Elizabeth L. "Betty" Costello, 93, of Grand Island, NE died Friday, November 29, 2024, at Prairie Winds Assisted Living in Doniphan, NE surrounded by her family.  Mass of Christian burial will be Friday December 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral.  The Rev. Jorge Canela, Rev. Mark A. Maresh, and Rev. Thomas Vijumon Choorackal will concelebrate the funeral mass.  Interment will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 4 – 7 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel with a vigil service at 7 p.m.  In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Mary's Cathedral or Grand Island Central Catholic Grade/High School.  Your thoughts and prayers may be given and her video viewed at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Betty's obituary.  Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Betty was born on the family farm in rural Greeley County on May 11, 1931, to Mark T. and Elizabeth (Barry) Smith.  She was raised and educated in Greeley, NE, graduating in 1950 from Sacred Heart High School.  She continued her education at Kearney State College receiving her elementary teacher's certificate.  She taught elementary school for several years.  On June 25, 1956, Betty married Thomas E. Costello at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greeley, NE.  The couple lived in Hastings, NE before moving to Grand Island, NE in 1962.  Betty was a stay-at-home mother until all her children were in school.   She helped with Meals on Wheels as a delivery driver and later head cook for the Grand Generation Center.  She was a department supervisor at Shopko for 10 years.  She operated a daycare from her home babysitting several of her grandchildren.  Betty was a bus driver for Goodwill Industries retiring in 2011 at the age of 80.  Tom Costello died in 2003.

Betty was the matriarch of her family and her faith radiated from her.  Her door was always open, her refrigerator was always full, the aroma of something baking filled her home daily, and she loved sharing food and conversation with whomever stopped by, there was never an uninvited guest at her home.  She enjoyed weekends at the lake, watching football, baseball, volleyball, and her favorite, golf.  Anytime spent with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren made for an exceptional day!

She was a past member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, its Altar Society, and was head of the Wedding Committee for many years.   At the time of her death, she was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral.

Betty will be missed by her children:  Deborah (Pat) Fay of Doniphan, NE

Catherine (Robert) Knapp of Grand Island, NE

Chuck (Deb) Costello of Fremont, NE

Trish (Randy) Curran of Grand Island, NE

Theresa Birch of Grand Island, NE

Shawn (Carrie) Costello of Grand Island, NE

Grandchildren, Melanie (Ben) Arrants, Angel (Nick) Gay, Tyler Knapp (MaKayla Klahn), Amy (Jeff) Tomlinson, Meghan (Dan) Luebbert, Melissa (Tanner) Hannum, Alexa (Mitch) Horak, Dale Curran, Tasha Birch (Evan Davis), Tristian (Ried) Kilmer, Tonilynn Birch, Thomas Birch, Conner Costello, Hailey (Steven) Christensen, Sierra (Nick) Luhn.

Great grandchildren, Brody Arrants, Dane Arrants, Bella Arrants, Remington Gay, Emily Gay, Leah Gay, Rosyln Tomlinson, Joseph Tomlinson, Jadyn Luebbert, Emma Luebbert, Isaac Luebbert, Leighton Hannum, Elli Steele, Weston Horak, Breckin Horak, Banks Davis, Atlas Davis, Kay Kilmer, Henley Christensen, Rory and Kaden Luhn.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Tom, son-in-law, Tony Birch, brothers and sisters-in-law, Lawrence E. "Fat" (Shirley) Smith, John T. "Jack" Smith, Gerald J "Jerry" (Agnes) Smith, William "Billy" Smith, sisters and brothers-in-law, Rosemary "Rosie" (Jim) Dugan, Catherine Smith, Dorothy (Raymond) Zeleski.