Janet Mary "Jan" Alt, of Monroe, Wisconsin, died Saturday evening, October 11, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin where, for ten months, she was seeking treatment for cancer. Born January 9, 1947, Jan was the fourth of seven children of Dominic and Leona (Ripperda) Alt. She grew up on a dairy farm in Shullsburg and graduated from St. Matthew Grade School and Shullsburg Public High School.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1969, Jan dedicated her entire professional teaching career to Monroe middle school and high school youth through academics and extracurricular activities and served the Monroe community through her involvement in civic organizations and in her church. She worked hard and set high standards for herself and for her students. Her fellow teachers and friends saw in her a graceful, loving, kind and appreciative person with a wonderful sense of humor, but with a quiet way about her. A favorite memory for many of them is the way she so kindly stuffed their mailboxes with treats at various holiday times throughout the year (even after retirement) and then quietly slipped away. She had the interests of all people in her heart. Not seeking recognition, she did what she did because she knew it was right, and she was genuine in all that she did.
Humble and generous, Jan seemed spurred on by her strong faith to help others. She was involved with a variety of "caring" organizations. These included Badger Camp, Apostolate to the Handicapped, and the Monroe Optimist Club (member and past president). Earlier this year Jan was awarded Badger Camp's Lifetime Achievement-Spirit of Volunteerism Award for her more than 25 years of serving on its volunteer board of directors and for contributing to the success of the camp in other ways.
In June, 2008 she was selected as honorary co-chair of the Green County Relay for Life.
As a member of St. Victor Catholic Church, Jan served as a Eucharistic minister, religious education teacher and member of the Parish Council. She often went to daily mass.
An adventurer and world traveler, Jan also was talented in the musical and visual arts. She had many artistic hobbies and was proud to be a member of the Swiss Singers. Her card making hobby resulted in pleasure for many people who received her lovely cards or bid on them at charitable silent auctions. She was politically aware and was, at times, politically active. As a nature lover Jan was especially fond of pinecones, trees, the Swiss mountains and the color green.
Survivors include a brother, Jim (Audrey) Alt; sisters Mary Jo (Jim) Jacque and Joanie (John) Brusky, all of Green Bay; Carol (Terry) Kent of Edgerton, Wisconsin and Elaine (John) Mullin of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, 11 nieces, 4 nephews, 6 great nieces, 5 great nephews and many wonderful friends. Jan was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Lois (Loras) Schuster.
Jan was an unusually fine person. Her family invites you to visitation at Newcomer Funeral Home, 1329 31st Avenue, Monroe from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. A further celebration of her life continues at a Mass of Christian burial at St. Victor Catholic Church, 1760 14th Street, Monroe, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2008. Monsignor Thomas Campion and Fr. Mike Klarer will concelebrate. Burial will be in St. Matthew Catholic Cemetery, Shullsburg. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations to a Janet Alt memorial be made to further the many worthwhile causes Jan promoted. To sign the online guestbook go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Jan's sense of caring and helping others will be felt and remembered for a very long time. She was brave and strong, especially this last year. She loved life. She knew we loved her.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1969, Jan dedicated her entire professional teaching career to Monroe middle school and high school youth through academics and extracurricular activities and served the Monroe community through her involvement in civic organizations and in her church. She worked hard and set high standards for herself and for her students. Her fellow teachers and friends saw in her a graceful, loving, kind and appreciative person with a wonderful sense of humor, but with a quiet way about her. A favorite memory for many of them is the way she so kindly stuffed their mailboxes with treats at various holiday times throughout the year (even after retirement) and then quietly slipped away. She had the interests of all people in her heart. Not seeking recognition, she did what she did because she knew it was right, and she was genuine in all that she did.
Humble and generous, Jan seemed spurred on by her strong faith to help others. She was involved with a variety of "caring" organizations. These included Badger Camp, Apostolate to the Handicapped, and the Monroe Optimist Club (member and past president). Earlier this year Jan was awarded Badger Camp's Lifetime Achievement-Spirit of Volunteerism Award for her more than 25 years of serving on its volunteer board of directors and for contributing to the success of the camp in other ways.
In June, 2008 she was selected as honorary co-chair of the Green County Relay for Life.
As a member of St. Victor Catholic Church, Jan served as a Eucharistic minister, religious education teacher and member of the Parish Council. She often went to daily mass.
An adventurer and world traveler, Jan also was talented in the musical and visual arts. She had many artistic hobbies and was proud to be a member of the Swiss Singers. Her card making hobby resulted in pleasure for many people who received her lovely cards or bid on them at charitable silent auctions. She was politically aware and was, at times, politically active. As a nature lover Jan was especially fond of pinecones, trees, the Swiss mountains and the color green.
Survivors include a brother, Jim (Audrey) Alt; sisters Mary Jo (Jim) Jacque and Joanie (John) Brusky, all of Green Bay; Carol (Terry) Kent of Edgerton, Wisconsin and Elaine (John) Mullin of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, 11 nieces, 4 nephews, 6 great nieces, 5 great nephews and many wonderful friends. Jan was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Lois (Loras) Schuster.
Jan was an unusually fine person. Her family invites you to visitation at Newcomer Funeral Home, 1329 31st Avenue, Monroe from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. A further celebration of her life continues at a Mass of Christian burial at St. Victor Catholic Church, 1760 14th Street, Monroe, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2008. Monsignor Thomas Campion and Fr. Mike Klarer will concelebrate. Burial will be in St. Matthew Catholic Cemetery, Shullsburg. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations to a Janet Alt memorial be made to further the many worthwhile causes Jan promoted. To sign the online guestbook go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Jan's sense of caring and helping others will be felt and remembered for a very long time. She was brave and strong, especially this last year. She loved life. She knew we loved her.