Janet L. Falkowski

Janet L. Falkowski, 86, Ringle, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at her home.

She was born September 5, 1939 in Wausau, daughter of the late John and Marion (Prahl) Dittbrender. On May 25, 1963, she married Joseph “Joey” Falkowski in Wausau. He preceded her in death on November 4, 2005.

Janet began her career working at the Brokaw Paper Mill and then began working in the blueprint room for Drott Manufacturing in Schofield, which became J.I. Case. After the plant closure, Janet transferred to their plant in Fargo, ND, until her retirement. She then moved back home and took a part time job in the mail room at Marshfield Clinic in Wausau where she worked for 17 years.

Janet truly enjoyed traveling and would not hesitate to go on a trip with family or friends whenever she had the opportunity. She took several trips to Alaska with her cousin Faye to visit family, went on bus tours on the east coast, and always enjoyed traveling back to North Dakota any chance she had, especially with her special friend, Debbie.

Janet was well known for her ability to sew. She sewed many wedding dresses, dresses for bride maids, made curtains for Ethan Allen, made her own line of cabbage patch kids outfits, baby bibs and made many clothing items for her family. She also helped two generations of 4-H kids with sewing and crafting at her home, a “hobby” she truly enjoyed. She was always adventuring into a new sewing project and used her sewing machine regularly up until her last days. She will be forever known for sewing patches on “everyone’s pants”. Janet also enjoyed quilting, making many baby quilts using the quilting frames she got from her grandma.

Janet was a social person and very well known. It was hard to take her somewhere and not run into someone that knew her. Her smile and quick wit was enjoyed by all. Wednesdays were her favorite days. She waited for her midday call to confirm her 3:00 p.m. pick up to travel to Kluck’s Bar for pizza, beer and sign in. Janet was always the life of the party.

She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always made time to watch their sporting events, dance recitals, musicals, plays, concerts and taking the grandchildren to music lessons. She also attended the Wisconsin Valley Fair to support her grandchildren in the animal barns and events and in her younger years she was elected the Wisconsin Valley Fair Farm Bureau Queen.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include three children, Karen (Monte Behreandt) Frederick and her family, Kullen Patterson, Kamron Vogt and Keela Coppersmith and her children Liam, Caleb and Sadie, Allen Falkowski, and Leon (Jennifer) Falkowski and their children, Hunter and Alex; four siblings, Petie (Millie) Dittbrender, Ted Dittbrender, Linda (Randy) Ostrowski and June Dittbrender; sister-in-law, Donna Dittbrender; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, Joey, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Gary, Roger and Sport Dittbrender.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at St. John Lutheran Church, 164923 County Road Z, Wausau (Town of Easton). Rev. John Stransky will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com