Jan G. Painter, 78, of Scottsbluff, died October 15, 2016 at the Residency Care Center in Scottsbluff. Funeral services were set for 10 a.m. Saturday, October 22 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scottsbluff, with Bishop Randall Mills officiating. Burial was to follow at 3 p.m. at the Glenn Cemetery near Crawford.

She was born January 20, 1938 in New York City and was adopted six months later by Paul and Helen (Myers) Gillespie. Her father was full-time military, serving as a naval pilot in both World War I and World War II. As a military child, she traveled throughout the United States and attended several different schools. She graduated from high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Science and Social Science from Colorado State University in 1960.

Jan met her husband, Robert “Bob,” at Colorado State University while she was competing in equestrian events and he was working as a stable hand to help pay for college. They married August 27, 1958 in Albuquerque.

They made their home in the Black Hills for several years, raising Morgan horses, and eventually moved to Sioux County where they continued to raise horses and cattle. In addition to helping run the ranch, Jan had her own career as a Senior Life Skills Assistant for the semi-independent with the Office of Human Development in Chadron. She worked in that position for 17 years until she retired. In 2015, Bob and Jan moved to Scottsbluff due to health concerns and to be closer to family.

On August 28, 1971, Jan was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After moving to Nebraska in 1977, she was very active in the Chadron branch of the Church, where she served as Relief Society President. One of her favorite callings was to play piano for the primary children.

Jan was an amazing, funny, beautiful woman who will be greatly missed by her loving husband, Robert Lewis Painter, and her family. She is survived by her children: Heidi Painter of Albuquerque; Robert (Lori) Painter of Mesa, Arizona; Nathan (Kate) Painter of Scottsbluff; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Helen Gillespie.

Memorials may be made out to Dugan-Kramer Funeral Home to help maintain The Glenn Cemetery.