Obituaries

Our beloved mother Jan Marie Fenner, age 87 of Sheboygan, WI entered into God’s Kingdom on July 12, 2024, at Sheboygan Senior Community (SSC) after a long battle with dementia where she was reunited with the love of her life Douglas.

Jan was born to Peter and Gladys (Flynn) Klaes on June 4, 1937, in Eau Claire, WI. She graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1956. She married Douglas A. Fenner on September 26, 1959, at St. Patrick’s Parish. They were married for 59 years. Doug passed in 2018. Jan was a stay-at-home mom until 1970, she then worked for the Altoona Public School lunch program where she enjoyed many friendships. She helped with the Girl Scouts overnight outings joking with all the girls. Many remember her sleeping bag antics. They spent 20 years in Altoona, then moved to Chippewa Falls on Lake Wissota where they enjoyed many boating trips on the lake and made lifelong friends. Jan loved to bowl and was in a league for many years. She made many trips to the State Bowling Tournaments. They enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and Montana as well as many other states. Jan and Doug moved to Wissota Place in 2018 and Jan moved to Sheboygan in 2022 to be closer to her daughter Shelly.

Jan is survived by her daughters, Shelly (Peter) Strains of Sheboygan Falls, WI and Shannon (Kevin) Kleist of Kalispell, MT; grandchildren, Kiel (Holly) Pohl, Laura, Angela, Alex, and Samantha Kleist; great granddaughter, Scarlett Pohl; sisters-in-laws, Jackie (Dick) Klaes-Solheim, Irene Sill, and Mary Jane Fenner.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband, Douglas; brother, Matthew; sister, Margaret; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law.

A memorial service will be held at Smith Funeral Chapel in Eau Claire, WI on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 12:30 with Fr. David Nowicki officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A luncheon will follow after the service with the Inurnment after the luncheon at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Eau Claire, WI.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made in Jan’s name to Sheboygan Senior Community (SSC) Sheboygan, WI or a local Alzheimer’s foundation.

We have been blessed by the outpouring of love and wonderful care shown to Mom and our family through her stays at Sheboygan Senior Community and Wissota Place, Chippewa Falls. We know she left a smile in many of your hearts as well as ours.

We love you Mom so much and are so happy that you are finally reunited with Dad.