Betty A Cowan

Funeral Services for Betty A. Cowan will be held on Friday, September 18, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Oxford, Nebraska with Pastor Eldon E. Fablinger officiating. Interment will be in the Oxford Cemetery following the services.

Betty Ann Cowan, 83 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Oxford), passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Betty was born December 13, 1931 in Alma, Nebraska, the eldest of three children born to Gilbert and Goldean (Lunbery) Stephens. Betty received her education at Huntley, Nebraska, graduating from Huntley High School with the class of 1949. Following her education, Betty was employed as a nursing assistant at the Oxford Hospital.

On December 18, 1949 she was united in marriage to Glen Marshall Cowan at the Methodist Parsonage in Alma and this marriage was blessed with two daughters: Katherine Ann and Rosann Marie.


They made their home on the family farm six miles southwest of Oxford, where Glen and Betty engaged in farming and worked side-by-side for their entire working years. Besides helping on the farm, Betty also enjoyed being a homemaker, was a 4-H leader for many years, loved tending to her flower gardens, and was a talented ceramic painter. Betty was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church in Oxford, where she was active with the United Methodist Women for many years helping serve funerals and special occasions. She made many friendship bonds through the years in her card and extension clubs; but most of all the highlight of her life was the time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Betty was preceded in death by her parents; one granddaughter, Sara Weatherwax and one great-granddaughter, Macy Weatherwax both in infancy.


She leaves to celebrate her life; her husband of 65 years, Glen Cowan of Holdrege; two daughters: Kathy Weatherwax of Oxford, and Rose Fryda and her husband, Don of Chadron, Nebraska; four grandchildren: David Weatherwax and his wife, Tricia of Oxford, Jeremy Fryda and his wife, Katie of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, Cy Fryda and his wife, Jessica of Alliance, Nebraska, and Emily Weatherwax of Holdrege; seven great-grandchildren: A.J., Tate and Ellie Weatherwax, Travis Fryda, Jennifer and Hallie Chipperfield and Zoe Gaghagen; two brothers: Robert Stephens and his wife, Lela of Naponee, Nebraska and Neil Stephens and his wife, Beth of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford.

A memorial has been established in Betty's honor and kindly suggested to the United Methodist Church in Oxford.

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

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.