Jane C. Barnetzke

Jane C. Barnetzke, age 75, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, after a brief illness. Jane attended UW-Eau Claire where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and developed a passion for patient-centered care that benefitted countless patients over more than four decades. Being a dialysis nurse, she saw firsthand the dire need for transplanted organs, particularly kidneys, and became an enthusiastic advocate for organ donation.

To her patients, armed with her dogged determination and her razor-sharp wit, she was a fierce advocate. More recently, her life experiences also influenced her to become an outspoken supporter for mental health awareness. In retirement, Jane’s selfless nature found other outlets as a volunteer at Habitat Restore and at Holy Spirit Parish in Kimberly.

She was an incredibly talented and crafty lady, making her own custom hot pads for cooking, counted cross-stitch wall décor, and quilts – many of which she donated – along with a significant amount of time, care, and consideration for those around her.

She is survived by her cousins: James (Carol) Grassl, Gary (Lisa) Grassl, David Grassl, and Thomas (Stacy) Grassl, all of Appleton. She is further survived by several special colleagues: Diane (John) Hotynski, Ann (Rod) Van Dyke, and Dr. Samuel Rey Pettis, and LuAnn (Tom) Wickeham, and numerous other volunteers at the Habitat Restore, and her special friend Jean Drexler.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn A. Barnetzke, an aunt Virginia (Earl) Zuehlke, an Uncle Edmund (Patricia) Grassl an Uncle Elmer (Elizabeth) Grassl, and an Aunt Leone (Roger) Trask.

The funeral liturgy for Jane will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Holy Spirit Parish, located at 600 E. Kimberly Avenue in Kimberly, with Fr. Carl Schmitt officiating.  Visitation will take place at the church on that morning beginning at 9:00 AM.  Following the mass, burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery in Appleton.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the National Kidney Foundation or the Ketamine Wellness Center of Appleton.

Do not take your organs to heaven with you – heaven knows we need them here !