Janis "Jan" Kay (Baldwin) Lauber

Janis “Jan” Kay (Baldwin) Lauber passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 26, 2022, in Seward, Nebraska, at the age of 73 years. Jan was born July 5, 1948, to Ralph and Wilma Baldwin in Hicksville, Ohio.

Jan grew up in Archbold, Ohio, and graduated Archbold High School in 1966. Initially, Jan was a homemaker raising her three children before returning to college as a working mom and post-traditional student, obtaining her Bachelor of Education degree from Bowling Green State University in 1990. Jan loved that she was part of four generations of women in her family who graduated BGSU.  After her undergraduate studies she then embarked on her career as a special education schoolteacher. Jan received her Master of Education degree in 1998 from University of Findlay. Jan enjoyed substitute teaching well into her 60s, when she retired from teaching in 2018. Most would agree, though, that Jan’s most favorite job was being a mom and grandma.

Jan was an avid reader, a love that she passed on to her children and her students. Jan thoroughly enjoyed a good cup of hot tea, chocolate, all things Native American, and collecting dolls. She had a special place in her heart for animals of all kinds, her home had all manner of animals from turtles and snakes to hamsters and ferrets, and so many special dogs and cats. Jan had a deep love for horses that she passed on to her daughter, Susan; in fact, as she passed from this world it was with the image of riding a beautiful chestnut mare into the sunset.

Jan is survived by her son, Joe (Sheri) Lauber, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; daughters and sons-in-law Laura (Tim) Brubaker of Bowling Green, Ohio, and Susan (Don) Buckley of Abilene, Kansas. Jan’s eight grandchildren are Christian and Lauren Lauber; Logan, Marissa, Alaina, and Nate Brubaker; and Brady and Lexi Buckley. She is also survived by eight nieces and nephews, both in the Seward area and across the country, and by her beloved Callie Cat of the home.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Ralph and Wilma Baldwin, sisters Anneita Bair and Donna Klopfenstein, brother Joey, her former husband, Gary Lauber, as well as her brothers-in-law, Norm Bair and Terry Klopfenstein.

Services will be held later. The family requests that flowers or plants not be sent, rather please make a donation in Jan’s memory to your local animal shelter or to a charity of your choosing. Jan’s wishes included a celebration of life and to have her ashes scattered in the Smoky Mountains.  The family will announce the details for the celebration of life to be held in Ohio later this year.

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