR, which he held until his passing.Michael enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping, geography, traveling, playing keno and the lottery, spending time with family and friends, and his beloved cats.

He was a member of Elks Lodge #1399, the American Legion and Best Friends Animal Society.Survivors include: his parents Barbara and Roger Hollrah of Chadron; sisters Rhonda McGannon of Chadron and Deborah Sheldon of Sterling Colo.; brother Randy Hollrah of Gainesville, Mo.; aunt Betty Staal, of Chadron; uncle Larry and aunt Susan Gold, of Council Bluff, Iowa; and Vern and Erma Lewellen of Scottsbluff.He was preceded in death by his sister, Kristi Horne Hollrah, and grandparents Vergie and Carl Gold.A memorial has been established for the Salvation Army. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel at PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337

Maxine Mable Kozal May 30, 1921-March 31, 2012Maxine Mable Kozal, 90, of Rushville passed away March 31 at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Hay Springs.Funeral services will be April 3 at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Rushville.Maxine was born northeast of Hay Springs on May 30, 1921 to Charles and Amanda (Schmock) Jacobson. When she was about 2 1/2, her family moved southwest of Hay Springs.She attended Glen School, about 1-1/2 miles south of the family farm, and learned to work hard on the farm while growing up during the Depression.Maxine was united in marriage to John Kozal on Aug. 20, 1945. To this union, two sons were born, Roger Charles and Stuart John.After Maxine's husband died in 1960, she worked washing and ironing clothes and cleaning houses. She also worked as a dispatcher for the Sheridan Co. Sheriff's office for eight years.She was very knowledgeable about refinishing wooden furniture and painting. She was an excellent cook and was especially good at preparing wild game. Maxine crocheted beautiful doilies and afghans in her spare time. She enjoyed putting puzzles together with her friend Helen Tiensvold. She loved reading the newspaper and solved the word jumble everyday. Another favorite pastime was watching Sunday night bull riding on television. Most of all she enjoyed and cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren.

Maxine spent the last 2-1/2 years at Pioneer Manor. She enjoyed the friends and family that came to visit her.Maxine is survived by: her sons, Roger and Stuart (Karen) of Rushville; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; one great- great grandchild; and sister Lois (Gene) Huston of Sterling, Colo.She was preceded in death by: an infant brother; her parents; husband, brothers, Marvin and Vernon Jacobson; sister, Helen Hinkle; and grandson-John Stuart Kozal.A memorial has been established for the Rushville Fire Department & Rescue Squad, the Hay Springs Fire Department & Rescue Squad or the donor’s choice Donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343.

Kimberly Ann PetersOct. 24, 1957-April 1, 2012Kimberly Ann Peters of Hay Springs passed away April 1 at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Hay Springs.A memorial mass will be April 9 at 10 a.m. at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Hay Springs with Father James Joseph officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery on Mirage Flats at approximately 1 p.m.Kim was born on Oct. 24, 1957 in Rushville to Leonard and Hattie Peters. She resided at the ranch with her family in her early years. Kim participated in several OMR programs and was a resident of OMR group homes following the death of her mother.She entered Pioneer Manor in 2006 due to declining health. Kim enjoyed her Bibles; she called them her Jesus books. She also enjoyed music and liked to sing. She loved getting cash for pop and also her special foods. Her favorite characters were John Wayne, Scooby Doo, and Gunsmoke. She was known as the hallelujah girl because at all the services she couldn’t wait for the opportunity to say, “Hallelujah.”

She is survived by: her brothers, Gene (Dottie) Peters of Hay Springs, Jerry (Marty) Peters of Rushville, and Wayne (Rita) Peters of Hay Springs; brother-in-law Pete (Mary) Vannatta of Hay Springs; and sister Carmen Harrahill of North Platte.Kimberly was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Janice Vannatta, and brother-in-law Jack Harrahill.A memorial has been established for the Hay Springs Fire Department. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Drabbels Mortuary, PO Box 443, Hay Springs, NE 69347.Online condolences can be made www.chamberlainchapel.comChamberlain Drabbels Mortuary of Hay Springs is in charge of arrangements.

Margarete I. Yeradi

March 25, 1914-March 30, 2012Margarete I. Yeradi of Chadron passed away March 30 at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Hay Springs. She was 98.Funeral services will be April 4, 2012 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chadron with Father Tim Stoner and Father James Joseph officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.A wake will be held on Tuesday, April 3, at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick’s.Margarete Irene Yeradi was born March 25, 1914 in Lusk, Wyo., as an only child of Richard and Agnes Klette. She went to country school at Lusk until the 8th grade then boarded with a woman in Chadron, while attending and graduating from Prep School.Margarete was raised on a sheep ranch and spent many hours riding horses. Many nights her father stayed out in the pastures, sleeping on a cot with a rifle close at hand, to keep the coyotes from the sheep.Margarete met her husband August (Gus) Yeradi during a parade on Main Street in Chadron. They had 70 years together before his death.

Margarete and Gus had three daughters, Sharlene (Lessman), Delores (Lori) (Bob) Crawford and Cheryl (John) Davis; and two sons, Thomas E.(Linda) Yeradi and Thomas R. (who died at birth). Their family grew to include 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and several step-grand and great- grandchildren.Margarete enjoyed helping friends and acquaintances with their Avon needs for 50 years. She worked hard to meet campaign goals for the President’s Club awards.As a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chadron, she helped with bazaars, greeted at mass, assisted in the pre-school religious education classes, helped with the Halloween party, assisted with church decorating and cleaning, and participated in activities for the Knights of Columbus.Margarete shared in the activities and dinners of the Chadron Volunteer Fire Department as Gus was a member for many years.A memorial has been established for the Chadron Volunteer Fire Department or the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home. Donations may made at First National Bank of Chadron, PO Box 1351, Chadron, Ne. 69337.Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.comChamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements.

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