Janice Voeltzke

Voeltzke, Janice 12/16/1937 - 7/29/2016 Portage Janice C. Voeltzke, 78, passed away on July 29, 2016 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A celebration of life service with family and friends, will be held at Agape Christian Church, 609 Cherokee St., Kalamazoo, MI on September 22, 3:00 p.m. Everyone who knew Jan is welcome. Cremation has taken place. Jan is now at rest with her Lord, Jesus. Jan's first love was the Holy word, the Bible, and the works of Elohim (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Her final wish was that all people would come to know the love of Jesus in their lives, too. Jan was born in Sterling, Illinois on December 16, 1937, the daughter of Joseph G. and Loretta N. (Rys) Novak. Jan attended college for nursing and business and held a variety of professional positions in her life. This included being a licensed real estate agent. She moved from Sterling, IL to Madison, Wisconsin as a young adult with her dear friend Phyliss Gibson. Jan began her work in Madison in the transportation industry. She then worked in the U.S. Western District Court and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, also in Madison. In mid-life Jan moved to Michigan and was employed by Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo as an administrative assistant to both the Dean of International Education and Programs and General Education, and for the Doctoral/Master's Degree Public Administration Program. She was also employed by and retired from the pharmaceutical company Upjohn/Pharmacia, in Portage, MI. She worked as an administrative assistant in International Regulatory Affairs. In her retirement, Jan was affectionately known as "Granny Jan" by many of the students she tutored as a volunteer in the Foster Grandparent Program, which she greatly enjoyed. Survivors include her siblings: Sister Valerie Novak, SL of St. Louis, MO; Marianne (James) Houston, Kalamazoo, MI; John R. Novak, Rock Falls, IL; Ronald J. Novak, Sterling, IL; and her daughters Joan C. (Steven) Curtis and Karen Voeltzke, both of Portage, MI. Jan was also a loving and supportive grandmother to Michael A. Voeltzke, II and Mark J. Voeltzke, both of Nashville, TN and twins Jason P. and Matthew M. Curtis, Portage, MI. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews; and dear friends in Michigan and Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Joseph J. and Raymond (infant); and her son Michael A. Voeltzke. If desired, memorial contributions can be made in Jan's name to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, where she also volunteered.