Joan McKay Vodehnal

Joan McKay Vodehnal, 95, of Grand Island, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023, in Grand Island, Nebraska. To honor Joan’s wishes, there is no public service. Her ashes will be buried with her husband at Grand Island City Cemetery. Joan was born on the family farm northwest of Spalding, NE, on July 8, 1928, the daughter of Martin W. and Anna (Carlson) McKay. Joan attended School District #24 and graduated from Wheeler County High School, class of 1945. She taught at Pible Lake School for one year before moving to Woodlynne, New Jersey, where she worked one year for New Jersey Bell Telephone Company before transferring to Northwestern Bell Telephone in Grand Island, Ne. In 1954, Joan accepted a position in the United States Air Force Civilian Service in communications for Japan Air Defense Forces in Nagoya, Japan. For 20 months she took telephone calls between Japan and South Korea, as the Korean conflict was still in progress. Joan then returned to Grand Island, Nebraska and worked for Northwestern Bell until she retired in 1986. On November 11, 1956, she married Martin C. Vodehnal at Trinity United Methodist Church. Joan and Martin were married 57 years. They made their home and raised their two children in Grand Island. She was a member of the United Methodist Women’s Circle, TOPS 605 and past member of Telephone Pioneers of America. Joan and Martin traveled to all 50 states, Canada and Mexico, and many countries overseas, including Sweden, Ireland, and Japan. Joan kept in touch with her cousins in Ireland and Sweden and with her longtime Japanese friend, Hisako Ito of Japan. Joan also enjoyed attending Martin’s army reunions and keeping in touch with his army buddies. Her other enjoyments included camping, square dancing and making jewelry from old crystal beads. Joan loved genealogy and traced her family roots to Ireland, Sweden, the Civil War, and to the Mayflower. She was very proud of being able to find records where she was told “no records exist.” Those who cherish Joan’s memory include her daughter, Theresa Reed of Grand Island; grandchildren, Scott Runcie and Jill and Chad Eickhoff; and six great-grandchildren, Riley, Tayden, Emmet, Bryker, Henrick and Charlie. Son and daughter-in-law, Brant and Robin Vodehnal of Hastings and their family of Amber and Adam Reents, children Jack and Ruby; Dale Eddy of Colorado; Stevie Eddy and his daughter Bella of Calif. , and Scotty Eddy. She is also survived by her brother, Dennis (Michaela) McKay of Spalding, NE., a cousin, Karl Biermann of New Jersey, and her Swedish family of Helene and Ingvar Jönsson, Sofie and David Jerlinder, and Mattias Jönsson and Lone Tallberg, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her parents; husband, Martin; and brothers Cleatus (Lorraine) McKay and Carrol (Irene) McKay.

Joan McKay Vodehnal

July 8, 1928 - November 19, 2023

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Joan McKay Vodehnal

July 8, 1928 - November 19, 2023

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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