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On the afternoon of Tuesday, January 20, Jane E. Webb, 65, passed away unexpectedly at her home in River Falls.
Jane was born July 27, 1960, in Wabasha, MN. She lived with her family in Pepin, WI and they settled in Menomonie, WI in 1962. Jane graduated from Menomonie High School in 1978 where she met the love of her life, Dan Webb. They were married August 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, WA and grandchildren Eli, Harper, Owen; a daughter Kaitlin (Josh) Bauer of Cottage Grove, MN and grandchildren Natalie and Thomas; and a son Mitchell of Rochester, MN.
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, WI. A visitation was held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, January 26. The funeral was on Tuesday, January 27th at 11 a.m., with a visitation beforehand from 9 a.m. to 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.
Click here to watch a recording of Jane’s service on YouTube.
Click here to watch a recording of Jane’s service
43 Comments
Jane was a wonderful soul who brought so much light and love to those around her.
Jane was a phenomenal educator of children and adults and dearly loved her family and friends. She will be greatly missed.
I am so terribly sad to hear of Jane’s death. She was a truly lovely person. Sadly, I will be out of the country for the funeral.
So very sorry to see this Kaitlyn. You and your family will be in my prayers.
This is such sad news. Jane was such a kind and loving person. My condolences to the family. I am so sorry for your loss.
should we do really miss?
Aleisha🙏🏾
What?
Very sad.
Tonnja & my thoughts & prayers are with the Webb Family.
Jane was so kind I knew her a few years ago when I lived in River Falls such a special woman, teacher as well
I am heartbroken to hear of Jane’s passing. She was such a kind, loving, and talented woman & teacher, who will be missed by all who knew her. My deepest sympathies to Dan, David, Kaitlyn, Mitchell and families. You were her world. Love & prayers for comfort and strength.
My heart is broken hearing this news. My condolences to the Johnson and Webb families. Jane was such a warm, happy, giving person. Her kindness made her students fall in love with school as well as life. Her zest of life was infectious! Jane, we will miss you so!
Dearly missed
I am truly sorry to hear about the passing of Jane I grew up only a few doors down from her in Menomonie. She was an awesome person and will be greatly missed. Always known her with that wonderful smile she had. Our sincere sympathy to the family!
Sherry (Cockeram) Herdt
I am heartbroken to hear this news! Jane was a beautiful person with great passion for her students. Send my sympathy to you.❤️🙏
Jane made a huge impact on my son Will. She encouraged all areas of learning. She was a wonderful person.
Jane was a treasured teacher and friend to all in the SV school district. Sending love and condolences 💐
This is such shocking news. Hurting hearts here. Jane had such a bubbly personality. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
All I Need to Know In Life I Learned In Kindergarten….
Rest in peace Mrs. Webb…the best teacher there ever was.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to honor you at my 1999 Senior Banquet for my top teacher who made the biggest difference in my school life. You most definitely deserved the recognition.
You made such a positive impression on so many lives and kept track of and in touch with so many of your “kids” throughout the years. I’ll miss your random messages that always brightened my day.
You had the kindest smile, the best hugs and a special way of putting kids at ease on those first days of school, away from our Moms at home, where you became our school “Mom.” We will surely miss you down here.
My heartfelt condolences to your family and friends as they grieve this tremendous loss. 🪽
Jane was a joy to work with, always on top of the situation and eager to find solutions. As so many have pointed out, her huge heart ❤️ was on display in just about every situation. She had a wonderful smile, hearty laugh and infectious sense of humor. RIP Jane
I knew Jane through my daughter Anne and she came to work at my shop in St. Charles with Anne. I am so saddened by her passing . What Avery special lady!
My deepest sympathies to her family. Jane was such a sweet and kind person and wonderful teacher. She touched so many lives and will be missed by all.
I am so heartbroken to know the world has lost this amazing woman. I’ve know Jane since I was four years old, when we met each other as next door neighbors, and spent the next 14 years growing up together as friends. Though life then took us in different directions, our neighborhood homes were still our “homes”, and when we did see each other, it was as if the time in between never changed our friendship. She was an incredible, energetic soul, and my memories with her growing up are forever encased in my heart.
My condolences to Jane’s family. She was such a wonderful, caring person who made a positive impact on so many students.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Jane was a beautiful soul.
Condolences to the family. Jane was a great person, wife, mother, grandmother, educator, roommate and friend. She touched countless hearts. She will truly be missed.
