Bette R Carlson

Due to inclement weather, the Celebration of Life Service for Bette Carlson has been rescheduled for Friday, April 13, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastors David Carlson and Tom Thompson officiating. Private family interment will be held prior to the service at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, Nebraska.

Bette Rae (Biesecker) Carlson, 84 years of age, of rural Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney. Bette was born April 8, 1934, on the family farm north of Bertrand, the second of four children born to Leroy and Doris (Detenbeck) Biesecker.

Bette began her education in a one-room schoolhouse, one and a half miles from the family farm. In 1940, her parents, and sister, Joyce moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where she attended Omaha Central and Beechwood Schools. Younger siblings: Gary and Cheryl joined the family while living in Omaha. After World War II ended, the family returned to the family farm, where she completed her primary education in rural Bertrand. In 1949, she entered Bertrand High School, where she was a majorette all 4 years, prior to her graduation.

In 1951, she was united in marriage to Wayne R. Carlson at Norton, Kansas, and to this union two children were born: David and Nancy. Bette taught school for one year in a one-room school house and then joined her husband in Killeen, Texas, where they were stationed for a year during the Korean War. They then moved to a farm north of Holdrege, where they resided for 64 years.

She enjoyed doing crafts and making "blankies" for friends and family. She was an accomplished seamstress, and her embroidery work was an example of her creativity, and love of beauty. Bette was a member of the Gideon Auxiliary for nearly 60 years, and volunteered as a guide for Pioneer Girls. Bette faithfully attended any and every event where her children were participating, and was always delighted in baking and sharing her home.

Her five grandkids: John, Daniel, Anna, Elisabeth and Joel, were the light of her life. She was a member of Loomis Evangelical Free Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years, and was a founding member of the Christian Homes Chapel, where she attended faithfully.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by; her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Vincent and Marie Carlson; and a brother-in-law, Pete Wagner.

She leaves to celebrate her life: her husband of 67 years, Wayne Carlson of rural Holdrege; her two children: David Carlson and his wife, Deborah of Lebanon, Oregon, and Nancy Carlson of Holdrege; five grandchildren: John Carlson of Anchorage, Alaska; Daniel Carlson of Longview, Washington; and Anna, Elisabeth and Joel Carlson all of Lebanon, Oregon; her cherished siblings: Joyce Wagner of Lincoln, Nebraska; Dr. Gary Biesecker and his wife, Vivian of High Point, North Carolina; and Cheryl May and her husband, Kent of Hays Center, Nebraska; brothers-in-law: Warner Carlson and his wife, Janice of Holdrege; and John Carlson and his wife, Valene of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Joanne Carlson of Wellington, Colorado; one surviving aunt, Dorothy Detenbeck of Raymond, Nebraska; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial book signing will be held on Friday, April 13, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

It was Bette's desire, in lieu of flowers that memorial gifts be given in her honor to the Christian Homes Care Community Chapel, or Gideons International.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com .

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of arrangements.