Louise Janik

    Louise Janik was called to the heavens on Sept. 11, 2020. She was a quiet but fearless force of strength and inspiration for her entire family. Driven by ambition and creativity, Louise left her special mark on every accomplishment.
    Louise was born in 1934 and raised on Milwaukee’s South Side.
    She met Jack at Notre Dame High School.They were married in 1958 and moved out to their farm.
    They jumped into church and community and raised four children. Louise quickly adapted to her new lifestyle, crediting her intensified country living education to her “Country Mother” Martha Kirmse, mother Elizabeth and mother-in-law Lucy Janik. She was a tireless gardener, raising produce for an army of family and friends, spending days blanching, canning, bottling and laughing in the kitchen with the ladies.
    Louise was an active church and youth leader. She was in the Christian Mothers Group and taught CCD classes at the historic Little Kohler Church, Mater Dolorosa.
    Louise and Jack raised cattle, sheep, hogs, rabbits, ducks, geese, chickens and bees/honey with the kids for 4-H projects. She taught 4-H youth sewing for years. She made clothing for the entire family and every doll in the house and created sewn covers for jeep seats, band gear and more. There were no limits to her lifelong learning and creativity including upholstery, draperies, finish woodworking, quilting, painting, crafting, knitting, crocheting and embroidery.
    As the kids grew older, Louise returned to some of her professional passions, working in accounting/banking in Fredonia and in the family businesses, Neuens Fredonia Lumber Co. and Universal Custom Wood Products. She traveled often with Jack internationally when his work took them away. Louise was an amazing event planner for many of Jack’s corporate events, hosting and cooking for guests from Germany to Japan with grace and ease.
    She partnered with Jack on their shared patriotic passion projects, working to build the National Flag Day Foundation events, museum collections and managing museum tours. She loved the Foundation team.
    Louise is survived by her children Karen (Bob) Bertram of Crossville, Tenn., David (Melissa) Janik, Christopher (Laurie) Janik and Laure (Peter) Borchardt, all of Fredonia.
    She is further survived by six grandchildren, Adam (Paige) Borchardt of Hartland, Geoffrey (Jessica) Baumann of Columbus, Bryan (Leah Schwandt) Borchardt of Pittsburg, Pa., Jacqueline (Troy Rummell) Janik and Joseph and Nicholas Janik of Fredonia; great-grandsons Brandon Christopher and Caleb Joseph Baumann; sister Ellen Jasinski of Milwaukee; sisters-in-law Angie Janik of McHenry, Ill., and  Pat (John) Skillern of Vancouver, Wash., nieces; nephews; and other family members; and friends.
    Louise was preceded in death by her husband Jack Janik, parents Emil and Elizabeth Jasinski, her brother Joseph Jasinski, sister/brother-in-law Joanne and Carl Obremski and brothers-in-law Thomas and Phil Janik.
    We were all blessed by this beautiful, strong, loving soul. God’s blessings on Louise and Jack — together again.
     A private Mass of Christian burial and celebration of life will be held with Louise’s family Wednesday, Sept. 23.
    Louise will be laid to rest with Jack in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Little Kohler.
    Eernisse Funeral Home of Port Washington is assisting the family with arrangements.
    Online condolences may be shared at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.
    In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting Louise and Jack’s shared passions: the National Flag Day Foundation, P.O. Box 55, Waubeka, WI 53021-0055, and  St. Mary Foundation, W4680 River Road, Fredonia, WI 53021.