Tori Ann Koubek, age 35 of North Platte, passed away unexpectedly at her home on December 24, 2013.
Tori was born on May 6, 1978 in North Platte, NE to Keith and Kari (Smith) Nichelson. She graduated from North Platte High School in 1996 then attended college at Mid Plains and McCook Community College where she studied to be a paramedic and firefighter. Tori served as a Volunteer Firefighter on the North Platte Department until 2005. She met Shanon Koubek in July of 1995 and they were married on February 26, 2000 in Arnold. The couple made their home in North Platte where they were blessed with four wonderful children, Grace, Natalie, Lliam and Olivia. Tori continued serving her community operating a home day care for many years. In 2001 Tori and Shanon began caring for foster children and helped many kids over the years. In 2008 they moved to the country where Tori was able to indulge her love of animals. She was an avid hunter and fisherwoman, loved anything outdoors and was fearless around animals. Tori was extremely self-sufficient and could do her own plumbing and car maintenance; she even made her own soaps out of the milk from her goats. She enjoyed growing things: animals, plants, bees, kids … anything that would grow. Tori was an excellent, wonderful and loving wife, mother, daughter, grand-daughter, sibling, aunt and friend. Tori loved her children more than anything else.
Tori is survived by her husband Shanon; 4 children Grace, Natalie, Lliam, and Olivia all of North Platte; her parents Keith and Kari Nichelson of North Platte; brother Nathan (fiancé Tammy Wilkenson) Nichelson and sister Staci (Samuel Wederski) Nichelson both of North Platte; grandparents Neal and Peggy Smith and Robert Nichelson of North Platte; and numerous other family members including brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother Ida Nichelson; and parents-in-law John and Mary Jane Koubek.
A memorial has been established in her name at First National Bank and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday December 31, 2013 at Bethel Evangelical Free Church with Reverend Dan Reimer officiating. Visitation will be Sunday noon to 6:00 and Monday 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.