Loretta "Tootie" Colter

Celebration of Life Service for Loretta J. "Tootie" Colter will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska with Pastor Tim Glendening officiating.  Interment will be held in the Hope Lutheran Cemetery in rural Gosper County, Nebraska following the services.

Loretta Jane "Tootie" Colter, 54 years of age, of rural Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 6, 2015 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska.  Loretta was born May 8, 1960 at the Brewster Hospital in Holdrege, the fourth of five children born to LeRoy and Betty (Billeter) Wilken.  She was baptized on June 5, 1960 at the Hope Lutheran Church, and later in years she was also confirmed at the church on May 11, 1975.  Loretta received her education from the Bertrand Community Schools, graduating with the class of 1978.

Following her education, Loretta began a career as a nurse's aide for various nursing homes in the area including the Bertrand Nursing Home.  She then began a long career with Becton Dickinson in Holdrege.  While working at BD, Loretta met the love of her life, Steven D. Colter and the couple were united in marriage on September 17, 1988 at the Hope Lutheran Church.  With this marriage, Loretta lovingly accepted Steve's daughter, Karissa Sue as her own.  In addition two daughters were born:  Kaylee Kristine and Kodi Kristine.  Since 1992, the family has made their home northeast of Bertrand.  At the time of Loretta's passing she was in her 36 ^th year of employment at BD.

Loretta had a special place in her heart for little children.  Her natural ability of comforting young children in a loving way was evident to everyone who knew her.  Her three daughters and three grandchildren were especially on the receiving end of this love.  Her smile was infectious, she was an excellent cook, enjoyed tending to her garden, and was a hard worker that didn't know how to say no; when someone needed her help.  She also had a great sense of humor.

She was a lifetime member of the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, where she taught Sunday school and was involved with the Women of Hope.

Loretta was preceded in death by her father, LeRoy Wilken in 1995; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and LaVone Colter; step father-in-law, Bill Warren; as well as her maternal and paternal grandparents.

She leaves to cherish her memory; her husband, Steve Colter of rural Bertrand; three daughters:  Karissa Crawford and her husband, Chase of McCook, Nebraska, Kaylee Colter and her fiancé, Eric Parsons both of Kearney, Nebraska, and Kodi Colter of Kearney; her mother, Betty Wilken of Bertrand; three grandchildren:  Cali, Jed, and Cannon Crawford; two sisters:  Carol Lee Florang of Kearney and Janet Stalder and her husband, Randy of McCook; two brothers:  Gary Wilken and his wife, Cindy of rural Bertrand and Jeff Wilken and his wife, Shauna of rural Smithfield; sister-in-law, Sandra Brown and her husband, James of Hastings, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Loretta's honor and kindly suggested to the Hope Lutheran Church or the Bertrand Rescue Unit.

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.