Joleen Adams

Joleen Adams, 72, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, passed away Monday, June 5, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family. A private family service will be held. Cremation has taken place in accordance with her wishes. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Joleen’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Joleen was born July 26, 1950, in Norton, Kansas to Francis and Mary (Vernon) Hix. She discovered a fondness for the outdoors at an early age and grew up horseback riding, hunting, and fishing. She attended Atwood Schools where she participated in sports, played the trumpet, and graduated with the class of 1969. Joleen became a certified nurse’s aide soon after graduation and later received an EMT certification.

She married Bob Adams on December 23, 1970, in St. Francis, Kansas. They welcomed two children, Jason and Laneann. Joleen worked hard raising her family while also serving as an EMT in Oberlin, Kansas. She and Bob divorced and on March 22, 1985, she married Barbara Kay Koerner in Denver, Colorado. They made their home in Castle Rock, Colorado for several years before moving to Hastings, Nebraska. Joleen and Barbara moved to California in 2001 where they lived for 16 years. Joleen and Barbara enjoyed traveling the world together, camping, and antique shopping throughout their nearly forty years of marriage and companionship.

Determined and never one to depend on others, Joleen taught herself a broad spectrum of abilities. She was naturally mechanically inclined and repaired her derby cars, even building transmissions all on her own. Her independent, strong-willed personality constructed her into a handyman for just about any job necessary. It seemed there was nothing that she couldn’t build or fix herself.

Joleen may have had a reputation as a tough gal, both physically and mentally, but her parenting style was the opposite. She was a wonderful and caring mother, and her love was always made known. Joleen was a friend to all animals. She and Barbara opened their home to many, many animals who became their family over the years. Joleen was a sports fanatic, but above all was an avid Broncos fan. She also cheered on the Nebraska Huskers and watched NASCAR. She had fun playing on softball teams in earlier years. Besides her passion for sports, Joleen was also a huge Elvis fan her entire life.

Despite her small stature, she left an enormous legacy and will be immensely missed by those left to cherish her memory including her son, Jason (Diana Kay) Adams of Littleton, CO; daughter, Lane (Chris) Miller of Scottsbluff; her step-children whom she adored as her own, Patty Ovstedal of Elizabeth Town, KY, Dennis (Evie) Custard of Hawaii and Harlan Custard of Hastings, NE; grandchildren, ShelbeAnn Warner of Sacramento, CA, Derek Adams of Beloit, KS, Brady (fiancé, Sylvia) Kopecky of Hastings, NE, Kelsey (fiancé, Christian) Thompson of Gering, and Austyn and Aspyn Andreas of Scottsbluff; step-grandchildren, Charles “Saith” Langseth, Bambi Knapp, and Shaun and Christopher Banet all of Kentucky; numerous great-grandchildren; as well as other extended relatives and friends.

Joleen was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Mary Hix; stillborn sister, Laneann Hix; wife, Barbara in 2017; and step-daughter, Carla Barton in 2018.