Jayne Larsen

Jayne Larsen, age 94, of Aurora, passed away, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at Memorial Community Care in Aurora 
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at United Lutheran Church in Hampton. Pastor Rudy Flores will officiate. Interment will be in the United Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, October 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Memorials may be made to the family to be designated to Boys Town and Alzheimer’s research. Condolences may be made to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.  
Jayne Bedient was born to Orville Osborne and Mildred Jeanette (nee Lincoln) Bedient at their home in Bradshaw, on July 26, 1931. She graduated at age 16 from York High School in May 1948. She married Eugene Larsen on January 15, 1950.   
Jayne, Gene and family attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near their home in Millard. Faith was very important to her. Later in life, she and Gene enjoyed worked together visiting shut-ins as Stephen Ministers.   
Once her children began school, she began her 31-year career at Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home. During her time at Boys Town, she was a writer, manager, and ambassador for the organization. She rose to the position of Manager of Special Communications for Public Appeals, working under 3 of the 4 Executive Directors by the time she retired in June 1992. She held several leadership positions in the International Information/Word Processing Association and was recognized for her contributions to the growth of Management Information Systems professionals at a time when women’s opportunities for advancement in the workplace were not as common as they are today—a legacy of which her family is particularly proud.   
Summers were always an opportunity for family camping holidays to points west; often arriving to stay with relatives in Idaho. Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Parks and southwest Colorado were favorite summertime fifth-wheel camper destinations. After retirement, she and Gene spent many happy winters in Harlingen, Texas.   
Over the years, she enjoyed golfing, hopping and riding trains with her sister as children, clowning in full makeup, and spending time with people, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and Abbey, her beloved yellow Lab. She was a proud lifelong member of The Trojanettes.   
Jayne passed away peacefully on October 14, surrounded by family, friends, laughter and smiles.   
She will be remembered for her sharp wit, unfailing sense of humor, and her ability to show love with delicious food, which her family always happily devoured. She was self-taught with a love of words and delighted in discovering new ones.   
Jayne carried on a family tradition of strong, independent women, passed down from her mother Mildred and grandmothers Ida Logan Lincoln and Emma Plessinger Bedient. She had a reputation for openness to new ideas and an independent spirit that questioned rather than conformed. She believed in letting people be themselves and provided unwavering encouragement and support.   
Jayne was loved near and far. All will miss the sincerity of her hugs, the way she made everyone feel welcome and included, and the unconditional love she showed family and friends.   
Jayne was preceded in death by infant daughter Rebecca Jayne; sister Joyce; parents Orville Bedient and Mildred Lincoln Bedient Hendryx; stepfather Jim Hendryx; husband Eugene Larsen; brother Melvin (Bud) and sister-in-law Margaret Bedient; brother-in-law Melvin and sister-in-law Darlene Larsen; brother-in-law Norman and sister-in-law Betty Larsen; son-in-law Ron Robertson; and nephews Steve Larsen and Joe Sisson.   
She is survived by son Robert of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; daughter Debra Troester and husband Steve of Hampton; daughter Vicki Preuss and husband Richard of Lindsey; daughter Lori Ash and partner Don Ash of Wahoo; grandchildren Peter Larsen and wife Katherine; Jenny Dunn and husband Matt; Jeff Troester and wife Kim; John Troester; Joe Troester and wife Alli; Shannon Robertson; Troy Robertson and wife Leah; Nick Ash and wife Kim; Nate Ash; great-grandchildren Sydney Jayne Ash and partner Mason; Jackson, Judah, and Jane; Amelia, Molly, and Lucy; Addis and Grady; nieces, nephews, honorary grandchildren, and many dear friends.   
The family gives special thanks to caregivers including honorary granddaughter Julie Reha, nurses and staff at Memorial Community Care and at East Park Villa, where she met old friends and new, and Tabitha Hospice for their care and support.