Joy A. Oberg

1931 - 2025

Joy A. Oberg

October 17, 1931 - October 11, 2025

Joy Ann Zimmerman Oberg, true to her name, brought joy into every space she entered, be it a kitchen filled with hungry grandkids, a bleacher full of North High fans, or her beloved lake in Okoboji. She passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska, surrounded by family, her proudest accomplishment and greatest joy.

Born on October 17, 1931, in Omaha, Joy was the oldest of three daughters and carried her role as eldest daughter to heart throughout her life. She mothered her sisters, her own children, and anyone who crossed her path in need of a smile, a sandwich, or a bit of truth wrapped in love.

Joy attended Miller Park, Benson West, and Monmouth Park before graduating from Omaha North High School, a milestone she counted among the happiest days of her life. She often said simply, "I just loved school." It was in those halls of North High that she first spotted the love of her life, Guy Oberg. She was only 14 when she saw him that first time and declared it love at first sight. It took until they were both at Omaha University before she got to actually meet Guy, and for his part, he told his friend, "You get the short one," and, as everyone knows, Guy got the tall one for the next 62 years.

Their love was never flashy, sappy, or performative, but rather it was resolute, unconditional and unquestioned. And most importantly, they really liked each other. Together, they built a life of love, built on the kind of quiet partnership that lasts through every season. Ultimately, their legacy is a family that includes 24 great-grandchildren, but it started with those two young kids having four kids in four years and always finding a way to make it work.

Joy took motherhood seriously and with pride, she truly believed there was no more important job in the world, but she also kept a wonderful sense of practicality about being a mom. Love and consistency were the foundation of what would become her motherhood expertise, and she didn't have much time for all that other mumbo jumbo. She taught her kids the importance of pouring into their community, setting an example by leading Girl Scout troops and 4-H groups, and serving as PTA president. Joy was especially proud of her time as president of the Nebraska Extension, often sharing bits of wisdom from that time with her grandkids. But all would agree that Joy's biggest impact came from being the community mom, and grandma, to all that she met.

As her children grew into adults, Joy found her place at the Aksarben racetrack, waitressing in the Omaha room. It was a brilliant move and a real win-win for Guy; she earned money and he gambled. She cherished her time in the Omaha room. She got to use the calculator brain she inherited from her dad, and collected friendships that would last the rest of her life.

Through the years, the Oberg home and pool in Ponca became the family's compass, a revolving door of kids, grandkids, and great grandkids coming home for a meal, a swim, or a place to lay their head. Joy never turned anyone away. No matter the day or time of night, there was never a question that Joy would put her apron on, make you a malt, and listen to whatever was on your mind. Or, if needed, she would just sit with you in a quiet understanding that you weren't ready to talk but needed to know you were loved.

Her loyalty to her Omaha North Vikings was legendary. Joy followed every game, every kid, every season. When North won its first state football championship in 2013, she was certain that her Guy had a hand in it from above. Feeding the team and cheering on the players who called her Grandma brought her so much happiness.

Though she never thought of herself as social, Joy made friends everywhere she went. She believed that everyone was special in their own right and she approached people in that way, always making them feel safe and loved in her presence. She was not above telling a bratty teenage grandchild to knock it off when they were making fun of someone less fortunate because "that could be Jesus."

If Omaha was the heart of her life, Okoboji was its soul. Summers at the lake were sacred, filled with laughter, food, and the joyful chaos of a family that adored being together. Her favorite place was floating in the middle of the lake, watching the family she built splash, laugh, and live out the legacy she and Guy began.

When asked what her greatest accomplishment was, Joy did not hesitate and simply replied: "My family, they all turned out good."

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband: Guy Oberg; her parents: Helen and John Zimmerman; her sister: Betty Walsh; her niece: Vickie Adkins; and her great-grandsons: Briggs and Dominic O'Neill.

Left to carry on her legacy and swim in the lake are her sister: Kathy Readhimer (Bob); her children: Karen Sides (Ron), Gay O'Neill (Marty), Krista Johnson (Doug), and Guy Oberg II (Mary Lynn); her grandchildren: Allison Spencer (Chris), Todd O'Neill (Jen), Laura Wombolt (Brady), David O'Neill (Emily), Meredith Kinman (Clint), Kari Brashear (Tre), Andy Johnson (Andrea), Guy Oberg III (Morgan), Kyle Johnson (Jen), Sean Oberg, Kate Pitschka (Jay), Milton Sargbah (Alexis); and her great-grandchildren: Blake, Elizabeth, Paige, Alec, Garrett, Connor, Bella, Chance, Baker, Ben, Colin, Chase, Alexis, Emmaline, Rylie, Viviann, Regan, Finn, Leo, Charlie, Doug, Lyndon, and baby Joy.

While her family will forever feel the emptiness of her chair at the beach, they know she's home now, back with her Guy, where they, and Briggs, will be cheering on their Vikings from the best seat in the house.

VISITATION: 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday at Roeder Mortuary 108th Street Chapel. SERVICE: 10 a.m. Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6340 N. 30th St., Omaha, NE. Luncheon at the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family for Omaha North Athletics.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - 108th Street Chapel

2727 N 108th St - Omaha, NE | 402-496-9000

www.RoederMortuary.com