Janice Bernice Franzen Moore

Born in Clinton Iowa to Rev. Kenneth Elroy and Bernice May Anderson Franzen; the third of five children. Preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law (Stanton and Orpha Moore), sister Mary Ellen Dahl Siegfried, brothers-in-law Selmer Dahl and Charles Siegfried and sisters-in-law Shiela Moore, Carolyn Franzen and Dr. Iris Moore.

Jan is survived by her husband Steven, children Sean (Sarah) and Melinda (Troy) and their families; grandchildren: Tyler (Jessie) & daughter Maisie, Kyle (Shannon), Katie, Evan, Connor, and Aryanna Myers (Neil); siblings: Keith,

Larry (LeAnn), Sherry Lechner (Ron). Brothers-in-law: Dr Gary, and Ormund (Diane). Numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

Jan’s father was a Lutheran Pastor who served ten different churches in five states as her mother taught school and directed church choirs. Jan attended seven schools in four states, often changing schools mid-year. She graduated high school in 1967 from Augustana Academy (a Lutheran boarding school) in Canton, SD. She attended Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, NE.

Jan loved singing, traveling, sewing, decorating, baking, writing, tandem bicycling and entertaining. She was a member of the Augustana Academy Choir performing at numerous churches each spring on a bus tour. The LP album recorded in 1967 shows Jan in the second row, left end. At Midland, she was a member of the 1968 European Concert Tour choir that recorded an LP album while in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was on this tour that Jan met Steve (a Midland student on tour but not in the choir). Jan and Steve discovered they had a great deal in common. They were married June 14, 1969. She continued singing solos, duets, trios, quartets, and in church choirs. She especially loved singing with Sean, Melinda, and Steve. She loved singing in the production “An Old Fashion Christmas” at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church when her brother Keith was the choir director and, a duet with her brother Larry went he did a solo outdoor concert at the baseball field in Sioux City, IA.

Jan loved children. She directed children’s choirs at Trinity Lutheran in Hartington and St. Paul’s Lutheran in Millard and operated a daycare and preschool from her home. Baking with her children and grandchildren was special! Her favorites treats were Marge Seim rolls, Crème Brule French Toast, Buttermilk Brownies and cookies (chocolate chip and sugar). She loved organizing: a talent contest for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, a 4th of July Parade and Picnic in Tiburon South, a Moore Family Reunion, and her turn at Tiburon South Dinner Club.

Her skills as a seamstress were evident when she made clothing for herself and her young family. She also excelled at making draperies and pillows;

happily sharing her talents with friends and family. As co-owner of JC Crewswear, she designed and sold shirts, hats, and jackets. She assisted Steve, Sean, Melinda, Tyler and Kyle with printing, boxing and delivering products.

Jan became a diabetic at age 12. Her life changed. Learning to give injections, planning activities and meals to keep proper blood sugar levels. In the 60’s and 70’s, accurate detection of blood sugar levels was not available. As she approached age 40, her eyes and kidneys were beginning to fail. She was fortunate to receive a kidney and pancreas transplant prior to the need for dialysis. She felt great having normal blood sugar and her eye’s stopped deteriorating. She reported feeling the spirit of her donor inside her. In gratitude to her donor family, she became a spokesperson for organ and blood donation. She traveled the state with Nebraska Organ Retrieval System, speaking and singing at events educating people about the need for donors and sharing her story. She shared via newspaper, television, and professional publications.

At age 58, Jan needed another kidney; at 68 her pancreas stopped working. Diabetes treatment had advanced significantly; continuous glucose monitoring to her smartphone; vastly improved insulin delivered via injection pens with disposable needles. At age 70 her last kidney quit. Her final years were insulin injections and home hemodialysis with husband Steve learning to be a dialysis nurse/tech for Jan from the wonderful people at Fresenius Kidney Care in Omaha. At age 76 her body finally wore out, her eyes failed. The evening of the September 17th she was surrounded by her children, and grandchildren at home on hospice. God granted her prayers to end her suffering, she passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of September 18 with her husband by her side, having been on hospice for just 14 hours.

Donations to: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Millard; American Red Cross

Visitation 10:00 am October 22, 2026 at Braman Mortuary Millard, 6505 S 144th St, Omaha, NE 68137 followed by a Memorial Service and light lunch. Private inurnment at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 6800 So 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68512.