Nancy Helen Jahr passed on from this life at the age of 78 after years of courageously battling Hepatic Encephalopathy and Acities of the liver complicated by diabetes on  Tuesday, August 18, 2026 in Gundersen Emplify Health in LaCrosse.

Nancy was born in Racine, WI on August 1, 1948, the only daughter of Rudolph and Helen (Adzima) Kutis. Nancy was united in marriage with Gary Jahr on January 4, 1969 at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Racine.

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.

Nancy was born and 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 Saint 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 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 LaCrosse community. Nancy continued working for Old Navy in Onalaska well into her 70's 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 fund raisers, never to be outbid!

Strong, Determined, Resilient, Courageous, Thoughtful, Fun Loving, Compassionate and Exceedingly Generous. Those are words that summarize Nancy and her life.

We wish to offer a special thank you to all the staff at the 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 on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Blair with Father George officiating.  Burial will be in the Fagernes Lutheran Cemetery in rural Blair.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Nancy was a devote believer in the Catholic faith and the afterlife in Paradise and that passing from this life should be celebrated as a homecoming.