Kathy J. Smith, age 71, of Jansen, NE, was called to her eternal home in the arms of Jesus on March 1, 2026. Kathy departed her life on earth surrounded with much love and comfort from her family at her home in Jansen after enduring a long and courageous battle against cancer. She fought like a warrior until the very end and without ever any self-pity or a complaint.

Kathy was born on August 24, 1954, in Fremont, NE. She was the oldest of five children of the late Floyd E. “Red” and Twila “Dolly” Lichty.

She grew up living in and attending grade school in Fairbury NE, until around the third grade and then moved with her family to Steele City, NE where she finished her years of grade school and resided until graduating from Fairbury High School in May of 1972.

On July 14, 1972, Kathy was united in marriage at the Presbyterian Church in Steele City, NE with her high-school sweetheart and lifelong partner of 53 years, Jeffrey Smith of Jansen, NE. To this union two daughters were born, Brenda and Catina.

Kathy and her husband built a home in Jansen in 1978 and here they raised their two daughters together and shared a wonderful life. On January 20, 1975, Kathy was baptized and later was also confirmed in Christ at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jansen where she too became a member. Her and her husband have currently been members of Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury.

While in high school and during her first few years of marriage, Kathy helped clean at her husband’s family business (Smitty’s in Jansen). She also worked at Endicott Clay Products and Jansen Thriftway both for a few years but the majority of her life she worked within the home as a stay-at-home mom and housewife. Her home was her castle and all that knew her remember the pride, dedication and hard work she put in to always keeping a clean house, nice yard and meals on the table until her health no longer allowed her to. Her family and her pets were both of great priority to her and the love and care she had for them was endless.

Kathy and her husband enjoyed many adventures together and almost always where you saw one, you saw the other. Summer vacations with their children, trips to Las Vegas and Branson with friends and family for several years were taken. Camping and boating at Milford Lake every summer throughout their entire marriage was both their favorite and many new friendships and a lifetime of memories were made there. Kathy enjoyed scratch off tickets, getaways to Prairie Band Casino, random gatherings with family and friends just hanging out, playing cards and having snacks and drinks and loved her and her husband’s evening drives to take their dogs for a ride. She also was on a woman’s bowling league for several years in Fairbury that she had much fun doing. Kathy was easy to love and befriend, she was giving, fun and with many acts of kindness. She will be remembered and missed by many.

Kathy is survived by her husband Jeff, daughter Brenda (Chris) Placek, daughter Catina Smith and fiancé Chris Larson, granddaughters Kenna Placek and significant other, Spencer Natera-Smith, Madalynn Smith, grandson Holden Snyder, great grandson Bridge Natera-Smith, her brothers Doug (Debbie) Lichty, Jeffey Lichty & significant other, Leta Mau, all from the surrounding area and half-sister Dianne (Keith) Rollen of Grand Island, NE along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and her two special dogs Tootles and Kaylee.

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents Floyd E. and Twila Lichty, her brother Kenneth Lichty, sister Sharon Lugenbeel, brother-in-law James Lugenbeel, son in law Kelly Janssen, her grandparents Floyd and Lois Lichty, and Calvin and Bessie McMahan and mother and father-in-law Arthur “Smitty” and Elnora Smith.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury, NE followed by burial at the Fairbury Cemetery. A luncheon will be served back at the church following the interment. The family requests casual dress in honor of Kathys wishes for the funeral service. Visitation with family will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury from 5 – 7 pm. Memorial’s in Kathy’s honor have been designated to the family’s choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com