Obituaries

Jeanette “Jan” Holzbauer – Jan was born on April 24, 1923 to parents Arthur Schaechterle and Regina Bertram in Marshfield, WI. She attended Cardinal Stritch College and UW Milwaukee. She was married to Vernon “Vern” on November 8, 1945 at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Little Rock AK. She lived in Milwaukee, WI until Vern was honorably discharged from the Army in 1947 and worked for Allstate Insurance until the birth of their first son. In Mequon, WI where they built their first home, Jan’s life centered on her family. A stay-at-home mom, she devoted her time to Vern and their sons. In March of 1960, they built their second home in Glendale,WI. As the children entered parochial school, her time became increasingly allotted to the children’s school activities and her parish, Our Lady of Good Hope. She served in various capacities from playground supervisor to three terms on the school board and two terms on the parish council. She also founded and wrote copious material for the parish newspaper which she entitled, “The Voice of Hope”. After moving to Madison, WI in 1973 where they built their third home, Jan worked for the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) until she retired in 1988.

As a member of St. Maria Goretti parish, she served as parish pro-life committee chair with two terms on the parish council as well as member of the building committee. She was an extraordinary Eucharist Minister and home visitor as well as acting as a facilitator of a Small Christian Community for over 10 years. Having served as president of the Wisconsin Council of Catholic Women for many years, in 2000, Jan was chosen to represent the Midwest region as Legislative Chair by the National Council of Catholic Women in Washington D.C. She also served as Secretary of the 2nd Congressional District Human Life Amendment Committee; was president of the Madison Catholic Women’s Club and the pro-life legislative committee chair and pro-life board member for over 25 years. Her favorite participation sport was golf which she pursued vigorously on courses from coast to coast. She never played a course she didn’t like.

Jan is survived by her sons Robert (Judi), Richard (Linda) and John (Maryanne); grandchildren Kristen (David) Bolles, Paul, Paige and Stephanie; step granddaughter Nicole (Kris) Huseth; great-granddaughter Ashlyn Holzbauer; step great-grandchildren Tommy and Taylor Sturdevant.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 27, 2015 AT ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave Madison WI with Msgr. Michael "Mike" L. Burke presiding. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Entombment service will be held at 2:30 PM in the mausoleum at HOLY CROSS CEMETERY CHAPEL 7301 W. Nash St. Milwaukee.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wisconsin Right to Life, Catholic Relief Services, St. Maria Goretti parish or the charity of your choice. Thanks mom for all you have done for our family and for so many others.

A special thanks to Dr. Timothy Lechmeier and Msgr. Burke who did so much to sustain our mom in her difficult times a�"physically, emotionally and spiritually.