Loretta E. Kowalski

A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Loretta on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hebron, Nebraska, with Father Steve Major presiding. Organist, Deb Pohlmann, accompanied the congregation as they sang, “Be Not Afraid”, “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman”, “Here I Am Lord”, “I Am The Bread Of Life”, and “ On Eagle’s Wings”. Pallbearers included James Lange, Samantha Lange, Claire Johnson, Rachel Johnson, Garrett Kowalski, Wyatt Kowalski, Cassidy Whittington, Joshua Walsh, Alyssa Grell, Hannah Grell, and Ryan Grell. Graveside Services were held following the funeral mass at the Carleton City Cemetery in Carleton, Nebraska. Memorials were directed to the American Lung Association or Padre Pio Foundation of America. Loretta Esther Neville was born to John Abram and Lillian Esther (Sughrue) Neville on August 24, 1939, at their home near Waco, Ne. She passed away on September 15, 2025, at the Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva at the age of 86 years and 22 days. Her family was at her side. Loretta graduated from St. Joseph's High School in York with the class of 1957. After high school she moved to Denver, Co. with her sister, Anne and friend Mag where they worked for two years and made many good memories before moving back to Nebraska. Once back home, she completed training at Joseph's School of Beauty in Grand Island and received her beautician license. Loretta married her best friend, and love of her life, Bob Kowalski, on August 24, 1963, in York, Ne. The couple moved to St. Paul to start their married life before moving to a small acreage near Alda, where Bob built the house where they raised their family. Loretta worked as a teachers' aid at District 38 school in Grand Island before taking a job at Saint Francis Medical Center, where she worked for many years as the supervisor in the admission department. Loretta enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and working in her flower beds. She spent countless hours planting, weeding, and talking/humming to her flowers. Her greatest joy was being a wife, mom and granny. She attended many games, county fairs and school activities for her children and grandchildren. She and Bob also spent many years traveling to Nebraska football games with friends. She made friends wherever she went, answering to Mom, Mama, Granny, Loretta E, Lo and Aunt Red. One could always tell where Loretta was, by the large group of people around her and her infectious laugh. After retiring early, Loretta and Bob started a new chapter of life as Winter Texans. They cherished 19 years spent together traveling south, making new friends and many happy memories. In 2000, they sold the house in Alda and moved to an acreage near Red Cloud where they spent the next 21 years. They continued to spend winters in Texas. In 2020, the couple moved to Carleton to be closer to their children. In 2021, the Lord called Bob to heaven, and Loretta moved in with her children; dividing her time between the homes of her daughter, Kate and husband, John; and daughter Joni and husband Jerry. Her son, Kevin, daughter Laurie, and their families were frequent visitors. Faith, family and friends gave her courage and strength in her journey through life, especially after her health began to challenge her breathing and mobility, and after Bob passed away. She prayed and spoke to our Lord many, many times during the day and often included Bob and Padre Pio in her prayers and talks. She also gained a new group of friends at grief counseling in Geneva, as counselors and group members gave her friendship, courage and strength to move forward with her challenges. She also gained faith, courage and strength in her last months from weekly visits from Father Major. Loretta was proceeded in death by her parents; loving husband, Bob; infant sons, Lee and Christopher; sister, Anne Puncochar, other relatives and friends. She is survived by children, Kate (John) Lange of Bruning; Joni (Jerry) Johnson of Hebron; Kevin (Kris) Kowalski of Wilber and Laurie (Allan) Grell of Omaha; grandchildren, Jared, James and Samantha Lange; Claire and Rachel Johnson; Garrett (Erin) Kowalski, Wyatt (Sophie) Kowalski and Cassidy (Mitchell) Whittington; Josh Walsh, Alyssa, Hannah and Ryan Grell; great grandson, Brigham Kowalski (Garrett and Erin), and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Tributes

Loretta E. Kowalski

August 24, 1939 - September 15, 2025