Joseph “Joe” Stobbe, Sr.

Joseph “Joe” M. Stobbe, Sr., 77, of Ashton passed away peacefully with his wife, Elaine, nearby on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at Brookfield Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in St. Paul. He fought a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ashton. Father Richard Piontkowski celebrated the Mass.

Amy Kowalski was the organist.

Pallbearers included Brock McDonald, Bryce McDonald, Zachary Stobbe, Sean Pemberton, Marty Martin, Rick Stanczyk, Jeff Stobbe, Nick Mendyk, and Steve Fuller. Honorary pallbearers included Courtney Stobbe, Megan Jorgensen, Tiffany McDonald, Valarie McDonald, Clara Stobbe, Brian Kaslon, Harold Krolikowski, Terry Palu, Dave Hurt, Kristi Kosmicki, Lexie Jenkins, Taylor Martin, Rhonda Krolikowski, and his great- grandchildren.

Burial was in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Ashton.

Memorials are suggested to the Stobbe family for later designation or donor’s choice. Higgins Funeral Home in Loup City is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences for the Stobbe family can be left at higginsfuneralhomelc. com.

Joseph (Joe) M. Stobbe, Sr., was born November 24, 1946, to Theo and Agnes (Karas) Stobbe in Grand Island. He grew up in Ashton, started country school then later attended St. Francis School in Ashton and graduated from Ashton High School. Joe farmed with his father, Theo, and then married sweetheart, Elaine Budzinski, on February 6, 1971 in Arcadia. The couple had one son, Joseph M. Stobbe, Jr., on June 29, 1972.

The couple started Stobbe Hay Grinding and continued farming in Howard and Sherman counties. Joe enjoyed tractor pulling and was a lifetime member of the Nebraska Tractor Pullers Association. He was a long-time sponsor of the ladies’ fast pitch softball team in Ashton.

In his spare time, Joe loved to be with his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved to collect John Deere tractors, equipment, and toys. When Joe was working on tractors, his best friend, “Blue,” the trusty blue healer, was always by his side. If there was a parade or a tractor poker run, you could count Joe, Elaine, JJ, and his grandchildren to be there.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine, of Ashton; son, Joseph, Jr. and Michelle Stobbe of North Loup; grandchildren, Brock and Tiffany Mc-Donald, (Kadisyn, Kessyn, Ruger, and Asher) of Wood River, Bryce and Valerie McDonald (Kamryn Jo) of Scotia, Megan (River and Kirby) Jorgensen of O’Neill; Courtney Stobbe of Bellevue, and Zachary Stobbe of North Loup; sisters, Judi Pemberton of Loup City, Barbara (Steve) Fuller of Grand Island, and Shelly (Marty) Martin of Ashland; nieces and nephews, Erin K. Pemberton, Sean Pemberton, Lexie (Cody) Jenkins, and Taylor Martin; and many great nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Theo and Agnes Stobbe; father-in-law and mother- in-law, Raymond and Jean Budzinski; Jean’s second husband, Alex Smedra; sister, Carol; brother-in-law, Ron Dzingle; nephew, Bryan Dzingle; brother-in-law, Roger Pemberton; and nephew, Charles (Chuck) Anderson.

The Phonograph-Herald | August 7, 2024