Janet "Jan" Rae Swedberg, age 78, of North Platte, NE was called to be with her Lord and Savior , Jesus Christ, on December 31, 2025. She was born one of five children to Robert and Virginia (Steadman) Coffey in Alma, NE on September 14, 1947. Jan lived her life grounded in faith, service, music, and a love for others. She held a deep desire to be reunited with her family in heaven.
Jan grew up on a farm near Orleans, NE and took great pride in her accomplishments and education, graduating from Orleans High School in 1965, being crowned Miss Oxford in 1966, and Harlan County Centennial Queen in 1967. In 1968, Jan married her college sweetheart, Kent Kittle and together they had three children: Angela, Jeff, and Rob. After graduating from Kearney State College in 1971, she used her degree in music education to teach music and instruct piano lessons. Jan was a Girl Scout and 4-H leader; she loved to sing, and could also be found sewing, reading, or tending to her flower gardens, but most of all, Janet adored her grandchildren and filled her time with their activities.
In 1982, Jan married Kent Swedberg and welcomed two more children into the world: Emily and Ellen.
Professionally, Jan worked at the North Platte Opportunity Center for more than 36 years, dedicating herself to the potential of every person she encountered. Jan served as the Area Director and Administrator of the North Platte Opportunity Center for nearly 20 years, retiring in 2016. Jan served as President of the Buffalo Bill Kiwanis Club in 2006. She also served on the board for the Association for Community Professionals for over 15 years, receiving the President Award in 2007.
Jan is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Virginia; her husband, Kent Swedberg; her dear friends, Pat and Becky; and one angel grandbaby.
Jan's memory will be kept close in the hearts of those who loved her, including her children Angela Hipp of North Platte, NE, Jeff (Beth) Kittle of rural Oregon, Rob (Danielle) Kittle of North Platte, NE, Emily Swedberg of North Platte, NE, and Ellen (Jake) Davis of League City, TX; her grandchildren Larissa, Zoe, Kyndra, Alyssa, Thomas, Daisy, Andrew, Evelyn, Samson, Justina, Alexander, Henry, Eli, Walter, and Milo: siblings Anne Ewing of Central City, NE, Bruce Coffey of Columbus, NE, Bobby (Sandy) Coffey of Orleans, NE, and Brent (Ramona) Coffey of Orleans, NE; her dear friends, Connie, Carolyn, Kathy, Marge, and Beth; as well as many other family members.
Online expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Memorials are suggested to the family for the future purchase of a flower garden and/or tree in Jan's memory.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. CST at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte with Pastor Geoff Safford as officiant. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. CST at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, NE, after lunch. Visitation is Sunday, January 4, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CST at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends.
Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.