Janet Elaine Balfany

Janet Elaine Balfany, 62, of La Crosse, passed away on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

Janet was born in La Crosse on June 6, 1959, to Raymond and Mildred (Beitlich) Oldenburg. She attended First Lutheran School in La Crosse and was a graduate of Luther High School. Janet’s first job was at Jean Nicole where she met several lifelong friends. She later received her nursing degree from WWTC and worked as a nurse in the La Crosse area for many years. Janet was loved and respected by her patients, their families and coworkers, for her caring heart and ability to go the extra mile to put a smile on their face regardless of the situation.

Janet met the love of her life, Terry Balfany, in 1986. They later were married on September 24, 1993, on Grandad’s Bluff in La Crosse. They were overjoyed at the birth of their daughter, Courtney, in August of 1996. Terry then preceded her in death November 16, 1996.

Janet had many hobbies and interests, including gardening, crafting, baking (even though no one’s chocolate chip cookies could compare to her mom’s), spending time with family and friends, and decorating her home both inside and out for the holidays, especially Christmas. She also got great joy from giving to her loved ones, whether it be by surprising them with an unexpected gift, or her time for whatever they needed. Janet had a special place in her heart for cats, especially her own which she loved dearly.

Although Janet only had one biological daughter (Courtney), she had many “adopted” children that called her “mommy” that she treated like her own. She taught many of them how to drive, lent an ear to listen whenever needed, always made them feel welcomed at her home, and always wanted to know how they were.

Janet is survived by her daughter, Courtney Johnson (Peter) of La Crosse; a stepdaughter, Amanda Bonnell (Travis) of Roanoke, VA.; a brother, Gary Oldenburg (Louise Juliani) of Freeport, IL.; and a sister, Sarah Pietz (Ray) of Victoria, MN., and nieces and nephews, Trisha Pietz, Brandon Pietz (Danielle), and Cody Pietz; in addition to many other relatives and friends. Janet was also looking forward to becoming a Grandma for the first time upon the arrival of her grandson in September.

In addition to her husband, Terry, Janet was also preceded in death by her parents Raymond and Mildred (Beitlich) Oldenburg and several dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 10 ^th , at First Ev. Lutheran Church in La Crosse. Pastor Roger Sachs will officiate. Entombment of her urn will follow in the Garden of Peace Mausoleum in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Family and friends may come for visitation from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 9 ^th at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse, and from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Online condolences may be submitted at www.schumacher-kish.com .