Barbola Funeral Chapel

Alice Janes

Alice Janes, age 95, entered eternal life on Thanksgiving night. Alice was born December 19, 1928, to Thomas and Olga Kerl Eagen on the Big Island, west of Berlin. Raised on her family farm with seven brothers and sisters, Alice learned many skills she would use throughout her life, including cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, upholstering and farming. She taught her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren many of those same skills.

Alice married Harold Janes on October 30, 1948. Together they raised four children and ran a successful dairy farm. They were both active in church and farm organizations. They enjoyed traveling and made many trips to Texas to visit their daughters and grandchildren. Outside of the United States, Harold and Alice also traveled to Canada, Mexico, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. They were able to enjoy 55 wonderful years of marriage before Harold passed away in 2004.

Family was most important to Alice, she loved bringing extended family together for holidays, reunions, birthdays and many other special occasions. When Alice was hosting, you made sure you attended or you would miss out on great food, including homemade breads and desserts, and lots of fellowship.

Alice was a 4-H leader for over 50 years, teaching foods, sewing, knitting and crafts over the years. She was inducted into the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame in 2014. She was also known for teaching adult classes for Moraine Park Technical College where she received the Outstanding Adult Educator Award. People still mention taking her cake decorating, bread, appetizer and microwave cooking classes.

Alice operated her own bakery and was widely known for her beautiful and delicious wedding cakes. She baked and decorated her first wedding cake when her brother, Donald, and his wife, MaryAnn, married in 1957, and she retired from cake decorating after baking their 50th wedding anniversary cake in 2007. Alice then turned the bakery over to the very capable hands of her granddaughter, Kristen. When she was in the hospital and nursing home recently, her heart was warmed by several staff members telling her she had baked their (or their children’s) wedding cakes.

Being a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Berlin, Alice was an active member of the Ladies Aid for many years. She was always happy to cook and bake for church events. Alice also visited many relatives and friends regularly, often taking flowers from her garden or baked goods to brighten their day.

Alice is survived by her best friend and loving companion of ten years, Paul Unangst; her four children, Kathy Lindbloom, Carol (Rev. Dr. David) Kluth, Jim Janes and Peggy (Pat) Seaman; eight grandchildren, Brent (Ashley) Lindbloom, Anne (Brian) Caruthers, Adam Kluth, Amanda (Daniel) Martin, Aaron Janes, Kristen (Matt) Mertens, Beth (Brett) Mau and Michael Seaman; and thirteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold; grandson, Jason Lindbloom; and great-granddaughter, Demitria Janes.

The family wants to extend a special thank you to the staff at Patriot Place, Berlin, where Alice made her home the past 11 years. Their thoughtful care, especially in her final days, was much appreciated.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at St. John Lutheran Church in Berlin. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Rob Schrader officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to St. John Lutheran Church in Berlin. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Alice Janes, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.