.Jannie Matzen of North Platte and formerly of Hershey, NE, departed this life at the age of 86 on December 9, 2022, and went on to her heavenly home.Jannie was born November 21, 1936, to Alma and Hazel Stoddard in North Platte. She, along with her 11 siblings, grew up on the family ranch in McPherson County and attended McPherson County School.While on a blind date, Jannie met Charles ‘Chuck’ Matzen and they married in 1954. They were blessed with four children and Jannie was a stay-at-home mother while the kids were growing up. After they were gone from home, Chuck and Jannie had the privilege to foster two wonderful boys.When Jannie was 55 years old, she went back to school and earned her LPN degree. She worked at Linden Court and since she loved helping people, being a nurse fulfilled her.Jannie was a member of the Restoration Branch Church of Jesus Christ and was Superintendent of the Sunday School until very late in life. She was faithful to her Christian beliefs and church. If there was something going on at church, Jannie was right there to support it and she did her best to help. Jannie loved making memories with her church family and her own family. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.Jannie was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck; parents, Alma and Hazel Stoddard; brothers, Earl and Fred Stoddard; in-laws, Art and Lois Matzen; and three brothers-in-law.Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Rhonda (Mike) Lucas, John (Cindi) Matzen, Peggy (Dennis) Brown and Pam Spencer; her foster children, Ken and Alex Nelson; her brothers, Bill (Donna) Stoddard, Ronnie (Kathy) Stoddard and Larry (Mary) Stoddard; and her sisters, Maxine Porter, Esther Reynolds, Yvonne Middleton, Jo Ann (Gene) Rookstool, Donna (Denny) Bitterman and Kay Perry.Survivors also include her grandchildren, Jenni (Chris) Smith, Elizabeth (James) Harvey, Jason (Tessa) Matzen, Molly (Tyler) Diderrich, Ashley (Jeremy) Miller, Amanda (Adrian) Rodriguez, Alex Brown and Josh (Peggy) Spencer; 17 great-grandchildren, 6 great great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other family.Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2022, at Odean Colonial Chapel with Wayne Godfrey officiating. Burial will be in Good Hope Cemetery. Visitation is Sunday from 1-6 p.m. and with family greeting from 4-6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. The casket will be closed the day of services. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Restoration Branch Church.
