Jane Sulzer

Jane Esther Sulzer, age 94, of Madison, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2026, at Agrace in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, daughter of Hannah and Harry Sulzer.

Jane was born in Madison in 1932 and lived on the east side near Madison Kipp Co. The family later moved to Maple Bluff. She graduated from East High with honors. Jane also took college courses at UW Madison. She worked for the State of Wisconsin at the Department of Public Instruction as a secretary to the State Superintendent for most of her career until she retired at age 65. For many of those years her office was in the Wisconsin State Capital.

Jane will be remembered for her love of her family. She was never too busy, even though, if you knew her, she was always on her way to her next activity. She spent many evenings baking cookies with her nieces and nephew, provided enthusiastic demonstrations of how a pipe organ operated, and was always nearby if anyone needed a boost. Those boosts continued well after the walking and talking ages, into adulthood, with pep talks, encouragement, and offers to assist however she could.

Music was one of her main interests throughout life. Jane began with piano lessons near her East Side home on Jackson Street in Madison. She played clarinet in the East High School Band. In her early years, the family attended Zion Lutheran Church on Division St, where she sang in the choirs and taught Sunday school. She became the church organist for the church for a period of time. As an avid bell ringer, she also played for the Madison handbell choir, the Badger Ringers. Jane was also a charter member of MACH, Madison Area Concert Hand Bells, and served as the secretary. One of her most cherished performances was playing the organ at her niece’s wedding.

Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. Jane has always been an active church member, including more than 50 years at Bethel Lutheran Church. She served as the kindergarten coordinator for decades, helping generations of children in their faith formation. She also helped organize the children's Christmas program at Bethel, including conducting a middle school orchestra for the performance. Jane was also a choir member and handbell ringer.

Jane loved gardening. The family had a lot in Maple Bluff when she was younger where they grew just about everything. They had several kinds of apples, pears, concord grapes, currants, raspberries, strawberries, peas, green beans, lima beans, beets, carrots and sometimes corn. Her father was part of the Madison Gladiola Society in the 1940's forties and early 1950's. Jane would go door-to-door in the east Madison neighborhood and sell bouquets of Gladiolas. She also competed at the State Fair in flower bouquet design.

Jane also enjoyed working on the family genealogy. She went to Switzerland to research the Sulzer heritage. She enjoyed traveling whenever the opportunity arose. In addition to England, she traveled to Spain and England with family while her niece had internships for college.

Survivors include her brother Harry (Cheryl) Sulzer, nieces Sandy Sulzer, Michelle (Andrew) Wendling, Diane Frei, Debbie Sulzer, great nephew Cole Sulzer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Hannah Sulzer, brother Robert (Rita) Sulzer, nephew Alan Sulzer.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to UW Hospital on Highland Avenue, Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, Heather, Jane's friend and caregiver who visited every day with a smile, and Ken for giving her the opportunity to play another year with handbells when she was 92.

A funeral will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison on June 12, 2026, at 11:00 am with visitation prior to the service starting at 10:00 am. Luncheon to follow after service. Jane will be buried in Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jane's name to Bethel Horizons, Bethel Handbells or Agrace Hospice Care. To view her obituary and leave a memory please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com


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