Obituaries

George Lee Hempel, 77, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025. Born in Bassett to P hilip and Marie Hempel, h e g rew u p i n L ong P ine. H e e nlisted i n t he U nited States Army in 1967 and served active duty until his retirement in 1988. He served three tours in the Vietnam War 1968, 1969, and 1971.

Marilyn M. Hill passed away March 1, 2025, with her husband by her side at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine.

Mass o f C hristian B urial f or A nton “Tony” W ewel, a ge 8 5, o f C reighton, Nebraska was held Saturday, March 8, 2025, at St. Ludger Catholic Church in Creighton, with Reverend Marcus Knecht as celebrant.

Betty E. McBride of Ainsworth passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 7, 2025, at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth at the age of 83 years. Betty was born June 24, 1941, in the house she grew up in, to Howard and Josephine (Lindner) Downing in Merna. Seven years later, she helped welcome her little brother, Dale “Buzz” Alan Downing.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date for Dean A. McDaniel age 91 of Johnstown. Dean McDaniel passed away Thursday (February 27, 2025) at the Brown County Hospital in Ainsworth. Survivors include: Siblings: Leland McDaniel of Ainsworth Gayle Soles of Fairfax, SD Grace King of Bellevue Verna Huff of Pratt, KS & Mary Nickerson of Sutherland Along with nieces, nephews and other family members Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth is in charge of arrangements.

Mass of Christian Burial for Anton “Tony” Wewel, age 85, of Creighton, will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at St. Ludger Catholic Church in Creighton. Reverend Marcus Knecht will be celebrant. A Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Boniface Cemetery in Stuart, Nebraska. Reverend Bernard Starman will officiate. Visitation will be Friday from 4 until 7 p.m. at St. Ludger Catholic Church, with a 7 p.m. Wake Service. Tony died Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. Brockhaus funeral home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held at a later date for Harry A. “Bill” Babcock Jr. age 91 of Bassett. Bill Babcock passed away Sunday (Feb. 23, 2025) at the Rock County Hospital Long Term Care in Bassett. SURVIVORS INCLUDE: 3 children: Deb Frank and husband, Tom of Bassett, Lori Runyon and husband, Frank of Onamia, MN, & William “Bill” Babcock and wife, Teresa of Long Pine. 7-Grandchildren and 7-Great-Grandchildren. Sister: Lorene “Reenie” Mercier of Grant. Sister-in-law: Mary Babcock of Spokane, WA. Nieces, nephews and other family members.

Survivors cherishing her memory include her three children, DeLonna (Jim) Costello and Denise (Mark Swenson) Young all of Pierre, SD, and Harlin (Kara) Welch of Ainsworth; grandchildren, Jimmy (Lindsey), Breanna, Mark, Jordan, Brooklyn (Matthew), Zachary and Madison (Jonathan); great-grandchildren, Logan, Celia, Thea, Ivey, Nora,and Jules; sister-in-law, Jackie Smith of Urbana, MO; brother-in-law, Garry (Donna) Welch of Federal Way, WA; Mike Young of Valentine, NE; along with nieces, nephews and other family members.

Joyce Marie (Carrier) Welch was born in Valentine, NE to Harley and Charlotte (Emmons) Carrier on August 17, 1944. She passed away peacefully in Bassett, NE on February 13, 2025, at the age of 80. She spent her early years growing up in Valentine with her nine siblings.

Karen Rose (Voss) Davison was born in Ponca, NE on July 14, 1943 to Kenneth Edmond and Eula Aline (Gloshen) Voss. Her older sister, Maxine and younger brother, Kenneth were her early companions, and the family moved between the Ainsworth, NE and Ponca areas before settling on a farm northwest of Ainsworth when Karen was in fifth grade.