Karla Bryant

Karla Lynn Bryant, 68, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died April 29, 2018 in Gothenburg, NE.

She was born April 2, 1950 in Lexington, NE, daughter of Paul and Lola (Tharp) Heins.

Karla lived in the Cozad area until moving to Gothenburg in 1967. She attended school at District 29 south of Cozad and Cozad High School before graduating from Gothenburg High School.  She continued her education at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine (BS in Physical Therapy); Nebraska Wesleyan University (BS in Biology) and Kearney State College.

Karla begin working as a Physical Therapist in 1973.  In the 1990's she started serving many of the area schools.  Karla truly loved working with the kids, something she continued to do until her passing.  She incorporated as Karla Bryant, PT, PC in 2003.  Karla was a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Nebraska Chapter, Pediatric Section, Private Practice Section, and the Neuro-developmental Treatment Association.

She married Cedric Bryant on May 23, 1971 at Gothenburg, and to this union daughters Amanda and Alison were born.  The couple later divorced.  Karla was a member of the Gothenburg Community Playhouse and the Gothenburg First United Methodist Church.  Her faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior was most special to her, along with her family and friends.

She liked to play cards, board games and puzzles. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping, biking, hiking, therapeutic riding and riding the motorcycle.  She enjoyed a wide variety of sports, especially softball and baseball. She participated in Wellsprings Camp for many years.

Survivors include:  two daughters, Amanda (Corey) Rossell of Gothenburg and Alison (Matt) Feik of Cozad; brother, Byron Heins; sister, Myra (Dale) Gronewold; granddaughter, Makenzie Rossell; three grandsons, Tra Rossell, Bryant Feik, Austin Feik; former husband, Cedric Bryant; two sisters-in-law, Judy (John) Jensen and Loretta (Robert) Todd; brother-in-law, Roger (Sharon) Bryant; boyfriend Charles Bean of Cozad; lifelong friend Iris Desmarteau; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews along with many friends.

Karla was preceded in death by her parents; nephew, Chad Gronewold; grandparents, Fred and Sophie Heins, Cyrus, Myrtle and Luella Tharp.

Book Signing will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, May 3, 2018, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm. with the family present from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Memorial Services will be held at Cozad First United Methodist Church, 1515 Ave B, Cozad, NE, Friday May 4, 2018 at 10:30 am with Pastor Doug Smith officiating.

Interment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery south of Cozad, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to  AWANA, Gothenburg First United Methodist Church, Banner United Methodist Church, or Farnam United Methodist Church.