Carolyn K. (Cotton) Anthony, 85, passed away on September 18, 2024 at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE. Services will be held 10:00 am Monday, September 23 at First United Methodist Church in North Platte. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Adams Swanson Funeral Home.
Carolyn was born on August 12, 1939 in Alliance, NE to John Robert Cotton and Ora Juanita “Jack” (Bandy) Cotton. She graduated from McPherson County High School in 1956. She was united in marriage to Otis F. Anthony on May 28, 1956 in Julesburg, CO. They made their home in North Platte where Carolyn worked for O’Connor Department Store and then at McDonald State Bank for 18 years. In 1979, she and Otis moved to Angora, NE where she took a job with the Burlington Northern Railroad in Alliance. She served as secretary to the division superintendent for 21 years before retiring. Her job responsibilities as secretary to the superintendent were many and varied. She thrived in that environment and soon became the “go-to” person for every question, problem and unusual situation. She earned the title of “Mother Green” (due to green being the BN color) and upon her retirement, the conference room in the superintendent’s suite was named after her. To this day, many of the superintendents and other workers continue to keep in touch. The couple eventually returned to North Platte and remained there until Carolyn moved to Kearney in February 2022. She lived at Brookestone Gardens Senior Living Center until her death.
Family was the most important thing to Carolyn. Throughout her life, she treasured the time spent with siblings, children, grandchildren and all her extended family. She enjoyed cooking big family dinners and gatherings of any kind, especially when they involved a chocolate dessert!
She is survived by her children, Kimra (Mark) Schipporeit of Kearney, Mark (Ranee) Anthony of Alliance, grandchildren Jenna Tapia, Brett Schipporeit, Amanda (Jake) Keating, Cody (Katie) Anthony, Morgan (Christopher) Anthony, great grandchildren Robert, Ellie, Skylar, Kenley, Kiya, Jayla and Letti; sister Reva Coulter of Florida, sister-in-law Lois Cotton of Stapleton and numerous loving nieces and nephews.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, brother Robert Cotton, brother-in-law William Coulter and her niece Leanna.
Memorials are suggested to FUR Animal Rescue of North Platte or the Miller Cemetery in Tryon.
The funeral will be livestreamed by Adamson Swanson Funeral Home.