John M. Stenger

John Stenger, 60, of Kearney, Nebraska, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on March 1, 2026. After fighting a long and courageous battle with cancer on and off for the past six years, John left this world the same way he lived in it — with strength, humor, and an unshakable positive spirit. Even on his hardest days, John remained incredibly optimistic. He never lost his sense of humor — still cracking jokes, still making those around him laugh, and still somehow finding light in the middle of something heavy. That was just who he was. John was born on December 18, 1965, in Denver, Colorado, to John and Jerry Stenger. One of four children, his wild and rambunctious spirit earned him the childhood nickname “Dennis the Menace.” Both his loud personality and that nickname stuck with him for life — and those who knew him wouldn’t have had it any other way. From a young age, it was clear John loved figuring out how things worked. He enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together, especially vehicles. If it had an engine, John was interested. He attended school in Longmont, Colorado, where he also met his high school sweetheart, Sherry. While still in high school, John began working as a mechanic and taking on various handyman jobs — work he continued throughout his life until retirement. John and Sherry were united in marriage on February 2, 1988. Together they built a life filled with love and laughter and were blessed with two daughters, Nichole and Brooke. In later years, nothing brought John more pride and joy than his granddaughters, Charlie and Abigail. Spending time with his family was always his top priority. John’s hobbies reflected his adventurous spirit. He loved fast cars, lifted trucks he liked to take mudding or rock crawling, four-wheeling, dirt biking, and attended races or monster truck events whenever he could. He enjoyed rock and country concerts, fishing, camping, and boating. If it involved horsepower or the outdoors, John was all in. He also had a big heart for animals and cared for several dogs, cats, and even goats and horses over the years. John was the kind of man who showed up. He was always one of the first to lend a hand to anyone in need. Though often a man of few words, when he spoke, it was usually a quick-witted joke or exactly what someone needed to hear to brighten their day. He often said, “Don’t take life so seriously — no one makes it out alive. Enjoy the present moment; it’s all we truly have.” John didn’t just say those words — he lived by them. His daily actions reflected gratitude, humor, and a deep appreciation for life and the people around him. John is survived by his loving wife, Sherry; his daughters, Nichole and Brooke (Chris); his granddaughters, Charlie and Abigail; his brother, Don (Lana); his sisters, Wendy (Scott) and Tonya (Craig); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jerry Stenger. A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date to be announced. In the meantime, those who knew him are encouraged to honor his memory the best way he would have wanted — by sharing a laugh, lending a hand, and not taking life too seriously.

John M. Stenger

December 18, 1965 - March 1, 2026