Obituaries

July 15, 1944 ~ Sept. 20, 2023

Russell Raymond Knutzen was born at the Lawrence and Emilie (Christenson) Knutzen family farm west of Ong on July 15,1944. The doctor was paid for in dimes that Emilie had saved for nine months. He departed this life on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Fairview Manor in Fairmont.

Russell attended Ong grade school. Russ also attended Ong Jr/Sr High where he honed and showcased his basketball skills before graduating in the spring of 1962. In the fall of 1962, he packed his basketball skills to play for The Little Blue at Fairbury Junior College in Fairbury where he received his business degree in the spring of 1964.

Feb. 24, 1946 ~ Sept. 25, 2023

Sutton resident Stephen John Leininger, 77, passed away Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at Legacy Square in Henderson after a long battle with brain cancer.

A Rosary was prayed at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sutton. Mass of Christian Burial was conducted at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at the church with Father Michael Zimmer officiating. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery in Sutton.

Dec. 5, 1948 ~ Sept. 15, 2023

Omaha resident Jon E. Campbell, 74, formerly of Sutton, passed away Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton, with Rev. Michelle Reed officiating. Private inurnment will be held at the Sutton Cemetery in Sutton. In honoring his wish to be cremated there will not be a visitation or viewing. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Federated Church in Sutton. Jon was born Dec. 5, 1948, in Hastings to Charles and Iona (Spielman) Campbell. Jon graduated from Sutton Public School in 1967; he then attended Doane College in Crete Nebraska for two years before returning to help with the family farm. He returned to Doane College to continue college and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985. He then returned to farming for a couple of years after his father’s death.

Oct. 22, 1944 ~ Sept. 24, 2023

Judith Kirkpatrick, 78, of Aurora, formerly of Harvard, passed away Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at Westfield Quality Care in Aurora.

Dec. 30, 1945 ~ Sept. 14, 2023

Clay Center resident Kenneth “Ken” Joseph Kalvoda, 77, passed away Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings. A Rosary was prayed at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at McLaughlin Funeral Chapel in Clay Center. Mass of Christian Burial was conducted at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Deweese, with Father Denton Morris officiating. A time of fellowship followed the service at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Clay Center.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Harvard, Clay Center Fire & Rescue, or the Clay Center Daycare.

Condolences may be left at www.mclaughlinchapel.com. “Keep it simple.” That’s all Ken ever wanted. And he did just that by leading a very simple life.

April 24, 1953 ~ July 6, 2023

Jolene Kay Van Patter (nee Holm), 86, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 6, 2023, in Glendale, AZ after a short illness. She was 86 years old.

Jolene was born June 12, 1937, in Royal, on the family farm to Lucretia Mae Cole and Elmer Phillip Holm. The family moved to Butte, in 1952, where she graduated from Butte High School in 1955 and then attended Wayne State Teachers College. After graduating from Wayne State Teachers College, she taught school in Antelope County.

Jolene married Duane Reuben Van Patter on May 31, 1959. From this union were born three sons: Philip Wayne, Marvin Duane and Michael Dale. Alongside her husband, she farmed 320 acres in Neligh and worked at the Neligh Nursing home before eventually moving to Clay Center, in 1976.

April 24, 1953 ~ September 1, 2023

Mark W. Gerlach, 70, of Sedalia, MO, passed away at his home Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. He was born April 24, 1953, in Harvard, the son of Silas Gerlach and Eva (Starr) Gerlach, who preceded him in death.

Mark graduated from Harvard High School in Harvard. He then went to Kearney State (University of Nebraska at Kearney). He worked on his family farm and established his own farm before illness caused early retirement. He prided himself on caring for his three children, supporting his grandkids, and helping others. Mark was famous for his homemade macaroni, mashed potatoes, and cookies. He was an avid gun, knife, art, and antique collector. He worked hard on making his yard look top-notch and keeping beautiful flowers. He even won the best yard at Christmas. He loved Mickey Mouse and Coca-Cola and had quite a collection of both.

January 15, 1947 ~ September 11, 2023

Hastings resident Jane Sorgenfrei, 76, passed away Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings.

Graveside services took place at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 14, at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings, with Pastor Benjamin Siebert officiating. In honoring her wish to be cremated, there was no viewing or visitation.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated later.

Condolences may be left at www.suttonmemorial.com

November 19, 1931 ~ August 29, 2023

Lifelong Hastings resident James R. “Jim” Hoffman, 91, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, at The Kensington, Hastings.

October 23, 1938 ~ September 2, 2023

Thelma May (Dolnicek) Soucie, formerly of Fairfield, entered the arms of Jesus on Sept. 2, 2023, at Good Samaritan Village, Hastings, where she and her husband have been residents since July 2, 2023. She was 84 years old.