Betty Jean Kolterman

Betty Jean (Dierberger) Kolterman was born on a farm Northeast of Seward on December 17th, 1929 and is the daughter of Edna (Gleisberg) and George Dierberger.  She passed away on July 28th, 2025 in Seward at Seward Memorial Hospital with her daughter Ellen by her side. 

Jean was baptized on May 21st, 1939 at the Seward Methodist Church and also was confirmed into the Methodist faith in 1941.  She attended Seward Elementary School and Seward High School, graduating in 1947 and was employed by the Cattle National Bank following graduation. 

On October 2, 1949 she married the love of her life, Donald Kolterman at the Seward Methodist Church and was confirmed into the Lutheran faith October 30th, 1949 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward.  She and Don had four children, twins Mark and Clark, Ellen and Paul.

For over forty years, she and Don lived at 140 Lincoln Street, in a neighborhood full of children and great neighbors.  She and Don raised their family in a fun loving and “full of  life” neighborhood experience and made friendships that have lasted for decades. 

She was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, serving on the Youth Board, a member of the St. John Adult Choir, Stewardship Board, Past President of both the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) and the Ladies Aid and was an LWML District Officer.  She served as a St. John Sunday School teacher for Pre-Kindergarten for 40+ years, establishing several programs and events for the Pre-School Sunday School.

Jean was a longtime leader in the Seward Blue Bird and Campfire program for young girls and was also a Cub Scout leader and supported the local Boy Scout Troop 256.

She was a Charter member of the Concordia University Guild and served as the local President and the CU National Guild President.  She baked many birthday cakes for the local CU Guild, to raise scholarships for Concordia students.  She was a member of the “Leadership Team” for the Concordia University “Link-Up” Link Library Campaign and a very involved volunteer for the Concordia University Centennial Committee.  She enjoyed being part of the “Bach” Choir on the Concordia Campus under the direction of Paul Rouselle and was recognized with the Community Service Award by Concordia University - Seward. 

She recently celebrated being a 75-year member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs-the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club-serving as the local Club President many times-promoting the annual fall GFWC Make-A-Difference Day Food Drive, the GFWC Youth Art, Writing and Photo Contests, Seward’s GFWC Arbor Day and the annual GFWC Community Christmas Festival of Trees. She was a past GFWC NFWC District IV President and was currently serving as the Fine Arts Chairman.

She served as the State President of the GFWC Nebraska Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1972-1974-raising funds for the “Chapel” at the Geneva Girls Center and the GFWC NFWC “Federation Forest” located in the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey. She was also the Regional President of the GFWC Mississippi Valley Five State area and served as GFWC State Chair for the Annual GFWC Sophomore Pilgrimage for two decades, as well as the State NFWC Literature Chair-creating almost twenty GFWC NFWC Anthology’s over the years-featuring the writing and poetry of youth and clubwomen.  She loved to attend the GFWC National Conventions-attending over two dozen conventions with her Nebraska friends, visiting all over the United States and often served as an International Hostess for the GFWC.  She received many awards from the GFWC and was recently named GFWC NFWC Nebraska Clubwoman of the Year.  She also received the GFWC Woman of Achievement Award and the GFWC “Jennie June” award-National Finalist.

With her recent work in the GFWC NFWC, she campaigned and raised funds for the Dr. Susan La Flesche Hospital Renovation with a variety of fundraising projects.  Through her leadership, the GFWC NFWC raised thousands of dollars for the cause, and she was presented with a “Dr. Susan” Hero Award at the recent Dedication of the Hospital in Walthill. She was so proud that Dr. Susan La Flesche was also a member of the GFWC NFWC and served as the State Public Health Chairman for the State Federation of Women’s Clubs at the turn of the 19th Century. 

For the first part of her married life, Jean was not employed outside the home, however,  in the mid 1960’s, Jean became an active part of the family business with Don and son Clark- working at Kolterman’s Ben Franklin Variety Store in Seward, where she managed the fabric department and crafts.  She also served as the Secretary to the family corporation-Kolterman’s Incorporated. She and Don eventually sold their share of the business to Clark and Linda. The Kolterman Family operated the Ben Franklin Store for almost 80 years in downtown Seward. 

Jean served as the Co-Chair of the City of Seward Centennial Celebration in 1967 and was the adult sponsor for the Seward Youth Council-attending many State Nebraska Youth Council Conferences with the Seward Teens and helped Seward be awarded the “Nebraska Youth Community of the Year” several times. 

