Erma Jane Hart

Erma Jane Hart

November 5, 1926 – January 7, 2024

Erma Jane, age 97, of Plattsmouth, NE, died Saturday January 7, 2024 in the Bellevue Medical Center.

Jane, born as E. J. Galligher on November 5th, 1926 in Kilgore, NE to James J. and Virginia Bell (Bowden) Galligher .  She was born and raised in the Sandhills of Nebraska, where she resided until after her marriage to Donald L. Hart at the end of WWII.  After leaving Kilgore the family relocated to various communities in NE and Iowa following Don's career as a meat cutter.  Together they raised 5 children until their separation in 1976.  After which, Jane relocated to Denver, Colorado to live closer to some of her children.  Jane spent many years working for AT&T in Denver, and then relocated to Florida for a few years before retiring and moving back to Colorado.  Prior to her marriage to Donald, Jane attended college at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE.  After weighing  the impacts of the war at the time, and also being a little homesick for family, Jane eventually decided to return home.

Jane joined the Eastern Star in Valentine, NE, in 1947, and last year she received her 75th year-pin to recognize her many years of accomplishments with the organization.  Jane was a very independent person and up until 2 years ago, at the age of 95, she still proudly owned and maintained her own home in Plattsmouth, NE.   Her youngest son, Keith, who also resides in Plattsmouth, was always there to provide her with support anytime she needed it.  Jane loved to crochet and read and was an excellent cook when hosting family dinners etc., or just entertaining guests. She watched the news and read the paper daily, and up until her death she was not hesitant to voice an opinion on how she felt about current world and local affairs!  Mom loved staying in touch with all of her children and did so by phoning and/or texting all of us on pretty much a daily basis right up until her passing.  She also loved listening to music and watching her TV, but wasn’t too crazy about some of the new programs they have on TV today, because she preferred to watch the older movies when she could.

Jane will be greatly missed by her friends and family here, but her passing allows her to rejoin friends and family in an even greater life with her creator and a new and healthy body she will surely celebrate.

Jane is survived by her children and spouses: Mike and Sara, Nancy, Bobby and Diane, Keith and Jamie, along with daughter-in-law Joyce Hart.  Grandchilldren: Cody, Tamara, Jamie, Stephanie, and Brittany Korey, Kelly, Brian, Chad, Valeri, and numerous great grandchildren.

Jane was preceded in death by her son, Tim, and her great grandchildren Liberty Turner, and Austin James Hart.  Also preceded in death by her brother Elmo, and her parents James and Virgina.

Jane requested cremation, and services will be held at a later date at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine, NE. where she will be placed alongside her father, mother and brother.