Carolyn J. Weaver

Carolyn was born on July 29, 1949, in Alta, Iowa, to Doris Tierney and George Bekish. The second of four children, she grew up with her siblings, Linda, Jeanie, and Bill, and attended Denison High School in Denison, Iowa. After high school, Carolyn lived in Chicago for a period of time before moving to Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania.

Carolyn’s son, Ashlin, was born in Jersey Shore in 1975. She married Russell Phillip Weaver in 1982, and the couple moved to Crete, Nebraska, in October of that year. Their daughter, Amanda, was born in Crete in 1983.

Carolyn worked at Rich Clark Ford for a number of years as a financial manager before serving as Finance Director at Blue Valley Mental Health, where she finished her career and retired in 2020.

Above all, Carolyn was fiercely loyal to her children and grandchildren, and few things brought her greater joy than being involved in their lives. She was a constant presence at her grandchildren’s sporting events, plays, performances, and major milestones. Whatever craft, hobby, or sport one of her grandchildren became interested in, Carolyn dove in right alongside them, often becoming more knowledgeable about it than anyone expected.

She had a remarkable way of making each grandchild feel special. Rarely did she see them without arriving with an incredibly thoughtful and detailed craft, gift, or project she had created especially for them. She gave generously of her time and talents, and her grandchildren always knew that Nana would be there.

Carolyn was a wonderful baker and cook and was incredibly proud of her Swedish heritage, something she carried on through family traditions and, especially, her cooking. Her Swedish meatballs were a showstopper and a family favorite. Holidays gave her another opportunity to make something special for the people she loved. She would spend weeks planning and creating elaborate treats that the family eagerly anticipated each year, from her Christmas thumbprint cookies and snowman treats to a vegetable tray carefully arranged in the shape of a turkey. And no family holiday gathering was quite complete without Mom’s famous layered lettuce salad.

She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and crafting. Carolyn’s Catholic faith remained an important part of her life.

Her absence leaves a tremendous void on the sidelines, in the audience, at family gatherings, and, most of all, in the hearts of those who loved her.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Russell Phillip Weaver of Lincoln; her two children, Ashlin (Kaylynne) Gasiorowski of Omaha and Amanda (Edward) Weaver of Lincoln; her six grandchildren, Nolan, Amelia, Everett, Annabelle, Allison, and Edward IV; her siblings, Linda (Jack) Walker, Jeanie Bekish, and Bill (Marianne) Bekish; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loved ones; and her beloved dog, Emmett.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Doris (Leonard) Tierney and George Bekish.

A Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, September 4, at North American Martyrs Catholic Church in Lincoln, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the church. Burial will take place at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home & Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.