Karla Gilmore, 62, of Arlington, died Friday, July 29, 2011, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, at Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont. Interment will be at the Arlington Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., all at Moser Memorial Chapel, Fremont. Visitation will also be held at the church on Wednesday, one hour prior to services.

Karla "Kristie" Andersen was born Feb. 20, 1949, at Riceville, Iowa, to Elvin and Jean (Auringer) Andersen. She moved to Omaha at a young age and was a graduate of Marian High School in 1966. She attended the College of St. Mary's at Omaha and graduated with a nursing certificate in 1970.

She married Thomas M. Gilmore on Sept. 26, 1970, at West Hills Presbyterian Church in Omaha.

Mrs. Gilmore was previously employed as a nurse at Lynch and Smith cardiology clinic in Omaha. In 1977, she moved to Arlington and was employed at the Memorial Community Hospital at Blair until 1980. She then was the school nurse for the Arlington Public Schools until 1992. Mrs. Gilmore was employed at the Fremont Area Medical Center from 1992 until the present. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church at Fremont, and served as a member of the Arlington School Board for 12 years.

She is survived by her husband, Tom; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Tommy and Merrit Gilmore and Troy Gilmore and fiancée, Ashley, all of Arlington; and two grandchildren; mother, Jean Andersen of Omaha; and brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Diane Andersen of Papillion.

She was preceded in death by her father and infant son, Timmy.

Memorials are suggested to Peace Lutheran Church.

The following was posted to the newspaper on 8/11/2011:

Family, friends mourn loss of longtime school board member Aug 11 2011

When it comes to Kristie Gilmore, the adjectives just seem to keep piling up: devoted, protective, prepared, outspoken, caring. The qualities that embodied Gilmore crop up in conversations, over and over, as family, friends, peers, and community members recall her life. Gilmore, 62, lost her battle with heart disease on July 29.

Gilmore played a huge role in the Arlington community and in the nursing profession. She had been a school nurse for the district for 12 years, before taking a position in the surgical department at Fremont Area Medical Center.

Service to school

Her role at the school will be remembered by many who knew her, including school superintendent Lynn Johnson, whose relationship spanned back to 1983, when they met. Kristie, Johnson said, was "passionate" about students' well- being.

Cheryl Pittman, administrative assistant to Johnson, and Kristie's friend for more than 36 years, agreed. "As a school nurse, she was always researching the newest things in the medical field that would apply to our kids here at school," said Pittman. "She was as dedicated to that job as much as she was to her surgical nursing field."

With two sons in the school district - Tommy and Troy - Kristie was involved in their activities, as well as other events at the school. Pittman recalls one year Kristie encouraged staff to dress up - as raisins - for Homecoming festivities.

Long after leaving the district to join FAMC, Kristie continued her involvement by running for school board, a 12-year commitment she was serving at the time of her death. "She was open to listening and gathering input but her decisions were shaped by weighing out what was best for the education of all kids," said Johnson. "Kristie was generous with the time and energy that she devoted to her volunteer commitments. She was always prepared for board meetings and her ability to quickly recall and provide the historical perspective for the board will be greatly missed. She had a wealth of knowledge and experience that only time can provide. "Kristie could be counted on to represent the board of education at the preservice introductions, open houses, end-of-year banquets, and professional development endeavors," added Johnson. "She loved to interact with others and believed that board members should be visible and accessible." School board president Susie Moravec served with Kristie since 1998, and said Kristie would be "deeply missed. " "She was a great board member with a heart of gold who truly had the best interest of the kids in mind when making a decision," said Moravec. "She has been the one board member I've known over the years that knew the district in and out. I will miss her insight and perspective on things as a friend and fellow board member."

Kristie also served the district on the Arlington Education Foundation. "She wore a lot of hats, (and) whatever hat she wore, she put a lot of energy and dedication into that area," said Cheryl Keeler, district bookkeeper/secretary. "From nursing to school board or AEF board, she was always on top of things. On both boards, she would contribute above and beyond by researching, checking facts and sharing input from community members."

Caring nurse

Kristie had worked at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair, but would end her career working in the surgery department at FAMC. Sue Meier is manager of the perianesthesia department of FAMC, where she worked with Kristie. She was honored to read the "Nightingale" tribute for Kristie at the funeral. "She really loved the nursing profession," said Meier. "She had varied experiences and a wealth of knowledge." Meier noted Kristie "always had an interest in what was going on around her." Along with that interest was a drive to offer advice, lend a hand, or work to "improve the way we do things," said Meier.

Luann Ruwe also worked with Kristie at FAMC for approximately 19 years. "She always knew what was going on in the department and took care of business," Hilgenkamp said. "She never backed away from a challenge." Ruwe said her friend was never afraid to go toe-to-toe with doctors or staff, but noted she was tactful, never held a grudge and always cared about others. "She had a flair for asking about other people, over herself," said Ruwe.

Honest, loyal friend

Another of Kristie's qualiies was that she was open and direct. "With Kristie I appreciated that you always knew where you stood," said Johnson. "She was open and sometimes bluntly honest. But her one outstanding characteristic was that she was a loyal friend. She loved to serve others, particularly her family and friends."

Sheila Monke was friends with Kristie for approximately 20 years. She, too, valued and admired her matter-of-fact manner and care for others. "She was one of those people who'd give you the shirt off her back," said Monke. "She was always supportive, just wanting people to push ourselves and do the best job we could. But you always knew where you stood with her...she was very direct, and sometimes you needed that, too."

