Jan Anderson, 58, of Spring Green, Wisconsin, died on Thursday, February 16, at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison after a brief illness. She was born July 26, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois, the second child of Edna and Edmond Whittenberger. Jan attended Homewood Flossmoor High School, DePauw University and Illinois State University. She taught deaf and elementary students in Chicago and throughout southern Wisconsin for 35 years, retiring in 2011. Jan was preceded in death by her parents, an older sister, Diane, an infant son, Matthew, and an infant daughter, Brittany. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Blair, two sons, Ben (Christine) of New York, and Peter (Katrina) of Minnesota, a very special grandson, Connor, of New York, a sister, Laurie (Per) of California, and two nieces, Karen, of Colorado, and Anna, of California. Jan was an exceptionally selfless and graceful woman who reached out to touch lives deeply. She was committed to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and shared that faith and the basis for it whenever there was an opportunity. In the last couple of years, she reveled in a particularly rich period of her life, marked by the birth of her first grandson, and her retirement from full time teaching, which allowed for travel adventure and abundant time to share with her husband. This time was also one of particularly vibrant growth in her faith.
In times of trouble, Jan was a source of stout and effective support. And she stimulated those around her to genuine growth by spurring them to a clear understanding of all the blessing in their lives. Her legacy is a love that was genuine and perceptive, marked with a steely perseverance, yet gently dependable and forgiving. The fingerprints of that love can be clearly seen in her family, her church and her community. The celebration for Jan will be at the Spring Green Community Church, 151 East Bossard Street, Spring Green, this Sunday, February 19. There will be a visitation from 1:00–3:00, a celebration service at 3:00, with a meal following. Memorials may be given to Spring Green Community Church, 151 East Bossard Street, Spring Green WI, 53588, or to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.