Joan Marie Janis

Joan Janis, 93, passed away Friday morning, December 8 at Harbor Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by family. Joan was born on February 10, 1930, to Sylvester “Shorty” and Edith (McChain) Schorr in Fond du Lac, the eldest of 3 daughters. She married Nick Janis on August 5, 1950, and they celebrated 64 years of marriage before Nick’s death in 2014. 

Joan was employed in many positions throughout her life, but most notable was her role as Manager of the delicatessen and cafe inside Copp’s Department Store here in Fond du Lac, during the 1970’s. She worked with and trained many young people who still remember her dynamic nature fondly. 

Joan and Nick moved to El Segundo, California, in 1978 where she continued to work in food and supermarket capacities, always making friends wherever she went. They moved to Lake Havasu, Arizona and resided for several years before returning to Fond du Lac in 1987 and lived for the rest of their lives, reuniting with lifelong friends and local family. She joined the parish of Sacred Heart Catholic Church upon her return and spent many years as a greeter. Many parishioners still remember her lovingly, as they received a hug before 11.00 Mass. 

She loved animals and had a series of dogs and cats and her final pet was a cockatiel named Jerry. 

Joan is survived by her sister, Janice Elsinger of Lomira, son Timothy Michael and partner Jill Damm of Fond du Lac, daughters Tracy Weber and husband Terry of Adell, Wisconsin, and Tina McMenamin and husband Patrick of Sydney, Australia, three grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, as well as many “honorary” sons and daughters that she collected and who always referred to her as their “second mom”.  

Special thanks to the incredible staff at Harbor Haven, who looked after her so well, and made her last 2-1/2 years of life comfortable and entertaining. 

A committal service will be held at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, 686 Fond du Lac Avenue, on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 1.00 PM to reunite Joan with her loving husband Nick in their wall niche. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for next spring. 

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com