Preceded in death by loving husband of 56 years Frank and sister Betty Lewis. Survived by children Monte (Nora), Gary (LuAnn), Cindy, Shari (Jerry) Tjards; grandchildren Lisa (Jason), Krystal (Nick), Michelle (Alex), Cody (Elle), Brett, Brad, Ryan (Jillian), Courtney, Lindsey; several great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Sun, Oct 6, at Westlawn Hillcrest Funeral Home from 5-7pm. Private family burial will be at a later date.
Carol was born in 1925 in Wymore, Nebraska to Melchon and Vera Kipper and spent her childhood years there with older sister Betty. She later moved to Omaha with her family where she met and married Frank Haney in 1950. Over the next 13 years, Frank and Carol were “blessed” with the births of their four children - Monte, Gary, Cindy and Shari.
Carol was an avid sports fan and rarely missed the hundreds of baseball, softball and football games of her kids. She was a lover of animals and she and Frank owned several dogs, horses and even goats over the years. Carol’s favorites were the four English Bulldogs she had during her lifetime. Guests at Carol’s homes on 76th Street and later on Calhoun Road were amazed by the many bulldog figurines, pictures and stuffed animals that adorned the place.
Carol was definitely the glue that kept her family close. Her family gatherings at home on holidays and special occasions produced memories that will be cherished forever. Many of these gatherings included more than just family members because everyone was welcome at the Haneys. Friends and acquaintances knew they could stop by the house anytime just to hang out because they would be treated like family. And were they ever. Carol always spoke her mind and was sometimes brutally honest. Everything from your hairstyle to your clothes to the kind of car you drove were fair game if she didn’t approve. But that was part of what made Carol so special - she was genuine.
After winning two separate battles with brain tumors, it was dementia and rheumatoid arthritis that finally led Carol to spending the last 6 years of her life at Bickford Assisted Living where she thought she owned the place. She became a staff favorite for her sense of humor and the unsolicited advice she freely doled out. She was affectionately known as Grandma to everyone there.
Carol was a very strong, loving, generous lady and an incredible mother and grandmother. She will be missed by many.
