Janice J. Klemish

Janice J. Klemish, age 102, passed away on July 3, 2024 at Prairie Place, Ripon, WI. She was born in Kewaunee, WI on June 26, 1922, daughter of the late Dr. Thomas W. and Selma (Weier) Klemish.

She graduated from Kewaunee High School and subsequently received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Conservatory at Lawrence University (1944). She also earned a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University (1952) and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin - Madison (1968).

Dr. Klemish was the music supervisor in the public schools in Luxemburg, Marinette, and Ripon, WI. She retired as a full professor of music at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. She also served as a guest lecturer at Ripon College and UW-Madison.

Janice was a member of Martin Luther Church in Oshkosh where she directed the choir, handbell ensemble and choir chimes for fifteen years. She was also a handbell soloist and a volunteer at Martin Luther School and Bethel Home.

Professional memberships included Music Educators National Conference, Wisconsin Educators Conference, American Association of University Women and as past president of Delta Kappa Gamma, honorary fraternity of women educators. She was also elected to Pi Lambda Theta for academic achievement at the graduate level. Further honors included being selected as an Outstanding Educator of America as well as being cited in the International Who's Who in Music in 1975.

Every summer offered Janice an opportunity for travel. She visited all fifty states, drove the length of Mexico and the breadth of Canada, and enjoyed the Bahamas and most of Europe.

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Jean Klemish; niece, Kathleen (Michael) Schaub of Ripon, WI; nephew, Todd (Dawn) Klemish of Manitowoc, WI; grandnieces, Shelly (Chris) Barrell of Brownsburg, IN, Stephanie (Scott) Gabert of Minneapolis, MN; grandnephew, Damian Klemish of Superior, WI; great-grandnephew, Henry Barrell; and a great-grandniece, Emily Barrell. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Dr. Thomas D. Klemish. 

Visitation for Dr. Klemish will take place on Friday, July 19 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at Mt. Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, 307 Mt Zion Dr, Ripon, WI 5497.

A funeral service will be held following the visitation on Friday, July 19 at 11:00 am, with Pastor Michael Sheppard officiating. Interment will take place at the Riverview Public Cemetery, Kewaunee, WI.