Obituaries

Bernard Thaddeus “Thad” Blodgett, 70, of Central City died on Friday, April 17, 2026 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha after a courageous battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, April 27, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.

Steven Ray Kelso, 62, of Central City, died on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Central City with Pastor Mark Hartley officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 23rd from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Burial of ashes will be held at a later date. The family requests that everyone who is a first responder or a student of one of Steve’s EMT classes to wear their uniform to the visitation or memorial service. They also request everyone else to wear casual or Husker attire.

Elva E. Wall, 104, of Aurora, died peacefully, November 27, 2025 at the Memorial Community Care Center in Aurora. Celebration of Life services will be 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at the Zion Lutheran Church, 1511 N Y Road, Hampton. with Reverend Mark Hannemann officiating. A reception will follow at the Bullet Venue, 104 Commerce Street, Hampton. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Higgins Funeral Home in Loup City is in charge of arrangements. Condolences for Elva’s family can be left at higginsfuneralhomelc. com.

The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | April 9, 2026 Robert H. “Bob” Hilder, 85, of Central City, died on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at his home in Central City.

Donna Sue Cooper, 83, of Central City, died Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at Litzenberg Long Term Care in Central City. Memorial services will be held Thursday, April 2, 2026 at First Christian Church in Central City at 11:00 a.m.

Dale Hanquist, 95, of Hordville, died on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at Litzenberg Long Term Care in Central City. Funeral services were held on Monday, March 23, 2026 at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home with Cory Lenners officiating. Visitation was held on Monday, March 23, 2026. Burial was at Lindale Cemetery near Hordville.

The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | March 19, 2026 Marty J. Miller, 85, of Lincoln, passed away March 3, 2026, surrounded by family.

The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | March 19, 2026 Christine Wait, 83, of Fullerton, died on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Grand Island Regional Hospital. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Cynthia Leigh Rutherford, known affectionately as Cindy, was a beacon of love, creativity, and compassion, whose light touched the hearts of many. Born on the 14th of May, 1957 in San Diego, California, Cynthia lived a life full of warmth and joy. Cynthia was a woman of faith, whose actions reflected her deep and unwavering belief in the teachings of Christianity. The prophet Isaiah wrote “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Though there were trials in Cindy’s life, she did not lose sight of the hope she had in Jesus.