Barb Sterba, 67, of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, died Tuesday, March 6th, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska.

Barb was born July 18th, 1944, at Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Barney and Mary (Butler) Nickless. She graduated from Stuart High School at Stuart, Nebraska, in 1962.
On May 14th, 1977, Barb married Bob Sterba at Norfolk, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Norfolk for the next five years, where Barb managed McCory's Restaurant. In 1983, the couple moved to Broomfield, Colorado and later to the foothills of Coal Canyon, where they resided for the next 14 years.

They spent the subsequent eight years of their lives traveling the United States together. In 2008, the couple decided to move to Johnson Lake and by this time, Barb had visited all 50 states. While Barb and Bob resided at Johnson Lake they still thoroughly enjoyed traveling to Texas, where they spent their winters.

Barb's family was always of great importance in her life. Many of her life's travels were laced with family visits. In addition to her loving husband, Barb was nearly always accompanied by her adoring canine companion, Chester. She was an avid reader and loved to crotchet.

Barb had a warm and welcoming soul; throughout her many travels, she never knew a stranger. Barb's family and friends will remember with fondness the way that her smile and generosity underscored how she lived life.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Jimmie Allen Nickless.

Barb is survived by her husband, Bob Sterba of Johnson Lake; her children, Candy (Dale) Krohn of Parkersburg, Iowa, Doug Sterba of Norfolk, Randy (Nadine) Sterba of Valencia, California, Sue Went of Norfolk, Vicki (Bob) Pitmon of Loveland, Colorado, Chris (Glenn) Helvie of Sterling, Colorado, Rollie Holbrook of Arvada, Colorado; 17 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren with three on the way; two sisters, Mary (Jim) Franzen of Cozad, Chrystal (Dave) Mlnarik of Lincoln; four brothers, John (Mary Jean) Nickless of O'Neill, Nick (Ruby) Nickless of Cincinnati, Ohio, Douglas Johnson of Nebraska, Justin (Geni) Nickless of Ainsworth; sister-in-law, Maxine Nickless of Ainsworth; step-parents, Darlene (Leonard) Mahllendorf of Norfolk; along with many other relatives and friends.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 10th, 2012, at 10 a.m., at the Berryman Funeral Home Chapel in Cozad with Father Don O'Brien officiating.

A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com.

Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad was in charge of arrangements.