Annette Margaret Nabity

On September 9, 1939, Annette Margaret Rott was born on a farm near Ord, Nebraska—literally on her grandparents’ kitchen table. She spent her first nine years on farms near Ord and in Wheeler County before the family moved to Spalding, Nebraska, in 1948. The second-oldest of thirteen children, Annette developed a deep sense of responsibility and care for others early in life. In second grade she contracted appendicitis and missed an entire school year. During her recovery at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, she decided she wanted to become a nurse. She graduated from Spalding Academy in 1959 alongside her younger sister Betty, who remained her closest friend and confidante until Betty’s death in 1983. After one year at Duchesne College in Omaha, Annette transferred to St. Francis College of Nursing and earned her RN in 1961. On October 6, 1962, she married Richard Nabity at St. Mary’s Cathedral. She worked as a registered nurse in the obstetrics and delivery ward at St. Francis Hospital, where she occasionally delivered babies when mothers could not wait for the doctor. Between 1963 and 1976, Annette and Richard welcomed seven children, six of whom survived. From 1971 to 1980 she devoted herself fully to her family as a stay-at-home mother—caring for the children, cooking, canning, freezing, carpooling, sewing, and managing the countless daily tasks of that era. Over the years she baked houska, thousands of kolaches and prepared countless potato dumplings, lovingly teaching her children these cherished family recipes so the traditions would continue. In 1980 she returned to nursing, working in the nursery at St. Francis Hospital and later in the nursing pool, at the drug and alcohol treatment center, and at Wedgewood nursing home until her retirement. Through these varied roles, Annette’s nursing career embraced the full cycle of life—welcoming new babies into the world, caring for the young and vulnerable, supporting those struggling with illness and addiction, and tending to the elderly in their final years. Annette was a founding member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Grand Island. Her son Kyle was the first baby baptized in the new parish, in a service held in the backyard of the family’s home on Charles Street. She served on the Church Council, including a term as president. Throughout her life she faced significant challenges, including severe depression and lupus, yet she held fast to her faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior. Annette was known as the family photographer filling several albums with candid photos at family gatherings, events, and with the addition of each new grandchild. She also possessed a remarkable green thumb. She brought countless houseplants back to life and took great joy in her large flower beds. For many years she proudly tended the flowers at The Chicken Coop downtown beer garden, adding beauty to the community she loved. Annette was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her son, Kurt; infant grandson, Michael; her parents, Bohumil and Hope; her brothers, Joseph, Andrew, and Jerry and her sisters, Carol and Betty. She is survived by her sisters, Janet (Jack) Bridger, Jean (Leonard) Parachini, Mary (Richard) Buettner, Bonnie (Lonnie) Hummel and Christine Rott; and her brothers, Francis (Betty) and Bob Rott. She is also survived by her children and grandchildren: Chad and Kathy Nabity (Will, Lee and his partner Meghan); Nadine and Bryce Pearson (Chris, Kyle, Katie, Kiana); Alissa Nabity preceded in death by Kurt (Harrison and his fiancé Amelia); Collin Nabity and Mandy (Caleb, Kaden and his wife Meka, Ali with great-grandson Eliason Jansonius); Kyle and Shayla Nabity (Carter, Elaine); Jolene and Adam John (Madison, Elizabeth Pierce, along with Adam’s daughters- Maly, Lauryn, and Annaston); Annette’s warmth, resilience, faith, and love of growing things will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Annette Margaret Nabity

September 9, 1939 - August 25, 2026

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Annette Margaret Nabity

September 9, 1939 - August 25, 2026

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support