Judy Steimle

Papillion — Judy Steimle, 73, of Papillion, formerly of Atkinson, died Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. In December 2020, she was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. For three years she battled this disease along with the debilitating effects of the immunotherapy. She fought all of this with strength, courage and dignity.

Visitation was held Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 at St. Gerald's Catholic Church in Ralston with a rosary.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 at the church in Ralston.

Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Gretna.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or St. Gerald's Catholic Church in Judy's name.

Judy was born in Atkinson to Herman and Dorothy (Schaaf) Kaup, on April 17, 1951. She attended kindergarten at District 99.  After the death of her father in 1954, her family moved from the farm into town when Judy was entering first grade. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School for elementary and high school and graduated in 1969.  

Shortly after graduation, Judy moved to Omaha and began working at Northwestern Bell in the Yellow Pages. She retired from Qwest Communications in 2001 where she finished her career repairing pay telephones. 

In December 1970, she married Lane Pacha. To that union was born her loving daughter Cortney.  

In April 1986, she and Gene Steimle were married in Hawaii. Her family now included stepchildren Wendy and Randy.  

After retirement, Judy and Gene enjoyed working in National Parks in Alaska and Montanna, traveling around the world and making memories to last a lifetime.  They traveled to Mexico, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Australia and New Zealand.  

She took an active role in the lives of her grandchildren and loved them dearly. Upon retirement, Judy babysat her grandchildren, volunteered at their school, attended many of their sporting events and planned many family trips which included them. She was always a hands-on grandmother.

As a woman of faith, Judy served her church, St. Geralds, in several different capacities.  She was a sacristan, EMHC, usher, washed/mended the servers' albs and chaired the HOPE program.  

Before her cancer diagnosis, Judy led an active life. When she wasn't in her kitchen with her grandchildren, she could be found in her sewing and craft room. There wasn't a craft or project that was too difficult for Judy to undertake. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, embroidering, cooking, painting, reading and much more.

Judy loved her extended family dearly. She loved planning and hosting family get-togethers. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to family members whenever they called on her. Her relationship with her siblings was cherished. 

She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She touched the lives of so many people. She will truly be missed and will never, ever, be forgotten.

Judy is survived by her loving husband Gene; three children Cortney (Doug Donaldson), Wendy Johansen and Randy Steimle; five grandchildren Kelby (Alexis) Johansen, Dean, Brooklyn and Cole Donaldson and Chloe Owen; five siblings Ralph Kaup, Phyllis (Marvin) Scholz, Florence Kaup, Janet (Mike) Davis and Carol (Frank) Charvat; two brothers-in-law Carl (Candi) Steimle and Dick (Susan) Steimle; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and “adopted son” Brett Tomlin.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Dorothy Kaup; mother-in-law Margaret Steimle; two sisters Sharon Kaup and Karen (Kaup) Seger; and four brothers-in-law Kenneth Farley, Paul Seger, Harry Steimle and Skip Farley.