Joan Shirley Vorderstrasse

Jo An Vorderstrasse went home to be with the Lord on December 28, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born July 22, 1936 to (Dude) Charles Donald Stafford and Mary (Bower) Stafford in Morrowville, KS. She went to a one room school in rural Washington, KS through 8th grade. The family moved to Fairbury, NE where she attended Fairbury High School and graduated in 1955.

After High School she began working as a waitress at the Jansen Steak House where she met the love of her life Freddie (Fritz) Vorderstrasse. They married on May 7th, 1961. For the first couple of years they worked on the family farm. On June 20,1963 Jo An gave birth to their son Bruce Vorderstrasse. Shortly after in the fall of 1963, they sold the farm and moved to Fairbury. Jo An had a love for kids which was shown by the number of kids consistently under her care.

In 1987, she became a chartered member of Faith Lutheran Church where she was always involved in prayer groups and committees. She enjoyed watching her granddaughter, Katie, play soccer and basketball. JoAn didn't know a stranger as she always struck up a conversation anywhere she went.

JoAn is survived by son and wife Bruce and Carmen of Wichita, KS. Grandchildren Katie (Vorderstrasse) Long and Jordan Long of Anchorage, AK; Christina Tobble and Brooke Tobble of Wichita,KS and Alex Tobble of Hutchinson, KS. Great grandchildren Maxwell and Audrey Long of Anchorage, AK and Eliza Tobble of Wichita,KS. Sister Joyce Larkins of Lincoln, NE; sisters-in-law Leoda Yost of Crete, NE and Lois Vorderstrasse of Seward, NE. Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Freddie Vorderstrasse, numerous brothers and sister in-laws, nieces and nephews."

Services will be January 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Fairbury with Pastor Ken Hart officiating. Memorials will go to the Family's Choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.