Janice Ilene Troxel

Janice Ilene Troxel was born to Philip Dean and Friedrika Anna (Weber) Troxel on January 3, 1949.  Ann and her sister Ada had walked to the Dr's. office and he told her to go directly to the hospital.  They went back to Grandma’s and picked up their hospital needs and they barely made it to the hospital due to sleeting and icy streets.  Dad made it to be with Ann after Jan arrived. 1949 was a historic time where an unmatched blizzard hit the plains.  Jan was welcomed by two brothers, Stanley Dean and Elwyn Eugene.  Her dark curly hair and ready smile kept her out of trouble and the apple of daddy’s eye.  Two years later she welcomed a sister, Kathleen Ann.  They were immediate and lifetime best friends.  No matter what life brought their way, they faced it together and carried on. 

Jan was a fiercely independent woman who went on to college after graduation from Campbell High School.  She moved away from family for a few years.  When she returned to Lincoln in 1974, she became a short-time roommate of sister Kathy.  She then found a good friend in Cheryl Sneff and roomed with her. Jan worked many different jobs.  Her last, and most favorite, was Nebraska Game and Parks.  She loved customer service and helping people enjoy the services that Game and Parks offered.  She looked forward to their Game and Parks dinner sharing Nebraska foods from the land and really enjoyed a retreat at Mahoney State Park.

In March of 1976, Jan met the love of her life, Gary Mandery.  She loved his smile, sense of humor and enjoyed being there by his side.  They had many adventures; they were both good cooks and they celebrated each other’s talents and company.

His love of fishing was infectious and she was always ready to “go fishin.” The first time she caught a fish she was so excited she screamed, “What do I do?”   Gary told her “First thing you do is stop screaming!”  “All the boats are going to come over to rescue you!”  Sure enough, the boats showed up!  She apologized and never screamed (that loud) again.  Jan loved to fish for white bass and walleye.  She was especially excited when she caught 2 fish on the same pole!  She’d sometimes “out fish” Gary with more fish or a bigger fish, but that never mattered.  In her heart, Gary was always the master fisher.  She gladly differed to his excellent preparation of that meal!  Gary really brought a smile to all of us, but especially Ann (Mom) when he delivered that meal of fresh fish to her at the nursing home in Kenesaw.  Jan got the best “catch” when she and Gary met.

Jan never felt she was pessimist or optimist.  When looking at a glass half full of water, she never answered if the glass was half full or half empty-instead she’d ask “Where did you get the glass?!”  Jan loved to shop, always picking things up for others.  She was a very humble person with great ideas.  She came up with innovative ideas for a couple of her workplaces but never took credit for them.  Jan probably never truly realized her worth to those around her.

She was a 33 + year member of Unit 3 American Legion Auxiliary in Lincoln and the 8/40 American Legion Salon'.  Jan served on many committees. She especially enjoyed reading essays submitted for Girl's State and poppy sales.  Jan served as president in 1991-1992.  She had an incredible memory!  Jan knew the words to every popular song growing up. She and Kathy would often sing together or with the cousins. Sometimes they even made-up words as they went along, but Jan knew every word! It's not surprising that Jan would spend Mother's Day with mom for her 1st heavenly celebration!  

Jan was a true love, soul mate and partner for Gary.  They were steadfast travelers together on her life journey. Jan and Gary were best friends and best fishing buddies.

She was a devoted and kind sister to Stan, Elwyn and Kathy and loved all of their family.  Jackie, Julie, Murray and all of their children, Vicky, Patricia, Shawn, Barbara, Jean and Kevin and all of their children and also Shawn McShane.  Jan had a heart big enough and smile large enough to share.  She was a “keeper of tradition” and encouraged and enjoyed times spent with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents.  Jan felt you must attend all family functions because they could be “the last.”

Our pledge to you, Janice, is that we’ll keep honoring family traditions.  We will gather and celebrate you and others that have gone before us.  You’ll never be more than a smile away as we remember you and the love you gave us all.

She passed away May 1, 2021 at The Monarch in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 72 years.  

Jan is survived by the love of her life and best fishing partner, Gary Mandery of Lincoln, siblings, Stanley D. (Jacqueline) Troxel of Papillion NE; Elwyn E. Troxel (Julie Brunke) of Lakewood CO and Kathleen A. (Murray) Eitzmann of Ballston Lake, NY, nieces and nephews, Victoria (Thad) Retzlaff of Bonney Lake, WA; Patricia Hathorne of Erie CO; Shawna (William) Troxel-Kulp of Wheatridge, CO; Barbara Troxel of Arvada, CO; Jean M. (Daniel) Dudley of Queensbury, NY and Kevin A. (Alison) Eitzmann of Ballston Lake, NY, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by parents and infant stillborn brother, R.J. Troxel.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 8, 2021 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Dr. Larry D. Holmes officiating.  Family will greet one hour prior to the service. 

Memorials may go to the family's choice.  

Inurnment will be in the Tecumseh Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com. 

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