On the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 20, Jane E. Webb, 65, passed away unexpectedly at her home in River Falls.
Jane was born July 27, 1960, in Wabasha, Minn. She lived with her family in Pepin, Wis. and they settled in Menomonie, Wis. in 1962. Jane graduated from Menomonie High School in 1978 where she met the love of her life, Dan Webb. They were married Aug. 15, 1981. She attended UW-River Falls where she majored in elementary education. She student taught at St. Bridget’s Academy where she got her first teaching job in half day Kindergarten. She eventually moved to the Spring Valley School District and taught for 15 years at various locations and grades, including Cady Elementary and Gilman Elementary. Jane returned to UWRF to earn a master’s degree in education-professional development. The opportunity to teach in the River Falls School District came in 1998, when she started her 20-year-long career at Greenwood Elementary.
In all the ways Jane loved and lived her life, her greatest joy was her family. She was the proud matriarch, always feeding people and spreading love, laughter, and leopard print everywhere she went. She enjoyed camping, traveling, the family cabin, and sleepovers with her grandkids so she could fill them up with treats. Wherever her grandkids were, she was there with her magical red suitcase filled with toys. Jane always had an activity or craft planned (the messier, the better) because spending quality time with her kids and grandkids was her love language.
Besides being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Jane was a lifelong educator. Her love for her students and education made her a beloved teacher to countless children and families, many of which she kept in touch with. Being active in the community was also important to Jane. She led the Town-and-Country 4-H club and was a county fair judge for many years. She remained just as active in her retirement in many ways, including teaching part time at UWRF, volunteering at the food pantry every week, teaching Sunday school, maintaining the Little Free Library at the end of her driveway, having lunches with retired teachers from Spring Valley and River Falls, and was an active member in the Delta Kappa Gamma sorority.
Jane will be remembered for her enormous heart, her infectious laugh, and her generous spirit. Jane is survived by her husband Dan of River Falls and brother Steve Johnson of Menomonie. She is also survived by a son David (Nicole) of Ridgefield, Wash. and grandchildren Eli, Harper, Owen; a daughter Kaitlin (Josh) Bauer of Cottage Grove, Minn. and grandchildren Natalie and Thomas; and a son Mitchell of Rochester, Minn.
Jane was preceded in death by her father David Johnson, mother Sonja (Harried) Johnson, father-in-law Carl Webb, and mother-in-law Lorraine (Lamon) Webb.
Services were held at Spirit of Grace United Methodist Church in River Falls, Wis. A visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26. The funeral was at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, with a visitation beforehand from 9-11 a.m. The family is asking that people wear red or leopard print to honor Jane’s unique style and personality. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
