Janice Mary Elizabeth Rockweiler Brown

Janice Mary Elizabeth Rockweiler Brown “Jan” (also lovingly known as Jenny) age 83 of Reedsburg passed peacefully on August 23, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born the second of 5 children on August 2, 1942, to the late Bun and Liz Rockweiler on their farm outside of Ironton.    

Jan grew up in Cazenovia where she was raised with a strong sense of family and community.  She attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School and Weston High School where she became a proud graduate of the class of 1960.  She went on to attend Viterbo College.  In April of 1963, she married the long-time love of her life, Robert “Bob” Brown.  Together they raised five children.  

They began their first married years in the Milwaukee area.  In 1973 they bought a home outside of LaValle.  Some of you may remember Jan from checking your groceries at Wollin’s Market in LaValle.  Others may remember her from Bohn’s shoe Store in Wonewoc. Jan loved to work.  She enjoyed serving people.  She and Bob also enjoyed restoring old furniture and homes. In 1979 they bought an old 4 square brick house in Wonewoc that needed a great deal of work.  They did the work themselves and continued to raise their children.  Jan worked at Prange Way in Reedsburg and Rayovac in Wonewoc.   

Jan was very active in her children’s lives.  Whether attending sporting events, President of the Music Mothers or Girl Scout Troup leader, she was always involved and supporting their endeavors. 

After losing Bob in 1992, Jan moved to Reedsburg where she accepted a position at the Reedsburg Area Medical Center.  She started out in patient registration.  She advanced to become the Patient Advocate where she helped countless people obtain health insurance coverage.  Her calm presence and willingness to go beyond the expected provided so many people with comfort and support.  It was at RAMC that she formed many lifelong friendships and became a trusted familiar face within the community

Jan retired from RAMC in 2017. In retirement she enjoyed gardening, going for walks, spending time outdoors and most of all spending time with the grandkids.  She loved pitching baseballs to the boys, filling the pool on hot days, and sleepovers at grandmas with some of the best forts all throughout the house. Grandma Brown will be missed dearly. She was generous, kind and always found time to help others in need.  

Jan is survived by her children: Michael (Lea) Brown, Cynthia (Victor) Brown Hernandez, Nancy (Jamie) Conway, Amy (Dave) Schmitt, and Kimberly Kuester (Ron Riek); thirteen grandchildren: Dallas and Salvador, Ethan, Luke, Elizabeth, and Rebecca (Deion), Tiffany, Marcus, Jonathan, and Rachel, Dylan, Joshua (Lexi), Benny; three great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother Jake (Jeannie) Rockweiler, her sisters, Marcella Johnson, and Nancy (Larry) Schyvinck, sisters in law, Patti (Greg) Braun and Joann Klein; brother-in-law William (Arlene) Brown; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Jan is now reunited with her beloved husband, Bob, her parents, Bun and Liz Rockweiler, her brother Ernie Rockweiler, her son-in-law Todd Kuester; her mother and father-in-law Merl and Opal Brown and many other dear loved ones who went before her.  Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know her.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Jan Friday, September 5, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Germantown. Reverend Aro Paristham, Pastor, will be the Celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Cazenovia Chapel, and on Friday, at the church from 10:00 am until 10:45. 

In honor of Jan’s giving spirit, the family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to one of the following organizations:

-Reedsburg Area Helping Hands (https://www.reedsburgareahelpinghands.org/donate)

-Alzheimer’s Association(https://www.alz.org)