Jo An Vorderstrasse went home to be with the Lord on December 28, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born July 22, 1936 to (Dude) Charles Donald Stafford and Mary (Bower) Stafford in Morrowville Ks.  She went to a one room school in rural Washington Ks. through 8th grade.   The family moved to Fairbury Ne. where she attended Fairbury High School and graduated in 1955.

After High School she was a waitress at the Jansen Steak House where she met the love of her life Freddie (Fritz) Vorderstrasse, they were married May 7, 1961.  First couple of years they worked the family farm then on June 20, 1963, gave birth to their son Bruce Vorderstrasse. In the fall of 1963, they sold the farm and moved to Fairbury.   She had a love for kids as she would always have a good number of kids under her care.

In 1987 she became a chartered member of Faith Lutheran church.  She was always involved in prayer groups and committees of the church.  She enjoyed watching their granddaughter play soccer and basketball where she didn’t know a stranger as she always struck a conversation.

Jo An is survived by son and wife Bruce and Carmen of Wichita Ks. grand children Katie (Vorderstrasse)  Long and Jordan Long of Anchorage Alaska, Christine Tobble and Brooke Tobble of Wichita Ks., and Alex Tobble of Hutchinson Ks.  Great grandchildren Maxwell and Audrey Long of Anchorage and Eliza Tobble of Wichita.  Sister Joyce Larkins of Lincoln. Sisters-in-law Leoda Yost of Crete and Lois Vorderstrasse of Seward. Preceded in death by her parents, numerous brother and sister in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Services will be January 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Fairbury with Pastor Ken Hart officiating. Memorials will go to the Family's Choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.