Janice Lee Parker

Janice Lee Parker, age 88, of La Farge, WI passed away peacefully at home with loved ones near her side on December 15th, 2025. Jan was the youngest of four children born to Irene (Elmer) and Elwyn Dorr Younker on November 10th, 1937, in Lapeer, Michigan.

As a child, Jan helped with chores on the farm and bookkeeping at her father’s meat locker plant. She excelled in academics and music in school and taught herself to play the piano. Jan was selected to attend the Interlochen School of Music for two years on tenor saxophone. She performed professionally in dance bands and traveled to Chicago to make recordings.

Jan married Joseph William Tatu in 1955. Together, they had five children: Mark, Beth, Aaron, Michelle, and Mona. Although Jan and Joseph divorced in 1970, they were able to reconcile their friendship through faith and forgiveness before his passing in 2020.

As a single mom, Jan completed courses at the Pontiac Business Institute and worked as a school bus driver. She was hired in the office of GMC’s Pontiac Motors. When she learned factory wages would be significantly higher, she forged the way as one of the first women ever allowed to work in the Pontiac Motors factory.

While vacationing, Jan fell in love with Wisconsin’s pristine clean air, sparkling spring waters, and beautiful bluffs. She relocated her family to Wisconsin in 1976, and by 1978 had nestled into a gorgeous valley in the Driftless Region near Avalanche. There, Jan completed more classes at the Western Wisconsin Technical Institute and worked as Westby Cenex Credit Manager for 22 years, retiring in the year 2000.

Jan met her soul-mate Kermit Lyle Parker in Avalanche. Kermit and Jan shared a passion for nature and the outdoors, hunting, RV camping, swimming, biking, riding snowmobiles, ATVs and horses. They married on January 28th, 1984.

Jan gained two step-children through this union: Carl and Teresa. Seven siblings called for multiple gatherings camping, fishing, canoeing, partying on the pontoon, and enjoying annual Christmas hotel stays. Jan found great fulfillment spending time with her family.

Neighborhood hot tub parties evolved into an Annual Fourth of July Celebration at “Parker’s Playground”. Relatives and friends enjoyed swimming, camping, bean bag tournaments, skeet-shooting, potluck dinners, music, bonfires, late-night dancing, and a glorious fireworks display! July 4th became the family’s favorite event of the year.

Kermit and Jan spent 27 fun-filled years hunting and playing on their land near Avalanche until Kermit’s passing in 2011. They attended the Faith United Methodist Church on Salem Ridge together and later, Jan transferred to the Redemption Chapel near Viroqua.

Jan remodeled nearly every inch of her century-old house, adding among other out-buildings, an outdoor kitchen screenhouse, a hunting cabin, and a swimming pool complete with a slide and deck. Jan became quite skilled at home maintenance. She was excellent at brainstorming and finding solutions. Carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, welding, sewing, running a chainsaw or wood-splitter, auto mechanics - she did it all!

Jan assisted elderly friends in managing their finances, bookkeeping and taxes. In 2005, she was elected Treasurer for the Town of Webster in Vernon County, working as the township tax collector for 18 years until she retired (again) in 2023.

Hunting was a great love throughout Jan’s life. She purchased her first deer rifle at age 17 and went canvas-tent camping in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, hunting with a longbow and home-made wooden arrows. She continued with archery and rifle hunting through age 87, harvesting a deer nearly every year. Jan continued to be an accurate shot well into her senior years, taking trophy deer and even winning the money rack in Westby. At age 85, Jan was thrilled to harvest a huge 24 pound turkey!

Jan Parker was a resilient, independent, determined woman! She maintained a spunky attitude and an adventurous spirit that kept her active and thriving. Her life was filled with family, friends, and faith. She did not lay down, surrendering to COPD or physical limitations. Jan was motivated by a steadfast desire to live life every day to the fullest.

She is survived by her children Mark (Diane) Tatu, Beth (Dan) Campbell, Aaron Tatu, Michelle (Bryan) Meier, Mona (Tony) Gardner; her step-children Carl Parker and his fiance Cherri Kalish-Vosberg, Teresa (Vincent “Flip”) Dvorak; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; special nephew Robert (Pattee) Brown; special niece DeAnne (Curt) Nordine; and many dear friends and neighbors.

A Celebration of Life will be held by family on April 18th, 2026 at the Redemption Chapel, S3607 Duncan Lane, Viroqua, WI. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by a 12:00 noon service. Memorials for Jan Parker can be sent to the Redemption Chapel.

Roth Family Cremation Center and Funeral Services is assisting the family.

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