Barbara J. Nitz

The family of Barbara J. Nitz of Hastings, Ne is saddened to announce her passing on December 29, 2024, at the age of 78 years.

Memorial Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, January 3, at Butler Volland Chapel in Hastings with Chaplain John Mueller officiating. The burial will be at 3 p.m. Friday, January 3, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell. There will be no viewing or visitation. 

Barbara is the daughter of Alva and Ida Hock and was born in Fairbury on January 3, 1946. She is the youngest of seven children and is survived by siblings Myron Hock, Shirley Pippin and Judy Gutzmer. 

Barbara graduated from Fairbury High School and studied at CTCC in Hastings and SECC in Lincoln, focusing on computer and medical related courses. Additionally, she completed various courses through the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol, including Squadron Commander training. 

Partnering with her husband Jim Nitz, she helped launch a Civil Air Patrol squadron (the official auxiliary of the Air Force) in North Platte, where she served in many positions over the course of seven years, including Squadron Commander for four and one-half years, advancing to the rank of Major. During this time, she earned various commendations including the Aerospace Award.

Prior to this, her life’s work (over 24 years) was focused on caring for people as a nursing assistant at Fairbury Hospital, Good Samaritan Center in Nelson, and at Lancaster Manor in Lincoln. Additionally, she worked with her husband Jim Nitz, at the Lincoln County Emergency Management office in North Platte. 

Her most important, proud, and cherished accomplishment in life was raising her four children to adulthood as a single parent. Additionally, she is the very proud grandmother of 10 grandchildren and great-grandmother of three great-grandchildren.

Barbara leaves behind a daughter, Angela Shoemaker and husband Greg, a son, Demian Pavlicek and wife Jill, a daughter, Stacey Johnson and husband Tim, and a son, Michael Sims and wife Fong. Her grandchildren are (from oldest to youngest) David Johnson and wife Shelby, Eric Johnson and wife Lacee, Nick Shoemaker, Alex Shoemaker, Hayden Shoemaker, Samantha Johnson, Audrey Pavlicek, Mason Pavlicek, RuiFei Sims and Mia Xi Sims. Her great-grandchildren are Caleb Johnson, Bryson Johnson, and Elijah Johnson. Her loved ones are and have always been her greatest joy in life.

Barbara met and married her one true soul mate, James Nitz later in life and spent 13 special years together before his death. She then moved to Hastings to be closer to family, residing at the Good Samaritan Village during that time.