Articles

Bruce J. Johannsen, age 65, of Bayard, Nebraska, passed away in Scottsbluff on Friday, December 16, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Bayard Church of Christ in Bayard, with Pastor Bill Ferrero officiating. The family requests casual/ sports attire to be worn. Inurnment will be at the Angora Cemetery with a reception to follow at the Angora Community Hall.

The Bridgeport boys golf team put its home-course advantage to good use in capturing the D-5 district title on Monday at Court House and Jail Rock Golf Course.

Geneva June Bowers, 88, of Bayard, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at the Morrill County Community Hospital in Bridgeport. Cremation has taken place and private family services will be held.

Ronald “Ron” Myers, 81, of Bridgeport, Nebraska, passed away peacefully at his home Monday, May 15, 2023. His Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Starr Street Diner in Broadwater with a reception following. Military honors will be provided by the Nebraska Army National Guard and American Legion Post 29 Sons of the Legion. A private family inurnment will be at the Mitchell Cemetery later. Memorials may be given to the family to be designated at a later time in care of 3201 Avenue B, Scottsbluff, NE, 69361. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com for the Myers family. A full obituary will be in next week’s paper.

Robert “Bob” E. Sterkel, 87, passed away May 8, 2023, at his home in Gering, Nebraska, after struggling for many years with Alzheimer’s. Bob was born on July 15, 1935, in Minatare, NE, to Conrad Sterkel, Jr. and Anna (Schnell) Sterkel. At his request, cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at a later date at the Alliance Veteran’s Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association or Faith Lutheran Church. Fond memories and messages of sympathy may be left at www.geringchapel.com.

Joe Blanco, Sr., was born in 1923 in Craig, California, to Heraldo Blanco and Andrea Rojas Blanco. In 1930 they migrated to Nebraska since his father had passed away when Joe was between the ages of 6 and 7. His mother had 9 children.They lived on the farm and labored as crop workers there. It was hard labor since all harvesting was done by hand, and it was part of what made him so tough, hang tuff as they called him. He started going to school at about 7 years old and then, at 10, his parents pulled him out to work in the fields. By 19 he was head of the household, supporting his mother and siblings.

Charlene Jane Eskam, 84, of Gering, Nebraska, passed away on Friday, May 12, 2023, at Heritage Estates in Gering with her loving family surrounding her. Her funeral service was held Wednesday, May 17, at Emmanuel Congregational Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Garry Schick officiating. Interment followed at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. It is respectfully requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials in Charlene’s honor be made in care of the church or to 11:13 Ministries for God’s Grace Mobile Meals. Online condolences may be made by viewing Charlene’s memorial page at www. bridgmanfuneralhome.com.

Sanda K.Weitzel, 75, of St.

Our great state of Nebraska is home to a number of American military assets, including Offutt Air Force Base and nuclear missile silos. We are proud of our role in the national defense— although the sensitive areas in our state can make us a target at times.

State budget drags forward