Joann Aerni, 64, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Thursday, September 22, 2022, at Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, September 27, at Gass Haney Funeral Home with Rev. Patrick Sparling officiating. Visitation will be on Monday, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM and will continue Tuesday, from 1:00 PM until service time, all at the funeral home. The funeral service will be broadcast live on the Gass Haney Facebook page. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery.

Joann M. Aerni was born on April 6, 1958, in Greeley, Colorado. At the age of five, she was adopted by Robert and Marlene (Benson) Boettger and moved to Norfolk, Nebraska. She attended school in Norfolk and graduated from Norfolk High School in 1976. Joann moved to Lincoln in the 1990s and it was there that she met Aaron Aerni. Joann and Aaron were united in marriage on November 17, 2007, in Columbus. Through the years, Joann worked at various convenience stores, most recently at Casey's in Columbus.

Joann was a wonderful mama who dearly loved her large family. She also had a passion for finding lost and separated family members. She was a wonderful caretaker of her family and was Aaron's biggest fan and supporter and loved watching him play drums. She had a contagious smile and was also known to have a sassy and spicy side to her. Joann loved her pet pugs and considered them her kids too. She was also known for her affinity for cheeseburgers. Joann enjoyed decorating, salsa dancing, and was a big fan of Selena. She had a strong interest in criminal justice and enjoyed watching detective and crime solving television shows.

Joann is survived by:
Husband: Aaron Aerni of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Jobi (Draper Palu) Hastings of Lincoln, NE
Grandchildren: AJ De La Cerda, Millenia De La Cerda, & Artemus Hastings
Son: Desmond Hastings of Lincoln, NE
Grandchildren: Breanna Hastings, Keyana Hastings, Desmond Hastings Jr., & Kyzaryon Hastings
Daughter: Jovina (Jake Lanini) of Lincoln, NE
Grandchildren: Emilio Hastings, Alicia (Dustin) Studola, Alexia (significant other - Philip Brooks) De La Cerda, Exzayvera Hastings, Sovenia Hastings, Dennis Hastings-Lanini, Isabella Hastings-Lanini, & Jake Lanini Jr.
Daughter: Kriatrina Martinez of North Platte, NE
Grandchildren: Kilynn Martinez, Sergio A. Martinez, Darius Martinez, & Tzion Martinez
Son: RJ Martinez of Lincoln, NE
Grandchildren: Quincy Martinez, Mason Martinez, Krishna Martinez, & Kalin Martinez
Nine Great Grandchildren
Sister: Georgia Felis of Greeley, CO
Sister: Martha Green of Minneapolis, MN
Sister: Valerie Heilig of North Platte, NE
Brother: Marvin Boettger of North Platte, NE
Brother: Mickey (Aly) Boettger of Nolansville, TX
Brother: Randy (Cheryl) Boettger of North Platte, NE
Parents-in-law: Ralph & Colleen Aerni of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-law: Justin Aerni of Columbus, NE
Sister-in-law: Ashley (Jerrimy) Patzke of Council Bluffs, IA
Joann's pugs: ChaCha, Princess Marie, Pouncer, Kibbles, & Bits

Joann was preceded in death by:
Parents: Robert & Marlene Boettger
Brother: David Martinez