After early years in Kansas, she and her family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where she attended Junior and Senior High School, graduating from Lincoln High School. She then attended a hair-dressing academy and worked as a hairdresser for a few years.
Jo married Richard Tyrrell on January 29, 1961, and they had four children. She worked as a nurse’s aide at a nursing home before beginning a 30-year career as a cardiovascular tech at Bryan Hospital.
Jo enjoyed attending activities of her children and grandchildren, as well as hosting many family dinners for holidays and special events. Jo liked to travel, visiting family members in other states, taking tours of different parts of the country, attending away Husker football games, especially Bowl games. She was adept at crafts, sewing, knitting, and crocheting; she taught a granddaughter to knit, and started making a quilt for her grandchildren.
Jo spent many hours researching family history; both on her side of the family and Richard’s side. She had more interests than she had time; but she lived life.
She is survived by her husband, Richard; children Greg Tyrrell, Denise (Ross) Marino, Brad (Kathy) Tyrrell, Stephanie (Chris) Hunteman; grandchildren Brice (Haley) Tyrrell, Dillon Tyrrell, Briana (Jeff) Reese, Mason Tyrrell, Tanner Marino, Michael Hunteman (Madison Rossitto), Jenna Hunteman, Jessie Tyrrell, Sophia Tyrrell; great-grandchild Carter Reese; siblings Mary Kalcik and Jim Martin, along with several cousins, nieces, nephews, and her beloved dog, Herbie.
Preceded in death by siblings Richard Martin, Chuck Martin, Frank Martin, Sonja Martin, Laura Arnt, Lou Recker, and Barb Hotaling.
Memorials to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Alzheimer’s Association.