Janet Lee (Nilmeier) Latham Obituary
Janet Lee (Nilmeier) Latham, age 92, of Fresno California, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025.
She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and was surrounded by the love of her family, at The Grove assisted living, in Fresno, California.
Janet was born on September 22, 1932 and was the oldest daughter of parents Urban and Emma (Haar) Nilmeier. She grew up in Sanger, California, alongside brother Roger and sister Patricia.
She Graduated from Sanger Union High School in 1950 and then attended Reedley Jr. College.
Janet then went to work at the Sanger Herald Newspaper for 5 years as a bookkeeper and then worked in accounting for the City of Fresno water division, from 1958 – 1963.
Janet married Lloyd Latham in 1959, who was with the US Air Force, stationed in Fresno.
They both went to work for Sarah Coventry Jewelry (home party plan), from 1963 – 1983, as managers to recruit other managers and train sales people. They traveled extensively to wonderful places like Hawaii, The Bahamas, Mazatlán, Acapulco as well as cruises, for sales events and sales awards. Janet enjoyed entertaining and hosting many parties at their home.
Janet had three sons that were all born in Fresno, Greg, Doug and Scott. She lived in Fresno until 1974, when the family moved to Northridge, then moved to Morgan Hill in 1976, and then returned to Fresno in 1988, after Lloyd and Janet divorced.
Janet started as a volunteer at Saint Agnes Hospital, in Fresno, and in 1990 she started a full time job in guest services, working at the front desk for 24 years (last 15 years as manager and trained and scheduled the staff), and retired in February of 2014 at the age of 81.
Janet had very rewarding and exciting careers and enjoyed them all, but was most proud of her children, and how each of them conduct themselves as sons, fathers, husbands, and at their work and community.
She loved her family, more than anything, and always looked forward to family gatherings and vacations. She always made her children and grandchildren feel loved every day of her life and everyone that ever meet or knew Janet loved her. She was a very special soul and was very spiritual.
She loved church and in later years watched church service every Sunday on her computer.
She enjoyed walking in her neighborhood and taking an exercise class at then gym.
Attended many lunches and gatherings as an “Honorary Member” of the Saint Agnes Service Guild.
Janet also had a passion for music and dancing and was very involved in the Fresno Dixieland Jazz and Ragtime over the years. In her later years she loved to listen to Michael Bublé.
Janet is survived by her three sons: Gregory (Tara) Latham, Douglas (Aida) Latham, and Scott (Kim) Latham.
Janet also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Mellisa, April, Douglas Jr., Parker, Emma, Katie, Cynthia, Bailey, Shelby, and three great-grandchildren: Blake, Alejo and Theo.
Janet was preceded in death by parents Urban and Emma Nilmeier, her ex-husband, of 30 years and father of her children, Lloyd Latham, sister Patricia Laughnan, and brother Roger Nilmeier.
Janet will be cremated and laid to rest at the Clovis cemetery, where her parents are also resting.
February 18, 2025
Marsha Moore wrote a sympathy message