Janis Marie (Feely) Nelson, 70

Janis Marie (Feely) Nelson went to live with our Heavenly Father on Oct. 20, 2017 after an extended illness. Janis was living on the family farm near Troy at the time of her death and was surrounded by her loving husband, Jim Nelson, and her two Yorkies. She was 70.

Janis was born Sept. 11, 1947 in Coeur d’Alene to Wayne and Shirley (Oastler) Feely. She attended Coeur d’Alene schools, graduating in 1966. Janis made many lifelong friends in high school that she kept in touch with over the years.

After high school Janis went to work for General Telephone for a short period, but soon married and moved to Great Falls, Mont. where she had two beautiful daughters, Melinda Biggs Markowski of Hayden, Idaho and Carey Biggs Underwood of Sandy, Utah.

Janis returned from Great Falls in 1970 and went back to work for General Telephone where she held many positions over the next 30 years.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings with the church during her lifetime. She was very crafty and loved to paint, sew, quilt and work on her genealogy. Anyone who knew Janis knew she always had several projects going at once as she loved to make things for other people. She also had a love for dogs and was known to have more than one at a time. It is comforting to know that they greeted her when she arrived in heaven.

Janis and Jim Nelson were married in Coeur d’Alene on Nov. 16, 1991. After they both retired from General Telephone, Jim brought her to the farm where he was raised just outside of Troy. Janis let everyone know that it was not the end of the world, but you could see it from there! Janis needed something more exciting than hanging around the farm so she found a job at the Moscow Charter School, where she was the assistant principal and office manager. A job she truly loved. She looked forward to seeing the kids every day. Due to her health, she was forced to leave that position.

Janis was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving are her husband, Jim, at their home; her daughters, Melinda and Carey; a brother, Barry Feely of Hayden, Idaho; a sister, Melinda Douglas of Spokane, Wash.; two step-sons, Mike Nelson of Kennewick, Wash. and Jay Nelson of Mill Creek, Wash. as well as eight grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Blaine Street in Moscow, Idaho. Burial and Grave Dedication will follow at Burnt Ridge Cemetery in Troy, Idaho.

Viewing will be from 2 to 8 p.m. at Short’s Funeral Chapel on Wednesday and at the Church beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Troy Fire and Ambulance Department or to the Humane Society of the Palouse.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Short’s Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.