Shirley Ann Vontz
Passed away on October 6, 2017.
Shirley Ann ( McCloughan) Vontz was born to Helen and Bert McCloughan June 10, 1942. Her twin sister Sharon passed at birth. Shirley passed away October 6, 2017 at the age of 75 after a courageous 3 month battle with acute leukemia.
Shirley grew up north of Valentine, NE. She loved the Sandhills and always looked forward to coming home to visit the land and her family. Shirley graduated from Valentine High School in 1960. From there she obtained a bachelor and masters degree from the University of Nebraska in Home Economics and Special Education.
She taught school for McCook Public Schools 20+ years and for St Patrick’s Pre-school after retiring. One of her greatest joys was to teach and make learning exciting. Her grandchildren were never for lack of fun, educational books and toys!
Shirley married Ronald Vontz on a very hot day in July 1968. To this union was born 2 daughters Marci and LeeAnn. They raised their family south of McCook. They had a deep love for each other and we can now be joyous that they are able to be together again.
Shirley loved her family and friends. She listened, prayed, and gave great encouragement and advice to anyone of them in need. She especially delighted in watching her grandchildren come to earth and grow! She enjoyed crafting and sewing, a love that she has passed onto her girls.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Helen and Bert McCloughan, her sister Sharon, sister Catherine Petersen, brother James McCloughan, and spouse Ronald Vontz.
Shirley is survived by daughters Marci Vontz-Lewis(Brian Lewis) of York, NE and LeeAnn Hampton (Dave) Lincoln; aunt Melvina Parker of Lincoln; sister-in-law Nadda McCloughan of Valentine, NE; brother and sister-in-law Steve and Bethine Vontz of McCook, NE; 8 grandchildren Caleb, Layce, Connor, Bradley, Abigail, Rylan, Sasha, and Amelia. Shirley is also survived my many loved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
While we are saddened that her earthly body was worn out and her time here with us was done, we are joyous that she is now free of pain and can be reuinited with our Heavenly Father and all those that have passed before her.
A memorial service was held at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in McCook, NE on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 10:30 am. Rosary on Monday at 7:00 pm at the church. Cremation, no visitation. Flowers can be delivered to the church or memorials may be given to the family for future designation. Condolences to www.aspenaftercare.com.
Travis Brian Anderson
Passed away on October 4, 2017.
Age 46
From Lincoln, Nebraska
Born on December 10, 1971 in Spring Valley, Minnesota.
Cremation. No visitation. No service.
Kathleen Ann Lockert
Kathleen A. Lockert passed away peacefully on October 4, 2017 at Bryan East Hospital with her family by her side.
Kathy was born March 5, 1949 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Kenneth and Florence Stonebrook where she lived until coming to Union College in Lincoln in 1967. She graduated from Union College with an Associate Degree in 1969.
It was at Union College where she met her future husband, Stephen Lockert, and they were united in marriage in 1969 and from this union sons, Matthew (Matt) and Eric were born.
Kathy worked for Citizens State Bank and Krueger Carpet for a few years before becoming a full time mother and homemaker.
In spite of dealing with rheumatoid arthritis for four decades, Kathy displayed courage and lived an active life raising her two sons, being a loving wife, active with dear friends, walking her beloved golden retrievers in the Southwood neighborhood, and day caring her three grand children, Jordan, Eli, and Norah after school. Her sweet disposition and love for her family knew no bounds.
As a Green Bay, Wisconsin native she was, of course, a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan as well as her husband Stephen. After coming to Lincoln in 1969 she soon became a fan of the Cornhuskers and Kansas City Royals. Besides her family she will be sorely missed by best friends, Renee Lutz of Lincoln and Louise Coy of Redlands, California as well as countless others.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Florence Stonebrook.
She will be greatly missed by her husband of 48 years, Stephen, her sons, Matt and Eric, daughter in law Christine, grandchildren Jordan, Eli, and Norah, and her brother, David Stonebrook and sister in law Bonnie Stonebrook, and her beloved golden retriever Champ. Many other nephews and nieces, friends and acquaintances will miss Kathy.
