Skip to main contentSkip to main content

You are the owner of this article.

Edit Article Add New Article Close

You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close

56°

• Log In
• Subscribe

• Guest
• Logout

Read Today's E-edition

Site Search

• AI Answers
• Site Search

• News

  • Local
  • Crime
  • Nebraska News
  • Politics
  • Records
  • Business
  • Nation & World
  • Last 24 hours
  • Markets & Stocks
  • News TIp

• Obituaries

  • Share a story
  • Recent Obituaries
  • Find an Obituary
  • Archives

• Opinion

  • Submit a letter
  • Letters
  • Editorial
  • Columnists

• Sports

  • Huskers
  • High School
  • College
  • Stars Hockey
  • Saltdogs Baseball
  • Outdoors
  • Professional
  • Scores

• Lifestyles

  • Arts & Theatre
  • Event Calendar
  • Movies & TV
  • Music
  • Puzzmo
  • Puzzles
  • Comics
  • Contests
  • Play
  • Food & Cooking
  • Parenting
  • Health
  • Home & Garden
  • People
  • Pets
  • Faith
  • Announcements

• Join the community

  • News tip
  • Share video

• Brand Ave. Studios

  • Go Find It! Nebraska

• Print Edition

  • E-edition
  • E-edition Archives
  • Special Sections

• Buy & Sell

  • Place an Ad
  • Jobs
  • Auto Sales
  • Marketplace
  • Public Notices
  • Shop Local

• Shopping

• Customer Service

  • Manage Subscription
  • Activate Digital Subscription
  • Newsletter sign-up
  • Subscribe
  • Contact us
  • Help Center

• Gift Subscriptions

• Mobile Apps

• Weather: Live Radar

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• YouTube
• Instagram

© 2026 Lee Enterprises

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Site Search

• AI Answers
• Site Search

Site Search

• AI Answers
• Site Search

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Subscribe

Read Today's E-edition

Subscribe

• Log In

• 

  Welcome, Guest

  • My Subscription

    Help Center

  • My Account

  • Dashboard

  • Profile

  • Saved items

  • Logout

• E-edition
• News
• Obituaries
• Opinion
• Huskers
• Puzzmo
• Puzzles
• Lifestyles
• Public Notices
• Jobs
• Autos

• 56° Clear

Share This

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email

Weeks before Nebraska woman's wedding, a tornado changed everything. Then brides stepped up

Live chat

0 Comments

Share this

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Alert Top Story Editor's Pick Topical

Weeks before Nebraska woman's wedding, a tornado changed everything. Then brides stepped up

• Alyssa Johnson | Lincoln Journal Star
• May 24, 2026
• May 24, 2026
• 0

×

• Kenneth Ferriera

A tornado destroyed four homes near St. Libory as part of a line of storms that dropped twisters across eastern Nebraska on Sunday afternoon and evening. Howard County Emergency Management Director Allen Wilshusen told the Grand Island Independent four homes in the Denton Circle development …

Prefer us on Google Learn More

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

As nearly every bride knows, planning a wedding is no easy task.

kAmqFE H96? E92E DEC6DD 4@==:56D H:E9 DFCG:G:?8 2 E@C?25@ ;FDE E9C66 H66<D 367@C6 E96 3:8 52J[ :E 42? 766= =:<6 2 76G6C 5C62>]k^Am

kAmxE’D 46CE2:?=J ?@E D@>6E9:?8 a_\J62C\@=5 vC24: q@6CD6? :>28:?65 5FC:?8 96C ?:?6\>@?E9 6?8286>6?E E@ |:429 #9@256D]k^Am

Graci Boersen and her soon-to-be husband, Micah Rhoades, are set to be married June 12.

