Janice Lorraine (Halligan) Martin died on October 11, 2018. She was born in her grandparents’ home on February 10, 1944 to Harley and Ruby Halligan.
Janice grew up on the Halligan farm, where her grandfather, Tom Halligan, had built the big farmhouse and barn to raise his own large family. Janice was fascinated with animals, especially horses, from the beginning of her life. There were many horses in Janice’s life, and she broke and trained horses for extra money while growing up. She was a member of the Velvet Spurs Riding Club for about 15 years and enjoyed performing in mounted horse drills, all girl rodeos, traveling to other rodeos in various locations in the Midwest to perform rodeo opening ceremonies. Later on she enjoyed training barrel racing horses for kids in 4-H, especially her own son and daughter.
Music was an important part of Janice’s life. She began piano lessons as a young child and continued playing for the rest of her life. In high school she played clarinet in the band, attaining first chair status by 9th grade. Janice’s mother, Ruby Halligan, was a skilled musician and was a role model for others in performing and playing various stringed musical instruments. Janice and her mother enjoyed performing together at local functions, as well as for friends and relatives.
Janice was a skilled typist, once winning a national competition with a score of 145 wpm, 98% accuracy. She worked for various lawyers and judges before going to work for the Union Pacific Railroad in 1978, where she continued working for 30 years until her retirement in 2008. She retired in Omaha, Nebraska as a crew dispatcher after having worked at the railroad’s headquarters building since 1993 in various other departments.
She met the love of her life, Patrick Martin while working for Union Pacific Railroad in North Platte. They were married in September 1984 in Cody Park at North Platte. The two enjoyed a good and happy married life and juggled their efforts at life between both being employed by the railroad and both being highly motivated to serve Jehovah God as Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; and several cousins, aunts and uncles.
Janice is survived by her husband, Patrick; her only brother, Guy (Sonia) Halligan of Miami, FL; her son, Neil (Julie) Bokoskie; four granddaughters, Kelsey Barrett, Shelby, Shaelen, and Shanelle Bokoskie; one grandson, Brandon Wingett; one great grandson, Jayce Daniels; two daughters, Lori and Shelli; as well as various other relatives.
Memorials are suggested to the Worldwide Work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. October 20, 2018 at Adams Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte, Nebraska with Terence Ristov of Jehovah’s Witnesses giving the memorial talk. Those wishing to sign to the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.