Obituaries

John Theodore Appleman was born to Theodore E . a nd M arian M . ( Feagin) Appleman on April 27, 1934, at the Wood Lake P ost Office. H e p assed a way a t his home north of Johnstown on July 24, at the age of 92. John married Verna R. Kienke on May 15, 1954, i n B urke, S .D. T o t his union, f our children were born: Loren (Laurel) of Johnstown, Lana (Gary) Hauck of Utica, S.D., L ila D eRaad o f J ohnstown a nd Leonard (Kim) of Johnstown. John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Verna; three granddaughters; two great-grandsons; sister Barbara (Harry) Pederson; and brothers-in-law Tom Black and Wayne Major. He is survived by his four children; 15 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brother Robert (Wilma) Appleman of Johnstown; sisters Linda Black of West Point and Wanda Major of Laramie, Wyo.; as well as, nieces, nephews other family members and friends.

Justin Lee Henne, 51, of Kearney, passed away peacefully on July 25th, 2026, at Kearney Regional Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends. Justin was born on June 13th, 1975, in Ainsworth to Larry Lee Henne and Donna Marie (Andersen) Henne. He attended Ainsworth High School, graduating in 1993. Later, he attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he studied Criminal Justice. He married Misty (Turpin) Hasselquist in 1997. They later divorced. His pride and joy was his daughter, Destiny Rose. Justin dedicated nearly 20 years of his career to the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center (YRTC), where he took pride in his work and the relationships he built throughout the years. Outside o f w ork, Justin h ad a p assion f or fishing a nd c ould o ften be found enjoying time on the water. He was a lifelong Nebraska Cornhuskers fan who faithfully cheered on the Huskers through every season. He shared a special bond with his two beloved beagles, Karl and K ora, w ho were c onstant c ompanions. H e l oved a g ood g ame, whether it was sitting down for a game of poker or cards with family and friends, or logging on to play PUBG. These moments brought him happiness and gave him another way to connect with the people around him. Above all, J ustin w as known f or his sense of humor. H e had a way of making people laugh and bringing smiles to those around him, and that is how so many will remember him. Justin was preceded in death by his parents. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter Destiny (Austin) Turek of Fort Worth, Texas; his brother Jeff (Janet) Henne of North Platte; his best friend Zackery Einspahr of Kearney; and nieces, nephews, extended family, and countless friends whose lives were made brighter by knowing him. Though h is t ime w ith u s w as f ar t oo short, J ustin l eaves b ehind a legacy of laughter, kindness, and cherished memories. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. An informal celebration of life was held for Justin on Saturday, August 1, in Kearney. Memorial c ontributions may b e m ade t o t he f amily f or future designation.

Funeral service for John T. Appleman, age 92, of Johnstown will be held on Saturday, August 1, at 1:30 p.m. at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth. B urial w ill f ollow i n t he A insworth C emetery. J ohn Appleman passed away Friday, July 24, at his home near Johnstown. Survivors include children Loren Appleman and wife Laurel of Johnstown, Lana Hauck and husband Gary of Utica, S.D., Lila DeRaad of Johnstown, and Leonard Appleman and wife Kim of Johnstown; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brother Bob Appleman and wife Wilma of Johnstown; s isters Linda B lack o f W est P oint a nd W anda M ajor o f Laramie, Wyo.; sisters-in-law Donnabelle Leonhardt of Riverton, Wyo., and Eunice Skinner of Napa, Calif.; along with nieces, nephews and other family members. Visitations f or J ohn A ppleman will b e h eld o n S aturday f rom 1 2:30 p.m until the time of service at 1:30 p.m. at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to Ainsworth Senior Center in John’s name. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.hochfuneralhome.com.

