Jane Gillette Bednarek passed away peacefully February 14th, 2026 from complications following a stroke. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, David I. Bednarek, their three children, Adam, David, and Ellen, and one grandchild, Mariana. Jane’s private burial occurred on February 23rd, 2026 at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Milwaukee.
Visitation Friday, May 1st, 2026 from 12:00 Noon until Time of Memorial Mass at 1:00pm at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Wauwatosa, 734 Glenview Avenue, Wauwatosa immediately followed by a luncheon in celebration of her life at the Milwaukee Yacht Club, 1700 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee.
Jane was born March 4th, 1938 in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Margaret and Robert Gillette. She had two siblings, Julie Lantow (d. 2003) and John Gillette (d. 2022).
Growing up in La Crosse and Madison, Jane loved riding horses, ice skating, and performing in her high school plays. Jane attended UW-Madison, receiving a bachelor’s degree in journalism. There she joined the Delta Delta Delta sorority where she made many life-long friends.
A journalism class led her to meet her future husband, David I. Bednarek. She remarked that she noticed how “tidy he kept his desk” and thought “this handsome man could be my husband”.
Jane and David married July 30th, 1960 in Madison, Wisconsin at St. Paul University Chapel. In 1966, David got a job reporting for the Milwaukee Journal, so they moved to Wauwatosa to work and raise their children.
There in Wauwatosa Jane created two businesses: First, with her friend Julie Payleitner, Now & Then Interiors. Later, she collaborated with her friend Kathy Kohl to create an antique store in Shorewood, Wisconsin, Winslow Antiques. These businesses afforded her an education in art and antiques which resulted in two gracious and beautifully decorated homes. Always active in her community, both homes were highlights in the Wauwatosa Tour of Homes.
Jane cherished her family and friendships. At the time of her passing, she still held close the friendships she made in high school and college. From her sorority sisters to her neighbors, Jane was always the entertainer. She loved hosting dinner parties and also started a neighborhood Mah Jong group (even though no one yet knew the game). But together they learned and it became a monthly event.
Even in memory care she made friends, becoming a favorite among the caregivers with her wit and spunky attitude. Right until the end, Jane was her own person and still beautiful, holding hands with her husband —as she often said, her “favorite person”. A wonderful, loving Mom and a friend to everyone, she will be fondly remembered and sorely missed.
