Janette Choitz Jenson, of Edgerton, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at her home in Verona with her family by her side.
Janette was born in Edgerton, WI on January 3, 1940, to the late Martin and Georgina Burkhardt. Her early years were spent growing up in Merrill, WI where she graduated from Merrill High School in 1958. She attended Wisconsin State College in La Crosse, where she met the love of her life, Carl Choitz. Janette and Carl married on April 28, 1962, and settled in the Edgerton/Whitewater area. In November of 1964 they welcomed their only daughter, Carin. Carl was a young teacher and coach when he was tragically killed in a traffic accident in January of 1965. From that day on, Janette demonstrated extraordinary strength, courage and perseverance as she continued her education and received both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Education. She taught in the Edgerton and Milton School Districts for 28 years, retiring in 2000.
Post-retirement Janette kept remarkably busy, devoting her time and talents to volunteerism in the community, her many crafts and hobbies, and spending time with family and friends. She was a dedicated member of Central Lutheran Church in Edgerton where she volunteered with the Krazy Quilters sewing club and for other special functions. Her volunteerism extended to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, an annual event she organized for a number of years, as she was a breast cancer survivor herself. Janette was a 'Jill of all trades'; there weren't too many hobbies or crafts that she didn't try over the years. Some of her favorites were vegetable and flower gardening, canning and freezing vegetables, woodworking, caning chairs, knitting and crocheting, cross stitching, and making greeting cards, just to name a few. Her most accomplished craft, however, was sewing. Janette was an adept seamstress; in her early years she predominantly made clothes, and after her retirement she took up quilting. She loved her weekly sewing clubs and annual quilting retreats, and the hundreds of quilts and projects she created over the decades are treasured gifts.
Janette led an active life and was involved in a bowling league and women's golf league in her middle age. She was also an avid lifelong Badgers, Packers and Brewers fan. Janette was fortunate to travel to Europe, Alaska and Hawaii and many places in between. She was blessed with many close friends and neighbors throughout her life. But what Janette treasured most in her life was the time she got to spend with her family, particularly her three grandkids. She cherished every holiday tradition, celebrated all of life's milestones, cheered the loudest at every sporting event, and was devoted to loving and supporting everything else in between-she was always there for her family.
Janette is survived by her daughter, Carin (Dan) Higgins of Verona, WI.; grandchildren, Andrew (Amanda) Higgins of Stoughton, WI., Lindsay (Jonathan) Palutke of Lodi, WI., Erica (Sean) Casey of Chicago, IL.; two great-grandchildren, Peter Higgins and Maria Higgins; her brother, Martin (Kathy) Burkhardt of Wausau, WI.; and two nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff with Agrace HospiceCare, Fitchburg that provided comfort for Janette, during her final days.
A memorial service will be held at ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH, 427 S. Main St., Verona, WI at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026, with Pastor Sarah Schilcher presiding. A luncheon will be served at the church following the service. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVESTREAM may visit Janette's obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the service and click on "Watch Now" in the Webcast section. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. A private burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Plymouth, WI, on Friday, May 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Janette's honor to the Carbone Cancer Center – University of Wisconsin-Madison and Agrace HospiceCare, Fitchburg, WI.
