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Jane Marie "Janie" (Hanawalt) Messner, 70, passed away Saturday, Aug 1, 2026, after a long battle with breast cancer.
Surviving are her beloved husband of 54 years, Ray Messner Jr.; their son, Jason Messner, and his wife, Jamie, and their daughter, Athena; their daughter, Amanda (Messner) Poole, and her husband, Justin, and their children: Vienna, Felicity and London. Janie was the seventh of eight children. She is survived by her brothers, Ken and Gaius; and her sisters: Debbie, Dottie, Trish and Mary.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gaius and Dorothy Hanawalt; and her sister, Liz.
Janie devoted more than 20 years of her life to caring for others as a nurse at Garvey Manor Nursing Home, where she worked with residents living with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. She was a natural caregiver with a warm and loving heart. Caring for others was simply part of who she was.
Janie lived a life filled with adventure, family and simple joys. Although she did not swim, she became a certified scuba diver and took the role of captain on white water trips. She visited 30 U.S. states and traveled to seven European countries. Of all the places and things she visited, her favorite was the World's Largest Ball of Twine in Cawkerville, Kan. She loved animals and nature and was happiest sitting on her back porch with a cup of tea, a supply of chocolate, a cat nearby and family and friends close at hand.
Janie was an excellent cook, crafted everything from scarves to model houses and loved children, especially her four grandchildren. She loved the color green, a fitting favorite for someone born on St. Patrick's Day. She and Ray took many road trips together, creating memories along the way.
Janie will be deeply missed by her family and friends and by all those whose lives she touched through her kindness, compassion and love. Her memory will live on in the family she treasured, the lives she cared for and the countless memories she created with those she loved.