Jo Ann Beu

Jo Ann Beu (Bailey)

Was born April 29th 1949 in Richmond, Indiana to Richard Bailey and Jean Bailey (Keenan). Jo Ann entered eternal rest on June 5th, 2025 at Gardenside long term care in Fairbury, NE at the age of 76 years, one month and 7 days.  She was baptized at St. Michael’s church in Fairbury, NE and later confirmed in the Catholic Church on May, 10th 1959 by the Reverend Monsignor H.S. Haukap. Jo Ann attended school at St. Michael’s Catholic school in Fairbury through the 8th grade. She graduated from Fairbury high school in 1967 and attended the University of Nebraska from 1967-68. She married Rick Beu of Fairbury in 1969 and to this union her first son Douglas was born. The couple later divorced. In 1981 her son Mathew was born.

As a youth Jo Ann enjoyed spending time with her friends at the Fairbury Youth Center and spinning 45 records of Motown hits and 60’s R&B in her room. In the summers she spent hours at the Fairbury swimming pool, attending girl scout, and YMCA camp at Camp Jefferson and traveling to Minnesota with her parent’s, her brother Roger, and her grandparent’s on fishing trips. Jo Ann had a love of reading that she carried with her for her entire life.

In her later years she enjoyed taking bus trips with her friends around the Midwest visiting, various points of interest, historical sites, wineries, and casinos. She volunteered for various charitable events sponsored by the Fairbury Elks lodge. She loved spending time with her sons, often hosting backyard barbeques at her family home in Fairbury. She enjoyed the simple pleasure of a glass of wine and a good book.

Jo Ann spent many years working in the garment, food service, and auto parts industries at Kellwood, Swingsters, Neapco, and Jefferson Community Health and Life. She often maintained secondary employment as a cook at Griffey’s Steakhouse, the Fairbury Country Club, and the Fairbury Elk’s club. She worked as club manager at the Fairbury Elks lodge until her retirement in 2023. Jo Ann was known as an extremely hard worker with a great attention to detail.

Jo Ann loved her family and friends especially her brother, sons, granddaughter, and great grandsons. Her kind spirit, smile, and infectious laugh will be missed by all. Proceeding her in death were her parents Richard “Dick” Bailey and Jean. Left to carry her memory are her brother Roger (Cheryl) Bailey of Fairbury, her son Douglas of Fairbury, her son Mathew (Kristi) Beu of Maryville, MO, granddaughter Tara Beu of Lincoln, NE, and great grandsons Aiden, Kezdan, and Malachi.

A celebration of life service will be held at the Gerdes-Meyer Chapel in Fairbury on Friday, June 27th at 10:00 a.m. , with graveside services following at the Fairbury Cemetery.