Obituary
Janice Marie Nash
Janice Marie Nash, 65, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 in her home. She had borne the treatment for cancer with grace and courage.
She was born on December 11, 1948 to Ara and Vernetta Fish in West Salem, WI. She married Kenneth Nash on August 26, 1972 in Bristol, England.
Janice loved the French language, music, gardening and flowers, reading, leading bible study, hosting and entertaining, traveling, teaching French, and spending time with friends and family.
Janice’s fondness for reading and music began as a young girl. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class in West Salem. Following graduation she was invited to tour with the United States of America High School Band and Chorus, playing clarinet. She then entered into her first year of college at Wisconsin State University-Oshkosh, returning to La Crosse to finish. After completing college, Janice taught at Central High School. It was then that she met Ken.
A brave young woman, she sold her car and purchased a one-way ticket to England in 1972 where she married Ken. It was there they had three children. The church became a cornerstone of her life and she consumed the scriptures with the typical energy that she applied to her love of literature. She made close relationships with friends that she has maintained throughout the years.
In 1984, the family moved to France, which was a joy to her life and realized her dream to live in the country of her favorite language. In preparation, she obtained a French Language Bible and faithfully studied it. She helped her family to learn to communicate and then integrated her family into the Épinal Protestant Church. With the family adapting to the French culture, she taught in a French school and then in the Épinal Chamber of Commerce. She also played clarinet in the L’orchestre d’harmonie d’Épinal. There in France, she developed more friendships, which endure today.
With a move back to La Crosse in 1987, Janice focused on raising her children and her flower gardens, another huge love of her life. Nothing was allowed to grow in her garden unless it produced flowers. After some time she returned to teaching and taught French for the City of La Crosse and then for Mosinee High School via distance learning from Central High School. Hired to close out the last year of a French class, it became so successful under her French teaching skills that the program grew from 18 students in one school to 100 in 4 schools. For her excellence in the use of this technology, she received a commendation from the Governor of Wisconsin and was featured in his 1999 State of the State broadcast.
Janice was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and had a profound impact through her Bible study leadership and ministry, and love to others.
A woman full of grace, humility and love. A mother of abounding love. A wife of noble character.
Janice is survived by her husband of 41 years, Kenneth Nash; children, Larry, of Madison, Douglas and his wife, Amy, of Germantown, and Melissa Ladd and her husband, Matthew, of Rockville, MD; grandchildren, Colin and Kennedy Ladd of Rockville, MD, and Samuel and Grace Nash of Germantown; mother, Vernetta Fish of La Crosse; siblings, John Fish and wife Toni, of Troy, NC, Steve Fish and wife Carolyn of Richmond, KY, Noreen Fish of La Crosse, and Dwight Fish and wife Carly of Chicago, IL; and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father and her grandparents.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4141 Mormon Coulee Rd, La Crosse. The Rev. Harald Bringsjord will officiate. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
Memorials contributions are suggested to Good Shepherd Church or Our Saviors Lutheran Church Women’s Clothes Closet, La Crosse.
Memorials contributions are suggested to Good Shepherd Church or Our Saviors Lutheran Church Women’s Clothes Closet, La Crosse.
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Your entire family is on our thoughts.
Doug and Nash Family,
Your mother was a great person – kind, understanding, and loving are the words that come to mind but there are so many more. We wish you the best through this process and send our love each and every day.
The Speed Family
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Sincerely, Jason
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss. We will miss Janice greatly.
May Janice rest in peace. All my heartful condolences to you Nash and your family. Thinking of you a lot. Love,
Sylvie
Nanny, I love you so, so, so, so much.
A beautifully written obituary which captured Janice so well. I will miss her very much.
We are thinking of you and sending our deepest sympathy. Hugs, Elisabeth, Russ, Charlotte Rose and Amelia