Kathryn "Kathy" Coats, age 73, of O'Neill passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill.  Kathy's wishes were not to have any services at this time.  Condolences may be sent to: Chuck Coats, 1406 Putter St., O'Neill, NE 68763.   Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Kathryn Kay Yelli was born November 25, 1952 in Orchard, Ne. to Virgil and Lorene (Thelander) Yelli.  After some years of moving around, they settled back in Orchard.  Kathy was the eldest of the six children often caring for her siblings.  She enjoyed pep club and baton twirling in her teens.  Kathy graduated from Orchard HS in 1971, when she met and married Charles (Chuck) Coats on July 3, 1971.

After they settled in O'Neill, Kathy enjoyed raising their three children as well as assisting her aunt with the Wandette baton twirlers for several years.  Kathy also taught Sunday school and VBS for many years as a member of the First Christian Church in O'Neill.

Kathy later received her Bachelor's degree in Early Child Development from CCC in Grand Island.  With her hard-earned knowledge and many years of experience, she fulfilled her greatest accomplishments as the Headstart Teacher/Director for 30 years in O'Neill.  She instructed and graduated 600 preschool students during those years and touched not only the lives of her students but also their families.

Kathy's favorite pastimes were decorating inside and out for the seasons and holidays and spending time with her grandchildren.  She also enjoyed all things Paris and everything Disney.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 55 years, Charles of O'Neill; her three children, Gina (Troy) Friese of Atkinson, Krista Becker (fiancé Elijah Gonzalez) of Orchard, Christopher (Stephanie) Coats of Omaha; grandchildren, Kayla (Zach) Geffre of O'Neill, Johnathan Coats of O'Neill, Montana (Alyssa) Boyle of Hoskins, Traygan Boyle of Orchard, Karnie Becker of Orchard, Paislee Shell of Omaha; great-grandchildren, Lillian Kizzire, Ruby Geffre, Briar Geffre, Kayce Boyle; sisters, Suzan (Steve) DeCamp of Omaha and Trichia Thompson (fiancé Tim Bennett) of Tilden; sister-in-law, Sheryl Yelli of Pierce.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil, and Lorene (Yelli-White); three siblings: James, John, and Jerry Yelli; brother-in-law, Steve Thompson and nephew, Marcus DeCamp.

"Goodbyes are not forever.  Goodbyes are not the end.  They simply mean I'll miss you, until we meet again."
– Winnie the Pooh