Hilda Christine Hathaway

Hilda Kohl Hathaway, 93, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Tuesday, October 9, 2007, at Elwood Care Center in Elwood, Nebraska. She was born March 13, 1914, in Gosper County, near Smithfield, Nebraska to Seibert and Louise (Meyers) Naumann. Hilda grew up on the family farm near Smithfield, graduating from Smithfield High School with the class of 1932. She was united in marriage to Pearl (P.B.) Kohl in 1936. Mr. Kohl owned and operated Kohl’s Body Shop where Hilda did the bookwork for the business. Following P.B.’s death in 1967, Hilda worked at Dodd’s Department Store and for Paul Thompson Insurance in Cozad. She was united in marriage to James S. (Jim) Hathaway in June 1973 in Cozad. The couple lived in Cozad, Louisville, Kentucky, Littleton, Colorado, and in 1986, returned to settle in Lexington. Hilda was known for her wonderful paintings. She taught art classes in Cozad and Lexington, belonged to several art clubs, and showed her artwork in countless exhibitions and galleries in various locations over the years. Her art and her family were her true passions. Hilda was a loving mother to four children, her stepdaughter Donita Kohl Schultheiss of Lexington, her son Charles who preceded her in death, Son Paul (wife Kathy) of Cedar, Minnesota, and daughter Janna Kohl Bruns of Centennial, Colorado. Survivors also include: Three sisters: Louise Carstens of Tucson, Arizona, Edith (Don) Warren of Greeley, Colorado, and Leona Helmkamp of Oberlin, Kansas. Two stepdaughters and two stepsons from her marriage to James Hathaway: Carol Hathaway of Salt Lake City, Utah, Pamela Blyth of San Diego, California, Richard Hathaway of Victoria, British Columbia, and Robert (Rose) Hathaway of Omaha, Nebraska. And her many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and two great-great granddaughters. In addition to her son Charles and first Husband P.B. Kohl, Hilda was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, William and Walter, and sisters, Bertha, Elfrieda, Gertrude and Elsie, and her second husband, James Hathaway. Her art and her life demonstrated what a wonderful “lady” she was: she will be so very missed by her family, her caregivers, and her many friends. Services will be held Saturday, October 13, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington with Pastor Megan Morrow officiating. Burial will be in the Cozad Cemetery at Cozad, Nebraska. Visitation will be held Friday, October 12, 2007, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church or the Donor’s Choice. Full obituary will appear in next issue. Online condolences may be sent to reynoldslovefuneralhome.com. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.