Obituaries

Jean Alvina Burkinshaw, 93, of Long Pine passed away peacefully on May 25 at her home in Long Pine. Jeanie was born on February 15, 1933, to Charles H. and Alma M. (Gaskins) Luehrs in Chadron. She graduated from L ong P ine H igh S chool i n 1951. Jeanie and Stanley Burkinshaw married on August 3 , 1 952. S tanley j oined t he A ir Force and Jeanie and their four kids followed him around the world until he retired from the military in 1972. In 1975, they bought a gas station in Ainsworth and one in Long Pine. Jeanie and Stanley transformed the Long Pine station into Jeanie’s Restaurant. They ran Jeanie’s for 20 years until they finally retired. They spent many winters in Weslaco, Texas, and loved their snowbird lifestyle. Jeanie enjoyed an interesting life and was always up for a new adventure. Jeanie is survived by two daughters, Connie Roark of Keaau, Hawaii, and Carmen Thieman and husband Steve of Norfolk; daughter-in-law Lisa Burkinshaw of Ainsworth; son-in-law Bob Arehart of Creighton; along with six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family members. Jeanie was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Alma; her husband Stanley; daughter Cathy Arehart; son Kippy Burkinshaw; grandson Michael Champagne; granddaughter Tabitha Arehart; great-granddaughter Willow Arehart; brothers Donald Luehrs and Charles Luehrs Jr.; sister Donna Mae Benson; and son-in-law Dennis Roark. A memorial service was held on Monday, June 1, at Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth. The services and vocal selections were conducted by C indy B ooth a nd Kay F rancavilla w ith t he s ongs o f “ Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.” The dismissal CD selection of “On Eagle’s Wings” by Tracy Wakefield was played. Inurnment followed in the Grandview Cemetery in Long Pine. Memorials are suggested to the family in Jean’s name. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Douglas Duane 'Buggy' Walton was born February 26, 1952, to David R. and Esther F. (Zillig) Walton in Scottsbluff. He was one of eight siblings. Doug passed away at the age of 74 at Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth on May 3.

Beverley Alice McBride was born February 5, 1938, i n G erman V alley, on t he Shady N ook Ranch, near Brewster. She w as t he s ixth c hild o f Oliver a nd E lla M ae (Ahrens) McBride.

Marie E lizabeth S mith w as b orn o n June 3 , 1933, i n C olome, S .D., t o L loyd E dgar a nd Grace Jeanette (Fladebo) Carley. She graduated from A insworth H igh S chool i n 1951. On May 17, 1951, Marie was united in marriage t o L eland “ Lee” Smith a t t he S t.

Phyllis Lorene Boller was born to Henry and Goldie (Lewis) Boller on January 19, 1937, in Ainsworth. S he g rew u p i n the S andhills south of Ainsworth and attended elementary school i n t he c ountry. P hyllis a ttended Ainsworth High School and graduated in May o f 1 954. O n October 3 , 1 954, s he w as united in marriage to Harold E. Kaiser. Two children were born to this union, a daughter, Bunny and a son, Kevin. She assisted Harold in managing Kaiser Radio and TV in Ainsworth until 1961 when they moved to the Calamus River area to the ranch owned by P hyllis’ parents. I n 1969, they moved to their home south of Ainsworth and raised dairy heifers. Phyllis began working at the S & S Store and eventually became the first woman manager in this chain of farm stores. A t the annual meetings, upper management requested that she teach hydraulics to all store managers. Her adventurous spirit led her to take f lying l essons a long with h er husband, H arold. T hey both obtained pilot licenses and owned their own plane for a few years. Following retirement from S & S Stores, winters were spent in Arizona until Harold’s passing in 2000. Long-time friend, Anna Mae Kastrup also lost her husband, Arne, and Phyllis and Anna Mae became the “Traveling Grannies.” They made many happy memories traveling to see family and friends and attending country music festivals. Phyllis eventually sold her place and moved into Anna Mae’s house in Ainsworth, where they lived in the summer. During the winter months, they traveled to Texas and lived in Wintergreen Estates. Phyllis continued to travel to Texas for the winters after Anna Mae’s passing in 2012. Her cousin, Marvin Boller, and wife, Edie, along with numerous special friends in Wintergreen Estates, provided assistance for h er t o s tay i n Texas. S he w ould return t o A insworth during t he summer and live in her motor home on her son Kevin’s place. She loved attending the Senior Center and playing bridge with her friends in Ainsworth. When her health failed and long-term care was needed, there was no facility that would accept both Phyllis and her very special cat, “Miss Kitty.” Her bridge playing special friend, Myrna Jakob became her answer to prayer when she graciously agreed to care f or both P hyllis and M iss K itty. M yrna p rovided m uch-needed companionship and superb care in her own home until Phyllis’ passing on May 12, 2026. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Goldie Boller; her husband Harold; her granddaughter Lisa Pozehl; and her longtime friend, Anna Mae Kastrup. She is survived by son Kevin of Ainsworth; daughter Bunny and husband Allen Pozehl of Gretna; granddaughter Kara and husband Anthony Fine of Rochester, Minn.; granddaughter Kim and h usband J ordan R hodes o f P apillion; a nd s ix great-grandchildren Connor and Jackson Rhodes, Henry, Lily, Alfie and O liver F ine; b rother R oy a nd w ife Mary B oller o f S an A ntonio Texas; nieces, nephews, along with numerous cousins and special friends in both Ainsworth and at Wintergreen Estates in Texas.

