Janice (Jan) Fox, 78, of Green Bay, passed away surrounded by her children and grandchildren on Saturday, July 14, 2018, at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Jan was born in De Pere on May 29, 1940 to Norbert and Marie Van Gheem. Jan lived in De Pere and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy before attending Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
After returning to De Pere, she met a handsome young man at his parents’ skating rink. She married James (Jim) Fox on June 1, 1963. After a brief period in Ohio, the pair returned to Green Bay and raised their two children.
Jan worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital Laboratory, spending most of her career in the histology department. She especially enjoyed her work assisting the hospital pathologists in their work with the Brown County Coroner’s office. She developed a friendly network between local funeral directors, law enforcement, and others who shared her passion.
Jan supported her family with wit and grace, especially after the passing of her husband Jim on January 2, 1992. Jan was an active member in Moose Lodge 801 and loved filling the home Jim built with precious framed photos and treasures she discovered in her volunteer work at local auctions. Jan was an avid shoe lover and organized her collection meticulously.
A particularly lucky woman, she frequently tried her hand at penny slots at the Oneida Casino. Jan is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Amy Fox and Bradley Kokal of Waukesha; her son, Paul Fox (Sharon Giese) of Green Bay; four grandchildren, Kyle Fox, Katherine Kokal, Abigail Kokal, and Michael Kokal; her brother, Gary Van Gheem (Ann) of Payson, Arizona; and sister, Mary Kay Prescott (Jim) of Magalia, California; her dear friend Jim Knigge of Antioch, Illinois; a number of nieces and nephews, and all the lives she has touched. She is preceded in death by her husband of 28 years, James (Jim) Fox; her mother, Marie Smits (Van Gheem) and stepfather, William (Bill) Smits; her father, Norbert (Jack) Van Gheem; and various friends whom she hopes will be waiting for her with a vodka on the rocks.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at Lyndahl Funeral home, 1350 Lombardi Avenue, Green Bay, Wisconsin. A memorial service will follow at 6 p.m. After the service, Jan will be laid to rest in a private interment at Fort Howard Cemetery and Mausoleum. Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos may be shared with Jan’s family on her tribute page at www.
lyndahl.com.
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