WYNOT — John F. Riibe, 93, Wynot, formerly of Hartington, died Jan. 27, 2012, at the Golden Living Center, Hartington.
Visitation and a Vigil Service were Jan. 30 at the Holy Family (Sacred Heart) Catholic Church, Wynot, and resumed one hour prior to services Tuesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington.
Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 31 at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with Rev. Eric Olsen officiating.
Burial was in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington, with military services provided by the Hartington VFW Post 5283.

Pallbearers were John’s grandsons, Scott Bonertz, Jeff Bonertz, John Schmidt, Pat Schmidt, Ben Schmidt, Levi Mueller, Steven Carlson and Phillip Carlson.
John was born Dec. 11, 1918, at Bow Valley, to Otto A. and Veronica E. (Ward) Riibe. He grew up in the Bow Valley area and graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1936. He received his Normal Teaching Certificate and taught school at the Sunny Brook School District 113, northeast of Hartington. John served in the U.S. Army from April 17, 1942-Dec. 27, 1945, during WWII. After the war, he returned to Hartington where he operated a trucking service. John married Dorothy M. Carson Nov. 23, 1949, at Hartington. John served as Cedar County Sheriff from 1959-1979. His wife, Dorothy, died Aug. 16, 1972, at the age of 44. From 1981-1999 John owned and operated John’s Feed and Grain, Wynot. He married Bev Wiebelhaus Oct. 7, 1989, at Wynot. They made their home in Wynot. John entered the Golden Living Center in March 2006.
John was a member of the Holy Family (Sacred Heart) Catholic Church, Wynot; was a lifetime member of the Hartington VFW Post 5283; and a member of the Wynot American Legion Post 31. He was a former member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, the Northeast Nebraska Peace Officers Association and the Hartington Saddle Club.
He loved working with horses and did a lot of riding and showing of his horses. He loved to read, play cards with his grandkids, play pool and dance. He also was a promoter of the Old Time Fiddlers.
John is survived by his wife, Bev, Wynot; five daughters, Mary Jo and Roger Bonertz, St. Helena; Clara Mae and Cletus Schmidt, Wynot; Donna and Tony Ellis, Yankton, S.D.; Diane and Darrell Mueller, Platte, S.D.; Cheryl Hizney and Mark Carlson, Hartington; 20 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; seven step children, Gloria and Randy Anderson, Wynot; Nancy Rolfes, Wynot; Marlyn Wiebelhaus, Wynot; Karen and Chuck Schurman, Randolph; Janet Wiebelhaus, Phoenix, Ariz.; Mary Wiebelhaus, Omaha; Fred and Denise Wiebelhaus, Norfolk; 14 step grandchildren, 16 step great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Dorothy; son-in-law, Andrew Hizney; and two sisters, Hazel Foulk and Beulah Noecker, and their spouses, George Foulk and Ervin Noecker.

YANKTON, S.D. — Virginia O. Kast, 87, Yankton, S.D. died Jan. 23, 2012, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.
Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 27, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Ken Lulf officiating.
Burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton.
Visitations were Jan. 26 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary, a VFW Women’s Auxiliary service, and a Scripture service.  Visitation resumed one hour prior to the service at the church.

Pallbearers were her grandchildren, Traci Hanel, Stacy Lorenzen, Chad Becker, Kristy Poppe, Amy Haselhorst, Trisha Dohn, Abby Lauck, Mandy Eckmann, and Brian and Mike Thunker.
Virginia “Ginny” O. Kast was born Aug. 18, 1924, at her home near Fordyce, to Bernard and Teresa (Schumacher) Jansen. She was the eldest of six girls and attended several rural schools before moving to western Nebraska. Ginny graduated from McGrew High School in Nebraska. She worked in Colorado until returning to Fordyce to marry George Kast Feb. 12, 1946. George and Ginny farmed near Menominee, until they retired in 1981, and moved to Yankton.
Ginny was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton; and the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. She volunteered at the Human Services Center, St. Benedict Church, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital and the VFW Auxiliary.
Her hobbies were bird feeding, art, painting, reading and following politics. She had a great love for her family, and thoroughly enjoyed traveling the United States and Europe. Ginny wrote her memoirs in 2003 as a gift to her children and grandchildren.
She leaves behind three daughters and spouses, Nancy and Ron Becker, Omaha; Connie and Garry Moore, Yankton, S.D.; and Terri and Dale Thunker, Yankton, S.D.; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Miriam Henderso, Sacramento, Calif.; Jodie Arnold, Grand Island; Milly Roeseler, Omaha; and Barbara Doyle, Annandale, Va.
Ginny is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George Kast; sister, Alice Gulzow; two infant brothers; and 10 brothers and sisters-in-law.

