Elaine Kyander, 77, of Bellwood, Nebraska, died Friday, December 5, 2025, at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy Campus, Omaha, Nebraska.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, December 10, at 10:30 AM at St. Peter Catholic Church in Bellwood with Fr. Stephen Graeve celebrating the Mass.  Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM with a 6:00 PM Vigil Service, all at the church.  Visitation continues on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until Mass time, all at the church.  Memorials are suggested as those of the donor or family choice.  Interment will be in Catholic Cemetery of Presentation Church and Saint Mary, rural Bellwood.

Elaine Kyander was born April 26, 1948, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Albin and Elsie (Hecker) Zimmerman.  She attended Bellwood Grade School and graduated from Aquinas Catholic High School.  After graduation, Elaine worked at an Army Ammunition plant in Grand Island, Nebraska, before going to a computer school in Denver, Colorado.  While in Denver, Elaine met Don Kyander and the two were united in marriage on February 28, 1970, in Denver.

After Elaine and Don were married, they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Don was from.  Two years later, they moved to Columbus and then to Bellwood where they raised their three children.  Elaine was a homemaker until their children were of school age.  She then began working at Columbus Federal and finished her banking career at Great Western Bank.  Her banking career spanned a total of 34 years, including the time before her children were born.  She was a long-time member of the Bellwood Elementary School Board and spent many years serving as a board member for the Village of Bellwood.  Elaine retired from the banking business in 2014.  After retirement, she volunteered at St. Peter Catholic Church in Bellwood and was eventually hired as a part-time secretary.

Elaine was devoted to her family and church.   She enjoyed reading and shopping but was well known for her pies.  She was a tremendous baker and took on the challenge of making sure everyone had their favorite pie at family events.

Elaine is survived by:
Husband – Don Kyander of Bellwood, NE
Daughter – Merrily (Jim) Schmid of Bellwood, NE
Daughter – Traci (Trent) Henke of Bennington, NE
Son – Greg (Mandi) Kyander of Omaha, NE
Ten Grandchildren – Ivy (Cameron) Elkins, Andy Schmid, Corporal Ethan Schmid, Violet Schmid, Holly Schmid, Daphne Henke, Harrison Henke, Brooklyn Kyander, Mia Kyander, and Evan Kyander
Sister – Arlene Osantowski of Genoa, NE
Sister-in-law – Judy Zimmerman of Bellwood, NE
Sister-in-law – Marilyn McKusick of St. Louis Park, MN
Brother-in-law – Rick Ackerblade of Princeston, MN
Nieces & nephews

Elaine was preceded in death by:
Parents – Albin and Elsie Zimmerman
Grandson – Christian Schmid
Brother – David Zimmerman
Brother-in-law – Richard Osantowski
Brother-in-law – Chuck McKusick