The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | November 6, 2025

Ida Mae (Best) Coover Killham, 100, of Lincoln formerly of Polk, died on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Hillcrest Firethorn Nursing Home in Lincoln. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City with Pastor Mark Hartley officiating.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 8th from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will be held at the Polk Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral. com.

Ida Mae (Best) Coover Killham, 100, of Lincoln, formerly of Polk, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025.

She was born on March 18, 1925, in Central City to Carl and Alice (Landers) Best. Ida graduated from Central City High School in 1943. She married Paul Coover in 1944, and together they farmed north of Polk for fifty-one years until Paul’s passing in 1998. She later married Leonard Killham.

Ida enjoyed bowling, crafts, painting, playing the organ, country music, dancing, cards, and bingo. Her greatest joy, however, was her family— especially time spent with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Baptized at thirteen at the First Baptist Church in Central City, Ida later became an active member of the Methodist church in Polk, where she served in many roles, including chairman of the board, President of the United Methodist Women, and Sunday school teacher.

In 2011, Ida moved to Lincoln to be closer to family. She was known for her warm spirit, positive energy, and ability to make friends wherever she went.

Ida is survived by her son, Larry (Bev) Coover; daughter, Marlene Swanson (Bernie Sojka); grandchildren, Edd (Shelly) Coover, Shelly (Dan) Richards, Cindy (Scott) Draper, Tamara (Paul) Van Housen, Teri (Ty) Schreiber, Gary (Staci) Powell, Linda Swanson, Rod (Sherry) Swanson, and Steve (Becky) Swanson; eleven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Ida was preceded in death by her husbands, Paul Coover and Leonard Killham; parents, Carl and Alice Best; and siblings, Wayne Best, Don Best, and Phyllis Flodman.