Janice (Mader) Auer

Janice “Jan” A. Auer, 80, of Racine, WI, died on January 4, 2013. She was born to the late Joseph and Esther Mader on May 11, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Janice graduated from Aquinas High School in 1950. She married David J. Brieske in 1951; they were blessed with three girls. In 1957 the unfortunate drowning death of her husband, David, brought new direction to Janice. She put herself through school, graduating from Viterbo College in La Crosse, WI, with a BA in English Education. In 1959 she married Robert “Bob” E. Auer. They were blessed with five more children. Janice taught English for the Racine Unified Schools until her retirement. Along with her late husband, Bob Auer, they built Peppermint Gymnastics, currently Racine Gymnastics Center. Up to the time of her death, Janice continued teaching inmates at the Racine County Jail, helping them earn their GED. She was passionate about her family, loved traveling, music, theater, poetry and bowling.

Janice will be loved and missed by her eight children, Barb (Sonny) Rivera of Racine WI, Jody Brieske of Minneapolis, MN., Kathy (Danny) Gustafson of Tulsa, OK., Patty Ebner of Franksville, WI, Aimee (Ed) Mikelson of Sturtevant, WI, Theresa Auer of Union Grove WI, Tom (Stephanie) Auer of Racine, WI, John Auer of Racine WI; 20 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; one sister, Angie Stelter of Evansville, WI; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Rosemary Mader; brother, John Mader; sister, Lorrie Bowencamp; and brother-in-law, Ernie Bowencamp.

Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Saturday, January 12, 2013, from 11:30-1 p.m. A Celebration of Janice’s life with follow at 1 p.m. with her grandson, Rev. Robert “Bob” Gustafson, and Rev. Richard Aiken officiating. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to the Bob Auer Peppermint Scholarship Fund c/o Educators Credit Union.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888