Jane Werner

Edna “Jane” Werner, 89, of Axtell, KS, passed away on November 13, 2025, at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

Visitation was held Sunday, November 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Axtell. A rosary service followed at 7 p.m.

A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 17, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Father Mathew Francis and Father Jim Shaughnessy officiated.  Rachel Ronnebaum and Cheryl Reinecke were the musicians.  Hymns included "Here I Am Lord", "The Lord Is My Shepherd", "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", "On Eagle's Wings", "Come Home", and "How Great Thou Art."

Pallbearers were Adam Kuckelman, Drew Kuckelman, Clark Werner, Dakota Kemble, Donny Hulsing, Sam Haines, Dillon Stueve, Brandon Swogger, Tony Kuckelman, Brett Swogger, Rodney Deters and Zach Mumford.

Burial was in the church cemetery.

Edna Jane was born September 29, 1936, at St. Benedict, KS, to Paul and Florence (Stallbaumer) Fangman. On September 30, 1957, Jane was united in marriage to Joseph Werner at St. Benedict Catholic Church.

Jane attended St. Joseph School of Nursing and graduated as a RN. She worked as a surgical nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka from 1957 thru 1958. In 1958, Jane served as the administrator of the Axtell Community Hospital in Axtell. In 1968, she became the assistant administrator and the Director of Nursing at Axtell until 1972. From there, Jane went to work for the Warren Clinic in Hanover from 1972 to 1975 and became the Director of Nursing at the Hanover Hospital & Long-Term Care from 1975-1976. She became the Executive Director/Administrator of the Country View Estates, which later became Life Care Center, until her retirement.

In her nursing career, Jane served on the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Board of Trustees and Health Care Foundation Board, served as a board member of Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Foundation Board, and was also part of their Governing Board.

She had a love for nursing from an early age, caring for her grandfather. People would stop by, and she would attend to their wounds and administer aid.

Jane loved traveling; she and Joe went to Rome, Alaska, Canada, Colorado, and all over the United States. She also loved the family camping trips.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a grandson, Timothy Kemble; and six siblings, Ruth Haug, Charles Fangman, Elmer Fangman, Leonard Fangman, Sister Esther Fangman and Gilbert Fangman.

Survivors include her children, Rose (Bob) Kuckelman of Axtell, Barb (Eric) Kemble of Carbondale, KS, Joe (Anne) Werner of Axtell, Diane (Robert) Friedrichs of Herkimer, and Shirley (Rick) Swogger of Burlingame, KS; siblings, John (Frannie) Fangman and Lester (Janet) Fangman, both of Seneca; and thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in the care of Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home, c/o Kinsley Mortuary, P.O. Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508.