Janet Ann (Graczyk) Sepnafski was born in Manitowoc, Feb 28, 1935 to Joseph and Elizabeth (Watzka) Graczyk. She passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord at home July 13, 2025. Jan graduated from Lincoln High School in 1953 and married Joseph Sepnafski on May 15, 1954.
Joe and Jan started Meadow Lanes West, Meadows Lanes North and Meadows Links with their partners, the Skardas. Early on she took care of their young family and worked at the alleys in any way she was needed. This provided her the opportunity to meet some of her long time friends and enjoy an active fun-filled life. She joined many bowling and golf teams. She had the straightest golf drive around and she even got in a few rounds of golf last summer at the age of 89.
She had 90 years of a blessed life that focused on her kids and grandkids, spending time supporting her husband in their business and providing a loving life for her family. She led a faith filled life, attending church every Sunday. After Covid, she appreciated watching the service in her lazy boy and never missed a mass.
Jan had many amazing talents. She was a superb cook with many specialties, most notable her raised dough dumplings. She was well known for her parties and entertaining, not only for her family, but her girlfriends when they got together for “snackies” watching the Packers, Brewers, or any Wisconsin sport that was on TV. She was the creator of “Gram’s strawberry jam” and the family fought over it when she’d make a batch. She enjoyed lunching with her friends, playing cards, and especially enjoyed going to sign in at Silver Valley with her long time friend, Judy Seitz. She enjoyed being involved and was the president of her condo association for many years, until she talked to her friend Juli into taking over.
Jan loved to travel and she looked forward to the yearly trips to Florida or Arizona to spend time with family and the friends she met along the way. Some of her trips included national bowling tournaments around the nation and some trips to Europe and Germany with her husband.
Her greatest joy was her family. Her kids, grandkids, and great grandchildren. She is survived by 2 children: Gloria (Pat) Theis and John (Kari) Sepnafski and daughter-in-law: Tammy Sepnafski; 7 grandchildren: Amy Townsend, Nick Theis, Josh (Lori) Sepnafski, Ryan Sepnafski, Taylor (Cioni) Sepnafski, Collin (Jennifer) Sepnafski, and Baylee (David) Morales; and great grandchildren: Andrew Townsend (fiancé Taylor Walesh), Joseph Townsend, and David Morales. Preceding her in death are her husband: Joe; son: Dan; great-grandson: Samuel Morales; parents: Joseph and Elizabeth; brothers and sisters: Eleanor, Norbert, Milton, and Shirley.
She was the heart and light of our family and will be deeply missed by us all.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Humane Society Building Fund or the Boys and Girls Club of Manitowoc.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 11:30 am at St. Francis of Assisi, Waldo Site, with Rev. Doug LeCaptain and Rev. Richard Klingeisen concelebrating the Mass of Christian burial. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Friday, from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:30 am. Entombment will take place at Calvary Mausoleum.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefuneralhomes.com
Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer location, is assisting with arrangements.
