Janis Vacek

JANIS VACEK

Oxford Junction

Janis Mae Walderbach Vacek, 76, of Oxford Junction, died unexpectedly Monday, July 21, 2014, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 24, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oxford Junction, where friends may call after 8:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Mayflower Cemetery. A lunch will follow the interment at the Legionnaire Ballroom.

Janis is survived by five children, Joyce (John) DeLong of Genoa City, Wis., Vern (Julie) Vacek of Monticello, Vick Vacek of Florida, Carla (Kevin) Matt of Palo and George Vacek of Janesville, Wis.; five grandchildren, Megan, Michelle, Melissa, Jennifer and Connor; her sister, Wilene (Garret) Moenk; two brothers, Jim (Donna) Walderbach and Jack (Roberta) Walderbach; two sisters-in-law, Shirley (Junior) Koranda and Virginia (Hayden) Carter; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Joyce; and a brother, Andy.

Janis Mae Walderbach was born Jan. 30, 1938, on the family farm near Anamosa, Iowa. She was the daughter of William and Teresa Fluckiger Walderbach. Janis met her future husband, Vernon (Zeke) Vacek, at a dance at the Armar Ballroom in the winter of 1958-59. The couple married on Nov. 11, 1959, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Anamosa.

They raised five children on the Vacek family farm. Janis worked at Square D, until she got married. She then stayed at home to raise her family. She gardened, canned and raised chickens and ducks every year. Janis took her family to church every Saturday night and combined it with a visit to Grandma Martha Vacek in Oxford Junction. They would then visit Grandma Teresa Walderbach in Anamosa on Sunday.

In her retirement, Janis enjoyed family get-togethers and playing cards. Janis's gentle spirit and kindness will be greatly missed.