Betty Brown

B etty B rown, age 78, of North Platte, passed away surrounded by her family on January 29, 2022, at Centennial Park Retirement Village.

Betty was born to Kenneth and Elvera Rohman on November 10, 1943, at St. Paul, NE, where she grew up and graduated from high school. She later went back to college to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.

Betty was married to Bob Levene and they lived in North Platte. The couple had three children and later divorced. On June 2, 1990, Betty was united in marriage to Randal Brown and two more children were added to the family. Randal and Betty made their home together in North Platte.

Betty worked in the business office at Great Plains Regional Medical Center and retired after 30 years. She was a devoted foster parent, was active in Nebraska Special Olympics, and served as Area 3 Family Coordinator. She enjoyed taking athletes to national competitions and cheering them on.

Betty never met a stranger and was a very outgoing, loving woman. She enjoyed traveling, taking cruises, scrap booking, square dancing, and even performed for President Ronald Reagan when he was in North Platte. She was a Job's Daughters Queen, a talented wood carver, baker (who made many wedding and birthday cakes), and an avid quilter who had one of the most extensive fabric collections. She made hundreds of quilts for loved ones and shared her sewing talents with many as a 4-H leader and was on the Heartland Quilt Guild. Betty was a staple member of the Great Plains Creative Art Camp for many years and loved participating in the Nebraska Passport program. She found great joy in discovering new places in Nebraska.

Betty was also a member of the Red Hatters and an active member of First United Methodist Church. She served on several boards, taught Sunday School, helped cook and serve the Wednesday night meals, was part of a Christian women's club, and was always willing to lend a hand.

Betty will be remembered for the sparkle in her eyes and her beautiful smile that she freely gave to those around her. She was a kind spirit who truly believed everyone deserved a second chance and loved without judgment. She was always supportive of those she loved and was really a small town girl at heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ken and Elvera Rohman.

Betty leaves behind her husband, Randal, and daughters, Roxanne (Bret) Ludemann, Collette (Rob) Douglass and Rosie Merrell, all of North Platte; sons, Robert (Tina) Levene, of Honey Creek, IA, and David Brown, of North Platte; her sister, Kathy Swain, of North Platte; grandchildren, Brooke Ludemann, Kayla Jayne Douglass, Chantel Hudson, Taylor Douglass, Caleb Douglass, Josh Herron, Jeremy (Ryland) Levene and Jacob Levene; great-grandchildren, Jaedyn, Bella, Easton, Kolton, Maycee and Benson; her lifelong friends, Bev and George Dethlefs, of Danneborg; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other friends and extended family.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 7, 2022, at First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 1-6 p.m. and with family greeting from 4-6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the donor's choice.