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Archive for: Past

Robert J. Skaggs Jr.

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Born on October 12, 1960.

Passed away on February 16, 2024.

No service information at this time.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Pedro Rodriguez Rodriguez

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From Puerto Rico.

Born on October 23, 1941.

Passed away on February 14, 2024.

No service at this time.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Janet Fulton Gauger

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October 30, 1928 – February 14, 2024

Jan Gauger: our mother, our mentor, our North.

Jan was born to Helen Thorne Fulton and Fred Fulton in Moscow, Idaho, and grew up in Spokane, Washington as the youngest of 7 siblings. While attending the University of Idaho, she met Wendell Gauger, who would become her husband of 38 years. She moved to Lincoln in 1957 and raised her 4 children here.

Jan was a firebrand, an organizer and a change-maker. Her legacy is written all around this community – a place she made better through long-term involvement with local organizations. She served on the Lincoln Housing Authority and as Tri-Chair of the Antelope Valley project. Among groups too numerous to mention, she was active with the Red Cross, the Lincoln/Lancaster League of Women Voters, and served four terms on the Lancaster County Board.

From her start in politics with the League of Women Voters, she fought tirelessly for women’s rights. As the first woman in Nebraska to be elected to a county-wide office, she broke down doors and opened the windows of local government, helping to usher in the end of “good ol’ boys” networks. She made some enemies along the way, but she made our local governing systems better and more efficient.

She was an incredible role model for us, her proud children, in whom she instilled a lasting interest in local, national and international affairs. She watched the news religiously, was always the best-informed person we knew, and through lively discussion helped us understand any topic and determine our own positions. Jan was also a local business owner, founding One More Time Consignments (now omt! divine resale) in 1979, which has served tens of thousands of customers and consignors.

Jan’s other interests were as broad as her accomplishments: she kept a large garden with both perennials and vegetables, which she generously shared. She loved crosswords and word puzzles and kept up a text thread with her daughters to share daily results up until her last day.

In addition to the giant-sized hole she leaves in our hearts, she leaves behind her four children: Carl Gauger (Shelly), Chris Gauger (Lee Leighton), Kate Merritt (Gary), and Sarah Gauger (Charlie Duerschner); grandchildren Bri, Jeremy, Carly and Jesse Gauger, Mel and Asher Colborn, Lilly Krause, Jon and Chris Duerschner; and great-grandchildren Asa and Loren Gauger.

The memorial service was held Monday, February 19th at 2:00pm at First Plymouth Church (20th and D Street). A recording of the service can be watched here.

In remembrance, donations may be made in her name to the Lincoln/Lancaster League of Women Voters, The Lincoln YWCA, and Voices of Hope.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Avis “Maxine” Ensminger

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Avis “Maxine” Ensminger peacefully passed away surrounded by family and friends on February 14, 2024 after a long battle with End Stage Renal Disease, she was 87. Born September 9, 1936 to Chuck and Illabell Snyder in Springview, Nebraska.

Maxine, as she preferred to be called, was most proud of her very large family, often exclaiming “The more the merrier” upon learning of a new baby on the way. She is survived by daughter Joette Hartshorn(Jeff), son Mike Larsen(Tammy), son Todd Larsen(Vicki), son Tom Larsen, daughter Michelle Larsen(Ryan Doak), daughter Brenda Ensminger(John Beard), 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, nieces, nephews, cousins and many who called her friend.

Maxine absolutely loved going to any casino she could get to, penny slots were her favorite. She enjoyed watching and wagering on thoroughbred horse racing and football, playing bingo and lottery scratch cards. She also looked forward each year to joining the members of the SMART-TD Union in the Labor Day parade tossing beads and candy to the many spectators.

Maxine was preceded in death by parents Chuck and Illabell Snyder, husband Bill Ensminger, brother Jack Snyder, daughter Denise Sanders, son Corey Larsen and dear close family friend Isabell McMullin.

In accordance with Maxine’s wishes cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. She also requested in lieu of memorials you spend the money on your families and remember her with a smile.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Robert E. “Mohawk – Bobby” Machacek

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August 23, 1933 – February 14, 2024

Robert E. Machacek of Crete, Nebraska, passed away peacefully at his home on February 14, 2024 after a short stay with hospice. He was born to Joseph F. Machacek and Blanche (Vilda) Machacek of Crete, Nebraska. Bob was an only child.

In 1956, Bob started to work for Lincoln Inspection Service and he continued to work as a Licensed Grain Inspector on a contractual basis at Bunge Mills until his death in 2024. He was honored with the Longest Active Licensed Grain Inspector award, for his 68 years of service. Bob served in the Air National Guard from 1950-1957. He was a Master Mason member in the Masonic Lodge in Crete, Nebraska. He was a member of Seostris Shriners in Lincoln, Nebraska and a Lifetime member FOE #3909 in Crete, Nebraska.

Bob enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting, playing pitch, reading, playing bingo, gardening, cooking, baking, watching westerns, and college football.

He is survived by fiancée and partner Joyce A. Richtarik and her children Rhonda Greder, Rania Hagemeier, Jackie Hepburn, Tammy Wenz (Jeff), Randy Richtarik (Britain) and several grandchildren and great grandchildren, stepson Carl Folkerts (Deanna) and grandchildren Amy, Cassandra, and Carl Jr.

He was preceded in death by Joseph F. Machacek, Blanche (Vilda) Machacek. He married LaRene Machacek (Strauss); she preceded him in death on March 27, 2007.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life gathering on Saturday March 9, 2024 anytime from 1 PM – 5 PM at the Crete Eagles Club, 132 W. 12th Street, Crete, NE 68333.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to FOE #3909, 132 W. 12th Street, Crete NE 68333 or send to Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504 in care of the Machacek family.

Special thanks to Horizon Hospice for their excellent care and support, and to the Palliative Care team.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.