Jan LeMieux Nelson, 60, of Helena, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2017 at a local care facility in Great Falls.  A Memorial Service will be Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Helena.

Jan was born on February 11, 1956 to Robert and Beverly (Hippe) LeMieux.  She attended school at Great Falls High, where she graduated in 1974.  She went on to complete her BA in Education at MSU, and later earned her Master’s Degree in Computer Science. On December 31, 1983, she wed Fredrick (Rick) Nelson.

Jan utilized all of her hard-earned education in educating others.  She devoted more than 30 years of her life to teaching.  She worked in East Helena at Bradley Elementary School and for 1 year in Lambert, MT.  She was a track coach and was a teacher and tutor for the Sylvan Learning Center. 

Communication was an integral part of her life that she wished to share and so she taught sign language classes to the community of Helena.  She was a freelance interpreter and presented workshops through the Sign Language Interpreter program of Front Range Community College in Denver, CO.

Jan was a Member of the Montana Registry of Interpreter of the Deaf, National Registry of Interpreter of the Deaf, and the Montana Association of the Deaf.

She also loved to run and walk.  Jan excelled in track, especially hurdle jumping.  She enjoyed all outdoor activities such as camping, going to the beach, and traveling.  She did appreciate the indoors during the colder months reading a book, sewing, quilting, or crafting.

She is survived by her mother, Beverly LeMieux of Great Falls; her sisters, Brenda LeMieux of Great Falls, and Darcie LeMieux of Beaverton, OR.  She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Those who have preceded Jan in death include her husband, Rick Nelson; and her father, Robert LeMieux.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Peace Hospice 1101 26th St. South Great Falls, MT 59405

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