Cleo Christos (Warman) Carroll

Cleo Christos (Warman) Carroll, 80, of Humboldt, Nebraska was born on May 13, 1945, in Fairbury, Nebraska to Edward Henry and Exemena (Helvey) Warman.  She attended the Helvey Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Helvey Elementary School, and later District #102 School in Gage County, Nebraska.  Cleo was part of the JONbar Saddle Club where she did barrels and pole bending with her horse, Junie.  After a move, she attended Brock Elementary School, graduated from Brock High School with the class of 1963, and led a children’s choir in the Brock United Methodist Church.  Cleo completed three years at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.  She milked cows on their dairy farm and was very good at showing Holstein heifers and cows in the Nemaha County Fair as well as the District Dairy Show, State Fair, and Aksarben.  In 1965, Cleo was crowned Nebraska Dairy Princess.

Cleo was a realtor and appraiser in Colorado and owned her own real estate company at age 25.  She was also the vice president of the lending department at the World Savings Bank.  She married Norman Johnson in 1971.  He later died and she married Robert Mezger in 2002 where they had horses on a ranch in Colorado.  After they divorced, Cleo practiced drug addiction counseling.  Many former clients have said that she saved and changed their lives with her counsel.  She was active in her Unity Church in Laughlin, Nevada and most recently in the Christian Church in Humboldt.

Cleo moved to an apartment in Humboldt, Nebraska in December 2024 to be near her very close friends, David, Nancy and Charlie Crook.  Nancy took her shopping and to medical appointments as well as to church.  Cleo was known by her friends and family as “The Encourager.”  She thrived in speaking life into others.  She truly enjoyed people from all walks of life and knew no strangers.  Her enthusiasm for life was iconic, and she enjoyed ballroom dancing and singing.  Cleo connected with animals, especially dairy cattle, horses, dogs, and cats through the years.

Cleo passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at her home in Humboldt, Nebraska having reached the earthly age of eighty years, one month, and six days.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Exemena Warman. 

Cleo is survived by her brother Valjean Warman and his wife Ann, niece Heather Othmer and her husband Bill of Unadilla, NE; nephews: Adam (Claudia) Warman of Sugar Land, TX; Luke (Liz) Warman of Andover, KS; great-nieces and nephews: Breeanna, Laci, William, Ada and Noah Othmer, Emma Warman and Blake, Liam, Samuel and Maya Warman, and many other cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Cleo’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the United Methodist Church, 612 Main street in Brock, Nebraska with Pastor Tom Earhart officiating.  Inurnment will be at the Lafayette Cemetery near Brock.  A live-stream broadcast of services is available here:  https://www.facebook.com/100057240888156/videos/24549119688023662

Memorial contributions are suggested to the family’s choice with a later designation.

Condolences can be shared online at www.wherrymortuary.com

Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-207 N. Nemaha St-Humboldt, Nebraska 68376 (402) 862-2915

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