Johnnie (John) E. Jurgensen
Johnnie “John” Jurgensen was born September 17, 1954, in Lexington, Nebraska. He passed away on November 30, 2023, at the age of 69. John held Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. He taught business and coached football, basketball, and track for two years at Gibbon High School and two years at McCook Senior High. From there John began a 12-year career coaching basketball at the collegiate level. He was the head coach for six years at McCook Community College, 3 years as assistant coach at Montana State University, and 3 years as assistant coach at the University of Texas-Arlington. In 1994 John and Deb moved to Lincoln which would be their home for the next 30 years. Shortly after the move, he joined Deb in the securities and insurance industry where he became a “financial coach.” John’s passions in life were undoubtedly basketball and coaching. After John left college coaching, he volunteered as an assistant basketball coach for 12 years at Lincoln Southeast high school. He helped at Lincoln Public Schools sporting events and worked state basketball tournaments. For years, John dedicated himself to coaching youth basketball and softball/baseball for Elly and Jaydee’s teams, not only mentoring his own children, but also touching the lives of other youth. More than anything John loved being a Dad to his Elly Jane and Budman. He was the best playmate, letting us constantly jump all over him and chasing us around the house. He was the biggest fan of his own jokes inevitably saying “I don’t care who you are, now that’s funny!”, remixing lyrics to songs which resulted in eyerolls from us kids, but all it took was one cracked smile to keep him going. He would never say no when Elly asked him to dance or when Jaydee asked him to throw batting practice. He would spend hours catching Elly and Jaydee’s pitching practice in the yard and rebounding in the driveway. He loved kids in general, and recently shared that he wanted his future grandkids to call him Coach, which we thought was perfect. As adults, he enthusiastically wanted to make trips down to Dallas to see us, whether for a couple week stay or a single night for dinner — no trip or time with us was too small. He had genuine interest in Elly’s and Jaydee’s jobs and careers. When challenges arose from work or anything in their personal lives, he knew how to comfort them, keep life simple, and put things into perspective. He was our biggest cheerleader; we unquestionably knew how proud he was of us and how loved we were. We love you and miss you, Dad. John’s hobbies included golfing, reading mysteries and westerns, playing Santa Claus during the Christmas season, and competing in ‘Words With Friends’. He attended two coffee groups with friends every week, mostly to rehash the sports of the week. However, he was not much of a cook. John is survived by his wife of 46 years, Deb, and their children, Elly Jurgensen of Dallas, Texas, and Jaydee Jurgensen and fiancée Andrea Hunter of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by brother-in-law, Steve (Ledene) Clapp of Kearney, Nebraska; brother-in-law, John Clapp, of McCook, Nebraska; nephew, Kasey Clapp of Boulder, Colorado; nieces, Josette McConville (Justin) of Kearney, Nebraska; Erica Clapp of New Zealand, and Sydney Clapp of Denver CO; great-nephew Brodie McConville, and great-niece, Lexie McConville. He will be missed by his many God-Children and other close relatives and friends. John was preceded in death by his father, Richard Jurgensen, his mother, Bonita Jurgensen, and brother Dennis Jurgensen. A celebration of John’s life will be held Friday, December 8, 2023, at 11am at Southwood Lutheran Church, 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68516. Following the service, a luncheon will be served in the church’s fellowship hall for loved ones to gather to share happy memories, crazy stories, and remember him as a loving, caring man and Father who enjoyed life and basketball. Memorials may be given in John’s memory to McCook College Foundation in support of the men’s basketball program where he was a student-athlete and coach or to Southwood Lutheran Church. John was an organ and tissue donor. To leave a condolence please use the form below. 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.
Lucille L. White
Born on October 29, 1930. Passed away on November 26, 2023. Survived by C. Jerry White, Daughter Terri Rood, stepchildren Jake/Carletta White – Roger White, and many step grandchildren. She is preceded in death by daughter Janet Rood, stepchildren Mike White and Cheryl Walker, parents George Dirks & Loisea (Schutte) Dirks. She is retired from Permits and ISP office. Lucy loved her church, playing cards, bowling, traveling, and entertaining with family and neighbors. No services will be held. 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.
