Obituaries

Gerald (Gerry) W. Osborn passed peacefully from this life on June 20, 2023, at the Edgewood care facility in Elkhorn, NE. Gerry was born on April 12, 1929, in Ainsworth, NE as the oldest son of Gerald E. Osborn and Wilda J. Osborn (Clopton). He was later joined by younger brothers: Kenneth (Goose) and Dale (Es).

William Lee “Billy” Guy, age 48 of Beatrice, NE, passed away peacefully at his home on June 24, 2023. Billy was born on December 30, 1974 to Steven Russell and Frances Clara (Lurz) Guy. He attended Gothenburg Elementary School and was a 1993 graduate of Ainsworth High School. He moved to Beatrice with his mom in 2000. Billy loved to garden and volunteer. He was an amazing friend and helped anyone with whatever – whenever. He never met a stranger and almost always had a smile on his face. It was his nature to always be busy and did so by baking goodies for people, collecting, gardening, and riding his bike. He never spoke ill of anyone and enjoyed being one of the crew at Maxson’s Barber Shop. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on October 21, 2022 and fought his cancer battle valiantly for eight months.

Duane M. Johnson, age 69, passed away on June 20, 2023 at his home in rural Johnstown, NE. He was born on March 1, 1954 to Mercedes F. (Burrows) and Harold M. Johnson in Ainsworth, NE. Duane attended grade school at District 8 country school and Ainsworth Elementary School. He graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1972. During his high school attendance, he was given the nickname “Tornado Johnson” for his skill on the basketball court. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University and the University of Nebraska Lincoln before returning home to help with the family ranch after the passing of his father.

Memorial Service for Gerald W. (Gerry) Osborn will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

Diann F. Lake, age 76 of Laurel, NE died on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Providence Medical Center in Wayne, NE.

Janet LaRae (Hitchcock) Bejot passed away on June 16, 2023 in Lincoln, NE. She was the daughter of Frank and Vera Hitchcock.

Dale Dewayne Thompson was born April 12, 1932, in Norden, NE, to Mabel (Phillips) and Earl Thompson. He welcomed brother, Gene in 1933 and sister, Carol in 1936. The family made their home during his youth in Norden, Sparks, Ainsworth, Valentine and Sundance, WY.

Word has been received of the death of Duane M. Johnson, age 69 of Johnstown, NE.

A Graveside Memorial Service for Shirley Ann (Daniels) Pitcher, age 76 of Sioux Falls, SD formerly of Ainsworth will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. in the Ainsworth Cemetery. Shirley Ann Pitcher died November 21, 2022 in Sioux Falls.

A Celebration of Life Event will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at 32780 S.