Janet Marie Walters Obituary
Janet Marie Walters, age 90, passed away peacefully Wednesday, August 23rd with family surrounding her. She is now in heaven, where she has joined her beloved husband Norman, daughter Margaret, parents Hazel and Archie Berdan, sister Marcella, twin Joyce, brother Ron, niece Karen, nephews Vinnie, Tony, Terry and Joey all of her aunts and uncles, brothers-in-law Elmer and Lawrence and sister-in-law Rae Marie, some of her cousins' close friends Fern and Francis and many other dear friends.
Janet Marie was born to Hazel and Archie Berdan in Merrill Wisconsin.
Janet and Norman married on June 19, 1947. Early in Janet and Norman's married life they moved to the Milwaukee area for work, eventually building their own home in Menomonee Falls. Much of the home construction they did themselves. Here is where they met their dear friends Joann and Al.
In 1970, Janet was a proud mother of four children when she lost her husband Norman in an accident. Janet had the strength to carry on and took classes to become a bookkeeper for Kohl's corporate stores where she worked for about 20 years.
Janet loved her extended family and spent many weekends playing cards late into the evening. She was fiercely competitive and loved to tease her opponents. Janet taught all her grandchildren how to play cards and dominoes. Because Janet called every child sweetheart, she gained the name "Grandma Sweetheart".
She loved her nieces and nephews and knew them individually and knew birthdays and life events. She gave many hugs to each, but her children, nieces and nephews can tell you how she became the fly swatter extraordinaire when it was necessary.
Janet loved to sew therefore she kept her children and grandchildren hostage for many hours at fabric stores looking at patterns and materials. All her children to this day have stories about looking at bolts of fabric for an eternity. Janet made many dresses for herself and her daughters. She could pick out material and have the dress made the next day to wear to a celebration. She also enjoyed making quilts and drapes for family and friends. She made dance costumes and karate uniforms. She also enjoyed coffee with the neighbors, going to bingo, polka night at Etzels, cribbage league, bowling and fishing with her sisters and uncles. She sang in the choir for years at Grace Lutheran Church.
No one left Janet's house hungry. She loved feeding her grandkids, she was thrilled that they were all taller than her. She tried to never miss a grandchild's football game, little league game, wrestling match, basketball game, track meet, swim meet or dance recital. She was so proud to sew medals onto letterman's jackets.
Janet is loved and missed by her son Robert (Mary Jane) grandchildren Jonathan (Lori), David, Stephanie (Paul). A daughter Jean Kilbourn (Jim) Grandchildren Jerremiah (Pam) and Jasen. Mike (Linda) and Grandchildren Matthew (Mallory) and Katelynn (John). Granddaughter Jennifer. Great grandchildren, Darian, Deontae, Jamarie, Jakori, Aidan, Dylan, Dominick, Julia, Rocky, Jordan, Levi, Mason, Quinn, Madelynn, Beckham and Cristiano and two great, great grandchildren MaLiyah, and Miracle.
Janet fought a long, long battle with dementia. She lived in assisted living for over 20 years. The last decade or more was spent at the Kettle Moraine Gardens Memory in Kewaskum. She was loved by the staff, and she loved them also. They kept her company, played cards with her, threaded needles, untangled yarn, and a multitude of other things to keep her happy, healthy and safe. Janet's family wants to thank them for the wonderful care she received there, we will be forever grateful.
Janet is gone from our sight but forever in our heart, she will be missed by her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is now at one heck of a card party being teased by Norman, just the way she loved it.
Visitation will be at Grace Lutheran Church on Tuesday August 29 4:30pm – 6:30pm with the service to follow at 6:30pm. Reception at Grace Lutheran after the service. Grace Lutheran Church W196N9525 Cross View Way Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.
