Janet Mary Beckerjeck

Janet Mary (Hellenbrand) Beckerjeck, 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at Sienna Crest Assisted Living in Waunakee. 

She was born on January 16, 1939, to Frank X. and Margaret G. (Clemens) Hellenbrand. 

Janet grew up on the family farm in Waunakee. She loved life on the farm and would often talk about it, even in her later years. After graduation from Waunakee High School in 1957, Janet moved to Madison, where she held positions with the federal government and Moseley’s book store.

 It was while living in Madison that Janet met the love of her life, Gerald “Jerry” Beckerjeck. The pair were married in 1961.

Janet’s faith and family were the two most important things in her life. Janet was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Waunakee, where she was baptized, confirmed and married. 

Janet spent her life caring for others, especially her family. Janet kept busy raising three children and caring for her husband throughout their marriage and especially through his courageous battle with cancer. In addition, Janet took care of her mother and several siblings, even taking in her eldest brother until his death and a sister when she became too ill to live alone. 

Janet was known for her smile, laugh and sense of humor. She loved the simple things in life: a cup of coffee in the morning (especially a strong cup brewed by her son-in-law), a good game of euchre, going to Mass, garage sales and church picnics. She also enjoyed cookouts and the sport of the season (Brewers, Packers, Badgers and Bucks).

Janet is survived by her children, Mark (Carol) Beckerjeck of La Crosse, Bernadette (Bruce) Thomsen of Sun Prairie and Andrew “Andy” Beckerjeck of Waunakee. She is also survived by her sister, Theresa Payne of Fitchburg; her brother, Francis “Frankie” Hellenbrand of Waunakee; and several nieces and nephews. 

 She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Gerald J. Beckerjeck, her parents; and siblings, Robert Hellenbrand, Henry “Bernard” Hellenbrand, Dorothy Gerstenkorn, Irene Renz and Margaret “Margie” Hellenbrand. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday June 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St Johns Catholic Church 209 South St. Waunakee. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the timer of services. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

The family would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the staff at Sienna Crest Assisted Living in Waunakee and Agrace Hospice. The care you gave Mom was professional, compassionate and truly extraordinary. Thank you. 

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com 

Winn-Cress Funeral Home 

5785 Hwy Q Waunakee