Jan Vala was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on January 11th, 1955 to Hazel and Charles Smith. She graduated from Lincoln Southeast before attending Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she was a flute player and a Delta Zeta sorority sister. After graduating with a degree in Psychology and attending graduate school, she became a school psychologist for OPS. In 1977 Jan married Tim Vala, and for many years she supported their family while Tim focused on building their business, Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, in Gretna, Nebraska. Eventually she joined the business full time and together Jan and Tim created one of the largest agritainment destinations in the nation.

 

Jan was unfailingly kind, the heart of both the Vala family and the family business. She loved Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Beatles, and she collected Pez dispensers, lunchboxes and tea pots. As a Grandma, Jan always had time for a tea party! Jan is survived by her father and husband, as well as her 3 daughters, Kirsten Fong, Kyla Shaver and Kelsey Donovan; and 5 grandkids, Zoe Fong (7), Ethan Fong (4), Freya Shaver (6), Stefan Shaver (3), and Elias Shaver (9 months).

 

Jan was a well-loved member of the community, and all who knew her are welcome to attend visitation, Wednesday, September 8th, 3pm to 7pm at Roeder Mortuary, Gretna, Nebraska; and a Celebration of Jan’s Life, Thursday, September 9th, 11am at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, in the Pavilion. Jan was a voracious reader and always had a stack of books she was reading through. In lieu of flowers the Vala family requests donations which will be sent to The Gretna Library Foundation in her honor.

Roeder Mortuary

11710 Standing Stone Gretna, NE

402-332-0090

Steven Hayward Saker

10/20/1955 – 8/18/2021

Steven Hayward Saker, age 65, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away peacefully, Monday, August 18th, 2021, in his own home.

A kind, giving, hard-working, loving father, brother, and friend. Steven was a devoted father and an avid home cook. He enjoyed sharing his food and recipes to bless others. His faith was his foundation. He loved Jesus. He accepted his diagnosis of cancer with a peace that comes only from the Lord. He knew he was in good hands and still is.

Steven was born October 20, 1955, in Syracuse, New York, the oldest child of James and Charlotte (Crane) Saker. He was raised in Lansing, MI. He served in the United States Airforce from June,1983 to Dec,1987 as a Missile Systems Maintenance Specialist. He worked as a COBOL programmer with First Data and finally helping people as a Research Specialist in Customer Service at Prime Therapeutics.

Steve married Yvonne DeHop (Saker) in 1982 and with her raised their only son Jason Saker, born to them in the Netherlands while stationed there in the air force. In addition to his parents, Steven was preceded in death by his former wife, Yvonne Saker. Surviving Steven are his son, Jason Saker of Omaha, Nebraska, Douglas Saker of Redondo Beach, CA, Timothy Saker of Atlanta, GA, Susan (William) Saker-Johnson of Las Vegas NV, and Jonathon (Caryn) Saker of Atlanta, GA, his eight nephews and nieces Matthew, Lindsay, Marina, Andrew (Hazel), Philip (Laura), Elisabeth (Steven), Claire and Nicholas and his aunt Nancy (Saker) Dreisbach of Detroit, Mi.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Eagle’s Nest Worship Center, 5775 Sorensen Parkway, Omaha, NE 68153 on Saturday, September 11^th from 3:30 to 4:30p, doors opening at 2:30p. Steve was in love with giving and took great pleasure in random acts of kindness. In lieu of flowers and in his memory, please find a person in need and bless them with kindness.

You may send condolences to Steven’s family and share further memories of him at https://www.facebook.com/steven.saker.

Roeder Mortuary

2727 N 108th Street Omaha, NE 68164

402-496-9000 www.roedermortuary.com

11/12/1958 – 9/1/2021

Gretna – Jerry C. Hayes, residing in Gretna Nebraska died at 63 years of age. 9:30 am on September 1, 2021 he was called home to be with God.  Proceeded in death were his father Martin and mother Diane.  Born in Menominee, Michigan and school years were in Peshtigo, Wisconsin.  College choice was Marquette University. Joined the Air Force and spent time in California with foreign language studies and two years overseas in Germany with operations to bring down the Berlin wall. Passions were the space program and astronauts.  Fishing and hunting were a big part of his life for recreation.

Survived by wife of 36 years, Julie, children Tony (Lori) Blackburn, Tracy Klabunde (Tony Heimer), six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, brother, Cliff and his wife Donna, nephews Tyler & Josh. Proceeded in death by Brother-in-law Elroy, Survived by Sister-in-law Janice (husband, Jim), Sister-in-law Francine.

Jerry retired this year from Veterans Hospital after 3 years of being an employee after serving in the United States Army and Army Reserves of Colorado for 14 years. Emergency Management of the state of Wisconsin 10 years prior to this.

Visitation Friday 10:00 – 11:00 AM with Funeral Service 11:00 AM Friday (9/10/2021) at Gretna United Methodist Church 11457 S 204th Street   Gretna, NE. Memorials Gretna United Methodist Church or Gretna American Legion.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. – Gretna Chapel

11710 Standing Stone – Gretna, NE – 402-332-0090

www.RoederMortuary.com

Ty’Anna Samar Danzy

Friday, September 3, 2021 – 3pm

Roeder Mortuary – 4932 Ames Ave, Omaha, NE

Order Of Service

Officiating the service is Annie’s Grandmother Evangelist Donna Campbell

Annie was born August 4, 2002, to Sateen (Lopez) and Marcus Danzy. Anna was born in Landstuhl, Germany. Annie graduated with honors while working at Popeyes from Lafayette High School in Williamsburg, VA in 2020.

She relocated with her family in Sparta, WI where she gave birth to her son A’dones Cotman. Annie’s current occupation was a crewmember at McDonalds

Annie was 19 years old. In early years she lived in Virginia and attended Missionary Baptism Church where she gave her life to the Lord.

Annie is survived by her sisters and brothers and host of aunts, uncle, cousins, and relatives

Annie’s family would like to express sincere gratitude

John 14:3 And I will go and prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.