Janis Sukus

Janis Sukus, 70, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, at Hospice Alliance House in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., surrounded by her family. Jan was born on Sept. 26, 1944, the oldest of five children, to the late Leo and Arvilla (Marquardt) Nemer in Racine. While attending William Horlick High School she met her future husband via her homeroom friend and future sister-in-law Judy (Sukus) Adams. After graduating from high school in 1962, she went on to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Journalism from University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Working at Western Publishing as a public relations manager and editor, Jan wrote and published a number of children’s books. On Aug. 5, 1967, Jan married Richard Lars Sukus. They enjoyed traveling and bike riding and went on to have three children, Jane, JoAnne, and Peter. While raising her children after her husband’s death in 1981, she continued freelance writing projects and editing until 1988. An active member of Emmaus Lutheran Church, Jan was a member of the prayer chain, Miriam Circle, Altar Guild and also volunteered with the American Association of University Women, Preservation Racine and the Girl Scouts. Jan was an avid reader and current events junkie and was often found pouring over her newspaper and listening to WGN for the day’s events. Once an editor, always an editor! Jan is survived by her children, Jane (David) Foldy of Sussex, Wis., Senior Master Sergeant JoAnne (Tyler Horejsi) Sukus, Peter (Sarah) Sukus of Kenosha; grandchildren, Daniel Rieves, Michael Wyman, Patrick, Jacob and Andrew Foldy, Christian and Sebastian Sukus, and Madeline and Genevieve Horejsi with grandchild number ten on the way. She is further survived by four siblings, Gail (Richard) Serrahn of Peoria, Ill., Wendy (James) Severson of Eau Claire, Wis., William Nemer of Whitehall, Wis., and Kurt (Tricia) Nemer of Mukwonago, Wis., her sister-in-law Judy (Jeffery) Adams of Beloit, Wis. as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is also survived by special friend and long time caregiver Bobbie Williams, husband Frank and their family. Jan’s voice will forever be heard in her children’s books “My Little Book of Pets,” “The Raggedy Ann and Andy book”, “My Toolbox Book,” “My Shopping Book” and "The Teeny-Tiny Tale." A Visitation will be held at Emmaus Lutheran Church (1925 Summit Ave., Racine, WI 53404) on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, at 12 Noon - 1:30 p.m. with a service to follow. Jan will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband at West Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations to American Cancer Society, National MS Society, or Emmaus Lutheran Church are suggested.

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Janis Sukus

September 26, 1944 - September 11, 2015