HARTINGTON — Viola C. Becker, 98, Hartington, died Jan. 23, 2012, at the Golden Living Center, Hartington.
Visitation, with a vigil service, was Jan. 27 at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington, and continued Saturday at church one hour prior to services.
Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 28 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with the Rev. Jeffery Loseke officiating. Burial was at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Hartington

Pallbearers were Cal Kathol, Chad Kathol, Jamie Becker, Brian Becker, Nicholas Becker and Rick Kuchta, in memory of Kyle Becker.
Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Viola Clara Becker was born Oct. 15, 1913, to Henry and Alberta (Baatz) Rupiper in Fordyce. She grew up on a farm near Fordyce and attended eight years of school at Brookside District #108, a country school. Viola married Edgar Becker Jan. 9, 1939, in Fordyce. She and Edgar then moved to the Hartington area where they farmed and raised their family. They owned and operated the Drive-In Theatre in Hartington for many years. She and Edgar retired to their home in Hartington in 1980 and moved to the Beverly Assisted Living in August 2004. Edgar died Jan. 6, 2006, at the age of 93.
Viola was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, Perpetual Adoration from its beginning, Ministry of Praise, and belonged to the Rose Hill Club.
She enjoyed sewing and reading in her spare time.
She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Jolene Kathol, Hartington; Robert Becker and special friend, Jeanette Bagley, Bowman, N.D.; Connie and Dave Wolfram, Omaha; DelRae and Bill Schaeufele, Norfolk; Roland and Barb Becker, Hartington; one sister, Leona Kathol, Hartington; 17 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and six step great-grandchildren.
Viola was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edgar; son-in-law, Gene Kathol; grandchildren, Brenda Kathol, Laura and Kyle Becker; sisters and spouses, Alfreda and Herbert Jurgens, Hilaria and Dennis Kollars, Rosa and Albert Heimes; brother and spouse, Clarence and Bernadette Rupiper; and brother-in-law, Hugo Kathol.

LUVERNE, Minn. — Teresa “Tess” Frances Korth, 89, Luverne, Minn., died Jan. 23, 2012, at the Sanford Luverne Hospital, Luverne.

Teresa was born May 23, 1922, to Luther and Catherine (Dolly) Anderson, Norfolk. She spent her childhood years with her family in rural Randolph. During her school years Tess would live with her Grandma and Grandpa Dolly who lived much closer to her school. She later graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Norfolk, and then furthered her education at Wayne State Teacher’s College for one year. She met her future husband, Desmond Korth, while attending a dance. Tess and Des were married Sept. 1, 1941, at St. Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Randolph. The couple made their home on farms in rural Coleridge and rural Randolph. In 1970, they moved to a farm outside of Wilmont, Minn. Tess loved her role as a homemaker and an active farmer. Des died in an automobile accident July 30, 1973, and Tess continued to raise their family and farm with her son, Bill. In 2008, she made the move to Golden Horizons Assisted Living and Memory Care, Worthington, Minn.
Tess was a member of St. Kilian Catholic Church, rural Wilmont, where she was active in Guild and also played the organ at church for Mass, weddings and funerals. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America with Our Lady of Good Council Catholic Church, Wilmont. Tess was a social member of the Worthington Country Club and an associate member at the Elks Club, where she loved to play cards.
She was a serious bridge player and in the winter months she could be active in three or more card clubs. She enjoyed sewing, gardening with flowers and vegetables, canning, and shopping. Over the years she took many trips with the Club 55 out of Wilmont. One of her biggest enjoyments was mowing her lawn on the acreage.
Tess is survived by her children, Judy Kaiser and her husband, Denny, Omaha; Marge Ryan and her husband, Tom, Hornick, Iowa; Joan Walker and her husband, Jim, Sioux City, Iowa; Jim Korth and his wife, Penny, Omaha; Kathi Viergutz and her husband Greg of Gothenburg; and Bill Korth and his wife Karri of Luverne, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Desmond; parents, Luther and Catherine Anderson; and her brothers, Emmitt, Art, Guy and Earl Anderson.