COURTESY PHOTO

kAmp 76H H66<D 27E6C 86EE:?8 6?82865[ E96 4@FA=6 5@G6 :?E@ H655:?8 AC6A2C2E:@?D — 49@@D:?8 2 =@42E:@?[ 3@@<:?8 2 G6?F6 2?5 D9@AA:?8 7@C 2 5C6DD 29625 @7 E96:C yF?6 `a H655:?8 :? vC2?5 xD=2?5]k^Am

kAm{2DE H66<6?5 H2D ?@ 5:776C6?E] ~? |2J `e[ q@6CD6? 7:?2==J 7:?:D965 96C H655:?8 3@FBF6E] %96 ?6IE 52J[ E96 4@FA=6 >6E H:E9 E96:C G:56@8C2A96C 27E6C 49FC49 2?5 3@F89E E92?<\J@F ?@E6D 7@C 96C C646?E 3C:52= D9@H6C]k^Am

People are also reading…

• Huskers beat up after Oregon: Broken bones and season-ending injury
• Lincoln teen killed in crash at 84th and O streets
• Pius X community mourns after Lincoln teen dies in O Street crash
• Man found dead west of Elkhorn identified by Douglas County Sheriff's Office
• Ricketts defends pardon of man convicted of sexually assaulting estranged wife
• Nebraska father sues HHS after agency quotes $1M, 50 years for public records
• Why an NBA great is wading into the Lancaster County sheriff's race
• Texas murder-suicide suspect who killed Doane student also attended Crete school
• Doane student killed in Texas in attempted murder-suicide
• Massive elk killed, vehicle totaled in unusual southwest Lincoln crash
• Just: We are all tired. And the whys keep coming in Nebraska's latest soul-crusher
• 'Much respect to him': Nebraska reunion with Dylan Raiola short-lived — and painful
• Blackout at night: Kickoff time set for Washington-Nebraska Halloween game
• Nebraska high school football rankings: See who rose and fell after Week 8
• Lincoln man enters plea in crash that killed 86-year-old Waverly man

kAmqFE 3J E92E $F?52J 6G6?:?8[ q@6CD6? 2?5 96C >@E96C H@F=5 36 D96=E6C:?8 :? E96:C 32D6>6?E 2D 2 E@C?25@ C:AA65 E9C@F89[ 56DEC@J:?8 E96:C 9@>6 @FED:56 $E] {:3@CJ[ H9:49 :D 23@FE `` >:=6D ?@CE9 @7 vC2?5 xD=2?5]k^Am

kAm“(96? A6@A=6 D2J H655:?8 A=2??:?8 :D AC@323=J E96 >@DE DEC6DD7F=[ x’> =:<6[ x E@E2==J 28C66[” q@6CD6? D2:5] “p?5 E96? E9:D 92AA6?D[ 2?5 x’> =:<6[ 2== C:89E[ E9:D :D ;FDE =:<6 2 H9@=6 @E96C =6G6=]”k^Am

k9am$@>6E9:?8 ?6Hk^9am

kAmq67@C6 E96 E@C?25@[ E96 9@>6 :? w@H2C5 r@F?EJ DE:== 42CC:65 E92E ?6H\9@FD6 D>6== 7@C q@6CD6? 2?5 96C >@E96C[ r9C:DE:?2 !2C56?] r@?DECF4E:@? @? !2C56?’D 5C62> 9@>6 3682? =2DE 72== 2?5 E96 EH@ 925 @?=J >@G65 :? 2E E96 368:??:?8 @7 |2J] k^Am

Graci Boersen and her mom, Christina Parden, at Boersen's graduation from Central Community College. The two moved into a new home near St. Libory in May. The home was later destroyed in a tornado.

COURTESY PHOTO

kAm“$96’D 366? 5C62>:?8 @7 E9:D 9@FD6 D:?46 2D =@?8 2D x 42? C6>6>36C[” q@6CD6? D2:5] “$96 A=2??65 E9:D E9:?8 E@ E96 56E2:=[ =:<6 6G6CJE9:?8[ D96 925 5C2H? @FE[ 2?5 D@ H6 H6C6 D@ 6I4:E65 23@FE :E]”k^Am

kAm~? |2J `f[ q@6CD6? 2?5 !2C56? >256 E96:C 7:CDE 8C@46CJ CF? D:?46 >@G:?8 :?E@ E96 9@FD6]k^Am

kAm“xE <:?5 @7 D@F?5D 5F>3[ 3FE H6 H6C6 C62==J 6I4:E65 23@FE :E[” q@6CD6? D2:5]k^Am

kAmp7E6C F?=@25:?8 E96 8C@46C:6D 2E 9@>6[ E96J 3682? H2E49:?8 E96 H62E96C 2D 2 DE@C> 3682? E@ C@== :?E@ E96 2C62]k^Am

kAm“x’G6 ?6G6C =:<65 DE@C>D] x’G6 2=H2JD 366? E6CC:7:65 @7 2?J <:?5 @7 DE@C>D[ D@ x 5@?’E C62==J 7:?5 >F49 2>FD6>6?E H2E49:?8 E96 D42CJ 4=@F5D 7@C>[” q@6CD6? D2:5]k^Am

Christina Parden moved into her dream home near St. Libory at the beginning of May with her daughter Graci Boersen.

