On the morning of July 1st, 2026, under a beautiful full moon, Janice “Jan” Janowski, 82, was swept away by Angels to her eternal reward. She passed peacefully at Autumn’s Promise Assisted Living in Green Bay.
She was born to George & Mary (Paul) Wachal on July 27, 1943, in Pilsen, Wisconsin. She was homecoming queen in 1960 and graduated from Kewaunee High School in 1961. She enjoyed attending many class reunions thereafter.
Jan married Peter Janowski on May 20, 1967, at Pilsen Church. They were blessed with five children: Jon (Cheryl), Shelley, Brian (Jen), Andrea (special friend Jack Erdman), Jay (Amy) and ten grandchildren -Allyson, Kiera, Aaron, Stella, Ashton, Nicholas, Giselle, Alex, Emily, and Grant.
Jan’s first job was in banking at Peoples Marine Bank in downtown Green Bay. She met many Green Bay Packers players and staff who banked there, including Vince Lombardi. She and Peter also maintained rental properties. Later, she continued her career as a school portrait coordinator at Harmann Studios. Jan was a lifelong volunteer and followed a family motto of “People Helping People.” She was a member of Western Fraternal Life (now BetterLife) serving as President and Secretary of the Pilsen Lodge. Jan also volunteered for National Mutual Benefit, the UWGB Weidner Center, and fund-raising projects for the Luxemburg Knights of Columbus. She always had a passion for helping others in need. Jan was a faithful Catholic and lifetime parishioner of St. Therese in Pilsen and a member of its Rosary Society. She loved gardening (especially flowers), listening to music (Elvis Presley was her favorite and she attended his concert in Green Bay), and singing.
Jan was most proud of her family and enjoyed making a wonderful home, cooking and baking, and reading to her young grandchildren. Jan loved playing cards with friends and family. She was kind, hardworking, honest, trustful, giving, and a woman of great faith.
Surviving family members are brothers-in-law Paul and Tom (Marilyn) Janowski, sisters-in-law Edna and Judy Janowski, and cousins of the Paul and Wachal family. She was preceded in death by her parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Louis and Clara Janowski, brothers-in-law Joe and Jim Janowski, and sister-in-law Pat Janowski.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family kindly requests a donation to the Wisconsin Parkinson Association. Jan fought a courageous battle against Parkinson’s toward the end of her life.
Family and friends may gather at 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., on Friday, July 10th at St. Therese Church, Pilsen. A funeral mass will follow with Fr. Bill O’Brien officiating, with entombment to follow at the Shrine of the Good Shepard Mausoleum, Green Bay.
Kinnard Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting. Online condolence messages may be shared at KinnardFCS.com.
A special thank you to the staff at Autumn’s Promise and Moments Hospice for their exceptional care of Jan.
