Edith Lois Callihan, 97, of Grand Island, Nebraska, passed away Monday, July 13, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society-Grand Island Village. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel. Rev. Donald A. Buhrman will officiate. Friends are welcome to join the family for visitation beginning at 1 p.m. There will be a gathering following the Celebration of Life at the Platt-Duetsche.

Private family inurnment will be at a later date in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Messiah Lutheran Church or the Grand Island Central Catholic Foundation. You are encouraged to sign Edith’s guest book at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under her obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Edith was born November 17, 1928, in Grand Island, Nebraska, the daughter of Edwin F. and Gladys E. (Nostrum) Samuelson. She grew up in Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1946.

Edith enjoyed roller skating as a teen at the underground rink called The Cave and it was there, she met her future husband, George.

Edith married George J. Callihan on August 2, 1947, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Grand Island. The couple made their home in Grand Island, where they raised their three children, Gloria, Cindy, and George “Butch”.

Edith worked at Wolbach’s, Walnut Junior High School, and for more than 50 years at Fonner Park before retiring in 2020. She was a true horse racing fan and especially enjoyed the many friends she met selling programs in the clubhouse at Fonner Park. For many years, she was involved in one or two bowling teams each week. Family and friends knew not to call Edith on Monday nights during The Voice or anytime during a Kansas City Chiefs or Royals game. She was an avid fan of both teams and could talk at length about the players and their accomplishments. She also liked the Chicago Cubs and was over the top with excitement when she had the opportunity to see Sammy Sosa play at Wrigley Field. Pinochle was her card game of choice, and she loved playing or helping with Bingo. She was still playing Bingo at 97.

Edith cherished her family and loved spending time with them.

Edith is survived by her daughters, Gloria (Richard) Dolton of Grand Island and Cindy (Michael) Barczykowski of Tullahoma, Tennessee.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ryan (Megan) Dolton, Bradley “B.J.” (Kristin McCarville) Dolton, Tiffani (Christopher) Burris, Jennifer Barczykowski, Christopher Callihan and Melannie Callihan; great-grandchildren, Marchesa, Luca, Eloise, Hannah, Gavin, Brandon, Ethan, and Olivia; and great-great granddaughter Hazel with another great-great grandchild soon to join the family.

Edith is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George; her son, George ”Butch”; and her siblings, Hazel Ramsey, Carl Samuelson, Edwin Samuelson Jr., and Jean Anderson.