Nancy Jan Achelpohl
July 29, 1946-August 4, 2024
Nancy Jan Achelpohl, a longtime resident of Omaha and beloved daughter of Ray and June Achelpohl, passed away after a long illness on August 4, 2024, at the age of 78.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents; dear brother Steve Achelpohl of Omaha; and a beloved uncle, James “Jimmy” Barnes of Holton, Kansas.
She is survived by two brothers, Todd Achelpohl of Kansas City, Missouri, and Scott Achelpohl of Culpeper, Virginia; nephews: Joe Achelpohl of Seattle, Washington, Sam Achelpohl of Omaha, and Wyatt Achelpohl of Danville, Virginia; nieces, Raechel Achelpohl Meyer of Omaha and Emily Achelpohl of Chicago. Jan also has a large extended family in both Nebraska and Kansas, including her cousin, Melany Barnes of Wichita, Kansas; many dear friends all over the Midwest, including Geraldine Jordan, who lived nearest to Jan in recent years in Omaha.
Jan was born on July 29, 1946, in Wichita and attended Westside High School in Omaha. She spent her undergraduate years in college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and voted beauty queen her senior year.
After graduating UNL with an education degree, she taught history at Westside High from 1970 to 1979 and later earned master’s degrees in both history and interior design. Jan also was admitted to the doctoral program for interior design at the University of Minnesota.
Jan was extremely family-oriented and was an avid reader and amateur historian, with great self-education, intellect and a sharp wit, and she was always up to date on politics, entertainment, and her beloved Kansas City-area sports teams. She savored hours on the phone debating politics with Uncle Jimmy, her parents, and her brothers, and she would talk about the Chiefs, Royals, Huskers, and Jayhawks with just about anybody who would listen.
She loved to tour museums all around the world, and her lifelong passions were travel, fine cooking, art, and all kinds of architecture, most especially modern. Jan enjoyed visits to Europe, New York City, and the Washington, D.C., area along with countless other places near and far.
Jan also was a humanitarian—a kind-hearted, generous, giving person. She worked at Planned Parenthood in Kansas City for a time while she lived there and later helped staff a telephone crisis line in Bloomington, Illinois, where she also resided. While living in Bloomington, she also worked at Herman Miller, a retail furniture store that catered to her love of interior design elements. Jan also lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for a time in her life.
Jan’s family and friends and many people we didn’t know were lifted by her life. We give thanks for her love for us and our cherished memories and unending love for her that death can never defeat.
VISITATION: Friday, Aug. 16, from 1:00-3:00pm at West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha.
Other services will take place in Holton, Kansas on Oct. 12, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, her family asks that food, clothing, or monetary donations be made in Jan’s name to New Visions Homeless Services of Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa.
10 Comments
Rest in peace, dear sister
To all family and friends, I well miss her than anyone will know. Jan you and shared laugh ,and tears through the years. But you will never know you help
Geri, all of Jan’s family, me most especially, so appreciates all that you did for her over the years, the way you were there for her. You were her best friend and you’re part of our family.
My sincere condolences to our Jan’s family, from us here at Douglas County Health Center.
Thanks to everyone at Douglas County who care for Jan in her last year and provided her shelter and companionship.
We had some great times together—I remember trying complicated recipes from Bon Appetit, spending New Year’s Eve together and lots of laughs playing Scrabble—unforgettable!
I have special memories of Jan during the 28 years she was my sister-in-law. Jan and my husband, Gene, loved discussing history and politics over gourmet dinners they both prepared. We traveled to Europe with Jan and Rick- enjoying historical sites and sharing many laughs.
Jan thought of the name of our daughter, Marisa, such a beautiful name. She was our son’s Godmother- And gave him a gardening book- that interest did not stick, but his interest in history is very strong.
Jan loved to shop at ”The Afternoon” and we have many lovely gifts she gave us- She had wonderful taste!
Our thoughts and prayers to Jan’s family and friends. May she rest in peace.
I was an Alpha Phi at the University of Nebraska and also the pledge mother of Jan her first year. We went on to be friends. We lost contact over the years, but my memories of her live on. She was a bright light and a beautiful human being. Rest in peace.
Jan was a very dear friend in college and roommate at least once at the Alpha Phi house. She and I shared a love of history. She picked a wonderful husband in Rick David and I enjoyed seeing them after college. I know her brothers and other family members miss her too. Rest in peace, Jan.
Todd and Scott please accept my condolences. Expect a letter in the near future. I hope to join you in Holton in October. In thinking about Jan I see two signficant pillars that shaped her life. The embrace of family in all dimensions along with the love education. She was so successful in both areas. I would simply raise a glass to salute her.
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