Karla Lynn Bryant, 68, of Gothenburg, died April 29, 2018, in Gothenburg.

She was born on April 2, 1950, in Lexington, the daughter of Paul and Lola (Tharp) Heins.

Karla lived in the Cozad area until moving to Gothenburg in 1967. She attended school at District 29 south of Cozad and Cozad High School before graduating from Gothenburg High School. She continued her education at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, earning a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy; Nebraska Wesleyan University, earning a Bachelor of Science in biology; and Kearney State College.

Karla begin working as a physical therapist in 1973. In the 1990s, she started serving many of the area schools. Karla truly loved working with the kids, something she continued to do until her passing. She incorporated as Karla Bryant, PT, PC in 2003. Karla was a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Nebraska Chapter, Pediatric Section, Private Practice Section and Neuro-developmental Treatment Association.

She married Cedric Bryant on May 23, 1971, in Gothenburg, and to this union daughters Amanda and Alison were born. The couple later divorced. Karla was a member of the Gothenburg Community Playhouse and Gothenburg First United Methodist Church. Her faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior was most special to her, along with her family and friends.

She liked to play cards, board games and puzzles. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping, biking, hiking, therapeutic riding and riding the motorcycle. She enjoyed a wide variety of sports, especially softball and baseball. She participated in Wellsprings Camp for many years.

Karla was preceded in death by her parents; nephew, Chad Gronewold; and grandparents, Fred and Sophie Heins, Cyrus, Myrtle and Luella Tharp.

Survivors include her two daughters, Amanda (Corey) Rossell of Gothenburg and Alison (Matt) Feik of Cozad; brother, Byron Heins; sister, Myra (Dale) Gronewold; granddaughter, Makenzie Rossell; three grandsons, Tra Rossell, Bryant Feik and Austin Feik; former husband, Cedric Bryant; two sisters-in-law, Judy (John) Jensen and Loretta (Robert) Todd; brother-in-law, Roger (Sharon) Bryant; boyfriend, Charles Bean of Cozad; lifelong friend, Iris Desmarteau; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, along with many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to AWANA, Gothenburg First United Methodist Church, Banner United Methodist Church or Farnam United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be shared at blasestrauser.com.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 4, at Cozad First United Methodist Church, 1515 B Street, Cozad, with Pastor Doug Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery south of Cozad. The memorial book may be signed from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m., on Thursday, May 3, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, which is in charge of arrangements.