Obituaries
Liewer Funeral Homes Obituaries
Local obituaries for the Imperial, Wauneta, and Benkelman, NE areas.
Joanne Shackelford
Apr 9, 2026
Joanne Lynn (Brunkhorst) Shackelford sailed from our sight in this world and into the next peacefully and at home in Albemarle County, Virginia on April 9, 2026. She was surrounded by family who loved her dearly.
Joanne was born in McCook, Nebraska on August 30, 1947 to Andrew (Andy) Brunkhorst and Anna (Damrow) Brunkhorst. Her early years were lived on a...
Margaret "Maggie" Ann McCoy
Jul 6, 2026
Margaret “Maggie” Ann McCoy’s story drew to a peaceful close on July 6, 2026, in Kearney, Nebraska. Maggie was born in Denver, Colorado, October 14, 1951, to Melvin and Lorraine (Bartsch) Rippe.
Her journey began in Denver, CO until junior high school when she relocated to Champion, NE with her family. Maggie would go on to graduate from Chase County High...
PerryLee Garcia
Jun 29, 2026
PerryLee Thomas Garcia, was born May 11, 1959 in Durango, Colorado, to Charles and Frances (Martinez) Garcia, and passed away on June 29, 2026 in Imperial, Nebraska.
Perry’s life began amidst the scenic beauty of southwestern Colorado, growing up in Durango, he later graduated from Durango High School. Shortly after graduating, Perry joined the Durango Silverton Railroad and later worked for...
Joan "Joni" Holly Diedrich
Jun 25, 2026
Joan Holly Diedrich, affectionately known as "Joni", beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, in Wauneta, Nebraska. Born December 3, 1939, in San Francisco, California, to Martin and Verne (Cunningham) Cordano, Joni's life was marked by kindness, resilience, and a spirit that inspired all who knew her.
Joni grew up in northern California and later...
Curtis W Garrison
Jun 16, 2026
Curtis W. Garrison, 56, passed away unexpectedly on June 16, 2026, in Ogallala, Nebraska.
Curtis was born in Denver, CO on November 14, 1969, to parents Danny and Dorene Mae (Clay) Garrison. Curtis graduated from Imperial High School in 1988.
Curtis selflessly enlisted into the Army on January 27, 1989. During his time in the Army, he served in the Military Police...
Margaret Barger
Jun 10, 2026
Margaret Burleigh “Patterson” Barger, 83, of Imperial, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Margaret was born on January 27, 1943, in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and spent most of her childhood in Morrison, Colorado. She graduated from Evergreen High School in 1961 and began her lifelong vocation of caring for others with her first job at an...
Ryan Michael Haarberg
Jun 8, 2026
Ryan was born on January 19, 1972, to Kent and Elaine Haarberg, in Imperial, Nebraska. He spent his early years in southwest Nebraska and graduated from Wauneta High School with the Class of 1990. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he earned his undergraduate degree before going on to receive a master’s degree in Computer Science.
Ryan...
Elaine "Ellie" Joyce Soukup
May 30, 2026
Elaine (Ellie) Joyce Soukup was born December 23, 1932, in Phillips, NE to Lon and Myrtle Wadkins. Ellie grew up in Phillips, Oak, Hartington and David City, NE where she met her high school sweetheart Marion (Mike) Soukup. They were married on September 6, 1953. They lived in San Diego, CA and Long Beach, CA while Mike was in the...
Elna Joann Johnson
May 22, 2026
Elna Joann (Christensen) Johnson, 91, was born at the Brush, Colorado hospital on Jan. 3, 1935, to Severt and Agnes (Andersen) Christensen and died at the Imperial Manor May 22, 2026. She was the youngest of six children. She graduated from Wiggins (Colo.) High School in 1952, from Central Business College in Denver, Colorado in 1953 and worked for the...
