A Celebration of Life for Maeve Joy Marie Stefka, age 18 months, of Sargent, NE will be Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 10:30 am at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow. The Celebration of Life will be livestreamed at www.govierbrothers.com. Interment will follow in the Douglas Grove Cemetery west of Comstock. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. A visitation will take place on Friday, October 20th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with family greeting 5:00 to 6:00 pm at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. Words of encouragement may be left online at www.govierbrothers.com.
Heaven sent for Maeve Joy Marie Stefka on October 16, 2023.
Maeve came into the world early on March 22, 2022, eager to change the lives of everyone who knew her. In her time with us, she faced many challenges with bravery, smiles, and snuggles. She was a loving and gentle soul who could be a real rascal. Maeve touched the hearts of all who knew her, whether it was family, friends, nurses, doctors, or strangers. She loved swimmy time in the bathtub and was lovingly called “Snoozy Suzie” for her ability to nap just about anywhere and anytime. Maeve gave us so many gifts in her 18 months ~ 24 days: patience, grace, kindness, acceptance, and so much love. Her final gift was her strong heart, as she was able to donate her heart valves and help two babies live on in her memory.
Left behind to cherish her memory are her “Momma and Daddies” Kyla Stefka and Guy Schlachter of Sargent, Grandma Joyce Schlachter of Fountain Hills, AZ, Grandparents John and Willow Schlachter of Metamora, MI, Nana Kim and Papa Frank Stefka of Comstock, Aunt Eva and Uncle Matt of Long Beach, CA, Godparents Aunt Mimi and Uncle James of Hastings, Uncle Caleb and Aunt Sam of Ord, Uncle CoCo of Comstock, Aunty Jen and Jeff of Omaha, Aunt Kalli of Arcadia, her girl crew cousins Taylor, Ana, Charleigh, and Macee, Breckyn and Bexley, rascally boy cousins, Ruger, Barrett, Rayden, Jace, and Jaxx, Great Grandparents “GG-Ma” Mary Stefka of Comstock, Gramma Puggie and Grampa Bud Kallhoff of Arcadia, and her snuggle buddy, Nurse Kori Goldenberg of Broken Bow. Maeve has so many more aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who loved her and will have her in their hearts forever. Her family will forever be grateful to the Emergency Staff at Jennie Melham in Broken Bow, for taking care of Maeve several times and putting their whole hearts into what they do, as well as her many “friends” at Children’s Hospital in Omaha.
Eagerly waiting to meet Maeve in Heaven were her great grandpa, Frank Stefka, great grandpa Chuck Chilewski, great grandparents Herb and Melvena Schlachter, and great grandparents Louis and Margaret Jeffries.