Genoa Leader Times

07/13/2025

07/10/2025

UPDATE
July 11, 2025

The Deseased victim was identified as 15 year old, Adrian E Harlow of Central City.

Thoughts and prayers for the family and friends at this time

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2025

Drowning Incident at Power House Park in Fullerton

Fullerton, NE – The Nance County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Fullerton Volunteer Fire Department and Fullerton Volunteer Rescue Squad, responded to a reported drowning on Thursday afternoon at Power House Park in Fullerton.

According to witness reports, two teenagers were swimming in the Cedar River near the low head dam when one of them, a 15-year-old female, was swept underwater by the strong current.

First responders located the victim caught in the turbulent waters downstream of the dam. Lifesaving efforts, including CPR, were immediately initiated at the scene. The victim was then transported by ambulance to Merrick County Medical Center, where she was later pronounced deceased.

In accordance with department policy, the identity of the victim will not be released for at least 24 hours.

Sheriff Bakewell and the Nance County Sheriff’s Office extend their deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. Sheriff Bakewell also commended the coordinated efforts and professionalism of all first responders involved in this tragic incident

07/10/2025

PRESS RELEASE

GENOA, NE --On the night of July 4th, 2025, a homemade explosive was detonated in the 400 block of Willard Ave. in Genoa. Flying shrapnel from the explosion caused damage to the store fronts of two businesses on the north side of Willard Ave. At one business a large piece of flying debris shot through the front window, through a piece of wood furniture and struck a point-of-sale computer inside the business. This is an ongoing investigation and the Nance County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to identify the person or persons responsible for the damage to these small businesses. If you have any information, pictures, videos, or other evidence that can assist the Sheriff’s Office in this investigation including identifying who was responsible please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 308-536-2452 to speak to a deputy.

07/09/2025

Be our Guest July 17th! 🎉
Mrs. Rhode will be bringing all the activities to get our brains 🧠 thinking!
Hope to see you on the 17th at 3:00 PM!

07/09/2025

Job opening at Twin River

07/08/2025

Attention!!

The Loup River Bridge south of Monroe is still closed! There have been many reports of vehicles driving around the barricades and over the bridge. This is causing delays in the construction and could potentially cause injury. Do not go around the signs or move equipment in the area.

07/03/2025

07/02/2025

Put Your Business in the paper as a Pawnee Days Supporter! 📰
Advertise in the Pawnee Days Newspaper Edition of the Genoa Leader Times

Pawnee Days is right around the corner! Show that your business is a supporter of Genoa’s Pawnee Day Events!

Why Advertise?

✅ Reach the entire Pawnee community – and visitors!
✅ Show your local pride and support for a beloved tradition
✅ Affordable ad rates

Message me for details 402.920.0698

06/30/2025

Deadline for this week for the paper is Thursday, July 3rd by 3 PM!

Print date July 9th!!!

06/29/2025

Judith E. Nelson, age 86, died Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Genoa Community Hospital.

Funeral services 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Genoa. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Monday at the church. Burial is in West Hill Cemetery.

Judith “Judy” Eldene (Johnson) Nelson, was born October 4th, 1938, in Norton, KS, to Francis (FB) and Erma (Garton) Johnson. She graduated from Danbury High School in 1956 with a graduating class of two where she played volleyball. She often reminded us volleyball looked very different back then!

She attended McCook College and Fort Hays State College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, a National Honor Society. She taught for several years in the towns of Western and Platte Center.

Darrell and Judy met on a blind date by the NE State Capitol building for the NE State Fair Labor Day weekend 1962. They were united in marriage on November 17, 1963, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Genoa. They moved to the farm where she lived for 62 years. They raised two sons, John and Darren, who continue to farm their land today.

Judy was passionate about her music. She learned piano as a young girl. She dedicated over 50 years to music by singing in choir, accompanying worship services at Augustana and the Congregational Church. She also shared her talents at countless weddings, funerals, Genoa/Twin River concerts, and special events. She even played once at the Nebraska Synod Assembly in Kearney.

In addition to her love for music, she valued travel. Darrell and Judy enjoyed many national and international adventures together including (but not limited to) the countries of Sweden, Germany, Italy, and Vatican City. Judy did bus trips for about ten years following Darrell’s death. Last year, she visited all 70 stops on the Nebraska Passport Program with one of her friends. She was proud to have visited 49 states, missing only Delaware.

Judy was a collector of history. She documented much of Darrell’s and her family history. Judy was one of the creators of Augustana’s 100th Anniversary History book. She was a volunteer for the Genoa Museum and Genoa Indian School and had recently been collecting spoons and postcards honoring the history of Genoa, Monroe, and Danbury in Nebraska and Kanona and Oberlin in Kansas. She was a member of the Genoa American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 144.

