In the Hope 3/26/23

Ronald Schwab, 63, of Grand Island, died March 21. Funeral Mass March 25 at St. Mary’s Church in Pleasanton with Fr.  Richard Piontkowski officiating. Burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in Pleasanton. Survivors: wife, Susie Schwab of Grand Island; sons, Mark Schwab of Doniphan and Mitch Schwab of Kearney; five grandchildren; siblings, Pat Schwab, Wendy Urbanek, and Jeri Urbom; and his parents.

Sandra Hostler, 86, of Grand Island, died March 16. Funeral Mass March 21 at St. Leo's Church with Fr. Donald Buhrman officiating. Burial at Grand Island City Cemetery. Survivors: children, Sharon Hostler of Omaha, Kenneth Hostler of Des Moines, Wash., Donna Murphy of Omaha, Debra Gatto of Grand Island and their children, Anthony Hostler of Omaha, Alex Hostler, and Cypress Hostler of Norfolk, NE, Kayla Champ, Lucas, and Tyler of Kansas, Andrew Gatto of Kearney, Aniston Gatto of Grand Island, and Angel (Emma) Gatto of Hastings, Duane (Alice) Hostler and their children: Nicholas, Lydia, Charlotte of Grand Island;

Joann Houser, 94, of Grand Island, died March 7. Funeral Mass March 18 at Resurrection Church with Frs. Vijumon Choorackal and Don Buhrman officiating. Burial at Grand Island City Cemetery. Survivors: children, Craig Houser of Grand Island, Lisa Dozler of Albion and Sheila Houser-Zealand of Omaha; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Gary Cartano and sister, Linda Decker.

Leila Bauer, 90, of Spalding, died March 11. Funeral Mass March 17 at St. Michael's Church in Spalding with Fr. Antony Thekkekara officiating. Burial at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery. Survivors: children, Jeannie Hitchler of Norfolk, Kathleen Otte of Winter Park, Fla., Dennis Bauer of Spalding, Patricia Jarboe of Allen, Texas, Janet Gierhan of Lincoln, Edward Bauer of Spalding; 19 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren.

Larry Baker, 81, of Grand Island, died March 6. Funeral Mass March 13 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island with Fr. Jorge Canela officiating. Burial at Grand Island City Cemetery. Survivors: wife, Glenda; sons, Curt Baker and Colin Baker, both of Lincoln; daughter, Cassie Davis of Austin, Texas; six grandchildren; three great-grandsons; brother, Rick Baker of Anna, Texas.

Lila Mae Mertens, 84, of Grand Island, died March 7. Funeral Mass March 13 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Grand Island with Fr. Marty Egging officiating. Burial at the Nelson Cemetery. Survivors: children, Maria Pitfield-Perry of Morgan, Minn., Betty Holen of Grand Island, and Mary Albro of Ridgecrest, Calif; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Joseph Seefeld of Omaha.

Rita Venhaus, 93, of Grand Island, died March 3. Funeral Mass March 10 at St. Mary's Cathedral with Frs. David Rykwalder, Jorge Canela and Paul Colling officiating. Burial at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Survivors: children, Don Venhaus of Sunnyvale, Calif., Marian Boehl of Ypsilanti, Mich., Barbara Beck of Grand Island, William Venhaus of Van Meter, Iowa, and Thomas Venhaus of Willow Springs, Ill.; 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

David Barnes, 83, of Ogallala, died March 2. Funeral Mass March 6 at St. Luke’s Church in Ogallala with Fr. Bryan Ernest officiating. Burial in Ogallala Cemetery. Survivors: wife, Mary; his children, Deborah Wieser of Big Springs, Denise Hoffman of Ogallala, Randy Barnes of Big Springs, Sharon Hatch of Lewellen, Michael Barnes of Ogallala; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.

Vona Koch, 72, of North Platte, died March 4. Funeral Mass March 7 at St. Patrick's Church with Fr. Jonathon Sorenson officiating. Survivors: husband, Kim of North Platte; daughter, Wendy Dodson of North Platte; three grandchildren; step-siblings, Carolynn Shimmin of Livingston, Montana, Elaine Cox of Gilbert, Iowa, Marcia Mittwede of Austin, Texas, and Bruce Crosby of McCook.

