Jane Beatrice (Lageson) Rupnow, 90 years young, died of natural causes on Sunday, October 30th, 2016 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital with her children and two grandchildren at her side. Fierce and funny, Jane had a zest for life that was matched by few others. Born on May 14th, 1926, Jane was the 10th (by a few minutes.) of 13 children to Edward and Helga (Berg) Lageson. Jane and her twelve siblings were raised on the family farm east of Blanchardville during the Great Depression where tough farm life and hard times taught Jane the value of family, perseverance, and a sense of humor.
She attended grade school and high school in Blanchardville, graduating in May 1944 during World War II. Following the close of the war, Jane met the love of her life, William J. Rupnow in a soda shop in Monroe, WI. No doubt taken with her charm and vivacious spirit, Bill fell for Jane and they were married on August 4th, 1946 in Monroe. They began married life there, spent a few years in St. Paul, MN, and then created their forever home in Blanchardville, moving to 308 N. Main Street in 1958. During this time Bill and Jane welcomed four children - Jimmy, David, Vicki and Jana - so their home was never dull. Many a Lageson Christmas was hosted by Jane where dinner always included the strong aroma of lutefisk and some of the best-made lefse in town.
Bill, who died in 1985 at the age of 61, was a rural route mail carrier for 35 years while Jane had many jobs she loved throughout her life. She never shied away from hard work and was a waitress at the Maple Grove Inn and a secretary at Advanced Transformer and the Blanchardville Blade-Atlas (now the Pecatonica Valley Leader). Perhaps her most-loved role was as a secretary at the Pecatonica Area Schools where she worked for 20 years, using her engaging personality to involve herself in the lives of many teachers, students and parents.
Jane found fun in everything she did in life. A visit to her house always included multiple cups of coffee sprinkled with a large dose of laughter. Even in her last few weeks, she kept everyone around her amused. When her family advised that she didn't have to keep entertaining people anymore, Jane said, "of course I do. It's who I am." She was right.
Noted for her pride in her Norwegian ancestry, Jane was fortunate enough to visit the Homeland multiple times in her life. A true "Viking queen", she had a nose for a great sale, a shoe collection that rivaled Imelda Marcos, a lead foot, and a wicked sense of humor. But above all, Jane had a love for her family that was unmatched. A prouder grandma and great-grandma would be hard to find.
Jane's spirit will continue on in those she leaves behind, her four children - James Rupnow of Monroe, David (Marlene) Rupnow of Oconomowoc, Victoria (Robert) Meyer of Seal Rock, OR and Jana Rupnow of Blanchardville; five (5) grandchildren - Pamela Rupnow, Valerie (Greg) Hackbart, Debra (Brett) Brever, Janey Moen and Thomas (Abigail Hugg) Moen; six (6) great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Vamstad and sisters-in-law, Vivian Lageson, Kathryn "Kay" Lageson and Rosella Lageson, plus many cherished nieces and nephews.
Jane was greeted in Heaven by a rowdy crew of loved ones, including her beloved husband, Bill; her parents; brothers Doyle, Glenn, James, Erling, Robert, George, William, and Donald; twin sister, Jean Trumpy; sisters Eunice Larson and Betty Schmidt; and many treasured friends. No doubt they've been waiting for her to come get the party started.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 4th at 11am at the New Hope Church in Blanchardville, WI. Following a graveside service, join the family for a Celebration of Life at the Blanchardville Legion Hall. Come share a cup of coffee (it solves any problem) and your best stories about Jane. Additionally, friends may call on Thursday night from 4-8pm at the Saether Funeral Home, located in Blanchardville. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.
She attended grade school and high school in Blanchardville, graduating in May 1944 during World War II. Following the close of the war, Jane met the love of her life, William J. Rupnow in a soda shop in Monroe, WI. No doubt taken with her charm and vivacious spirit, Bill fell for Jane and they were married on August 4th, 1946 in Monroe. They began married life there, spent a few years in St. Paul, MN, and then created their forever home in Blanchardville, moving to 308 N. Main Street in 1958. During this time Bill and Jane welcomed four children - Jimmy, David, Vicki and Jana - so their home was never dull. Many a Lageson Christmas was hosted by Jane where dinner always included the strong aroma of lutefisk and some of the best-made lefse in town.
Bill, who died in 1985 at the age of 61, was a rural route mail carrier for 35 years while Jane had many jobs she loved throughout her life. She never shied away from hard work and was a waitress at the Maple Grove Inn and a secretary at Advanced Transformer and the Blanchardville Blade-Atlas (now the Pecatonica Valley Leader). Perhaps her most-loved role was as a secretary at the Pecatonica Area Schools where she worked for 20 years, using her engaging personality to involve herself in the lives of many teachers, students and parents.
Jane found fun in everything she did in life. A visit to her house always included multiple cups of coffee sprinkled with a large dose of laughter. Even in her last few weeks, she kept everyone around her amused. When her family advised that she didn't have to keep entertaining people anymore, Jane said, "of course I do. It's who I am." She was right.
Noted for her pride in her Norwegian ancestry, Jane was fortunate enough to visit the Homeland multiple times in her life. A true "Viking queen", she had a nose for a great sale, a shoe collection that rivaled Imelda Marcos, a lead foot, and a wicked sense of humor. But above all, Jane had a love for her family that was unmatched. A prouder grandma and great-grandma would be hard to find.
Jane's spirit will continue on in those she leaves behind, her four children - James Rupnow of Monroe, David (Marlene) Rupnow of Oconomowoc, Victoria (Robert) Meyer of Seal Rock, OR and Jana Rupnow of Blanchardville; five (5) grandchildren - Pamela Rupnow, Valerie (Greg) Hackbart, Debra (Brett) Brever, Janey Moen and Thomas (Abigail Hugg) Moen; six (6) great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Vamstad and sisters-in-law, Vivian Lageson, Kathryn "Kay" Lageson and Rosella Lageson, plus many cherished nieces and nephews.
Jane was greeted in Heaven by a rowdy crew of loved ones, including her beloved husband, Bill; her parents; brothers Doyle, Glenn, James, Erling, Robert, George, William, and Donald; twin sister, Jean Trumpy; sisters Eunice Larson and Betty Schmidt; and many treasured friends. No doubt they've been waiting for her to come get the party started.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 4th at 11am at the New Hope Church in Blanchardville, WI. Following a graveside service, join the family for a Celebration of Life at the Blanchardville Legion Hall. Come share a cup of coffee (it solves any problem) and your best stories about Jane. Additionally, friends may call on Thursday night from 4-8pm at the Saether Funeral Home, located in Blanchardville. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.