Jan Cowle

1924 - 2025

Jan Cowle, passed away at the age of 101 on Monday, September 22, 2025 at Hospice Austin's Christopher House.
Jan was born in 1924 in Kings Mills, Ohio, where she spent her youth and graduated from high school. When she was 18, she moved to Louisville, Kentucky and worked as a hospital laboratory technician. A favorite family story is about how she got the attention of her future husband. While working in the lab, she saw this handsome doctor she had previously noticed and successfully sprayed him with a bit of acetone. He noticed her, and five months later, on December 18,1943, Arch Cowle and Jan Sherritt were married. For 56 years they had a loving marriage and together they raised three daughters. In 1951, the family moved to Madison, WI where Arch was an orthopedic surgeon.
Family came first for Jan, supporting her husband's demanding career and supporting three daughters throughout their 8 decades. She must have made thousands of apple pies for Arch who ate the leftovers for breakfast. For the girls, there was endless chauffeuring to music lessons, becoming a Girl Scout leader, for 16 years having tomato soup and grilled cheese on the table for their quick trip home for lunch and doing lots of sewing, mending and weaving.
Jan became a gourmet cook making delectable meals for her family and sharing her delights with friends as a hostess. She packed many delicious family picnic baskets and planned all the meals for family canoe and camping trips. She was an expert gardener having her own greenhouse. Her flower and vegetable gardens, all started by seed, were a sight to behold.
While in Madison, Jan audited classes at the University of Wisconsin, delivered Meals-On-Wheels, volunteered at a retirement community, and hosted along with the family an American Field Service student from Australia.
After 45 years in Madison, Jan and Arch traveled widely in their motorhome throughout the United States. They eventually chose Green Valley, Arizona as their retirement home. There, Jan took many local courses on Arizona history, native cultures as well as local flora and fauna. She and Arch hiked on mountain trails and canyon paths with their binoculars to continue their love of birdwatching.
After the death of her loving husband, Jan suffered a ruptured aorta at the age of 88. During the surgical repair, Jan experienced a near death experience and had a glimpse into heaven where angels were coming and going. This led to Jan's profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
Soon afterward she moved to Austin to live near her daughter Pat, living at Westminster Manor for 13 years until her death. Though she was challenged by her vision impairment, she continued her spiritual journey by listening to the Bible on CD and attending a weekly Bible study with her daughter and son in law. Here she made wonderful, faithful friends. She also continued reading and learning through the Texas Talking Book Program.
Jan is survived by her three loving daughters and spouses: Pat and John Gunthorp of Austin, TX, Jenny and Tony Walter of Madison, WI and Bonnie and Chubba Kane of Gouldsboro, ME. Jan had 11 precious grandchildren: Rafa and Leuanna Valiente of Austin, TX, Carlos and Natalie Valiente of College Station, TX, Alicia Valiente of Phoenix, AZ, Aran and Shannon Walter of Oshkosh, WI, Allison and Nate Volkman of Madison, WI, Andrew and Meg Boulter of Birmingham, AL, Elizabeth and Jason Choate of Farmingdale, ME, Paige and Jonathan Alexander of Newport, RI, Meredith and Ryan Welch of Huntsville, AL, Courtney and Billy Bruce of Ennis, TX and Jamie Gunthorp of Austin, TX. She also had 22 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great granddaughters. She is also survived by her sister Lissa Tiffany of Weston, MO.
Jan was preceded in death by her loving husband Arch Evan Cowle.
The family is grateful for the compassionate care of Hospice Austin's Christopher House.
There will be a Celebration of Life service at a later date.
In honor of Jan's life, donations may be made to the Texas Talking Book Program (contact Pat for specifics) or Austin PBS.