Mary Catherine Joska, beloved mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the Kimball County Manor on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. She was 95 years old. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball with Pastor Randy Bohac officiating. Burial will be held following the funeral in the Kimball Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. Friends may also visit www.cantrellfh.com to share stories and condolences with the family. Memorials may be given in Catherine’s memory to Kimball Health Services Foundation-Capital Campaign, Kimball County Manor or the Plains Historical Society. The services for Catherine have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.
Catherine Joska was born on March 23, 1930, in Kimball, to Frank and Mildred (Gross) Janesofsky. She graduated as valedictorian from Egbert High School in 1948 and went on to earn a teaching degree from Greeley Teachers College.
After graduation, Catherine moved to Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, where she worked for the city offices. She married Anton P. Joska on June 12, 1951, in Pine Bluffs. Together, they lived and worked on the family farm in Kimball County, later purchasing a farm in Weld County Colorado. They retired in 1994 and returned to Kimball, where their son, Tony, took over the farming operations.
Catherine had a passion for travel and cherished gardening, crocheting, reading, and sewing. Above all, she treasured family time, enjoying meals and gatherings with loved ones.
Survivors include her children Patti (Mack) Vowers of Kimball, NE., Terri (Vaughn) Lukassen of Kimball, NE., Mary (Bruce) Peters of Windsor, CO., and Tony Joska of Weld County, CO; sister Lois Fornstrom of Pine Bluffs, WY; grandchildren Scott (Erin) Vowers, Julie (Chad) Miller, Mark (Tami) Vowers, and John (Dena Hetrick) Vowers, Denise (Brian) Teaney and Colby (Julieanne) Lukassen, Christine Peters and Jeff (Marcia) Peters, Alexis Joska, Joseph Joska and Roman Joska; 14 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Frank, sisters Charlotte VanMeter and Elizabeth Schandera and brother Frank Joska.
