Karen Bedlan

A Memorial Mass for Karen will be held on Friday, January 6, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Shickley, Nebraska. Father Harlan Waskowiak will preside over the Service. A Graveside Committal of Ashes will take place in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery follow the Memorial Mass. Memorials are suggested to the St. Mary Catholic Church or the Shickley Veteran's Memorial Park. Karen Bedlan passed away after a short battle with liver cancer on Friday, December 30, 2022 at the Bellevue Medical Center at the age of 72 years, 7 months, and 3 days. Karen Lou Draper was born May 27, 1950 in Aurora, Nebraska to Bill and Donna (Gorham) Draper. She was welcomed at home by her sweet brother, Roger Lee, and was later joined by her sisters, Vicki Jo and Linda Sue. She grew up on farms in Aurora and Grand Island where she and her brother got in much trouble. When Karen and Roger were fighting, their mother would make them sit in facing chairs and say nice things about each other. The Draper family moved to Giltner, Nebraska where Karen attended Giltner Public Schools until her sixth grade year. In January 1962, the family settled in Fairbury, Nebraska when her dad took on the exciting role of bowling alley manager at the Pla-Mor Lanes. Karen graduated from Fairbury High School in 1968. Her status as the most popular senior girl on campus was cemented when her classmates chose her to be the “F” Girl, wearing the crimson sweater with the big gold letter “F” emblazoned on the front to spell out FAIRBURY with seven other girls when cheering on Fairbury High at sporting events. Some of those school friends remained friends for life, like her dear friend Deb. She attended Fairbury Junior College for two years, and then graduated from Kearney State College in 1972 with a degree in elementary education. Karen began her teaching career in Shickley as the first grade teacher in 1972. The presence of the new young and fun “School Marm” did not go unnoticed by the single men in town, especially Kenny Bedlan. She married Kenny, the love of her life, on August 8, 1975. Their miracle baby, Ryan John, was born on June 9, 1977. Karen always encouraged and supported him in all of his school and sports activities. She traveled many, many miles to watch him in high school and college sports. Shortly after Karen’s retirement from teaching in 2007, Karen and Kenny moved from Shickley to Omaha to be closer to Ryan’s family, particularly the grandchildren. She will long be remembered as a doting mom and grandma, the crazy loving aunt, longtime high school friend, family communicator and connector. You never knew when something unexpected from Karen might show up in your mailbox or yard, like a tacky pink flamingo or the ugliest yellow rock clock you ever saw. In years after her mother’s death she became the family matriarch and boss lady. She stayed in touch with cousins from all across the US and Canada. In recent years she enjoyed attending and cheering on activities and educational efforts of her grandchildren, and great nieces and nephews. Karen’s basement shelves would tell you that she was a quilter, crafter, reader, and movie enthusiast. She was always willing to share and many times would sort out and give away her things so that others could enjoy. She honored family marriages and births with beautiful counted cross stitch samplers. Her favorite times were spent with family, whether it was immediate or extended family. Ryan said that Karen always called him the miracle baby but he said that she was the Miracle Mom. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny, and her parents, Bill and Donna Draper. Karen is survived by her son, Ryan; grandchildren, Jensen and Chloe Bedlan; step grandchildren, Bella and Harry Tarr; brother Roger Draper; sister-in-law Kathryn Draper; sister Vicki Urrea and brother-in-law Mike Urrea; sister Linda Boeckner and brother-in-law Dave Boeckner; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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Karen Bedlan

May 27, 1950 - December 30, 2022