Nancy H. Jahr
Nancy Helen Jahr, 78, passed from this life Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Gundersen Emplify Health in La Crosse, after years of courageously battling Hepatic Encephalopathy and Acities of the liver complicated by diabetes.
Nancy was born in Racine, August 1, 1948, the only daughter of Rudolph and Helen (Adzima) Kutis. Nancy was united in marriage with Gary Jahr, January 4, 1969, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Racine.
Nancy was raised in Racine by first generation Czech parents with old country beliefs and values. Nancy was baptized, received first communion and confirmation at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and attended Holy Trinity parochial school for eight years prior to attending Washington Park high school.
During her high school years, Nancy worked part time in the offices of J.I. Case. After high school, Nancy worked at various jobs with Hamilton-Beach and other local industries. This “old country” work ethic carried over into married life. While raising three children of her own, Nancy helped raise other people’s children baby sitting in her home for several other parents. Often her husband would come after work to as many as seven pre-school age children and always a clean home and a well-prepared hot dinner meal before he again left to attend night school. This routine continued for over seven years.
Once life became more financially secure, Nancy began volunteering at the Salvation Army and, after a period of time, became one of their Case Workers. She continued this work for several years while also volunteering at her church, St. Paul the Apostle, and many other local charitable organizations. Eventually, Nancy took a pause and committed primarily to her greatest and most demanding cause, that of full-time, stay-at-home mom to which she excelled, raising three wonderful all-but-perfect children.
With the children grown, Nancy again felt a need to get back into the work force and took a factory job for a while. Wanting to try something different, at the age of 56 she applied for her first retail position with a newly opening Old Navy store in Racine. Nancy went on to work at three different Old Navy locations, the last after she and her husband relocated to the La Crosse community. Nancy continued working for Old Navy in Onalaska well into her 70s, retiring at the age of 74, and was fondly known and respected as the “Old Lady at the Old Navy”.
After the children had all graduated from college, Nancy and Gary enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. They especially enjoyed the long wondering road trips in their old Chrysler convertible, trips to Hawaii, Dominican Republic and cruise ships where Nancy once lead a conga line throughout the lido deck! She loved to dance and knew how to have fun!
Nancy’s passions included music, dancing, reading, travel and mostly her family. It can be said that Nancy lived her life for children and grandchildren. There was absolutely nothing Nancy would not sacrifice for them. It was also well known that Nancy enjoyed attending and participating in charitable fundraisers, never to be outbid!
Strong, determined, resilient, courageous, thoughtful, fun-loving, compassionate and exceedingly generous — those are words that summarize Nancy and her life.
Nancy is survived by her husband of 57 years; their children: Matthew (Lori) of Holmen, Christopher (Tanya) of Wauwatosa and Sarah of Onalaska; seven grandchildren (two grandsons and five granddaughters): Carsten, Sydney and Isabella of Holmen and Lillian, Audrey and Miles of Wauwatosa; two brothers: Michael and Joseph; five sisters-in-law: Stephanie and Barbara both of Racine, Darlene Krake of Marshfield, Shirley (Bruce) Rittchof of Belvidere and Mariane (Phil) Gutner of Augusta; two brothers-in-law: Donald (Janet) of Blair and James of Whitehall; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by two infant children: Mary and Erik; her in-laws: Milton “Bud” and Anna Jahr; two brothers: Rudy and Johnny; two sisters-in-law: Penny Kutis and Sharon Jahr; a brother-in-law, Thomas Krake; and a nephew, Darin Jahr. She was also preceded in death by her lifelong best friend and “big sister”, Linda Gonzales.
We wish to offer a special thank you to all the staff at Gundersen Hospital, Clinic, Emergency room and Hospice care units as well as the Benedictine skilled nursing facility staff for the compassionate and professional care provided Nancy.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Jack Funeral Home in Blair, with Father George officiating. Burial will be in Fagernes Lutheran Cemetery in rural Blair. Friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Nancy was a devout believer in the Catholic faith and the afterlife in Paradise and that passing from this life should be celebrated as a homecoming.
