A celebration of life service was held on Monday, August 11, 2025 at the Loup City Community Center with Pastor Scott Harvey officiating. The service coincided with his father Roger’s funeral who died suddenly Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

Honorary pallbearers included members of the Ravenna High School Class of 1992 and all of Mike’s friends from the University of Nebraska— Lincoln.

Burial of the ashes will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Loup City or Ravenna Fire and Rescue departments.

Higgins Funeral Home in Loup City is in charge of arrangements. Condolences for Michael’s family can be left at higginsfuneralhomelc. com.

Michael Berent Newtson was the eldest child to Roger W. Newtson and Connie (Chelewski) Newtson, born July 27, 1973 at North Platte.

Mike attended kindergarten at District 31 south of North Platte.

The same country school his father and grandfather attended. He then attended Hazard Country School until the eighth grade. Mike graduated from Ravenna High School with the Class of 1992.

Mike earned his bachelors of science degree at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.

School was very easy for him. In first grade his new teacher was concerned for his behavior after quickly completing each assignment. His parents and Mrs. Kulagowski decided he could read the encyclopedia to entertain himself.

Mike had a photographic memory and could recite facts he read like common knowledge. He and his sister would watch Jeopardy after school most afternoons before chores.

Mike was very active in 4-H, FFA, speech, and drama. He loved to entertain and be the life of the party. He was a wonderful dancer. He and any partners would leave the dance floor dripping with sweat from the country swing, two-steps, and polkas.

He loved to sing, and he mastered the Auctioneer Song, if the band could play it, he was up on stage singing it.

After college, Mike was a ranch hand, working as a brand inspector for a time, before he became a state reporter for Market News. Mike was known for his quick wit and fun-loving personality.

Mike’s many talents would not keep him safe from the torture he endured from alcoholism.

His battle is over and his peace is restored. He will be missed by family and many friends. His father, Roger, soon followed him in death.

Survivors left to cherish his memory are his father, Roger Newtson of Loup City; sister, Corrie (Thomas) Walthers of Loup City; nephew, Clancy Walthers of Ord; uncle, Wesley Newtson of Benkelman; cousins, Kris, Keta, Miranda, and Katie; and aunts, Virginia (Bruce) Huffman of Tryon and Kara Newtson of North Platte.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Connie (Chelewski) Newtson; aunts, Mary Frahm and Kathy Newtson; uncles, John Fletcher and Dale Newtson; and cousin, Shaun Fletcher.

The Sherman County Times | August 13, 2025