Dr. Jody Isernhagen, beloved wife, educator, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026. She was born on June 20, 1948, in Colonial Heights, Virginia, to Otto and Ruby Sponsler.

Jody was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Ruby Sponsler, and by her sister, Joy Oleyar.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Dennis Isernhagen; her sister, Judy Groves and her husband, Thomas, of Colonial Heights, Virginia; her brothers, Art Sponsler and his wife, Nancy, of Louisville, Kentucky, and Jeff Sponsler and his wife, Bonnie, of Sutherland, Virginia; her brother-in-law, Jim Oleyar of Prince George, Virginia; her sons, Joel Isernhagen and his wife, Courtney, and their children, Jamen, Emma, and Ava; Jason Isernhagen and his wife, Amy, and their children, Brad and Sean; two great-grandchildren, Miley and Jackson, children of Brad Isernhagen; along with many cherished nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family members.

Education was Jody's life's calling. She earned her Doctorate in Education from Virginia Tech and devoted 46 years to improving schools and supporting educators. Her professional career began as a teacher in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She later moved to Prince William County, Virginia, where she served as a teacher, principal, and curriculum director. Throughout her distinguished career, she became widely recognized for her expertise in educational leadership, school improvement, and assessment. She authored numerous articles on school improvement and was a sought-after presenter at local, state, and national conferences, sharing her knowledge and passion with educators across the country. In recognition of her leadership and service to education, she received the Nebraska Council of School Administrators Distinguished Service Award in 1997. Her scholarly work was further recognized in 2013 when she received the Howard Dawson Outstanding Paper Award for the year's best research paper, honoring her significant contributions to educational research and the advancement of school improvement.

It was while attending one of these conferences in California that Jody met the love of her life, Dennis Isernhagen. After a season of traveling between Virginia and Nebraska, the two were married in Sutton, Nebraska, beginning a loving partnership built on faith, family, and a shared love of learning.

After moving to Nebraska, Jody served as principal of Hastings Middle School for two years before becoming Superintendent of Schools in Crete, Nebraska, where she faithfully served for ten years. She later joined the faculty at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, first as an Assistant Professor and later as an Associate Professor. One of her greatest joys was mentoring graduate students. Each commencement ceremony held special meaning as she proudly watched her students cross the stage to receive their master's and doctoral degrees. Their accomplishments were among her greatest rewards.

Jody was also a woman of deep faith. She was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Crete, Nebraska, where she found fellowship, purpose, and many lasting friendships. Her faith guided her life of service, compassion, and generosity toward others.

Throughout her life, Jody treasured time with family. An annual family beach vacation was a tradition she enjoyed from childhood and continued throughout her life. Whether spending February in Cancun or gathering along the North Carolina coast each July, these trips created countless cherished memories and strengthened the bonds of family across generations.

Jody's legacy extends far beyond the schools she led and the classrooms she taught. She will be remembered for her unwavering commitment to education, her compassionate leadership, her encouragement of future educators, and the countless lives she influenced throughout her career. Whether serving as a teacher, principal, superintendent, professor, researcher, or mentor, she believed every child deserved an excellent education and every educator deserved the opportunity to grow and succeed. Her work left an enduring impact on schools, communities, and generations of educational leaders.

Above all, Jody treasured her family, valued her friendships, and was deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve students, educators, and communities throughout her life. She believed that life's greatest blessings were found in faith, family, friendship, and service to others. The family finds comfort in knowing that her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched, the educators she mentored, the students who continue to benefit from her life's work, and the love she shared so generously with everyone fortunate enough to know her.

To those who knew her, Jody's greatest lesson was that leadership is measured not by titles held, but by lives changed.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23.

A Celebration of LIfe will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the United Church of Christ, First Congregational in Crete.

Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.