Memorial Services for Janice M. Upson will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Dave Irwin officiating. An inurnment will take place when the weather is favorable at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 1, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege. Face coverings will be required to enter. Following the traditional visitation, the family will honor Janice’s wish for cremation.
Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services will be followed. The Upson family sincerely encourages each person to make their decision whether to attend the Memorial Service and visitation, based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community.
The Memorial Service for will be live-streamed at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622)
Janice Marie Upson, 80 years of age, of Holdrege, formerly of rural Loomis, Nebraska, died on Monday, January 25, 2021, at the CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. Janice was born on June 8, 1940, at Holdrege, the eldest of three children, born to James Raymond and Eleanor Marie (Heidemann) Johnson. She was baptized as an infant and then confirmed at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege. Janice attended Industry Country School through the 8th grade and then attended and graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1958.
Janice then pursued higher education from the Lincoln School of Commerce in Lincoln, Nebraska. Following her education, Janice was employed at State Farm Insurance in Lincoln, until she moved back to Holdrege and worked at First National Bank.
On April 30, 1960, she was united in marriage to Margle Ray Upson at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege. This union was blessed with four children: Vicki, Marti, Jodi, and Shane. The couple first lived in Loomis for a year until they moved to their farm south of Loomis, where they farmed, raised cattle and horses, custom hayed, and operated a trucking company. The couple continued to live there for 55 years. Janice was employed at Nebraska Health and Human Services and after 24 years, she retired in October of 2007. Margle preceded her in death on September 21, 2016.
Janice was a member of the Atlanta Methodist Church in Atlanta, Nebraska, where she was a Sunday school teacher and helped with many church socials and suppers. She was actively involved in the Atlanta community, helping with and belonged to the “U All Come” Extension Board for many years. Janice was a 4-H Extension Board member and 4-H mom; taking her children to many horse shows. Janice also enjoyed watching and attending all of her children’s sporting events and activities through the years. After moving to Holdrege in June of 2018, she renewed many old friendships and transferred her membership to the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege. Janice enjoyed her neighborhood and attending the Phelps County Senior Center.
Janice loved spending time with her family; especially attending family reunions. She as an avid Husker football and volleyball fan, watching many games with special friends, Alice and Arlie. She enjoyed reading and doing word find puzzles, but most of all, Janice loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband; Janice was preceded in death by: her parents, James R. and Eleanor Johnson; father-in-law, and mother-in-law: Harry and Hilda (Pouk) Upson; her son, Shane Upson in 2014; grandson, Chance Upson in 2018; sister-in-law, Dorcel Johnson and her husband, Merlyn “Mert”; and nephew, Colt Bartels.
She leaves to celebrate her life; three daughters: Vicki Roeder and her husband, David of Coffeyville, Kansas; Marti Johnson and her husband, Kyle of Atlanta; and Jodi Upson of Lincoln, Nebraska; five grandchildren: Kactus Bidwell and her husband, Miles; Kanyon Cole and her husband, Cutter; Carlli Sellers; Dawn Upson; and Dillion Upson; two great-grandsons: Kash and Konlee Bidwell; one sister, JoAnn Epping of Kearney, Nebraska; one brother, Roger “Swede” Johnson of Holdrege; aunt, LaVern Post of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; nieces: Julie Bartels and her husband, Mike of Ragan, Nebraska; Kristi Carlson and her husband, Brad of Minden, Nebraska; Kelly Johnson of Mesa, Arizona; Jamie Allen and her husband, Scott of Wentzville, Missouri; and Jennifer Epping of Kearney; one nephew, Tim Epping of Gibbon, Nebraska; special neighbor, Arlis Wells of Holdrege; and other relatives and many friends.
A memorial has been established in Janice’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is assisting the family with the arrangements.