Janice Lee De Witt

Janice L. (Johnson) De Witt, 79, Little Chute, reunited with the love of her life, Dave, 14 years after his death on January 17, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. Jan was born on August 19, 1946 to Milton and Evelyn (Watry) Johnson. Jan graduated from St. John’s High School and started classes at UW Extension, until her father started having health issues. She worked at the downtown Appleton bank, often telling stories of snowy bus rides home and finally for many years at Voith Paper until her retirement in 2001.

On January 27, 1973 Jan married Dave at St. John’s Little Chute. Together they raised their two girls Tricia and Kari. Jan enjoyed road trips with Dave and family vacations including South Dakota, Washington DC, Myrtle Beach, Orlando and of course Gulf Shores. Dave cultivated two beautiful gardens for Jan to enjoy. She also loved her yearly EAA trips to the hanger to enjoy the air shows. Jan prided herself on providing for her family and ensuring they had amazing memories. After Dave passed away from Esophageal Cancer, on September 10, 2011, Jan and her girls vacationed in Gulf Shores, Mexico, Nashville and countless day trips to Door County. Jan was finally granted grandmotherhood when her granddaughter, Cameran, was born in 2020. Cameran made Jan the happiest, and often would joke it only took her 73 years to become a grandma.

Jan overcame so many heart issues, including quadruple bypass surgery, AFIB and as well as beating breast cancer. Family and friends called her a tough fighter and we knew she was feeling better when her spunkiness came out. The last 15 months, Jan battled with all her might to overcome her heart issues, and we are so proud of her.

Jan is survived by her two daughters: Tricia (Andy) Van Handel and Kari (Jeremy Olk) De Witt-Olk, and her precious granddaughter, Cameran Olk. Jan is also survived by sisters and brothers: Joe (Leone) Kessler, Dennis (Nancy) Johnson, Natalee (Joe) West, Denise Siebers, Dar (Jake) Jacobs, David (Chris) Johnson, and Paul Johnson. Jan is also survived by sisters and brothers-in-law: Richard (Carol) De Witt, John (Janet) De Witt, Shirley De Witt and Nancie (Bob) Sprangers; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Jan was preceded in death by her loving husband Dave; parents, Milton and Evelyn "Honey" Johnson; mother and father-in-law: Wilbert and Bernice De Witt; niece, Emma De Witt; and brothers-in-law: Bruce Siebers and Dan De Witt; as well as other family members and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2026, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Community, 411 Vandenbroek St., Little Chute, with Fr. Ron Belitz officiating. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery, Little Chute. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. at the church until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Jan’s name.

Tricia and Kari would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Vicki Hermsen, Mary Weyers, Denise Peeters and all of their Grant Street neighbors, “favorite daughter” Rachel Gildernick, and family and friends for all their support and love over the years. Also, thank you Jill Gallas for all your visits and love to mom the last few months. Special thank you to Dr. Patrick Mannebach and Hope at Heart and Vascular Institute and Dr. Jessica Peterson at Ascension Medical Group for their years of care. Finally, thank you to the ThedaCare Appleton ICU doctors and nurses, Kaukauna Fire Department and The Landings for their loving care they provided mom in her final moments.