Marlene was raised on the family farm south of Rulo. At the age of four she started first grade at District 91 better known as the “Y” school. She was proud of the fact that she recited the poem word for word “The Night Before Christmas” at the school Christmas program even before she started school. Marlene graduated Falls City High School in 1950.

One of thirteen children she helped her two older sisters hand milk the cows before and after school each day.  She was strong willed even as a child and found herself at the top of a tree where she could get away from her mother when she was in trouble and her mom would remind her she had to come down sometime. Mom had many stories she shared of her younger years.

Marlene worked at various businesses over the years including Fleskoski’s Food Basket, The Falls City Creamery, as a bookkeeper at Sur Gro Fertilizer, Falls City Pet Foods, Fortescue Elevator, and Novak Realty.

She was a member of Riverside Fellowship church in Rulo and through the years had taught Sunday school and church youth groups.  She was a Blue Bird – Campfire girl’s leader, served on the school PTA committees, was a softball coach for teenage girls, and was active in the American Legion and VFW auxiliaries, American Heart Association, Red Cross Blood Mobile and the Census. For several years she was the crew foreman for the girls detasseling corn crews bussed over into Missouri. Marlene was a lifetime member of the Falls City BPO DOES organization serving for seventy years in various offices locally as well as the Nebraska District and the Iowa Minnesota Nebraska East District. But of all her “jobs” her most important and dear to her heart was being mom and grandmother.

She is survived by her children Linda (Mark) Jilek of rural Rulo, Cathy O’Grady, Jerry (Nancy) McKim, and Karey Weaver all of Falls City and Nancy (John) Fischer of Hiawatha,  twenty-four grandchildren, fifty-one great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, siblings Louise Pfankuche, Kansas City, Mo, Marjorie Surman, Rulo, Ruth Lieneman, Robinson, Ben (Sandy) Bachman, Falls City, Wauneta (Jim) Catlett, Kansas City, MO, Bob Bachman, Rulo, Gary (Cindy) Bachman, Falls City and Rita (Steve) Johansen, Rulo, numerous nieces and nephews survive her. 

She was preceded in death by sisters Bernice Adams and Alice Crouch, brother Ronald Bachman, grandson, Aaron O’Grady, sons-in-law, Neal Frost and John O’Grady, grandson Kevin Driggers.

Her funeral services will be held on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home with Pastor David Showalter and Wauneta Catlett officiating. Interment will be in Rulo Cemetery.

The family will receive friends, Sunday, August 2, 2026 from 6-7:00 PM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home. Viewing will begin in the afternoon of August 1, 2026 at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home.

The family requests memorials be made to Family Choice in lieu of flowers.

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Rusty entered the Nebraska National Guard in 1978 and served in Falls City with Company B until 1983.

He married Tanya Windle February 28, 1986 at Salem.

Rusty was raised in Falls City and graduated from Falls City High School with the class of 1978. Following graduation, in addition to his service in the National Guard, he worked in various slaughter houses, Mickelberry’s, did logging and had a saw mill and drove a semi. He retired in 2020. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. He was a member of the Falls City Elks.

Rusty is survived by his wife, Tanya of Salem, children, Felicia Martin and her husband John of Salem, Orrin of Salem, father, Robert of Falls City, sister, Vickie Zeigler of Falls City, brother, Ryan of Lincoln and five grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his mother and a granddaughter, Brynn Martin.

Rusty has been cremated and a graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Steele Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday, from 6-7:00 PM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home.

The family requests memorials be made to family choice in lieu of flowers.

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Gary was born on May 2, 1943 in Falls City, NE to Paul and Venice Mick. He was a 1961 graduate of Falls City Senior High. After high school, Gary met the love of his life, Dorothy Pierce. The couple were married in Lincoln, NE on July 2, 1966. In 1971, Gary earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Gary worked as a civil engineer for the US Forest Service for 17 years. While in Alamogordo, New Mexico, he designed and built a family home for himself, Dottie and their two children, John born in 1970 and Sallie, born in 1975.

In 1988 Gary left the Forest Service for Lockheed Martin to work on the Space Shuttle program. He helped design an alternate landing site for the Space Shuttle program, located at the White Sands Missile Range. In 1995, after Lockheed lost the NASA contract, Gary and Dottie moved to Wisconsin where he worked as Director of Environmental Services for Milwaukee County.

Gary retired from Milwaukee County in 2007. They moved to Loveland, CO to be closer to their son John and his family. Gary and Dottie enjoyed travel in their retirement taking trips to Ireland, Spain, Russia and more. Motorcycles were a huge part of Gary’s life. Over the course of his life he rode, bought, sold and repaired too many motorcycles to count. He loved them!

Gary is survived by his wife, Dottie and their children, John (Jeanne) Mick of Fort Collins, CO; and Sallie (Matthew) Wild of Milwaukee, WI. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Paul and Ben Mick and Madeline Wild. And his sister Judith Nye of Florida.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Paul in 1987 and Venice in 2011; and his sister Linda Mick-O’Hara in 2006.

