Kenneth "Ike" Van Every

Funeral services for Kenneth "Ike" Van Every, 94, of O'Neill, will be Monday, March 22, at 10:30 a.m., at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill. Burial will be in the Page Cemetery, with Military Rites provided by the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post 93 and the Page American Legion Post 315. Rev. Mike Durre will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday, March 21, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Biglin's Mortuary.

Ike died Tuesday, March 16, at Arbor Care Center in O'Neill. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Biglin's Mortuary.

~~~

Kenneth Gerald Van Every was born Nov. 18, 1926, at home, in Opportunity, Nebraska, to James E. and Barbara (Nitz) Van Every. Kenneth attended O'Neill Public Schools through his freshman year, then went to work. He worked for many neighbors around the O'Neill, Page and Niobrara areas. He obtained his GED in 1981.

Ike joined the Army, June 21, 1945, and was stationed in Germany in a carpenter shop of a hospital. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 18, 1946. He was a member of American Legion Post 93 for years.

Ike met Frances Grubbs at a dance in Oakview Park. They were married March 20, 1948, and to this union, five children were born. Frances later died on Dec. 28, 1973.

Ike married Mary Ann (Winkler) Etherton, Aug.11, 1978. Kenneth gained a stepson, Tom, and a stepdaughter, Joan Long. Mary died in January 2008.

Ike rode horses all of his life until his kids told him it was no longer safe. He loved to dance and watch Polka Joe and Molly B on RFD TV. He liked to play cards and continued to play solitaire until shortly before his death.

Ike is survived by his children, Gerald (Sharma) Van Every of Raymond, Dennis (Kathy) Van Every of Page, Kathy Van Every of Page, Mary Jo Leichleiter of Page and K. George (Karen) Van Every of Page; stepchildren, Tom (Lorraine) Etherton of Atkinson and Joan (Randy) Long of O'Neill; eight grandchildren, Jeremey (Angie Moore) Van Every, Jenn (Chuck) Hildebrand, Jeff (Jenae) Van Every, Greg (Luisa) Van Every, Denise (Nathan) Andrews, Rachel Tulley, Troy Tulley, and Travis Leichleiter; five stepgrandchildren, Ed (Shannon) Etherton, Pat (Kat) Etherton, Christy (Steve) Hostert, Julie (Noah) Maulsby and Mike Long; many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Ella Van Every of O'Neill and Beth Grubbs of Creighton and many nieces, nephews, friends and other family.

Ike is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, George, Leslie (Gretchen), Melvin, Clyde (Irene), and Jim [George and Mildred were infants]; sisters, Mary Jane (Sanford) Gamel, Mildred Van Every and Evelyn (Bill) Derickson.