Jo was born October 9, 1932 to Clarence and Mona (Spath) Zucker and grew up in Scribner. She was active in the church Luther League, Girl Scouts, loved dancing (yes it's true), played the piano and worked at her aunt Edna's variety store. After high school graduation she enrolled in the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in journalism and pledged to the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Following two years at the University of Nebraska, she enrolled in the Airline Personnel Training School in Omaha where she completed her training. In 1953 Jo returned to Scribner, living with and assisting her parents until their deaths and managed Lamberty's Variety Store which she purchased in 1978. The store was a Scribner institution until she closed it in 1999. During these years she was active in the church, golf, bowling and bridge, teaching many Scribner women to play bridge. She participated in three bridge clubs up to the time of her death. During her business years in Scribner she was active with the Chamber of Commerce, was appointed by Governor Charles Thone as a delegate to the Governor's Conference on Small Business, and was active with the Elkhorn Valley Tourism Council. Following her retirement she assisted the bank with some building remodeling and worked at Lee's Market.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, an infant brother Robert, brother John and sister-in-law Jeanette. She is survived by her oldest brother Raymond of Green Valley, Arizona; youngest brother Paul and wife Kathy of San Diego, California; and sister-in-law Joyce of Deshler, Nebraska. Survivors also include 10 nieces and nephews, Robert of California, Tom of Iowa; Ardythe, Mary Jo, Jane and David of Nebraska, Paul of Texas; and Erik, Pete and Andy of California.
Visitation will be held at Ludvigsen's Scribner Funeral Chapel on Thursday, December 17 from 3 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 5 to 6 p.m. Services will be held on Friday, December 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Scribner, followed by interment in the Scribner cemetery and a reception at the Scribner Steak House, one of Jo's favorite places. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donation to the United Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Online guestbook at www.hooper-scribner.com
Condolences(9)
Nancy Carter
Asbury Park, NJ Saturday, April 3, 2010 I was just recently saddened to come upon this notice of Jo's passing. As the grandaughter of the late Walter and Linda Bauer, I can pleasantly recall my trips (with my mother, Shirley Bauer Carter) to visit all of my relatives in Scribner, Nebraska as a child. Along with many of my happy memories, those fondest where trips with my grandfather to the variety store and visiting with Jo. She was so much fun and always treated me as someone very special. My late mother was very fond of Jo and always was sure Jo came to visit on her trips out East. My heart goes out to the Zucker family and all of Jo's friends.Deane and Susan Arganbright
Madang, Papua New Guinea, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 We just heard of Jo's passing. What a wonderful person and a fun individual to have in our family! When our boys were young, we lived in Ames, Iowa, and one of their fondest memories were trips to Scribner and visits to Jo's variety store and dinner at the steakhouse. All of the family from Ohio to California looked forward to her many visits, too. My father (in Columbus, Ohio) knew he could count on a phone call from her on the Saturdays when the U of Neb's football team won and Ohio State's lost. It was a grand tradition. She will be fondly remembered. Deane (mother Oleta Zucker) and Susan ArganbrightStan & Ione Popken
Fremont, NE Thursday, December 17, 2009 Jo was always ready for a good visit with a story whether it was in home ec class or in later years when we saw her in Scribner. She was a fine friend. We offer our condolences to her family. May peace and comfort abide with you.Brian and Janet Busse
St. Paul, NE Tuesday, December 15, 2009 Just wanted to send words of condolensces to Jo's family and friends. During the 12 years we lived in Scribner, we had the chance often to run into Jo, whether at the variety store or Lee's Market or just around town. She was always smiling and laughing. She was a great person, and did much for the community of Scribner. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Ed & Nancy Crow
Fayetteville, Ga Tuesday, December 15, 2009 It was always a joy to see Jo when we returned to Neb. for visits. She was always ready with a smile and a hug and we always had a good visit. Our condolences to the Zucker family. Peace be with you. Ed & Nancy CrowLarry Vavricek
Omaha, NE Monday, December 14, 2009 What a great person Jo was! I have many fond memories of her helping my brothers and I look at and pick out toys from the variety store while growing up. It was always a fun experience. I'm sure there's people out there who wouldn't allow a couple of hyper-active kids in their store for an extended period of time looking at all of the stuff. Jo wasn't one of them. We always felt welcome and she was super nice.kent popken
omaha, ne Monday, December 14, 2009 Best sunday school teacher ever---Steve Brause
Sulphur Spirngs, Oh Monday, December 14, 2009 I enjoyed JoAnnes sense of humor, always ready with a comeback response. One afternoon while on my travels thru Nebraska ( over the road truck driver) I stopped and spent one eve. with Jo and of course it was her bowling nite, so Jo treated me to a good Nebraska feed angus steak dinner at the town steak house, then later I was the "desiginated runner" for drinks at the local bowling alley. She will be missed for sure. Steve BrauseSTEVE SWANSON
SCRIBNER, NE Monday, December 14, 2009 ZUCKER FAMILY . . . . . . WHAT FOND MEMORIES OF JO THROUGH THE YEARS . . . TOY SHOPPING AS BOY, YOUNG BUSINESSMAN LEARNING THE ROPES OF MAIN STREET, SCRIBNER AND THE CHAMBER. IF YOU WANTED A CHAMBER PROJECT GET JO TO HELP AND IT WOULD HAPPEN . . . . MY FIRST 'SHOP AT HOME' LECTURE . . . . .OUR FIRST STREET DANCE (SHE WAS SKEPTICAL AT FIRST), BUT SOME YOUNG BUCKS SWUNG HER TO OUR SIDE . . . MY FIRST STINT AS CHAMBER FLOAT CHAIRMAN AND ELMO AS CO CHAIRMAN . . . . RAISING MONEY FOR THE CURRENT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON MAIN STREET AND I COULD GO ON AND ON. I EVEN HAD THE PLEASURE OF A COUPLE OF BRIDGE LESSONS THROUGH THE YEARS. WE WILL MISS YOU, BUT KNOW MANY OF YOUR GOOD COMMUNITY WORKS WILL LIVE ON FOREVER. SINCERELY, STEVE SWANSON