Funeral Services for Warren Scherbarth will be held on Friday, July 3, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs, Nebraska, with Pastor Allan Wiebschke officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs, Nebraska. Burial will be at the Hay Springs City Cemetery in Hay Springs, Nebraska.

Warren Edwin Scherbarth was born September 30, 1931, in Sheridan County, Nebraska, and passed away on June 28, 2020, at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs, Nebraska, at the age of 88 years and 9 months.

Warren was born to Richard C. and Evelyn E. (Philips) Scherbarth. He grew up on the farm west of Hay Springs, where he resided until his health declined.

Warren grew up on this farm helping his parents and working out at neighboring farms. He went to country school until eighth grade then to Hay Springs High School, graduating in 1949.

Warren and Betty Lou Glee were married on September 23, 1950, in Torrington, Wyoming. Warren worked at Holly Sugar Factory. 

Later on they moved to Hay Springs area working on neighboring farms. Finally settling west of Hay Springs on the home place.

To this union of marriage six children were born: Robert, Suzan Scherbarth Smith, Stephen, Brian, Janene Scherbarth Odell, and Craig. They were married for 65 years. 

Warren was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he and Betty attended and raised their children.

His life time interest included farming, raising Herford cattle, and helping neighbors.

Warren is survived by his children: Robert (Nancy Barth) Scherbarth of Alliance, Suzan (Stuart) Smith of Brady, Nebraska, Stephan Scherbarth of Aurora, Colorado, Brian Scherbarth of Casper, Wyoming, Janene (Norman) Odell of Alliance, Nebraska, Craig (Cherly) Scherbarth of Elsie, Nebraska. Sisters Janice (Emmett) Main of Delta, Colorado, Emily Hunter of Albuquerque, New Mexico, brother Allen (Ruth Ann) Scherbarth of Rushville, Nebraska; 16 grand children and 26 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Betty, parents, two brothers, four sisters, one grandson, and one great granddaughter.

A memorial has been established for Zion Lutheran Church. Donations may be sent Chamberlain-Drabbels Mortuary, PO Box 443, Hay Springs, NE 69347.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com

Chamberlain-Drabbels Mortuary of Hay Springs, Nebraska, is in charge of arrangements.

Robert Duane Higgs passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 3, 2020. He was 86 years old.

Robert was born in Rushville, Nebraska, on February 21, 1934. 

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marilyn; parents Robert M and Rose (Vodicka) Higgs; brother Bill Higgs, and nephew, Bob Tiensvold.

He is survived by his four children; Roberta (Jeff) Jackson of Hayward, WI, Duane (Kathy) Higgs of Itasca, IL, Marlene (Mark) Loula of Grayslake, IL, and Cheryl (Dave) Middlekauff of Minnetonka, MN; grandchildren Corey, Keely, Mike, Reilly, Matt, Kyra, Elena, Kaelin, Marko, Colin, and Teague; sisters Ruby Tiensvold and Karen Wheeler; and many nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service was held on May 13, 2020.

Doris Tallon passed away peacefully May 2, 2020, at Pioneer Nursing Home surrounded by her family. Doris was born January 1, 1931. She was the second of eight children born to Everett and Margaret Colwell (Kearns).

She lived most of her childhood years in the White Clay area. She attended elementary at the Extension School and attended high school at Rushville High School graduating in 1949. · After graduating she taught at a one-room school near Hay Springs for three years. She married Clayton Tallon on December 28, 1951, and they lived on their ranch until she moved to Pioneer Manor in Hays Springs.

Doris was known for her wonderful cooking. Her jams, jellies and baked goods were the best. Visitors never left empty handed. If you didn’t stay for a home cooked meal she sent you home with some of her baked goods or jelly. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, embroidering, quilting, but most of all she enjoyed her family.

Doris was a member of Eastern Star serving as Worthy Matron and Guardian of Jobs Daughters for many years. She worked at the Rushville Sale Barn and was a cook at Rushville Public Schools. She also was a teachers aide at Clinton school and Extension school.

