Carol Elbracht

Carol M. Elbracht, 85, of Howells, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2024 at St. Joseph Hillside Villa in West Point. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carol’s memory may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Howells Community Club or the Howells Rescue Squad , honoring her lifelong commitment to helping others. Through her deeds, Carol's legacy of kindness and service will continue to impact lives for years to come.

A recording of Carol's Funeral Mass, click the following link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/cEmSpPQtdYkLzoN8/

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 8, at S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Howells with Fr. Walter Jong-A-Kim officiating and Fr. Paul Ortmeier con-celebrating. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 until 6 with a parish rosary at 6 p.m. all at the church. Visitation will resume Monday from 10 until 10:30. Burial will be in the S.S. Peter and Paul Cemetery with lunch following in the Howells Catholic Social Hall. Svoboda Moravec Johnson Mortuary is handling arrangements for Carol’s family.

Carol Mae Elbracht, née Schwartz, passed away on June 29, 2024, in West Point, Nebraska at the age of 85. Born on July 14, 1938, in Springfield, Minnesota, Carol was a beacon of community service and compassion throughout her life.

A 1957 graduate of Northfield High School, Carol participated in Rural Youth where she soon met a handsome cowboy. She and Ted fell for each other immediately. She left Minnesota and followed him to Nebraska where, on October 7, 1961, the couple wed in SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Howells, Nebraska. In the early days of their marriage they traveled with Rural Youth where Ted called square dances and the newlyweds made many lasting friendships. On December 25, 2007, Carol lost the love of her life in a tragic car accident.

Carol dedicated much of her life to charitable efforts. She was instrumental in establishing the Meals on Wheels program in Howells and was an active member of the General Federation of Women's Club for over 50 years. Through her involvement, she supported scholarships, the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, the Ronald McDonald House, and numerous other charitable initiatives. After Ted passed, Carol loved to volunteer reading with the Kindergarteners and actively participated in the Howells Community Club. Carol was also a passionate sewist, teaching sewing classes and judging at the Cuming County Fair. Her skills benefited many and later in life she put her sewing efforts toward Project Linus where she crafted quilts and items for NICUs.

Carol was a lifelong member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Howells, NE, where she also found spiritual solace and community. Her work experiences include a receptionist at the Howells Vet Clinic, an administrator at Howells Community Catholic Schools, and an employee at Creative Notions in West Point. 

She is survived by her loving family: daughter Pam Kallis and her husband Leo of Yankton, SD, and their children Tom Friedenbach of Fort Worth, TX, and Hannah Friedenbach of St. Louis, MO; sons JT Elbracht and Colleen of Bocas del Toro, Panama, and his children Skyler and Teagan and one grandchild Jocelyn; Mike Elbracht and his wife Tracie of Lincoln, NE, and their children Jack and Maddie; Jeff Elbracht and his wife Jill of Pullman, WA, and their sons Tyler and Nate; sister Kay Sabin of Cannon Falls, MN; and brother Lee Schwartz and his wife Marge of Sun City West, AZ. Carol was preceded in death by her parents Howard and Lillian Schwartz, sister Lois Wilhelmson, and her beloved husband Ted Elbracht.