• Memorial Visitation: Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 5 pm – 7 pm at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME (1901 N. Farwell Ave. Milwaukee, WI)

Janet Ruth Spangler

Janet Ruth Spangler (Hartnek), 86, died at Azura Memory Care in Kenosha, Wis., on Nov. 16, 2023.

Jan was born in Kenosha, Wis., on Sept. 7, 1937, daughter of Rudolph J. and Amy A. Hartnek (née Nelson). She attended Kenosha public schools and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School, Class of 1955. She then attended the University of Pittsburgh for three years, where she majored in education and minored in botany. She was in Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and was involved in theater, in the capacity of costuming and props, ultimately graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Jan married Noel J. Spangler on May 26, 1967, and they lived on the East Side of Milwaukee. In 1970, she and Noel adopted their son Adam, in whom she imbued a love of art, culture, and a sense of community and helpfulness. Jan championed and supported Noel’s career as an artist while she worked as a teacher for many years. She taught U.S. Air Force-dependent children in Wiesbaden, Germany; in Milwaukee public schools; adult education at Milwaukee Area Technical College; and for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. She also looked after children in her home—there are many who remember fondly their time with “Mrs. Jan.”

Jan was an excellent seamstress, skills she used as a dresser for the Milwaukee Ballet. She made wonderful Halloween costumes for her niece and nephew. Her nephew’s kindergarten peanut butter sandwich costume is a highlight of his childhood.

Jan passed on her love of books and reading to her son, nieces, and nephews. She also loved gardening, antiques—particularly dolls and dollhouses—cooking, traveling, and spending time with her “Walking Ladies.”

Jan’s nieces and nephews adored their Auntie Jan, who also introduced them to the arts, culture, and a much wider world.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband, her son, her parents, her two brothers Thomas and Lee, and a nephew, Shawn Hartnek.

She is survived by her sister Jean Eisenman (Carl), her nieces Dawn McKone (Patrick) and Amy Eisenman (Scott Hamilton), her nephew Thomas Eisenman, and her three stepchildren: Jeffrey, Samuel, and Sarah Spangler.

A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 5 pm to 7 pm at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME (1901 N. Farwell Ave. Milwaukee). Light refreshments to be provided.

Donations in Jan’s memory may be made to St. Croix Hospice (stcroixhospice.com) and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Jan’s family extends its heartfelt thanks to Azura Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care.