Betty June German

Betty June (Heidebrink) German was born to John H. Heidebrink and Edythe Brown Heidebrink on June 22, 1931 in Gothenburg, NE and passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024 in Cozad, NE with family at her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, Daryl, her husband, Roger W. German, and an infant grandson, Lucas German High. She is survived by her daughter, Alisa High Johnson (Rod) of Albuquerque and her son Britt German (Kerry) of Cozad. Her grandchildren include Jason (Jessica) German of Cozad, Jess (Mat) Haywood of Omaha, Breanna (Tristan) Trumble and Alynn (William) Sampson, both of Lincoln. Her great-grandchildren are Maddex and Miles German, Mccoy, Isabel Haywood and Kolt Kjar, Kaylie, Noah, Isabelle and Quinn Trumble, and Eli and Everly Sampson. She is also survived by two brother-in-laws, Rex German and Doug German and many nieces and nephews. Family was always the center of her world and she loved them all dearly. Betty met Roger at Potter’s Drug store in Gothenburg where she had worked after school and on Saturdays since she was 11 years old. They married on August 17, 1952 when he returned from serving in Korea. They lived briefly in Arlington, VA while he was stationed there at the end of his tour before moving back to Cozad. This was just the beginning of many moves and travel adventures. They lived in many other states as well, including Oregon, Idaho, California, Ohio, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Missouri. It is not known if this is what she had envisioned for her life when she was a young woman, or exactly how she felt about it along the way, but one thing is certain, it was never boring. She always said that “Roger had itchy feet”. These many moves served as rest stops along her journey that introduced her to many new friends, interesting places and cultures. She learned to be very adaptable and accommodating. She became a master at “blooming where she was planted”. Betty was always active in a church until her later years. She belonged to several card groups, one of which formed when they were in their 20’s and was still going many years later when they all were elderly. Betty was very social and had never met a stranger that she didn’t make a friend. She had a couple of perfect jobs along the way, both in gift shops in Yellowstone and Cozad where she could be both helpful and socialize with friends, neighbors and visitors. Her Daddy was her hero. He made furniture for her dolls and nursed her back to health when she had rheumatic fever in grade school. She loved music, especially of the 40’s and 50’s as she spent much time in her youth at the community dance hall where her father was a musician. She was a good student, excelled at spelling, played the flute in marching band and loved word games. She also loved collecting dishes, coloring with the grandkids, Roger’s roses and anything chocolate. She didn’t start out as a great cook but learned with experience and Roger’s help, so nobody starved. Her ham ball recipe and technique have become legend and a tradition passed on to the next generations. To quote her niece, Shelly, “she was a gentle, gracious soul who lived a long adventurous life”. She will be greatly loved and missed.

Memorials are suggested to Meadowlark Pointe Assisted Living. A graveside memorial service will be held Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell with Pastor David Haynes officiating.