Janice Ilene DayWaukeeJanice Ilene Day, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away of natural causes at 79 years-old on Thursday, June 1, in Waukee, Iowa.Janice was born on September 14, 1937 in rural Valley Junction, Iowa to Cecil and Ethel Ray, joining her older brothers Lewis and Jack. On a family vacation to Orange, California in the summer of 1953, she was reintroduced to a family friend named William "Bill" Day, who was stationed there in the Navy. They fell in love and were married a year later on June 13, 1954 in Waukee, while Bill was on a 30-day leave.They returned to California to finish Bill's tour of duty, then moved back to Waukee and purchased a home in 1956. They have lived, worked and raised their family there for the past 61 years.Jan, as she was known to friends and family, found her natural calling as a licensed practical nurse, after graduating from Van Meter High School and the Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in 1970. She served her community for Dr. Felter and Dr. Weigel, at Van Meter Medical and other medical practices, in various roles, for nearly 40 years. But her community was more than just her patients. She served her family first and foremost, raising three generations of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with unconditional love, support and caring. To her friends she was a travel companion, card player, nurse, counselor, and laugh giver.At Immanuel Lutheran Church she was known for her help with the craft sale, for making prayer shawls for the community, and for helping with the summer bible camp, which her great grandchildren attended.Her loss will be felt by many.She is survived by her husband Bill, her son Jon (Lori), her daughter Stacy Mickelson, her grandsons Joe (Brie) and Jeff (Catherine), her granddaughters Mercedes Grey and Madison Mickelson, and her great grandsons Jackson and Nicholas, whom she dedicated over the last five years of her life to help raise.She was preceded in death by her mother Ethel, her father Ray and her two brothers, Lewis and Jack.A visitation will be held Sunday, June 4 from 3-5 p.m. at McLarens Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines. Her funeral service will be Monday, June 5 at 10 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waukee, with a luncheon and gathering of friends and family to follow.