REGIONAL – “I’m on the Elk Horn ramp.  My wife is getting ready to have a kid.  I need help.”    That plea was from Chris Bengel early Tuesday morning, March 29, as it became apparent that his wife, Erica, would likely not make it to the hospital in Council Bluffs, and that their third child could be delivered in their truck along Interstate 80.    The couple got five minutes out of Atlantic when Erica’s contractions became more intense. 

    HANCOCK -- Colin Tyson Luth, 39, Hancock, died March 25 at his home.    Services will be held Wednesday, March 30 at 2 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca with burial at a later date.  Family will greet friends Tuesday, March 29 from 6-8 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Funeral services are pending for Warren Becker, 79, Harlan, who died Sunday, March 27 at his home in Harlan.    Survivors include his wife, Connie Becker, of Harlan; children Lori (Kurt) Wilkins of Perry, Brian (Jenny) Becker of Papillion, NE, Jodi (Gary) Dozler of Harlan, and Curt (Tami) Becker of Glenwood; and 13 grandchildren.    Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge of arrangements. 

    DES MOINES -- Funeral services are pending for Gabe Brown, 32, Des Moines, formerly of Harlan.    Brown died Saturday, March 26 in Des Moines.    Survivors include his parents Rick and Jo Brown of Harlan; sons Brayden and Talon Brown of Harlan and Clayton Johnson of Carroll; fiance Amanda Dawson of Hartford; sister Ashley Brown of Harlan; and maternal grandmother Wilda Knudsen of Liberal, KS.    Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is in ch

    OMAHA, NE -- Funeral services are pending for Marge Hemminger, 72, Omaha, NE, formerly of Harlan, who died Saturday, March 26 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.    Survivors include her children J.P. Hemminger of Harlan, Sarah (Mike) Lambertsen of Omaha, Kate Nielsen of Red Oak and Tim (Kayla) Hemminger of Omaha; and seven grandchildren.    Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge of arrangements. 

    ELK HORN -- Donald Arthur Hopp, 85, Elk Horn, died March 24 at Myrtue Medical Center.    Services will be held Tuesday, March 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan with burial in the Harlan Cemetery.  Visitation was Monday, March 28 from 5-8 p.m.

    NEOLA -- Gage Michael Lee Williams, 14, Neola, died March 21 at Mercy Hospital.    Services will be held Tuesday, March 29 at 11 a.m. at Tri-Center Community Schools with burial in the Minden Cemetery at Minden.  Visitation was held Monday, March 28 from 3-8 p.m.

HARLAN -- Approximately 500 people turned out Tuesday night, March 22 for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Extravaganza held at the Harlan Community Schools.    Some of the amazing projects showcased by students included:  Kaede Loudy works on the go-cart he built, ready to show off to those in attendance.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan FFA Chapter recently held its 75th Anniversary Awards Banquet at Harlan Community High School. Nearly 450 people met for a meal catered by Irwin Locker and Catering, an awards presentation and a concert presented by country music band, Maiden Dixie, in the high school gym.