She enjoyed watching college sports, especially Husker volleyball. She enjoyed coffee with the coffee ladies every morning at the Great Plains Café. During Covid, her dear friend, Jean, and her started talking to each other on the phone every night at 7:00 p.m. that they’re both home. She enjoyed watching the sunset from her porch.

Most importantly, Judy loved her grandchildren. She attended every sporting event, play, speech night, award night, or any opportunity to support her five grandchildren. She cared so deeply for them and spent a lot of time collecting newspaper clippings of them. Her family was the joy of her life.

Judy is survived by:

Son: John (Susan) Nelson of Monroe,

Son: Darren (Stacy) Nelson of St. Edward,

Grandchildren: Courtney (Chris), Andrew, Macy, Marshall, and Merritt

Sister-in-law: Helen Welin

Judy is preceded in death by:

Husband: Darrell

Parents: Erma and Francis (FB)

In-laws: Elmer and Helga

Sister-in-law: Eunah Goering, Verna Wilke

Brother-in-law: Norman Nelson, Robert Nelson

Arrangements are with McKown Funeral Home in Genoa.

06/29/2025

Rose Sharonne Otto, 78, of Genoa, Nebraska, died Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Bryan East Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM, at the First Church of Monroe, Monroe, Nebraska, with Lay Minister Connie Kramer officiating. Interment will be in Valley View Cemetery in Genoa, at 2:30 PM that afternoon. Visitation will be on Monday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home in Columbus and continue Tuesday from noon until service time at the church. Memorials may be directed to the wishes of the family or donor's choice.

Rose was born August 21, 1946, in Hastings, Nebraska, to John Henry and Zinna (Lee) Johnson. She attended Hastings High School. Rose was united in marriage to Kent Otto. After his death, she married his brother Gary. Rose worked at the Great Plains Café in Genoa, Aj’s and Genoa LTC Nursing Home for several years. Rose also volunteered for the Nance County Election Commission.

Rose enjoyed going to thrift stores and “antiquing”, Cornhusker football, and working on family genealogy. She was a faithful member of Genoa United Methodist Church, enjoyed singing, dancing and music – especially Elvis. Rose also sold Avon for many years. Rose’s greatest joy and pastime came from spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Rose is survived by:
Daughter – Ronda (Chuck) Carlson of Oakland, NE
Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren – Courtney Smith with Serenity, Elijah, and Ava
Brandon Carlson with Samantha, Lorianna, Madison, Anaka, and Michelle
Cameron Carlson
Son – Christopher Otto of Omaha, NE
Son – Neil (Lisa) Otto of Osceola, NE
Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren – Colton (Haley) Gable
Riley Otto with Oliver, and Aislynn
Donovan Otto
Rowan Otto
Quinlan Otto
Daughter – Leah Baker of Norfolk, NE
Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren – Logan Otto with Madison
Jeramiah (Danielle) Baker with Aubree, Eddie, Mariah, and Mackenize
Jonathan Baker
Katrina Atencio with Aralynn, Roman, Pryce, Angelo, and Victoria
Jeffrey Baker with Theodore
Son-in-law – Ryan Shockley of Genoa, NE
Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren – Patience Robinson with Mateo, Kristopher, Angelica, Jesse, Preston, and Devon
Harley (Alisha) Bequette with Mason and Truth
Saphire (Thomas Hodder) Bequette with Zain, Piper, Skye and Cora
Garrett (Bridget) Shockley with Reggie
Daughter – Sharonne (Kevin) Jackson of Omaha, NE
Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren – Joshua (Allisha) Jackson with T.J., A’Lejin, A’Kari, Jai’Launii, and Jai’Leyah
Mitchell Jackson
Daughter – April Griffin of Oakland, NE
Grandchildren – Juliett and Cozette
Sisters – Virgina Sealey of Hastings, NE; Martha Gonzales of Colorado Springs, CO
Sister-in-law – Beverly (Brad) Johnson Williams of Lincoln, NE
Ex-Husband – Gary Otto
Special Friends – Connie Kramer; Kyle, Jeni, Parker, Ian, Simon, Lucy & Ruby Litz

Rose was preceded in death by:
Parents – John Henry and Zinna Johnson
Daughter – Angela Shockley
Grandchildren – Liberty and Brittnay Shockley, and Jared Wichner
1st Husband – Kent Otto
Siblings – John Lloyd, Joseph Lloyd, Zennamae Formanek, Herbert Lloyd, Mary (Jewel) Lambert, and Harvey Johnson

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com