Rita Mae Tingelhoff Adams, 89, of Overton, Nebraska, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 4, 2018, in her sleep at her residence in Cozad with her daughter, Marietta, granddaughter, Randi Cook, and three of her great-grandchildren by her side. 

Rita was born August 31, 1928, on the Tingelhoff farm in rural Dawson County, Nebraska, to Henry A. and Clara (Ortmeier) Tingelhoff.

She was united in marriage to Billy C. Adams on June 10, 1953, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington. The couple traveled with the Air Force for several years, but made their home in Overton in 1970. Rita then babysat for many years loving all the little ones who grew up who called her Aunt Rita and even Grammie.

Rita and her family raised rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and ducks. She loved to garden and can, filling her shelves as well as her children’s with goodies. Besides canned goods she loved to bake and could make the best pies and cookies. When she sat down she loved to play cards, especially pinochle, cribbage, and pitch. She enjoyed embroidery and many a girl received a set of pillowcases for their high school graduation.

She followed all sorts of sports on TV being a big Nebraska Husker and Minnesota Viking fan. She resided in her home in rural Overton until she moved in 2013, to her daughter Norma’s house where she continued to be found rocking babies, cutting vegetables, folding laundry, studying spelling words, coloring pictures, or playing card games on her tablet.

Rita was a faithful member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington. She was a member of the Funeral Dinner Committee, and spent time collecting cakes and salads for funeral meals for many years.

She was a true angel on earth and will be so very missed by all who knew and loved her.

Rita is survived by her children; Marietta Adams of Henderson, Nebraska, Jolene Fischer of Cambridge, Nebraska, Norma (Gary) Yeutter of Cozad, Nebraska, Kellie (Brian) Anderson of North Platte, Nebraska, and Thomas Adams of Bellevue, Nebraska; nine grandchildren, Eric Fischer and (Michelle Doetker) and their children, Nick, Christina Aaliyah, and Hailea of Cambridge, Nebraska, Tyler Fischer of Grand Island, Nebraska, Brooke Fischer of Cambridge, Nebraska, Megan (Brad) Reed, of North Platte, Nebraska and their children, Kinlee and Brody, Clint Yeutter of Virginia, Randi (Justin) Cook and their children, Dakota, Carolyn, and Logan of Cozad, Nebraska; Myriah (Austin) Durner and their children, Montana, Monte, and Milee of Cozad, Nebraska, Chareese (Shawn) Daffer and their daughter Makenna of Indianola, Nebraska, Clarissa and Tim Hansen, of North Platte, Nebraska, Lew Marsolek and son Josiah of North Platte, Nebraska; sisters, Willie Campbell of Kentucky, Dorothy Bergstraesser of Smithfield, Nebraska, Dee (Jim) Saulsbury of Iowa, and brother, Mick (Phyllis) Tingelhoff of Minnesota; and sister-in-law, Kay Tingelhoff of Eustis, Nebraska, and Ellen Adams of Kansas.

Rita will also be missed by her numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and all the children she babysat through the years.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Adams; children, Connie, Joann, Marie Kathleen, Mary Elizabeth; her parents, Henry and Clara Ortmeier Tingelhoff; her brother, Lawrence Tingelhoff; brothers-in-law, Lyle Bergstraesser, Homer “Bud” Adams, James “Harold” Adams, Larry Adams, Kenny Brandenberg, John Dorner; and, sisters-in-law, Donna Brandenberg, Jeannette Dorner, and Carol Adams.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Reverend Jose Chavez celebrating.

Burial will be in the St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 8, 2018, from 5-7 p.m. with Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington.

Memorials are suggested to St. Ann’s Catholic Church or to the family for later designation.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.

• Maiden Name: Tingelhoff

Frank F. Boyd, 84, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died Tuesday, January 24th, 2012, at Gothenburg Memorial Hospital, Gothenburg. He was born June 7th, 1927, in Holbrook, Nebraska, to Fred and Agnes (Vantine) Boyd. Frank attended school at Curtis, Nebraska, until his family moved to Lexington, Nebraska. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1945. He was drafted on April 6th, 1946 and served his country in Japan in the occupation air force. He married Alice Heidebrink on November 9th, 1947. They lived in Lexington where Frank worked at the CO-OP until March 1st, 1949, when they moved to her family's farm north of Gothenburg. They lived there for 60 years until they moved into town to live at Stone Hearth Estates. 

