Joan Stuchlik Obituary

Joan (Bals) Stuchlik, age 60, of Eagle, Nebraska passed away peacefully on July 9th, 2024 at Nebraska Medicine's C.L. Werner Cancer Hospital surrounded by family. Joan was born December 4th, 1963 in Crete, Nebraska. She is survived by her husband, Michael, and daughters Erika (George) Blankenau and Anna Stuchlik; two grandchildren: Jude and Eleanor; her mother, Jean Marlene Bals; her five sisters, Mary (Bruce) Hart, Janet (Tom) Berry, Karen (Steve) Lockhart, Diane (Scott) Coddington, Shari (Mike) Boshart and many nieces and nephews. Joan is preceded in death by her father, John Bals, her infant daughter, Marie Stuchlik, and her favorite four-legged companion, Belle.

Joan was the youngest of 6 girls. She anchored the tail end of the Bals' Girls Newspaper Delivery Crew. Joan grew up golfing with her family and, after five failed attempts at developing a Bals' golf prodigy, Joan excelled under the tutelage of her Dad and developed his natural swing.

Joan graduated Crete High School before attending Nebraska Wesleyan University, as a member of the golf team, and completing her nursing degree through Bryan School of Nursing. In 1983, Joan met Michael in their second semester of college during their theater appreciation course where he "broke the ice" by spilling paint on her favorite jeans. Joan and Michael just celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary on April 29th this year!

Joan spent her nursing career in the perioperative and palliative/hospice fields, where she made many friends and touched even more lives. Joan also volunteered as a school nurse at her daughters' school, St. Peter's, for many years, allowing her to spend more time with her girls. Prior to her cancer diagnosis, Joan worked at Lincoln Surgical Hospital.

Joan was diagnosed with Leukemia And Lymphoma in December 2023 and received care at C.L. Werner Cancer Hospital. During her battle with cancer, Joan was surrounded by supportive staff and family at all times who helped bring light to her journey. In her last three months, Joan remained positive, compassionate, and courageous. She had a fan club of nurses that visited her and cheered her on each day. On her last day with us, Joan's oncology team reminded us that Joan indeed beat cancer simply by how she lived each day.

Joan will be remembered for her positive outlook on life, her contagious laugh, and generosity. She was a devoted friend to many and loved her family more than anything. Joan secretly had a competitive spirit and enjoyed cheering on her favorite teams, always rooting for the underdog. Joan was a perfect homemaker, who spent her time baking, gardening, and being with her family. Joan enjoyed decorating for holidays and birthdays, finding no occasion too small to celebrate. Her proudest achievements were her daughters and she adored her grandkids.

A mass of Catholic burial will be held Saturday, July 13th, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 7900 Trendwood Drive, Lincoln, NE. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 12th, 2024 with rosary starting at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with preceding visitation hours beginning at 5:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials can be given to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society in Joan's name (www.givenow.lls.org).