Janet Fulton Gauger
October 30, 1928 – February 14, 2024 Jan Gauger: our mother, our mentor, our North. Jan was born to Helen Thorne Fulton and Fred Fulton in Moscow, Idaho, and grew up in Spokane, Washington as the youngest of 7 siblings. While attending the University of Idaho, she met Wendell Gauger, who would become her husband of 38 years. She moved to Lincoln in 1957 and raised her 4 children here. Jan was a firebrand, an organizer and a change-maker. Her legacy is written all around this community – a place she made better through long-term involvement with local organizations. She served on the Lincoln Housing Authority and as Tri-Chair of the Antelope Valley project. Among groups too numerous to mention, she was active with the Red Cross, the Lincoln/Lancaster League of Women Voters, and served four terms on the Lancaster County Board. From her start in politics with the League of Women Voters, she fought tirelessly for women’s rights. As the first woman in Nebraska to be elected to a county-wide office, she broke down doors and opened the windows of local government, helping to usher in the end of “good ol’ boys” networks. She made some enemies along the way, but she made our local governing systems better and more efficient. She was an incredible role model for us, her proud children, in whom she instilled a lasting interest in local, national and international affairs. She watched the news religiously, was always the best-informed person we knew, and through lively discussion helped us understand any topic and determine our own positions. Jan was also a local business owner, founding One More Time Consignments (now omt! divine resale) in 1979, which has served tens of thousands of customers and consignors. Jan’s other interests were as broad as her accomplishments: she kept a large garden with both perennials and vegetables, which she generously shared. She loved crosswords and word puzzles and kept up a text thread with her daughters to share daily results up until her last day. In addition to the giant-sized hole she leaves in our hearts, she leaves behind her four children: Carl Gauger (Shelly), Chris Gauger (Lee Leighton), Kate Merritt (Gary), and Sarah Gauger (Charlie Duerschner); grandchildren Bri, Jeremy, Carly and Jesse Gauger, Mel and Asher Colborn, Lilly Krause, Jon and Chris Duerschner; and great-grandchildren Asa and Loren Gauger. The memorial service was held Monday, February 19th at 2:00pm at First Plymouth Church (20th and D Street). A recording of the service can be watched here. In remembrance, donations may be made in her name to the Lincoln/Lancaster League of Women Voters, The Lincoln YWCA, and Voices of Hope. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
James F. Garvey
Born on January 15, 1965. Passed away on January 14, 2024. Service information is pending. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Janet Goers
Born on May 1, 1942. Passed way on January 4, 2024. No service information at this time. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Harriet Rachel Grossbart
January 22, 1946 – November 22, 2023. Born in Hudson, NY and raised in S. Miami, FL., Harriet attended Southwest Miami High School and graduated in 1964. She went on to graduate from the University of Florida before she moved to Lincoln in 1972. Harriet was a wife, and mother, sister, advocate for persons with disabilities, a special educator and administrator of programs serving persons with developmental disabilities, both children and adults. Harriet worked at the University of Florida counseling center prior to moving to Nebraska. Once in Lincoln, she was a special educator for Lancaster Office of Mental Retardation (LOMR) and then went on to become Director of Programs at LOMR and Res Care. There she helped write the state of Nebraska regulations for special education. She also worked to obtain for LOMR one of the first accreditations of community programs serving developmentally disabled individuals. She also helped to set up adult drop-in centers for adults in Lincoln. She helped found the LOMR Foundation, which hosts over 200 special needs trusts and provides grants to disabled individuals who are unable to locate other resources. Upon retirement she was co-owner of Payee Specialists. During the last year she worked with her husband in writing a book regarding the county courthouses of Nebraska. Harriet lived to help others. She leaves many friends. She loved dogs, was a gourmet cook and loved to travel. She is survived by her husband, Dean Settle, her daughters Holly (Mark) Blankstein, Julie Calvo, and grandchildren Stella and Reed Blankstein. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elaine and Jerry Weitzman and her sisters Barbara and Linda. Memorials can be sent to the Quality of Life Foundation, formerly the LOMR Foundation, c/o First Nebraska Trust Company P.O. Box 81667 Lincoln, NE 68501. (402) 477-2200 www.myqlf.org. A Celebration of Life will be held January 22, 2024 at 1:00 at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun/The South Street Temple 2061 S. 20th Street, Lincoln, NE 68502. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Marcene Elizabeth Gardner
Marcene “Marcy” Elizabeth (Welper) Gardner, age 80, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2023, in Lincoln. She was born on December 5, 1942, to Herb and Meta Welper in Amherst, Colorado. Marcy was the beloved younger sister of Imogen (Welper) Pillard and Genevieve (Welper) Lutze.
As a baby, Marcy moved to Holyoke, Colorado, and later, at the age of 14, she relocated to Seward, Nebraska, where she attended Concordia Girls School. Her thirst for knowledge led her to further her education, and in 1961, she attended the National Business College. In Lincoln, Marcy met and married Kenneth (Kenny) Gardner. Marcy and Kenny’s union blessed them with two children, Lisa (Gardner) DeBrie and Aaron Gardner.
Marcy had a passion for antiques, gardening, and a deep love for her family. She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. To her grandchildren whom she fiercely loved and supported, she was affectionately known as “Grandma Gert”. Marcy’s memory will forever be cherished by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her legacy of love, devotion, and a passion for the things she held dear will live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.
Marcy is survived by, her daughter, Lisa (Gardner) DeBrie, son, Aaron Gardner, grandchildren, Austin, Lexi, Andrea, and Jessica Gardner, and great-grandchild, Ryland Parker. Marcy was preceded in death by, her parents, Herb and Meta Welper, and sisters, Imogen (Welper) Pillard and Genevieve (Welper) Lutze.
May Marcy’s soul find eternal peace, and may her memory be a source of comfort and joy to us all.
To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
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