Jane Ellen (Blahnik) Weikel McLaren

Jane Ellen (Blahnik) Weikel McLaren, 85, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away Sunday morning, January 10, 2016, at Golden Living-Dorchester where she had been living the past couple years.

She was born Jane Ellen Blahnik on June 26, 1930, in Oshkosh, the daughter of the late Arnold L. Blahnik and Marie A. (Schuhart) Blahnik. Jane attended grade school in Green Bay and was a graduate of Oshkosh High School. She studied education at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Jane was united in marriage to James Alan Weikel, Sr., in Oshkosh on Flag Day (June 14) in 1952. For one year, she taught English to GI’s in France. Jane and Jim moved to Madison where she taught high school English for three years. When Jim took an engineering position with a firm in Rockford, IL, here Jane taught middle school English and drama for over 23 years. She earned her master’s degree from Northern Illinois University. Jane and Jim shared over 27 years of marriage. He preceded her in death in September of 1979.

Jane married Robert D. McLaren in Rockford in May of 1988 when they moved to Algoma where they lived for 25 years. Bob preceded her in death in 2012.

While in Algoma, Jane was a member of Algoma United Methodist Church and the Door-Kewaunee Retired Teachers Association. She had a passion for teaching and reading. Jane taught English to Hispanic residents in Algoma, served as a docent and “Picture Lady” with the Sturgeon Bay Miller Art Gallery, sharing art with Sevastopol elementary students. She enjoyed returning to the classroom as a substitute teacher at Algoma and Sevastopol schools. Jane and Bob also enjoyed volunteering for the Algoma Visitors Bureau. She was most currently a member of Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church.

Jane’s love will live on in the hearts of her family: three daughters and two sons, Bill (Debbie Mino) Austin of Sugarland, TX, Laurie (Don) Miller of Sullivan, WI,  James Weikel of Lake Geneva, Barbara (Tom) Wilson of Jacksonport, Mari (partner, Ken Thompson) Weikel of Rockton, IL; 10 grandchildren, Megan, Lauren, and Emily Austin,  Leah (Chad) Williams and Kendall Hafferman, Sam and Hannah Weikel, Lindsey, Rachael, and Max Wilson; and cousin, Don Gietzen of Milwaukee, and four great-grandchildren, Jackson, Del, Riley and Vera.

A small gathering for family and friends will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2016, at The Chapel of Faith at Lake View Memorial Park, 2786 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Huehns Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sturgeon Bay. Condolences and guestbook signing may be offered at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.

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