Janet Lee Besta

1936 - 2021

Janet Lee Besta
Born: August 4, 1936 in Dixon, IL
Died: December 18, 2021 in Appleton, WI
Janet Lee Besta, Appleton, WI, age 85, died peacefully at home on December 18, 2021, after a struggle with dementia. Her partner of over 20 years, Gene Burner was by her side.
Born in Dixon, IL on Aug. 4, 1936, she was raised as an only child to the late Frank and Olive (Welch) Sleasman. All would describe her as kind, smart and confident, and although Janet was tiny in stature, she was strong in character and commitments.
She married Theodore J. Besta, Jr. in 1962 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Oak Park, IL. Jan and Ted raised their four children in Appleton. Early on they joined a small lay-led Unitarian fellowship and a Newcomers group, where they made life-long friendships, bridge and book clubs. She worked full-time as a business teacher at Fox Valley Technical College while managing her "loud" children. Jan and Ted were a team; they ran the PTA, led their children's Scout troops, and passionately volunteered at their church, the Fox Valley UU Fellowship, where Jan continually served on boards and the finance team.
More recently, Janet and Gene enjoyed a relaxing lifestyle between, Appleton, Elgin, IL and Mesa, AZ. They took scenic drives in Gene's sports car, enjoyed races and boated on the Fox River as members of the Appleton Yacht Club where they enjoyed meeting friends on Tuesday Pizza Nites. She continually traveled to visit her children and grandchildren, offering kind guidance and a steady presence in their lives.
In addition to her parents, Janet was preceded in death by her former husband, Ted Besta; her father and mother-in-law, Theodore and Adeline Besta Sr.; and sister and brother-in-law, Joan (Besta) and Daniel Vrabec, Sr.
Janet is survived by her partner, Gene Burner, Appleton; children: Bruce (Kim) Besta, Madison; Molly Besta Allscheid, Oak Park, IL; Mike Besta, Wales; and John Besta (and Robert Erwine), Whitefish Bay; grandchildren: Travis Burton and Bailey Besta; Margot and Violet Allscheid; Shawn and Alex Besta; great grandchild, Chloe Burton; niece and nephew, Barbara Vrabec (and Hank Fried), Scottsdale, AZ; Dan Vrabec, Jr., Streamwood, IL; dear friend, Cyan Martin, Neenah; and cousin, Sandy (Roy) Friemuth, Dixon, IL.
Her ashes will be buried alongside her parents in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Dixon, IL. A private memorial may be live streamed from the FVUUF in Appleton on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Once the time is confirmed, details will be posted on Molly's Facebook and the funeral home's website; to sign the guest book, please visit www.oconnellfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Ministers' Discretionary Fund at Janet's church which supports people in times of need. Send a check, written to FVUUF with "MDF- Jan Besta" in the memo line, to 2600 Philip Lane, Appleton, WI 54915. Or to give online, visit tinyurl.com/uugive. Put your donation amount in the second box for the MDF, and in the memo box enter "Jan Besta."
O'CONNELL
FUNERAL HOME
1776 E. Main Street
Little Chute, WI 920-788-6237