Daniel Speirs, 69, of Kearney, died March 20. Funeral Mass March 24 at Prince of Peace Church with Fr. Paul Colling officiating. Burial at a later date. Survivors: wife, Julie; sister, Valerie Worth of Parker, Colo., three grandchildren; brothers, Tim of Chappell, Mike of Howells. 

Ronald Smith, 91, of Elm Creek died March 10. Funeral Mass March 15 at Immaculate Conception Church in Elm Creek. Burial at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in Elm Creek. Survivors: wife, Eileen; children, Barbara McClure of Kellogg, Iowa, Martin Smith of Lexington, Lynda Burman of Sumner, Virginia Klingelhoefer of Amherst, Susan Priest, Lincoln, Alan Smith of Eddyville, Jacquelyn Smith of Lincoln, Laura Martin of Elm Creek; 21 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren.

Bernard Loeffelholz, 87, of Kearney, died March 6. Funeral Mass March 10 at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney with Fr. Jose Chavez officiating. Burial at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at Prairie Center. Survivors: wife, Alice; sons, Ronald Loeffelholz, Dan Loeffelholz and Larry Loeffelholz, all of Kearney; daughters, Rita Wyman of Papillion and Carol Weber of Kearney; sisters, Lorrine Hervert and Liz Lockhorn, both of Ravenna; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ruth Conner, 91, of Julesburg, Colo., and formerly of Arnold, died March 16. Funeral Mass March 25 at St. Agnes Church in Arnold. Burial at Arnold Cemetery. Survivors: husband, LV; daughter, Marcia Hill of Julesburg; son, Brad Conner of Clay Center, Kan.; three granddaughters.

Patrick Vostades Jr., 64, of Gering. Funeral Mass March 24 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with Fr. Joseph thambi officiating. Burial at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Survivors: brothers, Phil, Tim, and Paul; sisters, Pamela Altamirano and Patricia.

Virtuous Student winners at St. Agnes

The Knights of Columbus Scottsbluff, Council 2681 awarded the Rosaries and Medallion to the Virtuous Student winners Aden Munoz and Morgan Smith, students at St. Agnes School. Grand Knight Elect John Navarro presented the rosaries. (Photo courtesy, John Navarro)

Sister Regina McCarthy, O.P., dies at 86

Greeley native was founder and director of Hispanic Ministry 

     ST. CATHERINE, Ky. — Greeley native Sister Regina McCarthy, O.P., a longtime religious who served throughout the Diocese of Grand Island, died Feb. 26, 2023, at Sansbury Care Center in St. Catharine, Ky. She was 86.

      Funeral Mass will be March 7 at Sansbury Care Center Chapel at St. Catharine. Burial will be at St. Catharine Motherhouse Cemetery.

     Hale–Polin–Robinson Funeral Home in Springfield, Ky., is in charge of arrangements.

     Sister McCarthy was born Aug. 26, 1936, to Edward and Agnes Smyth McCarthy, the youngest of eight children.

     A 1954 graduate of Sacred Heart School, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish/English from Siena College in Memphis, Tenn., in 1968; a Master of Arts in Spanish from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln  in 1972; and a Master’s Degree in theological studies from the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, in 1983. She taught in elementary, junior high and senior high schools in Mattoon, Ill., Jeffersonville, Ind., and Spalding Academy in Spalding.

     In 1978, Sister McCarthy was Director of Ministry for the Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine. She became a teacher and parish minister at St. Patrick in North Platte and while in North Platte, created the Office of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Grand Island and became its first director in 1982. From 1994 to 1996, she was director of hispanic ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and was director of Small Christian Communities. In 1996, she was elected to the Leadership Team for the Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine.

     In 2002, she returned to Nebraska where she served in pastoral ministry at St. Ann’s in Lexington. In 2008, she returned to St. Catharine where she taught Spanish at St. Catharine College and also provided community service at the motherhouse. In 2014, she moved to Sansbury Care Center at St. Catharine.  

Survivors include brothers, Tom McCarthy of Norfolk, and Pat McCarthy of Fond Du Lac, Wis., and several nieces and nephews. 

