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Carolyn Kay (Jahn) Welander, 79, went to her glorious Heavenly home on August 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

Born on July 28, 1947, in Osmond, Nebraska, Carolyn was the cherished daughter of Clarence F. and Wilma C. (Bruse) Jahn. Her early childhood was spent in Arlington, Nebraska, before her family relocated to Fremont, Nebraska in 1955. A proud Fremont Tiger, Carolyn graduated from Fremont High School in 1965. Following graduation, she briefly worked at Brodkey's Jewelers before launching what would become a lifelong, dedicated career in banking, starting at Fremont National Bank.

Always up for an adventure, Carolyn later moved to California with a close friend, where she expanded her banking expertise in the insurance department at Home Federal Savings & Loan. However, love and her family ultimately drew her back to Nebraska. On June 13, 1970, she married her fellow Fremont Tiger and the love of her life, Rodney Duane Welander.

Rod's career soon took the newlyweds to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Carolyn continued her banking career at the United Bank of Colorado Springs. Together, they spent 14 wonderful years in Colorado and welcomed their two beautiful daughters, Rebecca and Jodi. In 1984, wanting their daughters to grow up surrounded by family, Rod and Carolyn returned home to Fremont. Carolyn happily rejoined Fremont National Bank, where she remained a familiar, welcoming face for the rest of her professional career.

Carolyn lived life with an open heart and a joyful spirit. She and Rod shared a deep love for traveling, fishing, camping, cooking and embracing the great outdoors. Above all, Carolyn loved people. She dedicated her time generously to her community, serving on the Fremont High School Booster Board and the Fremont Midland Entertainment Board. Deeply devoted to her faith, she and Rod helped create and operate the Peace Lutheran Benevolent Bocce Pall League. Carolyn could be found courtside just this summer, effortlessly spreading joy, laughter, and warmth to everyone around her.

Inarguably, the greatest joys of Carolyn's life were her four grandsons. She was their biggest fan, their loudest cheerleader, and their constant source of unconditional love. If she wasn't hosting a lively gathering, relaxing by a lake, or traveling with dear friends, Carolyn was proudly cheering at a grandson's ballgame or school event.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 48 years, Rodney (who passed away October 2, 2018)her parents, Clarence and Wilma Jahn, and her nephew, Kenneth Jahn.

Her beautiful legacy of love, faith and adventure lives on through the rest of her family: her daughters, Rebecca Renee (Welander) Navarrette and Jody Kay (Welander) Fischer; her son-in-law, Ryan Fischer, and her adored grandsons, Try Samuel Navarrette, Preston Thomas Fischer, Elliot Rodney Fischer, and Isaiah Jeremiah Fischer; sister, Dian (Jahn) and Skip Miller, brothers Dallas (Charly) Jahn, Stan (Nancy) Jahn. She will be deeply missed by a community of lifelong friends and all who were blessed to cross her path.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Peace Lutheran Church Benevolent Bocce Ball League (2102 N. Country Road 26, Fremont, Nebraska 68025) with Carolyn Welander in the memor or the Fremont Moo Baseball program.

Ludvigsen Funeral Home in service to the family.

Carolyn Kay Welander

July 28, 1947 Osmond, Nebraska ~ August 26, 2026 Fremont, Nebraska

Memorial Service 9:30am Saturday, September 5, 2026 Peace Lutheran

Church, Fremont, Nebraska. Officiating Clergy: Pastor Sean Tyler. Music: duets by Nate and Addie Thomas: "Holy Is The Lord", "I Will Rise", "Supermarket Flowers", Congregational Hymn: "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", Sharon Francis, Organist.

Committal: Ridge Cemetery, Fremont, Nebraska

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

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