Janice Rae Lahti

SCHOFIELD, Wis. - Janice Rae Lahti, 65, of Wausau, and a former longtime Ironwood Township, Mich. resident, died peacefully early Thursday morning, April 21, 2016, at Atrium Post Acute Care of Weston in Schofield, surrounded by her loving family, following a courageous, three-year battle with cancer.

The former Janice Rae Manchester was born May 15, 1950, in Ironwood, Mich., daughter of the late Raymond and Rose (Magdziak) Manchester, attended A.L. Norrie Grade School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1968. She was employed in the condominium reservation department at Big Powderhorn Mountain for many years, and also worked in lodging at Whitecap Mountain, as manager at Krist Oil in Hurley, and Squeak's Bar & Grill in Pence. She received an associate's degree in accounting at Gogebic Community College later in life and also worked as a security guard there for many years. She moved to Wausau due to health concerns in 2010.

 Janice was a wonderful mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt, niece and friend to many, and will be dearly missed.

She was married to Carl Lahti. They later divorced.

Surviving are three sons, Carlo (Chris), Ironwood Township, Raymond (Donna), Milwaukee, and Duane (Jean), Wausau; foster son, Tom (Alicia) Mohart, Wausau; three grandchildren, Rachel (Erik) Fitzsimmons, Japan, and Braxton and Cole Lahti, Superior; great-granddaughter, Lillian Fitzsimmons; brother, Jim Manchester, Ironwood; sisters, Linda Palmer, Ironwood, and Kathy (Mitch) Koski, Montreal; aunt, Clara Zarziski, Hurley; six nieces and nephews, Danny, David, Amanda, Emma, Lauren and Taylor; numerous other nieces and nephews; her best friend since childhood, Debbie (Dan) Smith, Ironwood; and her baby boy, her shihtzu, Max.

Out of respect for Janice's wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal services will be held.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, April 30, at 4 p.m., at the Elk & Hound on Country Club Road in Ironwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, 333 Pine Ridge Blvd., Wausau, WI 54401.

Arrangements were entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be given to the family of Janice Rae Lahti online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.