Janet Helen Nuss, 73, of Niceville, FL, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Elmer, NJ, Janet was the beloved daughter of the late Howard L. and Helen E. (Hall) Clinger. She was the devoted and faithful Christian wife to MSG Frederick W. Nuss, USA, (Ret.), with whom she shared 50 years of marriage built on faith, service, and unwavering love.
A 1970 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, Willingboro, NJ, Janet attended Lancaster Bible College, where her deep faith and heart for service were further shaped. Her walk with Christ guided every aspect of her life.
Throughout her lifetime, Janet was actively involved in three churches: the Ephrata Bible Fellowship Church in Ephrata, PA; the Calvary Baptist Church in Glen Burnie, MD; and the International Baptist Church in Stuttgart, Germany. She joyfully served in many capacities, but one of her most cherished contributions was designing and helping create the nursery for the International Baptist Church of Stuttgart, a welcoming and nurturing space for the youngest members of the congregation. Her service reflected her belief that ministry begins with caring for others, especially children.
Janet was also known for her creativity and joyful spirit. She never met a craft or a craft store she didn’t love, and she was rarely seen without a cart full of new ideas and supplies. She was an avid collector of Polish pottery and delighted in visiting antique stores and flea markets wherever she lived or traveled. She treasured sharing stories and laughter while playing Rummy or Uno with her sisters and daughters, moments that created lifelong memories.
Always adventurous, Janet embraced every new place she called home, living in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Maryland, Germany, New York, Washington, and Florida. She was always ready for the next adventure. It was not unusual for her to drive to Maine for fresh lobster, to Philadelphia for authentic cheesesteak, to New Jersey for tomatoes, to Pennsylvania for fresh corn on the cob, or to pull off at roadside ice cream stands for her favorite chocolate soft serve cone, because for Janet, joy was often found in both the journey and the destination.
Janet dedicated more than three decades to public service through her distinguished federal career. She spent over 25 years with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, rising to the GS-13 level as a Senior Management Analyst. Widely respected for her leadership and integrity, Janet strengthened administrative and operational systems supporting federal health programs serving communities nationwide. She led initiatives that streamlined hiring, onboarding, training, travel management, and records modernization, and served as a trusted advisor to leadership, known for her calm presence, thoughtful solutions, and generous mentorship.
Earlier in her career, Janet served as a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employee in assignments with the U.S. Army in Stuttgart and Kitzingen, Germany, supporting Child Development Centers and the DoD Dependent School System. She also worked in the Department of Foreign Languages at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, where she voluntarily taught American Sign Language to cadets. Additional roles included service with Headquarters, Fourth Region ROTC, and the Pediatric Department, Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, WA, reflecting her lifelong commitment to inclusion, education, and service.
Janet’s life was marked by excellence, professionalism, and a genuine love for people. She received numerous awards for outstanding performance, including the Dr. Mary E. Walker Award for her exceptional support of U.S. Army family support groups and a Commander’s Medal recognizing her leadership and service improvements. She is remembered by colleagues, friends, and family as a steady leader and a woman whose faith was evident in both word and deed.
In addition to her husband, Frederick, Janet is survived by her children, Jennifer, of Tacoma, WA, Rebecca Morey, wife of David, of Niceville, FL, Sarah, fiancée of Bryan, of Meridian, ID, and John, husband of Roya, of Brentwood, CA. Janet was a proud and loving grandmother to her grandchildren: Grayson, Gunnar, Olivia, Aiden, Mavox, Kian, and Kiara. She is also survived by her siblings: Peggy Truett, Joyce Frazeur, David Clinger, and Linda Tennell. Janet was preceded in death by her brother, Lee Clinger; and sister, June Knight.
Janet’s legacy lives on through the lives she touched, the family she cherished, and the faith she lived every day.
Services will be held privately. Janet will be interred at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.
