Janette “Jan” Kamla, 85
Janette “Jan” Kamla (née Fritz), 85, of Stevens Point, passed away peacefully on Dec. 6, 2024, at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital.
Jan was born March 6, 1939, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, to Lawrence and Hilda (Hoffman) Fritz. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in 1956.
She earned a nursing degree from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1959. While in school, she met her future husband, John Kamla, at a social gathering. The couple married on May 7, 1960. They lived in St. Paul, where Jan worked as a psychiatric nurse and the couple welcomed their two children, John Jr. and Lisa.
In the late 1960s, the family moved to Stevens Point. Jan became a beloved nursing instructor at Mid-State Technical College, where she worked in the LPN program for nearly 20 years, mentoring countless students. Later, she worked as a school health nurse and a home health nurse for Portage County, where she served children and homebound individuals with care and compassion until her retirement in 1997. She also volunteered as a nurse at the Lions Camp in Rosholt.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jan was a devoted wife and mother and a lifelong learner. She loved reading, spending time in her backyard with a book, and watching squirrels. She cherished attending her grandchildren’s activities and spending time with her dogs and granddogs.
She is survived by her son, John (Julie) Kamla of Plover; her daughter, Lisa (Randy) Woyak of Mosinee; grandchildren Matt (Ashley) Kamla, Jackson Woyak, and Allyson Woyak; great-grandchildren Gavin and Reese Kamla; her sisters, Patricia Schultz and Darlene Spenczynski; and her brother, Eugene Fritz.
Jan was preceded in death by her husband, John, in 2002, and her parents.
The family extends their gratitude to Katie and the staff at The Lodge at Whispering Pines, where Jan found comfort and friendship.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Shuda Funeral Chapel, 3200 Stanley St., Stevens Point.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Portage County at www.hspcwi.org.
Shuda Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.