Joni Kay Stinson

Joni Kay Stinson
June 13, 1939 – January 20, 2020

Joni Kay Stinson passed away on January 20, 2020, in Omaha, Nebraska. She was born in Redmond, Oregon, but grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from Checotah High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in Food, Nutrition and Institutional Administration from Oklahoma State University and went on to receive her master’s degree in Dietetics from Baylor University Medical Center. Throughout her professional career she consulted at nursing centers across the country, planning menus and designing facility kitchens. She was a personal nutritional consultant as well. Additionally, she was an instructor, speaker, and author, including co-authoring the book, Nutrition and Aging, with her husband, Warren.

Joni was a Native American Indian and is registered with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She was very proud of her heritage and a passionate defender of the culture and art. Her love of Native American art, pottery and jewelry took her annually to the Indian Market in Santa Fe, NM. She too was a talented artist and found her love for beading in later years. You could often find her at powwows sharing and selling her designs. She was a member of many groups over the years including The Circle of Grandmothers, UNMC Faculty Women’s Club where she was former president, long-time secretary of her VFW Ladies Auxiliary and a den mother for the Boy Scouts. She was also an accomplished storyteller and spoke fondly of times with family and with friends from all across the country.

Joni was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 52 years, Dr. Warren William Stinson; mother, Kathryn Lancaster; father, Johnie Walker; brother, Max Walker; sister, Marilyn Ceraulo; brother-in-law, Paul Ceraulo; and sister-in-law, Nancy Stinson. She is survived by her son, W. Scott Stinson and wife, Kerry Stinson of Omaha; son, W. Patrick Stinson of Omaha; grandchildren, Sydney Stinson, her fiancée Mitch Eisentrager and their son Isaiah of Lincoln, Mason Stinson and Katelynn Oddo of Omaha, and Olivia Stinson of Omaha. She is also survived by nieces, Amanda Zecchin and family of Stamford, Connecticut and Jennifer Walker and family of Luther, Oklahoma; nephews, Mark Walker and family of Edmund, Oklahoma, Max Keith Walker and Michael Walker and family all of Yukon, Oklahoma. Additional family and many friends.

Celebration of Life: Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., West Center Chapel.
Memorials are suggested to a charity of one’s choice.