Barbara Jean Hill
May 5, 2026
Barbara Jean (Olson) Hill, 75, of Bayard, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Funeral services will be held at the Imperial Methodist Church on Saturday 10 am MT April 9, 2026 in Imperial, Nebraska. Interment to follow at Ash Hollow Cemetery outside of Lewellen, Nebraska at 3 pm MT.
Barbara was born on April 7,...
LeRoy Haarberg
May 4, 2026
LeRoy Haarberg of rural Wauneta, NE was born at home May 29th, 1933 and passed away at that same home on May 4th, 2026 at the age of 92. LeRoy had lived there all of his life except the 2 years that he served in the Army during the Korean War.
LeRoy was preceded in death by his wife Shirley of...
Eva Elizabeth Russell
May 2, 2026
Eva Russell, 80, lifelong resident of Benkelman, passed away May 2, 2026, at Wauneta Care and Therapy Center in Wauneta.
Eva was born July 19, 1945, at the Morehouse Hospital in Benkelman to Henry & Esther (Kuhlman) Krug. She grew up on a farm in northwest Kansas. She enjoyed the baby calves and dressing her cat in doll’s clothes to push...
William Edward Rowley
Apr 27, 2026
William Edward Rowley, also known as Bill, passed away on April 27, 2026, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Born on October 1, 1959, in Imperial, NE, Bill lived a life marked by dedication, craftsmanship, and an enduring love for his family.
Bill's early years were deeply rooted in Imperial, where he attended Chase County High School. There he played basketball, earning letters and...
Wilma Alberta Austin
Apr 25, 2026
Wilma Alberta Austin was born to Naomi and Walter Brown on December 5, 1939, in rural chase county, Nebraska. She passed away on April 25, 2026, at her residence. Wilma’s early education was in a one-room schoolhouse, attending District 35 and later District 14. She graduated from Chase County High School in 1957, where she was an active member of...
Judy Krutsinger
Apr 23, 2026
Judy Krutsinger, born on August 13, 1949, in Benkelman, Nebraska, to Clarence and Lillian (Phifer) Krutsinger passed away on April 23, 2026, in Imperial, Nebraska.
Judy was raised in Parks, where she attended school until she transferred to York, Nebraska where she completed her high school education. Following graduation, Judy relocated back to SW, Nebraska, where she met and eventually married...
Kelly Jay Rowley
Apr 16, 2026
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Kelly Jay Rowley on April 16, 2026. Kelly was truly one of a kind and will be missed by so many. He was well known for his unmatched wit and was one of the funniest people you could ever know. At the same time, he was the most dedicated...
Dale Duane Herman
Apr 14, 2026
Dale Duane Herman was born Sept. 20, 1929, in a rural home located south of McGrew, NE, in an area called Horseshoe Bend. He was the third of five children born to Irvin 0. and Mildred (Jessup) Herman. His two older siblings were Helen Mildred and Floyd Irvin. His younger brother and sister were Delmer James and Sylvia Lavon.
He attended...
Rita Ann Jones
Apr 13, 2026
Rita Ann Jones, born on May 11, 1957, at Moorehouse Hospital in Benkelman, NE, to Edwin and Betty (Nelson) Deyle, passed away on April 13, 2026, at the age of 68, in Benkelman.
Growing up on a farm in Cheyenne County, Kansas, Rita attended school in McDonald, graduating in 1975. She pursued her passion for healthcare, graduating from nursing school in...
Fred William Bessler
Apr 12, 2026
For those unable to attend in person, please join us remotely using the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/tXGonyjAGcc
On April 12, 2026, Fred William Bessler passed away at the Imperial Manor at the age of 82. He was born May 18th, 1943 to Felix and Nannie (Barton) Bessler in Powell Wyoming. Fred was the youngest of 9 children including 3 sisters and 5...
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Liewer Funeral Homes offers a collection of obituaries for Imperial, Wauneta, and Benkelman, NE. With services throughout Nebraska that are updated regularly. Find local Imperial, Wauneta, and Benkelman, Nebraska obituaries and join us in celebrating memories and honoring their lives and legacies.
