Obituary for Kathryn Brashears KATHRYN BRASHEARS, 66 of Curtis, passed away Friday, December 14, 2018, at the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala. Kathryn was born February 9, 1952, at McCook, Nebraska to John F. and Helen M. (Sughroue) Helm. She graduated from Decatur Community High School in Oberlin, KS and attended college in McCook before earning a degree in Home Economics at Chadron State College.
Kathryn moved to South Dakota shortly thereafter, where she would eventually marry Robert H. Brashears on April 11, 1975. Their union was blessed with two sons, Zachary and Seth. Once the boys grew to be old enough, Kathryn attended Oglala Lakota College, where she studied special education, ultimately becoming the program’s first graduate and recipient of the Black Eagle Award.
In the late 1980s, Kathryn and family moved to Curtis, Nebraska where they owned and operated the Yellow Rose Bar, and Kathryn commuted to Indianola to work as a special education teacher, a job she did for 24 years. During that time, Kathryn obtained her teaching endorsements in both Braille and Sign Language, to better meet the needs of the children that she taught and cared for. Kathryn received her Master’s Degree in 2000 and retired from teaching at the age of 62.
Kathryn had a great passion for her work. She considered special education a calling, and was a lifelong learner. Locally, Kathryn was affectionately referred to as “Mama B,” which was a nickname she’d earned over the years from the patrons of the Yellow Rose who came down to enjoy her delicious Sunday meals that she would prepare.
She and Robert facilitated many fundraisers and benefits in Curtis, with her cooking being a staple of the events. Kathryn was a deeply faithful person, and she’d served as a Cursillo facilitator for many years. Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Fred; and a sister, Mary.
Survivors include her husband, Robert of Curtis; two sons, Zachary (Kara) Brashears of Valentine, Seth Brashears of Lincoln; two grandchildren, Brooke and Cam; her siblings, Jim (Yanis) Helm of Cambridge, John (Pam) Helm, II of Redmond, WA, Mike (Debbie) Helm of Norcatur, KS, Ceanne (Martin) Rinehart of Ogallala, Laurie Helm of St. Joseph, MO; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Kathryn’s memory for later designation by her family. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.
Memorial Mass will be Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 10:30 AM at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Indianola with Father Gregory Pawloski as Celebrant. Committal of Cremains will be at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Indianola at a later date. Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is assisting the Brashears family.
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