DeForest- Janis Rae Williams, age 70, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2023, at UW Hospital in Madison with family by her side. Janis was born June 6, 1953, in Portage, WI to her parents Robert and Ruth (Robinson) Williams.

After living in Madison and Montello, the family moved to Pardeeville where Janis graduated in 1971. She continued her education at UWC-Baraboo and UW-Madison where she graduated with a BS in English and Theater. After teaching in Poynette and Colby, Janis was hired by the Deforest School District in 1990. She had many roles including English teacher, Forensics coach, Drama Club manager, NHS Club Leader and play director. Janis was also on the board and a district chair for Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Assn. During many summers off from school she was a server at Ishnala Supper Club in Wisconsin Dells.

On July 27, 2013, Janis was united in marriage to Steve Braunschweig. They loved to travel, get together with friends and family, and go to many Milwaukee Brewer games.

Janis “retired” from teaching in 2019 but continued to serve the Deforest School District in various capacities including theater workshops, substitute teaching, and directing plays. With her busy schedule after retirement, she still found time to read and travel with family to various places in the United States and internationally. Janis also made it a point to attend her grandchildren’s sporting and school events.

As important as family was to her, Janis looked upon her many students as extended family. She loved conducting theater workshops, taking students to the American Player’s Theater and to New York to see numerous Broadway shows. Janis loved the theater and was cast in many productions in high school, college and after college. One of her greatest joys was acting with her uncle Donald Robinson and her daughter Tara in The Madison Children’s Theater presentation of A Christmas Carol.

Janis is survived by her husband, Steve; daughter, Tara; grandchildren, Tanner (Fiancée Nevaeh), Jayden and Bodi; great granddaughter, Alaia; brothers, David (Tina), Bob (Wanda), and Jeff (Terri); brother-in-law, Mark (Tracy) Braunschweig; sister-in-law, Lori Braunschweig and many nieces, nephews, and her close friend Deb Bursaw.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws Al and Betty Braunschweig.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Deforest High School Performing Arts Center, 815 Jefferson Street, DeForest, WI. A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 1:00 PM. A private internment will take place at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: to the DeForest Area School District, with “Janis Williams Memorial Scholarship” in the memo. Checks can be mailed to: DeForest Area High School, Attn: Janis Williams Memorial, 815 Jefferson Street, DeForest, WI 53532.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at UW Hospital in Madison for their knowledge and compassion in keeping Janis comfortable in her final days. We would also like to thank the many tributes from her family, students, staff, friends, and fellow Thespians.

To view and sign this guestbook please visit www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Windsor/DeForest Chapel

6924 Lake Road

608-846-4250

Janis Williams

June 06, 1953 - October 17, 2023

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