Sheila, her husband, Dave, Kristie and husband, Tom, and their son and his fiancee, all traveled to New Zealand in March, in what would be Kristie's last trip. Kristie, Sheila said, ever passionate about details, planned the trip. Tommy laughed when he recalled just how precise the agenda was that his mom left for them...details down to where they would be, hour by hour, in both Central Standard Time and New Zealand time. "Maybe that was the nursing and caregiver part of her, to always be prepared," said Sheila.

Over the years, Sheila watched Kristie make children her focus, both at school and at home. As a teacher, Sheila said Kristie often discussed new trends in education with her. "She took so much interest in every child, not just the mainstream, but every child, regardless of their learning style." That interest was perhaps best manifested in those who knew Kristie the best: her family.

Devoted to family

Tom Gilmore met his wife-to-be while visiting a mutual friend at the hospital. He was impressed by Kristie, who was "fun and spunky." They started dating the following weekend. In September, the couple would have celebrated their 41st anniversary.

Tom said his wife loved her career as a nurse, and never regretted going into the field. But her family was even more important. She devoted her time and attention to their two boys. Tommy remembers that having his mother as the school nurse could be a double-edged sword. But she pushed them to do their best, always, and was amongst their biggest fans at sporting events, something she'd continue when Tommy and his wife, Merritt, had their sons, Hunter and Kolton.

Just as she wanted to be involved in all the details at every job or task, she, also wanted to be involved in the details of her family's life. She talked with them daily, and enjoyed taking her grandsons with her to run errands. "She always wanted to know how your day was going," said Troy. The boys laugh, recalling if one of them didn't answer their cell phone, Kristie would immediately dial the next family member, wondering what was up. When Tommy and Merritt were expecting their first child, Kristie checked in constantly, and when they bought their home, he said his mom was miffed she didn't get to see it, first.

She enjoyed sharing in Tom and the boys' hunting endeavors (although she wasn't too fond of the deer heads that graced the home that she designed). And that care extended to Troy's fiance, Ashley Almquist, who worked with her at FAMC. Just as with her other family members, Kristie doted on Ashley, providing support and encouragement as she finished her studies.

Lasting legacy

Her vivid personality left an impact on everyone who met her, said Tommy. "You liked her, or loved her or hated her, but she left an impression on you," he said. Her family recalls her service to her community, something she never sought accolades for, said Tom and Tommy. "She saw things that could be improved and changed, and worked for it," said Tommy. At the school district, she battled for raises for everyone from the custodians to support staff, lobbied for healthier lunches, and always was prepared for meetings, he said. "Whether it was nursing, or school board or a church committee, she'd give it her all," said Tom. Her love and devotion to them extended to the end of her life. Her family believes only Kristie and her doctors knew how bad her condition was, and chose to shield them from the news. Luann Ruwe agreed. "She knew she was very ill, but I think she didn't let us know. She didn't want to sacrifice her final days to the disease," said Hilgenkamp. "I'll just miss her calling and just talking to her," said Tommy. "She just wanted to be involved. To me, that's the sign of a really good parent."

The following was posted on August 11, 2011

"The Nightingale Tribute" to Karla "Kristie" Gilmore

Nursing is a calling, a lifestyle and a way of life. Nursing is a service profession that cannot be lived in isolation. Nurses rely on each other for the synergistic effect of teamwork in our efforts of care giving. It is appropriate that we honor Kristie, our colleague and our friend, for her career as a registered nurse and especially now at the end of her life's journey.

Kristie began her years of ‘caring' as a Candy Striper. After receiving her diploma from College of St. Mary's in Omaha in 1970 she began a career that spanned 41 years. She worked as a private scrub with Dr. Lynch and Dr. Smith in cardiology. She had many stories to share and she had a wealth of knowledge from those experiences. She also worked at the hospital in Blair and served the Arlington Public Schools until 1992 as the school nurse. I know that her commitment to the students of Arlington was one reason she served on the school board. From 1992 Kristie worked at FAMC in the Perioperative Services department. Her multi-faceted job has a description all it's own.

Nurses here today honor Kristie and her life as a registered nurse. Kristie is not remembered for her 41 years as a nurse, but by the difference she made during those years by stepping into people's lives.....and by special moments: Will all Perioperative services RN's please stand. Will other RN's please stand. Will others that worked with Kristie in Surgery please stand.

The poem She Was There, written by Duane Jaeger, is a tribute to the life and the unique calling of the Registered Nurse. With permission it has been personalized to honor Kristie:

She Was There

When a calming, quiet presence was all that was needed, even though being quiet was hard, She was there.

In the excitement and miracle of birth or in the mystery and loss of life, She was there.

When a silent glance could uplift a patient, family member or friend, She was there.

When a heart- warming smile or contagious laughter was needed to keep us moving on, She was there.

When the situation demanded a swift foot, a sharp mind, or sometimes a sharper tongue, She was there.

When a gentle touch, a firm push, an encouraging word, or "an opinion" was needed, She was there.

In choosing the best one from a "family's Thank you box of chocolates", She was there.

In good times and bad, and even in illness to call us and offer directions and advice She was there.

To scheduling cases, calling MD offices for orders, leaving PALS important notes, She was there.

To ensuring supplies and reps were available and that they checked in on the new "rep-tracs" She was there.

To organizing the day, the next pot-luck, or starting "an envelope at the desk" for someone in need She was there.

To embrace the woes of the world and offer hope when she could, especially to the crew after 3:30 She was there.

And now, that it is time to be in the presence the Great Physician, Because of her belief in Jesus, She is healed and She is there.

Kristie, we honor you this day and give you a white rose to symbolize our honor and appreciation for being our colleague.