Janice K. Pankow

McFarland - Janice K. "Shorty" Pankow, age 76, of McFarland, passed away at her home surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. She was born on July 14, 1945, in Kankakee, Ill., the daughter of Raymond and Ellen (Marquis) Legris. Janice attended Madison West High School. Prior to retirement, she worked as an administrative assistant at UW Hospital providing services and guidance to families with members undergoing transplants both on the receiving and giving side. She was office administrator for Rural Insurance and spent many years as a real estate agent for Restanio Bunbury. She was owner operator of the Country Inn in Columbus, Wis., from 1977 to 1989 and spent many years as an administrative assistant to school superintendents and city administrators. In her free time, she loved spending time with her family, and relished the times spent at their cottage where breakfast, lunch and dinner were all showcases of “Shorty” meals - no one ever left hungry and there were always leftovers for all. Pontoon rides on the lake included cheese and cracker spreads and bruschetta for all, while sipping on old fashioneds. McFarland, Sun Prairie and Mayville high school football players all participated in Thursday night Shorty Spaghetti dinners while her grandsons played for those teams. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and baking and will be remembered for baking 10,000 cookies every year at Christmas. Janice is survived by her life partner, Jerry Ring and their beloved dog, Rocky; daughter, Cathy (Paul) Werwinski; three sons, Brad (Jeanne) Pankow, Tom (Faye) Pankow and Mark (Kim) Pankow; stepdaughter, Christy (Jeff) Parkinson; stepson, Andrew Ring; 14 grandchildren, Luke (Jenna) Pankow, Brent (Hannah) Pankow, Kyle (Callie) Pankow, Erek Weis, Alec (Shayla) Pankow, Derek Pankow, Caley Weis, Morgan Pankow, Chase Werwinski, Connelly Pankow, Cade Werwinski, Emma Parkinson, Jack Parkinson and Levi Parkinson; five great-grandchildren, Oliver Pankow, Isaac Pankow, Brooke Pankow, Isabel Pankow and Sullivan Pankow; 10 sisters, Ray Ellen (Bob) Hollfelder, Mary Lynne Robert, Lois (Jim) Tetzlaff, Susan (Fred) Marty, Anne (David) Karls, Claire (Louis) Legris, Nancy Legris, Patty (Mike) Klarer, Colleen (Ray) Harris and Lisa (Reed Messner) Legris; and two brothers, Ray (Ann) Legris, Joe (Kathy) Legris. She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents. A celebration of Shorty’s life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Luke House, 310 S. Ingersoll St., Madison, WI 53703, would be appreciated by the family. Feeding others was a labor of love for Shorty. These memorials will feed those in need, in her memory. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420