Janice Irene Croasdell

Janice “Jan” Irene Croasdell, 84, of Mesa, AZ, passed away peacefully with family by her side in Pocatello, Idaho on May 30, 2024.

Janice was born October 28, 1939, in Ogallala, NE, to the late Daniel and Estella (Friedman) Nowak. She had fond memories of living on the farm in rural western Nebraska as a young girl. At age 5, she and the family moved to town where she spent her formative years. She graduated from Ogallala High School before moving to Denver, CO. She earned a degree from St Joseph’s School of Nursing in Denver in the spring of 1961 and became a registered nurse. She married Kent Carleton Croasdell on July 11, 1961, and the couple moved to Greeley, CO. There, Jan began what was nearly 40-year career as a nurse while supporting Kent in completing his teaching degree. The family moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1964 where they raised their five children and shared in many adventures. 

Family was the single most important thing in her life. Working night shifts as an emergency department nurse allowed her to devote much of her daily routine to caring for and raising her family. She did such a great job sharing her love that each of her kids could proudly claim “MLMB (Mom loves me best)!” Her kids and grandkids could always find great home-canned food or a special treat in her well-stocked pantry, and her welcoming home was always a place of respite from the world. She treasured time spent with extended family and friends—sharing a cup of coffee, homemade cookies, and the latest happenings. A balanced diet meant a cookie in each hand; special occasions called for apple fritters.

Jan was a depression era baby and shared many of the characteristics attributed to this “silent generation”: She was determined, loyal, hard-working, thrifty, resourceful, and quietly resilient. She enjoyed gardening, genealogy, baking, star gazing, and organizing her paperwork. She had a particular fondness for purple, owls, hummingbirds, African violets, irises, Cherished Teddies, and aerobics in the hot tub. Jan collected cookbooks, was always up for a culinary adventure and loved to travel, in part to experience new cultures and cuisines. She had a great love for her Polish and German heritage. She and Kent spent many years as dance partners – they liked to dance in a square but made a large circle of friends in the process.

Janice was the trusted copilot on the many family vacations. She and Kent worked to ensure the kids had a great breath of experiences. Most summers were spent in the family motor home exploring. She was always the last to load; it was amazing to watch her wedge herself into the shotgun seat. Most times there was just enough space for her feet and her tail feathers - the rest of the space being filled with drinks and snacks and darning and paperwork and crochet needles and blankets and yarn, and whatever projects she had to keep her busy on those long road trips.

Jan was especially creative. She loved crafts projects in almost any form whether crochet, knitting, decoupage or tole painting. She kept her hands busy for several years churning out hand-crafted blankets for each child, grandchild and great grandchild. Creativity spilled over into many areas, but the family lived her most creative side when she would forage through the refrigerator remnants to create some uniquely delicious meals. We all still chuckle at the notion of rotten fruit punch. Delicious!

Jan was active in scouting at all levels. She started as a Cub Scouts den leader and later as a Greater Southwest Area Council member, Wood Badge Coordinator and regular attendee at Philmont Scout ranch. She was also active in Girl Scouts, spending several summer weeks at Camp May organizing and conducting camps. A favorite memory was the glorious sunrises in the Jemez Mountains. She lived the principles of scouting and supported each of the kids in their efforts to advance along the scouting trail.

In later years, Janice battled a host of health challenges. She carried on, certain that if she did not get well, she would miss out on something. FOMO disease at its finest - that one consistent malady with which she never quite came to terms with. Following a stroke in March, she would have some trouble finding the “right words” and reverted to a favorite filler phrase: “Peanut butter.” During one stay in rehab, she ended up with a peanut butter sandwich for lunch that she insisted she had not ordered! ;o)

The family offers it gratitude and appreciation for the doctors, nurses and staff who cared for Janice at the numerous facilities over the past six years. Special thanks to the Cottle and Diehl families who opened their homes to care for Grandma during her convalescence first in Rio Ranch, NM and then Pocatello, ID. Grandson Adam was her nearly constant companion; His efforts enabled Janice to live out her life among friends and family in her own home environment. His presence was a true blessing and provided great comfort to Grandma and the rest of the family.

Janice is survived by her children Kevin (LaDonna) Croasdell of Youngsville, LA, Dave (Karen) Croasdell of Reno, NV, Diane (Rich) Diehl of Pocatello, ID, Jeff (Michelle) Croasdell of Albuquerque, NM and Janet (Chris) Cottle of Rio Ranch, NM. Kent and Janice have 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was the oldest of five Nowak siblings and is survived by Daniel (Donna) of Aurora, CO, Martin (Carol) of Pierre, SD, Ricky (Teresa) of Omaha, NE and Kim (Miles) of Ft, Collins, CO. She is preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Kent, along with her parents.

A rosary and mass will be celebrated for Janice at St. Luke Catholic Church (417 East 3rd Street Ogallala, Nebraska 69153) on Monday, July 22nd as part of the 50th Annual Polish Pair-a-dice family reunion. Janice's wish was to have everyone wear purple to the funeral. The rosary will take place at 9:15 a.m. with the mass to follow at 10:00 am. Interment for both Janice and Kent will take place following the funeral mass in the Ogallala Cemetery (2501 West 5th Street. Ogallala, NE 69153). Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life Luau at Lake McConaughy Monday afternoon and evening. 

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rheumatology Research Foundation (https://www.rheumresearch.org/), St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/) or the charity of the donor’s choice.

The family invites you to share condolences and memories of Janice on the online guestbook. We will share the compilation of pictures and stories at the family reunion in July.