COURTESY PHOTO

kAmpD E96J H2E4965 E96 52C<6?:?8 D<J :? E96 5:DE2?46[ q@6CD6? 564:565 E@ ;F>A :? E96 D9@H6C — 2 C@FE:?6 96C 72>:=J @7E6? 7@==@H65 367@C6 DE@C>D :? 42D6 E96 A@H6C H6?E @FE]k^Am

kAmq2C6=J 2 >:?FE6 =2E6C[ D96 962C5 96C >@E96C J6==:?8]k^Am

kAm“$96 42>6 :?E@ E96 32E9C@@> 2?5 H2D =:<6[ ‘vC24:[ J@F ?665 E@ 86E @FE @7 E96 D9@H6C[ :E’D C:89E E96C6[’” q@6CD6? D2:5]k^Am

k9am$@>6E9:?8 3=F6k^9am

kAmp =:76=@?8 }63C2D<2?[ q@6CD6? 92D 925 96C 72:C D92C6 @7 E@C?25@ H2C?:?8D] qFE E92E 6G6?:?8 >2C<65 E96 7:CDE E:>6 D96 6G6C D2H 2 E@C?25@ 2D 2 7F??6= EH:DE65 E9C@F89 2 4@C?7:6=5 2?5 962565 5:C64E=J E@H2C5 E96:C 9@>6]k^Am

kAm“xE H2D ;FDE E96 H6:C56DE D:89E[” q@6CD6? D2:5] “x ;FDE C6>6>36C FD DE2?5:?8 E96C6 2?5 :? D9@4<]”k^Am

kAmq@6CD6? 2?5 !2C56? CFD965 5@H?DE2:CD E@ 9:56 :? E96 DE@C286 C@@> H:E9 E96:C 5@8D] |@>6?ED =2E6C[ E96 A@H6C H6?E @FE]k^Am

kAmpD E96J D2E 9F55=65 E@86E96C :? E96 52C<[ 4=FE49:?8 E96:C 5@8D E:89E=J[ E96J 3682? E@ AC2J]k^Am

kAm“*@F 4@F=5 DE2CE 962C:?8 E96 9@FD6 D92<6[ 2?5 E96? :E ;FDE 8C25F2==J 8@E H@CD6 2?5 H@CD6[” q@6CD6? D2:5] “%96? 2== @7 2 DF556?[ x 4@F=5 ;FDE 962C E96 H9@=6 9@FD6 ;FDE C:A @77 @7 E96 7@F?52E:@?] p?5 x 42?’E 6G6? 56D4C:36 E92E 766=:?8]”k^Am

kAm{@@<:?8 FA[ D96 4@F=5 D66 D=:G6CD @7 =:89E 367@C6 563C:D 3682? H9:AA:?8 E9C@F89 E96 2:C] q@I6D 2?5 DE@C286 E@E6D — >2?J DE:== A24<65 7C@> E96 C646?E >@G6 — DE2CE65 4C2D9:?8 5@H? 2C@F?5 E96>]k^Am

kAm“x ;FDE <:?5 @7 E9@F89E[ ‘%96 9@FD6 :D 8@:?8 E@ 42G6 :?[’” q@6CD6? D2:5]k^Am

kAm%96 E@C?25@ =2DE65 @?=J 23@FE E9C66 >:?FE6D] $E:== D@2<:?8 H6E 2?5 HC2AA65 @?=J :? 2 E@H6=[ q@6CD6? 7@F?5 E96 7:CDE A:646D @7 4=@E9:?8 D96 4@F=5 7C@> 96C 32D6>6?E 365C@@>]k^Am

The aftermath of Christina Parden and Graci Boersen's home near St. Libory after a tornado destroyed it May 17.

