Trending
MILKWAUKEE, WI – Janet A. "Jan" Patierno, age 80, entered eternal life on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Zilber Family Hospice Center in Milwaukee, surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Jan was born on February 5, 1946, in Ishpeming to Frank A. and Rosemary C. (Goodreau) Patierno. She graduated from St. Paul High School in Negaunee in 1964 and moved to Milwaukee in 1966, where she worked for Time Insurance and its successor companies for 42 years.
Jan participated in a variety of sports throughout most of her life, including bowling, softball, and golf. At one time, she held the Wisconsin record for the highest bowling series (710) among amateur female bowlers. In later years, golf became her obsession, and she took every opportunity to hit the links. After retirement, she spent the winter months in Florida, where she played frequently.
Jan was an avid sports fan who cheered for the University of Wisconsin, Marquette University, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Green Bay Packers. For more than 40 years, she attended Packers games in both Milwaukee and at Lambeau Field.
Jan was always quick to help family and friends in need. Her generous heart also led her to give her time, energy, and money to various charities. Her favorite was Flight to the North Pole, a long-running Milwaukee charity that hosts an annual holiday event for children fighting childhood cancer.
Family was everything to Jan, and she looked forward to the annual reunion with her siblings, a tradition that began in 1983. These reunions brought her great joy, giving her the opportunity to spend time with immediate and extended family as well as lifelong friends.
Jan's friends became family, and nurturing those relationships was important to her. The love and dedication they showed her were a testament to the meaningful friendships she built throughout her life.
Surviving are her sisters, Barbara (Warren) Munson of Negaunee and Rosemarie Merrick of Ishpeming; her brothers, Don (Linda) Patierno of Alexandria, Virginia, and Mike (Mary) Patierno of Lutz, Florida; ten nephews and one niece; 25 great-nieces and great-nephews; and many cousins.
Jan also leaves behind her Milwaukee family: Karen Peters, Kim Steinmetz, Jacob Bryan Peters, Brandon Wolcyk, Jordan Kolbow, Austin Kolbow, Alex Kolbow and all their partners and families; along with many wonderful friends, including Mary Maselter, Char Voight, Connie Kling, Roanne Baxter, and many others.
She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, brother-in-law, Jerry Merrick, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 24th at St. Paul Catholic Church, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., officiated by Fr. Larry Van Damme. A luncheon will follow in the St. Paul Parish Gymnasium.
In lieu of flowers or plants, please consider donating to the Patierno Family Foundation at 825 Camelot Dr., Negaunee, MI 49866. Jan generously created the foundation to help non-profit agencies in the Negaunee area. Jan's memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.