A graveside memorial service for Laura V. (Teleen) Hughes, age 102, of Sierra Visa, Ariz., formerly of Ainsworth, will be held on Saturday, August 1, at 10 a.m. in the Ainsworth Cemetery. Laura Hughes passed away June 30, 2024, in Arizona. Survivors include children Evelyn Harris and friend Bob Kleinschmidt of Sierra Vista, Ariz., Nita Cooper and husband Gary of Milford, Byron Hughes o f McCook a nd D onna H ughes a nd f riend Bill P aul o f S ierra Vista, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; along with other family members. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to the Ainsworth Public Library in Laura’s name. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth is assisting with arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Lois I. McDaniel was born February 25, 1933, in Johnstown to George and Minnie (Jessup) McDaniel. She attended school in Johnstown and graduated in the class of 1950. Lois met and married Gerald D. Titus at the family ranch near Springview on June 4, 1950. To this union, four children were born: Linda, Jean, Edward and Ernest. Lois was busy with raising four children, helping on the ranch and keeping records for Gerald’s trucking business along with raising a large garden. She belonged to the Three Pines Extension Club for many years and was an active participant at the Keya Paha County Fair for years baking many prize-winning cakes and showing canned goods. As f amily g rew, a ll b ecame a ctive i n 4 -H a ctivities w ith c ooking, sewing, calves and other projects She s uffered a s troke i n 2 000 w hich limited t he things she could d o but s till k ept the y ard a nd f lowers n eat a nd c lean. Then in M ay o f 2022, she had another stroke which left her left hand/arm mostly disabled, and she was totally dependent on oxygen for many years. She lived in her home until 91.5 yrs old and then moved to Cherry Hills Assisted Living in Valentine, where she made many new friends. Then in S eptember o f 2 025, s he m oved t o t he R ock C ounty H ospital L ong Term Care in Bassett. She loved it there as they had many activities to do and was able to go on the many bus tours they offered. Again, she made many new friends and enjoyed the care she received and always kept the staff on their toes with her sharp and witty mind. Lois passed away a t t he L ong T erm C are o n W ednesday, J uly 15, a fter a s hort illness. Lois is survived by her children Linda (Stanley) Keever of Winner, S.D., Jean ( Scott) Stewart o f M ontrose, S .D. a nd E dward T itus o f Springview; g randchildren S andy ( Toby) C arstens o f D imock, S .D., Jessica Jones of Mitchell S.D., Eric (Becky) Opperman of Mitchell, Aaron J ones o f Rapid C ity, S .D., A my T itus of O maha, T ony T itus of Springview and Dustin (Otilla) Titus of Lincoln; 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Lois is also survived by two step-grandchildren Naomi Stewart and Duane Stewart both of Sheridan, Ore.; four step-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law Kathy Titus of Springview; along with nieces, nephews and other family members. Lois was preceded in death by her parents and step-parents (father) George and Sarah McDaniel and (mother) Minnie and William Hartgrave; her in-laws Fred and Irene Titus; her husband Gerald Titus; son Ernest Titus; daughter-in-law Lisa Titus; granddaughter Angela Jones; great-grandson Blaize Perry; five brothers Vernon, Charles, Lewis, George Jr. and Arthur McDaniel; two sisters Fern Versaw and Mabel Persefield; four brothers-in-law Ted Versaw, Ivan Persefield, Donald and Howard Titus; and four sisters-in-law Marilyn, Iretta, Lucy, and Diane McDaniel.

A celebration of life service for Donald D. Davison, age 86, of Ainsworth, will be held on Monday, July 27, at 11 a.m. in the Congregational Church in Ainsworth. Inurnment will follow in the Ainsworth Cemetery with Military Honors by Ainsworth American Legion Post #79. Donald Davison passed away January 9.

