Kathryn "Katie" M. Voecks

PIERCE – Memorial service for Kathryn Mary Voecks, 96, of Pierce, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026 at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierce. Father Vincent Germace will be officiating the service. Inurnment will be held at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Pierce. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service also at the church. The service will be live-streamed on the Stonacek Funeral Chapel Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/stonacekfuneralchapel/. Kathryn went to be with her Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, January 26, 2026 at the Heritage of Bel-Air Nursing Home in Norfolk. Stonacek Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Kathryn Mary “Katie” Abler was born on March 7, 1929, in Pierce, NE. She was the fifth of 10 children born to Walter August and Stella Marie (Wright) Abler. She grew up by her mother’s side and learned to sew, cook, bake and care for babies – skills she honed and carried throughout her life. She was always artistic and used her talents to paint the Abler Transfer, Inc. logo and information on all her dad’s trucks and trailers. While in high school she was a cheerleader and worked at the movie theater, graduating from Pierce High School in 1947. After graduation she moved to Norfolk to work as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone Company. She married her high school sweetheart, Roland L. “Rol” Voecks on October 6, 1953 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierce, NE. The couple moved to Boston, MA, while Rol served in the United States Navy. They celebrated 65 years of marriage together before Rol passed away on January 18, 2019. They also celebrated almost as many years together as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, dressing up and visiting family and friends in full costume. Katie and Rol managed restaurants for King’s Food Host in Fort Dodge, IA, and Boulder, CO, and Farmington, NM. Eventually they renamed King’s to Katie’s Kitchen and owned and operated it for 10 years. Along the way they welcomed three children, Rolanda, David and Dan. Katie was a fiercely devoted, fun and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was supportive and active in their children’s and grandchildren’s activities and interests. Together they went on fun adventures, golfed, and shared their love of nature, animals, hot air ballooning and riding around in their VW Bug or 1929 Ford Sports Coupe. In 1980 they moved back to Pierce, NE, to be closer to family. In 1980 they opened, owned and operated The Granary Restaurant in Norfolk for 30 years until their retirement in 2010. Katie baked all the pies and made all the soups at the Granary, along with hosting, busing tables, and whatever needed to be done to keep the place running smoothly. She had an extraordinary work ethic and took pride in treating her staff and “regulars” like family. Katie enjoyed baking, making candy, cooking, putting together puzzles, working in her flower beds and gardening, birding, and just being out in nature. She was also a talented stained-glass artist. She used her creativity and artistic flair in everything she touched - decorating her home, The Granary, and painting countless Halloween pumpkins to raise awareness of Spina Bifida. Whatever the occasion or holiday with family and friends her tablescapes were stunning, the food and baked goods were homemade and delicious, and her hospitality was authentic, warm and generous. Family was everything to Katie. Her parents, siblings and their spouses celebrated every birthday, anniversary, holiday and any excuse to get together for good food, fellowship and fun. It was beautiful and heartwarming to see how much they cared for and enjoyed each other. Katie was an active and life-long member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Katie had a deep, strong and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, and a special devotion to Mother Mary, that gracefully carried her through every season of life. Katie is survived by her children, David Voecks of Albuquerque, NM, and Dan (Pam) Voecks of Durango, CO; grandchildren Mandi (Dr. Phillip) Uphold, Dr. Erica (Landon) Grant, Stephanie Sussex, Derek Voecks, and Isabelle Voecks; great grandchildren RandiLynn Uphold, Colt Uphold, Gage Uphold, Ezra Grant and Erisa Grant; son-in-law Dr. Randy Sussex; siblings Paul (LaNeta) Abler, Lois Ann Weber, Elizabeth (Jim) Miller, and Leon (Maureen) Abler; sister-in-law Wilma Abler; special family friend Marion Cordova of Berkeley Springs, WV; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Roland Voecks, daughter Rolanda Sussex, grandson Garrett Voecks, and her siblings Leonard Abler, Dolores Theisen, Marian Crabb, Mark Abler, and Robert Abler. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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Kathryn "Katie" M. Voecks

March 7, 1929 - January 26, 2026