Lorraine May Janz

Lorraine M. Janz, 89, of Knowlton, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family, on Thursday, May 20, 2021 in Plover, Wisconsin.

Lorraine was born on January 5, 1932 in Racine, Wisconsin to Clair and Viola Atkinson. She was a proud Class of 1950 graduate of St. Catherine’s High School, Racine, and a dedicated accounting clerk at Hamilton Beach for several years following. At a holiday dance, she met a young soldier, Carl Janz. The two dated and became engaged before Carl returned to serve in the Korean War. Lorraine and Carl married on October 30th, 1954, at St. Patrick Church, Racine. They had celebrated 60 years of marriage prior to Carl’s passing (January 1, 2015).

Lorraine loved Queen Anne’s Lace wildflowers, the colors of fall reflected along the lakeshore, and sharing a few cookies or a little ice cream with anyone that stopped by. Her greatest joy, however, was in helping to better the lives of family, friends, and neighbors. She accomplished this by sharing her gifts of faith, unconditional love, creativity and humor. Lorraine was a natural caregiver and always worked to be of support to others. Along with being a devoted daughter, wife and mother, Lorraine gave years of service to her church as an active Cabrini Society member and as secretary for St. Francis Xavier Church, Knowlton.

Survivors include children: Dennis (Deborah), Gerald (Maureen), Timothy (Sarah), Paula (Brad), Christina (Michael), and Roberta (Jeff); grandchildren: William, Alison (Nick), Rebecca, Margaret (Anthony), Emily (Luke), Hannah, Laura (Sagen), Ryan, Cory (Emily), Carly, Miranda, Emma, Meredith, Janessa (Josh), Mitchell (Kellie), Olivia (Mike); great grandchildren: Drake, Kashmir, Ophelia, Atticus, Cole, Will, and Trinity; brother, Timothy (Patricia), sister, Mary (Curly), many nieces, nephews and special friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Lorraine is preceded in death by son, Brian, great granddaughter, Aurora, and siblings, Ronald, Gerald and Carol.

A memorial service will take place at 12 noon on Friday, June 11, 2021, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Knowlton. The Reverend James Trempe will officiate. Burial will follow at St. John the Baptist Cemetery of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Knowlton. Visitation will be held at Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, on Friday, June 11th, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Online condolences can be directed to the family at www.bestefh.com.

Lorraine’s children would like to thank the outstanding staff at Whispering Pines Assisted Living Community, Compassus Hospice and Dr. Sumeet Goel for their compassionate care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Lorraine’s honor to Special Olympics Wisconsin (www.specialolympicswisconsin.org/donate/ways-to-give).