Memorial Services for Jolene Lichty, age 63, of Sumner, Nebraska and formerly of O'Neill will be at 11 am on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at Christ Lutheran Church in O'Neill with Rev. John Nelson Jr. officiating.  Lunch will follow the service at the church.  Memorial Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a 7 PM prayer service. Those who would like to are welcome to wear purple, the color of pancreatic cancer awareness, or a JoStrong shirt in honor of Jo.    Jolene passed away after a long battle with cancer on Friday, August 21, 2026 at her home in Sumner.  Memorials may be directed to her family for future designation.  Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Jolene Sue Visser, daughter of Albion and Jualdene (Taylor) Visser, was born on January 7, 1963, in Salina, Kansas.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church.  Jolene was raised in Sidney, Nebraska, where she attended school and graduated from Sidney High School in 1981.  During her Junior year, Jolene was a foreign exchange student in Australia.  She went on to attend Chadron State College where she earned her master's degree.  She went on to spend more than 30 years as a mental health counselor, a career that brought her great joy and allowed her to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.  Jolene had a special gift for offering advice in a warm and welcoming way, making those around her feel seen, heard, and loved.

Jolene met Kevin on a blind date set up by his sister, Traci, when he was visiting her in Chadron.  On September 4, 1993, Jolene was united in marriage to Kevin in O'Neill, NE.  She embraced the role of stepmom by loving Heath as her own. Together, they were blessed by God with two daughters, Ariel and Marissa.  Jolene was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in O'Neill for 30+ years where she served on the Leap Preschool Board and helped as a youth group leader.

Jolene had a strong and unwavering faith in God and lived her life according to His word.  Her faith was at the center of who she was and guided the way she loved and cared for others.  During the last ten years of her life, that same faith carried her through a courageous battle with Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Cancer.  She never allowed cancer to stop her from being a disciple of the Lord.  God's grace filled her with hope and gave her strength throughout her journey.  Even during difficult times, Jolene found joy in making others smile, laugh, or shake their heads at her twisted sense of humor.  She did not let cancer take away the person God designed her to be, nor did it stop her from continuing the work she felt called to do here on Earth.

Besides her faith, Jolene's greatest treasure was her family.  Her grandchildren were the light of her life and one of her greatest sources of joy.  She treasured the time she spent with those she loved.  Jolene also enjoyed woodworking, little house improvement projects, fishing, camping, auctions, going for walks, visiting people, stripping copper, and collecting cans for "mad money."  She found joy in the simple things.  And, of course, there was Maxine, Jolene's robot vacuum, whom she lovingly referred to as her "alter ego."  Maxine became a character all on her own through Jolene's humorous posts and was yet another way Jolene brought laughter to those around her.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of nearly 33 years, Kevin Lichty of Sumner; her children, Heath (Kelli) Lichty of Bennington and their children, Brooks and Jaxon; Ariel (Jordan) Suhler of Elm Creek and their son, Jett; and Marissa (Cade) Eggleston of Oconto and their daughter, Kora Jo; her mother, Jualdene Visser of Hemingford; her sister, Janelle Visser (Chad) of Hemingford and her children Hans, Blake (Alison) and their children Lincoln and Ivy, and Emily; her brother, Arlan (Julie) Visser of Gretna, and their children, Avery and Gavin; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends.

Jolene was preceded in death by her father, Albion Visser.