Verna Ruth Janousek, age 93, of Hillsboro, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Elroy Health Services in Elroy. She was born on August 7, 1932, in rural Valley, WI, to Bernard & Katherine (Hunter) Coleman. Verna attended school in Hillsboro.
She grew up on the family farm, learning the value of hard work early on in life. She also learned the value of hospitality and generosity to family, friends, and neighbors at a young age, helping her parents provide food and care to others undergoing hardships. One of her fondest memories as a child was the joy and happiness of friends and neighbors getting together in their home after a hard day’s work with musical instruments in hand (her father played the fiddle), playing and dancing until the wee morning hours. As a youngster, Verna loved to ice skate and was an avid reader. She loved nature and creation, especially dogs. In fact, in all of her 93 years, she was never without one. Verna had many friends; she was known for her quick wit and ‘sassy’ character.
On October 14, 1948, she was united in marriage to Arnold Janousek in Hillsboro, where they farmed and raised three daughters. They enjoyed an unbreakable bond of marriage for 58 years.
Verna enjoyed a variety of occupations besides farming and being a homemaker. She drove a school bus for Hillsboro Schools (Peterson School and County Corners) in the 1960’s and 1970’s. She worked at Dieck’s Clothing Store in Hillsboro, and thereafter, started her own clothing and fabric shop in town. She earned a Real Estate Sales license, worked at Suemnicht’s Cheese Store and Lands End in Reedsburg, WI. She wrote a series of short stories about The Great Depression for the LaFarge Episcope based on her childhood and family experiences, using the pen name ‘Katie Dell.’ She also earned violin teacher training and had many students over the years.
The most important work in her life, however, began in September 1974, when she was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses. She learned the Bible’s answers to important questions: Why are we here? What happens to us when we die? Why do innocent people suffer? What will happen to the Earth in the future? She freely taught others that God’s Word, the Bible, not only explains why the world is filled with problems, but also shares the good news that these problems are temporary and will soon be gone. The problems that can make life seem hopeless today—such as poverty, injustice, sickness, and death – will no longer exist. As a Christian, Verna shared the Bible promise that humans will be able to enjoy life forever in Paradise on earth. This was her Bible-based hope and is what gave her the greatest joy and happiness. Verna was an active member of the Richland Center WI Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and openly invited others to attend weekly meetings to learn the truth found in God’s Word.
Survivors include her children, Colleen (Dave) Penza, Carmen Miller, and Carolyn Kannenberg. Grandchildren: Miranda (Justin) Behr, Larissa (Joe) Eastman, Fred Miller, Jonathan (Emma) Starck, Shane (Kristen) Miller, Megan Miller, and great-grandchildren; Jade and Joe (BJ) Eastman, and a great, great granddaughter, Leah Eastman.
She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold; parents, Bernard and Kate; sibling, LaVerne Lewis; sons-in-law, Fred Miller and Ron Kannenberg; grandson-in-law, Matthew Slesarik.
A Celebration of Verna’s Life will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center with visitation from Noon until the time of service. www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com
