Mick Bliven

Michael "Mick" Grant Bliven, 58, of Overton, died Friday, July 27, 2012 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney after a yearlong battle with cancer.

A Celebration of Life for Michael "Mick" G. Bliven will be conducted from the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at 11 a.m. with Lonnie Bliven officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Robb Cemetery in Gosper County.

There will be no visitation as the family is honoring his wish for cremation.

Mick was born Jan. 19, 1954 in Lexington, the third of seven children born to Alfred "Mike" and Mary (Stanford) Bliven.
Mick grew up in Lexington and Overton and graduated from Lexington Senior High School with the class of 1972.
Mick owned and operated Bliven Construction Company of Lexington with his brother, Lonnie for many years. He loved life and being outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and special gatherings of friends and family. In 1979 he initiated and organized his grandmother, Margaret Faith Hughbanks' annual family reunions that continue today. Mick was a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend to all, taking special care to watch over those whom he loved. He provided special attention to his mother-in-law, Mabel M. Bye. Mick loved following his University of Nebraska Cornhuskers sporting events, especially football and attended games whenever possible.

Mick is survived by his wife, Lois Bliven of Overton; his step-son, Brian Robinson of Overton; four brothers, Lonnie Bliven of Lexington, Ed (Denise) Bliven of Jacksonville, Ore., Tom Bliven of Overton, Don Bliven of Lexington; two sisters, Mary Ford of Kennedale, Texas, Pat (David) Pierce of Bertrand; mother-in-law, Mabel M. Bye of Overton; three brothers-in-law, Roy (Sue) Bye of Grand Island, Dale (Janet) Bye of Lexington, Melvin (Darla) Bye of Overton; 10 nephews, Matt, Mike, Chris, Jason, Justin, Thomas, Nathan, Eric, Derek and Dustin and their families; six nieces, Jeannie, Seri, Tara, Chelle, Robin and Maggie and their families as well as numerous great nieces and great nephews, two surviving aunts, Jeanne Gibson and June Rickers, multiple cousins, family members and friends. Special friends include Donna Wilson of Overton, Don Hennek of Lexington and Millie Nicks of Denver, Colo.

Mick was preceded in death by his grandparents; his father in 1995; his mother in 1998; father-in-law, Cecil H. Bye in 1996 and several aunts and uncles.

Memorials are suggested to the Overton Volunteer Fire Department or to the family to be designated at a later date.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.

Carolyn Jean Boyd

Born March 25, 1954, in Lexington, NE to James Eugene Boyd and Wilma Vernell (Shuler) Boyd. She is survived by her brother John and Carrie Boyd of Stilwell, KS, sister-in-law Mary Boyd of Pauls Valley, OK, nephew Jesse Boyd and Sierra Littrell of Scottsdale, AZ, niece Kristina and Chad Weaver, great niece Hadleigh Weaver and great nephew Brecken Weaver of Stilwell, KS plus many cousins and friends.

Her family knew her as “Jeanne”, she attended Morton Elementary School, Lexington Jr. High and graduated in 1972 from Lexington High School.  While growing up on the family farm outside of Lexington, she learned how to work alongside her two brothers, especially during the summer irrigating corn, showing sheep, and she participated in sewing competitions at the local Dawson County 4H shows.  She had to learn at a young age to fend for herself being the only female among two brothers and four male cousins. She was also involved in Girl Scouts and actively involved in her church youth group and summer church camps. She was baptized at the Lexington Christian Church at a young age, from that time forward she was a true Christian serving the Lord. She went on and attended Platte Valley Bible College in Scottsbluff, NE and graduated in 1978 with a BS in Christian Education. During the summers during her college years, she was the camp cook at Colorado Christian Service Camp in Fairplay, CO. She continued her education at Ft. Hayes State in Hays, KS and received her master’s degree in elementary education in 1979.

She started her teaching career teaching children at a day care at Gering Christian Church, Gering NE, then moving to Casper WY to Paradise Valley Christian Church and School from 1979 to 2022 when she finally retired. She was very instrumental in starting the Paradise Valley Christian School being the school administrator, teacher, counselor and whatever needed to be done. Her passion was teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone around her. She touched so many lives just like her parents did during there life on earth. The last several years she was really involved in the “TOPS” program in the Casper area where she had many friends.

Jeanne was a fighter, she had been fighting many health issue in her later years, but COVID was the final factor that took her to see the Lord.

There will be a “Celebration of Life” at the Paradise Valley Christian Church, Casper, WY at 10:00 am on Friday, April 29, 2022, and a Inurnment on Monday, May 2^, 2022 at the Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington, NE at 11 am.

Jeanne would like all donations to be given to Paradise Valley Christian School, Casper WY.

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

Barbara Walston Burk

Barbara Jo Burk, age 64 of Elwood, died Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska.

Celebration of Life was held Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Mae Bee's in Elwood.

She was born on December 26, 1953 at Omaha. She was raised by Dale and Virginia (Leonard) Walston.

She was raised at Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School with the Class of 1972. Barb lived several years in Arizona before returning to Nebraska to care for her aging parents. She was married and had one daughter, Brandi. She worked at various places cooking and bartending. She would marry a second time and to this union were born three daughters: Jami, Linsey, and Charli. She found the love of her life in Don Smith and they moved to Elwood in 2006 to help take care of her parents. She loved spending time with friends, grandchildren and shopping.

She is survived by her partner in life, Donald Smith of Elwood, daughters Brandi Riese of Omaha; Jami Burk (Ryan Brizgis) of Tomball, Texas; Linsey (Adam) Newbrey of Ansley; Charli (Mitchell) Hedlund of Kearney; 12 grandchildren (6 boys and 6 girls) and longtime business partner and friend Larry Lammers.

She is preceded in death by her parents and son, Dennis Burk. Elwood Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.

• Maiden Name: Walston

Scott Commins

Scott R. Commins, 54, of Beatrice, died Oct. 2, 2008 in Lincoln. His ashes will be scattered in a private ceremony on the farm where he grew up.
He is survived by his brother Michael (Virginia) Commins of Lexington; nephew David Commins of Lexington and niece Elisabeth Commins of Norfolk.
Scott was born in Lexington to Roy and Belva (Velte) Commins. He graduated from Lexington High School, received a masters in education from Kearney State College, a bachelors of sacred music from Gulf Coast College and a masters of religion from Watner Pacific College.
He taught school in Thedford and Brady before turning to his second calling, pastoring in churches in Gothenburg, North Platte and Beatrice.
Memorials are suggested to Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church or to the donor's choice.
Lincoln Memorial Funeral home is in charge of the arrangements.