Joe Stahl, 71, of Tecumseh

Joe Stahl Obituary

Larry Joe Stahl was born on August 8, 1954 to Larry W.  and Darlene A. (Lehmkuhl) Stahl in Hiawatha, KS. As the family grew, Darlene and Larry planted their roots on a homestead acreage outside of Fairview where they raised their six children centered around a life of hard work, family, and rural traditions. 

Joe attended school in Hiawatha and graduated from Hiawatha High School before continuing his education at Pittsburg State, where he earned an electrical degree. In his youth, when he wasn't helping on the farm or getting into trouble with his brothers, Joe would enjoy gallivanting with his childhood friend Wesley. An impactful impression was made on him, as Joe would carry on through life holding friendships particularly close to his heart "my friend, my friend". 

On November 2, 1979 Joe and Emily D. Boeck read their vows to one another in Lincoln, NE. They went on to raise three children together; Dawn, Jacob, and Benjamin. At times work would keep him from the family time he and Emily imagined together, but his love and presence was felt as he was a formidable figure with a soft side-later in life, and his grandkids would be the benefactors of that ever growing softness. 

After years of travel for his work in telecommunications, Joe and Emily moved their family to Tecumseh, NE where he became co-owner of the Tecumseh Livestock Auction. Amidst these endeavors, he ingrained himself in the surrounding farming communities through friendships that he cherished. Horseback cattle drives to section nine, hayloft hoedowns, nut fries, and buying a round for the table. Many of these friendships spilled over into coworkers at the Sale Barn, and vice versa. Sorting a pen of cattle one day and playing a hand of five point pitch the next. He was both a member of the Johnson County Rough Riders club and the Nebraska Cattleman's Association; communities in which he intertwined his family and friends, centered around his passion for livestock.

After selling his portion of the Livestock Auction, Joe focused his work on electrical maintenance at nearby facilities of MBA Poultry and CJ Foods. He made relationships with some of these coworkers that he would carry with him through his final days. Horses and cattle shifted to hobbies as he began to ride less, but quickly he found cutting horses and horse racing to be entertaining replacements. It was also at this time when Joe was at the height of his grandchildren ball watching; he didn't need much of an excuse (advertising the best margarita in town would typically be more than enough) to go cheer on any of his younger grandkids learning their sports, or to watch one of his eldest granddaughters cheer or slug it out in softball. 

Upon retirement, Joe enjoyed spending afternoons at the Steinauer Tavern winning a quarter a game at pitch, and most evenings he'd try to find a grandkid's game to watch online or a fun ball game on TV. He and his brothers, Art and David, would use deer seasons as an excuse to spend time together in the Stahl family log cabin that they hand built alongside other members of Larry's family. A day never went by that wasn't good for a drive; whether it was to check cattle, drive Lover's Lane looking for bittersweet, hunt mushrooms in the ditches along old 50, spot deer in Glenn Beethe's bottom, or check Leo's pond for moss. 

He passed away Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 71 years.  Joe is reunited in death with his parents Larry and Darlene (Lehmkuhl) Stahl, younger brother David and sister-in-law Jane Stahl, and great nephew Kenton Farwell.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Emily (Boeck) Stahl, children Dawn Borrenpohl and husband Matt of Beatrice, NE, Jacob Stahl and wife Cassie of Auburn, NE, and Benjamin Stahl of Tecumseh, NE. He is loved and remembered by his grandchildren Aryssa, Alexis, and Andynn Borrenpohl, and Delaney, Callen, and Samuel Stahl. Along with his children, Joe is survived by his siblings Denise (Stahl) and Steve Pfeifer, Arthur and Pam Stahl, Leisa Stahl, and Sheri (Stahl) and Troy Lay, nieces and nephews. Also missing him are many extended family members, and countless friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday,  March 26, 2026 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Pastor Richard Lehmkuhl officiating.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Memorials may go to the family’s choice.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

Services are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh, Nebraska.