Jody Stenehjem

Jody Stenehjem, 73, of Kearney passed away Saturday, October 14, 2023 at her home, surrounded by family. Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 20, 2023 at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Lyndal Jo “Jody” Clark was born June 5, 1950 in Kearney, Nebraska to Richard “Demps” and Donna “Jim” (Beam) Clark. She was a proud graduate of Gibbon High School and went on to attend UNL and Kearney State College. On January 12, 1980, she was united in marriage to Eric John Stenehjem in Shelton, Nebraska and they were later blessed with three daughters. Jody was a longtime employee of First National Bank, working her way from Loan Administrator to Vice President. She later attained her real estate Iicense, assisting Kearney-area agents Steve McCormick and Laurie Reissland for many years. Jody enjoyed reading, attending book club, laughing over coffee with friends, traveling with Eric, and cheering on the Husker football and volleyball teams. As a young woman she was an avid horse rider. Her love of attending horse races started early, thanks to her family’s communal involvement in the sport. She was a lifelong dog lover and had at least one canine companion for the majority of her life. She cherished her roles as “soccer mom,” and “theatre mom,” but most of all, she loved her role as “Grandma,” spending time with her granddaughters and proudly celebrating their many accomplishments. Jody valued contributing to her community and held several volunteer positions within United Way of the Kearney Area. She was a collegiate member of Gamma Phi Beta - Pi Chapter at UNL and later enjoyed her time as an alumnae advisor to the Gamma Kappa chapter at UNK. She and Eric also spent several years as a dedicated host family to Storm hockey players. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Eric Stenehjem of Kearney; daughters, Melissa (Sam) Korth of Omaha, Sonja (Jonathan) Schilling of Axtell, and Ann Stenehjem (Mark McConnell) of Omaha and Kearney; grandchildren, Ella and Mina Schilling of Axtell; sister-in-law, Linda Clark of Kearney; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends Jody was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Mike Clark. Memorials are suggested to the Kearney Public Library Foundation or the Kearney Area Animal Shelter. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Jody Stenehjem

June 5, 1950 - October 14, 2023