I just returned from a memorial service for my mother. I thought I might take a break for a week from writing my column, but instead decided to write about life and death. Everyone has lost someone to death. It is a universal experience.Her StoryWhen my mother died last month, I offered to write her obituary. She made it easier for me because she took the time to write her own biography. I read through her story and pulled out the key dates and events but reading her story gave me new insight into who she was.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');“When I was seventy-two years old, my youngest daughter, Lois, and I were having a quiet time together and I expressed my disappointment with my mother. She was a writer and did some excellent writing, in stories and poems. She didn’t, however, write anything about herself or her family.”“After a bit, Lois said ‘and have you written of your life?’ With that in mind, I have taken on the task.” At 72 my mother wrote the story of her life and ended with, “That all for now.” She lived another 21 years past that.Every week I write about what is on my mind. This is what’s on my mind this week and this is what I have written about. To honor my mother, I want to share her story. Life Passes FastJaniece Maxine Colvin was born August 4, 1930 to Alverda and Emmett Colvin and died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by loving family on November 13, 2023. There was a lot of living in between.Janiece grew up in Wisconsin during the depression. Her father was a dairy farmer and mother was a teacher. Their family had very little financially, but were rich with love. Janiece began her education in a one room country school. In 1948 she started at the Stevens Point Teachers College where she met Donald Hendrick and began a 40-year relationship.After Don finished college, he took a job teaching in Grand Marais, Michigan. Don and Janiece were married June 14, 1952 at the Catholic church in Grand Marais and she became Janiece Hendrick. On July 14, 1953 they had their first child, John. Time to MoveAfter three years in Grand Marais, Don got a job at the junior high school in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. In between having 4 more children (Kevin, Mary, Ann and Lois), Janiece continued to teach at rural country schools and elementary schools in Tomahawk.The family traveled many places in the United States, often for Don’s educational pursuits. This likely sparked Janiece’s keen interest in continued travels throughout her long life. Winters were spent in Tomahawk snowmobiling and summers at their land on Somo Lake.Overcoming LossWhen Don Hendrick died unexpectedly in 1986 at the age of 58, it was a terrible shock. With the support of her friends, family and church, Janiece carried on. Janiece lived her life to the fullest in the years that followed. She completed her master’s degree in education, and continued teaching until 1991, when she retired after 35 years in the classroom. Janiece was very active in the Methodist church in Tomahawk, and lived a life rich in service. She became active in many educational organizations, serving on boards and committees for Central Wisconsin Educators, CESA and WEAC. She was heavily involved in the American Legion Auxiliary, serving as president of the local unit, and then at the state level. A Life Well LivedIn 1994, Janiece found companionship with Bill Fischer. They married and she became Janiece Fischer. They spent 23 happy years together and traveled extensively to Russia, Africa, Alaska, and all over the United States. After Bill died in 2017, Janiece persevered and continued living independently for years.At the venerable age of 93, her physical body wore out, but her indominable spirit lives on in heaven.Janiece Maxine Colvin Hendrick Fischer had a profound impact on thousands of people and will be remembered fondly as a caring teacher, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and steadfast friend.She was generous, loving, supportive, funny, stubborn, an advocate for those who needed it, well dressed, and patriotic to her core.We are all blessed to have known her.Thats All For Now…Kevin Hendrick is a 30-year resident of Del Norte County. kevinjameshendrick@gmail.com googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });