JO ANN NEARY

Jo Ann Neary, 81, of Atlantic, passed away at the Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, on Thursday, January 23, 2014.
The daughter of Carl Edwin & Amanda Belle Hill Johnson, she was born February 2, 1932, in McLean, Nebraska. She grew up on a farm in Wausa, Nebraska and graduated from Wausa High School in 1949. Jo Ann earned her teaching certificate from Wayne State College. She later earned her bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University and her master’s degree from Drake University.
She met fellow-teacher Del Neary when both were teachers in Tekamah, Nebraska. The couple married on August 17, 1952, at the Thaber Lutheran Church in Wausa, Nebraska and were together for over 60 years, until he passed away August 7, 2013.
Jo Ann and Del lived briefly in Irwin, Iowa before settling in Atlantic in 1957. While in Atlantic, Jo Ann taught school for over 30 years.
In addition to her husband, Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Betty Jane Jantz and Dickey Tyler; a brother, Jerry Johnson; as well as a brother in infancy.
Jo Ann is survived by her three daughters, Nancy (Doug) Cyr of Lincoln, NE, Shari (Russ) Freeman of Columbus, NE, and Sally (Jay) Bialek of Lawrence, KS; four grandchildren, Brooke (Andy) Kuker, Matthew (Angela) Cyr, Cole Cyr, and Abby Freeman; a great-granddaughter, Avery Kuker; a sister-in-law, Janet Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 29, 10 AM, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, with Pastor Grant Van Lishout officiating. Interment will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.
The family will meet with friends and relatives on Tuesday, January 28 from 5-7 PM at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.
Open visitation will be available at Roland Funeral Home on Monday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Tuesday from 8:30 AM til the family gathers at 5 PM.
Roland Funeral Service of Atlantic is caring for Jo Ann's family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left in her guest book at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF
JO ANN NEARY

BORN
February 2, 1932
McLean, Nebraska

ENTERED INTO REST
Thursday, January 23, 2014
At the age of
81 years, 11 months and 21 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Pastor Grant Van Lishout
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Atlantic, Iowa

VOCALIST
Heidi Hinman

MUSICIAN
Eileen Denne

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
"Borning Cry”
"How Great Thou Art"
"I'd Choose You Again"

FLOWER COMMITTEE
Mary & Larry Reimer Sonya & Merlin Mikkelsen
Jan and Marilyn Burmeister

CASKET BEARERS
Matthew Cyr Cole Cyr
Brooke Kuker Abby Freeman
Larry Reimer Kevin Durow
INTERMENT
Atlantic Cemetery
Atlantic, Iowa

LUNCHEON
Jo Ann's family invites friends & relatives to join them for lunch
at St. Paul's Lutheran Church following the committal service.

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