Kathleen Joan Stava

1946 - 2025

Kathleen Joan (Ryan) Stava

December 21, 1946 - May 24, 2025

Kathleen Joan (Ryan) Stava, 78, of Grand Island, passed away at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, May 24, 2025, after a courageous 2 and a half-year cancer battle.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 31st, at 10:30 a.m., at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island. Most Reverend, Bishop William Dendinger and Father Vijumon Choorackal will officiate. A private family Inurnment will follow at a later date at Westlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Friday, May 30th, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, followed by a Rosary and Vigil Service. All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.giallfaiths.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Grand Island Central Catholic. A statue of Mary will be purchased and placed at the high school in her honor.

Kathy was born December 21, 1946, on a farm near Merna, NE, to Joseph and Dorothy (Knight) Ryan. She grew up in Grand Island and graduated from Central Catholic in 1965.

On November 9, 1968, Kathy married Ted Stava. Following their marriage, they lived in Fort Riley, Kansas, while Ted was in the Army. They later returned to Grand Island. During her life, Kathy worked as a secretary, cashier, and salesclerk. She also owned and operated her own cleaning business for nearly 20 years. Of all her titles, by far the one she was most proud of was being a mother to her three children, Becky, Shane, and Christi.

A devout Christian, Kathy was a long-time member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church while also attending services at Third City Christian Church and Resurrection Catholic Church. In addition, she volunteered at the American Legion Auxiliary and Blessed Sacrament Church. Kathy loved cooking, baking, watching sporting events, and spoiling her grandkids and dogs. Kathy and Ted enjoyed socializing with friends and family and vacationing in South Padre Island and Florida during the winter months.

Kathy's greatest pride and joy were her five grandchildren. She and Ted loved to attend their various activities. The grandkids enjoyed spending time with her and always looked forward to her frosted sugar cookies, cinnamon rolls, chocolate cake and apple crisp.

Those left to cherish Kathy's memory include her husband of 56 years, Ted Stava; their children, Rebecca (Stuart) Hicklin of Fort Collins, CO, Shane (Lisa) Stava of Grand Island, and Christi (Jim) Rein of Grand Island; five grandchildren, Spencer and Riley Hicklin, Olivia and Graham Stava, and JT Rein; brother Bill (Joyce) Ryan of Grand Island; sisters Janet Judy of Neligh and Lois Sheffield of Lincoln; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Dolores Call and Joyce Seidel; nephew, Lonnie Dickson; and nieces Cindy Willey and Debbie Calhoun.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Ramaekers, the nurses and the wonderful staff at Nebraska Cancer Specialists as well as AseraCare Hospice and nurses, Sarah, Heidi and Jarah.