Janice Roseann Luther

Earlier on October 30, 2025, the day Jan died, she declared that this was the right way to go, given the opportunity to see her friends and family and tell them how much they meant to her. She was unafraid and hoped not to linger too long. She always left us wanting more.
If you never met Jan Luther, we're sorry about that. She would have made you a fast friend, and you'd feel you'd known her all your life. This would not have taken long. She would greet you with a sparkle in her eye and a wide-open smile. She'd be the first to jump into the fray with you, in fun and in hardship. She was a Mender of Fences. A caretaker. A Keeper of Friends. Confidant. Anchor.
Janice Roseann was born to Wayne "Mike" & Rosalyn Marsden on May 31,1945. She grew up on the Albion farm, carried around salamanders, baby snakes, and other small creatures in her pockets, set chipmunks loose in the spare bedroom upstairs, and rode a cow she named Mumsabella Fifi. She trained chipmunks to eat peanuts from her hand. Jan was known in her day as a Vocalist, singing at her family church, anniversary parties, area gymnasiums, and the Thresheree in Indianford.
Her husband Rick Luther holds a clear and detailed memory of the day he met the love of his life in Vegas, calling it fate. Rick and Jan were married for 38 years, devoted and unwavering. In an act of true love, Rick didn't balk when Jan asked him to read poetry to her and took on this uncomfortable task without complaint. They seamlessly joined families together, put in time at the other Dane County zoo, served in Catfish Malone's Popcorn Wagon, enjoyed good times with the greatest friends, and gave the perch in Lake Mendota a run for their money. Rick has been a source of strength to Jan and to us all.
Survived by siblings Rochelle Millard, Judy Jenson, Sharon Marsden, Tom Marsden, and Virginia Marsden; Kym Rogge (bonus daughter) and her extended family, Taylor Gerke, Alex Fite; and umpteen nieces, nephews, and grands. A graduate of Edgerton Class of 1963, Jan remained tight friends with many. She was an integral part of her large close-knit family and diverse friend groups, and we'd run out of room quickly to list you all here. Carried the title of honorary "Aunt" to the Fahey family, with whom she and Rick had countless good times, her Elf to Rick's Santa.
Jan knew heartbreak. She was preceded in death by Charles Marsden (brother); her son, Lee Michael Walcott; Troy Luther (bonus son), Mike (dad) and Rosie (mom) Marsden, and Willis Thompson (nephew). She will be laid to rest next to her cherished son, Lee, lost tragically when he was 12. Jan's greatest joy was being a Mom.
A peculiarly early riser and fueled by hot black coffee in the Norwegian way, Jan crammed a lot into a day. Jan was very proud of her career. For over 50(!) years, she worked for three generations of the Haag family, owners of State Collections Service. Jan wanted you to know how proud she was of her career and of the great value she placed on her work relationships. She was adored by colleagues and clients.
Jan loved to play games, all sorts, with as many players as she could gather: board games, charades, trivia, 500, speed-solitaire, Exploding Kittens, Poker. She knew her way around the casino, Card Clubs, and the Book of Hoyle.
A voracious reader. Libraries and bookstores will notice she's gone. For those to whom Jan has loaned a good book, Rick says, "It's yours now," and no need to return it to him. A fan of movies, Netflix, free passes to any streaming service, and late-night TV, Jan kept up on all the current news and events.
Jan and Rick wish to give special thanks to Agrace and the UW doctors and nursing staff. Rick expresses his gratitude to Becky, Mary Ann and Nick, Lelu, Amy Millard, and Shelley, who spent a lot of time with them at the hospital.
Despite enduring more than her fair share of losses, Jan persevered, stating, "I have had a good life." Funny, even silly, she brought life to the party. She held a kindness and grace that came from her mom & dad. Jannie Rosannie. Loyal. Advocate. Late-in-Life Protestor.
On her last day, Jan reminded, "There's still work to be done." We envision Jan now doing her favorite things: unlimited hugs with Lee, sipping sweet tea in a shady spot on a sunny day, nose-deep in a book, or playing cards with those gone before. In the meantime, we watch over her memory and continue the cause.
The funeral will be a private family affair. We'll keep you posted on her Celebration of Life in the new year, TBD, and hope you all will make it. Can't wait to hear your stories.