Janice Kay Brokmeier of Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, at Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek.
Jan was born on June 7, 1942, in Stanford, Illinois to James Lloyd Smith and Eithel Amelia Ingram Smith. Jan moved to Wisconsin in December of 1955 with her parents and three of her brothers. She graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1960.
Jan met Robert Joseph Brokmeier on March 13, 1958. Shortly after they met, they were married on August 26, 1961, at the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater. They had three children and resided in Whitewater for 32 years. They then moved to Fort Atkinson where they resided together until Jan’s passing.
Jan had many hobbies and interests over the years. One of her passions and proudest accomplishments was working on her Family Tree for her side of the family and then proceeded to work on Joe’s side of the family as well. She has been continually working on these projects over the last 50 years. Her other passion was working as a Treatment Foster Parent. Over the years they opened their home to 32 foster placements. Jan was an avid reader, loved to crochet, play cards, as well as playing Scrabble.
Jan is survived by her loving husband of 63 years Joe, their daughter Dixie (Matt) Stever of Elkhorn, their son Don (Jennifer) of Milton, and their other daughter Doreen of Madison. She is grandmother to Nate, Ben and Cael as well as several furry, four-legged creatures. Jan is also survived by her 5 brothers Kenny, Bud, Ron, Loren, and Roger as well as several nieces and nephews. Jan had so many other special friends and relatives throughout her life that are too numerous to list.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, her sister Dixie Smith, and several other friends and relatives that she always kept close to her heart.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Sharon Brokmeier, UW Hospital nurses and staff, and especially the staff at Rainbow Hospice who made her transition peaceful.
Visitation for Jan will be held Friday, May 9, 2025, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI 53190. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 8:30 AM until the time of the funeral service at 9:30 AM. Pastor Jonah Burakowski will be officiating. Jan will be laid to rest in the Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jan’s memory can be made to Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek or to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
