Fred loved his family and enjoyed seeing his children and grandsons. He had a calm demeanor, and was a good listener, which made him the rock for his family. He loved sports and throughout the years he participated in many.  He was a phenomenal softball player. Golf became his favorite sport, and he played often with his buddies.

Fred’s strong suit was his work ethic. He was employed at Safeway, Mid-Continent bottlers, and finally K and Z Distributing. It was his favorite job for 30 years.

During his last months of life, Fred received incredible care, support and love from many family members, friends and the Tabitha Hospice Team.

Fred is survived by his loving family, wife of 48 years, Joni Cather ; Parents, Jim and Peggy Cather; children Joshua (Jennifer) Cather, Amanda Cather, Aaron (Jen) Cather; brother, Ed (Tammy) Cather; sister, Melina (Randy) Jones; and grandchildren, Jayden, Jace, and Jake.

Services will be held on May 11, 2026, at 1 P.M., at Wyuka Funeral Home, 3600 O street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

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Mavis Lyn Fletcher, 100, passed away on April 15, 2026 in Omaha, Nebraska. She was born in Jamaica, West Indies.

Mavis will be remembered as a kind hearted, God fearing woman, who put her family first. From humble beginnings, she attended and graduated from West Indies College (Northern Caribbean University) in Mandeville, Jamaica. With her husband of over 50 years, she moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1963 to attend Union College (Union Adventist University), graduating with a degree in English. Her teaching career which started with the Omaha Public School system included time in elementary, high school and college education, in Nebraska, Maryland, California, and Jamaica.

Mavis converted to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, leading her to attend West Indies College where she met Joseph Emanuel Fletcher.  Her favorite hobby was sewing and she became an accomplished seamstress. Though she became a United States citizen she was proud of her Jamaican heritage and remained in contact with her extended Jamaican family. She had a special bond with her two grandchildren, Mackenzie and Easton.

Mavis is survived by son, Garth (Carol) Fletcher; grandchildren, Mackenzie and Easton; and numerous extended family members.

Mavis was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Fletcher; sons, Franz Fletcher and Wayne Fletcher; daughter, Judy Fletcher.

A private family service will be held at College View Cemetery.

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Darlene Mora was born on January 2, 1944, in Beatrice, Nebraska. She grew up in Blue Springs and Wymore, and later made her home in Lincoln, where she spent most of her life. She passed away on April 24, 2026.

Darlene was a devoted wife to Jon Mora, a loving mother to Brad (Jennifer) Runge and Brian Runge, and a proud grandmother to Kailee Runge and Kiersten Runge.

She found joy in spending time with her family, especially watching movies and playing games together. She also loved staying connected with her granddaughters through text messages, something she enjoyed.

Darlene had a deep love for animals, especially her cats, who were an important part of her life. She also enjoyed watching birds and tending to her flower garden, appreciating the quiet beauty of the world around her.

She was kind and caring, always willing to help friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William “Bill” Agena and Tillie Agena (Buhr), and her sister, Evelyn Starnes.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Wyuka Funeral Home, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln.

For those who wish to honor Darlene’s memory, donations may be made in her name to The Cat House HERE.

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Born on June 13, 1931, in Milligan, Nebraska, Virgie was the daughter of Emil and Tonie Havel. She grew up in Milligan and graduated from Milligan High School in 1948. On January 23, 1954, she married Bill Smith, and together they shared 59 wonderful years of marriage.

Virgie was known for touching the lives of everyone around her with her sweet, generous, honest, and genuine spirit. She had a deep love for cooking and took great joy in making sure everyone was well fed; always with plenty of extra to take home. She cherished time spent with her grandchildren, especially attending their sporting events. She also enjoyed her weekly bowling leagues with close friends and faithfully followed the Huskers, the Saltdogs, and the Kansas City Royals.
To those who knew her, Virgie will be remembered for her spirited “spitfire” attitude, her love of music, and her familiar evening declaration: “The kitchen is closed—but there’s always ice cream!”

