Jane Louise Kitchar

Jane L (Nierengarten) Kitchar, 79, formerly of Elkhart, IN, passed peacefully into the next life on March 10, 2026. She was surrounded by the love of her Family during her final illness, and will be deeply missed.

She was born in St. Cloud, MN, to Alice (Barthel) Nierengarten and Carl A. Nierengarten on June 27, 1946. She was the second of six children. Her early education was at Holy Angels Grade School and Cathedral High School, where teaching members of the Order of St. Benedict, and her devoted parents, firmly established within her a life-long love of learning. She attended St. Cloud State University after High School and met John T. Kitchar during her early collegiate years. They married in 1965, bringing into the world a daughter, Jackie, and a son, John M. Kitchar. They were divorced in 1995.

As a life-long learner, she returned to St. Cloud State University, completing a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology in 1980. She obtained further training as a virologist at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA. She went on to do hospital and commercial laboratory work before moving into sales, marketing and then into the application of enzymes in various industrial capacities. She retired in 2004.

Jane remained devoted to the lives of her children and two grandchildren throughout her life. She was actively engaged in charitable work and remained a talented cook and an avid gardener until her mounting medical difficulties curtailed these pursuits. She leaves behind a community of mourners, and a legacy of generosity, courage under duress and an indestructible zeal for living.

Jane is survived by son, John M. Kitchar; grandsons, Nicholas & Brooks McBride; life partner, Joseph Leverone; siblings, Carol, Sharon, Dennis & Gary (Carol Plachecki) Nierengarten of the St. Cloud Area; sons-in-law, Lyric McBride of St. Cloud & John Fogarty of Northfield.

She was preceded in death by parents; sister, Mary Fogarty; daughter, Jackie McBride.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Friday, March 20 at the Church of St. Olaf, 215 S 8th St, Minneapolis. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday, March 18 at Gearty-Delmore Robbinsdale Chapel, 3888 W. Broadway, and again one hour prior to Mass at Church.