Kathleen Elizabeth Ayen

Kathleen Elizabeth Ayen, age 87 of Janesville, formerly of Blanchardville and Evansville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, February 10, 2012 at the Saint Elizabeth Home In Janesville. She was born on March 16, 1924 in Hollandale to Riley & Katherine (Jones) Walrack. She attended the Behm School. Kathleen married Otis L. Ayen on August 10, 1939 in Dubuque, Iowa. They lived in the Blanchardville area until 1959 when they moved to Footville. They moved to the Evansville area in 1970. She worked at the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped and at Gibbs Manufacturing in Janesville for several years. Kathleen & Otis raised six children, and were married nearly 60 years. He preceded her in death on May 14, 1999. Kathleen was a loving Mom and Grandmother. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She made each grandchild feel very special and they loved spending time with her. She loved animals and had many family pets through the years. She was a wonderful cook and homemaker. She was a very kind and caring person and enjoyed sending out numerous cards and letters to her friends and family. She was a past member of York Memorial Lutheran Church in Blanchardville.

Kathleen is survived by 6 children, Richard (Elaine) Ayen of Janesville, Mary Ann (Cecil) Daly of Buckeye, Arizona, Donald Ayen of rural Evansville, Susan (Richard) Tucker-Pann of Roscoe, IL, Kathryn (Michael) Schoenbeck of Janesville, and Barbara (Ronald) Arndt of Janesville; two half sisters, Jean Stiner of Blanchardville and Julie (David) Harris of Argyle; her special sister-in-law, Leona Adler of Argyle; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Otis; an infant daughter, Nancy Jane Ayen; a grandson, BillyTucker; and 3 brothers, Lloyd, Riley, Jr., and Clifford Walrack.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 13, 2012 at 1:00 PM at the York Memorial Lutheran Church in rural Blanchardville at the intersection of highways 78 and 39. Rev. Mark Gruner of the Pecatonica Lutheran Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the York Memorial Cemetery in rural Blanchardville. Friends may call at the Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville from 3:00 until 8:00 PM, on Sunday, February 12, 2012, and on Monday at the church from 12:00 PM until the time of service. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.