Janice Marie Oeffler, 82, entered into her eternal life on June 28, 2023, while hospitalized in Rochester, Minnesota. Janice was born June 4, 1941, to Marvin and Lila Nelson, Milltown, Wisconsin. She was baptized and raised in Milltown Baptist Church. Janice’s class was the first class to graduate from the newly formed Unity High School in 1959. She met her future husband, James Oeffler, at the Frederic Roller Rink, and they were married on Oct. 17, 1959. Together they enjoyed traveling for Jim’s work as a salesman. They raised four children, Sue, Sally, Ted and Pam.
In 1976, they moved to Frederic, Wisconsin, and bought the flower shop and greenhouses. They owned and operated Oeffler’s Flower Shop, greenhouses and landscaping for 21 years before daughter Sally bought it and renamed/relocated it to the Rose Garden. Jim and Jan were caretakers for Laceks’ Lodge in Danbury for eight years and then finally retired and moved back to Frederic. They loved Frederic and everything associated with it, the people, community, events and just the feeling of “home” for them. Jim and Jan loved to travel and often would go on day trips or visit their children for extended times.
Jan also loved to sew, bringing her sewing machine along on several camping occasions, craft, camp, travel, bowl and play Bridge. Jan volunteered with Girl Scouts and church. She loved to entertain and delighted in cooking at Lacek’s Lodge for the guests as part of her caretaker role. Jan was a Master Gardener and enjoyed sharing her skills of gardening and flower arranging with other people. She loved to cook and preserve food from her garden. Jan enjoyed creating new recipes and entered a few contests. She won first place in the Nabisco beef contest and was selected in the top 100 at Pillsbury for her moonbeam cookies.
Church was her other happy place. She taught Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and youth group. She was a longtime member of St. Luke’s UMC. Jan was a member of the United Methodist Women and evening circle. Jan served on SPRC at St. Luke’s, and prepared lots of food for Wednesday night church and other church events. She served as liturgist and on many occasions, she was the backup preacher/worship leader when the pastor was not available.
Janice is survived by children, the Rev. Susan Oeffler of Eagan, Minnesota, Sally (Duane) Miller of Hayward, Wisconsin, Theodore (Jolene) Oeffler of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Pamela (Rich Wahls) Oeffler of Woodbury, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren, Stephanie (Lance) Williamson of Frederic, Curtis (Aubrey) Brown of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Ryan (Kristi) Rose of Woodbury, Chelsey Brown of Colfax, Wisconsin, Katie Rose of Frederic, Chad (Jen) Brown of Hastings, Minnesota, Alexander Oeffler of Eau Claire, Abigail Oeffler of Eau Claire, and Hannah and Evan Wahls of Woodbury; 13 great-grandchildren, Emersyn, Beckett and Hayzel Brown, Mason and Everly Brown, Megan, Mason and Logan Williamson, Tristen and Payten Rose, and Corbyn, Addi and Remi Rose; sisters, Renaye Johnston of Skiatook, Oklahoma, Gloria (Dick) Palmer of Simpsonville, South Carolina, and Sandy (Daniel) Schmidt of Woodbury; brother, Gary (Theresa) Nelson of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin; brother-in-law, Gary Sturm of St. Paul, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Donna (Leo) Holm of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Jan was preceded in death by her husband, James Oeffler; her parents; brother, John Nelson; brothers-in-law, John Oeffler and Lawrence Johnston; and sisters-in-law, Jill Nelson and Sue Sturm.
A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, July 29, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Frederic. Visitation is at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by Rowe Funeral Homes in Frederic. Memorials can be given to St. Luke’s UMC and Alzheimer’s Association.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories and photos at rowefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted toRowe Funeral Homes in Frederic, 715-327-4475.
