JoAnne Marie (Babe) Oliver, 87 years of age, of Bertrand, Neb., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at the Bertrand Nursing Home in Bertrand. JoAnne was born in Orson, on Aug. 5, 1938, the third of four children, born to Otto and Florence (Carlson) Babe. She received her education from the Missouri Valley Community Schools and graduated with the class of 1956.
On Nov. 26, 1955, JoAnne was united in marriage to Floyd D. Oliver at Pipestone, Minn. The couple was blessed with four children: Michael, Penny, Connie, and Timothy. The family made their home in Modale, where she had a ceramics shop. The family then moved to Socorro, N.M. and Las Vegas, Nev. In 1996, JoAnne and Floyd began to make their home in Bertrand, closer to family. On Feb. 10, 2017, she made her home at the Bertrand Nursing Home after her health began to fail.
JoAnne enjoyed sitting and listening to the birds in the morning, playing the organ, making crafts, sewing, and crocheting. She was great at doing research and found quite a bit of information on her family’s genealogy. JoAnne was a talented canner and baker, and would make boxes full of homemade candy to share with all her family and friends.
JoAnne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Floyd in 2016; daughter-in-law, Michelle Oliver; son-in-law, Miguel Martinez; grandson, Andrew Gonzalez; two sisters: Donna Schoneberg and her husband, Francis; Sally Kucera and her husband, Frank; one brother, Gary Babe; one sister-in-law, Mary Curzon and her husband, Everett; and one brother-in-law, William “Bill” Oliver.
JoAnne is survived by her children: Michael Oliver of Nevada; Penny Martinez of Bertrand; Connie Oliver of New Mexico; and Timothy Oliver of Bertrand; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A memorial has been established in JoAnne’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.
There will be no public visitation or memorial book signing. A private viewing was held and the family honored JoAnne’s wish for cremation.