HARTINGTON — Bernice E. Miller, 95, Hartington, died Jan. 16, 2012, at the Autumn Winds Assisted Living facility, Hartington.
Visitation, with a vigil service, followed by a P.E.O. service, were all held at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington. Visitation continued at the church one hour prior to services.
Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 19 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with the Rev. Jeffrey Loseke officiating. Burial was at the St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington.

Pallbearers were Mike Miller, Tim Kuchta, Dennis Heimes, Tom Moser, Tom Marsh, Steve Marsh and Chris Miller.
Bernice Elizabeth Miller was born Aug. 25, 1916, in Butte, to Peter Wilhelm and Dorothea (Thiel) Koenig. She grew up in Butte, and graduated from Butte High School in 1933. At the age of 16, she received her Normal Teaching Certificate and began teaching in rural Boyd County. Bernice married Leonard Miller May 24, 1941, in Hebron. She taught school at the Burney School District 18. She then taught at Hartington Public School for 13 years and also taught at Holy Trinity Grade School, Hartington. She and Leonard built their home south of Felber Park in 1952. Bernice graduated from Wayne State College in 1962 with a teaching degree. She and Leonard moved into Pine Lane Assisted Living (now Autumn Winds Assisted Living), Hartington, in 2006. Leonard died Sept. 11, 2006, at the age of 91 years. Bernice continued to live there until her death.
She and her husband, Leonard, travelled extensively to Europe, China, Alaska and numerous other locations. They loved to travel in their motor home across the United States. They also did several Elder Hostile trips.
She belonged to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, Catholic Daughter of America, P.E.O. and an investment group in Hartington. Bernice was an avid Husker fan and season ticket holder for many years. She loved to play Bridge, read, do crossword puzzles, and watch sports on TV.
She is survived by her two children, daughter, Kay, and husband, Bob Gribble, Graham, Wash.; son, Jim, and wife, Jeanne Miller, Puyallup, Wash.; two grandchildren, Joshua and Elizabeth Miller; and two sisters, Esther Kehn, Fremont, and Mildred Ferguson, Romoland, Calif.
Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leonard; daughter, Jeanette Miller; three brothers, Edward, Pete and Lawrence Koenig.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Charles W. “Bill” Rankin, 80, Council Bluffs, Iowa, died Dec. 31, 2011, at his residence.
Services were held Jan. 5.

Bill was born in Laurel, July 1, 1931, to Oscar and Bess Hamilton Rankin. He grew up in Cedar County and graduated from Obert High School. He worked at Mercy Hospital as the plant engineer, retiring after 26 years of service.
Survivors include daughters, Debra Lee and Konny and Jim Pond, all of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Kimberly and Phil Bettis, Jacksonville, Fla.; sons, Scott, Lance and Bruce Rankin, all of Council Bluffs, Iowa; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Darlene Weiz and Dorothy Elder, both of California.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Maxine, in 2008; and brothers, Harold, Dale, Dwight, Duane and Donald Rankin.

RANDOLPH — Russell C. Van Slyke, 91, Randolph, died Jan. 17, 2012, at Colonial Manor, Randolph.
Visitation and a Rosary were Jan. 19 at Johnson Funeral Home, Randolph.
Funeral services were Jan. 20 at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Randolph, with Rev. Michael J. Swanton officiating.
Interment was in St. Frances Cemetery Randolph, with Military Rites provided by V.F.W. Alvin Kessler Post #5545 and American Legion Post #113, Randolph.

