Jane H. Stolper

Jane H Stolper, age 101, died peacefully on December 7, 2025, after a remarkably productive and long life. Born on August 21, 1924, at University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Theodore A. and Mary C. Hoeveler and a proud 4th generation Madisonian.

Jane graduated from Madison West High School and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In college she joined Alpha Phi Sorority where she developed close friendships that she maintained throughout her life. In 1947, she married Warren H. Stolper, a returning World War II veteran. She raised their three children in a home she designed on Lake Mendota. In the early 1960’s she taught Home Economics at La Follette High School and later enrolled in graduate school at UW Madison to prepare for a career in higher education. She became a member of Omicron Nu Honorary Society and in 1971 earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Design. After teaching for 5 years at Kansas State University, where she became an Associate Professor, she joined Michigan State University as Professor and Head of the Department of Human Environment and Design. While at Michigan State, she developed a Master’s Degree program in Facilities Management. After 10 years at Michigan State, she retired to Madison.

Jane stayed professionally active in retirement, consulting on architecture and design projects and as a member of the Madison chapter of SCORE, a network of volunteer, expert business mentors. She also designed and oversaw construction of a new home in Maple Bluff for her and her husband. In addition, she volunteered at Olbrich Gardens, where she earned a Master Gardener Certification.

Jane was a longtime member of Maple Bluff Country Club, where she enjoyed golfing and bridge with her many friends. Like her father, she developed, nurtured, and perfected her skills in landscape watercolor painting. Among her favorite subjects were Wisconsin barns. Many of her paintings are displayed in the homes of her children and grandchildren. In their years together, she and Warren traveled throughout the world, experiencing many cultures and finding inspiration for her painting. In her later years she continued to keep her mind sharp by playing bridge, reading mysteries on her Kindle and watching sports on TV.

Jane is survived by sons Thomas and Daniel (Barbara Neider) and daughter Carolyn Friedman (David); four grandchildren, Katie Murphy (Nick), David Stolper, Sarah Ranke (Aaron), and Benjamin Friedman (fiancée Megan McBride); and 6 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her husband of 75 years, Warren, her parents, her brother Ted (Eileen), her sister Mary Meyers (Glen), her brother David (Sally), her niece Sarah Hoeveler Ralston, and two grandchildren, Michael and Andy Stolper.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, on Wednesday, December 17 at 11:00 AM, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Memorials may be made to The Nature Conservancy, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church or Agrace Foundation, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.

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