Janice Wooden

JANICE I. (ZIRBES) WOODEN

Janice I. (Zirbes) Wooden, 80, passed away April 25, 2016, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI, after a short illness.  She was born November 4, 1935 in La Crosse, WI to Clarence and Lydia Zirbes.  Janice spent many years working as a cook for Independent School District 861 in Winona.

She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Kenneth Wooden.  Jan and Ken met on a blind date on Armed Forces Day, May 19, 1956, and attended the parade at Camp McCoy.  They were married on March 29, 1958.  In 1961 she and Ken moved to Winona where they lived until 2015 when they moved to Onalaska, WI.  Janice is also survived by three daughters, Sandra Wooden-Lynghamer, La Crosse, WI; Kelly Wooden, La Crescent, MN; and Julie Wooden-Kean (Patrick), Madrid, IA; grandson Donovon Lynghamer;  and one sister, Carol Abraham (Thomas), La Crosse, WI.  She was preceded in death by her parents, first-born daughter Debora, brother Clarence “Red” Zirbes, sister and brother-in-law Betty and Dorance Helstad, and sister-in-law Mary Wooden (John).

Janice was an amazing mother, doting grandmother, and loving sister.  She loved spending time with her family, listening to music and reading, often finishing several books every week.  As her eyesight failed she became an avid fan of books on tape.  Janice was also a dedicated Green Bay Packers fan, a great armchair quarterback, and a non-impartial referee.   She will be cheering “Go Pack Go!” from Heaven.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Saturday, April 30, 2016, at Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home in Winona, Pastor Peter Huggenvik officiating.  Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.  Friends may call from 9:30-11:00 am Saturday at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be Robert Wooden, David Wooden, Edward Wooden, Thomas Abraham, Donovon Lynghamer, and Patrick Kean.

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care and support provided by the 6th floor Medical and Oncology staff at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, Gundersen Renal Dialysis Center in Onalaska, Winona Health and the Winona Health Dialysis Unit in Winona.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the family and they will in turn divide the donations between the Wisconsin Talking Book & Braille Library and the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library in honor of Janice.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Janice’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com