Jean Ann Roberts, 89, of Axtell, NE, died on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at St. John's Catholic Church in Minden with Rev. Evan Winter officiating. A fellowship lunch will be provided following the Mass. Interment will be held later that day at 2:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell. Memorial book signing will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at St. John's Catholic Church in Minden with a Rosary service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials in Jean's honor are kindly suggested to the family for later designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Jean Ann Roberts was born on September 24, 1932 on a farm near Axtell, Nebraska to John Ryan and Anna (Norman) Ryan. She grew up in the area and attended country school (District #39) and Axtell Public school, graduating in 1950. She attended Kearney State College with a teaching degree and taught third grade in Cozad, NE.

On December 27, 1954, Jean married Emory Robert Roberts in Minden, NE at St. John's Catholic Church. They lived in Cozad and Kearney before moving to Axtell in 1959 where they established Roberts Construction Company and made their home. They were married for 67 years.

She was a substitute teacher for 35 years in many area schools. She served on the Axtell School Board and the Educational Service Unit 11 Board. She was an ABE-GED instructor, Cub Scout den mother and Bluebird and 4-H leader. She was also a member of the Altar Society at St. John's Catholic Church and taught elementary and high school CCD classes for many years. She served on the Kearney County Fair Board and was a member of the Double C Extension Club. She especially enjoyed compiling family histories and spent countless hours on genealogy over the years. She loved to patch clothes for family members, mending many pairs of jeans over the years, among other things. Jean loved feeding birds, tending to her large garden, canning and taking care of the flowers in her yard. She was known for her deep faith, love for her family and for her compassionate heart. She absolutely loved family gatherings.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Emory, five sons: Brad Roberts of Heartwell, NE, Greg (Rhonda) Roberts of Funk, NE, Jeff Roberts of rural Axtell, NE, Joe (Leisha) Roberts of Axtell, NE and Dennis (finance' Sara) Roberts of Axtell, NE, two daughters: Kathy Roberts of Kearney, NE and Teresa (Mark) Aten of Elm Creek, NE, nine grandchildren (Jeremy, Shane, Cody, Justin, Nathan, Brett, Madison, Andrea and Matt), ten great-grandchildren (Nixon, Evangeline, Felicie, Brooks, Maelyn, Colgan, Charlie, Riley, Emery and John), and her twin sister, Joan Johnson of Mason City, NE.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Daniel Merriam of Lawrence, KS.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .