Jenny "Lynne" Favinger, 74, of Kearney, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Kearney Regional Medical Center. Celebration of life services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2024 at Kearney's First United Methodist Church with Rev. Matt Fowler officiating. The service will be streamed to the church's website at www.kearneyfirstumc.org . Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation or memorial book signing. Memorials in Lynne's honor are kindly suggested to the S.A.F.E. Center in Kearney. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Lynne Favinger was born in Holdrege, Nebraska, October 2, 1949 to Harold Dean & Phyllis Marie (Erickson) Fahrenbruch. She was the oldest of four children, followed by her brothers, Ricke, Mark, and Jay.

Lynne grew up on a farm north of Axtell and attended Axtell Public School. She was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and was active in 4H, high school volleyball, summer softball, band, and was a cheerleader for the Axtell Wildcats.

After high school graduation, Lynne continued her education at UNL, majoring in Physical Education. She was a member of Tassels Pep Club and enjoyed selling balloons on game days. She met her future husband when she was 15, and when they became engaged in 1969, she moved to Kearney to finish college at Kearney State College. She and Steve Favinger were married on August 22, 1970 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Axtell. The couple were blessed with three sons, Curt, Scott, and Eric.

After graduation, the couple moved to WaKeeney, KS where they both taught for 2 years, after which time they moved to Minden, Nebraska where Lynne continued to substitute teach while starting their family. Over the next few years, three sons were born: Curt (1974), Scott (1977), and Eric (1980). While living in Minden, she held many jobs, including bookkeeping for the Minden Terminal Service Station, Dental Assistant at Minden Dental Clinic, Kearney CO ASC Office (currently NRCS) and Eaton Corporation in Kearney, in the HR department.

She excelled at everything she attempted.

Lynne was actively involved in agriculture beyond her own farm and state borders. She participated in the 1979 Tractor-cade to Washington, DC and as a member of WIFE (Women Involved in Farm Economics) she was responsible for writing and sending press releases to media across the nation.

After completing her master's degree at UNK in 1998, she was employed as the Executive Director of the Central Mediation Center in Kearney, which includes 35 counties in Central Nebraska. She was a member of the 1998-99 class of Leadership Kearney. In 2006, she was one of two Rotarians in the United States selected to attend a three-month class on World Peace and Conflict Resolution in Bangkok, Thailand, where she made friends from many countries around the world.

Lynne was an adventurer, always anticipating the challenge of new experiences which brought the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Among the adventures Lynne enjoyed were traveling, skiing, and the ocean, which produced many trips to Colorado and California. A favorite family memory is her participation in the greasy pig contest at the County Fair at the age of 38. During her retirement bridge became one of her favorite pastimes…she belonged to four different bridge groups and substituted in others.

In 2002, she made her first trip of many to Germany to visit Serina, beloved former exchange student. Other travels include London, Istanbul, and several cities in the United States. In recent years, she and Steve enjoyed joining their son Scott and his wife in Estes Park or driving to Texas to see their son Curt and his family. Eric and his family in Kearney graced their lives on an almost daily basis.

She had many other interests, but at the top of her list were her grandchildren. She loved each and every one with undying devotion. She taught them many silly little songs that they could sing along with her. She loved life and all the joys that came with it. Even tough times couldn't keep her down for long. She loved her boys and their families and was rewarded in return with their love. With almost 54 years together, Lynne and Steve developed an uncommon bond that many would envy, and few could duplicate.

We love you Lynne, the way you loved us.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Steve Favinger of Kearney; sons, Curt (Carrie) Favinger of Ft. Worth, TX, Scott (Michelle) Favinger of Kearney, and Eric (April) Favinger of Kearney; grandchildren, Riley (Katie), Ashley, Kelsey, Atticus, Cora, and Landon Favinger, Maxine and Guy Warren; brothers, Ricke Fahrenbruch (Bill Dick), Mark Fahrenbruch, Jay Fahrenbruch (Diana); Steve's brother, Bruce (Deanne) Favinger.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

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