COURTESY PHOTO

kAm(:E9:? >@>6?ED[ 2 DE@C> 492D6C 2AA62C65 2E E96 DE2:CD[ 42==:?8 5@H? E@ E96> H:E9 2 3=F6 D<J 369:?5 96C]k^Am

kAm“%96J 96=A65 FD 86E @FE 2?5 E96? H6 D2H E92E E96 H9@=6 9@FD6 H2D =:E6C2==J 8@?6[” q@6CD6? D2:5] “xE H2D D@ D42CJ]”k^Am

kAm}62C=J 6G6CJE9:?8 FADE2:CD H2D =@DE[ :?4=F5:?8 E96 H655:?8 564@C2E:@?D 2?5 ?6H=J C646:G65 3C:52= 8:7ED]k^Am

kAm“%96C6 H2D D25?6DD[ 3FE :E H2D 2 =@E @7 ;FDE D9@4<[” q@6CD6? D2:5]k^Am

kAm%96 E@C?25@[ H9:49 H2D =2E6C 5@4F>6?E65 2D 2? tub[ H2D @? E96 8C@F?5 7@C `` >:?FE6D 2?5 9:E E@A DA665D @7 `e_ >A9[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 }2E:@?2= (62E96C $6CG:46 :? w2DE:?8D]k^Am

k9am$@>6E9:?8 3@CC@H65k^9am

kAmx? E96 52JD 27E6C E96 DE@C>[ q@6CD6?’D 72>:=J >6>36CD =2F?4965 2 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]8@7F?5>6]4@>^7^DFAA@CE\49C:DE:?2\2?5\8C24:\27E6C\E@C?25@\=@DDn2EEC:3FE:@?0:5lD=Tbpf5afca73\ab`f\cf2g\377_\643g``b75h7eU2>Aj=2?8l6?0&$U2>AjEDl`ffh`b`ahbU2>AjFE>042>A2:8?l>2?0D92C6D966E052D9U2>AjFE>04@?E6?El2>A`f0E5\2>Aa_0E`U2>AjFE>0>65:F>l4FDE@>6CU2>AjFE>0D@FC46l72463@@<Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qmv@uF?5|6 A286k^2m 2?5 D92C65 96C DE@CJ @? D@4:2= >65:2]k^Am

kAm“x’G6 925 =:<6 9F?5C65D @7 >6DD286D 7C@> @E96C 3C:56D E92E H6C6 =:<6[ ‘|J H655:?8 H2D 2 4@FA=6 >@?E9D 28@ @C =2DE H66<[ 2?5 J@F 42? =:E6C2==J FD6 2?JE9:?8 7C@> >J H655:?8 DEF77[’” q@6CD6? D2:5] “!6@A=6 92G6 366? 2>2K:?8]”k^Am

kAmqC:56D @776C65 7=@H6CD[ A:4EFC6 7C2>6D[ 8C66?6CJ[ 2?5 D6CG:?8 A:646D] (655:?8 G6?5@CD G@=F?E66C65 324<5C@AD[ 564@C 2?5 E23=64=@E9D 7C66 @7 492C86] $@>6 6G6? @776C65 E@ 92?5=6 D6EFA 2?5 E62C5@H? @? E96 H655:?8 52J]k^Am

kAm“%96C6’D ?@ @E96C H@C5 E@ 56D4C:36 :E 36D:56D ;FDE 362FE:7F=[” q@6CD6? D2:5] “%96J 2== F?56CDE2?5 H92E E9:D E:>6 766=D =:<6[ 2?5 E96J ;FDE H2?E E@ 96=A 2?J H2J[ 3642FD6 E96J <?@H 9@H DEC6DD7F= :E :D]”k^Am

kAmp>@?8 E96 3@CC@H65 564@C[ q@6CD6? H:== DE:== 92G6 D@>6 @7 96C @C:8:?2= H655:?8 :E6>D] w6C H655:?8 5C6DD 925 366? 5C@AA65 @77 7@C 2=E6C2E:@?D ;FDE 2 H66< 367@C6 E96 E@C?25@[ 2?5 !2C56?’D 5C6DD :D 2=C625J 2E E96 5CJ 4=62?6CD 27E6C 36:?8 =@42E65 :? 2 4@C?7:6=5]k^Am

