Judith "Jody" Talarico-Kunze, age 79, of Milford, NE, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Jody was born in Carroll, Iowa, on July 20, 1946. Jody graduated from Atlantic High School in Atlantic, Iowa, and went on to study English education at Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, Missouri. She later continued her studies, earning an endorsement in school library science.

Over the course of many years, Jody dedicated her career to education, teaching English and library science while serving in a variety of roles within different school systems. Her work took her to several schools, including Beckman High School in Dyersville, Iowa; Wilber-Clatonia Public Schools in Wilber, Nebraska; Crete Public Schools in Crete, Nebraska; Fillmore Central Public Schools in Fairmont and Geneva, Nebraska; and Milligan-Exeter Public Schools in Milligan and Exeter, Nebraska.

In addition to her work in public schools, Jody owned and operated the Sugar and Spice Learning Center in Iowa and served as a librarian with Lincoln City Libraries in Lincoln, Nebraska.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Louise Gubbels, father, Willis Henderson, step-father, Victor Gubbels, husband, Ernest Talarico, and second husband, Calvin Kunze.

She is survived by her sons Stephen Talarico and his wife Michelle Lisec-Talarico of Lincoln, Nebraska, Francesco "Cody" Talarico, his wife Jennifer, and son Francesco "Graham" of Bellevue, Nebraska; her sister, Vickie Behrends and her husband Todd of Clive, Iowa; her sisters-in-law, Fran Stefani of Ankeny, Iowa, and Marylin Talarico of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and her brother-in-law, Rick Kunze and his wife Bobbie of Table Rock, Nebraska; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jody was an avid reader, loved animals–especially dogs–and enjoyed being active in her local library and church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, at 106 W 6th Street in Atlantic, IA, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM with a rosary preceding the service at 9:30 AM. The Reverend Bradley Robey will be the celebrant. Jody will be inurned at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, 63302 East 7th Street, Atlantic, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the family who will designate them at a later time.