Kathryn M. Vandell

Memorial Services for Kathryn M. Vandell will be held on Monday, March 16, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at the Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, Nebraska, with Pastor Darrel Wissmann officiating. Private Family Interment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege, Nebraska, prior to the services.

Kathryn Marie "Kathy" Vandell, 78 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at Holdrege Memorial Homes. She was born December 1, 1936, in Red Cloud, Nebraska, the only daughter born to John C. "Pete" and Esther R. (Velte) Yelken. She attended District 20 Country School in Franklin County, Nebraska through the 8 ^th grade and graduated from Franklin High School with the class of 1954. She then pursued higher education from Kearney State College and received her Elementary Teaching Certificate. Kathy taught at District 38 Country School in Franklin County for three years, Upland Public Schools for two years and in the Holdrege School System for three years.

On June 22, 1963, she was united in marriage to Verne William "Bill" Vandell in Holdrege. To this union three daughters were born: Beth, Debra and Sonya. The family made their home on a farm south of Funk.

Kathy was a member of Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, the Friendship Circle, North Lake Club and was a past 4-H Leader. She enjoyed playing the piano, listening to music, especially Gospel and music from the 50s, sewing, cooking and her needlework, especially crocheting, knitting and embroidery. Kathy was active with the Wilcox Area Community Foundation and the Holdrege Memorial Homes Foundation Board. She also spent many years as a volunteer at Wilcox-Hildreth Public Schools in the 4 ^th Grade classroom.

Kathy's greatest joy in life was her family. She loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren and beloved dog, Sophie.

Besides her parents and husband, Bill in 2005, Kathryn was preceded in death by; sister-in-law, Alice Ann Taylor and husband, Jack; and a nephew, John Taylor.

She leaves to mourn her passing; her daughters: Beth Schneider and her husband, Brad of Holdrege, Debra Ohnoutka and her husband, Jeff of Columbus, Nebraska and Sonya Vandell of Overland Park, Kansas; seven grandchildren: Heidi and Brady Schneider, Katie, Ryan, Kristen, Megan and Lindsay Ohnoutka; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Kathy's honor and will be divided between her favorite organizations.

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.