Obituaries

James W. (Jim) Secord, age 79, passed away at his home in Syracuse, NE on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. On November 2, 1942, Jim was born in Nebraska City, NE to his loving parents William J. Secord and Lois M. (Hoback) Secord. He attended school and graduated from Nebraska City High School with the class of 1961. After high school, he joined the Army National Guard and served for six years. On September 2, 2000, he married his wife Tammy, and they were blessed to share nearly 22 years together. They enjoyed traveling throughout the country and spending time with loved ones.

Delores Cavner, 84, Hamburg, IA passed on Thurs. Feb. 24, 2022 at the Ambassador in Sidney, IA. Irma Delores Cavner was born on February 22, 1938 in Topeka, KS; the daughter of Howard and Lucille (Archer) Huntley. On August 3, 1954 she was united in marriage to William Cavner.

Cora Elizabeth Murphy, daughter of Archie V. and Etta Mae (Horner) Smith was born on October 4th, 1946, in Nebraska City, NE. Cora passed away on February 26th, 2022, at CHI Immanuel Hospital in Omaha, NE at the age of 75. She got her high school degree in Nebraska City followed by receiving her certified nurses aid certificate. She worked as a CNA until her retirement years.

Emiko Page, age 79 of Union died February 21, 2022 at the Bellevue Medical Center in Bellevue. Emiko was born April 25, 1942 in Japan and married Geoffrey B. Page May 7, 1970 in Tokyo, Japan. She lived in Japan and Washington, D.C. before moving to Union 41 years ago and she became a United States Citizen in 2004. Emiko had a child day care service in her home and cared for many children in the Union area. She loved collecting Precious Moments figurines, cooking, gardening, flowers, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Raymond “Tom” B. Royal, 95 of Syracuse, passed away on February 20, 2022, at the Syracuse Good Samaritan Center. He was born on March 2, 1926, to Herman & Elizabeth (Kempkes) Royal near Palmyra. On August 14, 1947, he married Marion Whitehead at St. Paulinus Catholic Church. Tom was a lifelong farmer in Otoe county, which brought him immense joy.

Betty J. Aksamit, age 89 of Nebraska City, NE passed away on Friday, February 11, 2022 at the Ambassador in Nebr.

Patricia “Pat” Ann Wehling, age 82 of Nebraska City passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at Bryan East Medical Center in Lincoln, NE. Patricia was born on June 9, 1939, in Le Mars, IA; the daughter of Rowland and Florence (Hill) Heimerdinger.

Kenneth Eugene “Kork” Wurtele, age 94 of Nebraska City died February 11, 2022 at The Ambassador in Nebraska City. Kork was born July 4, 1927 near Nebraska City, the son of Georg Otto and Anna Margaretha (Bohlen) Wurtele. He attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Nebraska City High School class of 1944. He worked on the family dairy farm and with their Custom Wheat Harvest crew in No. & So. Dakotas, Montana, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. He married Helen Jean McKenzie August 29, 1948 in Nebraska City. Kork lived in Nebraska City his entire life. He was also part of Wurtele Implement and Wurtele Brothers Truck Stop. He left the family businesses and became owner operator of Wurtele Construction Co completing many soil conservation projects and was a partner in development of Lake WaConDa. After the construction business, he entered the food service business, owning and operating KFC and Godfather’s Pizza. Working was his hobby and he never retired. He owned and operated farms in Nebraska and Iowa, marketing his grain until January of 2022. Kork was a member of Bethel Church. He was past Exalted Ruler of Nebraska City Elks Lodge No. 1049. He was a retired member of the Nebraska City Vol. Fire Department and was a member of and F.O.E. Aerie No. 968. He was a member of the ‘One Acre Club’ at Otoe County Gun Club. He never did a thing to create a legacy, he did that thing because it made sense and was the right thing to do. He trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He will be greatly missed by his family and most keenly by his loving wife of 73 years. Survivors include his wife, Helen of Nebraska City; children, Roxanne (Steve) Adkins of Hamburg, IA and Rickey (Rebecca) Wurtele of Fort Worth, TX; daughter in law, Nancy Wurtele of Nebraska City; sister in law, Berniece Bonebrake of Nebraska City; grandchildren, Gregory (Sandra) Wurtele, Eric (Sally) Wurtele, Christopher (Kerri) Golden, Lindsey (Webster) Farris, Clayton (Ashlie) Wurtele, Aaron Wurtele, Christopher (Christina) Adkins and Joel (Tiffany) Adkins; many great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Eugene; brothers, John, Walt, Mark, Chris, Arnold, and sister, Marie Klingsick.