Obituary
Nancy Jane (Metcalf) Milisch
Nancy Jane (Metcalf) Milisch (67) passed away peacefully at her home with loving family by her side, after a hard fought battle with Alzheimer’s. Nancy was born in Eau Claire, WI on Sept 19, 1952 to Donald and Henrietta (Bergen) Metcalf. Early on, the family moved to La Crosse, where Nancy graduated from Central High School. Nancy attended Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse, where she acquired a nursing degree and went on to work the pediatric floor at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital. Later on, she switched to home health care until the time of her retirement in 2012. Nancy was passionate about being a nurse and had a deep connection to all the kids she cared for. They were her family.
Nancy married Dan Schroeder in 1974 and they had two daughters, Amy and Jessica. They later divorced but continued to share holidays and never missed their daughter’s events, where they would be seen sitting by each other to cheer their girls on.
Nancy was then introduced, by Ben Martens, to an old co-worker, Bob Milisch. They shared the same love for family and adventuring, and were married Sept 15, 2001. Nancy quickly became close with Bob’s children Paul and Gretchen. Bob and Nancy had a passion for traveling, which they did with good friends, Tony and Diane Mason and John and Mary Kay Olinger. Some favorite memories were made in the Mediterranean and on an Alaskan cruise. Nancy also enjoyed camping, fishing, hiking and especially taking her family tubing down the Totogatic River, looking for “glorious eagles.” Nancy loved watching her grandkid’s events, and cheering for the Holmen Vikings, the Waunakee Warriors, the Aquinas Bluegolds, and the GET Redhawks.
Nancy is survived by her loving husband, Bob Milisch and her beloved dog, Chewy, sisters Donnie Lee and Kathy (Jon) Fruh, daughters Amy (Nate) Keller and Jessica Loken, stepkids Paul (Liz) Milisch and Gretchen Clements, grandkids: Austin and Andrew Keller, Noah and Caleb Riley, Dominic and Jada Loken, Lola and Deegan Clements, and Marilyn Milisch, mother in law Patricia Milisch and many nieces and nephews whom she adored.
Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Don and Etta Metcalf, brother in law Ron Lee, and father in law Eric Milisch.
A special thanks to Dan and Carol Schroeder for their endless love and support given to Nancy, and to the Mayo hospice department for their guidance through this difficult time, but most of all to her husband and primary caregiver, Bob. Your love for her soars high with the eagles.
A celebration of life open house will be held on Saturday, August 29th, 2020 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska. In honor of Nancy, please bring your favorite face mask. One will be provided if you do not have yours.
“Fly high against the sky
So high I almost touch the sky
Thank you, thank you
Thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.”
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Forever in my heart Mom?
You’re all in my prayers and thoughts at this very difficult time, but just know that she’s finally in heaven and in peace. Sympathy to you all. Karen Rice
Jessica, so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. I never met her, but she sounds like she was adventurous and had a lot of love to share. Hugs to you and your family.
Janice and Marc Zell
Jessica,
We’ve never met, but have heard how much you cared for your Mother. We are sorry to learn of her passing and pray that your special times and happy memories of her quickly replace the sadness you now feel.
Joyce & Wayne Tomkowiak
Diana and I are very sorry for your loss, she sounded like a wonderful lady.
Nancy was a very special neighbor who always had a smile. We will miss her walking with Bob and Chewy. God speed and rest well special angel.
Nancy will forever be my treasured friend. I loved her compassion, love for life and her sometimes quirkiness. She always had a smile on her face and therefore made others around her love time spent together. My thanks go out to Bob as I know she was in loving hands with him by her side. Words can not express how much she will be missed.
Love always!
Diane Mason
Bob and family,we are sorry for your loss.
We are praying for you!
My prayers and sympathy to Bob and the family.
Rest in peace my dear Friend. I will forever be grateful for the memories we shared. You made the world a better place and will be deeply missed by many.
Rest In Peace Nancy ! Prayers to the resort he family !
Praying for the family, Rest In Peace Nancy!