JoAnn Marie Jerabek

“The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of

God is the heart of a mother – St. Therese of Lisieux

FARWELL – JoAnn M. Jerabek, 85, of Farwell, went to her heavenly home to be with her husband and daughters, on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island. She was surrounded by her loving earthly family.

JoAnn chose cremation with no services. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date, in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

JoAnn was born on Sept. 6, 1939, in Grand Island, the daughter of Amanda M. Runge. She received her education at District No. 14 Chapman school, Cairo Public School through the 9th grade and then attended Grand Island Senior High from 10th grade through graduation. After graduation she worked for Jack Bailey Photography Studio.

She was united in marriage to Aaron J. Jerabek on April 14, 1959, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Farwell. The couple farmed and raised livestock on their farm west of Farwell for their entire married life, with JoAnn working alongside Aaron. When she married Aaron, she brought her beloved horse, Dusty, whom she loved to ride. She was also a homemaker and mother to their seven children.

Aaron died on Jan. 16, 2014, and JoAnn continued to live on the farm the rest of her life.

She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church of Farwell and it’s CCW and Rosary Sodality.

JoAnn enjoyed gardening, canning, her roses, cooking and reading cookbooks and seed catalogs. She dearly loved her pets, Benny, Kitty and Toby.

She is survived by her children and spouses, Steve Bader of Palmer, Lori and Tim Fredrick of Palmer, Connie Jo Beck of St. Paul, Bryan Stanczyk of Ashton, Nick and Jackie Jerabek of Farwell and Michele and Doug Oeltjen of St. Paul; 22 grandchildren and spouses, Greg and Nikole Bader, Stephanie and Josh Crenshaw, Jessica and Tim Schleicher, Travis and Ashley Fredrick, Jocelyn and Dominic Helgoth, Cole Stanczyk, Jaci Stanczyk, Nicholas and Tess Jerabek, Samantha Jerabek and Nish Meni, Joshua Jerabek, Krys and Evan Allen, Zach and Chelsey Badura, Shelby Ziegler, Bailey Ziegler, Nicholas Ziegler, Lindsey Kolar, Staci Kolar, Krista Kolar, Taya Kolar, Dustin and Jamie Oeltjen, Casey Oeltjen and Michelle Polski, and Gage Oeltjen and Mackenzie McKoski; 33 great-grandchildren; sister, Sandra and Kenneth Martin of Grand Island; brother-in-law, Carl Jerabek of Farwell; and sister-in-law, Odelia Rogers of Davenport, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Aaron, she was preceded in death by her mother; daughters, Theresa Bader, Joani Stanczyk and Brenda Kolar; grandson, Jonathan Jerabek; brother, Darold “Butch” Runge; and in-laws, Anton and Josephine Jerabek.