kAmqFE @E96C =@DD6D H6C6 :CC6A=24623=6]k^Am

kAm~?6 @7 E96 92C56DE H2D 2 5C6DD6C !2C56? 925 C67:?:D965 E@ D6CG6 2D E96 H655:?8’D 6?ECJ E23=6]k^Am

kAm“x <6AE 7:?5:?8 49F?<D @7 :E 6G6CJH96C6[ D@ E92E H2D G6CJ D25 7@C >6 3642FD6 D96 H2D C62==J 6I4:E65 23@FE E92E[” q@6CD6? D2:5] “x’> 2 G6CJ D6?E:>6?E2= A6CD@? H96? :E 4@>6D E@ E9:?8D] (96? x D66 E9:?8D[ :E C6>:?5D >6 @7 E96 >@>6?ED]”k^Am

kAmp 76H 52JD 27E6C E96 E@C?25@[ 2 72>:=J 7C:6?5 A@:?E65 @FE 9@H F?:BF6 :E H2D E@ D66 D@ >2?J 3C:56D 4@?EC:3FE:?8 A:646D @7 E96:C @H? H655:?8D]k^Am

kAm“$96 H2D =:<6[ ‘*@F <?@H[ :E’== 36 C62==J 4@@= E@ D66 2== @7 E96D6 @E96C A6@A=6’D H655:?8 DEF77 :? J@FC H655:?8] xE’== 36 E9:D C62==J 362FE:7F= A:4EFC6 3642FD6 J@F 92G6 2== E9:D 4@>>F?:EJ E92E :D A2CE @7 J@FC H655:?8 ?@H[’” q@6CD6? D2:5] “x ?6G6C E9@F89E 23@FE E92E]”k^Am

k9amp?5 2 92AA:=J 6G6C 27E6Ck^9am

kAmx? E96 27E6C>2E9 @7 E96 DE@C>[ q@6CD6? 25>:EE65 D96 3682? BF6DE:@?:?8 E96 H655:?8 :ED6=7]k^Am

kAm“(655:?8 A=2??:?8[ :E’D G6CJ 6>@E:@?2==J 5C2:?:?8 2?5 :E’D ;FDE G6CJ 92C5[ 3FE E96? D@>6E9:?8 =:<6 E9:D 92AA6?D[ 2?5 J@F’C6 =:<6[ :D E9:D E96 C:89E E9:?8n xD E9:D H92E H6 2C6 DFAA@D65 E@ 36 5@:?8n |2J36 v@5’D E6==:?8 FD :E’D ?@E E96 E:>6 E@ 86E >2CC:65[” q@6CD6? D2:5]k^Am

kAmqFE 2D 7C:6?5D[ 72>:=J 2?5 DEC2?86CD C2==:65 2C@F?5 E96 4@FA=6 E@ 6?DFC6 E96 H655:?8 H@F=5 DE:== 92AA6?[ q@6CD6?’D 4@?7:56?46 C6EFC?65]k^Am

kAm“%9:D :D 9@H @FC H655:?8’D 8@??2 36[ 2?5 :E’D 8@??2 36 362FE:7F=] xE’D 8@??2 36 A6C764E[” q@6CD6? D2:5] “xE’D 8:G6? FD E92E >F49 >@C6 4=2C:EJ]”k^Am

kAmp?5 :E’== 36 2 52J D96’D DFC6 D96 H:== C6>6>36C 7@C E96 C6DE @7 96C =:76]k^Am

kAm“x 5@ 766= =:<6 E96 H655:?8 :D 8@:?8 E@ 36 ;FDE E92E >F49 >@C6 DA64:2= 7@C FD[” q@6CD6? D2:5] “x 2=C625J <?@H E92E x’> AC@323=J ?@E 8@:?8 E@ 36 23=6 E@ 86E E9C@F89 E96 52J H:E9@FE 4CJ:?8 ;FDE 3642FD6 x’== 36 E9:?<:?8 @7 2== E96 DEF77 H6 ;FDE H6?E E9C@F89[ 2?5 2== E96 =@G6[ 2?5 2== E96 E9:?8D E92E A6@A=6 92G6 8:G6? FD]”k^Am

