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Belva Jean (Johnson) Kirchhoff, 90, of Avoca, Nebraska died peacefully, surrounded by family, on August 15, 2025, at Waterford Assisted Living in Lincoln, NE.  Belva was born on September 7, 1934, in rural Shubert, NE to Elmer and June (Barker) Johnson.

Belva was raised in Pocatello, Idaho until she moved to rural Avoca, Nebraska in the 6th grade where she remained for the rest of her childhood and adulthood.  Belva graduated from Avoca High School in 1952 where she was on the volleyball team, a cheerleader, and was her class valedictorian.  Belva married her high school sweetheart Harlan Diedriech Kirchhoff on April 7, 1953, at North Branch First Lutheran Church in Avoca, NE.  Harlan and Belva had three children: Cheryl, Shane, and Michele.

Belva was a homemaker who spent most of her time taking care of their children and helping around the farm.  She loved baking and decorating birthday and wedding cakes for many in the community.  She taught Sunday School and Bible School at North Branch First Lutheran Church.  Belva spent a lot of time gardening, painting, sewing, reading, watching Husker volleyball and football, and playing scrabble.  You would often find Belva and Harlan watching the birds in their backyard from the dining room window.  After raising their children, she worked for a period at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office in Weeping Water, NE.  She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  Nothing brought her more joy than being with her family.

Belva is survived by Children: Cheryl (Lou) Meek of Omaha, Shane (Mary) Kirchhoff of Avoca, and Michele (Steve) Mueller of Avoca.  Grandchildren: Lori Kirchhoff of Syracuse, Lizabeth Kirchhoff of Omaha, Joel (Marci) Mueller of Panama, Carolyn Meek of Omaha, Jordan (Brittany) Mueller of Palmyra.  Great Grandchildren: Hailey, Ryan, & Emma Kirchhoff of Syracuse, Jerome Jr., Talan, & Sophia Green of Omaha, and Sawyer & Hudson Mueller of Palmyra.  Brothers: David (Becky) Johnson of Lampasas, TX and Darrel (Jan) Johnson of Avoca.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, parents-in-law, Fred John and Caroline Emma Sophie (Ludwig) Kirchhoff, brother, Jerry Johnson, daughter-in-law, Kim (Scheef) Kirchhoff, and grandson Jess Ryan Kirchhoff.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at First Lutheran (North Branch) in rural Avoca, NE.  The service will be livestreamed on the First Lutheran Youtube page.

The burial will be at First Lutheran Cemetery (North Branch).

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 20, from 1:00 until 5:00 P.M. with the family greeting friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Funeral Home in Syracuse, NE.

In lieu of flowers memorial suggested to the Syracuse Rescue Squad and Fire Department.

Arrangements By: Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE 402-269-2441