Complimentary Story
In 2007, at age 65, Wausau’s Jan Kocha had already faced many challenges in her life; as wife, mother, grandmother, foster parent, business owner, and in her role as community and church leader. Whatever challenges, crossroads, dead ends or uphill battles she faced, God and His Scriptures were always there to guide her, helping her to be an inspiration to friends, family and strangers alike.When Jan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, she knew her faith would again be tested. But she was also mindful of God’s many promises which were clearly posted in her office, including Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Encouragement and a further reminder of God’s promises came in the form of a letter from a friend who herself had beaten cancer. The letter reminded Jan of God’s promises found in Psalm 91:4-6: “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.”
“Diane told me to be aware of how God places feathers in our path as reminders of His great love and protection described in Psalm 91,” said Jan. Shortly after receiving the letter, Jan began noticing a variety of feathers appearing in her life. “I was finding them everywhere,” she declared. “All sizes, colors, shapes and forms, even tiny feathers from pillows.”
During the early stages of collecting God’s feathery promises, Jan saw an artificial tree she liked, bought it and placed it in the entryway to their home. The tree soon took on a life of its own, becoming a gathering place for abandoned bird nests, compliments of her children and grandchildren. “The tree and bird nests became a resting place for all the feathers I brought home,” Jan recalled. She credits the feathers and God’s promises with sustaining her through 5 1/2 months of chemotherapy and 28 radiation sessions, along with the support of family, friends and staff. She is now cancer free.
As president of Wausau’s Interim HealthCare, Jan refused to let her cancer treatments interfere with her duties caring for the needy in her community. “Jan is a wonderful leader, teacher listener and one who always puts others needs first,” said Sandi Kaminski, an RN who has worked with Jan at Interim HealthCare since 1999. Former employee Kallie Sheehan agrees. “Jan believes care should be provided with compassion, integrity, professionalism, respect and integrity, and that’s what she requires of all of her employees.”
It was in 1992 that Jan and her husband Russ, after owning and operating seven area commercial businesses, decided to open an Interim HealthCare franchise on Grand avenue in Wausau. The move fulfilled Jan’s deepest desire, that of caring for people in need. As owners and operators of the Ponderosa Motel and Restaurant in Wausau, Jan had often cooked meals and shared them with seniors and shut-ins. That desire to help those in need grew out of her early childhood on her parents’ farm in Ogema, Wisconsin. “There were always little critters in need of care,” said Jan, who would bottle feed injured baby mice, or wear off the fur on caterpillars from over handling them.
Her love for “little critters” prompted Jan and husband Russ to dedicate 17 years of their married life as Foster parents to 40 new born babies, welcoming them into their hearts and home directly from the hospital birthing stations. “While we were caring for the babies, we would encourage and support the birth mother and sometimes the birth father,” said Jan. “We would also encourage the adoptive parents to visit the new born baby.” When daughter Lisa met an out of town 21 year old unwed mother desiring to have an abortion, she offered the distraught woman another solution: “Come live with my parents during your pregnancy and then put the baby up for adoption.” Jan and Russ agreed to Lisa’s suggestion and for six months, welcomed the unwed mother into their home, helping her find adoptive parents, sharing God’s love and directing her toward a career in nursing.
Despite her busy schedule as mother, grandmother, foster mother, and business woman, Jan still found time to be a community and church leader. In 1973, she became the first chairperson for the newly organized Wausau Christian Women’s Club, followed by 13 years as area representative establishing additional clubs throughout central Wisconsin.
In 1984, Jan and Russ, along with several other couples, wanted to start a church where people from all walks of life would be welcome, one based on the Evangelical Free denomination. They began meeting in their home while placing an ad in the local newspaper: “New church starting in Wausau. Come join us.”
“The response was incredible,” said Jan, prompting Russ to secure a meeting room at the Wausau Labor Temple which also prompted the call for a pastor. That early church beginning in 1985 with Pastor Ken Moberg as their first pastor is now known as Highland Community Church, with locations in Wausau, Weston and Marathon and a weekly attendance that averages around 1,700. “God never ceases to amaze me at what He can do when we listen to His calling,” said the mother of four.
Eager to share God’s word with others, Jan and a friend introduced the Precept Bible Ministries to Wausau in 1989 with Jan becoming the first area teacher of the popular Kay Arthur international series. Often referred to as the Energy Bunny, Jan has learned the importance of another favorite Scripture verse on display in her office, Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” Said Jan, “Often times we need to just stop and listen to what the Lord has for us.”
Her endless energy, a commitment to excellence, a love for people, and her battle with cancer has earned Jan Kocha the respect and admiration of women from all walks of life. Recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Jan was also nominated for the Small Business of the Year award in 2004 and the women’s Athena award in 2011.
On a wall in one of the Interim Healthcare offices is a painting by Charles Peterson of a country doctor and his horse and buggy making a winter rural house call. “From our very beginning that painting has symbolized our goal as health care providers, to assist people in the comfort of their own home like the country doctor of old,” said Jan. “We were home care providers long before it became industry standard.” Under Jan’s supervision and guidance, Wausau’s Interim HealthCare is recognized as the area’s leading provider in customer satisfaction for home health care, surpassing both local and national standards according to Medicare.gov. The Wausau franchise, with its 110 employees and over 90 clients, has consistently been recognized among the best of the more than 300 U.S. Interim HealthCare locations.
At age 73, Jan Kocha still has a passion for helping people in need, especially the elderly and home bound. Although a debilitating stroke suffered by her husband Russ requires more of her time and energy, Jan continues to be guided by God’s promises, especially that of Psalm 91:1: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Whatever lies ahead for her and her family, Jan knows God will walk the road with them as He always has. “You never know where or when you will find one of God’s feathers,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