Photos and video: Nebraskans pick up the pieces day after Howard County tornado

Friends and family help clean up rubble Monday after a tornado hit the Bruning home near St. Libory on Sunday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Friends and family help clean up rubble Monday at the Bruning home near St. Libory.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A cat walks through the wreckage of the Bruning home near St. Libory on Monday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A cat walks among the wreckage of a home near St. Libory on Monday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Friends and family help clean a nearby field of debris Monday near St. Libory.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Utility workers clean up debris outside St. Libory on Monday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A tractor sits upended in a field near St. Libory on Monday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Michaela Bruning wipes her eyes while examining her neighbor's home near St. Libory on Monday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Austen Sis examines the damage to a home near St. Libory on Monday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A tornado that ripped throug Howard County on Sunday destroyed four homes near St. Libory.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Lora Miller carries a box full of children’s books and keepsakes while cleaning up her son's home near St. Libory on Monday. The home was destroyed by a tornado on Sunday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Friends, family, and volunteers help clean up debris near St. Libory on Monday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Shelby Schwartz, left, embraces her neighbor Michaela Bruning while cleaning up Monday near St. Libory. A tornado hit Bruning’s home in the Denton Circle housing development northeast of town Sunday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Volunteers and helpers clean up debris near St. Libory on Monday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Vehicles sit mangled near St. Libory on Monday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Michaela and Bo Bruning look through rubble for valuables and keepsakes on Monday, a day after a tornado hit their home in the Denton Circle housing development northeast of St. Libory on Monday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A toy horse is seen among the rubble of homes near St. Libory on Monday, a day after a tornado ripped through the area.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Brad Dubas looks at the devastation at a friend's home near St. Libory on Monday, a day after a tornado ripped through the area.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

The road sign leading to the Denton Circle housing development northeast of St. Libory sits mangled on the ground Monday, a day after a tornado ripped through the area.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Friends, family and volunteers help the Miller family clean up debris at their home near St. Libory on Monday, a day after a tornado ripped through the area.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Upended center pivots lay in a field near St. Libory on Monday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Whitney Miller searches through the rubble of her home in the Denton Circle housing development near St. Libory on Monday, a day after a tornado ripped through Howard County.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Whitney Miller searches through the rubble of her home near St. Libory on Monday, a day after it was struck by a tornado.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Michaela Bruning is embraced by Ryan Marr as they examine the remnants of her home near St. Libory on Monday, a day after it was struck by a tornado.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A mangled vehicle sits in front of a home near St. Libory on Monday, a day after a tornado ripped through the area.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Lora Miller searches through rubble that was once a children’s room at her son's home near St. Libory on Monday, a day after it was struck by a tornado.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Abbie Obermiller, left, and Ryan Marr search through the rubble of a home near St. Libory on Monday, a day after a tornado ripped through the area.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Michaela Bruning is embraced by Ryan Marr as they examine the remnants of her home near St. Libory on Monday, a day after a tornado ripped through Howard County.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Brad Dubas picks up a Husker flag he found in the rubble while searching for belongings with his close friend Michaela Bruning at Bruning's home near St. Libory on Monday. Bruning's home was among those struck by a tornado that ripped through Howard County.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A tornado near St. Libory destroyed newly built homes Sunday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A tornado near St. Libory destroyed newly built homes Sunday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A tornado near St. Libory destroyed newly built homes Sunday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

New homes near St. Libory lay in rubble Monday, a day after a tornado ripped through Howard County on Sunday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Debris from a home near St. Libory lays scattered Monday, a day after a tornado ripped through Howard County on Sunday.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Reach the writer at 402-473-7241 or ajohnson2@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ajohnson6170

0 Comments

Love

0

Funny

0

Wow

1

Sad

0

Angry

0

Be the first to know

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Sign up!

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.

Alyssa Johnson | Lincoln Journal Star

Trending topics and public safety reporter

• Author facebook
• Author twitter
• Author email

Follow Alyssa Johnson | Lincoln Journal Star

Close

Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Save

Manage followed notifications

Close

Followed notifications

Please log in to use this feature

Log In

Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Related to this story

Residents clean up after St. Libory tornado

A tornado destroyed four homes near St. Libory as part of a line of storms that dropped twisters across eastern Nebraska on Sunday afternoon a…

Just: Nebraska softball made history all year — now it's poised to 'lock in' and make more

Nebraska softball may take a minute to be a little wide-eyed for the big WCWS stage, writes Amie Just, but these Huskers are poised to "lock i…

One city pool remains closed after busy Memorial Day shuttered multiple in Lincoln

Arnold Pool in northwest Lincoln did not reopen due to mechanical issues, the city said. It was business as usual at the other eight city pools.