Virgie is survived by her daughter, Barb (Mike) Honerman of North Platte; daughter-in-law, Jane Smith of Lincoln; and son-in-law, Dr. Brad (Laura) Lockee of Pierce. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Ryan (Jocelyn), Reed (Corinna), Kyle (Sara), Scott (Katie), Stacy (Tyler), Matt (Tanya), Brian, Amy (Collin), Brent, Aaron, Jake, and Katie; her great-grandchildren: Aiden, Ethan, Luke, Leo, Addison, Jack, Wyatt, Benny, Leon, Vivian, Savannah, and Ryker, as well as nieces, Pat Hoffschneider and Norene Kidder; and nephews, Larry Michl, Gary and Richard Havel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Tonie; siblings, Emil, Don, Irma, and Sr. Frances Ann; husband, Bill; daughter, Sue Lockee; and son, Gene Smith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 7601 Vine Street, with a rosary preceding the Mass. Father Lyle Johnson will officiate. Interment will follow at Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Wyuka Funeral Home, 3600 “O” St, Lincoln.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Catholic Social Services or to the family for later designation.

Virgie’s family extends their gratitude to all her friends and long-time neighbors for their love and support over the years.

Livestream for Virgie’s service is available here: https://youtube.com/live/xjhHJqLFurY?feature=share

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With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce the passing of Michael Ethridge, known fondly to all as “Ethridge” or “Big E.” Michael stepped into eternity on April 15, 2026, just days after celebrating his 64th birthday.

To know Michael was to know a man of rare charisma and infectious joy. In his formative years, his handsome features and effortless charm made him a popular figure, capturing hearts and making friends wherever he went. He carried that magnetic energy throughout his life, becoming a pillar of his community—a man who worked hard, laughed loudly, and loved even harder.

Michael was a straight-shooter in the truest sense. He valued honesty above all else and never pulled a punch; he spoke his mind with a frankness that was as refreshing as it was sincere. Yet, behind that straightforward exterior was a heart of pure gold.

An avid fisherman, Michael found his greatest peace on the water. He was a master of the craft, famously known for bringing home the biggest crappie fish in the lake. But true to his nature, he never kept his success to himself—he was a kind and generous soul who didn’t mind sharing his catch or his time with anyone in need.

He leaves behind a legacy of integrity and laughter that will be missed more than words can express. He is survived by his devoted sister, Shelly Ethridge, and his beloved nephew, Josh Glover, who both loved him dearly.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the outpouring of condolences and love during this incredibly difficult time. Michael’s absence is felt deeply by his family, his friends, and the community he helped build, but his spirit will remain alive in every sunset over the water and every honest conversation we share.

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Ben, or Papa, as he was known to his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will be remembered for many things, including his taste for chocolate-covered peanut clusters, circus peanuts, and KFC, his love of reading and history, his distaste for card games, and especially for the seemingly endless amount of stories that he collected over his 94 years of life and relished telling to anyone who would listen.

Ben and Ruth were involved in the Lutheran church throughout their marriage, including Christ Lincoln for over thirty years. Ben was also active as a veteran, visiting elementary schools to speak and attending numerous Korean War reunions. He was fiercely proud of his service in both the military and law enforcement. Outside of his family, Ben recalled that some of his most satisfying moments included seeing the faces of the South Korean soldiers and civilians after their liberation and hearing their continued thankfulness when they spoke to him and other veterans at Korean War reunions, as well as witnessing the look on the faces of families who were able to experience closure after he obtained criminal confessions. Ben had a heart for serving others, as well as a strong love for his country, his family, and his God.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Anna Maaske; parents-in-law, Ralph and Elsie Holmquist; brothers, Delmar (Alice), Eldred (Darlene), and Darrel (Faye) Maaske; infant sister, Grace Maaske; brothers-in-law, David High, Merwyn Jones, and Bruce and Howard Holmquist; sister-in-law, Linda Maaske; and great-granddaughter, Leonie Palacios.

He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Ruth Maaske of Lincoln; children, Sherry Koenigsman and Kevin (Jackie) Maaske, both of Lincoln, and Krista (Myron) Drent of Indianapolis, IN; 8 grandchildren, Carissa (Brandon) Levering of Cedar Rapids, IA, Kaitlyn (Noe) Palacios of Miami, FL, Kelsey (Sean) Brozek of Gretna, NE, Jessica (Richie) Turner of Bennington, NE, Brent (Svenja) Koenigsman of Lincoln, NE, Adam (Denise) Drent of Riverside, CA, Ethan (Hannah) Drent, and Lindsey (Bennett) Wilson, both of Indianapolis, IN; twenty-one great-grandchildren, Joshua, Moriah, Eva, and Chloe Levering, Fiore and Milan Palacios, Adelaide, Elliott, Afton, Edith, Agnes, and Esther Brozek, Knox and Isla Turner, Isabel and Lincoln Drent, Declan, Darcy, Rosalie, and Ryan Drent, and Magdalena Wilson; two brothers Roland (Virlyn) and Wayne Maaske; two sisters, Margaret High and Mildred Jones; and sisters-in-law, Donna and Shari Holmquist, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Ben was very loved and his family confidently looks forward to seeing him again in the hope of the resurrection.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Christ Lincoln, 4325 Sumner St, Lincoln. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the family for further designation.

