Janice "Jan" M. Parish

Janice “Jan” Mae Parish, of Lake Nebagamon and Superior, died on May 22,2025, at the age of 94, with her daughters by her side.

She was born September 14,1930, in Duluth, MN. to Ludy and Evelyn Drolson. She grew up in Lake Nebagamon and truly loved that area.

Jan attended school in Lake Nebagamon through her sophomore year and in 1946 came to Superior to attend Central High School. She graduated with the class of 1948.

On June 2, 1951, she married Richard “Dick” Parish, her high school sweetheart, at the former Hammond Avenue Presbyterian Church. Jan and Dick were married for 70 years when Dick passed away in 2022. They were blessed with two daughters, Renee and Pam.

Jan was always interested in office work and when Lakehead Pipeline opened their office in the 1950’s, she was among the first group of employees hired. She also worked at Ekstrom’s Clothing Store and School Employees Credit Union.

Jan was always busy and enjoyed many activities and community groups. She was past president and a life member of the former Superior St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered many hours at the hospital. Chapter E of the P.E.O. Sisterhood was an important part of her life, and she was a member for 64 years. She held many office positions within the group and attended numerous State and International conventions.

Jan loved music. She was a 53-year member of the Superior Clef society and gave many musical programs over the years, as both a vocalist and pianist. She sang at numerous functions throughout the community. She was the church organist at the Lake Nebagamon Presbyterian Church for over 25 years and was an Elder in the church and Clerk of Session for 30 years. She was currently a member of United Presbyterian Church.

Jan was also a member of the Chequamegon Cloggers and danced with the group at all the nursing homes in Superior and Ashland until the age of 80. She loved being outdoors and taking long walks, playing bridge and entertaining and could arrange a party on short notice, and often did.

Jan and Dick spent 27 wonderful winters in Sun City, Arizona with friends from Superior and Lake Nebagamon and made many new friends over the years. While there, they were very active in church activities.

Her greatest joy was watching her grandchildren in their sporting and music activities, including hockey, football, gymnastics and swimming. She enjoyed seeing them grow up and have families of their own.

Survivors include her daughters Renee (Gary) Rivord and Pam (Ken) Mertz; grandchildren Jessica (Anthony) Aukamp, Jeremy (Maureen) Rivord, Luke (Lindsay) Mertz and Kendra (Chris) Rogers; 7 great-granddaughters, Charlotte, Alexandra, Colette, Maelyn, Eleanor, Joselyn and Carmen and 1 great-grandson, Oliver. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Luise Drolson and Janet Drolson, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her parents, Ludy and Evelyn Drolson and her brothers Edward and Donald Drolson.

Services will be held at United Presbyterian Church by Pastor Brett Foote on Monday, July 7, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and continue until the Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Private interment for family will be held at Lake Nebagamon Cemetery.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Richard M and Janice M Parish Scholarship Program at Northwood Technical College, formerly WITC. Memorials may also be sent to United Presbyterian Church.

Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street in Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.