Obituaries

Manford Peters, 90, of Ainsworth, died June 10 at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth surrounded by his family. Manford was born on October 19, 1935, on the family farm near Hubbard to Herman and Grace (Hansen) Peters. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Emerson. Growing up, his family moved between Iowa and Nebraska before settling near Emerson where he graduated from Emerson High School in 1954.

Funeral Service for Timothy J. Iverson, age 63, of Long Pine, will be held on Friday, June 26, at 10 a.m. in the Rock County Fairgrounds Arena at Bassett.

Randall “Randy” Schwindt, 76, of Ainsworth, passed away at his home with his family by his side on Sunday, June 14. Randy was born on August 23, 1949, in Scottsbluff, to Robert and Betty (Schwartzkopf) Schwindt. He graduated from Fort Morgan (Colo.) High School in 1967.

Lynnelle Kathleen (Rap) Cairns died in hospital in Macksville, New South Wales, Australia on 19 May 2026. Lynnelle was born i n A insworth t o L arry a nd L ola (Lotspeich) Rap where she lived until the family moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., where Larry and Lola attended Nazarene Bible College. She later graduated from Longmont High School in Longmont, Colo. She attended Northwest Nazarene College (now University) for two years, then transferred to Hannibal-Lagrange College (now University) when Larry and Lola accepted a pastoral assignment at Hannibal Church of the Nazarene. Upon graduating from HLC, Lynnelle attended Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, Mo., where she earned a master's degree in English. During her college career, Lynnelle served summer mission trips to the Philippines and Russia. After marrying, Lynnelle moved to Australia with her husband. While in Australia, Lynnelle lived in Morwell, and Werribee in the state of Victoria, later moving to C offs Harbour, N SW. W hile a t C offs Harbour she completed her English teaching certificate and then taught s econdary s chool at C hristian s chools i n C offs H arbour, a nd Nambucca Heads, NSW where she lived until her death. Lynnelle was preceded in death by her parents Larry and Lola Rap; sister Londa; and Lola's second husband Ron Nelson. She is survived by her children Catherine and Chai; brother-in-law Hal Paul; n ephew J oshua P aul; a unt E laine ( Lotspeich) F ling; m any cousins; and Ron's children. A celebration of life was held for Lynnelle on June 13, at the Nambucca Christian Life Centre in Nambucca. Internment will be in a private ceremony where her ashes will be scattered at sea.

Funeral service for Manford P. Peters, age 90, of Ainsworth, was held on Tuesday, June 16, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Ainsworth. Burial followed in the East Park Cemetery near Ainsworth. Manford Peters died Wednesday, June 10, at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth. Survivors include wife Annette of Ainsworth; children Loren Peters and wife StarrLinn of Jackson, Kevin Peters and wife Diane of Wayne, Janelle Guericke and husband Doug of Alexandria, S.D., Troy Peters and wife Paula of Ainsworth, Aaron Peters and wife Marti of Emerson, and Shawn Peters and Missi of Allen; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren; sisters Maureen Osbahr and husband Myron of Wakefield, Yleen Johnson and husband Bruce of Wayne; sister-in-law J udy P eters of S outh S ioux C ity; a long w ith n ieces, nephews and other family members. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to the family in his name for a future designation. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Arthur “ Arch” J ames F erguson, 8 6, o f Wood L ake, p assed a way a t h is home on June 2. Arch w as born on January 12, 1940, in Sexsmith, Alberta, Canada. At the age of eight, his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Wood Lake, a place he would proudly call his home for the remainder of his life, aside from a few years spent in Omaha. He g raduated f rom N orth O maha H igh School in 1958 before attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During his college years, Arch distinguished himself in athletics, excelling i n w restling a nd f ootball. H e graduated f rom U NO in 1963, then returned to the Sandhills to the family ranch, where he would build a life rooted in hard work, family, and community. Arch honorably served in the United States Coast Guard from October 2, 1962, until March of 1963. Following his discharge, on June 1, 1963, Arch w as united in marriage to the love of his life, Jackie Huntley, in Omaha. Together they were blessed with four children: Bobbie, Jimmy, Mike, and Kathy. Arch’s impact on the wrestling community spanned more than five decades. As a coach, mentor, and supporter of young athletes, he helped shape generations of wrestlers, teaching far more than techniques on a mat. He instilled discipline, perseverance, and character i n a ll w ho h ad t he p rivilege o f l earning from h im. H is dedication to the sport earned him induction into the Nebraska Wrestling Hall of Fame, one of many honors recognizing a lifetime of service. Few people possess the unique ability to be firm, tough, maybe even loud at times when coaching young athletes to their full potential, then turn around and be patient, quiet, and gentle to earn the trust of a horse. Arch understood that success came from building confidence, earning respect, and bringing out the best in those around him. His gift for knowing exactly what was needed in each moment made him an exceptional coach, horseman, mentor, and friend. Arch p ossessed a r emarkable g ift w ith h orses. K nown b y m any a s a true “horse whisperer,” he trained exceptional cutting and rope horses while passing his knowledge of horsemanship to his children and countless young riders. Many of those lessons carried on into successful rodeo careers and lifelong passions. His love for the western way of life was reflected through his involvement with the Nebraska H igh S chool R odeo A ssociation a nd t he N ebraska C utting Horse Association. His contributions to ranching and the cowboy way of life were further recognized in the Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame. A devoted member of the Wood Lake community, Arch gave generously of his time through the fire department, the Shriners, and the Masonic Lodge. He believed strongly in service, fellowship, and helping others whenever he could. Arch will be remembered for far more than his impressive accolades. He was ornery in the best way, hardworking, quick witted, and never short on laughter or stories. That unmistakable laugh could carry across an arena, and his presence was often larger than life. He was known for his tough love, honest advice, and homemade moonshine, affectionately known as “The Recipe”. Whether sharing a jar of Recipe, a c ompetitive g ame of c ribbage, a h orse l esson, o r word o f encouragement, Arch had a way of bringing people together and making them feel like family. May we honor him by living our lives sharing our talents a nd passions w ith others, serving our family and our country, and “living life like somebody left the gate open.” Preceding him in death are his parents; wife Jackie; and brothers Erv and Rodney Ferguson. Left t o c arry h is l egacy are h is c hildren, Bobbie (Todd) G raff o f Ainsworth, J immy F erguson of J ohnstown, M ike (Sara) F erguson o f Wood Lake, and Kathy (Justin) Hammond of Valentine; sister Donna (Jim) Marvin of Omaha; five grandchildren, Josh (Krista) Graff, Brady (Becca) Graff, Sheyenne (Trent) Solida, Hayes Hammond, Lauren Ferguson; four great-grandchildren Mesa, Kreed, Ivy and Ryle; and a slew of extended family and friends. A b ook s igning w ith family receiving f riends w ill b e held on F riday, June 1 2, at t he Johnstown Fairgrounds H all from 4 u ntil 7 p .m. A memorial service w ill b e o n S aturday, J une 13, a t t he J ohnstown Fairgrounds Arena starting at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Wood Lake Fire Department or the Wood Lake Wrestling Club and may be sent in care of W illiams & K uehn F uneral H omes, 2 41 W est 4 th A ve., R ed Cloud, NE 68970. Online condolences, photos, & memories can be left on Arch’s page for the family at www.wkfuneralhomes.com.

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.