Barbara Ann (Kempkes) Nitz, 81 years of age, of Beatrice passed away peacefully on February 23, 2020, at Beatrice Health and Rehab. She was born on August 24, 1938, in Lincoln to Herman and Frances (Royal) Kempkes. Barbara (Barb) grew up on the family farm south of Bennet. She graduated from Bennet High School in 1956. She participated in choir, band, pep club, dramatics, track & field, volleyball and softball. She was the Senior Class President, Pep Club Secretary, School Paper Sports Editor, School Yearbook Editor, Homecoming Queen, voted Outstanding Senior, and named Athlete of the Year. She was the 4-H President and Secretary. Barb graduated from Lincoln School of Commerce in 1957. During her time at the Lincoln School of Commerce, Barb played softball and was instrumental in forming the first Women’s Volleyball team.
She married her beloved husband, Arden Nitz, on January 11, 1958, in Lincoln. Arden and Barb lived in Lincoln, Omaha, and Sioux City, Iowa, prior to making Beatrice their home in 1966. She and her husband owned Nitz Dairy Queen and Nitz Decorating Den. She retired as a school bus driver and from the Beatrice State Developmental Center. She valued the many friendships she cultivated with people of all ages throughout her professional experiences.
Barb’s love for sports continued through her adult life. She played softball, mixed doubles tennis, and bowling. It was her love for softball that led her to start the first travel softball team in Beatrice. As owners of Nitz Dairy Queen, they sponsored junior, senior, and women’s softball teams, a women’s bowling team, and boys junior golf team. She coached girl’s softball, umpired softball, and was the Girls YRI Director. She loved Husker sports, WNBA, women’s tennis, and Beatrice High School sports, especially softball. She shared her passion and love of sports with her family, which was passed down from generation to generation.
Barb also enjoyed music, dancing, gardening, telling stories, and monthly Birthday lunches with the ladies. She always gave her time and heart to family and friends. She maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust of many. She was a great lady with a big heart and was always willing to help anyone. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter, sense of humor, and stories will never be forgotten.
Above all, she was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was incredibly proud of her family. She loved holidays, family get-togethers, and lived for any moment she had with her family.
Barb is survived by her loving husband, Arden, of 62 years; children, Deb Charf of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sandy Jenkins of Newark, Delaware, Dave (Deb) Nitz of West Des Moines, Iowa, Denise Barnhill of Lincoln, and son Doug (Julie) Nitz of Belleville, Illinois; grandchildren, Jeremy (Brittany) Barnhill, Channon Nitz, Zach (Katie) Nitz, Alex Nitz, Brandon (Brianna) Nitz, Lindsey (Julia) Montgomery, Sasha Montgomery, Jake Nitz, Kyle Nitz, Blake Nitz, and Brittney Nitz; great grandchildren, Sophia Melendez, Caden Cumebatch, and Amelya Montgomery; brothers, Richard Kempkes, Harold Kempkes, and special friend Sue Adams, Duane (Janet) Kempkes, and several nieces and nephews.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-laws, Shirley Kempkes, Viola Loseke, Evelyn Henry, Verneta Rahtz, and Darlene (Dee) Sorensen; brother-in-laws, Donald Rahtz, Vernon Nitz, Eldon "Bud" Nitz, and Lin Sorensen and nieces and nephews.
To celebrate her life, Pastor Jack Magness will conduct a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM on March 6, 2020, at Christ Community Church 2727 Lincoln St, in Beatrice. A luncheon will be held at the church following the service with Interment to follow at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 6700 South 14th Street Lincoln, NE. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on March 5, 2020, at Christ Community Church in Beatrice. In lieu of flowers, Memorials are suggested to the Arden and Barbara Nitz Softball Scholarship established through the Beatrice Educational Foundation, 320 N. 5th Street, Beatrice, NE 68310, or the Beatrice Community Hospital Hospice, 1110 Jackson Street, Beatrice, NE 68310. Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, Lincoln, in charge of arrangements.
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