Joan Francis O’Rourke, 85, of North Platte, NE, died Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte.

Joan was born February 20, 1928, at Moorefield, NE to Maurice and Bessie Elizabeth Welch Stephenson. She grew up in the Moorefield and Curtis, NE area and graduated from Curtis High School. Joan then attended college in Colorado where she received her teaching certificate. She returned to Nebraska and taught in a country school south of North Platte for a couple of years.

On August 10, 1949, Joan married the love of her life, Van Darrell O’Rourke, in North Platte where they made their home and raised their four sons. Joan and Van later lived in Denver, CO before returning to North Platte in March 2009. She was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Survivors include her sons, Stephen (Karla) O’Rourke, of North Platte, Robert ‘Bob’ (Barb) O’Rourke, of Aurora, CO and Todd O’Rourke (Tim Sinclair), of Commerce City, CO; daughter-in-law, Jami O’Rourke (Mark) Mendenhall, of North Platte; eight grandchildren, Scott (Melissa) O’Rourke, Stacey (Bob) King, Kari (Ryan) Grigg, Emily (Brock) Wurl, Adam O’Rourke, Katelyn (Josh) Sperle, Vanessa ‘Dani’ O’Rourke and Colin O’Rourke; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and other family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Van; a son, James O’Rourke; her parents, Maurice and Bessie Stephenson; two sisters, Ruby Smith and Zella Mae Keith; and two brothers, Faye and Merle Stephenson.

Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2013, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Pastor Robert O’Rourke officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 8:30 a.m. to service time at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the American Diabetes Association. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore in charge of arrangements.