John Stahr

ohn Paul Stahr, age 85, a long-time resident and farmer in York County, Nebraska died Friday, October 10, 2008 at Surprise, AZ. He was born on June 29, 1923 at Stephen, MN to John H. and Christine (Paulsen) Stahr. John, his father, mother and one brother moved from Minnesota to Nebraska to farm in 1936. John was confirmed into Jesus Christ at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, York, NE in 1938 and graduated from York High School in 1941. On March 29, 1944, John was married to Donna Parks at Belleville, KS. In addition to his love and dedication to his family and his love for farming and raising livestock, John served his fellow farmers and citizens of York County by serving on the Board of Directors of the Farmers Cooperative for fourteen years most of which he was Chairman of the Board. He also served as a member of the York Public Schools Board of Education for nine years during which time a new high school was constructed. John served his God and his Church by serving as an Elder and as a member of the Church Stewardship Committee during which time the Emmanuel Lutheran School was established. John loved to play cards with friends and neighbors and to travel. He and Donna were fortunate to travel throughout most of the United States and Canada as well visiting Australia and other South Pacific Countries, the Continent of Europe, Russia and the Artic Circle.

John is survived by his wife, Donna of Surprise, AZ; daughter Jean (John) Roehrs of Scottsdale, AZ; sons, Orval Stahr and James (Barbara) Stahr all of York; eight grandchildren including Jason (Sharon) Stahr of Gretna, NE, Jacob (Belinda) North of Omaha, Joshua, Branden, Jordan and Bryan Stahr of Lincoln, NE, Becky Stahr of Longmont, CO, and Jessica Stahr of McPherson, KS. Eleven great grandchildren Christy and her husband Scott Rine of Bellevue, NE, Sarah Foster and Casey Freyer of Papillion, NE, Victoria, Alyssa and Jadyn Stahr of Gretna, Kolby Hanna of Fort Collins, CO, Kaleb Stahr of Waco, NE, Sophia and Ava North and Noah and Brinley Stahr of Omaha. Four great great-grandchildren McKinzie, Keegan and Kratyn Rine of Bellevue and Alexis Freyer of Papillion. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Gloria (Thomas) Myers of Belle Vista, AR and Anita Parker of Grand Island, NE and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding him in death were his parents, his sister Silvia Stahr, brothers Weldon (Anna Mae) Stahr and Vernon (Betty) Stahr and his daughter in law Rosemary Stahr.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 17, 2008 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York with the Reverend Loren Cooper officiating with burial in Greenwood Cemetery at York. Memorials may be directed to Emmanuel-Faith Lutheran School in York or Crystal Rose Assisted Living, Surprise, AZ, c/o Metz Mortuary.