It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness the family of Kathleen Mary (Swantek) Merrill announce the passing from complications of a stroke, our beloved and devoted Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister and Friend. Kathleen left her earthly bonds and burdens peacefully at home surrounded by loving family the evening of Monday, April 18, 2022. She was 77.
Kathleen was born November 20, 1944, in Genoa, Nebraska the 2nd of six children to Francis Joseph Swantek and Mary Florence (Ksizak) Swantek. She, along with her siblings, were born and raised in a farming family steeped in a strong, proud and faithful Polish culture and traditions. She attended grade school in a little one room country school that was heated by a big ole potbelly woodstove, and metal pail of cold water with a community ladle in the back of the classroom and an outhouse out back of the school. She attended Genoa High School. It was at a school dance that she met the love of her life Max Russell Merrill from the neighboring town of Silver Creek, Nebraska. It was during a double date, when her sister Margaret Ann, accepted an invitation from Max but only if he could convince his younger brother Paul Dean to be Kathleen’s date. Kathleen caught Max’s eye. Max and Kathleen were together ever since and on December 2, 1961. They were married in St. Rose of Lima Catholic church in Genoa and began their life’s journey of devoted love and adventure. To this union they had seven children. Timothy Dale, James Dean, Diana Lynn, Steven Joseph, Lisa Mari, Matthew Ryan, and Joshua Francis. Max was a lineman for the Union Pacific railroad out of Columbus. In 1964 he began working for CB&Q Railroad as a heavy equipment operator which brought them to settle in Alliance, Nebraska in 1968. In January 1970 they bought a little farm west of Berea to raise their "brood" as they often would say and that has been home ever since. Both mom and dad relished the opportunities and experiences of raising their family in the country. Kathleen spent countless hours cooking delicious meals from her legendary fried chicken dinners to her ribbon winning brownies and banana bread. She loved gardening and canning and was always excited to take her creations to the Box Butte County fair for which she achieved countless ribbons. She had an artistic hand with drawing and sewing. She played the harmonica. She was an avid reader often in the middle of three books at a time. She absolutely loved fresh garden tomatoes and strawberries, lobster and scallops. She had the strength, perseverance, and determination beyond compare. She was the only person we know that could squeeze 26 hours of activity into a 24-hour day. As the kids grew older, she added work outside the home. She worked for Woolrich, sewing coats, and Electric Hose and Rubber as a braider operator. It was her work as a certified nursing assistant at St. Joseph’s Gerontology Center, Highland Park and the Hemingford Community Care Center that she found her true calling providing compassionate care for so many. In conclusion though, her greatest achievement, most cherished time was time spent with family. She would often say, “there is no greater pleasure in life than your family to love and a family you're loved by”.
Left behind to mourn and with memories to cherish are her children, Timothy of Hemingford, James (Michelle) of Brighton, CO, Diana (Shane) Zellaha, of Spencer, IA, Lisa (Phil) Breen, of Alliance, and Josh of Alliance. Also, grandchildren, MaKella Merrill, Miranda Merrill, Shayna (Zellaha) Ege, Alaina Breen, Philip Henry Breen III, Joslinn Merrill and Jenniveve Merrill; seven great-grand children; her brother, Mike (Jane) Swantek, of Salida CO; sisters, Julie (Steve) Plasek, of David City, NE and Jean (Bill) Dubas, of Palmer, NE; sister-in-law, Barb VanDyke of Columbus, NE; brother-in-laws, Keith Merrill of Columbus, NE, and Jack (Maggie) Merrill of Silver Creek, NE; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Finally, her most devoted and loyal companion for the last 11 years, her "little boy doggie" Paco.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sister Margaret Ann, brother Christopher and grandson Tyson Zellaha.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, with Fr. Matt Koperski officiating. Visitation will be Monday, April 25 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Bates-Gould Chapel in Alliance. A rosary recitation and wake service will be Monday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church. Cremation will follow the service and inurnment will be held at a later date at the Hemingford Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Regional West Hospice or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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