Doris was a hard worker, yet in the midst of work she liked to have fun. She loved to play cards and games and she always played to win. She also loved to watch movies especially with her grandchildren.

Doris is survived by her husband of 68 years, Clayton Tallon, Children, Peg (Tom) Kuester of Rushville, Neb., Sally (Jeff) Weldon of Peyton, Colo., Victor (Pamela) Tallon of Windsor, Colo., and Mike Tallon of Homer, Ark. She is also survived by brothers Charlie Colwell of White Clay, Neb., Roy (Nancy) Colwell of Rushville and Jerry Colwell of Omaha, Neb.,E and 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

There will not be a funeral service at this time due to current Covid-19 restrictions. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. A memorial has been established for Holly Episcopal Church.

Reece Val Malles, 81, of Gordon, Neb., passed away Friday, May 1, 2020, at Centennial Park Care Facility in North Platte, Neb.

Leslie Ann Malles, 76, of Gordon, Neb., followed Reece over the great divide to their eternal resting place Saturday, May 2, 2020, at Centennial Park, also.

Reece was born July 12, 1939, to John Reece Malles Jr. and Nora Mary Chiole Malles in Durango, Colo.

Leslie was born April 27, 1943, to Millard Waitman and Genevieve O’Laughlin Steerman in Cortez, Colo.

Their life was a true ranching love story. They began their love story with their marriage on January 26, 1963, in Cortez, Colorado. They became part owners of the Trail Canyon Ranch in McElmo Canyon south of Cortez with Leslie’s parents in 1966.

They were both very involved with the Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, and the National Cattlemen’s Association.

Reece served two terms, from 1974 thru 1976, as president of the Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association. Leslie served as secretary for the same association for 17 years, from 1981 to 1998. Reece was honored as Stockman of the Year by the Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association in 1980. Just 12 years later, in 1992, Leslie was honored with the very same award. Reece and Leslie were both very vocal and active on behalf of “rancher’s causes”.

Reece served as president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association in 1988-1989. He was involved with many and various committees while active at the state association level, including Membership, Mergers, Transportation, Forest Service Liaison and Public Lands committees. Reece was recognized in 1984 as Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Federal Range Livestockman of the Year. Through the CCA they made many dear friends and traveled to many state and national events.

Reece and Leslie were members of the National Cattlemen’s Association. Reece served on the Transportation, Public Lands, and Tax and Credit committees at the national level. Lobbying Congress or the state legislature was “just another ranching chore” as far as Reece and Leslie were concerned. Reece and his father-in-law, Millard Steerman, were recognized as the Federal Rangemen of the Year in 1984.

Leslie, as well as being Reece’s partner in all aspects of the ranch, taught school in the Montezuma-Cortez School District for over 30 years. Her love for children and reading was a blessing to many children’s lives. Leslie’s students were touched by her caring and positive approach to education. Leslie was very active in the Southwestern Cowbelles. Leslie’s fellow cowbelles recognized her as Cowbelle of the Year in 1986. She was as active and prominent member of the Colorado Cattlewomen’s Association. Leslie was a long-time member of Chapter DD, PEO.

Reece and Leslie were both very active with the Democratic party in local and state politics.

In 1997, their love for each other and the ranching life would lead them to follow Reece’s dream and take their ranching future to the sandhills of Nebraska, near Gordon, where they established the “Gleann Aluinn (Green Meadow) Ranch.” There they would continue to operate their cow/calf operation. They interjected a yearling grass cattle enterprise into their ranching life, as well.

Reece and Leslie enjoyed their “relaxing” years learning about the birds of the sandhills, including the Sandhill Cranes and the Curlew that frequented the meadow in front of their ranch home. They were always entertained by frequenting auctions and picking up treasures and trinkets they found along the way

They leave behind Leslie’s cousins and many dear friends with whom they enjoyed frequent phone chats, dinners at the Peppermill in Valentine or pie and ice cream at one of many places they had found throughout the area.

