Jane Miklas

        Jane Ellen Miklas (nee Gruman) peacefully passed away at the age of 93 on June 23, 2026.  The daughter of Raymond and Nancy “Ellen” Gruman (nee Hutsel), she was born in Laona, WI on May 13, 1933.

Jane grew up in the Wisconsin Dells area and graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1951.  Over the years that followed, she married and was blessed with five children: Edward, Nancy, Elizabeth, Jennifer and Paula.  She and her family lived in various places, moving from Wisconsin Dells to Madison, ultimately settling in Milwaukee in 1964.

In her early forties, she attended Milwaukee Area Technical College, fulfilling her long-time dream of becoming a nurse.  Jane first earned her LPN degree and then she earned her RN degree, all while raising her five beloved children and working full time as a waitress at the Halfway House in Elm Grove, WI.  After graduating, she worked as a nurse on the surgical floor at Northwest General Hospital, where she thoroughly enjoyed helping others and where she became fast friends with many of her co-workers.  

After serving as a nurse for over 20 years, Jane retired at age 65.  In her retirement, she enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, watching Jeopardy, long conversations with her sisters and visiting with her other family members and her friends. But most of all, she loved being with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jane was her family’s calm voice of reason.  She was quiet, but she was very strong and gave profound advice (“It takes a lifetime to gain a reputation and five minutes to lose it”).  She was the best baby snuggler, nest maker and spoiler of grandchildren. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren each knew how very special they were to her. She was always there when they needed her and even when they didn’t realize they needed her, she was there quietly being supportive.   She lived her life with class, dignity and a sassy sense of humor.  

Jane is survived by her children, Edward (Cheri) Miklas, Nancy Stanton, Elizabeth (Gary) Kvasnica, Jennifer (Steven) Miklas-Moyer and Paula (Steven) Miklas Klug; her grandchildren, Brad (Colleen) Miklas, Jeffrey (Kim) Miklas, Matthew Miklas, David (Heather) Poniewaz, Carrie May (Nels) Bjorkquist, Amy (Chad Herklotz) Poniewaz, Amanda Kvasnica, Zachary (Morgan) Kvasnica, Kayla (Daniel Anderson) Kvasnica, Benjamin (Leah) Moyer, Samantha Moyer, Andrea (Kyle Brown) Moyer, Luke (Anna Flemma) Moyer, Jamie (Kyle) Turner, Maxwell Klug and Carly Klug ; her great-grandchildren, Jordan, Makenna, Carter, Addison, Madison and Bryce Miklas, Julianna and Sebastian Melsheimer, August Bjorkquist, Kate and Clare Poniewaz, Brayden and Emsley Krzyzanek and Joshua Turner; her brother, Roger (Candy) Gruman and her sister, Susan (David) Laulainen.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Ellen Gruman, her brothers, John “Jack” Gruman and Thomas Gruman; her sisters, Beverly “Betty” Clark and Mary Lynn “Tuney” Burris; her brother-in-law, Chaney Burris and her sister-in-law, Eileen Gruman.    

Jane’s family would like to thank the nurses, doctors and CNAs of Aurora Medical Center in Burlington, WI for the kind, gentle and compassionate care that they provided to Jane in her final days.

Jane’s celebration of life will be held at St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic Church, located at 1260 Church Street in Elm Grove, WI on Monday, July 6, 2026.  Public visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 pm, followed by a burial service at St. Mary’s Visitation Cemetery, which is located across the street from the church. 

For those who would like to make a donation in memory of Jane, the family suggests the Franciscan Friars Ministries at Mary Gate of Heaven in Negril Jamaica, which was a cause dear to her heart.  Donations can be made at:   https://give.franciscanfriarscharities.org/page/167128/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=FFC257OWDPJMCAF13C36999

Jelacic Funeral Home of Milwaukee, WI is serving the family.  Messages for the family may be left on an online guestbook at www.jelacicfuneralhome.com.

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