Kathleen "Kathy" Veal

A memorial service for Kathleen A. Veal will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Kenton Birtell officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

Kathleen Ann "Kathy" Veal, 82 years of age, of Kearney, Nebraska, formerly of Holdrege, passed away, on July 14, 2026, at Mt. Carmel Home Keens Memorial in Kearney. Kathy was born in Holdrege on May 31, 1944, the second of three daughters, born to Chester and Myrtle (Jensen) Valentine. She received her education and graduated from Holdrege Public School with the class of 1962.

On September 1st, 1962, Kathy was united in marriage to Floyd Richard Baker at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege. They moved to Pratt, Kansas, where their two children, Lori and Chadd, were born. Kathy worked in the banking industry throughout her career, starting in Pratt. She and her family moved back to Holdrege, where she started working for First Security Bank and then moved to First National Bank of Holdrege from 1975 until her retirement in 2009. She served in various positions while at the bank and was also very active in the Women in Banking for many years. Kathy pursued higher education and received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2000.

On February 14, 2001, Kathy was united in marriage to Gerald Veal in Valentine, Nebraska.

Kathy enjoyed bowling, traveling, reading, music, spending time with family and friends, and helping others.  She was a wonderful baker and would remember people's favorite desserts to make for them. Kathy made all the holidays extra special. She was a member of Al-Anon and sponsored an Alateen group in Holdrege. Kathy was an advocate at the Safe Center. She also volunteered for many years at St. Francis Alcohol Drug Treatment Center in Grand Island with both the KidsKare program and later the adult residential program. Kathy was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Wes Skaggs; grandson, Andrew Cleveland; brother-in-law, Dan McCracken; sister, Monica Skaggs; and niece, Jan Skaggs Knuth.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Gerald of Holdrege; her children: Lori Cleveland and her husband, Rick of Grand Island, Nebraska; and Chadd Baker of Kearney; Gerald's sons: Todd (Carrie) Veal of Holdrege; Brad (Shawn) Veal of Shawnee, Kansas; grandchildren: Joshua Cleveland and Bailey Miller; Briana Cleveland; Allison Baker and Gabe Petti; Nickolas Baker; Alex Baker and Julianna Garlewicz; Lindsay Veal; Zane Veal; Noah Veal; and Aidan Veal; sister, Janean McCracken; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

There will be no viewing or visitation. The family is honoring Kathy's wish for cremation.

Memorials in Kathy's honor are suggested to the family for later designation.

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 the arrangements.