They were preceded in death by their parents and Reece’s sister, Frankie and brother-in-law William Hutson.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association or the Montezuma County Democratic Party.

A celebration of their lives will be held at a later date this summer. A private interment will be held Friday, May 15, 2020, at Cortez Cemetery in Cortez, Colo. Final arrangements are being made by Ertel Funeral Home in Cortez.

Gene Lenhart, 89, of Scottsbluff, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2020, at the Western Nebraska Veterans Home in Scottsbluff.  Visitation will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff. A private family Rosary and Prayer Service is taking place with Father Mike McDonald officiating.  Interment with military honors by the Nebraska National Guard Honor Guard will take place at East Lawn near Minatare.  Memorials may be given to the St. Joseph’s Children’s Home in Torrington or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Denver.  Online condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com

Gene was born October 6, 1930, at North Platte, Nebraska, to Newton and Margaret (Karp) Lenhart.  The family moved to McCook, Nebraska, when he was a small child where he received his education, graduating with the Class of 1949.  He entered the Army in 1955 and served in Korea until his honorable discharge at the rank of Sargent in 1957. 

Gene was a brand inspector for the Nebraska Brand Committee from 1961-1964.  He then went to work at the Gordon Livestock Auction in Gordon from 1964-1967.  He leased the Ainsworth Livestock Auction from 1967-1968, moving to Gering in 1968 to became the manager of Twin City Livestock Auction from 1968-1972.  He then became the manager and later owner of Platte Valley Livestock Auction until his retirement in 1992.

Gene married Virginia Piper on April 24, 1965.  That is when he became a dad; first to Wrayanne and Pat and later two more children were added to the Lenhart family, Lisa and Michael.  

Gene was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and most recently Christ The King Catholic Church. 

Gene is survived by his wife Virginia; children Wrayanne (Rick) Shannon of Sheridan, Wyo.,  Pat Piper of Alliance, Lisa Todd of Minatare and Michael  (Rebecca) Lenhart of Minatare; grandchildren: Nicole (Russell) Reiken, Kyle Benedickt, Kerstin (Andy) Clarkson, Sarah Piper, Caitlin (Jake) Pittman, Jordan (Emily) Todd, Miranda Lenhart, Hannah (Randy) Shields, and Miles Lenhart; 11 great-grandchildren plus one due any day;  brother Don Lenhart of Texas, and twin brothers Ed (Kathy) Lenhart of Idaho and Fred (Mary) Lenhart of Iowa; brother-in-law Jack Merrill of Nebraska; nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, sister Joanne Merrill, daughter-in-law Vicki Piper, and sister-in-law Ichiko Lenhart.

James LaVern Hankins passed away on May 1, 2020, at the age of 78.  He was born on December 2, 1941, in Rushville, Nebraska, to Jim and Violet (Eckerle) Hankins.  He graduated from Hay Springs High School in 1959.  Upon graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Bachmann on June 4, 1961.  With this union was born two daughters: Karla and Kim.  

LaVern began employment at Northwest Rural Public Power in 1966, where he filled many roles during his 38 years of service.  He was very dedicated to the community, having served on the board of the Pioneer Manor and Lister Sage Community Center.  He served as a City Council member and was a volunteer for many years at the Hay Springs Fire Department.  LaVern was very active in the building of the Zion Lutheran Church and later served as the deacon, trustee, and treasurer of the church.  He spent many hours improving the Hay Springs golf course, planting trees, and establishing the clubhouse.   

LaVern was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, never missing any of their activities.  

During his lifetime, he enjoyed many activities such as team roping, painting ceramics, golfing, traveling and camping.  He was a sports enthusiast and was a big supporter of the Hay Springs Hawks, Cornhuskers and the bull riding.  He will always be remembered as a man with high values, great sense of humor and willingness to help others.

LaVern was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty and her husband Tom Brownlow, sister-in-law Saundra Bachmann Roberts and daughter, Karla Hankins Letcher.  

