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Archive for: S

Christi M. Schafer-Millikan

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Born on September 13, 1969.

Passed away on September 13, 2022.

Service information and obituary 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.

Kenneth L. Sanders Jr

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Born on September 24, 1962.

Passed away on September 7, 2022.

Service information 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.

Franklin Eugene Samples “Gene”

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Reunited with the Lord and his Son.

Born December 3, 1953.

Passed away August 31, 2022.

Gene was born to Gerald & Eldeen (Collins) Samples in Grand Island NE in 1953. Gene was blessed with another mother in 1957 when Gerald married Janett (Speth) Sell.

Gene attended Clatonia Schools and after consolidation he attended Wilber-Clatonia School. He was an avid sports participant in Basketball and Track where he held numerous records for many years.

Gene’s work ethic started while he was a younger man by helping numerous farmers around the Clatonia and Wilber areas.

After Graduation in 1972 he joined the Armed Forces following family members. He joined the United States Air Force in June of 1972 and was Honorably discharged in September of 1974 with a Rank of E3.

In 1975 Gene married Linda Villines and from this union a son was born April 18, 1976 and passed on May 24, 1980.

Gene was well known for his carpentry as well as his roofing skills. He was a son, father, husband, brother, uncle as well as a great uncle and a great great uncle, teacher and a FRIEND to all.

Gene taught many of his nephews as well as siblings how to roof and do some carpentry. He always said to take pride in your work and no one can take that from you.

Gene’s passions were the Lord as well as the Bible. Anything that had to do with the Outdoors was where he wanted to be. Close to the Lord and the beauty he created. Helping his family, friends and the friends he hadn’t met yet was a love of his as well.

Survived by siblings Gary (Linda) Samples, Ed Samples, Jim Samples, Cindy (Allen) Zajicek, Cheryl Bice, Candy Jones, Kevin (Nancy) Samples, Gerald (Shirley) Samples, Chris (David) Lane, Carin Jelinek, Aunt and Uncle along with many Nieces and Nephews as well as large Family of Friends.

Preceded in Death by Son Adin, Parents Gerald & Janett, Mother Eldeen, Brothers Bruce Sell, Robert Sell and Sister Cathy Meyer, nephews Jacob Samples, Dillon Samples.

Gene’s final wishes were to be cremated.

Celebration of Life Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 2:00 pm at the Clatonia Community Center in Clatonia, NE.

Memorials may be given to family for future designation. Please send to:  Candy Jones, 1706 Co. Rd. W Swanton, NE 68445,

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.

Mark E. Szuchmanski

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Mark E. Szuchmanski, age 59, was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on October 23, 1962, to Edward and Joan Szuchmanski. He graduated from Cathedral Prep in 1981 in Erie, PA and attended Penn State Behrend in 1983. He enjoyed a childhood filled with humor and love. He worked for Parker Hannifin Corp as a Machinist for 23 years. Mark grew up on the shores of Lake Erie where he developed a life-long passion for fly-fishing. He was also a talented musician, playing in bands in school and “on tour” in the Erie area. He loved animals and took great joy in having many pets.

On August 16th, 2022, Mark passed away after a prolonged illness. He was preceded in death by his lovely parents, Joan Rawa Szuchmanski and Edward Szuchmanski as well has his eldest sister, Cynthia Szuchmanski Ott Drake Sage. Mark is survived by his devoted sisters, Becky Norton, Mary Estrada, Laurie Szuchmanski and Julia Hahn along with numerous nieces and nephews. Mark’s family is stricken with pain and grief from this loss. However, they are comforted by the knowledge that Mark is now in the care of the Lord. He will be dearly missed until the time we can all meet again.

A celebration of life will be held privately on October 22nd in Westwood, Massachusetts with his 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.

Mary E. Solomon

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Mary Edith Pumphrey Solomon, known as “Edie” passed away peacefully on Friday, August 12th, 2022.

Edie was born in Boulder, Colorado in 1925.  At age 5, her family moved to Lyman, NE to raise sugar beets, hogs, and sheep.  As a young girl, Edie helped to run the family farm, and in school she was involved in music, speech,  drama, 4-h and public speaking.   She was a top-notch student and at the age of 16 she entered college at UNL Lincoln with a 4 year full ride academic scholarship.

During her college years Edie was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Upsilon Omicron, Phi Beta Kappa, and Mortar Board.  She received the Pillsbury award given to the top academic student at UNL. She served as Student Council President for 2 years and was instrumental in overseeing equal and fair housing for all UNL athletic participants and the returning WWII GI’s.  She met Eugene, “Gene” Solomon, a WWII veteran, during her senior year of college and they were married in 1947.   Gene had several Nebraska assignments working for the Soil Conservation Service before settling in Blair, NE.

Edie started her teaching career when all four children were school age. She taught home economics for 2 years in Herman and then 34 years at Blair High School.  She taught Sunday school for 40 years, was an Active PEO member and 4-H leader. After “retirement”, Edie volunteered at the Blair Middle and High School, assisting in the library and home economic classes and making costumes for the school musicals.   Edie received numerous awards and recognitions for her years as a teacher and volunteer. Her enthusiasm, humor and love of teaching helped to guide hundreds of students in a positive direction.   Numerous camping vacations in the Snowy Range, wonderful summers at the family cabin, playing cards and games with her children’s friends were always filled love, laughter and fun. The hundreds of comments and eulogies to Edie on the Blair Alumni Website described her as kind, compassionate, patient, caring, fun, loving, sweet, generous, humble, a true treasure, vivacious, gracious, and  one-of- a- kind.  She was loved by so many and will be greatly missed by countless friends, students, and family

Edie is survived by her four children and spouses: Cliff Solomon (Pam Gates), Carol Solomon-Smith (Rex Everett), Carrie Solomon-Schultz (Dan Schultz), Christine Solomon (Charles Hineline); nephews Ryan Smith (Michaela) and their children Asher, William and Adeline and Craig Smith; nieces Carissa Schultz (Kirk Morales)  and their children Arlo and Roman, and Katrina Schultz-Baldwin (Anthony Baldwin) and their daughter, Vienna; Genes remaining brother, James Solomon.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 A.M on Saturday, November 5th at the Blair United Church.

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.