     Memorials are suggested to Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219-2098. 

In the Hope 3/6/23

Jean Golka, 54, of Honey Creek, Iowa, died Feb. 28. Funeral Mass March 6 at St. Leo’s Church with Frs. James Golka, Donald Buhrman and priests of the Diocese of Grand Island concelebrating. Burial at Grand Island City Cemetery. Survivors: parents, Robert and Patricia Golka of Grand Island; brothers, Ron Golka of Grand Island, John Golka and Greg Golka, both of Omaha, Bishop James R. Golka of Colorado Springs, Colo., Gary Golka of Waconia, Minn., Tim Golka of Grand Island; sisters, Barb Brokaw of Grand Island, Cindy Jussel of Shawnee, Kan., Sheri Genereux of Honey Creek, Iowa.

Dorothy Goc, 94, of Loup City, died Feb. 24. Funeral March 2 at St. Josaphat’s Church in Loup City with Fr. Mark Maresh officiating. Burial at Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City. Survivors: brother, Robert Hurt of Ashton; sisters, Margie Kuszak of Loup City and Lorraine Wahl of Tucson, Ariz. 

Elaine Rozmiarek, 92, of Farwell died Feb. 24. Funeral Mass March 1 at St. Anthony’s Church in Farwell. Burial at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery near Farwell with Frs.Vince Parsons and Mark Maresh officiating. Survivors, children: Linda Guenin, Carol Rasmussen, Alan Lewandowskl, and Denise Brauer; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother, David Gorecki.

Alejo Mendez, 87, of Wood River, died Feb. 19. Funeral Mass Feb. 28 at St. Mary’s Church in Wood River with Fr. Josh Brown officiating. Burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Survivors: son, Lino Mendez; two grandchildren; siblings, Ismael Mendez, Severino Mendez, Olivia Llanes Mendez, Rosa Mendez-Lopez , Ramiro Mendez, Maria “Helinda” Orozco.

Maribelle “Mary” Wiles, 79, of Grand Island, died Feb. 21. Funeral Mass Feb. 27 at St. Mary’s Cathedral with Bishop Emeritus William Dendinger officiating and Fr. Jorge Canela concelebrating. Burial at Grand Island City Cemetery. Survivors; brother, Alfred Wiles of Leavenworth, Kan., and sister, Kathleen Matthews of Harrisonville, Mo.

Nancy Badura, 71, of Ashton died Feb. 17. Funeral Mass Feb. 24 at St. James Church in Kearney. Burial at Kearney Cemetery. Survivors: husband, Claude; son, Chris; sister, Diane Anderson; brother, Larry Schilousky.

Mary Ann Bonne, 80, of Ord, died Feb. 18. Funeral Mass Feb. 24 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ord with Frs. Scott Harter and Mark Maresh officiating. Burial at Ord Catholic Cemetery. Survivors: husband, Richard; daughters, Michelle Bonne of Littleton, Colo., Marsha McCulloch of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Laura Montgomery of North Platte; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

Rose Dixson, 69, of St. Paul, died Feb. 19. Funeral Mass Feb. 24 at the St. Libory Church with Fr. Sid Bruggeman officiating. Burial at the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Island. Survivors: husband, William; daughter, Elizabeth Eggers of St. Libory; son, Brian Dixson of St. Paul.

Marie Eurek, 96, of Loup City died Feb. 14. Funeral Mass Feb. 18 at St. Josaphat’s Church with Fr. Mark Maresh officiating. Burial at the Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City. Survivors: sons, Lawrence Eurek of Roseville, Calif., Allan Eurek of Lincoln, Mark Eurek and Gary Eurek, both of Loup City; daughters, Michelle Eurek and Kim McVey, both of Lincoln; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren.

James Leonard, 95 of St. Paul, died on Feb. 8. Funeral Mass Feb. 14 at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in St. Paul with Fr. Vince Parsons officiating. Burial at Grand Island City Cemetery. Survivors: wife, Betty; daughters, Linda Snyder, Janice Derner, both of St. Paul, Kathie Walker of Grand Island, and Debbie Nealon of Brownsville, Ore; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.

