Janet Yelton

On October 28th, 2010, the heavens rejoiced as one of God’s children returned to his arms. Janet Zoe Yelton was loved by many and everyone she met, she touched their life. Without Jan, our hearts are broken and our tears endless, but our memories and joys are immeasurable. Her laughter and smile will never leave our memories. Jan’s story starts on February 20, 1936 when a precious baby girl was born to Alfred and Crystal (Weaver) Birkholz in Minocqua, WI. Over the years she grew up in loving family of 2 boys and 3 girls. Her caring nature was learned at her mother’s side by examples such as feeding anyone who asked for a meal at their backdoor. Her father ran the Chevrolet garage in town and was known to be an honest and trustworthy man. Jan attended Woodruff grade school and high school. During high school she participated in the Million Penny Drive for the Lakeland Memorial Hospital. She was given the honor of being one of the Penny Princesses. Sometime in 8th grade Jan was introduced to someone who would later become the love of her life. Tom Yelton was a year older than her in school and from Minocqua. They dated on and off thru high school. On July 31, 1954 they joined their lives into what would become a great love story. For the next 56 years they endured many good times, some hardships, many laughs but most of all, a true love that carried them thru it all. Tom was a contractor with Jan working side by side on everything. In 1970 they opened HT Glass and Mirror Center on Hwy 70W, later adding Lakeland Laundromat to the building. Many people will remember meeting Jan while they were doing their laundry and she always had a smile and a hand to lend. This would be their business for the next 30 years, after which they passed the business on to their son. Also during this time they sold Trek bikes for a number of years. The Fitness Center in downtown Minocqua was also started by Jan and Tom. Jan was a fantastic cook who passed on her recipes to her 3 daughters, Kim, Jackie and Christine. She loved to work in her yard and garden and spent a lot of time imparting her knowledge to her son Hal. Her flower gardens were known by all her friends. One of her other passions was working to help others which she fulfilled by delivering food for the Food Pantry every week and working at Hospice for 2 years as a caregiver. Jan was the foundation of our family, the person we all turned to for advice, comfort, hugs and kisses. A need or problem only had to be mentioned and Jan would try to take care of it. The love that she showed for all her children was immeasurably. Her guidance, wisdom and faith in them was evident in everything she did and we will always be grateful for those memories. Her grandchildren were one of her greatest joys. She and Tom went to all the events that they could and the best times were when the children and grandchildren were spending time at her house in Minocqua or the home in Florida. Christmas was her favorite time of the year; no one would miss Christmas Day at Grandma’s. You would find her out sledding or playing broomball with the grandchildren and laughing the whole time. A couple of years ago Tom bought Jan a bright yellow Jeep that she loved to drive around town. Many of her grandchildren were jealous! Jan and Tom have been blessed over the years to have a great number of true friends. Friends that have over the past months returned the love Jan showed them. Please know that our mom thought the world of each and everyone of you and would be smiling to see the care you are showing our family. Jan also enjoyed many laughs and close friendships with the same group of ladies playing Bunco together for over 50 years. As Jan left this earth angels guided her on her journey and we are sure her mother and father were there to welcome her. Janet left many people to keep her memory alive, her husband Tom, her children Kim (Bob) Christensen, Hal (Gail), Jackie (Paul) Duerst, Christine (Robert) Garcia. Her grandchildren, Brent, Megan (Sam) Pierson and Drew Christensen, Lucas and Laurel Yelton, Stephen, Lauren, Logan and Nickoli Duerst, Jake, Nicholas, Hanna, Jack and Georgia Garcia. She also leaves 2 sisters Jennie (Sam) Petersen, Sally Himes and 1 brother Jack Birkholz. She was preceded in death by both parents and 1 brother Richard Birkholz. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Ascension Lutheran Church in Minocqua. A service and lunch will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Dr. Kate Hospice, P.O. Box 770, Woodruff 54568 or the Lakeland Food Pantry. “To my dearest friends and family, I hope you will love and embrace life as I have done and that the mention of my name will always bring a smile and a favorite story.”

Janet Yelton

February 20, 1936 - October 28, 2010