On Tuesday, June 27, 2017, Janet Marie Lipska passed away in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 69 years,1 month, 18 days, surrounded by her family. Born May 9, 1948 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Helen and Leslie T. Nelson, she grew up in Seward, Nebraska and graduated with the Seward High School class of 1966. She attended Kearney State College and received a Bachelor's of Secondary Education with a focus on History and English in 1970. She married Lloyd L. Lipska on January 3, 1970 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward, Nebraska. Janet had a full and interesting life with her beloved husband who worked for Frito Lay making their home in various locations across the country including: Kearney, Nebraska; Omaha, Nebraska; Janesville, Wisconsin; Louisville, Kentucky; Allen Park, Michigan; Urbana, Illinois; Topeka, Kansas and Gothenburg, Nebraska before their return to the Seward community in 2012.

Janet was a friendly and selfless individual. Everywhere she went she developed a strong network of friends and plunged into community volunteerism. She worked in many capacities within the Catholic Church using her gifts and talents in service to others. While she had many occupations in her life none was as rewarding as the time she spent leading the Youth Religious Education Programs for St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Urbana, IL. When she and Lloyd moved to Topeka, she ran the Catholic Campus Center at Washburn University. Throughout her life, she helped countless young people build their faith and will be remembered fondly for her impact.

Janet loved being active outside of the Church as well. In High School, she played saxophone with the marching band. She was involved with Student Government and was a member of Chi Omega sorority during her college years. She was a Den Leader for her sons when they were in Cub Scouts. In recent years, she became a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and served as President of Chapter AW from 2003 to 2005; currently she was a member of Chapter CC Seward. She was involved with Nebraska Community Improvement and Youth Community Improvement Programs while living in Gothenburg. She also served on the Nebraska Foster Care Review Board for the last ten years in both Lexington and Lincoln. If life is measured by one's service to others, Janet lived an outstanding and remarkable life.

She will be remembered in many communities as a friend, co-worker and supporter of those in need. Since her return to Seward, she loved having lunch with high school friends, playing bridge, and travelling. She kept in touch with her many friends across the country regularly, but also enjoyed playing word games with them on her iPad as well.

However family was the most important thing in Janet's life. She looked forward to seeing her children and grandchildren. Janet also got so much joy out of hosting family gatherings at her home in Seward. Her home was always open for family and her hospitality was boundless.

Janet will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 47 years, Lloyd, her children, Brandon (Catherine) Lipska of Lake Villa, IL and Matthew (Aimee) Lipska of Mission, KS, and her precious grandchildren Emma, Carson, Mayer and Rosalie. Additional survivors include her mother, Helen M. Nelson, Seward and her siblings Mary Ann (Keith) Gehle of Mt. Airy, MD, Shirley (Bill) Hilger of Lincoln, Bernard (Niki) Nelson of Seward, Teresa (Steve) Gleisberg of Curtis and Christine (Ron) Hershberger of Superior; sister-in-law Lois (Perry) Schlachter; brother-in-law Leroy (Rachel) Lipska; aunts Adeline Geis, Ann Rerucha and an uncle, Art Nelson.

Janet will forever be remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and a host of friends and acquaintances.

A celebration of Janet's life will take place on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 10:00 am with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 152 Pinewood Avenue, Seward, NE with Monsignor Robert Tucker as the celebrant. Visitation will be held at Zabka Funeral Home, 410 Jackson Avenue, Seward, NE on Friday, June 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and visitation will continue at 6:00 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. also at the church.

Interment will be in the Seward Cemetery, Seward, NE.

Memorials may be given in her honor to Catholic Relief Services ( crs.org/donate/ ) or Honor Flight Network ( honorflight.org/donate-now/ ). Online condolences may be expressed by visiting the guest book on the Zabka Funeral Home website.

The family thanks the staff at Bryan Medical Center for their outstanding care and kindness.