Betty Jean (Dierberger) Kolterman was born on a farm Northeast of Seward on Dec. 17, 1929, the daughter of Edna (Gleisberg) and George Dierberger. She passed away July 28, 2025, in Seward at Seward Memorial Hospital with her daughter, Ellen, by her side at the age of 95.
Jean was baptized May 21, 1939, at the Seward Methodist Church and also was confirmed into the Methodist faith in 1941. She attended Seward Elementary School and Seward High School, graduating in 1947 and was employed by the Cattle National Bank following graduation.
On Oct. 2, 1949, she married the love of her life, Donald Kolterman at the Seward Methodist Church and was confirmed into the Lutheran faith Oct. 30, 1949, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. She and Don had four children, twins Mark and Clark, Ellen and Paul.
For over 40 years, she and Don lived at 140 Lincoln St., in a neighborhood full of children and great neighbors. She and Don raised their family in a fun-loving and “full-of-life” neighborhood experience and made friendships that have lasted for decades.
She was an active, involved member of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, especially a proud St. John Sunday School teacher for pre-kindergarten for 40+ years and a champion for the LWML and Ladies Aid.
Jean was a longtime leader in the Seward Blue Bird and Campfire program for young girls, was also a Cub Scout leader, supported the local Boy Scout Troop 256 and was the adult sponsor for the Seward Youth Council.
She was a Charter member and leader of the Concordia University Guild-baking many birthday cakes for CU students.
She recently celebrated being a 75-year member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs – the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club – serving as the local club president. She served as the state president of the GFWC Nebraska Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1972-1974. With her recent work in the GFWC NFWC, she campaigned and raised funds for the Dr. Susan La Flesche Hospital Renovation with a variety of fundraising projects.
For the first part of her married life, Jean was not employed outside the home, however, in the mid-1970’s, Jean became an active part of the family business with Don and son, Clark – working at Kolterman’s Ben Franklin Variety Store. The Kolterman family operated the Ben Franklin store for almost 80 years in downtown Seward.
Jean served as the co-chair of the City of Seward Centennial Celebration in 1967. She served as the chair of the Seward Planning Commission for 12 years and was elected and served as a member of the Seward City Council for almost eight years. She was a member of the Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee. She was appointed to the Seward Civic Center Commission and served as the chairman for decades.
She was named the “Nebraska Volunteer of the Year” in 1983 and the recipient of the “Diane Nelson Volunteer of the Year” award. She was the first recipient of the Seward Fourth of July Celebration’s “Seward County Community Service” award in 1971. Jean was presented the Seward Rotary Club’s “Service Above Self” award and was named a Rotary “Paul Harris” Fellow. She was an involved member of the Seward Memorial Health Care Auxiliary, and a member of the Seward Foundation.
She was named “Nebraska Mother of the Year” in 2001 and served as the state president of the Nebraska Mother’s Association-American Mother’s Inc. She was a life member of the Seward County Historical Society and served as the society president. She loved entering the Open Class division at the Seward County Fair.
She has been a member of the Seward Chamber of Commerce and Development Partnership for over 50 years and recently was recognized with the SCCDP “Community Service” Award at its annual dinner in 2025.
Jean really discovered the joy of cooking and baking later in life and she wanted to preserve her mother’s, grandmother’s, mother-in-law's and friend’s recipes, along with her own favorite dishes and created a popular cookbook that demanded a reprint.
Jean believed in being positive and working together to achieve a goal. She faced many problems directly and knew that working with others, the goal would be reached.
Jean is survived by her children, Mark (Michelle Waite) Kolterman, Clark (Linda) Kolterman, Ellen Chaffin, and Paul (Charlene) Kolterman; grandchildren, Zac Dittmar, Philip (Michelle) Kolterman, Jessica Kolterman, Kyla Moriera, Nathan (Lynn) Kolterman, Jennifer (Brian J) Stevens, Nick Kolterman, Amanda (Dan) Williams, Dan (Ashley) Kolterman, JJ Kolterman, Felicia DuBowik, and Robert Kolterman; 16 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lureta Dierberger, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don Kolterman; daughter-in-law, Suzanne; son-in-law, Ben Chaffin; parents-in-law, Fred and Hulda Kolterman; brother, Gale Dierberger; sister-in-law, and spouse, Eleanor and Gary Heinicke.
Jean loved life, she loved people, and she will be missed.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 3 – 8 p.m. at Volzke Funeral Home, with a gathering of family and friends from 6:30 – 8 p.m. The funeral service will be Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with committal at the Greenwood Cemetery.
