Janiece Cotner

Janiece M. (Holm) Cotner was born December 18, 1931 south of Mason City, NE to Raymond & Helen Marie (Dickerson) Holm. Jan peacefully left us on February 9, 2009 at the age of 77.

Jan attended the Beechville country school, graduated from Mason City High School in 1949 and earned her B.A. degree from Kearney State College in 1960. In college she was a member of the Zeta Chi Alpha sorority and played with the Kearney State Band. Jan went on to further her education and received a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a media endorsement. Teaching was Jan’s calling as she taught in Lexington; Ravenna; Wheatridge, Colorado; and Lincoln until retiring in 1982.

In 1979, Jan married Burrel John (B.J.) Cotner in Custer, S.D. B.J. thoroughly loved ponies and horses. He attended many functions and furnished rides in his hay rack, covered wagon, stage coach and carts. B.J. also worked as a security guard at the Nebraska State Fair for many years. After living in Lincoln for several years, they retired to York. After declining health from a brain aneurysm, B.J. passed away March 6,1986.

Jan continued to live in York and found great fulfillment in caring for children in her home; her love and tenderness will be truly missed. She also kept busy with knitting classes and projects, other crafts, fishing and camping, gardening and played clarinet in the Beechville and Maverick bands. She camped with the Leisure Lovin’ Sams, square danced with the Shirts and Skirts Square Dance Club, was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also an active volunteer in the communities and churches of both York and Mason City.

Faith and music was a very important part of her life. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and sang in the church choir. Jan imparted on everyone she met, her love of music that will be greatly missed. She supported the many musical and sporting activities of her nieces, nephews and their families and the children whom she cared for. As many of us know she had a lot of enjoyment watching the Huskers; a ‘Big Red’ football fan she was indeed.

Survivors include her sister Joan (Holm) Cox; and brother & sister-in-law, Robert & Sarah Ann (Lamb) Holm. Proceeding her in death was her husband B.J. Cotner; parents, Raymond & Marie (Dickerson) Holm; brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth & Barbara (Kroeger) Holm; brother-in-law, Orvin Cox.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 am, Thursday, February 12, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church in York and services at 3:00 p.m., Thursday at the Mason City Baptist Church in Mason City, NE with the Reverend Mike Eickhoff officiating both services. Interment followed those services at the Mason City Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church or the Mason City Cemetery Fund.