Christine D. (Kozeal) Stafford

Christine D. Stafford, age 100, of North Platte and mother of Kay Thomas of Ogallala, died Monday, July 4, 2016, at Indian Hills Healthcare Community.

Christine was born January 28, 1916 near Ord in rural Valley County, Nebraska. She was one of Joseph and Mary (Bartusiak) Kozeal's eleven children.

After graduating from Burwell High School she continued her education taking classes to learn how to be a secretary. She enjoyed the work and pursued more education so that she could become an assistant to a lawyer.

Christine met her husband Dr. Stuart Stafford in Ogallala. They resided in North Platte where they raised their four children.

She was an active member of St. Patricks Catholic Church in North Platte and was also active in civic groups such as the Nebraska Cattle Women and P.E.O. Christine traveled across the United States and visited England, Portugal and Spain. Other hobbies included playing bridge, tending to her flower garden and learning about new things.

Preceding her in death was her husband Dr. Stuart B. Stafford, infant daughter Janet Elaine Stafford; daughter Mary Suzanne Noonan; grandson John Thomas; four brothers and five sisters.

Survivors include her children Kay Thomas of Ogallala and James Kent Stafford of Lincoln; one sister Kathryn Strani of Kearney; five grandchildren: Mike Thomas, Jr. of Ogallala; Joe (Kim) Noonan of Denver, Colo.; Peter (Hillary) Noonan of Denver, Colo.; Catherine Richards of Cypress; and Christine Hahn of Chicago, Ill.; seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Rosary Service will be on Friday, August 5, at 10 a.m. Mntn. Time, in St. Patricks Catholic Church, 301 East 4th, in Paxton, with Rev. Bryan Ernest officiating, followed by the Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. Mntn. Time. The Service will be live streamed from drauckerfuneralhome.com, for those unable to attend.

Memorials can be made in Christine's honor to St. Patricks Catholic Church. Online Condolences may be sent to drauckerfuneralhome.com.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.