Search by Name

Search by Name

BORN

1941

DIED

2021

FUNERAL HOME

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service - Madison West

3610 Speedway Road

Madison, Wisconsin

Janet Fishbain Obituary

Fishbain, Janet (Rietveld)

MADISON - Janet (Rietveld) Fishbain, 80, of Madison, passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2021, after a short battle with pneumonia, at St. Mary's Hospital. Born Jan. 18, 1941, in Chicago Heights, Ill., to Isaac and Elizabeth (Bardwick) Rietveld, Janet spent her youth on the family farm riding her horse, participating in 4H, and spending time with her extended Rietveld family. After graduating from Bloom Township High School, Janet got her degree in English education from Hope College in Holland, Mich., and her master's degree in English literature from University of Colorado in Boulder. Done with school, Janet moved to Racine to start her teaching career at Horlick High School. While at Horlick, Janet met history teacher and football coach, Jerome Fishbain, and the two wed on June 18, 1966, at the Rietveld family farm.

Janet loved teaching English, regardless of where she was. Over the years she taught at three different high schools in Racine, at UW-River Falls, as a substitute in the Madison Metropolitan School District and at Madison Area Technical College, but her longest and favorite stint was at the University of Wisconsin Writing Center. During her 30-year tenure at the center, Janet helped thousands of students improve their writing skills, and in 2002 she was awarded the Chancellor's Hilldale Award for Excellence in Teaching.

When Janet wasn't teaching, you could always find her working on some sort of handiwork - particularly knitting and quilting. Her gorgeous hand-knit sweaters were only for family, but many friends were lucky enough to receive hand-knit socks, mittens, scarves or hats, handcrafted jewelry, handmade quilts and baby blankets as gifts. She was so prolific with her creations that her children would often suggest she sell what she made, but she insisted she only liked to make things for people she loved.

Janet is survived by her husband, Jerome; her children, Jason, Sarah (Chris) Leonard and Rachael (Dan) Hagen; her three grandchildren, Dagan and Alisana Fishbain and Jacob Leonard; and her two step-grandchildren, Brea and Reese Hagen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Paul; and her sister, Marguerite.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association: https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate.

A public visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME (3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI) on Tuesday, July 6 from 12 p.m.-3 p.m.

Please share memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Madison.com on Jul. 4, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Janet Fishbain

Sponsored by Cress Funeral & Cremation Service - Madison West.

Not sure what to say?





6 Entries

Gordon Bradshaw

July 5, 2021

Jerry, very sorry to hear of the loss of your wife. My wife Sandy and I will be praying for you and your family.
Gordon Bradshaw, Class of "65

Neil Kosterman

July 5, 2021

Hi Coach. So sorry for your loss!

Mary Cahalan

July 4, 2021

Jerome, Jason, Sarah and Rachel: I was sorry to hear of Janet. It's been a long time since I've seen any of you but I remember you all fondly and have thought of you a lot the last few days. Janet was such a good neighbor and friend. She taught me to crochet and made a number of "maternity tops" when I was expecting Rob.

Andrew Shovers

July 4, 2021

Jerry: I am very sorry to hear of your loss.

I remember " Miss Rietveld" ( that is what we called her in English class in 1963) very well. She was a great teacher, and very pretty.

I have always remembered that she called on girls by their last name. I had never heard a teacher do that before. Miss Rietveld explained that is how professors did it in college, and that they better get used to it.

Andy

Jay and Patty Hammes

July 4, 2021

Coach Fishbain, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

The Staff of Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

July 4, 2021

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results

Make a Donation
in Janet Fishbain's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for Janet Fishbain

Jul

6

Visitation

12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service - Madison West

3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI 53705

Funeral services provided by:

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service - Madison West

3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI 53705

How to support Janet's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief

Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
Ways to honor Janet Fishbain's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more