Janice Ann Phillippi Gulden, 74, of Lexington, passed away peacefully Sept. 21, 2013, at her daughter’s home in Ogallala, surrounded by her eternal family.
Janice was born Jan. 10, 1939, in Lexington to Leslie I. and Esther L. (Passage) Phillippi of Smithfield. She was the third of five children. Her childhood was happy and filled with love.
She attended a rural school near their farm house in Gosper County, attended fifth grade in Smithfield, then attended the Lutheran Parochial School for 6-8 grade in Lexington. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1956.
Following her graduation, she worked as a nurse’s aide, waitress at the Cornland Hotel and then worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone at the Lexington office.
She married Darryn W. Gulden, of Lexington, on June 22, 1958. Four daughters were blessed to this happy union, Pam, Kristy, Robin and Penny.
Being a wife and mother was central to Janice’s life. She was a constant example of Christ, especially evident in the nurturing of her husband, daughters and their spouses, her grandchildren, friends and relatives.
Her devotion to her husband was apparent to those who knew her best. She shared many things with him, including farming, gardening, canning, traveling, cooking, sewing and knitting, hunting, fishing and crafts.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lexington and most recently, following her relocation to Ogallala, was active in the United Methodist Church at Ogallala.
She was involved in Hospice, Relay For Life , was a deacon and a Sunday School teacher, was a member of the Prayer Shawl group, Reach for Recovery, Bunko group, UMC Circle, and numerous Bible studies. She babysat four of her favorite kids; Andrea, Aaron, Joseph and Whitney, and together, with her husband, was her grandchildren’s biggest fans to all activities and endeavors.
Janice’s legacy will be best remembered in her fight with breast cancer in the ’80s. She aided research by volunteering to become a bone marrow transplant recipient in its infant stages – before stem cell research advanced. She continued to contribute research in the long-term study of its effects. She was one of a minority number of breast cancer victims to survive the procedure during that period of research; science and faith afforded her 27 years of quality life following her initial diagnosis. She had since been an advocate for a cure to breast cancer through her active involvement in Reach for Recovery and Relay For Life . Above all, she was an inspiration to many facing a similar challenge.
Survivors include her four daughters and their husbands; Pam (Mike) Abbott, of Ogallala, Kristy (Jerry) Acton, of Firth, Robin (Rod) Ford, of Bertrand, and Penny (Shayne) Hite, of Grant; two brothers, Boyd (JoAnn) Phillippi, of Cozad, and Robert (Beverly) Phillippi, of Johnson Lake; one sister, Veronica (Darrel) LaVene, of Bertrand; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy (the late Don) Phillippi, of Elwood Reservoir, and Carolyn (Leon) Malzahn, of Johnson Lake; an aunt by marriage, Eva Kirkpatrick, of Lexington; nine grandchildren, Harrison, Maggie and Emily Abbott, Nathan and Courtney Acton, Philip Ford, MacKenzie, Quinton, and Triston Hite; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a brother; her father and mother-in-law; and one granddaughter.
Memorials are suggested to UNMC Cancer Research Support Fund, a local hospice or the donor’s choice. Share online condolences with the family through reynoldslove funeralhome.com.
Celebration of Life memorial services will be at 11 a.m., today, at First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with the Rev. Caroline Vickery officiating. Interment will be prior to service at 9:30 a.m. at the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. All are welcome to attend.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.