
Janice D. Starker
August 07, 1937 - March 21, 2026
Obituary
West Allis / Lake Mills - Janice Starker, formerly of West Allis, late of Lake Mills, passed away on Saturday March 21, 2026, at Lilac Springs Assisted Living, Lake Mills, Wis. She was born on August 7, 1937, in Sheboygan, Wis., the daughter of Ernst and Victoria (Lesperance) Drankus.
Janice graduated from West Division High School, Milwaukee, Wis. After graduation she worked as a school secretary. She married David Starker on October 10, 1959, in Milwaukee. Janice was a devoted wife to David, and a loving and kind mother to her four children. She loved spending time with her 15 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Janice was a long-time member of the Hales Corner's Log Burners camping group. Janice and David and family spent many years camping with the group around Wisconsin. Her favorite campground was Devils Lake. Each year she spent at least two weeks camping there with her husband and children as well as the many extended family members who often joined them.
Janice had many different jobs while raising her family. One of her favorites was working behind the candy counter at Sears. Janice loved candy, especially chocolate, and even in her final days she always was looking for chocolate candy. She held many different secretarial positions. She sold Avon, Mary Kay and Christmas Around the World. She was a high seller of Christmas Around the World products and earned many trips. She and David traveled to Greece, Hawaii and Alaska.
Janice was very talented at knitting and made beautiful sweaters for her children and grandchildren. She took cake decorating class and made cute birthday cakes, learned upholstery and reupholstered a couple of chairs. If you knew Janice you would know that she loved talking with people, whether out shopping or at a restaurant. She was known for her love of bingo and going to Casinos. She had a wonderful and infectious smile.
Janice is survived by her children, Kathryn (Bob) Steffel, Jeffrey (Elida) Starker, Jim (Kellie) Starker and Jill (Dennis) Fyksen; 15 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, David; infant son, Joseph; as well as her sister, Judy; brother, Jim; and her parents, Ernst and Victoria.
A private Christian Mass and burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association or Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420