Betty Jean Copeland

Betty Jean Osburn Copeland, 97, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, at her daughters’ home. She was surrounded by family and her special puppies, Joy and Mae (affectionately called Sweet Pea by Grammy). She was born on April 12, 1929, at the family homestead south of Sparks, Nebraska. Betty was the sixth child born to Albert and Lillian Osburn. She attended Sparks Rural Grade School and Valentine High School. She was married to John F Copeland on April 12, 1947, and blessed with two children, Marla Jean and Marvin John, both of Valentine, Nebraska.

Betty worked in retail for several years and was a full-time housewife while she raised her children. When her children went to school she began to work at ESU (Educational Service Unit 17), Sawyer Memorial Library for 20 years as a librarian assistant and retired in 1994. Betty dedicated her life to being a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. Family was especially important to Betty; she took exceptional care of her son Marvin and held a special place in her heart for hosting family gatherings through the years. She will be deeply missed.

She leaves behind her daughter Marla Jean Kilmer, son-in-law Willis Kilmer, grandsons Ryan (Ronelle) Kilmer and John (Alina) Kilmer, along with many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband John and son Marvin Copeland, parents, Lillian A. Clayton Osburn and Albert M. Osburn, sisters and brothers, Bernice Osburn (infant), Hazel Brown (John), Helen Olson (Clair), Bonny Copeland (Earl), Russell Osburn (Lucille), Robert Osburn, Dick Osburn (Louise) (Letha) and Ray Osburn (Florence).

Mother-in-law, Clara E. Ogle Copeland and Father-in-law, John Frederick Copeland. Brothers-in-laws and Sister-in-laws; Ruby Vaughn (Jim), Ester Anderson (Harry), Mary Ellen Spivey (Emmett), Sylvia Kramer Sharp (Ren) (Milan), Anna Nish (Bert), Earl Copeland (Bonny), Zelma Copeland, Clifford Copeland, and Darrel Copeland (Bonita) (Irma).

Betty attended the Presbyterian Church of Valentine, Nebraska and in her later years followed via Live Stream.

A funeral service will be held at the Valentine Presbyterian Church at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Burial will be at the Sparks Cemetery following the service. The family requests that donations be made to the Sparks Cemetery through Security First Bank 253 N Main Street Valentine, NE 69201 or Sandhills Cancer Fund 428 East 8th Street Ainsworth, Nebraska, 69210.

For more information or to send condolences online, please visit www.sandozfuneralhome.com “Trust in the Lord with all Thine Heart” Proverbs 3:5

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