Jean "Jeanne" Marie Kohtz, 78, of Columbus, Nebraska, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2026, surrounded by her close family at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 25 at 10:30 AM, at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus with Rev. Cory Burma officiating. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery in Columbus. Visitation will be on Monday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue Tuesday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The service will be broadcast live on Peace Lutheran Youtube page at https://www.youtube.com/PeaceColumbus

Jeanne was born in Laurel, Nebraska, and graduated from Norfolk High School. She married the love of her life, Jim Kohtz, in Norfolk during a snowy winter night on December 28, 1968. They moved to Columbus where she began her career as an X-ray technician and helped Jim start a business they would own until retirement. Jeanne retired from Columbus Community Hospital where she took great pride in a long career and the many people she helped. They were active members of Peace Lutheran Church during their 57 years of marriage.

Her greatest joy was her family. Jeanne and Jim raised three loving children: Craig (Sarah Smith) Kohtz, Ryan (Jackie) Kohtz and Haley (Thomas) Haas. Jeanne was a proud grandmother to six grandchildren: Lauren (Treydan) Anderson, Brayden, Hadley, Ben, Addilyn, and Canon and step-grandchildren: Conner, Lorraine and Poa. She treasured every moment with them and loved nothing more than having her family gathered together. 

Her home was a place where everyone was welcome. She took great pleasure in hosting family, sharing meals, and watching kids jump off the dock. Jeanne loved to read and play games like Scrabble, Words With Friends and card games with their many friends. She was a quilter, a baker, and a member and past president of the LWML. She loved to cook and was especially known for her Jeanne potatoes. More than any hobby, she loved being surrounded by the people who made her life meaningful.

Jeanne was survived by her brothers, Jerry (Gale) Hansen, Quent (Cathy) Hansen, and Lynn (Bev) Hansen.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Doris (Hinrichs) Hansen, and Jim’s parents, Erwin and Mildred (Krumland) Kohtz.

She leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue through her children, grandchildren, family, and all those fortunate enough to have known her. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished. Her greatest gift was the love she gave so freely.