February 2023

GERALD A. ‘JERRY’ THOMS

Gerald Allen Thoms was born April 20, 1932 near Elmwood, NE; the son of Carl and Rosa (Meyer) Thoms. He graduated from Elmwood High School in 1949. Gerald was united in marriage to Donna Rae Callaway on April 25, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lincoln, NE and to this union four children were born: Terrance, Sandra, Laura and Jeffrey. They shared 68 years of their lives together before Donna’s passing on November 22, 2021. Jerry and Donna lived and farmed near Weeping Water, Avoca and Nehawka. They managed Thoms Feed and Fertilizer and a Propane Business for 26 years. Survived by children: Terry Thoms - Avoca, Sandra Bjorkman (Tye) of Edgewood, NM, Laura Grundman (Jim) - Talmage and Jeff Thoms (Lyndi) - Syracuse; nine grandchildren: Rebecca Hutton, Russell Thoms (Leah), Matthew Hoselton, Ryan Hoselton (Jaclyn), Jaclyn Kreifels (Jason), Rachel Sparks (Derek), Cami Bergman (Seth), Abbey Keim (Tim), Jamie Juilfs (Zach), 20 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law; other family and friends. Gerald A. Thoms passed away on Feb. 10, 2023 at Morton Place in Nebr. City. Funeral Mass - Monday; Feb. 20, 2023 at 11 a.m. - St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nebr City. Family Visitation - Sunday(2/19) 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a Prayer Service/Rosary at 7 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the Thoms family for future designation. Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.gudefuneralhomes. com.

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ROSALIE ROESCH

With great sadness we must announce the passing of Rosalie “Lee” Roesch of McFall, MO. It is heartbreaking that after a long life of being such an eclectic and passionate woman that the curse of cancer ended her story on January 24th, 2023.

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Nebraska State Patrol News

Omaha man arrested after hitting NSP patrol unit Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Omaha Police Department, arrested an Omaha man on Feb. 11 following a pursuit, during which the suspect struck a trooper’s patrol unit.

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Arbor Day Foundation sees increase in community tree planting in 2022

In a year in which the Arbor Day Foundation announced a focus on more of its community tree plantings in neighborhoods of greatest need, year-end data showed it completed 535 community tree planting projects — more than any year in its history. “This record-breaking year is a testament to the unmatched network of tree-planting partners we have throughout the United States and around the world. Thanks to these dynamic local organizations, the Arbor Day Foundation is constantly expanding our impact to redefine what a tree can be for our communities,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We’re energized not just by the number of trees planted in 2022, but by our focus on getting those trees planted in the communities that stand to benefit from them most.” The community tree plantings resulted in more than 500,000 new trees finding homes in urban areas — more than 270,000 trees were distributed and another 245,000 trees were planted. The work spanned across approximately 175 cities in all 50 states and 16 other countries, including Mexico, Malaysia and Guatemala. The Arbor Day Foundation’s work in communities will have a focus in future years on planting trees where they are needed most as it continues to build on its growing momentum in 2023. It has committed to planting 500 million new trees in five years with a focus in neighborhoods of greatest need.

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