Obituary for Janet T. Shanklin

Janet Theodate Shanklin 95, of La Crosse WI and formerly of Whitehall, died on November 25, 2015, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse attended by her faithful daughter Mary Lou.

Born March 30, 1920, in Nelson, WI, she is predeceased by her parents, Herbert Orin (H.O.) and Marguerite (Sadden) Tiffany of Nelson, and her late husband of 40 years, Raymond W. Shanklin of Amherst and Whitehall.

Janet graduated from Nelson High School. She also attended UW-Stout and graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from UW-Stevens Point. She met Raymond Shanklin at a dance at UW- Madison and they later married in Jessup, Georgia prior to his WWII Army service in Germany. Ray and Janet loved to dance throughout their lives. During the war, Janet taught at Bruce and Holmen high schools. She also taught in the Whitehall and Independence schools later in her career.

After Ray’s graduation from UW, they moved to Whitehall where he served Trempealeau County as 4-H and youth agent for three decades. Janet was very active in her local church organizations and made several mission trips. Janet was an enthusiastic member and leader for a number of service clubs, women’s organizations and was the 10th District President of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a real trooper that could be counted on to give of her time, sweat and intelligence to organizations in Whitehall and throughout Trempealeau County. Janet will be remembered for her love of family. She loved to cook and enjoyed reading and playing card games. She served as a Weight Watchers lecturer for over two decades and as a Girls State counselor for many years. She was known as a public speaker and a gracious hostess. After a very full and graciously productive life, with a nod to D.T., Janet Shanklin did not go gentle into that good night.

Survivors include her children Garth (Arlene) Shanklin of Cheyenne, WY, Mary Lou Shanklin of La Crosse, and Robert (Faye) Shanklin of Hope Mills, NC. Janet’s surviving grandchildren include Alan (Mallory) Shanklin of Laramie, WY, Sylvia Shanklin of Cheyenne, WY, Serenity Shanklin of Minneapolis, Suzanne Shanklin of Santa Cruz, CA and Scott (Na Ra Shin) Shanklin of Seoul, Korea. Janet is also survived by sisters, Delores (Robert) Wise of Hastings, MN and Marguerite (Lynn) Iverson of Nelson, sisters-in-law, Virgil Tiffany of Elmwood, Norma Tiffany of Wauseon, Ohio, and Janice Tiffany of Onalaska and daughter in law, Elizabeth Ruskin Shanklin of Minneapolis, and friend Rick Tillman of La Crosse along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by siblings, Scott Tiffany, H.O. Jr. (Buster) Tiffany, William Tiffany, Spencer Tiffany, Patrick Tiffany, Alice Rothe and Evelyn Brockwell Kaye.

She spent the last 6 years of her life receiving wonderful care from the staff at three care levels of Bethany Lutheran Homes – Hearten House I, Bethany Riverside, and Bethany Heights.

The family expresses their deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks for the compassion and love shown to our mother. A tribute service to celebrate the life of Janet will be held on Saturday, December 12 at 12:00 noon with lunch to follow at the Whitehall United Methodist Church, Whitehall, WI.

A visitation gathering will be held at 11 am, one hour prior to the service at the church. Pastor Tom Elliot officiates.

Cremation has taken place and Janet will be interred next to her husband Ray at Lincoln cemetery, Whitehall.