Janice Doreen Paxton Avary

June 15, 1955-Sept. 2, 2011

MINDEN, Nebraska -- Janice Doreen Paxton Avary, 56, of Minden Nebraska, departed this life at home Sept. 2, 2011, after a six-year battle with cancer.

She was born on June 15, 1955, to Donald and Eunice (Wendland) Paxton in McCook, Nebraska. She grew up in Holbrook, Nebraska with her three brothers and one sister and attended Holbrook Public School where she graduated in 1973.

On July 17, 1973, she married Gary Lee Avary. To this union came three daughters. Janice devoted her life to her family and caring for others.

In 1994 she graduated from Mid Plains Community College in North Platte, Nebraska with an Associate Degree in Nursing. They later moved to Alma, Nebraska where she worked at the Harlan County Hospital for 10 years. In 2003 she and Gary were able to travel the country as she worked as a traveling nurse. In 2006 she was awarded Travel Nurse of the Year. Janice's family, friends and coworkers remember her unique laugh and always positive and fun loving spirit. In the last years of her life she spent creating lasting memories for her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.

She is survived by her husband, Gary and three daughters, Marie Randel and husband, Dan and daughter, Zoey of Minden, Nebraska, Darla Fobie and son, Charlie of Minden, and Elsa Linner and husband, Caes and children Mason and Xander of Upland, Nebraska; brother, Billy Paxton and wife, Patty of Superior, Nebraska, brother, George Paxton and wife Andrea of Papillion, Nebraska and their three daughters, Emily, Katie and Anna; sister, Patti Schievelbein and husband, Greg of Axtell, Nebraska and their children Keri, Jason, Traci and Jami, brother Jim Paxton of Beaver City, Nebraska and his three daughters Wiyanna, Shylo and Tia; mother in-law Marge Horn of Johnson Lake, sister-in-law, Kammi Huxoll of Holbrook, Nebraska and her daughter, Jessica, aunt, Norma Wickham of Arapahoe, Nebraska. She also is survived by Jeff Taylor of Kearney, Nebraska, father of grandson Mason; Charles Fobie of Minden, Nebraska; father of grandson Charlie and many dear cousins and friends.

There will be a celebration of her life on Sunday Sept. 11, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the Minden Opera House in Minden.

A memorial has been established to be designated to her grandchildren.

Layton-Craig Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

There will be no visitation.