Jolene “Jody” A. Gans

Jolene (Jody) A. Gans, née Belsan, age 73, of Brainard, passed away with family by her side on November 6, 2023. She was born on January 10, 1950, in David City, NE, to James and Josephine Belsan, née Kadavy.

Jody spent her childhood in Dwight and graduated from East Butler High School in 1968. After high school, she attended Lincoln School of Commerce and obtained her Associate’s Degree in Accounting. Jody worked for ISCO in Lincoln, NE, and then H&R Block in San Francisco, CA. She then drove the Alaskan Highway in a Volkswagen Beetle to work in Anchorage. She returned to Brainard to help her parents run Husker Bar. In 1976, she met her future husband in the bar’s cooler while he was working for a beer distributor. Shortly after they wed on July 28, 1978, they bought and renovated the old Brainard fire hall, where they have owned and operated Husker Bar II together, making many wonderful friends over the past 44 years. Rich and Jody were inseparable from the day they met and lived life to the fullest. This was reflected in the longevity of Husker Bar II and its loyal staff, which has been a community gathering place for decades.

Jody enjoyed Nebraska athletics, particularly Husker football and volleyball; Jimmy Buffett concerts; trips to the ocean, Lake of the Ozarks, and Las Vegas; and spending time with her family and cat, Sally. Jody especially cherished fun adventures, being the life of the party, and spending time with her children, Pat and Cindy, their spouses, Jen and David, and grandchildren, Enzo and Luca. Jody found joy in celebrating other people’s accomplishments, such as her sister Gail’s promotions in the Air Force, her children’s life events and milestones, and special occasions for her family and friends. Jody taught those she loved to stand up for their beliefs and show compassion to others.

Jody leaves behind her children, Patrick (Jen) Gans of Lincoln and Cindy (David) Kennedy of Omaha; grandchildren Lorenzo and Luca Gans; sisters Sandy Baesler of Sarasota and Gail (Don) Keefe of Ocean Shores; extended family, and a host of friends from Husker Bar II. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard (Rich) Gans, and her parents, James and Josephine Belsan.

A graveside service will be held at the Catholic Cemetery of Presentation Church and St. Peter's Church near Bellwood, NE, at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Following the graveside service, a celebration honoring Jody’s life will be held at Husker Bar II, 105 E Washington St. Brainard, NE.
Jody's family requests that cards, floral arrangements, and memorials be sent to Husker Bar II, 105 E Washington St, Brainard, NE 68626