Jane was a wonderful teacher. She inspired so many children to learn in a matter that made sense to them. . She made a difference in both of my boys lives. Rest in peace to a real hero.
Oh I am so saddened to hear this! I did not know Jane well, but she was simply one of those people who stand out in everyday life. Walking down the street, shopping in the grocery store, passing in the halls at Greenwood, cheering in the High School swim stands… Always so kind and smiling and fun. I remember thinking what a perfect person she was to care, lead, mentor and teach young kiddos. My heart goes out to her family and friends. Peace.
I first met Jane on a 4-H trip in St. Croix County. I then worked with her husband Dan and my children were in the Town-N-Country 4-H club under Jane’s leadership. She was a great leader, role model and was able to encourage and bring out the best in children and adults. We will miss her guiding light but will remember how she positively made our world better. Fly high Jane and watch over us, especially your loving family!
She was such an amazing teacher and person she will be missed by all that knew her
My heartfelt, deeply heart -broken condolences to dear Jane’s family, friends & all the many hearts she truely touched.
I met Jane through my wonderful sister, Lynne. I was simply blessed, as my sister was.
Jane gave so unselfishly & did whatever she could to help out or even better a situation by graciously giving her talented, caring, empathetic ways.
Jane showed so much kindness in wanting to solve or fix a problem- even if it met drawing up a diagram to better the situation!
Jane was so giving, one time she drove all the way to Mn to deliver a hand made four course meal for my mother. It was not only a heartfelt meal, but she so elegantly & colorfully designed it in a beautiful, uplifting presentation. What a gift!
Jane will be so missed- her beautiful, talented ways, inside & out.
She will pleasantly be carried in my heart& mind forever.
We were blessed to know Jane.
Jane was so kind and loving. She was what this world needs now more than ever. All if my love to you Dan and yours and
Jane’s family.
My visual of Jane was her zooming to our lunches and away in her convertible…she loved life and lived it to the fullest . Keep zooming friend 💖
I was Jane’s elementary teacher. She was a wonderful student and later a wonderful friend. My love and prayers are with all the family. Lois Sipple
My son had Jane as a kindergarten teacher . She was the only teacher he ever had who truly understood him. As a co- early childhood teacher, I looked up to her in so many ways. Jane touched so many lives! She made an impact on everyone she met whether it was as a student, student teacher, co worker, friend or stranger. Big hugs to the family. I’m seriously so sad.
I knew of Jane’s younger years through her parents, Sonnie and Dave Johnson who I taught with at Menomonie High School.. They were so proud of her and Steve. My sincere condolences to Jane’s family and Steve. She is truly gone too soon. 😥🙏
Jane Webb was a truly wonderful person who gave two of my children a caring, joyful, and memorable start to their educational journey in her kindergarten class at Greenwood Elementary.
Dear Dan, Kaitlyn, David and Mitch and family, We are so very sorry to hear this. We have such good memories sitting by Jane at football and soccer for so many years. I will never forget how kind Jane wa and I never saw her without her beautiful smile. Our prayers and love to each of you. Love, Barb and Steve Nelson
When my grandson Oliver was 8 years old Mrs. Webb (his teacher) picked him up in her convertible and took him to the DQ to have an ice cream cone with him!They have the same birthday!Made his day!!!Oliver is 16 now!!!
I am so saddened to hear of Jane’s passing. The entire family will remain in my thoughts and prayers for days to come.
I truly believe she set the tone for school in my daughter’s life. And even after we moved, she kept tabs on her through social media, said hi when we’d see her in town and always commented on how quickly she was growing. She was so kind and had the best personality, the kind everyone was drawn to immediately. She’ll be greatly missed and always remembered. She was one of the good ones. Rest easy, Mrs. Webb.
I went to grade school with Jane and later with her and Dan in high school. They were the perfect match. She was a wonderful person inside and out. My sympathies to Dan, their children/families, brother, colleagues and friends. May the memories you have with her sustain you through this difficult time
💗💐💗
Dear Dan and Family, I am so very sorry for your profound loss. I didn’t know Jane well, but Rosemary talked of her very fondly and from the few times I talked with her it was obvious that she was an exceptional and delightful human being. Take care. Your cousin, Kay
Sending my condolences! She was a great teacher when she was teaching in Spring Valley. She will be missed.
So very sorry for your loss! Jane was a wonderful lady!❤️🙏
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