Her determination and zest for life, despite her limitations of rheumatoid arthritis, were inspiring and courageous.
Cremation. No visitation. A memorial service was held at Lincoln Berean Church’s chapel on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 9:30 AM. Use the north doors.
Memorials to the Capital Humane Society. Condolences to www.aspenaftercare.com.
Jim “Jim Mac” Irwin
James Allen Irwin, aka “Jim Mac,” passed away Tuesday, October 3, 2017, in Lincoln, NE. He was 57.
Jim was born in Lincoln on April 14, 1960, to Neil and Beverly (Kasl) Irwin. As an “Air Force brat,” Jim moved a number of times until Junior High when he ultimately landed back in Lincoln, upon his dad being permanently stationed at Offutt Air Force Base.
Jim worked many years for Jacob North Printing Company, before returning to school later in life to receive his degree as a Respiratory Therapy Technician.
Jim, a lover of the Grateful Dead, had been to over 100 Dead shows in his life (he lost count). Jim, a humble man with a soft heart, was always ready to help friends and strangers however he could. Jim was a handy guy who could fix almost anything and worked very hard. Most of all, Jim adored his children and was always known to be a very good listener. Those who met him always commented on his kindness and gentle ways. Jim will be greatly missed.
Jim is survived by his mother, Beverly Irwin; daughters: Amber (Randy) Bax, Andrea (Blake Travis) Irwin, Jamie (Mathias Campbell) Irwin, and their mother, Theresa Riggs; son Jacob Irwin, and Jacob’s mother, Betsy Bergman; grandchildren: Jasmyn, Isaac, Ryleigh, Kayana, Natalie, and Bryson; lifelong best friend Dave Connett, along with other countless friends who all deeply loved and respected Jim. Jim was preceded in death by his father, Neil, and his brother, Tom.
Cremation. No visitation. A Celebration of Life was held on Sunday, October 8, 2017, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Oak Lake Park, 180 Charleston Street, Lincoln Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the children, 4211 Spruce Street, Lincoln, NE 68516.
Johnette Lilian Pickett
Johnette Lilian Kennedy Pickett passed away in her home in Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday, September 16, 2017, surrounded by all four daughters, at the age of 77.
Born on April 4, 1940, to parents Don and Eleanor Kennedy, Johnny was number six of seven children. She grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, attended West High School, and then the University of Wisconsin. Johnny pledged Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English & History in 1962.
Upon graduation, Johnny took a job in Chicago working for the Social Security Administration, where she was soon transferred to an SSA office in San Francisco.
Johnny loved San Francisco, where she met and fell in love with her husband, James (Jim) Pickett. The couple married and moved to Augsburg, Germany, where Jim was stationed in the U.S. Army.
Later, Johnny & Jim moved to his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska where they raised their four daughters. She spent her early work life in childhood education and her later years in caring for patients at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital. During her time in Lincoln, she developed many dear friends.
Johnny had a love for history, books, and politics and was a devoted lifelong learner. She enjoyed taking Olli classes upon retirement at the University of Nebraska, playing with grandchildren, watching great movies, and constantly reading.
Johnny is survived by sister Karen D’Orazio of Madison, Wisconsin, and by her daughters, Julie Petr of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Meg Damme, Betsy Jensen, and Kate Pickett of Lincoln, Nebraska, along with 9 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Johnny was preceded in death by ex-husband Jim Pickett, her parents, and five siblings, Thomas Kennedy, Josephine Toltzien, Phyllis Hays, Rita Levis, and Grover Kennedy.
Cremation. No visitation. A celebration of life will take place at Wilderness Ridge, 1800 Wilderness Woods Place, Lincoln, Nebraska from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2017. Johnny’s ashes will be put to rest next to her parent’s grave site in Madison, Wisconsin, in July 2018.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tabitha Foundation for the hospice care program in memory of Johnette Pickett.
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