A Well-Lived Life and an Immense Impact

Ann and Bill Konen were farmers and lifelong Nebraskans. They enjoyed the simple things – their dairy cattle, reading, dancing and coffee time.

DeEtta Mayrose, major gifts officer with the Bryan Foundation, visited Ann at their ranch near Guide Rock in 2014 after Bill passed away, and Ann expressed a desire to leave part of her estate to Bryan, because Bill had received exemplary care at Bryan.

Little did anyone, least of all Ann, know then that Bryan would be embarking on a major cancer center project. Never-the-less, when Ann died in July 2021, Bryan received her generous estate gift – in the form of an annuity. This gift will make an immense impact on cancer care in our region, and this is exactly what Ann wished for.

Ann told DeEtta that it was important to her to have her estate affairs in order. And she wanted to make sure to give back to Bryan for the excellent care she said Bill received.

This is one of the reasons the Bryan Foundation team drives home the importance of planning your estate, to ensure that your wishes will be carried out properly. We don't always know how things will play out in our lives, but with a solid estate plan, we do know we've done our best to prepare.

Ann lost her husband to cancer, and through her estate plan, made sure her desire to support cancer care would be honored.