Barbola Funeral Chapel

Jan L. Londowski

Jan Lee Londowski, age 75, of Green Lake, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

She was born September 5, 1948, in Berlin, WI, the daughter of Bertine and Jean Parsons Toll. Jan grew up with her brother, Tom, on the family farm showing 4-H animals at the county fair. She lived her entire life on the Toll farm, where she had a bountiful garden, created a beautiful prairie, and tended her beloved flock of Suffolk sheep.

Jan attended Green Lake High School, then graduated from Berlin High School in 1966. She attended UW Madison and received a nursing license from Fond du Lac Vocational College in 1969, where she met lifelong friends Mary Lou Zuehls, Jennifer Brey, and Mary Zuehlke. She worked for Berlin Memorial Hospital as a surgical nurse from 1969-1979 and then continued to nurse in clinical settings and Home Health Care where she cared for Patsy Simson, who became a dear friend.

In 1985, Jan had a storefront in downtown Green Lake, called The Farmer's Daughter, selling antiques. For the community, she and her friend, Diane Egbert, organized a Christmas shopping weekend. They decorated the tree on the courthouse lawn, added a sleigh, invited Santa and hired a horse-drawn wagon for rides. It was a success, the first of its kind in the area.

On March 13, 1993, she was united in marriage to Raymond Londowski at Federated Church in Green Lake. She and Ray both enjoyed hunting and fishing, and the freezer was always full. Together they hosted three generations of family at their pond and campsite, known as Camp Runamuck. They also hosted many holiday gatherings for not just family, but always included those that might otherwise have been alone.

She was a 4-H leader for Sunrisers 4-H Club and also served in the Leaders' Association, garnering over 25 years of service. Jan was a lifetime member of The Nature Conservancy and The Sierra Club, volunteering as a Project Wild Facilitator. She enjoyed sharing her love of God's creatures and fauna with people of all ages by hosting Monarch Butterfly tagging on the farm, Bluebird monitoring, and inviting school kids out to learn about tree identification and compass orienteering.

Jan loved folk art, crafts made from locally sourced materials, and the artistry of the Native American community. She had a fine eye for quality and spent many afternoons at shows or flea markets throughout the state. She is widely known as being the founder and organizer of "From the Land Folk Art Festival," which has been held every October on the family farm for the past 23 years and will continue in her honor.

She is survived by her loving husband, Raymond; one son, Jarin (Michelle) Gelhar; one daughter, Narin (Jay) Selthofner; four grandchildren, Lily, Willough and Leif Selthofner and Mitchell Gelhar; Mitchell’s mother, Rachael; one brother, Thomas (Pam) Toll; special niece, Crystal Toll; special nephew, Matt (Julie) Toll; uncle, Walter "Bud" Parsons; along with many dear cousins, including George King. She was preceded in death by her parents; the father of her children, Orin Gelhar; special cousin, Celest King; and favorite "Ant", Esther Thrall. Jan was a loving mother, devoted wife, and a loyal friend, with a big heart and lots of creative energy.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Federated Church in Green Lake. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Karen Gygax-Rodriguez officiating. Inurnment will be in Bluffton Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Memorials may be directed to the Green Lake County 4-H Leaders' Association. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Jan Londowski, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.