Janice Ashenfelter

Janice (Virak) Ashenfelter, 77, of Delafield died Monday, July 23, 2012. Janice Ann Ashenfelter, 77, of Delafield, died early Monday morning, July 23, 2012, at Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek, with her sons at her side. Jan was born in Viroqua to Chester and Rhoda (Peterson) Virak on February 22, 1935, as the oldest of two children. Jan graduated from Viroqua High School in 1953 and from a healthcare technical institute in Ripon in 1954. In 1963 Jan married James Lee Ashenfelter, of Racine, and they raised two children, Barry (Julie Chapman) of Watertown and Karl (Maureen) of Nashotah. Jan and her family moved to Pewaukee in 1971, and later to Delafield. Through the years Jan worked at Curtain Medical Group in Racine, Family Health Plan in Brookfield, and the State Board on Aging and Long Term Care in Madison. More recently, she enjoyed caring for two of her granddaughters on a regular basis. Jan was a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed gardening, painting, swimming, antiques and being together with family and friends. A nursing assistant at Rainbow Hospice described her as a gentle soul. She will be dearly missed. In addition to her two sons and daughters-in-law, Jan is survived by four grandchildren (Keira, Ava, Nina, Mia), two nieces, one nephew and a sister, Gretchen Stifler, of Atlanta. She was preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, and several aunts and uncles. The family wishes to thank the staff of Rainbow Hospice for their kind and attentive care. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 26, 2012. Jan is buried in Coon Prairie Cemetery, in the township of Viroqua. Memorials may be sent to the Garden Club Fund at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, 204 N. 10th St., Watertown, WI 53094. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.