Jacqueline (Bernier) Lane is remembered lovingly for many reasons, but what resonates most with her family is her service to others. When she passed away in 2023, the family contemplated how to memorialize all that she meant to the many people on the receiving end of her care.  

Jackie was an emergency room nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital for more than 25 years. But she was also the chaperone coming to the aid of a child's broken wrist on a field trip; the first passenger to respond to an in-flight medical crisis; and the one to shuttle a friend to an appointment or check in on a relative recovering from illness. Her husband of 46 years, Dr. Jim Lane, could count on her assistance if one of his dental patients had an after-hours emergency.

"She was always there when we needed her," recalled her son, and Chippewa County Circuit Court Judge, Benjamin Lane. This included the Lanes' children, Sarah and Ben, as well as her grandchildren. "She was committed to serving us. She wanted to help us and be involved in all of our life events."  

There is a history of military service on both sides of the Lane-Bernier family. Among them, Jim's great grandfather, George Washington Lane, served with the Union army. Because of him, the Lane family held one of the oldest homesteads in Chippewa County. Jim was drafted in 1970. He was a medic and dental assistant in the Army. The G.I. Bill assisted with his education at Marquette University School of Dentistry and he went on to establish a successful practice in Cornell. 

In retirement, Jackie volunteered at the Wisconsin Veterans Home. The residents would share their experiences with Jackie, which revealed certain hardships of acclimating to society after military service.

"She knew a lot of the guys. She'd go in and dance with them," said Jim. "They just loved her." Jackie knew how uplifting the little things like a polka dance or a hug would be to them. 

The Lanes' new fund honors Jackie's willingness to serve others and will support health and human services for military veterans.  

"Mom had a magnet of St. Francis on the refrigerator," recalled Sarah. "She liked what Francis embodied; compassionate care, service to others, and a holistic approach to patient well-being."