Graveside service for Lois I. Titus, age 93, of Springview will be held on Wednesday, July 22, at 11 a.m. in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Springview. L ois Titus passed away Wednesday, July 15, at the Rock County Hospital Long Term Care in Bassett. Survivors include children Linda (Stanley) Keever of Winner, S.D., Jean (Scott) S tewart o f M ontrose, S.D., and E dward T itus o f S pringview; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Kathy Titus of Springview; along with nieces, nephews and other family members. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to the family in Lois’ name. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth is in charge of arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Everett E dward B rown p assed a way J uly 8 a t A zria H ealth i n G reat Bend, Kan. He was born August 8, 1943, in Ainsworth to Everett and Wilma (Lake) Brown. He married Dorothy Jean Owens January 31, 1974, in Vernon, Texas. She saved him a seat, in heaven on April 25, 2026. Everett proudly served in the United States Army from 1960 until 1963, earning the rank of Sergeant. He continued to show his patriotism by becoming a member of the American Legion and the NRA. He then worked for over 20 years at Westoff Sand Company and then moved onto Sherwood Construction Co, Inc. After leaving there he continued his construction career at Stone Sand Co., Inc. as a Heavy Equipment Operator for many years until he retired June 4, 2020. He enjoyed m owing, c asting a l ine f ishing, o r h unting w ith his b rother and friends. He had a special interest in guns, collecting many through his years. Everett was a good ‘ol boy with an ornery streak a mile wide but, you knew he liked you if he w as picking on you or giving you a well-earned nickname. He lived up to his nickname of “Pick” bringing smiles to other’s faces, and he succeeded in that well in life. Survivors include daughter Shauna Buffinton of Great Bend, Kan.; sons Michael B rown a nd h is wife A udra o f Mountain P ark, O kla., J ason Brown a nd h is w ife A ngela o f P erkins, O kla.; g randchildren A mber Brown, Cindy Brown, Brittany Brown, Trey Buffinton, Cadence Buffinton and Logan Brown; great grandchildren Kannon Brown, Delaney Brown, Oliver Depiesse and Eva Brown; numerous nieces and nephews; his beloved yorkie pug Yoda (affectionally known as Yodie Bear); brother-in-law Ken Marsten of Texas; sister-in-law Jan Brown of Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife of 52 years Dorothy Jean Brown; brothers Eldon Brown, Glen Brown and Ivan Brown; sisters Viola Sears, Maxine Davis, Betty Jean, Cindy Marsten and Lillie Duffield. A private family burial for Dorothy and Everett to be reunited will be held at a later date. Memorials have been designated to Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.

A private graveside memorial service for Esther Lorraine Biltoft, age 79, o f A insworth w ill b e h eld a t a l ater d ate in t he Grandview Cemetery at Long Pine. L orraine Biltoft passed away Friday, July 10, at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth. Survivors include nephews Bill (Tammy) Dillon of Valentine, Donnie (Christi) Dillon of Lincoln, and David Foose of Oklahoma City, Okla.; niece Carolyn Foose of St. Albans, W.V.; along with other family members. Memorials have been suggested to the family in Lorraine’s name for future designation. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth is in charge of arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Leray L avern L ytle w as b orn t o E ldon a nd Adeline ( Ehlers) L ytle o n J anuary 2 , 1 935, i n Garfield County at his maternal grandparents’ home. H e w as the o ldest o f f our b oys i n t he family. H e a ttended r ural s chools t hrough t he eighth grade. In 1 951, t he f amily m oved t o a ranch in C uster, S .D. H e w orked i n v arious areas of construction until 1965 when he bought a plumbing and heating business in Custer. On September 4, 1970, he married Doris M. Bettcher a t t he Z ion L utheran C hurch i n Rapid City, S.D. He was baptized and confirmed on May 21, 1972, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Custer. On November 26, 1971, their first child, Adeline, was born. Their second child, Aaron, followed on May 5, 1974. In 1978, the decision was made to move Lytle’s Plumbing and Heating, to Ainsworth. The family moved t o a s mall a creage o utside o f A insworth. L eray g rew t he business. He raised a small herd of cattle as his “hobby.” In 2000, he sold t he b usiness b ut continued t o w ork f or t he o wner u ntil h e “retired” i n 2 009 b ecause of h is h ealth. I n 2 015, L eray a nd D oris moved to Juniata to be closer to family. On July 6 he passed away at his home. Leray was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents; brother Gary Lytle; and grandsons Ezekiel and Zebediah Johnson. He is survived by his wife Doris; brothers Donald (Joan) Lytle of Custer, S.D. and Galen (Lynn) Lytle of Long Pine; his children Adeline (Wade) Johnson of Hastings and Aaron (Sara) Lytle of Houston, Texas; his children from a p revious m arriage S ally, S cott a nd S teve; a long with his grandchildren Zipporah and Zoe Johnson, and Abrianna, Zachariah, Aaliyah and Amariah Lytle. A graveside memorial service was held on Friday, July 10, in the Zion Lutheran C emetery n orthwest o f A insworth. P astor P aul D unbar officiated at the event. The music selections were: “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” and “Nunc Dimittis.” Memorials were suggested to the F aith L utheran C hurch i n H astings o r Z ion L utheran C hurch i n Ainsworth. Arrangements were handled through the Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home of Hastings and the Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth. Condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.