Martha Melvina Tappan, age 83, of Broken Bow, Nebraska passed away Thursday, May 3, 2018, at the Broken Bow Care and Rehab Home.
She was born January 15, 1935, in Central City, Nebraska to Frank D. Reed and Leona (Smith) Reed.
Her youth was spent in Central City and Ravenna, Nebraska and as a young adult moved to California and became a “Nanny” for several families.
Returning to this area she married her husband Draper Tappan on April 3, 1976, in Anselmo, Nebraska. It was a very unique ceremony as they said their vows on a moving merry-go-round as a carnival was in town. The event made the Custer County Chief and the pictures indicated they had many people as guests and witnesses.
After her husband’s death, she became a client of Custer Care in 2002 and spent all but the last two months of her life there until ill health required her transfer to Broken Bow Care & Rehab.
She is survived by Brad Pracht and Family, her son’s significant other Diann Lukowski of Lincoln, Nebraska, Granddaughters, Jami and Kevin Weyers of Ashland, Nebraska, Kimberly and Jesse Obert of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Nicole Vogel of Lincoln, Nebraska, 7 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Plus, all her friends at Custer Care.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her son Dennis Vogel, two sisters Wanda and Betty, three brothers Francis, Lafeyette (Buster) and Robert.
Graveside services will be Monday, May 7, 2018, at 2:00 pm with Pastor Stacey Erstrom conducting the inurnment.
Memorials may be sent to Custer Care, 1020 South 2nd Ave., Broken Bow, NE 68822.