Harriet Rachel Grossbart
January 22, 1946 – November 22, 2023. Born in Hudson, NY and raised in S. Miami, FL., Harriet attended Southwest Miami High School and graduated in 1964. She went on to graduate from the University of Florida before she moved to Lincoln in 1972. Harriet was a wife, and mother, sister, advocate for persons with disabilities, a special educator and administrator of programs serving persons with developmental disabilities, both children and adults. Harriet worked at the University of Florida counseling center prior to moving to Nebraska. Once in Lincoln, she was a special educator for Lancaster Office of Mental Retardation (LOMR) and then went on to become Director of Programs at LOMR and Res Care. There she helped write the state of Nebraska regulations for special education. She also worked to obtain for LOMR one of the first accreditations of community programs serving developmentally disabled individuals. She also helped to set up adult drop-in centers for adults in Lincoln. She helped found the LOMR Foundation, which hosts over 200 special needs trusts and provides grants to disabled individuals who are unable to locate other resources. Upon retirement she was co-owner of Payee Specialists. During the last year she worked with her husband in writing a book regarding the county courthouses of Nebraska. Harriet lived to help others. She leaves many friends. She loved dogs, was a gourmet cook and loved to travel. She is survived by her husband, Dean Settle, her daughters Holly (Mark) Blankstein, Julie Calvo, and grandchildren Stella and Reed Blankstein. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elaine and Jerry Weitzman and her sisters Barbara and Linda. Memorials can be sent to the Quality of Life Foundation, formerly the LOMR Foundation, c/o First Nebraska Trust Company P.O. Box 81667 Lincoln, NE 68501. (402) 477-2200 www.myqlf.org. A Celebration of Life will be held January 22, 2024 at 1:00 at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun/The South Street Temple 2061 S. 20th Street, Lincoln, NE 68502. 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.
LaVonne R. Harrom
Born on May 8, 1956. Passed away on November 25, 2023. Service information is pending. 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.
Herman E. Burson
Herman Burson, 69, died November 26th, 2023 at Tabitha Journey house in Lincoln after complications with stage 4 lung cancer. Funeral services will be held Friday December 1, 2023 at 10 A.M. at the United Methodist Church in Alda, Nebraska. There will be a luncheon to follow. Herman was born on March 12th, 1954 and was later adopted by Herman and Celia Burson. Herman grew up on a farm 12 miles east of Burwell. Nebraska. He attended the Midvale School up to 8th grade. Throughout Herman’s life he worked a variety of farm jobs. For 15 years he worked at Ptzieter’s horse ranch in Erickson, Nebraska. In February of 1977 he married Jenny Lou Becker. In this Union of marriage a daughter Debra Lynn was born. Herman continued to farm on his own land for a number of years. He moved to the Grand Island area in 1998 and has lived there ever since. In July 2005 he remarried to Shelly Urich of Eustis, Nebraska. Herman and his wife Shelly worked a number of years as janitors for the theater inside the Conestoga Mall. Herman retired in his later years. He didn’t have any hobbies but enjoyed visiting and just being ornery! He loved his family and his dog very much. He was very proud to be a grandpa. Herman is preceded in death by his parents Herman and Celia Burson. Great grand parents, brother Mike, and Mother and Father in-law Gloria and Harley Uhrich. He is survived by his wife Shelly of Grand Island, Nebraska, Daughter Debra (Monte Faith) of Lincoln, Nebraska, Stepdaughter Jessica Urich of Cozad, Nebraska, two sisters Waunetta (Dave Pesek), of Burwell, Nebraska, Cindy Prucha of Lincoln, Brother Grant Harlan(Michelle) of Doniphan, Nebraska, 1 grand daughter Celia Faith of Lincoln, Nebraska, grandsons Carson and Noah of Cozad, Nebraska, as well numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorials can be made to the family. 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.
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