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   She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary (Howden) England. 

   She is survived by her husband Edwin Weaver, Lincoln, sister Debby England and nephews Tyson Meek and Kelly Meek. 

   She was a former Falls City Public school speech pathologist.

   Her body has been cremated by the Nebraska Cremation Society.  Her final resting place will be in Steele Cemetery, Falls City, after a private memorial service.

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Born in Verdon, NE, to Clyde and Vivian Burns on July 23, 1930, Dorothy was the oldest of eleven children. She moved to California in the early 1950s, where she married Walter Costa Sr. and built a life centered around family, and lifelong friendships. She made California her home, where she and her husband raised their family and created countless memories together. She had a gift for making people feel welcome, never met a stranger for long, and formed friendships that lasted decades. Her home was a place where family gathered, stories were shared, and everyone knew they belonged. 

She experienced life’s greatest joys and its deepest sorrows with remarkable strength. She outlived many of the people she loved, including friends, siblings, and even her beloved son. Through every season of life, she carried herself with quiet resilience, grace, and unwavering faith. Toots was the heart of her family. She found joy in simple moments, sharing meals, laughing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, celebrating holidays, and simply being together. 

Her warm smile, and loving nature left an impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her. In her final years, she was surrounded by extraordinary love and care. Those years became an unexpected gift, allowing her family to spend precious time with her, hear her stories and make new memories. It was time that not every family receives, and it will forever be treasured. 

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Vivian Burns; her beloved husband, Walter Costa Sr.; her son, Walter Costa Jr.; her brothers, Richard Burns, Ray Burns, Russel Burns and Ralph Burns; and her sisters, Joan Weber and Francis Burns. 

She is survived by her daughter, Marcia Hartigan; her daughter-in-law, Chris Costa; her granddaughters, Stephanie Brady (Gary Brady) and Shayla Romero (Mike Romero); her great-grandchildren, Kollin Herrera, Felipe Brady, Nevi Brady, Annie Brady, and Tytan Romero; her great-great-grandson, Jaxton Herrera; her brothers, Roland Burns, Roy Burns, and Thomas Burns and her sister, Carol Clark; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. 

A viewing, Rosary, and graveside service will be held on July 23, 2026, at Skylawn Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory in Half Moon Bay, California. The viewing will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by the Rosary and graveside service. There will also be a celebration of life in Utah on August 8, 2026. 

If you would like to honor Toots’ memory, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in her name. This was a cause that was close to her heart. 

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the hospice team, caregivers, friends, and everyone who offered prayers, kindness, and support during Toots’ final journey. Toots taught us that a life isn’t measured by wealth or accomplishments, but by the people we love, the memories we create, and the kindness we leave behind. Her legacy lives on in every story told around the dinner table, every family gathering, and every heart she touched. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

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He moved to Indianapolis and there he enlisted in the Air Force on June 1, 1966.  He served in Lincoln, Nebraska and Guam for four years earning a National Defense Service Medal, an AF Outstanding Unit Award and an AF Good Conduct Medal.  

Bill met and married Susan (Zimmerman) Chesnut and her two children, Timothy Dale and Angela Sue Chesnut on November 25, 1970, in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The couple added two more children to their family, William Robert “Robbie” and Christina Elizabeth Sipple. 

Bill was an over-the-road truck driver for over 35 years when health issues forced his retirement.  He drove over three million miles without a chargeable accident winning several awards. Bill then went to work for Sac & Fox Tribe driving people to appointments and other errands.  He retired from there in 2020.

Bill was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Mom Mom and Pop Pop McQueen and Frank and Priscilla (Williams) Sipple, his father Kermit and stepmother Jo Sipple, his mother Marjorie Sipple, and two sisters, Sharon Griffith and Sue DeKoker.

Bill is survived by his son Robbie Sipple and wife Amanda, their children, Kasen, Kamden, Kyler and Kemper Sipple of Falls City, daughter Christina Sipple, her children Derek Cook, Collin Cook, Mason Wurtele, and Noah Sipple, step children: Timothy Chesnut and wife Christi and their children, Jessica Hayes, Justin Chesnut, and Angela Quinn and her husband Shawn and her son Andy Dean, seven great-grandchildren, his brother Frank Sipple and wife Sharon, brothers-in-law Dale Griffith and Dave DeKoker, and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends

There will be no funeral services or visitation at this time.  A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to the family’s choice with a later designation.

Condolences can be shared online at www.hallfuneral.net

Services entrusted to Hall Funeral Home-2403 Harlan St-Falls City, Nebraska 68355 (402) 245-3131

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John passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital in Pawnee City, Nebraska having reached the earthly age of sixty-five years, nine months, and ten days.  He was preceded in death by his mother Carol (Kelly) Wilhelm and brother-in-law Rick Dettmann.

