Joanne Elizabeth Staub

Joanne E. Staub, 92, of Albion, NE, died on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Colonial Manor in Randolph, NE.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at the First Baptist Church, Albion, NE with Rev. Keith Brich officiating. Interment will be at the Tilden City Cemetery, Tilden, NE. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Levander Funeral Home in Albion, NE.

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. – Proverbs 31:10

Joanne Elizabeth Staub (better known as Jo, Mama, and Grammy) was one of these women. She was a faithful, kind, loving, generous, wise, thoughtful, caring, and beautiful lady. There were six children in the family and each of us held a special place in her heart…and each of us knew we were blessed to have her in our lives. As her children grew up, we realized just how special she was as a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was always there with a hug and a smile, a kind word and a cup of coffee or tea.

She was born on April 13, 1930, to Gideon and Aurel (Kohl) Zurcher in Tilden, NE, and had many memories of growing up during the Great Depression. She was the oldest of four children and learned the art of gardening, canning, cooking, sewing, and helping others. These traits continued throughout her life. She made each visitor feel welcome and her face would light up with the most beautiful smile.

Joanne was married to Marion "Bud" Arthur Staub on August 21, 1948, at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion. They lived near Tilden and then moved west of Loretto where Bud farmed and raised livestock. They moved into Loretto in 1964. They were blessed with six children: Brenda, Larry, Michael, Sandra, Tim and Debra. They moved to Albion in 1976.

Mama/Grammy was a fabulous cook and enjoyed family time around the table. Food and fellowship were very important…all of this family will have memories of their favorite recipes, from homemade ice cream and bread to chocolate and sour cream pies, to ham and macaroni salads, and everything in between. It made her proud to know everyone was full and content. Joanne loved making memories with her family, whether it was taking them all to go to "Buck Night" at the drive-in movie theater or the annual trip to the Burwell Rodeo.

Grammy also had a special bond with her grandchildren. She enjoyed their school activities, plays, football, track, cross country, soccer, wrestling meets, musicals, speech meets, and choral clinics. She loved attending anything and everything that involved her family. She was always ready to go on the next adventure. The new great-grandbabies always delighted her too and she loved nothing more than a soft, sweet baby. Her love knew no bounds. Jo's faith in God set an example for many of us. She belonged to a group that met each Thursday for "prayer coffee". These ladies had a list of people and prayer requests, and the power of prayer was answered many times.

Joanne also loved nature and took time to smell the roses, notice the sunrises and sunsets, the full moon, the cardinals and wrens that came back each year, the changing colors of the leaves, rainbows, the glistening of the snow, and all the beauty around her each day. She loved deeply and truly, without reservation. Each of our lives have been enriched by her love.

Joanne is survived by her six children: Brenda Block of Wichita, KS; Larry (Laverne) Staub of Mt. Pleasant, TX; Michael (Cindy) Staub of Carroll, NE; Sandra (Shawn) McBride of Albion, NE; Tim (Teri) Staub of Omaha, NE; Debra (George Majerus) Carey of Albion; 12 grandchildren: Troy (Nicole), Travis (Amy), and Tristan (Leslie) Block; Alysa (Troy) Bruns; Nathan (Jessi) Staub; Joshua (Savannah) Staub; Michaela (Andrew) Mohr; Dustin (Lakota Bohl) McBride; Spencer McBride; Daniel (Caitlin Stier) Staub; Ryan Staub; Alison (Zach) McCall; 28 great-grandchildren with another to be born in June; brother: Dean (Charlotte) Zurcher of Ocala, Fl; brothers-in-law: Harold (Bette) Staub of Waterloo, NE and Bob Oakes of Waterloo, NE; as well as nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant daughter: Beverly; son-in-law: Mark Carey; daughter-in-law: Judy Staub; grandson: David Staub; great-grandson: Calum Block; sister: Emma Jean Evans; brother: Chuck (Joan) Zurcher; sisters-in-law: Twyla (Gilbert) Nore and Lois Oakes; and son-in-law Jim Block.