Beverly Jo (Maline) Bratten, 76, of Brady, Nebraska, died January 27th, 2012, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, Nebraska, after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer's.

She was born April 29th, 1935, to Quentin and Violet (Patterson) Maline on the family farm north of Cozad, Nebraska.

On June 2nd, 1957, she married Winfred Bratten at the First United Methodist Church in Cozad, Nebraska. To this union four daughters were born, Debra Jo, Diane Kay, Jodi Lynn and Kristi Ann. Beverly and her husband Winfred lived in Wild Horse Valley, Brady, for over 50 years.

She grew up on a farm six miles north of Cozad and attended elementary school at District #30. Beverly graduated from Cozad High School in 1952, where she made many lifetime friends. Following high school, she continued her education at Kearney State College and then she pursued her passion of teaching at several country schools in the area. Upon moving to the Wild Horse Valley area, she taught for a year and then began her family. Raising her daughters and serving others became her life's focus. She was an active member of Svea Dal Ladies Aide and Spannuth Women's Club and served faithfully as a Sunday School and Bible school teacher. For 20 years she helped lead an area 4-H "Stitches & Mixers" Club. She had a special interest in children and serving others. Countless friends and neighbors remember her as "Mom Bev." Her children and grandchildren have many fond memories of her selfless love and encouraging spirit. She cherished being a grandma and attended many of the grandchildren's activities with pride.

Beverly is survived by daughters, Debra Jo Bratten of Milford, Nebraska, Diane (Marlon) Hohnstein and their children Ryan, Evan and Amanda of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jodi (Mark) Nelson and their children Jake, Tanner and Karli of Bertrand, Nebraska, Kristi (Joe) Burford of Brady; sisters, Linda Linke of Cozad and Judy (Don) Schmidt of Omaha, Nebraska; brother, Dr. Tom (Judy) Maline of Holbrook, Nebraska; sisters-in-law, Eleanor Johnson, Norrene Anderson, Dawna Bratten and Trudy Bratten; along with numerous nieces and nephews, as well as a host of friends and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Quentin and Violet Maline; husband, Winfred Bratten; brothers-in-law, Dale Linke, Dale Bratten, Willard Johnson and Wilbert Anderson.

Services were held at Evangelical Free Church, February 1st, 2012, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Rick Rehmert and Pastor Ken Sawyer officiating. Burial was at 2 p.m., February 1st, 2012, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to the Svea Dal Covenant, 1676 Svea Dal Rd, Brady, NE 69123; N.P. Youth for Christ, 2500 E. 2nd St, North Platte, NE 69101; or the Dawson Co. Alzheimer's Walk, 1500 South 70th Street, Suite 201, Lincoln, NE 68506.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg was in charge of arrangements.