John is survived by his children: Lindsay Davis and husband Kevin of Falls City, Matthew John Wilhelm of Rulo, NE; Nicole Stuart of Humboldt, NE; Shelbie Wilhelm of Humboldt, NE; his father Jerry Wilhelm of Falls City, grandchildren: Tayler Rutland and husband Dylan of Falls City, Madisyn Davis and significant other Tyson Crosby of Falls City, Kacen Davis of Falls City, Kyler Stuart of Humboldt, NE; great-grandchildren: Julianne Crosby of Falls city, Sterling Rutland of Falls City, Tulsyn J. Rutland of Falls City, sisters: Julie Buss and husband Denny of Humboldt, NE; Joan Finner of Falls City, June Dettmann and friend Jim of Iowa, and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Services will be held at a later date with inurnment at the St. Mark’s Cemetery in rural Verdon, Nebraska.

Memorial contributions may be given to the family’s choice with a later designation.

Condolences can be shared online at www.wherrymortuary.com

Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-207 Nemaha St-Humboldt, NE 68376 (402) 862-2915

The post John Lee Wilhelm appeared first on THE FALLS CITY JOURNAL.

He married Betty (Feighner) Henry on November 4, 2017 at Barada, NE

Gerald was raised in the Barada area and graduated from Falls City High School in 1977. Following graduation, he worked various jobs and helped on the family farm until becoming employed by the Richardson County Department of Roads in 1990. He worked there until retiring in 2022 and then worked at Dollar Fresh until his health failed. He was a member of Barada Global Methodist Church and a long-time foster parent.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Betty of Falls City, children, Desiree McQueen and her husband Brandon of Hiawatha, KS, Cassandra Gaddis and special friend Joe of Topeka, KS, Shelby Kuker of Falls City, Eli and his wife Shelby of Falls City, step-children, Tom Lundsford and his wife Mary of Falls City, Alicia Henry and special friend Brandon of Falls City, brother, Rich and his wife Fran of Shubert, NE, sister, Pam Dungan and special friend George Dunlap of Falls City, twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Harris Cemetery with Pastor Mike Hader officiating.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 7-8:00 PM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home with cremation to follow.

Viewing will begin on Sunday afternoon at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home.

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Marilyn was born on November 3, 1939, in Auburn, Nebraska, the daughter of Floyd and Freda (Hall) Davison. She attended country school and later attended and graduated from Stella High School. After high school she attended Peru State College. On November 16, 1958, she was united in marriage to Thomas Urwin in Howe, Nebraska. In 1960, Tom and Marilyn, moved to Omaha. Marilyn was an active stay at home mom and also taught countless individuals piano lessons over the years. Tom, Marilyn and their family traveled extensively throughout the years. Tom and Marilyn had traveled to all 50 states and 12 different countries during their travels. Over the years, Marilyn was a dedicated community member helping those in need, including helping stroke victims with their recoveries and as an active volunteer for the Meals On Wheels program. She was never shy to enlist her family and instill in them a heart for community service. Marilyn was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Blair and served as the organist and pianist for many years playing for countless weddings and funerals. Marilyn enjoyed reading, attending book clubs and playing scrabble.

Marilyn is survived by her children: son Tim (Susan) and daughter Julia Urwin; grandchildren: Graham Urwin-Toll, Ayla Urwin-Toll (Seth Schlemmer); brother Marvin (Una Rose) Davison; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, her parents and son Jay Urwin.

Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Blair or The Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha, Nebraska.

Services by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair, NE.  www.campbellaman.com 

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He married Glenda (Zoucha) Fisher on February 24, 1970 at Falls City. She passed away January 22, 2003.

Paul served in the Kansas Nation Guard at Hiawatha.

Paul was raised in northeast Kansas and graduated from Highland High School in 1957. Following graduation, he started farming on the family farm with his father. When married the couple established their home in Rulo and he continued farming and farmed his entire life. Paul was a lover of dogs. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Nebraska Soybean Board and served on the Richardson County Rural Water District.

Paul is survived by a daughter, Paula Kaslon and her husband Curtis of Lincoln, step-daughter, Terri Fisher and her husband Gary Navis, step-son-in-law, Joe Dougherty both of Scottsdale, AZ, grandchildren, Shelley Huppert and her husband Korey, Jim and Mike Rhian, great-grandchildren, Kamdyn and Kreighton Huppert, special friend, Ruth Groothuis of Auburn. He was preceded in death his parents, wife, sister, Virginia Jeffers and her husband Bob, step-children, Mike Fisher and Phyllis Fisher

Mr. Benitz has been cremated and a graveside service will be held on October 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Steele Cemetery with Pastor Ken Humphrey officiating. Military graveside honors by Falls City Ceremonial Honor Guard.

No viewing, visitation or book to sign. Friends may leave cards and memorials at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home during regular business hours.

Memorials can be made to the Falls City American Legion or Christ Lutheran Church in Falls City.

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