Elizabeth Joanne Mikkleson Little died peacefully on July 16, 2023 at her residence in Nebraska City. She was 90 years old.
Joanne was born in Little Sioux, Iowa, to Raymond and Mary Mikkleson. After graduating from high school, she worked as an administrative assistant at a local law firm in Omaha, Neb. On May 15, 1954, she married her sweetheart, John Little. John and Joanne lived in Trenton, Neb., and then moved to Blair, Neb., where they lived in the same house for 58 years. In 2019, they moved to Nebraska City, Neb., to be near their son Tony and his family.
During their time in Blair, Joanne and John made many lifelong friends and spent many years volunteering, especially at the First United Methodist Church where they worshiped. Joanne was a member of the UMW and attended several bible studies. She also worked in the administrative office of the Blair Community Schools for several years.
Joanne is survived by her children, Sara (David) Blobaum of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Hoyt (Karen) Little of Louisville, Ky.; and Tony (Julie) Little of Nebraska City, Neb.; four grandchildren, Christine Blobaum Fitzgerald, Geoffrey Blobaum, and Kaili and Addyson Little; three great-grandchildren, Landon, Charles, and Lachlan Fitzgerald.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John; her parents; her brother Harry Mikkleson, and her sister Dorothy Jane “Jane” Grandgenett.
Joanne was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Although she will be greatly missed, her kindness will live on in the lives she touched.
There will be a joint Celebration of Life for both John and Joanne at the First United Methodist Church in Blair at 10 a.m. on Saturday October 7, 2023. A luncheon will be provided after the service.
