L. Johanna Bedell
March 31, 1918 — January 6, 2017
L. Johanna Bedell, 98, of Gothenburg, passed away January 6, 2017 at Gothenburg Health in Gothenburg, NE.
Lily Johanna Bedell was born March 31, 1918 to Peter and Marie (Peterson) Loostrom on a farm north of Gothenburg, Nebraska, the second of seven children. She attended grade school at New Hope District 153 in Custer County. She attended High School in Gothenburg, boarding with three other girls also from North of town. After high school, she returned home to the family ranch to help her parents and family. Johanna also worked several other jobs as well.
Johanna married James K. Bedell on June 18, 1940. They made their home in Gothenburg, Wheatland, Wyoming, and Lexington, Nebraska. On January 1, 1943, Jim was drafted into the U.S. Air Force and sent to basic training in Florida and then advanced training in Pauling, New York. Jim sent for her, Johanna went to join her husband. While in New York, Johanna took a job as a governess for a family with two boys at a summer resort outside of New York City and later another job in New York City. Johanna and Jim were apart for thirty-eight months while he was overseas.
After returning from service, the couple resided in Herrington, Kansas, Lexington, Nebraska, Sacramento, California, York, Nebraska, and Sheridan, Wyoming where Jim managed J.M. McDonald’s stores.
Johanna and Jim were longtime members of the First Presbyterian Church. Johanna also served as President of the Sheridan Fine Arts Club, Sheridan Women’s Club, 50 Year Member of the Eastern Star, Ladies Auxiliary VFW, and also was a member of a sewing club. Hobbies included: Sewing, fine arts, and music.
Jim passed away on December 16, 1986. Johanna moved to North Platte in 1992 to be near family.Jim and Johanna loved and enjoyed their great family and many friends.
She is survived by sister, Carol Brown of Cozad, Nebraska, brother-in-law Rodney Carlson of Cozad, NE, sister-in-law, Rosemary Loostrom, Plymouth, MI, nephews David (Linda) Loostrom of Gothenburg, NE, Mark (Shawn) Loostrom of Maxwell, NE, Kent (Shandra) Brown of Cozad, NE, nieces Karla (Randy) Zima of Mead, NE, Peggy (Johnny) Pape of Grand Island, NE, Jan (Tony) Sloboth of Centennial, CO, Sue (Greg) Maack, of Eaton, CO, Brooke (Brad) Hoffman of Windsor, CO, Barbara Denzer of Azuza, CA, Jeanne Evans, Charleston, SC. and Barbara Fry, Baton Rouge, LA and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Johanna was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, Mary Ann Carlson, brothers, John, Bob, Bruce, and Ivan Loostrom, sister-in-laws, Beulah Loostrom and Edith Jorgenson, and brother-in-laws Sam Brown, Ivan, Lynn, and Max Bedell.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Tuesday, January 10 at Blase Strauser Memorial Chapel, 620 10th St. Gothenburg Nebraska.
Burial will take place in the Gothenburg Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society Heartland Division, 9850 Nicholas, Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68114 or Callahan Cancer, North Platte, NE.
Online condolences maybe left for the family at www.blasestrauser.com