Mullin: Four straight finals later, Lincoln East has changed popular Class A narrative

From Lincoln East’s growing legacy to postgame umpire frustration and a lucky goldfish, Championship Saturday delivered drama everywhere.

Watch Now: Related Video

'Stop whining.' JD Vance on controversial ad against Amy Acton

3C's ASL

3C's ASL

Elon Musk says SpaceX-Tesla merger is 'a good idea'

Elon Musk says SpaceX-Tesla merger is 'a good idea'

US envoy Steve Witkoff in Russia for talks with Putin to end Ukraine war

US envoy Steve Witkoff in Russia for talks with Putin to end Ukraine war

Close

The aftermath of Christina Parden and Graci Boersen's home near St. Libory after a tornado destroyed it May 17.

• COURTESY PHOTO

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Graci Boersen and her mom, Christina Parden, at Boersen's graduation from Central Community College. The two moved into a new home near St. Libory in May. The home was later destroyed in a tornado.

• COURTESY PHOTO

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Christina Parden moved into her dream home near St. Libory at the beginning of May with her daughter Graci Boersen.

• COURTESY PHOTO

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

Graci Boersen and her soon-to-be husband, Micah Rhoades, are set to be married June 12.

• COURTESY PHOTO

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• WhatsApp
• SMS
• Email
• Print
• Copy article link
• Save

×

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Bluesky
• YouTube
• Instagram

Prefer us on Google Learn More

Sites & Partners

• The Columbus Telegram
• The Fremont Tribune
• The Beatrice Daily Sun
• Place an ad
• Event Calendar
• Online Features
• Work here
• Inspire Lincoln

Services

• Subscriber Services
• Advertise with us
• E-edition
• RSS
• Newsletters
• Contact us
• Become a Carrier
• Services
• Licensing
• Shopping

© Copyright 2026 The Lincoln Journal Star, PO Box 81609 Lincoln, NE 68501

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Terms of Use | Privacy Choices | Cookie Preferences

Powered by BLOX Content Management System from bloxdigital.com.

{{title}}

{{summary}}

• Notifications
• Settings

You don't have any notifications.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

Topics

News Alerts

Subscribe

Breaking News

Subscribe

Husker News

Subscribe

Back ×

Offer

Sorry, an error occurred.

Already Subscribed!

Get StartedManage Service

Cancel anytime

You are logged in

 Switch accounts

Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account? Log In

Back ×

Sign Up

Account processing issue - the email address may already exist

User information

Username (Optional)

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!

* First name

* Last name

* Email Address

Your email address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else.

* Password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address.

* Confirm Password

Confirm your password.

CAPTCHA

Create Account

or

Sign up with

Facebook Google

Have an account? Log In

×

You're all set!

Thank you .

Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.

Check your email for details.

OK

Back ×

Log In

Invalid password or account does not exist

Email Address

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Log In

Email me a log in link

or

Sign in with

Facebook Google

Admin login Subscribe

Need an account? Sign Up

Back ×

Reset Password

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

Email or Screen Name

CAPTCHA

Reset Password

×

Forgot Password

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.

Back ×

Email me a log in link

Account Email

CAPTCHA

Send Email

Back ×

Promotional Offers

Promo code

Enter Promo Code

Redeem

No promotional rates found.

Back ×

Purchase Gift Purchase Access

See More Offers

details close

×

An error occurred

×

Secure & Encrypted

Sign in with

Email Address

Continue with Email Address

or

Continue with Facebook Continue with Google

What's your email address?

Email

Password

Confirm password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

What's your name?

First name

Last name

Who is this gift for?

Recipient name

Recipient email

Optional message for the recipient

Who is this gift from?

Purchaser name

Purchaser email

Purchaser zip code

Delivery date

Delivery date

What's your billing location?

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code

Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

What's your delivery address?

Copy billing location

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip code

Country

United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

Phone

Purchase detail

Subtotal:

Total:

How would you like to pay?

Ending in

Add New Card

Terms of service confirmation

I Agree to the Subscription Terms of Use.
This service will be automatically renewed and your credit card billed once it nears expiration.

Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.

×

You're all set!

Thank you.

Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.

Rate: Begins: Transaction ID:

A receipt was sent to your email.

OK

×

An error occurred

This offer is currently unavailable.

Close

Search AI Answers