Oct. 23, 1955 - Dec. 16, 2013

KEARNEY, Nebraska -- Carol Ann Best of Kearney passed away Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, at her sister's home in rural Indianola, Nebraska, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 58 years old.

Carol was born on Oct. 23, 1955, at O'Neill, Nebraska, to parents Merrill Eddie and Darlene Ella (Blume) Best, Jr. She graduated from McCook High School in 1974 and McCook Community College in 1976 with an Associate's of Arts Degree. She continued her education at Kearney State Teachers College and graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

After graduation, Carol started working for Kearney State College and later University of Nebraska at Kearney as a landscape assistant. Her main responsibility was taking care of the football field. She devoted 34 years to the university until her health would not permit her to work.

Carol was an avid bowler, being a member of the Nebraska and National Bowler's Association. She was inducted into the Nebraska Women's Bowler Association Hall of Fame. She had been a member of the Nebraska Women's Bowling Association for over 35 years. She won several competition trips to the national finals. Other interests included playing pool, watching Husker football and volleyball and spending time with her cat, Puffer.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Merrill and Darlene Best; brother, Richard Best; and nephew, Bradley Best.

Survivors include her sister, Sharon and husband, Stephen Conroy, of Indianola; brothers, Jimmy Best and wife, Brenda, of Buckeye, Arizona, Bryon Best and wife, Gail, of McCook, Ronald Best and wife, Sandra, of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Gregory Best and wife, Leigh, of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law, Helen Best of Mechanicsville, Maryland; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends.

It was Carol's request that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society for research.

A memorial service will be Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, 3 p.m. at O'Brien-Straatman-Redinger Funeral Home, 4115 Ave N, Kearney, NE, 68848 with Father Alex Borzych officiating.

A private family inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, McCook, Nebraska, at a later date.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.