Scott & Kathy Maline

Scott T. Maline, age 73, and Kathy L. Maline, age 71, both of Kearney, NE, passed away Friday, September 5, 2025, as a result of an automobile accident near Darr, NE. The Celebration of life will be on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Kearney E-Free Church. The family requests that those in attendance wear something colorful. Kathy loved a pop of color. There will be no visitation or burial. A livestream can be viewed by visiting www.kearneyefree.com/live prior to the start of the service on Monday. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a message or condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a memorial fund at First National Bank - Kearney addressed to Heidi Wigley, Brooke Cooper, or Brett Maline. Alternative method for giving: https://gofund.me/1526756b9 Kathy Lynn Ross was born on January 8, 1954 in Cozad, Nebraska to Milton and Marge (Gaudreault) Ross. She graduated from Cozad High school in 1972, receiving her bachelor’s degree in Education from Kearney State College. Starting her career in social work, she went on to serve children and families across the state as a teacher, para, and caregiver for 43 years. In her youth she could be seen twirling the baton, water skiing at Midway Lake, and participating in Job’s Daughters. Scott Taylor Maline was born on December 18, 1951 in Cozad, Nebraska to Donald and Isabel (Taylor) Maline. He graduated from Cozad High school in 1970 and received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Kearney State College. Starting his teaching and coaching journey in Gibbon, Nebraska, Scott went on to receive his Master’s degree in Education Administration and completed his Doctorate of Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was a lifelong educator who served children and the Nebraska communities of Gibbon, Geneva, Elkhorn, Minden, and Litchfield. He also went on to teach at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Scott was a lifelong athlete with numerous accolades at Cozad and Kearney State College; he loved any and all sports and his sense of humor earned him the beloved nickname “Scooter.” Kathy met her high school sweetheart, Scott, in the halls of Cozad High. They married on August 3,1974 in Cozad, Nebraska and were devoted to each other for 51 years. The couple was blessed with three children: Heidi, and twins Brooke and Brett. Some of their recent favorite pastimes were pickleball, Friday night couples golf league, theater shows, and walks with their dog Rosco out at Yanny Park. Kathy was proud to be an active member of Chapter EG PEO in Kearney and loved volunteering for the Kearney Literacy Council. Scott was a member of Rotary International and volunteered for CASA and Teammates. Their children and extended family will cherish memories of special holidays and vacations and their unconditional love and support. Their legacy will live on through the many lives they’ve touched. Kathy and Scott were devoted grandparents to Isabel, Evie, Abigail, and Lillian. They took many trips to New Zealand to see Heidi’s family and were a constant presence in Brooke’s girls’ lives in Kearney. Surviving relatives include Kathy’s mother, Marge Ballard of Gothenburg, NE; children, Heidi (Dan) Wigley of Christchurch, NZ, Brooke (Doug) Cooper of Kearney, NE, Brett Maline of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren, Isabel, Evie, Abigail, Lillian; several sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends. They were preceded in death by Scott’s parents, Donald and Isabel Maline; Kathy’s father, Milton Ross; Scott’s sister, Jane Maline and sister-in-law, Vicki Maline.

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Scott & Kathy Maline

September 5, 2025