Janet Eleanor Kaufman Breuer, 94, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, at St. Mary’s Home in Manitowoc
Janet was born in Manitowoc on September 18, 1931, to Leonard and Eleanor Steinbach Kaufman. She attended St. Paul Catholic School, Washington Junior High and Lincoln High School, graduating with the class of 1949.
She continued her education at Rosary College in Oak Park, Illinois, before transferring to Marquette and graduating in 1953 with a degree in economics. She was employed by the Wisconsin Telephone Co. until 1954.
On September 4, 1954, she married Ned William Breuer. They lived in Wausau for a brief time after their marriage and moved back to Manitowoc in 1955. He preceded her in death on January 3, 2015.
The couple had seven children: John Breuer; Kurt (Gloria) Breuer, Marinette; Ann (Tom) Shebesta, Mishicot; Paul Breuer, Grand Junction, Colorado; James (Lisa) Breuer, Horseshoe Bend, Idaho; Thomas (Cheryl) Breuer, Eugene, Oregon; and Karl (Amy Stevermer) Breuer, Lakewood, Colorado. They had eight grandchildren: Nicole Schott, Robert Shebesta, Krysta Biese, Rebecca Erickson, Rachel Maher, Erik Breuer, Marliese Breuer and Tyler Deml-Breuer. Three great-grandchildren also survive.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ned; her parents, Leonard and Eleanor Kaufman; a son, John; and three siblings, Richard Kaufman, Robert Kaufman and Kathryn Kaufman Henkes.
Janet belonged to the Junior Service League of Manitowoc County; the St. Paul Board of Education; the Manitowoc Citizen Advisory Committee, which she served as secretary for three years; and the St. Paul Parish Council. She was the first woman appointed to the Manitowoc Police and Fire Commission, serving as its secretary for 24 years.
She was a member of the American Association of University Women and a charter member of the YMCA, where she loved playing tennis.
Most of all, she enjoyed her large family and their activities. All were anxious to go to “the cottage” every chance they got. She and Ned loved sailing, canoeing, hiking, tennis and cross-country skiing.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the staff of St. Mary’s and to her dedicated helpers — especially Cheryl Schmidt, her primary caregiver of the past five years.
Janet was a gregarious, fun-loving, kindhearted soul who loved God, her family and her community. She spread joy everywhere she went and will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.
A funeral service to celebrate Janet’s life will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi, Grand Site, 1416 Grand Ave. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Janet will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery.
The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer location, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com.
