Janice L Stuhmer

Funeral Services for Janice L. Stuhmer will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Alma, Nebraska with Pastor Paul Ferrarone officiating. Interment will be held in the Alma Cemetery following the services.

Janice L. (Hanna) Stuhmer was born April 3, 1943, the eldest of three children born to Eleanor (Jacobsen) and Wayne Hanna of Sterling, Illinois. Jan attended grade schools in Milledgeville, Illinois and Gary Indiana, graduating from West Aurora High School in Illinois with the class of 1961. Jan started working as a candy striper at the age of fourteen, and pursued her chosen career at Augustana School of Nursing in Chicago. Jan graduated at the top of her class, winning the hospital's Bess Lanng Memorial for superior nursing and academics on September, 13, 1964. While in Chicago she met the love of her life, Neil Stuhmer. They married February 13, 1965 at the Wesley Methodist Church in Aurora, Illlinois, and made their home in Alma, Nebraska. To this union two children were born: Timothy Neil and Tana Janel.

Nursing was a true calling for Jan and she immediately went to work in Oxford, Nebraska for Dr. Bentley's clinic. Soon she was able to work at the Alma Clinic for Dr. Long and his various associates. Every patient was treated with love and dignity, and while at the Alma Medical Clinic, Jan earned the reputation for giving the best (least painful) shots! In spite of working outside the home, Jan always put her family first, making many a memory as she guided them through lessons, school, packed huge picnics for the beach, and followed all their activities with Neil at her side. There was always room for family and friends in Jan's home. She never met a baby she didn't love, and often set a place at her holiday table for someone who "needed" a place to go. Jan did holidays large, decorating and cooking until there was no room for more. After her children were out of the home, Jan joined the home health field, traveling where she was needed day or night in Harlan County and beyond. The last of her career days were spent working at the Colonial Villa in Alma, from which she retired Sept. 30, 2006. She wasn't done nursing however, as she became the caregiver on call for several family members, particularly her husband this past year.

Somehow, Jan also managed to make time for serving the community through the Women of Peace Lutheran Church, the Alma School Board, the Kearney Area Agency on Aging, Harlan County Caring Cupboard, and Teammates. She was a member, past president, and current officer of Chapter BJ P.E.O. ; belonged to Book Club, Athena Sorority, and the Red Hat Society; and played in several bridge clubs.

She enjoyed her Bible studies, coffee with friends, and was a faithful follower of her grandchildren's pursuits. Until last year, she and Neil had a large garden, which Jan canned, preserved, and shared. She was especially looking forward to celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary with Neil next month, and was heartbroken to lose him on January 8th of this year. January 17, 2015 Jan passed away suddenly at the Harlan County Health Systems, following an activity - filled day enjoying her grandchildren. She and Neil will be together on their anniversary after all.

In addition to her husband Neil, Jan was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Hanna in 1985, her father-in-law Henry Stuhmer in 1997, and her mother-in-law Mildred Stuhmer in 2011.

She leaves to mourn her passing her son, Tim and wife, Samantha Stuhmer of Alma; daughter, Tana and husband, Dr. David Clare of Lincoln, Nebraska; grandchildren: Brady, Alexandra, and Carlee Stuhmer of Alma, and Patrick and Thomas Clare of Lincoln; mother, Eleanor Hanna of Alma; brother, James Hanna and wife, Carole of Frankfort, Illinois and brother, Lonny Hanna and wife, Sally of Alma; special nephews, nieces, other relatives, and a host of friends.

Visitation will be held at the Peace Lutheran Church in Alma on Friday, January 23, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Jan's honor and the family strongly encourages memorials to the Harlan County Health System, the Alma Fire & Rescue, the Alma Swimming Pool or the Peace Lutheran Church.

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

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.