Janet Marie (Harter) Lucey

Janet Marie (Harter) Lucey, age 83, of Onalaska, Wisconsin, formerly of Viroqua, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2025, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. She was born March 3, 1942, on a farm in Gays Mills, Wisconsin, the second oldest of seven children to John and Margaret (Johnston) Harter. As a daughter of tenant farmers, Janet lived on numerous farms in southwestern Wisconsin while growing up. Farm life was hard work, which taught her skills that would serve her well later in life.

After graduating from Viroqua High School in 1960, Janet earned her Elementary Teacher’s Certificate at Vernon County Teachers College. She taught at St. John’s Catholic schools in Waunakee and Prairie du Chien, as well as at North Crawford schools, but eventually decided to leave teaching to focus on raising her family.

She was united in marriage to Bernard Daniel Lucey of Ferryville in 1965, and they were later divorced. Janet and her children moved to Viroqua in 1986, where she enhanced her professional skills at Western Wisconsin Technical College by earning a degree as an Office Computer Specialist. This enabled her to continue to provide for her children as an office administrator for various employers. After her children were grown, Janet moved to La Crosse to be closer to her adult children and pursue further job opportunities. Her career as an office computer specialist culminated in her retirement in 2007, after over a decade of service at Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan.

In retirement, Janet was able to devote more time to her hobbies and interests, which included square dancing, sewing, gardening, canning, rummaging, camping, cooking, and baking. She loved baking elaborate cakes, pies, and cookies for special occasions, carving watermelons, and gifting her homemade fudge, a holiday favorite! One of her favorite diversions later in life was searching for deals at Dollar Tree. Janet was proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed decorating her home in green decor. She was also known for her quick wit and spunky sense of humor, relishing any chance to engage in lighthearted banter. Above all else, Janet enjoyed spending time with her growing family, supporting her grandchildren in their sports, music and activities, just as she did with her own children.

Janet found strength in her Catholic religion and shared this faith with others by volunteering through the Church. She was one of the main voices in the St. James choir in Rising Sun, as well as a CCD teacher for over 20 years, first at St. James and then at St. Mary’s in Viroqua. She also modeled her faith in more private ways, such as bedtime prayers and lullabies sung to her grandchildren.

Janet is survived by her children, Bernard (Susan) Lucey and Michele (Bill) Cook of Holmen, Roger Lucey of Westby, David (Kim) Lucey of Sparta, and Troy (Beth) Lucey of Pewaukee; grandchildren, Brianna (Anthony) Severson of La Crosse, Allisa (Alex) Rich of Onalaska, Jennifer Lucey of La Crosse, Landon Lucey of Westby, and Nadia, Margreta, and Jasper Lucey of Pewaukee; and great-grandchildren, Avery and Paige Severson and Archer Rich.

Janet is further survived by brothers, Jim (Cindy) Harter and Dan (Renae) Harter of Viroqua; sisters, Mary Ann (Ted) Duncan of Onalaska and Rita (Fred) Clary of Richland Center; sisters-in-law, Karen Harter of Eau Claire and Jane Harter of Viroqua; godchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, John Harter of Eleva and Bernie Harter of Viroqua. She sorely missed her parents and brothers, so we find comfort in knowing Janet is now reunited with them in peace – at her eternal family reunion.

Like her mother, Margaret, Janet cherished time spent with family, especially during sibling get-togethers, Harter campouts, Johnston family reunions, and family gatherings for birthdays and holidays. Janet was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, and will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and those blessed to have known her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Viroqua, with a visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Viroqua Cemetery (43°32'59.3"N, 90°52'53.1"W) with a luncheon to follow in the church basement. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.

The family wishes to extend their thanks and gratitude to Janet’s caregivers during the final years of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial donation be made to a church or charity of your choice.

Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Janet's family.

123 W. Decker St.

Viroqua, WI 54665

608-637-2100