JoAnn (Hill) Tupa-Leech

JoAnn (Hill) Tupa Leech, 94, of Humboldt, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the Colonial Acres Nursing Home.  She was born on September 8, 1931, in Humboldt, Nebraska to Roland and Wilhelmina (Early) Hill.  She was raised in Humboldt where she attended Humboldt schools and Humboldt High School.  

On February 16, 1948, JoAnn was united in marriage to Lovell Tupa in Nebraska City, Nebraska.  To this union seven children, Marsha, Wanda, Barbara, Kathy, Michael, Jeri, and Sharon were born.  The couple raised their family on a farm near Bern, Kansas where JoAnn helped with the daily chores on the farm and attending to her children.

Lovell and JoAnn moved to Humboldt in the late 1980s, after retiring from farming.  They continued to enjoy spending the winters in Harlingen, TX, until Lovell was unable to travel. Lovell passed away in 2001. In October, 2006, JoAnn married Myron Leech. Together, JoAnn and Myron enjoyed taking day trips in the area, participating in church groups, seeing all the grandkids, and just being in each other's company. 

JoAnn loved to china paint and socialize with her friends in the Forget Me Not China Club. She won many awards for her painted items at county and state fairs, even having a few pieces placed at the Porcelain Art Museum in Oklahoma. She played cards, ironed anything with a wrinkle (real or imaginary) and took pride in keeping her house clean and tidy. She always made time to spend with her family.  Her culinary skills were well known and everyone looked forward to fried chicken and homemade pies for any occasion.  

JoAnn is survived by her children: Marsha Esslinger of Belleville, KS; Barbara (Richard) McCarter of Topeka, KS; Michael Tupa of Junction City, KS; Jeri Armstrong (and partner, Del Hartshorn) of Humboldt, NE; Sharon (Melvin) Streit of Humboldt, NE; grandchildren: Matt (Marci) Shea of Lee’s Summit, MO; Scott Shea of Belleville, KS; Nicholas Shea of Telluride, CO; Kelly (Amanda) McCarter of Bellbrook, OH; Carey (Greg) Boggs of Weatherford, TX; Cody (Ciera) McCarter of Springfield, TN; Clay (Felicia) McCarter of Topeka, KS; Shane Tupa of Salina, KS; Amie Tupa of Salina, KS; Jereme Jones of Flaxville, MT; Josh Jones of Topeka, KS; Andrea (Dave) Mezger of Table Rock, NE; Ashley (Justin) Shupp of Humboldt, NE; Adam Streit (and fiance, Claire Harless) of Humboldt, NE; Alicia (Craig) Schmit of Humboldt, NE; 23 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.  

She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands Lovell Tupa and Myron Leech, daughters Wanda Hartshorn and Kathy Tupa, a sister Patricia Keeton, brothers: Ron, Jim, and Dick Hill, and son-in-law Francis Esslinger.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 23, 2026 at the United Methodist Church in Humboldt, Nebraska with Pastor Lori Stevens officiating.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026 at the Wherry Mortuary in Humboldt, Nebraska.

Memorials contributions may go to the family's choice with a later designation. 

Interment will immediately follow in the Mound (Prospect) Cemetery, rural Humboldt, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com. 

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