Janice Hughes, 80, a resident of the Barrett House in Markesan and formerly a longtime resident of Columbus passed away peacefully Thursday, November 24, 2016, surrounded by loving family.
She was born on July 28, 1936 in Madison to Norris and Margaret (Markee) Gundlach. Janice was a 1954 graduate of East High School, Madison. Janice worked doing office work for Oscar Mayer in high school. She was married to Thomas O. Hughes on December 7, 1955 in Madison.
She was a clerk typist for the Army while Tom was stationed in Kansas. Janice and Tom moved to Cross Plains where she became a mother and a homemaker. They moved to Columbus and became owners of The Beverage House liquor store. Janice worked at the family business part- time as her children were growing up. After Tom’s sudden passing, Janice sold the liquor store and went to work at Columbus Community Hospital in their registration department. She thoroughly enjoyed her co-workers and the patients that they served. Janice was in her 25th year of working at CCH when she and her eldest daughter were in a devastating collision. The injuries sustained included a traumatic brain injury and changed her life completely. Janice survived her injuries for 14 years.
Janice’s biggest love in her life was for spending time with her children and grandchildren. Above all, she put others wishes before herself. Janice was a best friend to each of her daughters. She took pleasure in her special annual trip to the Fireside Dinner Theatre with Cindy and Kait. Janice had a tremendous love of dogs and was frequently seen walking her black lab, Sam. She loved to bake, was an avid reader, enjoyed going shopping and out to lunch with family.
Survivors include four daughters, Cheryl Schwoerer (Mark Lentz) of Juneau, Sandy(Andrew) Eby of Oregon, Cindy (Richard) Purves of Menomonie and Theresa Reed (Mark Hemling) of Randolph; eight grandchildren, Amber (Tom) Zemek of Menomonee Falls, Adam (Karen) Schwoerer of Appleton, Aubrey Schwoerer of Chicago, Brian Eby of Madison, Patrick(Sarah) Purves of Champlin, MN, Kait (Justin) Bream of Menomonie, Tara Reed of Columbus and Kristin Reed (Travis Auchtung) of Friesland; seven great grandchildren; siblings, Jean (Gerald) Purmal of San Francsico, CA, Tom Gundlach of Fremont, CA, Tim Gunchlach of San Carlos, CA, René (Mike) Sardinia of Roscoe, IL, Dr. Roger (Sherry) Gundlach of Ripon, and other relatives and friends.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, step-mother, Eleanor Gundlach of Rhinelander and one sister, Wanda Ward of Surprise, AZ.
A visitation will be held on Friday, December 2, 2016 at St. Jerome Catholic Church from 11 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. Fr. Steve Kortendick will officiate.
Memorials may be directed to: Columbia County Humane Society, Alzheimers and Dementia Alliance of WI, Columbus Community Hospital Auxiliary or St. Jerome’s Catholic Church.
Special thanks to Barrett House, Agnesian Hospice Hope, The Heights at Evansville Manor, and Linda Breuckman. Your loving kindness to Janice and her family were so appreciated!
Koepsell-Zeidler Funeral Home in Columbus is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com