Frank attended St. John's Lutheran Church then later the American Lutheran Church. Frank was confirmed in the first class in the new church. He took an active part in church. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign War. Frank and Alice enjoyed getting together with family and square dancing.     

Surviving are wife, Alice May Boyd of Gothenburg; four sons: Robert (Lisa) Boyd of Hastings, Nebraska, David (Cynthia) Boyd of Lexington, Nebraska, Thomas (Janet) Boyd of Overton, Nebraska, Douglas (Mimi Schneider) Boyd of Lincoln, Nebraska; grandchildren, Nichole (Erik) Wetjen, Leilani Boyd, Zachary Boyd, Sarah (Cesar) Hernandez, Matthew (Sara) Boyd, Shawn (Kendra) Boyd; 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Wilma Boyd of Kearney, Nebraska; along with nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.      

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim Boyd; brother-in-law, Westley Geiken; sisters-in-law, Vera Geiken and Mildred Jensen; and a great-grandson, Cain Hernandez.     

Frank deeded his remains to the Anatomical board humanitarian research division of Creighton Medical Center and UNMC.     

Memorial Services were held at the American Lutheran Church, Saturday, January 28th, 2012, at 3 p.m., with Pastor Matthew Groenke and Lonna Grabenstein PMA officiating.     

Memorials may be given to the American Lutheran Church, 1512 Avenue G, Gothenburg, NE 69138 or Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department, 602 Tenth Street, Gothenburg, NE 69138.     

To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com. Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel of Gothenburg was in charge of arrangements.

Belva Commins

Belva Marion Commins, 79, of Lexington, died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, at Tri-County Hospital in Lexington.Belva Marion Commins, 79, of Lexington, died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, at Tri-County Hospital in Lexington.

She requested to be cremated and have her ashes spread on the farm that she loved so much as were her husband's ashes. At her request, there was no service. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home of Lexington was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include two sons, Michael (Virginia) Commins of Lexington, and Scott Commins of Beatrice; a sister, Berenice Libal of Lexington; two grandchildren, David and Beth Commins of Lexington; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy; and three sisters, Ruth Qualley, Mary Downey and Luella Lueck.

Belva was born June 1, 1927, to Benjamin and Edna (Simmons) Velte. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1945, and from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a major in home economics and child development. She married Roy R. Commins on May 11, 1946, in Marysville, Kan. Following her graduation they moved to her parents' farm northwest of Lexington where she grew up, later inherited, and was her home until her death.

Belva was a member of the Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church, had been a member of the Women's Circle and for many years taught Sunday School and did the crafts for Vacation Bible School.

For many years she lead the rhythm band at District #59, and was a 4-H leader for the Happy Maids and Wonder Bugs 4-H clubs.

When she became unable to walk easily she spent her time cutting quilt blocks and making quilts. Belva gave away hundreds of quilts, lap robes, and baby quilts. Over 100 of her quilts were sent to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Quilts also went to the police and fire departments and Veteran's Home in Grand Island.

Memorials are suggested to Lexington Fire and Rescue Department, the Buffalo Grove Church or the Donor's Choice.

• Maiden Name: Velte

David Cranford

David D. Cranford, 89, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Thursday, May 5, 2016, at Plum Creek Healthcare Community in Lexington.

He was born October 31, 1926 in David City, Nebraska, to Earl and May (Tichacek) Cranford. He lived his early years in Linwood, Nebraska before moving with his family to Lexington, Nebraska in 1935. He graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1945.

David entered the United States Army during WWII on December 19, 1945, and after going to artillery school in Oklahoma and Kentucky, he was sent to Occupied Japan. After his honorable discharge on February 4, 1947, he began custom farming with his brother, Dick, in the Lexington area. They also did custom haying and had a combine and truck they took to Texas and back for the wheat harvest. In the early 1970’s he acquired his own farm and continued to farm until 1995 when he retired. He continued to live on the farm until the last few weeks when illness required him to enter primary care.

Dave enjoyed motorcycles and coin collecting as a young man and then enjoyed fishing later on in life. But, his true love was farming.

Dave is survived by two nieces, Denise Kearney and Dee Crozier, and three nephews, Dana Crawford, Morry DeLap, and Merrill DeLap.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and May Cranford; sisters, Fay DeLap and Phyllis Cranford, and his brother, Dick Cranford.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington with Reverend Polly Deppe-Williams officiating.

There will be no visitation.

Memorials are suggested to the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department.

Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery with Military Honors.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. To share online condolences with the family, please visit: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.