McKown Funeral Home, Inc., Columbus

McKown Funeral Home, Inc., located at 2922 13th Street in Columbus, Nebraska, has been a cornerstone of compassionate care in the region for nearly a century. Established in 1925 by James H. McKown and his wife Emma E. McKown, the funeral home moved to its current address in 1929 and has since grown to serve multiple communities. Following James's passing in 1939, Emma obtained a temporary funeral director's license and valiantly ran the business while raising her three sons, though the home eventually closed after three years. In 1949, two of Emma's sons, Joe and Jim, reopened the funeral home, rebuilding the business through dedication and service. A major addition featuring a chapel was constructed in 1959, doubling the facility's capacity. The business expanded further in the 1960s by opening a funeral home in Silver Creek. Over the decades, family members continued the legacy, with Larry Bosak joining in 1970 and eventually operating the business with his wife Jean (McKown) Bosak until 2009. That year, employees Gregg Ridgeway, Dave Purcell, and Brad Eickhoff purchased the company, ushering in a new era of modernized service. The chapel and front entrance were remodeled to improve accessibility and aesthetics. In 2018, the funeral home acquired McKown-Rice Funeral Home in Genoa, extending its family-oriented values to that community. Today, McKown Funeral Home remains family-owned and operated, committed to providing affordable, personalized funeral arrangements. The caring staff offers a range of services including traditional funerals, cremation services, veteran funerals, and online planning options. The facility is wheelchair accessible with on-site parking, and a team is available 24/7 to assist families in immediate need. With a stellar 4.9-star rating from the community, McKown Funeral Home continues its century-long tradition of honoring lives with dignity, compassion, and professional excellence. The funeral home also provides obituary notifications, grief support emails, and resources for families navigating loss. Serving Columbus, Genoa, Silver Creek, and surrounding Nebraska areas, McKown Funeral Home remains a trusted partner in celebrating and commemorating the lives of loved ones.