Jennette (Jan) E. Oncken, Sun Prairie, WI was given the gift of life on January 29, 1933 in Monroe, WI and returned it on February 5, 2015 with her family by her side. She lived with determination and strength, a sense of style and purpose not often seen. Jan was the daughter of Ray andContinue Reading
Jennette (Jan) E. Oncken, Sun Prairie, WI was given the gift of life on January 29, 1933 in Monroe, WI and returned it on February 5, 2015 with her family by her side. She lived with determination and strength, a sense of style and purpose not often seen.
Jan was the daughter of Ray and Bernice (Niffenegger) Crane and sister of the late Ray Jr., graduated from Monroe High School, the UW-Madison with a Home Economics and Education degree and taught home economics at Waupun and Belleville high schools.
She married John F. Oncken of Stoughton and together they raised three children: Lynne, Laurel and John while living in Neillsville, De Pere and Sun Prairie. She then returned to school and gained an MS in Special Education at Cardinal Stritch University and taught Early Childhood in the Sun Prairie schools.
In addition to her compassionate and challenging career working with young children, Jan was a talented artist, quilter, seamstress decorator and above all, wife, mother and grandmother.
She could handle a rotary saw to remodel the basement; refinish furniture giving it new life; sew the many stylish clothes her children wore growing up along with all of the doll clothes; and go back to school later in life touching so many students lives. She did it all.
Jan was besieged by health limitations later in life, but always made the best of it. She knew her time was limited but insisted she was going out smiling. We know she's at peace now and will live forever in our hearts.
She leaves her husband John; son John C. (Joan), Grand Forks ND; daughters Lynne Oncken, Fresno, CA and Laurel Oncken Curet, Costa Mesa, CA; grandsons Trace and Cameron Curet (Costa Mesa) and Joe Oncken (Grand Forks) and granddaughters Megan Oncken Riskey (Brock), Fargo, ND and Nicole Oncken of Grand Forks. And beloved cat Sofi.
Jan's life will be celebrated Saturday, February 14, 2015. Visitation begins at 9am with the service at 11 am at Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 257-3577.. A family burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to UW Foundation PLATO Fund (Platomadison.org) in Jan's name.
Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400
www.newcomerfh.com
Greg Frazier
left a message on February 16, 2015:
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Greg Frazier
left a message on February 16, 2015:
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