Janette Florence Schmeckel, 94, formerly of Kansasville, WI, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024, at Kirkland Crossing Memory Care, Pewaukee, WI.  The daughter of A. Peter and Esther (Jansen) Schaefer, she was born on February 16, 1930, at St Mary's hospital, Racine, WI.

Janette attended St Francis Xavier Catholic school in Brighton, WI and graduated from St Mary's High School in Burlington, WI in 1949.  She went on to nurses training at St Anthony's Nursing School in Rockford, IL. After graduation in 1952, she worked as an RN at St Marys in Racine for a short time to save money to move to California. She worked at Huntington Hospital, Huntington CA while living with her uncle Karl in South Gate, CA. After only a few months, Janette realized California wasn't for her and returned home to Wisconsin. She worked as an RN at St Joseph's hospital in Milwaukee and later at the Southern Wisconsin Center in Union Grove.

She married Robert E. Schmeckel on February 11,1956 at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Brighton, WI. They started farming in Salem, WI and eventually moved to Janette's childhood farm in Kansasville where they raised their six children. Janette was a faithful member of St Francis Xavier Church and later, when they moved to Janesville, St Marys Catholic Church in Milton, WI. She particularly enjoyed being a member of the Bells of St Mary's where she made many dear friends.

Janette will be remembered for her devout faith and strong belief in the power of prayer. Saying her daily rosary was a must and she always had one with her. Her family was always at the heart of her prayer life. She was our prayer warrior.

Janette always looked forward to phone calls and visits from family and friends especially if she could squeeze in a card game or two…or three or four. You always knew when she was dealt a good hand as her entire face would light up.

Janette is survived by her children Mary (Steven) Merkel, Eau Claire; James Schmeckel, Union Grove; Thomas (Lisa) Schmeckel, Whitewater; Susan (David) Porter, Hartland; grandchildren Tracy (Aaron) Mastaw, Joellen Schmeckel, Jason (Jennifer) Merkel, Brian Merkel, Sarah (Mitchell) Von Ruden, Lauren (Jacob) Meyer, Tommy (Laura) Schmeckel, Kristin (Sean) Stemper, Caitlyn (Kevin) Fleck, Matthew (Elissa) Porter, Michael and Mark Porter; great-grandchildren Emily, Erich, Claire, Anna, Henry, Eddie, Elaina, Janette, Dylan, Ryan, Evan, Maddox, Lincoln, Elliott and Paislee; daughter-in-law Sharon Schmeckel; sisters-in-law Joyce Schaefer & Monica Schmeckel and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert; sons Peter and Timothy; grandson Jeffrey; siblings Robert, Mary, Leo, Francis, John, Esther and Ann; brothers/sisters-in-law Carolyn, Helen, June, Louis, Russ, Helen and her dear friend Bernice Brey.

The family would like to thank the caregivers in the Arbor at Kirkland Crossing for their kind and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the School Sisters of Notre Dame or St Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church in Brighton on Saturday, July 6, 2024, 10 am-11:45 am. Mass of Christian Burial will begin

at 12 noon following a eulogy at 11:45. Burial will after mass at St. Francis Xavier cemetery.