Betty Jean Osburn Copeland, 97 passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, at her daughter’s home surrounded by family and her special puppies Joy and Mae (affectionately called Sweet Pea by Grammy).
She was born on April 12, 1929, in Sparks, NE on the family homestead. Betty was the fourth daughter born to Albert and Lillian Osburn. She attended Sparks Rural Grade School and Valentine High School.
She was married to John F. Copeland on April 12, 1947, and they shared 54 years of marriage until his passing in 2001. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Marla Jean and Marvin John of Valentine, NE.
Betty worked in retail for several years and was a full-time housewife while she raised her children. When her children went to school she began to work at ESU (Educational Service Unit 17) Sawyer Memorial Library for 20 years as a librarian assistant and retired in 1994.
Betty dedicated her life to being a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. Family was especially important to Betty; she took exceptional care of her son Marvin and held a special place in her heart for hosting family gatherings through the years. She will be deeply missed.
She leaves behind her daughter Marla Jean Kilmer; son-in-law Willis Kilmer; grandsons, Ryan (wife Ronelle) Kilmer, and John (wife Alina) Kilmer, along with many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her
Betty Jean Osburn Copeland, 97
husband John F. Copeland; son Marvin Copeland; parents, Lillian A. Clayton Osburn, and Albert M. Osburn; sisters and brothers, Bernice Osburn (infant), Hazel Brown (John), Helen Olson (Clair), Bonny Copeland (Earl), Russell Osburn (Lucille), Robert Osburn, Dick Osburn (Louise), and Ray Osburn (Florence); father and mother-inlaw, Clara and John Frederick Copeland; brother and sister in laws, Ruby Vaughn (Jim), Esther Anderson (Harry), Mary Ellen Spivey (Emmett), Anna Copeland Nish, Earl Copeland (Bonny), Zelma Copeland, Clifford Copeland (infant), and Darrel Copeland (Bonita).
Betty attended the Presbyterian Church of Valentine, NE; in her later years she followed the Sunday sermons via Live Stream.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church in Valentine, NE for immediate family and friends.
Burial was at the Sparks Cemetery following the service.
The family requests that donations be made to the Sparks Cemetery through Security First Bank, Valentine, NE 69210, or Sandhills Cancer Fund 428 East 8th Street, Ainsworth, NE 69210 For more information or to send condolences online, please visit www.sandozfuneralhome.com “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.” Proverbs 3:5 Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was entrusted with service arrangements.
