Joseph W. Sterner

Joseph William “Joe” Sterner, 75, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. A lifelong Kansas City area resident, Joe lived a full life defined by hard work, his family, and a love for the simple joys of the outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jessica Sterner; his parents, Carol and Joseph Sterner; his stepfather, John Mitchell; his siblings M. Kathleen Mitchell CSJ, Margaret “Maggie” Mitchell, and John Michael “Mikey” Mitchell; and dearly loved family members Rod Petersen, Michael Phelps, Lara Phelps Dwyer, and Tierney Phelps Dwyer.

Joe was born on November 16, 1950, to Mary Carol Burns and Joseph Walter Sterner. His early years were shaped by his education at Visitation Elementary School and Rockhurst High School, Class of 1969. He went on to graduate from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts, forming a lifelong connection to Mt. Oread.

Throughout his career, Joe embraced a wide range of roles — from motorcycle sales to freight transfer — but he found lasting success during his more than 20 years with Southwestern Bell and AT&T. Among his proudest professional accomplishments were the ventures he shared with family: co-owning and operating the Walrus Inn alongside his beloved brother Mikey from 1981 to 1985, and later working with his brother-in-law Mike Phelps at Phelps Tool & Dye. These chapters reflected Joe’s spirit and his deep loyalty to those he cared about.

Joe had a passion for being outdoors and found his greatest happiness in nature. Whether camping, boating, swimming, riding motorcycles, attending concerts, or enjoying Kansas City barbecue, he enjoyed it most with the wind in his hair. Some of his most treasured memories were made in the woods with his two sons and loving wife, enjoying a cold Coors Light after a long day of sawing wood.

In his later years, Joe cherished visits from lifelong friends, reminiscing about youthful adventures with cherry bombs, evenings at Kelly’s Westport Inn, and stories that never lost their humor. Above all, Joe valued time spent with his wife, his pets, and especially his granddaughters, Bryn and Claire, whose light carried him through life’s later challenges with strength and joy.

Joe is survived by his devoted wife, Marilynn Sterner; his sister, Mary Jo Phelps (Dave Lindley); his sons, Nathan Sterner and Nick Sterner (Catherine Bell); his granddaughters, Bryn Sterner and Claire Sterner; his nieces and nephews, Carrie Phelps, Michelle Phelps, Steve Phelps (Brooke), John Phelps (Sierra), Daniel Svedja (Emma), Dane Petersen (Jill), and Christy Kairos (Sunny); his sisters-in-law, Joyce Petersen and Lori Sommers; and many great nieces and great nephews. He leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and unforgettable memories.

Joe will have a private, family only memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Joe’s memory be made to the Marilynn J. & Joseph W. Sterner Family Scholarship at KU Endowment Association, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044, or to the Lawrence Humane Society, 1805 E. 19th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046.

Joe will be missed deeply and remembered always by those who knew and loved him.

When that fog horn blows you know I will be coming home

And when that fog horn whistle blows I got to hear it

I don't have to fear it

And I want to rock your gypsy soul

Just like way back in the days of old

And together we will flow into the mystic