Connie Ann Tabler, 81, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Monday, February 2, 2026, at Meridian Gardens in Columbus.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus, with The Rev. Cory Burma officiating. Interment will be held in Zion Lutheran Grand Prairie Cemetery, rural Platte Center. Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gass Haney Funeral Home, and on Friday, from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church.

Connie Ann Tabler was born February 19, 1944, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Johnny and Alvina (Fittje) Gehring. She attended Platte County Grade School and graduated from Humphrey High School in 1962. Connie then attended Midland Lutheran College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1966.

Connie was united in marriage to Larry Tabler on May 26, 1968, at her home church where she was baptized and confirmed, Zion Lutheran Church Grand Prairie, rural Platte Center. She was a high school business teacher, business administrator at Immanuel Lutheran Church, but found her gift and passion in helping provide health care for the elderly. Connie was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, enjoyed gardening, cross stitch, crafts, and going camping with her son Seth when he was in Boy Scouts.

Connie is survived by daughter, Melissa Wittland of Bennington, Neb.; granddaughters, Calla and Elle Wittland; daughter-in-law, Michelle Tabler of Columbus, Neb.; sisters-in-law, Verona Gehring, Claudia Gehring and Norma Gehring; brother-in-law, Don Sjuts, and many nieces and nephews.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny and Alvina Gehring; son, Seth Tabler; sister, Norma Sjuts; and brothers, Melvin Gehring, Arlyn Gehring and Larry Gehring.

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com.

Published by The Columbus Telegram on Feb. 11, 2026.