Janet June (Fey) Keener, age 84, a devoted follower of Jesus, was welcomed into His arms on July 19, 2025, at St. Clare Friedensheim Assisted Living in Monroe, Wisconsin. Born on June 21, 1941, in Monroe to Raymond and Nellie (Ault) Fey, Janet grew up in the Clarno area, attending East Clarno rural school through the eighth grade before graduating from Monroe High School in 1959. She continued her education at Green County Teachers College, earning her teaching certificate and going on to teach grades 1–8 at Jennings School, a one-room schoolhouse in South Wayne, for two years.
On April 5, 1963, she married Eugene Keener, dedicating the early years of their marriage to full-time homemaking. In 1975, she returned to the classroom and faithfully taught elementary students at New Glarus Christian School for 27 years. Together, she and Eugene raised a family on their dairy farm in Monticello where they resided for 54 years.
Janet’s nurturing heart reached far beyond her children God entrusted to her—whom she considered her greatest blessing. She also devoted herself wholeheartedly to every student she had the honor of teaching. Her heart delighted in God’s handiwork—she found joy in His creation, from blooming flowers and cheerful birds to race horses and playful zoo animals. A lover of fiction, she was an avid reader but also enjoyed watching old westerns and listening to Swiss yodeling, gospel music, and hymns. She cherished time spent with her family, especially when gathered together sharing stories from days gone by.
Those who remain to celebrate her legacy include her husband, Eugene; their children Jo (Bruce) Braughler of New Glarus, Barb (Doug) Varner of Brodhead, Tim Keener of Cross Plains, and Liz (Dave) Franze of Andover, MN; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; her sister Helen (Lee) West of Albany; sister-in-law Roswitha Fey of DeForest; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Arthur, Robert, and Donald Fey; and her sisters, Carol Campbell, Joyce Strehlow, and Joan Thompson.
The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at St. Clare Friedensheim Assisted Living, Fresenius Kidney Care Dialysis Center of Monroe, and Agrace Hospice Care, Inc. for their care and support.
The celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at New Glarus Bible Church, 207 6th Street, New Glarus, WI. Interment will follow at the New Glarus Cemetery. Luncheon afterward in the church fellowship hall.
A visitation will precede the funeral service from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
To continue Janet’s legacy of sharing the Gospel with children, memorials may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, P.O. Box 348, Warrenton, MO 63383.
The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be given at www.bealfuneralhomes.com
