Janice Bell

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Janice Lyne Bell, affectionately known to many as "Ma Bell." Janice, born on September 18, 1950, in Lincoln, Nebraska passed away on September 16th, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, warmth, and indelible memories she created with everyone she encountered.

Janice's life was a beautiful tapestry of love and service, woven with threads of dedication and commitment. Janice was raised on a farm in rural Pleasant Dale, Nebraska and graduated from Milford High School in 1968. She married her beloved Ronald Bell on December 19th, 1969, and together, they were blessed with three daughters: Stacie, Natalie, and Julie.

Janice's professional life was as varied and vibrant as her personal one. She was a homemaker, a house cleaner, an office assistant at Farmers & Merchant's Bank, City Office, and Milford Mini Mart before embarking on a thirty-year career in the business office at Southeast Community College- Milford Campus. She was not only a talented seamstress, but also a sports enthusiast, cheering on her grandchildren at their events with unwavering support.

Janice’s spirit of giving extended beyond her family as she was a valued member of Kiwanis and volunteered for the backpack program. Her love for music found its expression in the harmonious melodies she created as a part of the church choir, filling the hearts of the United Methodist Church congregation with joy and peace.

Janice is survived by her daughters Stacie (Jason) Roth, Natalie (Kendall) Nitzsche, Milford, NE and Julie (Chad) Brehmer, Lyons, NE; brothers Ron (Mary) VanAndel, Pleasant Dale, NE, Rex (Marcia) VanAndel, Milford, NE; brothers-in-law Gary Brhel, Lincoln, NE, Roger Bell, Lincoln, NE; Rick (Karla) Bell, Omaha, NE, grandchildren Briana Guzman, Lincoln, NE, Brennan (Shae) Roth, Ceresco, NE, Kassie (Deric) Blender, Tekamah, NE, Janae (Gunner) Poulas, Osceola, NE, Chase Nitzsche, Milford, NE, Camryn Brehmer and friend Oscar Dominquez, Lincoln, NE and Colton Brehmer; Lyons, NE, great grandchildren Ariana Guzman, Lincoln, NE, Brya and Lennox Blender, Tekamah, NE and family friend, Don Schneider, Milford, NE.

Janice is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Bell, parents Glen and Helen VanAndel, sister Marie Brhel, parents-in-law Kenneth and Faye Bell, sister-in-law Patricia Bell, and best friend, Gloria Schneider.

Visitation: Sunday, September 20, 2026, 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Milford, NE, with family greeting and receiving friends and relatives from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Celebration of Life: Monday, September 21, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Milford, NE.

This service will be livestreamed. To access the livestream, please visit the Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services Facebook page ten minutes prior to the service. For security purposes, you may have to follow our page to be able to view the service.

A private family graveside service will be determined at a later date.

Memorials are to be given to the family for a future designation.

We encourage friends and family to share their cherished memories and upload photos of Janice to the memorial page. Through our collective reminiscences, may we keep her spirit alive, celebrating the life of a woman whose love, dedication, and loyalty touched everyone she met.