Friday, April 22, 2016 ~ 2:00 p.m.
Svoboda Funeral Home ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Fridhem Cemetery ~ Swedeburg, Nebraska
In Care of the Family
Joan “Jody” L. Lilja, 67 of Lincoln, NE, died Thursday, April 14, 2016 in Lincoln. She was born December 7, 1948 in Clay Center, KS to Wendell and Lucille (Craig) Schooley. Jody graduated from Clay Center High School in Kansas and attended Kansas State University. On October 11, 1970, she was married to Jerry Lilja in Lincoln. Jody worked for over 30 years as a LPN and many of many those years in home healthcare.
Jody was a wonderful grandma and an excellent baker. She won the Betty Crocker Award and received first place for her pies at the Nebraska State Fair. In her younger years, Jody was a Sunday school teacher, room mother at school, and spent many hours volunteering in her community. She was a member of Waverly United Methodist Church and she loved her cat Tigger.
She was survived by children: Jeffrey Lilja of Lincoln and Julie (Dale) Hennessy of Platte Center, NE; grandchildren: Justin, Mickayla, Devan, Annyssia, Caleb, Rachelle, Nathan, James, and Madelynn; great-granddaughter Isabella; sister Mildred (Raymond) Steenbock of Springfield, MO.
She was preceded in death by husband Jerry Lilja; parents Wendell and Lucille Schooley; nephew Mark Steenbock.
Thoughts and prayers to your families. She was a wonderful lady and I remember the days of working with her at school and church. Muehlhausen. Morgan. Fick Family
Mildred, Jeff, Julie and family,
We are so sorry to hear about Joan’s passing. We all loved her so and she was a blessing to our lives. I’m sure she was that to everyone she came in contact with. May God grant you peace and understanding. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Dan and Brenda Heeren and family.
With our Deepest Sympathy to Joan’s family and take comfort in knowing that memories last forever. Jim and Colleen (cousin) Haake.
I remember Joan well as we grew up in the same church and were in Sunday School together. So sorry to hear of her death. May the promise of life eternal be a comfort to you.
Connie (Neill) and Harvey Frigon, Clay Center, KS
Our deepest sympathies to Joan’s family
and friends . Joan was my classmate and
Jerry’s cousin . I remember Joan as a kind
and gentle person, very fond memories.
Marcia and Jerry Schooley Kasilof , Alaska
We are so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. May you be comforted by your memories of her and God’s peace. Jon & Marcy Schooley
Our thoughts and prayers to the family in the loss of Joan. I enjoyed working with her doing volunteer work at school when our kids were young. She was fun to work with. She also will be remembered for her smile and her kindness. Joan and Jerry were loyal and long time customers of our HoneyCreek Restaurant for many years, and Jim and I always enjoyed taking time to visit with them. Jim & Kathy Wilkinson, Waverly
I was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Joan. She was my friend growing up and although we had not connected much in recent years I will miss her. The last time we talked she called out of the blue, and we had a long heart to heart just like earlier times. May you all find God’s peace and be comforted in knowing that she was a kind and loving woman.