Nancy Taylor wraps up weather recording career

Nancy Taylor of LaCrosse has closed out her career as a volunteer weather recorder. Taylor was honored two years ago by the National Weather Service for 40 years of service. The award is called the Thomas Jefferson award.

She said her late husband, Dick Taylor, had a keen interest in the weather, and his enthusiasm proved to be contagious. The Taylors, who moved to LaCrosse from Tempe, Ariz., to take over an electrical business, started recording the weather Nov. 1, 1974. Mr. Taylor died in September of 2001, and she continued to take the readings.

Mrs. Taylor noted they took over the recording task from Frank Guske who recorded the readings for approximately 30 years. Before Guske logged the readings, his father-in-law, Mike Schreck, did the readings for the LaCrosse area.

Winter weather this year was a key factor in her decision to wrap up her weather career. She noted the daily trips outside in the snow to read the precipitation gauge have become a challenge, especially after she has undergone two knee replacements.

At some point, Mrs. Taylor became the official source of the weekly weather chart in the Gazette. Each Monday night she emailed the weekly listings for publication in the paper.

J.B. Broeckel of LaCrosse has volunteered to take over the readings. The precipitation gauge has been moved to Broeckel's house on Highway 26 about three miles from LaCrosse.

As a footnote, Mrs. Taylor noted Broeckel resides were Frank Guske formerly resided and made his readings.

Broeckel also agreed to continue to make weekly reports for the Gazette.