Obituaries

Ira M. “Jim” DeWalt, Jr. was born to Dr. Ira M. DeWalt, S r. a nd D r. G race P . Wagner-DeWalt in Wisner, Nebraska. His first b reath o n earth w as d rawn o n O ctober 24, 1 928. H is first b reath of h eaven w as drawn on October 12, 2025.

Mary Lou Purvis Collins Sheets, 81, of North P latte, p assed a way O ctober 1 0 a t her home in North Platte. Mary, the daughter of Alfred and Bessie (McDaniel) Purvis, was born June 1, 1944, in Ainsworth.

Donna Lee (Schlueter) Marlatt was born in Ainsworth on December 7, 1935 to Lee Schlueter and Madonna (Saxton) Schlueter. She attended a rural elementary school south of Wood Lake, graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1953, and attended one year at Doane College before attaining her cosmetology license in 1954.

Richard “Dick” Cassel passed away on September 10 after several years of declining health. He was 84 years old. A devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, brilliant engineer, and generous community member, Richard lived a life guided by curiosity, integrity, and care for others. He was born on February 14, 1941, in Ainsworth, one of three sons of Brown County Clerk John Cassel and Emilie. Richard grew up with a deep appreciation for learning and with problem—solving gifts that he carried with him throughout his life.

Chad Dean Carson, born May 2nd, 1970, in Bassett, left t his w orld at 55 years o f a ge a nd was sent to his eternal home. He was the loving father to Jake and Chase and the beloved son of Dan and Shirley Carson.

John Elmo Gardiner, born June 19, 1937, passed away September 17 in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Born in Geddes, South Dakota, to Elmo and Lena (Geusebroek) Gardiner and g rew u p i n W ood L ake w here he graduated high school in a class of two. H e is a life-long member of the Masonic lodge in Ainsworth. H e m et h is s oulmate a nd life partner, Sharon Marie (Ross) Gardiner in Ainsworth and married on July 26, 1957, while stationed at Langley Field, Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. He was a Flight Engineer for the commanding General and qualified on several types of aircraft. After four y ears i n t he A ir F orce, H e a nd Sharon m oved t o O maha, N E, where they started a family. The family moved to Scottsbluff, NE where John started his banking career. John and Sharon had three children: Doug, Michael, and Lynn. John and Sharon were involved in the community through the Jaycees. After the birth of their third child, they moved to Greeley, Colorado, and then to Estes Park where John became the executive vice president at the bank and Sharon started a career in real estate. Another promotion moved the family to Rock Springs, Wyoming. John then accepted another position in Alamogordo, New Mexico, in October 1983. After 25 years in banking, John went into the car wash business at the Perfecto Car Wash in Alamogordo. After selling the car wash, he again changed career paths and went into real estate with Sharon. I n 2 003 t hey s tarted W elcome H ome R eality. J ohn a nd Sharon loved to travel and went on many trips around the country to visit various places, family (grandbabies), and friends. After 53 years of marriage, Sharon passed away in 2010. In 2 017, J ohn w as awarded t he R ealtor o f t he Y ear b y t he O tero County Realtor Association and was active with the Committee of 50. John w as v ery i nvolved i n t he c ommunity o f A lamogordo. H e c ared deeply about the relationship between Holloman AFB and the city. He was dedicated to the Airmen and was an Honorary Wing Commander. John attended many of the base events and enjoyed supporting the airmen and their mission. He was active in the Desert Lakes Men's Golf Association and was known to be an avid golfer. A s much as he loved golf, he loved spending time with his family even more. He is survived by his sister, Jean, and her husband, Ron Pinney (their children Jim and Ronna); his son, Douglas Gardiner and wife, Theresa; son, Michael Gardiner and his wife, Christina; daughter, Lynn Smalstig and her husband, Kevin. John had four grandchildren: Megan Bean and her husband, Preston, and their sons: Harlan and Weston; Seth Gardiner and his wife, Mellisa; Katie Breckenridge and husband, Ryan and their children: Ford, Finn, Ellery and Barrett; Brandy Parker and her husband, Tanner, and their children: Reed, Charlotte and Lyla. A Celebration of Life Reception was held at Desert Lakes Golf 19th Hole Restaurant Friday, September 19. Please make donations to Wood Lake American Legion Post 202, 86534 Ries Drive, Wood Lake, NE 69221. The Gardiner family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel. The family requests no flowers.

A Memorial Service for Donna Lee Marlatt, age 89, formerly of Wood Lake and Long Pine, will be held on Saturday, October 11, at 11 a.m. in the Wood Lake Union Church. A Private Family Inurnment will occur prior t o t hat m emorial s ervice i n t he E ast P ark C emetery a t Ainsworth. D onna L ee Marlatt passed a way Monday, S eptember 29, at Parkside Manor in Stuart.

Gage Stevens, son of Harold and Rachel (Hart) Stevens, was born on January 2 9, 1 944, i n W aukegan L ake, I llinois. H is f amily i ncluded a sister Susan, and brothers Donald and Daniel. They have preceded him in death.

A Lunch & Memorial Service for George W. “Bill” Snyder Jr., age 79, of Long Pine, will be held on Sunday, October 5, at 12:30 p.m. at the Hidden Paradise Pavilion south of Long Pine. A Private family Inurnment with military honors will be held at a later date in the Grandview Cemetery at Long Pine. Bill Snyder died June 15.

Jerry Daniel Adamson, age 86, of Cody, passed away peacefully, with his wife Deloris by his side, on September 17, at Linden Court in North Platte. He was born in Valentine, on February 22, 1939, as the first-born child of Emmet and Helen (Newberg) Adamson. He had one brother, Rex, and they rode horses every day to their District #88 schoolhouse. He attended his freshman year of high school at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis and attended Cody-Kilgore High School for his remaining three years, graduating in 1956. Basketball was one of his favorite sports. His senior year Jerry was named “Most Valuable Player of the Year” and his team was District Champion.