Janet Haasl, age 78, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully with her husband by her side on September 6, 2026, one day after their 56th wedding anniversary. She was born to Albert and Celia (Hartle) Harter on March 10, 1948 in Marshfield, Wisconsin. She enjoyed a loving but hard-working childhood growing up on a dairy farm. On September 5, 1970, Jan married Donald Haasl, son of Philip and Emma (Zvolena) Haasl, after they met at a beer bar in Marshfield. The two of them hit it off immediately, and Don popped the question during the course of their very first date.

An avid learner, Jan earned a bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison in Nursing, a master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing from Yale University, and a master’s degree in Religious Studies from Edgewood College in Madison. She transitioned from a career as a psychiatric nurse to a stay-at-home mom when she started having children. While raising her three kids, she baked and sold granola to local natural foods stores. After her children were all in school, she was the Director of Religious Education at the family church—first in a volunteer capacity, and then as an employee—until her retirement in 2004.

Jan had many interests and hobbies, including gardening, day-long bike rides, meeting up with friends and family, drinking a porter at the local pub with Don, everything Christmas, cheering for the Badgers, taking long walks along the beach on Anna Maria Island FL, all things chocolate, and hanging out at the family cottage. Her love of fishing brought a particular sparkle to her eye. She would happily talk to any angler she met to ask what lures they were using and would always ask, “Having any luck?” On a winter morning, she could be found decked out from head to toe in her bright red snowsuit, pulling her pop-up shanty on a sled, and heading across the lake with the biggest possible smile on her face. She particularly loved fishing for muskies but would happily catch panfish off the dock with her grandchildren. Although none of her grandchildren caught her fishing bug, they have very fond memories of those times with her.

Jan was survived by her husband, Donald Haasl; her children, Michael Haasl, Christine (William) Virnig, and Angela (Nicholas) Vreeland; grandchildren, Rachel and Samantha Virnig and Hazel and Miles Vreeland; brothers Roger (Midge) Harter and Ken (Terri) Harter; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Celia Harter, and sister, Judy Folz.

The family will receive visitors at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm on Wednesday, September 30. A celebration of her life will occur with a Mass of Christian Burial at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 2121 Rowley Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 1. A visitation hour will be held at 10:00 a.m. prior to the mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated in her name to the Alzheimer's Association.

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Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Rd    Madison

608-238-3434