Carol Rae (Thornton) Coffey

Hastings resident Carol Rae (Thornton) Coffey, 80, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, NE, surrounded by her beloved family.

A Celebration of Life will be at 12 p.m. (Noon) Monday, August 4, at Lochland Country Club in Hastings. There will be a private family burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens. There will be no viewing or visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Nebraska (mentorcentral.org). Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com. Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center is serving the family.

Carol was born on August 2, 1944, in Falls City, NE, to Norman Thornton and Vera (Schuster Thornton) Roesch. She graduated from Falls City High School in 1962 and then attended Nebraska Wesleyan University. While attending summer classes at Peru State College, she met a cute young man named Dan, who was mowing the grass under a large oak tree. They fell in love and married on March 6, 1965, recently celebrating 60 wonderful years together. Throughout their marriage, Carol and Dan have built a strong partnership centered on teamwork and mutual respect. They raised three daughters, instilling in them the values of love, resilience, and dedication. As they moved from Chester, NE, to Albion, NE, then Columbus, NE, and Cedar Rapids, IA, their commitment to each other remained steadfast. In 1978, they chose to settle down in Hastings, Nebraska.

After raising her daughters, Carol returned to school. She graduated with high honors from Central Community College and earned a BA in Social Work, summa cum laude, from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She began her career as the Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Hastings and later worked with Child Protective Services in Grand Island, NE, until her retirement in 2005. Carol was a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1978, the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #234 since 1963, PEO Chapter GK, and Lochland Country Club. Her hobbies included playing bridge, mahjong, and shopping. She especially loved visiting flea markets in Quartzsite, AZ, where she and Dan spent their winters.

Carol's focus on family time through travel and holidays created countless cherished memories for her daughters and grandchildren. Known for her thoughtful and beautifully wrapped gifts, her kindness and compassion touched everyone who knew her. Carol treasured the lifelong friendships she made in every place she lived, throughout her career, and in her various clubs.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; adoptive father, Edgar Roesch; and brother Roger Thornton.

She is survived by her husband, Dan Coffey, of Hastings, NE; her daughters and their spouses: Michele Lyons (Chris) of Highlands Ranch, CO; Renee Lysthauge of Orland Park, IL; and Nicole Kellett (Luke) of Farmington, ME. Seven grandchildren: Nathan Kathol; Megan and Haley Lysthauge; Maya and Mason Kellett; and Zach and Abby Lyons. Sister and brother-in-law, Cathy Ebmeier (Pat) and sister-in-law, Chris Thornton as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.