Jane Elizabeth Riley was born to Elmer and Stella (Dainton) Danekas on December 15, 1937, at the doctor's office in Milford, Nebraska and passed away on October 16, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 87 years, 10 months and 1 day. Jane was baptized at home and later confirmed in 1954 at West Blue United Church of Christ in rural Milford. Jane attended District 92 Rural School and graduated from Milford High School in 1954.

On June 24, 1957, Jane was united in marriage to Walter Riley at West Blue United Church of Christ in rural Milford.  They were married for 63 years until Walt's passing in 2020. To this union four sons were born: Jeffery, James, Todd, and Timothy.

Walt and Jane lived on a farm south of Milford for a few months before moving to Seward and making their home there. Jane did daycare in her home, then worked at Jack and Jill grocery store until it closed. She then went to work as a para at Seward Middle School for several years before working as a library clerk at Seward Elementary, retiring in 2010 with a total of 23 years in the school system (1987 to 2010).

She is most recently a member of Living Word Lutheran Church where she very much appreciated her church family and enjoyed Bible study with her women's groups.

During her life Jane enjoyed teaching Sunday School, flower gardening, reading and spending time with her friends and family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards with friends and was in multiple card groups through the years. Jane was a fantastic cook and fed the family many holiday feasts. She was always ready for the next adventure and enjoyed the trips she and Walt took to Idaho to visit Jeff and his family. She also enjoyed several bus trips with friends in her later years.

Jane is preceded in death by her husband, Walter Riley; parents, daughter-in-law, Michelle Riley; sisters and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Ron Vosta, Shirley Kotil, Gerry and Lynn Boller; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harvey and Lois Riley, Ernie and Maxine Riley, Les and Ruth Riley, Marie Riley, Ferman and Lois Riley, Darrel Yeackley, Mildred and Jake Detweiler, Vera and Larry Springer, Betty Springer, Mertice and Eldon Hostetler and Elva and Wes Reil.

Survivors cherishing her memory include her four sons and their wives, Jeff Riley, Bloomington, ID, James and Cindy Riley, Seward, Todd and Susan Riley, Seward and Tim and Paige Riley, Omaha; seven grandchildren, Jessica Cusmano, Mitch and Kristen Riley, Nick and Jaci Riley, Tiffany and Trevor Schmidt, TJ Riley, Lauren Riley and Kyle Riley; six great-grandchildren, Dakota Cusmano, Jadyn Riley, Ethan Schmidt, Mason Schmidt, Nolan Schmidt and Jacob Riley; one great-great- grandchild, Ryker Coon; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don and Ann Danekas, Doyle and Judy Danekas; sister-in-law, Naomi Yeackley. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers, and memories of life shared with Jane. She will be dearly missed.