Keri Ann Pinkerman

Keri Ann Pinkerman of Columbus died Monday, December 14, 2020 at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 am Saturday, December 19 at St. Isidore Catholic Church.  Visitation is on Friday from 3:30 -5:30 pm at St. Isidore's with a 6:00 pm Vigil to follow, also at the church.  Interment is in the St. Edward Catholic Cemetery. The funeral will be broadcast on the McKown Funeral Home Facebook page.  Masks are required and social distancing will be followed at all activities.

Her journey began on July 25, 1970 in Albion, Ne, as her father and mother Raymond and Julianne (Pfeifer) Stock welcomed the fifth of what would be seven children, into the world.  They lived on a small farm between Lindsay and St. Edward.

Aside from her five children, her achievements in education are her greatest accomplishments. After graduating from Saint Edward High School in 1988, she attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska to proudly receive her RN BSN.  In April 2019 she proved that age does not define the importance and passion for education. She walked across the stage at 48 years young, to receive her Masters in Nursing Degree from Clarkson College. Her excitement and enthusiasm to teach young nurses was contagious. Though she never reached the goal to see them in the classroom, she did continue to teach all those around her that cared for her.

For many years she worked in many different nursing settings but ultimately found her true love to be geriatrics. All while being a superhero in scrubs, she is also a supermom to Kaitlin Roan (Ron Shotkoski), twins- Erika Roan and Taylor Roan, and yet another set of twins Simon Schumacher and Joel Schumacher. Though she believed it to be too soon, she called herself "Grandma Keri" with delight to Bentley Roan, Tyson, Kayson, and twins Addyson and Emiley Shotkoski.

Aside from a Nurse and Mom, Keri, is surrounded by the love of 6 siblings and in-laws. Her brothers Ron (Kristin Stock), Mark (Kris Stock), Susie (Todd Nordeen), Cindy (Michael Romero), Amy (Tim Nelson), and Angie (John Landauer). Keri is the sibling that when in the room made everything is better, she always had a smile, and was quick to laugh. Her positivity even in the hardest situations was unmatched throughout her life.

Loving and being loved, never has it limits and her life is proof. Two parents, five children, five grandkids, twelve siblings and in-laws, fourteen nieces and nephew, three husbands, many friends, and a few dear pets along the way. In her own words, "I don't regret or believe I would change anything in my past, I lived with intention and did what I thought was the best choice at the time. None of those choices took me away from where I was meant to be."

That life philosophy took her to truly enjoy her many passions,  a connoisseur of the culinary arts, cake decorating, true Husker Football fan, and being the best aunt, friend, sister, daughter, mother, and wife. Very rarely did a family event go unattended.

Her battle with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) is not her legacy. It was just another place she was meant to be, though she, herself, nor the many that love her understood the reason. She never saw it as a battle but as an opportunity to learn, grow, and teach others. Her care-takers that saw her through most of the 15 months after being diagnosed, agree. Heidi and Shae, caregivers at the end and were the best friends she deserved. They fulfilled her destiny and allowed her to teach.

The most important of all those Keri loved, was God.  Her devotion and faith, is in every moment of her life. Baptized at Holy Family Catholic Church and a final forever member of St. Isidores, she carried her faith and trust in the Lord to the very end. She is met at the gates of Heaven by her awaiting grandparents Edwin and Florene Pfeifer, and Frank and Josephine Stock.