Otha L. Smith
Born on September 12, 1955. Passed away on September 30, 2022. 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.
Larry Dewayne Surber
On May 11 1937, on his grandparents farm in Eustis, NE, Larry Dewaye Surber entered this world as the only son of Harold and Dorothy Surber. On September 28, 2022 he peacefully departed his earthly life to live on in Heaven.
Larry lived with his grandparents until he was 9 years old. During those years, he rode a horse a mile and a half to the one room country school. At age 9, he moved to Gothenburg to live with his his mother Dorothy and step-father Pat Haynes. In 8th grade, Larry liked a pretty girl named Carol. Bought her a few Cokes, sat on her front porch and talked, but she dumped him for another boy. But more about her later.
During junior high and high school, he was active in sports, had a great group of friends and went to church with them regularly. Attended UNL for 2 yrs, got bored, and joined the Army to serve as an electronics instructor for Nike Guided Missile Radar.
In 1958, while back in Gothenburg, he ran into Carol again. It took only 4 dates, and Carol said yes to marriage. Much later Larry was quoted as saying, “That was the best decision of my life…. other than becoming a Christian.” After finishing his military service in Texas, they moved back to Nebraska where Larry finished college and earned a BS Electrical Engineering degree. In 1959, Carol gave birth to their 1st daughter, Kelly.
While working at Lockheed Missiles and Space in Sunnyvale, CA, Larry helped design communication antennas on the Mariner 4 spacecraft, which performed the first successful flyby of the planet Mars. During the time in CA, Larry became a dad again to Jake and David. Second daughter, Jennifer, came along a couple years later in Minnesota.
Throughout his life, Larry had a very active church life. Youth sponsors, small group Bible study leader, Sunday school teacher, many trips to different churches in NE with Lay Witness Mission and a team member for Macedonia Ministries. Over these years, the Lord strengthened Larry in preparation for what was coming. In August 1975, Jake and his best friend went missing and were found deceased. Because of the knowledge that their son was a Christian and had recently led his best friend to the Lord, there was a feeling of peace and also grace to forgive the person who committed this crime. Larry used this experience to teach others about faith and forgiveness.
Larry enjoyed coin collecting, fishing, traveling and especially loved eating his wife’s gourmet cooking. He was very passionate about genealogy and has traced his lineage back to Switzerland in the 1700’s.
Larry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol Surber, children, Kelly (Don Gray), David (Lauren Adrover-Surber) and Jennifer (Jason Adkisson) Sister, Cheri (Mike Wilson). Grandchildren Jessica, Leanne, Rebekah, Jacob, Joey, Jude and Luke. 5 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson
He is preceded in death by son Jake and sister, Jane Lemmert.
The family has entrusted Aspen Cremation and Burial Services with the arrangements. A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11am Saturday, October 8, 2022 at First Baptist Church Lincoln, NE 14th and K. A reception will follow. Please have flowers sent directly to the church.
The Memorial Service will be livestreamed here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
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.
Christi M. Schafer-Millikan
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
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”
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.