Joseph Lowell Furnas, Sr.

Joseph L. Furnas, age 74 of Nebraska City, NE passed away on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn, NE.

Joseph Lowell Furnas was born August 27, 1951 (his sunrise) to Lowell and Phyllis (Snyder) Furnas in Auburn, NE.  He was the youngest of three children.  He grew up in Brownville, NE, enjoying his many friends in the hills of Brownville.  Joe attended grade school there and graduated from Auburn High School with the Class of 1969.

He was united in marriage to Beverly Straw and to this union a daughter, Runeta, was born.  Joe and Jenny Hershey later had two children: Joseph Jr. and Lydia.  Joe also helped raise step-children Tolly, Jeannette and Alan.

Joe was a very had worker and great provider for his family.  After high school he joined the Local Laborers Union #1140 and began his career in construction.  He worked at Cooper Nuclear Plant (N.P.P.D.) in Brownville and Ft. Calhoun and many years at Kellogg’s in Omaha.  In his earlier years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, play darts and watching stock car racing, football and Wheel of Fortune.  He was a member of the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.) for many years.

In July of 2025, Joe broke his hip and his health declined and he moved into Good Samaritan Society in Auburn.

Among those who mourn his passing and celebrate his devoted, loving, giving, quiet and generous life are his children: Runeta Eisenman (Jason) of Plattsmouth, NE, Joe Furnas (Taylor) of Syracuse, NE, Lydia Furnas (Scott Chaney) of Nebr. City, NE, Tolly Esser (Norbert) of Nebr. City, NE, Jeannette Hershey of Nebr. City, NE and Alan Hershey of Auburn, NE; 21 grandchildren: Austin, Cooper, Gavin, Talon, Elli, Parker, Trip, Carter, Torerik, Slater, Brelynn, Emerson, Leah, Joseph, Elizabeth, Leann, Alexis, Ellise, Sahara, Lucas and Saul; sister Angela Bennett (Shelby) of Auburn, NE; two nephews: Gary Oldfield and Tony Oldfield (Becky); other family and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Diana and Gary Oldfield and niece Tesla Oldfield.

Joe loved his kids, grandkids, family and friends with his big heart.  He will be greatly missed, but is now in no pain, enjoying his Sprite and watching car races from heaven.  

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City.  Burial will follow at Wyuka Cemetery in Nebr. City.

The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., prior to the funeral service at the mortuary.

Memorials may be given to the National Rifle Association (NRA).

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