Jane Marlene (Luebbe) Varner passed away Oct. 29, 2026, in Seward, at the age of 89.
She was the daughter of Theodore and Irene (Brandt) Luebbe and was born Dec. 13, 1936, on a farm near Staplehurst. Jane became a child of God when she was baptized Dec. 27, 1936, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Staplehurst. She attended grade school at Immanuel Lutheran (now Our Redeemer) School in Staplehurst and was confirmed at Immanuel in Staplehurst on April 2, 1950. It was during her years at Immanuel that she developed the desire to be a teacher in Lutheran schools.
She graduated from Seward High School in 1954 and began her further education at Concordia Teachers College (now Concordia University) in Seward. After two years of college courses, she taught at St. Paul Lutheran School in Beatrice for two years, her dream of being a teacher had begun.
She met Roger, her life partner, in sixth grade at Immanuel, Staplehurst. They continued their friendship at Concordia, and when Roger finished his degree at Concordia, they were married in 1958 at Immanuel, Staplehurst. God blessed them with two sons, Mark of Deshler, and Jonathan (Brenda) of Newport Coast, California.
After her marriage, she continued taking education courses from various colleges and universities and graduated in 1975 with a Bachelors Degree in Education from Concordia, Seward, A couple years later she added an Early Childhood Endorsement. Most of her 35-year career was spent teaching the Lambs of Christ in Early Childhood Education settings.
Jane and Roger taught together in six Lutheran elementary schools: Columbia, South Dakota; Libby, Montana; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Williamsburg, Iowa; Linn, Kansas and Baxter, Minnesota. At their last assignment in Baxter, they started a new Lutheran school for the Brainerd Circuit. She also served in various leadership capacities for the districts in which she taught and after retirement served seven years as consultant for the LCMS in the Strengthening Schools and Congregations program. During her retirement, she served as a visiting representative of the Nebraska District to free-standing preschools in the district.
Jane also served in various roles at St. John, Seward: Stephen Ministry, Handbells, Human Care Board and sharing in pianist duties at the Sunday morning worship services at the Ridgewood Care Center. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, reading and an unexpected skill in decorative painting during her retirement.
Jane is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law; two grandchildren, Ashley and Branden Varner; two step-grandchildren, Krista Elsworth and two step-great-grandchildren, Karinne and Kai; sister and brother-in-law, Dianne and Brian Ihde; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Karen Luebbe; brother-in-law, Dwight Overturf; nieces, nephews and many cousins.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Roger; sister-in-law, Kathy Overturf; and step-granddaughter, Melissa Elsworth.
Visitation will be Sunday, Nov. 8, from 1:30 – 3 p.m. at Volzke Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Monday, Nov. 9, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with committal at the Seward Cemetery.
Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
