Udell G. Jess

Udell G. Jess, 82, of Grand Island, died Friday, November 16, 2018, at CHI St. Francis Medical Center. Memorial service will be 11 AM Wednesday, November 21, 2048 at St. Pauls Lutheran Church with Reverend Edgar Schambach officiating. Memorials are suggested to St. Pauls Lutheran Church. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family.



Udell was born on August 19, 1936, in Farwell, NE, to Otto and Della (Carstens) Jess. He grew up on a farm near Farwell and continued to farm with his family.



On January 11, 1968, Udell was united in marriage to Joyce Pedersen in Scottsbluff, NE. The couple lived on a farm near Farwell where he farmed and fed cattle until his retirement. Udell and Joyce then moved to Grand Island, and he hauled grain for neighbors in the Farwell area.

Udell was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, president of The Central Nebraska Livestock Feeders in 1978, past member of the Eagles, Saddle Club, Liederkranz, and Platt-Duetsche. He was a jack-of-all-trades and enjoyed fixing and building things. He loved dancing and the time spent at their cabin at Johnson Lake. Udell also loved spending time with his grandchildren, playing pool, and attending their musical performances. Udell loved El Caminos and had one when he and Joyce met and continued to own them throughout the years.



Survivors include his wife: Joyce Jess of Grand Island; daughter: Jana (Brian) Petroff of Louisville, CO; grandchildren: Grace and Alex Petroff; brother: Gerald (Peggy) Jess of Farwell, NE; brother-in-law: Jack (Carol) Pedersen of Grand Island, NE; and many nieces and nephews.



He was preceded in death by his parents: brother: Lyle (Dorothy) Jess; sisters: Delois (Ray) Holewinski, Birdean (Jack) Wodke, Valera (Jim) Campbell, and Phyllis (Herb) Rauert.