Jan Grossnicklaus, age 86, of Shelby, Nebraska, passed away February 27, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Society in Osceola.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at the Shelby United Methodist Church with Pastor Soonil Park officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, March 3 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the church. Pianist will be Insun Kim. Vocalists will be Roy Houdersheldt and Rita Houdersheldt. Musical selections will be “The Old Rugged Cross”, “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.” Pallbearers will be Randy Peterson, Kevin Abbott, Drew Hopwood, Lee Grossnicklaus, Pat Morgan and Kenny Alt. Interment will be in the Osceola Cemetery with Military Rites by Shelby American Legion.

Jan was born to Holly and Doris (Gondringer) Grossnicklaus in Osceola, NE on September 27, 1938. He grew up on a farm in the area and graduated from Osceola High School in 1956. Jan was interested in sports from an early age. He excelled in track, basketball and football in high school, earning a football scholarship to the University of Wyoming, where he made lifelong friends. He especially enjoyed the athletic reunions held periodically in Lander, WY.

Following college graduation and two years in the U.S. Army, Jan accepted employment in 1963 with the First National Bank of Shelby, now Pinnacle Bank. On August 1, 1964 he was united in marriage to Myrla Peterson at the First Methodist Church in Silver Creek, NE. They moved into their present home in Shelby and two children were born to this union. He managed the insurance agency, a position he held until retirement in 2004.

During his working years, Jan was involved with the Chamber of Commerce and served on the Village Board, Cemetery Board, Church Board and the Shelby Rural Fire District Board since it was formed in 1976. He enjoyed playing semi-pro baseball, bowling, coyote hunting, coaching youth sports teams and golf. He was a charter member of Ryan Hill Country Club. In retirement, Jan started each day with breakfast and a pinochle game with the guys at the A&B and later Cubby’s. He was a member of American Legion Post #296, Elks, Osceola Lodge #65 A.F. & A.M., Lincoln Scottish Rite and Sesostris Shriners.

Jan was a fan of Husker sports and had season tickets for the football games since the mid 1960’s. Family trips to Kansas City Royals games, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, a Rose bowl game and volleyball Final Fours, among others, provided special memories. Jan and Myrla had a mutual love of dancing to big band music that continued throughout their married life. They traveled many miles following their favorite bands and enjoyed the friends they made over the years.

Jan is survived by his wife, Myrla of Shelby; a daughter, Janice Cram of Grand Island; a son Jay Grossnicklaus of Las Vegas, NV; a brother, Rex Grossnicklaus of Osceola who passed away March 2, 2025; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mava Sigler; his twin sister, Jill Snodgrass; sister-in-law, Joyce Grossnicklaus and brothers-in-law, Sidney Sigler and Larry Snodgrass.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated later.

Dubas Funeral Home of Osceola and Stromsburg has been entrusted with arrangements. Dubasfuneralhome.com