Barbara J. Stehl

Celebration of Life Service for Barbara J. Stehl will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. from the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand, Nebraska with Pastor Matt Hacker officiating.  Interment will be held in the Highland Cemetery at Bertrand.

Barbara Jane Stehl, 71 years of age, of Bertrand, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2015 at the CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, Nebraska.  Barbara was born November 9, 1943 at Hastings, Nebraska, the 4 ^th of 5 children born to Lloyd and June (Lewis) LaVene.  When Barb was born, the family resided in Norman, Nebraska until they moved to the LaVene homestead on Turkey Creek, south of Smithfield, Nebraska in 1945.  She received her primary education through the eighth grade from the Detenbeck District #14 Rural School.  Barb then received her high school education at the Bertrand Community School, graduating with the class of 1961.

Following her education, Barb was employed by the First National Bank in Lincoln, Nebraska and then in the ASCS office in Holdrege, Nebraska.

On June 9, 1963 she was united in marriage to Ralph H. Stehl at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield.  To this union two daughters were born:  Brenda Lea and Bretta Lea.  Through the years, Barb also served as the custodian of the Bertrand School, waitressed at the Bertrand Café and worked in dietary and housekeeping at the Bertrand Nursing Home.

Barb and Ralph also co-owned the family business together, Ralph's Welding Shop, where she served as secretary and worked side-by-side with her husband for 37 years.  After selling the business to their grandson, Barb also served as secretary for him.

Barb grew up as a member of the Methodist Church, became a member of the Hope Lutheran Church after marriage to Ralph and later in years transferred their membership to the Immanuel Lutheran Church.  She was involved throughout the years in the church; teaching Sunday school, served as a Luther League Sponsor, and member of the Women's Circle.

During her lifetime, Barb invested many hours volunteering in the community and church.  For years she was a member the NN Club, the Town and Country Club and served on the Bertrand Housing Authority for several years.  She had many friends that she loved to "coffee" and visit with.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law:  Harold and Esther Stehl; two siblings:  Lloyd Edward LaVene in infancy and Phylis Lea LaVene at just under two years of age; and brother-in-law, Lowell Nelson.

She leaves to mourn her passing; her husband of 51 years, Ralph Stehl; two daughters:  Brenda Johnson and her husband, Jerry and Bretta Lund and her husband, Scott all of Bertrand; five grandchildren:  Jay Johnson and his wife, Courtney of Bertrand; Keshia Ford and her husband, Seth of Cozad; Zebulun Lund of Lincoln; Jessetta Lund and Jose Lund of Bertrand; three great-grandchildren:  Owen and Grant Ford and Stella Johnson; two brothers:  Glenis LaVene of Smithfield, and Richard LaVene and his wife, Shirley of Loomis, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law:  Gloria Nelson of Aurora, Colorado and Karen Samuelson and her husband, Darryl of Loomis and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand.

A memorial has been established in Barb's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Sandstrom Funeral Home in Bertrand is in charge of the arrangements.