JaNahn S. "Nonnie" Van Horn

1948 - 2025

JaNahn "Nonnie" S. Van Horn

February 8, 1948 - August 15, 2025

JaNahn "Nonnie" S. Van Horn, 77, of Kearney, formerly of Wymore, Neb., passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025, at St. John's Good Samaritan Society in Kearney. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Craig Funeral Home in Minden with Rev. Marcia Dorn officiating. The family requests that casual attire be worn. Inurnment will be held following the service at the Kearney Cemetery. There will be no visitation as the family has honored her wish for cremation. Memorials in Nonnie's honor are kindly suggested to the Kearney Public Library or to the Wymore Public Library and can be sent to the family at P.O. Box 542, Kearney, NE 68848. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

JaNahn "Nonnie" Susan Van Horn was born February 8, 1948, in Kearney, Neb., to Charles "Bill" W. E. and Eileen A. (Duhachek) Van Horn. She grew up in Kearney and graduated from Kearney Senior High School with the class of 1966. She furthered her education at Kearney State College where she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education.

After college, Nonnie began working at Wymore Southern Elementary School, where she devoted 40 years of her life until she retired in 2010. During her tenure there, she taught in kindergarten, fourth grade, and served as the school's reading specialist. She was also a "Y-Teen" sponsor for many years at the Wymore High School.

While Nonnie never married or had children, she was affectionately the "second mother" to many children throughout her life, especially her nieces and nephews. Her love for children was profound and she found joy in watching them grow and achieve their dreams. Nonnie's hobbies included reading countless books, spending time with family, caring for her dogs, traveling, especially to the mountains and visiting relatives in New York and Florida.

She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Kearney where she was a member in her formative years. She later became a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Wymore, where she served as Sunday School Superintendent, helped with vacation bible school, and taught confirmation classes. Nonnie was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Educators Society, Nebraska Educators Association, and the Wymore Library Board of Directors.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, James Van Horn and his wife, Nancy.

Those left to cherish her memory include her brothers, Royal Van Horn and wife, Sharon of Jacksonville, Fla. and Robert Van Horn and wife, Violet of Kearney; nieces and nephews, Hilary Lindsey, Mike Van Horn and wife, Faith Henderson, Kristine Amack and husband, Jeff, Sarah Helvey and husband, Jay, Seth Van Horn and wife, Sarah, Eric Van Horn and wife, Nickola; great-nieces and nephews, Mallory Lindsey, Ashley Lindsey, Ethan Van Horn, Amelia Amack, Ruby Amack, Marigold Helvey, Marley Helvey, Ryleigh Van Horn, Max Van Horn, Brodey Munter, Maicie Stubbs, Briggs Stubbs, Brewer Stubbs, Wrenlee Van Horn, John Van Horn, and Ella Van Horn; along with a host of extended relatives, past students, teacher colleagues, and close friends.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Craig Funeral Home

336 N. Nebraska Avenue

Minden, NE 68959

(308) 832-2020