Jane Anne Elder

Jane Ann Elder, 79, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2025. She was born on November 27, 1946, in Wellington, Kansas, to the late George W. and Betty E. (Hutchinson) Schiller.

Jane attended Oklahoma State University, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, serving as chapter treasurer. It was in Stillwater where she met her husband of 52 years, the late Kenneth B. Elder. They were married in 1968 in the First Christian Church of Stillwater.

Jane and Ken eventually made their home in Durant, Oklahoma, with their children. Dr. Elder had a life-long academic career as a university professor. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oklahoma State University, and an EdD in Sociology from Texas A&M University at Commerce. She was a member of the faculty of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma, in the sociology department for 35 years. During her career, she made many contributions to the fields of sociology and gerontology by serving on the Wesleyan Board and the Bryan Care Eldercare program, as well as being published in these disciplines. Her reputation for being a compassionate and scholastic professor earned the admiration of, and inspiration to, many students.

In addition to her academic work, Jane was a member of the First Chrisian Church. She cherished her many positions she held in the Durant church through the years, and especially her relationships with her church family. After she retired to Stillwater, she attended First Christian Church of Stillwater, where she was member of the women’s weekly coffee group. She did not drink coffee, but would always be present with her beloved Dr. Pepper icees!

More than anything else, Jane loved being a wife, mom, and grandma. Her favorite topic of conversation was her family, and her favorite activity was anything her kids and grandkids were doing. She will be dearly missed by them all.

Jane is survived by her children, Katherine Thomas (Steve) of Stillwater and Jennifer Elder (Bryan Pregler) of Lucas, Texas; grandchildren Evan Thomas (Kenzie); Claire Thomas; Sean Pregler; Nick Pregler and Evie Pregler; sister Martha Johnson (Richard); and several nieces and nephews.

Jane’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the excellent care she received by the staff at Primrose Retirement Community in Stillwater these past several years.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Stillwater Medical at Home (Judith Karman Hospice) https://stillwater-medical.org ; First Christian Church of Durant, https://durantfcc.org; or First Chistian Church of Stillwater https://www.fcc-stillwater.org