Joseph Citta, Jr., 70 of Columbus, Nebraska, died Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, May 18 at 10:30 AM, at St. Bonaventure Church with Fr. Michael Swanton celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM vigil service at Gass Haney Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. Interment will be in Columbus Cemetery. In lieu of flowers or stones, memorials are suggested to Ducks Unlimited.

Joseph L. Citta, Jr. was born on August 22, 1951 to Joseph L. Citta Sr. and Marjorie (Dose) Citta in Omaha, Nebraska. Joe attended St. Mary's Catholic Grade School in Bellevue. He graduated in 1969 from Bellevue High School. Here he participated in many school activities but especially football. He attended Hastings College in Hastings Nebraska and graduated from there in 1973 with a BS in Biology. He also played football for several years while attending College. While attending school in Hastings, Joe met Susan Dahlheim and they were married on August 27, 1972. To this union, there were three children born. Jason Citta, Deborah Citta and Joseph L. Citta, III.

After graduating from college, Joe worked for the Boys Scouts of America for several years. He left the Boy Scouts in order to work for the Sarpy County Sheriff's Department.

In August, 1976, Joe began his career with Nebraska Public Power District, first as an operator at Sheldon Station and in November of that year, he moved to the Columbus General Office when the Environmental Department was begun. Joe was the Director of Corporate Environmental and Water Resources for Nebraska Public Power District. He has held positions in the operations and environmental areas for 45 years. Joe was currently responsible for NPPD's corporate environmental compliance, stewardship efforts and oversaw the environmental and water resources policies and processes that support the utility's operational and strategic needs.

Joe was a Registered Environmental Manager with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals and held the distinction of Certified Hazardous Materials Manager from the Institute of Hazard Materials Management. He had completed the Reactor Technology Program for Utility Executives at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Nuclear Engineering.

Joe served in a number of community and state leadership organizations. He was a Director and Chairman on the Board of the Lower Loup Natural Resources District, where had been an elected member for over 30 years. He was also President of the Todd Valley Wetlands Foundation. He sat on the Governance Committee of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and was appointed by the governor to serve on the State of Nebraska's Environmental Quality Council and was presently Chairman of the Council and was also appointed to the Natural Resources Commission. Nationally, he was a past Chair of the Environmental Committee for the American Public Power Association's Engineering and Operations Section and past Chair of the Environmental Task Force for the Large Public Power Council.

Joe loved his family immensely and enjoyed watching all of his grandchildren's activities. He was especially fond of all the yellow Labrador's that he had over the years. They were great companions to him when he would go to the farm to do some work.

Joe was very active in many community and sport committees and functions. He served as the President of the Nebraska BASS Federation for approximately 40 years and Local Chairman of the Ducks Unlimited Committee for 37 years

Joe loved being involved in all of these activities and committees. He was always willing to share his knowledge and wisdom with people he was involved with.

Joe is survived by:
Wife – Sue Citta of Columbus, NE
Son - Dr. Jason M. (Megan) Citta of Hershey, NE
Grandchildren - Emma, Lane, Ashley and Sam
Great-Granddaughter - Blakely
Daughter - Deborah J. (Thomas) Ford of Omaha, NE
Granddaughter - Miah
Son- Dr Joseph L. (Amberlace) Citta III of Columbus, NE
Grandchildren - Eastyn and Joe IV
Sister – Linda (Patrick Scolla) Citta of Fallston, MD
Sister-in-law – Wendy Citta of Lincoln, NE
Many nieces and nephews

Joe was preceded in death by
Parents - Joe and Marge Citta
Brother - David Citta

Service Folder Information
God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be
So He put his arms around you
And whispered "Come with Me."

With tearful eyes
We watched you suffer
And saw you fade away
Although we loved you dearly
We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating
Hardworking hands at rest
God broke our hearts to prove
He only takes the BEST.

It's lonesome here without you
We miss you more each day
Life doesn't seem the same
Since you've gone away.

When days are sad and lonely
And everything goes wrong
We seem to hear you whisper
"Cheer up and carry on."

Each time we see your picture
You seem to smile and say
"Don't cry, I'm in God's keeping
We'll meet again someday!"






In Loving Memory Of

Joseph "Joe" Citta, Jr.

Born
Wednesday, August 22, 1951
Omaha, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Omaha, Nebraska

Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday May 18, 2022 10:30 AM
St. Bonaventure Catholic Church
Columbus, Nebraska

Celebrant
Father Michael Swanton

Music
Virginia Semerad
Ann Cattau
Karissa Gleeson

Casket Bearers
Lane Citta
Shane Borer
Tyson Owens
Dave Knuth
Jim Powers
Steve Wilson
David Citta
Todd Ford

Interment
Columbus Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska