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Amy Fahnestock, 86, of Grand Island NE

Amy Fahnestock, 86, of Grand Island, Nebraska passed away at CHI-St Francis in Grand Island on Thur, Feb 26th.  Services to celebrate Amy’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday March 2nd at Calvary Lutheran Church, 13th and Custer, Grand Island. Pastor Sheri Lodel will officiate.  There will be no visitation as Amy chose to be cremated.  The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be given to either Calvary Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.  All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island is serving the family.

Mrs. Fahnestock was born on a farm south of Scribner, NE on January 23rd, 1929 to Martin and Martha (Nieman) Schroeder.  Amy graduated from Scribner High in 1947. On February 10th, 1950 she married the love of her life, Robert Fahnestock, also of Scribner. They were blessed with 59 happy years of marriage. Son, Rob Jr and daughter, Jill, were borne out of this union.

In the early 70’s, Bob and Amy became members of the Foster and Adoptive Parents Association of Nebraska. They provided a loving home for foster children Lucy, Virginia, Mark, Jolene, Margie, Vickie, Jeanna, LaRae, Justine, John, Michael, Roberta and Monica over the next 10 plus years. They were active supporters of foster and adoptive care through their retirement years.  They were honored as Native Son and Daughter of the Year by their hometown of Scribner for their work on behalf of foster children.

In their retirement years, both Bob and Amy worked as family supporters for the State of Nebraska; working with families in crisis.
For 20 years, Bob and Amy were active in, and thoroughly enjoyed participating in, a Marriage Encounter Spiral Group.

Amy was an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church. She served on the board, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, spent 10 years as Calvary’s funeral lunch coordinator and served as co-president of Women of Calvary for many years.   One of Amy’s favorite Bible verses was “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Amy loved playing games and cards with her family. She loved writing and won a contest, had a story published and a true story she wrote was used by her Veterinarian, both at a convention and later in a book he wrote. Amy loved dogs, cats, oil painting, collecting recipes, word game books, reading and dancing. Amy began painting again during her stay at Wedgewood, but left-handed. She was proud and pleased to sell her first painting at 85 years of age.

Amy was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, in 2009; parents, sister Laura and two brothers-in-law.

Amy is survived by her son Robert Jr, his wife Virginia Fahnestock, daughter Jill Fahnestock, grandson, Ben Fahnestock; all of Grand Island. She is also survived by 13 foster children, sister Arlene Carper of Oakland, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ken and Lou Ann Henkins of Omaha, seven nieces and nephews, as well as many cousins and friends.

Amy Fahnestock