She served as the Chair of the Seward Planning Commission for twelve years and was elected and served as a member of the Seward City Council for almost eight years.  She was a longtime member of the Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee and was currently working on the recent celebration scrapbook for the State Tourism Festival of the Year competition.  She was appointed to the Seward Civic Center Commission and served as the Chairman for decades and was recently named Emeritus Chair of the Commission. 

She served as the Seward Community Improvement Chairman for over forty years -working to see Seward often capturing the “Nebraska Community of the Year,” and named the first recipient of the Nebraska Community Improvement’s “Marilyn Rixstine” Award for Volunteerism.    She also served as a member of the State “Keep Nebraska Beautiful” Commission and was the local “Keep Seward Beautiful” Chair for decades-garnering many recognitions for the City of Seward.  She also chaired the City of Seward USA Bicentennial Committee in 1976 and was involved in the Nebraska Quasquicentennial (125) Celebration in 1992 and the Nebraska Sesquicentennial (150) Celebration as well in 2017.  She served on the Seward Chautauqua Committee helping to bring and present three Chautauqua’s in Seward.

She was named the “Nebraska Volunteer of the Year” by Serve Nebraska in 1983 and the recipient of the “Diane Nelson Volunteer of the Year” Award by AmeriCorps.

She was the first recipient of the Seward Fourth of July Celebration’s “Seward County Community Service” Award in 1971.  Jean was presented the Seward Rotary Club’s “Service Above Self” Award and was named a “Paul Harris” Fellow by the Seward Rotary Club. 

She was an involved member of the Seward Memorial Health Care Auxiliary for many years, a longtime member of the Seward Foundation and served as the local President of the Seward American Legion Auxiliary Post 33 several times.

She was named “Nebraska Mother of the Year” in 2001 and served as the State President of the Nebraska Mother’s Association-American Mother’s Inc and served as their National AMI Fine Arts Chair for many years. She chaired the local AMI Middle School Quiz Bowl for the Nebraska Mothers, Inc. for over a decade.

She was a life member of the Seward County Historical Society and served as the Society President for several years.  She cherished the work of the museum and enjoyed being a volunteer at the Seward County Historical Society Museum.  She loved entering the Open Class division at the Seward County Fair and was proud of her many ribbons in baking and antiques. 

She has been a member of the Seward Chamber of Commerce and Development Partnership for over 50 years and chaired many Chamber Committees, serving as a Chamber Ambassador for decades and a former board member.  She recently was recognized with the SCCDP “Community Service” Award at their annual dinner in 2025.

Jean really discovered the joy of cooking and baking later in life and became known for serving her angel food cakes for everyone’s birthday!  She would sit by the oven, just to watch the projects reach perfection.  She wanted to preserve her mother’s, grandmother’s, mother in laws and friends’ recipes, along with her own favorite dishes and created a cookbook, she shared with family and friends.  It included recipes of hers, her family and her many friends.  It was very popular, and she was thrilled to reprint the cookbook and keep sharing those memories.

Jean loved to send cards and notes for all occasions and recognitions; many received a birthday card from her and she was always writing “thank you’s” to the many who assisted her with her projects and activities.  She believed in a simple, written thank you or card and enjoyed the responses from  the many that received them-plus if she thanked them, they might help again!

Jean believed in being positive and working together to achieve a goal.  She faced many problems directly and knew that working with others, the goal would be reached. 

Jean is survived by her children Mark (Michelle Waite) Kolterman, Clark (Linda) Kolterman, Ellen Chaffin, Paul (Charlene) Kolterman. Her grandchildren Zac Dittmar, Philip (Michelle) Kolterman, Jessica Kolterman, Kyla Moriera, Nathan (Lynn) Kolterman, Jennifer (Brian J) Stevens, Nick Kolterman, Amanda (Dan) Williams, Dan (Ashley) Kolterman, JJ Kolterman, Felicia DuBowik, and Robert Kolterman and 16 great grandchildren.  Her sister-in-law, Lureta Dierberger, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don Kolterman, daughter-in-law, Suzanne, son -in-law Ben Chaffin, parents-in-law Fred and Hulda Kolterman, brother Gale Dierberger, sister-in-law and spouse, Eleanor (Gary) Heinicke.

Jean loved life, she loved people, and she will be missed.

MEMORIALS IN CARE OF  KOLTERMAN FAMILY.

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