Obituaries

A memorial service for Reta M. Dillon, age 83, of Ainsworth, NE, was held on Monday, December 6, 2021 at the Assembly of God Church in Ainsworth. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date. Reta Dillon died Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth.

A private family graveside service for Shirley A. Burger, age 93, of Ainsworth, NE was held on Monday, December 6, 2021, in the Ainsworth Cemetery. A celebration of life event will take place in June of 2022. Shirley Burger died Thursday, December 2, 2021, at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth.

Dee Anne Nilson, 72, of Springview, NE and formerly of Rapid City, SD passed away on November 23, 2021 at Rock County Hospital in Bassett, NE. Dee was born on July 2, 1949 at Mason City, IA to Delores (Webb) and Jack Coyle. She was adopted in 1955 following her mother’s marriage to Avery Mullin. She attended elementary school in Springview and then attended Keya Paha County High School, graduating in 1968. Following graduation, she went to fashion merchandising school at Parks School of Business in Denver, CO. She was united in marriage to Howard Nilson on June 21, 1969 in Ainsworth, NE. Two sons, Aaron and Wade were born to this union.

Johnny Dean Cline was born on February 1, 1944 in Broken Bow, NE to John W. and Laura H. (Lehn) Cline. He grew up on the ranch at Goose Creek where he resided his entire life. He attended Cherry County School District 102 until the 8th grade, then attended Thedford High School, graduating with the class of 1963. During his school years he enjoyed playing football and running track.

A graveside memorial dervice for Delores G. Kicken, age 78, and George A.

Patricia Kae Jones died November 19, 2021 in her home in Ainsworth, NE. She was born June 2, 1960 in Ainsworth to Helen Lois Pedersen and Raymond Franklin Jones. Patricia grew up on the Jones ranch becoming her daddy’s “right hand man.” She attended St. Martin’s Academy of Black Hills in Rapid City, SD. She transferred to and graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1978 alongside her dad when he completed his senior credits.

Otto M. Frauen was born on June 8, 1923 as the third child of Jacob and Bertrice Fern Rector Frauen on the ranch he called home for 98 years, 10 miles north west of Norden, NE in Keya Paha County. Otto passed away on November 23, 2021 at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth, NE.

Funeral services for Dee Anne Nilson, age 72 of Springview, NE, were held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Burton, NE. Burial followed in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Springview. Dee Anne Nilson died Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at the Rock County Hospital in Bassett, NE.

Memorial services for Johnny Dean Cline, age 77 of Valentine, NE were held on Monday, November 29th at the Elsmere Bible Church at Elsmere, NE. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Johnny Cline died Thursday, November 18, 2021 at his home.

Gary Wynn Welke was born in Ainsworth, NE on October 22, 1949 to Gene and Dorothy Welke. Joining him at birth was twin brother Jerry Lynn Welke. Gary grew up in Ainsworth and graduated from Ainsworth High School. He attended college in Kansas City for air traffic control. He then went on to marry his high school sweetheart, Sandra Wheeler, on April 19, 1969. Gary and Sandra then went on to live on Buffalo Flats north of Long Pine, NE and to this union three children were born: Michael, Coby and Jennifer.