Janet Magdalena Van Lankvelt

Janet Magdalena Van Lankvelt, age 93, passed away on February 1, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born on October 23, 1931, to parents Matthias and Josephina (Lauer) Backes. She graduated from Appleton West High School, 4th in her class. Following high school, she married Bernard Henry Van Lankvelt on January 16, 1954, and spent their honeymoon skiing. Then they proceeded to fill their home with children and love. She was especially proud that five of her seven children lived within five blocks of her.

Janet’s home was the “hang out” place for her children, their friends and when grandchildren arrived, they too spent hours with Grandma. Shenanigans were always par for the course on every visit to Grandma’s. She was heavily involved in Girl Scouts. She was known to friends of her grandkids and scouts as “Grandma Van.” Even after her grandkids moved on from scouting, Grandma Van went with those groups on camping trips. As an adult volunteer, Janet earned the two highest honors—the Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II. 

Janet was a gifted quilter. For many years, she ran the Menasha Senior Center Quilters, a group who loved to quilt, and donated their gifts to various groups. She loved to bike and participated in a local biking group. With husband Bernard, she spent time in an after-school program where she could quilt, and he could walk. She volunteered for many years at the Fox Valley Community Table. A devout woman of faith, Janet participated in the once-a-week women’s study group at St Patrick’s Parish and lead the rosary on Mondays for many years. She and Bernie cleaned the turtle tanks at Heckrodt Reserve for many years together. 

Never one to shy away from a challenge or adventure, she taught her kids to ski at Calumet County Park, chaperoned a scouting trip to England and Paris, went to Wyoming on a Girl Scout Round Up, and loved to camp in Wisconsin and the UP with her family.

Janet is survived by her children: Rose (Bill) Martell, Jean (Mark) Reed, Peter Van Lankvelt, Paul (Lynn) Van Lankvelt, Julie DuBois, James Van Lankvelt and Susan (Bill) Rolf; grandchildren: Anemone (Scott) Beaulier, Daniel (Anna) Martell, Peter (Beth) Martell, Mariah Reed, Jennifer Reed, Lisa (George) Sorrell, Erik (Shannon) Van Lankvelt, Sara Cass, Amanda (Travis) Walter, Gabrielle (Joe) Barnier, Damien DuBois, James (Kristin) Van Lankvelt, Luke Rolf and Henry Rolf; and great grandchildren: Lilla, Roma, Maddux, Thaddeus, Greyson, Ethan, Brandt, Isabella, Allen, Elijah, Elara, Maggie, Willa, Miles, Liam, Aubree, and Olivia; and many other relatives, and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard, her parents; parents-in-law John and Hendrika Van Lankvelt; and granddaughter Avalon Rolf. Janet was also preceded by her siblings: Eugene (Jane) Backes, Marion (Orville) Lorenz, Arline (Orlyn) Zieman, Karl (Dolly) Backes, Wesley (Anita) Backes, Paul (Agnes) Backes and Matthew (Pat) Backes as well as Bernard’s siblings.

A memorial mass will take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 11:00am at St Patrick’s Parish, 324 Nicolet Blvd, Menasha. Friends and family may gather at the church from 9:00am until mass begins. She will be laid to rest in the spring at St. Margaret Cemetery.