LaVern is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Kim, son-in-law Lyndall, brothers Jerry (Judy) and Monte (Brenda), grandsons Tanner and Drew, in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews.   

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 7 at 10:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Hay Springs, Neb.  For those unable to attend, a live virtual service will be available by selecting the link on the Chamberlain Mortuary website.

Memorials can be sent to the Chamberlain Mortuary. 

Pat was born December 30, 1941, in Coos Bay, Ore., to Michael and Mildred Kearns. She passed away April 27, 2020, in Rapid City, S.D. 

Pat married Don Deckert February 19, 1961, and they had been married for 59 years. With this bond they had four children—Curtis, Laura, Bob, and Sis, Mike Deckert who was like a son to them. They had ten grandkids and 21 great grandkids. 

Pat worked for the South Dakota Social Services for 35 years and made many friends throughout her years working. Pat retired in 2011 and made plans to travel whenever she could. In April 2012, Pat suffered a stroke that limited her mobility. Don and Laura took care of Pat in the years following her stroke. She still traveled with Sis as much as she could to visit family in Colorado, Washington, and mostly to Oregon to see her brothers. 

She is survived by her husband, Don, children—Curtis, Laura, Bob, Sis (Ron),  Mike and all 31 grandkids. Her brother Ken Kearns, sisters JoAnn Leavitt (Mike), Janice Leavitt (Doyle), half brother Bill Leavitt (Holly), sisters-in-law Norma (Uppie) Bestgen, along with several nieces and nephews. 

She is proceeded in death by her parents, Mike Kearns and Mildred Leavitt, brothers, Bernard and Mike Kearns, uncle Pug Milligan, grandparents, Guy and Ruby Milligan. Her in laws Bill Deckert, Josie Deckert, brothers-in-law Fritz and Lloyd Deckert, sister-in-law Lilly White, and her daughter-in-law Melissa Deckert. 

Pat was cremated, and we will have services for her on Saturday September 5, 2020, at 2 p.m. in Martin, S.D., at the American Legion Hall. 

Merelda Dreyer passed away on April 10, 2020, in Gordon, Neb., of natural causes.

She was born February 23, 1929, in Canova, S.D., to Herman and Elsie (Koepsell) Zulk.  She grew up in Canova, S.D., where she attended school through the 9th grade.  The lack of a high school diploma was rectified when she proudly received her GED in 1989 through Western Community College.

Merelda married Wallace Everett White and they had three children: Sara, Howard and Carl. They later divorced.  She married Lloyd Leroy Dreyer on April 15, 1968.  This marriage lasted 25 happy years.  They enjoyed working on his family ranch and being active members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church.  Helping with the churches’ 100th Centennial book and writing the monthly church newsletter were highlights of her church service.

In 1989 she joined the American Legion Auxiliary and in 1994 became their secretary/treasurer, a position she held until recently. Always community minded, she organized donations for the Blood Bank for almost 25 years.

Merelda has been a part of the Rushville community since 1953.  She worked as a grocery clerk, mainly for Wright’s IGA, for many years and remained active in her church, the Legion and keeping up with her family until her death. Being chosen 2016 Grand Marshall was a highlight of her life.

Merelda is survived by  her children Sara (Jim) Detoy of Rapid City, S.D.; Howard (Diana) White of Upton, Wyo.;  Carl (Carol) White of Huntsville, Texas; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and one sister Helen (Marlin) Davis of Faulkton, S.D.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd L. Dreyer; parents Herman and Elsie Zulk and brothers Elmer and Leonard Zulk.

Private Graveside services will be held at 1:00 on Friday, April 17, 2020, at Fairview Cemetery in Rushville, Neb. A memorial service is planned after the COVID-19 virus has subsided.

A memorial has been established to the American Legion Auxiliary and the Immanuel Lutheran Church, both of Rushville, Neb. Memorials and condolences can be sent to Howard White, Box 373, Upton, WY 82730. Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.