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Kathleen S. Foley, 57

Kathleen S. Foley, 57, of Blair, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

The funeral service will be Wednesday, November 12, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Visitation will be at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair on Tuesday, November 11, with the family receiving friends from 5 to 8 p.m. and the rosary beginning at 7 p.m.

Kathleen S. Foley was born April 17, 1957, in Blair, to John and Joan Foley.

In 1975, Kathy graduated from Blair High School, where she was a standout athlete who excelled in several sports. She was one of the first athletes ever inducted into the Blair High School Hall of Fame.

She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, from which she graduated with a B.S. in physical education. While at UNL she played a key role in the early years of the Nebraska softball program, starting all four years and earning four letters, and setting many records, some of which stand today. Later, Kathy earned a master's degree from Wayne State College.

Kathy was a longtime instructor and coach at Dana College and ultimately became the school’s first female athletic director. She was inducted into the Dana College Hall of Fame. In addition to making athletics her career, Kathy also devoted much of her personal time as a coach and mentor to her nieces and nephews, as well as to countless others whose lives she impacted.

Kathy had a passion for sports that continued her entire life. She played on legendary softball teams of Fairway Oil/HunTel, which gave rise to numerous and long-lasting special friendship.. Her calling was to coach and mentor young people and to help them improve and attain their goals. She had a special gift of making those she touched or mentored feel like they were very special. She touched the lives of many by believing in them. There was no challenge too great for Kathy, and that is what she taught others … believe in yourself, work hard, and you can achieve your dreams.

She is survived by her mother, Joan Foley of Blair; eight sisters and brothers: Debbie and (Larry) Wetterberg of Omaha, Diane Kopf Foley of Omaha, Julie Foley of Blair, Pam & (Keith) Southworth of Papillion, John and (Krista) Foley of Dallas, Ellen and (Bill) Miller of Blair, Thomas Foley of San Clemente, Calif., and Joe and (Barbara) Foley of Omaha; 19 nieces and nephews; and seven great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Foley.

Memorials may be directed to Kathleen’s family.

#2 Omaha World Herald 10 Nov 2014

Foley, Kathleen S. Apr 17, 1957 - Nov 8, 2014 Blair, NE. Survived by her mother Joan Foley of Blair and eight sisters and brothers, Debbie (Larry) Wetterberg, Omaha, Diane Kopf Foley, Omaha, Julie Foley, Blair, Pam (Keith) Southworth, Papillion, NE, John (Krista) Foley, Dallas, TX, Ellen (Bill) Miller, Blair, Thomas Foley, San Clemente, CA, Joe (Barbara) Foley, Omaha; 19 nieces and nephews, and 7 great nieces and nephews. VISITATION Tuesday with the family receiving friends from 5-8pm and the Rosary beginning at 7pm at Campbell Aman. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Wednesday 10am at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church. CAMPBELL-AMAN FUNERAL HOME 444 S. 17th Blair, NE 402-426-2191

#3Funeral leaflet

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In Loving Memory of Kathleen S. Foley

Born April 17, 1957 Blair, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest November 8, 2014 Omaha, Nebraska

Mass of Christian Burial 10am Wednesday, November 12, 2014 St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church Blair, Nebraska. Celebrants: Father Mario Rapose, Father Mark McKercher. Musicians: Lynn and Steve Sobota. Musical Selections: "Alleluia, The Strife Is Over", "Amazing Grace", "King of Glory", "On Eagle's Wings"

Pallbearers: Craig Wetterberg, Ryan Wetterberg, Zachary Kopf, Eric Wetterberg, Brian Southworth, Sean Wetterberg, Blake Kopf, John Foley, Billy Miller

Honorary Pallbearers: Kari Pearson, Shari Kopf, Megan Southworth, Abbie Foley, Cassie Miller, Sierra Foley, Makena Foley, Makaela Foley, Kelcey Wetterberg

Graveside Services Holy Cross Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska

~~~ Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~