Russell E. “Buzz” Learned

Russell E. “Buzz” Learned, age 93 of York, died Saturday, May 24, 2003 at York. Buzz was the longtime owner and operator of Buzz’s Café and Filling Station, which later became Buzz’s Motel located at the Y north of York. Buzz was born May 11, 1910 on a farm near Utica, NE to Lucian G. and M. Barbara (Gutbrodt) Learned. He attended Utica School and trained to be a cook in the Civilian Conservation Corps. On October 5, 1938 he married Pearl Kahler at Lincoln. Pearl died in 1954. He married Helen Graff Willard on November 25, 1955 at Lincoln and they sold the motel in 1963 and moved to a farm west of York where they raised registered Angus cattle and show horses. Helen died in 1998.

Buzz is survived by his sister Angeline “Angie” Darnall of York, nephew Walt and his wife Colleen Heidbreder of York and niece Betty and her husband Pat Dunn of Navasota, TX. Besides his wives, he was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers Oscar and Warren, his sister Mabel Heidbreder and his nephew Darrell Learned.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 28th at the Metz Chapel in York with the Rev. Ralph Ford. Burial was at the Utica Cemetery.