Janice Porter Rahn

Janice (Porter) Rahn, 72, of Grant, passed away on March 1, 2024, at home surrounded by her family following a courageous battle with cancer.

Janice Kay (Porter) Rahn was born August 27, 1951, in North Platte, Nebraska, to Don Ezra and Ruby Mildred (Cunningham) Porter Jr.

Nicknamed Janni by her family, she grew up on a farm northeast of Elsie, Nebraska, with three sisters. She attended Rural District 23 school until the 8th grade when the school closed. Janni attended school in Elsie until her junior year when Elsie and Madrid consolidated and became Wheatland Schools. She graduated in 1969 and left home that Summer to attend Central Business College in Denver, specializing in their medical secretary program.

Janni finished business school in Denver on a Friday and began her first job on the following Monday at Mutual of New York Insurance Company. After 15 years, she sought a medical secretary position in Gastroenterology at the University of Colorado Health Science Center.

Jan married Jim Jacobsen in 1973, and the couple later divorced in 1981. She married Dr. John Goff in 1982, and two children were born to this union, Charles Porter Goff and Bonnie Jan Goff. Janni became a stay-at-home mom until the marriage dissolved in 1991. She returned to work at Denver Public Schools as a secretary in their Community Resource Program.

In late Summer of 1993, Janni and her young kids moved to Grant, Nebraska, to be near her parents and sisters. She got a typist job at the Grant Tribune Sentinel, working her way into the Managing Editor position in 2001. She retired in 2015 to enjoy time with her mother, children, and grandchildren.

As a girl, Janni's passion was the freedom of the farm, the animals, the chores, and all of nature. Being a mom and grandma (she was affectionately called "Granny") were the biggest joys in her life, and she spent every moment she could enjoying family. Her deep love for her family, God, and nature, along with a dream for equality and peace, are her legacy.

In 2009, Jan married Harlan Rahn, a plumber and fireman. They became a blended family that included his two children and four grandchildren.

Janni was a member of the Grant United Methodist Church, where she served on committees, taught Sunday School, and assisted with Bible School. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for many years.

Janni loved to be around home, cooking, tending to her plants and pets, always anticipating the next time she'd see her kids or grandkids. She and Harlan loved short trips and cruising town and country with their dogs. Her entire life, Janni considered herself a farm girl.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, a cousin: David Cunningham, and an infant nephew.

She is survived by her husband, Harlan; children, Charlie (Samantha) Goff and Bonnie (Mica) Becker; stepson, Wade (Shelly) Rahn; stepdaughter, Devon Rahn; 10 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Emmalee Parsley, Porter Jo and Jayven Goff; Bella and Radley Becker; Jake Rahn and Kobe Chmelka; Callie Williams, Camden and Kennady Schlem. Survivors also include her sisters, Pam (Larry) Seiler, Gailya (Tim) Cooper, Donna (Mike) Mayer; cousin Nancy (Michelle) Arroyoavila; along with many nieces, nephews and cherished friends.

A memorial has been established in Jan's memory for later designation.

Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Memorial services will be on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 10:00 am at the Grant United Methodist Church with Pastor Ceciliah Igweta officiating. Inurnment will be in the Paxton Cemetery at 1:00 pm.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.