Janice Ann Phillippi Gulden, age 74, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away peacefully September 21, 2013, at her daughter's home in Ogallala, surrounded by her eternal family.
Janice was born January 10, 1939, in Lexington to Leslie I. and Esther L. (Passage) Phillippi of Smithfield, Nebraska; 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 grades 6, 7, & 8 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 & 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, Deacon, a Sunday School teacher, Prayer Shawl group, Reach for Recovery, Regular Bunko group member, UMC Circle, numerous Bible studies, babysitting 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 80's. 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 (ies) 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 twenty-seven years of quality life following her initial diagnosis. She has 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, Nebraska, Kristy (Jerry) Acton of Firth, Nebraska; Robin (Rod) Ford of Bertrand, Nebraska; and, Penny (Shayne) Hite of Grant, Nebraska; two brothers, Boyd (JoAnn) Phillippi of Cozad, Nebraska; and, Robert (Beverly) Phillippi of Johnson Lake, Nebraska; one sister, Veronica (Darrel) LaVene of Bertrand, Nebraska; 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, Nebraska; 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, parents, a brother, father and mother-in-law, and one granddaughter.
Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with Reverend Caroline Vickery officiating.
Interment will be held prior at 9:30 a.m. in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. All are welcome to attend.
Visitation will be held Monday, September 23, 2013, from 5-8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington.
Memorials are suggested to UNMC Cancer Research Support Fund, your local Hospice or the Donor's Choice.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.
