Obituaries

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.

Kathy Marie (Bartholomew) Hanna, age 75, passed away February 8, in Kearney. Kathy was born January 20, 1951, in Burwell, the daughter of the late George and Thelma (Alder) Bartholomew. Kathy started her education in Wood Lake. She also attended school in Ainsworth, and graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1969. Kathy served i n t he o ffices o f K BR Rural P ublic P ower D istrict, the Nebraska State Department of Transportation, and Three Rivers Communication, all in Ainsworth. Kathy will be remembered for her support o f a ctivities a ssociated with A insworth H igh S chool a nd the Ainsworth Booster Club. She was an avid fan of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln volleyball team and took an interest in many other University o f N ebraska s ports. I t w as a lways i mportant t o K athy t o stay informed about activities that involved her extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Thema Bartholomew. She is survived by her husband Mike Hanna; her stepsons Nick and Jake Hanna and their families; and her brothers, Elwin, Don, Lon and their families. A celebration of life will be conducted at a later date. Any memorial funds i n h er honor c an b e forwarded t o t he A insworth F ire Department or the Brown County Ambulance Association.

Ronaele Kathleen Berry passed away on January 17 at the age of 74. She was born on July 18, 1951, in Weiser, Idaho, to Charles and Eleanor Hunnel, and was the second oldest of six children. Ronaele’s love for God began at a young age and deepened throughout her life. Her unwavering f aith w as a c onstant s ource of strength, guiding her through every chapter. She lovingly referred to Him as her Father, cherishing that close and trusting relationship, and she longed for those closest to her to know the same peace and assurance she found in Him. In her final days, she tenderly shared that she was redeemed and being held by Jesus—a faith that brought her comfort, strength, and enduring hope, leaving a powerful testament to all who knew her. She graduated valedictorian from Morrill High School in 1969. After high s chool, s he a ttended, on s cholarship, t he College o f N ursing i n Omaha, followed by a short stint at Eastern Wyoming College, where she met her husband, Russell Mayo Berry III. The two eloped on September 25, 1970, in Boulder, Colorado, and shared a devoted marriage of 55 years.

A Celebration of Life Event for Larry D. Svenson age 74 of Long Pine, will be on Saturday, April 11, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the family home at 697 N. Pine St. in Long Pine. Larry Svenson passed away December 5, 2025. Survivors include wife Lorretta Svenson of Long Pine; children Jill (Justin) Painter of North Platte, Dana (Lynette) Svenson of Spearfish, S.D., and April (Jason) Good of Ainsworth; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; sisters Lois Boschen of Tilden and Linda Kuester of Stanton; sisters-in-law Diane Berger of Alameda, Calif., Connie Barritt o f N orfolk, A nn ( Brad) Fisher o f N orfolk, and J ackie ( Mike) Place of Phoenix, Ariz.; along with nieces, nephews and other family members Memorials may be made to the family for a future designation. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.

Ellamae “Ella” Rose DeWeese, 78, of Kearney, passed a way M arch 22, a t Kearney Regional Medical Center. Ella was born on October 2 9, 1 947, i n B assett t o E lmer a nd Augusta (Wheeler) Mizner. Ella’s dad worked for Mr. Teleen so she and her nine siblings were r aised o n a f arm n orth o f A insworth and walked to District 11 Grade School each day. Mr. Teleen had a nickname for each child and Ella was known as “Little Girl!” She went on t o a ttend A insworth H igh S chool d uring which time at the age of 16 she moved out on her own and became self-supporting with work a t the l ocal n ursing home. S he graduated from A insworth H igh S chool i n 1 965. D uring t hose y ears, she attended and was baptized in the Ainsworth Nazarene Church. Ella married Lonnie DeWeese on June 10, 1967. With her husband being in the military, this union took them to Germany, where her son Buddy w as b orn i n N uremburg o n J uly 2, 1 968. A fter one y ear i n Germany, they returned to the United States and settled in Kearney, where her s on M onte w as b orn o n M arch 2, 1 971. E lla a nd L onnie divorced in 1985. Ella worked for Kearney Laundry followed by a 37-year career with Kmart in Kearney, during which time she became the assistant manager. Her “retirement” found her becoming the Personal Assistant and Business Manager for Sherry Morrow which she did until the time of her death. During this time, she helped with Entertainment Plus which involved managing casino parties and antique shows. Ella was someone you could always count on-hardworking, dependable, and steady through everything. Ella a nd h er s ignificant o ther, T om M cCoy, s hared 4 0 w onderful years together. She loved Husker volleyball, she and Tom were avid UNK sports fans, and they loved to travel both in the United States and abroad. In recent years, they spent many enjoyable hours discovering the many stops on the Nebraska Passport Program. They belonged to a s elect f ew w ho c ompleted t heir p assports! P arachuting o ut o f a plane and zip lining were other activities that Ella conquered! She also enjoyed collecting miniature shoes which she looked for as she traversed the Nebraska Junk Jaunt every fall. Because of this, she was fondly called “The Shoe Grandma” by her great granddaughters! Her friends a nd f amily w ill a lso never look a t D iet C oke, T ootsie R olls or Rice Krispie bars without thinking of Ella and smiling! Although she guarded herself w ith a tough exterior, Ella was a very giving, caring person with a tender heart. She was always willing to help others, being sensitive to their feelings. This was evidenced by her coordinating family events, and by using Facebook on her phone to inform everyone of the latest news! She served as the volunteer financial coordinator for the Kearney Rescue Cats and was the woman behind the success with their ongoing shoe fundraiser…sorting thousands of pairs of shoes! Her cat Sunshine - who she first fostered and quickly made her own - misses her dearly. Over the years she was also active in the Eagles Auxiliary and the Legion Auxiliary. Those left to cherish her memory are her significant other Tom McCoy; daughters-in-law Martha DeWeese and Kelly DeWeese; grandchildren Cory DeWeese, Greg (Brittany) DeWeese and Chris DeWeese; great grandchildren Wyatt DeWeese, Daniel Nixon, Lyndsie DeWeese, Liam DeWeese, Collette DeWeese, Hallie DeWeese, Avery DeWeese, Margot Dimond, McKinley DeWeese and Delainey DeWeese; siblings, Edwin Mizner, George (Gwen) Mizner, Shirley McDonald, Arvilla (Mel) Self, Cindy Hissong and David Mizner; sisters-in-law Jo Mizner and Marsha Mizner; brother-in-law Maurice Boller; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Augusta Mizner; brothers Earl and Michael; sister Phyllis Boller; and sons Buddy DeWeese and Monte Deweese. She is also survived by Tom’s family; sons Patrick (Samantha) McCoy and Joseph (Christie) McCoy; Tom’s grandchildren Griffin McCoy, Logan McCoy, Mia McCoy and Cole McCoy; Tom’s sisters Jenny (Lance) Krajewski, Karin (Jeffery) Armstrong, Beverly (Daniel) Lukens and L ori P owell; T om’s b rothers G ary M cCoy a nd M artin E vvard; Tom’s sisters-in-law Joanne Evvard and Carol McCoy. She was preceded in death by Tom’s brothers John Evvard and David McCoy; and Tom’s sister Kay Althoff. Ella’s strength, big heart and strong work ethic will be remembered by everyone who knew her! She will be deeply missed.