Janice Jo (Sinn) Keyser was born March 11, 1941, in Hebron, Nebraska, the daughter of Christian Carl and Ethel Maude (Wells) Sinn. She died October 13, 2026, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

She started school at District 14 in Thayer County, Nebraska. During 3rd grade, she began attending Alexandria Public Schools, graduating in 1958 as class valedictorian. She attended Fairbury Junior College for one year, then worked at the Fairbury Daily News (1958-1962) and the Custer County Chief (1962-1964).

Janice married James Melvin Keyser on December 15, 1964, in Custer County, Nebraska. They had three daughters, Joanna, Jeanne and Janell. Janice served as a 4-H leader and was an extension club member in Thayer County.

The family moved to Broken Bow, NE in 1977 and Janice worked at Stockman’s Café, then later cooked and baked at the Tumbleweed Café for 17 years. She was known for her baked goods and Christmas cookies and candy that were shared with patrons during the holiday season. She later worked at Custer Care Center before retiring.

Janice was a gifted seamstress – she learned to sew at age 5 on a treadle sewing machine and spent the next 80 years of her life sharing that gift with others, making her own clothing, special outfits for her kids, wedding and prom dresses for family members, and many quilts for donation to the VA and Shriner’s Hospital. Jan was also gifted at crochet – her favorite wedding gift to give was a filet crochet framed surname for the couple; she made at least 25 throughout her life.

Jan enjoyed reading, gardening, Dairy Queen ice cream cones, going for a drive in the country, and looking at old houses that had been refurbished. She collected Frankoma pottery and was especially known for her beef and noodles, pies, Runzas and bread/rolls.

Survived by:

• Daughters Joanna Keyser of Lincoln, NE, Jeanne Keyser (Randy Holdsworth) of Douglas, NE and Janell Keyser (Derek Bell) of Denver, CO; grandsons Kristopher John (Allison) Staab, II, of Red Oak, IA, and James Robert (Kierra) Staab of Lincoln, NE. Great grandchildren Alley, Ryder, Gracie, Adelynn and Gertrude Louise “Gigi”.

• Sister Margarite Wolf; brothers-in-law Marvin (Kay) Keyser and Roger Keyser; sister-in-law Diane Keyser, several nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

• Her beloved Miss Kitty.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, husband Jim, in-laws, sister Katharine King and brother-in-law Willie King, two twin brothers who died in infancy, brothers-in-law Steve Keyser and Gayle Lewis Keyser, and special friends Kathy Eberle and Betty Yeargain.

The family expresses heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Heartland Ridge, Bryan Health, Prairie Orthopaedic & Plastic Surgery and Angels Care Home Health for their endless compassion, patience, empathy and encouragement. We also sincerely appreciate her care companions, Lillie, Bella, Elli, Izabelle and Sue, who painted her nails, made sure she didn’t miss any televised Husker football or volleyball events, and played endless games of Kings Corners. We are forever grateful to this team of caregivers who made it possible for mom to remain safe, comfortable and surrounded by love.

Please join us for an open house to share memories and celebrate Janice’s life on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 1-4pm at the Douglas Community Center, 200 Main Street, Douglas, NE, 68344.

Inurnment will occur at a later date in the Broken Bow Cemetery, Broken Bow, NE.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family asks for memorial donations to be shared between The Cat House in Lincoln, NE, and the Wells Caring Cousins Mahoney reunion sewing projects (est. 2001). Memorials can be sent to the Keyser family, in care of Jeanne Keyser, 235 East 5th Street, Douglas, NE 68344.

Arrangements by Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE 402-269-2441