Karlie K. Koinzan, 76 of Bartlett, passed away Friday, May 31, 2019 at Arbor Care Center (formerly Neligh Care and Rehabilitation Center) in Neligh.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Bartlett with Rev. John Ryding officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2019 at the church. Burial will be in the Bartlett Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bartlett, Arbor Care Center (formerly Neligh Care and Rehabilitation Center) in Neligh, or the Alzheimer’s Association of Nebraska. Huffman-Levander Funeral Home of Elgin is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.huffmanlevander.com.
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Karlie Koehler Koinzan, daughter of Clarence and Lucille (Koehler) Hansen was born July 14, 1942 at Sioux City, IA. She was raised in Holt County near Chambers Corner and graduated from Wheeler Central High School in 1960. Karlie’s grandfather came to live with them as a small child. He taught her to read and write long before she entered school. She credits her love of books to the hours they spent reading together.
During her high school years, she lived in the girl’s dormitory in Bartlett. Karlie often sharing fond memories of that time.
On July 12, 1960, Karlie married Jerry Koinzan. They made their home in Wheeler County where they were blessed with four children: Merry, Lisa, Krista and Greg. Together they owned and operated Koinzan Bus Service and other businesses. Karlie was a member of the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team for the State of Nebraska and was also the business manager for Wheeler Central School. While working, she received her bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies in June 1991 and earned her master’s degree in Business Administration and Human Resources in May 1994. She worked as a Human Resources Director at Valley County Health Systems in Ord until her retirement.
Karlie was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bartlett and was a long-time member and Emergency Medical Technician on the Bartlett Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.
Karlie was a planner and loved to make every event extra special no matter what it was. She planned family trips, Christmas teas, class reunions and even geocaching her anniversary so her family could “see” the life she had made with Jerry.
She loved the outdoors… working in hay field, planning a new butterfly garden or a camping adventure with her family. She enjoyed participating in Outdoor Women camps with friends and family.
If a project needed done, she was the women for the job. A few projects she was instrumental included compiling information for the Wheeler County history book, keeping books for the rural fire board, and helping to start and lead a 4-H club. Sharing family history was important to Karlie, she wanted to make sure we knew where we came from. She enjoyed telling stories of family long gone as well as searching out headstones to help show where our family once lived. Karlie’s beautiful mind was taken by Alzheimer. She was blessed to have a wonderful husband and caregivers to allow her to stay in her home, until a short time before her death.
She is survived by her husband Jerry Koinzan of Bartlett, NE; daughter Merry (Craig) Sprout of Elgin; granddaughter Whitney (Justin) Tramp and two daughters of Norfolk; grandson Travis (Alexis) Sprout and two daughters of Bartlett; daughter Lisa (Alan) Welding of Elgin; grandson Tanner Welding (Victoriah Fangman and Caleb) of Elgin; granddaughter Kelsey Welding of Elgin; daughter Krista (Kevin) Boyd of Nixa, MO; grandchildren Kendall, Kacey and Keric Boyd of Nixa, MO; son Greg (Dana) Koinzan of Dakota City; grandchildren; Mahkenna, Jack, Mia and Isabella Koinzan of Dakota City; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Karlie was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Elaine “Mick” Stevens and Lois Thirstrup; and grandchildren Theresa and Joseph Koinzan.