Pallbearers were his grandsons, Ryan Eddie, Brett Eddie, Eric Eddie, Bryan Van Slyke, Matthew Van Slyke, Scott Van Slyke, Brent Van Slyke and Corbin Van Slyke.
Russell was born Feb. 23, 1920, at Randolph, the son of Scott and Margaret (Lenhoff) Van Slyke. He attended Sholes Public School, Sholes, and graduated from Randolph High School in 1937. He was employed at Wattier’s Grocery, Randolph, and enlisted in the United States Air Force following Pearl Harbor, the beginning of World War II, Jan. 1, 1942, and was discharged Jan. 7, 1946.
Russell married Rita S. Winkelbauer Oct. 5, 1944, at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Randolph.
After discharging from the military, Russell returned to Randolph and was employed at Home Oil Company until 1984. He worked at Westside Service, Randolph, and was later employed at Randolph Public Schools Bus Barn for a number of years.
He was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Randolph; served on the Randolph Volunteer Fire Department from 1948-1985, serving as Fire Chief for a number of years; and was a member of American Legion Post #113 and of V.F.W. Alvin Kessler Post #5545.
His hobbies included golfing, hunting, fishing and Husker football.
Russell is survived by his seven children and their spouses, Dallas and Nona Van Slyke, Oregon, Ill.; Marsha and Paul Eddie, Wahoo; Leon Van Slyke, Lincoln; Craig Van Slyke, Denton; Randy and Lori Van Slyke, Rifle, Colo.; Gail and Connie Van Slyke, Eagle; Dan and Connie Van Slyke, Lincoln; 20 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Marianne Olberding, Randolph.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rita; two great-grandchildren, Bryce and Logan Petree; two daughters-in-law, Rose Ann Van Slyke and Kathy Van Slyke; and two brothers, Lowell and Marvin Van Slyke.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hartington with the Rev. Jeffery Loseke officiating.  Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Hartington.  Visitation will be on Friday at the Wintz Funeral Home from 4-8:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue on Saturday at church one hour prior to services.

Paul was born in Lynch, on March 16, 1946, the son of Marion C. and Sallie R. (Moody) Bobenmoyer. While growing up, he lived in Santee; Elk Point, S.D.; and Obert. He graduated from Obert High School. He worked at Waldbaums, Madison Foods, Worldwide Auto Salvage and Walmart. Paul married and had one daughter, Carolina.
He enjoyed painting, fishing, hunting and stargazing through his telescope.
Survivors include his daughter, Carolina; one brother, Neil Bobenmoyer, Obert; one sister, June (Norman) Anderson, Newcastle; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Sallie; one sister, Jean Herfel; and one sister-in-law, Marie Bobenmoyer.

Sioux Falls, S.D. — James M. Stansell, 90, Sioux Falls, S.D., died Jan. 19, 2012.
Visitation was Monday at Heritage Funeral Home with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Faith Baptist Fellowship in Sioux Falls.
Burial was in the Dell Rapids Cemetery.

James Milton Stansell was born Aug. 16, 1921, to James Monroe and Hulda Emelia Erickson-Stansell at Toronto, S.D.  At 1 ½ years old, the family moved to Centralia, Kan., where James was raised and went to country school until the fourth grade. The family then moved into Centralia where he finished his education, graduating in 1939 from high school. James moved to Kansas City, Mo., and worked at Montgomery Wards until entering the United States Air Force in June 1942.  He was in the Air Force and flew 30 missions.  He received the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with four oak leaf clusters and the Presidential Unit Citation. James was based in the Asiatic Pacific Theater — India and China. He flew on B 29s as an electrician and left wing gunner. He was in the rear base, the front base was China. In November 1953, he married Ramona Heesch. They had four children.  In December 1994, he married Edythe L. Boadwine.
James was always helping others less fortunate than himself.  He was a very caring, loving and generous kind person. He never failed to lend a hand where needed.  He spent 57 years on the road selling feed additives, vitamins and yeast, to farmers in five states.
Survivors include his wife, Edie; a daughter, Bonnie R Woolam, Sioux Falls, S.D.; a step daughter, Shelia Franciose, Chicago; two stepsons, Rodney B. Boadwine Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.; and James M. Boadwine, rural Tea, S.D.; eight grandsons, John, Joshua, Casey, Dustin, James, Marco, Rodney III and Joshua Jones; five granddaughters, Jenna, Taylor, Kristin, Brittney and Tatiana; a sister, Velma Hulsing, Overland Park, Kan.; a brother, Richard L. Stansell, Kansas City, Mo.; one daughter-in-law, Michelle Boadwine; one son-in-law, Steve Franciose; five great-granddaughters, Brooke, Mallory, Mariana, Madelyn; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding James in death were his parents, James and Hulda; brother, Vincent; sister, Marlys; three children, Sheryl Ann Dailey, Michael J. Stansell  and Larry Dean Stansell; one stepson, Timothy N. Boadwine; and two brothers-in-law.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the McCrossan Boys Ranch.