Carolyn K Brown

Private Family Funeral Services for Carolyn K. Brown will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Murray Jones officiating.  Following the services, a public graveside service will be held at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services and Gatherings will be followed.  The Brown and Anderson families sincerely encourage each person to make their decision whether to attend Carolyn's services, based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community.  Carolyn's funeral service will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page.  ( https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622 )

Carolyn Kay (Kennedy) Brown, 78 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.  Carolyn was born on March 4, 1942, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, the second of three children to Charley Clifford and Mildred (Larson) Kennedy.  Carolyn grew up in Burlington, Iowa, where she received her primary education from Washington Elementary and then graduated from Burlington High School with the class of 1960.  She then pursued higher education to attain her aspiration of becoming a nurse.  Carolyn was accepted into the registered nursing program at Creighton Memorial St. Joseph's Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.

During her time at the teaching hospital, she met her future husband, Byron K. Anderson.  On July 25, 1964, Carolyn and Byron were united in marriage in Omaha, and to this union two sons were born:  Todd and Kyle.  The couple made their home in Holdrege.  In the coming years, Carolyn focused her efforts raising her two sons and then completed her education and credentials as an LPN at Central Technical Community College of Practical Nursing in Kearney, Nebraska.

On September 4, 1981, she was united in marriage to Wallace D. Brown and with this union she gained Wally's children:  Randy, Shauna, Stacey, Angie, and Shannon into her life.  Together they retired in Long Pine, Nebraska, where they enjoyed fishing and the great outdoors.  They also enjoyed many hours together cross-country skiing and tending to their large garden.  In 1992, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wally.

Carolyn practiced her passion of nursing, providing care and concern to patients in the areas of hospital care, dental care, and long-term skilled nursing care.  Throughout the years, Carolyn was employed in facilities in Kearney, Nebraska; Grand Island, Nebraska; at Bergan Mercy in Omaha; and Brown County Hospital in Ainsworth, Nebraska.  While in Holdrege, Carolyn worked at Phelps Memorial Health Center; for Dr. Grant and Kay Hinze's Building of Dental Arts; the Christian Homes Care Community; and Holdrege Memorial Homes prior to her retirement.

In Carolyn's spare time, she enjoyed knitting and crocheting; was an avid reader; and loved watching classic movies.  She was also an excellent cook, who loved to cater to her family.  Her greatest joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and loved spending time with them.

For many years, Carolyn was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, where she found great peace in her Bible studies.  Carolyn's faith was always at the forefront of her life, and she enjoyed teaching Sunday school within the churches she was involved in.

Besides her parents; and her husband, Wally; Carolyn was preceded in death by; her brother, Charley Robert Kennedy; sister, Sharon Wells; and sister-in-law, Janice Schmeeckle and her husband, Doug.

Carolyn leaves to celebrate her life; her two sons:  Todd Anderson and his wife, Kay of Lincoln, Nebraska and Kyle Anderson and his wife, Christi of Holdrege; one step-son, Randy Brown and his wife, Kelly of Ankeny, Iowa; four step-daughters:  Shauna Burks and her husband, James of Clermont, Florida; Stacey Fritson and her husband, Dave of Minden, Nebraska; Angie Rodriguez of Grand Island, Nebraska; and Shannon Richter and her husband, Matt of Oakland, Nebraska; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law:  Richard Wells of Burlington, Iowa; Jim Brown and his wife, Millie of Holdrege; Jerry Brown and his wife, Carolyn of Doniphan, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.  Face coverings will be required.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Carolyn's honor and kindly suggested to the Holdrege Memorial Homes Foundation; the Phelps County Senior Center; or the Prairie Home Cemetery.

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

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is assisting the family with the arrangements .