Janet Sue Van Winkle was born July 7th, 1951, in Stromsburg, Nebraska. She was the second of two beloved children of L.T. “Buss” Van Winkle and Zelda “Zee” Ward. She and her older brother, Dennis, were raised on a farm outside of Silver Creek where Janet loved to play ball with her cousins, learned to cook and bake with her mother, and was active in 4H and their church. Janet graduated from Silver Creek High School in 1969, then chose to pursue a three year degree from the Bryan School of Nursing where she made life-long friends and gained a compassionate hand in caring for others. It was during this time in Lincoln when she met a Central City fellow, Jerry L. Lippincott, whose love and companionship took her around the world.
Janet was capped and graduated in 1972 and took her first employment at Bryan as a Registered Nurse. She wed Jerry in April of 1973, and they bought their first home that summer. The first of four adored children, Laura Joy, arrived in 1977, with Jocelyn Leigh Ferris following in 1982. The family was assigned to the NATO Base in Keflavik, Iceland during a period of active military duty, where Logan Hugh was born in 1984. They returned to Lincoln after three years of service, and Vanessa Lyn arrived in 1986. During their time in Lincoln, Janet worked as a floor nurse and unit coordinator at Tabitha and Madonna rehab hospitals. She was joyful in her motherhood, serving delicious meals to her brood, baking treats, hosting gatherings of friends and family, and spending time with her children.
Jerry’s position with the Immigrations and Naturalization Service took the family to South Florida in 1995. Janet continued her nursing career working in a nursing home for nine years, then taking a position as Nursing Manager of Medicare Benefits with Humana Insurance until her retirement. Janet and Jerry returned to Lincoln in 2010 after grandchildren began to arrive, when her life’s greatest chapter as an active grandmother bloomed. Five grandsons and three granddaughters filled her heart and many of her days. During her retirement years she continued to travel with Jerry visiting family and friends, working on home projects, as well as quiet moments spent reading, writing letters, journaling, and creating beautiful needlework and quilts.
Janet is survived by her husband Jerry, brother Dennis (of Kearney), daughters Laura (John Wiese, Colin, Harper, and Noel of Lincoln), Jocelyn (Eric Reiss, Amaroq, and Hauke of St. Louis), and Vanessa (Kevin Scully, Emeline, Leonora, and Phoenix of Lincoln), and son Logan (Nicolette Ross of Chicago).
A private family viewing will be held and a live-stream service will begin at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 16th; a link to the live-stream will be posted 10 minutes prior.
Memorials to Bryan School of Nursing Scholarship Fund.