Janet M. Anderson

Living life with an unforgettable laugh and a generous heart, Janet M. Anderson, age 76, of Appleton, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on January 20th, 2025.

She was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1948 to Edward and Elinor (Griffiths) Buchs. Jan was the middle child of five, with sisters Elizabeth and Linda, and brothers Edward and Kevin. She loved to recollect stories of growing up in Sheboygan. Walks to her beloved Lake Michigan and the local Dairy Queen with friends and family. Spending time at the quarry and Evergreen Park. The time the family used their wooden bowls to eat some turtle soup that her dad, the butcher, brought home, and the soup taste transferring to morning cereal. Some of her stories were more pleasant than others.

Jan earned an associate’s degree and worked at a floral shop until allergies got the better of that job. Still, she would talk about how much she loved creating floral arrangements and the honor of being able to name her creations. This love of flowers blossomed into a large backyard floral garden that she would carefully tend to. Everyone who would visit would want to spend time in that phenomenal garden with her. 

With her former spouse, Nels, she raised three children-Cristian, Amanda, and Erik-in Appleton, Wisconsin. She was always full of love and dedication to her kids. When the family faced distressing financial hardship, she doubled down and worked hard to provide for them. The difficult times were met with perseverance. The good times, joy. Many lessons were taught. Don't be afraid to sing, even if it is off-key.

When her kids moved out and their families grew, she just found more people to love. She would spend significant time with Cristian's partner, Patti. Amanda's daughter, and the oldest grandchild, Jada, was dear to her heart. She was excited for Jada's next step in starting a family of her own. And Erik's family-his wife Kristi and their children Elijah, Asher, Liliana, and Isaac-always brought her love and joy with their inquisitiveness, sweetness, and humor.

Jan developed strong friendships, including those from her childhood growing up in Sheboygan. She worked hard at her business, rarely taking time off, and was looking forward to a planned vacation she was going to take with a dear friend. In the 1980s, Jan started as a bookkeeper and developed her career into her own accounting and tax business. She counted many of her clients as friends, and they did likewise.

Jan will always be remembered for her kindness and generosity. The way she took care of her family and friends. That she loved flowers and birds just as much as she loved double-entry accounting. We all have memories that will continue to live in our hearts. Jan was a helper, the kind of person Mr. Rogers taught us to look for.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Elinor, her sister Elizabeth, former husband Nels, and Nels' relations Judy and Philip, whom she spent considerable time with.

A memorial service is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Her sister, Elizabeth, passed away in 2019 after a 42-year-long battle with MS.