Janice Lea Bolte

Janice Lea Bolte (née Hansen), beloved mother, grandmother, and friend to many, passed away at her home in Omaha, Nebraska on January 26, 2024, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Jan was born in Omaha on March 25, 1951, the second daughter of Bernie and Dorothy Hansen, and little sister to her only sibling Judy. The family eventually moved to Bellevue where Jan attended public schools. She graduated in 1969 from Bellevue High School, where she realized the value of community service, the core of her lifelong career path.

Jan married Gary Bolte in 1970 and they bore a son, Kyle, the following year. After their divorce, she worked as a travel agent and later met her second husband, Scott Kemper. The couple resided on the island of Oahu during Scott's three-year military assignment before they returned to Omaha. Their marriage of seven years ended amicably.

In her early forties, Jan committed to furthering her education, earning a BA in Art History and an MA in Library Science, again called by her core values of community service. She accepted a position at the Omaha Public Library, and later at the La Vista Public Library, where she won multiple awards for outstanding service. In addition to her library duties, Jan served on the Omaha Foster Care Review Organization, and she also volunteered to care for newborns at the Child Saving Institute while the parents were learning parenting skills. She finished out her career at the Blair Public Library and Technology Center, fortunately located near her son's home.

In 2019, Jan attended her fiftieth Bellevue High School reunion, where she met former. classmate Will Pettit, who then resided in Pennsylvania. They connected instantly and kept in touch daily from afar until Will was coincidentally offered a position in Omaha. They were soon reunited and engaged in January 2019, inseparable until she passed away.

Jan's sense of humor, her lovely smile, her candor and warm demeanor endeared her to all who knew her. She was loyal to family and friends, co-workers and service providers. Jan was charming, charismatic, and popular and will be missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her son, Kyle Bolte, granddaughter Heidi, and the love of her life, fiancé Will Pettit.

May she rest in peace.

A memorial visitation for Janice will be held Friday, February 2, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106.