Janet Marie Schalk

Janet Marie Schalk (née Reddy), age 67, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2026, in Oconomowoc, surrounded by her family.

Born on September 29, 1958, in Joliet, Illinois, Janet was the youngest daughter of John and Marie Reddy. She attended Saint Patrick's grade school and graduated from Saint Francis Academy in Joliet before earning a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Janet built an exceptional and distinguished career as a senior business executive in the retail and senior living industries. She began at a global consulting firm in Chicago, where she traveled extensively across the United States and the United Kingdom. After moving into the retail industry, Janet rose rapidly, serving as: Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Target Corporation in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Kohl's in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; and The Hudson's Bay Company (including Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor) in New York City. She capped her remarkable career by returning to her beloved Wisconsin home on Okauchee Lake to serve as Executive Vice President and CIO of Direct Supply in Milwaukee, which provides technology, services, and products to the senior living industry. Notably, as a young teenager Janet had worked as an aide at a nursing care facility-making her final professional chapter a meaningful full-circle moment.

Throughout her career, Janet served as a role model and mentor to many women and men, fostering long-lasting relationships as she helped guide their professional journeys.

A strong believer in giving back, Janet generously shared her executive experience with numerous community and educational organizations. She was especially passionate about fighting hunger, serving as a board member and executive volunteer with Second Harvest Heartland (Feeding America), where she was honored as National Volunteer of the Year in 2010. Janet generously supported local and national organizations dedicated to purchasing and preserving land as open space for future generations and public use. She also served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Milwaukee. Janet was a member of the original founding donor group and a sustaining donor of the Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Above all, Janet's greatest joy came from family. She cherished hosting Christmas and summer gatherings, attending family reunions across the country, and expressing her love through cooking and baking for family and friends. An active member of the Okauchee Lake Yacht Club, Janet organized volunteer teams to prepare and serve meals at club events and sailing regattas. She enjoyed serving meals with friends in the club kitchen, watching races, boating to

restaurants, and cruising the lake with Dan while appreciating the changing seasons.

Janet is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, Dan Schalk; her siblings Bernard (Linda) Reddy and Joan (Greg Boris) Reddy; and her treasured nieces and nephews: Brendan (Johanna Mendillo) Reddy, Megan (Ben Linton) Reddy, Lee (Geneva) Schalk, Rahul (Komal Jain) Bansal, Kate (Matt) Cheyne, Caroline (Derek Reichstadt) Boris, Brooke (Ross) Beard, Kris n (Nathaniel) Perrin, and Emily (Tim) Dalton. "Aunt Janet" had deep a ection for her many grand-nieces and grand-nephews, celebrating every birth and youthful achievement. She was a dear sister-in-law to Mark (Sherri) Schalk, David (Elizabeth Purdy) Schalk and Mike Weidman. Janet was an adored daughter-in-law of Al and Madeline Schalk.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marie Reddy, and her siblings Leo Reddy and Marilyn Reddy.

Her warmth, intelligence, leadership, and generous spirit touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. Janet will be deeply missed.

Visitation April 11 at Harder Funeral Home from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM until time of funeral service at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Janet's memory may be made to your local food bank or to Second Harvest Heartland.