Obituaries

May she direct plays and forensics in Heaven. She will be missed.

Our sincere sympathies to Janis' family. She was a vibrant young girl and continued that vibrancy throughout her adult life. She has touched many lives and shaped her daughter into a very loving person as well. Rita Manning Bortz & Phillip Bortz Pardeeville WI

RIP 71

Janis and I were classmates at Pardeeville High School. I remember a year in Forensics when I had high hopes of doing well in the competition, but Jan beat me out. As I remember, she was a talking typewriter! She was very good. Rest in peace Jan. My sympathies to her family. Kathryn (Gawel) Komassa

Jan became part of my support system back in 1990. She reached out to me and encouraged me to try out for the summer show. That gave me the confidence to get involved in the theater world. She was a great Forensics coach and I was fortunate to help bring audiences to our stage. This is a huge loss for the Madison theatre community and we all share the grief with her family. Thank you Tara, for reaching out for us and that we are here for you.

Deepest condolences to the family. Jan was always a ray of sunshine walking through the halls of the school.

Jan was such a bright light on Forensics tournament mornings. She always greeted me with a smile and a kind word. I am going to miss her so much this season.

My most sincere condolences to Jan's family. I know how important you all were to her. Jan came into DeForest my sophomore year. I would not be who I am without her friendship and guidance in theater and forensics. She did not always try to come to my recent community theater shows; but she was a cheerleader and was always excited to hear what I was up to. If she was doing that for all the students who came after me....she was a busy Saint of an educator. She made people (kids) feel seen, safe, and important when they probably needed it the most. DeForest has lost a true champion for the Performing Arts.

Agreat teacher and friend and colleague . A wonderful human being. We share the loss with Tara and the grandkids. Jan was one of those people you just always thought would be here. Thanks for blessing our lives with your grace and humor, rick hill and sally cordio,

Thinking of you Tara, my sincere condolences

Thank you for all of your critiques in all of the best ways because you knew I cared about being a better writer. Thank you for treating us more like family than you did students. Thank you for being full of love and seeing the potential in people. You had such a marvelous way of being able to see that potential when, many times, we could not. Thank you for the books we didn't want to read back then- But we reminisce, and even reread, them now. You are an example of somebody who truly sees people "before their time." You knew that in being a high school teacher, you wouldn't see us all grown up. But it felt like you knew how to help us to that best version of ourselves before we finished our time at DeForest High School. So, although you didn't get to continue in our individual journeys, I think you knew how we would end up. And I do believe you were incredibly proud of us for it. There was something very lovely and comforting in that. I wish I could have thanked you once more in-person for the impact you made in my life without realizing you had done it. But thank you, Jan. I really did, and do, appreciate you.

Jan, losing you is so unexpected, has touched so many, certainly my entire family. You have made such a difference! Nancy Nie

Mike and I met Jan when we all attended college at Boo-U. We were fortunate to be involved in theatre productions with her. Mike and Jan were leads in a play together. We kept in touch through the years and were proud of her accomplishments. She had such a good rapport with her students, other teachers and friends. We were so lucky to know Jan! Holly(and Mike) Powers

Jan was one of the most loving and accepting people that anyone had the pleasure of knowing. She made everyone feel welcomed and accepted. No one has ever made people feel more welcomed and accepted than Jan. The world has truly lost a mother and friend. Rest in peace Jan.

What a beautiful women see was . So sorry for the family lost. She will be truly missed by so many . But loved by a nation of family and friends. My the prayers of our support to yours. The Skipper family.

Jan was a wonderful friend to our family. She will be missed.

Jan and I met as Board members of WISDAA. She was so caring about students and so much fun. We even share a middle name. I will miss seeing her so much at theatre and forensics events.

My sincere sympathy to family and friends. May God encompass you with his everlasting love.

An extraordinary woman, now leading Center Stage among the Stars. Steve Miller Spring, Texas