PLAINVIEW – Funeral services for Vanessa 'Vanny' Ann Hitz, 36, of Osmond, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Plainview. Officiating the service will be Rev. Joan Alexander and Rev. Terry Krueger. Interment will be at Eden Valley Cemetery, rural Plainview. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, also at the church in Plainview. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the family for a later designation. Casket bearers will be her cousins Darin Lubke, Nolan Johnson, Casey Johnson, Clay Johnson, Alec Johnson, Landon Johnson, Travis Hitz, and Lucas Hitz. Honorary casket bearers will be Toby Koehler, Knox Koehler, and Tripp Koehler. Vanessa departed this earthly life on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at University Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha with her family by her side. Stonacek Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Vanessa was born to parents Daryl and Jackie (Johnson) Hitz of Osmond on Oct. 13, 1989, in Osmond. She was baptized at Our Saviors Lutheran Church on Oct. 29, 1989. She grew up on the family farm playing the piano, watching CMT with her family, and helping her dad with hog chores. She was confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church on Oct. 19, 2003. Her confirma tion verse was Matthew 5:16, 'In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.' She graduated from Plainview Public Schools loving art and music. She then attended Hastings College and later graduated from Wayne State College. She moved to Norfolk where she was a personal trainer, bartender, owner of a Jazzercise, florist, and most recently, mail carrier. Vanessa had a gift for connecting with people. She could talk to anyone and made a genuine effort to know the people around her. She was a free spirit and loved doing whatever she felt like doing while never asking for much. She loved Scrabble, puzzles, Catan, working out and spending time with close family and friends. She loved a good cheese dip and the annual Hitz family carving pumpkin contest. Vanessa was easygoing, forgiving, humble, and full of life. She found joy in the simple things — taking a good nap, going on a walk to be surrounded by nature, spending time with friends, or enjoying some quiet time by herself. She adored dogs and loved music of all kinds. Music fed her soul and was woven into the way she experienced life. She also had a creative side and found an outlet in art. Her vibrant spirit, gentle heart, beautiful smile, unforgettable laughter, and ability to make a connection with just about anyone will be treasured by all who knew her. Though her time here was far too short, the love she gave and the memories she created will remain with her family and friends forever. Rest easy, Vanny. You were deeply loved, and you will be deeply missed.