Janet Louise Scholze, 80, of Black River Falls, WI died November 8, 2013 at her home surrounded by family. Recently she had come under the care of the Black River Memorial Hospice, after recent health complications associated with long-term renal dialysis.
Janet was born on January 28, 1933, in Eau Claire, WI. She was the only daughter of five siblings born to parents Guy F. and Geraldine L. (Botsford) Clark.
Janet met Reuben R. Scholze in the summer of 1951; after graduating from St. Paul Central High School in the spring of 1952, their courtship emerged. The two were united in marriage on October 18, 1952 in St. Paul and together they began farming in rural Humbird, WI. Over the course of their lives together they raised seven children and enjoyed over 58 years of marriage until Reuben’s death in 2011.
Janet’s years as a farmer’s wife included raising a family in the rural Humbird community, raising and canning large vegetable gardens, growing cucumbers for commercial sale, and performing the endless chores of a working dairy farm. Her community involvement included Homemakers, 4-H Club Leader, Jackson County Extension Office H.C.E, Town of Cleveland Election Board and the local community drive; she also served 8 years on the school board for the District of Alma Center-Merrillan-Humbird. As a longtime member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Humbird, she held countless positions including Sunday school teacher, Sunday School Superintendent for 20 years, and church council member including the positions of president and secretary. She also served on several local committees, service clubs and community service organizations.
Throughout a lifetime of service to others, Janet considered one of her greatest achievements to be the retirement work she performed as a Pine View Home Health Care CNA for 8 years (retiring in 2001); bringing health care assistance into patients’ homes was something she found most gratifying and enjoyable. In 2005, Jackson County, WI honored her with an Outstanding Women in History award.
In 1995, Janet & Reuben retired from farming and moved to Alma Center, WI where she again spent a great deal of time sewing, quilting, and canning, but supplemented her activities with camping and traveling whenever possible. In her latter years, Janet continued to be involved with her quilting and homemakers’ groups in the Humbird area, along with trips to the family farm for holidays and special celebrations. Quilting for her immediate family and her grandchildren gave her great satisfaction, as well as providing quilts for needy families in the area, all facilitated through a church community outreach project.
Janet is survived by her seven children: Jeffrey (Roberta) Scholze of Eau Claire, James (Cathy) Scholze of Humbird, Joseph (Brenda) Scholze of Spokane, WA, Sandra Ringhausen of Altoona, Steven Scholze of Merrillan, Zona (Ali) Akbari of Green Bay, and Matthew (Becky) Scholze of Humbird. Fifteen grandchildren: Jennifer (Ryan) Walton, Ryan Scholze, Adam (Elizabeth) Scholze, Teaghan Scholze, Bailey Scholze, Patrick (Geraldine) Scholze, Devon Scholze, Christopher (Kimberly) Ringhausen, Alyssa Wahl, Justine, Madeline and Lydia Akbari, Carson, Cameron and Carissa Scholze. And seven great grandchildren: Olivia and Maxwell Greenhow, Ethan Scholze, Ross, Finn and Raef Scholze, Alba Scholze.
Janet is also survived by her brother Thomas (Theresa) Clark of St. Paul Park, MN, and sister-in-law Carole (Robert) Clark of Temecula, CA.
Janet was preceded in death by her husband Reuben, her parents, Guy and Geraldine Clark, and brothers Edward, Robert and David Clark.
Memorial services for Janet L. Scholze will be held at noon on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at the Black River Falls United Methodist Church, 100 North 4th Street, Black River Falls, WI; Pastor Kathleen Jury officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be at the church as well on Saturday from 10:00a.m until the memorial services commence.
Lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall after the memorial service, followed by burial services at the Town of Mentor Cemetery, rural Humbird.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made on Janet’s behalf to the Black River Memorial Hospital Renal Dialysis Center or the Black River Memorial Hospice.
Janet's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff with Black River Memorial Hospice, Black River Memorial Hospital Renal Dialysis and Marshfield Clinic Dialysis Center. Your loving care and support will never be forgotten.