Patricia Ruth Johnson

Patricia R. Johnson, 91 of Cozad, formally of Eustis, passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at Meadowlark Pointe at Cozad.

Patricia was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1933 at her grandparent’s farm home in Maxwell, NE to Osee and Ione (Wood) Rosse. Patricia graduated from the 8th grade at Fort McPherson District #118, a small rural school house south of Maxwell. She graduated from Maxwell High School in 1951 and attended Hastings Nursing College.

On October 17, 1954, Patricia married Darrell Janeski at Maxwell. This union was blessed with three children, Sandra, Kevin and Sharon. The couple established a ranch in Snell Canyon, south of Maxwell and built a fine herd of Polled Hereford Cattle where they enjoyed their time on the ranch. She was a proud hostess of the NE Polled Hereford tour when it came through Central NE and she served as a past president of the NE Poll-ette Association. She served as a 4-H leader and belonged to the Stitch and Chatter Extension Club. Patricia enjoyed being a homemaker and passed her many talents to her children and grandchildren.

Following Darrell’s death in 1982, Patricia moved to Gothenburg, where she was employed with Wheeler’s. She lived there for a number of years before moving to Eustis. On November 30, 1985, Patricia was united in marriage to Kenneth Keller. The couple enjoyed traveling to many places, such as Alaska, the Panama Canal and Germany. They also enjoyed time spent playing cards with friends and being active in the community. While Patricia lived in Eustis, she was an integral part in opening Der Deutsche Markt, serving on the Chamber of Commerce and Wurst Tag committee. She took much pride in assisting with naming Eustis as the Sausage Capitol of Nebraska. Patricia also served on the church board at St. John’s Lutheran Church. After Kenneth’s death in 1996, Patricia began building her dream home. It was a project that brought her much joy.

On December 4, 1998, Patricia married Lyle Johnson of North Platte, where the couple made their home. They enjoyed spending time at their Arizona home and traveling to many rodeos. Following Lyle’s death in 2017, Patricia moved to Lincoln, where she lived next door to her daughter, Sandi. She enjoyed trying new restaurants and shopping at Sam’s Club.

In 2019, Patricia moved to Cozad and made her home at Meadowlark Pointe. She enjoyed meeting new friends, activities and growing flower and vegetables on her patio that she shared with others. Patricia especially enjoyed the staff and being able to attend activities of her great-grandchildren.

Patricia enjoyed going to casinos and playing LRC with scratch tickets. The family also picked up the fun tradition and she was known as “Vegas” at every Christmas. She took great care of pink petunias and loved the color, purple. She was an avid Husker fan, especially volleyball. Patricia was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sonrise Parish.

She is proceeded in death by her parents; husbands; great-granddaughter, Alicyn Hosick; brothers, Art (Carol) Rosse, David Rosse, Alan Rosse and Ralph Rosse.

Survivors include her daughters; Sandi Janeski of Lincoln and Sharon (Dan) Pfeiffer of Gothenburg; son, Kevin Janeski of Phoenix, AZ; 6 grandchildren, Elsie (Trent) Hosick of Cozad, Lance (Heidi) Pfeiffer of Windsor, CO, John (Molly) Thayer of Yankton, SD, Jim Thayer of Lincoln, Lacey (Levi) Parker of Eustis and Johnna Thayer of Cozad; 12 great-grandchildren, Braxton (Sofia), Katlynn, Wyatt, Gage, Cooper, Sadie, Brenner, Brock, Reid, Knox, Lueker and baby boy due in November; her canine companion, Rusty; sisters-in-law, Beverly (Dave) Kitzing of Lexington, Jo Rosse of Lincoln, Linda Rosse of Caledonia, MI, Evelyn Bartruff and Janice (Kermit) Smith all of Eustis; brothers-in-law, Dean (Dianne) Keller and Wayne (Nancy) Keller all of Eustis; her Meadowlark family and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church with Pastor Kathy Gundell officiating. Burial will follow at Eustis East Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home.