Ardene Nack

Ardene Nack, age 95, passed away on February 5, 2026, in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Pastor Corey Shaffer will officiate. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church.

Ardene was born on November 6, 1930, in Royalton, WI, on the family farm, a daughter of the late Frank and Ruth Radtke. She attended Stanley's Landing Country School, St Peter's Lutheran School, and graduated from Weyauwega High School. Living on the farm during the depression, Ardene's family were able to grow their own food and share with the city relatives who came for summer stays.

On June 26, 1954, she married Jack Nack in Weyauwega, WI. They resided in La Crosse, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, and Wisconsin Rapids. Ardene felt that it was a match made in heaven, the way they met. They were blessed with 53 years of marriage before Jack's passing in 2008.

She received an Elementary Education degree from U.W. Oshkosh. Her first teaching job was in Sheboygan, WI, at Sheridan Elementary School. She also taught in La Crosse and at Grove School in Wisconsin Rapids. As a Title 1 Teacher, she had a real passion for helping students become successful readers. Ardene valued each and every student and wanted them to know they were important and could be successful.

Ardene was active in many organizations through the years, including St. Luke's Lutheran Church, American Association of University Women, Community Concerts, the recruitment of Girl Scout Volunteers, bridge clubs, teaching Sunday School, and attending Bible studies. She loyally attended countless baseball and basketball games and track meets that her sons participated in. She was also a devoted caregiver to her mother and father-in-law for many years.

She loved working in her flower gardens. Countless times she would say, "there's no beauty like God created." She enjoyed watching the squirrels and birds gracing one of her many feeders. She had a talent for writing and reciting poems and was also an avid reader. Her home was always decorated for every holiday with floral arrangements she created and with decorative figurines. She enjoyed spending time with Jack on their land, caring for the trees they planted, and watching nature.

Ardene loved to create special memories for her grandchildren. They made Christmas extra special by playing Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus and showering their grandchildren with presents. She also had the grandchildren come for special times in the summer, filling their days with trips to the zoo and doing special activities and back to school shopping. Doughnuts and Dairy Queen were always included!

Ardene is survived by her children, Catherine (Randy) Fowler, Jeffrey (Roberta) Nack, Larry (Karen) Nack, and grandchildren Laura (Micah) Reed,

John (Lindsey Verhulst) Fowler, Cheri (Josh) Froelich, Anna (Aaron) Brown, Jason (Elizabeth) Nack, Brianna (Kyle) Crossett, Ryan (Melissa -fiancée) Nack, and Lindsey Nack, and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Dave (Barb) Radtke, sister Mary (Frank) Appert, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Nack, her parents, Frank and Ruth Radtke, her brothers Herb, Don, and Ken Radtke, and her sisters, Dorothy Pratt and Marge Fencer.

She will be remembered for her strong faith, interest in others, and devotion to her family and church. In Ardene's own words, "she had a good life, not an easy life, but a good life."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of donations to St Luke's Lutheran Church Pre-School.