Janice A. Ford (Nee Dickson)

Janice Dickson Ford, age 97, formerly from Shawano, WI, and matriarch of the Albert Dickson family, died Friday, September 11, 2026 at her home in Milwaukee, WI. The oldest of 11 children of the late Albert “Bony” and Dorothy (Morrow) Dickson, she was born in the home of her parents’ farm in the community of Advance in the Township of Green Valley. The farm was homesteaded by her great grandfather, James Campbell Dickson. She was a child of the Great Depression.

After graduation in 1947 from Shawano High School, she worked for the Shawano County Nurse for three years. She moved to Milwaukee, was married and had four children with Wesley Ford: Jeffrey, Kathleen, Patrick and Trudy. They and their families were the center of her life.

She retired in January 1988 from AC Spark Plug Division, General Motors. She spent her retirement years enjoying family, friends and relatives, gardening, traveling, reading, piano, researching family history, as well as taking care of her home, yard and flower gardens.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her oldest son, Jeffrey Ford; eight brothers; two sisters; several sisters- and brothers-in-law.

She is survived by her son, Patrick (Linda) Ford; daughters Kathleen (Tim) Schilz and Trudy Ford; five grandsons Aaron (Julie) Schilz, Jacob (Samantha) Schilz, Paul (Amy) Ford, Michael Ford, Daniel (Sveta) Ford; seven great grandchildren: Aislin, Madeline and Samuel Ford, Arthur Ford, Emma Schilz, and Jane and Henry Schilz.

Further survived by two sisters-in-law Mary Dickson, California; Josephine Dickson, San Juan P.R., and one brother-in-law, John W. Anderson, Havre, MT; also, life-long friend Arleen O’Connor and family friend Richanda Kaquatosh, both of Milwaukee; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held; date to be announced. A separate, private memorial service and interment will be held at the family cemetery in Advance, WI.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the PKD Foundation. Because of the impact of polycystic kidney disease on so many of her family members, the PKD Foundation was one of Janice’s favorite charities.

Remember the good times and until we meet again….