Veda Walz, 85, of Stapleton, died Feb. 22. Funeral Mass Feb. 27 at St. John’s Church with Fr. Thomas Gudipalli officiating. Burial at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. Survivors: children, Jeana Hanna of Stapleton, Denise Smith of North Platte and Rex Walz of Stapleton; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; siblings, Duane Deterding of North Platte, Myron Deterding of Omaha and Darrell Deterding of Springview.

Bruce Brinker, 62, of North Platte, died Feb. 18. Funeral services Feb. 25 at Odean Colonial Chapel with Fr. Sagar officiating. Survivors: wife, Vickie; son, James Brinker of Geneva; daughter, Stacy Brinker of Tulsa, Okla.; stepchildren, Cyrus Tilford and Tanille Keefer of North Platte; sister, Teresa Bach of Chadron; brothers, Gary Brinker and Bill Brinker of North Platte; 13 grandchildren.

Albert “Vern” Lenz, 89, of Sutherland died Feb. 10. Funeral services Feb. 18 at the Moorefield Cemetery with Deacon Michael Davis officiating. Survivors: children, Kent Lenz of Sutherland, Kim Lenz of North Platte, Rick Lenz of Broken Bow, Karen Neergaard of Sidney, Julie Gamble of Sutherland; Audrey Boggs of Prescott Valley, Ariz., and Sandra Rodgers of North Platte; brothers, Richard Lenz of Maywood and Larry Lenz of Curtis; sisters, Geraldine McGee of Curtis, Betty Smeltzer of Lincoln and Connie Poole of Encampment, Wyo.; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren.

Dorothy Bowman, 95, of Kearney died March 1. Funeral Mass March 6 at Prince of Peace Church with Fr. Paul Colling officiating. Burial at Kearney Cemetery. Survivors: children, Brad Bowman and Tami Hellman; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.

Jane Nelson, 68 of Kearney died Feb. 24. Funeral Mass April 21 at St. James Church in Kearney. Survivors: husband, Dave; son, Christopher; daughter, Andrea; two granddaughters; brother, Brian Falk of North Hollywood, Calif.

Everett “Wayne” Johns, 92, of Elm Creek died Feb. 17. Funeral Mass Feb. 25 at Immaculate Conception  Church in Elm Creek. Burial at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Elm Creek. Survivors: children, Joe Johns of Aurora, Michelle Leeds of Riverdale, Pat Johns of Elm Creek and Carmen Pearse of Kearney; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Shirley Hizey of San Antonio, Texas.

Christine Barajas, 93, of Scottsbluff, died Feb. 15. Funeral Mass Feb. 24 at St. Agnes Church in Scottsbluff with Fr. Rayappa Konka officiating. Burial at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Survivors: son, Gabriel; daughter, Ufemia; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter.

Margarita Cervantes, 84, of Scottsbluff, died Feb. 11. Funeral Mass Feb. 18 at Our Lady of Guadalupe with Ft. Joseph Thambi officiating. Burial at Fairview Cemetery. Survivors: siblings, Adela “Jo” Serrano of Florida, Jesse Cervantes of Omaha, Helen Piña, Joe Cervantes, Irene Dominguez, and Daniel Cervantes. 

Gerardo Medina, 97, of Mitchell, died Feb. 12. Funeral Mass Feb. 17, at St. Theresa Church in Mitchell with Fr. Mike McDonald officiating. Survivors: children, Gloria Best of Lincoln, Sylvia Sims of Chiefland, Fla., Emilio Medina of Wildwood, Mo., Lucy Medina of Pipe Creek, Texas, Lupe Buckingham of Omaha, Toni Kerns of Los Angeles, Yolanda Medina of Lincoln, Danny Medina of Woodbridge, Va., Patty Marchitello of Cibolo, Texas; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.

Margaret “Peggy” Bostron, 81, of Mullen died Feb. 14. Funeral Mass Feb. 20 at St. Mary’s Church in Mullen, with Fr. Matthew Nash officiating. Burial at Cedarview Cemetery. Survivors: daughters, Lyn Crisp and Brenda Shepherd; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Jean Macke, and brother, Jim Macke.