Janice Kay (Bailey) Hofferber, age 81, of Kearney, Nebraska passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Kearney, Nebraska, following a courageous battle with cancer. Jan was born on November 6, 1942, in Wichita, Kansas, to William F. and Adelia Marie (Stillman) Bailey. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. As a young girl, Jan and her mother moved to Nebraska to be closer to family. Janice graduated from Elwood High School.
On December 17, 1959, she was united in marriage to Merlyn D. Schutz at Salem Lutheran Church. They made their home in Elwood, Nebraska. To this union four children were born: Keven, Kristi, Lisa and Jeff. They later divorced. The majority of Jan’s working years were spent working at the Gosper County Courthouse, where she made many friends. On September 3,1984, she married Gary L. Hofferber at Johnson Lake, later making their home in rural Cozad. Jan and Gary grew incredible vegetable gardens and had a lawn that rivaled the greens at Augusta National. She canned, pickled, and froze produce and made jams and jellies, often sharing the fruits of her labor with others. Jan was very talented and hardworking, completing many home projects. She was a talented seamstress, making clothing for her family. Jan crocheted many beautiful afghans and baby blankets, as well as incredible embroidered quilts and baby quilts, cherished by all who received them. Anyone who knew Jan knew she had a very, very soft place in her heart for dogs, especially her beloved “Buddy”. She loved visiting the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and enjoyed the beauty of nature and all God’s creations. Anyone who knew Jan knew that she was very genuine and humble, giving and kind. She will be missed by all who loved her.
Jan was preceded in death by her husband Gary on March 28, 2015; parents, William Bailey and Adelia Claussen, step-father Hollis Claussen, and step-mother Evelyn Bailey; brother David Bailey, son Jeff Schutz, son-in-law Joseph Miranda, granddaughter Madison Amia Schutz; father and mother-in-law George and Ida Hofferber, brother-in-law Donald (Betty) Hofferber, and sisters-in-law Georgia (Bill) Speak and Fran Hofferber.
Jan is survived by her children: son Keven (Kathi) Schutz, Elwood, NE, daughters Kristi Miranda, Dallas, TX, and Lisa (Greg) Huerta, Kearney, NE, daughter-in-law Michelle Schutz; step-sons Brent (Carolyn) Hofferber and Scott (Mary) Hofferber; grandchildren: Ashley (Wendy) Huerta, Jason (Breann) Huerta, Audrey Miranda, Sabrina (Max) Lawson, Vincent Miranda, Sequin (Ryan) Brewer, Kristina Ramirez, Samantha Schutz, Felishia Brock; great-grandchildren: Jacob and Trevor Huerta, Cody Drudik, Adrian Ramirez, Emmalyn Jackson, and Sarinah Schutz; Joshua Hofferber, Adam Hofferber, Sarah Bronn and Elizabeth Ewing, step-sisters Nancy Claussen and Saundra Bailey, and step-brother Duane Claussen.
Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the Kearney Area Animal Shelter.
Viewing and visitation will be Friday, July 26, 2024, from 4 PM till 6 PM at Elwood Funeral Home, Elwood, Nebraska. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 10 AM at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, in Elwood, Nebraska with Rev. Aaron Witt. A burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Lexington, Nebraska. Elwood Funeral Home of Elwood, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.