Jan was born on Center Field Farm, halfway between Seward and Milford, NE to Herman and Meta Wurst Ebers. She was an excellent student and served actively in 4-H programming while growing up, even attending and winning an award at the 1939 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, IL. She graduated from Milford High School in May of 1940, after having served as a Member of Nebraska Girls State in its inaugural year. She completed a year of college at Peru State after which she went to work in the State Capitol Building in the Nebraska Department of Insurance. It was in Lincoln that she met the love of her life, Wayne L. Blue, who was on a football scholarship at UN-L. They were married on March 10, 1944, after he had flown 50 missions in a P-38 fighter plane in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Together with Wayne, she set out on many adventures as they travelled and moved frequently for his position in the United States Air Force. Their first stop after marriage was California, where Jan gave birth to their two oldest children, Connie and Peggy. They were stationed in Germany for a period of time, after which they ended up back in the states, eventually in Georgia where Jan gave birth to their son, Barry. In 1962, Jan’s busy family settled back in Lincoln, where she and Wayne became members of the First United Methodist Church and where she worked at Banker’s Life in the Licensure Department. Wayne passed away in 2009. Jan spent her last three years of life living at Legacy Terrace Assisted Living, where she frequently entertained her fellow residents and their staff with her music-making on the piano.
Jan is survived by her baby brother, Ralph (Shirley) Ebers, daughter Connie Milliken (with friend Shay Ball), daughter Peggy Chesen, daughter-in-law Rhonda Blue, granddaughters Chelsea (Michael Hollman), A. Berkley Chesen, Erin Blue McLaughlin (Chadd), Ashley Blue, grandson Anthony Wayne Blue (Valerie), great-granddaughters Scout and Saylor Hanelt (Ben Hanelt), Lexi Blue, and great grandson, Michael Wayne Blue, as well as a wonderful loving group of 13 nieces and nephews.
Jan is reunited in her eternal home with her recently deceased son, Barry Blue, and son-in-law Eli Chesen, as well as her husband, Wayne, and siblings Merle Ebers and Virginia Ebers Larson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:
First United Methodist Church
2723 N. 50th St.
Lincoln, NE 68504
**Please specify that funds be designated for the United Methodist Women AND/OR the Music Program**
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 28th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel (4300 ‘O’ Street).
Funeral Service will be held 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 29th at the First United Methodist Church (2723 N. 50th Street).