Joann A. Smolczyk

Joann A. Smolczyk

April 13, 1935 - Jan. 4, 2015

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Joann A. Smolczyk passed away Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at Bryan LGH in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 79.

Jo was born on April 13, 1935, in Bellevue, Nebraska, to parents Alvin J. and Estelle A. (Francois) Sullivan. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1953. Working at her late mother's world-famous restaurant, Stella's Bar & Grill in Bellevue, Nebraska, she met and married her late ex-husband and father of her children, Bernie J. Smolczyk.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin J. and Estelle A. (Francois) Sullivan and one sister, Tootie.

Jo is survived by her daughter, Dee and husband, Mark Friehe of McCook; her son, Rick Smolczyk and wife, Patty of Omaha; her daughter, Angie Pohl of Thornton, Colorado; and her daughter, Mindy Kane of Butte, Montana; her granddaughter, Amber (Pohl) Baldridge and her sons, Kobe and Karter of Commerce City, Colorado; granddaughter, Amy (Smolczyk) and husband, Tim Gregory and their sons, Cohen and Blake of Virginia Beach, Virginia; granddaughter, Heather Pohl and her daughter, Destiny, of Thornton, Colorado; granddaughter, Lisa (Friehe) and husband, Trent Lyons and their daughter, Sophia of Omaha; granddaughter, Jill (Smolczyk) and husband, David Lind and their daughter, Emma of Clarinda, Iowa; grandson, Scott Friehe of McCook; grandson, Daniel Smolczyk and wife, Kylie of Omaha; granddaughter, Nicole Schleeman and fiance', Corey Tiensvold of Gillette, Wyoming; and grandson, Drew Schleeman of Butte, Montana; her sister, Pat and husband, Norman Grant of Bellevue; brother, Al and wife, Mary Sullivan of Bellevue; and the families of Gene and Richard Francois.

Jo lived in Ogallala, Nebraska, for 10 years, raising her family and making life-long friends before moving to McCook in 1968. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church where she enrolled her children for school upon arriving into McCook. Her LOVE for the game of bridge and her championship golf skills quickly acclimated her into this community. She spent 40 years introducing other newcomers to her beloved McCook through her business, The McCook Welcome Service. Jo was a very active member of the local Ala-non and AA groups, as well as serving on the Board of Directors for Norton Valley Hope in Norton, Kansas, for almost a decade. Many people remember her from the Rocket Inn in Indianola, Nebraska, where she served as their hostess/cashier for 10 years. She LOVED people and they truly loved HER!

On Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, a mass will be held for Jo at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in McCook at 11 a.m. and a memorial luncheon will follow, where friends and family will gather to remember her.

A couple of years ago, Jo made a very generous decision to donate her body as an anatomical gift to the medical students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in honor of her granddaughter, Jill, who became a physical therapist at UNMC. Since she needed to arrive in Omaha shortly after her death, a funeral could not be planned that quickly.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in her honor locally to: Uptown Building Fund, P.O. Box 955, McCook, Nebraska 69001. They are trying to install a handicapped bathroom at the local AA house in honor of Jo. Or a donation may be made in her honor to: Norton Valley Hope Scholarship Fund, PO Box 59, Norton, KS 67654.