Dr. Craig Kelly, a dedicated veterinarian, devoted family man, and lifelong, passionate Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, passed away peacefully on May 17 at the age of 76. Born to Grace and Marvin Kelly, Craig lived a life d efined b y c are, h umor, a nd a n extraordinary commitment to his community. He attended the University of Nebraska for his undergraduate studies, forever cementing his loyalty to the Cornhuskers, before earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Colorado State University. Dr. Kelly owned and operated Westfield Small Animal Clinic in North Platte, where he touched countless lives. His clinic was a place where people found not just exceptional medical care for their beloved pets, but a listening ear, a warm smile, and gentle reassurance. He had a rare gift for comforting families during tough times, and the profound impact he made on the North Platte community will be felt for generations. When he w asn’t c aring for his patients, C raig w as safely w rapped i n Nebraska R ed. On a utumn S aturdays, his loyalty t o t he H uskers w as absolutely unshakable. He wore his gear with pride, cheered on the team through every win and loss, and truly lived the spirit of “Go Big Red.” His infectious energy on game days was a staple of the weekend, bringing joy and lively camaraderie to everyone around him. Above all, Craig loved his family beyond belief. He was a deeply devoted husband, an incredibly proud father, and a loyal friend. He led by example, teaching those around him the value of patience, the importance o f h ard work, a nd w hat i t m eans t o s how u p unconditionally for the people - and pets - you love. He was bigger than life. He is survived by his loving wife, Karen Kelly; sister Chris Hallock; children Tina Kurtenbach, Scott Kelly and Tim Kelly; and his six cherished grandchildren, Simon, Taylor, Ryan, Jillian, Lincoln and Mattea. He was preceded in death by his parents Grace and Marvin Kelly and brother Gary Kelly.

Memorial service for Phyllis Lorene Kaiser, age 89, of Ainsworth, was held o n T uesday, M ay 1 9, a t Hoch F uneral H ome i n A insworth. A private family burial occurred before the memorial service in the Ainsworth Cemetery. Phyllis Kaiser passed away Tuesday, May 12, in Ainsworth. Survivors include daughter Bunny (Allen) Pozehl of Gretna; son Kevin Kaiser of Ainsworth; two granddaughters and six great-grandchildren; brother Roy (Mary) Boller of San Antonio, Texas; along with nieces, nephews and other family members. Memorials have been suggested to the Ainsworth Senior Center in Phyllis’s name. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.hochfuneralhome.com.

A g raveside memorial s ervice f or D ouglas D . W alton, a ge 7 4, o f Ainsworth, will be held on Tuesday, May 26, at 1 p.m. in the Lutheran Cemetery northwest of Ainsworth. Doug Walton passed away May 3 at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth. Survivors include children Tami (Brian) Ulibarri of Ainsworth, Justin (Tina) Walton of Birmingham, Iowa, and Andrew Walton of Ainsworth; six grandchildren; sister Margaret Kay (Mike) Switzer of Blythewood, S .C.; s isters-in-law B ev W alton o f K earney a nd Judy Walton o f A insworth; a long w ith n ieces, n ephews a nd o ther f amily members. Those attending are asked to wear casual attire. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth is in charge of arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Please join the family and friends of Beverly Dodds for a celebration of the life of Beverley Dodds (McBride) at the United Methodist Church in Ainsworth on Saturday, June 6th, at 10 a.m. with a fellowship lunch to follow the inurnment at the Ainsworth Cemetery.

The Rev. James J. Janovec, 88, of Grand Island, died Monday, April 27, at CHI Health – St. Francis in Grand Island. Mass of Christian burial w as Wednesday, M ay 6 , a t S t. M ary’s Cathedral. Memorials are suggested to Grand Island Central Catholic Scholarship Fund, St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Libory Catholic Church or Catholic R elief S ervices. Y our t houghts a nd prayers may be given at www.curanfuneralchapel.com under Fr. Janovec’s obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Fr. James was born March 26, 1938, in Chapman, the son of Francis and Loretta (Evers) Janovec. He was Baptized and Confirmed at St. Libory Catholic Church in St. Libory. The family farmed north of Chapman until his parents tragically died in an automobile accident in 1951. James then lived with his grandmother in Merrick County. He attended District 29 in Merrick County, graduating from St. Mary’s Cathedral High School in Grand Island in 1956. He entered St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colo., in 1956, completing his BA, philosophy and theology d egrees i n 1 964. H e was o rdained t o t he p riesthood in S t. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island by Bishop John L. Paschang on May 21, 1 964. F r. J ames was a ssistant a t S t. M ary’s Cathedral i n G rand Island, serving until 1969. He served as pastor at Bridgeport, with a mission in Broadwater. In 1973 he was pastor in Eddyville and the missions in Amherst, Oconto, and C allaway. I n 1976 h e w as a ssigned p astor a t A insworth w ith missions in B assett a nd Wood Lake. I n 1 981, h e w as p astor o f Our Lady of G uadalupe C hurch i n S cottsbluff. I n 1989, he w as p astor o f Valentine with a mission in Nenzel. In 1998, he was pastor in Sutherland, Paxton, and Hershey. In 2003, he was assigned pastor in Wood River and Shelton. Fr. James celebrated his 50th jubilee of priesthood in 2014 at St. Mary’s parish in Wood River and retired the following year making his home in Grand Island. Fr. James considered it a p rivilege t o w ork a mong t he r anch a nd f arm c ommunities; they depended o n t he s ky f or t heir l ivelihood, r eminding h im d aily o f h is childhood roots. Fr. James was active in the Men’s and Women’s Cursillo and was first Chaplain and Spiritual Director for TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) and also Spiritual Director for 20 years for the women’s group Magnificat. Fr. James will be remembered by his sister, Judy Janovec, of Ericson, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters JoAnn Masur and Joyce Janovec; and brother John Janovec.