Jane Elizabeth (Ruhnke) Nider

Jane Elizabeth (Ruhnke) Nider, 82, of Beatrice passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at her home in Beatrice. She was born June 2, 1943, in Fairbury to Arnold and Elizabeth (Mahloch) Ruhnke. She grew up on the family farm south of Plymouth with her brother, Robert and sister, Joanne. She attended rural District #9 and walked or rode a bike the proverbial two miles to school and back. After 8th grade, she attended Plymouth High School and graduated in 1960 along with several lifelong friends. On January 29, 1961, she married Larry Nider at Peace United Church of Christ in Plymouth and was an active member at Peace until moving to Beatrice. Larry and Jane raised their three children, Wesley, Jacqueline and Thomas on the family farm and thoroughly enjoyed watching them, along with nieces and nephews, as they progressed through Tri County Schools. A 1972 graduate of Doane College, Jane worked as a substitute teacher and later worked as a library clerk at Southeast Community College-Beatrice, Fairbury Public Library and helped set up the Plymouth Public Library. While at SCC, she was an advisor to the international students group. Her experiences with students from Pakistan, Nepal and Japan broadened her horizons and led to many valued friendships. After Larry and Jane retired to Flowing Springs, Beatrice, they both were involved in volunteer activities at the Food Pantry and delivered meals for the Senior Center for many years. Jane served a term as President of the Bargain Box when the store moved to its present location and called bingo numbers at Samaritan Springs for many years. She was an active member of Centenary United Methodist Church and United Women of Faith. Jane liked to organize, causing her granddaughter to refer to her as 'The Director". She was not a perfectionist and preferred to just get it done. She enjoyed a good book—especially memoirs—as well as attending music and theater performances and watching documentaries. She took pride in her weight loss journey, loved discussing politics, and enjoyed meeting new people and having new experiences. Above all, she cherished time with her grandchildren and traveling, particularly trips taken with her children, as well as her morning walks with Ella Mae. Survivors include her husband, Larry Nider of Beatrice; son, Wes Nider of Beatrice; daughter, Jackie Nider (Tom Ray) of Appleton, WI; son, Tom Nider of Lincoln; grandchildren; Madalynn (Hayden) Cruey, Alec Pfister (fiancée Jess Tovar), Alex (Bethany) Ray, Meredith Ray (Mike LaFave), and Evan Ray; great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Adaline, Maisie, and Emmett Cruey, Sonia Ray, and Anthony LaFave; dear sister, Joanne Frey of Beatrice; nieces and nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Elizabeth (Mahloch) Ruhnke; brother, Robert Ruhnke; parents-in-law, Max and Hulda (Zimmerman) Nider; brothers-in-law, Wilbert Frey and Jack (Kathleen) Nider; sisters-in-law, Connie (Lowell) Grummert and Donna (Don) Kruse. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Centenary United Methodist Church of Beatrice with Rev. Dr. Paixao Baptista officiating. Cremation has taken place and there will be no viewing. A register book will be available on Monday from noon until 8:00 P.M.at Fox Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Mosaic of Beatrice or the Lincoln City Mission. www.foxfuneralhome.net Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice.

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