Jane L. (Kleinheinz) Cumberland

Jane L. Cumberland, Wausau, died peacefully on November 20, 2021 Surrounded by  members of her loving family.  She had just celebrated her 91st birthday.

She was born November 2, 1930 in Wausau, daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Moseler) Kleinheinz.  Jane worked as a clerical staff member at the Wausau Paper Mill.

On January 14, 1950 she married Duane Cumberland at St. Mary Catholic Church, Wausau.  It was a marriage that lasted 58 ½ years and although Duane’s death on June 27, 2008 separated them physically, the love remained until the time of Jane’s death when she joined Duane once again.

After Janie and Dewey were married, Janie spent her time loving her new husband and raising their 7 children. As her children grew up and moved away, Jane also babysat fulltime for 2 very special little boys who became part of the family. Jason & Jeremy became like another little generation to our family, and Mom raised them as her own. Throughout the years raising her family, Jane had a love of sewing and made many of her own and her children’s clothes, including all 3 of her daughter’s wedding gowns, and her daughters and granddaughters first communion dresses.  She also made doll clothes, for her girls, including Barbie doll clothes.  She also loved reading and it was a passion that Jane shared with her entire family. She did crossword puzzles, and always finished them! This love of words made for some really interesting games of Scrabble! Jane was also a doll collector and took great pleasure in displaying her dolls on the bookshelves and any little nook and cranny in the home that she and Dad shared.  Jane also worked part time in both the Catalog Department and Home Fashion Department at JC Penney for over 25 years. She enjoyed bus trips to the casino with Duane as well although he seemed to have more luck than she did, however she just enjoyed spending time with him.  She made wonderful potato salad in the summer, Thanksgiving stuffing to go in the turkey, “round eggs”, long spaghetti and meatballs, crazy cake, and butter sandwiches.

Jane’s devotion to her faith and creator was strong.  She was raised in a very religious family, and she created a loving home where her children and husband looked to her for inspiration and that inspiration was strong, to the end.  When age and dementia robbed her of the ability to communicate the way she would have wished, she still could be seen praying, before meals, in her room, and her rosary was never too far away. It was Jane’s family and faith that were the most important parts of her life, it was evident by the devotion Duane and her children, and grandchildren had for her, as well as the many lives she touched throughout her life.  Honestly, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who could say a bad word about Jane.  She was kind and loving to all who entered her life, always willing to help someone in need. Those who met Jane loved her sweet and gentle soul and she will be dearly missed.  We were blessed to have had such an inspirational woman in our lives, however we can rest easy knowing she is now pain free, resting in peace with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Survivors include Jane’s children, Barbara (Robert) West, Kronenwetter, Thomas Cumberland, Wauzeka, Mark (Carrie Koski) Cumberland, De Pere, Lynn Cumberland, Wausau, Kay (Dale) Knapp, Tomahawk, her grandchildren, Stephanie West, Kimberly and Daniel Schauer, Cody Knapp (Erin Okonek) and Clarissa Knapp (Charlie Kaat), Kori & Markus Cumberland, Malcolm (Samantha) Cumberland, Kala (Aaron) Williams, Tara (Mike) McCarthy, and Maria Santos, 2 daughter in-laws Barbara Cumberland & Lisa Cumberland, 13 great grandchildren,  2 sisters, Celine Persak, Atwater, CA and Eileen (Tom) Lopuszynski, Ashtabula, OH and many loving nieces, nephews & friends. Jane is also survived by a very dear and devoted coffee friend, Ann Lauby.

Besides her parents and husband, Jane was preceded in death by 2 sons, Russell and Robert Cumberland, two brothers, The Rev. Joseph Kleinheinz & Gerald Kleinheinz, and seven sisters, Eleanore Kleinheinz, Sr Clarice Kleinheinz, Sr Lucille Kleinheinz, Loretta Martinson, and AnnaMae Rausch, Vernita Leith, & Elizabeth Burkart.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 29. 2021 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau.  Rev. Msgr. Mark Pierce will preside.  Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. There will be a rosary service beginning at 9:00 a.m. for those that would like to attend.

In lieu of flowers, Jane’s wish was that any donations be made to the: Alzheimer’s Research Foundation or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or any charity of your choice in her memory.