Kelly Kotschwar

Kelly Lou Kotschwar, 45, of Moorefield, Nebraska, died January 26, 2022 at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

Kelly was born September 20, 1976 in Gothenburg, NE, son of Gary and Jody (Fecht) Kotschwar. He attended Farnam Elementary School until 2nd grade and finished his schooling at Medicine Valley Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1995. He then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, majoring in Ag Business. Kelly was very involved throughout his schooling and enjoyed football, basketball, baseball, FFA, FCCLA, choir, and band. He was an excellent trombone player and continued playing in college for the Husker Pep Band. Kelly married Kristen Lynn Vanderbeek in Kearney, Nebraska on May 26, 2001. Together they built their home and 3K Farms in Moorefield, Nebraska. Kelly started by purchasing his Grandpa Tony’s cattle in 2000. He was passionate about farming and raising exceptional cattle. He had a lot of pride in his hard work and dedication to farming and ranching. Kelly had a favorite bull named Leroy, which he planned to retire to their back yard. He really loved and was proud of that bull. Kelly and Kristen have four beautiful children; Kahner Lou (15), Brookelyn Rose (13), Dylan Alexander (9), and Sydney Lynn (7). Kelly loved his children dearly, would do anything for them and loved to spoil them. It was important to him to instill work ethic, discipline, and respect in their daily lives. They were his pride and joy. Kelly’s favorite interests included family vacations, family holidays, music, trap shooting, going to the lake, golf league at Arrowhead Meadows golf course, gardening, and canning. He was an amazing cook, and loved to barbeque and smoke delicious food for his family, at BBQ cook-offs, and occasional catering for friends. Kelly was a big Husker fan and enjoyed going to football and baseball games in Lincoln. He was a season football ticket holder since college and loved tailgating with friends. Kelly had an infectious smile and laugh and would fill the room with his big personality. We love and miss him more than he will ever know, but find comfort in knowing we will see him again soon.

Kelly is survived by his wife, Kristen Kotschwar, sons, Kahner and Dylan; daughters, Brookelyn and Sydney all of Moorefield; parents, Gary and Jody Kotschwar of Moorefield; sisters, Tamara (Tim) Miles of Monument, CO, Amber (Sam) Nelson of Lincoln, NE, and Cressy (Mike) Potter of Lincoln, CA along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Kelly was preceded in death by his grandparents, Anton and Audrey Kotschwar and Gerhardt and Viola Fecht, and father-in-law, Steven Vanderbeek.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, 620 10th Street, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Sunday, January 30, 2022, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm with the family present from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

Services will be held at First United Methodist Church, Curtis, Monday, January 31, 2022 at 10:30 am with Rev. Dr. Duncan Iburri and Pastor Tim McCrary officiating. The service will be live streamed on the Blase-Strauser facebook page for those unable to attend.

Burial will follow in the Moorefield Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Curtis Legion baseball program, Arrowhead Meadows Golf Course, or the Curtis or Farnam Volunteer fire department.