Beverly Bratten

Beverly Jo (Maline) Bratten, 76, of Brady, Nebraska, died January 27, 2012 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE after a seven year battle with Alzheimer's.

She was born April 29, 1935 to Quentin and Violet (Patterson) Maline on the family farm north of Cozad.

On June 2, 1957 she married Winfred Bratten at the First United Methodist Church in Cozad, NE. To this union four daughters were born: Debra Jo, Diane Kay, Jodi Lynn and Kristi Ann. Beverly and her husband Winfred lived in Wild Horse Valley, Brady, NE for over 50 years.

She grew up on a farm six miles north of Cozad and attended elementary school at District #30. Beverly graduated from Cozad High School in 1952, where she made many lifetime friends. Following high school, she continued her education at Kearney State College and then she pursued her passion of teaching at several country schools in the area. Upon moving to the Wild Horse Valley area, she taught for a year and then began her family. Raising her daughters and serving others became her life's focus. She was an active member of Svea Dal Ladies Aide and Spannuth Women's Club, and served faithfully as a Sunday School and bible school teacher. For 20 years she helped lead an area 4-H "Stitches & Mixers" club. She had a special interest in children and serving others! Countless friends and neighbors remember her as "Mom Bev." Her children and grandchildren have many fond memories of her selfless love and encouraging spirit. She cherished being a grandma and attended many of the grandchildren's activities with pride.

Beverly is survived by daughter-Debra Jo Bratten of Milford, NE; daughter - Diane (Marlon) Hohnstein and their children Ryan, Evan and Amanda of Lincoln, NE; daughter- Jodi (Mark) Nelson and their children Jake, Tanner, and Karli of Bertrand, NE; daughter- Kristi (Joe) Burford of Brady, NE; sisters - Linda Linke of Cozad, NE; Judy (Don) Schmidt of Omaha, NE; Brother - Dr. Tom (Judy) Maline of Holbrook, NE; sisters-in-law - Eleanor Johnson, Norrene Anderson, Dawna Bratten and Trudy Bratten; along with numerous nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents Quentin and Violet Maline, her husband Winfred, brothers-in-law, Dale Linke, Dale Bratten, Willard Johnson, and Wilbert Anderson

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Tuesday, January 31, 2012 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm with the family present from 5-7pm.

Services will be held at Evangelical Free Church, February 1, 2012 at 11:00 am with Pastor Rick Rehmert and Pastor Ken Sawyer officiating.

Burial will take place at 2:00 pm, February 1, 2012 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, NE.

Memorials are suggested to the Svea Dal Covenant, 1676 Svea Dal Rd, Brady, NE 69123; N.P. Youth for Christ, 2500 E. 2nd St, North Platte, NE 69101; or the Alzheimer's Association .