Ellen Kottwitz

Ellen Ann Barta Kottwitz, age 93, passed away Thursday morning, October 19, 2016, in her Hastings, Nebraska home. Her daughters, Nancy Kottwitz, Kathy Kottwitz, and Joan Lamb were with her. Her living siblings are John Barta of Hastings and Wayne Barta of Wayland, Iowa. She was preceded in death by brother Stanley Barta of Vancouver, Washington and her parents, Mary (Souckek) & Stanley Barta of Hastings.

In addition to three daughters, Ellen leaves behind three granddaughters, Nicole Lamb, Gretchen Lamb, Shannon McClendon, and two great grandkids, Sierra and Devin Markley.

Services will be Saturday, October 22, 2016; 11:00 A.M. at Zion Lutheran Church, Hastings with Pastor Paul Warneke officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Blue Hill. Visitation will be Friday, October 21, 2016; 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home, and one hour prior to service at the church. The Mary Lanning Hospice staff provided loving, professional care to Ellen and her family. Instead of flowers or gifts, please consider a tax-deductible contribution to the Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation or Ellen's church, Zion Lutheran, 465 Marian Road in Hastings.

Born on July 24, 1923, Ellen lived a long life full of service to her family, church, and community. Many Hastings residents knew her engaging smile and willingness to talk to anyone. She spent most of her life in Hastings except for a brief time in Roswell, New Mexico where her husband was serving in the Army.

Ellen knocked on almost every Hastings door as an Avon sales lady and later helped the community by driving a van and taking residents of Good Samaritan Village to doctor's appointments. She also sold Bibles, worked at Montgomery Ward and clerked at a local 5 & 10 cent store. She looked forward to seeing the first woman President elected and had already cast her absentee ballot.

She loved serving her church, Zion Lutheran, and along with live-in daughter Nancy, always looked forward to the services, fellowship and helping prepare meals for "Ladies Aids" events. She loved singing along with her favorite hymns including "Beautiful Savior," "Amazing Grace" and "Jesus Loves Me."

Her devoted husband, LaVern Kottwitz, of Blue Hill, Nebraska passed away in 1991 after 49 years of marriage. LaVern served in the Army, worked at the Naval Ammunition Depot (NAD) and Dutton-Lainson Company. He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed his trips to the lake and loved bringing home a big catfish for family dinner.