Barbara Anderson

Barbara Anderson Obituary

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Age - 89

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September 12, 2023

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Minden, NE

"Barbara J. Anderson, 89, of Minden, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Good Samaritan Society - Hastings Village. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a. m. on Monday, September 18, 2023 at Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Minden with Rev. Sharon Rees officiating. The service will be live streamed to the church's Facebook page. Private family interment will be held prior to the service at the Minden Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p. m. on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Barb's honor are kindly suggested to the Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Minden or to the Kearney County Historical Society. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Barbara Jean (Swanson) Anderson was born on July 19, 1934 in Minden, NE to Leonard and Evelyn (Bang) Swanson. She attended grade school in Minden and Axtell before returning to Minden for high school, graduating with the class of 1952. She attended St. Francis School of Nursing in Grand Island, graduating with the class of 1955. On September 11, 1955, she married Burdette (Bill) Anderson at Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Minden. They lived in Denver and Ft. Morgan, CO, where Steven was born in Denver and Kimberly in Ft. Morgan. She began her nursing career at the Fort Morgan Community Hospital. The family moved back to Minden in 1962. She continued her nursing career as a surgical nurse at Kearney County Community Hospital, the Minden Clinic, a school nurse for Minden Public Schools and a staff nurse for the South Central Area Agency on Aging. She retired in 1992. She was a longtime member of Westminster United Presbyterian Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and a member of the Presbyterian Women. She selflessly volunteered her time for many years on the Hospital Auxiliary, Minden Blood Bank, Immunization Clinic, as an election day volunteer, and Meals on Wheels in Minden. Some hobbies she enjoyed over the years were golfing in her younger years, playing Som-R-Set with friends and relatives. Rumor has it, she was quite the football player in football games with her cousins in their youth. She loved to follow her children in school and sports activities, and later, many activities of her grandchildren. Her family was always her pride and joy. She was blessed with many many wonderful friends during her lifetime. Amazing women who supported and sustained one another through the joys and sorrows of their lives. They meant the world to her. Barbara was preceded in death by her; parents, Burdette in 2005, and stepfather, Willis Bloomfied in 1995. Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Steve (Molly) Anderson of Minden and Kim (Tony) Wanek of Hastings; grandchildren and spouses, Ryan Wanek of Omaha, Tyler (Chentel) Wanek of Omaha, Spencer (Hannah) of Hastings, Caitlyn (Zach) Hawthorne of St. George, UT, Max (Kaci) Anderson of Austin, TX; great-grandchildren, Edison Wanek of Omaha, Owen and Phoebe Wanek of Hastings; step-sisters, Merna Carlin of Burlington, CO, Alice (Don) Bates of Kearney, Carol (Chuck) Kuehn of Minden; step-brother, Gene (Dorene) Bloomfied of Minden; aunt, Margaret Christensen of Minden; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family can be shared with the family at www. craigfunerals. com. "

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Donna Schwenka

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Age - 89

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"Donna Jean (Olsen) Schwenka, of Minden, Nebraska passed away August 15, 2023. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Westminster United Presbyterian Church, with Revs. Logan Ellis, Andrew Schwenka and Christian Schwenka presiding. A private family interment will be held prior to the service at the Minden Cemetery. The service will be live streamed to the church's Facebook page. A visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00pm on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Craig Funeral Home in Minden, NE. In Lieu of flowers, memorials in Donna's honor are kindly suggested to the Westminster United Presbyterian Church, Bethany Home, and the Kearney County Medical Foundation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Donna was born on August 5, 1934 to Grace and Rienhart Olsen. She grew up in Minden, Nebraska, graduating in 1952. On April 9, 1953, she was united in marriage to Dick Schwenka. To this union four boys and two girls were born. Although she had many jobs outside the home, the one she treasured the most was being a loving mother and grandmother. Donna was happiest when she was surrounded by family, and she adored her friends. Among both groups, she acquired quite a reputation for being an amazing cook. She was especially known for her home baked pies and excellent fried chicken. Donna kept great company with her coffee clubs, bible studies, and card groups. Her favorite games included Some-R-Set and bridge. She was also very active in her community as a member of Westminster United Presbyterian Church and the Hospital Auxiliary, and as a volunteer for numerous community, school, and church events. Donna was well-known as an avid sports fan. She loved cheering for the Minden Whippets, Nebraska Huskers, and Kansas City Royals, but she especially loved cheering on her many grandchildren in their various sports and other activities. Above all, Donna was a woman of faith. She loved taking care of her family, friends and her church, doing all that she could to make things better for everyone around her. Her first response was always, "What can I do to help?" Left to cherish her memory are her children and their spouses, Dick (Deb) Schwenka of Minden, Don (Linda) Schwenka of Minden, Dean (Mary Jo) Schwenka of Heartwell and Doug (Linda) Schwenka of Hastings; Denise (Chuck) Sinsel of Grand Island, and Dee Ann (Tim) Higgins of Grand Island; 17 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren (of whom she was excited to welcome two more into the family soon); her sisters and their spouses, Marcia (Dean) Marsh, John (Janice) Horan, and Cindy Flavell. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sisters Deb Cover and Beverlee Miller, and her infant brother Marshall Olsen, a grandson, Jeremy Dean Schwenka, a grandson-in-law Matt Brass, and great grandchildren, Mary Gabriel Brass and John Paul Faustina Brass, as well as a long list of extended family members and friends. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www. craigfunerals. com. "Show more

Gary Nielsen

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Age - 80

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