Joan M. (Volkmer) Huber

Joan Mary Huber, age 96, of Nebraska City, Nebraska, passed away on April 12, 2026 at St. Mary's Hospital in Nebraska City, NE.

Joan was born on September 22, 1929 in rural Talmage, Nebraska, the daughter of Richard and Francis (Heng) Volkmer. She grew up in rural Talmage and graduated from Talmage High School with the class of 1947.  After high school, she enrolled in Nebraska Business College in Omaha, NE where she lived with a family for room and board and helped with the daily household chores and caring for the children.  Upon graduation, she returned to Talmage where she began a long career at Talmage State Bank as a teller until she married.   She later returned to the Talmage State Bank after her daughters were in high school and retired from the bank in 1994.

On February 18th, 1958, Joan was united in marriage to Robert Bruce Huber at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in rural Paul, Nebraska. To this union, five daughters were born: Kris, Lisa, Lori, Nadine, and Gayle. Joan and Bruce shared many years together and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary shortly before his passing.  Bruce preceded her in death on March 19, 2008.

Bruce and Joan raised their family on the family farm north of Dunbar, Nebraska. Joan was an active partner in farm life, helping with daily chores, preparing meals for farm hands, and caring for her family. She took great pride in providing for her family, raising a large garden, canning and tending to chickens, sheep, hogs, cattle and most of all her children.  

Joan lived a life centered on family and her Catholic faith.  She seldom missed Mass and often was seen with a rosary in her hands.   She was an active member of Holy Trinity Church, and Holy Trinity Guild of rural Avoca, NE.  She will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and the quiet grace with which she lived. Her friendly smile and warmth touched the lives of all who knew her.  She was always willing to care for her grandchildren and help her daughters.  She relished every moment with family members and when it was time to leave no matter how long you were there, she would often say, "You don't have to rush off do you?"

Those left to cherish her memory include daughters: Kris (Jerry)Barrett of Nebraska City, NE, Lisa (Jim)Buchholz of rural Otoe, NE, Lori (Dave) Everett of Union, NE, Nadine(Bill) Meyer of rural Avoca, NE and Gayle (Lou) Wurtele of rural Paul, NE; thirteen grandchildren: Chad Barrett (Danielle), Shawn Barrett (Gia), Emily Barrett, Lee Buchholz, Lynn Buchholz, Lauren Peters (Matt), Ethan Everett, Millie Shamburg (Vanan), Wade Meyer (Madison), Drew Meyer (Kelsey), Bryce Meyer, Joshua Wurtele (Cailyn), and Shane Wurtele; nine great-grandchildren; sister Alberta Webber of Bellevue, NE, brother Steve (Lee) Volkmer of Schuyler, NE; sisters-in-law: Mary Staack of Syracuse, NE, Pauline Huber of Schuyler, NE, Yvonne Smith of Boise, Idaho and Karen Reinecke of Modesto, CA and many nieces, nephews and friends.  

In addition to her husband, Joan was preceded in death by her parents, grandchild Brett Everett, brothers and sisters-in-law: Sylvester (Lois) Volkmer, Leon (Edus) Volkmer, brothers-in-law: Dick Webber, John Staack and Ben Huber, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law:  Frank and Beatrice Stastny and Henry and Dorothy Gruenemeyer.    

Joan M. Huber will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.  The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks for those who cared for her at St. Mary's Hospital and for all the acts of sympathy and prayers extended to them.    

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 2026 at St. Paulinus Catholic Church in Syracuse, NE with Fr. Ryan Salisbury celebrating the Mass.  Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Nebraska City.

The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sun. (4/19) at Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City. 

Memorials may be given to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Avoca, NE or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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