Patrice L. Janssen

Patrice L. Janssen, 67, of Rib Mountain, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, at home surrounded by family, and under the care of Heartland Hospice.

She was born on April 6, 1958, in Wausau, to the late Daniel and Marie (Carr) Lepak and grew up on the family farm in Rib Mountain. Patrice was united in marriage to Charles Janssen on July 3, 1977, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Wausau. Over the years she worked in a few different fields including working nights at Marathon Cheese to put herself through school to obtain her degree as a legal secretary, worked for several attorneys in the area, at Carmelo’s where she made many friends while working as a server, Marathon County Social Services, and most recently in the Medical Records Department at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She worked at Aspirus until her retirement in 2023.

Patrice loved her family and enjoyed cooking for them, especially Sunday meals. She always loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Every year she would take trips up north and to locations across the United States with her seven sisters. As you can probably guess they always had a great time together catching up and enjoying their chosen destination.

Survivors include her husband, Charles; children, Thomas (Stacy) Janssen, Charles (Becka) Janssen, and Andrew (Kristi) Janssen; grandchildren, Oliver, Cora, Grace, Cylas, and Sophia; siblings, Daniel (Sheri) Lepak, Gail (Keith) Lawrence, Connie (Dennis) Janssen, Bonnie (Voigt) Smith, Sue (Dennis) Bedish, Nancy (Donald) Hall, Roger Lepak, Mary Beth Smith, and Kathleen Lepak; step-siblings, Patti (Steven Akey) Linehan, Cathy (Bill) Wasmund, Bruce (Penny) Oleszczuk, Mary Jo Leitermann, and Tim (Gayle) Oleszczuk; sister-in-law, Gayle Lepak; and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Marie Lepak; brothers, James, Steven, and Ronald; and brother-in-law, Thomas Smith.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

A special thank you is extended to the staff of Heartland Hospice for the excellent care and support provided to Patrice and the family.