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She was born December 20, 1949, in Lincoln, NE, the daughter of Betty Jane (Kingery) Hales and Harvey James Hales, who preceded her in death.

Denise worked as an LPN. In 1991 she helped found the volunteer music therapy program at St. Elizabeth where she played her folk harp for oncology patients. She also volunteered with Heartland Hospice and played for patients in other hospitals. “Music reaches a person in ways words can’t. You’re being welcomed into private moments in peoples’ lives. It’s a privilege.”

Denise loved flowers and had an expansive garden. She had a special fondness for her heirloom roses and iris.

Her family became active with the Children’s Zoo in 1965, and Denise continued this involvement through support for new exhibits and animals for the enjoyment of the larger community.

Denise is survived by her husband, Ed Mundorf; her sister, Cherie Hales; and niece, Katya Hales.

Condolences and remembrances can be sent to Wyuka Funeral Home and Cemetery.

We are deeply grateful to the staff at Pemberly Memory Care, Hospice of Nebraska and Lymphatic Rehab for the kind and respectful care they provided.

Memorials can be made to the Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association HERE or the Lincoln Children’s Zoo HERE.

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NOTICE AND AGENDA OF MONTHLY MEETING WYUKA BOARD OF TRUSTEES April 23 2026

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He grew up in Touhy, NE, and married Karen Cihal in 1976. Soon after, they relocated to Lincoln, NE, where they raised two sons. He worked for BNSF Railroad for more than 40 years. While Mick wasn’t one to seek the spotlight, his humor, easy-going nature, and quiet way of bringing things to life put him at the heart of memories with family and friends. During his time in Touhy, he created a golf event throughout the town called the Arnold Piippo Memorial Golf Tournament.

Mick was actively involved in the lives of his family, oftentimes working alongside his sons on house projects or attending his grandchildren’s activities. He enjoyed horse racing and golf. For many years, Mick also enjoyed antiquing.

Mick is survived by his wife Karen; two sons Timothy (Andrea) and Eric (Katie); brother Dave Ohnoutka; sister Linda (Stanley) Berlowitz; brother-in-law Steve Spradling; grandchildren Olivia and Carter; grand-dogs Zoey and Belle; and many nieces and nephews among other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Diane Spradling.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family or donations made to the Hope Fund for Lymphoma and Leukemia Research with the University of Nebraska Foundation. HERE

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Thousands of Recycled Silk Flowers, with a Donation to our “Littlest Angels Project” We Completely Restock Every day.

1909 Historic Stables at Wyuka Historic Cemetery, 3600 O Street, Lincoln, NE

WE ARE OPENING WYUKA STABLES again for the “LITTLEST ANGELS PROJECT”.

TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION.  Cash or Check to the Wyuka Historical Foundation.

Thousands of recycled artificial flowers. All colors. Look like new. Several rooms are full for your choice. Use for Holidays, Memorial Day, Weddings, Graduations, and Crafts. Come take your pick.

WE RESTOCK EVERY DAY! We have thousands of flowers.

Save the Dates:

Thursday, May 7^th from 12 PM to 6 PM., Friday, May 8th from 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturday, May 9^th from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Wyuka Historical Foundation’s “Littlest Angels Project”.

There are over 2850 babies and young children buried before 1920. We have recently added other children through 1972.  They have no markers of any kind. Just a stamped number. We are buying gravestones for each to be placed with the name of the child.

Reason cleanup is necessary. It is for the Safety of visitors and mowing crew during the mowing season.

All the flowers that are placed on the graves of loved ones must be removed the following week after Interments, Memorial Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day, except for the flowers that fit in the permanent vases fastened to the Headstones. We put as many flowers in the permanent vases as they can hold.

The pickup volunteers are trained in what needs to be picked up and what can stay. We would love to have you volunteer to help us pick up flowers after Memorial Day and then again help clean them in the spring for the annual sale.

Tax deductible gift, write check to Wyuka Historical Foundation.  In the memo area please write Angels

Mail check to 3600 O St, Lincoln NE 68510

Call or Text Faye Osborn to help with this project, Cell: 402-525-6765, Email: fmo@extras.net

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