Jane Elsie Petrovich (nee Swoboda) died Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Aurora Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa, WI, after a brief battle with cancer. Jane was born to Harold and Doris Swoboda March 31, 1945 in Milwaukee, WI, where she spent most of the first half of her life. Later in her life she met and married Hank Petrovich, who preceded her in death. Hank and Jane moved to Anaconda Montana in 1999, where Jane continued to live with her faithful canine companion, Birdie, until her illness required her to relocate back to Wisconsin.

Janie was a hairdresser and office manager in her professional life. She loved the “people” parts of these jobs. She also loved serving as a stepmom for her husband Hank’s children. Janie was known to everyone around her as a gentle spirit and supremely loving woman who lived to help others. She used her many (at times unpleasant) and varied life experiences to assist others in navigating the difficulties of life. Janie was an alcoholic in recovery for more than 40 years, and gave back to AA by sponsoring many others along their recovery journeys. She was also a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir until her health no longer allowed it.

Jane is survived by her niece, Colleen (Joe) Kluber, nephew Shawn Stapleton, and step-children Melissa (Jack) Mier, Michelle (Dan) Reszcynski, Thomas (Joan) Felder, Robert Felder, Jimmy Petrovich, Sandra Petrovich, Danny (Maureen) Petrovich, Gerard Petrovich, David (Glenda) Petrovich, Elizabeth Petrovich, and Annette Neal, as well as many grandchildren and grand-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother Doris, father Harold, sister Devoda Jean, and husband Hank.

The family would like to thank the incredible staff at Aurora Zilber Family Hospice for their gentle care for our mother, aunt, and dear friend.

Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home, 10121 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa WI, until noon, with a brief Celebration of Life to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Pintler Pets Humane Society, PO Box 1204, Anaconda, MT 59711, or Aurora Zilber Family Hospice c/o Aurora Health Care Foundation, Dept 7738074, PO Box 806163, Chicago, IL 60680.