Janet Lou Gibeau

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Janet (Jan) Nehring Gibeau. Jan was born on June 4, 1937, and died on July 17, 2026, surrounded by her family’s love.

Jan was preceded in death by her loving and adored husband John Gibeau, and her parents Edgar and Ethelyn (Hill) Nehring.

Throughout her life, Jan was devoted to her family and her network of cherished friends. She is survived by her 4 children and their spouses: Christine (Rob Aretz) Wilkinson, Sue (Duane) Milder, Michael (Cheryl Lynn) Wilkinson, and Patrick (Jana Lerbach) Wilkinson. She is also survived by her grandchildren Andrea (Cory) McCool, Alyssa (Ryan) Ganther, Josh Milder, and Robbie (fiancee Brooklyn Scalissi) Milder, and great grandchildren Logan Ganther and Bryce McCool. Jan is further survived by her husband John’s children and grandchildren, as well as her Hill and Nehring cousins and numerous friends.

Jan was an active member of her beloved Oconomowoc and Lake Country community her entire life. She was a 1955 graduate of Oconomowoc High School and many of her fellow classmates remained lifelong, valued friends. From there, she attended UW Madison, and became a proud Badger alum. In her early adult years, Jan was an accomplished contract bridge player and she directed multiple local weekly bridge clubs. Jan spent much of her career in retail, including many years as a manager for Warehouse Shoes/Famous Footwear. She enjoyed helping local families find and fit their children’s first shoes.

Jan’s passions were the arts/singing and nature/gardening. Jan began singing during her years at UW Madison, eventually participating in numerous choirs over the years. Her greatest joy was singing with Bel Canto Chorus for more than 35 years. With Bel Canto, Jan participated in memorable performances all over the world including St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and Carnegie Hall in New York City. She also enjoyed volunteering for Bel Canto’s annual fundraising gala. Beyond the performances and the travel, Bel Canto provided Jan with some of her dearest friends. During her later years, Jan enjoyed singing with Bel Canto’s Senior Singers group and the Oconomowoc Community Chorus. She also was an ardent supporter of the Oconomowoc Art Center since its inception, including serving as a House Manager and an Usher.

For Jan, “home” was always Oconomowoc and Summit, and particularly Lower Genesee Lake, where her family has owned property for over 100 years. Jan always enjoyed spending time at her family cottage on the lake property, eventually creating her own permanent home and treasured gardens there. In those gardens and in nature, Jan found joy. Every day, she would walk her small piece of paradise and report to her family and friends on the weather, the lake and wildlife activity – from the sandhill cranes and geese to the myriad birds and chipmunks – as well as on the beautiful sunsets and the overflowing flowerbeds of which she was so proud. Jan was fiercely independent and determined, and worked tirelessly to perfect her gardens.

Jan’s family would like to thank the various personnel at Aurora Summit (hospital, ICU and Oncology Departments) for their tireless support and guidance to Jan and her family over the years. Additional gratitude is extended to the staff at AngelsGrace Hospice who were wonderful in the comfort, care, and peace they provided to both Jan and her family in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to any of Jan’s favorite organizations are appreciated: the Oconomowoc Arts Center; Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County (HAWS); Oconomowoc Historical Society; and AngelsGrace Hospice of Oconomowoc.

A memorial service for Jan will take place on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Oconomowoc Art Center, 641 E. Forest Street. Visitation at 11:00 a.m. and service at 12:30 p.m. with a light lunch to follow. Additionally, according to Jan’s wishes, a celebration of her life will take place on July 4, 2027, at her lake home.