MENDOTA - Janet Marie Denk, 79, of Mendota passed away Aug. 7, 2021 at home after a brief illness with her family by her side.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13 with a 4:30 p.m. rosary at Wasmer Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Rev. Peter Pilon will officiate. Pallbearers will be Blaize Denk, Ashley Richey, David Spayer, Matthew Spayer, Derek Richey and Mike Petrin.

Janet was born April 9, 1942 in Ashland, Wis. to Arthur and Bernice (Kurensky) Gilbertson. She married Richard “Slim” Denk on Feb. 28, 1965 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Ashland.

Survivors include her husband, Richard “Slim” of Mendota; one son, Richard P. (Amanda) Denk of Mendota; one daughter, Pamela M. Spayer of Mendota; two granddaughters, Ashley (Derek) Richey of Mendota and Elesea Denk of Mendota; three grandsons, Blaize Denk of Duluth, Minn., Specialist David Spayer, U.S. Army Ft. Riley, Kan. and Matthew Spayer of Mendota; two great-grandchildren, Gage and Savy Richey of Mendota; two brothers, Kenneth Gilbertson of Siren, Wis. and Dennis (Linda) Gilbertson of Ashland, Wis.; two sisters, Sandra (Donald) Petrin of West Bend, Wis. and Ardie Kurowski of Grantsburg, Wis.; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Shirley LaGuire and Betty Hackbarth.

Janet graduated from Ashland High School in 1960. For over 20 years, she worked in the National Bank Data Processing Department, advancing to an officer position. She retired to help care for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During “retirement,” she was a crossing guard for the City of Mendota, enjoying the chance to be around and enjoy all the kids. Her talents were many. She volunteered many hours at the Mendota Moose Lodge organizing holiday brunches, and helped in the planning and executing of kids’ holiday party events. She knitted many baby blankets and was an avid collector of crafts. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, family was EVERYTHING to her and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Holy Cross School. Condolences may be left at wasmerfuneralhome.com.