Charlene (Jo) (Baker) Hamilton, 82, of Lincoln, NE passed away peacefully on April 13, 2023. Born May 21, 1940 to Ivan and Arlene (Stastny) in Lincoln, NE. Charlene attended Northeast high school and married her sweetheart Jerry Hamilton, in 1957. Dad was stationed in Lincoln at the old Air Force base (now Lincoln airport.) Jerry served proudly in the United States Air Force for over 20 years. As a military wife and mother, the USAF took Jo and family to many interesting parts of the world, including Tampa FL, Michigan, Lincoln (while Jerry was deployed in Vietnam), Clark AFB Philippine Islands for 4 plus years, Clovis NM, Austin, TX and finally back to Lincoln upon her husband’s retirement from the USAF in 1975.
Charlene dedicated her early life to managing the household and raising her 3 children as Jerry was serving his country, including 2 years away from home while in Vietnam. Her courage and strength during this time was significant and many difficult moments were endured as any young mother understands. When the kids were in high school, Charlene went out into the working world for the first time to help support the family. She became an assembly technician at Control Data Corp in Lincoln from 1978 until 1984, manufacturing computer disks for this exciting new industry. Later she moved to La Grange, GA (Jerry’s hometown) as he became employed as Deputy Sherriff of Troup County, GA. She very much enjoyed the southern hospitality and the many friendships she developed there but returned to Lincoln in 1988 to care for her mother Arlene and helped to keep her at home until her passing. Jo then went back to work for the American Greeting Card Company for many years before her retirement.
Charlene and Jerry enjoyed traveling to outdoor locations like Yellowstone, Estes Park, Grand Canyon, camping, fishing and spending quality time with their children and grandchildren. Their lives were both dedicated to serving their country, their communities, and their family. Their courage and many sacrifices are greatly respected and appreciated by those who knew them well. She had a passion and appreciation for music of nearly all genres but was particularly fond of the Marching Bands in which many family members participated. She was an avid reader and a great fan of John Wayne and the recently developed Yellowstone series and its spinoff programs.
Charlene was preceded in death by husband, Jerry Hamilton and son Jeffrey Hamilton. She is survived by son Greg Hamilton of Parker, CO and his children Jenna and Jack, daughter Julie Hamilton of Lincoln and her children Heather, Danielle, Emily and Jacob as well as son-in-law Steve Lillich and Jeff Hamilton’s children Aleah Alt and Kristy Hille and 8 great grandchildren.
Memorial service to be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at Wyuka Funeral Home, 3600 O Street, Lincoln. Reception to follow. Interment at Fairview Cemetery, 84th and Adams, Lincoln.
The memorial service may be viewed live by clicking on the following livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/@wyukafuneralhome1760/streams
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Disabled American Veterans or Lincoln People’s City Mission.
Julie, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
You will be so missed grandma. We love you!! ❤️
Love you and miss you very much Mom!
Mom Jo as I called her was a very classy lady who had a heart of gold. She accepted me into her family when I married her daughter Julie after I returned from a hitch in the Navy. I felt her every bit my mother as much as my own. Julie and I were very young when we married and the trials and tribulations of married life proved to great for Julie and I and I was an irresponsible young man saddled with drinking and substance abuse issues that were my way of dealing with
Mental wounds from my service. She stepped up and helped Julie and my two girls helping with all she had. She had everything to do with the two wonderful daughters Julie and I have and how they turned out, both being college graduates and it goes without saying how wonderful her daughter Julie turned out. Because Mom Joe was the example for Julie of what being a mother entails. Julie was an excellent pupil and taught our daughters how to be wonderful mothers as well. So I have been able to see Mom Jo in Julie, Heather,Dani and now our granddaughter Kyla . Our grandson Preston was spoiled rotten by Mom Jo as well. One thing for sure is that her smile now lights up heaven as it did in the days of our lives down here. I smile now thinking of the many one-line zingers she told and the infectious laugh that grabbed ahold of me and caused many a belly laugh. I shared her love of Willie Nelson ‘s music and her love of the great John Wayne or the “Duke “as we called him. What a lady, what a life, what a family. Till we meet again Mom Jo, watch over us all and help us all, with our memories of you, have compassion for our fellow beings here on earth and to always face difficult times with levity and a sense of purpose. Peace be with you always. Love Always, Lee
Julie,
I am so sorry for your loss. I am so happy that you were able to be with her through it all.
I know she loved being with you every night and waking up with you every morning. She was so proud of you and loved you beyond words. I am happy that she is know with both your dad and Jeff and I know she is smiling down on both you and Greg feeling very blessed. Sending my thoughts and prayers.
All my love to you and the family,
Kris