Jan L. Knuth

A memorial service for Janet L. Knuth will be held on November 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Darren Theesen officiating.

The service will be live-streamed via the First Baptist Church's website, and their YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5cg1UWKFXc

Janet Leigh "Jan" (Skaggs) Knuth, 60 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Jan was born in Holdrege, Nebraska, on January 14, 1965, the second of three children, born to Wes and Monica (Valentine) Skaggs. She received her education from Holdrege Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1983. She pursued higher education and received a degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant from Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas.

Following her education for over 20 years, Jan worked as a Physical Therapy Assistant, starting in Holdrege at Holdrege Physical Therapy, and continued working across the state for Tabitha Home Health. Jan had a love for Halloween and scaring others since she was a little girl. She started a yard haunt at their residence, after a few years, it had grown so much that she bought a house to expand her vision and started Gray House Haunts. Jan also authored her own haunt book, Not Afraid to Slay, Women Of The Haunt Industry.

On November 12, 2005, Jan was united in marriage to Steven Knuth at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege. The couple made their home in Holdrege.

Jan enjoyed spending time at Johnson Lake and nurturing a beautiful garden. Her passion for animal welfare across the state, particularly for dogs, was inspiring. She was committed to providing a loving home to the most vulnerable dogs from shelters, and she was an asset on the board for the Holdrege Animal Rescue. Jan's love and devotion to her family and friends were equally unwavering, and she consistently demonstrated kindness and generosity to those around her. Her laughter was infectious, and her kind-heartedness and loyalty were truly remarkable. Jan had no tolerance for injustice, and she was always a voice for the voiceless.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents.

Jan is survived by her husband, Steve Knuth of Holdrege; one brother, John Skaggs and his wife, Lisa of Axtell, Nebraska; one sister, JoAnne Breinig and her husband, Loren of Johnson Lake, Nebraska; nieces and nephews: Shai Stroh and her husband, Andrew of Hutchinson, Kansas; Wesley Christensen and Rae of Holdrege; AJ Skaggs and his wife, Madisen Eckhoff of Funk, Nebraska; Aaron Skaggs of Kearney, Nebraska; Addyson Skaggs of Axtell; one great niece, Briar Skaggs; Steve's children: Ronda and her husband, Brad Barwick and their children, Kiley of Cozad, Nebraska and Austin of Orleans, Nebraska; Dawn and her husband, Rick Dierking and their child, Gabe of Elkhorn, Nebraska; and Jamie and his wife, Anja Knuth and their children, Mailin and Hannah of Wismar, Germany; and a host of other relatives, and friends.

There will be no visitation or memorial book signing. The family is honoring Jan's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Jan's honor, and kindly suggested to Holdrege Animal Rescue.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.