Janice L Loghry, 79, of Callaway, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Callaway District Hospital, with her family by her side.

She was born March 8, 1947, in Callaway, Nebraska, the only child of Bernard and Harriet (Maze) Kolbo. She attended Callaway Public Schools and was a member of the Class of 1965. Janice was united in marriage to Thomas Hiatt, and together they were blessed with five children: Mitzi, Dawn, Connie, Tom, and Tim.

The family moved to Omaha, NE in 1970. Janice had a deep love for her community and was actively involved in many activities, including teaching Bluebirds, a precursor to Camp Fire Girls. She enjoyed organizing creative projects, often crafting tunnels and bridges for Thomas’s train set using mod podge. Family adventures were important to her, and she frequently packed up her children—and often neighborhood kids too—for weekend trips to DeSoto Bend.

Later, after moving to Geneva, Janice became a proud business owner, operating Daylight Donuts and later the Anchor Bar & Grill for several years. Upon returning to her hometown of Callaway with the love of her life, Gary “Kumbo” Kumm, she concluded her working career at the Callaway Good Life Center. There, she was known for delighting residents with her homemade desserts, always living by her motto: “Eat dessert first.”

In her free time, Janice treasured moments with family and friends. She especially enjoyed visits from Shane, who would stop by to take Spencer for his daily run and stay to chat about the day’s events. Janice was skilled with her hands and loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, and crafting, as well as creating unique and delicious treats. She loved gardening and loved teaching others how to preserve fresh food by canning, blanching and freezing, as well as fermentation techniques. She also enjoyed riding her Harley and deer hunting, where she took pride in processing the meat and making homemade sausage and jerky. An exceptional cook, she regularly contributed to bake sales supporting American Legion scholarships, helped her grandchildren raise money for various causes, and spent time watching cooking shows with Kumbo in search of new recipes.

She is survived by her children: Mitzi (Ron) Graham, Dawn (Tim Hogg) Hiatt, Connie Ekeler, Tom (Angela) Hiatt, and Tim Hiatt; her grandchildren: Sandra, Chelsey, Bud, Leann, John, Matt, Nicole, Zach, Haley, Sidney, Riley, and Noah; twelve great-grandchildren; as well as extended family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; the love of her life, Gary “Kumbo” Kumm; her grandparents, Harry and Ada Maze; her grandson, Austin J. Hiatt; and her close cousin, Dennis “Fig” Newton, who shared her birthday.

Cremation has taken place in accordance with Janice’s wishes and a private family service will be held at a later date. 

Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com