Janice Irene Wauben

Janice Irene (Freese) Wauben passed away unexpectedly on January 4, 2026 in North Carolina following a brief illness.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date with internment at Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion, NE.

Janice Irene (Freese) Wauben, youngest child of Hans Julius Freese and Lulu  Marguerite (Mills) Freese was born on May 26, 1947 in Albion, NE.   She was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Albion.  She graduated from Albion Public High School and then attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, graduating in 1969.

Janice spent nearly 25 years with the Internal Revenue Service, holding a variety of positions throughout her career and living in multiple locations across the country as part of her work.  She retired early from the IRS and married William (Bill) Wauben  Jr. who had recently retired from an executive position there.  After retiring, she later returned to the IRS in a new capacity, working alongside her husband as a tax consultant.  Together they applied their years of experience to assist clients regarding IRS debt and criminal problems.

Janice and Bill lived in Larkspur Colorado for a few years and then moved to Flat Rock, NC.    After Bills passing in 2012, Janice later moved to Burlington, NC and made her home at the Twin Lakes Retirement Community in 2019.   She was president of the Resident's Association and enjoyed providing support to the residents.   She helped to organize and participate in many activities at her retirement community and loved meeting and socializing with the residents and making new friendships.

Janice loved to travel and had many trips planned.   She loved her family dearly and planned many of her travels to include visits with family and friends.   She was always a  true blue Husker fan no matter where she lived and enjoyed watching the football games.  She was an avid gardener, loving plants and flowers and took great pleasure in her daily long walks.   Her family and friends will miss her deeply.

Janice is survived by her sister, Joan (Freese) Morgan of Highlands Ranch, CO;  Step-son, William (Marie)  Wauben III of Charleston, SC; Step-Grand Daughter Cassidy Wauben of Charleston, SC;  Nieces; Michelle Freese of Pleasant Hill, IA; Merridy (Kenny) Jensen of Ogallala, NE; Jackie Swift-Kurkjian of Sarasota FL; along with great nieces, a great nephew, many cousins, other relatives and many good friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bill; Brother, Jack Freese; Sister-in-law, Kathy Freese; Brother-in law, Gary Morgan; nephew, Curt Morgan; great nephew, Nathan Morgan.