Betty Johnson

Betty Johnson

May 2, 1935 - Feb. 27, 2012

KEARNEY, Nebraska -- Betty K. Johnson, 76, of Kearney, died Monday, Feb.27, 2012, at her residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney. The Revs. Carla Gunn and Marvin Valdois will officiate. Interment will be in the Kearney Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5-7 pm, Wednesda at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney and continue one hour prior to service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.

Online condolences may be submitted to osrfh.com. O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

Betty was born May 2, 1935, in rural Shelton to John and Mary (Hostler) O'Brien.

She attended school in Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island High School in 1954. She was married to Art Giesenhagen in North Platte in 1954. She was married later to Charles E. Johnson in Hastings on Oct.18, 1975. They made their home in Hastings later moving to McCook before moving to Kearney. She worked at Penny's in Kearney and UNK food service.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Kearney, Circle #2 at the church and Betty's Club. She volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital where she made Nebraska Cornhusker hats for babies. She enjoyed bowling and crocheting. She loved to attend NASCAR races and attending her grandchildren's activities. She and Chuck would travel to Texas in the winter where they made many friends.

She is survived by her husband of Kearney; sons, David (Deb) Giesenhagen of North Platte, Jimmy (Vicky) Giesenhagen of Colby, Kansas, Darrel (Jeanette) Giesenhagen of Holdrege and Gary (Donna) Giesenhagen of Kearney; daughter, Carol Criss of Kearney; brothers, Steve (Lori) O'Brien of Kearney and Hubert (Phyllis) O'Brien of Ponca, Nebraska; sister, Lola Scott of Edenberg, Texas; sister-in-law, Phyllis O'Brien of Beatrice; 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; step-children, Randy (Irene) Johnson of McCook, Joanne (Butch) Elliott of Sedalia, Missouri, Doreen (Dave) Wilcox of Prescott, Wisconsin and Cindy Johnson of Sedalia, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Gary and John; and brother-in-law, Ralph Scott.