Obituaries Page II
Laverna R. Rickert
March 6 1934 - August 29 2023
Laverna R. Rickert, 89 formerly of Columbus Ne. Peacefully passed away into the arms of Jesus on August 29, 2023, at Southlake Village Rehabilitation and Care Center, Lincoln Ne.
The funeral sevice will be held at 10:30 am. on Saturday, Sept. 2nd, at Christ Lutheran Church in rural Columbus, with the Rev. Aaron Witt officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm. on Friday, Sept 1st at Gass Haney Funeral Home and will continue from 9:30 am. until service time on Saturday at the church. There will be a family prayer service at 10 am. on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church, School, Choir, or family's choice. The funeral service will be broadcast live on the Christ Lutheran Church and School-Columbus, Nebraska Facebook page.
laverna Ruth Rickert was born March 6, 1934, on the family farm in Platte County, to Richard and Frieda (Depe) Janssen, the seventh of nine childeren. She attended St. John's Lutheran Church (LCMS) and grade school where she was bapitzed and confirmed. She graduated from Kramer High School in 1951. Laverna was employed at Consumer Public Power District prior to her marriage. She was united in marriage to Marvin W. Rickert on September 4 1953, at St. Johm's Lutheran Church rural Columbus. They were blessed with years of marriage and three children. Laverna was a homemaker and together they established a farm in rural Leigh until 1986 when they moved to Columbus.
Laverna was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church where she was a member of Ladies Aid-LWML, Growth for Both and othere organizations. Her love for music showed as she sang in the Church choir and was a member of the consonaires women's singing group for many years. Other things she enjoyed were traveling, playing cards, flower gardening and playing competitive Hoseshoes with Marvin. She was an avid bowler and a Nebraksa Volleyball and football fan. She enjoyed babysitting granchildren and in later years, attending their music concerts and sporting events. She had a strong Christian faith and was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Family was her greatest joy!
Laverna is preceded in death by Husband Marvin Rickert 2010, parents Richard and Frieda (Depe) Janssen. Parents-in-laws William and Emma (Groteluschen) Rickert. Sisters and brother-in-law Annette (lavern) Mohlman, Lucia (Albert) Theilen and Esther (Milton) Dirks. Brothers and sister-in-law Elmer Janssen, Arnold (Norma) Janssen, and Norbert Janssen. Brother-in-law Paul Wagner.
Brthoer-in-law and sister-in-law Clarence (Erma) Rickert, Adolph (Ruth) Rickert, Greeley (Mary Jane) Rickert, Martin (Irene) Rickert, Viola (Herb) Piper, Vernetta Rickert.
She is survived by 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren
Harry "Bernie" Bernard Moran
August 17, 1927 - December 24, 2023
Harry Bernard (Bernie) Moran, 96 , of Columbus passed away December 24th 2023. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. on Friday at St. Isidore Catholic Church. Visitation is on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at St. Isidore Church with a 7:00 p.m. Vigil service to follow. Visitation continues on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment is in Columbus Cemetery with military honors by the Amercian Legion Hartman Post #84 Honor Guard.
Bernie was born August 17, 1927 in Lincoln Ne. to Harry Edward and Cecilia Marie (Griffin) Moran. He attended Wauneta and Palisade Ne. schools, graduating in 1947. He entered the U.S. Army in 1948 and served in Japan. After leaving the Army he earned his Bachelor's Degree from Kearney State Collage and his Master's Degree from Colorado State University. He was an educator for 60 years, teaching woodworking, shop and Industrial technology at Chester, Fairmont, Chappell and Columbus Junior High (later Columbus Middle School).
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On June 12, 1969 Bernie was married to Louise Winfield at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus. They were blessed with four children Patricia, Scott, Kristen and Erin and celebrated 54 years of marriage.
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Bernie was a coach of many sports including football, basketball, tennis and soccer. If he wasn't coaching for his children or grandchildren he was on the sidelines supportive of every game, concert or theater show they were in.
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Bernie continued to bowl and pitch horseshoes as long as he could. He had shelves of trophies and was a State Champion Horseshoe pitcher.
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Bernie was a member of the Nebraska Education Association for Retired Teachers, Knights of Columbus, a past president of the Eagles, VFW, and Amercian Legion.
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Bernie will be remembered for his patience, his sense of humor, his work ethic, his thoughtfulness and kind heart.
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Survivors include his wife, Louise: daughter Patricia (Scott) Engel of Columbus, son Scott (Jennifer) Moran of Lincoln, daughter: Kristen (Stuart) Gausman of Columbus, and daughter: Erin Brandl of Omaha
Grandchildren: Jordan Engel, Prestyn Engel, Issac Moran, Reagan Gausman, Riley Gausman and Wyatt Brandl. Sister in law Catherine Macy, brother in law Clarence Seamount and many nieces and nephews.
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Preceded in death by his parents: grandchildren Brooke Engel, Tylour Engel and Reece Gausman and siblings Frances Seamount, Donna Oliver and James Moran.
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Memorials can be directed to St. Isidore Catholic Church or the Columbus Public Schools Foundation.
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Donald E. McCance
September 25th 1937 - June 16th 2025
Donald E. McCance of Omaha, Nebraska passed away on Monday, June 16th, 2025, at the age of 87 with family at his side. Don was born to Charles and Elizabeth (Taylor) McCance on September 25th, 1937, in Cozad Nebraska. He was the youngest child of nine and grew up on a farm in Cozad. He graduated in 1956 from Cozad High School. Don was letterman of the high school varsity basketball team and track.
He married Orva A. Siemering on October 3, 1958, and they were together until her passing in January 1993. The couple make their home in Lexington where they raised two loving children, Kent and Karla. Don was the manager of Howell Lumber company and Big Valley Lumber prior to becoming a traveling building supply salesman (Gittings and Hardman Lumber). In Lexington, both he and Orva were active in the community and Grace Lutheran church. Don was on the board of Directors of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce from 1974-1978, and president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1976.
Don loved to fish, hunt and bowl, but his passion was competitive horseshoe pitching. He began competing at the age of 14 and was Nebraska state champion for 23 years as well as Nebraska Elder state champion for 2 years. Don still holds the title of most consecutive state titles (15 years). The Nebraska State Horseshoe Association (ENPHA) honored Don by retiring his membership card in April of 2011. His state trophies and memorabilia will be kept by the ENHPA Hall Of Fame.
Don had a big smile, loved to joke around and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. One of his favorite activities was to "throw some money over the wall" at the casino.
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Preceding him in death were his wife Orva, son Kent, Sisters Helen Potter, Verl Nicholson. Eva Richards, Brothers Edward, Lawrence, Harold, Earl, and Charley. He is survived by his daughter Karla McCance of Wendell, NC and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to recognize Suncrest Hospice and the staff at Ovations for their professional care and support. A heartfelt thanks goes to Mary Frost for the 5 years of companionship, care and support, she had provided to Don as his caregiver.
Interment at Greenwood Cemetery with a celebration of Life following is being planned for September 13th, 2025 at 10 am in Lexington Nebraska.