Anne M. Puncochar, 88, of Grand Island, NE, walked through the gates of Heaven, Monday, June 16, 2025.  Mass of Christian burial will be, Friday, June 20, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.  The Rev. Vince Parsons will be the celebrant, assisted by Deacon Phil Lukasiewicz.  Interment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday, June 19, 2025, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with a vigil at 6 p.m.  In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.  Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Anne's obituary.  Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Anne was born July 31, 1936, in York, Nebraska, to John A. and Esther (Sughrue) Neville.  She grew up on a farm in the York area and graduated from St. Joseph's High School in 1954.  Anne continued her post-secondary education at Duchesne College in Omaha, NE, and St. Francis School of Nursing in Grand Island, where she earned her nursing and bachelor's degree[1] s.  With an adventurous spirit, she moved to Denver, CO, with her sister, Loretta, and her college friend, Mag.  While there, she was employed at St. Anthony's Hospital as a bedside nurse for two years until she returned to Grand Island in 1961.

Anne married Harlan R. Puncochar on May 11, 1963, in York, NE, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.   The couple lived on a farm near Grand Island, where they raised their four children.  Anne was an instructor for two years at St. Francis School of Nursing before resigning in 1964 to be a stay-at-home mom.  She rejoined St. Francis Medical Center in 1975, working for 20 years until retiring as the Nursing House Supervisor in 1995.

Anne was a long-time member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and believed unceasingly that God should be the focal point in one's life.  She believed in the power of prayer and the miracles that God granted from prayers.  She was a prayer warrior until her last breath.

Her passion was being a good mom, grandma, and great-grandma. She loved attending her children's and grandchildren's school activities. Family truly meant everything to her.

She held many fond memories close to her heart, like having her sister introduce her, saying, "This is my sister, Anne Marie," or hearing her daddy call, "Annabelle Lee, I need the cream crock!" Finally, she admired how prayerful her mother was throughout her life.

Anne is survived by her children, Mary (Rob) Budde of Marquette, NE, Mike (Libbie) Puncochar of Grand Island, NE, Barbara (Paul) Olsufka of Marquette, NE, and Tim (Teri) Puncochar of Grand Island, NE.  Others left to cherish her memory include her 20 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Loretta Kowalski of Hebron, NE., nieces, a nephew and cousins.

Anne is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Harlan Puncochar, brother-in-law, Bob Kowalski, and many other family members.