Obituaries

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.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing o f B rett W illiam S wanson, a d evoted, dedicated, and compassionate man. Brett was born on August 27, 1976, and gained his angel wings on April 18, 2026. Through his 49 years, he touched m any l ives w ith h is w isdom, humor, and steadfast love. Brett’s many traits will forever be carried by those w ho h ad t he p rivilege o f k nowing h im. His short but impactful life w ill forever be an inspiration, a lasting reminder of the power of love, dedication, and the difference one person can make in the lives of others. His dedication to the family business was unquestionable from the moment he started school to the very end. He paved a path of commitment a nd c ompassion. H e w as a h ands-on l eader w ho c ared about his employees and customers. He always made sure everyone was taken care of. Brett was an avid sports fan! He loved the Nebraska Huskers, Dallas Cowboys, and the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team. He loved racing, golfing, and especially an ice-cold Bud Light. Of all the incredible traits Brett had, the best was that he was a loving father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He loved deeply and wholeheartedly, always putting others before himself. His presence was steady, his support unwavering, and his love constant. He taught his family the value of hard work, resilience, and unconditional love—lessons t hat w ill live o n t hrough t hem. H e w ill b e g reatly missed and forever remembered. He leaves behind his wife, Tara; children, Gracie (Austin) and Zak (Sydney), who were the lights of his life; parents Dennis and Terri Swanson of Bassett; siblings Brandi and Wade Hollenbeck of Bassett; Scott and Lauren Swanson of Bassett; in-laws Glen and Judy Stahlecker of Atkinson; sister-in-law Emily and Casey Poessnecker of Atkinson; nieces and nephews Harlee, Marc, and Taysom Gentele, Andrew, Matyson, Kyson, and Kynlee Hollenbeck, Courtney and Max Roberts, and Cole Poessnecker; along with his Sandhills Equipment family; m any aunts a nd u ncles; a nd h is g randpa D uane “ Magoo” Swanson. In addition, Brett is remembered by many extended family and friends who will miss him deeply. He was preceded in death by his grandma, Patty Swanson; and his grandparents, Bill and Joan Rowan. A memorial visitation and prayer service were held on Saturday, April 25, at the Rock County Community Center in Bassett with Pastor Glen Stahlecker officiating. The music selections of “Save The Roses” by Lee Brice and “Even Though I’m Leaving” by Luke Combs were played. A eulogy was given by Matt Dvorak. A private family inurnment was held in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. Hoch Funeral Home of Bassett was in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Danny L. Cole, age 61, of York, died Friday, April 10, in Lincoln. He was born July 4, 1964, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Ronald and Jessie “Nell” (Jones) Cole. His family moved to Nebraska when he was in elementary school and he graduated from Albion High School in 1983. During high school, he and his brother Ron worked in Ogallala doing gun fight shows. Following high school, he went to Oklahoma City to join Ron doing gun fight shows at Frontier City. He started college at Oklahoma Christian, attending for

Miah Lynn Yochum, beloved infant daughter of Moriah Cheatum and Dylan Yochum, was born into the arms of angels on April 7, in Omaha. Though her time here was brief, Miah Lynn was deeply loved and will forever be cherished. In the moments she was here, she touched the hearts of many and leaves behind a lifetime of love in those who awaited her arrival. She is lovingly survived by her parents, Moriah C heatum a nd D ylan Yochum of Carter Lake, Iowa; and sister Everleigh and brother Wade, who will always hold their baby sister close in their hearts. Miah Lynn is also survived by her maternal grandparents, Chris and Michell S ease a nd D ave C heatum, a ll o f Ainsworth; h er a unts, K k (Kaitlyn Sease) of Hartington, Taylor Kelley of Ainsworth, and Makenzy Cheatum of Long Pine; great Aunt Brandy and Ryan Connell of Long Pine; uncle Toby Crooker; maternal great-grandparents, Susie Crooker a nd G ary L uther, L isa K eisler, J oe a nd T ammy Crooker, a nd Butch a nd J an C heatum, a ll o f A insworth, B arry and A ngie S ease o f Lexington, S.C.; great-great maternal grandmother Carol Sease of Saluda, S.C.; and numerous cousins and other loved ones. She is further survived by her paternal grandfather James Yochum; paternal grandmother Sarah Novy and her partner Dillon Grefe; uncles Cash M cCabe, B rayden a nd L ogan Y ochum; p aternal great-grandparents Julie and Randy, Sheri and Marty Novy, Diane and James Isaacman, and Tracy and Robert Yochum; great-great paternal grandfather Willy; Aunt Christian and Cody; and numerous cousins and other loved ones. Miah is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather Roger Keisler; uncle BJ Sease; great-great grandmother Diane Moore; great-great aunt Pamela Lucas; and numerous other loved ones. She is also preceded in death by her paternal great-grandmother Lee; aunt Faith; great-grandmother and great-grandfather Yochum; and numerous other loved ones. Miah Lynn will be remembered for the love she brought into this world a nd t he lasting i mprint s he l eaves o n h er f amily. T hough s he never had the chance to grow, laugh, or speak, she will forever be a part of the lives she touched—a tiny light that will never fade. “She was carried for a moment, but loved for a lifetime.”

Funeral Service for Kenneth R. Turpin, 75, of Newport, will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 17, in the Newport Fire Hall. Interment will follow in the Willowdale Cemetery northwest of Newport. Military Rites are to be conducted by Bassett American Legion Post #123. Kenneth Turpin passed away on Saturday, April 11, at his home near Newport.

Alita Mae Burdick, age 93, of Johnstown, passed away peacefully into the kingdom of Heaven surrounded by the love of her family on April 8. Alita was born in Ainsworth on October 20, 1932. She was adopted and raised by Jacob and Christina Koch and her uncle, Carl Koch. She grew up on a ranch in southwest Johnstown where she attended Johnstown grade school until her family moved west of Ainsworth. She graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1951. S he was raised w ith strong family values, a deep appreciation for rural life, and a work ethic that would define her years ahead. In November 1950, she met the love of her life, Ben R. Burdick, at a dance in Johnstown and on October 29, 1951, they were united in marriage. Together, they built a life rooted in the Nebraska Sandhills working s ide b y s ide r anching a nd r aising t heir f amily. T hey w ere married for almost 70 years until Ben passed in September of 2021. Alita was a devoted wife, mother, and partner. Ranch life required resilience, strength, and endless dedication—qualities she embodied daily. She planted and harvested gardens, canned her harvest every year, grew beautiful flowers, milked cows daily, had chickens, sold cream and eggs in town, worked alongside and supported Ben’s work as a lifelong cowboy, and created a home for family and friends that was l oving a nd w arm. A lita a lways enjoyed a nimals. L ife w as certainly hard b ut i f y ou a sked A lita, i t w as w ithout a d oubt, worthwhile. In 1973 they purchased their place in Johnstown where she remained until after Ben passed. Alita was an amazing cook. Her cooking traditions have been loved and e njoyed b y s o many. I f y ou s topped at A lita’s, s he a lways h ad something to eat and if she didn’t, she insisted she could whip up something real quick and she always did. She loved the grocery stores and the weekly deals she was able to find there. She patronized both in Ainsworth weekly. Alita w as a m ember o f Johnstown Home Band C lub a nd D OES i n Ainsworth. Alita and Ben were faithful members of the United Methodist Church in Johnstown. Her Christian faith was an important part of her life, guiding her values, strengthening her through life’s challenges, hardships and sorrows. Ben and Alita sure loved to dance and enjoyed playing cards, hosting many card parties over the years in their home with friends.