Carrie Meiers

Carrie Meiers

December 13, 1964 – November 19, 2024

Carrie (Swartzbaugh) Meiers was born in 1964, in Omaha Nebraska.  She passed away November 19, 2024, at CHI Bergan Mercy Medical Center.

Her family includes her husband of 25 years, George, their daughters, Margaret and Jessica; her parents; Robert F Swartzbaugh (Sharon) and Juliana Madsen; brother, Kirk (Sue) Swartzbaugh; stepbrothers, Tom (Shelly) Madsen, Jim (Renata) Madsen, and stepsister, Kathy Baughman; sister-in-law, Linda Meiers; brother-in-law, Phil (Julie) Meiers; nieces and nephews, and their children. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, George Madsen; and brother-in-law, Paul Meiers.

Carrie is a graduate of Brownell-Talbot High School in Omaha, and Drake University in Des Moines, IA. She worked as a teacher in El Paso, TX, Office Manager in Irvine, CA, a Retail Chain Coordinator in Kansas City, MO, a School Receptionist at St. Vincent de Paul, Omaha,  and a Receptionist at Active Therapy, Omaha.

She picked up and retained friends from every stop she made in the 126^th Street neighborhood where she grew up, Ponca State Park outings, ski trips to Colorado; Ginger Cove, school, jobs and church.

Carrie and George met in 1998, in a bar parking lot on a Sunday morning, where Hallmark Card volunteers gathered for a charity event, Race for the Cure.  Within six months, they were engaged to be married, and were united in matrimony in October of 1999.  Motherhood quickly followed with the birth of Margaret (MJ). She then started a roughly 14 year maternity leave, which included the birth of Jessica (Jessie) less than three years after MJ.

Carrie especially enjoyed the arts, music and attending nearly every event possible for MJ and Jessie. She loved nature, travel, and the too infrequent meals out to a restaurant.

Carrie joined the Catholic Church in 2003. “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,”  is to no longer question why he had to go to his church, even after going to her church, every other week.  Simplify and Unify.  In 2005, the family moved to Omaha and joined the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church community (SVdP).

Like so many other areas of her life, not only did she join a group or organization, but she made an impact.  She was a Girl Scout leader and CCD teacher at SVdP.  We placed the girls at SVdP Elementary as soon as there was an opening. Shortly after, she became the School Receptionist. Perhaps, it was a way to keep a close eye on her daughters, that she loved so much.

Carrie and George helped with the SVdP Food Pantry ministry, helped develop and conduct art tours of the church and school campus, and participated in Christian Family Movement. Carrie joined the Mother Mary Circle, helped the St. Martha Circle, and became a leader in both circles at various times.  Then, she became a SVdP Guild Board Leader; guiding all of the Circles, and holding things together during the Covid years.

Carrie was attentive and giving in all areas of her life.  Many of us have received Shutterfly gifts from her, and many time, she would be the first to comment on Facebook, or post an embarrassing old picture on a birthday. She also helped care for George’s father, and spent much time with her stepfather, George, in his final years. She lovingly oversaw the affairs of her mother after his death.

Little by little, she withdrew to focus on her health.

Breast cancer brought Carrie and George together; it touched each of their lives through their mothers.  Now, this same disease has taken her away from us. Yes, she beat the cancer, but was not able to overcome the effects of the treatment.

The swiftness of her decline in the hospital was an indicator of how sick she really was. But true to form, and the planner that she was, she, of course, finished and mailed thank you cards to all of her Circle members, who had given her gifts. She had already purchased and wrapped Christmas gifts for our Family.

Memorials are kindly suggested to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, the St. Vincent de Paul Guild,  Catholic Charities of Omaha, or a charity of your choice, in Carrie’s name.

VIGIL SERVICE: Monday, November 25, 2024, at 7:00PM, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 14330 Eagle Run Drive, Omaha with VISITATION from 5:00-7:00PM.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 10:30AM,  St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

FAMILY INTERMENT:  Resurrection Cemetery

To view live broadcasts of the services, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.