Coeleen Kay Witthuhn

Coeleen Kay Witthuhn, 59, of Callaway, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2018, at University of Nebraska Medical Center after a short battle with cancer. Coeleen was born October 28, 1958 in North Platte, Nebraska. She was raised by John Frank & Sharen Ann (Crow) Leonard. Coeleen attended grade school at Arnold, Kearney, Gothenburg, and Cozad. In 1974, Coeleen moved to Callaway. She attended and graduated from Callaway High School with the class of 1977. Coeleen was very active in high school. She was a member of the volleyball, track and girls basketball teams. She participated in drama, school plays, pep club, FHA, and journalism. Coeleen was a cheerleader and held several offices in FHA including: Presidential Advisor, President, Secretary, and Historian. Following her graduation, life led Coeleen to a job at the Callaway District Hospital where she made many friends and enjoyed the work. Coeleen was united in marriage to Bradley W. Witthuhn on July 8, 1978 in Callaway. This union was blessed with Kimberly on May 7, 1979. On March 19, 1983 Coeleen's life was forever changed as she was paralyzed for the remainder of her life. As a result of this complication, the family adopted Levi at his birth in December of 1989. The family moved to North Platte from 1985 to 1992 before moving back to Callaway where they have lived ever since. In 1987, Coeleen went back to school and in 1988 accomplished her goal with a Word Processing/Correspondence Secretarial Degree. She worked for Farm Bureau Insurance, Custer County Sheriff’s Office, Jeannie Melham Medical Center, and Callaway District Hospital. Coeleen was a member of the Callaway United Methodist Church, UMW, Circle of Friends, Trustee Board Member for many years, Higher Education Committee, UMW Treasurer & Secretary, Stewardship & Finance and Financial Secretary for seven years. She also was on the Callaway Park and School Playground Committee and past member of Modern Mothers Club. Coeleen was awarded the Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1997. Coeleen’s lifetime joys were spending time with her family and she adored her grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, flower gardening, hummingbirds, and Christmas decorating with hundreds of snowman. Coeleen was always lending a helping hand to anyone in need. Survivors include her husband of almost forty years, Bradley Witthuhn of Callaway, Nebraska; children, Kimberly Ann Witthuhn of Broken Bow, Nebraska & Levi Jered Witthuhn of Las Vegas, Nevada; three grandchildren, Kamron (Abigail) of Burwell, Nebraska; Brianna & Addison of Broken Bow, Nebraska; mother, Sharen Leonard of North Platte, Nebraska; two sisters, Michelle (Gregory) Shaner of Grand Island, Nebraska; and Cristy (Larry) Rivers of Superior, Wisconsin; life-long friend and cousin Karen (Dean) Hickenbottom of Spokane, Washington; nieces, brothers-in-law, extended family and many friends. Coeleen was preceded in death by her birth father, LaMoyne Johnston, father, John Leonard; brother, Jeffrey Leonard and mother and father-in-law, Nadine and Wayne Witthuhn. Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 4, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Callaway, Nebraska with Pastor Shanon Williams, officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, June 3, 2018, from 5-7 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Callaway. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Callaway. Memorials are suggested to the Callaway Rescue Unit. Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is honored to be assisting the family. To share online condolences please visit: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com